《THE THIRD RETURN OF THE NECROTIC MAGIC SWORDSMAN》 Talent, Class & Items ranking, Power ranking Commonality for all: 1. F 2. E 3. D 4. C 5. B 6. A 7. S 8. SS 9. SSS Note: The upper 9 rankings are divided into three parts. Firstly, the negative (-) such as F-, E-, etc., secondly, the neutral () like D, C, etc., and thirdly, the positive (+) such as B+, A+. This is mentioned now to avoid any mistakes later. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Talent: 10. Quasi Transcendent 11. Transcendent 12. Quasi Supreme 13. Supreme 14. Quasi God 15. God ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Class: 10. Epic 11. Legendary 12. Mythic 13. Ancient 14. Supreme 15. God ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Items: 10. Epic 11. Legendary 12. Mythic 13. Ancient 14. Primordial 15. Universal ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Power Ranking: 1. Rank 0 {Mortal Warrior} 2. Rank 1 {Evolved Warrior} 3. Rank 2 {Mortal Limits Warrior} 4. Rank 3 {Ascendant Rank} 5. Rank 4 {Immortal Warrior} 6. Rank 5 {Demigod Warrior} 7. Rank 6 {God Warrior} 8. Rank 7 {Cosmic God Warrior} 9. Rank 8 {Primordial God Warrior} ... [More will be shown in future arcs] Calendar of the new world Every month have 30 days in it and total is 360 days. 1.Astralis 2.Stellune 3.DawnmereThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. 4.Everdusk 5.Lyridia 6.Solaris 7.Cinderis 8.Mystara 9.Shadowend 10.Aetheris 11.Moonveil 12.Eternis The night when everything falls apart. [1] On a chilly night, two figures could be seen moving swiftly through the darkness. At a glance, they appeared to be a couple, though a closer inspection revealed a small cut from a blade on the man''s shoulder, hinting at a recent scuffle. They were breathing heavily, as if they had just finished a marathon. The man paused to survey the surroundings before signaling his wife to follow as they turned down another street. Their pace slowed as they approached a particular building, the woman clutching a blanket tightly around an object she seemed desperate to protect. Upon reaching their destination, they stood before a large iron gate adorned with a sign that read ''The Heaven''s Garden''. Inside, the garden brimmed with playthings like swings and slides, inviting joy and laughter. It was clear to anyone that it was an orphanage, and a large one at that. "Honey, is it safe to leave him here? They could find him here if they wanted to," asked the lady, whose name was Jenny. "No, Jenny, I''m familiar with this orphanage. I''ve met the director many times and heard a lot about him. He has significant influence in this city, and those bastards can''t do anything to our child, I promise. And I''ve said we''ll come back for him once everything is settled." Said the man named Jake. "Okay, I believe in you, but listen, if anything happens to him, I promise I will never speak to you again," Jenny stated, her face contorted into a pout. "Yes, I promise, but please, let''s leave this area quickly; they could find us anywhere," Jake urged as he entered the large gate adjoining a smaller one. Surveying their surroundings for any signs of others and finding none, they began walking towards the main entrance of the building. Reaching the front door within seconds, Jenny gently removed the cloth from her baby''s face, revealing a cherubic visage with tiny brown eyes and wisps of black hair just beginning to sprout atop his head. One could easily guess he was about six to seven months old. "He looks just like you, Jake, with his face resembling yours and that black hair," Jenny remarked, fondly caressing his cheeks. "No, he takes after you, with his eye color matching yours and his innocence mirroring your own. I believe our son will be quite the charmer when he grows up," Jake said, gazing at the boy with a serene expression. "You," Jenny said, bumping her shoulder against his stomach, causing him to stagger back a few steps. "Sorry, sorry, I''ll never say it again," Jake replied, making a gesture of surrender.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "But Jake, aren''t you going to give him a name?" Jenny asked, cradling their child in her arms. "No, I''ve already decided, and I apologize for the delay; we just didn''t find the time. But I promise, I''ve chosen a great name that means ''Great Warrior,'' and I''ve even bought a custom pendant for it," Jake said, pulling out a pendant that resembled a thin, sturdy cuboidal plate with a chain attached. Engraved on one side was ''Evan,'' and on the other, ''Windstone.'' "Wow, I thought you were going to ruin his name like our aunt did with her baby, but you''ve chosen a good one. I think living with me has rubbed off some good habits on you," Jenny remarked, touching the bridge of her nose. "Okay, okay, madam, I''m sorry if I angered you, and yes, I named your aunt''s son poorly because I didn''t approve of her," Jake said, gently placing the pendant around the baby''s neck. "Let''s go, Jenny. We have to leave now; we''re already past the time we agreed on," Jake said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Can''t we stay just a few more minutes? I''m not sure if we''ll ever see him again, or how long it will be until we do. Please, just let me play with him for a little while longer," Jenny pleaded, her eyes filled with longing. "I''m sorry, dear, but we must go. It could endanger our child''s life if they find us here," Jake replied, his expression solemn. "Okay," Jenny said, and after one last look at her baby, she placed her gently on the ground before the door. After laying the sleeping Evan down, who wiggled a bit before settling back to sleep. "Please take care of yourself and don''t do anything wrong in the future, my baby, okay? Your mom and dad are going to return soon and live with you forever," Jenny said with tears in her eyes, hugging Jake while crying. "Son, I am very sorry that I won''t be able to give you the happiness that a father should, but I promise when we return, I will make you the happiest child in the world. That''s my promise," Jake said with tears in his eyes and pressed the bell button, alerting the caretaker inside who started coming toward the door. From inside the mansion, a fifty-year-old man and his wife walked out, looking around to see who had rung the bell but found no one. Just as they were about to close the door, his wife glanced down and found a baby sleeping peacefully. "Dear, look! Someone has left a child here on our doorstep," she exclaimed, quickly lifting the baby from the cold ground into her warm embrace. "Oh boy, this child''s body is so cold; I don''t know how long he has been here," she said, beginning to take the baby inside to warm him up. "How careless they are, to give birth to a child and then leave them in an orphanage. Why even give birth if they''re just going to abandon them?" her husband remarked, scanning the area to see if anyone was around but finding no one in the dark night. "Quickly, let''s go inside; we need to warm him up or his health will be affected," the woman said, rushing inside towards the bathroom. The man, after a brief glance, followed inside and headed towards the bathroom to check on the baby. Meanwhile, Jake and Jenny were standing behind the wall of the large door, peeping through the doorway where Evan had been taken. They sighed in relief, reassured that the child was in good hands. "Jenny, let''s go. Our Evan is in safe hands now; they will take care of him until we return. So, let''s go," Jake said, starting to walk towards one of the narrow streets. "Okay," Jenny said, and with one last glance, she started walking towards where her husband had gone, and they both disappeared into the night''s darkness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Behold my latest creation, as mentioned in my other novel. Are you ready for a new adventure? Add it to your library for the latest updates. The night when everything falls apart. [2] Two figures could be seen walking hand in hand down a dimly lit street, their eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously. They were unmistakably Jake and Jenny, who had just left little Evan at the orphanage. "I''m already missing him," Jenny confessed, trailing behind Jake. "You should know that our child''s well-being is best ensured by our absence; being near him would only put his life in danger," Jake explained, pausing to look around for any signs of being watched or followed. "But are you certain we can leave this place, escape from this area?" Jenny inquired. "Yes, I''m confident we can make our escape from here, from this very area," Jake assured her with a determined expression. "Okay, but promise me, if anything happens to me while we''re away from our child, you''ll take care of him with twice the effort," Jenny implored, her voice tinged with sudden urgency. "Huh, what the hell are you talking about right now, and why?" Jake asked, turning to look at her. "Let''s just call it a woman''s intuition," Jenny said with a smile. "Oh, come on, you and your intuition," Jake retorted, smiling in a way that made Jenny chuckle. As their conversation came to a close, so did the street, and they found themselves standing near a park. They quickly entered and first sought cover inside a bush. "Jake are you sure that''s the correct park in which the way was hidden." Jenny asked as she looked at him who was looking around to see if anybody was here or not. "No, I am 100% certain this is the right way. And don''t you trust your charming husband?" Jake said with a cheeky smile. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. Charming, let''s just go before those guys find us," Jenny said as they emerged from the bushes and walked towards a building in the park. Indeed, it was the men''s restroom they entered, choosing one of the stalls. "Isn''t it exciting, just like those videos?" Jake said, blowing some air on Jenny''s ear as she looked around for the way. "What are you doing right now? Is this the time for things like that?" Jenny exclaimed loudly, startled by his action. "Shush! Don''t you remember we could get caught if you shout so loudly?" Jake whispered, his hand gesturing for silence. "Sorry, but aren''t you the one making me do this? And where''s the way out?" She asked, looking around to no avail.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "It''s through there," he said, pointing at the toilet seat. "What do you mean by that? No, never. We won''t fit, and even if we could, I wouldn''t do it, not even if my life depended on it," Jenny said as she stepped back, bumping into the toilet wall which started to shake slightly. "What are you doing? Do you want to get us caught?" he asked as he saw her actions. "Do you think a sane person would just say ''oh, okay''?" she retorted, mimicking such a reaction. "No, dumbo. Listen, we don''t have to go inside; we just need to push it aside," he explained, preparing to demonstrate. He grasped the toilet seat, ready to push, but the stench from within made him dizzy. So, he closed the lid, took a deep breath, and resumed his effort. At first, it barely moved, but with added force, it began to shift, and within minutes, they had moved it aside to reveal a tunnel that a normal person could fit through with some squeezing. "So, who''s going first?" he inquired, as she decided to enter last, and without any argument, they began to enter. As they entered one by one, Jake, who was last, found a lever inside. He pressed it, and the toilet seat began to shake slightly, returning to its place. "What happened, and why did the lights go off?" Jenny asked, her voice tinged with fear from the sudden darkness. "No, it''s nothing; I just closed the passage door. Don''t worry, am I not here with you?" he asked as they both started crawling onward with their torchlight on. Jake was well-prepared, bringing a torchlight with him. Using a phone would have quickly led to their capture by the powerful entity chasing them, and in this dragon kingdom, capture meant certain death. They were fleeing to a neighboring kingdom where they could live for a while and later return to retrieve their son once the situation cooled down. "Jake, are we going the right way?" she asked after approximately fifteen minutes of crawling without seeing the end of the tunnel. "Don''t worry, just believe in me. We''re taking a shortcut to leave the city and escape the kingdom, so we have to travel a bit," Jake reassured her. Jenny nodded, and they moved ahead. After a while, the tunnel widened, allowing them to walk with only slightly bowed heads by the time they reached the halfway mark. Jake suggested using only one torch to conserve the battery. They knew they had traveled half the distance because a mark reading ''50%'' was written on the floor, and they noticed that every time they crossed a distance, they found a number with a difference of 10. Approximately two hours later, they stood before a wall. "Where''s the way?" she asked. Jake nodded and pressed a specific part of the wall. Initially, nothing happened, but seconds later, the wall slid open, revealing a path. "We have to go this way now? Come on, I''m already so tired, and we have to walk even more," she complained childishly. "Just five more minutes, honey, and we''ll be out of the city," he reassured her as he stepped into the passage. They both entered, and the passage sealed itself after a few minutes due to a button Jake pressed. As they walked, the passage, which had been widening, now began to narrow until they were forced to crawl. After a few minutes, they reached the end of the passage. "What now? Is the tunnel closed? Are we going to die here, or is there another way?" Jenny asked, trying to see him. "Just wait, I''m looking for somethi~~~~~. Ah ha, found it!" he exclaimed as he pressed a hidden button, and the wall at the end of the tunnel retracted. Jenny, shaking, hurried outside as the passage opened. She crawled out, feeling suffocated, but the scene before her was even more repulsive. "So, this is your escape plan? Jake, I''m going to kill you," she shouted as she surveyed her surroundings. The night when everything falls apart. [3] As Evan''s parents hastened their departure, the orphanage staff ensured he was bathed in warm water and fed with milk. The caretaker reviewed the security footage, hoping to identify the child''s parents. Unfortunately, the camera captured only a fleeting image that did not reveal their faces, rendering the footage virtually useless. However, he observed the mother''s apparent distress at leaving her child, which led him to believe that the situation was dire. To protect the child, he decided to erase the footage, fearing that if the parents returned and saw it, the child''s safety would be compromised. Simultaneously, as he scrutinized the camera footage, his wife was about to discard the cloth in which the child had been wrapped. By chance, she discovered a paper hidden within, resembling a letter. She hastily retrieved it and unfolded it to read. Upon understanding its contents, she rushed to her husband to share the discovered letter. "What is this?" he inquired, eyeing the paper curiously. "It was with the child, wrapped in his clothes. It appears to be from his father," she explained, urging him to read it. He unfolded the letter and began to read: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Orphanage Director, With profound regret, I find myself compelled to entrust my child to your care. We are being pursued by high-ranking officials, and for the sake of my son''s safety, he must not be involved in our troubles. I have faith that you will care for him and guide him towards virtue. We plan to reunite with him once circumstances permit. I beseech you to keep the existence of this letter secret from him, as the truth of his abandonment would bring him great sorrow. As a token of my gratitude, I have left a sum of money for the orphanage in the garden. Please accept it and forgive me for leaving my child at your doorstep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ He understood the matter fully and immediately burned the letter, aware of the circumstances of the parents who had abandoned their child here. While he was burning the letter, his wife, who had read it first, hurried outside to verify its truth. Finding nothing, she was about to return in anger and sadness when she noticed a card on the flower vase by the main door. She snatched it up and saw it was a money card with a note detailing the amount and card number. The sum was ten thousand Dracins, which even shocked her. {Author''s Note: As you may know, this story shares the same universe as my main story, so the currency is the same. The history of this world will be told in my main story, as this narrative takes place in another world. I will narrate that world''s story, so don''t worry.}The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Greed clouding her judgment, she glanced around to see if anyone was watching and quickly returned inside to her husband, who was cleaning up the ashes of the letter. "Look, husband, the letter was true, and I found the money. And guess what? The child''s parents were quite wealthy; they donated ten thousand Dracins, which is equivalent to ten million Dragon points. We can do so much with this money," she said, her mind drifting towards the many wishes she had previously suppressed. "No, dear, this is not our personal money; it will be used solely for the orphanage and the children. I am confident that my job income will suffice for your desires, and we won''t need to spend it on the orphanage for a few years," the director replied. He felt a twinge of greed but quickly purified his intentions and shared the truth with his wife. This revelation silenced her momentarily, but after some contemplation, she concurred with him. "Okay, I understand. But listen, since we know that sixty percent of your income went to the orphanage, I will use that amount for myself until this money runs out," she proposed. Her husband simply nodded in agreement, not wishing to argue with her. He after taking Evan to the baby sleeping room where all small child sleep put him there and ask the caretaker which he hired to observe kids if they got up in night to take him to sleep. Then he also got back for sleep with his wife. ........... While this occurred at the orphanage, two figures emerged from a narrow passage within a darkened area. As they stepped out, it became clear that they were Jake and Jenny, who had just exited the accursed tunnel. "So, this is our escape route? From the city''s drainage area? Eww, it reeks here," she complained, pinching her nose to block the foul odor of the stagnant water. "Sorry, Jenny, but it''s the only way to leave the city unnoticed," he replied, starting to walk in a certain direction. They continued to bicker for a while, and after some time, they finally saw the light they had seen earlier. Jenny, who had been growing increasingly uncomfortable, was overjoyed and dashed towards the light, leaving a stunned Jake behind. She ran until she was about to exit the area when suddenly her face collided with something cold and flimsy. "Ow, what did I crash into?" she exclaimed, rubbing her face. Jake couldn''t help but laugh loudly as he saw what had happened to Jenny and went to help her up. "Can''t you see that the exit door is locked?" he pointed out, referring to the metal wire door Jenny had run into, which was set into the wall where the water exited the system. The door, primarily used for maintenance access to the drainage system, was rusting, and the lock was in even worse condition. With a firm hit from the back of his torch, he managed to break it open, and they both stepped out of the area. Taking a deep breath of relief, Jenny looked around to discover they were in a jungle-like area, approximately three to four kilometers from the city walls. "Are we safe now?" she inquired, turning to him. "Not yet. First, we need to reach the border of the Dragon Kingdom and cross it to be safe. Then we''ll sneak into the nearby city," he explained as they started walking away from the city. They began their trek deeper into the jungle, a path they hoped would lead them to safety. "Son, please be safe. We will return for you," Jake said, pausing to look back at the city. With a heavy heart, he turned and continued on with Jenny. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The night when everything falls apart. [4] When Jake and Jenny emerged from the sewer pipe, they entered the jungle, heading in the opposite direction from the city they had escaped from. Despite their concern for Evan, they left the city with heavy hearts, prioritizing the safety of their baby and themselves. Jenny was heartbroken over leaving their child, but Jake understood that their actions were in the best interest of their child. He knew that even if something happened to them, their baby would remain safe and sound. Upon entering the jungle, they found a secure spot between trees and bushes to rest after an hour''s journey. Having covered a considerable distance in a few hours, their abilities as Apprentice rank cultivators made them well-equipped for travel through the jungle. {Author''s Note: For the cultivation power chart, please refer to my other book. Uploading the same information here would be redundant, and since this is not a cultivation novel, it''s clear that I will only post the power rankings pertinent to the world where the majority of the novel takes place.} If you''re wondering why they are running despite being strong, it''s because they are being chased by someone from one of the big families. But why am I revealing all this to you? {Author''s Note: Who are you to interfere in my novel and disclose my plot? And who are you anyway?} Well, I am who I am, and why I''m doing this is a secret for now. If you want to know who I am, I''m not telling you... yet. Goodbye, we''ll meet again. {Author''s Note: I will surely catch you next time. *Inhale* *Exhale* *Inhale* *Exhale* Apologies for the interruption, let''s continue with our story, and I will find the person responsible for this.} .... Jake and Jenny, after a lengthy journey, finally emerged from the depths of the jungle. During their travels, Jake was astonished to encounter not only common wildlife, but also rare beasts imbued with Qi, making them far stronger than ordinary animals. These beasts are monsters that have either been exposed to Qi or have consumed some natural treasure given birth by nature itself. Such creatures are scarce, as the world''s energy levels are not high enough to produce them frequently. However, the global government has observed that these energy levels are increasing over time, leading to a rise in the number of beasts evolving from animals. This phenomenon has both positive and negative implications: on the one hand, humans could more easily become martial cultivators; on the other, the weaker among humanity could face grave dangers. "Hey Jake, what''s on your mind?" Jenny inquired, noticing his distant gaze. "I''m just pondering the rising energy levels in the atmosphere and the advent of beasts capable of harnessing Qi," Jake replied, surveying their surroundings. "Oh, that research you were conducting some time ago," Jenny recalled, remembering the research paper that indicated the world''s energy readings were increasing.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. "Yes, that''s the one. Haven''t you noticed that it''s affecting all creatures, including plants and even us?" Jake replied as they both rose from the ground, concluding their rest. "So, where to now?" she inquired, scanning the surroundings for a river or something to quench her thirst. "We''ll first exit the jungle, then continue our journey to meet my research team who are awaiting us. After that, we''ll head to the Phoenix Kingdom, Blaze City, where our accommodations have been arranged," Jake explained as they walked for a few minutes and came upon a small river cascading down from a medium-sized mountain. They cautiously checked for any animals before approaching the river to drink. A few minutes later, after drinking and freshening up, they left the area. With great effort, they finally noticed the jungle trees diminishing in height, signaling their approach to the outskirts of the jungle. "We''re safe at last and can truly rest," Jenny exclaimed, dashing towards the exit. Jake, equally weary and keen to leave the jungle, followed his excited wife. The sun''s rays were cascading over their faces as night gave way to day, which was quite pleasant for them. Upon exiting, they discovered a plain grassland before them, and not far off, their colleagues'' jeep was parked. They began walking towards it and noticed two men standing there. "Hey Max, Oliver, we''re here!" Jake called out, prompting both men to look up and wave back. In a few minutes, Jake and Jenny reached the jeep and felt a wave of relief wash over them, knowing they had fully escaped. "So, what''s next? Let''s get moving; there might still be danger lurking," Jenny suggested as she settled into the back seat of the jeep. "Alright, we were just waiting for you two; our lives are at risk as well," Max replied as they all climbed into the jeep and started towards the kingdom''s border. Both Jake and Jenny were relieved to have escaped, yet Jenny felt a pang of sadness for her baby. The journey had been too arduous to bring him along, but she vowed to return soon to retrieve him. "What''s wrong? You both seem so quiet and downcast," Jake inquired, noticing their somber expressions. "Oh... It''s nothing. We''re just sad to leave our homeland where we were born and raised, especially now that we''re forced out by some threat," Oliver responded hastily, his voice cracking as if he were frightened. "Is everything alright with you two?" Jenny asked, also sensing something amiss. "It''s just a slight headache," Max replied, massaging his forehead. "Okay, if you say so," Jenny said, then fell silent. The Jeep moved forward; its occupants quiet. A few minutes later, something happened. The Jeep halted, stopping after inching forward. "What happened now?" Jake asked, scanning the surroundings for any sign of trouble. "Oh, nothing major, just the jeep engine stopped working; I''ll try to fix it," he said as he got out of the jeep and went to open the hood. Oliver came over to check it, and when Jake started to approach, Oliver stopped him and suggested he rest for a while. After inspecting for a moment, they returned. "Did it work or not?" Jake inquired, looking at them. "No, everything seems fine there, but I think we need to give it a push to start," Max explained as they all exited the jeep and prepared to push. Jake and Jenny were positioned behind the jeep, while Oliver and Max were at their respective doors, ready to push from there. "Once I count up to three, push it with all your strength," Oliver instructed as he counted. When he reached three, they all pushed with their might. Thanks to Jake and Jenny''s cultivation rank, the Jeep moved quite easily. Max tried to start it again, and this time it worked. They both sat inside to avoid falling out as the Jeep began to move forward¡ªit was a success. However, what Jake and Jenny saw next made them freeze in their tracks, as they could only watch the scene unfolding before them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The night when everything falls apart. [5/last] What Jake and Jenny witnessed left them in shock after the Jeep started. They observed that the car wouldn''t stop at all, moving forward without them. "Hey, where are you going? We''re still here!" Jake shouted as they both ran after it, trying to catch up. They assumed Max had thought they were in the Jeep before it started, and he drove off since waiting there was perilous. "Sorry, Jake, Jenny, but we had no choice. They threatened our lives if we didn''t leave you both here, so please understand," Oliver yelled as they drove away. "That bastard, I should''ve known something was wrong," Jake muttered, crushing the grass under his feet in frustration. "Jake, we need to get out of here before they come for us," Jenny said, scanning the surroundings for any sign of pursuit. "Okay, let''s hurry before we get caught," Jake agreed, and they both started walking. However, they had only covered a short distance when they heard someone approaching. "Do you hear that? Can you tell where it''s coming from?" Jenny whispered, crouching down to avoid detection. "Let me listen carefully, then I''ll be able to tell," he replied, attuning his ears to the sound of crushed grass and footsteps. "Oh no, we''re encircled, Jenny. They''ve arrived. Our escape prospects are bleak; there are over twenty of them, and it appears they''re all at the Apprentice rank, with some reaching the Ninth stage," Jake observed, assessing the cultivation levels of their adversaries. "Are we going to die here?" Jenny asked, her voice tinged with shock and despair. "No, even if I have to, I will create a way for you to escape," Jake assured her, gripping her hand tightly. They made no sound and quietly retreated, step by step, until the sound of footsteps ceased after a minute. "We know you''re here, so don''t waste my time and come out," someone from the pursuing team shouted, likely their leader. "Boss, should we go find them?" a team member asked, even though they hadn''t heeded his boss''s command to emerge. "No, you idiot, no one leaves their position until I say so," the man commanded as he scanned the area for them. Minutes passed, and still, no one appeared, pushing the man''s patience to its limit until it finally snapped. "Search for them; I need them here today. I will personally kill them with my hands and present them to the master," declared the man named Marcus, a servant of the Ashcroft family under the direct command of the Patriarch. "Sir, but what about those two who escaped from the vehicle? Won''t they discover the secret?" another man inquired, looking in the direction the car had fled. "Do you think I''m a fool to leave those two alive? Our hit squad is waiting for them in that direction, and the signal to move in is imminent," he replied, eyeing the path the jeep had taken. ........... Max and Oliver, having escaped the area, were heading towards the border of the Dragon and Phoenix kingdoms, where they hoped to find refuge. However, their luck ran out when they encountered a group of armed individuals blocking their path. Max slammed on the brakes to halt the car. "What are we going to do now, Max? We''re surrounded," Oliver exclaimed, noticing several men in black suits with guns in their hands. ''I can''t die here,'' Max thought, giving Oliver a determined nod. Understanding the signal, Oliver gripped his seat tightly. Max floored the accelerator, and the jeep surged forward in the same direction, aiming to break through the blockade as stepping out would mean certain death. "Fire," commanded one of the men, prompting the group to open fire on the jeep. The jeep was riddled with bullets, yet Max didn''t halt, and by staying low, they managed to escape. Unexpectedly, their pursuers had a grenade launcher. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. A single shot was fired, and the jeep exploded into fragments. Both occupants were killed instantly, their bodies beyond recognition. Meanwhile, the sound of the explosion drew the attention of Jake, Jenny, and their pursuers. "It looks like our job here is done," Marcus remarked to his men, who nodded, visibly shaken. "Do you hear that? That''s the sound of your friends'' demise. Your fate will be just as grim if you don''t surrender now," Marcus bellowed, but still, they remained hidden. "Should we surrender Jake." Jenny as she was getting scared as time goes. "No, we can''t, and didn''t you hear? They will kill us if we''re found," he said, understanding all too well how a pack of hunting dogs operates. They offer their prey hope, only to mercilessly tear them apart once they reveal themselves. He knew this, and he also knew who was orchestrating it. "We have to escape for our child," Jake whispered as they began to crawl through the grass, moving forward with utmost stealth. They managed to create some distance, but Marcus''s patience was wearing thin, and he resorted to his last option. "Fine, if you won''t listen, then don''t blame me. Everyone, back off!" he commanded, and the men retreated. "Why are they backing off?" Jenny inquired, under the impression that they believed she and her companions had escaped. "I doubt they''re just going to let us go like that," Jake replied, peeking to see what they were up to. "Oh shoot. Run, Jenny, but stay out of their line of sight," Jake told her, and with their heads lowered, they started moving in the opposite direction. "What happened, Jake, and why are we running now?" Jenny asked, about to inquire further when she heard something. "You won''t come out, will you, rats? Then so be it, throw them," Marcus commanded, and the men standing behind him hurled something forward. As the object hit the ground at a distance, a loud explosion ensued with a resounding bang. It was grenades. They were hurling grenades to eliminate them. "These mad dogs are trying to bury us alive with those blasts," Jake exclaimed, as numerous clods and fragments of rock flew towards them, impeding their escape. "Jenny, it''s the right moment to run in the shade of dust," Jake said as they both ran towards the jungle where they could hide and reach the Phoenix Kingdom, Blaze City, located just beside this jungle. You might wonder how they could get near Blaze City so quickly compared to the other two. The answer is that the route the others were taking was meant for vehicles and was a longer one, but the path Jake and Jenny chose was more dangerous and less frequented by people. Despite the circumstances, the path was clear, allowing for a swift escape through the jungle''s cover. {Author''s Note: Oh, it''s you again! Escape is not an option this time.} Ha! Catching me is a game you won''t win. Farewell, dear readers, until our paths cross once more. {Author''s Note: Drat, slipped through my fingers again! Apologies, dear readers, for the premature revelations. An elusive figure is divulging secrets meant for later. Fear not, I''ll be ready next time to nab our mysterious spoiler. Meanwhile, please, carry on with the tale.} They were just about to enter the jungle when a grenade landed in front of them. "Jenny, get away!" Jake yelled as he pushed Jenny aside, and they both leapt into the jungle. However, Jake was caught in the blast, and his hand and the side of his face were severely burned. "Jake!" Jenny cried out as she rushed toward him, horrified at the sight of his injuries. His right face and arm were charred, his skin peeling away as it had been burned to the extreme. Fortunately, he was still alive, though parts of his clothing were on fire, which she quickly smothered to prevent further burns. "Are you okay? Can you hear what I''m saying?" Jenny asked, looking at him as he cried out in pain. "Can''t you see I''m not okay and in pain? Yet you''re asking if I''m alright. Help me up quickly; we need to leave before they catch us," Jake said, attempting to conceal his agony. He tried to rise but couldn''t, as his right hand was not functioning properly. He could move it, but the pain was so intense it felt numb. "I''m sorry, I thought something had happened to you, and..." She was cut off as Jake placed his other hand over her mouth. "Shh, let''s go before they return," Jake whispered. She nodded, helped Jake to his feet, and they moved deeper into the garden, disappearing from view outside the jungle. As they both escaped, Marcus, who had halted his men from bombarding the area, approached the jungle boundary. "Boss, look! I''ve found traces of blood and some shredded skin," a man exclaimed, pointing in the direction. "It seems one of them was caught in the impact and died here. Listen up, everyone," Marcus commanded, "search the surrounding area thoroughly but do not enter the jungle. It falls within the Phoenix Kingdom''s territory, and their patrols are frequent. If we''re discovered, it''s certain death for us and trouble for the family head. So, I repeat, no one is to enter the jungle." Several hours into the search, the team was still scouring the area when one man, who had discovered blood traces near the jungle''s edge, called for Marcus. "It appears those rats have escaped into the jungle," Marcus observed, noting the blood spots within the jungle. "Now what, sir? Should we search inside the jungle?" one man asked. "No one will go inside, but if we return without their bodies, then we are as good as dead. Ah, yes, we can use that tactic," Marcus said, intending to employ the same strategy he had used previously. "Retreat, and everyone must remember that both of them are dead if you wish to escape the Patriarch''s wrath. I will handle the rest; you go and bring me two bodies, one man and one woman," Marcus commanded, as everyone understood their tasks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bad news and Time skip. As Jake and Jenny''s story unfolds, ''The Heaven''s Garden'' orphanage becomes a hub of chaos with the arrival of a new child, whose origins are unknown. "Did you hear? There''s a new kid here," a boy around 9 or 10 whispered to his friend. "Really? Let''s go see him before the news spreads," his friend replied, and they hurried out of their room. The news traveled fast, like wildfire through dry grass. Children of all ages gathered, peering into a room where toddlers played, and a maid held a baby, only 2-3 months old. "Move along, children, or you''ll frighten the little ones," an older woman chided the crowd, who dispersed like mosquitoes. "This happens every time a new child arrives. I must inquire with the director about his origins," she murmured, heading to the director''s office. Shortly after, she entered the director''s office, where the old man who had received Evan was engrossed in paperwork. "Excuse me, sir, I need to ask you something," she said, capturing the director''s attention. "I thought you were going to come but not that much quick, I know why you are here Mrs. Suzie. It''s about the new kid right." He asked as he finished his work and look at her. "Yes, Sir, it seems that as time passes, you''re becoming more adept at predicting," she said with a smile. "No, it''s not like that. I just know because you always come after a new child appears," he replied, causing Mrs. Suzie''s face to flush with a hint of embarrassment. "Sorry, Director, it has become my duty after working here for fifteen years," she said, and they both shared a brief laugh. "So, who is he, and where did you find him?" Suzie inquired, causing the Director to halt his laughter. "His name is Evan, a child I found on our doorstep," the Director explained as he took a glass of water from beside him. "Oh, so it''s the same old ''abandoning the child after birth, running away from responsibility'' type of case, is it?" Suzie mused. "No, it''s only a partial truth. The child''s parents were facing significant troubles and left him here out of fear for his safety. They promised to return for him once their problems were resolved or had subsided," the director explained. Suzie nodded in response, and after a brief exchange, she departed to attend to her duties. "I hope they''re safe. If anything were to happen to them, the child would truly be orphaned," he mused, gazing out the window at the children playing in the garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. {A/N: It''s time for a big-time skip. Look like I can finally show my talent somewhere.} {Wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey,Fast-forward, don''t be grimy!Flip the page, skip the fuss,Let''s jump ahead, just because!} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As time wove its rapid enchantment, fifteen years swiftly passed, and young Evan, now a teenager, resided with the other orphans. In these years, a mix of fortunes befell them. The orphanage rose to prominence in society, its reputation bolstered by the funds bequeathed by Evan''s parents. This prosperity attracted substantial donations from noble families, eager to earn societal esteem. Yet, dark tidings soon emerged. Whispers traversed the dragon kingdom of a couple, Jake and Jenny Windstone, apprehended for trying to trade secrets with a rival kingdom. Their failed escape resulted in their fatal confrontation with the law. Upon Evan''s arrival, the director recognized the names inscribed on a pendant¡ªEvan''s name on one side, Windstone on the reverse¡ªsignaling the end of the boy''s parental ties. He understood that revealing Evan''s heritage could condemn the boy to either death or a life tarnished by the stigma of his parents'' supposed betrayal. He set it aside and never revealed his name, burying the pendant in his past memories, leaving only the name Evan, without a surname. Evan grew up like any normal child, but he was somewhat timid or scared because, at the age of three, he experienced a strange dream. The orphanage caretaker dismissed it as a typical dream where he was a man with a sword or sometimes a mage. His dreams didn''t end there; they continued every night, waking him up in tears. Concerned, he was taken to a psychiatrist at the age of five, who assured them that it was normal for children to have such dreams and advised distancing him from the manga and cartoons he watched on TV. Following this advice, his dreams ceased, but then, unexpectedly, they resumed seven years later when he was twelve. This time, however, he told no one, aware that sharing would only lead to reprimands for watching TV or reading manga. So, he let it be, and his condition remained as such. His behavior began to change as he distanced himself from other children who were his friends, becoming a loner who only read books or played by himself. He spoke less and was always found silent, unlike other children his age who were energetic and playful. Even when adults came to adopt him, attracted by his peaceful behavior, they returned him after a few days, not wanting a child so silent and unplayful, resembling an emotionless doll. They reported that at night, he would suddenly start screaming and then, within five minutes, return to sleep, which frightened them every night. As a result, he was returned each time, leaving him the only one of his age not adopted. At the age of fifteen, he unexpectedly spoke to the director, expressing his shocking desire to live alone, away from the orphanage. Initially, the director was opposed to the idea, but upon considering the boy''s condition, he agreed, with certain conditions. The boy was to live in his friend''s apartment, receive money until he turned eighteen, remain under the apartment owner''s supervision, and avoid bad habits like alcohol and cigarettes. He was instructed to always behave well towards others, study diligently, and was warned that failure to follow these rules would result in his return to the orphanage. He immediately agreed, finding the conditions quite favorable and to his advantage. He bid farewell to his friends, whom he believed would miss him, and to all the caretakers who had looked after him. A few days later, he left the city for Lumina, where director friend resided. This departure signified the end of his fifteen-year-old life and the start of a new chapter, one whose future could be dark or bright, an uncertainty to all. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lumina city [1] Evan finally reached the city, and as night had fallen, he followed the director''s directions without any stops and arrived at the building where he was to reside from now on. "It looks like that''s the place where I''ll be living for the next three years until I can move out on my own," Evan remarked, gazing at the building with a bag slung over his shoulder and a suitcase in his left hand. "I''d better get inside quickly, or I''ll have to sleep outside tonight," he thought, noticing a man around fifty years old, similar in age to the director, closing the main door. "Sir, wait, I need to ask you something," he called out, hurrying to stop the man from shutting the door. "Who are you, kid, and why are you here so late at night?" the man inquired, examining Evan from head to toe. "Sir, my name is Evan, and Mr. Will sent me here; I believe you''re the landlord, correct?" Evan introduced himself and explained his situation. "Oh yes, Will mentioned you a few days ago. Remember, kid, I''m only giving you a room because of my friend, so don''t you dare step out of line. And no late nights; the gate closes at eleven PM sharp. Listen closely, I''m just the landlord, but if you cross the line, I''ll send you back to where you came from. Now, come with me. You''ve arrived late, and I bet you haven''t eaten, so my wife has prepared some food for you," the man said as he turned to walk away. Evan, who had been dazed by the barrage of rules and the unexpected offer of food, finally snapped out of it and followed him toward his home. "Thank you, sir, but may I know your name?" Evan asked as the man glanced back and continued walking, making Evan think he didn''t want to share his name. "Jason," the man replied a few minutes later. "Sir, did you say something?" Evan inquired, not quite catching his response. "I said my name is Jason!" Jason raised his voice, repeating himself. "Oh, okay. Thank you, Mr. Jason, for welcoming me and agreeing to look after me," Evan responded, relieved to have finally learned his name. "Come after me," Jason said as they approached an apartment door bearing his and his wife''s names on the nameplate. Jason rang the bell, and a voice from inside responded with a "Coming!" "Oh, Jason, did you find the person you were looking for?" a lady asked as she looked at him and then at Evan. "Hi there, young man. My name is Rossy, and I''m the wife of this stubborn old man," she introduced herself, prompting laughter from Evan. "Rossy, I told you not to do this in front of others," Jason complained as Rossy stuck out her tongue, making him even angrier. "Kid, this is my wife, as she told you. Come inside quickly to eat your dinner, after which I''ll show you your room," Jason explained. Evan nodded and headed inside to eat the dinner he was offered, knowing that if he refused, he would have to sleep on an empty stomach, which he didn''t want.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. As he sat at the dining table, both of them also sat beside him, and Rossy began serving the food. "Sir, haven''t you had dinner yet?" Evan asked, thinking they would have eaten before him, and noticing the food was quite warm, as if it had been prepared recently. "We just have the habit of eating late. And why are you asking such questions? Just shut up and eat your food, or it will get cold," Jason said as he started eating without further comment. "Don''t worry, Evan. Today, he asked me to prepare the food late because as soon as he heard from his friend about you, he started cleaning the room for you. He even went to the market to get some ingredients," Rossy explained as Evan looked at Jason, who was eating his food, facing another direction. "Thank you, sir, for your hospitality, but why did you go to such lengths for me when I''m not that important?" Evan asked, looking at both of them. "I will tell you about this because when he told us about you, he also sent us a picture of you. When we looked at it, we were stunned because you look exactly like our son did in his childhood. That''s why we agreed to it; it could help us alleviate some past pain," Rossy said, as if recalling a sad memory, and her eyes became teary. "But I think you''re overreacting because I am not your son, and I don''t think he would appreciate you seeing me as taking his place," Evan said, acknowledging the uncomfortable truth. "I''m sorry if I said something wrong," Evan quickly added, realizing the impact of his words. "You don''t have to apologize; our son won''t take it seriously because he''s already passed away... a few years ago," she said, her voice faltering slightly on some words. "I''m sorry, ma''am, if I hurt your feelings or overstepped my boundaries. I didn''t know about your son... Let''s leave it at that and eat our food before it gets cold," he said, sensing the gravity of the situation. "Ah, yes, I''m sorry for putting you in this position right after you arrived. Let''s eat, and Jason will show you to your room," Rossy said. After that, no one spoke, and only after they had finished dinner did Jason come out to take him to his room. As they walked up the stairs, it was already late, but still, some people, mostly younger ones, were roaming around the area. "Kid, don''t take my wife too seriously; she always gets emotional in these situations because she watches many drama series. And listen, don''t roam outside late like those people you just saw outside, in the future," Jason advised as they reached the floor where Evan''s apartment was situated. "Okay, sir, I understand. You don''t have to worry; I''ll be home on time. And I realize Mrs. Rossy is quite emotional, so I''ll be more considerate next time," Evan said as he entered the apartment. Few minutes later~~~~~ "Okay, do you understand everything about this apartment?" Jason asked after explaining everything. "Yes, Sir, I understand, and it''s quite good compared to others I''ve seen on the internet," Evan replied as Jason coughed slightly, indicating his pleasure. "I''m leaving now and will come back early tomorrow morning for breakfast. Then, I''ll tell you about the rest," Jason said as he left the apartment, slamming the door behind him. "This kid is quite nice, not like the others who came here to rent before," he mused, finding Evan''s behavior far better than that of previous potential renters. Meanwhile, Evan, who was arranging his belongings in drawers and shelves, was getting ready for bed. "It looks like tomorrow will be more fun," he murmured, gazing out the window at the glittering lights of the buildings outside. With that view, he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of continuing adventures with swords and magic. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lumina city [2] In the morning, Evan was still asleep in his apartment, undisturbed by the travel fatigue from the previous day. However, fate had other plans for him. As he slept, a loud knock on the door jolted him awake. Initially, he ignored it, but as the knocking persisted, he sat up, irritated, and yelled for it to stop. "Who could it be at this early hour?" he wondered aloud, just as his gaze landed on the wall clock. To his astonishment, it was already past 9 am. He recalled Jason''s instruction to join them for breakfast. "Oh no, it must be Uncle Jason at the door," he muttered, rushing to open it. Sure enough, there stood Jason, looking quite displeased. "Kid, I believe I told you something last night," Jason articulated, pausing between each word. "Sorry, sir, I overslept because I was tired. You go ahead; I''ll be quick after freshening up," Evan replied. Jason, slightly annoyed, nodded and walked away. "Oh gosh, not on my first day. What impression will they have of me now?" Evan thought, hurrying to wash off the sweat from yesterday''s journey. He hadn''t even changed his clothes the night before due to exhaustion. Fifteen minutes later, he left his apartment and began descending the stairs to Jason''s place. Looking outside, he saw many students and others heading to school and work. "It doesn''t seem much different from my old place, just a new area," Evan noted as he continued down. Just as he was about to reach the bottom, he encountered a man in his mid-twenties coming up. "So, you''re the one Jason mentioned, huh?" the man remarked, eyeing Evan, who simply nodded, too shy to engage in conversation with a stranger. Clearly an introvert. "Yes, sir, I''m the guy..." Evan began. "Can''t you speak clearly and loud a little as I can''t hear you correctly." The man said as he wasn''t able to hear him. "I was sayi..." He trailed off as he noticed a man walking outside his apartment. The man seemed familiar, but with his back turned, it was hard to be certain. Then it clicked ¨C it was Jason, who had just changed his clothes and stepped out. He turned towards Jason and saw him staring back, just as another guy started shouting at him. "Hey, you, what are you both doing here?" Jason approached them, his tone confrontational. The guy''s mood darkened instantly, as if a past conflict with Jason had resurfaced. "Hey, I remember you. Aren''t you the kid I banned from my apartment?" Jason''s recognition was slow but sure. "Yeah, you old man, I remember you saying I''m banned from coming here at night. I''m here to see a college friend," the man retorted, trying to sidestep Jason''s glare and questions. He attempted to move past, but Evan blocked his path.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "I told you not to come here, and if you do, I''ll call the police," Jason warned, aware of the man''s intentions. "Listen, old man, I''m here to help a friend who needed me last night. Can''t you let me pass, or she won''t get the help she needs?" the man argued. But Jason stood firm, unyielding like a stubborn child, forcing the man to leave to avoid further trouble with the police. "Heh, I know the work you''re here for, and I must also ensure that girl leaves this place quickly if she doesn''t solve the problem," Jason said in a low voice, glancing at the departing figure who kept looking back at him. Evan, standing beside him, couldn''t grasp why Jason wouldn''t let the man go; in his mind, the man was merely there to assist a friend, which wasn''t wrong. He questioned Jason about it, but the reply only deepened his confusion. "Kid, you''re too young to understand these matters right now, and there''s no need for you to know. Let''s set this aside and come with me for breakfast," Jason said, coughing slightly as he grasped Evan''s wrist and led him towards his apartment for the meal. He and Jason entered the apartment to find Rossy setting breakfast on the table. "Oh, you''re finally here, Evan. We''ve been waiting for you for quite some time, and now you show up," Rossy said, placing her hands on her hips. "Sorry, Mrs. Rossy, I overslept because of travel fatigue and was further delayed by a man who stopped me to argue about why I took the apartment from him," Evan briefly explained, as Rossy grasped the gist of the story but was still puzzled about the man''s part. She glanced at her husband, who gestured to discuss it later, and she nodded, inviting them to sit down for breakfast. After that, everyone started eating in silence, and eventually, they finished as Rossy began clearing the plates. "Let me help you with that, Mrs. Rossy," Evan offered, starting to rise from his seat. "There''s no need, Evan. You stay and chat with Jason; I''ll be back in a few minutes," Rossy insisted, taking all the dishes and bowls to wash them. "So Evan, the reason I asked you to come here was to tell you that I''ve arranged everything for you to attend a school in a nearby area. The chairman of the school is my friend, and this is how I can help you. But you must promise me that you won''t do anything wrong there. If you don''t want to go, I can help you find a part-time job in a shop until you turn eighteen," Jason explained. Evan heard this and pondered his options. "Sir, I''ve made my decision... Yes, I am ready to go to school. My teacher once told me that without education, a person can''t achieve anything worthwhile or help others as good people do. So, I am prepared to attend school, and don''t worry, I won''t make any mistakes that would cause you trouble," Evan spoke up after a moment, leaving Jason and Rossy, who had just emerged from the kitchen, pleasantly surprised by the boy''s maturity. "Alright then, I''ll speak to him and get everything ready for you," Jason said, and Evan nodded before heading back. "Where are you going, Evan?" Rossy asked as Evan halted in his steps and looked back. "I was just heading back to my apartment," Evan replied, his path indeed set towards his residence. "Oh, if you have some time, why not explore our neighborhood? I''m pretty sure it will be easier for you to recognize the place later," Rossy suggested, with Jason nodding in agreement. Evan hesitated, and Jason noticed. "Do you have a problem, kid? Why don''t you tell me?" Jason inquired, noticing Evan''s startled expression as he stared at the ground as if it were a masterpiece. "Sir, I... I''m scared of getting lost if I go out," Evan confessed in a low voice, but the room was so quiet that both could hear him clearly. "Huh~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~," Jason''s voice echoed, and Rossy, who had been silent, started laughing, which only made Evan more embarrassed. "Okay, I''ll solve it. Rossy, let me have that thing," Jason said. Initially confused, Rossy understood after a few seconds and nodded before going to retrieve it. A few minutes later, she returned, placing the item in his hand. Evan was taken aback by the sight of it, as he hadn''t anticipated receiving such a thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What kind of item did he receive? Can you make a guess? Lumina city [3] Rossy placed the item in his hand, which startled him, as no one usually gives such things to a stranger. "Mrs. Rossy, I can''t accept this," he said, attempting to return the item, but she, like a stubborn child, backed away and hid her hands behind her. "Listen, Evan, I know we''re strangers to you, but your uncle Jason and I see you as our son. Don''t worry, it''s not ours but our son''s belongings that are still safely with us," Rossy explained as she sat down beside him on the chair. "But Mrs. Rossy, this isn''t something you give to someone like me," Evan protested, placing the item on the dining table. He began to retreat and was almost out the door when Jason, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Wait, Evan. Hear me out, then decide what to do next," Jason said. "Okay, sir, I''ll listen," Evan agreed, pausing in his tracks. "Listen, this is the last time I''m going to say this," Jason stated, his face a mask of near seriousness. Evan straightened up, resembling a soldier, as the surrounding silence amplified the gravity of the moment. "You might think we''re treating you this way because you resemble our late son, but that''s not it. If we simply wanted a child, adopting one wouldn''t be an issue; we have the means to raise one. But do you know why we chose to care for you, aside from those other kids?" Jason asked, and Evan, still standing rigid, shook his head. "The first reason is indeed that you remind us of our son, and secondly, my friend Wilson told me about your night terrors, which coincidentally are similar to what our son experienced. He would wake up at night, terrified, just like you. However, he outgrew it, whereas I understand you''re still struggling with it," Jason explained, pausing to let the information sink in as his wife began to speak. "And that''s why we''ve decided to adopt you as our child and care for you, rather than leave you in an orphanage," Rossy explained, as Evan grasped the entirety of the situation. The room fell silent for a moment when something occurred that surprised the couple. "I''m terribly sorry, Sir. I wrongly suspected that you were planning to repay your debt by taking care of me until I reached adulthood," Evan apologized, bowing deeply with his head touching the ground. "Evan, what are you doing? Get up; the ground is dirty," Rossy said as she approached him. "No, I am truly sorry, and I will not rise until you both accept my apology," Evan insisted, as the couple exchanged glances and shared a small laugh. "Alright, but we have one condition if you want that to happen," Rossy stated as she returned to her seat. "Yes, Mrs. Rossy, I am ready to agree to anything. I can assist with household chores, clean the lawn, and even run errands," Evan quickly replied, eager to agree to any terms. "No, what I mean is that you have to call us mother and father. Or, if that''s too much for you right now, then aunt and uncle. And if you''re not ready for that, you''re free to leave," Rossy clarified, leaving Evan startled yet contemplative. "Okay, I will call you both aunt and uncle, Mrs. Ross... sorry, Aunt Rossy," Evan corrected himself, as a smile brightened Rossy''s face.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. " Okay then get up and take this from the table." Rossy said and pointed toward the item. "Okay but may I ask is it okay to take me this phone of your son." Evan said as he was still hesitating to take it. "No, he would be quite pleased to know you are using it in his stead, I hope," Rossy said, glancing at her husband who also nodded. "Then I will take this phone and cherish it with care," Evan declared as he picked it up, surprised to find it quite new, unlike the old keypad model he had expected, but a touchscreen with a seemingly new body. "Sir, isn''t this rather new for your son''s old phone?" Evan inquired, noting the phone''s recent appearance. "Oh yes, we replaced his phone annually because when he was alive, he would always get a new phone on his birthday. We scolded him every time, but he never listened, and now that he''s gone, we do this to honor his memory," Rossy explained, helping Evan understand why the phone seemed new. "And take this charger with you; otherwise, you''ll have to come back for it, so let''s handle it right now," Rossy suggested, handing him the phone''s charger. "Thank you, Mr. Ros... oh, my apologies, Aunt Rossy. I''ll be back after some exploring. Goodbye, Uncle Jason," he said as he departed from the apartment. "Well, he is quite clumsy with these things," Rossy remarked, laughing softly. "He''s just a kid like any other, yet he has the mind of an adult. What else can we expect? A little clumsiness in a child is fine; if he made no mistakes, how would he learn as he grows?" Jason mused as he began reading the newspaper, while Rossy returned to her drama series. Meanwhile, Evan stepped out of the apartment and started to leave. He attempted to turn on his phone using the button, but it wouldn''t activate, leading him to suspect a dead battery. He hurried up the stairs, entered his apartment, and plugged in his phone. To his relief, the battery was indeed dead. He anticipated a long wait for a full charge, but to his surprise, the phone charged rapidly, reaching eighty percent in nearly an hour. Satisfied, Evan left his apartment to explore the neighborhood. As he did, the gate of the adjacent apartment swung open, and the boy who had scolded him on the stairs earlier emerged, followed by a young woman in her twenties waving goodbye. "Okay, babe, I''ll come back tomorrow, and we can go to the amusement park together," the boy said, embracing her. "No, let''s go on Saturday because it''s a holiday, and I can rest on Sunday," the girl replied, her stubbornness winning him over despite his initial reluctance. As they conversed, Evan, who had been a short distance away, quietly made his way toward the stairs. He was almost there when the girl''s gaze landed on him. "Hey, who are you, and what are you doing here?" she called out, having never seen him come or go before. Her boyfriend also turned to look at the newcomer, recognizing the kid he had encountered earlier that morning. "Hey kid, stop right there. Last time the old man saved you, but now you won''t be able to escape," the man said as he started walking towards Evan, who was standing still. Evan, rooted to his spot, was scared and pondering his next move when an idea struck him. Before the man could get close, Evan sprinted down the stairs and ran off. "Wait, you think you can run away from me? You''re mistaken; I will find you," the man declared as he returned to the girl. "What happened, babe? Why are you angry at that kid?" the girl inquired, attempting to soothe him. "That kid is your neighbor, and I think he''s living here alone. If he weren''t, I would''ve known by now. When I told him to leave, your landlord, the old man, shooed me away like a dog," the man explained as he stepped back from her. "Oh, that''s why. Don''t worry, I''ll make sure he gets kicked out of this place. You know I''m a genius at this kind of trick. Remember what I did to those four guys who lived here before? Now they''re living a life of shame," the girl boasted, her mind already devising a plan to evict the newcomer. "Okay, but don''t get into trouble, or I won''t be able to save you," he said, embracing her once more. "Don''t worry and leave now. If uncle sees you here, you''re really dead," she warned, and the guy nodded, slipping away unseen by others. However, unbeknownst to them, the uncle they feared had witnessed their entire conversation about Evan. Lumina city [4/last] Jason, having just overheard the conversation between the girl and the guy, was stunned as he recalled the time, he had expelled some individuals from the building on allegations of harassing that very girl. He remembered those men were in their twenties to thirties and had been driven out based on the girl''s harassment claims. He also recollected that they had to leave the city after their identities were exposed in the newspaper along with the details of the incident. ''So, that happened to those guys too, and I expelled them without fully investigating the truth,'' Jason reflected, feeling remorseful about how their lives must have worsened. He wondered if they were able to live decently afterward. ''I can''t change the past, but this time, I won''t let the same thing happen to that kid, no matter what,'' he resolved as he descended the stairs, noticing the girl had already entered her apartment. He walked into his own apartment and approached the sofa in front of the TV, where he sat down next to his wife, who was watching a drama after finishing her work. "What happened, dear? Why did you come back so quickly? I thought you were going to Mr. Lashe''s apartment and isn''t his place on one of the higher floors?" she asked, turning off the TV and looking at him. "Rosy, listen to what I''m about to say, and then tell me if I did something wrong because I feel quite guilty," Jason said as he began recounting what he had heard on Evan''s floor. He explained that as he was going upstairs, about to head to the next staircase for the second floor, he saw the guy he always chased away coming out of a girl''s room. He was about to confront him when Evan stepped outside, perhaps to take a walk around the neighborhood, and was spotted by both of them. The guy tried to lash out at Evan again, but Evan managed to escape. What he heard from them next left Rosy shocked and filled with anger. "Don''t worry, you haven''t done anything wrong," she said, standing up and heading towards the door. "Hey, where are you going now?" he asked as Rosy stopped and looked back at him. "Where? Don''t you know about that trickster girl who ruined those guys'' lives? And I don''t want Evan to end up like them," she said, about to leave when Jason stopped her with words that made her pause and lightened her mood. "Listen, don''t do anything rash; they could get away since we don''t have any evidence against them. I''m sure they''ll slip up, and then we can hand them over to the police for false accusations. Don''t you remember who your husband is and what he''s capable of?" he said, puffing out his chest and flexing his pretend muscles. "Okay, okay, but keep that kid out of it; he''ll become more introverted and socially awkward," she said as she returned to her drama, confident that her husband would handle the situation.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. As this unfolded, Evan, who had dashed out of the building, was wandering the area. Along the way, he noticed numerous restaurants and coffee shops scattered about. Observing the hustle of people to and from work, he also spotted malls bustling with crowds. Preferring to avoid such congestion due to his discomfort in crowded spaces, he pondered his next move. "Where to now? Ah, that place! Why don''t I check it out?" he mused, searching for a particular building. Despite his efforts, it remained elusive until he resorted to asking passersby. With their guidance, he finally located the building, distinguished by a gaming console icon emblazoned on its banner. It was the classic novel game parlor, a favorite haunt for our main character and his friend to unwind. It was here that friendly rivalries sparked, motivating them to hone their skills, perhaps to become professional gamers or even top players, akin to a regressor with foreknowledge. Surely, this is a tale familiar to you right. {A/N: Hey you I was thinking that you leave this place but here you are but don''t worry you have come here on your own but not be able to go back on your own.} Heh, you will never be able to catch me brat I am always above you and always be and listen my fellow reader I will be back after some time, and I have to say bye and this moron is coming toward me with a big knife. So, take care. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Few minutes later~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ {A/N: Sorry guys he ran away again but I promise this guy will be catch by me sooner or later and sorry for the disturbance and please continue in the chapter.} Evan discovered this place through some friends at the orphanage when he was just a regular kid, able to hang out with them. He vividly recalls his friend describing this place as a paradise for those who love gaming, which made him long to visit. Without hesitation, he went inside and discovered many intriguing things. Looking around, he saw various games like pool tables, bowling alleys, and more. However, what captivated him the most was the floor above, bustling with gaming computers where many people were engrossed in playing, including kids in school uniforms, seemingly skipping school for the games. As he continued to explore, he noticed people using the PCs for various activities, from gaming to chatting with friends. He was even surprised to see some girls gaming, as he had never imagined that girls enjoyed such activities. {A/N: I''m saying this because Evan, who has just left the orphanage, always thinks that girls don''t like games and that only boys enjoy coming to this place to play games.} ''Well, everyone has the choice to do what they want, so it''s not much of a surprise,'' he thought as he started looking around. Suddenly, as he was passing by a gaming area where some schoolboys were playing, his leg got caught in something, and he stumbled onto the guy who was playing the game next to him. "What have you done?" the guy exclaimed as Evan, who was on the ground, sat up to find the guy looking at him angrily. "Sorry, sir, my leg got caught on something," Evan explained, but the guy didn''t listen and grabbed Evan''s hair, pulling him towards the screen to show him something. Problem in the parlor. The man who pulled Evan''s hair turned to the screen which displayed the word . He was indeed defeated, cursing Evan as if he had lost the match of his life. "Sorry, Sir, my foot got caught on something, and I fell on you. I am truly sorry," Evan said hastily as he retreated, ensuring his hair was safe. "Do you think your feeble apology can turn my defeat into victory? Do you even realize the value of this match? It was a wager for 500 dragon points. You must compensate me now, or you''ll be dead for real," the man said, causing Evan''s face to turn pale as he realized the man had lost a significant bet because of him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{A/N: If you''re curious about currency then here it is: - 100 Dragon point (Dragon kingdom)/ 100 Phoenix point (Pheonix kingdom)/ 100 Turtle point (Jade turtle Kingdom)/ 100Peak points (Thunder peak kingdom)/ 100 Heart Points (Ice heart kingdom) = 1 Dracins 100 Dracins = 1 Blue Coins.}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Sir, I apologize, but I don''t have any money on me since I''m new to this city and only arrived yesterday. Please forgive me," Evan said, his voice timid, not fully comprehending that the boys beside the one yelling at him were laughing at him. "So what? Hurry up and call your parents to give me 500 dragon points, or don''t even think about leaving here unharmed today," the boy demanded, grinning malevolently. "Sir, I''m sorry, but I don''t have parents; I live with a caretaker until I''m of age," Evan replied, his voice soft but audible in the silent room that was focused on the altercation. "Oh, so you''re an orphan, huh? Seriously, I don''t care whether you have parents or not; I need my money, or else get ready for a beating," the boy threatened, as the others behind him started cracking their knuckles, eager to join in. Evan''s fear grew with each passing moment, and in his panic, he pulled out the phone Rossy had given him, intending to call her, but one of the boys snatched it from his hand. "Bro, check this out, the phone is the latest model; we saw the ad for it a few days ago," the boy exclaimed, passing the phone around. "Yes, and it''s also my favorite color," the man said, his eyes gleaming with greed.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Hey kid, are you trying to lie to us to get away?" the man who had snatched his phone demanded. "No, sir, it was given to me by my caretaker," Evan replied, hoping the truth would set him free. "Oh my god, what a generous caretaker, right guys? Well, Mr. Orphan, if you don''t pay us right now, then say goodbye to your phone. I don''t think your caretaker is so nice that they''d let you off after losing your phone on the first day," the man taunted as he began to wave the phone in front of them. "Sir, please give it back. I am really sorry for your loss, but I can''t give you any money, and I can''t even ask them for it. Please return it," Evan pleaded, his voice shaky and his eyes brimming with tears. "Oh look, the baby is starting to cry now, huh? Well, if you don''t pay, then say bye-bye to your phone," he said as he stepped back slightly. "Hey bro, if you really take his phone and his caretaker comes here later, then what are we going to do?" his friend asked. "Well, you know our debt is getting larger, and we can''t play here anymore, so we''ll change the place tomorrow. I don''t think they''ll make a case out of this little matter," the guy said as he was about to leave when another man appeared before him with someone else behind him. "Who are you, and why are you blocking my way? Don''t you know who I am?" he said, attempting to intimidate the newcomer. "No, I do not. Would you care to explain who you are to me?" the other man replied with a mocking tone, prompting a chuckle from the person behind him. "You see, my name is Levi, and everyone here calls me ''Levi the Devil,''" the man named Levi said, trying to be menacing. "Oh, so Mr. Levi the Devil, nice to meet you. I''m here to ask if you could kindly return that guy''s phone to him," the other man said with a nonchalant expression. "Oh, so a hero has come to save him, right? Look, kid, your superhero is here. Don''t be scared. After I deal with him, you''re next, because I''m in a bad mood," he said angrily. "I know what you''ve done, and I could take you to the police for trying to steal from others without any trouble," he replied, walking up and standing before him fearlessly. "How can you say that? You don''t understand; this kid caused me to lose five hundred dragon points in a betting match, and he can''t pay up. That''s why I''m taking his phone as compensation," the man explained, thinking this would make him back off. "So, what makes you think the match you lost is this boy''s fault? Anyone with decent vision can see that your score was only twelve, while the winner already had fifty points. Even if you hadn''t lost a single point, the gap is so wide that he would''ve won even with half his skill, besides this, the bet amount is five hundred and the phone this person has is valued at about ten to twelve thousand dragon points." the defender of Evan retorted, silencing the boy. The man remained silent as he observed the surrounding people chatting and evidently mocking him. He glanced around to see his friend retreating, distancing himself to avoid being associated with the ridicule. "Ah yes, I recall that betting is not permitted in this shop, and you''re engaging in it. I''ve forgotten the amount... ah, it''s slipped my mind," the man said, still pondering. "You are so feeble-minded. It''s a thousand dragon points, which brings your total to twelve thousand five hundred dragon points, including the outstanding amount for the phone," the person behind him interjected, as the kid had been yelling at him earlier. "I... I... I won''t return it, and I''m indifferent to the penalty. Let''s see who will stop me from leaving," the man declared as he attempted to hurry away, only to trip over something and fall backward onto the ground. "Who the hell came befo..." He was about to berate the person who had tripped him when he suddenly found himself at a loss for words. But why? Issue resolved, along with a proposal for... The individual who snatched Evan''s phone and attempted to flee collided with something, fell, and was about to yell when he realized he had bumped into the game parlor''s owner. "What is causing this disturbance? My customers are leaving because of you. Would anyone care to explain what transpired here before I have to eject you all with force?" he demanded in a commanding tone. The owner, intimidating in appearance, stood around six feet tall with a physique resembling a bodybuilder. His face bore the stern look of a seasoned soldier who had weathered many battles unscathed, like a tyrant. "Hey brother, I''ll fill you in on the entire story," offered the man who had intervened to stop the thief, as he and his friend approached, increasing the thief''s anxiety. "Oh, James and Rey too? You''re here and didn''t come to see me first; that''s not cool, bro. I wanted to discuss something with you," the owner remarked. Despite his menacing appearance, he was actually quite amiable, but his features often gave others the wrong impression. "I was present when the issue arose and witnessed everything. Let''s address this matter, and then we can move on to other topics," James proposed, stepping forward to recount the events. "Firstly, my apologies for the inconvenience, everyone. Please return to your previous activities," the owner announced, prompting the onlookers to disperse and resume their games or whatever they were engaged in. "Tell me what happened now, and be truthful, or be prepared to face the consequences," he said, flexing his muscles and throwing a punch to intimidate them. James recounted the incident, stating that as he and Rey were ascending the stairs to play games, they encountered an individual who appeared lost. Initially, they intended to disregard him and proceed, but then they observed Levi, who was agitated after a game loss and seeking to assign blame. Levi, with his friend''s assistance, accused the stranger of distracting him during his game and demanded compensation. When the stranger revealed he had no money, Levi forcibly took his phone and attempted to flee. "So, that''s what happened. Didn''t I make it clear that betting is not allowed? Yet, someone still did it, and secretly at that. You''ll have to face the penalty. And wait, aren''t you the same person who''s already deep in debt at our shop and still playing without paying?" the owner said as he grabbed Levi, recognizing him upon seeing his face. "No, owner, I wasn''t doing any of that. This kid is lying. I didn''t snatch his phone; I only took it until he pays back the money, he owes me from..." Levi, attempting to defend himself, suddenly realized he had inadvertently confessed. "So, you''re admitting you were playing the betting match that''s forbidden here," the owner said as he lifted him like a child. "No, I was explaining that he caused me to lose five hundred points in the past, not in a betting match. I''ve known him for some time, and when I confronted him, he started spouting lies about being new here. I took his phone as collateral. Don''t you think it''s unlikely for a kid without his parents to afford such an expensive phone?" he argued, trying to weave a lie to save himself as he showed the phone. "Indeed, I believe its market value is quite high at the moment, and I doubt a kid like him could afford it unless he''s from a wealthy family," the owner mused, growing suspicious of the story and wondering if Levi was telling the truth or fabricating another lie. "No, sir, I don''t know him. I only met him today. He took my phone claiming I lost it in a bet on a game," Evan interjected, worried that if he didn''t speak up, he would be wrongly accused. "So tell me, why do you have this phone if you''re an orphan?" the owner asked directly, preferring not to beat around the bush to avoid hurting anyone''s feelings, as he was a straightforward person who liked to speak plainly. "Sir, this gentleman has already informed you that I am an orphan. My caretakers gave me this phone in case I got lost, as I am new here and unfamiliar with the locals. They provided me with their son''s spare phone to use," Evan explained, aligning himself with James. "If you''re telling the truth, then may I speak to them? I need to know if you''re being honest or just making up a story to escape," he said, eyeing him with suspicion.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Ah... okay, you can call, but please don''t mention what happened; it will only worry them," Evan consented after some thought, allowing the call. "Alright, open it up and let me call them," he instructed, handing the phone back to Evan, who unlocked it for him. The owner began searching for the contact. "What''s the name of your caretaker?" he inquired, unable to find anyone listed as ''caretaker.'' "The names are ''Aunt Rosy'' and ''Uncle Jason,''" he informed the owner, who searched and found both names, surprised. Usually, children without parents resent their guardians, but not this one¡ªor perhaps his phone was checked regularly, which explained his actions. He stepped back and began questioning his aunt, verifying if she was the one who found the phone and where it was left, gathering information like a detective. Levi, observing from a distance, grew anxious. Ensuring no one was watching, he seized the opportunity to slip away and dashed downstairs to escape. "Thank you for the information, ma''am. I hope I haven''t wasted your time," he said, ending the call after hearing something. He returned the phone to Evan and turned to look for Levi, only to discover that Levi and his friends had already left. "Where did he go?" he inquired, met with shrugs of confusion from the trio. "He ran away, huh? Well, next time I see him, I''ll make sure he regrets it," he muttered, rubbing his forehead. "Hey, is the issue resolved, or is the boy still in your care?" James inquired, clapping a hand on Evan''s shoulder like an old friend. "He''s clear and free to go now, but stay alert, kid. The city is full of such characters," the owner advised before descending to check if anyone saw Levi escaping. "Thanks for saving me, and I apologize for the trouble," Evan said, stepping back to free himself from the grip. "Don''t worry, dude. But how did you fall for such a simple trick? As a gamer, you should be aware of these things," he chided, scolding him for his naivety. "No, I''m really new here; I''ll arrive in this city tomorrow. In my whole life, I haven''t played a single game. I was just roaming the area when I remembered to come here, following my orphanage friends'' suggestion," Evan explained what happened. "Okay, by the way, my name is James Zephyr, and this friend of mine is Rey Dragonstorm. Quite a cool surname, right? He used to be a noble, but now he''s just a regular guy like us," he said as he introduced himself and Rey. "Do you have to tell him everything?" Rey, standing beside him, interjected, nudging James in the side. "Sorry, I was just explaining," James replied, rubbing his rib area. "Oh, don''t worry, I don''t mind. I''m Evan Windstone. I have my surname, but my family is still unknown to me," Evan said as he and James shook hands in a gesture of thanks. "I think that''s enough trouble for today. Why don''t you come and play with us?" Rey suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "Yes, come join us, Evan. I''ll help you learn how to play," James offered with a bright smile. "Oh no, I can''t, sorry. I''m a complete novice at this, and I''ve never played before. The main reason is I don''t have money to spend on games; my funds are reserved for essential day-to-day items," Evan declined, but James wasn''t one to give up easily. "Don''t worry, I''m here, so no fear. I can cover your expenses; I have enough money to let fifteen guys play here for months," James insisted, explaining the game and trying to persuade him. "Thanks for the offer, but I can''t accept this help. Besides, why are you helping me? I don''t have money or anything special to offer," Evan responded, still declining. "I don''t want anything from you; I just think we''re cut from the same cloth," James declared, oblivious to the weight of his words. "Whoa, hold up, I''m not on board with that kind of thing," Evan replied, misinterpreting the statement and retreating in alarm. "What''s the matter? Why the retreat? Did my words come out wrong?" James inquired, puzzled by the reaction. "You clueless tycoon, can''t you grasp the gravity of your own words?" Rey teased, standing nearby. "What did I... Oh! My bad, I didn''t mean it like that. I was just saying you seem like friend material, and I''m not chasing that either," James exclaimed, finally catching on to his blunder, prompting a burst of laughter from all three. "No worries, but why friends when we''ve just met here?" Evan asked, suspecting something was amiss, even Rey was surprised that James was trying to befriend him for no reason. "Oh, because when you were observing this area like a fan seeing his idol, I thought we could be best buddies who play games and become professional players. This friend of mine isn''t that interested in it," he explained, pointing at Rey. "Oh, that''s why. Now I understand," Evan said as he processed the information while James told Rey to get PCs for their gaming. "So, what''s your answer now? Will you be our friend and play with us?" James asked, extending his hand for a handshake. "I......" First-time play and introduction.[1] "I agree, because if becoming friends with you helps me clear my debt to you someday, then I am ready to be your friend," he said, just as he was about to shake hands, but James pulled his hand back in response. "Then I''m sorry if you''re becoming my friend just to repay this debt, and I apologize for asking this of you. Please forget it," he said as he started to return to Rey to play games. "Oh wait, I''m sorry if I said something wrong, and okay, I will be your friend," Evan quickly interjected, not wanting to miss the chance to befriend someone who wasn''t interested in friendship for benefits. "Friendship not for debt, right?" James clarified, and Evan nodded with an awkward smile. "Okay, let''s play the games before time runs out," he said, placing his hand on Evan''s shoulder and dragging him towards where Rey was waiting. "So, the matter is settled, and we''ve got our new friend, Evan," James declared, while Rey sighed softly, knowing James''s nature¡ªfriendly and energetic¡ªand remembering the day he approached him. In the past, when Rey was sitting in a park watching children play, he felt sad because his life was filled with loneliness and no child would play with him. Then James came into his life like a whirlwind, his only friend to date, and Rey was truly grateful. He couldn''t imagine a life without a friend, a life filled with sadness. "Hello, I''ll introduce myself again, Rey Dragonstrom, and I hope our friendship lasts forever," Rey said, to which Evan responded with kindness. "Okay, if the introduction is over, let me explain how to play the game," James said as he began to describe the gameplay. A few minutes later... "Do you understand what to do?" Rey asked, standing beside them. "Sort of, but I need to actually play before I can say for sure," Evan replied, nodding as he started a new match. "Let''s play a team three-on-three match next, after you finish your game," James suggested, and Rey nodded in agreement, though Evan hesitated. "Guys, I think you should play together until I''m good enough to play at an average level," Evan suggested, worried that he might cause them to lose games and potentially harm their budding friendship. "Don''t worry, even if we''re not that great, we can still carry you if something happens," James reassured him, confidently tapping his chest. "Okay, but don''t blame me if we lose," Evan murmured in a low voice, too quiet for the others to hear. Evan quickly started his first match and entered the game lobby. The game was quite unique, featuring elements of fantasy and survival warfare. In this game, up to one hundred and fifty players are spawned on a vast land containing various regions like jungles, snowy mountains, destroyed cities, underground cities, and more.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The characters of the players have different types of elemental affinities; some have balanced affinities, while others have a high affinity for just one element. This creates unique characteristics for them in different regions, affecting their stats, attacks, and defenses. Their weapons are also influenced by these elements, adding more fun to the game. Players can create only one character per account, and if they want another, they must delete the existing one. Each new character''s elements are fixed upon creation and cannot be changed, with the effects remaining the same unless the account is new. Games often use a leveling system similar to RPGs, where a player''s character gains levels from the results of matches, and the higher the rank, the greater the rewards. "Let''s skip the description and dive into the game," James suggested. "Evan, why don''t you create a new account since you''re playing with a guest account? That way, we can see if your luck is as bad as Rey''s or as good as mine," James explained as he provided the instructions. "What do you mean by ''luck'' in this context?" Evan asked, puzzled about how luck could play a role. "In this world, the characters are assigned randomly after you make an account, and you can''t change their elements. You can only play with them until you delete the account, which you can only do after ten days. So, people usually stick with their character until they''re certain they want to delete it," James clarified. "I mention this because the game features a variety of elements such as common, rare, unique, legendary, and mythic. Common elements include Fire, Water, Wind, Earth. Rare elements include Lightning, Ice, Inferno, Wood. Unique elements include Shadow, Darkness, Light, and others that are still hidden. Legendary elements are Eclipse, Radiance, Time, Space. Mythic elements are Void, Chaos, and others yet to be discovered." {A/N: If anyone believes the classification is incorrect, please leave a comment. I will review the suggestion and, if it is valid, I will make the necessary changes.} "People are so eager to attain higher levels because the effects are so cool; whoever gets them becomes akin to a hacker," James remarked as Evan also got caught up in the excitement. Evan deliberately lost in the game to a player whose fiery element made his weapon''s bullets inflict a burning effect. He swiftly navigated to the settings and clicked the sign-in button. After entering all his details, Evan''s account was activated, and he was ready to play. However, character creation was first on the agenda. He selected a male skin and opted for a simple look, as he wasn''t interested in customization and only wished to test his luck. "Hurry up and click ''OK.'' I can''t wait to see if you get a good element or just a common one," James urged, his eagerness growing as he anticipated the surprise. "Okay, okay, just let me finish," Evan replied as he was about to enter his real name, but James and Rey stopped him, advising against using his real name. Heeding their advice, he chose a new, random one. "That name looks odd yet cool; it''s good and unique," Rey suggested, and with James nodding in agreement, Evan also nodded after a moment''s thought, liking the name somewhat, and quickly pressed ''OK.'' Then came the moment they had all been waiting for: the elemental selection screen appeared. The screen displayed a spinning slot with some elements visible and others not. After a few seconds, the spin slowed down and was about to stop on the wind element when it ticked over one more step and stopped on a question mark. "Oh boy, Evan, it can''t be¡ªyou must have hit the jackpot with this one," James exclaimed, knowing that Evan was guaranteed a rare element. The question mark began to crack gradually, and finally, the element was revealed. First-time play and introduction [2] The element panel began to roll, and the long-awaited object finally appeared before their eyes, yet there was complete silence. "Rey, are you seeing what I''m seeing?" James asked, to which Rey nodded. "Could you pinch me to see if I''m dreaming?" James requested. Rey pinched him without hesitation, causing James to leap up in pain. "Ouch! Are you serious, bro? I was just kidding," James exclaimed as he stepped back, but neither Rey nor Evan paid him any mind, stunned by what was on the screen. On the display, the element belonging to Evan''s character was revealed, along with its name and rarity category. , Rarity: Unique These two lines left them in awe, and even Evan was taken aback despite being new to this. James and Rey had explained that unique elements were exceedingly rare, even more so than legendary ones. While over fifteen players might possess a legendary element, only two or three might have a unique one. Once an element is claimed, there won''t be a second unless the character is deleted, at which point a new one could be obtained. "I never imagined your luck would be cool enough to draw out a unique one with odds of only one in a billion, bro," Rey said as Evan simply smiled and rubbed his neck. "Hey, quickly show us the effects or skills you''ve acquired," James said as Evan clicked the next option and the effects or skills appeared before him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As they watched the screen, Evan was amazed by what he saw and remembered the attack that killed him: a user with the fire element who finished him off with a blade surging with fire.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. "So cool, the players who battled against the unique ones were right; the skills are too OP to begin with," James remarked as he witnessed the skills in action. "Indeed, they''re incredibly OP. Mine are just agility-based, but his cover multiple areas: agility, attack, stealth, and even the ultimate skill is extraordinary," Rey recalled the time when a unique user fought a legendary one, using his ultimate skill in a scene that seemed overwhelmingly powerful to him and remained etched in his memory. "Well, if the element selection is fine, why don''t we have a training match before the real deal?" James suggested to Rey as he sent a friend request to Evan, who accepted it immediately. and are the usernames of James and Rey, respectively. "Both of you have quite impressive names, and you''re both high-leveled," Evan observed as he looked at their characters, stylishly dressed; James''s character held a stylized guy in one hand with a large blade on his back, while Rey''s character was agility-focused, armed with two pistols and a sleek bow on his back. "Yes, they represent three years of hard work. My account is at level fifty-four, and Rey''s is at forty-seven," James explained, as Evan realized that James was a dedicated gamer from his appearance, and Rey seemed more average, though his looks suggested the obsession should be the reverse, but appearances can be deceiving. "Let''s see if you can hold your own against the guys, Evan," James said as he initiated a match against an AI for Evan, with Rey joining in spectator mode. Evan''s character was teleported to a ruined church map, positioned in the west, while his opponent appeared in the east. "What do I do next, guys?" Evan asked as two eyes appeared before him¡ªthe spectator cameras of his friends beside him. "Why don''t you just pick a weapon from the shop icon?" suggested Rey. Evan accessed the shop and discovered various tabs such as cold weapons, firearms, equipment, and medicine. He selected cold weapons and saw an array of blades, daggers, swords, spears, bows, and more, but he managed to equip only a single dagger before the shop icon vanished, his movement shield disappeared, and the countdown in the sky ended. "Why did my shop screen disappear, and where''s the icon for it?" Evan inquired, his character motionless. "Evan, didn''t you notice the two-minute timer on your screen? It was the countdown to get ready, and you spent it browsing weapons. Now you''re left with just a dagger. How will you defeat your opponent?" James exclaimed, drawing astonished glances from the surrounding crowd. "Hey, what are you doing? Do you want to get us banned here?" Rey said as he pulled him down. "Sorry, I just let my emotions get the better of me," he said with an apologetic smile. "Phew, Evan, listen, you only have to survive this round. If you last for three minutes, it will end, and you''ll get a chance to use the shop, so please, don''t try to die," Rey instructed. Evan nodded and began to move his character, which was sluggish at first. He didn''t see his enemy, which was both good and bad¡ªit could mean a trap was being set or that the enemy was waiting for the right moment to strike. Evan started to gain control and practiced attacking in the air to adapt to his character. His skill was ready to be used, and he could use it at any time, but his friend had told him to save it for a dangerous situation. Half the time passed, but the guy didn''t show up. Evan and his friend grew suspicious, unaware that their quarry was also watching them from a distance, hidden inside a damaged room. It was a man in a military outfit, holding a rifle, with a spear strapped to his back. The player controlling him was just an average guy, afraid of losing the game. When he saw his opponents, he was taken aback. First-time play and introduction [3/last] While Evan was preoccupied with locating his adversary and practicing his Dagger moves, he was unaware that his opponent was also observing him, and his emotional state was far from okay. "What am I going to do now? By looking at this guy, I''m certain he''s one of those ALT account users who deleted their account to acquire better elements, and now he''s back to bully the lower-level players," the man said, his fear evident due to his win-loss rate. His record stood at 32 wins and 76 losses. He was below average, barely above a newbie, even after six months of playing on his account. Still stuck at level 6, he hadn''t won a single ranked match. Today, his luck was so poor that he found himself up against a pro ALT account player. "What am I going to do now?" he lamented, convinced that today he was fated to lose. He sought a chance to draw the match, but given his opponent''s speed, it seemed unlikely. He watched him roam the ground, searching for him like a predator hunts its prey with a dagger in hand. He knew that if he were hit even once, it would be the end. "Please God, let me get through this match," the player pleaded earnestly. As time dwindled to a mere thirty seconds, the erratic movements of his adversary''s character signaled anger, and it seemed inevitable that he would be defeated in the upcoming matches. Evan''s character was leaping about, brandishing his dagger¡ªa sight his opponent found threatening, unaware of the true reason behind it. Evan''s antics were actually an expression of joy; with only a few seconds remaining, he would soon be able to select something to ensure his safety. When time expired, they were both teleported back to the starting area. Without hesitation, Evan used his remaining points from the first match to purchase all the necessary equipment and weapons. He quickly donned his armor and armed himself, ready to confront his adversary. Meanwhile, his opponent was contemplating his escape from this round but decided to take a chance and confront Evan. Selling his other items, he bought a rifle and extra bullets, convinced that Evan''s apparent arrogance in wielding only a dagger would be his downfall.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. With cautious steps, he advanced as the game timer started, ready to seize the opportunity to triumph with his rifle. Within seconds, he located his opponent, but to his astonishment, the figure on his screen was no longer merely armed with a dagger; now, he was clad in full armor, seemingly enraged and intent on a lethal confrontation. Unfazed, he chose to launch a stealth attack. Taking his position, he felt a surge of fear, aware that any slip could be fatal. His aim wavered, the bullet narrowly missing Evan''s character, who became alert yet unable to pinpoint the shot''s origin. Alerted by his friend, Evan finally spotted his adversary atop a damaged building, rifle in hand. Elation filled Evan, anticipating an epic battle, but his inexperience showed as he fired haphazardly, much to his friend''s embarrassment. Only half of his shots hit, reducing his opponent''s health by a mere ten percent. Initially stunned, his opponent snapped to action upon taking damage and swiftly retreated. Evan pursued, but it was a grave error; his adversary had cunningly set a trap, slashing Evan''s character''s health by forty percent. Surprised by this tactic, Evan proceeded with newfound caution. No further traps were set, and he eventually caught up to his foe, who had sought refuge in a roofless building. Deciding to test a newly acquired skill, Evan drew the sword recommended by his friend, astonished to learn that a single strike could deplete sixty to seventy percent of an opponent''s health if it connected. The likelihood of a successful hit was low since the character could easily evade, but a hit would be fatal. He attempted to use his skill, only to realize he was too far to close in on his foe. Deciding to narrow the distance, he advanced, but his opponent was prepared and opened fire, inflicting damage and reducing his HP, though thirty-seven points remained. Once in range, he activated his skill, which shrouded his character in shadows, moving him towards the enemy as an undetectable wraith. He reached a position behind the enemy and prepared to strike as his skill ended, revealing his character. With a swift motion, he struck with his sword, hitting the opponent''s body. A moment later, the character collapsed and disintegrated. The opponent, known as , was stunned. realized his adversary had not been behind him and must possess a higher-ranked element, which led to his decision to concede. Pressing the surrender button, he exited the match within five seconds. Meanwhile, the trio remained silent as Evan was declared the victor with a single win, and surrendered. His first victory was so unremarkable that if he shared the story, no one would believe such an effortless win. It didn''t showcase his true worth as a player, and he missed the opportunity to win fairly. However, he will have more opportunities as he begins a new game, marking his entry into the gaming world. During gameplay, he discovered that his friends were attending the same high school he was about to enroll in, which delighted them as it would make his integration into the school much easier. Yet, he was unaware of the forthcoming events that would transform his life. However, it cannot be conveyed to him at this moment, as even if he were informed, it would not prompt immediate change or acceleration. Therefore, lets patiently wait for time to take its course while we continue to read about what will unfold in his future or in the upcoming chapters. Getting lost and the strange dream. After his initial match, Evan was quite disheartened, but he quickly shook off the disappointment as he began his next game to familiarize himself with the gameplay. Within thirty seconds of facing his opponent, Evan''s character was eliminated with a single headshot. This feat surprised his friends, as such skill is usually exhibited by experienced players. However, Evan wasn''t deterred like his first adversary and maintained his belief in his potential for improvement. By the match''s end, the score was < 4-1>. Considering it was his first time playing, this was a respectable outcome, especially since he scored a point by consecutively using his elemental skill three times, which caught his opponent off guard and led to their defeat. Subsequently, they played together, but with Evan''s character at a lower level, he wasn''t much help and was mostly carried by his friends. By day''s end, his character had reached level six. He even didn''t that the time was late just when his eyes landed on the wall clock did he notice its already past five. "Guys, it''s getting late; I need to leave first, or my aunt will get angry at me," Evan said as he logged out of his game account and stood up. "Right, we''re late too. Let''s get going; we didn''t even notice how time flew by," James remarked as he and Rey logged out and rose from their seats. "I think you both were so engrossed in the game that you lost track of time. I was aware, though. James, have you completed the assignment Sir Peter gave us for tomorrow? I assumed you had, just like I have," Rey inquired, recalling a school matter. "Wait, darn it, I forgot, and now I only have a few hours left. Please, Rey, help me out, you''re my friend, right?" James pleaded. "Okay, okay, I''ll help you. But don''t you dare tell Sir I helped you copy, not after last time when you almost got me in trouble," Rey warned as James nodded earnestly, like an employee eager to impress his boss. "Evan, I hope we''ll meet again soon at school, just like you said. And don''t worry, the school is a much better place than you think," Rey assured as they all left the gaming parlor and headed home. It was getting late, and Evan, retracing his steps, grew anxious as he couldn''t remember the way he had come. He considered calling Mrs. Rossy but decided against it, worried about tarnishing his image after boasting about his sense of direction. Despite his efforts, no path seemed familiar, yet he didn''t lose hope and continued his search. After much time and exploring various routes, he finally recognized one and followed it, passing many people on their way to or from work. He arrived at a park he instantly recognized and made his way to the bench where he had sat earlier. Finding the bench, he searched for the water tap from which he had drunk earlier in the day. He retraced his steps from that morning, and with each familiar landmark, his spirits lifted as he neared home. However, his fortune waned when he reached a convenience store and could no longer recall the way he had taken earlier. He looked around but still couldn''t find it. Losing hope, he decided to call his aunt since it was already past seven and he didn''t want to be any later. Just as he was about to call her, the door of the store opened, and someone emerged from inside. "Oh Evan, what are you doing here?" asked the person with a feminine voice, confirming she was a woman. Evan turned and saw that it was Mrs. Rossy.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "Oh Mrs. Ro-... I mean... Aunt, I was just about to call you... yes... if you need anything, I can get it for you from the store," he stammered, hastily concocting a plan, but his urgency made the truth quite obvious. "No need but thank you. I''m already here and have bought everything I needed," Rossy replied, showing him the plastic bag, she carried. "Sorry, let''s head home then," Evan said, knowing his lie wouldn''t hold. "Alright, lead the way," Rossy said, gesturing for him to move. "I think I can carry this so you can walk freely, Aunt. It must be heavy," Evan said, attempting to change the subject. "Thank you, that would be very helpful," she said as she handed him the bag and waited for him to lead. "Let''s go," Evan said, choosing a random road to take when Rossy stopped him. "Where are you going, Evan? Our home isn''t in that direction," Rossy pointed out, realizing Evan was caught. "Sorry, I forgot the way back and was about to call you," he admitted aloud. "Evan, you don''t need to hide it; anyone can get lost in a new city," she said, laughing a bit as she entered a street with Evan following her. "The solution is on your phone," she continued. "I didn''t catch that last part," he said, not understanding her words. "There''s an app preinstalled on your phone called ''Location Map.'' It can guide you home easily," she explained, helping him find their home on the app and setting it as a destination, showing him how it could assist him in returning home, which he appreciated after trying it out. His phone displayed both his current location and his home, and by following the map for a minute, he easily found his way back. "Oh, it''s quite good," Evan remarked, surprised to discover such an application on his phone. "It was because of my son; he was terrible with directions and always got lost on his way home," Rossy recalled, remembering the times he had gotten lost. "But as he grew up, he became quite good at it," she added. They entered the building and walked into the apartment where Jason was reading his newspaper. "Ah, Rossy, you''re back, and Evan, you too. Good, I was about to call you both home because I have something to tell you," Jason said, looking up from his newspaper and setting it aside. "Yes, sir, please let me know if there''s anything I can do for you," Evan offered as he took a seat in front of him. "The thing is... ah yes, I''ve already spoken with my friend and secured admission for you in his school, and even acquired the necessary items for your studies. They should be at your apartment''s front door. I mentioned you to him, and he sent the delivery straight to your apartment, even when I instructed him to send it to my house. That geezer," he said, chiding his friend. "Okay, sir, I will collect it from there, and thank you for everything you''ve done for me," Evan said, his gratitude evident. The room fell silent until Rossy entered with plates brimming with dishes. "Okay, guys, enough drama; come and eat the food I''ve specially prepared for Evan," she announced, placing the dishes on the table, which included meat, soup, vegetable salad, and rice. Everyone began eating after Rossy sat down beside them. During the meal, Evan recounted his experiences, omitting only the unpleasant parts. Jason and Rossy were pleased to hear that Evan had already made friends, especially since they were from his school, which would undoubtedly make his life easier. They had been concerned that Evan might spend a lot of time alone due to his reserved nature. After Evan bid them goodnight, he left for his upstairs apartment. Reaching his floor, he spotted a large box and hurried to his door. As he was about to enter, the door beside his opened, and the girl he had met earlier with the guy emerged, startling him; he had expected her to yell at him like his friend did. She noticed him and moved towards him, but Evan quickly retreated inside his apartment, shutting the door in front of her. She stood there, taken aback, as no one had ever treated her that way before. "Ah, damn it, I swear you''ll suffer more than those guys," she muttered under her breath before slipping into her apartment to avoid being seen. Evan, panting with relief, thought, "Thank goodness I escaped, but what will I do if she and he catch me?" Pushing the thought aside, he opened the box. Inside, he found various school supplies, including his bag, uniforms, and stationery. With everything in place, he lay down on his bed, ready to embark on a new journey starting tomorrow. A few minutes later, he was sound asleep, overwhelmed by the day''s events. The emotions on his face suggested he was dreaming, his expression shifting rapidly until he encountered something that rendered him emotionless. He found himself before ten entities, with the central figure stepping forward. He gazed at its face, shrouded in clouds. "The time of arrival is near, R###n. Brace for the worst," it spoke, and with a single touch of its finger to Evan''s forehead, he disintegrated into pieces. First day of school {Mystic High School} [1] While Evan was immersed in his dreams, he was drenched in sweat from head to toe. "Ahhhh." He woke up screaming, clutching his head, which throbbed with pain as if it would split open any second. He turned on the room light and checked the time on his phone, realizing it was already past five in the morning and dawn was near. He considered sleeping more but quickly dismissed the thought, remembering that today marked his first day of school. Rising from his bed, he headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As he washed his face, he noticed his eyes were mostly red. He attributed it to the previous day''s events and continued his routine, unaware that the cause was something entirely different. After leaving the bathroom, he opened the window beside his bed to observe the outside world. It was still somewhat dark, but he could see people going about their business, some even running. A message notification from James caught his attention as he was checking his phone. He and his new friend had exchanged numbers to stay in touch. Evan had been hesitant at first, but eventually relented after some coaxing. James had even called to verify the number, ensuring it wasn''t incorrect. Evan chuckled at the memory and opened the message box to see what James had sent. The messages read: "Hey bro, are you awake? Message me if you are. Bro, are you coming to school today?" They had been sent one after another, and Evan was taken aback by James''s forwardness. It was unusual for someone to become so friendly after just one meeting, especially since they weren''t children who often make friends within minutes, but rather teenagers. Evan responded, "Yes, I''m awake, and I''ll be attending school today, so don''t worry." A few minutes later, his message arrived in the form of an emoji depicting a smiley face. "So, you''re actually online right now, huh? Well, I guess we''re somewhat alike," James replied, accompanied by a devil emoji. "No, I just woke up, and I''m sorry to inform you that I didn''t stay up all night," Evan stated, accompanied by a straight-faced emoji. ( :| ) "Ah, who cares? Just get to school, and we''ll have some crazy fun today," James said, eager to change the subject. Evan chuckled and replied with a thumbs-up emoji before closing his phone. Noticing it was nearly six, he quickly headed to the bathroom to get ready. A few minutes later, he emerged fully dressed in his freshly ironed clothes, which he had obviously pressed himself, and packed his bag with all the subjects he would study that day: mathematics, literature, geography, physics, science, history, and a few additional items. With everything prepared and the time already past six-thirty, he hurriedly left, grabbing his phone from the charger and slipping it into his pocket.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. He laced up his shoes and stepped out of his apartment. He greeted some neighbors who were on their way to work; they always exchanged pleasantries, unlike the unpleasant encounter he had with that other girl and guy before. He bid them farewell and descended the stairs. There, he discovered Jason outside, engaged in his morning workout. "Good morning, Uncle Jason," he greeted, prompting Jason to turn around. The sight of Evan, so strikingly reminiscent of his son from years past, left Jason momentarily lost in memories, oblivious to Evan''s presence. "Um... Uncle, are you alright?" he inquired, noticing Jason''s distant gaze. "Oh... yes, I''m fine, just reminiscing," Jason replied, clearing his throat slightly. "Ah," he responded, offering a smile. (:[)) "I was about to come and wake you, but it seems unnecessary now," he remarked, aware that Evan understood the reason for his distraction. "Well, I should head to school," he announced, and was about to leave when Jason called out to stop him. "Where are you going before even having breakfast?" he asked, knowing that Evan was about to leave without eating. "Oh, I figured I could grab something from the store so I wouldn''t bother Aunt Rossy this early in the morning," Evan replied, not wanting her to tire herself by waking up early to prepare food for him. "It''s actually nothing; breakfast is already made, and she was waiting for me to wake you so we could all eat together," Jason explained, sharing the truth. "But you both shouldn''t have to go through this trouble for me. I don''t want to be a burden," Evan protested, feeling like they were making adjustments for him. "No, it''s normal for us to eat this early," Jason said, chuckling. "And Evan, your aunt said it, and I''m saying it too¡ªyou''re not a burden to us," he continued reassuringly. "Bu..." Evan began, but Jason cut him off. "Ah... these days, kids don''t know when to stay quiet and heed their elders'' words. Get inside and eat your breakfast, or else..." Jason barked at him. "Sorry, I''ll do it right away, Uncle," Evan replied, hurrying inside, leaving Jason with a slight smirk. "Kids these days actually listen when we raise our voices," he muttered under his breath as he entered the apartment. Jason noticed Evan assisting Rossy in setting the table and arranging the plates. He settled into his chair and began reading the newspaper, waiting for them to finish. Half a minute later, they were done. "Put that paper aside, Mr. News Anchor, or I''ll burn it in the next ten seconds," Rossy declared, while Evan chuckled upon hearing the nickname she had for Jason. "Alright, just don''t burn it," conceded Jason, who could be quite stubborn at times but tended to yield, knowing his wife''s temper. Afterward, silence fell as everyone finished their breakfast. Once done, Rossy cleared the plates while Jason stood up and retrieved some documents. He handed them to Evan, who looked puzzled. "What''s this, Uncle?" Evan inquired, smiling, worried he might have done something wrong. "It''s just a document I forgot to submit at your school. You''ll need to drop it off at the principal''s office," Jason explained, prompting a sigh of relief from Evan. "Okay, I''ll take care of it," Evan agreed, slipping the papers into his bag. He was about to leave when Rossy halted him. "Evan, aren''t you forgetting something?" she asked, feigning sadness. "What is it, Aunty?" he responded, clueless. "Your lunch, you dummy," she chided, playfully thumping his head. Evan rubbed his head, pretending to soothe the pain. "And what would you eat for lunch at school, huh?" she prodded, her affection warming Evan''s heart. "Thanks, Aunt. I''ll make sure to eat it all," he promised, packing his lunch and dashing off after bidding them farewell, ready to embrace a new day in a new city and school. _ First day of school {Mystic High School} [2] Scenes of a student walking across campus while looking down at his phone. He didn''t have to wonder who it is. Yes, our protagonist Evan is now waiting for Maps to load up as he moves to his new school. He faces a problem though, but he also has a solution when he sees many teenagers, in the uniform of that particular school moving to their way. He lies and says he does, agreeing to go along with them. His mission is successful, but they start to feel a bit weirded out by him, as if he were haunting them. Some even chase him and yet he eludes them. Evan tries it, figuring that this method would be quicker than looking at a map and then in fact makes it to the school. But it takes him half an hour, when the map says otherwise-15 minutes away from his home. Hoping the walk will help his memory he went inside the school gates and approached an adult man who was standing over students arriving. The man saw him and was surprised because he didn''t look like a school pupil. "Hey kid, who are you and what are you doing here in our school while wearing the school uniform?" he inquired, as Evan approached him before he could ask anything else, showering him with a flurry of questions. "Sir, I am a new transfer student, and today is my first day. Could you please direct me to the principal''s office?" Evan managed to ask after the teacher''s rapid-fire questions abated. "Oh, sorry kid, I mistook you for one of those troublemakers who sneak into the school to cause mischief. By the way, the principal''s office is on the ground floor. Go down the hallway, and it''s the room next to the stairs," he explained, offering an apology and guidance to the office. "Thanks, sir... Ahmm," Evan hesitated, realizing he didn''t know the teacher''s name. "Oh, my name is Robin," the teacher said, understanding that they hadn''t been introduced. "Okay, thanks, Mr. Robin. I hope you have a good day," Evan said as he walked away, leaving Robin alone. "Ah, the kid was nice. I hope he''s in my class. Shoot, I forgot to ask which class he''s in," Robin mused, watching the boy disappear after a few seconds. He sighed and began observing the other children entering. Meanwhile, Evan, even after finding the way, had to ask several students before he finally reached the principal''s office.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door. "Come in," a deep voice responded from inside, surprising Evan. He had expected the principal to be a nice and friendly man, as Jason had described, but the voice suggested otherwise. Evan took another breath and entered the office. He noticed the principal engrossed in his newspaper, almost concealed behind it. Evan remained silent, waiting for the principal to speak first. "Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to explain why you''re here?" the Principal asked as Evan stood up straight. "Sir, I''m the new student. I have a letter from my Uncle Jason; he instructed me to deliver it personally to you," Evan said, placing the letter on the desk. "Oh, so you''re the one. I didn''t expect them to adopt a boy of your age. Everyone thought after his son''s death, he would opt for a baby to care for, but lo and behold, you''re the chosen one. You''re quite fortunate; that old man is exceedingly wealthy," the Principal remarked, a peculiar man known for speaking his mind bluntly, regardless of whether his words were harsh or hurtful. "Actually, Sir, I''m only staying with them until I reach adulthood, then I''ll move out. I''m just a stranger to them, or rather, a child whose parents are unknown¡ªa mere ward until I come of age. I have no interest in their wealth; I haven''t considered it for a moment, and I''ve even tried to avoid using their money for anything," Evan replied, but Principal, Rick, skeptical of anyone not tempted by wealth, merely scoffed. He glanced at the letter, broke the seal, and unfolded it. "Let''s see what he has to say, then," he muttered, and began to read the contents of the letter: -- Hey friend, if you''re reading this, I''m writing to ask you not to bring up anything strange with this kid. We all know about your glib tongue, which has upset many people. His name is Evan, and we''ve adopted him, but he knows nothing of it since it was done secretly. Evan wanted to leave the orphanage, but Wilson disagreed until he thought of me. He called one day, sharing everything about Evan and his parents. After discussing it with my wife, we agreed to take him in, even adopting him, but since Evan wasn''t ready, we''ve kept it hidden from him. I''m telling you this because I want you to avoid topics that might hurt or sadden him. If you do, not even I can protect you from Rossy, as she loves him like her own son. So, goodbye, and I think we should all reunite like in our younger days, sharing life stories like old times. And I trust you haven''t said anything foolish or outlandish. - "Ah shoot, I''m in trouble if this kid spills the beans," he thought, setting aside the letter and observing Evan, who appeared innocent as he surveyed the office. "Ahem," he coughed softly to capture Evan''s attention. "Yes, sir?" Evan responded, straightening his back as he looked around. "Kid, may I ask..." he began, pausing mid-sentence to glance out the window, checking for eavesdroppers. --To be continued-- __ First day of school {Mystic High School} [3] "Can you help me with something?" he asked seriously, setting the letter aside. "Certainly, sir. What do you need assistance with?" Evan replied, thinking Jason was referring to the letter. "Well, you see... um," the principal began, hesitating as Evan grew more puzzled by what could make the principal act so. "Is the task unusual or difficult?" Evan inquired, attempting to clarify Rick''s issues. "Okay, here''s the deal, junior. The stuff I spilled earlier. It''s our little secret. If it leaks, you, your loaded aunt, and your swanky uncle might become a treasure map for bandits," he said, trying to mask his gossiping ways and dodge the shame of Rossy catching on. "Oh, I see, sir. Don''t worry, I won''t tell a soul," Evan assured him, the young boy understanding the gravity of the situation and wishing to prevent any harm to his family. "Okay, I will call someone to escort you to your class. Don''t worry about a thing and remember not to tell anyone about this matter to ensure your safety," Rick said, offering encouragement with a hint of caution. "Okay, sir, I promise I won''t even tell my uncle and aunt," he replied, placing his hand over his heart, eyes sparkling with trust. "Alright, take a seat on the sofa there until I call for someone," he instructed, gesturing to the sofa behind Evan. Evan sat down and began to look around. A few minutes later, the door opened, and an elegant lady with brown hair and black eyes entered, bowing to the principal. "Sir, did you call for me?" she inquired, noticing Evan seated on the sofa. "Yes, Ms. Blake, thank you for coming. I''ve called you to introduce this young man as a new student in your section. His situation is quite unique, so please take good care of him," he explained, gesturing towards Evan, who wore a surprised expression. ''So, she''s my homeroom teacher,'' Evan thought, bowing respectfully to her as she acknowledged him with a nod. "Understood, sir. I will take good care of him," she assured, bowing slightly and gesturing for him to follow her. "Thank you, sir, I''ll be going now," Evan said to the principal, who nodded and returned to his work. "Hello ma''am, my name is Evan Windstone," he introduced himself to his teacher, who simply nodded and started walking towards the stairs. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Windstone, my name is Ms. Fiona Blake, and as you know that I am your new homeroom teacher." She introduced herself and without any pause said the thing hidden beneath her heart as she was known for telling the truth.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "Come, I''ll show you the way to the classroom. And kid, I hope you won''t disappoint Mr. Rick. I get the impression you''re quite close to him in some way, and he''s not one to show favoritism, so please study hard, okay?" She spoke, suspecting the boy had gained entry through the back door and was wealthy enough that even the Principal had to show some respect, recalling how she saw him seated so casually in the Principal''s office. She remembered an incident when the son of a wealthy businessman, also a student here, had to stand before the Principal, let alone sit in such a relaxed manner. Rumors suggested that the Principal was quite the tough character in his earlier days, capable of handling anyone who irritated him. But rumors are just those lifeless birds that can soar without bounds, without any reason. Without any more conversation they reached at the first floor and go toward a room on which the board of was written. Both could hear the chatter from inside, and Fiona sighed as if it were an everyday occurrence for her. "Let''s go inside before they get wilder," she said, sliding the door open and walking in with Evan following behind. The students quickly took their seats and eyed the new kid with curiosity. "Attention class, today we have a new student who has transferred here, and I hope you will help him become familiar with this place and treat him well," she announced, gesturing for him to introduce himself. Evan nodded, stepped forward slightly, and scanned the classroom. He didn''t recognize any faces, except for one¡ªa boy grinning at him from the back bench. ''Found you,'' the boy mouthed silently, a private mutter to himself. "Hello, my name is Evan Windstone, and I''m a transfer student from Arcanis City. I hope we can be friends," he said. His gestures and hesitation, however, betrayed his introverted nature, and everyone lost interest in him except for one guy and some nerdy guys who thought they might make a new friend. "Alright, Evan, you can take your seat. Ummm... Ah, you can sit with Rook. Rook, please help him with his studies if you can," she said, choosing a random student whose face fell at being selected for this tedious task, but he still nodded in agreement. Evan took his place beside him and was about to say hello when he saw his face. "Oi... nerd, don''t talk to me, okay? And if you tell the teacher, be ready for a beating," he warned, trying to shake off the nuisance he''d been assigned to take care of. "O... okay, I won''t tell anyone," Evan replied, having anticipated this reaction due to his behavior and his simple, gloomy appearance. "Then, let''s begin today''s class, and I hope you all will concentrate diligently. Evan, if you don''t understand something, feel free to ask me after class," she said, aware that the boy was likely to have few or no friends because of his demeanor. She confirmed it with the behavior displayed by Rook, who had just told him not to disturb him at the moment. She sighed and began her class. Evan was having trouble but decided to ask Mr. Fiona later. As the class ended, she started walking outside and stopped abruptly before leaving. "Ah yes, Evan, if you want to ask something, come to the teacher''s office," she said and then walked out. No one approached him as they knew what type he was, but still, some students started moving towards him. Indeed, it was the nerd gang, and they were approaching him to recruit, but before they could, a hand was placed on Evan''s shoulder. "Hey, you remember me, right?" someone said, and Evan instantly recognized who it was. Evan looked back and said, "Oh, you...". -- To be continued -- First day of school {Mystic High School} [4] "You remember me, right, buddy?" someone said from behind Evan, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You..." Evan recognized who it was by the behavior and tone before even turning around. When he looked back, his guess was confirmed; it was none other than James, who had initially gone unnoticed and waited until the class was over to approach him. "What are you doing here?" Evan inquired, having thought he would be separated from his friends, but it seemed his luck was holding up. "Yes, I''m here with you in the class section. What''s with that question? Don''t you think it''s good?" James asked, thinking Evan might not appreciate his company. "No, I''m just surprised, and I''m very happy about it. But where''s Rey? I didn''t see him here. Is he on holiday today?" Evan asked, scanning the classroom for Rey. "Oh no, Rey and I are in different sections. I''m in Section-A, and he''s in Section-B," James explained, to which Evan responded with a surprised expression. (:o) "Then how are you both friends as I thought only those who are in same section should be right." Evan said as he thought that the guy we mostly time spend with is our friend. "It''s nothing like that. Haven''t you noticed that students from different classes and sections are friends?" he said, believing it should be normal for everyone. "I see," Evan replied, aiming to satisfy James, yet he remained unsure. "But when I entered the classroom, I didn''t see you among the students," Evan recalled what he wanted to ask. "Oh, that. I was taking a nap in the back because I had to stay up all night working," he explained, pointing to his solitary seat at the back. "Do you want to come sit by me or are you okay here with this rude jerk?" he asked, gesturing towards Rook, who was angry but silent, knowing James'' reputation. "Won''t your usual sitting partner mind?" Evan inquired, looking for James'' neighbor. "I was sitting alone, just relaxing," he replied. "Then, okay, I''ll join you. I don''t think I can study in this environment," Evan whispered, packing his belongings to move next to James. "Alright, I''ll lend you my notes for a while until you catch up with us," he offered, handing over a notebook. They began discussing various topics, filling the time until the teacher arrived. Unbeknownst to him, James'' approach and invitation to his seat significantly altered the other students'' perceptions, sparking gossip. "See that new student sitting with James? I thought he was a nerd, but being with James, he must be rich too. Everyone knows the kind of people James hangs out with," some girls whispered, sneaking glances at the carefree duo. Rumors swirled, suggesting Evan was either a gangster''s child or the illegitimate offspring of a wealthy family. As everyone knows, rumors have wings, and they grew so much that they even reached other classes.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Later, the classroom fell silent as the teacher for the next period arrived. The new class began, and with James'' help, Evan finally started to learn a few things. Then came the time many students look forward to: The Lunch Break. All the students began leaving the classroom to wander or eat their lunch with friends from different classes or sections. "Hey Evan, let''s grab something to eat from the cafeteria," James suggested, pulling him up from his seat. "Wait, let me grab my lunch box first," Evan replied, retrieving a box wrapped in a plain yellow cloth. "Ah, homemade food, huh? Let''s eat with Rey; he should be waiting for us," James remarked as they left the classroom. Upon reaching the cafeteria, they spotted Rey waiting. James approached with someone following behind him, but Rey couldn''t make out the person''s face because of James. "Hey James, grab something quick to eat before we check the other section for Evan, who should be in a different sect..." Rey was interrupted when the obscured student revealed himself ¨C it was indeed Evan, who had conspired with James to surprise Rey. "Oh, you found him first, huh? Hi Evan, I hope you like our school," Rey said, his words muffled by the food he was eating. "Yes, James and I met a while back, and we''ve come here to have lunch with you," Evan replied as he sat down beside him with his lunch. "I''ll get something to eat for us," James said, heading towards the cafeteria. "Wait, can''t you just share with us?" Evan asked, thinking three students could share two lunch boxes. "No, I just don''t like homemade food. I could bring food from home, but I prefer not to," he explained as he walked away. "Hey, wait..." Evan started, but Rey interrupted him. "Don''t bother; he won''t listen. Evan, I''ve tried for over a year, but he''s as stubborn as a rock," Rey said, although Evan remained unconvinced that James''s perspective couldn''t be changed. "But how hard can it be?" Evan asked, his face showing his curiosity. "Harder than you can imagine," Rey responded, attempting to dampen Evan''s curiosity, which nonetheless persisted. James returned with two cheese sandwiches and a soft drink for refreshment. Evan opened his lunch to find four chicken drumsticks surrounded by an assortment of vegetables, a small chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate chips, and a small box of sauce. Evan James was impressed, knowing that Evan was an orphan. "Wow, Evan, you should tell us the real story. Which family are you from? I can''t believe a caretaker would pack such a lunch," James remarked, with Rey nodding in agreement. "Are you the rumored kid from Section A, said to be from a wealthy family or the son of a high-profile gangster?" Rey said as even in his class the rumors flowed. "Huh what gangster child no I am not and rich kid no hell man. I am just a regular everyday normal m ...aoooch kid bro." Evan was about to get started but suddenly his tongue was stuck into his teeth and got cut. Attempting to belt out that tune and facing a report? Oh, no way, buddy. I''m putting my foot down on this one. Just a heads-up, if there''s an encore performance, the consequences will escalate. So, let''s keep it to shower concerts, shall we? {A/N: You again, I thought you perished in that attack but still come back are you tired of living.} Heh, you think that puny attack of yours can kill this legend you think so than go eat the sh*t, author and remember legends never die. Yahhhhhhhhhhh. (Disappear) {A/N: You won''t get away with this, now the real war begins. I swear that until I kill you this story won''t end.} __ "So, it was just a rumor, huh? But how did you manage to get into Section A? I thought the class was already full and closed to new entrants," Rey said, recalling that even many wealthy people had attempted to join but failed, despite their financial influence. Yet now, Evan, an orphan with no such resources, had secured a place. He knew that Evan''s identity was not straightforward, something that would only become clear in the future. Whether he would be shocked, or his predictions would come true, only time could tell. ___ -- To be continued -- First day of school {Mystic High School} [5] Hello everyone, I hope you''re all doing well. I''m excited to announce that the additional updated chapters have been posted on my Patreon page. I invite you to join me there to read them, as your support will further motivate me to write more. Link: https://patreon.com/Nemesis0002006?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_fan&utm_content=join_link Or Nemesis0001 | Fantasy novel. __ After finishing their lunch, everyone returned to their classroom to stow away their lunch bags and proceeded to show Evan around the school, as he had requested. They reconvened at the Section-A door and began their tour, with fifteen minutes of the lunch break remaining. "Okay, shall we start the tour?" James asked, and Evan nodded with happiness, grateful to have friends to spend time with. Their tour was about to commence when a figure approached them from behind and stopped them. "Evan, didn''t I tell you to visit me during the lunch break for pointers?" Ms. Fiona asked, hands on her hips, looking at the trio. "Oh, hi Ms. Fiona. I was just about to explore the school with my friends here. Thank you for your offer, but they can help me now, so there''s no need for you to use your precious time, which could be spent teaching other students or enjoying your own time," Evan replied, surprising his friends and Ms. Fiona, who hadn''t expected such mature thoughts from him. "Oh, okay then. I''m sure you''ll catch up with the help of your friends, but if you need any assistance, come find me, okay? And aren''t you two from different sections?" she said, recovering from her surprise and pointing at Evan''s friends. "Yes, my name is Rey Dragonstorm, Madam Blake. We became friends outside of school yesterday, so I''m here to help him," Rey said, bowing slightly. "Just keep in mind not to lead him astray with anything bad, and only assist him with class studies, not exams," she said, before walking away, feeling she had taken up too much of their time. As she distanced herself, turning a corner, the trio''s reaction was one of disbelief. "Goodness, Evan, do you realize what you''ve just missed?" James exclaimed as she vanished from view. "What are you talking about?" Evan asked, utterly perplexed. "Don''t you know? Ms. Blake is considered the top beauty in our school''s unofficial student rankings. Every student adores her, albeit unrequitedly, and would do anything to spend time with her, even if it''s just for studying," James revealed, leaving Evan in a mix of awe and confusion.Stolen story; please report. "Are you all mad? Dreaming about your own teacher like that, bro," Evan retorted, aware that those attempts were doomed to fail given Fiona''s demeanor. "And you think this approach with Ms. Fiona will get you anywhere? Are you two also involved in this?" he inquired, moving ahead. "Oh no, we''re not. But James here once considered proposing to her. Thankfully, he was dissuaded just in time. A rumor went around that a senior student who asked her out was expelled, and his family fell on hard times due to Ms. Blake''s influential background, which is rumored to be even more prominent than James''s, possibly bordering on nobility," Rey explained, as Evan tried to make sense of the fact that Fiona was no ordinary teacher. "Hi, I told you it was just a crush. I wasn''t planning to ask her out, just thinking, nothing more," James said, trying to maintain his composure. "But you were, you even showed me the letter and had everything prepared, like a dinner and a rose bouquet receipt," Rey countered as James blushed deeply. "It''s not true, and shut up before I make you," he retorted, flexing his arm. "Ahem... guys, shouldn''t we be touring around here?" Evan interjected, attempting to divert the conversation and prevent Rey from getting hurt. "Yes, let''s go," said Rey, who was nearly punched, hurrying away with Evan and leaving James behind. "Hey, wait for me too!" James called out, running after them. They resumed their tour with urgency, as only ten minutes remained until the lunch break was over, visiting places like the school ground and rooftop, among others. Meanwhile, Fiona, who had left the trio just minutes before, was striding towards a destination and finally arrived. Standing in front of the room door, she took a deep breath, knocked, and upon receiving permission, walked inside. She approached the desk and waited to be acknowledged. "Sir, I need to inquire about a student," she stated, awaiting a response. "So, you''ve returned. I anticipated you might come back to ask about that student, but you must understand there are things that cannot be disclosed, no matter how much one pleads. How then, do you expect me to reveal the student''s identity?" he replied, swiveling in his chair. "Sir, this student became friends with those two immediately upon entering the school, and I don''t believe it''s merely a coincidence," she countered, her expression one of bewilderment. "Ms. Blake, sometimes it''s best to overlook the oddities we encounter. Delving into them can cause more harm than simply keeping quiet and walking away. Otherwise, there''s no returning to normalcy; it''s like being stuck in quicksand, which only leads to one outcome," he explained, causing Fiona, who had more questions, to halt. "So, you''re suggesting I remain silent on this matter and take no action?" she questioned, visibly concerned. "Yes, focus on your duties and teach the students," he instructed. Fiona nodded; her mind clouded with confusion and left the room. Inside, the man rose from his chair and walked to the window. This was Rick, the Principal, whom Fiona had approached to learn more about Evan. "Evan, I''ve assisted you this time, but the choices you make will determine your future. I never expected you to befriend those two anomalies at our school. A fallen noble and a stubborn heir playing the part of average students¡ªwhat an unusual trio," he mused, returning to his desk to resume his work. "Jason, what an odd individual you''ve taken under your wing," he remarked, refocusing on his tasks. Meanwhile, the trio made their way back to their respective classes as the break ended and the next teacher was due to arrive. -- To be continued -- First day of school {Mystic High School} [6] James and Evan arrived in their classroom to find other students engaged in conversations; some glanced at them before resuming their chatter. They too returned to their seats, and Evan began taking out his textbooks according to the schedule Fiona had provided. As the class commenced, Evan''s initial excitement gradually waned. The more he listened to his teacher, the sleepier he became, sometimes barely keeping his eyes open to avoid dozing off on his first day. Beside him, James was asleep, unconcerned. Just as the period was nearing its end, the teacher''s gaze landed on James, catching him asleep. This led to a few extra minutes of lecturing before the period concluded. After a bit more admonishment, the teacher left, and the classroom erupted into a buzz of gossip. Many students thanked James because, thanks to him, the last few minutes did not become unbearable for everyone, as the period after break is always challenging for every student, even for those who study diligently. "It''s nothing, just a normal talent to help each other out in times of trouble, so I just offered myself as a sacrifice for everyone," he said, boasting as if he were floating on the flow of a river. "Well, Mr. Helper, would you please sit down, as I am already here," someone said from the classroom door and closed it behind him. "Oh no, it''s Sir Peter," everyone whispered and hurried back to their seats to sit properly. "So, I hope you all are ready for the board test I assigned a few days ago. The punishment will be much harsher than usual," he announced, causing the entire class to burst into despair, with only a few faces showing confidence while the rest trembled in fear, having forgotten about it. "Hey, did you prepare for it?" a student asked Rook, who was quite confident and one of the few who seemed unfazed. "Yes, do you expect me not to study for Sir Peter''s class? I still remember the punishment he gave me back then," Rook replied, shivering slightly but ready for the challenge. "Well, well, it looks like we have a new face here, so why don''t you introduce yourself, kid?" Peter said, scanning the room and noticing a new student sitting there, assuming he was from a different section and had stayed because he hadn''t gone to his class. Evan who was sitting beside James stand up from his seat and stand still without saying anything. "Are you mute or something." He asked as Evan moved his head in no. "Then told me your name and why are you in this class." He asked as he never ever thought that a new student can enter in class. "Sir, I am a transfer student and today is my first day here," Evan said in a low voice that failed to reach Peter''s ears, leading him to believe the boy was making excuses.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. "Please leave my class, or I will have to send you to the principal''s office," he said, as Evan was stunned that he was being sent out despite telling the truth, unaware that Peter had not heard him correctly. James, who was sitting next to him, grasped the situation and stood up. "Sir, wait, there seems to be a misunderstanding," he interjected confidently. "What are you implying, James? It seems you''re also in favor of letting students stay in class after the break, thinking it promotes harmony. But now it appears to be misused, so I might have to ask you to leave as well," he said, mistakenly assuming James was defending Evan. "No, sir, what I mean is Evan isn''t from another section; he''s a new transfer student who joined our class this morning. If you don''t believe me, you can verify with Ms. Blake, who introduced him herself," James explained loudly enough for everyone to hear. "So, you''re saying this student is new to our section?" Peter sought confirmation. "Yes, sir, and if you have doubts, please confirm with Ms. Blake. She introduced him to the class herself, and I don''t believe a teacher would lie to us," James replied, as the entire class nodded in agreement, pleased that the discussion was prolonging the time before a test. "Yes, sir, we urge you to check with Miss Blake for confirmation," the class chimed in unison, leaving Peter astonished at the students'' solidarity, all for a transfer student they barely knew. "Okay, if you insist, I''ll go outside and ask Miss Blake for confirmation, but if anyone makes noise while I''m away, be ready for the worst," Peter said as he left the classroom to find Fiona. "Hurray!" Everyone cheered, surprised that today''s test might be postponed, especially since it was Sir Peter''s test. The class was abuzz with gossip, yet the volume remained low; no one wanted to be punished, test or no test. "Hey bro, sit down now, the teacher''s already gone," James said to Evan, who remained standing even after the teacher had left. "But what if he comes back?" Evan asked, worried that Peter would be angry with him. "Don''t worry, nothing''s going to happen. The period will be over by then," James replied nonchalantly. "Alright, if you say so," Evan conceded, sitting down next to him. Within minutes, they too were engrossed in discussions about the game they had played the day before. While students continued to gossip among themselves, Peter could be seen walking down the hallway, heading straight for the teacher''s office. Upon entering, he found Fiona busy with student papers. "Ms. Blake, I need to inquire about something concerning your class," he stated promptly upon approaching her. "Oh, hello Mr. Peter, what is it you''re referring to?" she asked, surprised by his presence at that time. "Well, as I was about to start my session in your Section-A class, I noticed a new student there. It seemed he had sneaked into the class to spend time with his friend without notifying anyone," he explained, getting straight to the point. "Ah, you mean Evan. I''m sorry, Mr. Peter, but I''m as in the dark as you are. Mr. Rick personally enrolled him, and there''s nothing I can say or do about it," she responded, indicating her lack of involvement from the beginning. "Then I must discuss this with the principal," he declared, resolute in discovering why this student was in the class. "Perhaps, but I doubt you''ll get far; he''s not one to share information," she cautioned, but Peter remained undeterred, convinced that Rick should at least disclose something about the student. Leaving the office, he made his way to the principal''s office. -- To be continued -- First day of school {Mystic High School} [7] While the students were engrossed in gossip, Peter walked down the hallway and stopped at a door marked ''Principal''s Office.'' He straightened his clothes to appear neat and knocked before entering. Inside, he found Rick savoring his tea. "What a pleasant surprise, Sir Peter, visiting me at this hour. If I recall correctly, shouldn''t you be in class right now?" Rick remarked, setting his cup on the cupboard. "Yes, sir, I was supposed to be in Section A, but some obstacles necessitated my seeking you out for information," Peter replied, taking a seat at the table after Rick gestured for him to sit. "Oh, so it''s important, huh? I don''t think anything less than important would make you leave class and roam around to find me. Would you like some tea?" Rick offered, pointing towards the kettle on the drawer beside his worktable. "No, thank you, sir, but I''m here to inquire about a student, specifically the new transfer student who just enrolled in our school," he replied, causing Rick to pause mid-action, a child''s face flashing in his mind. "Then tell me, what''s the issue with this student? Has he misbehaved or done something wrong?" Rick questioned, suspecting a problem since two teachers had come to inquire about the child. "No, sir, I''m here to ask why you allowed him into Section-A. I recall you mentioning a few days ago that this section was already full, and no one could join, even if they tried, and now suddenly there''s a new kid here without any information provided to anyone," Peter stated bluntly. "Well, Mr. Peter, I think you should know that some things aren''t worth asking or repeating. I''ll say this again: the student named Evan was already enrolled in the class but couldn''t attend school due to some issues. Now that he''s resolved them, he''s attending classes like the other students. If you have no further questions, please leave, as the period is almost over, and I doubt your class is doing well without you," Rick explained, concocting a story to prevent Peter from asking further questions about Evan, which he had crafted perfectly in his spare time. If someone inquired about the problem, he could say it couldn''t be disclosed due to certain issues. Peter found himself in a quandary, unable to obtain information about the student he was so keen to learn about. Eventually, the words he had been reluctant to express surrendered and poised themselves on the brink of utterance. "Then, one final question, Mr. Rick, and after that, I''ll leave, even if my question remains unanswered," Peter declared. Rick, who had been silent, nodded thoughtfully, preparing a swift but insincere response.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "Recall, a few weeks ago, a prominent businessman sought his child''s admission here, insisting on Section-A. However, you immediately refused, suggesting Section-B instead. Despite their persistence and various tactics, you remained firm in your decision. So, why the change of heart now? I can''t imagine this child''s parents offered anything of more value than the previous ones to warrant your agreement," Peter ventured, bracing himself for the reprimand he anticipated, as discussing such matters in front of the principal was strictly forbidden. Even after a minute had passed, nothing occurred, and he opened his eyes to see Rick''s head bowed. He glanced at him and, after pausing to breathe, he delivered his response. "Alright, if you wish to hear it, then so be it. This child is neither wealthy nor impoverished, and the reason I granted him admission is that he was already enrolled but unable to attend school. The evidence lies in the fact that we have allocated a specific number of seats in every class and section, and only that number of students are permitted to enroll. Don''t you think it''s odd that after all this time, one seat in Section-A remained vacant, and I didn''t offer it to anyone else? He deserved it, and I didn''t want to demote him without cause. And as you know, even if a scholar applied, they wouldn''t be admitted to Section-A since it''s already full," Rick explained, awaiting Peter''s reaction, which came as a stern look. "What''s the matter..." Rick began, but Peter interrupted with a deep bow. "I apologize, sir. It was wrong of me to suspect that you would accept a ''donation'' to admit a student. I am truly sorry, and I hope you can overlook my accusations and give me another chance to serve the school faithfully," Peter said, his words stinging Rick, who chose not to punish him but to reflect on the matter and instructed him to return to his classroom. Once Peter had left, Rick exhaled a sigh of relief and slumped in his chair. "Oh God, it''s so difficult to spin a tale of heroism and justice when it doesn''t come naturally to me, and I never thought Peter would actually believe it," he muttered, straightening up as a knock sounded at the door. While attending to the newcomer, Peter walked towards his class. It was only as he was about to leave that he realized the children had tricked him into thinking the test was cancelled, and he had fallen for it. "Ah geez, those kids, they won''t get away with skipping the test," he muttered as he reached the classroom. Just as he opened the door, the bell signaling the end of the period rang, and his time for teaching today was up. "Yayyyyyy," the students cheered quietly, delighted. "Hah, if you think you''ve escaped, you''re mistaken. Tomorrow, you''ll all have to study extra and take the test without any time to revise. And you, the new transfer student, stand up," he commanded with a pointed finger at Evan. "Listen up, I''m already informed about you. Don''t be lazy just because you arrived today; you''ll have to work twice as hard to catch up with everyone else in your studies. Be ready for that. And yes, try to understand the first few lessons of Mathematics for tomorrow, and let me know if you have any doubts. Be attentive, okay?" he instructed, as Evan nodded earnestly. "Well then, goodbye class, and be prepared for tomorrow''s test," he announced as he left the room for his other classes. The students felt a mix of despair and relief; they were happy to have evaded trouble for the day, knowing the entire class could have been compromised. -- To be Continued -- First day of school {Mystic High School} [8/Last] After a while, the new period teacher began his lesson, his gaze not settling on Evan. Peter, who had a voice like a loudspeaker, had already informed every teacher that there was a new student in Section-A, advising them not to investigate since he had done so himself, sharing the fabricated story Rick had concocted about Evan. Finally, the moment everyone had been anticipating arrived, and the final school bell rang. The joy on everyone''s faces was palpable, especially since the math teacher had skipped class despite being at school. James and Evan quickly packed their bags, left the classroom, and descended the stairs to the ground floor to exit the school building. Students from every class were departing with their friends, while some lingered, chatting and packing their bags. "So, what now as the school is over and we all are free then why don''t we all go to the game parlor." James said as he looked at Evan who was walking beside him still watching the students walking around or running and teachers organizing things or control mischief children. "No, I think we should study at home today because don''t you remember that Sir Peter is administering the test tomorrow, and you''re also on the list of students," he said, recalling the day''s events. "Yes, but I have my ultimate cheat code that no one would ever suspect, and with its help, I can ace the exam," James replied, while Evan didn''t grasp his words but understood as he gestured towards the person he was referring to. Indeed, it was Rey, who had the test paper and had given it to James after being bribed with some extra in-game items. Rey agreed, but only on the condition that James would only answer half of the questions correctly and not draw attention with his cheat sheet, as getting caught would doom them both. The reason James resorted to this, for those wondering, is because Peter was quite lax in his duties, often setting the same paper for all sections and printing it out, which they had discovered multiple times. Thus, James had become adept at it, especially since Peter was Rey''s homeroom teacher and James''s class period followed theirs, allowing him to receive help frequently. But what could Evan say? He preferred not to meddle in this affair and declined the invitation to the game parlor, wishing instead to study and quickly cover the syllabus gaps. After some insistence, they both agreed with him and decided to go their separate ways after parting. Now alone, Evan took out his phone and opened the map to find his way home. The map displayed his location and the route to his house. After carefully following the directions, he reached a familiar road where he could navigate without the map. He turned off the phone screen and began walking, trying to memorize the route to become accustomed to it for daily use, not wanting to rely on the map to get to school every day.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Despite some minor difficulties, he eventually arrived at his building. He noticed that the door to his aunt''s apartment was slightly open. Approaching it to see if something was amiss, he entered to check. Inside, he found his aunt deeply engrossed in watching TV on the sofa, so much so that she didn''t notice him even as he came close. "Aunt, what are you doing?" he asked, startling Rossy, who nearly fell off the sofa. "Oh, Evan, you almost gave me a heart attack. How did you get inside?" she asked, taking deep breaths to calm herself. "I just came from school and noticed your door was open. I thought something might have happened, so I came to check," he explained, gesturing towards the door. "Oh, sorry Evan, I must have forgotten to close it. I got caught up watching TV. So, tell me, how was your first day at school?" she asked, explaining the reason for the open door. "It was okay; I met some friends I made yesterday who also study there. It was kind of fun, nothing more," he replied as he sat down on the sofa next to her. "Alright, if you say so. Your timing is perfect. Go freshen up quickly and come back for lunch. I was about to serve it to myself and Jason, as we thought you''d be late from school," Rossy said, turning off the TV and heading to the kitchen to serve the food. "Okay, I''ll be back in a few minutes," Evan said as he walked out and started towards his apartment to change. He was just reaching his floor when he saw the girl who lived next door, whom he had seen that morning. She was standing there, waiting for someone¡ªperhaps him. He decided to confront her if something was wrong, believing that if he hadn''t done anything, there was no reason to avoid her. He walked towards his apartment door, ready for whatever was about to happen¡ªand indeed, it did. The girl spotted him and quickly approached, fearing she might miss him again if he left. "Hey, wait! I wanted to talk to you about something," she said, causing Evan, who would normally have fled, to pause and look at her. "What is it, miss? I don''t believe we''re acquainted," he replied, gripping his door, ready to enter should anything untoward occur. "Oh, it''s just that I wanted to apologize for yesterday and today. My boyfriend is quite impulsive and overly protective. He worries that other guys living nearby might... well, you understand. That''s why he''s been trying to secure the apartment next to mine, but his behavior has prevented it. I''m truly sorry for any inconvenience caused," she explained, bowing deeply with a remorseful expression and tone. This made Evan realize that his decision to wait was correct, as the misunderstanding was now cleared up. He wouldn''t need to avoid them anymore and could live normally until he decided to move out. "No need to apologize; I was unaware of the situation and mistook him for a troublemaker. But rest assured, I''ve already forgotten his misconduct. You both don''t need to worry about me interfering with your relationship, so please tell him not to be concerned," Evan responded before entering his home, leaving the girl to walk away from his door and call her boyfriend. "Hello, darling. You know the man next to me who fled this morning? He just met with me, and I''ve successfully completed the first part of the plan by earning his trust. Now, I just need to proceed cautiously with the next step," she said, as laughter could be heard from the other end. "Oh, my darling you''re such a charmer as this foolish guy got into your trap like flies into the sugar syrup and didn''t even get to know what happened but listen don''t get carried away and do something over extra okay and quickly remove this guy from the apartment as I have already made plan how to get into the building." He said as the girl nodded and walked inside the apartment of her closing the door behind but little did, they know that someone was listening to them and use it was out part time detective Jason who was ready for their act and even recorded it to get some proof but this wasn''t much and he wanted to get more so he was ready for it. The Strange Dream [1] Oblivious to the hidden truths of the show, Evan, who was in his apartment, had just emerged from the bathroom after changing his clothes and began preparing to return for lunch. He was quite elated, as the sole problem that had been troubling him was resolved, and he was now free from any issues that could arise while residing there. "Okay, so after lunch, I''ll study a bit for tomorrow and attempt to go through the syllabus with the help of the notes Rey and James sent to my phone," he murmured to himself as he stepped out of his apartment and headed towards Rossy''s place. Upon reaching the ground floor, he approached the door of their apartment and knocked. Rossy was expected to answer, moving towards the door. However, when the door swung open, it wasn''t Rossy who greeted him, but Jason. "Oh, you''re back from school, huh?" Jason remarked, concealing his earlier act of spying in the hallway as he spoke with the girl. "Yes, Uncle, I arrived a little while ago and met Aunt Rossy, who told me to join you both for lunch," Evan replied without hesitation, having grown accustomed to Jason''s behavior. "Are you two going to chat outside the whole time, or are you coming in for lunch?" Rossy called out from inside upon seeing them talk at the door. "Coming!" they responded in unison and headed inside, with Jason leading the way and Evan following. They took their respective seats at the table and waited for the food to be served. "So, what were you both talking about?" Rossy inquired as she handed them their plates. "Oh, nothing much. I was just asking him about his day at school," Jason interjected quickly before Evan could speak. "Is that so, Evan?" she pressed, eager to know the true nature of their conversation. "Yes, Uncle was merely inquiring about my day at school, nothing more," Evan confirmed, shielding Jason from Rossy''s suspicion. "Oh, then it''s okay. But if he asks you anything else, tell me immediately. I''ll take care of it," Rossy said with a smile, though Jason knew there was something hidden behind it. "Okay, don''t waste time and eat your food before it gets cold," Jason said, attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Okay," Evan replied, beginning to eat his food, and thereafter, no one spoke further. After lunch, he sat back in his seat, comfortably rubbing his stomach with satisfaction. Rossy was pleased that Evan enjoyed her cooking and ate without any fuss, as evident by the joy on his face. She began clearing the plates from the table to the sink for washing. "Okay, Evan, I wanted to ask you about that letter I gave you this morning," Jason inquired, noticing Evan''s drowsiness post-lunch as his eyes fluttered open. "Oh yes, I almost forgot about that," Evan said, straightening his back and turning to face Jason, perhaps ready to disclose everything. "Is something wrong, dear?" Rossy asked as she returned from the kitchen after washing the dishes.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. "No, just asking if Rick had mentioned anything or not," Jason said, while Rossy also became interested, knowing Rick''s manner of speaking and ready to intervene if he had said anything suspicious to Evan. "Did your stinky old principal say or ask you anything bad, or mention us?" Rossy inquired, not wanting Evan to be upset by anything Rick might have told him. "Oh no, Mr. Rick didn''t say anything bad, and after reading the letter, he had a teacher escort me to my classroom," Evan replied, concealing the words Rick had told him due to the promise he had made. "Okay, then which section are you in?" Jason asked, having mentioned in his letter that Evan should be placed in a good section that wouldn''t cause any issues for him. "It''s Section-A. Today it brought me many problems; every teacher who entered the class looked at me as if I were some kind of zoo animal, fixating their gaze on me for half the period, and one even went to the principal to inquire about me," Evan recounted the day''s events to Jason and Rossy, caused by his presence in the class section. "So, nothing else happened, right?" Jason asked, his expression unchanged. "No, nothing. They just told me to do extra work to catch up with the class, that''s all," Evan responded, as Jason and Rossy nodded, aware that Evan needed to study hard to keep up with his classmates. "Alright, go and study some work that may help you later," Jason suggested, and Evan nodded, walking towards the door and reaching it, but... "Ah yes, he mentioned that your idea is perfect, and you all can meet up once you and your friends are ready," Evan relayed the last thing Rick had told him before leaving the cabin. "Alright, I''ll check with everyone to schedule the gathering," Jason replied. Evan nodded and departed the apartment to study in his room. He glanced around the hallway and noticed it was deserted. "Seems like everyone''s resting in their apartments," Evan muttered to himself as he began ascending the stairs. Upon reaching the first floor, where his room was located, he saw that the girl wasn''t there waiting for him. He breathed a sigh of relief, unlocked his door, and entered his room. Initially, he considered taking a nap but decided against it, realizing it might prevent him from sleeping later and disrupt his morning routine. Instead, he opted to study, pulled out his bag, and began to complete his notes, delving into a few chapters of literature and mathematics. He really likes those subjects and can quickly get up to speed with them. As he studies, we see Jason and Rossy sitting at the table, just as Evan leaves the apartment. "Argh, I told him to place him in a section that wouldn''t cause problems, but now he''s in Section A, and the problems are starting," Jason said, visibly angry with Rick and wanting to scold him over the phone, but Rossy intervened. "Do you really think that guy, who badmouths everyone to their face, wouldn''t say anything to Evan? I don''t buy it," Rossy remarked, her own frustration mounting because she felt Rick should have warned him, especially after reading Jason''s letter, which should have prompted him to keep them out of it. "I know he should have, but there''s nothing we can do about it right now," Jason replied, noticing Rossy''s puzzled expression. "But why aren''t you also upset that he didn''t warn Evan about things like adoption?" Rossy pressed, her face showing her readiness to confront Rick. "Yes, I am, but let''s not be hasty. We can deal with him at the gathering, letting him bask in the false belief that Evan hasn''t told us anything," Jason suggested, and after considering it, Rossy agreed. "Okay, I''ll get some work done, and you take a rest," he told her before leaving to attend to his secret tasks, known only to him and Rossy. Left alone, Rossy shrugged her shoulders, settled on the sofa, and began watching TV. Sometime later... In Evan''s apartment, he was still seated at his desk, having just stretched after finishing his studies. "Let''s call it a day and take a break," he said, glancing out the window to see the sun beginning to set, signaling the evening''s arrival. "Oh, it''s already past six. Time flies," he mused. "I think I''ll take a walk outside to pass the time before dinner." He remembered Rossy mentioning that dinner would be ready by eight. He packed his notebook into his bag, stored the bag in his cabinet, then unplugged his phone, now fully charged, and started to leave his apartment, locking the door behind him. Outside, he noticed many people strolling on the street and took the opportunity to greet his new neighbors, who were surprised to see him, as they hadn''t noticed him before. After conversing politely with everyone, he began walking downstairs to go outside. The strange dream [2] Evan, who had just walked downstairs, noticed Jason engrossed in paperwork in front of his apartment gate. He approached silently, not wanting to interrupt. As Jason finished and looked up, he was startled to find Evan standing there, staring at him, which made him step back in alarm. "Wow, are you okay, uncle? Is there something on my face that startled you?" Evan inquired, noticing Jason''s horrified expression. "Oh... nothing. I was just startled to see you suddenly in front of me. When did you get here?" Jason asked, recalling that he had been alone when he started reading and hadn''t noticed Evan''s approach. "I came downstairs a few seconds ago and saw you were fully concentrated on the paper, so I chose not to disturb you until you were done," Evan explained, and Jason then understood the situation. "That''s okay, but what happened? Why are you here now? Do you need something?" he asked. "No, nothing. I''m just about to go for a walk outside to freshen up after studying," Evan replied, and Jason nodded, understanding his words. "Okay, go ahead, but be careful and make sure to return before eight," he advised, and Evan nodded happily, starting his walk toward the main gate to exit the building. Evan felt content knowing he had someone who cared for him and reminded him to come home early, even if it was just for a while. Once outside, he decided to call James to find out his whereabouts; if he was out, they could hang out, and if not, he could try contacting Rey. After calling and receiving no answer initially, he tried again, and this time James picked up. "Hey bro, where are you?" James inquired from the other end. "Oh, I''ve just finished my studies and thought I''d wander outside for a bit. I called to see if you wanted to hang out or not," Evan explained straightforwardly. "That''s great because Rey and I are playing games at Blaze Fox gaming cafe. Come join us," James invited, sharing his location. "Okay, but where is it?" Evan asked, confused whether it was the same place as last time or a different one. "Don''t you remember where we first met, man?" His friend inquired, and with that, Evan''s confusion cleared, and he decided to head there. "Alright, I''ll meet you there in a few minutes," he said, ending the call. However, he couldn''t recall the way there. "Let''s try the map function," he muttered, opening the app and typing the name of the game club into the search tab. Minutes later, the map displayed various game clubs, and Blaze Fox was among them. "Okay, let''s get going before they call me again," he said, tapping on the club''s button to view the map. He followed the directions and soon arrived, realizing it was indeed the same place.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. "Yes, now I can wander around here freely without any issues," Evan declared, entering the club bustling with people of all ages. He ascended the stairs to the second floor, which was as lively as the first. After some searching, he finally spotted his friends playing in one corner. The slight difference was that Rey was dressed casually, while James was still in his school uniform, even though school had ended four to five hours earlier. "Hey, I''m here," he announced as he approached them. "Oh, hi Evan, we were just about to call you, and now you''re here," James said as he set down his headphones and looked up. Rey greeted him as well and offered a chair for him to sit. "James, have you been home yet?" Evan inquired, glancing at him and the table scattered with empty snack packets and soft drink cans. "Yes, I have. I find it quite suffocating at home, so I prefer to spend most of my time here," James replied, and Evan nodded in understanding. "Still, you should visit home first before coming here. It might make your parents happy to see their child come home straight after school," Evan suggested, and Rey agreed, mentioning that he always checks on his sister at home before coming out to play or heading to his part-time job to assist his mother with the house. "What if the parents are never home, arriving late at night and leaving before you wake up, only really meeting on occasions or when they''re free or on holiday?" James countered, silencing his friends as they began to grasp his situation. "Sorry, I didn''t understand your position and just shared my own knowledge about you," Evan apologized. "No, it''s not your fault, but rather my parents'', whom I can''t even blame since they''re doing it for our family and my future," James replied with a fleeting bitter smile before inviting Evan to join him for a game. Evan logged into his account and entered his lobby, where his character stood enveloped in a dark aura with a prominent shadow element symbol pulsating behind him. "Let me warm up with a game first, then we''ll play together," he suggested, starting a battle royale match. The game lasted eight minutes for him; he was eliminated while attacking a player from behind¡ªjust after his kill, another player seized the opportunity to snipe him from a distance with an elemental wind bullet. His rank was 16 out of 100, and his level rose from two to three. He was thrilled not only because his character leveled up but also because he received a chest after his third game, which contained designer clothes and a gun skin. He equipped them immediately to enhance his character''s uniqueness. Subsequently, he received an invitation to join James'' team, and the trio played a series of duel matches to improve their teamwork. After nine matches, it was already seven-thirty, and Evan decided it was time to head home. "Guys, I think we should call it a day; it''s getting late," Evan suggested, and Rey agreed, feeling the same. "Alright, I''ll play this last match and then head home; you can leave if you want," James said, indicating his desire to play one final game, although Rey intervened. "You need to stop now. I know you won''t stop after this and will end up playing for another hour, so just leave with us," Rey insisted, recalling the last time James did this and returned home two hours later. "Okay, let me log off and we''ll go," James agreed, pressing the button to log off, standing up, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and disposing of snack wrappers and empty drink bottles in the trash bin before exiting the club. They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. "We should head home before it gets too late," Evan suggested, pulling up the map on his phone and starting to walk towards his house. __ Hello everyone, the author here. Please take a moment to read this offer: 100 followers or ratings = 1 bonus chapter 150 followers or ratings= 2 bonus chapters 200 followers or ratings= 3 bonus chapters And so forth. The strange dream [3/last] After leaving the gaming club, Evan and his friends went their separate ways. Evan bid farewell and set off, but he still hadn''t mastered the route and pulled out his trusted guide: the map. He activated the map function and selected his home address. It displayed both his current location and his destination. He began to follow the directions, and after a while, he could see his building in the distance. "Phew, I''m on time," he muttered, glancing at his phone screen and noting he still had some time before reaching home. "Maybe I should ask Aunt if she needs anything from the store," he thought, and dialed her number. She answered after a few rings. "Evan, are you alright? Are you lost again? Tell me where you are, and I''ll come get you right away," Rossy blurted out without waiting for him to speak, ready to dash out the door until Evan interjected. "Aunt, I''m fine. I was just wondering if you needed anything from the store since I''m nearby," he explained, and only then did Rossy truly halt, though she was poised to leave. "Oh, that''s a relief. I thought you were in trouble. Well, I was about to ask Jason to pick up a few things, but if you''re offering to help, then listen," she said, listing a few items she needed and even transferring money to his phone, which he insisted she could give him later. But she wouldn''t have it any other way. He walked into the store and, after selecting his items, approached the counter where a man with a chubby face was packing another customer''s goods. He waited patiently for his turn, and when the man left, he reached the counter and placed his items on the table. "Hi, are you new here?" the man behind the counter asked Evan, who nodded in response. "Oh, I see. My memory is quite sharp, and I instantly recognized that this is your first time here," the man said, quite chatty. Evan replied politely, which seemed to please the man, who then offered him a small discount in good spirits. "Hey, where do you live, bro?" he inquired after a series of questions. "Oh, you see, I''m staying with Mr. Jason, who owns the large building behind the store. I''m on the first floor, room number 103," Evan shared, now feeling more open with the man after their conversation. "Oh god, bro, it looks like you''ve hit a rough patch, oh by the way my name is Leo." the man said with a grim expression. "Huh? Why do you say that?" Evan asked, puzzled. "Well, you know, the house you''re living in is said to be cursed," he explained with a look of horror. "But why? I''ve been living there for some time and haven''t noticed anything amiss," Evan questioned. "Yes, because it only starts to happen after one week; before that, both of your lives were destroyed there. One even had to leave the kingdom because his social image was so tarnished," Leo explained, which piqued Evan''s curiosity further.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "But how?" Evan asked. The man nodded, picked up a chair beside him, and sat down. "Well, the story is old when some time ago the first guy appeared, he was living happy when the girl beside him called police on him and get him arrested on peeping and harassment on her. His life was destroyed as he wanted to suppress the news but somehow it got spread like fire and he had to leave the city to live clearly. The second was the same like him who shifted on the same room and was living happily when a month later, a news came that the girl living beside him was seduced by him and he tried to ra*e her which destroyed his whole life as he was arrested, got jailed and his whole family and friends abandoned him and he transferred to another kingdom to live a miserable life now." The Leo explained and Evan nodded while clapping for his great story telling skills. "Some say the girl ensnared them, others claim the house is cursed, but be careful, brother. I don''t want a kind kid like you to end up like them, so stay alert and cautious," he advised, and Evan nodded, fully comprehending. After further discussion beyond the topic of the cursed room, Evan decided it was time to leave the store and head home. "Take care, brother, hope to see you soon," Leo said, returning to his counter as new customers began to shop. Evan nodded and left the store, making his way to his building. He mulled over the story of the two men, questioning how a seemingly innocent girl could be involved in such deeds. For safety, he decided not to trust her completely and to remain discreetly vigilant. He did not wish to meet the same end as the others. Arriving at the building, he entered Rossy''s apartment and gave her the items. She received them with a smile, suggesting he watch TV while she cooked. As he watched TV, Jason came and sat beside him. Evan handed him the remote, contemplating the unusual situation of a younger person taking control of the TV in the presence of an elder. He sat quietly, observing Jason''s choice of program. Shortly after, Rossy called them to dinner. Jason turned off the TV, and they both approached the table, ready to eat. Rossy had prepared everything, so they began their meal, and within fifteen minutes, they had finished eating. Following a brief conversation, Evan left for his apartment. Climbing the stairs, he was close to his floor when he noticed the boyfriend of the girl next door knocking on her door. A few minutes later, she let him in, looking around to ensure no one was watching, unaware that Evan was secretly observing the entire scene. He harbored some doubts about them, yet he could do nothing but live here peacefully, avoiding any interaction with them. Swiftly, he opened his door, entered, and after attending to a few minor chores, lay down on his bed. Settling on his bed, he soon fell onto his back and drifted into sleep. However, half an hour later, his expression began to change as he entered a familiar dream, which normally wouldn''t surprise him. But this time, something astonishing occurred. Just as he was about to be killed in his dream, he found himself transported to a room with a white sky and dark floor, standing alone between heaven and earth. Looking around, he saw nothing until he turned back. Ten beings stood before him, their features indistinct, but they were undoubtedly large, slender, and towering, standing fifteen to twenty feet tall. He was speechless, and their appearance was incomprehensible. The world began to crumble within seconds, and then he heard something that startled him awake. The tallest among them spoke in a commanding tone, "The time is coming." These were the only words he could discern or perhaps hear. He was soaked in sweat from head to toe, despite the fan spinning at full speed. "Well, today''s dream was quite different from the usual, huh?" Evan remarked as he gazed out the window, surprised to see the sun already on the verge of rising, its rays beginning to glow. Pre time skip [1] [11th April 2024] Evan, who arrived in Lumina town at the age of fifteen in 2021, has now turned eighteen and celebrated his birthday on January 16th. During this period, he grew quite close to Rossy and Jason, to the point where he forgot that his stay was meant to be just three years¡ªa duration that has already passed, yet he continues to live with them. He reminded himself of this fact and was certain that any other caretaker would have asked him to leave after the time limit, but Rossy and Jason never even considered it and carried on as usual. He was hesitant to bring it up, but on a holiday, he mustered the courage to ask them about the time limit. It turned out to be quite the blunder, if you ask me, because when he inquired about leaving their home, Rossy didn''t respond verbally, but her eyes spoke volumes as she began to cry and retreated to her room. This reaction angered Jason, and Evan spent hours pleading with her until she calmed down. However, she remained upset with him, believing that he had come to see them as family, whereas he still regarded them as mere caretakers. Rossy only agreed to be okay if he promised to live with them as a family; otherwise, he could consider his aunt and uncle as deceased. Evan had to agree because he thought he could still refer to them as aunt and uncle after moving away, but the promise made it impossible, so he had to make it. Afterward, he had to apologize to Jason, which wasn''t much different with Rossy''s help. Now, he was living with them as a family and was quite happy about it, as it lifted a weight off his heart. He could now focus on his studies to support his family, which might not need it, but it was still his wish. His life for the next three years was as normal as everyday life, but his dreams were not as frequent. He used to dream about those ten beings once a week, and they were becoming less blurry over time. However, something changed when his birthday came and went. His dreams stopped, and he believed his illness was cured, feeling quite happy as months passed with no signs of dreams, not even the regular ones.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. His life improved in every aspect, from day-to-day activities to school life, as even his grades got better. Life was perfect; every problem was solved, even the couple issue, which could have been quite horrific if he got entangled in it, as it would have made his life like those guys. This all happened a few months after he became friends with the girl. She often visits him with something for him like juice, snacks and many more thing. He was also polite with her and had some distance between them not to get some awkward feeling. She noticed it and tried to get close to him, but he made it clear not to get close to him. She got frustrated one day and showed her true self as she herself tattered her clothes and start screaming while making mark of nails on her skin to show the signs of infight. She screamed, calling the neighbors to tarnish Evan''s reputation, effectively casting him as a villain, and they all began to suspect him. He attempted to defend himself, but the girl''s feigned tears overshadowed his pleas of innocence. Eventually, a neighbor alerted the police, who arrived within minutes, drawing the attention of everyone in the building and the vicinity. Crowds formed to witness the commotion, and upon learning of the accusation, they condemned him while expressing pity for the girl, reflecting societal biases. Jason remained silent, but only Rossy attempted to defend Evan, though her efforts were met with disbelief. The girl''s boyfriend appeared, and she rushed into his arms, weeping dramatically, while the onlookers expressed their sympathy for her and called for severe punishment for the boy. Rossy''s face was etched with anguish as she watched the police take Evan away. She implored Jason to intervene, but he retreated to Rey''s room, leaving her to chase after the police in a desperate bid to halt them. Convinced of Evan''s innocence, she was prepared to go to any lengths to exonerate him. Her fury was directed at the girl, who, now in her boyfriend''s embrace, concealed a smile behind her tears. Before they could take him away, Jason halted them with a commanding voice and approached. Everyone believed that Jason and Rossy were blinded by their trust in Evan, yet Jason persisted and presented a tape. The police perplexed but intrigued, as Jason was an extraordinary individual, agreed to view the tape. They all entered his apartment, including the couple, eager to see what Jason was revealing, which might vindicate him. The tape began, showing Evan''s room where he was studying. A knock at the door prompted him to check who it was. It was the girl, asking to be let in. She entered, and they started chatting casually, snacking on the treats she had brought. What they witnessed shortly after made it unequivocally clear who the true culprit was. __ Hello everyone, the author here. Please take a moment to read this offer: 50 reviews or followers = 1 bonus chapter 100 reviews or followers = 2 bonus chapter 150 reviews or followers = 3 bonus chapters 200 reviews or followers = 4 bonus chapters And so forth. Pre-time skip [2] Yes, the culprit which came in front of everyone shocked everybody and everyone opinion changed in instant. In the tv, they all can see that the girl who was just a few seconds was trying to get closer to Evan now got frustrated and start tearing apart her own clothes. After which see smiled with cold glare and start shouting for help and after when all appeared everyone knows the story. Face of Rossy and Evan was okay and the couple face was pale as dried leaf while everyone has shocked and shamed expression. The guy tried to run away but the two officers of police arrested him and take him away. Even the girl was taken away by a female officer who accompany them from the start if by chance any female was involved. Both were taken away and then did all apologize to Evan, Rossy and Jason who apologize them immediately as they weren''t at fault as they were just manipulated by the girls tears. She was quite a snake and a perfect actor who just got Evan into her trap. But by Jason help he was okay now. A few days later, the news revealed that the girl and the boy who had accused Evan had previously done the same to other guys who were now informed and living well. Rey and Rossy were shocked to learn that Jason had installed a camera in his house and had shared his entire plan with them. They were stunned by his preparedness; he had been ready for months, just waiting for them to execute their plan. He was the most valuable player of the day, and without his help, they would have been the ones in distress. Evan was thankful to him and wanted to throw a party with the money he had saved, but Jason firmly declined, wanting none of it. Nevertheless, Rossy prepared a hearty meal for them both. That was the resolution of the only problem he faced. His daily life also started to run smoothly as his days were good and normal. And the final significant event occurred one year after the incident. In 2022, Jason and Rossy organized a reunion for all their friends and family. Those days were unforgettable for him, as it was then he truly understood who he was living with. Since then, he has been more cautious about how he speaks to them, even though they''ve invited him to be part of their family, due to their admirable character. Evan, who was reluctant to attend, felt compelled to go, unable to refuse Jason''s request.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The event took place on March 15, 2022, at the most prestigious and wealthiest hotel in town. The entire hotel was reserved, and he arrived there on March 14, 2022. He was puzzled about why they had to arrive a day early when they could have come just an hour before. He couldn''t even use school as an excuse to decline, as a three-day holiday had been announced. His astonishment grew when he learned the reason for the early arrival: the entire city of Lumina was on holiday because high-ranking army officers were visiting, and a curfew was imposed after nine in the evening, with severe penalties for non-compliance. He, Jason, and Rossy traveled to the hotel at night in a luxurious car provided by the hotel, a car so opulent he couldn''t imagine ever affording it in his lifetime. Jason and Rossy appeared quite unaffected, contrary to Evan''s emotional response. Evan suspected that there was more to them than met the eye. Upon arrival at the hotel, which sparkled in the night, they were greeted by the sight of luxury cars in the underground parking lot. Walking out of the car, Evan felt a sense of inadequacy amidst the fashionably dressed crowd on the ground floor. Before he could inquire about their presence there, a wealthy-looking family approached Jason, engaging him in a conversation with utmost respect, as if he were a high-ranking official of a major corporation. This was only the beginning, as affluent merchants and nobles continued to greet Jason and Rossy, conversing as if they had known each other for years. Evan felt isolated, barely acknowledged as he stood apart from the group. He was sitting alone when suddenly, Rick tapped his shoulder from behind. Turning around, Evan saw Rick dressed impeccably in a suit of ocean blue, a crisp white shirt, and trousers that looked expensive, complemented by shiny, well-polished black shoes that seemed anything but ordinary. "Hello Evan, I think you''re lost by the looks of it," Rick said in his familiar tone. "No, it''s not..." Evan began to explain, but Rick wasn''t about to give him a chance. "Well, I can understand they''ve kicked you out, and now you''re working here, but wait, where''s your uniform? And don''t forget to come to school regularly, okay? And what''s with pointing behind me?" Rick was saying when he noticed Evan pointing behind him. As he turned to look, he stopped mid-sentence upon seeing Jason and Rossy standing there, with Rossy''s face on the verge of exploding. "How long have you been standing here?" Rick asked to which Jason replied. "From the start, and honestly, didn''t I tell you not to do this? But oh, your slippery tongue," Jason said as he stepped back, watching Rossy, who now seemed like an incarnation of a volcano, ready to erupt on Rick, who was definitely going to feel it for a long time. Rick wanted to escape but couldn''t and was caught by her. That''s when Evan witnessed the might of Rossy, who is feared among all of Jason''s friends, who dare not say anything wrong in front of her. Jason had told him that in their prime, she was a ruthless beauty who topped many lists, and many were smitten with her, but she always dismissed them. In the end, she was impressed by Jason, and they married after falling in love. But let''s put that story aside for now, as he and Jason thought that Rossy hadn''t made too much of a blunder of him. __ Hello guys author here and wanted to say that I think my viewers don''t have keyboard in their screen or anything they are reading it at as they didn''t even comment a single thing like not even pointing out some mistake or like how can this story become better or when is the dungeon stuff is going to start. They always come, read and go away like reading some random vlog. And I am a little disappointed in it. So please tell if I am a correct or not by texting yes or not in comments. Pre-time skip [3] On 14th March when Evan arrived here on night and meet Rick who spout some crazy nonsense sh*t. Rick was beaten up much brutally which can''t be shown on surface but his whole body was aching from pain. Rossy controlled herself while beating him up for saying some crazy words to Evan, her mind was filled with anger toward him for that much that she wanted to tear apart all his clothes and left him like this with his underwear in front of all guests to ran away. But she stopped to not show her cruel mood in front of Evan but still gave him a strict warning, which Evan doesn''t hear clearly but Rick was clearly not good after hearing it as his spine got chilled shiver shaken down to it. Rick nodded like a donkey, vowed never to troll Evan again, and scurried away with his tail between his legs. Afterward, they approached the receptionist to inquire about their booking. Initially, the staff was perplexed by their attire, but upon hearing their names, the entire staff was taken aback as they recognized their identities, yet Evan remained unaware of his own. The staff manager hurried over and carefully guided them to their accommodation, which was a space three times larger than Evan''s entire apartment, complete with an array of fine suits for him and Jason, and numerous high-fashion dresses for Rossy, who immediately went to change into one of them. The dress she chose was referred to as something akin to Midnight Noir, a name Evan wasn''t familiar with, as Rossy''s attendant hastily listed the names of the garments. Rossy was all set for the party, and Jason was equally prepared, donning a long black coat, a charcoal grey shirt, and jeans that looked quite striking on him. Then the male attendant approached him, suggesting a choice that turned out to be less than ideal, as the man spent a good twenty minutes selecting and changing various outfits before finally being handed his clothes. __
Author''s Note: As a guy, I don''t have much of a fashion sense; I''m someone who prefers comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. That''s my style, whether you like it or not.
__ Afterward, they all left the room, and the manager began guiding them toward a door leading to a large hall where all the guests were mingling. Some approached them, and Evan quickly tried to step aside, but Rossy was determined not to let him escape this time, firmly keeping him by her side to introduce him to everyone. He attempted to converse with a few guests, but his mindset hindered him, and he struggled to communicate effectively. Noticing his discomfort, she allowed him to leave. Now seated alone, he was savoring a drink whose name he didn''t know; it was pleasantly sweet with a hint of sourness, which he enjoyed. He was content in his solitude, occasionally glancing at his aunt and uncle engaged in conversation with others, while Rossy kept a watchful eye on him from time to time to ensure he was alright. As he continued to enjoy his drink, someone from afar had been observing him for a while and finally decided to approach. It was only when the person drew near that they realized his identity.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "Hey Evan, didn''t expect to see you here," the person greeted. Evan turned and was taken aback to recognize the newcomer as his teacher, Fionna Blake. "Oh hi teacher, I didn''t expect to see you here. I''m here with my family," he said, pointing to a group where his aunt and uncle stood. "Oh, I see. I''m here with my parents and cousin too. He''s meeting some old friends who decided to throw this large, overrated party. And the whole city has declared a holiday for it," Fionna replied with a hint of irritation, which made Evan chuckle. It was quite unusual for someone from a prominent family to dislike such displays. He realized that, aside from his wealth, James seemed quite down-to-earth. "Have you seen your friend who''s also here?" she asked, veering back to her topic of personal freedom. "James? No, I haven''t seen him yet; I''ve just arrived and came straight from our rooms," Evan replied, scanning the crowd for James. "Well, you should find him. Excuse me, I have to meet my idol; he should be... right here. Ah, there he is! Come on, let''s meet him together," she said, spotting someone and quickly pulling him through the crowd. Approaching the bustling crowd, Fionna and Evan weaved their way through to meet their desired acquaintances. "Hello sir, ma''am, may we have a moment to talk with you both?" Fionna inquired respectfully, addressing the two individuals she sought out. "Certainly, dear, why not?" the lady responded, leading Fionna and Evan to a quieter area for conversation. "Now, my dear, what would you like to discuss?" the lady asked, her kind smile encouraging Fionna, who was thrilled to be meeting her idols. "Hello, ma''am, my name is Fionna Blake, and I''m here to meet you both because I admire you greatly," she introduced herself, a shy smile on her face. "I wouldn''t have guessed you belonged to the Blake family; you don''t resemble that old scoundrel," the man remarked with a click of his tongue. "Yes, I am a Blake. Do you know my father, sir? And indeed, I take after my mother more," Fionna replied, pondering why her father was reluctant to let her meet them despite knowing them. "Oh yes, dear, my husband is quite the joker; please don''t take his words to heart," the lady said with a smile. "Oh no, ma''am, I''m certain that if sir has said something about my dad, then my dad must have wronged him in some way," she replied, her eyes brimming with trust. "No, dear, it''s okay. Let''s set that aside, as I think it might be beyond your understanding. Tell me, are you friends with that young man there?" she asked, pointing at Evan, who had been standing behind Fionna the whole time with an expression of awkwardness. "Oh, sorry Evan, I almost forgot to introduce you. Sir, ma''am, this is my student, Eva..." She attempted to introduce him, but the lady interrupted. "Oh, there''s no need to worry; we already know each other, don''t we, young man?" the man said in a smug tone. "I see," she said, stepping back slightly to Evan''s side and whispering something in his ear. "You didn''t mention that you know them both," she whispered. "Oh gosh, Uncle, Aunt, couldn''t you just let her know that we came here together?" Evan exclaimed, clarifying the misunderstanding. "Huh, Uncle and Aunt? What are you saying, Evan? You can''t address them like that," Fionna said, gripping his elbow. "Oh dear, you still don''t understand," said the lady who was actually Rossy, rubbing her forehead. "Listen, Blake, he is our family member and came with us to the party, so he is calling us Aunt and Uncle," stated the man who was clearly Jason, with a straight face. "Wait, you said family? Is that true, Evan?" she asked, to which he nodded in agreement. "So, I''ve been talking to you about your uncle and aunt this whole time, and you didn''t even tell me?" Fionna said, shocked and embarrassed. "Oh no, I didn''t even realize you were talking about Uncle Jason and Aunt Rossy," Evan replied with a shrug. "But still..." Fionna''s voice trailed off, filled with embarrassment. "Okay, let''s forget it and answer me something, Fionna," Rossy said in a firm tone. "Yes, Ma''am?" Fionna responded with a confused expression. Rossy asked, "Can you tell me your..." Pre-time skip [4] "Can you tell me about your relationship with our Evan?" Rossy asked with a straight face. The whole area was silent until the silence broke. "Huh?" Fionna and Evan were as confused as could be. "Oh great, she did what I feared," Jason muttered and walked away to feel less embarrassed. "What do you mean, ma''am?" Fionna asked with a stuttering voice. "I mean, what is your relationship with our Evan? How close are you both?" She inquired with a plain, sweet smile. "Oh, that''s what you meant. Well, ma''am, I was his homeroom teacher when he first joined our school, and now I''m just a regular teacher," she explained, dashing the expectations of Rossy, who simply nodded with a sad look. "What''s wrong, ma''am? Was my answer not satisfying to you?" Fionna asked, noticing her gloomy expression. "Oh, nothing. I just thought you were his friend or something, but I didn''t expect you to be a teacher at this age. Well, good for you," she said with a forced smile. "Okay then," Fionna replied, unsure of what Rossy expected from her. "Let''s go; many of my friends are calling us over," Jason, who was standing at a distance, said to Rossy, who nodded and started walking away with him. "Listen, Evan, if you get sleepy, go to your room, okay? And don''t stay up too late, dear. Make sure you go to your own room, not someone else''s," Rossy called out in a loud voice as she walked away, drawing the attention of everyone and causing Evan a bit of embarrassment. "So, now I see why Sir Rick gave you admission into Section-A, huh?" Fionna said with a knowing smile. "Yes and no. Uncle wanted him to put me in an average class, but he pushed me into A, so there''s nothing I can do," Evan replied with a shrug. "What are you going to do now?" Fionna asked, noticing some friends at a distance. She waved at them, and they gestured for her to come over. "I''m just going to roam around and try to find James if he''s here," Evan said, glancing around. "Okay, bye then," Fiona replied as she walked away to join her friends. "Bye," he responded and began wandering through the hall. He observed many teenagers engaged in conversation. He chose not to mingle with them, knowing it would be fruitless. As he walked past one such group, a snippet of their conversation piqued his interest. "Hey, did you know there''s a guy who''s been playing non-stop in the game arcade and has won all his matches?" one of them exclaimed, prompting surprise from the others. "Yeah, let''s go check out this pro," another suggested, and the whole group headed towards the game arcade. Evan, intrigued by the mention of the game arcade, followed them discreetly. Arriving there, he was amazed to find numerous PCs and gaming setups, surpassing even the gaming parlor he frequented.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. While looking around, he discovered an area crowded with players forming a large circle around something. He joined the circle and saw a player engaged in a duel with another in a game. His opponent was a large, bulky character with an extreme hit stat, while the familiar player chose an average street fighter with balanced stats. As the match began, everyone expected the bulky character to win, but against all odds, the other player executed a cool combo that depleted more than half of his opponent''s HP. He didn''t stop there; he continued to press forward, pummeling the character mercilessly, and with a final combo, he defeated his opponent, securing another victory. "It''s his fifty-eighth win streak," someone shouted as the victor raised his hand in triumph. Upon standing, Evan caught a glimpse of the player''s face and was stunned to recognize his friend James, who was smiling broadly. Evan approached him, and many noticed his movement, chuckling as they too attempted to approach the gaming pro. But James spoke to none of them, leaving them to wonder who he would speak to. "Hi, where have you been? I''ve been looking for you everywhere," Evan said. James, hearing his voice, turned around, his expression one of confusion as he recognized the voice but not the face. "Mmmm, have we met before?" James asked, stepping back slightly. "Hey, you forgot me, you dumb donkey," Evan retorted, at which point James finally recognized him. "Oh, Evan, I didn''t expect to see you here, buddy," James replied with a smile. "Yes, and why did you have trouble recognizing me? It''s not like I''ve changed much today," Evan said, playfully punching James on the elbow, a gesture that felt like a child''s hit to James. "Oh, it''s nothing, but seeing you in those clothes didn''t ring any bells, and I thought some other smart-ass guy had come to meet me," James said, glancing at the others who were shocked to see that the two were friends. "But still, bro, you can''t expect that a friend won''t recognize his friend just because he changed clothes," Evan retorted, clearly in a bad mood. "Okay, sorry brother, let''s go and play some duo matches," James suggested, clasping his hand and leading him away from the crowd. They found two unoccupied PCs and settled in to play the game. They logged into their IDs, selected the duo matches, and joined a team. They both started playing, unaware that someone a short distance away was watching them intently. A few minutes later, their match ended, and they secured 2nd place. James was venting his frustration after being ambushed by the enemy team. "Okay, relax, we can play another one," Evan said, trying to lighten the mood. His mood was sour too, but what else could they do now? His character stood in the lobby, his element pulsating behind him in a large display. They were about to start another match when someone interrupted them. "Hey kid, over there, is that a shadow element on your ID?" someone called out from behind them, their loud voice drawing all eyes to them. Everyone was astonished to discover that someone possessed a shadow element ID in the game, a rarity among even the unique elements. They gathered in a circle to witness this element, confirming its authenticity. Some began taking photos. "Hey, stop it," James protested upon noticing. The crowd retreated. An individual approached, offering, "Hey brother, would you consider selling me this account? I''ll give you 100,000 dragon points," a proposal that surprised many.
[100 Dragon point/100 Phoenix point/100 Turtle point/100 Peak points/100 Heart Points= 1 Dracins ,100 Dracins = 1 Blue Coins.]
"No brother, don''t listen to him. I''ll give you 150,000 points; just sell it to me," another said. The chatter escalated as the price of Evan''s account surged like a tsunami, reaching 960,500 points. Everyone was eager to see who he would sell it to. After all, who would let such an opportunity slip by? And if you think the buyers are insane, remember that everyone here is a rich kid from a prominent family, always eager to snatch up the shiniest thing before them¡ªand this account was just that. Evan said, "Stop, my answer is..." ___ Tell me what he''s going to say. And I think all of you know it, right? Pre-time skip [5/last] "My answer is that whoever bids the highest will win my account," Evan declared, shocking James and you, who had thought he would never sell his account. "Hey bro, what are you doing? Why are you trying to sell your account? It''s a unique element, bro," James protested as he pulled him aside from the group. "Why do you ask? Can''t you see those guys who just took my picture? I''m sure they''re going to post it on social media, which will waste a lot of our gaming time, and I don''t think you''d appreciate that," he explained, trying to make James understand his reasoning. "But how? I thought it would make you popular, and I don''t see how it could affect our gaming time," James asked, confused. "Well, you see, when we play games and someone who has seen this post comes over, they''ll start asking whether my account is for sale or not. That will waste time, and if I sell it here, then no one will bother the guy who bought it, or if they do, then it''s his problem. Don''t you think this account has become a bone in our throat that can''t be swallowed or spat out? Whenever I use my element, everyone asks if it''s a unique one or just a derivative of his element," he elaborated. After a long contemplation, James finally agreed with his plan and decided to let him sell the account. "Okay, whoever wants to buy it, raise your bid by raising your hand," James shouted as the guys started bidding again. The value of his account soared even higher than before, reaching about 970,430 points. He was elated, knowing he was about to receive free money that would support him for a much longer time. After selling his account to the man who requested his bank details, he received the money within minutes of providing them. Contemplating what to do with this windfall, he decided to anonymously donate half, about four hundred thousand, to his orphanage, fearing they might reprimand him if they knew the source of the funds. With the remaining half, he planned to treat himself, buy gifts for Rossy and Jason for their birthdays, and throw a modest party for his friends at a nice restaurant, postponing further plans for later.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Snapping back to reality, he provided the buyer with his account details to log in and allowed him to make changes at his discretion. The new owner, initially liking the name Evan, decided to change it to his own after Evan''s earnest request, and thus, the name Evan was erased. Evan decided to create a new account and awaken a talent that was mind-blowing. Initially shocked, he looked around to see if anyone was watching him, but no one was. They were all engrossed in the gameplay of a player who was exceptionally skilled with his new ID. James was also impressed and watched the player''s game, not even noticing his friend''s work. Evan turned off his ID after naming it , reflecting on his past. He then noticed his friend, who was amazed by the player''s skills, seemingly ten times more adept than Evan. The player wielded the character''s abilities so skillfully that he appeared professional, while Evan seemed like a novice. Evan pulled James away from the crowd that was watching the skilled player. "Hey, bro, why are you pulling me away? Can''t you let me watch a bit more? He''s much more skilled than you, and even both of us combined," James said, looking satisfied. "Okay, okay, but what I''ve got is something far more powerful than this shadow ID and that guy''s skills," Evan replied with a grin. "But what is it? Is it about your new ID? Which element did you awaken¡ªfire, earth, or air?" James inquired, remembering that Evan was creating another. "No, it''s something much more shocking. You''ll be shocked too," Evan said, smiling. "Bro, did you do something crazy again?" James asked, suspicious that his friend might have discovered some new, crazy element. "Let''s set that aside and tell me what you''re going to do with this money," James said as he glanced at Evan''s bank account, which displayed an impressive number. It might not have been a large sum for him, but to Evan, it felt substantial. "Oh, nothing much. I''m planning to donate a portion to my orphanage, and the rest will go towards gifts for my uncle and aunt," Evan replied as they both left the arcade. Subsequently, the two friends relaxed outside for a while and had dinner that was served there. Around midnight, they each retired to their respective rooms. Evan was particularly joyful during those days, as he vividly remembered them and the following day, which was a bit of a blunder as he was introduced to everyone as a family member of Jason Valor and Rossy Valor. Now, everyone in high society knew him, and being recognized as a member of the Valor family was no small feat. But those days were quite wonderful, and he would never forget them. With those memories in mind, Evan, who was packing his school bag, got ready and stepped out of the apartment to head to school. Accident & Dream Appears [1] [11th April 2024] Evan, who was now attending school without his phone, had become accustomed to the change as his dreams no longer disturbed his nights, allowing him to sleep well. The money he earned from selling his first ID was put to good use; half was donated to an orphanage, and the remainder was spent on gifts for Jason and Rossy. Strangely, these days, he felt a sense of well-being, as if something he had lost was returning to him. He felt more energetic and refreshed with each passing day, a change he couldn''t quite comprehend, and when he inquired with friends and family, they assured him everything was normal. Setting these thoughts aside, he reflected on the pro gaming league match he had watched the day before. To his surprise, one of the teams featured a player with a unique elemental ID, who, coincidentally, was the person who had purchased Evan''s shadow element ID. Now, this player''s name was becoming well-known across various gaming communities. Despite his anonymity, everyone criticized Evan for selling his ID to this player, unaware that the buyer had chosen not to disclose the name of his benefactor. Evan was astounded to see that the guy had become a pro player with the ID; his sync rate with the ID was so high that he was named MVP of the day. Someone once said that a person receives what destiny has in store for them, and it seemed he wasn''t meant to play with that ID. Now, he has a far superior one. His new ID was the mythical ''Element of Life.'' His friends were stunned. How could anyone receive such a superior element in life? They even joked that he must be the son of the company owner to get such amazing elements, but the truth was, he was just fortunate. The skills of his new ID included Heal, HP Transfer, and Revive. The normal skill allowed him to revive himself or another, while the ultimate skill could revive the entire squad if he was alive. He also had attack skills like ''Life Arrow Rain'' and a passive ''Drain Effect,'' which sapped the enemy''s health bit by bit over ten seconds, with a fifteen percent chance of taking effect. His class was truly overpowered compared to the unique class. Evan, ever the calm one, couldn''t help but feel envious. He grinned as he remembered the faces of his friends. They were somewhat jealous of his luck and skills, yet still pleased to have him as a valuable team member, knowing Evan wouldn''t leave them so easily. Evan chuckled to himself, causing passersby to stare as if he were a fool, which embarrassed him, and he hurried away. Arriving at his school, he found James waiting for him. The school was abuzz with pride as the final session of classes, where Evan and his friends were enrolled, was nearing its end, with the fifteenth of April just days away. After that, they would take their final exams, which would determine their futures. Evan felt prepared; his studies were nearly complete, needing only a bit more revision before he could declare himself ready.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Hey bro, I was waiting for you," James greeted him with a hug. After chatting for a while, they walked into the school, encountering Mr. Peter, who was there to check on the students. They both bowed to Mr. Peter out of respect and moved on, beginning to wait for Rey, who was late once again. They both knew that if Mr. Peter caught Rey arriving late again, he would be in trouble. Rey still hadn''t arrived, and the time to close the gates was drawing near. Both Evan and James were aware that Rey was about to be reprimanded, just as the gates were about to close. Someone stopped it by sticking his hand into it. Indeed, it was Rey, who was taking such deep breaths that he resembled a marathon runner. "You still seem to be late, Mr. Dragonstorm," Peter remarked as he saw him entering through the gate. "Oh, sorry sir, I was delayed by some traffic," Rey offered his excuse, which he doubted would work, but he decided to try it anyway since everyone else did. "So nowadays, even pedestrians encounter traffic, huh? Well, I''ll have to discuss this with the government then," Peter retorted sarcastically, overshadowing Rey''s excuse. "Okay... I apologize, sir. I was late last time and it won''t happen again, so please let me off this time," Rey pleaded honestly. "Hufff~~~~~ Rey, I understand you have many responsibilities, but you need to be attentive and prepare for your future, as it may not be as bright as others''," Peter advised, letting him go for the moment. From the way he looked at him, Rey knew he was spared to save face, but he was certain a lecture or punishment awaited him in Peter''s office. He walked away to find his friends waiting for him. "Hi guys, good to see you both," Rey greeted them as he joined them. "Hey, bro, did Mr. Peter give you a hard time?" James inquired with a smirk. "Nah, it''s just my everyday routine," Rey dismissed as Evan sighed at his friend''s naivety regarding the teacher''s anger. They all walked away, and after a brief conversation, they separated to attend their classes. Rey distanced himself from his group and arrived at his class. He entered and took his seat, but today, something was different about him; he was muttering to himself, gazing into the empty air above him. He seemed to be conversing with someone unseen, which startled the others sitting nearby, prompting them to decide against engaging with him. Little did they know, he was indeed speaking to someone ¨C whether it was a ghost or something else, that remains unrevealed in this story. {To discover what happened to him, read my second book ''RISE OF THE HOLY DEMONIC GOD.'' It''s equally thrilling and exciting, so don''t fear, the real show is just beginning.} He fell silent when his classroom teacher entered, and they began their studies. Rey was among them, yet occasionally, he would speak as if someone was bothering him. His three periods were consumed by this, and his last period before lunch was with Mr. Peter, who taught the class while keeping a watchful eye on Rey, who was unusually attentive. After class, as Peter was about to leave, Rey was relieved not to be punished, but then his nightmare returned. "Rey, come meet me in my classroom in five minutes," Peter called out, drawing the attention of all the students to Rey, who, with a pained expression, began walking towards the office. Some boys gave him sympathetic looks, while others, including a handsome boy named Jonny, were pleased. Jonny was eager to witness Rey''s punishment but didn''t want to risk getting caught, so he refrained. Rey walked out of the class under everyone''s gaze, but his absence went unnoticed as everyone returned to their own activities. As Rey left, someone entered the room, the door slamming shut with a loud thud. But who it was that come running in here like this, is it Rey who came back in fear or someone else, it can be only found in next chapters so be attentive and see you later. __ In case you don''t come back, and we can''t meet again (which may happen, maybe a little as I think you will be attached to this story if you like it.) goodbye, good afternoon, good night, good morning and lastly but not least good evening, guys. Accident & Dream Appears [2] [11th April 2024] James and Evan were heading towards Peter''s cabin to see if what their classmates had said was true. They had heard that Peter had summoned him to his cabin for punishment. Meanwhile, Rey was being lectured for arriving late to school yet again. He stared at the floor as if it were made of diamonds, while Peter lectured nonstop on the importance of attendance and study¡ªtopics no one ever wants to be lectured about. "Rey, are you even listening to what I''m saying?" Peter asked, noticing Rey''s distraction. "No, sir¡ªyes, I am listening very carefully," Rey responded, his face a picture of sincerity, though Peter still regarded him with skepticism. "Listen, kid, I understand your family''s situation since your father''s incident, and that you''re trying to help your mother, which makes you late. But please, Rey, try to be more attentive. It could help you score well on exams, get into a good university, and eventually secure a good job," Peter said, concern etched on his face. "Yes, sir, I understand your concern and I''m trying hard to study," Rey replied earnestly. "Okay, then have you studied the help book I made for you?" Peter inquired, recalling the mathematics book he had given him the day before, knowing Rey struggled with the subject. "Yes, sir, I am... studying it carefully," Rey said, pausing as if recalling something only he knew about these notes. {And you can too if you read my second book, so go check it out if you haven''t.} "Okay, good, but I still can''t let you get away with this. Let me think of a way to punish you," Peter said as he began searching the room for something. Rey, who had been relieved in his mind, was now shocked at the prospect of punishment after the long lecture. By mistake, his gaze fell on the window beside a drawer, where he saw two silhouettes he instantly recognized. It was James and Evan, who were watching him get lectured. Peter also stopped searching as he found something in the same direction Rey was looking. He stood up and walked toward it, startling the two outside the window, who instantly crouched down to avoid being seen. Peter laid his hand on two large bundles of paper sheets and turned to face Rey, who was also frightened that Peter might have seen his friends. "Rey, take these paper sheets to the ground floor storeroom and finish before lunch. Then you can go back to eat your lunch, understood?" Peter instructed, to which Rey, scared but relieved that his friends weren''t caught, nodded. "Did you hear what I just said?" Peter asked, noticing Rey standing there like a statue. "Oh... yes, sir, I understand, and I will complete it before lunch," Rey responded as Peter nodded and walked toward the door behind Rey.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. As he passed by Rey, he stopped and whispered in his ear. "Rey, tell your friends not to come looking for you again, as I won''t let them off without a punishment next time," Peter said with a smile and left the cabin, leaving Rey dazed behind. He snapped to attention, walked to the window, and looked outside to see his friend walking away with light steps. "Where are you both going?" he asked, startling them both as they turned to find Rey speaking. "Oh, so you''re the one who asked, huh? Nothing, we were just passing by and saw you getting lectured, so we came to see," James said hurriedly. "Okay, come inside and help me," Rey said, not wanting to argue at that moment. "But what if Peter sir sees us helping you here?" Evan asked, also fearing him. "Nothing will happen; he already knows that you both are here," Rey assured them, understanding that Peter had seen them peeking through the window. They both entered the cabin and saw Rey standing near two large bundles of paper sheets. "What are we going to do with these bundles?" James asked, eyeing the towering stacks. "Just help me transfer them to the storeroom below," Rey instructed as he picked up half of the bundle. "Alright, let me help then," Evan said, lifting the other half of the bundle. James, trying to show off, picked up an entire stack by himself. They noticed he was struggling to hold it, but, like many boys, he was too proud to take orders, so they let him be. James started walking quickly, eager to put down the stack, and headed downstairs with Evan and Rey following behind. As they were about to descend the stairs, with a few steps remaining, two junior class students came running towards them. One bumped into Evan, who lost his balance and, with a loud thud, fell face-first onto the floor, scattering papers everywhere. Several students noticed and rushed over to see if he was alright. Evan was not bleeding, but he had become unconscious from the sudden fall from the fifth stair. Rey, upon witnessing the incident, quickly placed his papers on the ground and, with the help of another student, carried Evan to the infirmary. As they moved away, other students gathered the papers. James, who had just returned and learned of the situation, hurried to check on his friend''s condition. He arrived at the room where the nurse was examining Evan. "Rey, what happened?" he asked directly. Rey, noticing the nurse''s distraction, led him outside. "It''s nothing serious, bro. He just fell down the stairs, but the nurse said he''ll be fine. He just needs some rest," Rey explained once they were outside. "Alright, I''ll wait here. You go grab something to eat; lunch is almost over," James suggested, glancing at the wall clock. "Sure, but let me know when he wakes up," Rey replied before dashing off to his classroom for lunch. Meanwhile, James sat on a bench outside the room. Inside, we see Evan standing in darkness, eyes shut. Upon opening his eyes, he saw nothing but the chilling darkness, causing him to shiver. He was trapped in a dream, unaware at the moment, a recurring nightmare from which he had briefly escaped, only to be ensnared again. "Hello, is anybody here?" Evan called out, but there was no response. Then he remembered falling down the stairs. "Am I dead or something?" he wondered, recalling novels where the main character, upon death, finds himself in such a void, usually before a deity intervenes to grant reincarnation. Yet, he doubted his fate was either so unfortunate or fortunate to die or be transported to another world. Before he could ponder further, a sudden change startled him, and he stumbled. "Ahhhh..." he screamed, recoiling in fear. __ What did Evan see that frightened him so? Accident & Dream Appears [3] What Evan witnessed made him screech at the top of his lungs as he fell back and retreated repeatedly. His eyes were wide with horror at the scene before him, which was unbearably cruel and gruesome. The sight made him want to vomit, but nothing emerged from his body, which seemed like transparent gas. He saw two men in such critical condition that a normal person might have died from a quarter of the injuries they had sustained. Both were clad in different types of fantastical armor, one wielding a large, game-like sword and the other a bow just inches shorter than himself. Their faces were etched with sadness, pain, a yearning for someone, and finally, a hint of anger for revenge. The swordsman had numerous cuts on his face, one eye slashed away, and a deep gash across his torso that nearly split his body in two. The other individual was in no better condition; his body was riddled with holes from back to front, and many parts of his leather-like armor were burned, his face marred with dark spots resembling some kind of poison. Both were screaming in agony before Evan, and as he approached them, they vanished. Two lights emerged from where they had been and merged with Evan''s body, which became more visible. To his astonishment, he began to experience a variety of pains. His body, or perhaps his soul, seemed to weep with pain. At times, he felt as if thousands of slashes were being made across his body, yet there were no marks; at other times, he felt an overwhelming desire to die as every pore in his body ached as if needles were continuously piercing them. Occasionally, one of his eyes felt as if it had been targeted by an arrow. Throughout this ordeal, he felt as if he were in hell, experiencing the same emotions as the two individuals¡ªsadness, anger, madness, sorrow, and many indescribable feelings were overwhelming him. He harbored a desire to harm others but did not understand why. After a while, the sensations ceased, and he found himself lying on a dark floor, staring into the darkness above with an empty gaze. It was as if he had lived two different lives, the memories of which were absent. He also felt a peculiar sense of loss for someone he did not know or had never spent even a second with. He felt an inexplicable need to find this person and hold them close, never to let go, a sentiment he could not comprehend. His eyes were red, and tears were falling from his real body lying on the bed, visible to anyone who might see him now. He looked around, found nothing, and began to feel trapped when a loud bang sounded, and the blackness in one direction vanished as if it had never been there. He was relieved to be out of that hellish place when he turned around and saw the ten beings who had first appeared before him.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Oh come on, was it all just a dream? Now must I face that ordeal every night?" Evan said, a pained expression on his face, but before he could process his thoughts further, something happened. "Hello #####, I hope you''re prepared," said one of them, startling Evan. "Huhhhhhhhhhhh~~~~~~~," Evan shouted in shock, for it was the first time he truly understood what they were saying. "Can you hear us, R####? It''s crucial, as this will be our last communication before you reach #### # (####) for ascension," one of them said, while Evan struggled to hear. "Yes, I can hear you, but who are all of you?" Evan asked, noticing they all deferred to the larger figure standing among them. Evan realized this central figure held a higher status. "We are the ten thrones, #####, here to inform you of your destiny, which will determine our downfall or ascent," said the one Evan had named One, for ease of recognition. "Huh, what do you mean by destiny? What''s all this about, and why can''t I hear some of your words? Can you tell me why I keep having this strange dream, why those two guys were in such a dire state, and why I felt their emotions and pain as if it were my own?" Evan bombarded with questions; his eagerness fueled by the recurring dreams that had visited him every night since birth. "It''s not a dream, Evan. Oh, they shouldn''t have let you get involved, huh? Well, listen... You are destined to save our world, and this ''dream'' is actually a means of communication with us. It has been reaching you from the beginning because your world is in the midst of a mana invasion, which is why we can connect with you. As for those two individuals, they are your past incarnations, or what you might call ''you'' before regression," one explained, attempting to address all of his questions. "Huh, like those concepts in fantasy worlds? Like regression, transmigration, and many others?" Evan''s eyes shone with excitement, as he was a fan of such narratives. "Yes, Evan, but the tales you''ve heard aren''t mere fiction or man-made stories; they are real. Every single thing is possible, including teleporting you to our world, just like in those stories," one clarified as the others nodded in agreement. "But why me? Can''t you choose someone from your own world to do it?" Evan inquired, aware that if he left now, he would have to leave his family and friends behind, causing them sorrow. "It seems you''re mistaken, Evan. It''s not our choice but yours. The first time you came to our world was when your world was already in the first phase of awakening. You escaped from there and discovered that you could return from here, strong enough to save the world. Unfortunately, you died trying to aid us and promised to come back with the help of our artifact. Now, it''s the third and final phase, which will be decisive for our future," one explained. "But it''s not the time of awakening, or anything you say, right? Why did you come here so quickly?" Evan asked, thinking they had arrived much earlier than expected. "No, Evan, the invasion is going to happen sooner than previously thought, and your world''s mana level has already surpassed the threshold for open communication," said the one standing to the right of the leader, who was holding a large book. "Huh, but isn''t it too early for the invasion according to your information?" Evan inquired, under the impression that the invasion would occur four to five years later. "No, Evan, it seems something changed after you were regressed in time twice, and now, for the third time, you should be ready. It may be our chance to get a head start," the same person explained, and although Evan was displeased, he nodded in agreement. "So, listen, Evan, your day of return is now just three days away. Be prepared, because on that day, a large influx of mana will invade the area you reside in, which could help you teleport to our world at the world level. Be ready, as we will lose this connection until the invasion begins," One explained to him. "Okay, but am I going to save your world without any cheats, like the main characters of novels?" Evan asked, indicating his agreement but also his reluctance to proceed without an advantage. "That''s fine, we have already consolidated the hard work from both of your lives to help you gain the maximum benefit and achieve the goal in this life," another voice from the group, including the book holder, said. After that, the space trembled, and they all teleported away to another place, a tale to be continued in the next chapter. Accident & Dream Appears [4] Hello, guys. If anyone is wondering how Evan knew when the world invasion was going to start, it''s because the two orbs he absorbed contained a few memories from his past life before transmigration. __ Upon appearing in a room, Evan was taken aback as it was his first time witnessing such a scene. "Wow, how cool is that!" Evan exclaimed joyfully. "It''s just a little trick of mine," said the one who performed it, smugly, as Evan couldn''t see the faces of the ten beings. "Okay, but where are we?" Evan asked, looking around at the same expanse of white space. "Wait, let me finish before you ask more questions," the one who had teleported them there said, clapping his hands as several orbs materialized in front of them. Evan was amazed once more as the orbs didn''t fall but floated like actual bubbles. He approached one, noticing an icon flickering within. Some displayed icons of elements, others showed weapons, and still others depicted various things. "Wow, what are these things?" Evan asked, trying to look at all of them but still unable to take everything in. "Well, this is the culmination of your efforts from two lifetimes, your reward¡ªor cheats, if you prefer to call them that," one said, as Evan looked on in amazement. "Huh, my reward from a previous life? What does that mean?" Evan asked, thinking they were going to give him cheats, but now it seemed it was something he had earned in his past life. "Yes, these are the rewards from both your lives, which you were entitled to but for some reason couldn''t use or didn''t use, which we have now retrieved," one explained, as Evan nodded, still puzzled. "So, what are you going to give me, or let me choose from, and how much?" Evan inquired, to which one nodded and began to explain. "Listen, Evan, you can take as much as you want, but the catch is that your soul is the limit," one said, leaving Evan confused about the soul limit. "What do you mean by ''soul limit''?" he asked, and one nodded, simplifying the explanation. "Think of your soul as a vessel and these rewards as fluid. When we pour the fluid into the vessel, it fills up to the brim and starts overflowing once full, and sometimes it can even damage the vessel. This means your soul could be damaged by overloading," one explained. "Oh, now I get it¡ªit''s like filling a bag to the brim, which might make it difficult to close," Evan said, offering his own analogy. "Exactly. So, do you grasp the concept?" one asked, gesturing for Evan to make his choice. The grimoire holder was about to act when Evan interrupted him. "Hold on, I need to ask something else about this," Evan said, clearly puzzled. "Go ahead," One encouraged as Evan nodded.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. "Can you tell me what choices I made in my past lives? It might help me assist you better," Evan proposed, which One didn''t fully grasp but still nodded in agreement. "Alright, Grim, let him have a look," One instructed the man holding the grimoire. {Grimoire holder = Grim for now} "Sure," Grim agreed, as everything aligned to give Evan a clear view. "Could you tell me what my first life chose to aid you all?" Evan inquired, and One nodded, signaling to Grim. "Here are the things he acquired from us and what he gathered throughout his survival there," Grim explained as about seventeen items materialized before him. "What exactly are these things?" Evan asked, looking at the items but unable to discern what they were. "Your first incarnation didn''t receive much from us, Evan. He obtained only two talents and one ability, but he was quite fortunate back then," Grim revealed as One stepped forward to elaborate. "Listen, Evan, we bestowed upon him the talent of a Sword Grandmaster (SS), the Heir of the Magic Sword (S), and the Damage Amplification ability," One detailed as three items emerged, which Evan set aside for later consideration. "And the things he acquired?" Evan queried, turning his attention to the remaining items. "Oh, he acquired them during his travels," one explained as he began detailing the items. "First, he obtained the class of Elemental Swordsman with potential SS rank, possessing affinities for three elements: Flame, Lightning, and Water. These were enhanced by his bloodline to reach unprecedented levels. During his travels, he acquired the Black Dragon bloodline, which I just mentioned, along with battle techniques and a mana cultivation technique that greatly increased his strength. He also gained a beast communication ability, which you even utilized in your next life. And there are many other minor skills and abilities that are not as significant," Grim explained as he displayed all the items and their names. "Hmm, let''s see," he pondered, initially considering choosing the bloodline but then setting it aside, thinking he could attain it later as there would be many opportunities. "No, I''m not going to take anything from it; these things aren''t of much value for now. Even if the talents are superior, following the same path that won''t lead to success is pointless," Evan declared, and Grim nodded in agreement as everything disappeared from in front of him. "Okay, next, please," Evan said, as if he were sitting in a store at the mall. One signaled to him, and Grim immediately acted, bringing several items before Evan. However, this time there were fewer items than before, leaving Evan perplexed as he had expected more. In total, there were eight items floating before him, and One began to explain each one. "In your second attempt, you learn from the mistakes of your first life, focusing on survival rather than ostentation. You choose to build yourself up in seclusion instead of seeking the limelight. Your first item was from us, the additional class ''Beast Tamer'', which limited the options for your second life as it occupied most of the space. Then you chose the SSS rank bow talent, also a reward from your first life, which I will explain later, as you believed it would enhance your survival. Finally, you selected the Concealment Mask of the god candidate, which you..." One was explaining when Evan interrupted him. "Hey, wait, what do you mean about the last one, the god what..." Evan asked, as One''s face was unreadable and the air between them grew tense. "Let me finish first the thing you asked for, and your choice, then we will progress to that topic," One said, as Evan nodded, his fear evident. "Okay, so I was... ah, yes, you chose the concealment mask to hide your true status from the world by some rank. It was obviously too powerful to be in the hands of that man, and to grow stronger and surpass your past self to reach the peak of the Demi-god warrior rank, which increased your chances of success. But alas, you were killed before you could reach the advancement hall and died brutally because you angered someone out of your league. Oh, and the other things were the techniques and abilities you gained on your journey. First, there were two techniques of yours, which included the Void Bending Arrow Technique and Omni-Element Burst. Both were too good for an archer, which was your next class, and the others were skills like All Language, Draconic Regeneration, Thousand Arrow Assault, and some more," One explained it all and stepped back to let Evan think about what he wanted to take. Evan said, "Well, I think I can take something from it, and it is..." and he moved toward one thing. __ What is he going to choose, guys? Tell me in the comments and be ready for some crazy sh*t upgrade, b*t*h. Accident & Dream Appears [5] "Well, I can take something from this, huh? I shall choose it," he said as he walked toward the orbs and tightly clutched one in his hand. As he squeezed it, the orb dissolved into his soul. Indeed, it was the most important thing for his second life, helping him succeed and reach heights greater than his former self. He chose the mask, knowing that living in the shadows and improving oneself is wise, and he could defeat his opponents with surprise if they were unable to see his status. "Well, this is quite good enough for now," Evan said, pondering whether he desired anything else. "Okay, I don''t need anything else from them; you can take them away," Evan told Grim, who nodded and with a flick of his finger, made everything disappear. "So, Evan, here''s the question for you: can you tell me how full you feel inside right now?" One asked, as Evan was initially confused but then understood what was being said. "Oh yes, it feels quite the same as before choosing the mask. I don''t believe a simple item can significantly increase my soul''s capacity," Evan replied with a laugh. "Ah, so your soul''s capacity is much greater this time, huh? Well, as we all recall, in your past life you chose this first and already filled half of your soul''s capacity, which limited the things you could take. You weren''t able to even glimpse the true treasure you earned that day, but now I think you might be able to claim some of it," One remarked, leaving Evan puzzled as he had thought his soul''s capacity would remain the same as before his time travel, yet now they were suggesting it was different. "Huh, does this mean my soul''s capacity value is randomized?" Evan wondered aloud, thinking that in his first life he received more, but in the second it was less, yet now he could choose the mask which previously cost him half of his capacity, and now it was less than that. "Oh no, it''s not random, as a person''s soul strength depends on their soul, and it cannot be randomized. So don''t worry, just help yourself in choosing the items," a voice said from the tent, likely a woman, as it differed from One''s and Grim''s tones. "Yes, Evan, Soul is speaking the truth; she knows souls better than anyone," one said to justify her words. "Okay, if she says so, but why does my soul strength differ every time in return?" Evan asked, confused. "For that, it''s because we and everyone else use the soul experience devouring to increase our strength, and every time we kill an enemy, it gives us its soul''s experience, which it acquired in its life. According to my theory, in your first life, you reached the Entry level of an Immortal warrior, and in the second, the peak of a Demi-god warrior, which elevated your soul to the next realm. And by coming back, even your soul mutates every time, so maybe you received a strong mutation that boosts the elevation even more," Soul explained, and then he understood the concept. "Okay, so it means that now I can choose more than my past selves, right?" Evan asked as Soul''s visage nodded at him in confirmation and backed away to her place. "Okay, let me choose then. But wait, where are more of these things? I don''t think it''s just those, and is this the only work I have all the time, just a few less than thirty items?" Evan said as he looked around and noticed many other things floating around.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. "So, what are those things over there, are they not mine?" He asked as he pointed at many items floating some distance away. "Oh no, it''s yours, but we thought maybe you wouldn''t be able to handle them, so we didn''t present them to you, but now we can," one said as Grim nodded, and at his gesture, those things appeared before him. "Wow, just by looking at them, they are impressive. So why didn''t you show me these first instead of that garbage, except for the mask?" Evan asked, and One nodded. "Listen, Evan, those items were not something you could have used even for a single second; they were too powerful, even for us. Only a true candidate can wield them, but you were an exception since you used one of them to eradicate the enemy. And the mask is an exception meant only for you," One explained, as Evan struggled to understand, prompting One to start explaining things. "Listen, Evan, what you perceive as gods are not truly so, for the title of a god is merely nominal. Only those who are genuine candidates and possess the Relic are the true sovereigns of this world. Comparing us to them is like comparing a pond to a sea; they are humans, and we are mere pests beneath them. Those beings, the chosen ones with the Relic, make our worlds¡ªyours and mine¡ªseem insignificant. They dominate us even now, as we are powerless against them; they could annihilate thousands of us in mere seconds, and all we could do is watch. Our master was once ordinary among them but superior among us, the gods. He created us and lived an easy life until he saw them, other candidates intent on killing him. He perished in that battle, and we were helpless, only then understanding our true power level. Every cosmos is governed by a single god, and our master revealed that there are innumerable cosmoses he witnessed from the real land, where all those beings reside. They exist in a realm of their own, unreachable by simple folk like us. However, you were an exception; you know why? You killed one of them. But the disparity was vast; he was merely mid-tier 2, while one at the entry level of the Immortal rank perished with him," one explained as Evan listened, stunned from head to toe. "Huh, such a vast difference, and I still perished there? But how? As my memories resurface, it seems impossible to encounter a tier 2 in a tier 4 expanse. And you''re saying we died there. But why? I don''t believe I would engage him, given the circumstances," Evan inquired. "Yes, you weren''t supposed to, but you did, and died fighting for what? A girl. You were fond of her, desiring her while lost in your own world at that time. And you know what? You already had six girls in your group, but still, you wanted more at that time. You both fought over her, and when he saw himself losing, he killed her, and then you died after a fierce battle with him. In the next life, you found that girl again, and this time you both lived happily together. However, a monarch''s gaze fell upon her, and you, madly in love, fought him to your last breath to save her. Yet, she died due to your mistake, and you too could have escaped but didn''t, as her status wasn''t high enough to ascend to the upper expanse. You died again, but this time it won''t happen because we''ve checked for that girl, and her existence has been erased from extinction. That monarch''s power defied time and space, killing her to the extent that only a soul wisp remained, but since you also died, we don''t know what became of her. So perhaps your purpose will be clear this time if you don''t get carried away." One said, and Evan was shocked as he finally understood why he was killed in past lives and for what¡ªa girl. She might have been too important, but this time he will try to stay away from her, or maybe not. But by One''s words, he knew that the girl was dead, her existence eradicated from the root. "So, can I choose them now, or is there something more?" Evan asked, as One nodded in agreement and began to explain things in order for him. __ The storytelling has concluded, and now it''s time to start selecting items for the next chapter, so be ready for it. Accident & Dream Appears [6] "Yes, you can choose, Evan, but listen, don''t ever try to find that girl; it will only bring you trouble since this is our final chance," one said, allowing him to examine the items. "Alright, let''s see the real things now," Evan said, cracking his neck pretentiously because he didn''t actually know how. "Look here, Evan, you''ve obtained hundreds of items from his body, but did you know he didn''t completely die?" one explained as Evan looked puzzled. "Huh, what do you mean he didn''t die that day? Oh, you mean he''s back now after we traveled to the past and he will return again," Evan inquired, considering this possibility and nothing else. "Yes, but even when you killed him, he didn''t die because all the candidates have their soul wisps bound to something called the Universal Revival Tower or something similar, which allows them to revive infinitely," one clarified. "So, it means we can''t kill them? Isn''t that too overpowered?" Evan asked, worried about the prospect of fighting such a formidable candidate and how he would escape. "No, our master said that their revival numbers are based on their ranking. If you get killed many times, you lose your power, items, and more each time, which reduces their ranking and leads to their demise," One explained, alleviating some of Evan''s concerns, though he remained apprehensive. "But they''re still like cockroaches," Evan remarked with frustration. "Yes, but even if they are cockroaches, they''re still powerful ones," Grim added, eliciting a small laugh from Evan. "Just be quiet and listen, Evan. I''m about to explain everything you wanted to know," One said, and Evan nodded, waiting patiently as One began his explanation. "First, let me outline what it includes: talents, skills, abilities, pills, techniques, titles, traits, classes, subclasses, items, and many miscellaneous things. Talents include Plunder, Supreme Adaptation, Infinite Evolution... and so on. Skills cover Cosmic Stride, Thunder Retribution, Black Nova... and more. Abilities range from Eclipse Strike, Elemental Forge, Devour, Elemental... and beyond. Classes encompass Death Knight, Blaze Lord, Dark Magus, Necro Knight, Light Mage, Priest, Saint Knight, all Elemental Mages... and others. Subclasses feature Blacksmith, Herbalist, Cook, Trainer... and more. There are also numerous other elements not mentioned, as they are too numerous for Evan to use, like potions for recovery, purification, various cultural artifacts, and even monster eggs." One, who was sharing this information, spoke nonstop, leaving Evan astonished at the sheer volume of assets at his disposal and wondering if there was even more to it. "Is this everything that guy has?" Evan asked after One stopped speaking. "No, it''s only about thirty-five or maybe forty percent of it," One replied, startling Evan with the sheer number of cheats and the overpowered nature of his talents. "Now, Evan, what have you decided to choose?" One inquired, prompting Evan to take a deep breath and begin selecting from the list, starting at one end and moving to the other. Fifteen minutes later, Evan had made his choices from the talents after careful consideration. "So, you''ve decided on these, correct?" One asked, and Evan nodded in confirmation. "Let''s begin with the first talent, , an unknown rating talent. We can''t determine its rank, but I suspect it''s Quasi-God or God-tier," One explained. Evan nodded, gripping the orb, which was absorbed into him just like before.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. "How does it feel?" One asked. "It feels like something big has entered my stomach, something too large for my body, yet it''s still not even close to being half full," Evan described, conveying his sensations. One nodded and signaled Grim to bring forth the next orb. "Now for the second one, the mutated talent, , a supreme talent derived from two quasi-supreme ones," One detailed, and Evan repeated the absorption process. A few minutes later, he finished, just as he had before. Once again, One inquired about his condition, and Evan indicated he was fine. "The next talent on the list is , with a Transcendent rank," One continued, and Evan proceeded with the absorption. The process was time-consuming, and Evan''s condition began to deteriorate, his face contorted in slight pain. But he overcame it with ease. "What happened, is the limit surfacing itself?" One asked, thinking it was his limit. "Oh no, it''s just that this talent causes some pain in my mind and body for a while before it subsides, and that''s all," Evan explained, to which One nodded and prepared for the next chosen one. "The next talent is , another Supreme rank talent that will be beneficial to you," One said, thinking that if Evan gained one or two more, he was destined to become a god in this life. The process began; it didn''t take long and was completed without any problems. His condition was okay, but he was almost half full. "Okay, the next is again the last talent you chose, but be prepared as it could also be your last," One said as a golden orb filled with light appeared in front of Evan. He had trouble seeing it clearly as the object inside was too dazzling. "The talent, , is still unknown, but I know that it is definitely at least a Quasi-God tier, as anything with a god/goddess name is bound to be very good," One said as Evan nodded and readied himself for what might be his last talent. He picked up the floating orb and squeezed it to absorb. At first, nothing happened, but then everything changed. Evan, who had been standing still, began to feel a slight pain in his chest that intensified with each passing second, becoming so severe he almost wished for death. His chest emitted a brilliant golden light. He bent over, seeking relief, but the pain persisted. The one poised to act was rooted to the spot in shock. Above Evan, two golden eyes materialized, scrutinizing him. The pressure from the eyes was overwhelming; they all felt on the verge of kneeling, but just as they were about to succumb, the aura vanished, and the pressure lifted. Evan felt a change within himself, as if a great weight had been lifted from his soul. "Evan, are you alright?" Soul inquired, approaching him and assisting him to his feet. "Oh, hah... hah... yes, I''m fine now, but it felt as if something heavy pressed down on my soul for a while before being lifted," Evan replied, while One looked on, momentarily bewildered. "Evan, can you still feel the talents you acquired?" One asked. Evan nodded, attempting to sense the talents within him, and indeed, he could feel them. "Yes, I can feel the five talents I gained today," he confirmed, prompting a sigh of relief from One, who had thought that the real goddess from the main world had descended her gaze here to observe the one who had acquired her talent. "I believe it was the true goddess, the original possessor of the talent, checking if the host was worthy. Perhaps you received her approval since you still possess the talent," One surmised. "So, it was the scrutiny of the actual deity, huh? Quite an immense pressure," Evan remarked, still feeling as though millions of elephants had trampled over him. "Are you still able to accept the gifts, or not?" One inquired with anticipation. "Well, perhaps three or two," Evan responded, leading One to nod and consider adding a few minor items to help him acquire them. "Alright, let''s proceed to other items that might aid in your quicker ascension," One suggested, selecting six things that might not integrate as easily. __ What will happen next with Evan? Will he be able to acquire more, or will he depart with what he has, as his limit is nearing? Accident & Dream Appears [7] Hey guys follow me on Patreon for some exciting updates. Link for it is here. Nemessis0001 | A page for readers | Patreon __ The six orbs lay before Evan, who watched them with anticipation. "What are these things?" Evan inquired, to which One nodded like a true scholar and stepped forward to share his knowledge. "The first two items are an Armor and a Weapon, the third contains a title that will occupy minimal space in your soul, the fourth is a pass allowing you to compete with other candidates, the fifth is the bloodline of a serpent¡ªnot an ordinary one but possessing a highly destructive and unique combination of elements. The sixth is the power of manipulation," One elaborated as Evan nodded and approached the first orb, the Armor. If his senses were accurate, he was about to acquire a growth-type armor, as he had read in novels. "So, is it a growth-type armor that evolves with its owner?" Evan questioned, since One had not specified its capabilities. "It''s not quite like that; it lacks the glow of growth, so it may not be a growth-type. Nevertheless, it''s still valuable. He was quite enraged after you defeated him and returned to reclaim his possessions, but we had already secured them, so he couldn''t retrieve anything. He raged like a maniac, destroying everything in his path, even reducing your corpse to pieces. Yet, he remained furious, demolishing cities to recover it, as if it had been stolen. We surmised it must be something significant," One explained, piquing Evan''s interest as to why someone with so many possessions would obsess over a mere growth-type item. "Okay, let me absorb it and check what it is," Evan said, squeezing it between his hands. It was absorbed into his soul, and he waited to see what would happen, but nothing did. He felt that the armor was not affecting his limit value. "Did something new happen?" One asked, noticing Evan''s confused expression. "Oh no, it''s just that I don''t feel like it''s increasing the weight value of my soul''s limit. It doesn''t feel like it," Evan replied. When he tried to look inside, he was shocked to find the armor missing. "Hey, where the heck did that armor go?" Evan exclaimed, realizing he couldn''t see the armor. "Is there something wrong with the armor inside you?" One inquired, as Evan seemed like a child who had lost his favorite toy. "It''s just that the armor disappeared when I absorbed it, and now I can''t find it," Evan explained, wondering if he had lost or destroyed it. "Oh, that''s okay. We also doubted you could acquire it since it has a soul bond pact with that guy, and I think it returned to him," one remarked as Evan, realizing he couldn''t obtain them, suddenly feared he might not be able to secure that weapon either. "Okay, let me try to get it," Evan said, holding the orb next to him, which was the weapon. The orb wasn''t particularly attractive, but the thing was, the weapon''s image kept shifting from one form to another, leading him to believe it might grant him a multi-weapon. "Alright, let''s hope everything goes well," he said and began the process. It was absorbed within minutes, and at first, he felt nothing, but this time, before he could assess what happened, his entire body suddenly collapsed on the floor, shaking violently as if in a washing machine. He trembled like an old man, feeling immense pain as if being stretched from the inside out. "What happened to him?" one asked Soul, who was proficient in souls. "I can''t sense any danger in his soul, but it is expanding its limits, growing stronger by the second. It has already doubled in size from before," she said, puzzled by the phenomenon. "Is it bad? Will he be able to absorb more or is his life in danger?" another inquired, to which Soul nodded, ready to explain. "His soul may be undergoing a change right now, so I can''t be certain. However, it might be a good sign, so let''s allow it to continue. I don''t believe anything bad is happening," Soul remarked as she observed Evan''s trembling form on the ground. A few minutes later, Evan ceased his snail-like wriggling and lay quietly on the floor. "Hey, are you okay, Evan?" Grim asked. Evan, who had been dazed, snapped out of it, stood up, and checked his body¡ªor perhaps his soul¡ªonly to find that nothing had changed. "I''m fine, as usual. Nothing has happened to my talents or anything, but those two things are missing from inside me. What just happened to me?" Evan asked, prompting Soul to begin her explanation.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "Oh, it''s just some mutation in your soul. As far as I can see, your soul is now 1.5 times stronger than before," Soul replied, careful not to admit her lack of understanding and stoke his curiosity. "Evan, I think I now know where those things went," One said as Evan and Soul looked at him. "Where? Didn''t they return to their owner?" Evan asked, recalling One''s earlier words, still unable to sense them. "No, Evan, perhaps your soul devoured the items and upgraded to the next level," One suggested, as confusion then realization dawned on Evan''s face. "Oh, so maybe those things were sacrificed to enhance my soul strength, huh?" Evan mused, feigning understanding to reassure them. "Yes, and that''s why they vanished inside you. It''s good news because now you might be able to choose that thing," One said, glancing at something floating high above. "Okay, let me finish them first before I choose more," Evan declared, curious about what One had in mind that he hadn''t yet revealed. He approached the third item, which was difficult to discern as it seemed to be a title. "What is this thing, a title? But where did I get this from?" Evan pondered, unsure if a person could drop a title or not. "It''s yours after you defeated a tier 3 opponent while being tier 2, so the expanse granted you this as your reward," One explained, and Evan nodded, not wanting to hear another implausible story. He compressed it and absorbed it within himself. This time, however, nothing happened; he felt no different after absorbing it, but its presence was reassuring. "Okay, now bring me another one," Evan called out, energized by the prospect of selecting more items. Grim nodded as he presented an indescribable object, eager to escape the orb that was heavily sealed with unknown letters and symbols, its glass much thicker than that of any ordinary item. "Hey, what is that? Some kind of crazy soul or something that you''re trying to put inside me?" Evan asked in horror, not wanting to become a host for any sort of ghost. "No, it''s not. This is the key for you to compete with those guys. It''s the authority they possess, and now you will have it too, albeit a minor part of it, so don''t be delusional," one of them said as he began to remove the seals. "But what is it, and why do you have it here?" Evan inquired. "Listen, Evan, this is an authority that we ordinary people can''t wield. It can elevate your strength to its peak. It''s a small fragment of the system they all use, called the . It''s the supreme system that cannot be overridden by anything. All the systems we use are derived from it; it''s like the godmother of them all. Every candidate can use it to push their strength to the limits, which our system cannot," one explained as he finally broke the last seal. "So hurry up and absorb it before this thing gets away; we won''t be able to catch it again if it escapes," he said, tossing the orb at Evan, who caught it instantly and began the absorption process. The entity entered him and tried to escape, but Evan, persistent, didn''t allow it and absorbed the tyrannical, bull-like system which, after some time, settled within him. "Okay, so did you absorb it?" one asked in anticipation as Evan stood dazed. He was in his own world now, as words of some kind began to appear before his eyes. __
<1...2...5....7...9...16...17.......19.....25....26...29....35...42......47...51....57......64......77......82........88....91...93...96...97...98...99...100%>
<"Don''t tell anyone about thi...">
__ Evan was shocked by the events that had unfolded in just a few minutes, and he wondered where on earth the relic had come from. And what was it that he was told not to tell them? Was it about the system or the relic? Perhaps these ten would try to take it for themselves. "Evan, what happened? Why did you black out?" one of them asked. "Oh, nothing. It''s just that the system connected with my soul, that''s all," Evan replied with a forced smile. One decided not to probe further, as it never occurred to him that Evan could lie to those who had given him so much. Who would betray or deceive someone who has been so helpful? __ What will happen next, and will Evan manage to conceal the truth about the system and the origin of the relic he acquired? Accident & Dream Appears [8] Hey guys follow me on Patreon for some exciting updates. Link for it is here. Nemessis0001 | A page for readers | Patreon __ As One was checking the items he could give to Evan, he was unaware that within a few minutes, the seed of betrayal had been sown between them after Evan followed the lead of an unknown message linked to a mysterious relic. "So, what''s next, man? And is everything alright outside? It feels like several hours have passed in here," Evan inquired, while Grim grinned, unseen by Evan. "Well, Evan, rest assured that our associate here, who is proficient in the time element, has altered the passage of time and put this place on pause. The duration of our stay here is only limited by his energy, which is sufficient to last a few years, so don''t worry," Grim explained as Evan saw Tick, known as the time expert, give a two-finger salute to acknowledge his prowess. "So, what''s the next item, One?" Evan asked, turning to One who was analyzing things for him. "Ah, it''s time for the next one. We have the fifth item, which could be useful. It''s the bloodline of a degraded dragon species that once ruled over the void, their blood infused with chaos. The Serpent of the Chaos Void," One elaborated with enthusiasm, as the other nine applauded as if it were a god-tier item. "Huh... what a serpent bloodline. Are you kidding me? If that''s the bloodline you''re offering, then you might as well give me the black dragon bloodline, which is a million times better than this serpent one," Evan said in an angry tone. "Oh, come on, can''t you see the elements this bloodline controls? The special [Void] and [Chaos], which are too significant to overlook. And that dragon bloodline only contains the [Dark] element, which isn''t good enough for you. Perhaps some opportunities could enhance this into something far stronger than that bloodline," One argued, envisioning the true terror of the bloodline''s power. "Okay, I''ll take it. But can you tell me where I got this from?" Evan, sensing their anxious emotions, finally agreed to accept it. "Oh, it''s from your second encounter when you tamed a beast in the area of the second expanse. By some fortunate chance, it managed to integrate into this bloodline power, becoming immensely helpful to you in your journey, perhaps even more so than that girl," One explained, his voice trailing off towards the end. Evan nodded at his explanation, approached the artifact, and began the process. After a few minutes, he finished, and the artifact had taken up a considerable amount of space in his soul. "Are you full, Evan?" Soul inquired, examining him carefully, as his soul was now incredibly powerful, capable of holding so much, even two quasi-god-tier talents. "No, I can still take in more," Evan stated, feeling that he hadn''t reached his limit yet. "Okay, let''s get more resou... oh, I mean, let''s get you more things," Soul corrected herself and stepped back to observe his absorption of the items. "Alright, let''s proceed with the final touches before the last ones," One suggested, and Evan nodded, approaching the ultimate item. "The ability you''re about to absorb is quite peculiar; it''s a mutated form created by combining four elemental manipulations: Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Ice. It''s called Elemental Manipulation and will be extremely useful for your future," One explained as Evan prepared to assimilate this power, which could fulfill his secret desire to wield the elements at will. Without waiting for further explanation, Evan began the absorption process. The process took about thirty minutes, and upon completion, Evan felt an intense sensation, as this was a mutation involving four elements. Having absorbed all the necessary abilities, they were now free to select others. "What would you like to take on now, Evan?" One inquired, watching him move towards an orb floating in the distance, surrounded by various sub and main classes. "I''m considering if I could also take a class with me," Evan pondered aloud, contemplating the addition of a class to his repertoire.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "Try it; perhaps you can. If successful, it could greatly enhance your power," One encouraged, allowing Evan to proceed as he wished. "Okay, so the class I have in mind, I choose you," he said as he squeezed the orb containing the class , wanting this class for its potential to use his abilities for good. The process lasted an hour, and he successfully absorbed the class. But before anyone could stop him, he chose four more orbs and squeezed them to absorb. "Evan, wait, no! You can''t absorb this many at once!" someone shouted as they all rushed toward him, now lying unconscious on the floor. A few hours later, he woke up to find all ten of them looking at him with anger. "Oh, hi guys, what''s up? Did something happen?" he asked, acting as if nothing had occurred. "What did you just say? Don''t you realize what you did could kill you. Absorbing so many classes could overload and maybe even destroy your soul, in the worst case," Soul yelled, her concern for souls making her manic. "But nothing happened. These classes and subclasses didn''t take up as much space in my soul as you described," he explained, startling them. They had thought the classes would occupy most of his soul''s space in a past life, but this time he had absorbed five and was still okay. "Are you really fine? I don''t think your soul can hold them," one said, to which Evan shook his head in disagreement. "No, I can handle it. Do you want me to explain?" Evan said, walking toward the berserker class orb. But as he squeezed it to absorb, nothing happened. He tried again, but still, nothing happened. Shocked, he discarded it and selected another class orb, the chef, and tried it, but nothing happened. "Why isn''t it working now?" Evan asked, fearing something had gone wrong. "No, you won''t be able to gain any more classes, Evan. A soul can typically hold only two to three classes, but you''ve absorbed double that, and now it''s rejecting others. You can only take another class in the future, except for the one you''ll receive upon awakening," one of them explained. "Oh, I have five classes in total: , , , , and I wanted the class, but by mistake, I got the class. It might be weak in potential since its knowledge isn''t very profound," he mused, feeling the subclass knowledge clearly, while the Mage was also weak but tolerable, this class''s knowledge was significantly lacking. "Perhaps it''s of lower potential, and it''s your fault for choosing such a subpar class," one remarked, and Evan nodded, his rashness having led him to a poor choice. "But maybe it can still be useful; I might be able to wield many weapons from it, right?" Evan suggested, but no one responded and they walked away. "Hey guys, let''s pick more¡ªwait, where are you all going?" Evan called out, chasing after them as they floated away due to his stupidity. As he ran, he noticed something floating in the distance, separate from him and the others, which piqued his interest. "What is that thing?" he asked Grim, who looked in that direction and was quite shocked as it was a familiar orb. "Ah, maybe you shouldn''t choose that thing, Evan, as it can''t be stored in your soul now," Grim said, trying to dissuade him, but Evan was an explorer at heart. "Please, let me just see it, then you can put it away," Evan insisted, pestering him for some time. "Hush, okay, but just look and don''t be rash," Grim conceded and signaled for it to come down. It was a darkish orb, filled with only dark color. "What is this thing?" Evan muttered to himself, holding it to inspect as something urged him to claim it, to make it his own. "Evan, put it away, don''t try to do it," Grim warned, but Evan snapped out of it and nodded, although it was already too late; he had done it. Grim looked at him with a grim face, having been instructed not to let him absorb it, but now Evan had, and he was going to be in a dire situation. He collapsed on the ground, screeching madly. The pain was much worse than before, and it showed no signs of stopping. After hearing his screech, everyone gathered to see what had happened, and the one who noticed the dark orb was missing understood the situation. "What has he done? Is he mad? Our entire effort will be destroyed in seconds if he dies here," one shouted as they saw his whole body covered in a black, tar-like substance. "Where were you when he took it?" One asked Grim, who was shocked by Evan''s state. "I was here, but he didn''t listen to me and absorbed it. What was it, though? You even told us not to touch it," Grim inquired. "Ha, it was something he got from that tier three guy. He wasn''t able to absorb it even in his lifetime when he killed it on his second chance at life," One explained, though they still didn''t understand. "But what was it? I don''t think that guy could take it since he even has those Quasi-god talents," Soul interjected, which One instantly denied. "No, it''s above that. It changes a person''s entire life. Even a normal person can gain God talent, but this thing can only be found once in an entire species. Yes, it''s what we call the Physique of a Monarch. He obtained the Physique of that guy by luck that time. I was considering letting him try it before he chose his class, but now it might be too late. Let''s hope he gets out alive because if he does, then our plan''s success is almost within reach," One said as they observed the figure of the guy writhing on the floor. __ Hi guys, I hope you like it. Come support me and get more chapters from me. Accident & Dream Appears [9/last] Hey guys follow me on Patreon for some exciting updates. Link for it is here. Nemessis0001 | A page for readers | Patreon __ In the same location where Evan''s selection was taking place, Evan could be seen crying in pain. No one approached to check on him, knowing well that nothing could be done at this point; he would emerge either successful, crippled, or in the worst case, not at all. "How long do you think he will take to assimilate it?" one inquired of Soul, who was observing him in silence. "No, I can''t say, as even those who are experts in souls cannot fully discern what lies within. There was only one man who managed to unravel the complete theory of the soul, but he disappeared in the tempest of time, silencing everything. We can only hope that he awakens; then we may know," Soul replied, recalling her master''s tales of a being who challenged the gods with their authority, possessing the power to annihilate the souls of beings deemed immortal, having vanquished many. She yearned to emulate that individual. All waited eagerly for his awakening as hours slipped by. Despair was setting in when Evan''s eyelash twitched slightly. The onlookers were not ordinary people; they were perhaps of god-like stature, so they quickly noticed it. They congregated around him as he began to open his eyes, finding them standing close, waiting. "Hi, guys, did something happen that you''re all looking at me like that?" Evan inquired, scanning his body for anomalies, recalling the dark orb he had absorbed. All this time, he had been in an endless, dark chamber, feeling as if thousands of insects were consuming him from the inside out. "Oh yes, you did something monumental, something that could have killed you had your luck run out sooner," one of them exclaimed, his voice growing louder with each word. "Huh, but I didn''t do anything. I just absorbed a normal orb, right?" Evan responded, feigning innocence, aware that he had been through a harrowing ordeal after the act. "Yes, you did, Evan, and don''t try to conceal it. You can''t, as we''ve known you for too long," Grim retorted, shaking his head in disapproval. "But what did I just take? If it''s not something trivial, why didn''t you give it to me earlier? If it was important, why wait until I found this?" Evan countered with a question of his own. "I would have preferred that, Evan, but after your class orb absorption, I assumed you wouldn''t have room for this. So I skipped it, yet, astonishingly, you managed to take it," One explained. "Alright, I''ve taken it, but what is it that you''re making such a fuss over?" Evan inquired, assuming it was some sort of skill or ability, not daring to think it was anything else. "No, it''s something that can elevate a life from nothing to everything, a dream for any race to birth two at a time, a stroke of luck for some to be born with it, one in a trillion or more. It''s not a class, talent, bloodline, or ability, but a Physique that everyone dreams of, yet only one is born with it. It''s not just any Physique, but the Physique of a Monarch. You understand its significance, right?" One elaborated, watching Evan''s expression shift from neutral to amazement, then horror, and finally shock.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Evan hadn''t realized that all this time, his soul was undergoing an upgrade in quality, akin to going from delicious local street food to the exclusive grandeur of a five-star hotel''s cuisine. "Hahhhhh, a monarch''s physique? But how? Isn''t a being said to be in a realm of his own? When did I manage to kill it?" Evan pondered, doubting his past selves'' ability to defeat such a foe. He wondered where he acquired this power¡ªwas it a reward, or an upgrade of his core to monarch status? If he had obtained it in a past life, why hadn''t he used it? Was his past self-waiting to use it from the beginning in the next life? "You did kill a monarch, one of a higher tier than yourself, and that''s why you received this title we bestowed upon you last time," one explained, revealing that Evan had slain a monarch during his second life in an expanse siege break¡ªa concept not of this time but of the future, so patience was necessary. "So, care to tell me who it was that died to grant me such incredible loot? Which monarch was it? Flame, serpent, ice, or beast?" Evan inquired, unable to think of someone he might not meet in his life. He could still name the Dragon, Time, Void, Shadow, and others who could kill him whenever they wished. "Well, you didn''t even meet them, as you are too insignificant to kill them. But it was a vile and many-lived individual whom you managed to kill eight times, yet he did not perish due to his carelessness. He was the Death Monarch, pursuing that girl who set your mind ablaze, and you killed him eight times in the second tier. But as he advanced to the third and invaded the second to kill you, he died¡ªperhaps his revival was on cooldown, and his great strength overwhelmed him, leading to his demise in that battle," one elucidated, and with that, Evan understood. "But if he was killed by someone like me, doesn''t that mean his physique is much weaker compared to others? I recall a monarch can single-handedly defeat an army, ruling over nations or empires, but this man wasn''t like that; he was just a simpleton who got killed over a girl," Evan remarked, yet he sensed that perhaps this physique could still be of some use to him. "Yes, but a monarch is still a monarch, and perhaps it''s your destiny, so let''s hope it serves you well," one of them said, setting the matter aside while also pondering that this physique might be too feeble compared to others. "Let''s get you out of here before you acquire anything more," one suggested, about to send him away when Evan halted him. "Wait, I want to try something," Evan interjected, feeling a pull from something, as if someone was beckoning him to take it along. "We can''t risk you taking anything more; the threshold of limits is teetering on the edge of bursting, and excessive greed could harm your soul," Soul warned, observing the vein-like structures in Evan''s soul as he moved towards an object among various items. However, Evan ignored the warnings, brushed aside some orbs, and grasped a single particle from the cluster of floating objects. "Maybe this is the final piece to complete me, the reason I came here," Evan said as he observed the orb displaying an image of a light blue egg floating inside. "What''s that inside?" he inquired. "Oh, it''s trash, Evan. It''s a companion egg, one of those useless things that give you the perfect companion, like an animal or a monster, to bond with after they''re born. They grow independently, just like their master or partner," One explained, thinking it foolish to risk danger for an egg that could be found later. "But what''s the harm in trying?" Evan countered and, before anyone could react, he absorbed it. Then, nothing happened, as if he hadn''t absorbed it at all. "What''s going on? Is something wrong with you? Why didn''t the process start?" One asked, equally puzzled. "Hold on, let me check," Evan said, attempting to sense the egg. Fortunately, it was there inside him. "Yes, it''s inside, bonded successfully. Perhaps it doesn''t require much space," Evan announced, and One sighed in relief. "Alright, now return immediately before you pick any more of them," One instructed, but Evan just chuckled. With a snap, Grim instantly made the orb vanish from in front of them. "And listen, Evan, the place where you''ll find the artifact is over there, so please make sure you get there on time," Grim advised, pointing at Evan''s forehead. A beam of light entered his mind, showing him an area of a closed factory, which he recognized instantly since it was on the way to Rey''s house, a route he had taken a few times. Awakening Hey guys follow me on Patreon for some exciting updates. Link for it is here. Nemessis0001 | A page for readers | Patreon __ [11th April 2024] "Yes, but can''t you tell me what my enemies are like? Are they from cults, organizations, or something else?" Evan, ready to depart, posed a question that gnawed at his mind, knowing he wouldn''t face the gods directly at the start and that they would likely have followers. "No, they are like us, having sent their challenger, or what you call the chosen one, to take control of the nexus. In this race, whoever gains authority over it will rule everything in our cosmos," One explained. "Oh, so they''re like the protagonist and antagonist, huh?" Evan remarked, to which One nodded, seemingly satisfied with this simple explanation. "Listen carefully, don''t die. If a strong one appears, don''t hesitate to run away. Being a coward is acceptable if it means living another day," One advised as Evan nodded, ready to depart. "But wait, before I go, I have one last question," Evan interjected, causing One''s irritation to grow. "What is it? Tell us quickly before I send you off, and make sure it''s the last," One demanded, waiting for Evan to speak. "So, I''m about to be transmigrated from this world to another, right? What kind of family am I going into? Rich, middle-class, or poor? I remember that main character ended up in the body of a boy who only lives with his sister, which is a story I find cringe-worthy. I''d rather be a lone wolf who doesn''t have to worry about others'' safety." "Ah, tell us what kind of family you''d prefer, and I''ll search for it," One said, thinking it would be beneficial to choose a good starting point. "In that case, let me transmigrate into the body of an orphan, without a single friend, living a solitary life," Evan stated, which slightly disappointed One. "You could enter the body of a wealthy heir, which might be more advantageous," One suggested, but Evan refused. "No, because then my enemies could find me quickly. Being a loner will only aid me in this life; I won''t have to worry about others since they perished in such wars. Even in past lives, my loved ones put me in danger, and I don''t want to go through that again," Evan explained, causing One to reluctantly agree, not wanting to provoke Evan''s anger and potential betrayal. "And most importantly, don''t make me too handsome. Just make me simple enough that no hero or villain can recognize me as their equal," Evan instructed, preparing for the teleportation.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. He teleported away, and then the entire plane was destroyed, along with the ten thrones which also vanished, returning to their respective bodies. Their bodies were strained, the extensive travel had even wearied their souls. They escaped, and Evan returned as well, but not to the infirmary. Instead, he found himself in a different place within his mind, facing the two men he had seen initially. However, unlike before, they were not in a state of disrepair but rather well. "So, the third encounter is imminent," remarked the first man, the swordsman. "Yes, and it seems our combined strength within him is significant; I can sense many similarities inside him to us in the past," the second man, the Tamer, observed as they scrutinized Evan before them. "Huh, what are you both doing here, and why can''t you meet me in that other place?" Evan inquired. "Well, we can''t, as we are merely wisps of the past, and have come only to meet the third and final one to achieve our goal," the First said as the Second nodded in agreement. "So, you are my past selves, yet I am the one who lived through those times?" Evan asked, which seemed to confuse them all, including himself. "Ha, set that aside and listen, Evan. Never forget that girl; she is our everything. We sacrificed our lives to be with her, but destiny had other plans for us at that time. Now, perhaps you can change that and live with her until our end," the Second explained, but Evan was still puzzled. "You keep mentioning that girl. Who is she, and why are others telling me to avoid her, while you urge me to be with her? Isn''t she the one who led to our demise?" Evan inquired, as anger filled both of their faces. "So they''ve told you that, huh? Well, Evan, never heed their advice. You may not remember now, but she sacrificed her life to save ours. We fell for her and pursued her, but she didn''t appreciate this like those girls taking advantage of us and tried to drive us away. Yet, we still ended up together, and she gave her life for us afterward. I had many girls in my life back then, and all fled at the sight of death, but she stood by me, faced it in every situation, and that made us love her even more," the First said, tears welling in his eyes. "Yes, I found her in my second life, and we spent much quality time together. But at the brink of death, when I could have escaped from the fifth plane to safety, I chose not to. She knew I could leave and made me promise not to stay here. If I did, she would take her own life, so I ran away. However, I decided to complete my trial for promotion. I was about to help her, but it was too late; I couldn''t do anything. In a rage, I waged war against the enemy. After destroying half of them, I died due to the rule of the nexus and was sent back for the third and last time to the past," Second summarized his life story with her. "So the conclusion is to not forget her and to be with her, but didn''t they say she is dead and can''t come back in any way?" Evan asked, as both seemed to deny the reality of it. "No, she isn''t dead. You just have to find her, and don''t worry, destiny will surely allow us to meet again, as it did in a past life," First assured. "Never forget this and find her, even if it means causing a rampage," both said simultaneously as their bodies began to turn transparent and dissolve into him. "You are the greatest creation of our combined selves," they said in unison. "Don''t be sad, go and defeat them all." After saying that, they merged with him, meeting the wisp''s end. After that, he opened his eyes to find himself in the infirmary, where James was waiting for him, while Rey was away. He woke up fine, but the difference between this Evan and the Evan before the accident was like heaven and earth. __ Guys can''t you all can comment your thought in comments like geez bro, do you all don''t have keyboard in your screen or your laptop/pc. Prepare for preparation [11th April 2024] He noticed James sitting next to him, engrossed in his phone. "Hey dude, where the hell am I?" Evan asked, looking at him. "Oh, you''re awake, bro. Didn''t expect you to wake up so soon, huh? Well, maybe it''s good because only one period has passed right now; we can still make it to class," James replied, and Evan was taken aback as he began to think something strange. "Bro, am I in a dream? I don''t remember my friend being a period attendee who sleeps through it," Evan remarked, prompting a small laugh from James. "No, you idiot. Just listen to what I''m saying. The teacher came by and said if you woke up, we should head to the classroom. And if we get caught skipping class, the punishment is much more severe than we can imagine," James explained, shivering slightly. "Okay, so let me get up. Where''s Rey? I didn''t see him here," Evan inquired. "He might be in the toilet; he mentioned it was urgent and hurried off," James said, scanning the area for any sign of Rey''s return. "Alright, let''s go catch up with him," Evan replied as he thanked the nurse for her assistance. They left the infirmary and headed towards the nearest restroom. James stood outside while Evan entered to look for Rey. Inside one of the stalls, Rey was engaged in a conversation, not on the phone, but with someone else. Those familiar with the second book would recognize his interlocutor. "Hey, Rey, are you in there?" Evan called out, causing Rey, who was inside, to panic slightly. "Yes¡ªYes, I''m here, Evan. Did you wake up? Are you alright?" Rey responded, trying to calm his voice. "Oh yes, I woke up a few minutes ago and came here with James to bring you along," Evan explained from outside the stall. "Okay, just wait a bit longer and I''ll be right out with you both," he said. "Alright but come out quickly because we all need to attend our classes, you know," Evan replied as he walked outside, leaving Rey alone. A few minutes later, Rey emerged from the restroom and joined his friends who were waiting for him. "Hey, you alright, brother? Something got stuck, huh? Hahaha," James teased, while Rey simply ignored him. "Let''s hurry before we''re late," Evan urged, and they all followed him to their respective classrooms. Upon arriving, they took their seats and began to focus on the teacher''s lesson. Hours later, at precisely two in the afternoon, school ended, and they all started to leave the classroom to head home. Some students chatted, others packed their belongings, and a few dashed out of the classroom as if breaking free from prison.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Hey, Evan, want to hit the arcade today?" James inquired, approaching Evan who was lost in thought while packing his bag. James attempted to rouse him, and after several tries, he finally snapped out of it. "Oh yes, what happened, bro?" "Where''s your mind at, bro? I''ve been calling you for a while now." "Oh bro, just lost in thought, no need to worry." With that, Evan walked towards the door to leave the classroom. "Hey, wait for me!" James called out as he ran to catch up with him. Together, they left the class and started walking towards section-B to meet Rey, who was already there waiting for them. They gathered together to head outside and walked towards the exit. After exiting the school gates, they began walking towards the main road. "Hey, guys, we''re going to the arcade, right?" James inquired, noticing that both of his friends were lost in their own thoughts. "Oh, no, James, I''m sorry, but today I have to go somewhere else with my aunt, and I might not come to school," Evan replied, aware that he couldn''t reveal the truth about his time travel experiences. "I need to head to the store early today, so you''re on your own," said Rey, noticing James''s obvious disappointment and shrug. "Alright then, I need to get home too. I was hoping for some company, but I guess this is goodbye," he replied, as they went their separate ways. "I''ll head straight home and look up that website; it might help with my situation," Evan mused, recalling a secretive site known to few, not frequented by the average person. ''I have a lot to do; best get moving,'' he thought, setting off, while Rey also made his way home, his expression troubled. He seemed to be conversing with someone, though no one was nearby, and his phone wasn''t in his hand. "Do we really have to do this now?" he muttered, as if in response to an unheard question. "It''s going to be a tough day, huh? No avoiding it, I suppose," Rey muttered, breaking into a run towards his home. Meanwhile, James wandered the streets, his demeanor sad. He lingered aimlessly until the thought of home spurred him to start walking. Yet, before he could cross the street, a luxurious car pulled up, and its window rolled down. "Oh, son, what are you doing here? I was waiting for you at the school door, and here you are walking. Can''t you just use the car I gave you for your birthday?" a lady said from inside the car, presumably his mother. "Hi, Mom. You know I prefer to live a normal life," James replied, while a man in a suit snorted from the other side of his mother. "Come on, kid. You can''t run away from the truth. Why don''t you abandon this false reality you''ve created and come back to the real world? Have you left your friends, or are they still hanging around?" his father said in an annoying tone. "Dad, I''ve already told you they''re my friends, and I won''t abandon them, so stop bothering me," James retorted. "Oh, Jess, you don''t understand. Make friends with people of your own standard, son. Don''t let leeches cling to you," his father admonished. "Dadddd!" James shouted, noticing many people looking their way. "Son, come get in the car. We''re just going home, so come with us," his mother said, opening the door for him, not wanting them to argue in public. "Ok, fine, I''m coming," James said as he noticed many people looking at him. He settled into the car, and as it started moving, a heated conversation between father and son escalated like a rising tide, with the mother caught in the middle, unable to take sides. As they drove off, several cars surrounded them from different directions, providing security. After a while, they arrived at a grand mansion, large enough to encompass ten large or thirty small houses within its lawn alone, not to mention the mansion itself. It was too magnificent to merely be called a home. It resembled the castle of a king or emperor. James lived there, yet his daily lifestyle was too ordinary for such a beautiful, castle-like mansion. __ But the events that led him to live this way, that''s a story for another day, perhaps. Delivery [1] [11th April 2024] Evan, who had just arrived home, greeted his aunt, who was busy preparing a meal for him and Jason. Upon entering his apartment, he placed his bag on the desk. After changing his clothes and freshening up, he decided to have lunch before engaging in any other activities. He knew skipping the meal would result in a lengthy lecture from his aunt, who was quite strict about such matters. Descending to the ground floor, he entered their apartment. Following a hearty meal with his aunt and uncle, he excused himself, citing the need to study for a test, and left. He quickly returned to his room, closing the door behind him to ensure privacy for his secretive tasks. "To retrieve that item, I must enter the factory, which means confronting Jacob''s goons. With my current strength, that''s not feasible. If I wait to build strength, I''ll miss my opportunity. So, I must allow myself to be kidnapped by them, as I did in a past life. To escape their captivity, I''ll need a concealed knife," Evan mused, recalling strategies from his past life experiences. He just now realizes that he can''t remember anything beside the life he lives in blue star before going there of the past lives and thought maybe something was wrong. He remembers that in one of his past lives, he was kidnapped by them and got the artifact on that factory, and he knew that he can still get that but just he had to get the proper equipment for it. He then decided to use a hidden website to buy something. Which he knew from his past lives of first time as that time he got it when the apocalypse was about to fall on the world and government decided to tell the public to buy some stuff to secure themselves before they arrived for saving them. He opened his desktop and start searching for it and after a few minutes later, he found it hidden in one common looking website. He opened it and made an account to order his thing. He searched for some hidden weapon and got many options like daggers to hide in shirt or some suit, but he didn''t like it as it didn''t match him. He just needed a small knife to cut a rope and after a long search he finally found a stuff, he can get and use easily. It was a small lean dagger which has some crazy sharpness and is quite lethal. It can be hidden in wristband and cover by some shirt or something and its prized was also not that much high, just Nine hundred fifteen. He checked his bank account and found that he has total of nine hundred forty-eight points. He nailed it but start thinking that why the price of this thing is so low and then checked the comment to find that it was a single use weapon and if missed then there is no way to reuse it again in hidden. The seller had minimal requirements and was ready to sell all his items for a low price. He instantly agreed to purchase, added the items to his cart, and placed the order swiftly.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. After processing the payment, he provided an address that was neither too far nor too close, in case his aunt and uncle became curious about the package. Thus, he planned to keep the items hidden until he could devise a plausible excuse to leave their presence. However, during checkout, he noticed an additional charge of a hundred points for delivery. Frustrated, he was about to borrow some cash from Rossy to cover the cost and repay later, but just then, a notification appeared indicating a price drop because another nearby customer had placed an order. He had to pick up his order from the other customer''s selected location, so he quickly confirmed the purchase before the other customer could change their mind. "Oh God, please thank that kind man for me and ensure his tasks are completed smoothly," Evan prayed for his benefactor. Meanwhile, Rey sat in front of his desktop, sneezing occasionally. "It seems someone is thinking of me," he mused before immersing himself in his work. (A/N: Does this mean that Rey is the one who ordered from this secret site? But why, and how, since it can''t be found by ordinary people? To find out, read my second novel.) Meanwhile, at Evan''s house, he was feeling grateful to his savior and wanted to express his thanks in person when they met. "The final task is complete, so now I can rest as my mind is overwhelmingly heavy today." Evan muttered to himself as he turned off his desktop and collapsed onto the bed to rest. He fell asleep instantly, the mental toll of the day proving too much. He hadn''t even realized how exhausted he was. It was a weariness of the soul, not just the body. A few hours later, around seven fifteen, he was awakened by the persistent ringing of his phone. He checked it and saw numerous missed calls from his friends and Jason. Quickly glancing at the time, he realized it was late evening and rushed out of his room to find his aunt and uncle. He swiftly entered the apartment below and discovered Rossy in the kitchen, preparing food. "Hi, aunt. Sorry, I was asleep for a while and just woke up," he said before she could inquire. "Oh, I knew. Don''t you remember I have the spare keys to your apartment? I thought you might be too exhausted to wake up. I tried calling you, but when you didn''t answer, I got scared. I thought something had happened to you, so I checked and found you sleeping soundly and safe," she explained. He could only make a (:o) face and nod in response. "So, what made you so tired?" she asked. "Oh, nothing, just a minor accident in..." Evan stopped mid-sentence, remembering he wasn''t supposed to tell her. But it was too late; he had made a mistake that would now cause much trouble. She became so worried that she wouldn''t leave his side for a second and called Jason to take him to the hospital immediately. Evan tried to stop her, but she didn''t end there; she also called Rick, who was probably enjoying his evening, and lectured him for so long that he might not get much sleep that night. After everything was sorted, they ate their meal at night, and she insisted he take some medicine for pain before leaving. She urged him to return quickly if any issue arose during the night, such as pain or any other problem. Initially, she wanted him to stay over, but he chose not to, knowing that if he did, she would end up watching over him all night without rest. After reassuring her of his well-being, he was allowed to return to his apartment. Upon reaching his room and preparing his bag for school the next day, he decided to sleep after taking the medication. He took the pills and fell asleep instantly, as if he hadn''t slept that afternoon. The following day proceeded normally, just like any other. His order was due to be delivered the next day, and he didn''t want to miss it, so he started planning how to receive it and bring it home. The day ended with such thoughts, and the next morning arrived for two individuals whose paths were the same, but their goals might have been different. Delivery [2/last] [13th April 2024] Finally, the day had come, and Evan was ready for it. In his room, he was making some final preparations in his bag to conceal the item, in case he got caught while coming here. He had concocted a few lies, claiming he was suffering from a stomachache to Peter and that he was going to meet an old friend from the orphanage who had turned eighteen and had come to see him. Rossy had suggested letting him come here, but Evan lied again, saying he was heading to another city and would just pass by here, meeting him at the train station for a few minutes. She believed him, as she couldn''t imagine Evan lying to her like that. He felt relieved that he had managed to get away with it, and mentioning it to Jason was just a formality, as he didn''t dwell on such matters; just inform him, and you''re set. Now, he was ready for the mission. He walked out of his house to reach the place where he would meet his friend, the delivery guy. He descended with his backpack, which he intended to use for carrying items, and a mask in his pocket to conceal his identity, not wanting to be recognized by acquaintances. As he made his way downstairs, he saw Rossy sweeping the area, and she noticed him approaching. "Oh Evan, you''re up early, that''s good. Now come and have the breakfast I''ve prepared for you." "Aunt, I can''t, I''m already late. My friend''s train arrives at ten in the morning, and it departs fifteen minutes later, so I need to rush." "There''s still an hour and a half left. Come inside, or else, young man, you won''t be leaving this house," she declared, her gaze intensifying. "But aunt..." "No ''buts.'' Come in and eat your breakfast. If you object again, be ready to stay home today." "Alright, I''m coming." "That''s my boy," she said, her smile beaming as if her earlier sternness had vanished. He and Rossy entered and found Jason seated, engrossed in his newspaper, with food already laid out on the table. "Oh, where have you two been? The food has been out for quite some time." "Oh, I''m sorry, dear. I was supposed to call Evan, but I got caught up talking to our neighbor, and then I started sweeping. By the time he came downstairs to meet his friend, I remembered. Can you imagine if people heard that Rosalia let her son leave without breakfast? What would they think?" "Oh, come on, aunt. No one will know or care even if they do hear about it. You''re making a mountain out of a molehill, you know." "Please, don''t lecture me. Let''s eat... oh wait, don''t eat that. I''ll make something fresh, and then we can eat." "That''s not happening, aunt. I''ll be late if you do that. I''m eating now." He began to eat the food, which was cold but still edible. He finished quickly and stood up to leave. "Son, when will you be coming home?" Rossy called after him. "I''ll be back in a few hours," he replied loudly and left.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "Oh geez, what''s so great about this friend of his that he had to meet him so urgently?" "Oh dear, you know childhood friends are a kind of attachment we can''t just tear apart. And aren''t we all a bit like that at our age?" Jason mused as he drifted into his memories. Meanwhile, Rossy sighed and cleared away Evan''s eaten plates. __ Outside on the street, Evan was seen running and only stopped when he felt a good distance from home. He checked his phone and saw that the delivery person''s location and the time had already been sent quickly. Noticing that the location was quite near, and the arrival time was around nine-thirty in the morning, he was relieved that he wouldn''t have to wait long. It was already nine, and not wanting to wait any longer, he decided to head there. With caution, he reached the area where the delivery person was supposed to show up. Standing there, wearing his mask and a cap, he looked around to ensure he wasn''t being watched by anyone. "Where is he? I''ve been waiting for much longer now," Evan muttered, scanning the area in hopes of spotting the delivery guy. The second person he was expecting hadn''t shown up either. As the delivery time neared with only three minutes remaining, a man with a large suitcase approached. His appearance was gloomy; his face obscured by untidy hair. The street was deserted, and seeing no one else around, Evan quickly walked towards the man. Noticing Evan, a look of relief flashed in the man''s eyes. "Oh, hi sir, are you here for your delivery? The big order?" he inquired as Evan drew near. "Ah, no, I''m just here to pick up a small item," Evan replied awkwardly, eager to clear up the misunderstanding. "Ah, okay, take your belongings and leave. I don''t like having people around me much," the delivery guy said, his demeanor completely changed as if he were a different person. "Okay, if you say so," Evan replied, taking his small package and leaving the area. He lingered for a moment, hoping to meet the other person, but when they didn''t show, he decided to leave. A few minutes after Evan left, from a different street, a man fully concealing his face and skin approached. "Oh sir, you''ve arrived. I''ve been waiting for you for quite some time," the delivery guy greeted him enthusiastically. "Yes, hand over my items, and I''ll be on my way. And if you even think of telling anyone about me, your family will be reading about your demise in tomorrow''s newspaper," the man threatened in a deep voice, reminiscent of a badass character from a comic book. "Oh sir, no need to worry, I won''t say a word. But I do have a proposal for you. I can tell you''re planning something big with these items. If you need assistance, I could be of help, and in return, you could give me a share of the reward," the delivery guy offered, referring to the items the man had ordered, which included a blade, a suit for concealing the body, protective armor, and more. "Listen, kid, don''t meddle in other people''s affairs, and as for work, perhaps I need to speak with your supervisor to inform them that the salary they''re paying you isn''t sufficient. They might need to recruit someone new because this phone won''t be answered if you''re not up for the task," he said. After gathering his belongings and stuffing them into his large bag, he left, leaving the frightened man who had fallen to the ground. It was only when the man''s figure had vanished that he snapped out of it and left the place. As this occurred, we could see the same man walking away with the bag. He removed his mask and sighed in relief. Had Evan seen him, he would have undoubtedly recognized the man; it was Rey, now walking away and talking in the same manner. "He must have been terrified, bro. Even I was taken aback by the script you gave me," Rey remarked as he continued on, possibly towards his home. Meanwhile, in a different area, we see Evan heading towards a park to pass some time, as he had to wait until ten-thirty to go home. After wandering for a while, he walked towards his home with caution. He arrived and was relieved to find no one noticing him. He prepared himself to go to his room and, after setting his pace, he hurried towards it. He reached his room without any issues and opened the door, expecting a moment of relief, but was startled into breathlessness. His aunt was tidying up his room. She noticed him, offered a smile, and resumed her work. "Oh Evan, you''re back. I was just cleaning your room, thinking you were out. Did you see your friend?" Rossy bombarded him with questions. "Oh... well, you know. Yes, I met him, and we had a long talk. He''s gone now. And Aunt, I think someone is downstairs to see you; I noticed someone by your door as I was coming up," Evan replied, thinking quickly on his feet. __ Will his plan work? Will she believe him and leave? To find out, come back and read more tomorrow. Preparation for infiltration. [1] [13th April 2024] "Oh, so someone came to meet me. Let me see if she''s my friend or not," Rossy said as she hurried out of the room. She walked down to see if someone was there, but finding no one nearby, she thought perhaps the person had left before she returned. Just as she was about to head back upstairs, she heard a phone call from inside and walked in to answer it. "Hello, Valor Residency, who is this?" Rossy asked from her end. "Oh yes, it''s me, Aunt. Did you meet the lady? I thought you hadn''t come back, so maybe you were talking with her. I just called to tell you that you can talk with her freely. I am cleaning the room myself, so you don''t have to come back and strain your feet, which I know have been quite weak for some days after your fever. So, rest while watching some TV and ask me if you need anything. Bye," Evan said as he quickly ended the call before she could respond. "Hello, honey, you don''t... Hah, geez, this kid makes me worry so much about him, and even with his weak physique, he works tirelessly. Oh boy, who told this kid that his aunt is even more energetic than him?" Rossy mused as she looked at her arm, which might appear simple but the outlines of training and muscle build were too prominent to miss. If she wanted, she could lift an entire shelf by herself without any worries. "Well, those days were quite good, huh?" she said, reminiscing about the past. Meanwhile, in Evan''s room, he felt a sense of relief, confident that his aunt would no longer come up there. He decided not to get ready for her and set aside his cleaning tasks for later. First, he took an item from his bag, noticing it was wrapped in a brown cover. He removed the cover and discovered the item inside a box. He quickly extracted the box, broke its seal, and grasped the concealed knife blade weapon. Evan intended to use it just once, as the path he planned to take was not heavily guarded. He knew how to navigate stealthily, and the weapon would be used solely for defense and sabotage. He wanted to avoid bloodshed, aiming for a covert entry to retrieve the item. Even if he were to be caught later, he could escape with it. "Well, let me put it on before I use it," he told himself, grinning with eagerness to test it, imagining himself as a detective from a movie. He took the device in his hand, strapped it onto his left arm like a band, and positioned it for use. Following the instructions, he read that a single button press could either throw the dagger at an enemy or return it to his hand. To activate this feature, he needed to adjust the dial.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. After some thought, he had an idea: if he set it to throwing mode, he wouldn''t be able to retrieve it after use, but if he kept it on hand mode, it might have multiple uses. Deciding on the latter, he set it to hand mode and began striking poses in front of the mirror like a spy. His mind buzzed with the eagerness of a child to use the new gadget, yet he restrained himself. Curious about its effectiveness, he detached the blade from the wristband to test its sharpness, pondering its ability to cut effectively. He grabbed a piece of fruit from his small fridge and sliced it, confirming his expectations¡ªthe blade''s sharpness was impressive. The blade was slicing through various materials with ease, but its dullness became apparent when he attempted to cut through a thick rope. It took some effort, but eventually, he succeeded and felt satisfied with the result. "The final touches are fine, but how can I leave without them searching for me? I don''t want to cause them despair by my disappearance," he pondered, not wishing to leave his loved ones without a reason. "Hmm... Oh yes, that might work," he mused, as a promising idea struck him. "First, I need to finish cleaning in case my aunt comes to check," he reminded himself, glancing at the cleaning supplies. He began his work, eager to leave everything tidy for tomorrow. "Let''s do this," he declared, starting to clean his room from one corner to the next. He aimed to leave the place spotless, so if someone else were to live there, his aunt wouldn''t need to clean the area. Hours of cleaning later... "Phew, the work is done," Evan exclaimed, sitting on the bed and admiring the room that now gleamed from corner to corner. "The work is going quite well," Evan murmured to himself, deciding to pen some letters to be given to others. "Alright, for the final task, I need to write a letter to seal this deal," he said as he settled into his chair to write them. Before that, he phoned his principal to request an additional day off, and as usual, he was granted permission with the understanding it would be the last. "It will be the last, sir," he replied with a melancholy smile after ending the call. With a heavy heart, he began writing letters to his friends, uncle, and aunt. He didn''t want to sadden them with his departure. As he wrote the two letters, his emotions fluctuated with the passing time. Sometimes he chuckled to himself, at other times he felt anger or sorrow, but throughout, his eyes brimmed with tears. He was reluctant to leave them, but to acquire the strength needed to protect his loved ones from the invasion of mana and the machinations of the candidates and true gods, he knew he had to confront and defeat those adversaries. Now he was prepared for tomorrow''s challenges. His wait wasn''t long, as it was already past seven in the evening, and he needed to hurry to have his meal. But first, he had to prepare for dinner. He needed to remove the object from his hand and ready it for the next day''s mission. He concealed it in case someone stumbled upon it lying on his desk. He crafted the perfect lie to keep them from being sad and to leave without any issues. Thus, he resolved to reveal the situation at dinner instead of departing in the morning and leaving a letter behind. He stepped out of his room to attend to the final tasks before potentially bidding farewell to this world. And if he was late in retrieving it, perhaps he could return and confess that it was all a lie, and he would wait and prepare for the event before setting off. -- To be continued -- ?? Preparation for infiltration. [2] [13th April 2024] In Evan''s apartment, he descends the stairs to the ground floor where his aunt and uncle reside. Approaching the apartment door, he enters to find Jason scrutinizing some papers, while Rossy is busy preparing dinner. "Hi, Jason, could you call Evan for dinner? It''s nearly ready," Rossy requests, continuing her tasks. "Sure, I''ll call him down once I''m done with these papers," Jason responds, not looking up from his reading. "No need, Aunt, I''m already here," announces Evan, catching the couple by surprise. "Oh, Evan! We didn''t hear you come in, so I asked him to call you," Rossy explains, equally surprised by his silent entrance. "Don''t worry, Aunt, it happens. And remember, you''re not getting any younger," Evan remarks stoically. "Hey now, I''m far too youthful to be old," Rossy retorts, boasting of her beauty. "Alright, ''Miss Queen,'' less talk, more dinner, please. I''ve got work to do," Jason interjects, slightly annoyed by their banter. "Oh my God, you''re such a bad uncle, Jason. Can''t you see that when an aunt and her child are talking, you shouldn''t interrupt?" Rossy said in her childish voice, causing Evan to giggle briefly before stopping. Rossy noticed his reaction, as she was well aware that her antics often made him laugh. "Evan, are you okay, child? You seem a bit down today," she said, cupping his cheeks in her hands. "Oh yes, don''t worry, Aunt. I''m fine, just tired from cleaning the room, that''s all," Evan replied, stepping back from her embrace. "Well, that''s alright then. Let me serve the food I made for you since you cleaned your room all by yourself. It''s your favorite," she said, attempting to break the silence. "Okay, let me help you," Evan offered, but she refused and firmly seated him at the dining table. After serving, they both began to eat, finishing quickly and in silence, as Jason preferred it that way. He was quite the military type, who liked everything in order, just like in the army. But Rossy was the only one who could manage him and help him lead a normal life. After finishing his meal, he decided it was time to share the fabricated story he had concocted. "Umm... Aunt, Uncle, there''s something I need to discuss with you both," he said, as Rossy, who had just returned from doing the dishes, sat down, looking puzzled. "Did something happen?" she inquired, to which Evan quickly replied in the negative. "No, I wanted to talk about an incident that occurred during my meeting with the friend I mentioned earlier," he explained, seeing their confusion and deciding to elaborate. "The thing is, my friend I met today encountered a couple who claimed they are my biological parents, and now they intend to visit tomorrow to take me to another kingdom," he revealed, leaving both listeners in a state of shock.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. "What? You mean your parents who abandoned you at the orphanage?" Rossy asked, her mind in turmoil. "Yes, and it seems I may have to leave tomorrow morning," Evan clarified. "Okay, Evan, this is sudden, but are you certain they are your parents?" Jason asked, more composed than Rossy, who was now breaking down in tears. "Yes, I''ve confirmed it. They even provided proof over the phone, such as details about my birthmark and the exact day I was left at the orphanage," Evan stated, having prepared his story in advance. "Oh, so you didn''t meet them and only talked to them on the phone. Do you have their number? I would like to talk to them," Jason asked directly, wanting to track them down and possibly negotiate to prevent them from taking Evan away, as he couldn''t bear to see his wife in such a state. "Yes, but you won''t be able to reach them. My father mentioned that his phone would be turned off, and he would only contact me on the number I provided," Evan explained as he handed over the number, which was originally his friend James'' number that had been stolen, and he had forgotten to deactivate. "You''re right, it''s off, but why did they shut it down? Are they involved in something illegal?" he inquired, still skeptical. "They might be bad people, Evan. You shouldn''t go with them. You can stay with us as long as you like. I will love you as if you were my own child," Rossy said, her face flushed red and tears spilling onto the floor. "Dear, calm down. Let''s listen to what he has to say, and then we''ll decide," Jason interjected, signaling Evan to continue. "Yes, my parents were pursued by a prominent noble family over some matter, which is why they fled. Now that the issue has settled, they''ve returned to take me with them," Evan revealed what he believed to be the truth, but the question remained whether they would listen. In the memories he received from his past selves, a consistent theme emerged: his parents returned after two years, and they reunited to live together. He had no desire to part with any of them, forming a large family where Evan was the only child. These were the good times he yearned to relive, but the invasions occurred twice, and he was compelled to leave as they were unstoppable. Indeed, he spoke the truth, and in two years, the truth would be revealed, possibly allowing both families to coexist until his return. "Why can''t they see us happy now? Why do they want to ruin my life? God, have you no sympathy for this woman?" Rossy cried out, looking skyward. "Dear, compose yourself; we mustn''t fall apart, as it might prevent him from leaving," Jason implored, his eyes welling with tears. "Let him stay; I can''t bear to let him go," Rossy pleaded amidst her sobs. "Aunt, I don''t wish to leave either, but I also long to meet my parents. Don''t worry, I will try to return to you with them, and perhaps we can be one big family," Evan attempted to console her, which inadvertently intensified her weeping. An hour and a half later, Rossy ceased her tears and regained composure. After pondering over everything, she consented to the plan. "Listen, Evan, they may be your parents, but I will remain your only mother, and no one can take that right from me. Please come back to us as soon as you can," she said, regaining her composure as she realized she couldn''t prevent him from leaving. Who would stop a child from meeting his biological parents, even if they had cared for him for only a few years? Perhaps it would be different if he had been with them since birth, but Evan had come to them only three years ago. "I must go now, as I need to wake up early in the morning," he said, walking out of the room, leaving them both behind. Rosy began to cry again, sitting next to Jason, who was now also saddened. "Dear, can''t we stop him? He should legally be ours," Rosy said, still not wanting to let him go, yet she pretended to be okay for his sake. "No, Rose, we can''t. The child needs to be with them, and the story is true, as Wilson confirmed what Evan told me. Besides, he promised he would return to live with us, so there''s no need to worry," Jason said, comforting her. "But still, as a mother, can''t I stop him from going? And what if his mother decides not to let him come here?" Rossy said, while Jason was unable to respond to her concern. -- To be continued -- Author''s Note: Hey guys, the author here. Let me know how you like the chapter and if my emotional scene is well-executed or not, as this is my first attempt at writing such a scene in both of my books. Preparation for infiltration. [3/last] [13th April 2024] As Jason and Rossy discussed him, Evan moved towards his apartment, his pace slow, as if weighed down by heavy thoughts. He felt an urge to halt, yet the path he trod was a one-way route with no return; a single misstep could spell his doom, leaving him unable to rejoin the life he yearned for with them. Despite this, he knew he must proceed and repay those who had given him so much¡ªeven if what he received was the fruit of his own labor, they had first bestowed upon him the talents he now possessed. Contemplating these thoughts, he arrived at his room and entered. He performed a few minor tasks and decided to retire early, anticipating a lengthy day ahead. However, sleep eluded him; his eyes were devoid of any hint of fatigue, as if his rest had been stolen. "Ahhh, come on, brain, let me sleep," he implored, squeezing his eyes shut in a vain attempt to drift off. Even then, he couldn''t fall asleep, so he decided to drink some water. After returning to bed to try once more, another interruption came: the need to use the bathroom, having just consumed two full one-liter bottles of water. After attending to his needs, he returned to bed and lay down to sleep. This time, it worked; as soon as he lay down, he drifted off into a deep sleep filled with distant, sweet dreams that he longed to remember, yet something prevented him from doing so. He let it go and continued to observe the dreams of his past. "I will... protect you... I promise," he murmured in his sleep, saliva escaping his mouth in the midnight silence, speaking to someone dear to him. A single tear, precious as a jewel, trickled from his eye following these words, silencing him once more. And that''s how he spent the entire night, lost in sleep talk. [14th April 2024] At six o''clock sharp in the morning, Evan''s phone alarm went off, its ringtone blaring to wake him. Initially, it was a nuisance, but he quickly opened his eyes, remembering the significance of the day. Today was the most important day of his life, a potential turning point. Missing it could spell the beginning of his downfall, potentially increasing his mortality rate by forty percent. He rose immediately, without any hesitation, and made his way to the bathroom to prepare for the day. Following the script was essential; he couldn''t just leave as he was. He needed to convince his aunt and uncle that he was truly going to meet his biological parents. After entering the bathroom, he emerged a few minutes later, bathed and dressed in new clothes.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Today, he had chosen attire suitable for infiltrating the factory; jeans or tight clothing wouldn''t work, so he opted for trousers and a long-sleeved t-shirt to conceal the device. The machine was perfectly hidden within the sleeves, and he was ready to leave his room after putting on his shoes. Before stepping outside, he gathered some important items: his written letters and the old phone he had used before his arrival, as he didn''t want to be tracked after his departure, knowing his uncle might attempt to locate him. He switched the SIM card from his new phone to the old one and decided to return it to his aunt, as he might not have the chance to pass it to Jason. Descending the stairs, he found his aunt sweeping the floor absentmindedly, repeatedly cleaning the same spot. He approached her, breaking her trance. "Hi Aunt, what are you doing?" Evan inquired, as she emerged from her daze. "Oh Evan, sorry, I was just lost in thought. You''re here, come in and have your breakfast," she responded, noticing his casual attire. "No, Aunt, I''m actually here to say that I''m leaving and to leave some things for you, and perhaps for my friend who might come looking for me after I''ve left," he explained, as a wave of sadness washed over Rosy''s face. "Can''t you come in for one last breakfast?" she implored, fighting back tears. "I''m sorry, Aunt, I would like to, but my parents said we''re leaving the kingdom at exactly seven-thirty this morning. Don''t worry, there will be many more breakfasts for us to share. Don''t you believe I''ll come back home or is your trust in me fading?" he attempted to lighten the mood, but it only intensified her sorrow as tears streamed down her face. "No, I am sure you will be back, but can''t you take this phone with you? It might serve as a memory," she said, sobbing heavily. "Aunt, listen, some things are given to remember those we may not meet again in this lifetime, but I promise I will return. And don''t worry, there won''t be a single day I won''t miss you both," Evan replied, now emotional himself, as he prepared to say farewell. "Okay, goodbye then. I''m leaving, and please give my regards to uncle," he said as he began walking towards the exit. Rossy could only watch him leave, their shared memories flooding her vision. But her reverie was broken once more when Evan called out to her. "Aunt Rossy, listen, I won''t say this again... I will miss you, Mom. And please give my regards to Dad. I love you both immensely. Don''t be sad; I will find a way to come back," Evan shouted with all his might as he dashed through the main gate, tears streaming down his face, his figure vanishing into the street. Then the apartment door opened, and Jason, who had overheard everything, stepped out, tears in his eyes. He slowly approached his wife, who was still sobbing as she gazed in the direction of the gate. Yet, amidst her sobbing, there was a difference in one aspect. On her tear-streaked face was a smile, forced and unfitting. "What happened, dear? Let''s go inside; he''s already gone," he said as he began to lead her inside But before he could do so, she pulled him into a tight hug and buried her face in his chest. "Dear, he called me Mom and you Dad. Now I''m sure that our son will come back, even if he''s in hell," she said, now with some confidence that Evan would return. "Yes, you''re right. After all these years, he finally called us Mom and Dad. Then he has to return," Jason said, also very happy about this small yet significant development. It may seem trivial to us, but for a child who hasn''t called his adoptive parents ''Mom'' and ''Dad'' even after many years, to say it while leaving means he will come back. Now, they genuinely have a place in his heart, and no one betrays their words to those who are of great importance to them. And if they do, remember that person doesn''t hold you in their heart. -- To be continued -- A/N: Hi guys, how did you like the chapter? Let me know in the comments and also get ready for the crazy next chapter ahead. Plan deviations and issues on either side. [14th April 2024] While Evan dashed out of his house in the morning, another individual also emerged from his home, though his reasons were unclear. However, they shared the same destination: the abandoned factory. The second person approaching the factory was none other than Rey Dragonstorm, our sidekick, who was headed there for reasons unknown. Meanwhile, inside the factory, a different kind of chaos was unfolding. The thugs were being berated by their boss, Jacob, who was yelling at them for reasons unknown. "You are all such incompetent fools; I''ve been raising you for years, and yet you can''t complete a single task," he bellowed in frustration. "Tell me, did that kid or his friend show up at their school or not?" Jacob demanded, inquiring about two teenagers. And perhaps both you and I know who he is referring to. Yes, they are Rey and Evan, who are now approaching him or this area. "Boss, we''ve left some people behind to watch the kids'' house and have discovered that neither of them went home today. One even mentioned that the friends of that thief kid left while crying, possibly due to a fight with the parents or something," one of them reported as he relayed all the information, he received from his comrade who was keeping an eye on Evan. "Oh, so means that the rat is already on its way toward our trap huh. Just catch him up and take him to me when he is alone in public as I don''t want any issue and when got that other kid, then after taking what he stole from him. Add both of them to the batch and send them away as maybe they will be happy with two more resource." Jacob said with a devilish face as he went back and all those also went to their post of security as today the shipment of order was about to be dispatch tonight. A group of thugs decided to kidnap another child for leverage. They rushed off toward the location where his accomplice had seen him. Meanwhile, Evan was sitting in a park that was mostly deserted except for a few passersby. "I''ll have to hide all day from my loved ones and head to that place under cover of darkness to avoid detection," Evan muttered to himself as he sat cautiously. Unbeknownst to him, he had already attracted the attention of some individuals who had been observing him for a while. If you''re wondering why he left at this time instead of the evening, it''s because he suspected that his aunt or uncle might insist on accompanying him to bid farewell, which he wanted to avoid. So, he chose to leave in the morning and wait until nightfall. He needed to stay vigilant and avoid being recognized by anyone familiar, such as his aunt and uncle, or any schoolmates, staff, or neighbors. Neighbors may be deceived, but his family and friends will not be. Deciding to seek solitude, he wandered the park until he found a sparsely populated spot. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. There, the benches were spaced far apart from each other. He took out his phone, having already inserted the SIM card for optimal performance. As he closed the case and turned it on, messages flooded in from his aunt and his friend James. Engrossed in his phone, he failed to notice that he had been under surveillance for quite some time. Indeed, they were the men Jacob had assigned to monitor him. Initially alone, now several had joined the first after being informed of his whereabouts. Unbeknownst to Evan, his desire for this place, and all his efforts to reach it, might have been destiny''s design. He was absorbed in watching videos when abruptly, one of the thugs approached and stood before him. Initially, Evan didn''t notice the person, but his gaze was drawn to their legs. As he looked up, the figure threw a strange chemical at his face. Evan, who was seated, was taken aback and tried to dodge the liquid, but it was too fast, and it splashed onto his face. "What the hell, dude? You think this is a prank?" Evan shouted, standing up aggressively to confront him. But suddenly, his legs weakened, and a wave of dizziness clouded his vision. He was startled and tried to keep his eyes open, but sadly, he couldn''t and fell back onto the bench. The man who threw the object signaled his comrades to come and take him. They approached and, with great effort, lifted him like they were carrying away a patient. When nearby people noticed and asked what happened, they explained that they had found him asleep and couldn''t wake him, even after sprinkling water on his face. The onlookers saw the water droplets on his t-shirt and believed their story, allowing them to leave. They easily took him to their car, placed him in the back seat, and started driving towards the factory where their boss had requested this man. "Well, today''s work was quite easy, wasn''t it?" one remarked, sitting beside Evan, who was now asleep. "Yes, because this guy couldn''t even resist. The chemical they gave us is so potent that normal people lose consciousness within a few seconds, and martial warriors of lower stages take at least a few minutes," the other said while driving. Unbeknownst to them, the man they had apprehended was armed with a weapon. They arrived at the location and entered through the back gate. Dragging him out, they threw him into the factory to present him to their boss. Jacob, seething with anger, glanced at his henchmen and the man they had brought in, who was being carried like a hefty sack of grain. "Oh, so you''ve completed your task, huh? Good, good," Jacob remarked as he observed the boy''s face, who was now sleeping as if without a care in the world. "How much did you spray on him?" he inquired, as the thugs turned to the one who had done the spraying. "Boss, I sprayed just a bit, like a spit on him. Maybe he''ll wake up soon," he replied, prompting Jacob to nod and order them to tie the man to a chair. Yet, the machine remained uncaptured, and they left him there alone. Meanwhile, outside, a teenager was attempting to peer over the factory walls, seemingly in search of something. And if someone were to see him, they might recognize him as Rey, who was now carrying a large bag and beginning to walk towards the back of the factory walls, perhaps in search of something. But Rey was unaware that his friend Evan was being held hostage inside, and there was a slim chance he might find and even rescue him from the clutches of the thugs. -- To be continued -- Author''s Note: Apologies if you find this chapter a bit rushed; I''m just too excited for the upcoming parts where he gets teleported. Stay tuned! It''s too exciting to miss, so make sure to add it to your library to get notified as soon as possible. Chaotic surrounding and escape. [1] [14th April 2024] While Evan was bound and captured inside the factory, outside, Rey, who was attempting to peek inside, walked towards the factory''s rear. {Rey''s POV} "Hey, where are you going? Isn''t the entrance over there?" someone called out to me as I made my way to the back. "Can''t you keep quiet for just a minute, Aiden? I''m heading towards the route I used in the past when I took you away from here," I retorted to the spirit that had been pestering me for some time now, which I had acquired by mistake. And, by some coincidence, this spirit claimed to be a god relic, and his former host was a god king, meaning the deity who ruled above all other gods. I couldn''t believe that a god''s weapon would be here in our small world. "Oh, now I see, huh? Good, let''s hurry before someone gets to Zero," Aiden remarked, circling around me, which only added to my irritation. "Okay, we''re going to save her, but who is she that you''re risking our lives for?" I asked him, as he always talked about rescuing her from others'' grasp as if once, they had her, there would be no way to retrieve her. "Don''t think of her as just some ordinary thing, okay kid? She is the greatest creation, surpassing all relics, even me and my other friend. She is the true embodiment of power," Aiden said, as I mimicked him, mocking his tone. "Okay, so if she''s the strongest, then why did your previous host die?" I posed the logical question: if someone possesses the strongest item in the world, then why did the host die? If he died, then surely, she wasn''t powerful enough to protect him. "Well, I can''t remember that. Just listen and don''t ask, kid. I said she''s powerful, and that''s that," Aiden retorted, climbing over me as if trying to intimidate me. "Alright, then shut your zero grimoire and tell me, should I wear those things now or do you want me to wear them later?" I asked, setting down the heavy suitcase and looking at him. "Wear it now, we have to go inside," Aiden instructed, and I nodded, deciding to don the gear. After removing the items from the suitcase, I put them all on, donning the guard gear and finally the long coat he had brought for me, for an added touch of coolness. "So, how do I look?" I asked as I showed him the suit. "The clothes are fine, but the donkey inside is ruining the picture," Aiden joked. "Alright, quiet down. I need to focus completely to sneak in silently and steal the item you requested," I said, suppressing my anger.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. "Okay, if you insist, but perhaps I have a better idea," Aiden suggested, leaving me confused. Without responding, I first entered through the gap in the metal wire fence. "What''s your plan?" I inquired, noticing his grin as he watched the guards overseeing the main building. "Just a bit of a ''cutting the cake'' scene, so close your eyes and enjoy the thrill," Aiden replied, which only added to my confusion. "Cake? What do you mean by ''close my eyes and see the thrill''?" I questioned. Before I could act, I lost control of my body and felt my consciousness sinking into dark waters. I attempted to call out to him but received no answer. When light returned, all I saw was a white room¡ªa stark space enclosed by walls. I attempted to call for help, but my mind went blank thereafter. Scanning the area for an escape, I fortuitously discovered a door with a pure white handle, invisible to the naked eye. It blended so seamlessly into the surroundings that I would have overlooked it had I not felt it with my hands. I tried to open it, but it wouldn''t budge, yet I persisted over and over again. My arms grew weary from the effort, but I didn''t cease; this was my only exit. Surprisingly, the knob held firm despite the repeated attempts. Just when I was about to give up, the door swung open, revealing a dark space beyond. I was reluctant to enter, but a sudden suction force pulled me out of the room. I was engulfed by darkness and, a moment later, found myself back in my own world, with Aiden stretching casually before me as if he had just finished a light workout. "What happened to me, and where was I?" I demanded, knowing he had some insight, but he merely shrugged. "It''s nothing. I just borrowed your body to get us inside the body, and look, we''ve arrived," he explained nonchalantly, pointing to the window he had used earlier. "Okay, but I remember someone was guarding here, right? Where is he now?" I asked, looking confused. "Ah, I lured them away and put them to sleep¡ªa very deep sleep," Aiden explained. I didn''t quite grasp his words, but I let it be, knowing this old man''s penchant for turning straightforward talk into riddles. "Why are we wasting time? Let''s go inside before someone sees us," he urged. I nodded and climbed in carefully, avoiding the broken glass shards. {End of POV} At a distance from where Aiden and Rey entered the building, several people lay on the ground. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, except for a suspicious red liquid seeping from them. Yes, it was blood, and they were now in an eternal slumber, likely Aiden''s doing. Who was he, really? A deity, a relic spirit, or someone else? (To find out, come and read my other book.) Meanwhile, Rey ventured deeper into the factory. Some time later... In a corner, Evan was tied to a chair. His eyelashes began to flutter, and his eyes slowly regained focus and clarity. He was coming to, as the effects of the drug wore off. -- To be continued -- A/N: Hi guys and these are just some few chapters of the world planet blue star so be patient and just follow me by adding it to your library or anything just stay tuned as you know my life, ''The real thrill is just ahead''. Chaotic surrounding and escape. [2/last] [14th April 2024] As our audacious thief Rey, possibly, entered the main building of the factory to retrieve something called ''Zero'', alongside his so-called trusted ally Aiden, the scene shifts. Sometime later, Evan began to stir, gradually waking from the effects of the medicine. His eyes now open, albeit half-lidded and struggling to focus, his mind raced at full speed. The surroundings were unfamiliar, not the park he recalled being in while watching a video. Then it hit him ¨C a man had thrown something at his face, and he had fallen into a forced sleep. The possibility of abduction dawned on him, recalling recent news of numerous missing people reports with no subsequent contact from the kidnappers to the victims'' families. It appeared that this could be the workings of a high-profile criminal mastermind or the actions of a psychopath. He was now frightened, realizing that if this was true, he was heading into a dire situation. However, he noticed that the place seemed familiar, as if he had been here before, but not in this lifetime, perhaps in a past one. After racking his brain, he remembered that it was the same factory he needed to visit and felt a surge of relief, thinking the kidnapper might have inadvertently made his task easier. He was about to activate his hidden device when a tapping sound began to echo nearby, growing louder with each passing second, signaling someone''s approach. He chose to feign unconsciousness. /TAP/ /TAP/ /TAP/ ~~~~~~ The tapping ceased as a large shadow loomed over Evan, who longed to see who it was but dared not, fearing the kidnapper would notice. His pretense was short-lived when the figure spoke, startling him. "Are you going to open your eyes on your own, or do you need me to do it for you?" the figure taunted. Evan, shocked, remained still, wondering if he had been detected. "Oh, a tough one, huh? Let''s see how long you can keep this up after I break a few of your fingers," the figure threatened. Just as he was about to bend Evan''s finger, Evan''s eyes flew open in a panic, not wanting to endure any pain just as he was about to escape. "Oh, so Mr. Actor has finally finished his act, huh? Good, good, that makes my work easier," he said, intertwining his fingers. "Who are you, and why have you kidnapped me?" Evan asked, feigning fear, yet he was not the same Evan as before; with memories of a past life, he was now braver and more mature. "Ah, my bad. My name is Jacob, the leader of this gang. Sorry, kid, I didn''t want to kidnap you, but one of your friends stole something from me. Now, both of you will pay the price as I''ll use you to lure him here," said Jacob, the boss. His build was impressive; he stood at five feet eleven with muscles perfectly defined, and a self-inflicted scar on one side of his forehead made him the epitome of a villain. He looked exactly like a third-rate boss from a novel. "Huh, which friend? Oh, sorry sir, perhaps you''ve kidnapped the wrong person. I only have two friends, and neither is a thief. Even if one hid this from me, we would have known something," Evan replied casually, thinking there might have been a misunderstanding. "Oh, so maybe my people kidnapped the wrong person, huh?" Jacob said with a deadly smile. Evan was just nodding when a punch hit his chest, sending his chair tumbling backward. "Ahhhhh~~~~~~~~~~," he screamed in pain. His memories might be adapted to pain, but his body was too weak to endure it. Now trembling, Evan felt the pain ripple through him from Jacob''s single punch. "So, you still deny it? Huh, why don''t I just show you, his picture?" Jacob said as he took out a photo and instructed his goons to stand Evan''s chair back up, which was on the ground. "See and tell me if that''s your friend or not," Jacob said as he showed him the picture of Rey, but the picture was half-bent, making it difficult to see in full. ''Huhhh~~~ I shouldn''t tell them he''s, my friend; if I do, they might try to find him and James. I''ll make up a lie and find my own way out of here,'' he thought, deciding to deceive them.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. "Sir, his name is Bator, and he is not my friend; I''ve never met him in my life," Evan lied, hoping to protect both himself and Rey. "Oh, so you mean you don''t know him, huh? Well, if my memory serves me correctly, this boy''s name is Rey. Didn''t you see the whole picture? Look, he could be your twin," Jacob said as he revealed the hidden photo showing both him and James, causing Evan''s eyes to widen in shock. "Trying to play both sides, huh? Trying to be a hero, huh?" he said as he slapped his palm on Evan''s head, causing him to fall back with his chair and hit the ground. ''Hahhhh, sorry Rey, I wasn''t able... to... help... you...'' he thought as he lost consciousness again. "Hey, check if he''s dead or alive, and notify me if he is because I still have something to ask him," Jacob ordered upon seeing some blood coming from Evan''s ear as he passed out again. "Okay, boss," the men replied as Jacob walked away, leaving Evan''s unconscious body behind. After an indeterminate amount of time, Evan began to regain consciousness, feeling a throbbing pain in his head. His eyes snapped open, and he found himself still seated in the chair. However, this time, the surroundings were far from silent; objects were strewn across the floor, and two men were engaged in a fight. One was Jacob, as he recalled, but the other was shrouded in a mask and other coverings, with a long coat trailing down to his knees. He resembled a concealed hero, akin to Ba#m&n. {We all know who that is.} Instead of a gun, he wielded a small blade, reminiscent of a dagger from a game. Uncertain of what had transpired, he knew that escaping the chaos would be advantageous. He was about to draw his blade when the hero-like figure came hurtling towards him, crashing into him and sending both Evan and himself tumbling to the ground. The masked man stood up, wincing in pain, while Evan remained trapped in the chair, unable to rise, the tugging sensation growing unbearably intense as the stranger drew nearer. It felt as though something was beckoning him, urging him to come forth and claim it, yet it wasn''t one of the men. He sensed it was ensnared within something, longing for him to release it. Despite this, Evan had no desire to discover it and began using his blade to sever the ropes binding his hands. {A couple of eons earlier~~~~~~~~} As Evan lay knocked out for round two, a secret spectator was witnessing the drama¡ªRey. He watched his buddy take a beating but was stuck on the sidelines, thanks to Aiden''s grip keeping him from jumping into the fray. Rey witnessed the moment Evan pretended not to recognize him to protect him, yet he was still discovered and assaulted. Aiden restrained Rey, suggesting they find Zero before returning, but Rey chose to help Evan instead. He found what he believed to be Zero and proceeded to aid his friend. Rey was just freeing his hands from the chair when Jacob appeared, and a fierce battle ensued. Rey and Jacob were fighting, or rather, Rey was mostly evading and fleeing from Jacob''s attacks. Aiden urged Rey to draw his weapon, but Rey was frightened of using it. Nevertheless, he drew it to defend and assist his friend. In doing so, he received a direct jab to the chest and was sent flying towards Evan. Rey was ready to fight again, unaware that Evan had regained consciousness. {End of backstory} Evan had already cut his ropes and noticed that the battle between the two men was ongoing. As he was escaping, a voice pierced his ears, pleading, ''Wait, come and get me. I can help you.'' It repeated over and over. Evan''s mind was overwhelmed by the voice, and he nearly returned to its source, but his past memories steadied him. He felt sorry for the voice but ran away, and fortunately, the voice ceased, perhaps realizing he would not return for it. Now in a different section of the factory, surrounded by cardboard boxes filled with various discarded items, Evan began searching for the object he was instructed to find. The sounds of cursing and thuds continued in the distance. Growing impatient, he finally discovered it: a small, spherical metallic object with a spike protruding from one side. Overjoyed, Evan knew he could now leave for the true challenge ahead. His efforts today were not in vain; he had secured the item needed to proceed. He made his decision and pressed his thumb against the pointed, needle-like object. As he squeezed, his blood oozed out, dripping into the sphere, activating it. A suction force began to generate, absorbing something Evan recognized instantly: Mana. It was mana that was invading his world, the same mana that would grant him the power to return and save his family and friends. As the suction ceased, the sphere shattered, and Evan felt a tremendous pull towards an unknown force, vanishing from the spot where he had just stood. "Goodbye, my world. I will return soon enough," he uttered as his final words to this world before his departure. He left behind his friend, who now lay beneath a rack, bleeding, yet perhaps it was not his destiny to die. Sometimes miracles happen to save the righteous, or perhaps not. (The fate of Rey can only be discovered in my other book, so go check it out; it''s just as captivating.) -- To be continued -- A/N: Hello, everyone. The final scene of the Blue Star planet has concluded, and the new world, which is the main setting of our story, is about to be unveiled. Please look forward to the most thrilling part of the novel. It will be posted tomorrow, so goodbye and sleep well if you''re reading this at night. Arrival [1] Just as Evan began to teleport, an unforeseen event occurred. Previously, he had escaped from the Blue Star without issue, as the planet was fully assimilated with external mana. However, this time, perhaps One and Grim¡ªthe two thrones out of ten¡ªfailed to account for something, leading to significant complications. Evan was meant to be separated from his body, which would be preserved in a teleportation relic until his return to Earth. But this time, a problem arose just as he was about to be transferred from his planet. His body was suspended in the void for a few milliseconds, causing irreparable destruction. His body was too fragile to withstand even a moment in the void, subjecting him to an agonizing ordeal. His soul was on the brink of annihilation in the void when the teleportation process stabilized, allowing him to escape. Now, Evan faced two outcomes: the unfortunate destruction of his body in the void, and the fortunate resilience of his soul, which remained intact but weakened¡ªa condition that would heal as he embarked on his journey. He was still in shock, unable to recall entering this state during teleportation, and though he didn''t understand why, he decided to inquire if they remembered it. If someone wonders why it''s taking so long, they should understand that he is traveling from his cosmos to another, navigating through different levels of voids. The items were utilized to ensure his safe teleportation from one place to another, free from interference, as there are many dangers lurking within the voids. After what felt like minutes or perhaps hours¡ªsince time was indefinable here¡ªhe sensed his entry into a different existence, possibly the cosmos he aimed for. In seconds, he found himself drawn into a vessel, presumably the body he was about to inhabit. Minutes later, he settled into his new form. Ready to embark on his journey, he opened his eyes to survey his surroundings, and what he saw astonished him. Upon transferring into the new body, his first action was to check himself. After all, he recalled a novel where the main character accidentally ended up in a girl''s body due to a mishap, a fate he was eager to avoid. He then surveyed his surroundings and found himself in a small room, reminiscent of his previous one, albeit with items scattered in different locations. He was engulfed in nostalgia, pondering whether his life would change after arriving here, yet perhaps destiny had other plans for him.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. As he glanced around the room, a sudden numbness overtook his brain, signaling the imminent event. He swiftly grabbed a pillow, stuffed it into his mouth as forcefully as possible, and lay on the bed, bracing for the impact. Ah, the familiar aftermath of transmigration, which you seem to have forgotten. Well, let me enlighten you. It''s the memory integration phase, dear fast reader¡ªif that''s what you are; if not, never mind. He was on the verge of receiving the memories as Evan''s soul assumed control of the body, while the original soul was integrated¡ªor devoured, if you will¡ªunknowingly by him. This wasn''t the first time; his soul had already consumed three innocent souls, claiming their bodies. Perhaps they were freed to live anew. The process commenced, and the man''s entire life unfolded and embedded itself in Evan''s mind as if he had lived those eighteen years himself. The ordeal was mentally exhausting, yet inescapable. Without it, he would be a complete outsider here. Rising from the bed, he gathered his thoughts about his newfound knowledge. He began to feel as though his entire existence in the Blue Star was an illusion, and this reality was the truth. However, he knew this was merely a transient thought that would soon pass. He decided to see his new face and walked towards the mirror. Not finding it there, he remembered he was in a new world and proceeded to the bathroom. The bathroom was smaller than his own in the Blue Star. As he contemplated its size, his gaze fell upon the mirror, revealing the face of a boy he now considered his own. Initially, he couldn''t recognize himself and almost thought it was someone else, but the blending memories in his mind were taking effect, and with time, he began to accept the reflection as his own. The boy in the mirror had brown hair and the same eye color as his previous body, and coincidentally, the facial structure was similar, albeit slightly altered, or perhaps it was the memory mix-up that made it seem so. Unsure, he set those thoughts aside and began examining his entire body, accepting that this was the form he would inhabit until his end, especially since his original body was, regrettably, beyond repair. {If you''re interested in the character designs of Rey and Evan, be sure to check out the auxiliary chapters I''ve just posted. Hurry and take a look!} This guy''s body wasn''t highly trained but was quite decent compared to his original body. This kid had been living in a world brimming with mana since birth, and even the mother who bore him possessed mana. However, the real issue was that this guy didn''t have a trace of mana in his body, possibly because he hadn''t undergone his awakening. Perhaps Evan was fortunate that today was the day he was supposed to awaken, but Evan intervened and took control of his body. -- To be continued -- A/N: Hello, guys! I hope you enjoy the chapter and take a moment to view the images of some characters I''ve uploaded. Goodbye, and take care. Arrival [2] [14th Everdusk 2103] Today could be the day when this body''s owner might become a hero, or remain a mere pedestrian struggling to survive, while those who have awakened to a higher class may change their lives forever. The legendary awakening is upon us, where individuals will receive their class and fight to survive in this cursed world. Peace is a myth; the only truth is the battle for supremacy. "My mind is starting to resemble that of a villain," Evan muttered as he gathered his thoughts, memories flooding in, and walked out of the bathroom to sit on the bed. ''It''s quite the coincidence, but perhaps it''s a promising beginning for me,'' he pondered, contemplating the abilities he acquired in this new body. {Evan''s POV} In the world named Ceruleth, reminiscent of the worlds in his earlier works, a cataclysm struck eighty-three years ago in 2020, characterized by an influx of mana that altered the fabric of reality. This disaster gave rise to innumerable spatial anomalies, plunging the world into chaos and heralding the appearance of the first dungeon. The world expanded exponentially beyond its former scale, devastating civilizations and leaving a mere ten percent of the land intact. To illustrate, this remnant would have equated to half of the world before the invasion, highlighting the enormity of the expansion. In the aftermath, the world lay in ruins, giving rise to hunters or raiders¡ªhumans who harnessed the power of mana. These individuals embarked on a mission to reclaim their lands, yet the formidable might of the monsters and otherworldly beings meant they could only hold territories they were capable of defending. This ongoing battle shaped the geopolitical landscape we recognize today. The formation of countries was also influenced by the system, which rewarded the awakened with territories impervious to new rifts, leading to the establishment of nations under their dominion. Nevertheless, many chose comfort over command, trading their lands for a life of luxury guaranteed by the government in exchange for land security. This led to the government, an amalgamation of pre-existing national entities, gaining control over ninety percent of these lands. This pivotal moment heralded the inception of the Ceruleth Global Association (CGA), while the remaining lands allied together. Those who opposed the collective governance and sought sovereignty either perished or vanished into obscurity. Over time, the world advanced, and after years of innovation, it birthed talents that launched humanity into a groundbreaking epoch: the era of spatial teleportation.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. It was said that the spatial rifts emerging in our world were of two types: one was a small area known as a dungeon, and the other was an entire world, possibly many times larger than our own expanded realm. It was believed that if one could master these rifts independently, their development would be amplified exponentially. This became a reality twenty years after the rifts'' discovery, when control¡ªor rather, a connection¡ªwas finally established. The second type of rift, however, posed a challenge due to its transient nature, often lasting only a few months or days, resulting in many becoming lost within. Subsequent experiments led to a breakthrough, allowing territories to sustain the rifts, ushering in a new era for humanity. This enabled encounters with other species and the discovery of Nexus, a world divided into numerous expanses. This revelation fueled humanity''s inherent desire to explore, more so than any other species. Thus began a new chapter, yet the world remained in a nascent state, with less than fifteen percent of the land claimed. Let''s delve into the story of Evan Ravencall, an orphan since the age of ten when his parents were slain defending the gates of Block Three, or so the tale goes in this land. Evan, their sole child, was left to fend for himself until the guild his parents belonged to offered him sanctuary. They provided him with an apartment, funds for survival, and the chance to attend an average school¡ªessentials for any child''s upbringing. The guild''s decision was influenced by his parents'' status as Peak Evolved warriors on the cusp of a significant breakthrough. Had they been allowed to utilize the trial or so-called advancement room; they would have achieved high status. Alas, destiny had other plans, and they departed this world, leaving Evan alone. The guild had one condition for Evan: he must join them as soon as he reached or surpassed a C rank class or demonstrated a unique or exceptional ability. A contract was drawn, and the astute young Evan signed it, securing his future. With no expiration on this agreement, Evan resolved to ally with the guild until he gained enough strength to depart¡ªa cunning plan, some might say. But Evan harbored reservations; rumors swirled that the guild engaged in nefarious deeds, such as extorting local merchants and harming innocents¡ªactivities Evan wished to avoid at all costs. This Evan, a solitary figure, had perfected the art of loneliness, surpassing even the thrones in their meticulous work. He harbored no desire for companionship, fearing the pain of abandonment he associated with his parents. In his mind, friends were potential liabilities, openings for enemies to exploit. Thus, he embraced the path of the lone wolf, finding solace in the thought that his solitude would spare others from grief at his potential demise. My initial instinct was to sever any ties that might form, as my line of work left no room for the vulnerabilities that friendships could bring. The more allies one has, the more targets for one''s enemies. Solitude meant that if I were to fall, there would be no one left to mourn, a grim comfort for mine. Rejecting the notion that ''family is my power,'' I focused on his personal growth, seeking to quickly ascend from the base tier that offered me no advantage. Prepared for the challenges ahead, I suddenly realized his equipment was missing. I had distinct memories of arming himself for the journey ahead. "Hi system, are you there? Hello, answer me. Have I been scammed?" I questioned in a moment of panic, which soon gave way to calm as I considered that the system might only manifest after my awakening. As I settled into a state of relaxation, a series of knocks disrupted the silence, each one less welcoming than the last. /Knock/ /Knock/ /Knock/ -- To be continued -- A/N: Hi everyone, I''m glad to hear how much you''ve enjoyed the chapters. I would also love to know if you like the way I''ve presented my world''s story. Please leave a comment if you think the storyline is engaging. Arrival [3] [14th Everdusk 2103] "Hi kid, open the door, or you know the consequences of being late," someone called from outside the apartment door. Even though Evan didn''t recognize the voice, his memory reminded him who was likely to come at this time. /Knock//Knock//Knock/ "Coming, wait a second," Evan replied, making a show of walking noises. He slammed the bathroom door to feign busyness and then hurriedly opened the front gate where two guys were standing. "Kid, you''re kind of late, you know," said one, whose name was Kale. The other, named Brin, was lighting up his cigarette, which Evan disliked intensely. "Sorry, sir, I was just coming when I heard you, but I got delayed putting on my clothes," Evan explained, which was true; before he had taken over this body, the guy had just gotten out of the bath and was preparing for school. "Okay, listen, we''re here to go to school with you since today''s your awakening day, right? So just get into a good class and join our big guild, kid," Brin said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Oh yes, sir, I''ll try to. But the class is decided by fate, so I can''t say much about it," Evan replied, trying to appease him, knowing the consequences if he didn''t. "So, get ready and come out. Today is the final day you''ll be allowed to live here, and if you want to continue, you''ll have to earn money," Kale stated bluntly, imparting a harsh life lesson. "Oh yes, I was prepared beforehand and had already packed my bag in case I needed to leave," Evan said as politely as he could manage. However, in truth, he was itching to give both of these guys a piece of his mind; they had been nothing but trouble for him for the past eight years, starting with a beating. They used his room for their own purposes, and whatever money he earned from the guild, he was forced to pay them a ''protection fee.'' The previous owner of his body had complied easily, powerless against these first-tier bullies. "Enough talk let''s head to your school. Today, you''ll prove whether you''re of any use or just a waste to society," Kale said, urging him to hurry and grab his bag. Since it was the last day of school, the students were instructed to come without their bags. After the class''s awakening, they would be sent to the beginner''s dungeon reserved for them by the school. "Just a moment, sir, I''ll be right back," Evan replied, heading inside to fetch the apartment key. With a forced smile, he exited, locked the door, and slipped the key into his pocket, determined not to hand it over to Kale and Brin. "Hand over the key, kid. What if you die in the dungeon?" Brin demanded, his harsh words stinging Evan. "Sir, there''s no need to worry. The teachings of my parents aren''t so frail that I''d die in a mere dungeon," Evan retorted, stubbornly refusing to hand over the key, though he didn''t show his defiance.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "But still, kid, there''s always a possibility of it," Kale said, which Evan politely denied. "Sir, but what if I have to move from here? How will I retrieve my belongings? Are you afraid I''ll run off with them? How could I run away with this key when you are tier-one warriors, and I am merely a base human?" Evan argued, convincing them after his boastful claim, and they agreed to let him have it. "Okay, let''s go, kid. You know how to win us over," Brin said as they all walked out of the building towards the school. His school was not far, and he was thankful for that; it took him only a few minutes to travel there. He stood in front of the school, which was not much smaller than his previous one. Evan was astounded to see the world here, even though it was his third visit. The vehicles and other items were quite different from those in his place, as the world had advanced significantly in the past eighty-three years. Mana was an excellent energy source that could be harnessed from mana crystals found in dungeons or nexus worlds. The entire technology community was powered by mana crystals, making fossil fuels and related products quite antiquated in this era. He was just getting amazed when he saw the other students, just like him, walking away toward the school. Kale and Brin stopped in front of the school gates, and Evan noticed they were not coming toward the school. "What happened, sir? Aren''t you coming inside to see it?" Evan asked, unsure why they were not entering. "Oh, it''s okay. We will meet you at the beginner dungeon site, and don''t forget to meet us after the awakening, or you know, kid, what would happen," Kale said, showing him the punch. "Y-yes, sir, I will remember it," Evan said with panic and ran inside. He looked back and found that they weren''t there, which made him feel quite relieved. "Phew, now that those two morons are gone, I can act on my own. As for the class I awaken, I have my ways. After deciding not to join the guild, and for home purposes, I have the savings money... I mean, this body has saved to use in tough times, which can help me hold on for two months easily. In the meantime, I can easily earn money," he thought, confident that his plan was foolproof. "Well, let''s get going before the real thing starts," Evan said and rushed into the main building to get to his class. His senior class was section 12-3. He now believed that in his two past lives, he had arrived here in the year 2104, which was one year ahead of this time, allowing him access to many things previously out of reach. Perhaps his former classmates were enjoying their eleventh grade in different countries. Indeed, in all three of his lives, he had been transported to various countries, each experience distinct from the last. He didn''t hesitate any longer and entered his classroom, which was abuzz with cheerfulness. The chatter suddenly hushed, mistaking him for the teacher, but upon realizing it was Evan, they resumed their conversations. Evan had anticipated this; he was disconnected from everyone, treated like an unwanted bacterium. No one wished to engage with him, and sometimes even the teachers overlooked his absence until they noticed an empty seat. It''s likely that half of them didn''t even know his first name, let alone his surname, or anything more about him, such as the fact that he was an orphan. -- To be continued -- A/N: If you enjoyed the chapter, let me know in the comments and support me with power reviews and stuff! I crave them as they fuel my writing skills and imagination, helping me craft future chapters with many thrilling twists and turns. Arrival [4/last] [14th Everdusk 2103] While everyone was busy discussing typical teenage plans for after class, Evan observed them with curiosity. Just days ago, he was in his own world, attending his classes, and now he found himself in this new world, in this new class. In his world, students would talk about games and magazines, but here, they discussed their aspirations for after class. Evan overheard a student who was so invested in the conversation that he spoke of defeating the bullies who had tormented him for years if he could just level up and get a good class. Evan was intrigued by their ambitions, yet he was aware of the harsh reality: the success rate for awakening a combat class was a mere fifteen percent. Support and auxiliary classes had a slightly better chance at twenty-five percent each, while the rate for those who remained non-awakened was a significant thirty-five percent. Despite the odds, everyone held onto hope. For Evan, becoming a hunter was almost a certainty. If he didn''t awaken to a combat class and received another, he could still forge a hunter''s license using his other classes and join raids. However, if he did awaken to a combat class, it would be like stumbling upon a bundle of notes on the roadside or winning the lottery, eliminating the need for any deception. He was deep in thought when the classroom door swung open, and a man in his early forties entered with an angry expression. All the students quickly took their seats, sensing from his demeanor that Mr. Helen was not in a good mood. "Listen up, students. As you all know, today marks your final day of school, after which you''ll be thrust into the vast arena of society where your class will define your future roles. Some of you may become hunters, other supporters, and some may even work for large companies, manufacturing items for hunters. Those who do not awaken a class will become supporting members of society, enhancing it for future generations," he announced, pausing to gauge their reactions before continuing. "I''m not saying that those who haven''t awakened a class for combat or other tasks won''t be able to live or thrive in this society. In fact, you may live even more fulfilling lives than the hunters and supporters, as no one knows when a hunter''s time might come. So don''t be disheartened; move forward and strive to be great individuals who will contribute to our country and humanity," Mr. Helen encouraged, noticing the spark of motivation in the students'' eyes. "Alright, let''s not get restless. Please wait patiently until we begin calling you up for the official ceremony," he instructed, observing the buzz of whispered conversations before exiting the classroom, leaving behind a trail of murmurs and gossip. ''Hush... This teacher is exceptionally skilled at motivating students; perhaps he has a skill for it, as even I felt a bit inspired,'' Evan mused, recalling that this schoolteacher did hold classes, though they were not as advanced as those in larger schools where high-quality teaching was necessary, and the salaries were too attractive to ignore. He was just sitting when an interesting topic caught his attention. "Do you know why Mr. Helen was angry when he entered the classroom?" asked one student, seated in the left rows near Evan, to his friend in front of him. "Ah, aren''t you aware? The competition among teachers from different sections is an annual event," he replied, turning around to explain further. "You see, every year, as the awakening begins in the final years, teachers from different sections vie to see which class has the most awakenings. The winner receives twenty percent of the other teachers'' salaries for the next two months," he elaborated, and with that, the situation became clear to his friend. {Evan''s POV} The story ignited something within me, reminiscent of novels or manga from his previous world, which might differ from his reality. Perhaps he could locate those fated ones who were sent here by other gods. "Hi brother, could you tell me the name of the top student in our batch?" I inquired, surprising him and his friend.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. "Hey bro, did he just really ask us something?" He questioned his friend, who nodded in agreement. "Am I not able to speak, or am I a zombie who can''t talk? Why are you both so stunned? Please, tell me his name, brothers," I requested, to which he nodded and informed me, perhaps indicating the right path I was now taking. "The name is Lucas Bennett, and he ranks first in all the classes we attend," he revealed. This name rang a bell; in my previous life, it was well-known. When I arrived in this world, he was considered a pillar of humanity, capable of liberating us from the cage-like existence of these territories. Unfortunately, he passed away before I had the chance to meet him. I learned of his demise a year after his arrival, which means two years from now. Thankfully, I found him here, not yet empowered. This individual could be eliminated before reaching a rank where defeat is not an option, as many things can happen with early arrivals. Yet, I was not one to seek the spotlight, being cautious by nature and aware that attracting attention can be perilous. Still, it''s uncertain whether this person and Lucas are the same or not, as the latter is said to be an SSS-rank Dragon magic type mage. And I only know that his name was Lucas and nothing else about it. Without proper information, I cannot justifiably eliminate someone who poses no threat, but if he is indeed the same individual, then he will surely remove the threat before it becomes troublesome. These thoughts occupied my mind when Teacher Helen approached and instructed us to proceed to the auditorium for the awakening ceremony. Following my class, I noticed two other classes had already arrived with their teachers, and we were the third, possibly being called in by section. I took my place in line and observed many other students entering through the gates. While standing there, I decided to look for Lucas, but as I glanced towards the second section, Teacher Helen, now with other teachers, noticed and instructed me to stand correctly, hinting that a chief guest might be arriving soon. {POV End} "So, Mr. Helen, do you think you can win this year''s competition?" asked Cedric, the teacher from section-1. "Perhaps, sir. Today might be the day some brilliant stars emerge from my class, I believe," replied Helen, glancing at the other three teachers beside him: Tessa, Marlo, and Vaedin. "Sir Marlo, today might be your day to shine since the two brightest stars of the batch are in your section," suggested Tess from the fourth section. "Oh no, it''s not like that, Ma''am. We shouldn''t encourage such talk among the students about our betting," Marlo from the second section interjected, aware that everyone knew about it yet they still participated every year for the extra money. "Oh, come on, Marlo, can''t you just relax and earn some free cash?" Vaedin chimed in, having just organized his class. "But..." Marlo began to protest but was interrupted as two figures emerged from the auditorium gates. "Students, please be silent as the principal and the guest have arrived," announced Tess, as everyone''s attention turned to the guests, and they were shocked to see the man accompanying Principal Miriam Westfield. The man was clad in a robe, holding a large book, appearing to be in his mid-fifties, though his exact age was unknown due to their significantly longer lifespan than normal humans. "Hello students and fellow teachers, we are gathered here for the tenth awakening of our school, and today I have invited a guest to oversee it. Meet Master Darian Stroud, a second-tier magic formation master working with the CGA. We have gone to great lengths to invite him, so please pay close attention and heed his words, as advice from a seasoned hunter is invaluable to you all," Miriam addressed the crowd before allowing Darian to take over. "Hello, students. I hope you are all prepared for the awakening and that you achieve the class you desire. Summon your will and seize the destiny that awaits you," Darian said as he nodded, took a few steps back, and opened his book, which likely contained various mana formation structures. He began to chant the incantations written within, and the book started to glow, floating before him as a magical formation began to materialize in the air. To the ordinary children who had never witnessed magic, this spectacle was nothing short of majestic. However, Evan was different; he understood the capabilities of a formation master and knew that this display was modest compared to their true power, which could annihilate an entire town or even erase a city from existence, given the immense strength of a second-tier combat class. Evan, being a support class, recognized that Darian must be using a grimoire acquired through his diligent efforts in the nexus, employing his skills in formation visualization. As the ritual concluded, a crystal ball materialized above the formation, which then descended to the ground, solidifying from illusion to reality. With Darian''s careful guidance, the setup was complete, and the students were permitted to use it, with those from section-1 approaching one by one. -- To be continued -- Let me know if you enjoyed it. If you did, then join me in this adventure, and if not, keep reading; perhaps you''ll grow to like it in time. Class Awakening [1] As the formation for awakening was set, Darian clapped his hands to capture the students'' attention, which they readily gave, not wanting to fall out of favor with someone of his high tier, as it could make their future difficult. "Okay then, if everyone is ready, I would like to introduce you to my formation, which will assist in awakening your class today¡ªwhether it is destined for you or not. Students, please come forward one line at a time and stand in the middle of the formation. You will soon feel a strange energy or sensation beginning to envelop you, but do not be alarmed; let it flow through you as it will awaken the class that lies dormant within you. Come and discover your fate," he announced, and the students clapped, giving weight to his words. "Students, you will proceed from section one, following the order of your roll numbers, and then we will continue with the other sections," the Principal instructed, as the teachers prepared for their annual roles. "Alright, class, as I call out your number, the student will go on stage and begin the process," Cedric announced, stepping in front of his class lines. "Number one," he called, and a student with brown hair, a common trait here along with other colors like black, blonde, and the rarer hues like blazing red, ocean blue, and forest green, walked towards the stage. But let''s set aside the hair color discussion and focus on the task at hand. He approached the stage, bowed to the principal and Darian, and stepped into the formation, placing his hand on the awakening crystal to initiate the process. The crystal glowed briefly, and the young man winced as an unsettling sensation crept within him. He fought the urge to withdraw his hand, fearing it might disrupt the awakening. As the sensation dissipated, his body radiated light, and an illusion of a warrior with a shield materialized above him, visible to all. "Ah, it seems this young one has awakened as a . He may not be offensive, but his abilities could prove highly valuable to a party," remarked Darian, observing the apparition. The principal appeared composed, yet internally he was elated; a student had awakened to a combat-related class immediately, which, despite its limited offensive capabilities, could still be honed for combat. This would surely impress the formation master and potentially garner support for the school from the CGA branch. As the apparition faded, the crystal where the student''s hand rested began to flicker, and a letter emerged. , signifying the potential or grade of his class. It was an established fact that hunters were categorized by their rank: those below C were deemed low in status, while those with a higher-class rank were destined to shine. "Oh, what a shame. He has a good class but a low rank, though it''s not bad," the Principal remarked. The student felt a mix of happiness and disappointment, the latter due to Miriam''s comment. After leaving the stage, he joined his classmates who congratulated him on his awakening. Their approval lifted his spirits, as he had achieved what he had worked so hard for. The mood was buoyant until Teacher Cedric announced the next student, a girl known for her kindness and popularity. As she approached the stage, there was a palpable sense of anticipation for her to receive a high class.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. She stepped into the formation for the awakening. Her body twitched in the initial phase, but then, to the silent shock of the audience, no visage appeared. The inevitable had occurred. She emerged as a non-awakened, without a class but still possessing the mana that would allow her to live a life like everyone else. It was deemed necessary, yet they couldn''t be overly aggressive with it. Those who hadn''t awakened to their classes were not entitled to become strong. Thus, the girl''s fate was sealed to a mundane job within the lord''s territories. Some stubborn individuals chose to hunt monsters beyond the protected lands in hopes of wealth, but rules and regulations thwarted them. If they ventured illegally, they were either caught or killed by the monsters. The girl who failed to awaken wept, crouched in the formation, while Cedric, who could be haughty at times, consoled her. Despite his occasional arrogance towards teachers in competitions, he empathized with her inability to awaken a class, as he shared the same fate. After receiving some comfort from the teacher, the girl descended from the stage to join her friends in the field. Her fellow students were deeply saddened but powerless to help, as awakening a class was not something one could influence. Otherwise, no one would tolerate the existence of those without a class. Following a moment of silence for the first failure, the principal gestured to Cedric to summon another student, for Darian was not a man to wait idly all day for a single group of students, given his many other responsibilities. Evan, who was observing the scene, was keen to encounter this Lucas, potentially a future adversary. To avoid facing a formidable foe, he contemplated eliminating the threat before it could grow. It is well-known that a ''destined one'' given time to develop will acquire life-saving skills and return stronger than ever. The awakening session progressed, assigning combat classes such as knight, archer, assassin, mage, brawler, and martial artist to some students, while others received support roles like healers, shield bearers, scouts, formation masters, and tricksters¡ªa class specializing in illusion magic and charm skills. Auxiliary roles included blacksmith apprentices, alchemists, enchanters, gardeners, and teachers. A standout was the Paladin, a high-ranking class awarded to a girl, making her the star of section one. During the visage, a low-level phenomenon occurred: a knight appeared before everyone, and as they watched, the sky above the auditorium darkened with clouds. Suddenly, a sword of light descended, and Darian, experienced in such matters, quickly formed a barrier on the roof, turning it transparent so the sword could pass through effortlessly. The sword landed before the visage, who grasped it as if chosen by a deity. Eventually, the visage vanished, revealing the girl''s talent, marked as ¡ªthe highest anyone had achieved. Moreover, Darian recommended the girl for the CGA. That concluded the entire section, with eleven remaining unawakened. Thus, the first section''s awakening came to an end. No one had surpassed a B grade, but achieving higher was exceedingly difficult and might stand as the class''s peak. Subsequently, the Principal, contemplating the repercussions of a similar event, decided to relocate, a decision Darian concurred with, not wishing to repeat the past. Minutes later, the venue was shifted; students gathered on the field while Darian prepared the formation for the awakening. The teachers discussed the Principal''s initial preference for the auditorium, now reverted to the field, where the first nine awakenings had occurred. They recalled advising him to choose this location, yet he had opted to attempt it indoors, to which they had acquiesced. Now, they looked on with disapproval, while he avoided their stares, too embarrassed to meet their eyes. And without further waiting he resume the awakening for the next section, two. -- To be continued -- Class Awakening [2] [14th Everdusk 2103] The next class to awaken was Section Two, which boasted some of the batch''s top performers. However, everyone understood that academic excellence didn''t guarantee a high-class designation. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and tension, with the fear of being left without a class looming over everyone. As the teacher stepped forward to call out the students by number, one boy, Lucas Bennett, appeared utterly carefree amidst the anxiety. The class topper, Lucas was a striking figure with his cold demeanor, standing at 5''8" with black hair and eyes that added an extra charm to his already captivating face. His nonchalant attitude was precisely why all eyes were on him, including those of the second-ranked girl who usually sought to challenge him but was visibly nervous at the moment. Tess, standing before the class, hoped that each student would awaken to their class, not for the sake of competition but because she couldn''t bear to see her students falter under pressure. She called up the first student, who walked towards the stage, and the process began anew. A vision of a chef baking a cake appeared, bringing delight rather than dejection to the student, whose family owned a bakery. This revelation was a boon to his family business. Then the talent emerged before him, a class, considered quite high-ranking except for the first section, where most combat classes only reached a , save for the Paladin girl with a rank. He returned from the stage to the applause of his friend. He took his place in line as Tess called the second student, and the ceremony continued. After twenty-one students, only twelve had managed to awaken their class while nine had not. "Okay, class, now roll number twenty-two will take the stage," Tess announced, drawing everyone''s attention to a girl whose beauty was impossible to ignore. She was Lyra Dawnfield, ranked second in the entire batch and the sole heiress of the prominent Dawnfield family. Her family, known for their mage lineage, was renowned throughout the country. The question on everyone''s mind was why she attended this school. The story goes that years ago, she competed here and was defeated in the finals by Lucas, the prodigy. Vowing to surpass him one day, she enrolled in the school, her prestigious background and her father''s consent aiding her admission. But the true reason for her presence remained a mystery. As she walked towards the stage and bowed to Master Darian, she approached the formation to determine her destiny. Placing her hand on the crystal, a crimson light, unlike the usual blue or red, enveloped her. A rare phenomenon unfolded, leaving the audience in awe, witnessing what seemed like a miracle for the second time that day. Once again, the sky filled with black clouds, but this time, instead of a visage, a flickering light began to dance above. It shone as if heralding the first light, and then, with a dramatic tear, the clouds parted, and a majestic phoenix descended in a missile-like manner. Spectators expected a crash, but it gracefully halted and landed before the assembly, transforming into a lady adorned in a mage-like outfit, flames flickering intermittently from her suit.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. The class she awakened was unprecedented, and Lyra''s eyes opened wide as she assimilated the knowledge of her new class. "The Flame Witch," she whispered to herself, her words reaching the ears of the astonished onlookers, for such a class was indeed unique and unheard of. Cheers erupted, affirming that Lyra was a force not to be trifled with. The ranking process commenced, culminating in the revelation of a letter before the crowd. , it read, initially silencing the masses before they burst into applause, recognizing the birth of a genius that would bring the school immense support from the CGA to foster more students. "Wow, it seems our class queen is destined for greatness," one girl remarked, with others nodding in agreement. "And I doubt that first-rank ruffian... the handsome brat stands a chance against her," another added, eyeing his nonchalant demeanor. Darian, awestruck, snapped out of his daze and approached to recruit her for the CGA, but the principal intervened, preventing a grave error. Upon discovering she was a direct descendant of the Dawnfield house, Darian dismissed the thought as quickly as it had come, knowing well that the noble families would never permit their offspring to join such a faction. They established their own guild, and their offspring became its members. No one would dare approach an rank class individual from their ranks. She exited the stage and approached Tess, who was brimming with pride. After receiving congratulations, she returned to her place, where her friends gathered to celebrate her success. Meanwhile, Tess announced the next student. It was Lucas, who strolled towards the stage with the nonchalance of a park walk. He passed the Principal and Darian, then positioned himself within the formation and laid his hand upon the crystal. The crystal illuminated, followed by his body, and the ritual commenced once more. The crowd awaited the revelation of his class, curious if it would surpass the impressive class of the second-ranked. As the light dimmed and it seemed no class would manifest, a visage emerged, bringing relief to Tess and the others¡ªit was confirmation of his class acquisition. The visage displayed before the crowd, his armor a unique blend of metal and leather, suggesting a warrior-mage hybrid. The scene shifted dramatically when he levitated his grimoire, releasing an aura that momentarily paralyzed students and teachers alike. Even Darian, a second-tier individual, was briefly immobilized, though he recovered in a mere second, his amazement evident at the power emanating from a zero-tier youth. He was certain that the newcomer possessed a high-ranking class, yet he pondered why the expected phenomenon hadn''t occurred. Considering it an anomaly in the awakening process, he was elated, seeing it as an opportunity to recruit him. The crowd was equally astounded, interpreting this as a sign of two high-class individuals emerging consecutively. Lyre was taken aback; despite her noble lineage, she couldn''t fathom how this boy had acquired a class surpassing her own. Yet, she wasn''t prepared to concede defeat, clinging to the hope that this twist of fate might still turn in her favor if he had received an ''A'' rank class. Anticipation hung in the air as they awaited the results of the rank assessment test. When the outcome finally materialized, it left everyone in disbelief, for what it revealed was utterly unexpected. The rank he received was.... .... .... .... .... .... ... .... .. . . -- To be continued -- A/N: If you''re eager to discover the outcome, stay tuned for the next chapter, folks. Don''t forget to add it to your library; this will ensure you''re notified as soon as the chapter is released. Class Awakening [3] [14th Everdusk 2103] The rank he received left everyone in shock. The word displayed there was one that no one anticipated. , it was inscribed upon the crystal, its image projected for viewing from every angle. Following a moment of stunned silence, laughter broke out among many students who had expected a formidable figure but saw only a minor sidekick. His rank was even lower than that of several students of slight stature who had awakened to the rank class. The laughter spread among many students, some teachers, and even the Principal. However, a few did not join in, including Tess, Lyre, Lucas himself, and notably Evan, who, despite the shock from the aura Lucas exuded, managed to conceal his unsettling grin. The aura was of a kind that no one would expect any creature but dragons to emit, and now Evan was convinced that Lucas possessed this draconic trait. The reason only Evan recognized it was that none had ever faced a dragon in battle, except for Evan, albeit in a past life. Yet, he could assert with certainty that it was the draconic skill known as ''dragon fear''. Evan was confident that Lucas''s rank would eventually ascend to SSS status. As these thoughts crossed his mind, Darian stepped forward, blocking Lucas''s path downward. "Hey, kid, do you mind if I ask you something?" he inquired, considering giving the youngster a chance to join the association. "Yes, sir, how may I assist you? But please, don''t waste my time with pointless recruitment like yours, as I believe I could find a better offer even from a lesser guild," Lucas replied, his smile unwavering. "Kid, watch your tone as I can kill you whenever I want as you are just ant in front of me right now." Darian said while anger in his eyes. "Oh, sir first mind your own tone as trying to threaten me of murdering me in broad day light is too shameless." Lucas said with a straight face. "What?" The principal was taken aback, uttering the word that had slipped from his thoughts. Whispers and murmurs spread among the students about Lucas''s audacity. "Guys, I think Lucas has lost his senses after being assigned to a lower rank class; he must have a brain problem now," one student speculated, earning nods of agreement from others. Darian remained silent, his face turning a shade of tomato red. "Kid, watch your language before you provoke sir''s anger," Miriam interjected, attempting to apologize to Darian, who was now trying to contain his fury.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "But sir, he was wasting my time, and didn''t you say we should save our time for more important tasks?" Lucas retorted, feigning innocence as if he hadn''t said anything offensive. "Sir, don''t listen to his words..." Miriam was about to escort Lucas away when Darian''s anger erupted. "Stop... Listen, kid, do you think you''re some kind of prodigy, that any guild would welcome you with open arms as if you''re a genius? You''re delusional. After you''ve exhausted all options to join a guild and failed, then you''ll come to me. I''ll consider letting you in, but only after you''ve groveled and apologized," Darian declared, venting his frustration yet restraining himself, not wanting to cause a scene or harm the boy. "Okay, let''s see then, who will apologize first," Lucas said, igniting a flare of hatred in Darian''s heart. "Sir, please wait, let''s discuss this," the Principal implored, but Darian did not stop. "Mariam, listen, I am leaving because I can''t bear to look at that kid any longer. Finish the ceremony yourself and once it''s over, place this paper on the crystal. It will absorb the formation on its own," Darian instructed, mindful not to let a single student''s mistake provoke his anger at the school, as he handed over the mana-infused sheet. Then, opening his grimoire, he vanished from the spot as if he had never been there. "Lucas, what have you done? Couldn''t you just apologize to Darian? You were too harsh," the Principal scolded the momentarily dazed Lucas, whose face then broke into a wild grin as if he had won the lottery. "Lucas... Lucas!" the Principal called out, snapping Lucas out of his reverie. "Oh, yes sir, I was just pondering something," Lucas replied, acting as if nothing had occurred. Miriam suspected the boy was suffering from depression due to his low rank and his recent odd behavior. She contemplated fabricating a story to regain Darian''s trust. "Alright, go back and don''t cause any more trouble," he directed, and Lucas nodded, descending the stairs to rejoin his class line. "Hi, Lucas, are you okay?" Tess inquired; her concern evident in her tone. "Oh, Tess... I mean, Miss. I''m okay, just need some time to think," he replied, catching the glare in her eyes. "Okay, go back there and sit for a while," she suggested, her worry for him growing. "Yes, thank you," he responded and walked back towards a tree to sit beneath it. As he walked away, a hidden smile played on his lips, unseen by all but one pair of eyes. Evan was observing him intently, like a hawk eyeing its prey. He scrutinized Lucas''s every move, gauging his reactions, becoming increasingly certain that Lucas was indeed his target. Meanwhile, Lyre was also concerned. Lucas was behaving oddly, and she knew him well enough to notice. He was always respectful to elders, but his current demeanor was out of character. Seeing his behavior today, she couldn''t help but wonder if he was grappling with a deep depression due to the class. She pondered ways to assist him when Tess began calling the next number of kids. The process of awakening proceeded without further incident, and once it concluded, the second section''s student trials were complete, readying the stage for the next group. -- To be continued -- A/N: Hello guys and I hope you all guys like the chapter and the next chapter will be also posted few minutes later so be patient and just enjoy the delicious thing I prepared for you all. Class Awakening [4] [14th Everdusk 2103] A few minutes remained before the awakening of Lucas''s class. {Lucas''s POV} Hello, my name is Lucas and today marks four years since I was transmigrated to this world. It''s similar to mine, except this one has been ravaged by monsters that arrived after a mysterious energy known as mana invaded. Dungeons and rifts opened up everywhere, and monsters flooded in, decimating over half of humanity. However, beings known as hunters, awakened during this crisis, began humanity''s resurgence and halted our total annihilation. These hunters possess unique classes that aid them in combating the monsters, allowing them to defeat them with ease and grow stronger. It''s been over eighty years since then, and today is the day I''ve been eagerly anticipating¡ªI will become a hunter too. When I first arrived, like the main characters in stories, I attempted to summon my ''golden finger'' that would propel me to stardom, but to no avail, and four years have passed in waiting. But I''m not concerned; perhaps I wasn''t granted a system, but instead, a super cool class. And so, I find myself waiting in line for the ceremony to commence. Following the awakening of Lyre, I pondered the potential of my class, knowing it would be significant. Then, unexpectedly, Miss Tess¡ªnot my sweetheart, of course¡ªsummoned me to the stage. I complied, taking my place in whatever formation this was. I placed my hands upon the crystal, anticipating the imminent event. Initially, a light dazzled my eyes, then a strange sensation spread through me, as if something within was loosening and shattering. I looked up, expecting to see my reflection change, but nothing occurred¡ªmy hopes were dashed. Yet, in that moment of despair, something extraordinary happened that altered my mood entirely. __
{[Draconic God Mage system] is now active. A suitable host with a latent dragon bloodline has been identified, and synchronization has commenced.}
{1%...3%...6%...8%...32%...64%...78%...89%...99%...100%}
{Synchronization and bonding processes are complete.}
{The host''s current Mage rank class is being dismantled. The unique class of Battle Mage (Growth-type) is being assigned to the host.}
{The system will aid the host in becoming the ultimate warrior.}
{May the host ascend to become the supreme Dragon God, reigning supreme over all beings.}
{A talent voucher has been dispatched to the inventory, and internal information transfer is pending.}
{It is advised that the host find a place to sit, as the process may induce dizziness.}
__ In a matter of seconds, many things within me changed, perhaps even awakening the dragon bloodline alongside my class. Yet, an E-rank mage class was still inferior. It seemed like a curse to anyone who possessed it. I halted the system from broadcasting this information as my image was seen by all. I was on the verge of happiness when the fear skill was displayed by that image for all to see, which might attract trouble, so I decided not to join any guild until I was strong enough to fend for myself. My joy was short-lived when the crystal revealed my E rank, and I noticed many people laughing at me. However, there were those who weren''t, like Tess, Helen, Lyre, and a boy I hadn''t met before who looked at me with sympathy. I was determined to care for my people as any good person would. I turned down the persistent recruitment offer from old Darian, knowing they could easily track the improvement in my class rank. Afterward, I stepped off the stage and approached Tess, who looked at me with pity, a sentiment I didn''t appreciate. She gave me a look when I called her ''Tess'' in public, which angered me, as I planned to reprimand her severely at home later. Yes, she and I were in a secret relationship. Two years ago, I rescued her from some hooligans who had harassed her and used a technique to increase her sensitivity and induce sleep. I helped her get home, and the incident deeply involved us both in this matter. Nevertheless, I am glad that now we can be content, live life freely, and no longer need to pretend in front of others. Furthermore, I will ensure that I love her alongside any other lovers who may fall in love with me or vice versa, as no influential man has just one wife, nor does it concern me if they do. And that''s how I found myself at the back of the student lines, sitting beneath a tree, watching my class undergo the awakening. Even Lyre was below me now, with this growth-type battle mage class. A few minutes later, our class completed the trial of awakening. Now, only three classes remained to finish the ceremony. While they proceeded, I decided to retrieve my vouchers from my inventory and review my skills for dungeon diving after this. As it happens every year, I was familiar with all the procedures. "Okay, system, open my talent voucher," I said, watching as my system revealed the voucher and the wheel, adorned with many question marks, began spinning. It halted in front of a tile with a unique purple hue. I was eager, hoping for something good, but what appeared before me was astounding. __
{Congratulations, host, on drawing the talent.}
{The talent you have gained is: Draconic Insight (SSS Rank)}
__ The revelation blew my mind; today might just be my lucky day, a culmination of four years'' worth of stored fortune, as if the goddess of luck was on my side. First, I acquired a system, and now, a talent of the highest level. "Hey, system, quickly show me my status screen," I exclaimed in joy. __
{Acknowledged, host.}
{Dragon God Mage System}
(Status)
(Shop)
(Inventory)
(Quest)
__The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. I immediately selected ''Status'', and the information materialized before me. __
[Status]
Name: Lucas Benett (Lucas Vale)
Age: 18
Race: Human (98%), Dragon (2%)
Class: Novice Battlemage (E) {Growth Type}
Title: None
Level: 0 [0/100]
Tier: 0
Talent: Dragon Insight (SSS)
___________________________
[Stats]
Health Points (HP): 100 {1:10 of CON}
Mana Points (MP): 130 {1:10 of INT}
Strength (STR): 11
Agility (AGL): 10
Intelligence (INT): 13
Constitution (CON): 10
Stamina (STA): 14
Charisma (CHA): 17
Unassigned Stats: 00
____________________________
[Skills]: Arcane Strike Lv.1, Mana Shield Lv.1, Fireball Lv.1
[Racial Ability]: Dragon Fear.
____________________________
[Quests]: 2
____________________________ __ I was amazed by the things and was eager to see the description of my class and things. __ Class: Novice Battle Mage (E Rank) Description:A beginner''s version of the Battle Mage class, the Novice Battle Mage focuses on enhancing physical combat with basic elemental magic. Though simple, it provides a solid foundation for those seeking to master both magic and melee. [Skills]: Arcane Strike Imbues a weapon or fist with raw magical energy, increasing physical damage for a short period and adding a small magical shockwave with each strike. Mana Shield Generates a temporary barrier that absorbs a small amount of damage, protecting the user from direct hits. Fire ball Generates a ball of flames that inflict damage to the enemy and give them a burn status effect with a small probability. Class Benefits: +10 STATS FOR EVERY LEVEL UP __ Talent Name: Draconic Insight (SSS Rank) Description:Draconic Insight is an ancient, legendary talent that allows its wielder to unlock the hidden potential within any skill by transforming it into a Dragon Language Skill. Through this talent, the user gains access to the primordial knowledge of dragons, enabling them to imbue their abilities with the power of the dragon''s ancient magic and elemental forces. Once a skill is converted into the Dragon Language Skill, it becomes exponentially more powerful, transcending its normal limitations and tapping into the primordial power of dragons. Abilities: Dragon''s Voice (Skill Enhancement): The user can speak in the ancient language of dragons, channeling the resonance and power of the dragon''s voice into their skills. When a skill is invoked in Dragon Language, it gains increased effectiveness, enhanced elemental properties, and the ability to affect multiple targets. Dragon''s Might (Amplification): Every skill activated through Draconic Insight gains a temporary boost in power, with the skill''s damage, range, and duration being drastically enhanced for a short period. The more the user taps into this power, the greater the risk of exhaustion. Dragon''s Curse (Debuff & Overload): When using Dragon Language Skills, the user can impose a Dragon''s Curse on affected enemies, lowering their defense, speed, or regeneration for a period of time. The curse increases in strength the longer the skill remains active, and enemies affected by it are marked by the aura of dragons, making them vulnerable to further attacks. Dragon''s Wisdom (Skill Evolution): The user gains the ability to evolve and adapt their Dragon Language Skills over time. With each use of a Dragon-enhanced skill, the skill itself becomes more refined, growing in power and complexity. This grants the user an adaptive mastery over their abilities, allowing them to tackle more challenging foes with increasing efficiency. __ After seeing my talent I was sure that in this world, I will be hell a op guy for sure maybe a mc, hehe. Then I decided to check the quest as two things were listed in it. __ Quest 1: Journey to the Dragon God Objective: Successfully perform the basic daily training routine for 30 continuous days. {Day 01} 100 Push-ups [0/100]100 Sit-ups [0/100]50 Squats [0/50]10km Run [0/10 km] Time Limit: 1 dayReward: 10 unallocated pointsPenalty: -20% stat reduction for the following three days (cumulative) __ Quest 2: Be the First As the dragon kin, how can you be second or below, be the first rank guy in dungeon run and be the role model for all students. Objective: Become first in dungeon raid [0/1] Time limit: Until some came out firstReward: A basic skill scroll, +1% Dragon bloodlinePenalty: -1% Bloodline of Dragon __ Now this much was becoming too much interesting for me. --To be continued-- Hi guys hope you all like the chapter and next chapter will be of Evan class so don''t worry as after that no class awakening and straight up to the dungeon fight so be ready for it. Class Awakening [5] [14th Everdusk 2103] While Lucas was preoccupied with checking his status, the third section''s teacher, Helen, was already at the front of his class, beginning to call out to his students. "Alright, students, let''s start with roll call, and remember, no sadness¡ªthink back to what I told you before we left the classroom," he said, prompting the students to recall his speech, which slightly eased their anxious minds, though a sense of turmoil lingered. He proceeded to call out each student''s name, and one by one, they walked towards the stage to participate in the class awakening. The success rate of the previous class''s awakening was decent, but Helen''s class was performing remarkably well. During the awakening period, thirteen students stepped up to the stage, with only two failing to awaken. Of those who succeeded, four had awakened their combat classes: two as warriors, one as an archer, and one as a martial artist. Then, the fourteenth name was called. Evan, lost in his thoughts, felt a tug on his uniform and turned to see a classmate gesturing urgently. "What''s the matter?" he inquired, and the student pointed ahead where Mr. Helen was glaring at him with a hint of irritation. "Evan, can''t you pay attention? We''ve been calling you for a while, and you''re lost in a daydream," he said, his annoyance palpable. "Oh, sorry, sir. I was just nervous about my class and got lost in thought," Evan replied, moving forward with an awkward smile. "Just be mindful, Evan. Life doesn''t always give you a second chance," Helen advised, nodding to allow Evan to proceed towards the stage. {Evan''s POV} Minutes after the class awakening ceremony began, I found myself pondering how to confront Lucas, suspecting he might have acquired his system or some sort of class advantage. I was certain he was concocting some nonsense in his mind at that moment. As I was lost in thought, a fellow student jolted me back to reality, urging me to pay attention to Mr. Helen, who was staring at me. It dawned on me that it was my turn to awaken. Approaching him, I feigned nervousness with a clumsy lie. He seemed to accept it, perhaps understanding that a student might indeed be nervous. With a nod, he allowed me to proceed, and I began my walk towards the stage. I could feel every gaze upon me, as if they were all wishing for my failure. Yet, I was confident that I would be fine without a class, as it would spare me from undue attention. Resigned, I thought, let''s just get this over with and go home, class or no class. "Alright, student, place your hand there and do not remove it from the crystal, even if it feels unsettling," Miriam instructed. I nodded in acknowledgment, having gone through the process twice before, so I harbored little concern. I approached the formation, sensing that it was subpar compared to the higher-level formations that could enhance the likelihood of a combat class awakening. Such formations were typically reserved for prestigious schools or noble families. I knew this because, in a past life as a wealthy young master, I had the privilege of using one. With those memories in mind, I placed my hand on the crystal''s rough yet slightly smooth surface, which felt distinctly cold.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. I closed my eyes, attempting to sense the mana beginning to flow into my body through the crystal. It seemed to target my lower abdomen, crashing against something as if trying to break through. After several attempts, it shattered the barrier, and the mana began circulating within me, indicating my mana veins had opened. As I prepared to open my eyes, a fiery-bladed visage materialized before me, causing awe among the students who speculated it to be of a high-class Magic Swordsman. However, it disintegrated instantly before it could act. Confusion spread as some wondered if the formation was flawed, recalling Lucas''s earlier issue. I stood in silence, not receiving the expected Nexus system notification for the Magic Swordsman class. The Principal was about to intervene when the crystal flared to life once more, signaling a second awakening. I braced to feel the mana again, but an astonishing sound interrupted the moment. __
{A message for the host has been detected, please click to open it.}
__ I considered accepting it, thinking it might be possible, as I didn''t want to seem foolish for using the system even before fully awakening, and currently, I am unable to move, feeling trapped in my body like a statue. __ {The user''s request has been accepted, and the message is now open.} {You have received several gifts from the higher being, #######.} {Would you like to open the gifts now? Please be cautious, as it may interfere with the awakening of your class due to an intrusion.} {Yes/No} {Yes} {The gifts are being opened.} {The gifts include: <Additional classes added: Mage (E?), Weapon Master (F?)> <Subclasses added: Blacksmith (B) {Locked}, Alchemist (S) {Locked}, Rune Enhancer (S?) {Locked}> <Bloodline sent to inventory [Recommended level for use: 150]> <Item (Companion egg) sent to inventory for incubation> <Ability (Elemental Manipulation) added> <Talent (Plunder) added to status> <Talent (Infinite Evolution and Enchantment) added to status> <Talent (Transcendent Body) added to status {Locked}> <Talent (Halo of Luck Goddess) added to status {Locked}> <Talent (Supreme Adaptation) added to status {Locked}>} {A hidden phenomenon is occurring within the body, removing the previous class <Magic Swordsman> (A-rank).} {A new class is awakening.} {Hidden factors have detected a certain class today.} {The class suitable for the host has been determined.} {The class is considered too low for the host. It is recommended to choose the first class. [Yes/No]} {[Yes]} {Due to unknown factors, the previous class cannot be chosen. Another class is being selected.} {Congratulations, host, you have gained the class... <?> (?)} __ First, I tried to choose yes but it got cancelled and I thought how much it worser can be but.... The class I attended was overwhelming this much, making my eyes widen in astonishment. __ -- To be continued -- Class Awakening [6/last] [14th Everdusk 2103] __ {The suitable class for the host has been determined.} {The class is deemed too low for the host. It is recommended to choose the first class. [<b><i>Yes</i></b>/No]} {[<b>Yes</b>]} {Due to unknown factors, the previously chosen class cannot be selected. A different class is being chosen.} {Congratulations, host, you have been granted the class... <<b>Necromancer</b>> (<b>D</b>)} {Note: Hope you survive another day.} __ The system''s last note made me flinch. What does it mean, suggesting I might not survive another day? It underestimates me. I''ll show this system that I can rise above them all. As I opened my eyes, the light that had enveloped me dimmed significantly, leaving only a few sparkles. It took a few minutes for this transformation. And now, a new figure stands before everyone. Indeed, it was a man dressed in a mage-like suit, who raised his staff, and from the ground, a few skeletons arose. Just by looking at them, one could surmise that the class was of a lower rank. They stood there, unarmored, a mere skeleton with a rusty sword in hand. I was certain that I would make the news tonight, with everyone possibly thinking I had acquired a dual class or something of the sort. And I was determined not to let that happen. {POV ends} "Umm, student, may I inquire about your class?" Principal Miriam asked, his face alight with excitement at the prospect of his theory being as true as everyone believed. "Oh yes, sir, ask away," he replied with a simple smile. "Ah, well, young man, what exactly occurred with you? What was that initial visage?" He posed the question directly, one that everyone was itching to ask, as Evan could see Lucas eyeing him with surprise from his spot. After all, who wouldn''t be thrilled at the prospect of awakening two combat classes? "Oh, sir, it was also displayed on my status screen that I initially received a Magic Swordsman (D) rank class, but the system also granted me a Necromancer (D) and asked me which class to remove since having two classes is restricted. So, I chose to remove the first one and keep the second, perhaps out of luck or maybe because something within me has a close connection with the second class, which is why it awakened. So, I chose it, and the first was removed from my status, and you can verify it if you wish," Evan explained, telling him a mix of lies and truths, even pretending that one could show their status to others, which was impossible without special skills. Thus, he played an innocent game with his teacher. "Okay, Evan, you had a choice between dual classes, but why did you forsake the first one and choose the lesser necromancer class? It is quite weak, and the Magic Swordsman is far superior, even at a low rank. And can you explain the connection you ''feel'' with the deceased?" He questioned Evan in a tone of anger, as if someone had just squandered their entire life. "Oh sir, perhaps the connection is that I visit my parents'' grave every day and spend time there, so I have this feeling and nothing else," Evan said. Then Miriam remained silent, having nothing more to add, knowing Evan''s condition. He quickly searched the date on his mobile after he first saw his Magic Swordsman class and discovered he was an orphan.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Hahhhh~~~~, okay, you can leave," he said, allowing Evan to walk down the stairs. "Are you okay, kid?" Helen asked him. He nodded and returned to his place to stand with the others. This time, however, they did not discriminate against him as before; now he was a true hunter, even as a necromancer. While Evan stood there, cursing his luck for abandoning a great class because of this strange hidden power within him. Two people watched him with suspicion. The first was Lyre, who knew it was rare for a person to have two classes, though not unheard of, as there were some individuals with dual classes moving secretly in society. She suspected Evan might be lying to escape, but she was determined to uncover the truth and perhaps persuade him to join her family guild. The other was Lucas, who was also interested in the boy, first when he did not mock him, and now, even more, after his awakening. He knew that during his class awakening, he had received his ''cheat,'' but perhaps this kid had something similar, like a dual class, which could allow him to advance twice as fast. He knew that those who awakened as Magic Swordsmen were never ranked lower than B grade. So, he decided to keep an eye on this kid, thinking it would be beneficial to recruit him into his team. After that, the rest of the class awakenings occurred, and to Helen''s surprise, her class had the most awakeners, with only eight kids failing to obtain a class. He was confident of receiving the bonus this time, and his happiness was palpable, yet two sections remained incomplete. Hours later, the event concluded, and Helen emerged as the predictable winner of the bet since her class had the fewest students who hadn''t awakened their abilities. His joy was twofold: not only had he won the bet, but his students also had the lowest rate of non-awakening in the class. The other teachers, envious and downcast due to Helen''s triumphant joy, couldn''t hide their emotions. Tess, who had no interest in the bet, appeared unaffected as she was left out of the wager and seemed normal, but her attention was elsewhere. She observed a student, Lucas, sleeping soundly under a tree, having dozed off uninterested after Evan''s awakening. The last student, a girl who had just acquired a <<b>Manager</b>> (<b>C</b>)¡ªan auxiliary class¡ªwas overjoyed, as she had no desire for a combat class, and her dream had now come true. After she rejoined the line, and once she saw no other students approaching, Miriam placed the scroll given by Darian onto the crystal, and it vanished within. "Okay~~~~. Students, please now look at me, and I need everyone''s attention," he announced, noticing that the previously chatting students were now attentive. Tess, upon hearing this, hurried back to where Lucas lay and woke him up to listen to Miriam''s announcement. "So, students, I hope that after today, you will all strive to provide strong support for our country and humanity, regardless of whether you received a class or not. What I mean is, give your hundred percent whether you are a hunter, a regular person, or someone with an auxiliary class; all of you are vital to our society. I trust you understand this and will refrain from any reckless actions after leaving here," he explained, aware that sometimes students who didn''t receive a class might resort to desperate measures. "Now, for the next topic, those who have been assigned a class, please move to the right side, and those who haven''t, to my left," he instructed, as the students complied and moved to their respective places. As each student found their side, it was evident that the number of those who had gained a class was higher this year compared to the previous years. He was pleased with the increase, as it would likely lead to more donations for the school. "Those students who have gained a class today, please stay here; those who haven''t, you may leave¡ªyour parents might be waiting," he said, noting the disappointed faces but unable to change the already drawn line from this day forward. "The students should also be divided into combat, support, and auxiliary groups," he continued, as those who had gained a class split into three smaller groups. The combat group was the smallest, while the support and auxiliary groups were larger, with the auxiliary just slightly outnumbering the support. "Okay, so just eighteen students... ah, wait. The student who awakened the Necromancer class, please join the support group," he corrected, spotting Evan in the combat group. "Oh sir, I possess an offensive move, which categorizes me as a combatant," Evan stated, his confusion apparent. "Huh, but isn''t a necromancer purely a support class? How do you have an attack skill unless it''s a low-damage one? Please join the support group over there," he said, gesturing towards it. "Oh no, sir, I don''t have a necromancer attack skill, but rather a magic swordsman skill that remained in my class skills after its removal, as if the system forgot to delete it as well," he explained, while Miriam went from confusion to deciding not to tax his brain with this matter and just let it be. ''Got him,'' Lucas and Lyre thought, believing that he truly had a dual class. Lucas knew that after a class is removed, no skills should remain, so he suspected Evan was lying to protect his deception. Lyre understood this because she knew that without a class, one cannot learn skills from another class. Now, both harbored the same objective: to recruit Evan, who was oblivious to the fact that he was being targeted by the pair. -- To be continued -- A/N: What will become of Evan? Will he join the Lyre Guild or align with Lucas''s party? What''s going to happen? If you can predict the outcome, please share your thoughts as it could greatly assist in crafting a more intriguing story and understanding the readers'' perspective. Beginner Dungeon [1] [14th Everdusk 2103] "Okay, students, divide into three groups: combat, support, and auxiliary," Miriam instructed as all the students who had awakened a class began moving toward their respective groups. Eighteen students were in combat, twenty-six in support, and thirty-five in auxiliary. This was a good turnout for a school like his. Miriam was quite pleased with the numbers, recalling that in previous years, the number of combat types had been quite low, never exceeding fifteen, and now there were three more. "So, students, we are now going to take you to the CGA branch where you will receive the gifts we''ve prepared for you, and the final test will also be conducted there. You all know what it is¡ªthe dungeon raid," Miriam announced with excitement, although the sentiment might not be shared by the students facing their first raid. Typically, hunters looking to level up employed three main methods: first, raiding a dungeon; second, hunting outside the city; and third, entering the Nexus rift, where a whole new world opened up to them. For preparation, the school had decided to initiate them with a dungeon raid. This would also assist in obtaining the necessary time-lapse records and provide an opportunity to evaluate the students. As he spoke, the teachers began escorting the children toward the buses that had been arranged. They had secured three buses, knowing that separating the children would be wise to prevent any disputes over seating arrangements. He still remembered how, a few years back, one bus was destroyed after a mage-class student attacked a support-type healer who simply wanted to sit beside him. The incident had cost him a significant amount of money, and the memory still pained both his wallet and his heart. Since then, he made sure every year to divide the students equally by type and have them seated with their own teachers, as they were the only ones who could manage them. And just like that, the students were ushered onto buses which then began to move towards the road from the school lane. They were heading towards the CGA branch in their city, which was quite massive compared to other buildings. It was only a small branch of the main one, yet it was so large that it was said five territories had been combined to form it, and its level of technology was much higher than anything else present there. An hour later, they finally began to see the building''s silhouette, and it was enormous. Indeed, the entire branch spanned about fifty square kilometers. It was immensely vast, not so much because of the building itself, which was not very large, but because of the dungeons settled beside it. It was said that there were many dungeons for hunters to use here, all within close range. They entered through the main vehicle gate, signed the entry log, and received passes to visit inside. Exiting the bus, they all started walking towards the main building located in the center of the area, while on the left side of the building there was a huge market. Hunters were buying and shopping for various loots and items generated from dungeon rewards. This market operated on a simple rule: if the seller needed money, they would receive money; if they needed a certain item, they could wait for it, as it was up to their own discretion, and no one could force them.Stolen story; please report. That''s what was good about this place; it made people rely more on the CGA rather than the guilds owned by other families or individuals. "Okay students, since today is your first visit to this place, please be attentive and don''t get lost, as it is quite a large area, you know," Principal Mariam instructed us, and all the students responded in unison. Many hunters and CGA staff members turned their eyes upon them, and their reactions varied. Some appeared thoughtful, as if reminiscing about their own early days, while others seemed annoyed by the disruption. Evan was particularly observant of his surroundings, knowing it would help him blend into the area when he will come back to issue for a hunter id. He must take the CGA examination and trials of hunters to prove his rank and obtain a hunter ID, which is essential here as nothing can be done within legal bounds without it. He needed the ID, but joining a different guild was not an option, as it required disclosing full hunter information. No prestigious guild would accept him without it, and he preferred not to work under a guild due to their numerous assignments like team raiding and individual quests for item collection, which he disliked. Therefore, he decided to remain an independent hunter affiliated with the association. He also planned to use a mask for concealment. You might wonder why he doesn''t use the mask to hide his status within the guild for better opportunities, but he prefers solitude over teamwork. He believes he and his summon, or the companion he acquires, can raid a dungeon alone. As they pondered this, they reached the bustling building filled with hunters and staff moving in all directions due to the high workload. Miriam walked away, instructing everyone to wait as he went to fetch someone for an important step. "Well, guys, you''re all about to receive your hunter ID cards before the raid, and a gift afterward," Helen announced, exciting everyone except a few students like him, Lucas, and Lyre, who didn''t require such coddling. Evan considered returning tomorrow for the ID. However, if he were appraised, his abilities would be publicly revealed, making him a star and potentially attracting new enemies. "Sir, may I go to the was..." Evan began, intending to ask for the restroom to retrieve the mask from his inventory and use it for status concealment, but he halted as everyone saw Miriam approaching with a familiar figure¡ªDarian, who now held the formation scroll. "It seems the conflict between Lucas and Darian is far from over," Evan mused, realizing that Lucas might have to confront Darian again today. As Darian approached, his gaze fell on Lucas, who stood next to Tess. She attempted to shield him, fearing Darian might harm him. However, Lucas refused to cower. He was determined not to hide and to face Darian boldly. Evan was convinced that Lucas would hurl insults in this encounter too, cursing Darian and walking away with a deeper grudge, one that could evolve into a thirst for revenge after being humiliated publicly. It was the same clich¨¦d tale where the main character might enlist someone of higher rank to defeat or ensnare the antagonist, which would validate the antagonist''s wrongdoing and earn the protagonist respect and rewards for exposing a traitor within the organization. Evan was certain of Darian''s downfall if he didn''t intervene. He couldn''t allow Darian to grow too powerful to touch, so it was best to remove the problem before it became unmanageable. And he was resolved to take action sooner rather than later. -- To be continued -- (;-|-;) Please support me with power stones and add this to your library. Also, I have exciting news: in a few days, I''ll start uploading videos of my novel on You.Tube. There, I''ll provide readings and audio so you can enjoy the story without any hassle. Beginner Dungeon [2] [14TH Everdusk 2103] Lucas, now confronting Darian before an audience, showed no signs of fear. He believed Darian wouldn''t dare attack or kill him. While Lucas smiled as if nothing was amiss, Darian''s face betrayed his struggle to contain his anger and not annihilate the insignificant pest before him. Darian knew the consequences of such an act; killing a newly awakened citizen would lead to severe punishment, possibly imprisonment, and the loss of his position. "Oh Mr... ah, I can''t seem to recall your name, sir. Would you mind reminding me?" Lucas taunted slightly. "You... hah, listen, kid, you still have time. Apologize to me now, and we can end our feud here and now," Darian, on the verge of saying more, noticed Miriam pleading with him from the side. "Huh, apologize? Perhaps you should see a doctor, sir, as I don''t recall any conversation about me apologizing to you," Lucas retorted, feigning confusion. I observed Lucas provoking Darian further, suspecting he had some strategy up his sleeve to be so bold. Such tactics are rarely used and likely have a cooldown period. I doubted Lucas had anything other than some system abilities to counter Darian''s powers. "Hah, it seems Miriam''s student will soon be hospitalized," Darian sneered, poised to move, while Lucas readied his counterattack. Before that could happen, a staff member appeared between them so swiftly that no one could perceive it, not even Darian, whose expression revealed his surprise. "Arah, it seems I''ve jumped in at an awkward moment," she said, her demeanor calm, yet everyone understood that if Darian was this intimidated by her presence, she must be formidable. I was certain that Lucas might use her to remove Darian from his path, or perhaps even eliminate him after gaining some power. "Oh, Mrs. Lilia Ashenbrook, I was unaware of your presence, or I would have come to greet you personally," Darian said, having initially thought he could act freely without alerting the vice branch manager. "There''s no need for concern, Sir Darian. I returned just a few minutes ago and saw you conversing with these students, so I came over to check in, that''s all," Lilia explained, admitting that managing a branch was exhausting and she often slipped away from work seeking amusement. "Then it''s fine, Ma''am. We''ve just arrived to issue these students their IDs, which will be beneficial for them," Miriam interjected, seizing the opportunity to engage with Lilia and establish a rapport. "And who might you be? Mr.~~~~~ ah, Miriam Westfield, I see. You have an impressive class in your care, a Master Educator (B Rank). Quite commendable for a teacher," she remarked, leaving Miriam astonished as he had not expected Lilia to recognize him.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. "Ma''am, it''s an honor to be known by someone of your stature," he replied with as much grace as he could muster. "Oh, Mr. Miriam, I believe there''s been a misunderstanding. I don''t know you personally; I simply have my ways of discerning the potential in your group, and I see some promising young talents," she said, her gaze turning sharply towards the students. I immediately lowered my head, hoping not to be noticed. As I know that some people in branch like those possess the skills to analysis your status. So I was just trying to find some time to pull out my mask and use it to hide my status and not get caught as if did then I was doomed to get find out and may who find me try to blackmail me and I don''t want to get into much bloodshed right now like I didn''t have got to kill my first monster and yet to start plan to kill some normal people. Then it would be not that good but what he can do in it. "So, you''re saying you''re one of the appraisers checking the status of hunters for promotion?" Miriam asked, nodding at the frustrated Darian who nodded back, properly introducing her. "Well, students, as you know, this is Lilia Ashenbrook, the branch manager of our city (DC-23) in Dyna Crest. She is also our only high appraiser. You might be lucky if she makes your IDs, so be sure to ask her nicely," he said, introducing her and trying to entangle her to avoid a lecture. "Wait, wait, are you implying I don''t have time...?" she interjected, realizing he was trying to rope her in. "Oh, manager, I must go; I have some work," he said, disappearing from his spot. "Geez, that old man left me here again," she grumbled, stamping her foot on the ground, leaving a noticeable dent in the tiles. Before she could direct the students to other appraisers, some people she always found annoying came running straight towards them for some reason. The people she disliked were the independent guild executives who came to recruit the students who had recently awakened into their ranks. Even though they were low in class grade, some were quite impressive, with a handful of C-ranks and even one B-rank among them. Lyre, the A-rank Flame Witch, wasn''t swarmed by them, as they knew trying to recruit her would almost certainly lead to their guild''s destruction. So now, every guild executive was buzzing around the newly awakened students like bees to newly blossomed flowers. They began querying the students about their class and started making offers, but only a few showed interest, as most students believed joining the CGA branch was a better option than joining a guild. Seizing the opportunity to escape, Lilia quickly disappeared in the direction of her office. She didn''t want to waste time making IDs for new students unless someone of a high <B> or higher, like an <A> grade, appeared; then she might consider it. Here, we observed that aside from a few students who were not engaged by the guild recruiters, Lucas, Lyre, and I were included. Lucas was there because he stood behind Tess, who acted as a barrier, preventing anyone from approaching him. Lyre was guarded by her own guild members. I was also at the back, away from the groups of students who were the main targets of all recruiters. After all, who would spend time on individual students when groups were available? This situation allowed Evan to take measures to safeguard his status. What he did was covert; he first moved his activities from here to somewhere quieter, and I knew where that was. And what he did was~~~~~~~~~~~. -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [3] [14TH Everdusk 2103] While everyone was busy avoiding the guild executives eager to recruit them, particularly those with Combat and Support classes, as they were a major asset for the guilds, Lucas and Lyre kept their distance. I hadn''t been approached by anyone, which suited me fine since I had no interest in getting entangled with them. I seized an opportunity and approached Miriam, who was busy fending off guild recruiters trying to enlist the girl who had awakened the Paladin class. He had just dismissed the fifth recruiter when I approached him. "Excuse me, sir, may I use the restroom?" I asked, to which he gave me a look as if I were a mental patient. "Have you lost your mind, boy? Can''t you see I''m busy? Do you really need to ask permission like a six-year-old?" he barked at me, drawing mocking glances from some onlookers. "It''s not that, Sir. I recall you instructing us not to wander off without informing you, so I was merely adhering to the rules," I replied, indifferent to the others'' mockery. "Yo... hah, alright, go but be quick about it," he conceded, and I nodded before walking off to attend to my matters. As I left, unbeknownst to me, I was being watched. Indeed, it was our main character Lucas and the female lead Lyre, observing me discreetly, unaware of their thoughts that I was concealing some truth. ''I suspect he''s trying to avoid being noticed by the association to avoid ID registration. But you can''t hide forever, Evan,'' Lucas mused, recalling his conversation with Tess earlier. While observing Evan, Lyre instructed a guild member to take action. Upon hearing her, the member trailed Evan towards the washroom. ''Well, Evan, try to run now. You won''t escape our guild; I''m determined to recruit you. Be prepared to work alongside me,'' Lyre mused, contemplating various strategies to secure his agreement to her proposal. Meanwhile, I made my way to the washroom to attend to some pressing matters before returning. Entering, I noticed several hunters engaged in various activities. After spotting an unoccupied booth, I stepped inside and settled onto the seat. Then, I opened my inventory to retrieve the mask I urgently needed. Indeed, the item I sought to use could facilitate my escape with ease by creating a mask. I decided to access my system, but to my surprise, another system appeared alongside the familiar Nexus Prime System, the standard system used by inhabitants of the Nexus world. This new system, the Eternal Omni-verse System, was of a much higher grade. Its comprehensive analysis suggested that the Nexus Prime System was significantly inferior, and the small portion accessible to others was even less significant compared to my system. Initially, I had planned to frequently utilize the Nexus Prime System and seldom resort to the Eternal Omni-verse System. However, the stark contrast between them has now become too great to ignore. __ [Nexus Prime System] (Status) (Inventory) (Quest) __ I was sure that even other golden finger should be good than this but what I saw in the Eternal Omni-verse System was too much like how much it can have in it. __ [Eternal Omni-verse System] (Status) (Inventory) (Quest) (Shop) (Points) (Achievement Hall) This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. (Leveling Systems) (Bond Systems) (Bind systems) (Customization Panel) (Log/History) (Navigation System) (Scan) (Production Hall) (Armory hall) (Weaponry Hall) ...... >>>> Click to open more __ My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw the extensive list; there was even a large section dedicated solely to scan ability. It was beyond my comprehension. As I touched it, expecting a single panel, it split into multiple panels, each displaying different details about everything around me¡ªfrom the tiles to the door, the side wall, and even the seat I was on, along with intricate details of my clothes. I instantly closed the tab and was about to explore further when a message from the system caught my interest: __ {The system has detected that some functions have been damaged and require a complete shutdown to reboot and re-establish a stable connection with the main stream. The host is advised to use any necessary functions now before the system enters a hibernation period for a few weeks.} __ I was stunned by this message because if it were a malfunction, it would have displayed numerous things unnecessarily, like opening over a hundred tabs due to a single interference. I was skeptical and considered using the system''s scan feature to check the mask''s capabilities, as if in my previous life. Previously, I hadn''t used it carefully; the mask seemed incomplete, and I was merely scratching the surface of its potential. So, I decided to scan it with this system since the previous one was inadequate. Despite this, I chose to examine the item description once more, but it proved to be unworthy. __ [Nexus Prime System] {Name: ????????????? Grade: ??????? rank Type:???????? bond Description: ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Abilities: ???????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ????????? ?????????} __ It wasn''t worth it at all, so I decided to try the other ability. I picked up the plain, transparent-looking mask and activated the system''s scan feature. Previously, I had only gained the ability to use it by chance when I accidentally bonded with it. It revealed something I had never been able to see before. __ {The system has detected a high-ranking item. The scan is in progress and may take a few minutes to complete due to a system malfunction.} __ As I waited for a few minutes, it displayed the result. It was something unbelievable, too significant for me to comprehend. __ [Name: Mask of concealment Grade: Ephemeral Rank (Upgradable) Type: Legendary Artifact (Growth-Type) Bond System: Soul-Bound Stage: 1 (Veil of Shadows) Description: Forged from the essence of shadows and ancient arcane secrets, the Mask of Concealment is a legendary artifact that adapts and evolves with its bonded wearer. It is said to be the ultimate tool for deception, infiltration, and survival. Its surface is smooth, dark as the void, and ever-shifting, subtly changing as it grows in power. Only those who form a soul-bond with the mask can wield its full potential, allowing it to transform in both ability and appearance.The mask feeds on the experiences and growth of its wearer, unlocking greater powers over time. Its full potential is said to rival the most powerful relics in existence. Abilities: ????????????] I was utterly shocked after witnessing its abilities. It made me wonder if I had been using the right thing before, or if they had only now given me the real deal, as it was giving me goosebumps. -- To be continued -- What did he see that gave him goosebumps? If you want to know, then wait until the veil is lifted and its beauty is revealed to us. But for that, you all have to wait a little longer. So goodbye, and don''t worry, we will all meet right here tomorrow, just like today. Beginner Dungeon [4] [14th Everdusk 2103] What I saw was so astonishing that my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets; it was overwhelming to realize that the tool I had used before had such immense power, and to think that all this time I had only scratched the surface of its capabilities is just mind-blowing. __ [Name: Mask of concealment Grade: Ephemeral Rank (Upgradable) Type: Legendary Artifact (Growth-Type) Bond System: Soul-Bound Stage: 1 (Veil of Shadows) Description: Forged from the essence of shadows and ancient arcane secrets, the Mask of Concealment is a legendary artifact that adapts and evolves with its bonded wearer. It is said to be the ultimate tool for deception, infiltration, and survival. Its surface is smooth, dark as the void, and ever-shifting, subtly changing as it grows in power. Only those who form a soul-bond with the mask can wield its full potential, allowing it to transform in both ability and appearance. The mask feeds on the experiences and growth of its wearer, unlocking greater powers over time. Its full potential is said to rival the most powerful relics in existence. Abilities: {Stage 1: Veil of Shadows} Status Concealment Effect: Completely hides the wearer''s true stats, skills, and abilities from any detection or appraisal skills. Status Mold Effect: Allows the user to alter displayed stats, creating the illusion of different classes, power levels, or weaknesses to deceive enemies or allies. Memory Devour (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Consumes fragments of memories from those the wearer touches, allowing the user to extract knowledge, memory, or secrets. Limit: Can only store up to three memories. (Upgradable) {Stage 2: Phantom''s Guise} [Locked] Face Change (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Instantly changes the wearer''s facial features to mimic anyone they have seen. Advanced Feature: Can store up to five faces for instant reuse. Face Store Effect: Stores up to ten unique faces, each accessible at will. Faces can be altered or discarded as desired. {Stage 3: Eclipse of Identities} [Locked] Transformation (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Grants full-body transformation, altering height, build, gender, and even aura to perfectly match the target. Limit: Duration of transformation scales with user level but can last indefinitely when fully mastered. Voice Modification (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Perfectly mimics any voice the user has heard, including tone, pitch, and cadence. Advanced Feature: Allows the creation of entirely new, customized voices. {Stage 4: Mask of the Eternal Void} [Locked] Aura Cloak (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Completely suppresses or alters the user''s aura, allowing them to appear as weak, powerful, or even undetectable. Illusion Weave (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Creates realistic illusions around the wearer, projecting false surroundings or multiple false images of themselves. True Veil (Proficiency: 0%) Effect: Allows the user to erase their presence from sight, sound, and even memory for a limited duration. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Passive Effects: Adaptive Evolution The mask adapts to the wearer''s environment with stealth to hide the mask on the face to use it however host want, while granting resistance to mind-control, charm, and fear-based effects of user rank.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Soul Synchronization The mask''s power is directly linked to the soul-bond. The deeper the bond, the stronger the abilities. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It possesses twelve abilities, of which ten are primary and two are secondary. I was shocked because, in my past life, I only utilized two abilities from stage one and was never informed about the third one. "Hi system, can you tell me why I was only able to use two abilities all this time?" I inquired of the system, hoping it would have an AI to provide the answers that Nexus Prime did not. __ {Host, if you are saying that why you wasn''t able to use the third ability of mask in stage 1 because it requires the host to form the complete soul bond with the item to fully integrate with the host but as per the scans, I have detected that the bond that host has made was quite a non-existing partial bond made so the mask wasn''t able to complete send the full information of abilities and upgrade procedure that''s why it happened.} {Would you want me to start the process of the real bond ritual.} __ "Huh, can you do this like real. As I thought that system can''t do something like this without any things in return like what you need it for." I asked as I remember that in my past life to bond with a simple growth type weapon, I have to give system my fifty levels to make it complete it. __ {It''s not required host to give system something for the ritual to be completed what in ritual is needed is some of the host blood and a piece of soul to connect with the item.} {Do you wish to start the process. [Yes/No]} {[Yes]} {The ritual starts in ten seconds, please refrain from any movement and kindly wear the mask for the ritual to start.} __ The system didn''t say anything as I just didn''t say anything and wear the mask to start it. As just I wear the mask. The countdown appeared in system screen. __ {The process is being initiated.} {1....2.....3.....4.....5....6....7....8....9...10.} {The blood is being ejected to start the process.} __ I feel a sting on my forehead like some sharp pointed needle pierced it and take some blood from it. I wanted to see what happened by the mask but stopped as system told me not to do it. __ {Blood bond is completed host.} {The soul bound is initiated.} {Please refrain, as a sharp pain is incoming.} __ "Ouch~~~~~~~."Just as the system said like a pain like something cut my inside with magma blade like stuff, which was cause stinging into me. __ {System has taken the required soul piece to initiate the process. The system has detected immense pain raging in the host body, the body numb process is being start.} {Host is recommended to not stand while it happened.} __ After receiving the notification, my body began to feel different, as if it had become completely paralyzed. I was unable to lift or move at all. Panic set in, and I was shocked. I tried to move, but to no avail. Then, something changed. The mask on my face began to wiggle wildly, transforming from solid to liquid. I was alarmed because it was on my face and could potentially stop my breathing. But to my astonishment, instead of covering my face with the liquid substance, it dissolved as if it had never been there, which was quite unusual. I attempted to touch the mask, but it was as if it didn''t exist. A few minutes later, I began to regain sensation in my limbs, and they started to function again. I sat up straight instantly and reached for the mask on my face, but it was gone, as if it had never been there. "Hey system, where is my mask? Did something go wrong with the system that caused it to dissolve?" I inquired of the system, which had been silent since the soul bond commenced. __ {No host, the process has been confirmedly successful, and the bond is fully set so the mask got integrated into you like your body parts and won''t came off until you got destroyed as it can''t be separated now.} {And kindly noted host that the system is now going offline due to rehiblation purposes so don''t try to call the system up.} {Hope you survive until then host.} (System reboot process initiated.) (Remaining time until process completed: 13 Weeks: 5 Days: 12 hours: 5 minutes: 51 seconds left.) __ Nothing appeared next, which was unexpected. I was initially shocked, but then I realized I had the complete information in my hands. Now, I was confident that I could use this mask on my own. As soon as I thought about it, the mask reappeared on my face by itself. It started off transparent, then transformed into a black surface with red tendrils emerging on its own, as if adapting to me. It looked quite imposing when I took it off to examine it. Thinking about it again, the mask dissolved into my hands and reappeared on my face like some cool piece of equipment. __ Hi guys hope you all will like my video I posted on my you.tube channel and here is the link: https://youtu.be/s4xBAJPCl2A</a> And if you wanted to find it separately then type the ''THE THIRD RETURN OF THE NECROTIC MAGIC SWORDSMAN'' /The Night when everything falls apart [1]. Beginner Dungeon [5] [14th Everdusk 2103] Inside the toilet booth, I fiddled with my mask while a man outside, waiting for something, stood by patiently. Indeed, it was a member of Lyre''s guild, obeying her orders to shadow Evan into the restroom and monitor whether he attempted escape. Yet here he remained, confined within the stall, and the guild member''s patience was turning to irritation. How could anyone spend so much time in a restroom at this late hour? ''Why am I stuck here? Couldn''t the miss have assigned me another task? Watching this kid is tedious. I could be soloing an E-rank gate right now,'' he mused, inwardly grumbling at Evan, who sat idly on the toilet. ''Maybe it''s time to check my status; I haven''t looked at it in a while. Better adjust it to avoid any issues here,'' I contemplated, accessing my system, excluding the one undergoing a reboot. __ [Nexus Prime System] (Status) (Inventory) (Quest) ____ [Status] Name: Evan Ravencall (Evan Windstone) Race: Human (100%) Age: 18 Title: Limit Breaker Rank: Tier 0 Level: 01 Class: Necromancer (D), Mage (E), Weapon Master (F), Blacksmith (B)[Locked], Alchemist (S)[Locked], Rune Enchanter (S!)[Locked] Talent: Plunder (?), Infinite Evolution & Enchantment (?), Supreme Adaptation (?), Transcendent body (?) [Locked], Replica of Halo of Luck #######(?) [Locked] ~~~~~ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 90 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) Mana Points (MP): 110 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) Strength (STR): 6 Agility (AGL): 9 Vitality (VIT): 9 Intelligence (INT): 11 Endurance (END): 7 Stamina (STA): 5 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 18 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 16/17 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5] Defense: 12 [DEF: END+STA*1] ~~~~~~~ Abilities: [- Elemental Manipulation (SSS)] Skills: None Class skills: {Undead Summon (Lv. 1), Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 1), Shadow Bolt (Lv. 1)} {Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1), Mana Shield (Lv. 1)} {Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv.1), Power Slash (Lv. 1), Quick Swap (Lv. 1)} ~~~~~~~~ {Inventory} - Unknown vial - Mysterious egg - Unknown Bloodline vial __ Upon viewing his status, he was astounded beyond belief. If he were to reveal this to others, he might be hailed as the most formidable genius ever known, surpassing all with six classes and five talents¡ªa level of potential growth unheard of before. The ability tab, too, was an unprecedented feature in the Ceruleth World.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Thus, he chose to tailor the status to his liking, omitting numerous elements. The outcome, in fact, was quite impressive. __ [Status] Name: Evan Ravencall Race: Human (100%) Age: 18 Rank: Tier 0 Level: 01 Class: Necromancer (D) Talent: None ~~~~~ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 90 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) Mana Points (MP): 110 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) Strength (STR): 6 Agility (AGL): 9 Vitality (VIT): 9 Intelligence (INT): 11 Endurance (END): 7 Stamina (STA): 5 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 18 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 16/17 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5] Defense: 12 [DEF: END+STA*1] ~~~~~~~ Skills: None Class skills: {Undead Summon (Lv. 1), Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 1), Shadow Bolt (Lv. 1)} {Power Slash (Lv. 1), Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1)} ~~~~~~~~ {Inventory} -None __ The statue appeared ordinary, and I appreciated it because it meant no one would interfere with his path. My array of skills as a magic swordsman fit perfectly with it. My primary necromancer class has three skills, which is the standard starting point, except for some fortunate individuals who begin with four or five. With my D rank, I should be able to unlock a maximum of three to four additional skills for a while. The skill unlock system is quite stringent for those in the lower grades, whereas those in the higher grades can easily unlock ten to fifteen skills from their class tree. While reviewing the class skills, my attention was drawn to the third set, belonging to the weapon master class. I examined the skills and noted that one was passive, another active, and the third a combination of both. In my view, it was a decent class as it offered a variety of weapons to use, but its low grade didn''t quite inspire enthusiasm. I considered it a supplementary class. After glancing over my edited window, I nodded and decided to leave the booth where I had spent a considerable amount of time. Stepping out, I noticed someone washing his face, dressed in attire resembling that of a high-class guild. I was certain I hadn''t seen him here before, but it was of no concern to me. With that thought, I walked away from the restroom. While I hadn''t noticed the man''s surprise at seeing me emerge, as soon as I did, he immediately relayed something about me through his Bluetooth device, which might have been powered by mana since electricity seemed non-existent these days. Unconcerned, I walked out of the restroom to see the guild members who had come to recruit students leaving with disappointed expressions because the teachers had not permitted any students to join them. I looked for the guild of those two who harassed me constantly, but they were nowhere to be found. I suspected that maybe the branch had barred their entry due to their low reputation. I observed some students feeling downcast for not being able to join the guild, while others were pleased. When I glanced at Lucas, who was coincidentally looking my way, he quickly averted his gaze as if he hadn''t seen me. I was certain he wouldn''t join any guild and would instead become a CGA hunter, forming his own so-called harem party. How can someone profess to love so many girls equally? I despise those guys. As I looked around, the same man from the restroom approached Lyre and whispered something to her. She nodded and scanned the room, her gaze briefly meeting mine and Lucas'', though we were unaware of it. I was elated that I was finally ready for the test and about to become a member of the CGA, not just another member of those detestable guilds. While I was lost in thought, I noticed Lucas staring at me before he started walking towards me, though I couldn''t fathom why. "Hey bro, can you listen to me for a second?" he said. I looked at him, feigning ignorance. "Sure, what can I do for you?" I replied, suppressing the urge to dismiss him immediately, as I had an inkling of what he was about to propose. "Hey bro, would you consider joining a party after the dungeon activities?" he inquired. Initially, I wanted to decline, but then an idea struck me to deal with Lucas, whom I considered a nuisance. "Well, I''m planning to go solo for the initial levels, then maybe I''ll consider joining a team if I find a good fit," I responded, trying to appear inspirational. "Okay then, I wanted you on my team, but if you prefer going solo for now, that''s fine. Here''s my number; call me if you decide to join," Lucas said, about to leave when Lyre suddenly appeared before us. "Hi Lyre, what brings you here? Interested in joining my team?" Lucas asked her, oblivious to the fact that she was the GuildMaster''s daughter, as if she were a mere stranger. "Lucas, be quiet for a moment and listen to what I have to say," she commanded. Lucas immediately fell silent, and I followed suit. "Pay attention, both of you..." she began, saying something that left all the students around us in utter shock. -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [6] [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. "Lucas, be silent for a moment and heed my words," she commanded. Lucas complied immediately, and I did the same. "Both of you, pay attention," she began, her words sending a wave of shock through the surrounding students. "Out with it, Lyre. I dislike suspense," Lucas interjected, receiving a glare that could silence even the boldest. He stepped back, remaining quiet. "Here''s the deal, boys: join my guild and be part of my team..." Lyre was mid-sentence when I interrupted her. "Sorry, not interested," I declared, walking away and leaving Lyre speechless as I headed towards the principal''s office. "Ah, Lyre, I feel the same. I''d rather not join a separate guild; it can get messy, and I''d prefer to avoid that. So, thank you for the offer, but no," he added, following my lead towards Tess. The students began to murmur, wondering why we had declined the offer. It wasn''t that her guild was inferior; on the contrary, it was highly esteemed, admitting only those with a class rank above C. The guild, known as <Unparalleled Pearl>, held the 100th rank globally in Ceruleth. While it might not seem impressive at first glance, considering the myriad of guilds emerging and growing in power daily, maintaining a strong position at the 100th rank indicated its strength. Otherwise, it would have declined this year. Yet now, two novices, not even of high rank, had spurned the invitation of this formidable guild led by the GuildMaster''s daughter. This blunder could very well become the talk of the city. Lyre was still in shock, enraged yet unable to act due to their own responsibilities. "Lucas, you may get away for now, but I swear, I, Lyre Dawnfield, will surely bring you into our guild, Evan," she declared as she walked away to join her guild members. After everything had settled, the Principal decided to gather all the students to receive their CGA IDs. "Okay, students, follow me to the inspection area to get your IDs," he instructed, and all the students began to follow him like sheep. After a few twists and turns, they reached the hall where several people sat behind their desks, busy with their tasks. There were exactly five desks, each equipped with the necessary items for the identification check. "Okay, students, please form five lines and approach the appraisers," he directed. The students moved towards them and divided into five lines; I was in the third line, Lucas was in the first, and Lyre was absent since she wouldn''t become a hunter in CGA¡ªafter all, if your father is the guildmaster, why would you need to be a member of the government?This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Everyone was being registered in the database as their true status was verified by their skills. When Lucas''s turn came, he was easily recognized as a Battle Mage (E). When my turn arrived, Lucas and Lyre''s eyes were on me like predators eyeing their prey. "Hello," I greeted the man who looked somewhat bored, to say the least. He didn''t respond to my greeting; instead, his eyes glowed faintly as if he had used his skill, and he began to write down everything he observed. The data he entered on the registration form was as follows. __ Name: Evan Ravencall Race: Human Class: Necromancer (D) Rank: Tier 1 Level: 1 Talent: None Skills: Undead Summon, Bone Fang Strike, Shadow Bolt, Power Slash, Arcane Bolt Note: The ability to sustain two skills from different classes could make him a valuable seeded hunter for the Branch. It is recommended to recruit him into the CGA. __ That''s just the way it is, nothing more, but there may be an issue when I should have six classes in my section and five talents with quite a good reputation. I imagine this guy''s eyes would have popped out of his head. But now, it was as normal as can be. The Nexus Prime system didn''t even receive the proper status update. Now I understand why they referred to our system as quite backward compared to the Eternal Omni-Verse System, which is more like hell and heaven, not heaven and earth. It was like comparing one billion to one. He was eager to see more of its functions and how it described his status. But unfortunately, he had to wait because it was about three months until the next reboot shutdown. So, he let it go and looked at the card ID he received after everyone had their appraisal completed. In some corner, Lyre was waiting for someone to arrive as a guild member came and handed her some papers. These showed the appraisal results for Evan and Lucas. Evan was clear, except his skill set included two extra skills that didn''t match his class, causing Lyre to wonder if he was being truthful or if he was still concealing his primary class by some means. She decided to investigate this later, while Lucas''s report lay before her. __ Name: Lucas Bennett Race: Human Class: Battle Mage (E){?} Rank: Tier 1 Level: 1 Talent: None. {!} Skills: Arcane Strike, Mana Shield, Fireball [Note: It is not recommended to allow him to join the CGA due to low potential and a high chance of elimination before the first ascension.] __ Upon reading the note and founding that something was amiss in the Lucas status, she was convinced that there were hidden meanings in the statuses of those individuals and was determined to uncover them before she could rest easy. Observing that everyone had received an ID card, she anticipated the forthcoming events and instructed her assistant to retrieve the item her parents had arranged for her. The assistant acknowledged with a nod and departed, leaving her in solitude. She noticed Miriam''s elation, as he was about to receive backing from a senior officer like Darian. "Listen up, kids," he announced, "for your inaugural dungeon raid, I''ve arranged some gifts for each of you that will aid in your quest. Be sure to accept these tokens I''ve prepared." With a clap of his hands, attendants arrived bearing cardboard boxes, from which various items protruded, making it clear to all what they contained. And the item that was unveiled was... -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [7] [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. Several boxes lay before the combat and support class students, as the auxiliary class had already been escorted away. Miriam noticed the students'' puzzled expressions and walked towards the boxes. Lifting the lids, she revealed chain mail armor in one, basic weapons for all classes in another, and support class items like wands, staves, shields, small daggers, and more in the others. "Students, in celebration of our school''s improved classes this year, we have decided to present you with these beginner gifts," he announced, prompting smiles from some students, while others stood emotionless, likely because many had parents who were hunters and could afford to provide their children with such equipment. Those with eligible parents were relieved, having anticipated the need to make expensive purchases. Miriam gestured for the teachers to distribute the items to those in need. Tess, Helen, Marlo, and Cedric assumed this duty, while Vaedin attended to the auxiliary class students. As the principal''s gifts were accepted or declined, the attention shifted to Lyre''s assistant, who had arrived with an item in hand. It was a ring that drew everyone''s gaze, a special ring well-known to all, sparking curiosity as to why it was now the center of attention. Yes, it was a spatial ring used by high society people. Some may wonder why they used it if the system already had an inventory. Not all high society individuals had access to this system, so they devised this method to store items, and it proved to be quite successful. It became very useful even for those who had not awakened their class, as only those who had awakened a class were eligible for the system. As a student from a family without the means to purchase these items, I was quite pleased, as I hadn''t even considered this possibility. "First, let''s acquire the items, then use them to earn money and obtain more," I thought. When Helen approached me with the items, I chose armor and a sword. He looked at me, puzzled. "Evan, why aren''t you picking a staff instead of a sword?" he asked. It was a reasonable question since I was a necromancer class individual and should have chosen a staff. "Sir, my skills require a sword, and I don''t think I can carry both a staff and a sword. So, I might as well choose what''s best for me right now," I explained, which seemed to confuse him momentarily, but he let it go and moved on to distribute items to other children in need. I donned the chain mail and placed the sword in my inventory, which had thirty regular spaces. It was partially full, but before adding the sword, I checked my system to see its stats. __ {Basic Chain Mail Chestplate Type: Armor (Chest) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0) Description: A beginner''s chain mail chestplate crafted from low-grade iron, designed for minimal defense. It provides adequate protection against weak physical attacks, suitable for those just starting their journey. Attributes: Defense: +5 Durability: 50/50 Weight: Moderate Special Notes: No additional effects or enhancements.} {Basic Iron Sword Type: Weapon (One-Handed Sword) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0) Description: A standard iron sword with no frills, perfect for new adventurers. While its power is limited, it serves as a reliable weapon for basic combat. Attributes: Attack Power: +7 Durability: 40/40 Weight: Light Special Notes: Easily replaceable and non-upgradable.} __ The weapon was basic and unremarkable, yet it was better than being unarmed, representing the lowest tier of equipment. In contrast, Lyre stood out, clad in a mage''s attire, wielding a three-meter staff topped with a large crystal, beneath which runes were etched, indicating its high rank¡ªlikely a <Caldo> or perhaps even an <Erith> grade item. Such opulence wasn''t surprising given her father''s status as a GuildMaster. {Check the auxiliary chapters for the item ranking system} Her smirk, directed at Lucas and me, seemed to convey a message of triumph for rejecting her earlier offer, suggesting we would regret not joining her. Ignoring her, I surveyed the area, noting many students equipped with superior items. Nevertheless, I was confident in my ability to acquire similar gear in time. Lucas, too, had armed himself with a sword and chainmail armor, likely chosen to complement his class''s elemental abilities and future upgrades. I realized the urgency of advancing my own capabilities to prevent him from becoming too formidable an opponent. Despite this resolve, I couldn''t shake off a persistent chill and the unsettling feeling of being watched, as if by a predator. This sensation had been absent in the solitude of the restroom, but now it returned, stronger than before.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Scanning the crowd for any signs of animosity directed at me yielded nothing, yet the feeling of unease lingered. Lucas and Lyre sighed softly as they executed the move, while Evan looked around, unaware that he was being watched. After the distribution was complete, Miriam gathered everyone and led them to the dungeon area they had seen earlier. For many, it was their first glimpse of the dungeons; they had never been close enough before, but today they were all going to enter one. The excitement was palpable, yet so was the nervousness about the potential dangers. They approached an area where the dungeons were smaller in size, which also indicated their strength, measured by the mana emanating from them and their physical dimensions. "Students, or should I say raiders, we are here for your first raid. I have prepared a gate for you all, which leads to a beginner''s dungeon. Let our guide introduce its description to you," Miriam announced, stepping aside for a staff member responsible for the dungeons to come forward. He was a fifty-year-old man with a scar on his cheek. "Raiders, pay close attention, as today is your first day of raiding. I will grant you the privilege of this information, so listen carefully," he began, as all the students focused on the information being shared. "This dungeon is designed for all novice raiders, and the information is now before you," he concluded, as a hologram materialized in front of the group, displaying: Dungeon Name: Verdant Hollow Type: Forest Dungeon Recommended Rank: F Location: Deep within an ancient forest filled with overgrown vegetation, hidden dangers, and eerie sounds. Dungeon Lore: Once a sacred grove, Verdant Hollow was corrupted by dark forces. Now, it teems with dangerous creatures, led by a Hobgoblin warlord. Brave adventurers who conquer this dungeon will prove their mettle and claim the hidden treasures. Dungeon Layout: The dungeon has three stages, each increasing in difficulty with more dangerous creatures and natural hazards like poisonous plants, pitfalls, and dense foliage. Stage 1: The Slime Grove (Lv. 1-4) Description: A lush, vibrant area with glowing mushrooms and shallow pools of water. Slimes and monkeys roam freely, ambushing unwary adventurers. Enemies: Green Slimes (Lv. 1-2) Slow-moving blobs that attack with acidic touches. Forest Monkeys (Lv. 3-4) Agile creatures attacking from trees and vines. Stage 2: The Wildfang Den (Lv. 5-8) Description: A dark, twisted section of the forest where the undergrowth is thick, and the air feels heavy. Wolves and serpents lurk in the shadows, waiting for prey. Enemies: Forest Wolves (Lv. 5-6) Fast, coordinated pack hunters. Venomfang Serpents (Lv. 7-8) Stealthy snakes that blend into the environment. <b>Alpha Wolf (Lv.10, Mini-Boss)</b> <b></b>The leader of the wolf pack, quite crafty and sly beast be cautious or won''t know when killed.<b> </b> Stage 3: The Goblin Nest (Lv. 9-10) Description: A large clearing with makeshift goblin huts and fire pits. Goblins patrol the area, and the Hobgoblin warlord commands them from a crude throne. Enemies: Goblins (Lv. 9-10) Small but vicious, armed with crude weapons. Hobgoblin Warlord (Lv. 12-13, Boss) A massive, armored goblin wielding a heavy club. Final Boss Objective: Defeat the Hobgoblin Warlord and destroy the Goblin Totem to break the dungeon''s curse and claim victory. The document was meticulously detailed, including images and descriptions of every enemy within. "Let''s go over the details. The dungeon, known as Verdant Hollow, unfolds across three stages. The first stage pits you against slimes and monkeys, which you must defeat to advance. Upon clearing this stage, two portals will appear: a green one to return and a blue one leading to the second stage. If you''re not feeling confident, it''s better to retreat than to press on unprepared. In the second stage, you''ll encounter forest wolves and venomfang snakes. These creatures are more challenging, requiring strategy and caution to overcome. Defeating them allows you to face the mini-boss, whose defeat is necessary to progress. Remember, once you enter the third stage, there''s no turning back. The final stage introduces goblins and the ultimate boss, the hobgoblin. Triumph over these foes, and you''ll emerge as victorious raiders. Fail, and it''s the end of the line," he concluded, summarizing the dungeon''s challenges. Which was quite okay, as I remember that in my past life, no one provided such a good summary of the dungeon on our first attempt. "Are you all ready?" he asked, as all the students erupted in a roar. "Yes, we are ready!" all the students exclaimed in excitement and began entering the dungeon one by one, which was not slow as those who went in teams entered simultaneously, and those who entered alone did so individually. Lucas nodded at me and walked inside. "Like, hell dude, am I your girlfriend or something?" I thought to myself, reassured by his gesture. While I was pondering, two students approached me with light steps. I looked at them as one extended his hand towards me for a handshake and said, "Hi, my name is Dain. I am a shield bearer, and I wish to form a party with you for raiding the dungeon with this friend of mine, Mira, who is a healer. We both are <D> rank like you, so do you want to join?" He said with a sweet smile. At first, I glanced at his hand, then at his face, and replied, "Sorry, bro, I''m going to raid alone, so please find someone else." I seized the opportunity and entered the dungeon, leaving them behind. "What? He didn''t accept, even though he''s a <D> rank necromancer? Did you see his ego, Mira?" Dain said as Mira just sighed, and they went to find another person to join. Luckily, a swordsman of <E> rank agreed. They entered together, and that''s how the journey truly began for all these students. Above the dungeon, the names of all the students started appearing with three dots, the first in green and the other two dull, with a number count starting behind them. Yes, it was the board where they would know who died, who passed which stage, and how much time they took to clear the dungeon. -- To be continued -- Hey guys, I hope you liked the chapter. The dungeon is about to start, so be attentive and add it to your library to get notifications of new chapters. Also, I am working on a project for audio novel videos of this novel on YouTube, so I will notify you all when it happens. Beginner Dungeon [8] & Skills [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. Each participant entered the dungeon individually, displayed on a screen that indicated who had perished, who had advanced through each stage, and the time taken to clear the dungeon. In one such instance, I found myself landing on the ground just as the entrance portal closed behind me, leaving me isolated within. Being a necromancer and alone is not particularly perilous here, given that my class is a blend of offense and support. My ability lies in summoning skeletons to battle on my behalf, allowing me to progress by leveraging my skills. I was content with this class, although my former class as a Magic Swordsman was also formidable. However, as a necromancer, I can stay out of combat until I am strong enough to enter the fray. I conjured my sword, grasping it in my right hand, and then called upon my system to view the descriptions of my skills. __ [Status] Name: Evan Ravencall (/Windstone) Race: Human (100%) Age: 18 Title: Limit Breaker Rank: Tier 0 Level: 01 Class: Necromancer (D), Mage (E), Weapon Master (F) Talent: Plunder, Infinite Evolution & Enchantment, Supreme Adaptation. ~~~~~ {Stats} HP: 90 (Regen: .45/s = 9*.05) MP: 110 (Regen: .55/s = 11*.05) STR: 6 AGL: 9 VIT: 9 INT: 11 END: 7 STA: 5 Unassigned Stats: 00 ATK: 18 + 7 {Physical}, MAG: 16/17 {Elemental}} DEF: 12+ 5 ~~~~~~~ Abilities: [- Elemental Manipulation (SSS)] Skills: None Class skills: {Undead Summon (Lv. 1), Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 1), Shadow Bolt (Lv. 1)} {Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1), Mana Shield (Lv. 1)} {Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv.1), Power Slash (Lv. 1), Quick Swap (Lv. 1)} ~~~~~~~~ __ For the time being, it was satisfactory as the system removed the unnecessary, locked items, displaying only those that were unlocked. I chose to view the skill descriptions by tapping on them, which helped me decide which one to use. __ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Undead Summon (Lv. 1) Type: Active Mana Cost: 30 MP Cooldown: 15 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Summons a basic undead creature to serve as a temporary minion. The undead will fight for the summoner until destroyed or dismissed. The creature summoned depends on the user''s Necromancer class progression and available materials. Summon Type: Skeleton Warrior (Basic Tier). Duration: 20 minutes or died from attacks. Stats: Health: 50% of the caster''s max health. Strength: 50% of the caster''s Strength health. Agility: 50% of the caster''s Agility health. Defense: 40% of the caster''s vitality. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 1) Type: Active Mana Cost: 10 MP Cooldown: 10 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Summon a jagged fang of bone imbued with dark energy to strike a target. The attack pierces defenses, dealing both physical and dark magic damage. Upon impact, the bone fang splinters, causing additional damage over time. Damage: Physical Damage: 50% of the caster''s physical attack. Dark Magic Damage: 50% of the caster''s magic attack. Effects: Piercing: Ignores 10% of the target''s defense. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Bone Harvest (Passive): If the skill kills the target, recover 10% of the mana cost. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Shadow Bolt (Lv. 1) Type: Active Mana Cost: 20 MP Cooldown: 8 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Unleashes a bolt of concentrated shadow energy at a target, dealing dark magic damage. The bolt carries a chance to inflict Shadow Bind, briefly slowing the target''s movement. Damage: Dark Magic Damage: 100% of the caster''s magic attack. Additional Effect: Shadow Bind: Reduces the target''s movement speed by 20% for 3 seconds. (Chance: 25%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1) Type: Active Mana Cost: 15 MP Cooldown: 6 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Fires a concentrated bolt of pure arcane energy at a single target. The bolt homes in on its target, ensuring high accuracy. Ideal for finishing weaker enemies or dealing consistent damage in combat. Damage: Magic Damage: 80% of the caster''s magic attack. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Skill: Mana Shield (Lv. 1) Type: Active Cooldown: 12 seconds Mana Cost: 30 MP (initial activation) Proficiency: 0% Description: Creates a protective barrier of condensed mana around the user, absorbing incoming damage by converting it into mana consumption. Ideal for mitigating physical and magical damage in critical situations. Effect: Damage Absorption: Converts 1 point of damage into 2 mana consumption. Duration: 10 seconds or until the shield absorbs damage equal to 50% of the caster''s maximum mana. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv. 1) Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 0% Description: A passive skill that increases the user''s effectiveness with all weapons, providing enhanced accuracy, damage, and speed based on the weapon type currently equipped. Effect: Accuracy Boost: Increases hit chance by 5% with all weapon types. Damage Boost: Increases weapon damage by 10%. Attack Speed Boost: Increases attack speed by 5%. Weapon Proficiency: One-Handed sword: F (1%) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Power Slash (Lv. 1) Type: Active Cooldown: 10 seconds Mana Cost: 15 MP Proficiency: 0% Description: A powerful, wide slash that channels the user''s strength into a single strike, dealing heavy physical damage to all enemies in its path. Ideal for breaking through defenses or clearing multiple weaker enemies. Effect: Damage: 120% of the user''s physical attack. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Skill: Quick Swap (Lv. 1) Type: Active Cooldown: 5 seconds Mana Cost: 5 MP Proficiency: 0% Description: A swift ability that allows the user to instantly switch between equipped weapons, enhancing their versatility in combat. Ideal for adapting to changing battle conditions or combining weapon types for various effects. Effect: Weapon Swap: Instantly switches between the user''s currently equipped weapons (melee, ranged, or magic). Speed Boost: Reduces the time it takes to switch weapons by 50%. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ __ Gazing upon the potential of my abilities, I began to strategize their use in battle. Suddenly, a force struck me with such speed that before I could comprehend, my body doubled over and I expelled various fluids. I quickly realized what had happened; it wasn''t poison, for I would have detected it, but rather the nausea that comes with one''s first teleportation into the dungeon. I was certain everyone had experienced it by now, but my reaction came late. My mind was prepared, yet my body succumbed to the sensation before regaining a sense of normalcy. Some time later, I took deep breaths of fresh air to improve my mood, even as the sour taste of vomit lingered in my mouth. "Huh, let''s move before more monsters arrive," I said, urging myself to leave the area as the presence of monsters felt overwhelming, making it a necessity to move. Certainly, some might wonder why I didn''t join that team. They were competent, but sharing the experience points among all members would slow my leveling significantly, requiring the defeat of several monsters instead of just a few. That was my reason for preferring to level up solo before joining a team, if necessary. But now, with the aid of skeletons, it might not be necessary. With them, raiding the dungeon would be considerably easier, I mused as I attempted to use the skill for the first time. <Undead Summon> <-30 MP> As I invoked the skill, a formation materialized before me, and a single skeleton warrior emerged, brandishing a rusty sword and clad in tattered garments. Despite being a mere basic skeleton, it presented quite the menacing figure. I checked the system''s status and found it to be quite secure, aligning with my expectations for the framework. __ Status Name: Skeleton Familiar Type: Undead Creature Grade: Basic Level: 1 Stats: [Health]: [45/45] [Mana]: [0/0] [Strength]: 3 [Agility]: 4.5 [Intelligence]: 0 [Vitality]: 4.5 Skills: None Undead Constitution: Passive Increases resistance toward poison, curse, and status effects by huge amount. __ Upon viewing the statistics, my spirits plummeted due to their paltry nature. I was quite dissatisfied, yet they could serve as decent cannon fodder. My satisfaction grew with the thought that, although they are not strong now, with some effort, I could enhance their levels and fortify them for battles to come. As these thoughts occupied my mind while navigating the system, a noise approached. I became alert and began searching for its origin. As I looked around, the source revealed itself as the thing it was... -- To be continued -- Which type of monster will appear before him? A slime or a monkey? Stay tuned to find out. Beginner Dungeon [9] [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. The creature approaching me was a slime, bouncing towards me like a ping-pong ball. I was taken aback, having never witnessed a slime move in such a manner, but I suppose there''s a first time for everything. "Alright, let''s see what you''re made of, buddy," I muttered, positioning the skeleton between us. I stood ready to either attack or retreat, adhering to my own hunting rule: never underestimate an enemy, no matter how small or seemingly harmless. The slime continued its approach, causing my skeleton to stagger back towards me, clearly outmatched in strength. Noticing the skeleton''s lack of reaction, I realized it had no intelligence of its own; it wouldn''t act without a command from me. "Attack it," I commanded, and the skeleton''s inner fire brightened slightly. It advanced on the slime, swinging its sword in an attempt to inflict damage. My initial joy at the successful hit turned to shock as the slime remained unscathed, not even flinching from the impact. It dawned on me then; the slime was highly resistant to physical attacks. I decided to resort to my ''shadow bolt'' skill, although it would require two strikes and some time to prepare. Nonetheless, I was confident the skeleton could hold the slime off. "Hold on for a few seconds while I ready the skill," I instructed, as the skeleton engaged in a futile battle, full of effort but causing no damage. <Shadow bolt> <-18 MP> A shadow bolt materialized in my hand, and I hurled it at the slime engaged in battle. The skeleton, unable to react, was struck by it. The force sent it flying into a tree log where it landed with a thud. "That''s what I call damage," I thought. It writhed in pain as its HP decreased significantly. <-16 HP> The display resembled an RPG game, showing that only four HP remained. Basic slimes don''t have much HP to begin with. I glanced at the skill cooldown: eight seconds with only a few remaining. I opted to use another skill from my set instead. <Bone Fang Strike> <-10 MP> The fang, now tangible, shot towards the slime. It tried to bounce away, now alert, but was still grazed by the attack, which was sufficient to deplete its remaining HP. <-4 HP> {Congratulation host to get the first kill.} {Lv. 2 Slime has been killed, +15 Experience points have been gained.} [+1 Evoenchant point, stored in the talent.] {Note: Kindly note that the HP reduction was shown just for the first hunt and from now own the HP of the enemy will be revealed in form of bar above their head so be mindful of that.} I examined the system and nodded, realizing I had never hunted mobs in this manner before, and now the correct method was clear. The Evoenchant was perplexing, but I decided to put it aside as I had numerous other issues to address at the moment. Perhaps the system had discontinued this tutorial in my era. "Okay, bro, you might not have much work now, but still, thanks for your efforts here," I said to the skeleton, which had no intelligence. I was determined to embark on the solitary path.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "Alright, let''s go and finish this stage," I encouraged myself to boost my morale. I was about to walk away from the slime''s body when I remembered something crucial. "Ah, I almost forgot about that," I exclaimed as I quickly approached the undissolved slime body and hovered my hand above it. "Plunder," I commanded, feeling energy transfer from me down through my hands. I could sense it clearly, though I didn''t understand its nature as it enveloped the beast''s body. [No talent, skills, abilities, or bloodline detected. Racial skills and stats identified.] [Do you wish to plunder the body?] "Yes," I affirmed. The energy I felt hovering just above the slime''s body dove inside and, a few seconds later, emerged with some entities, then re-entered my body. [Stats have been plundered. Racial skills do not match the host body and are rejected.] [+1 Strength, + 1 Endurance is added to the host stats.] I was joyed as I opened my status and checked my stats. __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 90 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) Mana Points (MP): 110 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) Strength (STR): 7 Agility (AGL): 9 Vitality (VIT): 9 Intelligence (INT): 11 Endurance (END): 8 Stamina (STA): 5 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 19+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 16/17 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5] Defense: 13+5 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ Indeed, it was the sheer terror of the high-ranking talents that proved too daunting for us mere mortals, yet those candidates were fully equipped with such capabilities. Now, it''s my turn to seize the advantage and quickly grow stronger. Rising from the ground, I began the search for my next target. This battle had consumed much time as I assessed the skills and equipment. The skeleton and I resumed our hunt and, as fate would have it, we stumbled upon another prey within minutes¡ªa normal slime, slowly inching its way towards me. It appeared to be a Level 1 creature, noticeably slower than the first. Summoning a <Shadow bolt>, which depleted another <-20 MP> from my reserves, I hurled it at the creature. Unaware of our presence, the slime was caught off guard and struck by the bolt. I immediately commanded the skeleton to attack, but before it could engage, a notification appeared before me. As the health bar above it head directly moved from green to red and diminished at the end. {Lv.1 forest slime have been killed. +10 Exp is gained.} [+1 Evoenchant point is stored in talent.] But now my mana was at 38 out of 110 MP, recovering at a rate of 1 MP every 2 minutes. Hunting those beasts would take an eternity at this pace, but then I remembered the points I had acquired. Curious, I opened my status, which appeared quite normal except for an exclamation mark (!) next to my talent. This prompted me to shift my focus to the talent and click on it to discover its effects. __ Talent: Infinite Evolution & Enchantment (? Rank) Description: The Infinite Evolution & Enchantment talent born from the mutation of two talents and grants its user the unparalleled ability to evolve and enhance both themselves and their possessions in an infinite loop of growth. At ? Rank, this talent becomes a divine force, allowing the user to unlock endless potential through EvoEnchantment Points (Evoenchant points), which are gained through Slaying. With these points, the user can rapidly evolve skills, weapons, armor, and even their physical and mental attributes and many more things which he desires. [Evoenchant Points: 3 ] Talent Effects: Infinite Evolution: The user can continuously evolve their body, mind, and soul beyond mortal limits and other items. Each evolution grants an increase in power, be it strength, agility, intelligence, or even supernatural abilities. As the user collects EvoEnchantment Points, they can level up attributes and unlock latent powers, improving at an exponential rate by collecting the required material needed for the evolution to happen. Weapon & Equipment Enchantment: The user can apply EvoEnchantment Points to weapons, armor, and other items, upgrading them to higher ranks or unlocking new, advanced abilities. This process bypasses traditional enchanting, allowing the item to gain unique qualities that are directly tied to the user''s evolution. Skill Evolution: Skills can be evolved to new levels of power using EvoEnchantment Points. This includes improving the effectiveness, range, cooldown, and mana cost of abilities. At higher ranks, skills can also gain entirely new effects that transcend their original limits. Endless Growth: No matter how high the user''s level, they will always have the potential to grow further. EvoEnchantment Points allow the user to break through conventional limits, enhancing their fighting abilities and unlocking the next stage of their growth. __ The device managed to display the information clearly, yet it failed to show the rank. However, that''s of no concern to anyone since I''m already aware of it. I intended to utilize it to achieve my goals in my line of work. Now, as I draw my sword, I am prepared to spring into action. -- To be continued -- Hey guys, I hope you enjoy this as it''s the first chapter of my dungeon series. It''s not fully fleshed out with all my ideas yet, so stay tuned for the excitement that''s yet to come. Beginner dungeon [10] [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. The <Infinite Evolution & Enchantment> talent I''m currently using is of Supreme grade, a tier those thrones indicated was the result of two quasi-supreme talent mutations. I''m convinced it''s the work of that candidate, but his methods of achievement are a mystery to me. I neither knew nor wished to know, for his possessions are now mine to command. The window for talent interference remained open, and my gaze settled on my sword, which had yet to see action, as the only foes I had encountered were low-level slimes. Ah, but I must remember to utilize that particular ability. Approaching the remnants of what was once a slime''s body, I prepared to employ my talent. "Plunder," I declared, as the enigmatic energy of the talent coursed through me, hovering over the remains. The display revealed all the attributes available for plundering. [You have plundered +1 Agility stat.] My agility stat rose to 10. With my attack power already at 20, bolstered by my AGL and STR, the benefits were clear, yet the sheer advantage seemed almost too fortuitous. The prospect of my stats soaring while still at tier 0 was tantalizing, potentially placing me beyond the reach of those haughty higher-tiered adversaries. Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly remembered the work awaiting me here. Glancing at my sword, an idea struck me to enchant it. I summoned the item''s system screen to view its effects. __ {Basic Iron Sword Type: Weapon (One-Handed Sword) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0) Description: A standard iron sword with no frills, perfect for new adventurers. While its power is limited, it serves as a reliable weapon for basic combat. Attributes: Attack Power: +7 Durability: 40/40 Weight: Light Special Notes: Easily replaceable and non-upgradable.} __ It was quite ordinary, but then I decided to unlock its potential by enchanting it, which could help me defeat monsters more easily. I opened the talent screen and chose the Iron Sword to enchant with the talent as options appeared before me. [The talent has detected the basic Iron Sword as the target for enchantment or evolution. Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance: 1. Sharpness and Attack Power 2. Durability of the Sword 3. Grade of the Weapon 4. Add another effect.] That seemed new to me. "Tell me what I need for all these options," I asked the system, or the talent, communicating through the system''s interface. [To enhance the sword with the chosen option, you will need: 1. 1 Evo-enchant point 2. 3 Evo-enchant points 3. 25 Evo-enchant points 4. 8 Evo-enchant points + the desired effect.] After much deliberation, I decided on the fourth option, as it seemed the best way to add the effect I wanted. I chose to add an elemental effect, which would allow me to damage non-physical entities, and I could add other effects later as I collected more points.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. [The host has chosen the fourth option for semi-enhancement and semi-evolution. Please gather the necessary items to begin the process.] As instructed, I needed to acquire five points to evolve it, while I already had a way to obtain the magical effect. "Let''s go before your time limit expires," I said to the skeleton standing behind me, and we both started to search for our next target, eager to test my talent for the first time. __ In another dungeon of the same type, several slime creatures and a jungle monkey lay on the ground, their bodies and the earth scorched with burn marks. The architect of this carnage stood before a large monkey trembling in fear, as she pointed her staff towards it, a flame skill ready to launch like a bolt. "Cursed Flamebolt," she declared, and the bolt pierced the monkey''s chest, ending its life instantly. The eerie sensation of the blaze began to fade as her skill deactivated. "This ''Blazing Hex'' is already Level 2, huh? Well, it''s semi-passive and semi-active, so that''s to be expected," Lyre mused, taking a swig from a bottle of blue liquid. "Blegh, this mana potion is still so bitter. I wish Dad had allowed me to use those mana recovery berries; they were much tastier," she lamented, her thoughts drifting to the berries before a notification interrupted her. {You have slain a Level 4 forest monkey and gained +55 Experience points.} {You have leveled up to Level 3. You have 10 stat points to allocate.} She quickly distributed the points to the stats she wished to enhance. {You have allocated +5 Intelligence, +2 Agility, +1 Vitality, +1 Stamina, +1 Strength.} Her father had advised her to distribute her points this way if she awakened as a semi-mage class, but for a full mage, she was instructed to invest sparingly in strength. "Dad doesn''t know everything. My class may seem like a full mage, but I can sense that my skills will evolve and lead me straight into the heart of battle. It''s best to invest now before it''s too late," she reasoned, planning to proceed with her decision and keep it hidden from her father, though she knew she''d have to confess if he discovered her secret. "But what could those duffers be doing right now? They might have advanced to Level 2, perhaps," she said, not knowing the answer but unable to do anything about it. __ Meanwhile, in another part of the same dungeon, Lucas was grappling with a large monkey poised to catch him and slam him to the ground. However, before it could, a fireball struck its chin, and it fell back, motionless. "Phew, that was the last one here," Lucas said as he dusted off his clothes and cleaned the blood oozing from a wound on his shoulder, sustained while hunting the monkeys. "They were quite tough opponents," he observed, glancing back at the dozens of monkeys of similar size lying on the ground, their bodies marked with slashes and scorched fur. "It was an intense situation, but the rewards make it worthwhile," he mused, looking at his screen where a notification had popped up. {Congratulations, host. You have killed 3 Level 4 Forest Monkeys and 5 Level 3 Forest Monkeys. You have leveled up to Level 4.} {You have gained 10 unassigned stats to allocate.} "I''ll assign them later when I need them. But now that I''ve dealt with these monkeys, where is the portal to the next stage?" he wondered. Before he could search for it, the tree roots began to move, forming an oval shape on the ground as a portal emerged. Without hesitation, Lucas stepped through it to reach the second stage. __ At the dungeon''s entrance, teachers were observing the hologram displaying the students'' activities. In one of the displays, a second light among three dots flickered and began to glow steadily, indicating that someone had reached the second stage. Everyone assumed it was Lyre, but it was Lucas who had first cleared the first stage. Minutes later, the second light of Lyre activated, bringing joy to every teacher''s eyes. Yet, it was Tess who overflowed with happiness, witnessing her lover''s swift progress through the stage, recalling his promise to her. "Tess, believe me, I possess something unique, and I will make you the queen of the world one day, I swear. Then, we will both enjoy a peaceful life," he had assured her, a vow that still sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Following them, several teams and individuals reached the second stage, while others remained at the first, including Evan. Whether he would continue to lag behind was a question only time could answer. -- To be continued -- Beginner dungeon [11]: First stage (11), Sword enchant. [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow, CGA branch of Dyna Crest In the dungeon, Evan encountered several slime bodies scattered on the ground. He had just slain his seventh slime, a requirement for the semi-evolution of his sword. "Okay, that''s the seventh and final slime needed," I declared as the slime dissolved into fluid. "It''s time to finish this and enchant my sword," I announced, but before I could use my talent to plunder their stats, notifications of my kills filled the screen. {You''ve killed 3 Slime Lv.2, 4 Slime Lv.1.} {You have gained +70 Experience points.} [95/100 Exp] I was on the verge of leveling up, but my MP was nearly depleted. [9/110] [You have obtained 10 Evo-enchant points from the hunt, stored in your talent.] "Okay, so I got two points from the Level 2 slimes and one from the Level 1s, not bad. I might be able to enchant three options now," I mused as I approached the bodies to utilize my talent. "Plunder," I commanded, and the strange energy reappeared, hovering over the corpses. [Talent has detected multiple identical targets, please specify actions for the body hosts.] "Huh, what can you do with them? Are you going to consume their bodies or something?" I inquired, curious about its capabilities. [Talent can perform multiple actions with the carcasses of the Monster named Slime, including plundering, dismantling, and storing them in the provided storage.] "Wow, can you explain how you acquired these abilities? Were they inherent or added later?" I inquired, puzzled by the information Talent had provided. [Talent has identified that these abilities are integrated and require activation through specific skills such as <Butchering> and <Collecting>, which are necessary for the task at hand.] "Why mention it if it doesn''t matter to me... But never mind, once I acquire the skills, managing the corpses will become straightforward. Plus, it''s fortunate I discovered this feature, or I might have overlooked it," I remarked, selecting the plundering option. The energy hovering above the bodies flowed into me after the task was completed. [You have plundered seven bodies, gaining +2 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Vitality, and +1 Endurance stat.] [You have maxed out the stat points that can be plundered from lower-level slimes. Please target other monster types or higher-level monsters.] I was about to question the low stats I received, but the system provided the explanation on its own. "So, I need to hunt larger monsters now, huh? Well, that''s fine. I believe I''m prepared for them too." I recalled the forest monkeys, yet I hadn''t spotted them anywhere. Perhaps they were deeper in the forest. "Alright, let''s go, skeleton, and take down those foolish monkeys," I declared, only to notice the white dust where my skeleton companion had been, realizing it was no longer there. "Oh....." That was the only word I uttered as I walked away from the spot, silently planting a stick in the ground to mark where my first summon had perished. ''Skeleton, you will be missed...'' I thought, brushing away my imaginary tears, as I moved on to continue his work. I vow to conquer this dungeon, for both me and you, my skeleton friend. As I ventured deeper into the dungeon, I glanced at my MP bar, which was disappointingly low at [14/110].The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. It was a sorry state for a mage to not have enough mana for a raid. Absent was the mana potion, an item of great utility at this juncture. My thoughts turned to Lyre, who was likely making good use of such potions and probably advancing to the second stage or on the cusp of it. Meanwhile, I was close to an upgrade, needing just 5 more experience points. "Let''s check my points," I murmured, pulling up my talent screen to review the points available for the upgrade. Evo-enchant Points: 13 Points "Time to select these three talents for the upgrade," I decided, as the familiar enchantment screen appeared before me. [The talent has detected the basic Iron Sword as the target for enchantment or evolution. Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance: 1. [Sharpness and Attack Power]: 1 Evo enchant point 2. [Durability of the Sword]: 3 Evo-enchant point 3. [Grade of the Weapon]: 25 Evo-enchant point + Additional things. 4. [Add another effect.]: 8 Evo-enchant point + desired effect] "I choose three: 1, 2, and 4. Let it continue," I declared as the first two processes began, my sword starting to be enveloped in a silver and purple hue. [Please cast the desired effect you wish to attach to the item to initiate the fourth process.] Upon hearing this, I prepared to activate the one ability I had not used until now. Although my mage class grants me elemental damage, it requires a significant amount of mana for continuous use, which is currently not feasible. However, to defeat this creature, I need to attack with mana multiple times, which is impossible. So, instead, I am attempting to create a permanent chance of inflicting elemental damage. I refer to my Elemental Manipulation ability, which has remained dormant until now. I have not used it, but I choose to wield it now, as it''s now or never. __ <Ability: Elemental Manipulation (SSS Rank)> Description: The Elemental Manipulation ability is the pinnacle of elemental control, combining mastery over Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Ice into a single, seamless power. This ability allows the user to freely summon, shape, and wield these elements, either individually or in combination, to unleash devastating attacks, craft powerful defenses, and manipulate the environment with precision. Each element synergizes with the others, enabling unique hybrid techniques that amplify the user''s versatility and destructive potential. This ultimate control over multiple elements makes Elemental Manipulation a force that transcends ordinary elemental abilities, granting the user dominance in battle and unparalleled adaptability Mastery: Fire: F (0%) Earth: F (0%) Lightning: F (0%) Ice: F (0%) __ {A/N: The pinnacle is referred to as such because the system, Nexus Prime, has deemed SSS ranks as the highest ranking. Please be patient as this will be resolved in the future.} My ability, which doesn''t consume much mana unless used excessively at a high level, proved to be perfect. Initially, my attempts to use it failed, but drawing on my past life''s experience with these elements, I managed to summon small flickers of flames in my hands. They grew larger by the minute, yet my mana expenditure remained low, not exceeding two points despite numerous tries. I persisted and eventually succeeded in creating a tiny ball of flame. With intense concentration, I expanded it to the size of a thumb. I placed it upon the sword, now enveloped in a silver and purple hue. The flame was absorbed into the hue, and I received the notification I was hoping for: [The required effect item, a portion of the flames created in nature, has been added to the blade''s effects. Please wait a few minutes for the process to complete.] Exhausted, I sighed and collapsed onto the ground, having overexerted myself with the ability. It was challenging to use, more so than skills, which seem to act on their own once mastered. I checked the mastery level of the fire element and was delighted to see some progress. (Fire: F (1.23%)) The increase was small, but it was just the beginning. As mastery increases, proficiency gains will slow down. I checked my mana, which had returned to fourteen points after I had spent five on manipulation. As time passed, it continued to increase, coinciding with the progress of my upgrade. A few minutes later, my MP had climbed to forty-six. The hue began to dissipate, revealing the weapon''s normal appearance, except for the exceptional sharpness of the blade and its newfound strength. The hilt bore a flame-like color, as if some stones had absorbed the flames. "Okay, it looks kind of flashy, but I can manage that. Let''s check the effects of the enchantment," I said as I opened its screen, astonished by the effects. This talent was incredibly powerful; it should not fall into the wrong hands, or it could cause serious problems. "Yahoo, now that''s a weapon that can help me breeze through this type of dungeon," I exclaimed, impressed by the overpowering enchantment. -- To be continued -- I''ve uploaded the audio chapters of this book to YouTube, so feel free to search for them if you''re interested in listening. Additionally, I''ll be posting several chapters in batches as videos. Don''t forget to check them out, as they can help you decide whether you prefer to experience the book by listening or reading. Beginner dungeon [12] [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. What I observed was quite different from my expectations. I anticipated a low chance of elemental strike, but it provided me with quite beneficial effects. __ Basic Iron Sword (Enchanted) Type: Weapon (One-Handed Sword) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0) Description: A standard iron sword enhanced with basic enchantments, providing improved durability and attack power. Its fiery enchantment adds a potent magical effect, making it a more dangerous choice for new adventurers. Attributes: Attack Power: +12 Durability: 70/70 Weight: Light Special Effects: Fire Strike: 20% chance to deal additional 50% of the weapon''s attack power as fire-based magical damage on hit. __ It was too overpowered and good for me right now, allowing me to breeze through the dungeon stage effortlessly. "Okay, so this is what we call enchantment," I said as I swung the sword around, but there was no visible difference, just the red marble-like thing on its hilt. "Well, let me try you, cutie," I said as I began walking around to find my target and luckily found a good one. A slime was dissolving some leaves that had fallen on the ground. It didn''t know that a predator was eyeing it. Without any care, it continued dissolving the leaves as I started to move. I walked out of the bushes and slashed my sword toward it. It got startled and tried to roll away, but my sword hit it, and it flew backward at high speed, hitting the bark of a tree. Its HP became visible on its head. To my surprise, the HP was already half from the hit and getting stuck on the bark. "Huh, when did I become so strong?" I said, then remembered that the stats I plundered were now working. "So now I can one-shot these guys, huh? Good," I said as I walked toward the slime to hit it again and plunged my sword into it when something happened. As the blade released a small burst of flames into its body, it died instantly. "Wow, so that''s the fire strike attack, huh? Good, but this twenty percent chance is not great, as striking five times to release the flames isn''t good enough but still manageable," I said as I received the notification of the kill. {You have Lv.2 Slime; you have gained 15 Exp} [110/100 EXP] {You have level up to Lv.2.} {You have gained 10 unassigned stat points.} [10/150 EXP] "Finally, I am on the path to power now. Let me think about which stat I should assign points to," said and opened my stats screen. __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 100 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .5/minute = 10*.05) Mana Points (MP): 110 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: .55/minute = 11*.05) Strength (STR): 9 Agility (AGL): 11 Vitality (VIT): 10 Intelligence (INT): 11 Endurance (END): 9 Stamina (STA): 5 Unassigned Stats: 10 Attack Power: 24+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 16/17 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5] Defense: 14+5 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ Looking quite good to me as those plundered stats have been completely settled and integrated with my own, appearing perfect, isn''t it? "Well, let me see what I am going to need with my fighting style changed here," I said as, after the enchantment of the sword, my path to hunt changed from support to attack. I am at the front now, and what I need is strength to attack with force and kill the monsters, agility to evade, attack speed, and body fluidity. I don''t think I need to increase endurance for now, as my talent can enhance it automatically by plundering, while stamina is a must in a close battle as with this much, I won''t stand a chance, since it''s the only stat below nine.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. And if my stamina is low, then I have to be ashamed of it in battle, so let''s allocate it carefully. {You''ve assigned +3 Stamina, + 2 Strength, + 2 Agility, + 2 Intelligence, + 1 Vitality.} __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 110 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .55/minute = 11*.05) Mana Points (MP): 130 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: .65/minute = 13*.05) Strength (STR): 11 Agility (AGL): 13 Vitality (VIT): 11 Intelligence (INT): 13 Endurance (END): 9 Stamina (STA): 8 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 29+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 20/21 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5] Defense: 17+5 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ It was literally my best Level 2 stats screen. For example, see my attack power; it is comparable to investing ten full points into those stats. It can increase with time, and here I am with these brilliant stats. Yes, with my talent, but still, they are mine, so it means I am a genius. "Okay, so ready for rumble I said as I looked at my MP bar to see the progress, as even the regeneration was high now, and the bar was filling up quickly. [57/130] It was literally 46 a few minutes ago and now look at these. Now that''s the benefit of increasing intelligence. It also boosts my mana regeneration. "Okay, so let''s put an end to this," I said as I walked toward the outer layer to find the remaining slimes and then headed to kill the monkeys. __ In another verdant hollow dungeon, we observe Lucas killing some Forest Wolves. Before dying, one of the wolves howled toward the sky and fell to the ground. Its body resembled those of the monkeys from earlier encounters, burned in some parts and slash marks on its body. "These wolves are quite troublesome as they always run away when I have killed most of them and then report to the others. I have already killed about twenty-five, and there are still more," Lucas said as he kicked the wolf''s body aside and looked around at the few bodies lying on the floor. "However, I have reached level five while hunting these wolves and snakes," Lucas said as he looked at his screen to check his progress. __ [Status] Name: Lucas Benett (Lucas Vale) Age: 18 Race: Human (98%), Dragon (2%) Class: Novice Battlemage (E) {Growth Type} Title: Wolf slayer Level: 5 [80/300] Tier: 0 Talent: Dragon Insight (SSS) ___________________________ [Stats] Health Points (HP): 220 {1:10 of CON} Mana Points (MP): 210 {1:10 of INT} Strength (STR): 11 --> 21 Agility (AGL): 10 --> 20 Intelligence (INT): 13 --> 21 Constitution (CON): 10 --> 22 Stamina (STA): 14 --> 21 Endurance (END): 17 --> 20 Unassigned Stats: 00 ____________________________ [Skills]: Arcane Strike Lv.2, Mana Shield Lv.1, Fireball Lv.2 [Racial Ability]: Dragon Fear Lv.0 ____________________________ "I am quite strong compared to back then; all my stats have increased to twenty, before." Lucas was now capable of fighting level six and seven monsters without any trouble. This was due to his racial skill, <Dragon Fear>, which was still at level 0. He couldn''t remember it came from, as it wasn''t there before. Nevertheless, it decreased the monsters'' stats in front of him to a certain extent, which helped him a lot. It was also passive, so he didn''t have to waste MP for it. Speaking MP, his regeneration rate was off the charts, always fully regenerating in just half an hour. He didn''t even know his regen, but perhaps his bloodline was helping him. Additionally, his title, which he received after killing twenty wolves, increased his stats in front of these types of mobs was like a platter of food served, so why wouldn''t he eat it? He started walking toward the deeper part to kill more of these monsters. He was in a hurry to kill all of them and get first in the dungeon run exam as it would help him gain an extra 1% dragon blood in his body. So, he hurried off, motivated by the reward he would receive. __ After finishing off all the remaining low-level Slimes, Evan was walking toward the deeper zone to eliminate the rest. [90/150 EXP], it was all the things he gained from those left behind as he checked all the remaining places for slimes to stay at, as he didn''t believe that different kind of monster coexist in same environment like yes that''s not impossible but still not possible in here. That''s why he was only hunting slimes till then and not seen a monkeys out here. He had also summoned a skeleton a few minutes ago in case he needed to flee the area. He intended to be cautious in this life as it was his last chance, and every player plays carefully in such circumstances. "No pain, no gain," was the motto he kept repeating in his mind as it was a well-known phrase. "Yosh, Skeleton, let''s go and put some blazing swords into those monkey ''daisy''," I said as my trusty summon and I walked toward the deeper zone. But something unexpected happened, which caused me to be shocked, and even my skeleton, in shock, got unsummoned without any damage or fight. That was the height of shock. Because what happened me may have never happened to other hunters. And what happened was.... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... -- To be continued -- What caused him to be shocked like? If you want to know, you should prepare things for me to reveal the shocking detail. The requirement to see it is to first add it to your library and then vote for me with a power stone each; otherwise, it is not possible. And one more thing, if you wish to read this book in audio format, come watch my videos of the novel on the newly created channel. The channel is made in a good manner without any issues, so come and watch, or rather, listen to the novel if you''re listener. Beginner Dungeon [13] [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. What happened to me may have never happened to other. What happened was that he didn''t find any monkey in the deeper part of the forest, and by the time the summoning period expired, he dissolved into ashes. With some ache in my heart, I walked away as this was my whole hour worth of spent MP, and it went to waste. I decided to only summon the skeleton when the enemy appears. I wandered aimlessly for so long that even my MP bar refilled over time. Still, there were no clues about the monkeys, and I thought there might be a glitch in this dungeon that would resolve itself later. So, I walked toward a large tree, which was quite distant from the others, and sat beneath it beside the roots extending into the ground. "What should I do until the I was thinking when some leaves fell on my body. I looked around to see if the other trees were also swaying in the wind, but there were none, and my curiosity grew. I looked at the tree suspiciously and decided to investigate. <Bone Fang Strike> I launched the fang toward it, and suddenly two figures leaped away from the branches. <-10 MP> And then I realized that the monkey I was searching for on the ground was hiding in the trees among the leaves. "Hey, wait, I will not let you go," I said as I drew my sword and started following them. My speed was not quite low compared to theirs, but still, my lack of experience showed as they started laughing at me, noticing my pathetic state due to my lack of stamina. "Hahhh... Hahhhh... I... I will catch you both surely," I said taking big breaths to recover my stamina. They jumped down from the trees and began running toward me to attack. I was not ready to fight, so I decided to summon my trusted ally to fight for me. <Undead Summon> As I used the skill, two skeletons appeared and stood in front of me. <-60 MP> "Now let me see your smiles, you bastards," I said, but before my skeletons could attack them, they ran away like scaredy cats. "Huh, what''s happening here?" I thought, realizing that the monkeys didn''t attack me first because they might be scared of my skeletons. "Oh, okay then let me fish some of out," I said as I stretched my arm toward the trees where they were hiding and conjured my skill. <Shadow Bolt> A bolt manifested and shot toward them. It didn''t hit any of them, yet they lost their balance and fell from the tree right in front of my skeletons, who were ready to attack them. <-20 MP> "Die monkeys. Rip them apart for me," I ordered like a villain as my skeletons walked toward the still confused monkeys and started attacking them. Boths ATK powers were low, but the fear they generated was quite imposing, so the monkeys were unable to resist. Many slashes appeared on their bodies, but health points remained as the attacks were too shallow. "Step aside, let me do it," I said and walked in front of the monkeys who were now lying on the ground shaking fear. "Let me help you get away from this pain," I said as I swung my sword toward them, but they still had some health left. As I swung again, my luck strike and the fire slash occurred again. The sword blade just touched the skin of the monkey and cut through it like butter.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. The monkey screamed in agony; his scream was his last sound as he fell to the ground, blood flowing from the cut and sizzling due to the attack. Other monkey was terrorized by this, but I ended its agony without any trouble, thrusting the sword straight at its throat and ending its misery. "Hush, killing this creature is not what I want, but it''s what I can do, as this world only has one rule: kill or be killed. Whoever kills grows over time. Sorry, buddy, I hope you get a better life." I said as I waited for the notification to appear, which it did after ten seconds, holding them until we were out of battle status for ten seconds. {You have killed 2~Lv.3 Forest Monkeys, gaining 40 EXP points.} [130/150 EXP] [You have gained 4 Evo-enchant points, stored in talent.] , said, thinking it might work. [Talent has detected two bodies of Lv.3 Monkeys. What do you wish to do: Plunder them, dismantle them, or store them in inventory?] "But I don''t have the necessary skills, so why ask me?" I said, as the talent didn''t answer like it didn''t have a brain, just a set command. [Please choose what you wish to do.] "Okay, well, let me take the plunder then. Who wouldn''t want the stats?" [No talent, skills, or abilities, a degraded bloodline detected with stats identified.] "That''s new. What did it do with the bloodline talent?" I asked, as it was the first time seeing the bloodline talent. [The talent has found a degraded bloodline sample compatible with the host for merging. Therefore, the talent decided to demonstrate its worth.] "So, what type is it?" I asked, hoping it would be more beneficial than the reptile bloodline. "The bloodline is quite degraded, making it difficult to extract much information, but the name has been identified." [Bloodline: The Titan Ape King. Grade: King tier.] [Do you wish to merge?] "Ahhhmmm~~~~~, before proceeding, can you extract the stats for me first? Then we will decide." I requested as the stat plunder began and mysterious energy hovered inside the bodies to extract the stats and return to my body. [You have plundered the two monkey stats. You have gained +1 Agility, +1 Vitality, +1 Stamina.] "Oh, so they can help me gain stamina stats. Good, it can balance things now." I said as I started walking away to find the other monkey but first hid the skeletons in the bushes to lure them out. While doing so, the talent asked me again. [The talent asked the host, what do you wish to do with the bloodline? Do you wish to integrate or eject it?] "Can you first tell me its benefits? Then I will decide." I said, intending to make decision after understanding the pros and cons. [The talent has sent the related details via the system.] "Huh, are you some kind of broker, system?" I asked, but no reply came. {System is translating the given data. Process completed.} {Bloodline: Titan ape king Grade: King Affinity(s): Earth, Nature Additional stats / level: +10 STR, + 5 AGI, +10 STA, +5 END Description: The Titan Ape King Bloodline bestows its inheritor with the unparalleled might and resilience of the Titan Ape, a legendary creature known for its colossal strength and dominance. This bloodline provides a balance of raw physical power, enhanced senses, and kingly aura, making its bearer a formidable presence on any battlefield. Bloodline skill: Titanic Might Grants the ability to temporarily double the user''s strength and size for 10 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour. Earthquake Stomp Unleashes a devastating ground-shaking attack, stunning enemies in a 30-meter radius. Damage: Scales with Strength (Physical). Cooldown: 10 minutes. King''s Aura Emits a dominating aura that intimidates and weakens enemies, reducing their attack power by 20% within a 15-meter radius. (Passive ability)} "Oh, what is this? It looks like an overpowered item!" I exclaimed, seeing an opportunity to gain it. [Please host, decide what you wish to do now: Integrate/Eject] "System, what are the chances of finding a bloodline higher than king grade? Is it good or bad?" I inquired, concerned that king grade might not be sufficient. [Host, a king bloodline is exceptionally rare, found in only one a trillion people. It is recommended to integrate for a sudden boost in strength, and this bloodline can be increased in grade with the help of talents. It is advised to use it now.] "Ah, then I think I will choose to..." -- To be continued -- Will he choose this Bloodline, and the power needed to fight Lucas? This opportunity may not come again. Is this a hidden trump card set for him by destiny? Will it be strong enough to face Lucas''s dragon bloodline? Only the next chapters will reveal. Stay tuned to find out what happens next. Beginner Dungeon [14] [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. "Ah, then I think I will choose to eject it as I don''t think I am compatible with it. Even if it''s compatible with body, this bloodline element is not much in favor." I said, and so the talent ejected it from my body, and my search for the monkey continues. "Okay, so you both follow me but keep some distance, so these monkeys won''t notice you." I said, ordering the skeletons who crackled teeth in agreement, perhaps, and walked away from them but still close in distance. I nodded and started walking around aimlessly, and it worked as I heard some noises from above the trees like someone was following me. And I knew who it was. "Ah geez, can''t you all reveal yourselves now? Do you think I didn''t notice you?" I said when they still didn''t come down. I picked up a stone and threw it toward the tree leaves. With a screech, five monkeys jumped down from the tree with anger, while one of them had a red mark on its face, maybe from the pebble I threw at them. "Okay, so now I have five, so let''s start the hunter catches play game. Come out, my summons." I said as I used my skill to summon one more skeleton. <Undead Summon> <-30 MP> A skeleton appeared of Lv.2 and the monkeys got scared, but being in more numbers made them less fearful. However, when they noticed two more appearing from behind, their confidence was shaken a lot. "Hehehehe, now let me show you what is called a gang fight." I said as my summons, and I charged toward them to fight. Unlike before, the monkeys didn''t resist. This time, they were resisting very well as they started me and my skeletons as the fight broke out. I was handling two of them while my skeletons were fighting one each. I slashed my sword toward one of them, and with my enhanced stats, I was much stronger, so these monkeys weren''t my match. However, my skeletons were being overpowered. I have much experience in killing, but that body and this body of mine are different. Its size and shape mess with my combat style. So, I still prefer to battle with my style. One of the monkeys jumped on me to bite my neck, but I sidestepped and slashed him straight across his body. With my enhanced blade, it was easy to slash their bodies. A normal hit from my strike reduced their health by a third. I grew confident my attack pattern changed from cautious to aggressive. I started, and many slashes appeared on their bodies after a few exchanges. I was overpowering them due to my superior stats, even at a lower level. After being hit so many times, one monkey lost control and desperately tried to kill me instantly. But this was the monster''s biggest mistake. I dodged its attack and pierced its body with my blade. It started to squirm like a fish and finally gave its last breath. The monkey''s blood flowed toward my hand and soaked my blade. The second monkey confronting me was terrified and tried to run away. I threw the dead monster''s body to the ground and looked at the running monkey. As it was about to run back to the tree, I shouted, "No, you won''t. I can''t let you run away from here," and threw my sword at the monkey, which struck his shoulder and pierced it, while sinking into the trunk of the tree which struck him there.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. It screeched so loudly that the other monkeys fighting the skeletons toward it in fear. Their will to fight diminished, giving skeletons some help. "You think I will let you go," I said as I walked towards the monkey, struggling to get away but to no avail. "Sheesh, this body is severely lacking in stamina. I can''t even fight proper battle right now," I said, feeling inexplicably tired. "This body''s stamina stat is atrocious, as if it were born be a mage or long-range fighter," I muttered, grasping the handle of the stuck sword. I twisted it slightly, causing the monkey scream louder and attempt to attack me, but to no effect. With force, I drove the sword into its chest, and its body fell to the ground as I pulled out the sword. "Sorry, I didn''t want this happen, just the circumstances," I said, moving toward my skeletons to assist them. However, it seemed they did not need help, as all the monkeys were already on the ground, shivering in pain. I swiftly ended their suffering, not wishing to let others endure agony for my own benefit. Unfortunately, my luck did not favor me this time as no fire slash occurred. "Hey, gather all those bodies," I ordered. Before they disappeared, I wanted to put them to work. They clattered their teeth and walked toward the bodies, gathering them in one spot. Afterward, I walked in front of them to use my talent. But before I could, I received a notification of my kills. {You have killed 5~Lv.3 Forest monkeys. You''ve gained 100 Exp.} [230/150 EXP] {You''ve levelled up Lv.2 --> 3.} [80/200] {You''ve gained 10 unassigned stat points.} [You''ve gained 12 Evo-enchant Point. Total Points: 13.] , I said as the talent energy manifested and hover above the monster bodies. [Talent has detected five bodies of Lv.3 Monkeys. What do you wish to do: Plunder them, dismantle them, or store them in inventory?] "Plunder them." I said as it drilled into the bodies. [No talent, skills, or abilities, a degraded bloodline detected with stats identified.] "Plunder the stats only." I said as after few seconds it come back to my body. [You''ve gained +3 Vitality, + 2 Agility, + 2 Strength, +1 Intelligence.] "Oh, what a feast of stats, even got some of the intelligence stats." I said as I feel my stats rising and levitating my power. "Let me assign the points and then I will procced as every point is needed right now for me." _______________________________ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 150 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .75/minute = 15*.05) Mana Points (MP): 140 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: .70/minute = 14*.05) Strength (STR): 13 Agility (AGL): 16 Vitality (VIT): 15 Intelligence (INT): 14 Endurance (END): 9 Stamina (STA): 9 Unassigned Stats: 10 Attack Power: 35+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 21 {Elemental} [MAG: 11*1.5] Defense: 18+5 [DEF: END+STA*1] __________________________________ "Let me put it like this now in stats I am lacking right now." I said as I put my stats on the attributes, after which the stats of mine was quite good in looking right now. _______________________________ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 150 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .75/minute = 15*.05) Mana Points (MP): 140 --> 160 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: .80/minute = 16*.05) Strength (STR): 13 Agility (AGL): 16 Vitality (VIT): 15 Intelligence (INT): 14 --> 16 Endurance (END): 9 --> 14 Stamina (STA): 9 --> 12 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 35+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 24 {Elemental} [MAG: 16*1.5] Defense: 26+5 [DEF: END+STA*1] __________________________________ -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [15] [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. "Well, these stats are good. Now I have to hunt some more of these monkeys, and it will be over." I said, reasoning that there shouldn''t be too much difficulty in the first stage as it''s meant for beginners, so it should be easy, right? I started walking toward the next area to hunt more when two of my skeletons burst into sparkles, and their remains fell to the ground. "Oh...., so you both have left me too, huh? No worries, I will continue my journey until I see the end." I said in a quite dramatic manner. I wiped my fake tears and walked away without looking back, with my last newly summoned Skeleton. I checked my mana and found it sufficient, as a few skills could still be used with this amount. [43/160 MP] I started walking deeper into jungle to find the last remaining monkeys, pondering how many students might have cleared the first stage and advanced to the next, and wondering about the progress of Lucas and Lyre. ''They should be in stage 2 or maybe stage 3 while I am still stuck here, but no worries, try to be quick as despair won''t give me anything.'' I thought, quickening my pace to find the monkeys. Perhaps it helped, as I heard the sound of many leaves crunching from above the trees. And so, my work also began. ----------------------------- While in another dungeon, Lucas was fighting a group of wolves but this time, they weren''t running away as they had before. There was a different wolf among them, standing patiently and calmly. ''Shit, <Dragon Fear> effect is halved right now because of that Alpha wolf'' Lucas thought as he looked at the calm wolf, who was the mini boss of the dungeon''s second stage. The wolf was clever, trying to wear Lucas out before starting its hunt. Lucas was just a level 7, while the mini boss was already level 10. It was going to be a hard battle. However, we know that the destined ones, or what we call the male lead, are quite the miracle-bringers, pulling themselves or others out of trouble while thwarting any enemy plan. And that is what happened here. As Lucas started to get overpowered by the wolf group, both his offensive skills were upgraded in level while still in battle. This helped him kill the wolves easily, and he then turned toward the alpha wolf, who was now growling at him with saliva dripping onto the ground. "Huh feeling angry because of your packmates'' deaths, huh? Just wait and you''ll meet them in person." He said as he launched himself toward the wolf, which was also ready for battle. The battle was intense and ongoing when the wolf finally used its skill for the first time. It disappeared for a split second and reappeared in front of Lucas, who was shocked. Before the wolf could attack, Lucas used his Mana Shield skill and was saved. But he didn''t stop there taking advantage of the shield, he first launched a Fireball into the wolf''s mouth, and when the wolf still didn''t die, he plunged his sword straight into its face using his skill <Aracne Strike>.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. As the wolf fall behind and start acting like a mad dog, trying to knock out the sword from his mouth but it was pierced too much inside, and blood was flowing out like tap water. And finally, the Wolf fell down onto the ground, shaking in pain and after few seconds gave away his life. But Lucas still doesn''t rest, and he first waited for the notification to appear. {You''ve defeated the Mini boss~ Alpha Wolf and 8~ Lv.6 Forest Wolves. You''ve gained 380 EXP.} [540/400 EXP] {You''ve levelled up, Lv.7 --> 8.} {You''ve gained 10 Unassigned Stats.} {You''ve completed the Second stage. The portal is being generated.} After the notification, the rocks on the ground started moving and formed an oval by themselves. Two portals were generated, just like before. "Hushhh, I was nearly dead because this boss used his dumb skill, which would be nice to have, but what can I do?" he said, referring to the skill the wolf used, <Shadow Pounce>, which he knew from his system. He then looked towards the portals. One led to the next stage, and the other was an exit. Obviously, he didn''t choose the exit and decided to enter the next stage portal as he had the quest to become first. "I will be the, no matter what. But where could Lyre be right now? Maybe still stuck in the second stage mobs, or perhaps in the third stage since her class is quite high. And what about that boy Evan, which stage could he be in? Maybe the second, given his class and talent." Lucas thought. After resting, he walked inside the portal, unaware that the person he thought was in the second stage was still stuck in the first, and for Lyre, it was different. In her dungeon, she stood in front of the big flames, which were now getting lower as time passed. Behind her was the charred body of already killed wolves. She looked quite different from normal, with runes-like symbols glowing in golden yellow color around her eyes. A big scratch was on her mage set, but there was no major damage to her body. Finally, the flames in front of her extinguished, revealing the charred body of the Alpha wolf, now dead. She continued to gaze with the intent to kill him, snapping out of her daze when the kill notification appeared. The major event was that the rune-like symbols disappeared, and she returned to normal, looking around in confusion. "Huh, what am I doing right now Wait, I was fighting the mini-boss Alpha wolf," she said, recalling that after seeing his fallen comrade, the boss used a skill to instantly appear in front of her and slashed at her. Her suit saved her, but her eyes went blank, and now she found herself here. "What the hell happened to me, and why did the boss die?" she thought. The notification caught her eye, indicating she earned 330 Exp from the hunt and finally leveled up to Lv.9 after defeating the mini boss. After drinking the MP and HP potions, she walked toward the portal of the third stage and entered it. Unbeknownst to her, she and Lucas''s third stage light activated simultaneously, shocking everyone outside who expected Lyre to achieve it. Lucas, an E-grade class holder, was not considered capable. Tess was delighted for him and decided to give him a little big surprise he would never forget. No one noticed that in the lower ranking, someone shifted from stage one to stage two, and there was nothing more to say to readers as everyone knew who it was. -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [16]: Stage First Cleared. [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. A few minutes before Lucas and Lyre finish off the mini boss and enter the third and final stage, I, who was previously in the first stage, was now shown to be in the second stage. The incident occurred when I killed the last batch of monkeys. The screams of the monkey in pain attracted several other monkeys, about seven, which caused me to flee as I am not a main character who can confidently say, "Come at me, you dumb monkeys," with a cool attitude. Therefore, I had to run away while using my only remaining skeleton as bait. I was successful in my attempt and decided to use a simple strategy that was. First, I waited until my Mana bar was full and then used it entirely to summon as many creatures as possible. <Undead summon> <-150 MP> In front of me stood five Lv.3 skeletons, all dressed identically, making it impossible to tell them apart even if they were swapped. "Alright soldiers, we must now face a large group of monkeys that are after me for some reason. Are you ready to fight to the death?" I said, attempting to sound like a confident commander. However, there was no response, so I simply ordered them to follow me, feeling disheartened. "Sigh, it seems I won''t have a good army," I muttered like a demotivated commander, resorting to the same old strategy. They all followed me from a distance until the sound of leaves occurred again, and those seven monkeys jumped down in front of me in rage. "Oh, so you''ve come here to take revenge for your fallen comrades, huh, I am also ready this time," I said. The monkeys didn''t understand anything but, seeing my calm demeanor, they grew even angry. In their anger, they jumped toward me to attack, but I was prepared and started running toward my hidden skeletons, who were ready to jump out and attack. "Hurry, attack," I said, as five of them jumped out of the bushes, causing all the monkeys chasing me to stop in their tracks. They were now getting scared of my skeletons, which I still don''t understand the effect of. Is there some kind of syringe buff that gives them a fear effect? I don''t know yet, but it''s good me as it helps in hunting the monsters. I also summoned my sword and was ready to kill these monkeys. My summons and I engaged in the fight, and the outcome was obvious. With me being with them, I handled the two monkeys while they fought on their own. This time, I didn''t waste much time and started getting aggressive I slashed toward one monkey who attempted to dodge, but my speed was greater. I made a cut on his chest from which red blood began oozing out, causing it to become angry and attack me with instinct to survive. Although I lost a bit of HP, it wasn''t significant. I became more cautious and, seizing an opportunity, swung my blade toward his. Fortunately, I activated the fire effect, creating a rather impressive scene in my eyes, no one was there to witness it. The headless body of the monster fell to the ground as I turned to the other monkey who was staring at the corpse. I swiftly ended his life as well, not requiring any unnecessary actions. I pierced his body, and although he struggled a little, he ultimately fell into the embrace of eternal night. I glanced at my summons, who had also finished dealing with their own. Once again, I ordered them to gather the bodies, forming a small pile. {You''ve killed 2~ Lv.3 Forest monkeys, 5~ Lv.4 Forest monkeys. You''ve gained 130 Exp points.} [210/200 Exp] {You''ve levelled up, Lv.3 --> 4.} [10/250 Exp] {You''ve gained 10 Unassigned stat points.} [You''ve gained 19 Evo-enchant Point. Total Points: 32.] {You''ve completed the stage, please proceed to next stage or exit the dungeon.}This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. "Oh, I didn''t notice that the stage is also clear, and my Evo-enchant Points are already at 32. I now upgrade its grade," I said looking at my sword as there was an option to upgrade its grade and perhaps enhance more items. "Yosh, I said in a good mood as two fortunate events happened to me right now. [Talent has detected Seven bodies of Lv.3~4 Forest Monkeys. What do you wish to do: Plunder them, dismantle them, or store them in inventory?] I choose plunder, as when can I use the next options men. (¨i©n¨i) The process started and ended in few seconds and corpse loses some weight like I notice that after plunder they got some absorbing type of effect. And thought that maybe the plundering of stats did this. [You''ve gained +3 Stamina, +2 Intelligence, +1 Strength, +1 Agility.] "Huh, hey isn''t it cheating like why they are so low." I said as in next seconds it told me the answer. [You''ve reached the limit of stat plunder please use it on higher level monsters.] "Oh, okay then," I said, realizing that if I could just squeeze out all of these low-rank monsters, I might become a god in ten days. (0 o 0) I then looked at my skeletons, whose time limit was already over and were about to disappear at any second. I decided to go into the next stage portal, thinking, why not? But before this, I decided to allocate some points into the attributes, which I was already prepared for. After allocation, the stats screen was like this: __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 150 --> 170 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: .85/minute = 17*.05) Mana Points (MP): 180 --> 200 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 1/minute = 20*.05) Strength (STR): 14 --> 16 Agility (AGL): 17 --> 18 Vitality (VIT): 15 --> 17 Intelligence (INT): 18 --> 20 Endurance (END): 14 --> 16 Stamina (STA): 15 --> 16 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 40/41+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 30 {Elemental} [MAG: 20*1.5] Defense: 32+5 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ {Guys in these stats the plundered one are already included} Like what I was becoming right now I didn''t even believe myself right now. It shouldn''t be a level four guy stats. It should be off Lv.5~6 stats. "Like heck, bro even I am not accepting the fact then how will others, but what I can do as I can''t stop to plunder as this should make my progress very slow." I said as I know that people won''t understand, and I can''t stop the talent use. I was amazed as my fell of the remains of my summons and thought to go away as this much comrade mortality rate was to be happen. As they only have the life span of twenty minutes. But before that I should upgrade my sword right. I opened my talent screen to see available enchant. __ [Talent have detected the Basic Iron Sword (Enchanted), as the target to enchant or evolve.] [Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance: 1. [Sharpness and Attack Power]: Not available 2. [Durability of the Sword]: Not available 3. [Grade of the Weapon]: 25 Evo-enchant point + Additional things. 4. [Add another effect.]: Not available] "Huh wait where are other enchantment options, talent." I asked which I expect to be ignored but it did answer. [To enchant the item again, you first need to evolve its grade and then it''s enchantment can be unlock while also increasing the number of times of enchantment in particular grade.] "So can you evolve its grade for me." I asked as talent said. [Please add the additional things to increase its aspect. Talent have detected bodies of monster, scanning in progress.... Monster parts are not eligible for the sword to evolve, please use higher level monster body parts to continue the process.] "So, I need higher level monster parts huh, well maybe can find it in second stage and there is mini boss their right, let me try that one, maybe can get some help from its body." I said as I checked my MP and HP bar and saw them filled and filling up as time passes. My HP was already full while my MP was recovering one/minute due to increase in intelligence stat. And like this when I was about to enter the next stage when got some notification about something. {....} -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [17]: Stage Second (1) [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. When I was just about to enter my second stage portal, some notification appeared in front of me which stopped me in my tracks. "Huh, now what it is." I said as the words start appearing one by one. {You''ve killed all the monsters in the first stage of the dungeon, completing its task.} "Huh but isn''t normal it to happen." I said as the instructor told us about it way before entering the dungeon. {You''ve completed the hidden task: Kill all extra monsters hiding inside the stage. (1/1)} "So, you mean there was extra mobs which I killed by coincidence." I asked as if that means if I cleared this then maybe I could get some rewards. {As per the hidden task is completed, the final boss mutation chance is increased from 2% --> 30%.} "Huh, what do you mean that completing this hidden task increase my rate of dying like even handling a boss is already enough and now the chance of mutation is al... wait, it may be dangerous for normal one but for me isn''t it too much for a great opportunity." I said as my mind start working in high speed to increase my strength to the level where that boss of mutation level won''t be my much and second stage can become a good place for it. "Hey system is there any chance to increase its chance more." I asked as the notification ring before me. {System can''t answer this, please find on your own.} ''Hush, maybe that Lucas with his awesome luck can encounter that mutant. And also going to pull out his hidden trump card or some unknown card which he also didn''t know to kill it. Why fate let these fools get everything served in plates while we normal people have to earn it.'' I spoke. "Okay so means I have to find it by myself." I said and after the screen was slide down. I walked inside the portal leaving this place. __ I found myself in a forest like biome just like before but this time the space beneath his foot was quite seen able as in first stage, he wasn''t able to see the ground beneath him due to long grass. "So maybe it''s due to the land being used for travelling by monster huh. If I remember, the second stage have Forest wolves, Vemonfang Snakes and finally the Alpha wolf (mini boss)." I said while recalling all the necessary information. "But hey wait, before that why my level of skills didn''t increase." I said as I looked over my status screen. __ Class skills: {Undead Summon (Lv. 1), Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 1), Shadow Bolt (Lv. 1)} {Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1), Mana Shield (Lv. 1)} {Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv.1), Power Slash (Lv. 1), Quick Swap (Lv. 1) __ "What is the reason bro, like I remember in my last life, it should have been upgraded by now. Is high level grade of class is interconnected with my way of leveling the skills." I thought of the theory as I remember that the level restriction of lower grade is quite high as F rank can''t level it up more than 10 levels and E not more than 20 and so one until SS and SSS have the 85 and 100 level cap. So, they should have the high leveling capability. As what is leveling up means, it means that the person using the skill is fully proficient in using the skill and now is capable to use its next level.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "So let me see what level of proficiency I am in after using my necromancer skills this much time." I said as I opened up the proficiency bar of the skills. __ <Undead Summon> (Active) {Lv.1} [46%] <Bone fang Strike> (Active) {Lv.1} [93%] <Shadow Bolt> (Active) {Lv.1} [86%] <Aracne Bolt> (Active) {Lv.1} [0%] <Mana Shield> (Active) {Lv.1} [0%] <Weapon Proficiency> (Passive) {Lv.1} [65%] (Active) {Lv.1} [13%] <Quick Swap> (Active) {Lv.1} [0%] __ While I was at the proficiency check, I decided to check my weapon skill also. __ kill: Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv. 1) Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 0% Description: A passive skill that increases the user''s effectiveness with all weapons, providing enhanced accuracy, damage, and speed based on the weapon type currently equipped. Effect: Accuracy Boost: Increases hit chance by 5% with all weapon types. Damage Boost: Increases weapon damage by 10%. Attack Speed Boost: Increases attack speed by 5%. Weapon Proficiency: One-Handed sword: F (73%) __ Even my sword proficiency was about to level up in one handed sword. "Hey look like I have to use them some time more until they got upgraded." I said and started to walk around the forest to get the wolves and snakes. I start walking around when my eyes fell on the pack of wolves walking toward me with low growls. I was also happy that now I don''t have to find these monsters as these are some aggressive type monsters who attack their preys first. "Okay here I come." I said as I rushed toward them to attack first while just used the skill to test the waters. <Undead summon> <-30 MP> An undead got summoned and with my orders it rushed toward the wolves as like before these wolves didn''t even flatter a bit and rushed toward the skeleton which got crushed in two minutes as by this, I got some information like those wolves even take some time to kill some like lesser version of mine. As the stats of skeleton are derived from me. I was now ready to face of the pack as I start walking toward the pack which was dead set on the dead pile of skeleton. Wolves saw me coming and start growling at me. I get into my battle stances as the wolves'' pounce on me to bite my hands. I slashed my sword on it as it falls on the ground, as another one came to bite me, but I stopped it by my hands but still I got some little bite on my hand as the wolf hanged on it. I saw that other wolves were trying to catch me in some way until others deal a massive blow, but I got their intentions and by picking the wolf hanging onto my hand, I throw it at the nearest one. "Now I am feed up with you morons, now time to die." I said as I swing my blade at the nearest one wolf and rendered him incapable to move. And suddenly moved toward the second one moving around me and slashed at it making it fall back as it made them vary of me. "What happened now, come at me now, you fools." I taunted as maybe they didn''t understand what I spoke, but they get successfully taunted. They lunged at me at the same time as I slashed one of them. And shoot a bolt of shadow toward another one. <Shadow bolt> <-20 MP> As the wolf fall back crying in pain, as many droplets of blood start falling onto the ground. All wolves maybe got shaken as they fall back after one of them howl but I didn''t follow them up as I didn''t want to waste stamina onto them. I looked at my health and mana to see that my mana was low again~~~~. And my health was also low due to some cuts from the wolves'' sharp claws. "After whole this stage, I got my HP down, I was thinking that I might can nail it down as full HP but maybe it got broken now." I said like losing a chance to get an achievement in a game. I looked around me to find two bodies of wolves lying around me and thought when will the notification will appear but maybe system got my thoughts. {You''ve killed 2~Lv.6 Forest Wolves, you''ve gained 60 EXP.} [70/250 EXP] [You''ve gained 10 Evo-enchant Points. Total: 42.] "Okay now that''s good but what I can do with these points like...." I said as my fell on something which maybe needed a urgent enchant. -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [18]: Stage Second (2) [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. "Look like I have to use them on other things until got the required material for the grade evolution." I said as my eye start something to upgrade as something cause my eyes to stop on. "Ah yes my chainmail chest plate." I said as I thought to enchant it for better defense and mobility as maybe this was also a factor for my movement restriction. "But before that let me get those stats, boiiiissss~~~~~." I said as I used my talent, , as again the process started. The energy appeared from inside of me and start hovering above their bodies and notification appears. [Talent have detected 2~ Lv.6 Forest Wolf bodies. What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.] I choose plunder as more things aren''t available right now. [No talent, skills, or abilities, bloodline detected. Stats identified.] [You''ve gained +2 Agility, +1 Stamina stat.] "Okay a good attribute I see here." I said as watch my stats rise in my stats screen. I can feel my body becoming light and my stamina increasing bit by bit as I was getting strong as time grows. Maybe I will be able to remove the weed I wish to do just from few weeks later. But let me first enchant my armor. __ {Basic Chain Mail Chestplate Type: Armor (Chest) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0) Description: A beginner''s chain mail chestplate crafted from low-grade iron, designed for minimal defense. It provides adequate protection against weak physical attacks, suitable for those just starting their journey. Attributes: Defense: +5 Durability: 46/50 Weight: Moderate __ I looked at the basic effect and opened my talent to enchant it. [Talent has detected an item <Basic Chain Mail Chestplate>, what do you wish to do with this host.] "I wish to enchant it, like can you even do other things than this." I asked in fun but what I didn''t expect was answer. [Talent can enchant, evolve, modify, reanimate and ???????. The thing to the user wish.] "Huh so you can also bring back a broken item. And what the hell is that question mark stuff" I asked to which talent replied. [Talent can reanimate any item with necessary stuffs and the last option is not available till certain requirements are not achieved.] "Okay so show me the chestplate enchantment stuff." I said as another screen appeared to show me it''s option. [Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance: 1. [Sturdiness and Defense]: 4 Evo-enchant Point. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.2. [Durability of the Chestplate]: 9 Evo-enchant point. 3. [Grade of the armor]: 40 Evo-enchant point + Additional things. 4. [Add another effect.]: 30 Evo-enchant Points + desired effect.] "What the hell, why is it so expensive like you increase every stuff rate this time." I asked as the talent didn''t reply to this time. "Oiii, tell me are you trying rip off my hard-earned points right." I said as I starting to look at the screen showing the options. {System has detected that talent have gone dormant for few minutes.} "Yes, go now but I will surely be going to depth of this, I swear." I said as I closed every screen seen before me. "Talent choose the first and second and proceed with it for now until I gathered more things for the other things." I said as the system start working on it. [The process is being proceeded; it may take few minutes.] [1....4....7...9....11....18...25....29....32....39....44....51...59....64.....75...86.....93...100%] [Enchantment is successful, procced to check it.] __ Basic Chain Mail Chestplate (Enchanted) Type: Armor (Chest) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis (Rank 0) Description: A beginner''s chain mail chestplate enhanced with a basic enchantment. While still modest in appearance, the enchantment fortifies its defensive capabilities and durability, making it a reliable choice for budding adventurers. Attributes: Defense: +12 Durability: 80/80 Weight: Moderate __ "Oh noice~~~~~~, look like you even restore its durability tha...." Before I can say more, I hear some noise coming from beside me, few distance away from me, a pack of wolves was running toward me with bloodlust in their eyes. "Okay look like I didn''t have much time to eye my new enchanted chainmail." I said as I got ready to fight those wolves. They were eight in numbers as just as they approached me, the front one lunged at me to attack but my sword was prepared for it and I slashed him straight on his neck area, killing him in the process. Others start revolving around me and some even were glancing at the now dead wolf which didn''t stand up after the slash. Even I was shocked to find that I can one hit them, but my eyes fell on the cut on his neck and understand that maybe critical make it more deadly. I looked at the other wolves and smiled at them with a crazy look. "Okay come at me." I said as I now take initiative for the attack and slashed toward one of them which hit his back but didn''t kill him. Every wolf start attacking me in every direction and tried to restrict my movement, but I was prepared from back then. And quickly duck down while plunging my blade into one of them killing it also. Wolf body was stuck in my sword when I stand up and throw it at the other one. While running toward one of them attack it. The wolves now where cautious as there two comrades were dead in such quick time. But I didn''t care as now my mind was set to be aggressive. Now I was coming in to attack them now like before trying to lure them out of their team. I again attack on of them beheading it instantly from the blade chance skill of fire strike. Which set off as I nearly forgot it was in my blade. "Haha, now that''s what you call a massacre." I shouted while overpowering the wolves in my path of sight. I was attacking them nonstop as my blade was moving from one to another forming cuts on their bodies. And after these restless attacks, my stamina/fatigue was quite low/high due to which the injured wolves take the chance as four of them still alive tried to run away but this time, I was prepared and shoot toward one of them with sudden burst of speed killing them in swift motion as reducing number will only help me later more. As now in pack, only three were alive and five were dead, even those two were going to die soon, I was sure of it, but they got away from me. As after that my frenzy mind got settled into calm. "Huff, look like this adrenaline got onto me." I said as I saw the now dead wolves lying around everywhere and blood soaking the ground. As after some seconds, the notification starts appearing which got me happy due to the high amount of experience points. {.....} -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [19]: Stage Second (3) & Stats mystery. [14th Everdusk 2103], Verdant Hollow dungeon, CGA branch. {You''ve killed 5~ Lv.6 Forest Wolves. You''ve gained 150 Exp points.} [220/250 EXP] [You''ve gained 20 Evo-enchant points, being stored in talent.] "Oh, quite a good one number of points, if I say." I said as the points was getting higher as time goes and maybe I will get more as time goes by. And even check my MP bar to see it getting higher as time goes. [31/200 MP] "Perhaps I should attempt to rush through this stage; if my progress continues at this rate, I''ll only manage to clear the second stage by the time all students complete their tests," I mused, even though I wanted to hurry, my low stamina stat was more of a foe in disguise than an ally. The reason is that the stats displayed on our bodies may appear identical in number, but their values differ significantly. Take, for instance, two individuals who both have a strength stat of 12. It might seem they are equal, but that''s not the case, as each person''s stat conversion rate is unique. The first person with a strength of 12 might actually possess higher or lower strength in that particular stat area. To put it simply, his strength of 12 could be equivalent to 14 or 15 when compared to another person''s 12. In other words, one person''s 12 in strength could match another person''s 14 in the same stat. In my case, it''s straightforward: my stamina stat might be equivalent to 17, but it''s actually comparable to the 12-13 of an average person. This is why my stamina remains low, even though it''s twice the stat of a normal, unawakened person. {A/N: Let''s pause the theoretical discussion here, or you might become bored. I have many theories, but I wouldn''t want you to abandon this novel, dismissing me as a writer who overindulges in scientific explanations.} , I said as my talent energy come from inside and hover above all the bodies of wolves. [Talent have detected 2~ Lv.7, 3~Lv.6 Forest Wolf bodies. What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.] "Plunder it, can''t you do it by yourself until I got the necessary skills for the following." I said but no answers as always. [No talent, skills, or abilities, bloodline detected. Stats identified.] [You''ve gained +3 Agility, +2 Intelligence, +1 Endurance, + 1 Stamina] "Yoooo~~~, nice stats huh." I said as check the stats screen to find increase in my strength. "If I can increase with this much speed, maybe I can reach Tier 1 strength while still being in Peak Tier 0." I said as I also tried to see what my summon skeletons stats look like now. __ Status Name: Skeleton Familiar Type: Undead Creature Grade: Basic This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.Level: 4 Stats: [Health]: [85/85] [Mana]: [0/0] [Strength]: 8 [Agility]: 11.5 [Intelligence]: 0 [Vitality]: 8.5 [Attack Power: 23] [Defense: 14] Skills: None Undead Constitution: Passive Increases resistance toward poison, curse, and status effects by huge amount. __ "Okay, so if I''m not mistaken, if I am strong, then my skeletons are half as strong as me since their stats are half of mine. Just think, if mine are 100, then they have 50, and if I have 500, then they have 250, and so on. So maybe this class isn''t so bad, and perhaps I can improve my grade." I mused, envisioning myself trampling over numerous enemies with my skeleton army, but the fantasy was interrupted when I saw the disappearance timer. Shelving my dream for the moment, I began to venture deeper into the forest in search of wolves, and as if on cue, like wishing for something and receiving it as a gift. I had been walking for a while when I started to hear a chorus of howls and the sound of footsteps. I couldn''t pinpoint their origin, but once the enemy revealed itself, it became clear. More than a dozen wolves had encircled me, eyeing me as if I were a juicy chicken leg. "Ooo ohh~~~~," I uttered, but before I could finish, several wolves leaped towards me. However, I was not your average Joe who could be taken down by being outnumbered. I readied myself and swiftly delivered a fiery slash at one of the nearby wolves, dodging many others that were lunging at me. I began running in one direction to break free from their formation, knowing that standing there would accomplish nothing and that breaking their circle was the only way to gain the upper hand. I dispatched a few wolves that stood in my line of sight and broke free from the encirclement, which marked the beginning of my onslaught. I engaged the wolves attempting to bite or claw at me with a simple combat pattern: parry, dodge, block, and strike when the opportunity arose. I was becoming adept at it, and to ease the pressure, I even summoned my allies. <Undead Summon> <-30 MP> Instantly, an undead skeleton wielding a rusty, yet sharp blade materialized behind me. I commanded it to guard my rear until I had eliminated all the wolves in front of me. Deeply engrossed in the battle, I still kept an eye on my summon, wary of any issues that might arise, such as a wolf attacking from behind. However, my concerns may have been unfounded, as the skeleton capably handled three wolves that sought to flank me. Minutes later, I had nearly vanquished all the wolves before me, with two fleeing upon witnessing their pack''s defeat. Turning around, I saw my skeleton locked in combat with one wolf, another lay defeated, and a third was looking for an escape opportunity. But I guessed it and used my long-range skill to kill it. <Bone Fang Strike> <-10 MP> Instantly, a fang made of bone swiftly pierced the wolf and exited from the other side, killing it in the process. "Now that''s what you call a bullseye," I shouted, after which my summon finished off the wolf it was battling. "It looks like those few wolves who ran away from me back then brought quite a pack to kill me," I said as I found some bodies of wolves with previous cuts from the earlier confrontation. "Well, what can I do about this? Hi Skelly, collect all the bodies for me," I said, after which the skeleton put his sword down and started collecting the bodies of the wolves from around the field. And there I was, wondering how a slim skeleton could carry the heavy bodies of those wolves. It seemed like a lie happening right in front of me, but I couldn''t deny it as it was real. "Okay, let''s not go off-topic, and where the hell is... oh, it looks like I need to remind the system every time about the notifications." I was about to yell at the system, but before that, the notifications started appearing in front of me. {You''ve killed ....} -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [20]: Stage Second (4) & Poisonous Surprise [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. {You''ve killed 5~ Lv. 6, 9~ Lv.5 Forest wolves, you''ve gained 330 Exp points.} [550/250 EXP] {You''ve levelled up, Lv.4 --> 6} [0/350 EXP] {You''ve gained 20 Unassigned points} [You''ve gained 61 Evo-enchant points. Total points stored in talent: 110 (49+61)] "Wow, so many points from a single hunt. I think I will have to do a massive kill every time to get this much. And there is still this thing left right now. , I said as I saw my skeleton finish gathering all the bodies around. The total bodies were 13; perhaps the one who got away died while trying to escape. [Talent has detected few bodies of Lv.5~6 Forest wolves, what do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.] I choose plunder as again the process started, and energy appear and start hovering above the bodies scanning what can be plundered. [No talent, skills, abilities, or bloodline detected. Stats identified.] [You''ve gained +4 Agility, +2 Strength, +3 Vitality, +2 Intelligence, +3 Stamina] [Host have reached the maximum capacity to plunder the stats from Lv.6 and below living being, hunt high level monster for plunder now.] "Oh, okay. I didn''t expect much from the wolves anyway, the stats I just received are too high to comment on. However, plundering from fourteen enemies has been quite fruitful in many ways," I said as I called up my screen to check my progress, which was becoming impressive as time went by, in my opinion __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 200 --> 230 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 1.15/minute = 23*.05) Mana Points (MP): 240 --> 300 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 1.50/minute = 30*.05) Strength (STR): 18 --> 22 Agility (AGL): 27 Vitality (VIT): 20 --> 23 Intelligence (INT): 24 --> 30 Endurance (END): 17 --> 20 Stamina (STA): 21 --> 25 Unassigned Stats: 20 --> 00 Attack Power: 59+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 45 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5] Defense: 45+12 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ "Sugoi, it seems my to power is receiving a significant boost as these stats are not of a Level 6 individual, but rather of a Level 8 or 9. Perhaps one day I can become a boss-level unit," I said while envisioning defeating every opponent in a single hit and began walking away to hunt more.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "Where is this mini boss? It would be good if he roams around the field like the others?" I pondered, aiming to clear the second stage quickly and proceed to the third stage, as of the students should have already entered the third one, and Lucas and Lyre might have killed the boss by now. "Hurry, hurry, let me be as quick as possible," I said, starting to run until I finally heard something. "Huh," I stopped in my tracks, looking at the bush moving slightly. I walked up toward it and was just about to my blade into it. Something unexpected happened as something leaped out from behind the leaves, startling me and causing me fall back. As I regained my composure, I saw what had emerged. It wasn''t a wolf or a boss, but another living monster in the second stage, the Venomfang Serpent, a deadly creature comparable to a mini boss. Their bites are poisonous, capable of delivering a venomous attack. I watched the snake crawl towards me, hissing his tongue menacingly. "Please go away, please!" I shouted, but despite my plea, the snake didn''t stop. Instead, it crawled faster tried to bite my leg. Thankfully, I swung my leg and backed away quickly. "Hah, I nearly got poisoned because of you, you stupid creature," I said. My words seemed to anger the snake, as it hissed at me and lunged. Unprepared, I raised my hand in defense. The snake bit my, its poisonous fangs piercing my skin. It tried to drive its fangs deeper, but instinctively, I pulled the snake away and threw it from me. The snake then slithered away, as if satisfied with its attack. <-20 HP> I fall on the ground crying out as my hand where the bite spots were still fresh holding on to it. Yes, the HP lose is not the issue but the area where I was bitten was getting red and redder like some tomato while my veins was popping out like crazy. And after that the bitten holes start to feel itchy as they also start getting darker in colour while some dark blood start oozing out from them, increasing pain several time more. I tried to block my blood supply to go to the heart as it will cause the poison to spread in every part maybe killing me in this process as then something pops in front of my retina. {Host has been poisoned, HP is being rapidly consumed, please do something or you may die like this.} "F*ck, I know as I can see but what I can do now." I said as the pain was getting more intense while my hand was starting to get numb from the poison and pain as I pulled my sleeve up to find the same happening on my shoulder and I instantly knew what''s going to happen next. [172/230] <-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3,-2,-2,-2,-3 HP.....> "Look like this time I wasn''t even be able to reach Tier 1...., maybe I should have taken that absolute immunity <SS> that time....." I said while now my whole body was covered in black veins and pain was in all of my body. My eyes started to get dizzy as I started to feel that my life was passing away as time goes by as I can see my HP rapidly lowering as time goes. [68/230] --> [61/230] --> [56/230] --> [49/230] --> [35/230] --> [28/230] --> [18/230] --> [9/230] --> [7/230] --> [5/230] --> [3/230] --> [1/230 HP] --> [????????????] -- To be continued -- What will happen next? Is he going to die? If he dies, then this novel concludes; if not, how did he survive? If you know the answer, please leave a comment. Also, one last thing. And guys after 100 chapters, I am going to work on project Patreon so be attentive to see what''s going to happen next. Beginner Dungeon [21]: Stage Second (5) & The might of the Third [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. {The system has detected low health of the host. Please restore it before you die.} I heard this, but no words came out of my mouth as immense pain coursed through my body. Then something changed as if something kicked in inside of me, like something helping me. {System has detected some strange energy coursing through the host''s body, neutralizing the effect of poison.} {System can''t detect what it is. Please refrain from using otherworldly powers which may cause harm to the host''s body.} "Wh....what," I said, conscious enough to understand and respond to what was happening around me. I was shocked about how I survived, but it seemed I didn''t have to find the answer as it came straight to my face. {System has detected a message from a dormant talent lying inside host, which is starting to awake up, detected message from the talent, proceeding to forward it.} [Talent has detected a lowest grade of poison in host body, the awakening requirement have been confirmed.] [Talent <Supreme Adaptation> (?) have been awakened in the body. The body is being remodifies to fight of the poison.] [Talent has detected the poison to be enough to be form a skill, the skill creating is being process.] [1%.....23%.....34%.....67%.....89%.....100%] [Skill has been created, <Low-grade poison resistance> (Passive) {Lv.1} has been created, the initial poison is being ejected from host body] Just as the notification appeared, I felt something coming out of my mouth, a blob of dark red blood, sizzling slightly. I instantly understood what it was¡ªthe venom in my body, adapted by the talent and expelled to save my life. "And with this talent, I even gained some skill, even if it''s low level. Maybe it can be helpful later as resistance skills are quite rare and useful in many ways," I said, opening my HP bar to check its condition with the skill information. __ Low Poison Resistance (Lv. 1) Type: Passive Skill Grade: Tier 0 Proficiency: 0% Description: Grants basic resistance to low-level poisons, reducing their effectiveness and duration. This skill provides a slight edge against toxins encountered in beginner-level adventures. Effects: Reduces damage from low-level poisons by 10%. Shortens the duration of low-level poison effects by 15%. __ [8/230 HP] [181/300 MP] "Why is my health so low, and my mana points significantly higher at this moment?" I asked the system. {Host was unconscious for more than an hour. In the meantime, the host''s HP wasn''t recovering while mana was regenerating at a normal pace. It was found that the poison stopped the body''s regeneration ability, and only after the poison was released did it start.}Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "Okay, so then, being sleeping in the middle of a dungeon with low health is like offering myself as prepared food for monsters," I said, deciding to move away from the place as wolves might come chasing me. I was shocked to find that I had been lying here for an hour and no monster had come. I start moving as I was ready to cast skill to save myself, but nothing happened for some time as I was happy for it, but my pace of action was getting back very slow, and it might take me more than two hours to get to full health from now on. Just before I could move forward, I heard the sound of leaves shifting as three snakes of the same color crawled down from the tree, hissing at me in anger. "Oh, so you all are here, huh? Good. I was expecting to find you all and eliminate you before my boss battle, as you may become a hindrance later," I said. If we left some monsters alive, there was a small chance the boss could summon a high number of allies, which would only tire me more. And with a small chance, it may like 15% or something, but with my luck, I can''t take this as merely 15%. In reality, it might be 90-95% for me, as usual. "Okay, let me clear the debt your comrade or one of you left me with," I said as I used my skill to summon my ally. <Undead summon> <-60 MP> As two undead skeletons walked out of the formation and stand in front of me. With their usual tattered clothes and rusty sword. "Alright, show them what you are made of ¨C bones, of course ¨C and tear those venomous serpents apart," I commanded. Upon receiving the order, the two skeletons began running towards the three serpents and attacked them. Despite being only Level 6, their stats were unusually high, making it easy to confront Level 9 serpents. My two summon were doing well until one of them fell due to an attack on its leg, causing the balance to break. Seeing summons being overpowered by the serpents was not favorable for me, so I decided to use my skills to assist them. <Shadow Bolt> <-20 MP> "Ah come on, they still aren''t levelling up." I said for my skills while aiming at the serpents group. The bolt shot toward them and instantly dried up so much bar of the three serpents as before my summons could kill them, I stopped them from doing it as I need to do something for which these three can be used out for. I approached them and swiftly used my sword to sever the heads of serpents'' heads at a precise length, ensuring that their poison sacs remained intact. I then stored the heads in my inventory, awaiting the notification to appear and prepared to use the plunder talent on them. {You''ve killed 2~Lv.7, 1~Lv.8 Venomfang Serpents. You''ve gained 85 EXP points.} [85/350 EXP] [You''ve gained 20 Evo-enchant points. Total: 130 (110+20)] , I said as the process started with energy hovering above the three serpents'' body. [Talent has detected few bodies of Lv.7~8 Venomfang Serpents, what do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.] I choose plunder like why this talent is asking me this so much time, can''t it choose by itself. [No talent, skills, abilities, few degraded bloodlines (not suitable) detected. Stats identified.] [You''ve gained +2 Agility, +1 Intelligence, +1 Strength. The degraded bloodline, <The Demonic Serpent Lord> has been ejected from the host body for not being suitable.] "Oh, so these small serpents have a bloodline, huh? But what can I do as talent deemed them unworthy then... wait, isn''t my bloodline of that serpent also unworthy? Hey talent, mind checking this bloodline?" I said as I pulled out the unknown bloodline vial. [Scan completed. The bloodline is suitable for host use. Recommended to use after certain strength is reached to avoid mutation through the process.] The talent told me, shocking me with the answer. "Hey, wait, then why is that bloodline not suitable and why this? Are you also modified by those thrones, huh? Answer me." I shouted, but nothing came back from the system, as if they didn''t deem my question worthy of an answer. "I swear, whoever is behind this, I will kill you," I said while roaring toward the sky. {A/N: Why am I feeling chills here? My feet are all cold right now.} But maybe it was not a good choice, as I was able to hear the noise of wolves running around me, and I had to hide as I couldn''t fight in this situation. -- To be continued -- Okay guys, time''s up for today. What''s going to happen next? Will Evan get ambushed by wolves, or will he get away? And why did he take those heads with him? Is he going to make or sell them for a profit? We don''t know, but surely it will be revealed in the next chapters, maybe. Beginner Dungeon [22]: Stage Second (6) & Skills level up [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. In the forest of the second stage, someone was hiding in one of the bushes while outside, several wolves were running around trying to find something¡ªthat something was me, hiding in the bushes to save myself from the group. I had never seen such a large group of wolves while roaming the forest, but now they were searching for me like it was some treasure hunt. If you ask why I have not been caught yet, it is because my blood was lying around the area, confusion for the wolves'' sense of smell, which prevented them from finding me. After a long time of searching and finding nothing, the wolves moved away from location, finally giving me enough time to catch my breath. My HP and MP were already full, like before, and I could now fight the monsters to clear the stage. [230/230 HP] [310/310 MP] But still some sluggishness was still there as I can feel my body still aching a little which wasn''t going to stop for few days. "Okay but before going let me do some important thing or my life would be in danger again." I said as I pulled up my screen to see the three skills which I can instantly level for now as levelling them can help me get some power up in some way or another. __ <Bone fang Strike> (Active) {Lv.1} [99%] <Shadow Bolt> (Active) {Lv.1} [98%] <Low-grade poison resistance> (Passive) {Lv.1} [0%] __ I can increase their proficiency at any moment with a single use, but you might be wondering how I am going to level up the third skill, which is currently at zero. To achieve this, I take out three items obtained after killing the three snakes: their heads. Their bodies have already been taken away by wolves that found them here. What a filthy group of monsters, taking away my hunted monster bodies. I have no idea why they took the bodies, but it doesn''t matter. I examined the three heads and opened their mouths to find the intact fangs of the Venomfang serpents, which will help me here. I then put away two of the heads and, with great will and courage, placed my hands below the fangs and pressed the upper area of the head. As the mouth closed, the two little fangs pierced my skin, causing pain. You might think I am mad or crazy to put myself in such a deadly position again, but what I am doing is correct. The ways to use the resistance skill are limitless, and their proficiencies grow very slowly if you do not meet the correct requirements. In the future, a hunter who discovered this information before dying would reveal that whatever resistance you have, whether it be physical, elemental, status effects, or environmental resistance, can be increased rapidly by exposing yourself to its properties. I did this by injecting poison into my body to increase its proficiency level. And it worked, as I could see a rapid increase in the proficiency of the skill. [2% --> 5% --> 8% --> 11% --> 17% --> 23% --> 30% --> 34%] It stopped at 34% but the pain was getting high as I figured out that the poison overpowered my resistance and now my HP was going down, again causing me pain and soreness in my hand. [227 --> 225 --> 222 --> 218 --> 216 --> 214 --> 211/230 HP] But before it could go higher, my hidden thing lying inside of my soul got to work and again the pain start fading away as refreshment start oozing inside of me. And yes, the thing that did it was my talent. [Talent has noticed a poison coursing through the host body, detecting the area of effect.] [Poison is detected to be of the same type as before. The poison is being ejected out of the body, the proficiency of the skill, <Low-Grade Poison Resistance>, is being increased due to the body adjusting to the host.]This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. [34% --> 51%] I, who was expecting to just gain proficiency with the poison, didn''t expect that I could even acquire poison resistance with my talent. These are truly what we call cheats. "Yosshhaaa, it looks like my plan can move quite fast with my talent," I said, as I wasn''t expecting my talent to help me in it. Without any hesitation, I took out my second head and plunged the fangs into my hand again. This time, my body didn''t feel pain like before, but it was expected as I was also going to find some more snakes to get the poison. [51% --> 72%] After the pain faded away like nothing was there, I understood what happened. My body had become accustomed to this low-grade poison, which wouldn''t be able to increase my skill proficiency as much as before, even if I killed all the snakes here. In a last-ditch effort, I took out my last third head. Instead of piercing my hand with it as before, I cut open its mouth area and extracted a sack of liquid, where the poison was stored inside the serpent. Without any hesitation, I gulped it down, not caring about the monster''s blood. As planned, my talent quickly took action, which was what I wanted. [Talent has detected a dangerous fluid inside the host body, starting the process to adapt the body to endure the poison.] [Body remodeling is in process. The fluid is detected to be poison, which is highly dangerous to the body. Resistance of the body toward the poison is increasing in proficiency. The poison is ejected from the body. Note: Please be cautious of dizziness.] As it said, I felt like throwing up again, and with a loud sound, all the poison I had gulped down came out of my body along with various other liquids, maybe the food I ate this morning. My stomach was now totally empty because my talent ejected everything inside me. {Your skill <Low-grade Poison Resistance> is levelled up from Lv.1 --> 2 successfully.} "Okay so here are my second and third one." I said as instantly two of my skills was used by me to level up them. <Shadow bolt> <Bone fang strike> <-30 MP> {Your skill <Shadow bolt> is levelled up from Lv.1 --> 2} {Your skill <Bone fang strike is levelled up from Lv.1 --> 2} I was happy to see finally some of my skills getting at level two, but I know that there shouldn''t be any major change in them just some minor difference that''s all. __ Skill: Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 2) Type: Active Mana Cost: 11 MP Cooldown: 9.5 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Summon a sharpened fang of bone imbued with stronger dark energy to strike a target with increased lethality. The enhanced attack pierces defenses more effectively, inflicting amplified physical and dark magic damage. Upon impact, the bone fang splinters more violently, causing greater sustained damage over time. Damage: Physical Damage: 55% of the caster''s physical attack. Dark Magic Damage: 55% of the caster''s magic attack. Effects: Piercing: Ignores 12% of the target''s defense. Bone Harvest (Passive): Recover 12% of the mana cost if the skill kills the target. __ Skill: Shadow Bolt (Lv. 2) Type: Active Mana Cost: 21 MP Cooldown: 7.5 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Unleash an enhanced bolt of concentrated shadow energy at a target, delivering more potent dark magic damage. The improved bolt has an increased chance to inflict Shadow Bind, briefly slowing the target''s movement with greater intensity. Damage: Dark Magic Damage: 110% of the caster''s magic attack. Additional Effect: Shadow Bind: Reduces the target''s movement speed by 25% for 3.5 second. (Chance to inflict 30%) __ {Guys the poison resistance skill info is not updated into the previous chapter, so if wanted to see it than, go check it out there.} __ Skill: Low Poison Resistance (Lv. 2) Type: Passive Skill Grade: Tier 0 Proficiency: 0% Description: Enhances the ability to resist low-level poisons, further mitigating their effects. Provides increased protection against toxins commonly encountered in novice adventures. Effects: Reduces damage from low-level poisons by 12%. Shortens the duration of low-level poison effects by 20%. __ After seeing the upgrade my mind was now in calm to know that I can level up the skills just need some extra time in it for proficiency. And now I am ready to clear this stage off to call out the hiding boss here to clear the stage. -- To be continued -- Hand over all the P.S you have to my novel. Beginner Dungeon [23]: Stage Second (7) & Cleaning off the stage [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. In the second stage of the Verdant Hollow dungeon, we observed some wolves fleeing in terror, their faces filled with fear. Skeletons pursued them, and behind them was their summoner¡ªme. I appeared menacing, my and sword blade dripping with blood, not mine, but that of the monster I had just slain. The wolves, exhausted covered in wounds from previous battles, could not escape. In contrast my skeletons remained unscathed and tireless. After a relentless chase, I finally killed the two fleeing wolves and ordered the skeletons to bring them back to the previous battle area, which I had left to hunt them. We returned to the raging, where two skeletons had finished gathering the bodies of wolves and snakes scattered on the ground. The two hunted wolves were added to the small heap of carcasses. "Okay, just come and give me some good things now, system, as it''s al..." I was about to say when notifications started appearing in front of me. {You''ve killed 16~ Lv.5, 7~ Lv.6 Forest wolves, 5~ Lv.7, 2~ Lv.8 Venomfang serpents. You''ve gained 505 EXP points.} [590/350 EXP] {You''ve levelled up from Lv.6 --> 7} [240/400 EXP] {You''ve gained 10 Unassigned points} [You''ve gained 273 Evo-enchant points. T.P: 403 (273+130)] {You''ve reached the sufficient number of hunts to alert the boss of the forest area, to know the presence of you in his forest area, please be caution as the boss in roaming the forest to find the culprit of killing his pack wolves. You may confront him anytime.} "Oh my god, it seems that deadly move really worked." I said, now able to hunt down the boss who was roaming the area. I looked at my summons who were dissolving into ashes and said, "Well, you all can rest now." They truly helped me complete this plan, which would have failed without the necessary army strength. , I said as my talent start working again and energy hovered above the dead bodies of wolves and serpents. [Talent have detected 23~Lv.5-6 Forest wolves, 7~ Lv.7-8 Venomfang serpents. Low level serpents can''t be plundered. What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.] [Plundering process of the Venomfang serpents is being processed.] The screen start loading as I choose to plunder the bodies. [No talent, skills, abilities, few degraded bloodline part (not suitable) detected. Stats identified.] [You''ve gained +3 Strength, +1 Agility, +1 Vitality, +2 Endurance, +2 Intelligence. The degraded bloodline is ejected from the body.] "Hey talent can''t we store that bloodline I got from bodies." I said which the talent infact replied. [It can be possible host, but the bloodline should be in low amount, and it might not cause the person to take it as a benefit as the low amount may not provide the necessary boost to the user. And to avoid that you''ve to kill the massive number of monsters to get the sufficient portion of the bloodline due to being degraded.] "Okay, so I need to find some good bloodlines for future help," I said as I was making a plan to get some quick money in bulk by selling the bloodlines, as they were in high demand.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. And yes, I was telling you about the story that happened... After I left the area and completed leveling up my skills, I decided to hunt them all quickly. However, the problem was that it would take me much longer to do so if I used the same method as before. ''So, what do I do now?'' I thought while walking away when I remembered something and came up with a plan. "Yes, I can use the method to get a large number of wolves located around the forest in one swoop, but it may become quite deadly for me if I''m unable to reduce their numbers quickly. But... argh, let''s just do this and think later," I said, as I wasn''t initially ready for it but had to do it since I didn''t have any other way to clear the stage more efficiently. I then started looking for a group of and luckily found a small one. It consisted of two wolves which was not perfect for the plan, but I could manage it. Both wolves started running towards me, but I didn''t falter and rushed toward them to attack. Our battle began, which wasn''t much of a battle but more of an exchange of attacks. My blade, with insane speed, rushed toward one of the wolf''s necks, and before it could react, I sliced off its head, which fell to the ground. I then dodged another attack from the second wolf, who was shocked to see its comrade lying on the floor headless. It was so scared and its whole body was shaking like withering leaves as it couldn''t comprehend how its comrade died. The wolf realized that the person standing in front of must be very strong. He took a chance to escape as the wolf lunged at me, swinging its claws toward me. I blocked the attack and backstepped a few times, pretending to fall away, which gave the wolf the opportunity to run. As the wolf started to escape, I tried chase it, but it quickly disappeared from sight or maybe allowing it to get away. His plan was to let some wolves escape to get help and bring more monsters. He acted as if he had been pushed away by the attack, but in reality, he could have easily dodged or defended against it or even killed the wolf in one swoop. However, that would have caused the wolf to fall into despair. This strategy was to ensure that the wolf would not die immediately and would call for other wolves. His plan worked, as a few minutes later, a large pack of wolves appeared, numbering more than fifteen, with many at level 7, higher than his level. Despite this, he did not feel scared and used his ally-increasing skill. In which the high level serpents were also involved in the hunt pursuit. <Undead summon> <-120 MP> As four undead appear to guard my back, I realize I won''t be able to defeat the wolves if my back is left unprotected. Wolves are intelligent and tend to attack the critical areas of their prey for an instant kill, and my undefended back is quite an attraction. I start attacking the wolves that were coming at me from all sides. Even though my HP was rapidly decreasing from the continuous assault, I did not retreat. With each passing moment, my attacks became more precise, and I felt a profound change within me. My blade movements were becoming refined, and I discovered the reason as I my screen to see the update. __ Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv. 1) Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 76% Description: A passive skill that increases the user''s effectiveness with all weapons, providing enhanced accuracy, damage, and speed based on the weapon type currently equipped. Effect: Accuracy Boost: Increases hit chance by 5% with all weapon types. Damage Boost: Increases weapon damage by 10%. Attack Speed Boost: Increases attack speed by 5%. Weapon Proficiency: One-Handed sword: E (01%) __ My weapon proficiency has advanced to another stage, and I can feel myself improving in the use of the blade. My attacking, defending, and evading skills have become better, though the changes were not noticeable until someone with great perception observed them. I was delighted realize my growth with every swing of my blade. "Yosh, I am fired up," I said with joy as I began killing the wolves, one after another, as you all know. -- To be continued -- Hello guys, hope you all liked the chapter. Goodbye, and see you again tomorrow with another chapter. (¡ñ''?''¡ñ) Beginner Dungeon [24]: Stage Second (8), Finishing the boss. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. I looked at the heap of corpses and, after giving them another glance, decided to walk away as there was nothing else to do. Most of the monsters roaming around had been killed, and only a few, including the boss, remained. I resolved to find him to progress to the next stage. "But where should he be right now?" I wondered aloud while walking away from the area. A few minutes later, in the same place where Evan had left, a figure appeared, running from the opposite direction. It was a wolf by body structure, but its fur and body size were different from normal. Bloodlust was evident in its eyes as it eyed the small heap of corpses, which included its pack members. "Growl..." it growled in anger and began sniffing for the suspect. It caught the scent of someone and immediately disappeared from the spot, heading in the direction Evan had gone. Several meters away, I was walking, lost in thought, when I remembered something. "Oh, I nearly forgot about the thing," I said, recalling the ten unassigned points I had received from leveling up to Lv.7. I called up the screen and allocated points as I deemed necessary. __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 240 --> 270 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 1.35/minute = 27*.05) Mana Points (MP): 330 --> 340 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 1.70/minute = 34*.05) Strength (STR): 26 --> 28 Agility (AGL): 30 Vitality (VIT): 24 --> 27 Intelligence (INT): 33 --> 34 Endurance (END): 22 --> 23 Stamina (STA): 25 --> 28 Unassigned Stats: 00 Attack Power: 70+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 51 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5] Defense: 51+12 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ "I should be cautious now as that wolf can attack me anytime," I said, as I was eyeing my status screen to find something interesting when I heard the sound of bushes moving. Just before I could look back, I felt a huge force hitting my back, sending me flying toward a tree. The tree couldn''t hold me and my body, and after crashing into it, it was destroyed. I continued flying, destroying several trees in my path. I, who didn''t know what had happened, quickly plunged my blade into the ground to stop myself and looked back toward the place I came from, feeling intense pain as blood droplets from my back fell to the ground. <-89 HP> "Arghhh... it feels like several needles are poking continuously," I said as I tried to touch the wound caused by something, but I couldn''t tell what it was. I looked in the direction and then a silhouette appeared from that direction. /Growl/ /Growl/ /Growl/ "Looks like I made a mistake by thinking about the boss," I said as I saw it growling at me with intense rage. "Huh a single wolf... wait, it isn''t a normal one. Looks like I don''t have to look around for you as the prey is already here to try and hunt the predator, huh." I said as I thought the boss should be in a pack, but here it was standing alone in front of me. While thinking, I stood up from the ground with some crackling sounds coming from my back due to crashing times into the trees. "You will pay for the damage, b*t*h," I said as I rushed toward it. The Alpha wolf also rushed toward me with its massive body strike with its deadly looking claws, which I defended against with my sword. ''Even after the increase in stats the plunder, I am less powerful than the boss, and why wouldn''t I be, as titles aren''t meant for show or something,'' I thought as I continued to block the attacks of the angry boss, whose eyes were filled to the brim with the madness of killing me.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. I then decided to try a different approach as blocking the attacks only will cost me my sword which I just enchant. "Okay so you really leave me no choice." I said as I backed away from the restless attacks of boss and conjured skills to make some distance in ourselves. <Bone fang strike> <Shadow bolt> <32 MP> Both Fang and Bolt were launched toward the boss after another, with Bolt reaching the boss first due to its speed and injuring him on his back. Upon seeing the attack, the Alpha dodged the fang, as it could not withstand such an assault at the same time. The boss''s HP bar appeared above his head, with a few chunks depleted after the hit, indicating that the wolf''s defense was not very high. As my confidence built up, I moved toward the boss attack, which was my biggest mistake. When I rushed in to fight, the showed no fear or concern, as if the wound was insignificant and his fighting capability was unaffected. Unlike me, who was still feeling pain from the boss''s hidden attack, the Alpha remained in good health, and his speed showed no signs of diminishing. His attack speed was still the same, or perhaps even higher, as rage burned in his eyes. I was now blocking the attacks with ease, as I could gauge the wolf''s strength and, after measuring its attack power and speed, I realized the stat difference between us was not significant. I stared at the big wolf, ready to pounce, but before I could react or prepare for its attack, the wolf disappeared. Shocked, I tried locating to where it was, but the wolf was already in front of me, swinging its claws. Luckily, I raised my hands in defense, preventing severe damage. I backed away, looking at the wolf, ready to move again. I could feel my grip strength and hand power decreasing slightly but not significantly. My hands were now stained with my own blood, not the monsters'', as I felt the pain but had no time to soothe it. I looked at the wolf, confused as to why it didn''t attack me when I was weak, then realized its skill must be on cooldown. "Oh, so even you have a cooldown," I thought after seeing that it didn''t attack me now. <Undead summon> <-60 MP> My two summon skeletons appeared as I order them to take some time of the boss while I plan something. As I didn''t have much stamina or mana left to basically spam my way inside. [72/340 MP] "Look like only using that method is now okay in this situation." I said as I pulled out my screen to see one of my skills which I haven''t use much right till now as it''s need was not necessary. I sneakily walked side toward the boss who was engaged with my skeletons when I quickly ran up to his side and slash with my full strength as I used my skill. <-15 MP> By some unknown stroke of luck, my sword''s random flame ability activated as I delivered a heavy blow to the boss. The boss''s attention was drawn by the light of the flames, but before he could react, my sword had already made contact with his fur, which was burned as the blade pierced his skin and began to cut through his muscle. The cutting stopped midway as the fire was extinguished by the blood before I could exert more strength. The wolf disappeared and reappeared in a nearby location. The side of his stomach was severely damaged by my attack, with much of the fur in that area burned and blood continuously oozing from the wound. As the boss''s HP dropped below half, his demeanor changed, and a glint of light appeared in his eyes. /Howl/ /Howl/ /Howl/ He howled into the air and waited as noises began occurring beside me. I knew what it was¡ªthe summon. It was a skill that allowed some monster bosses to call for help when in danger. But perhaps my fear was unfounded, as fewer than five wolves appeared. Only three came to aid their pack leader. The reason was not that they failed to appear, but that the others were already dead, killed by me. Before confronting the boss, I had eliminated the pack, leaving only these three. The most exciting part seeing the sly and cunning expression vanish from the alpha''s face, as he expected more than ten wolves to come to his aid. The actual number was pitiful. I had my summons ready to fight, and I ordered them to finish the wolves while I moved toward the boss, who was now dead serious. I was prepared for all his tricks, and these next blows would decide his fate. If he succeeded, he would live; if not, he would die, as was the case for me. Our exchange of attacks resumed. The wolf tried to strike with his claws and even bite me, but nothing worked. The massive blow I had delivered changed his movements entirely. He was now slow, and the power of his attacks was weak. I knew the reason: the wound I inflicted was too large to stop bleeding on its own. Blood was pouring out, and HP was being every minute. Even if I did nothing, he would die. But I didn''t want to prolong the fight, so I started attacking aggressively, landing many blows on his head and body. The fur and defense of his body were quite tough, as the marks were shallow compared to before, which I understood to be due to skill and the effect of flame. I was observing everything: my HP the boss''s HP, and the skeletons who had just finished off killing the wolves. I found that the boss''s health bar was nearly depleted, and he was on his last stand. One more attack and he would be dead. I looked at him, and he stared back with a deathly expression, as if saying, "If I''m going down, I''ll pull you down with me." I was ready for the last exchange of attacks. The wolf disappeared again, and I looked around to find where he would appear. He materialized northeast of my body and struck at my throat, trying to kill me. But I was prepared for this move and plunged my blade straight into the alpha''s body, ending its life. "Sorry, buddy, but I am not bound to die here. Not even the gods can stop me from achieving my goals this time. So just lie down and embrace the sleep you deserve," I said as I saw the wolf trying to lift its paw. It fell down as I the battle had ended, and I was the sole winner... no, we were the winners of the battle, I thought, looking at my trusted allies. -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [25]: Stage Second (9), Stage clear and upgrade. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. After killing the wolf, did I take a breath of relief and fall down on the ground just before the dead body, and looked at the body to wait until the thing I was waiting for. {You''ve killed 3~Lv.7 Forest wolves, Lv.10 Alpha wolf, you''ve gained 360 EXP.} [600/400] {You''ve levelled up from Lv.7 --> 8} [200/450] {You''ve gained 10 unallocated stats point.} [You''ve gained 43 Evo enchant point. T.P: 446 (403+43)] , I used my talent on the bodies of wolf boss as I know I won''t get any things from the other wolves, but I have many expectations from this boss plundering stat bonus. [Talent has detected 3~Lv.7 forest wolves, 1~Lv.10 Alpha wolf (mini boss). What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store.] I choose the plunder as usual as the process again repeated and mysterious energy come out from my body and hovering about the body of mini boss. [No talent, abilities, few degraded bloodline part (partially suitable) detected. Stats and Skill identified.] [You''ve gained +4 STR, +3 AGL, +3 VIT, +2 INT, +3 END, +3 STA, skill <Shadow pounce> and a degraded partial suitable bloodline <Shadow wolf king>, is available for use.] [Do you wish to assimilate the bloodline in your body: Yes/No] "No system, just reject it, as that bloodline might not grant me the power I desire. Release it; I don''t want to waste time explaining to someone who didn''t comment on anything after what I said." I said to the screen as the bloodline was ejected from my body. A small droplet of blood floated out and fell onto the ground, getting absorbed by the dirt. {A/N: And guys it''s also on you that Evan doesn''t want to elaborate any more of his feelings or things he had on his mind.} Suddenly a notification which I didn''t expect came knocking my door which was what I wanted right now. [Talent has detected the body of the Alpha wolf to be suitable for the grade evolution of items.] [Please procced if you wish to upgrade the items.] "Okay look like my work in third stage will be much easier now." I said as I firstly decided to allocate my given points and then will procced to upgrade my armor and sword. I called out my system screen to use the unassigned points, I got in the level up. __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 300 --> 320 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 1.60/minute = 32*.05) Mana Points (MP): 360 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 1.80/minute = 36*.05) Strength (STR): 32 --> 34 Agility (AGL): 33 --> 34 Vitality (VIT): 30 --> 32 Intelligence (INT): 36 Endurance (END): 26 --> 30 Stamina (STA): 31 --> 32 Unassigned Stats: 10 --> 00 Attack Power: 81/82+7 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 54 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5] Defense: 62+12 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ The stats assignment may look clumsy, like a gamer trying to balance all his stat points in a game, but it was necessary. The path I was following did not require specialization in a single attribute like strength, agility, or intelligence. Instead, it required a balanced approach, which I realized after being hit by the alpha. The attack broke my defense, much like a big guy kicking a small guy. I decided that my stats should be balanced to make me a more versatile and powerful character.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. With my class, I can dominate everyone if I play my cards right, even against an SSS rank class prodigy. Some might find me crazy, but the path I am on will lead to destruction, not by others, but by me, as it is a path no one else can walk. "Okay, now that the stats are in place, let me upgrade my blade and armor before moving forward," I said as I pulled out the talent screen to select my sword for enchantment and evolution. [Talent has detected the item <Basic Iron Sword (Enchanted)> as the item selected to be enchant/evolve.] [Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance: 1. [Sharpness and Attack Power]: N/A 2. [Durability of the Sword]: N/A 3. [Grade of the Weapon]: 25 Evo-enchant point + Additional things. 4. [Add another effect.]: N/A] "I choose the option 3rd and tell me how you wish to take the material from its corpse." I asked as maybe I have to put items on the sword or take out them separately to finish the evolution. [Talent suggests host to put the sword onto the corpse to start the process.] I just did as what it said but before it could start, I also take out my armor to enhance it "Hey, could you also do the chainmail for me." I said as again the scanning begin to check the item. [Detected item, <Basic Chain Mail Chestplate (Enchanted)>, as the item selected to be enchant/evolve.] [Please choose the aspect you wish to enhance: 1. [Sturdiness and Defense]: N/A 2. [Durability of the Chestplate]: N/A 3. [Grade of the armor]: 40 Evo-enchant point + Additional materials. 4. [Add another effect.]: 30 Evo-enchant Points + desired effect.] "Okay so I choose the grade of the armor to be evolve and use the material of that wolf body." I said as I also put down the chainmail onto the body. [To evolve the grade of item, <Basic Chain Mail Chestplate (Enchanted)>, please first complete clear all the aspects upgrade before using the evolution aspect.] "Huh, what do you mean, you can''t upgrade its grade before I use the other one to enchant? Wait now I understand. You wanted to cheat me by using the points I earned to put some effect on my armor to make it worthless later on, and I would become sad to find my hard-earned points wasted. But listen, I am not an easy guy to fool like you, so just evolve it." I said, but what I got in return was absolute silence from it, as if it didn''t even take my words seriously right now. "Argh... can''t you just give in and evolve them both right now?" I said, but it didn''t do anything at all, and after that I had to do what it wanted. "Okay, so you won''t let me upgrade. Then it''s simple, I will just put some random stuff on it and do it then. Then you will be happy, right?" I shouted, as there was no danger to be scared of now. But after getting no reply, I sat on the ground and started doing something while focusing on the ground, but nothing happened. As time went by and my face and back were drenched in sweat from doing something, I started to feel the changes. After a few more minutes, I succeeded in what I needed, as in front of me on the ground, a small pebble-sized area of earth was rising from the ground as if it had grown up from it. Yes, the thing I was doing right now was using my ability, <Elemental Manipulation>, specifically the earth element. It may seem easy to use, but without the necessary experience, it can take a long time. However, what I achieved was possible due to my high-rank ability and mana usage, just like with my fire manipulation. Though it took me time to mold and use, it really did work. I was content as I walked near the corpse of Alpha, where my blade and chainmail armor lay. I used the ability again and, after a few seconds, a small pebble-like piece of dirt rose from the earth. With great caution, I picked it up and placed it with the armor, infusing it with as much mana as I could release. Although my mana was not great, something was better than nothing. I began process before the mana could mix with the surroundings. "Hurry talent, enchant and evolve the remaining aspects of both items," I said as the screen appeared, allowing me to feel at ease and carefree. [Talent has detected all the necessary things prepared for the process to begin. The required points are being deducted from the storage.] [ 110 (95 + 15) EEP {extra for effect support}, T.P: 336 EEP] "Hey, its day light cheating to take extra points in name of support for effect which I didn''t need." I said as what I did with dirt pebble was channeling the earth element energy into it and use the energy as the effect to increase the defense of it by some minor and didn''t think that talent will be able to get the effect even from a little of it. [Process is being completed wait for a few moments.] It said as the energy covering the items and corpse was too heavy to look inside and then only start to fade away as the new looks of the items were in front of me as the data got in front of which cause me to get shocked as my eyes come out of my sockets approx. completely. -- To be continued -- Hello guys and hope you like the chapter and guys what do you think he saw to react like this, comment if you know something or wanted to suggest. Beginner Dungeon [26]: Second stage (10/last), Skill and evolution. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. The item and the leftover body of the mini boss appeared before me, and what came into view was completely different. Firstly, the corpse was missing several parts; the skin and fur of the alpha wolf were gone, several ribs were missing, and his fangs and teeth had been removed. Then my eyes fell on my items, particularly the chest mail armor, which had undergone a significant transformation. The chainmail was now mostly hidden behind the fur and skin of the monster, likely embedded with the skin. It was quite capable of stopping my powered blade attack with skill and flame effect. The blade had a dark shade glint to it. I was not shocked, as the alpha wolf might have had some shadow element properties due to his bloodline being that of a shadow wolf king, which specialized in the shadow element. I opened the screen to look at its information, which blew my mind as the details were overwhelming and completely different from before. My weapon, which may have appeared normal, had undergone significant changes, greatly increasing its value. If anyone else were to see it, they would surely try to claim it, as such items are very rare to find here. __ Duskfang Vest (Enchanted) Type: Armor (Chest) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis+ (Rank 0) Description: A beginner''s chain mail chest plate evolved through expert craftsmanship and enhanced with a refined enchantment turning into a fine piece of art. Its defensive capabilities and durability have been significantly improved, offering protection comparable to higher-quality equipment while remaining suitable for novice adventurers. Attributes: Defense: +20 Durability: 120/120 Weight: Moderate High ---------------------------------------- Ember Fang (Enchanted) Type: Weapon (One-Handed Sword) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis+ (Rank 0) Description: Once a simple iron sword, Ember fang evolved into a weapon of legend after merging with the fiery and shadow-infused essence of an Alpha Wolf (Lv. 10) by an unknown power. This blade flickers with dark embers, embodying the destructive synergy of shadow and flame. Attributes: Attack Power: +20 Durability: 100/100 Weight: Light Special Effects: Enhanced Fire Strike: 25% chance to deal additional 70% of the weapon''s attack power as shady fire-based magical damage on hit. Veiled Predator: If the wielder attacks a target unaware of their presence (e.g., from stealth or surprise), the attack deals 50% increased damage. __ First, my eyes fell on the names the items, which were completely different from before. After evolution, they evolved into the Vernis+ grade something never seen before, like it was something no one had ever seen in their entire life. The grade of items in the Zeroth tier was Vernis > Caldo > Erith. There were no signs of (-) or (+) in them, as they were plain items for hunters.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Then I thought, maybe this point looter talent should have semi-evolved it and named this grade Vernis+ Grade. "Hey talent, where is my Caldo grade weapon and armor? Answer me, don''t try to act mute, answer meeeee." I for so long, but nothing happened as they didn''t answer about it. Not even the system told me anything, as if they were quite perfect and didn''t need to explain. After struggling for no reason, I decided to look at my status one last time before moving inside the third stage. As my eyes fell on a new thing in my skill menu, it was something I didn''t expect to get and nearly forgot to check in the excitement of the up grade in grade. I decided to check its description when a notification appeared. {System has detected a skill that is unsuitable for the host and is about to be removed from the host''s skills.} {Process starts... error, talent is restricting the removal process. Talent is attempting to adjust the skill.} [Talent has detected that the skill is not in a usable form for the host''s body. The skill design is being modified to meet the host''s needs. The process is ongoing, please wait for a moment.] [Process is complete, skill <Shadow Pounce> --> <Shadow Leap>} {System is generating the skill, <Shadow Leap>, information on the host''s screen.} __ Shadow Leap (Lv. 1) Type: Active Skill Mana Cost: 25 MP Cooldown: 12 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description: Harness the agility of shadows to leap up to 10 meters toward a target with a precise strike. This swift movement allows for enhanced power, enabling agile combat maneuvers in both offense and defense. Effects: Leap Strike: Instantly closes the distance, dealing +10% of Base Attack damage upon impact. Shadow Momentum: Slightly boosts attack power by 5% for the next attack within 3 seconds of landing. __ As the information was displayed on the screen, the skill seemed quite advantageous to me, as it could help me gain momentum and surprise my enemies. The new effect on my sword, named Veiled Predator, increases damage when I am in stealth or when my prey is unaware of my position. While I was happily examining my items, my eyes fell upon the portals that had emerged a few minutes ago after the monster''s defeat. A screen appeared in front of them, showing my options. I approached them and saw that the red one indicated the third stage, while the green one was the way out. But was I going to leave? Absolutely not. So, I clicked "no" on the green one and closed it, even if my brain hesitated for a moment.... "Huh, do you think I would say that? Absolutely not. I''m going in, and that''s final." I said, determined to achieve my goal and gain the power that could only be obtained this way. Just before I could step into the third stage portal, I received a notification that I had anticipated. {System has detected that host, has yet completed another hidden task of killing all the wolf pack under the alpha boss, achieving the requirement to increase the mutation of the final boss, 30% --> 99.9%.} {You''re to be alerted to be cautious of the mutated boss.} I saw the notification and shook my head in response, knowing that I don''t have the luck to achieve that 0.1% non-mutant boss. If I did, maybe I would have been a destined one (mc). I closed the notification bar and entered the portal, after which I disappeared, leaving behind the dead body of the alpha boss. The whole forest fell silent when the ground started shaking and the sky broke apart as if a god had descended. However, what actually happened was the destruction of the stage to create another for the next raider. I had already reached the place where I should be, and what I saw here was different from the previous stage forest because here there was... -- To be continued -- Hello guys and hope you like the chapter, and guys Merry Christmas and sorry for the late as the chapter was ready but editing got it later and guys want to see the audio book of this novel then visit me on YouTube to find it. Link: https://youtu.be/fxI88-GCfc8</a> Or Search <The Third Return of the Necrotic Magic Swordsman>, it''s my personal channel where I post my videos and maybe the first chapter might be clumsy but the later have major improvement as I have even made some progress how to show you all the system window. Beginner Dungeon [27]: Third stage (1) [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. While Evan walked inside the third stage portal during his dungeon raiding. Outside the dungeon, we can still see the teachers looking toward the raiding board over the dungeon, on which many names were written, indicating their condition and current location. The first rank was obviously Lucas, who was in the third stage, while in second place was Lyre, who was just behind him in the test timer. Below them were many students who were also in the third stage but in groups, except for those two who were raiding in solo mode. In eighth rank was Evan, who was climbing the ranks rather quickly after he reached the second stage. When he reached the second stage, he was already in rank twenty-one, and after climbing several ranks, he reached the eighth one just a few minutes away from the seventh rank group. In the top ten ranks of the students'' list, almost all of them were raiding the third, while the tenth group, having finished the second stage, also started raiding the third one. Many students also came out of the dungeon after just completing the second stage, or even some overconfident fools who thought they could raid alone just got out after completing the first one, as they were not in a condition to head toward the second stage. If they had reached the second stage, they would have been doomed to die there. Every teacher of the respective class was checking the students of their own class, and Helen was among them, noticing the eighth student, Evan, who was in his class. After reaching the second stage, Evan quickly advanced to the third one. Though he was a bit slower than the first and second persons, his speed was quite high compared to other students. However, he was still eighth due to being late in the first stage, perhaps a late bloomer. Helen thought that maybe this Evan might achieve a good rank in the exam and resumed observing the other students in his class. Meanwhile, Tess, who was also a class teacher, was fixated on one student''s screen, and it was obvious who it was¡ªthe first-rank student, Lucas, who was still in the third stage of the dungeon with the other remaining students. ''Oh please, don''t fall into any danger, Lucas. If something happens to you, I won''t be able to live without you,'' she thought, her worries entirely focused on him, as their relationship was deeper compared to the other students. She and Lucas were secret lovers, a fact they had hidden until Lucas was to emerge from the dungeon today. "Miss Tess, I think you are lost in thought," Principal Miriam remarked, snapping Tess out of her reverie. She looked at the principal in shock, by his interruption. "O...Oh-yes, I am fine, just thinking about the safety of my student and nothing else, sir. Don''t worry." She said becoming flustered as he nodded and walked away.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. "Oh, Lucas, come out quickly. I am getting more anxious as time goes by." She said in a low while eyeing the screen to see any fluctuation in his health meter. Meanwhile, in the dungeon, Lucas was cautiously navigating through a goblin tribe in the third stage. The enemies he faced were too dangerous to be careless. In the outer area of the tribe, goblin bodies with green skin, slightly taller than dwarves, ugly faces in tattered clothes lay scattered on the ground. Many bodies were also lying inside the forest, indicating that Lucas had infiltrated the tribe from there. As he searched the tribe for more goblins before confronting the boss, who resided in the largest house in the center, he noticed many goblins wielding weapons and guarding the small streets around the hut. He could hear snoring from inside the hut, suggesting that the boss was asleep. "What can I do to attract those guys'' attention and finish them off?" he wondered, his eyes falling on the huts as he devised a plan and backed away for it to work. A few minutes later, we observed that the surroundings remained the same as before, but something had changed. In one of the huts, a large fire spread, causing many roars from the goblins in the tribe. As all the goblins rushed towards the area to see what had happened, many were trying to prevent the fire from spreading to other houses. While others did not notice, someone moved towards the hut where the boss was sleeping without alerting them. It was Lucas who reached the hut, entered inside, and when he was about to attack the boss, he noticed something surprising: the boss was not in his place. Before he could escape, he sensed a life-threatening danger from behind him. If he didn''t move away, he would be dead. So, he launched ahead and rolled away from the area where he had been standing. To his surprise, a big blunt weapon smashed onto that area, cracking the ground it and even destroying the whole hut with its sheer force. Yes, it was the boss who had just woken up after hearing the commotion and found this culprit coming towards him to attack. Lucas, who was in front of him, was shocked. Firstly, the power the boss displayed was not something a normal hobgoblin warlord could do. He realized what it was. Yes, the boss was mutated, which was very rare. This increased the danger significantly, but the loot would also be greater if defeated. As he started to look around for the totem he was meant to destroy after killing the boss, he found it as a small pendant hanging by the neck of the boss, who wore his crude, worn-out armor. Despite its old appearance, the armor''s defense and durability were still usable in danger. Even the boss''s big mace was now resting on his shoulder. Just before Lucas could do something, the boss acted first. /ROOOOOAAAAAARRRRRRR/ He shouted at the top of his lungs, causing Lucas to cover his ears to avoid going deaf. Lucas did not understand why the boss did this, as it was not a fear-inducing skill. He later realized that several goblins had rushed toward the fire and were now blocking all possible escape routes. Despite this, there was no trace of fear in his eyes; he was completely unafraid. "Looks like you called out all the party members, huh? Good. I was wondering how to gather them all, but with your help, I can test my skill quite easily now," he said as he cast his skill, ready to rumble. <??????? ???????????> <-???? MP> -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [28]: Third stage (2) and Draconic Skill Might. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. <Dragon flame orb> <-5750 MP> The ball of fire Lucas was holding onto began to grow larger and larger while the flames were being simultaneously suppressed inside of it. It only ended when the normal flame ball turned into a massive ball about 100 times its original size. The power of the skill was evident as the hut beside them started to burn, and many goblins nearby had their skin burned as they tried to run away but were unable to. Lucas, standing below it and holding it, smiled as he truly felt the power of his Talent, <Draconic Insight>, which could turn one of his skills into a forbidden high-level skill for one use every week without any cost. He still couldn''t use these skills while being in Tier 0 or maybe until Peak Tier 1 due to the high mana consumption limit, and this skill had many drawbacks for now. "Enjoy this present I prepared for you, hobgoblin," Lucas said as he threw the massive flame orb at the boss, who, upon seeing it coming towards him, started running away, as anyone would if they were unsure of blocking or dodging it, or their health wasn''t high enough to take the hit directly. The orb hit the ground as the throwing wasn''t good enough, and after it touched the ground, the whole tribe fell into silence when a blast occurred. /BOOOOOMMMM/ A large orange mushroom grew in the area, reducing everything within a thirty-meter radius to ashes, the surrounding area was also massively affected, with many trees and corpses burning, and the few goblins left alive were dying rapidly. Lucas, standing in the burning area, remain undamaged as casting the spell provided with resistance against its effects. This resistance helped him avoid any damage. As he looked around, spell''s effects and penalties dissipated, and he fell to the ground, his hand landing on the burning surface, causing additional damage. After using the skill, the user always faces penalties such as losing resistance to the element and other stat penalties. Lucas now had a -50% MP bar and -50% STA stat for two hours. As he was feeling weakened quite a lot now after it. As his legs was trying to fall down to rest but he still didn''t want to go down as his sense was telling now to lie down until everything is over. Despite this, his plan work and he had finished off all the monsters. He searched for the boss''s body but did not find it, his face growing gloomy as he grew impatient. Without finding the boss, he would not be able to destroy the totem. His worries were dismissed when he found the boss attempting to stand up. Lucas was shocked that his attack had not killed the boss outright, but his concern turned to joy when he saw the boss''s HP was at its lowest point. Without further delay, he approached and pierced his sword through the back of the monster. The monster, in disbelief, realized that the caster of the spell had survived and remained unharmed. Initially, the boss had thought the caster must have used a destructive spell to take everyone down with him, as his chance of escape was already null. But now seeing it like this, the boss died away still being shocked face and Lucas who finished him off pull out of his sword and come in front of his body to pull out something which he needs to complete the dungeon raid as he quickly found it hanging on his neck. Yes, the pendant in which the totem he had to destroy was here. he crushed the totem which was made of wood and clothes and many monster parts.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. After destroying it did, he got the notification he was waiting for. {Host has destroyed the Totem of the goblin tribe finishing the final condition for the dungeon completion.} {You''ve killed 54~Lv.9, 8~Lv.10 Goblins, Lv.13 Hobgoblin Warlord (Mutated), you''ve gained 3,520 EXP points.} [3,730/600 EXP] {You''ve levelled up from Lv.9 --> 14} [730/1000 EXP] {You''ve gained 50 Unassigned stat points.} "Wow, so that''s why the system took some time to do some things here and there, huh? Good, this much experience is enough for me to level up this much. From now onwards, the path will be hard," Lucas said as he started looking at the stuff he wanted to do to his stats and also began checking his screen to see the new skills he got in his system. ___ Meanwhile, in another dungeon, Lyre stood in front of a large flame, or what you might call a large flame in a circle. She used her skills to cover the whole tribe from the outside and started shooting them one by one, with many empty bottles of mana potions lying on the ground beside her. Her stamina was getting low minute by minute, but she couldn''t afford stop as she cast an AOE skill to perform mass killing in one shot. <Hellfire Rain> <-120 MP> Her skill, and from above the sky, many small wisps of flames started raining down on the tribe. At first, they appeared harmless, but when one fell on a running goblin trying to save his life, everything changed. The wisps expanded into large masses of flame, attaching themselves to the enemies like snakes, killing them in the process. Even the boss was not excluded from the effect, as he was also engulfed in flames, crying out in agony. There was no glint of sympathy in Lyre''s eyes. She understood that in a world full of cruel and powerful people, the simple rule should be learned and recited in everyone''s mind: "Be killed or kill others to turn them into your growth." Being the daughter of a high GuildMaster did not mean she was treated like a princess; her life was far more miserable than that of normal children. From a young age, she had to train with who taught her self-defense, combat with monsters, and battles with humans. She was also tutored by esteemed scholars in knowledge about monsters and their weaknesses, as well as human anatomy and its vulnerabilities, since humans were often greater enemies than monsters. Without any remorse, she watched the monsters'' bodies fall, her eyes fixed on boss figure, already burned in many areas. His HP was low but not enough to render him immobile. He lunged at her to kill, but she was prepared. She backed slightly while using her skill. <Witch''s Pyre> <-60 MP> A large flame pillar engulfed the boss, burning his remaining HP. Still standing on the edge of death, she used her final skill to finish him off. <Cursed Flamebolt> <-25 MP> A single bolt appeared in front of her and shot toward the boss, who was kneeling before her. It pierced his chest from one side to the other, and the hobgoblin''s body fell to the ground, claiming her victory. In the process, even the totem was destroyed, leaving her with nothing to do after his kill. She saw the notifications start appearing simultaneously, with some of the main ones. {You''ve completed the objective; the dungeon is completed.} {You''ve reached Lv.13} [850/900 EXP] {You''ve gained 10 Unassigned stat points.} {Your skill <Blazing Hex> is level up to Lv.6, <Witch Pyre> up to Lv.2, <Cursed Flamebolt> up to Lv.5, <Infernal Pact> up to Lv.4.} Which was the most her interest was occupied while several were not something she was interested into like how much she killed, what she got, the dungeon entrance coming timing etc. Her eyes were fixed with resolve as she was thinking that she was bound to be first, but little did she know that someone has already claimed that place a while ago. As she after reading everything walked out of the exit portal which was opened after few minutes later as she returned to the entrance of the dungeon. As what she saw in front made her shocked as she saw the board of ranking. "How is this possible...." She said as she looked at the board in disbelief. -- To be continued -- Beginner Dungeon [29]: Third stage (3) [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. After Lyre came out of the dungeon to check her rank on the ranking board, she found that her rank was not in the first place as she expected, but there was another name she recognized. Lucas was first on the board while she was second, being at Lv.13 and he was Lv., just one level above her with some difference in time taken for completion. As she was dazing off, she remembered something and looked below to find certain names in team or solo when she found it in the eighth place. Yes, it was Evan who was still in the third stage clearing the dungeon, which she expected, but she didn''t expect him to be solo as Necromancers were support type holders who needed the help of others in the first few stages until they got strong enough to be on their own. But even those who have high class rank while Evan was being solo here with only a <D> rank class, which was just average. "Maybe I do have to take help from the Guild to find information about this guy even that Lucas who came out before me even though he had just an <E> rank class," she said. After saying goodbye to all her teachers and Principal, she left with her guards to leave the city for some time to meet her father. Meanwhile, Lucas, who was still here, was smiling like he had found a gem in ashes while looking at the ranking board of the eighth rank, thinking maybe this kid really has a second class in his status. After telling Tess about going home, he left as standing here wouldn''t do much and he didn''t want to waste his time watching board ranks changing as time goes by, which he could use to rest in his house after the dungeon raid. He took a taxi and left the hunter association. __ While in the dungeon, Evan stepped out of the portal, entering the third stage, which was again a forest, a mix of first and second stages. "Well, it looks I might have to roam around forest for some time more," I said, thinking that if goblins were included, I might be able to get out of this forest. But seeing the surroundings, I guessed the goblins'' place should be somewhere in the middle. I decided to check my status before moving out, as checking one''s condition is the second rule of, with the first being never to trust anybody. I started walking in the opposite direction from where the portal was, as it never appeared in front of enemies for an unknown reason. I was walking when I heard some noises in the distance, which made me alert. I hid behind a tree to see what was happening. I waited until the source of noises finally came into view.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Yes, it was the goblin group, consisting of three dwarf-like goblins holding wooden clubs. One of them, who appeared stronger based on his physique, was wielding a crudely made sword, perhaps worn down from use. However, that was not my concern; my priority was to eliminate these monsters and escape this cursed place. "But wait, can''t I use that? It could add an element of surprise to my attack, and besides, it looks cool," I muttered to myself while glancing around to ensure no one was listening. I then steadied myself with my newly semi-evolved sword and armor, assessing their power as I prepared to attack using my newly acquired skill. <Shadow Leap> <-25 MP> My body, hidden behind the tree, vanished and reappeared in front of the goblin group. Initially, they did not realize my presence, but when they saw me materialize before them, they were shocked. The sword-wielding goblin tried to retreat, but my attack speed was too fast to dodge, and I cleanly slashed his body into two parts. The goblin''s face remained in shock even as the upper half of his body fell to the ground after the attack. While I, who didn''t take much notice of it, was looking at the sword-goblin whose hand was severed by my attack, his sword lay on the ground, also in blood. The goblin tried to run away, but I was prepared. I quickly picked up the rusty sword and threw it like a spear towards his fleeing figure, piercing his chest. He fell to ground with a loud screech. "This will attract other goblins in the forest," I said I hurried to, but not before using my talent. , I said as the talent energy covered their body. [Detected 3~Lv.9-10 Goblins. What do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, or Store?] [No talent, ability, bloodline, or skills have been detected. Stats are identified.] [You''ve gained +2 VIT, +1 END, +1 INT.] I looked at the stats plundered and then started running away from the scene as I heard many footsteps approaching. Had I stayed even two minutes longer, I would have been surrounded. While back there, we could see many goblins standing in front of the three dead bodies of their kind. They were speaking gibberish in their own tongue as they started looking around after the stronger goblin holding a sword ordered them to search for the culprit who was standing meters away from. I, who was standing away from the area, noticed that many goblins were searching to see if they could find me, but I was far enough away not to get caught as the notifications of the kill appeared. {You''ve slain 2~Lv.9, 1~Lv.10 Goblins, you''ve gained 130 EXP} [330/450] [You''ve gained 29 Evo-enchant points. T.P: 365] I looked at the notification and was pleased to see the points increasing steadily. But my joy was shattered as I heard many goblins coming towards me. I looked around to see if there was any place to hide but found none as all the trees around were too thin to conceal my whole body, and even the smell of blood would help them find me here. So, the best option was to confront them face to face as I was stronger than all of them due to the continuous plundering of stats. "But why am I getting scared to face them face to face when I am stronger?" I asked myself in a low voice, but I knew in my mind that what I still feared was death, which might come finding me due to my arrogance of high stats. Even the memories I got from my late past self are blurry; the only part I remember is the memories of Blue Star, the name, and the family I transmigrated into then nothing else was remembered after that. I was thinking about this when a group of goblins came finding me. I steadied my sword for confrontation as the battle was about to begin. -- To be continued -- Guys come find me on YouTube to see the audio version of book. To find my channel search for Nemesis channel or the novel name on search bar. Beginner Dungeon [30]: Third stage (4) & the hidden threshold. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. After I prepared for the impending, I was ready when my opponents revealed themselves by pushing aside the bushes with some gibberish voices and small wooden clubs. The number of goblins was low at the moment, but other searching parties were near, trying to me as they were just a small part of the larger group, possibly consisting of 20-30 goblins. And they were merely goblins scouting ahead indicating how many might be in the village or tribe over there. "Okay, let me finish you all before others come in," I said while looking at the four goblins staring at me and swinging their clubs as looking at some prey. They attacked me simultaneously, trying to surround me in a circle to attack from all four sides, but I, who was, my skill to summon my allies. <Undead summon> <-30 MP> A skeleton appeared with half of my stats, which may not be sufficient to finish them but can still assist me. I swung my blade towards a goblin who attempted to block, but my enchanted and semi-evolved blade was formidable, through his weapon like butter and continuing to his body, killing him in the process. My hand did not stop as I targeted another goblin who lunged at me to halt my movement. My blade was swift, piercing his chest, and after a struggle, his HP diminished, and he hung onto my sword. I swung it towards a third goblin, throwing the second goblin at him stop him, and then moved towards a fourth goblin. With some dodging and evasion from his club, I ended his life as well. I looked at the third goblin, who was terrified after witnessing his comrades'' deaths by my hand. He started running away, screaming to call other goblins. My face grew worried, knowing that if they all appeared now, I might not be able to escape. My fear came true as many goblins began approaching my area. I wanted to flee, but time was not on my side, and I was spotted and surrounded by a horde of goblins, all assembling for me. I checked my mana bar to see how much help I could summon, quite substantial if you ask me. [235/360 MP] "Okay, if you called out your friends, let me do the same. While you summon twenty, I will call seven more allies. Then we will see who the is," I said in a dashing villainous voice as I used my skill. <Undead Summon> <-210 MP> As seven summoning circles appeared in front of me, skeletons were summoned from them and stood before me, prepared for battle. "Okay, now let''s see whose party strength overpowers the others," I said as I commanded them to stay close to each other and attack in a manner that wouldn''t get them destroyed early. The goblins, irritated by my nonsense, attacked me and my summons from all sides. Each summon had to handle two goblins, while I had more than five to deal with. The battle, which I didn''t want to happen unless it was critical, began. My fear was that I wouldn''t be able to handle all of them at if they gathered here to hunt me. The sound of battle might attract more goblins from the small village where the boss resided, and in the worst case, the boss himself might appear without any condition to fulfill for his appearance this time.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. I fought against four sword-wielding goblins and one club holder with ripped muscles, on the verge of reaching a higher level. "Maybe my luck is totally bad today," I said, thinking about the previous encounters with the two leads, the poison, the mutant boss, and now the goblin raid. I slashed my blade toward a goblin holding a sword. Though it didn''t hit his body, it destroyed his sword. The goblin was dazed, and I took the opportunity to thrust my blade into his chest. Just as I was about to throw him down, I felt pain my lower back. When I looked back, I saw a sword trying to pierce my armor. It couldn''t go further, but it was enough for blood to ooze out. I looked at the goblin holding the sword with anger, threw the goblin onto the ground, revolved toward him, clutched his head like a ball, and smashed it into the ground, causing blood to come out of his back brain from the impact. My brain was filled with rage as I hesitate and lunged towards another goblin to kill. The club-wielding goblin tried to hit me, but his fate was sealed as my sword split his body and club into two pieces simultaneously. I tightened my grip on the sword handle and moved towards the other two goblins, who were now scared as I had killed three goblins in front of them in less than fifteen seconds, sustaining only a small cut on my back. I was growing impatient to get away from here. My mind was fearful that these goblins would call for reinforcements from the village. To silence them, the best way was to kill them, of course. With swift movements, I struck one of them as it defended my attack, and the other launched an attack towards me. I was under less pressure than before, but my summons were still struggling as they found it hard to hold their ground. I decided to help them by putting more force into my strike, breaking the goblin''s sword on the seventh strike and killing him on the eighth, and then killing the second on the twelfth. I then moved towards the others, who were quite easy to defeat compared to the previous goblins, with the help of my skeletons. Before the skeletons were unsummoned, the battle was over. I was starting to get the hang of the fight, but there was still some fear of death that would only fade after many battles. I looked at the bloodied area where the fight had ended and ordered the skeletons to gather the corpses as I needed to hurry and gain some stats before... I was thinking when I noticed someone spying on me from behind a tree in the distance. My eyes instantly fell on him, and I saw it was a scout goblin looking at me with a scared expression. Before I could use a skill or something to kill him, he was gone. Finding those small green creatures would be a challenge. "Damn, now that one will alert the village goblins and hobgoblins to be cautious, and even more will come to hunt me down, or perhaps the boss himself will come since I have killed more than twenty of his men," I said, realizing that nothing could be done about what had happened. However, I could try to gain power from talent and level up, which I would now get from the slain goblins. Just as I was about to use my talent on the gathered corpses, some notification appeared. {You''ve killed 15~Lv.9, 4~Lv.10 Goblins, you''ve gained 930 EXP points.} [1260/450 EXP] {You''ve leveled up from Lv.8 --> 10} [310/600 EXP] {You''ve gained 20 Unassigned stat points} [You''ve gained 176 Points. T.P: 541] As I was about to use my talent on the bodies, something happened that changed my way of life afterwards. {System has detected that host has reached the minimum threshold to unlock the first seal on m######s o#b. Integration process is being started; host has been notified to hide until the process is complete.} As the notification appeared, my body felt strange, becoming light, and my eyes filled with darkness as I fell to the ground, starting to lose consciousness. But before that, I gave the final order to my summons to guard me. They took my body away from the blood by my command and hid me in the bushes for safety, guarding me until their time ran out. While I, who gave the commands, fell into darkness, my eyes opened in a place filled only with darkness. What came before my eyes shocked me. I said, "What... but how." -- To be continued -- Hello, everyone! I hope you like the novel. Be prepared for much more fun and exciting adventure. And one more thing, what happened with him, and what met the minimum threshold to get unlocked at this time at Lv.10? Beginner Dungeon [31]: Third stage (5) & Meeting others. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. I received a notification indicating that I met some kind of criteria when body lost sensation began to collapse. Before losing consciousness, I ordered to hide my body and guard me. I did not know how long I would be unconscious, but if I remained so for too long and the goblin search found me after my summon time expired, I be doomed to die here. Perhaps my luck would prevent that, right, maybe... Upon regaining consciousness, I opened my eyes to find darkness surrounding me. I could not even see my own hands, but I could feel them. As my eyesight adjusted, I could vividly see my surroundings. I was shocked to find myself on water as dark as an abyss, making me think that anyone who fell in might never return. My whole body chilled at the thought, and I quickly my eyes to avoid looking below. Finding nothing around me, I decided to move and see if I could discover something. This decision proved fruitful as I found a small house the distance, reminiscent of my old apartment on the Blue Planet. As I walked closer and confirmed that this was indeed my old house, I decided to open the knob and see what was inside. When I opened the gate and entered the room, it felt as if the ground beneath me was sliding away. What I saw was quite shocking. Two people I was familiar with were sitting on my chair and bed, chatting like old friends. their eyes fell on me, they both stared in silence, which I eventually broke. "What the hell are you both doing here?" I shouted, causing them to gesture in pain and cover their ears as my voice was indeed too loud. "Well, bro, can''t you stay calm and react normally? Aren''t you and us the same person?" First Evan said, with Second Timer Evan nodding in agreement. "Huh, what do you mean calm down? You expect me to meet with both of you like friends or something? I thought you both perished inside of me, and I''d never see you again." I said, recalling the time when they met me after encountering the thrones. They had told me about the past life and that girl, and I thought they had perished inside of me. "Huh, are you making things up on your own? We do remember saying some words like ''last,'' but meaning wasn''t our last meeting." said the second one, who was a gloomy guy who just wanted to be alone but was still sitting here to complete his piece of work. "Yes, and we have invited you here to tell you about your memory problem which you don''t have from our memories," the first said, waiting for my answer. "Huh, did I hear it correctly? Getting suddenly unconscious is inviting, right? Maybe you didn''t get an invitation from anyone else. And yes, I was about to ask you about the memories I got from you. They are a bunch of useless information. Those novels and manga I read show the regressor MC to be OP, but here I am, scared to even face weak goblins." I said explaining to them my whole pain of wanted to become someone badass. "Huh, let us see." Both said as they got a screen showed in front of them showing all the status of mine to them. __ [Nexus Prime System] Name: Evan Ravencall (Evan Windstone) Race: Human (100%) Age: 18 Title: Limit Breaker Rank: Tier 0 Level: 10 [310/600] Class: Necromancer (D), Mage (E), Weapon Master (F), Blacksmith (B)[Locked], Alchemist (S)[Locked], Rune Enchanter (S!)[Locked] Talent: Plunder (?), Infinite Evolution & Enchantment (?) [!], Supreme Adaptation (?), Transcendent body (?) [Locked], Replica of Halo of Luck #######(?) [Locked] ~~~~~ {Stats}The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Health Points (HP): 320 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 1.50/minute = 32*.05) Mana Points (MP): 360 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 1.80/minute = 36*.05) Strength (STR): 34 Agility (AGL): 34 Vitality (VIT): 32 Intelligence (INT): 36 Endurance (END): 30 Stamina (STA): 32 Unassigned Stats: 20 Attack Power: 81/82+20 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 54 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5] Defense: 62+20 [DEF: END+STA*1] ~~~~~~~ Abilities: [- Elemental Manipulation (SSS)] Fire - F (1.23%) Earth - F (.76%) Lightning - F (0%) Ice - F (0%) Skills: Low-grade poison resistance (Lv.2), Shadow Leap {Lv.1} Class skills: {Undead Summon (Lv. 1), Bone Fang Strike (Lv. 2), Shadow Bolt (Lv. 2), ????????? (Lv.1)} {Arcane Bolt (Lv. 1), Mana Shield (Lv. 1), ????????????, (Lv.1)} {Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv.1), Power Slash (Lv. 1), Quick Swap (Lv. 1), ?????????? (Lv.1)} ~~~~~~~~ {Inventory} - Unknown vial - Mysterious egg - Unknown Bloodline vial __ "What the hell?" It was the only line that came out of his mouth. While it may seem normal to you all, but those two who had just used the simple system were too shocked to find so many stats and things in one person. Even the second Evan was surprised to see so much in him, as his eyes fell on the inventory to see an unknown vial carrying the energy of someone, he hates the most. His facial expression changed in an instant from normal and gloomy to anger. "Hey, where did you get this vial with that bastard''s energy in it?" he asked, flicking the system toward me while pointing at the unknown vial. "Huh, bro, it''s the physique vial I got from the thrones from that monarch person you killed. Didn''t you both know what we get from those thrones?" I asked in confusion, thinking they should have known about this. "No, we don''t, as we are sealed in this place. That''s why you don''t have the whole memory of us," he said, straightening his shocked after seeing so many things. "Huh, what do you both mean? I didn''t understand a single thing, bro. Can''t you just tell me in simple terms?" I said with a confused look. (~_~) "So, listen, the memories we passed down to you were our entire life journey from start to end. It was too much for you to hold right now, so those thrones divided them into six different parts that you will receive as you advance in the ascension hall. They even tried to tamper with it to remove all traces of the girl''s existence, as they were able to on this guy. But I, who became a demi-god rank once, was not to be trifled with, and this caused problems. It malfunctioned and backfired, sealing both our consciousnesses in the orb of memories that you hold. We discovered that whenever you receive some amount of memories from the orb, we will merge with you little by little, and at the end of the final one, we will become one whole Evan with no first, second, or third among us." He explained as I nodded in agreement. "So that was the case, huh? Well, don''t worry, guys. I will try to quickly get all of us together so we can become one." I said, but the meaning turned quite unpleasant. "Are you into that type of oneness, bro?" First asked while backing away a. "Huh, noooo, I''m not into that stuff, bro." I tried to clarify, but. "No, we understand. We support people like you." The second said, helping First tease me. "Noooo, can''t you both stop teasing me for now? When will the process start?" I asked, trying to brush away their words. "Hahahaha, okay, don''t worry. The process is just about to be finished... and here it''s done." He said, laughing, then looked above as if seeing something. Sometime later, I felt my consciousness being pulled from the area. "Okay, we will meet when you reach the Peak Zero tier in the ascension room." He said, bidding me farewell as I got teleported from the place, returning to darkness. This time, however, I felt a sharp pain in my brain, making me want to rip my tongue out. As the pain subsided along with the memories, I opened my eyes to find lying on the ground, and what appeared before me was different. "What is happening here?" I said, but my entire demeanor had changed into ...... -- To be continued -- And Guys Happy New Year to all of you. Beginner Dungeon [32]: Third stage (6) & Massacre [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. In the forest of Dungeon, one could see someone lying on the ground, hidden among the bushes. Some distance away, numerous goblins and seven skeletons were engaged in battle, with one of the skeletons reduced to ashes. The man lying there was me, lost in conversation with my other selves within my mind. Suddenly, my body twitched, and my eyelids began to move as I opened my eyes to find myself lying in the grass, covered in blood that was not mine, but from the goblins I had slain. "Argh." I clenched my teeth and held my head, feeling as though tearing it apart was the only way to soothe the pain. I knew it was just a side effect of receiving many years of knowledge, which had not been useful until I entered the nexus and found opportunities for myself. "Well, my luck back then was not good at all," I said, but the memories had erased any of a childish smile from my face, affecting my behavior. I was turning into a gloomy and less talkative guy who just wanted to be alone like the second Evan. As the second memory was the most significant among those I received from the orb, my first self-took three months to reach the peak, while the second one took one and a half years due to the difficulty of being alone at that time. "Huh, let''s finish this dungeon and go home to collect my thoughts." I said, just as I was about to stand up when I received a notification. {Your summoned creature (skeleton) returned to death.} {Your summoned creature (skeleton) returned to death.} {Your summoned creature (skeleton) returned to death.} {Your summoned creature (skeleton) returned to death.} {Your summoned creature (skeleton) returned to death.} I received same notification repeatedly and as I quickly responded, I looked toward my summons who were fighting the goblins. They were dying very quickly as many goblins had arrived to help the previous ones fighting them. Being outnumbered made it hard for them to fight and they were getting destroyed in the process, which I did not like at all. As an ex-tamer, it is a shame to let your summons die like this. So, I had to do something, and exterminating the ones who killed my summons seemed like the right choice. I held my enchanted sword, which felt tighter and more precise in my hands now. Thinking of the way I wielded the sword before, I felt quite ashamed. I walked out of the bushes and started walking toward the group of goblins who had just finished off my last skeletons. Their eyes fell on me, standing alone, while they numbered more than thirty. Perhaps goblin that had run away from me back then should have gone to the hobgoblin to get help in hunting me. "Hush, well it should be a good warm-up before going to hunt the boss as my body is stiff from lying down for these few minutes," I said, taking big breaths as I looked at the goblins rushing toward me to kill. Facing them, I wasn''t even scared. Why would I be afraid to fight these low-level, child-like creatures who could be killed with ease given the stats I possess? As they reached me and were about to attack, my hand moved at an incredibly high speed, unnoticed by the goblins. My sword had already cut down the first goblin in half before he even realized what had happened.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. A fountain of blood oozed out from him, staining my clothes and splattering on the other goblins who were still unaware of what had transpired. However, my mind remained focused, and I continued moving, my sword like a scythe cutting through the goblins like a field of crops. In less than five minutes, many goblins lay dead on the ground, while eight were still left to kill, including those who were stronger than the others. All eight held the same crude sword, while I stood before them, about to grab another sword from the ground from a dead goblin''s body, when a notification popped up in front of me, bringing a light smile to my face. __ Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv. 2) Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 02% Description: A passive skill that increases the user''s effectiveness with all weapons, providing enhanced accuracy, damage, and speed based on the weapon type currently equipped. Effect: Accuracy Boost: Increases hit chance by 7% with all weapon types. Damage Boost: Increases weapon damage by 12%. Attack Speed Boost: Increases attack speed by 7%. Weapon Proficiency: One-Handed sword: D (07%) __ I looked at my screen and noticed that my proficiency in both skill and weapon had increased by one level. I knew the reason behind this was that my sword proficiency in my first attempt had already reached S rank when my body ascended to Tier 1. Therefore, catching up to S rank in sword should be relatively easy now, as I cannot discuss the rank above it. With a slight smile on my face, I approached the eight frightened goblins who were contemplating fleeing, as anyone would when more than twenty of their comrades had been killed by a single enemy. Now, I stood before them with two swords in hand, ready to kill them and the remaining ones. Having already guessed their intentions, I moved toward them and slashed my blade at the goblin who tried to retreat and dodge the attack. However, I was not going to let him escape so easily. My kick struck him squarely in the chest, sending him crashing into a tree with great force. Blood poured from his mouth, indicating severe internal damage. Without hesitation, I moved toward another gob, my sword once again reaping their lives one after another. They didn''t survive beyond the third slash, as my force of attack and accuracy in striking their vital parts were too formidable to block or parry. A proficient swordsman might even call me a sword genius. After the fight concluded, I surveyed the area to if any goblins remained alive. I found one who had been kicked squarely in the chest and was still breathing. I promptly ended its life, not wanting to waste any experience. I was amazed that my stamina which should have been nearly depleted many minutes ago, still allowed me to kill a few more goblins. And this maybe was thanks to my careful regulation of breathing and executing only necessary moves, avoiding unnecessary actions that would rapidly drain my stamina. Despite this, the stamina stat of this body was evidently low. "I should head to their village after taking a short rest to refill my stamina and other bars to keep myself in check, and I should use the talent to harvest stats for a power-up," I said to myself while making some notes in my mind to do right now, using my summon skill to call forth a skeleton to gather all the goblin bodies lying around. <Undead Summon> <-30 MP> I checked my skill proficiency, hoping it would soon upgrade, as I had used it many times without leveling up. It was at ninety-seven percent and would likely upgrade after one or two more uses. As expected, the notification of the kill appeared. {You''ve killed......} -- To be continued -- Do you like this type of Evan or the same one before the memory integration. Comment me if you wanted it to be same or the previous jolly guy. Beginner Dungeon [33]: Third stage (7) & New Skills. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. Numerous kill notifications appeared before as I rested to recover my health and stamina. Meanwhile, my skeleton was tirelessly gathering the goblins scattered throughout the, forming a heap of corpses tall as. Despite its efforts, many goblins remained to be collected. {You''ve killed 19~Lv.9, 12~Lv.10 Goblins, you''ve gained 825 EXP.} [1135/600 EXP] {You''ve leveled up from Lv.10 --> 11.} [535/700 EXP] {You''ve gained 10 Unallocated points.} [EEP gained from the Kill: 297. T.P: 838 (541+297)] "Good the amount is sufficient as with this amount I can massive enchant the gears to sell them at auction. As big stock can make much more many than selling in single if it''s not high in grade." I said as my mind was now working in all direction where to I can earn some money. As I was thinking of some crazy ideas when my skeleton approached me as my attention drawn toward it and also toward a big heap of goblin corpse which was ready to be plundered. I stand up while dusting away any dirt or grass stuck to my pant and walked toward it while tapping the shoulder of skeleton in appraisement. I got in front of the heap and after some breaths, extended my hand toward the goblin corpses and used it, . [Detected 54~Lv.9-10 Goblins, what do you wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle or Store.] [Host has chosen the plunder option to be used.] [Plundering is in the process.] [No Talent, Abilities, Skills or Bloodline detected. Body Stats has been identified.] As it was said, a whole heap of corpses was shrouded in the strange energy of talent, which I now tried to analyze, but what I discovered was shocking. "Hahhhh, it seems this energy isn''t easy to comprehend as it quite a of many things that are not within my grasp right now. Perhaps after reaching Tier 4 Peak or Tier 5, I can analyze it somewhat." I said, as I then decided not to focus on the energy of and just let it do its work. Minutes later, the energy retracted back into my body and disappeared, and a notification from the talent appeared. [Host has gained +7 STR, +5 AGL, +5 VIT, +3 INT, +5 END, +9 STA has been added to host body stats.] [You''ve reached the overlimit to plunder the stats of Lv.10 bodies. Please use it on higher Level bodies.] I was astonished by the significant growth of my stats like I achieved nine clouds below my steps. "These talents are truly exceptional. If I had possessed just one of them in my past lives, I wouldn''t have needed to struggle through my third or even second life," I said, still feeling sorrowful about my previous life''s struggles while comparing them to this one. "Alright, let me allocate some stats gained from up, then I will proceed to eliminate that pesky rat hiding in his tribe," said as I opened my system to view my status screen allocate my points. After the allocation, the stat screen looked quite impressive to me. __ {Stats} --Health Points: <370> --> <420> (Regen: 2.10/minute = 42*.05) Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.--Mana Points: <390> --> <450> (Regen: 2.25/minute = 45*.05) --Strength: <41> --> <45> --Agility: <39> --> <44> --Vitality: <37> --> <42> --Intelligence: <39> --> <45> --Endurance: <35> --> <41> --Stamina: <41> --> <45> Unassigned Stats: 30 --> 00 --Attack Power: 107+20 {Physical}, :67/68 {Elemental} --Defense: 86+20 [DEF] __ "This status is not something that should belong to a Level 11 individual. However, these cheat codes are significantly boosting my stats, and they may increase even further. I am that it is me who possesses this power and not my enemies, as I might have had to flee from battles if I faced such an opponent. But not anymore," I said, clenching my hand into a fist and punching the air with considerable speed and force. I knew my body was yet to be stabilized after the rapid increase in stats, but I was aware of how to achieve stability. Before I could close my status screen, my eyes fell on the skill section, where three new skills awaited activation. I had fulfilled their requirements and could now see the skills from all three classes complete with full descriptions. __ Necrotic Aura (Lv.1) Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana cost: N/A Proficiency: 0% Description: Your mere presence exudes a feint aura of death, empowering undead allies and subtly weakening living creatures around you. Effects: \_Increases the attack and defense of undead under your control by 5%. \_Living creatures within a 5-meter radius experience a slight reduction in stamina recovery (-2%). __ Magical Focus (E-rank) Type: Passive Skill Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 0% Description: Magical Focus enhances a mage¡¯s ability to concentrate, improving the effectiveness and precision of their spells. It reduces casting time, making the mage more efficient in combat. Effects: \_Spell Precision: +5% accuracy with all spells. \_Focus Boost: -10% casting time. __ Basic Battle Instinct (F-rank) Type: Passive Skill Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 0% Description: Basic Battle Instinct grants a Weapon Master a heightened awareness in combat, improving their reaction speed and ability to anticipate enemy movements. This allows for faster dodging and parrying of basic attacks. Effects: \_Reaction Speed: +5% increased reaction speed to attacks. \_Threat Awareness: +5% chance to avoid basic attacks. __ I looked at my skills and found that all I gained was passive one which was not much helpful right now but passive are one of some good one which help in later stages, as these skills are quite weak for right now but as they progress their effect on me and enemies will be much higher than now which can decide the outcome of a battle. As after glancing at one more time toward my skills. I close the screen and look toward the ashes of skeleton who returned back to where it belongs as his time pass by when I was checking my skills. "So, let''s go and meet the boss of this area then." I said to myself as I was now feeling quite much good enough while even my bars were on the verge to be full, and my stamina was already good now. -- To be continued -- Guys like the chapter or not, tell me in the comments and also tell me if the new skills are good or not as only these are compatible with Evan with his class now as high rank good skills are not in his reach which he can get now. Beginner Dungeon [34]: Third stage (8) & confronting the Final boss [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. In the dungeon of Verdant Hollow, we can see that in one of such raids, a person was walking carelessly toward the small village of goblins like he wished to die. From the look of it, we can assume that it was Evan, who was heading toward the boss area to complete this dungeon run. It was becoming excessively to hunt all the goblins outside the forest and then the remaining ones inside This was quite tiring and a waste of time. If defeating the boss could clear the dungeon, there was no need to wait. What I didn''t expect was that there wasn''t a single goblin outside the forest, which I thought would come to me. Now, I was already at the outskirts of the village. I could see the huts made of wood and tree vines. It was a typical small village without any traps. They were the prime hunters of this area, and no larger monsters were around. Where many skulls hanging on the wooden sticks on the village wall, likely as a protection to scare off roaming beasts. Well, I didn''t care much and entered the village to find something interesting. The Village was barren, as I couldn''t see anyone or hear any noise. I walked inside some of the houses and found no signs of goblins or any indications of their presence. And thought that maybe all should have been gathered around the boss to assist him to fight me as the goblins who were fighting me should have report him about my summons. I then didn''t check anymore of these houses and start walking toward the center of the village to find the boss monster and the left goblins and I was right as I can hear the sound of steps and some noises of goblin. I walked toward the center to find that all the goblins were gathered around the house which was made with much extra efforts than others around here because the way of making it and the sturdiness and big size made it clearly the house of the chief of this small village of goblins which was their boss, the hobgoblin warlord. When the goblins noticed me, they started screaming as if it had a ghost due to my state, which was the cause of the massive killing of its kin. "So maybe your chief made my work easier by gathering you all in one place. As a token of my gratitude for this generous gift, I will give you the most painless death possible," I said, thanking them as if they had truly helped me gather them all. Otherwise, I was about to return after killing the boss. Just as I was about to move forward for the attack, door of the big house opened, and a figure walked out from inside. It was different from the goblins, as its height body structure were different, but its face was quite similar to theirs. It wore iron armor neck to toe, and a large mace rested on its right shoulder. It looked at me, sneered a little, pointed its mace toward me, and shouted something to its people, possibly telling them to charge at me. Some hesitated at first, but after seeing me alone, they gathered courage and raised their weapons toward me. Understanding what was about to happen, I prepared for this situation by using my skill to summon my allies.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. [Undead summon] [-300 MP] Just as I casted the skill, the notification appeared, which made my face happy as finally it increased. __ [Skill: Undead Summon (Lv. 2)] [Type: Active] [Mana Cost: 35 MP] [Cooldown: 12 seconds] [Proficiency: 0%] [Description] Summons a basic undead creature to serve as a temporary minion. The undead will fight for the summoner until destroyed or dismissed. The creature summoned depends on the user''s Necromancer class progression and available materials. [Summon Type: Skeleton Warrior (Basic Tier).] [Duration: 25 minutes or until destroyed.] [Stats] [Health: 55% of the caster''s max health.] [Strength: 55% of the caster''s Strength.] [Agility: 55% of the caster''s Agility.] [Defense: 45% of the caster''s Defense.] __ My skill, which had been stagnant for so long, has now significantly improved even in a less critical situation. My new and formidable skeletons stood before me, armed with weapons. Their clothes were now in much better condition compared to before. The swords appeared more durable and sharper, and their bones were longer and wider. The glow in their eyes was different, much darker, as if the soul within them had grown stronger. My mind was filled with joy as the real battle was about to begin. "Okay, my soldiers, move forward," I shouted, pointing toward the goblins who watched the skeletons with grim expressions. Even the boss was shocked, but with a single roar, he captured the attention of the dazed goblins, and they rushed toward my summons with a shaken intent to kill. My summons numbered only ten, while the goblins facing them were approximately thirty-seven. I joined the battle to quickly reduce the of enemies. The Hobgoblin stood there, his hand holding the totem I needed to destroy, and his mouth chanting something unintelligible. Meanwhile, I slashed my blade continuously at the goblins, one after another. My luck seemed to be good as my sword''s flame ability activated several times, engulfing several goblins in flames. In just fifteen minutes, the thirty-seven goblins were reduced to fourteen, even as those guarding the boss at the back continued chanting. I looked toward the fourteen goblins guarding boss and began moving toward them, determined to end this chapter. I could feel my instincts for attack and defense in battle being boosted, even if only slightly. My skills were working well, and the stamina of the enemies was affected by my [Necrotic Aura]. Many of the defending goblins approached to buy more time, but I did not wait. As soon as I reached the required distance, I used my skill. "You can''t stop me now," I shouted them, activating my skill. [Shadow Leap] [-25 MP] I disappeared from my place and reappeared right in front of the boss, who watched me in shock as I thrust my sword toward him and pierced his chest without any resistance. I thought it was over until I saw his face, which displayed not shock or pain, but a smile. This unexpected reaction shocked me so much that I backed away, eyes still fixed on the Hobgoblin, who didn''t close his eyes for even a second. -- To be continued -- Why is the boss smiling even after receiving such an attack? Comment if you have any ideas or wait until the next chapter if you don''t know. And guys hope you will support me on Patreon, just search Nemessis0001 to find my page to view the upcoming chapters. Beginner Dungeon [35]: Third stage (9) & confronting the Mutant Boss [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. I plunged my blade straight into the chest of Hobgoblin who was just standing on his place while holding the totem which I needed to destroy as before I can snatch it from him, I feel a sense of threat coming from him. As I moved back not to get hurt as maybe it was a good plan as what happened next made my eyes pop out of my sockets. As the smiling Hobgoblin who was holding the totem, raise it in the air and something extremely creepy happened. As what I can see that those goblins who just died, their bodies now started to shake as something whitish come out of their bodies and got pulled toward the totem and got absorbed in it. As even more white energy come from outside the village and got absorbed in it. Which I understand after few minutes later as something start budging inside of me and fell that something was pulling me away, but I didn''t budge but something inside of me budged and it was my soul. As I start to feel immense pain like someone was forcefully pulling my soul out as I was trying to resist, but don''t know how to as just my eyes were about to get full of dark and my life about to swept away with my soul, something happened. The force which was pulling me stopped as I fell down on the ground to find that I was good as fine as even my HP was good as okay just an effect of tiredness occurred on me which was for about one hour in which my 10% stats were reduced for some time. While I have just caught some breath, my eyes fell on my surroundings which was quite baren as all the goblins and my summons were lying on the floor without any speck of life in them. As my skeletons bodies were scattered into pieces while the goblins eyes were lifeless like their souls were sucked out of their bodies. As then my eyes fell on the culprit who was kneeling before the totem like some believer. His eyes were closed as he was chanting something which wasn''t something I can understand. But things start changing as some kind of energy start pouring in from the totem toward the Hobgoblin which I clearly understand what it was. The energy transmitting through the totem was a special type of energy only few races are capable to harness it. While some are bestowed with it in which bestowed race are human. The energy which the Boss was getting was a higher unique energy called Demoic energy which was too much powerful that it can rival most of the high-level energies expect some chosen few. While what was here was just a degraded version, Demonic Mana, a less demonic essence contained mana which increase the mana potency high. Maybe this guy offered the souls of all the being here expect him to give the being connected to another place to get this mana. And even if this is quite of low in rank but still in comparison to my mana, it was several times higher, this much higher that it can make a normal Lv.10 monster to turned into Lv.20-30 monster. Which going to make my work much more difficult with this debuff. As I tried to rush toward him and interrupt the ritual for some gain of help, but it didn''t work as the mana covering him was too much high to bypass as even my enchanted sword durability was damaged in the process.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I backed away and only waited until the process was finished as I can do anything else in here. As half minute later, the energy barrier starts disappearing and I can see what was happening inside, the totem which was okay till now was turned into ash while the whole look of Boss was changed into something else. As even the damage I caused him was healed and even his armor was in great shape. As it was also enhanced to the point where it become high good enough to hold the ground like some new one while the mace has holding onto was looking quite imposing now. Much dangerous than the normal mace he first hold. Like now the scene was like main character of a novel is getting a boost to defeat the enemy while here it was reversal. But is it a novel, I don''t know what my mind was distracted toward the notification appeared right now. [Host and his summon are exposed to a high soul level skill/spell.] [Host is advice to leave the range.] [Host soul is protected by the {??????????? ?????????? (????-GRADE)}, {????????? ????????? (????-GRADE)}, your summons soul is retrieved from its body.] [Dungeon difficulty risen above the host level.] [Dungeon boss, Hobgoblin Warlord {Common, Boss unit} (Lv.13) --> Corrupted Hobgoblin Warlord {Mutant, Boss unit} (Lv.19)] [Dungeon completion objective have been changed, Kill the boss and destroy the totem --> Kill the Mutated Boss.] I didn''t understand the protection part as I didn''t have something which may help me but what changed was the objective and the boss strength and rating has immense change as it was that moment, I knew I f*ck*d up! I was distracted when my mind returned to reality when a loud scream capable enough to kill low level awakened was heard. As I instantly covered my ears in responsive way. As my ears were bleeding as my eyes were shaken for a while but it got recovered as I saw that the Boss who was now looking at me with deadly eyes. I looked at him......., he looked at me........, then I again looked at him but this time he didn''t just looked at me but even move as his speed was very high, maybe a normal awakener won''t be even able to see it but am I normal, hell nah. I blocked his attack by moving away side but then the mace hit the ground as from my imagination, the ground should have some cracks and rock flying over but what happened next was much more than I can anticipate. Yes, the whole area around the ground where the mace hit was destroyed as many huts as possible around us were destroyed with a single hit. Which shaken my believe that I can kill him, and my grip was little loosen but I am not going to lose hope here as I was already making plans how to kill him. As I taking advantage of dust and smoke occurred here, I closed the distance between us and slashed my blade toward it. Which hit him clearly on his armor and even pierced it but just small edge of it as the blade was still stuck on the outer area. But some blood flood out of the mark as some HP above the boss head was reduced. But the look boss was giving me was quite menace as he looked at me and when I was about to backed away, he quickly grabbed my hand which I wasn''t able to get back from him and without doing anything I was thrown toward one of the houses. As I destroyed many huts while crashing as only after crashing into 8 huts did, I stop. As my HP was dropped by one third almost. <i>[-143 HP]</i> And even moving my body was difficult from me in which I lost my consciousness before even doing anything. I whose condition was unknown now was lying in the debris of the huts while the culprit responsible for it was moving toward me after looking around the area to see if anyone else is alive or not. -- To be continued -- Hello guys hope you like the chapter and tell me do you think MC would be able to win this match or some new power out of nowhere is going to come and help him like it did in soul spell. Well to know there is only way, and it is just wait and also come join my free membership in my Patreon page to get the upcoming chapters quickly after the chapters reached 100 checkpoints. Name: Nemessis0001 Beginner Dungeon [36]: Third stage (10) & Raid Over. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. In the village of goblins in the third stage of the Verdant Hollow dungeon. We can see that the boss Hobgoblin with different style then before as his muscle were bulging and like trying to come out of the armor he was wearing. And it was due to the mutation he gone through after receiving the demonic mana energy from the sacrifice. He was no longer looking sane, destroying everything in his path as he walked toward a specific part of the village, indicating that he was still conscious but drunk on the power he gained from the totem sacrifice. Someone lay in the debris of a destroyed hut. Yes, it was I who had been beaten down by him with a single throw and was now opening my eyes after a few seconds of the crash. I looked around to find myself beneath pieces of wood and vines. I quickly opened my eyes and stood up, recalling the situation. I was about to hide when I heard the boss''s roar approaching the area where I had just landed. I looked in that direction and saw many huts being destroyed one after another, knowing that the monster would reach me in a few seconds and attack again. I would not be able to withstand another hit from him, as my wrist still ached from the sheer strength he used to grab my hand. I decided to move away to buy some time to formulate a plan. I left the area, and a few seconds later, the mutated boss arrived and started thrashing the place, searching for me or my body. But I, watching from behind the trees on the outskirts of the village, knew that without favorable conditions, I couldn''t defeat him even if I used my power. If I could get some time to heal and replenish my mana, the battle could continue. I just had to bide my time until the debuff wore off and I regained my stats. As I moved slightly, the boss''s head turned in my direction. I knew his senses were too sharp as not to detect even the slightest noise may not be my luck, but he charged toward the source of the sound where I was hiding. At first, I thought it might be a fluke, and he wouldn''t come this way, but like a mad dog, he came straight toward me with his mace ready to strike. Without hesitation, I leapt away from the area, and a second later, the massive mace struck the tree, shattering it like a bundle of thin sticks. "Brother, what kind of power-up is this? Can''t it just stop already? It''s been over ten minutes and it''s still going," I shouted at him, as there was no need for silence in front of him. But no voice came from the other side, only a strong roar, and the boss''s assault continued. He attacked me relentlessly without any pause while I dodged his attacks by a narrow margin. I was dancing on the edge of life and death, as getting hit would mean certain death in front of this guy. While dodging, I tried to find any weak spot or means to weaken him. What puzzled me the most was that this monster shouldn''t be capable of generating this much Demonic mana. Even if he could, his level should have reached at least fifty by now, but he was still at lower levels while the flow of Demonic mana remained steady. I tried to locate the source of his energy. Alas, I couldn''t find any strong proof of the source within his body, and the constant flow of energy indicated there was no consumption or disruption of energy in his body, like he was getting it from else. Then I started searching for the place where the boss transformed into a corrupted one. I found the location, but it was very far from here, and there was no way I could see that far, so I needed to go there myself. But as my mind was occupied with these thoughts, the boss seized the opportunity and punched me directly. My senses screamed that death was imminent. I looked at the incoming punch and raised my blade to block the attack successfully, but I was sent flying like a broken kite. The only good thing that happened was that now I was closer to that area, as if the boss was trying to put me within some sort of range. "Sh*t, this guy every attack is like a skill attack from the wolf boss back then." I said as I looked at my sword to find its durability gone down several numbers. I then looked at the boss in rage due to the decreased durability of the blade I had crafted so meticulously by enchanting and semi-evolving its grade.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. [Undead Summon] [-32 MP] A skeleton appeared in front of me as it was holding his sword and was ready for a battle which was meaningless, but he didn''t know about it. "Go my soldier and provide me some time to head back to that place." I said as taking my orders, the brave skeleton moved forward toward the boss while I start running toward the area to see if I can weaken the boss in any ways. But after taking just tenth step I got the notification of the death of my loyal soldier who return to his original place. ''I won''t forget about this sacrifice, Mr. Skeleton.'' I thought and continue rushing toward the area while the enraged boss was behind me. As only after reaching that place did, I get to see the real source of the energy. The source was kind of none existing and every difficult to see with eyes without any better focus. But with my magical focus skill I was able to view its partial structure. If I didn''t have it, then maybe I should have died in here. I moved toward it and slashed my blade to destroy it, but nothing happened. Then I realized that it needed a direct hit from a magical spell or something powerful. Before I could do anything, the boss reached me and started attacking again, as if his stamina were endless. I knew this high-level energy was aiding him. "Okay, you won''t stop, right? Then let it be. I shall confront you with honor or without here, even if you don''t want to, as I never send back any fighter without exchanging a single blow," I said, fed up with this cat-and-mouse game. It was time to settle this once and for all. I held my sword, ready to confront him, as he eyed me so intensely it seemed he could kill me with his gaze alone. He launched toward me with his huge mace ready to strike, and I rushed toward him. Before we could make contact, I disappeared, and the boss stopped in his tracks, unable to see me in my spot. [Shadow Leap] [-25 MP] And before he could react, a sense of threat appeared behind him. He turned to see who it was, but it was too late; my blade was already poised to strike and hit with multiple attack enchantments. [Power Slash] [-15 MP] It struck him on the back as the flames raged on the blade, enhanced by the bonus upgrade and new sword effect acquired after semi-evolution. The blow tore away a significant portion of flesh from his neck and back area, including some of the shoulder mass, causing a large amount of blood to pour out. He fell to his knees while the mace dropped to the ground, both of his green and dark hands trying to cover the wound. However, I was not about to let that happen. I seized the opportunity as he attempted to stop the bleeding, which was rapidly healing. If I had ignored it, I would have died immediately, but I didn''t. After my skill''s cooldown was over, I used it again, this time aiming directly at his head from the back. If I had attacked from the front, he would have dodged it due to his high stats boost. [Power Slash] [-15 MP] I thrust my blade straight into his head, sending him on his way to the afterlife. As I put down the guard, I sensed a surge of energy emanating from it. The energy grew as a large amount poured in, causing the dead boss''s body to shiver and his head to rotate toward me in a manner that sent shivers down my spine. "Human, congratulations on your victory against my failed product," a hoarse voice emanated from the head as if someone were controlling it to speak to me which made me shock for few seconds, but I have to get composed again. "I am amazed by your growth and the secrets you possess to block my high-tier spell capable of killing thousands. I want you to become my contractor, and I will grant you the power desire," he said, as like he was some kind of God. "What kind of power? If it¡¯s like what this guy got and drove him crazy, then I don''t need it," I replied, feigning incredulity. "No, what I gave him was lower-grade energy, but you can receive higher-rank energy, making you unrivaled in your rank, just tell me your secret." he said, trying to sugarcoat his words as much as possible. "Hah, well after hearing your story, I think I will..." I trailed off, heating up his anticipation. "Listen, little human child, I don''t have much time to waste, so just give me your answer and become my contractor," he said, growing angrier as his voice took on an urgent tone. "Oh, I am wasting your time, then you can leave. As I also don''t wish to be in a slave contract with a Tier 2 demon like you," I said mockingly, as silence filled the air and something big emerged. "Hahahahahaha, you insignificant human, you have discovered me and yet you continue to challenge me. Aren''t you scared for your own life." He said mockingly. "No, I am not as what is there to be scared off by a mid-level tier demon which isn''t even worth mentioning." I said like I didn''t care. "Okay so then prepare to face hell when we meet in the Nexus, for I will personally tear apart that scissor-like tongue of yours and uncover every secret you possess," he shouted like a madman. "Silence, let us wager on who will kill whom. Fear not, for I have not lost a single. A low-grade demon like you will pose no difficulty for me. Wait for your turn, you inferior being," I said, provoking him while using my skill to sever the connection. [Shadow bolt] [-21 MP] It was struck at the connection point and began disconnecting as I heard the final words of the demon. "Just you wait, I have marked you with my spell. You can''t escape the grasp of my hands, you lowly insect. I will ki........." he said, but his words were cut off as the connection was completely severed. Exhausted from all the chaos, I collapsed in fatigue. Finally, the raid was over, and the kill notification appeared before me. [You''ve killed.....] -- To be continued -- Little Reward, Coming & Rejected out. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA branch, Dyna Crest country. I sat down before the lifeless body of the boss lying on the ground before my eyes. I was thoroughly exhausted from all the running around, as I did not even get to exchange blows with the boss and had to resort to underhanded methods to finish him off. "But isn''t there a saying that everything is fair in a fight for one''s life," I said, smirking slightly as I looked toward the notification that appeared. [You''ve killed the Corrupted Hobgoblin Warlord {Boss unit (Mutated)} (Lv.19), 24~Lv.9 Goblins, 3~Lv.10 Goblin, you''ve gained 2840 EXP.] {3375/700 EXP} [You''ve levelled up, Level: 14 (^3)] {975/1000} [You''ve gained 30 Unassigned Stat point.] [You''ve killed the boss, completing the objective of clear, the portal for exit will be opened after half hour later.] <You''ve gained 301 EEP. T.P: 1199 (^301)> I examined the information and sighed in exhaustion and frustration at not being able to reach Level 15 in the first dungeon. The initial levels of Tier 0 are the easiest to traverse, but later on, leveling up becomes incredibly difficult. "Alright, I''ll think about the future. For now, let me enjoy my rewards and extras," I said, eyeing the boss''s body lying on the floor. As attempted to remove his armor, it shattered into pieces, and his mace also turned into useless items without any higher energy in them. "Alas! But I have this body to plunder. There''s no doubt I can gain some stats or even a skill right now," I said with a sad face, wiping my imaginary tears. (TT_TT) I stood up again, pointed my hand towards the body, and said, "Plunder." The process of plundering began as energy emerged from my body, enveloped the fallen boss, and moved inside it to find something beneficial for me as a new notification appeared. <Detected 1~Lv.19 Corrupted Hobgoblin Warlord (Lv.19) {Boss unit (Elite)}> <Wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store> <Host has chosen to plunder. Plundering is in progress.> <No Talent, Abilities, Skills or Bloodline detected. Body Stats have been identified.> <You''ve gained +11 STR, +7 AGL, +9 VIT, +5 INT, +7 STA. The demonic essence mixed in stats has been ejected from host body. Some stats are disposed of this process for host safety.> I looked at the last few lines and was shocked to find that I could even get unique energy stats from my enemy body stats to enhance myself, provided it wasn''t harmful to me, which could be quite beneficial in later stages. "Well, there is something good in the later parts," I said as I stood up from the ground and looked around to see that the whole village was destroyed in the fight between us. "Maybe I should have reached Level 15 if this fool hadn''t killed his subordinates himself," I said, looking rather angry at the now dead boss. "But what can be done when things have already unfolded this way?" I said as I waited to see if I could find any remaining goblin to finish off to gain the remaining experience points. But to my misfortune, there was no sign of life left around. After wasting time searching, I reached the boss''s body area where the portal was emerging from nowhere. "Okay, let''s go now," I said as I took steps inside the portal and disappeared from the area, leaving behind the destroyed goblin village in the forgotten forest where no one was left alive. __ In front of the dungeon, I walked out of the portal brimming with energy. I looked around and found myself in the same area I had used to enter, seeing a few faces walking toward me with beaming smiles. My armor and weapon were in my inventory, as I couldn''t show them to anyone after receiving them from the school.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "Oh, looks like other students walked out from the dungeon," someone said, drawing attention to me. It was slightly dangerous for me, but not too much after I checked the board displaying our scores. I saw my name flashing, indicating that I was out of dungeon. The timer stopped, and I achieved the rank I had hoped for: seventh place. The first, second, and third places were taken by Lucas, Lyre, and another group with the Paladin-class girl. I was pleased to have a non-attention-grabbing rank and looked at Principal Miriam, who approached me to talk. "Well, it''s good that you are done with your test, Evan. I congratulate you and announce that from today onward, you are a full-fledged hunter with your own responsibilities," Principal Miriam said, and I nodded obediently at his every word. "Okay, so if you''ve heard everything, you are free to go if you want to or wait for the test to be over," he said after his long speech. I decided to head home for some much-needed rest. "Okay, sir, I will head home then, as I am really too tired to wait for the test to end," I said and walked away. Miriam nodded and let me go, sighing slightly as he looked toward the board where some of the top ten spots were blank, indicating that the students were dead. It was very sad for him, as he had seen this happen every year since he became the principal of the high school. While outside the CGA, I was standing near the road to look for a taxi and quickly found one as there were many coming and going to pick up passengers. "Sir, where do you want to go?" he asked just after I sat inside the car. "Oh, sir, just drop me at..." I told him the address as he nodded and started driving towards the place I had mentioned. After some time, we reached the location in front of a big apartment where I asked the driver for the fare. "Sir, it''s 120 CP (Ceruleth Point)," he informed me. I nodded and pointed my phone towards the screen behind his seat, and the amount was automatically deducted. "Thanks for the fare, and please use our taxi service again," the window bot said as I walked out of the car and headed towards the stairs to reach my floor and room. But before I could open my room door, two figures appeared behind me and stopped me from entering. Their faces were clearly imprinted in my mind from previous encounters with Evan. "Where are you going, you brat?" Kale said, blocking my way. "Oh no, sir, I was just going inside to get some rest after raiding my first dungeon with my friends," I said as genuinely as possible to avoid suspicion. "Oh, so you mean to say that you''re class awakened now, huh? Good, looks like our little Evan has grown some wings of freedom," Brin said mockingly, angry. "Oh no, sir, I wouldn''t dare to, in front of you strong sirs," I, trying to be as low-key as possible and not anger him further. "Then it''s okay. Tell us about your class. If you lie, we have ways to check it, and the punishment is severe," he said, lashing out in anger. "Oh, okay sir, my class is Necromancer Apprentice (D) rank," I told him the truth as he looked at Kale, who brought out an orb of inspection. There are many things like, and he checked me with it. But I was prepared, as I had already customized my status to appear as trash as possible, which is not even worth considering as a fighter for them. "Yes, he is telling the truth. He is really a Necromancer Apprentice of D rank while being level 7 after his raid. Even his skills aren''t even at level 2, any of them," he told Brin, who scoffed at me as if looking at some trash. "Then he isn''t worth wasting our time. Hey kid, pack your bag tomorrow to move out, as you won''t be able to live here without any money, which you obviously don''t have," he said, looking at me mockingly. "Oh no sir, can''t I join your guild like you both mentioned or something? Please, I don''t have that much money to pay the rent, please," I said, trying to grab his hand for sympathy, but what came was a big punch to my stomach, sending me back a few inches, and I fell to my knees in pain. "Don''t touch me, you trash, and don''t try to look out for us for help again, as now there is no relation between us. So go away from our sight," he said, looking at me like a little trash-eating mouse. "S... Sir, ple... please, don''t go," I tried to say, but no clear words were coming out as a large amount of saliva was coming from my mouth, and my face was full of redness. "Hey, you hit him too hard? It looks like he will die at some point, and you know that CGA guards are too strict about this matter," Kale said to Brin, who just nodded in agreement and told him. "Oh, don''t worry, I didn''t even use 5% of my power on him. He isn''t worthy of it, and don''t worry about him as he is still quite a good tight punching bag," he said to Kale as he literally was feeling little sting pain after the punch, and they both walked away, leaving me in pain on the ground. After I stopped hearing the sound of walking, I looked up and found them not to be here. I quickly stood up, walked inside the door, and closed it from the inside to prevent anyone from entering. "Aoooch, it is aching so much even after becoming this strong. It looks like Tier 1 is really different, just as the memory said." I remarked while looking at my stomach with a slight smile on my face. -- To be continued -- Why is he smiling after getting hit? Has he gone mad after being rejected, or is there another secret behind this? If you want to know, come back later. And guys, join me on Patreon to get extra chapters ahead of others. Name: Nemessis0001 Chapter 99: Massive Upgrade & Surprise Attack [14th Everdusk 2103], Evan''s Apartment, Dyna Crest country. "Aoooch, it is aching so much even after becoming this strong. It looks like Tier 1 is really different, just as the memory said." I remarked while looking at my stomach with a slight smile on my face. What I did in front of them was a lie, intended to make them think of me as a worthless awakener. This was to sever all ties between us and allow me to be free until I gathered enough strength to eliminate Lucas before he grows too strong and beyond my reach. If he attained the title of Country Prodigy before I could finish him, I wouldn''t be able to touch him at all, as he would surely gain a hidden protector to safeguard him. I would then have to back away or think of another plan to eliminate him. "Okay, just let me lie down and rest as I am too tired to think about it right now...." I said while carefully jumping onto the bed, as my stomach was aching from the punch Brin gave me in anger. A few seconds later, my eyes were tightly closed, and snoring sounds could be heard from my room. I was completely asleep with my guard down, as sleep was the only thing I cared about after the many ups and downs I experienced today. First, the class change; second, the mutant mini boss and boss; and third, the demon corruption invasion, which was supposed happen to Lucas but happened to me for some reason which cause me the most tiredness in all. Perhaps the butterfly effect was at, as it happened to me before and even now. But no worries, as we can''t change what hasn''t happened yet. We just have to wait until it unfolds on its own. __ While Evan sleeps in his, in a house a few miles away from his apartment, someone is lying on the floor, holding a pillow in his mouth to stifle his screams. His entire body is red as if he has just emerged from boiling water, covered in sweat from head to toe, with even the floor beneath him sticky with his sweat. Blood is seeping from his pores, ears, and nose, as if he has experienced a heat overload just a few minutes ago. Suddenly, his shaking body stops, and the room temperature begins to change as the high temperature caused by something starts to cool down. Lucas, the victim, lies on the ground with the pillow beneath his side. His body gradually returns to normal, and as he opens his eyes, he feels the changes brought about by the reward he received from his recent quest. He sits on the bed beside him after standing up and looks at his chiseled body, the result of the reward he obtained from being first in the dungeon. "It seems there are significant changes in my body after acquiring the bloodline of the dragon. Now my bloodline should be at 3%. I can''t even imagine what will happen when it reaches ten or even fifty percent," he says as he punches the air and notices it bending slightly.Stolen novel; please report. He then stands up and walks toward the drawer next to him, picking up a photo stand placed there. In the photo, three people are posing for a photoshoot: an old man, a teenage girl who closely resembles Lucas, and Lucas himself. This photo, from their past, is one he has treasured until now. His sister, Faye Bennett, a prodigy, went to the main capital of Dyna Crest while he remained here. Accompanying her to the capital would have risked his life, and she did not want that to happen. The old man in the photo was his grandfather, who died in an accident during a monster raid. He was the only one who cared for him and his sister. After his death, they were in a dire situation until his sister awakened an SS rank class called Radiant Shadowstalker. This was a unique hybrid class of assassin, shadow and holy light elements, making her the fifth holder of this class. Consequently, she became a hunter to be nurtured for the country, facing many restrictions. Even the information was wiped from many people''s memories for her safety. As he reminisced about his past, he remembered to check his stats before taking a bath, as his body was reeking after absorbing the dragon bloodline vial. When he opened his system to see the changes, his eyes widened in amazement. __ [Status] [Name: Lucas Benett (Lucas Vale)] [Age: 18] [Race: Human (97%), Dragon (3%) (^!)] [Class: Battlemage (D^!) {Growth Type}] [Title: Wolf slayer] [Level: 15 (1^) [230/1200]] [Tier: 0] [Talent: Dragon Insight (SSS)] ___________________________ [Stats] [Health Points: 720 (300^)] {1:10 of CON} [Mana Points: 860 (400^)] {1:10 of INT} [Strength: 71 (30^)] [Agility: 72 (30^)] [Intelligence: 86 (40^)] [Constitution: 72 (30^)] [Stamina: 59 (30^)] [Endurance: 55 (30^)] Unassigned Stats: 60>00 ____________________________ [Skills: Arcane Strike Lv.6 (^), Mana Shield Lv.3 (^), Fireball Lv.7 (^), Mana Reinforcement Lv.5 (^)] [Racial Ability: Dragon Fear Lv.1 (^), Dragon¡¯s Scales Lv.0] ____________________________ His bloodline was enhanced, and his class was upgraded. The increase in his bloodline also affected his class, changing it from Novice Battlemage to Battlemage, while increasing his rank and unlocking his potential growth. His stats spiked in all areas, and his skills were also upgraded. The most notable improvement was the new racial ability he gained from the increase in bloodline percentage. After using his, a hardened layer of dark red and black scales appeared on various parts of his body, increasing his strength and defense. Though the mini transformation was not great, it could become quite a heroic savior for him in the later stages. He stopped using the ability as he felt his mana draining rapidly, making it a heavy-consuming skill. After checking a few more things, he entered the bathroom to remove the bad smell. While he was showering, someone entered his house through the main door without making any noise and reached Lucas''s room without him knowing. The person first looked around the room and then toward the bathroom. The intruder moved toward the bathroom door and waited for Lucas to come out, hiding in the shadows. A few minutes later, Lucas emerged from the bath with nothing but a towel, unaware of the hidden man. Taking advantage of the situation, the intruder leapt toward Lucas with one hand in the air, and the next thing heard was a loud scream. "Aaaaaahhhhhh~~~~." It was a loud scream coming from the house. -- To be continued-- What just happened? Who was the hidden attacker? Is it our Evan or someone else holding a grudge against Lucas? Is it also a butterfly effect caused by Evan or something else is going to happen? And lastly is Lucas fine or dea..? Want to know more? Follow me here or on Patreon for fast and quick posts. Chapter 100: One rocked & Other shocked A/N: Guys the new chapter is posted on my Patreon page so go visit there to read it. And it''s free, just become a free member to read the ten chapters after the next ten chapters will be for Premium members only. And after that the releasing sequence will continue again. Chapter: 101 --> Talent''s Miracle [1]. Chapter 102: Talent''s Miracle (Restoration Junction) [2/Last] Chapter 103: Visiting CGA, Solo Hunting Verification. Chapter 104: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [1] Chapter 105: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [2] Chapter 106: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [3] Chapter 107: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [4] Chapter 108: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [5] Chapter 109: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [6] Chapter 110: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [7/last] Chapter 111: The Fallen Knight''s Soul & Broken ring of Loyalty. Chapter 112: The Last Gift, Massive Upgrade & New Skill. Chapter 113: Dungeon Collapse. Chapter 114: Interrogation. Chapter 115: Lone wolf mark And Small commotion. Chapter 116: Public/Private Dungeon. Chapter 117: Beast Grove Dungeon [1], New Skills & Limit. Chapter 118: Beast Grove Dungeon [2] & Skill Fragments. Chapter 119: Beast Grove Dungeon [3], Meeting Lucas & Little Accident [1] Chapter 120: Beast Grove Dungeon [4], Little Accident [2/Last] Is already released. So, hurry and be quick as you won''t be regretting it later. And you may also find my other novel work there to read which may get you a good taste of read. Name: Nemesis0001 LINK: patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 {Edited*20} __ [14th Everdusk 2103], Lucas''s Apartment, Dyna Crest country. The intruder moved toward the bathroom door and waited for Lucas to come out, hiding in the shadows. A few minutes later, Lucas emerged from the bath with nothing but a towel, unaware of the hidden man. Taking advantage of the situation, the intruder leapt toward Lucas with one hand in the air, and the next thing heard was a loud scream. "Aaaaaahhhhhh~~~~." It was a loud scream coming from the house. Lucas was on the ground, clutching his back as a hand imprint of red was etched there like someone had slapped it very forcefully. "Wait, you know me, right? And you also know that I don''t do work without any confidence, so why are you angry right now?" He said as he backed away step by while the person slapped him was approaching him. "I know this detail about you, but still, being this reckless is too much, Lucas. What would have happened to you? Do you know how worried I was?" The person said, who emerged from the shadows, revealing Tess, whose were red from crying or tension. "But I''m here, right? Aren''t I fine as well and also stronger than before? So isn''t i.... Ahhhh." Lucas was saying when another punch was shot toward him from her. She was really angry with him as she had made it clear that he wouldn''t be raiding the dungeon, but he didn''t listen and raided it alone, even while still being an E-rank grade Battlemage, which was essentially a death sentence for a normal person. But she was shocked to that he not only cleared it but also ranked first in the test, being the first person to complete it and defeating the S-rank class holder Lyre Dawnfield. "Tess, don''t you know me after living with me for those few years, and still your belief in me is shaky?" Lucas said while holding her hands, which were trying to punch him but losing strength as he spoke to her.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "But you know we care for you. Even though Faye may believe you, I, as her friend and your wi... I mean teacher, am still worried about you." She said, her face turning red with shame after calling herself his wife unconsciously. "Oh, so you mean to say even though your friend still believes in me, you, my wife, don''t believe me? Then it''s a complicated matter, and I have to resolve it as quickly as possible." He said as he lifted her in a princess carry and started walking toward his room. "He... hey, what are you doing? I am not your wi-wife, okay, so put me down~~~~~~." She shouted, but no one was coming to help her. As the gate of the room closed, the sound of her shouting was still audible. "Lucas, no, we still have to eat lunch, right? So let me go, and we will continue it tonight, please~~~~~" she said, but Lucas didn''t stop as his inner lust was brimming, and he proceeded to explore her body in depth. "Tess, you know me. If I start doing something, then I will not stop until it''s finished." He said as he took off her clothes while also removing his shirt. "Wait, no, I am literally sayi..." Before Tess could say something, Lucas stopped her by sealing her lips his own as the battle between Lucas and Tess started in his room. The battle lasted for a few hours until both parties were satisfied and out of stamina. In this battle of domination, the winner may not have been decided, but both parties tried their best. A few times, Tess was the one taking the lead, while at other times, Lucas was the one in control. Even if the battle ended in a draw, it was something Tess would forget as now the status between them was equal of a class holder while before she was the winner all the time when they did the deed, but that was before the class awakening of his. As she was also a holder of a <C> rank class, Gale Whisperer. She possesses a strong archer-type class that uses the wind element to deal damage from afar and can even engage in close combat, similar to his class. After the battle was over, it was already evening, and both he and Tess were lying on his bed, entangled with each other and still naked, covered with a sheet. "Hah, Lucas, you really are such a bad boy to force a hopeless girl like me into this every day," she said, resting her head on his chest and looking into his eyes with a teasing smile. "Oh, where is the hopeless girl you are talking about, Miss Tess? Don''t we both know who is stronger right now? You are already a level 58 awakened, while I am still level 15. And you still tell me you were forced? What a blatant lie you are telling me with such a sweet and straight face," he said, giving her a peck on the lips, which she easily accepted, knowing that refusing him now was pointless. "Okay, but still, I am hungry, and you don''t let me make some food to eat. And now I am also feeling soreness in my legs," she replied, as it was true that just after coming home, Lucas jumped at her to do the deed, but she wanted to make some lunch for them first. However, with Lucas''s hurried action, it turned out this way. "Oh, it''s just a small problem. Don''t worry and order food from outside. Isn''t today a great day to celebrate our happiness together?" he said, and Tess first looked at him and then nodded, finding the idea great and applicable. "Okay, so let me take some rest until you order the food," she said as she rolled down from his body and went to sleep for some time. While Lucas, who was still awake as if he hadn''t done anything, was sure that this might be the effect of the dragon bloodline. "Okay, so let me just take another shower until the food arrives," he said after ordering the food from his phone. __ Meanwhile, in Evan''s room, I was waking up from my sleep and was about to check my phone for the time. *Grumble* *Grumble* *Grumble* "Oh, it''s already evening, huh? Maybe I was so tired that even now I can still sleep, but sleeping without good food is a waste," I said as I heard my stomach grumbling a lot. I then stood up while stretching my body, which was stiff until now, and moved toward the bathroom first to wash my face. After my sleepiness was completely gone, I moved toward the kitchen to cook a meal for myself. "Okay, so let me see~~~," I said while looking at the small fridge in the kitchen to find nothing extraordinary and then thought to order something from outside. But I then realized that today is not a day for great food and started thinking of the tasty food Aunt Rossy made for me. But those days are gone now, and I need to do my chores on my own. "Okay, so if I can''t order, then I can at least order ingredients and make something for myself." Then I opened my phone, which was also an old model, and ordered some eggs, veggies, spices, and sauce for the food. While I had some noodles with me, I ordered the main ingredient, which cost as much as the others. The monster meat, which contains mana that helps the awakened class holders or even normal people to get benefits. I opened the meat section to find many types of meat and then chose the lowest priced ones to see which were still in the tens of thousands of points range. "I can''t even afford a single one, maybe... Wait, there is one and even in the same good quantity," I said while looking at the option of Ragged Ember Bear meat, which was priced at just 560 points for 200 grams. The price was lower today as it was about to go to waste in a few days, and the owner had a large amount, so he was selling it at a discount. "Good, let me get that meat," I said and quickly ordered the portion, as only thirty-two were left and they were being sold out very quickly. I then looked at my account to find that I had nearly spent a thousand points just for the ingredient, which I considered good, as the same dish I was making, called Meat Stir-fry Noodles, would cost about 2000 to 3000 points per plate. And I am getting it for less, just having to make it myself, although the quality of meat is lower. And that''s it. After that, I just waited for the ingredients, which arrived an hour later, and I enjoyed the noodles, which took one-tenth of my savings. But from tomorrow, I am going to make enough money to never have to think about bill while buying. And that will be my motto for the hunts. (TToTT) -- To be continued -- Attention everyone, I will be taking a short break from posting chapters here, but not on Patreon. You can still get the latest chapters every day on my Patreon page, where you will have access to chapters 101-120 starting tomorrow. Join as a free member to read chapters, as I will be posting new content there until the mentioned chapters are completed. After, you will receive the chapters here. The posting rate here will be reduced to 1 chapter every 3 days. Meanwhile, on Patreon, you will continue to receive 1 chapter per day as usual. So come join me on my page name: Nemesis0001. Link: patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 Or Click on the Patreon link below to come and check out my Page. Chapter 101: Talents Miracle [1] Hello guys Author here. Wish to read chapter ahead from here then come join me on my Patreon page: Nemesis0001 Or patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 Latest Chapter posted on page of 121: Butcher''s Shop and Going Back ___ [15th Everdusk 2103], Evan''s Apartment, Dyna Crest country, DC-23 City. The sun was already in the sky when I woke up and started preparing food from the leftovers I ordered yesterday. After letting it cook for some time, I went to freshen up and returned a few minutes later to eat while scroll through the news on my phone. I wanted to discover the emergence of a new dungeon. If I could find it before returning to my second, there would already be mana dungeons spawned within a year. Perhaps finding them could bring some benefits to me. "Well, there should be something good enough for me. Since I regressed back time, I should get some things right," I said, closing my phone. I then ate the leftovers on my plate and moved them to the sink for cleaning. After cleaning everything, I decided to check out the association for a dungeon raid, but suddenly a loud noise occurred at my apartment gate. "Who is here at this time?" I said to myself and moved towards the door. Before I could reach it, another knock was heard, souring my mood. /Thud/ /Thud/ /Thud/ I quickly reached the entrance and opened the door to find someone standing in front of me with an angry expression. "Why did you open the gate so late, Evan? Are you getting full of yourself now, huh?" said the man, who was the owner of the building, Horace. "Oh, Mr. Horace, come inside. I was expecting you t..." I began to say, but he stopped me. "Okay, okay, just tell me where the rent for this month is. It has been six days since the month ended, and you''re still living here shamelessly," he said angrily, which I dismissed with a smile. "Oh sir, I was busy with my last days of school, so I forgot, but I will pay you right now. Don''t worry," I said while asking him to sit on the chair. "Okay, and be quick as I have to check another apartment," he said as he sat on the chair and I brought a glass.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. "Oh, here it is, sir. Don''t worry," I said as I started finding his contact to pay him the rent. "Ah, and also, were you able to get the class like you all get, you know?" He asked me about my class awakening, and I already knew that if the result was bad, he would have made up his mind to throw me out even after paying the rent. "Oh sir, it''s great. I did awaken a class and even managed to level up some in the dungeon raid," I said, being as polite as I could to lighten his mood. "Oh, okay, good for you. You must have gotten some support or weak combat class, but there is no need to worry as you can still earn much more than those without one," he said, laughing crazily after that. "Ah yes, sir, just a small D-rank Necromancer class and nothing else. I am hoping to become strong quickly as I am already level 14 and can ascend into Tier 1 after a few months or a maximum of a year," I said, being a little ignorant to scare him. Horace was a normal man and one of the unlucky guys who wasn''t able to get a class, which changed his personality a lot. "Oh- oh gr...great. I should go, okay? I have to check on more of them. You stay good, okay, and ask me for anything if you need to. Byeee~~~~," he said, realizing his chill had gone down his spine as he realized he had bad-mouthed someone more powerful than him. Then he realized he had messed up, so he ran away to save his life. Like what if I decided to kill him? "Okay sir, come back later. Hehehe. I will personally help you with anything," I said to the fleeing figure of Horace who just ran away in fear. "Okay, so my balance has already gone down to just a measly four thousand after the payment. Then I should head to CGA for some raids and make some money, right?" I said to myself while looking at my account balance, which showed (4910 points.) for the remaining balance. I then took out my items to check their durability and found them to be still usable until I needed to find some replacements. __ Duskfang Vest (Enchanted) Type: Armor (Chest) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis+ (Rank 0) Description: A beginner''s chain mail chest plate evolved through expert craftsmanship and enhanced with a refined enchantment turning into a fine piece of art. Its defensive capabilities and durability have been significantly improved, offering protection comparable to higher-quality equipment while remaining suitable for novice adventurers. Attributes: Defense: +20 Durability: 107/120 (!) Weight: Moderate High ---------------------------------------- Ember Fang (Enchanted) Type: Weapon (One-Handed Sword) Grade: Tier 0, Vernis+ (Rank 0) Description: Once a simple iron sword, Ember fang evolved into a weapon of legend after merging with the fiery and shadow-infused essence of an Alpha Wolf (Lv. 10) by an unknown power. This blade flickers with dark embers, embodying the destructive synergy of shadow and flame. Attributes: Attack Power: +20 Durability: 74/100 (!) Weight: Light Special Effects: Enhanced Fire Strike: 25% chance to deal additional 70% of the weapon''s attack power as shady fire-based magical damage on hit. Veiled Predator: If the wielder attacks a target unaware of their presence (e.g., from stealth or surprise), the attack deals 50% increased damage. __ My sword and armor durability has gone down by several points, but it should be expected from the lowest of the lowest. "Okay, so let me just use them for some more time and think about buying another or getting some items to upgrade both of their grades," I said as I started to put both things inside my inventory and moved outside to find a raid to do. However, what happened to me was something else, as before I could put them inside, my notification window popped up. [Talent has detected the durab.....] -- To be continued -- Chapter 102: Talents Miracle (Restoration Junction) [2/Last] Hello guys Author here. Wish to read chapter ahead from here then come join me on my Patreon page: Nemesis0001 Or patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 Latest Chapter released in the Patreon Page -> Chapter 122: Status & Stats Spectrum ___ [15th Everdusk 2103], Evan''s Apartment, Dyna Crest country, DC-23 City. [Talent has detected the durability of the items enchanted by talent decreasing.] [The function of the restoration junction is being enabled.] [You can now check the durability of the items you enchanted in the junction to restore it using points. The points consumption relates to the amount of restoration, with the price increasing each time you restore it again and again.] "Oh my god, isn''t it too overpowered right now? I can use the items that easily become unusable after some use and renew their durability," I said with excitement as I opened the talent tab to find a Restoration tab icon on its screen and opened it to see the new functions. ___________ == Restoration Junction == -- Duskfang Vest (107/120) --> 32 EEP -- Ember Fang (74/100) --> 51 EEP _________ "This is outrageous. The cost to refill the durability of such a low-grade item is exorbitant," I said, pointing at the screen, but there was no response from the other side, so nothing could be done at the moment. "It seems I will only be able to use it once the Eternal system is online," I remarked as I opened its interface and checked the remaining time until it would be operational again. __ (Remaining time until process completed: 13 Weeks: 4 Days: 5 hours: 24 minutes: 9 seconds left.) __ Even though the time was significant, I might become Tier 1 even before I got to use it. If I consider my way of leveling, I am sure that I can reach Lv.100 in 2-3 months. "Okay, let me use it as I don''t think I will be able to reduce the price anyway," I said and clicked on the repair button to start both items'' durability.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. [Talent has detected 83 EEP to start the process. TP: 1116EPP] "YES, TAKE IT, NO JUST TAKE DOUBLE YOU LEECHER," I shouted and pressed the button for restoration. A few minutes later, the process was done. I quickly took out both items to see if it was true. It was indeed good, as some places where the blade of the sword was cracked or damaged looked as good as new. The armor was also like new, as if just bought from a shop. The scratch marks and small holes from the boss''s attack were repaired. "Well, you did something good after the payment, so I am putting it off for now," I said with a big smile on my face. With this feature unlocked, I can now repair my items instead of buying new ones. After the show ended, I decided to head toward the association to raid some available dungeons and use the money earned to buy more gear for my use. I only have a blade and a chestplate, nothing else. Even a newbie Hunter has more items than I do. I can guarantee that. "Well, let''s go and grind some money, I guess," I said as I put on my old coat, took my apartment key, and headed out of the room. But not before going to the washroom as I urgently needed to... ahem! "Let''s go now," I said to myself and locked the door behind me to start my first day school. I had just closed the door when the neighbor living beside me opened their door, looked around to find someone, and saw me walking away. "Hey you, can''t you notice that someone might be sleeping here, huh? These kids these days are so full of yourselves," he starts shouted at me while continuing more to make me guilty of what I did. But I wasn''t planning to hear it just like that and made a run for the stairs while bowing to say sorry quickly. "Sorry sir, it won''t happen again," I said as I ran downstairs, leaving the stunned uncle behind. "Jeez, these kids nowadays," he said and walked inside while I was all the way from my floor to the ground floor. Then I stopped to look back to see if he was coming. "Hush! That uncle wouldn''t have stopped for a few minutes if I hadn''t had to leave," I said and started walking toward the exit to get a taxi. Although buses were available and cheap, they didn''t go to the association. I waited until one of the taxis stopped beside me and the window was lowered. "Yes, sir, where to?" he asked as I showed him my association card. He nodded and unlocked the back door. He started driving as I got comfortable behind him. "Sir, have you recently become a hunter?" he asked, looking at me in my ordinary outfit. "Oh yes, uncle, I just awakened my class yesterday and now I''m going to raid my second dungeon today," I said, being polite as being impolite to those who are weak isn''t a good thing for me as I don''t care about others thinking. "Oh great, even my kid''s class awakened yesterday, but alas he awakened an auxiliary class which may not be good, but I am sure he will be okay and safe outside the dungeon," he said with a smile of satisfaction. I was reminded of my first life when one of my brothers, who awakened a mechanic class while being part of a high-society family in another country, was stripped of the family name and later killed by a thief in an alley. Then, after some time, I learned that my mother was getting emotional because of him and was killed by my father in that life, just like cutting off a bad leaf from a plant to keep it healthy. "It''s good, sir. I hope your son can improve your family''s condition," I said to him. He just smiled and didn''t say anything as our remaining travel was completed without any further conversation. I paid the fare to his scanner and left the car after paying 127 charges. This left me with just (4783 CP). I looked at the door of the association and walked inside the large area to reach the building, which was a short distance away from the walls. Today might mark the true beginning of my journey to becoming a hunter for the third time. But wait, what the hell should Lucas be doing right now? I''m sure what he was doing should be... -- To be continued -- Chapter 103: Visiting CGA, Solo Hunting Verification. Hello guys Author here. Wish to read chapter ahead from here then come join me on my Patreon page: Nemesis0001 Or patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 Latest Chapter available on Patreon page of mine --> Chapter 123: Hunter''s Web & Whole information [1]. ___ [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, DC-23 City. I walked out of the taxi after paying the fare, standing before the large metal door of the CGA building, the hub for hunters in our city. This was likely due to its extensive network capabilities, offering everything a hunter needs, such as Dungeons, a Market, and even travel to other cities through Portals used to traverse city borders. "Well, I don''t have much to sell right now, so going to the market on the left is pointless. But after conquering a dungeon and getting some loot, I can probably make some money," I mused to myself, glancing at the market where hunters traded items. I then proceeded toward the main building of the association. The gate, which sensed mana fluctuations to open for hunters, was an automatic one developed by a genius trap master after a certain incident. Without paying much attention to other tales, I entered the building, heading toward the dungeon check-in area amidst hunters moving from one place to another. What I saw shocked me: huge lines at every reception desk for dungeon inquiries. Some faces were even recognizable, including a few students from my class. Not wanting to interact with them, I sighed and chose one of the shorter lines, determined by my assessment of the speed of work at the desks. If resolving a dungeon issue took three to five minutes per hunter, I reasoned my turn would come quickly. Standing in the third desk line proved to be a good decision, as I was already close to the desk while others who joined the line with me were still in the middle. After half an hour had passed, my turn had arrived as only one member was ahead of me. Even after six minutes, the person was arguing with the desk in charge, but he eventually left, realizing he couldn''t start a fight and risk getting banned. "Yes sir, what can I do for you?" The attendant asked me with a salesperson-like smile, which I knew was fake. "Ah yes, I am here to raid a dungeon and am looking for the right one for me," I said, as he nodded and began typing something on his desktop. "Okay then, please show me your ID, and tell me your Class, Level, and the number of hunters you will be raiding with." He asked as I handed him my hunter ID and began telling him my details.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "I am a necromancer, Level 14, and I will be raiding the dungeon alone." He didn''t say anything at first, just looked at the ID and was about to search for a dungeon when his eyes fell on the bottom right corner where the necessary item should have been assigned. His hands stopped mid-typing on the keyboard, as he looked at me and then again at my ID, repeating the action which confused me a little. "Sir, are you making a joke right now? I am not in the mood for one," he said, and for the first time, I saw him angry after watching him this whole time while standing in line. "Oh, did I say something wrong? I mean to say that what I wa..." Before I could explain further, he stopped me from speaking. "No kid, listen to what I''m telling you. You can''t raid alone in the dungeon right now as you don''t have the necessary eligibility," he told me with a straight face. I didn''t understand a single thing, and he realized it after seeing my expression. "Hahhh~~~ Why do I have to handle these types of newbies? Listen kid, what I''m talking about is that you may think that raiding alone will help you level up faster and grow stronger, but this is real life, not a TV show where the protagonist becomes strong by hunting alone. You need a team to hunt and get strong, only then can we allow you in. Even if you wanted to do this, you would have to wait about eight days because the Branch manager is not going to handle your small issue over the large tasks she is handling now. Then, you will be able to take the eligibility test to hunt." He said, and after hearing it, my mind went blank as I didn''t even know about such a thing. In my past life, I used to hunt alone without needing to pass this type of test for lone hunting. But then I realized that was in another country, while where I am living right now is different, though the Association is the same. Maybe the method was removed before I transmigrated here. Yes, that might be the correct answer. But as I was in deep thought, I felt a little pain in my hand and found that the guy was holding my hand and pulling me away from the line. "Kid, I don''t have time to waste with you, so leave or come with a team to hunt," he said and went back to work. I just looked at him and started walking away, thinking to maybe join a group to enter a dungeon, but I didn''t want to show them my talents and abilities. Humans are the only beings who get greedy in a matter of seconds or even milliseconds. While I was walking away, the guy who told me to leave was doing his work when his superior came behind him and said some words. At first, the guy''s eyes shot open, but then he nodded and went out from his desk, and his colleague took over. What his senior told him might help that kid he just told to leave. Luckily, he found me still trying to join a group. "Hey kid, want to listen for a few moments here?" he asked me as I, the unlucky one, looked at him and nodded while saying goodbye to the hunter who refused to let me join his team because of my low level. "Yes sir, what can I do for you?" I asked him as he first looked around and found many hunters and people walking around. He held my hand and pulled me toward a room where his senior was already waiting for him. They both locked the door behind them and sat in front of me with serious expressions. "Sir, why did you bring me here? I am just following your order and trying to find a team to hunt with." I asked him with a little fear as both were Tier 1 and much stronger than me. I was sure that I didn''t provoke them in any manner. "Oh, don''t kid, we are not going to hurt you. I just heard about your condition while you were talking and thought of a way to help you," the senior officer of the association told me as I just nodded and asked him. "Sir, may I ask how you can help me? And is it free or do I have to pay or repay you with something?" I asked him as I knew that nothing is free in this world, not even death. "Oh, not that way kid, and I know that you''re rich enough to even give us money, so listen to my advice and don''t ask anything until I tell you so," he told me while looking at my old clothes and shoes, which obviously showed my financial status. I nodded toward him, and he started telling me the way to help me solo hunt in dungeons. "So, listen kid, the thing is...." -- To be continued -- Hello guys, I hope you all liked this chapter. You may not believe it, but I was first thinking of naming the chapter ''Solo Leveling Verification.'' Chapter 104: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [1] Hello guys Author here. Wish to read chapter ahead from here then come join me on my Patreon page: Nemesis0001 Or patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 There are about 20 chapters to watch ahead from here on my Patreon Page. Ten For Free Members and Twenty for Premium Members. So hurry to read the next few exciting dungeon raid with me. ___ [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country. "So, listen kid, the thing is that you who wanted to hunt alone in the dungeon need proof of going alone in the dungeon, which is rarely granted to hunters as they wish to hunt with parties for high mortality decrease due to this," he said as I nodded, and he continued. "So, the thing is that CGA formed a new badge to the hunters who wish to hunt alone and those who hunt in parties with a badge called ''Lone Wolf.'' To verify it, the Branch Manager of the branch in the city had to test the hunter by letting them fight with an opponent ten to fifteen levels higher. If you win, then you have the necessary strength to back you up, but if you lose, then you can never apply for it, and you have to be in a party for your whole life until you surpass human limits and become a high-level being." He said and continued while his junior, who was attending Evan at the desk, noted his signal and went to call someone. "So, sir, I understand your concern, but what I need to do right now is hunt the dungeon as other hunters may become obstacles in the way of my leveling. I need my own space to use my skills, which can even harm my allies along with the enemies other than me and my summons," I said as he nodded and told me the way he could help me. "So okay, you''re trying to avoid hunters to fully use your skills, right?" He said as I nodded. "Okay then I have a way to get you the proof of Lone Wolf." "Hahh, sir, but isn''t the Branch Manager under a huge workload right now?" "Oh, don''t worry kid, we have another way to do it which hasn''t been used since a certain accident." "Huh, what way and what is the certain accident you''re talking about? Is it something dangerous or harmful?" "Oh no, it''s just that we used to test the hunters who wanted to hunt alone by sending them into a special dungeon which isn''t of any level or anything, but while we were using this test, it was quite good at first as several hunters were able to take the test as even if you fail, you won''t die as the boss won''t kill you and just beat you up and you got out of the dungeon with just sustaining the damage he caused."If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. "Huh! Isn''t this good then why don''t you use it?" "No, it''s not, kid. Didn''t I tell you about the accident that happened back then? That was the sole reason not to use it. It made our previous branch manager angry, and he told us never to use it. In that accident, the hunter who took it was in a state which can''t be described. The boss monster who defeated him didn''t stop and cut off both his hands and a leg, after which he escaped from the dungeon." "And then what happened? Wasn''t it used again?" "No, it was, but it didn''t show anything. The branch manager restricted its use. But now, if you wish to challenge it, then you can do so." He said as he looked at me, who was in deep thought. "So, tell me, kid, do you want to or not?" But before I could say anything, the gate of the room opened as the junior officer who left to call somebody entered and hurriedly approached both me and the senior officer. "Sir, the branch manager is on the call." "Huh, but didn''t I tell you to call the vice manager? Then why did you call her?" "Sir, after I talked to the vice manager for permission, the manager was also with them and called me for all the information. I had to tell her everything." He said with a guilty face, and the senior officer just sighed and took the call. From the other side, a loud sound could be heard in the silent room. A lady''s voice said, "Can''t you both have common sense? You don''t even know that you can''t take such steps without my or the vice manager''s permission. Have you become this high now, huh?" "No ma''am, listen, I was not going to do this test without your and sir''s permission. I was just asking the test taker if he wanted to take it or not. If he agreed, then I was going to consult with you or sir." "But still, don''t you know that the test you''re talking about is too dangerous? According to the officer, this kid is just a Level 14 Necromancer. And you think he can do what even those in Peak Tier 0 aren''t capable of?" "But miss, isn''t the dungeon adjustable to the raider in that dungeon?" "Still, are you crazy to send that kid in there?" "Miss, I also didn''t want to bu..." He was explaining the reason, but I stopped him and asked for his mobile to speak with her. "Sir, can I please talk with her?" "But what are you going to say to her? You can''t make her agree right now." "But still, let me try." "Okay, do it, but don''t cry if you get banned for some time." "Okay, just let me talk with her." "Hello, Ma''am Lilia, my name is Evan. You may not remember me, but I was one of the students who met you with Mr. Darian where some small commotion was caused," I said to her. At first, there was no sound from the other side until. "Oh, so you''re one of the kids, huh? But listen, kid, don''t you have some raid party with which you can raid the dungeon?" "Oh no, ma''am, I am quite a lone wolf, doesn''t interact much with others. Even my class skills and way of hunting are better done alone." "Hahh~~, kid, I know you have some issues with your class skills and social experience, but the test those two fools are giving you can cause your whole career to collapse in an instant. The dungeon they want you to raid is unique as it doesn''t have a level limit. It is also a solo raid dungeon with just a single boss in front of you to battle, and the boss should be at least ten to fifteen levels higher. This can prove that you are ready to hunt on your own." "So, think carefully, as if you agree, perhaps I can allow you to take that test on your own, as I do not have time to observe it. Maybe I can come over to observe your test for a few minutes, citing a special test reason." "Then tell me, do you wish to attempt it or not?" "Ma''am, I wish..." -- To be continued -- Chapter 105: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [2] Hello guys Author here. Wish to read chapter ahead from here then come join me on my Patreon page: Nemesis0001 Or patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 Latest Chapters Release on my Patreon Page. For Free members --> Chapter 105 to Chapter 115. For Premium members --> Chapter 116 to Chapter 125. ___ [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country. "Then tell me, do you wish to attempt it or not?" "Ma''am, I wish to raid it as waiting won''t change anything. As per sir, you will take my test in which I will fight a hunter ten to twelve levels higher. So why don''t I just go into that dungeon and try my luck? Is it so high that I might get my limbs severed from my body? It hasn''t happened just once." I said as no voice came again, but a sigh echoed, and she said, "Okay then, be prepared as I will come soon to attend your test. Don''t push more if the boss puts back his weapon. If you do, he may get enraged and kill you for sure." "Okay ma''am." "Then give the phone to the field agent and let him do his work." I handed the phone to the agent. After some nods and yes from him, he cut the call and looked at me in disbelief. "Kid, what are you? How did you to make her agree on this matter? I clearly remember that she didn''t agree to it a few months ago, but you did it with ease." "Maybe she was just in a good mood or something. I don''t know what I should have told her except the truth." He just nodded his head and told me to follow along. The junior officer closed the door behind us as the field agent and I walked toward a certain door, which was not available to use by anyone other than a few hunters who were clearly stronger looking. We entered it and walked down the stairs to the basement floor. I could see hunters and officers I had never seen before roaming around here. Even some shops were here, and I found some shocking things. The items they were selling were from a certain place which isn''t local here, and I know what it was: The Nexus. We go there after reaching Tier 1, while some genius or monster hunters reach there in Tier 0 as their speed of growth becomes too quick that they reach the limit within a few months rather than those hunters who hunt in dungeons.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. "Sir, does this place have a Nexus portal?" I asked the field agent, who stopped in his tracks and looked at me in shock as if I had asked him about something forbidden. "Wait, kid, how did you know about the Nexus portal? I don''t think you should know about this. Tell me right now or be ready to die here," he said, and I could feel the atmosphere becoming gloomy and sluggish as the agent in front of me released his mana to put pressure on me. "No, sir, listen to me. My parents were Peak Tier 1 hunters who died while trying to protect the city. That''s why I am here. They were also Nexus raiders who left a message to me about everything they knew about the Nexus to help me survive easily, knowing that they could be killed if they told anyone, including me. So, they left a message that was supposed to be useless if they were alive, but who knows what happened to them to let it be like that." "Oh, okay then. I thought you might be a spy from the guilds. But if I may ask, where is the message or letter you got to know about the Nexus?" He asked me, and I was already prepared for it and told him, "Yes, the thing is that I was told to burn it after reading it, as it could be dangerous if it got into others'' hands." "Then it''s okay now it''s really true, but for my confirmation, tell me something about the Nexus that can make me believe you, as we let people take a system oath to never tell anybody about the system in case you may have come from another city or country to harm our portal." "Oh then... yes... but I don''t have anything to tell as the things I know may not be valuable enough to make you trust me." "Hahh, why am I in this situation with this right now? Then tell me what you were instructed to do in your letter." "Okay, so what we have to do after getting into the Nexus is... a few thousand minutes later... and then you can come back after finishing all of this." I told him everything that was supposed to happen, unsure if it would be enough right now. "Hahh, okay kid, it''s good that you''re honest because if you had tried to lie right now, I would have ripped your neck apart right here, right now." /Ughh~~~/ I just nodded and swallowed my saliva in fear, knowing that even with everything I have right now, I can''t fight a Tier 1 or higher being, even Peak or mid-Tier 0 is out of my reach. After confirming everything, he started leading me toward a certain room where the same junior officer was standing with a strange machine and nodded to the field agent. We all entered the dungeon, and what appeared before me was something I had never seen before, even in my past two lives. It might be a special dungeon, as there wasn''t any blue, red, green, or orange color, but just a white gibberish outline, and inside was filled with a milky grey portal of the same height I had seen before. "Well kid, many have the same reaction as you, as this may be the most unique dungeon I have ever seen. While it may look similar to the other ones, it would be a mistake to think that, as it doesn''t have a level limit for the boss. There is only one monster, who you know is the boss, and it will be exactly ten to fifteen levels higher than you. You have to defeat him in under thirty minutes, or we will pull you out." "So, are you ready?" <i>-</i><<b> To be continued</b> <i>></i>- Attention everyone, the raid is about to commence, so please be prepared. I hope you all will add it to your library, and one more important thing to note. Hand over all of your reviews. ?? Chapter 106: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [3] Hello guys Author here. Wish to read chapter ahead from here then come join me on my Patreon page: Nemesis0001 Or patreon.com/Nemesis0001178 ___ [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country. "So kid, are you ready for the test?" "Yes sir, just got dazed to see such a type of dungeon which can even shock a high-ranking hunter who hasn''t seen it before." "Yes, it''s correct. Even I was baffled when I first saw this dungeon, but now it''s normal for me." I grinned a little and nodded in agreement. Then I stood up in front of the dungeon, just about to enter, but a field agent stopped me by clutching my shoulder with a confused look. "Kid, are you entering to die inside? Why aren''t you wearing your armor and gear? And most importantly, where is your staff or weapon?" He asked while looking at me. I nodded and began to put on my gear as I couldn''t break free from his grip. "Listen, kid, I''m telling you this and maybe no one else will: whenever you enter a dungeon, be prepared and always put on your armor before going inside to stay safe." "Okay sir, I won''t forget your advice," I said as I put on both items that I had with me since I didn''t have others. I nodded toward him and was about to enter when I looked back and said, "Sir, maybe the Branch Manager may come to check as she mentioned on the call." Without waiting for a response, I entered inside while the agent officer was baffled to hear that the Branch Manager might come to supervise the test. "This kid really is something, to even get the manager to come here to check on his test." He sighed and went toward the junior officer who was holding a machine analyzing the power of mana fluctuation to see if the dungeon was reacting strangely or not. __ While in the dungeon, I was standing in front of a cave formed in a large mountain, with a vast forest behind me that covered it from the outside. I walked into the forest to see if I could find something, but after a few meters, the field of the dungeon was closed off. I couldn''t see the further forest ahead of me due to a thick fog-like substance. It was impossible to go inside the fog.Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "It looks like I''ve reached the limit of the dungeon here, so I have to enter the cave to fight the boss." I looked back toward the cave, which was slightly visible from my position, and started walking towards it to get inside. I first tried to look inside but saw nothing. Taking the agent officer''s words as truth that the boss is the only monster here, I walked inside to confront him directly. However, it wasn''t possible for a few minutes as I went further into the cave. It was getting darker, and the surroundings were becoming gloomier and colder as time went by. I even found some sword marks on the cave walls, which looked quite old. It seemed like some enraged person or maybe the boss himself had made them in anger someday. As I left the area and moved inside, I finally saw a little light in front of me. I thought it was an open area inside the cave and rushed toward it, but what came in front of me was something much different. When I entered the area where light was illuminating, I found the source not to be sunlight but mana crystal-like stones illuminating the whole area inside the cave. As I walked in and moved forward in search of the boss, I found the being I might have been searching for. A skeleton wearing the armor of a knight was sitting while leaning against the wall. A rather large sword, but not a broad one, was standing beside him. It appeared to be a long sword. With a pile of bones beside his few meters away, maybe it was off a monster or creature with him, or he hunted before. As I approached him, I noticed a twitching sensation on the skeleton''s body. I had already been informed about the boss and wouldn''t fall for its tricks. "Oii, come on, get up already. I know it''s you, the only living bei... oh, sorry, the one residing here." As I spoke, the vibrations in the dead body increased until a deep yellow flame ignited in the skeleton''s eye. He started standing up from the ground and grabbed his sword, which was plunged into the ground beside him. He stood completely straight and pulled his sword from the ground, facing me. The name and level appeared on my system for the first time in my life, perhaps due to the unique dungeon effect. {The Vengeful Spirit of the Stormblade Skeleton Knight (Lv.27) is emerging to eliminate the intruder.} ''Oh boy, looks like my death is confirmed today,'' I thought as I noticed the boss launching toward me at high speed. "Bro, at least we should have talked first," I said to him, but no one was going to answer me anyway. I didn''t even try to block or parry his attack, knowing that without testing the waters, there was no way to do it. I moved away and found that my agility was just slightly behind the boss''s. I knew how to solve it. I was getting joyful that I could actually defeat this boss when my joy turned into extreme shock. When the attack landed on the ground, a huge slash mark appeared making me realize that this boss was really focused on attack power. Maybe there were other aspects he specialized in as well. "Taste this to show me your aspect, you big slicer," I said as I used my skill to test his defense. If it was low, then he was surely dead for now. [Aracne Bolt] {-15 MP}, I used my mage class skill for the first time to test the waters, as a bolt made of mana formed and conjured into a mass of blue matter. It shot straight toward the boss, who looked at it approaching but did not dodge or try to deflect it, as if he didn''t care. My excitement turned into a total nightmare as my experiment took not even 1/100th of the HP displayed on the boss''s health bar. The armor adorning the boss''s body didn''t even flinch a little. I finally understood what type of build this boss had: Strength, Health, and Endurance. It was a total knight class with properties of wind and storm elements, which may be hard but still not impossible to defeat after I played my trump card. I my trusted skill, which could turn my chance of winning into success, but maybe it was my biggest mistake ever. And the reason for that was because.... -< To be continued >- Chapter 107: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [4] ___ [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, Dungeon of the Test. I used my trusted skill to waste some time of the boss to assign my unassigned points, which became the greatest mistake ever. [Undead Summon] {-64 MP} As the two skeletons appeared before me to stall some time with the boss, instead of attacking the summons, the boss stopped in its movement and started glaring at the two-summons standing before him. Taking this opportunity, thinking that maybe the was deciding which to attack, I pulled out my status screen to the points. I about to use them on AGL and INT to increase my mana bar and also increase the attack power of my spell skills. But what happened made my hands stop at the moment when I was about to distribute them. A huge amount of mana was released from the Skeleton who was now shouting at the top of his lungs. "Rahhhhhhhhhhhhh~~~~~. You vile creature of death, I will end you and your filthy master." the Skeleton said. I was shocked as because the power emanating from him was not of a low-level Tier 0 being but of a Mid-tier. And the indications were true. The new notification shown in front of me made my feet shake a little as the skeleton was getting stronger. [Detected the Boss Stormblade Skeleton Knight is enraged due to some unknown. The power of the Boss unit is being raised. Lv.27 --> Lv.29] [Host is recommended to run; the boss is out of your reach now.] At that moment, I knew I f*ck*d up. My hands didn''t falter, and I distributed the points a way to save my life, which was easy to understand. __ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 510 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 2.55/minute = 51*.05) Mana Points (MP): 500 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 2.50/minute = 50*.05) Strength (STR): 56 Agility (AGL): 81 (30^) Vitality (VIT): 51 Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Intelligence (INT): 50 Endurance (END): 41 Stamina (STA): 52 Unassigned Stats: 00 (-30) Attack Power: 164+20 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 75 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5] Defense: 93+20 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ As the assignment concluded, I could feel my body becoming lighter and my leg muscles gaining strength as my speed increased due to the significant amount of stats assigned to my agility. "I swear that I will plunder all of the stats you hold dear for this work of mine. I swear on my stats," shouted glaring at him as he stood there looking at with murderous hatred. "Oh, you vile creatures of death, and your corrupted master, are doomed to fall under my hands right now." The hazy voice of the skeleton echoed as I struggled to understand how a low-level Tier 0 monster could speak like that. "Oi, but aren''t you also a skeleton?" I said, pointing my sword at him for calling my summon a vile creature. I would show him his place for sure. "Now, oh deceased steed of mine, rise from the to serve me again and slay those who tried to kill our," he said, looking at the bones of a monster lying on the ground a short distance away. "Oi, am I not talking you, or do you think yourself too high to talk some random bones but not me?" Just as I said that, before I could shout at him more, the bones on the ground began shaking and magically started assembling into something. Only after the full assembly did I realize what it was. A horse steed, with a green flash of light in its eyes and a loud roar, emerged without a vocal organ. Shadows climbed its legs, covering it entirely before it was ripped apart, revealing a dark layer of skin on its bones in various places and even hairs on its back. The saddle was black as the horse read to serve its master and rushed toward him with such speed that it became a blur. "Oh no, this horse will become his advantage in mobility. I can''t let this happen," I said, realizing that if they joined forces, I would be doomed. [Bone Fang Strike] {-11 MP} "I won''t this happen," I declared as I shot the fang of bone towards it. Just as it was about to hit him, the skeleton''s sword intercepted destroying my attack in the process. Now, the horse and its master were together, ready to worsen situation. A new notification appeared before me. [The stead of the boss is being summoned with the skill of the boss, Zephoros, the Phantom Gale is taking steps onto the dungeon.] [Zephoros, the Phantom Gale (Lv.19). HP (100%/100%)] The boss was now completely overpowering me in every way. "It looks like my death is approaching," I said preparing to face the boss, which seemed an impossible feat without some miracle. "Behold the power of our companionship," the boss shouted as he rushed towards Evan. The sword was coming straight towards my head, about to slice through when... -- To be continued -- Chapter 108: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [5] ___ [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, Test Dungeon. The boss was coming straight towards my head, and I barely managed to dodge it. However, what happened next was something I couldn''t sense. A slash of wind cut through my cheek like a blade. {-14 HP} "Argh." I held my cheek where the cut appeared. As the notification appeared, it made my eye twitch as it showed this event as well. "What is this sh*t?" I said as the system even provided the reason behind it. [System has detected the boss using two passive skills: <Vortex Retribution>, <Blade of the Tempest>] "Yes, rub some salt on my wounds. It will work better," I shouted at screen, which didn''t reply and just shut off by itself. But the least good thing now was that the mobility of the horse was reduced due to the limited area, making it difficult for the boss to catch and kill me. If he had met me in an open area, I would have been dead for sure. "Okay, go my loyal subordinates and create problems for his stead to rush towards me," I commanded my two skeletons, who were standing beside me like spectators. With my command, the two boneheads started moving toward the boss, who was directing his horse''s head towards me to rush again. To my surprise, the speed of my skeletons were also affected by the stats assignment, which began with of my stats. Their speed was high enough to reach the boss and start attacking the horse''s body, causing it to lose some control and move recklessly. But sadly, it wasn''t enough to knock the boss off the horse. Before they could inflict more damage on the horse, the boss, he slashed his sword, finishing both of my summons. However, it was enough to use my skills. [Shadow Bolt] [Bone Fang Strike] {-32 MP} Two skills were used one after another, with the fang moving ahead and the bolt behind it, but both targets were different. The fang, which was supposed to hit the boss, was easily defended with his sword, but the real attack was behind it and was carefully planned by me. The shadow bolt was a shadow element spell skill that could be ignored if not focused on clearly in darkness here. The boss, who was clearly focusing on the fang, didn''t notice it. But the bolt wasn''t directed toward the Skeleton knight; it was aimed at his steed. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. As it directly hit the head of the Skeleton horse, the impact was strong enough to bring the horse down to the ground. The boss was now on the ground, shocked by what had happened. "You cheap, dirty trickster! How dare you harm my companion in front of me? Today, I will show you the true terror of a Storm knight of the La###en House," he said as he stood up. Much to my surprise, he didn''t even move and slashed his blade toward me from many meters away. A slash made of wind emerged from the attack and launched toward me. Before I could move away, the blade was already in front of me. I barely had the chance to dodge or evade the attack and hurriedly bent down on the ground as the wind blade passed above. As I was thanking my instincts for dodging this powerful attack, something happened, and a cut appeared on my shoulder. Blood squirted from the wound as I clutched my shoulder in pain, but I didn''t fall as before. The memories of my past life were still merging with me, and the pain and suffering I had received back then were much worse than this injury. {-57 HP} ''What is this humanoid boss, class? This is too much power for a Tier 0 guy... wait, is he a higher-level being pretending to be low-level? No, if that were the case, I should have died,'' I thought as the voice of the boss fell into my ears. "Oi, devil worshiper, how do you like my gift just now? Is it to your liking? Don''t worry, I''ll personally put another mark straight onto your chest, and you won''t need another one," he said in his hazy voice. Even though the horse was now looking better, the skin above its face was severely damaged by my attack. Yet, he stood up, ready for battle with his rider. The rider jumped onto the horse''s back, preparing for the final rush to finish off the intruder whom he believed could be easily defeated now. I could see the boss''s and horse''s HP. The boss''s HP was mostly full, with just a minor drop, while the horse''s health was critically low, holding on with just twenty to thirty percent. "Aren''t you underestimating me too much?" I said to him, but the boss didn''t reply, either unwilling or unable to. As he started rushing toward me to finish the matter, I wasn''t scared at all. My grip on my weapon was tight, and just as he was about to reach the required range, I used my skills to address one of the problems I was facing. [Shadow Leap] [Power Strike] {-40 MP} I disappeared from my place as the boss tried to pinpoint me, but it was too late. I was already in front of his steed. My sword skill slashed straight through the horse''s body, even damaging the boss''s armor slightly. Just before I could further cut or damage him, he left his place and fell sideways to save himself. But the horse was unfortunate and got cut in half from the middle, falling onto the ground. As I just cleared my half problem here, even the wound had stopped bleeding now, but the stinging pain and difficulty in moving the arm were still there as I didn''t have the privilege to stop here. "RRRRAAAAAhhhhhhhh~~~~~" The sound of screaming occurred as the boss looked at his horse with pain in his eyes, perhaps after losing his companion. "You dirty worshippers, first you killed my lord and now you even take away my steed for the second time. I won''t let any of you live easily, I swear to kill every single one of you with my own hands," it shouted, leaving the horse''s skeleton corpse aside and rushing towards me to attack. Now it was acting like a berserk boss, attacking restlessly without any precise decision. But I wasn''t going to get caught in these attacks as my speed was high enough to easily dodge his attacks and even counterattack in such a state. But the real pain starts now. The pain of slow HP reduction, which will take half of my time here, I am sure of it. And it began with my attack on the frenzied boss.... -- To be continued -- Chapter 109: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [6] [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, Test Dungeon. As the final battle between the boss and me commenced, the boss, now in rage mode, charged forward with his longsword, intent on ending me with intense fury. "YOU SHALL PAY THE DEBT WITH YOUR BLOOD, YOU VILE WORSHIPPER," he shouted as he swung his blade toward my neck. The wind rose from his blade once again, but I was prepared for the attack. Taking the lead, I pushed ahead and stopped him from swinging his blade. "YOU..." he shouted as he smashed his hand toward, trying to knock me down. used my skill to move away. [Shadow Leap] {-25 MP} I vanished from my position, leaving the skeleton baffled as he tried to locate me. Before he could notice anything, a blade shined behind his back and a flame erupted from nowhere. My flame enchantment on the blade was successful. It struck him on the back of his skull, producing a shattering sound and breaking a few bones in the area, yet having no visible effect on his HP or body movement. As the flames depleted, I heard the boss''s growl from ahead, indicating his growing anger. "Using these lowly tricks won''t change anything, you fool," he shouted. Before he could move behind and attack me, I threw a punch straight at his back. Although it did not crack or dent his armor, his bones crackled slightly inside him. My eyes fell on the boss''s HP to see if I could use this opportunity to attack. To my shock, the boss''s HP was reduced by 3~4%, as I could feel and see the difference in the bar. "Maybe it can work here," I said as I put my sword back into the inventory and to test my theory. "It seems that the saying ''history repeats itself'' is true. Once, the person I admire and am inspired by used his hands to defeat the enemy puppet knight to complete his class selection dungeon. Now, I find myself walking the same path of a legend who went down in history and remains in the hearts of many." I said, ready to face my battle with a flame igniting within me, determined to win and dedicate this victory to the great Mo###ch. I rushed toward my enemy, who was poised to swing his blade and tear me apart. However, I wasn''t going to give him that chance and closed the distance where he couldn''t swing his blade effectively. "This battle looks like it will be less tiring now," I said after landing a punch on his stomach, depleting a small portion of his health bar. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. As our fight progressed, the advantage shifted in my favor. The boss was consumed by rage, and my fighting style improved over time. I realized that close combat was more effective than rushing to fight him, a realization confirmed by a notification. __ Weapon Proficiency (Passive) (Lv. 2) Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 76% Description: A passive skill that increases the user''s effectiveness with all weapons, providing enhanced accuracy, damage, and speed based on the weapon type currently equipped. Effect: Accuracy Boost: Increases hit chance by 7% with all weapon types. Damage Boost: Increases weapon damage by 12%. Attack Speed Boost: Increases attack speed by 7%. Weapon Proficiency: One-Handed sword: D (41%) Hand to Hand Combat: E (08%) __ My weapon proficiency skill enhanced my hand-to-hand combat abilities, increasing my proficiency in it. I launched a solid punch straight onto the boss''s chin, sending him flying backward. "You~~~ I won''t let you win again. I can''t let the evil being who killed my lord and comrades get away. Rahhhhhh~~~~." He shouted and raised his sword in the air. "EVEN IF I DIE HERE AGAIN, I WILL AT LEAST TAKE YOU WITH ME." He shouted, and I felt immense danger from his words. If I didn''t dodge or stop it, I would be dead. "<Tempest Severance>" His skill was ready, with a terrifying wind element energy residing in his blade, ready to destroy his enemies. He then swung his blade toward, and a large blade of wind was ready to cut me into two pieces or even thrash me. My brain was working at top speed to think of a way out, and I recalled all of my tricks. "Yes, it can work." I said to myself and started running toward the boss, who looked at me and said, "It looks like you feel there is no chance of winning, so you choose suicide to save some shame while trying to stop me, huh? But I will gladly give you this shameful death." He shouted as he launched the blade hovering above him, which rushed straight toward me. I didn''t blink my eyes and was just a few centimeters away from the attack when I was swallowed up into dust particles, making it look like I was erased by the attack. The wind energy didn''t stop and hit the wall in front of it, dissipating into the surroundings. The boss looked around to find something, but nothing was seen, not even my remains, as if I had disappeared from existence. I had vanished from the area outside the dungeon some minutes ago after my battle with the boss had started raging. The two members of the CGA who were observing the dungeon felt something as the machine in the hands of the officer showed some irregular signs. "Sir, look, there is a problem with the machine," he said to his superior, who rushed to his side and checked the machine to find that the mana radiation from the dungeon was overflowing. "Sh*t, maybe that kid''s luck is really bad to get into an accident during several test examinations. Now, whatever happens can only be decided by fate," he said. Before he could do or say anything, a voice appeared from behind him. "What will be decided by fate, Mr. Field Agent?" someone said. When both officers looked behind, they were shocked from head to toe, as the person standing before them was not some normal person but... -- To be continued -- Chapter 110: Test of Courage: The Cave of The Cursed Warrior. [7/last] [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, Test Dungeon. "What will be decided by fate, Mr. Field Agent?" someone said. When both officers looked behind, they were shocked from head to toe, as the person standing before them was not an ordinary person but the branch manager herself. "Miss Lilia, what are you doing here? Aren''t you about to go to the main branch for a meeting today?" the field agent asked her as she nodded and started heading toward the gate. "No, I am going, but I came here for a bit to see if the young hunter who decided to face the boss alone is going to pass the test or not. Even if he is a <D>-rank Necromancer who thinks that his summons can raid the dungeon alone, I wish to see if he can do it or if his arrogance got the batter out of him," Lilia said as she approached the junior officer who was holding the machine checking the mana radiation emitting from the dungeon. "Oh, it looks like the same accident that happened last time is repeating again, huh. Well, good. If he survives, then I am sure he can still be a hunter with his class, but his potential will be lower if he gets his limbs severed like that guy. But if he clears it, then I am sure that a new rising star is going to be born here, and I don''t think anyone else will be able to compare to him unless he is a genius or someone greater, a monster," she said as the field agent, who heard it, looked toward the dungeon and was also eager to see the result. __ While in the dungeon, we could see that the Boss was standing inside the cave built within the mountain. "Hah... Hahh, it looks like he perished, huh. One less evil in the world, but I can''t stay here any longer or my body will become corrupted and turn into a puppet for those beings," the Boss said to himself, feeling his bones cracking little by little and relieved not to become a puppet for the evil beings to whom he had lost everything. "Oi, where are you going, you ba*ta*d?" A voice came from behind, and the widened sockets of the skeletons, where the flames were emitting, flickered in shock. "Do you think I died in there? Hell no, I won''t die from this puny attack, much less from your lousy hands. I am going to complete the mission." The shout came from behind the Boss, who looked back to find a person he remembered as the one he had been fighting and thought had died in his last attack. I was the one standing there with a slight slash mark on my chestplate, which had reduced its durability. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. "HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? WHY DON''T YOU JUST DIE? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IS LIKE THIS. EVEN IF I KILL YOU, YOU ALL COME BACK TO FIGHT ME. BUT NOT ANYMORE." He shouted as he rushed to kill me again, but something stuck inside me as I felt what it was. With a smile, I bent down slightly and started observing every movement the skeleton knight made while approaching me. As he got near, I seized the opportunity and, with a powerful impact, my punch landed on his chest before he could slash his sword. He fell back a few distances from the impact. Without taking a rest, I seized the opportunity to rush toward him to prevent him from stabilizing. His sword had fallen away as he was trying to get up, but I didn''t stop and kicked him to make him fall to the ground again. I used both of my legs to restrict his hand movements and started punching him repeatedly in the face. The repeated actions began causing his skull to break as the boss''s HP started declining rapidly. "NO, I CAN''T FALL HERE. NOT FROM SOMEONE LIKE YO...." Before he could say more, I stopped his mouth from moving again. "Oiii, stop your blabbering for a moment. I don''t know who you''re talking about. I am not an evil being, nor am I worshipper, worshipping a god, hell nah. I believe in myself, and I don''t know what happened to you, but to clear this dungeon, I have to defeat you." I said as I removed my leg to let him speak again. "YOU, ARE YOU SPEAKING THE TR-TRUTH? YOU''RE NOT A MEMBER OF THOSE VILE BEINGS?" He replied to me for the first time. "Yes, and even the skeletons which I summoned are not victims of some cult but my own summons, which I created with my skills." I said as the light in his eyes flickered again, and he told me something that I didn''t expect a boss to say. "Then, please end me right now, or I will lose my mind and become a monster like those things you control. And please don''t use my corpse. I don''t wish to be awake anymore. My will to live and serve under another master is gone." He said, and although I didn''t fully understand his words, I nodded and took out my blade. With a precise attack, I sliced through his skull bones, finishing the boss. The flames inside his skull dimmed, and I fell down on my butt to take a breath of relief. "Hush~~~, I thought I was gone today." "But the way this fight started and escalated into a thug-style battle, then ended with a snap after the boss realized his fault, was too much. It was like a coaster, but the distance of travel was shorter, and the ups and downs were too intense," I on my fight to myself, as it was the truth if someone asked me. "Kid, aren''t you thinking too much right now?" A voice came from behind me, causing me to flinch a little. I recognized the voice as one I couldn''t forget for some time, even after I got out of this dungeon later on. As I looked behind me, my eyes were ready to pop out of my head. I shouted after coming out of my daze, "What the heeeelll~~~~~~~." -- To be continued -- What happened for Evan to shout like this and who was it that spoke to him in such a way in a lone dungeon where he was the only one standing there? And is the one who talked to him a friend or enemy? Want to know more? Then come join me by becoming a member of my novel. Add it to your library whatever it is and get the latest chapter. Chapter 111: The Fallen Knights Soul & Broken ring of Loyalty. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, Test Dungeon. "Kid, aren''t you thinking too much right now?" A voice came from behind me, causing me to flinch a little. I recognized the voice immediately, as it was someone I couldn''t forget even after leaving this dungeon. As I turned around, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. I shouted after coming out of my daze, "What the heeeelll~~~~~~~." Standing in front of me was someone who looked similar to the boss, resembling a human. His armor and sword were identical to those of the fallen boss whose body lay on the ground. I grabbed my sword, which was lying beside me, and prepared for the battle that had not yet started. "Wow, wow~~! Kid, lower that blade. I''m not here to fight but to talk with you. If I wanted to kill you, I could have done so like this!" He raised his sword, and I could feel the wind element energy rising from it, increasing to the point where even a single bit of it could kill me. He moved his sword, and a slash made of wind headed toward the mountain above us. In next second, the entire area above us was gone, with not a bit of debris left after the impact, which nearly pulled my eyeballs from their sockets. I knew I couldn''t fight him, let alone defeat him. I tried to stall for time, waiting for the dungeon notification of completion to appear, but nothing came. Then told me, "Kid, I think you''re waiting for the announcement of the dungeon raid success, but waste time on it. It won''t appear until I wish it to be." For the first time, I saw his whole body, which was shocking. In the darkness of the mountain cave, I hadn''t been able to see him clearly, but after the roof was removed, I saw that the standing in front of me was not the same but a transparent human, possibly the soul of the boss I had just destroyed. The skeleton''s body still lay there, motionless. "Listen, kid, I won''t be harming you, so just carefully listen to my story," he said, but I tried not to give him any reply, showing that I wasn''t able to see him. "Maybe I really have to kill you, huh," he said as he raised his sword, which was also transparent like him, showing that his sword was a mere image of his soul. "Wait, I am listening, don''t attack me," I said, as I didn''t want to get erased like the mountain. "Then, it''s good. As I was saying, I won''t be harming you because I can''t, as I am now a soul. I am here for the final time to tell you something and even give away a little sorry gift for what I did to you back then in fight," he said. I didn''t focus much on the first part, but the mention of a gift made my mood good. "What gift? Give it to me quickly," I said, as the soul of the knight just nodded and told me. "Yes, I will give you a gift, but please, can you promise to help me with something first? I think you can gain more advantage by helping me," he said, as my interest was piqued when I heard that I could benefit from helping him. "Advantages? Tell me quickly what I can help you with," I said, as the knight nodded and began telling me his story. "So, as you may know, I am a knight who once served a lord who was the Baron of the Empire. I served him for twelve years and was once a loyal member of their family until everything fell apart..." He was silent for a few minutes, seemingly thinking about the incident, then snapped out of it and continued. "Yes, I was saying that everything fell apart when one day our lord and his family were attacked by an evil god worshipper who claimed to be the successor of the god''s power while they were returning from the viscount''s mansion. His power was so immense that our guards were no match for him, and one by one, we all fell. I was the sole survivor, defending my lord when that person used his art to raise my fallen comrades as his puppets. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. They lost their minds and began attacking our lord''s family, resulting in the fall of our lord''s mistress and son. Our lord and I were fending the remaining puppets and fighting the evil when he used the lord''s daughter to force him to surrender, as we had to save her. The true horror began when he killed my lord before my eyes and raised him as well. He then revealed to me, the final survivor, that he sought our lord''s daughter, who had a special constitution that could grant him immense favor from the god and increase his power. Left alone at the site of the tragedy, I vowed to find the worshippers and save the lord''s daughter. For three weeks, I traveled the Empire with no clues until I heard news of a ritual taking place at our lord''s fallen barony. I rushed back to find that the fiend was using our lord''s mansion to complete the ritual and gain strength to take over the empire. I tried to stop it, fighting desperately with my trusted horse, but I failed and lost all hope when the evil creature ripped the girl''s chest and offered it to his god, who granted him the power he sought. He became so powerful that I had to flee. Though we both managed to escape, his cursed power remained within us, ultimately leading to our demise.The evil being sent many puppets to kill me, but I was fortunate enough to evade them all. During one such chase, I suffered massive injuries, causing me to hide in this forest cave where I eventually died and became trapped for an unknown number of years." As he finally finished his story, expecting my reaction to be full of sympathy and sadness, he was met with a straight face. "What are you thinking, kid? Isn''t my story heart-breaking?" he said, wiping away some fake tears. "Well, what happened to you was certainly bad, but what can I do to help you? I am a weak tier 0 being while you were much more powerful and still failed. Besides, I am not even from your world, as there doesn''t seem to be an empire here. I won''t fight for you against that person without a proper reason," I said, as it was true for me; I couldn''t just fight someone stronger than myself for no reason. "But I can give you treasure and many other things," he stammered. "But how? I don''t think you have such things here, and there is no way to leave this dungeon area as the system has made the boundaries clear," I replied, doubting whether he could give me anything at all, as I am not some random protagonist who helps others without a reason. "B-B-But..." the knight said in a low, barely audible voice. "What?" I asked, unable to hear him clearly. "Then I won''t let you leave this dungeon ever," he shouted like moody child, standing still. "Huh, what do you mean I can''t exit without your permission?" I asked as the ghost or soul nodded. "Then I can''t leave, huh? But why? I already said I definitely can''t help you. Can''t you find someone else to help you? And yes, I have someone who will help without any reason and even won''t ask for anything in return." "No, I won''t. I know that this is my final moment after which this area will collapse into nothingness and cease to exist as you''ve completed the final requirement to finish it. My presence here in the soul state is the reason for this." "So, I don''t have a choice, huh?" I said after a few minutes of thinking, as he nodded with a childlike smile. "Hahh~~! Okay, fine, I will help you, but listen, I won''t go anywhere to find that person. Give me something to let me find him if he is near me or something." I said, knowing that arguing with him was pointless after seeing his childlike mood. "Oh, don''t worry. Along with the gifts, I was also going to give you the item which can let you teleport to the place where that vile creature is living. Don''t worry, it will only be used when you have the necessary strength to kill him, which means reaching my strength or a little higher." He said as he sent something toward me that appeared to be a ring, though it was too old to recognize. __ [Name: The Broken Ring of Loyalty Type: N/A Grade: N/A Requirement: Tier 2 (Low) Attributes: +15% Wind element damage, {Several other features are cancelled due to the damage on the ring.} Description: The ring of loyalty belonging to a fallen knight who used his remaining soul to locate his worst enemy with the aid of his cursed energy. It can be used when the holder, Evan, reaches the required power. This is a non-tradable and cannot be held by another being otherwise, it will be destroyed into pieces.] __ I saw the item, and after contemplating for a moment, I nodded, held it, and placed it inside my inventory to use when the time comes. "Okay, so now I agree to help you. Give me my gift and let me get out of here," I said as the soul of the boss nodded and extended his hand, which was flickering slightly as if fading away. I didn''t fully understand, but I stretched out my hand to shake his. When our hands touched, a strange shock entered my body, causing me to shudder as notifications began appearing, leaving me stunned. "I hope you like my little gift, and please avenge me, oh warrior who defeated my ego form", he said as he vanished into the air, indicating that he was gone for good. "I will. I won''t let your soul''s sacrifice go to waste," I said as I looked ahead where he had stood and began walking toward the boss''s body to take my loot and start my tasks, which would give me double benefits. As I am kind or the King of greedy people. -- To be continued -- Chapter 112: The Last Gift, Massive Upgrade & New Skill. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, Test Dungeon. "I will not let your sacrifice be vain I will even use your body to become strong, defeat your enemy, and bring you peace," I said a big smile. (^ U ^) As I was about use my on the boss''s body, a notification from the dungeon appeared before my eyes. [You have defeated the Boss unit, Stormblade Skeleton Knight. You have met all the requirements to clear dungeon.] [You have defeated a Lv.29 Stormblade Skeleton Knight. You have gained 8,530 EXP. (+400% for higher-level monster.)] [9,505/1,000 EXP] [You have leveled up to Lv.20 (6^)] [720/2,200 EXP] [You have gained 60 unassigned points.] [<You have gained 128 EEP. T.P: 1244 EEP.>] [Ding! It has been detected that the host has some power coursing through his body. A skill is being forcibly awakened within your body, Phantom Bond ¨C Zephoros.] __ <<<SKILLS>>> Skill: Phantom Bond ¨C Zephoros (Tier 0, Lv. 10) ---> Type: Passive/Active Mana Cost: N/A (Passive) / 50 MP (Active) Cooldown: 30 seconds Proficiency: 0% Description -> Binds the undead wind-elemental steed, Zephoros, the Phantom Gale, to the user as a loyal mount. Zephoros'' strength grows alongside its master, never falling behind by more than 10 levels. Effects -> Passive: - Level Synchronization: Zephoros'' level is always below 10 levels of the master. Wind Affinity: +10% movement speed when mounted. Spectral Resilience: 12% resistance to physical damage. Active: - Phantom Dash (30s Cooldown): Zephoros becomes intangible for 1 seconds, allowing it and the rider to phase through attacks and terrain while gaining +50% movement speed. Stats (Lv. 10) --> Health: 80% of the caster''s max health. Speed: 150% of the caster''s speed. Defense: 70% of the caster''s defense. Growth Potential -> Gains new abilities and enhancements as the user levels up. Can evolve into a higher undead form with stronger abilities. __ [You''ve cleared the dungeon; it will collapse after thirty minutes when the portal appears.] I examined the skill and was pleased to find something comparable to what protagonists acquire on their journeys. "I may have received the opportunity of Lucas by chance, but I am not afraid, as my opponent is not a regressor like me," I said. Without further consideration, I walked toward the boss''s body lying in front of me. "Hmmm, maybe I can get those items," I said as I tried to pull out the armor and sword lying on the ground with the body. And start removing them one by one. after few minutes later. "Well, I think they are indeed good items, but not my type," I said as I looked at the description of the set. __ <<<Set Name: Zephyrwind Guardian Set (Tier 0, Erith Rank)>>> ---> A once-proud Tier 1, Vireth Rank armor set and sword, now degraded over time, yet still retaining a fraction of its former power. Forged with enchanted steel and imbued with lingering wind essence, this set enhances agility and speed while offering decent protection. ----> Armor: Zephyrwind Steel Plate (Tier 0, Erith Rank) --> Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Type: Full-body Heavy Armor Durability: 900/900 Weight: Moderate Defense: 65 Wind Affinity: Low Description -> A steel-plated armor set forged with wind-aligned runes. Though it has degraded from its original Vireth Rank, it still grants the wearer enhanced agility uncommon in heavy armor. The lingering wind essence reduces weight while offering decent protection. Effects -> Gale Step: Reduces armor weight impact, increasing movement speed by 10%. Windflow Guard: Incoming projectile attacks are slightly redirected, reducing ranged damage by 5%. Aerodynamic Defense: Wind energy reinforces the armor, increasing agility and evasion slightly. __ Weapon: Stormrend (Tier 0, Erith Rank) --> Type: One-Handed Sword Durability: 750/750 Weight: Light Attack Power: 85 Wind Affinity: Moderate Description -> A finely crafted steel sword that once resonated with storm energy but has since weakened. Though no longer at its peak, it still retains its wind-aligned properties, allowing for swift and precise strikes. Effects -> Wind Edge: Increases attack speed by 10%. Gust Slash: Normal slashes generate slight wind pressure, extending attack reach slightly. Whispering Blade: The sword hums with the wind, making it easier to control in combat. __ The appearance and power were really overwhelming, and it could become my partner for a few months, but that''s it. I am not a wind element fighter, and I am not a fan of full armor. Although it is protective, I cannot fight well in these types of suits. "Well, I can sell these things in CGA, maybe. So let me get the stats, yoy," I said as I raised my hand to use my talent and said, "Plunder." Just second later, the energy from inside me came out of my body and started covering the boss''s corpse like a shell. As the covering was done, I could see that energy seeping through its gaps and entering its body to do its work. [<Detected 1~Lv.29 Stormblade Skeleton Knight {Boss unit}> <Wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store> <Host has chosen to plunder. Plundering is in progress.> <No Talent, Abilities or Bloodline detected. Skills and Body Stats have been identified.> <You gained +16 STR, +7 AGL, +10 VIT, +18 INT, +21 END, +0 STA, you''ve gained skill: Blade of the Tempest (Passive)>.] "Huh, what the hell is this massive upgrade? Does this mean I can get the skill of the being randomly, or are there some set effects? And where are my stamina stats?" I said as I could feel myself getting stronger after the stats were added to my stats screen. But later, I realized that being undead means that there are no stamina stats in his body. I even saw the description of my skill without taking much time, as passives are much more helpful in battle. As even some of my skills also upgraded in the battle I just fought, which helped me win this match more easily. __ <<<SKILLS>>> Skill: Blade of the Tempest (Lv. 1) --> Type: Passive Tier: 0 Proficiency: 0% Description -> Each melee attack carries the force of the wind, granting a chance to release a cutting wind blade that slashes enemies from a distance. The wind blade moves swiftly, dealing additional damage. Effects -> Activation Chance: 5% per melee attack. Wind Blade Range: 3 meters. Wind Blade Damage: 30% of weapon''s base attack power. ________________ Skill: Necrotic Aura (Lv. 2) --> Type: Passive Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 4% Description -> Your presence radiates a growing aura of death, further empowering undead allies and slightly draining the vitality of living beings within range. Effects -> Undead Empowerment: Increases the attack and defense of undead under your control by 6%. Living Debilitation: Living creatures within a 5.5-meter radius experience a minor reduction in stamina recovery (-3%). __________________ Skill: Magical Focus (Lv. 2) --> Type: Passive Skill Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 1% Description -> Your refined concentration enhances spellcasting further, increasing accuracy and reducing casting time. Effects -> Spell Precision: +6% accuracy with all spells. ____________ Skill: Basic Battle Instinct (Lv. 2) --> Type: Passive Skill Cooldown: N/A Mana Cost: N/A Proficiency: 9% Description -> Your combat awareness sharpens, further enhancing your reaction speed and ability to anticipate enemy movements. Effects -> Reaction Speed: +6% increased reaction speed to attacks. Threat Awareness: +6% chance to avoid basic attacks. __ I was pleased to see my skills improving over time, as they would be essential in the future. With the portal ready for me to return and receive my test results, which might surprise some people, I prepared to depart. "Well, let''s set off, and thank you for everything, sir," I said, bowing slightly to show respect to the grave I had made for the boss knight, inscribed with the words "THE GRAVE OF A LOYAL KNIGHT". Afterward, I stepped into the portal leading outside, leaving the knight''s soul to rest in peace until I could vanquish his enemies. -- To be continued -- Chapter 113: Dungeon Collapse. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country. In front of the dungeon where Evan was raiding, three stood in front of it. First was Lilia, who appeared calm but was inwardly panicking in due to the tension of whether the kid would come out safe or not. Second was the Junior Officer, who was constantly monitoring the mana-emitting machine. Third was the Field Agent, drenched in sweat, as he was the one who suggested this test to the kid, thinking he might be able to clear. He felt a chill down his spine as Lilia stared daggers at him. "Ma''am, the mana readings are returning to normal," the junior officer said, prompting both the agent and Lilia to quickly move in front of the portal to see if they could spot the kid''s shadow or any image. But nothing emerged, which meant that either the kid was dead, or he was taking some time to walk out. "Agent if that kid got killed in there, I will make you end up in jail," said, as the agent swallowed, his eyes fixed on the as if trying to see through it. Even after a few minutes, no one emerged, and the tension increased as everyone began to think that he might be dead. Then the portal fluctuated a little, and someone''s visage could be seen through it. Evan, which means me, walked out of the dungeon, carrying the sword of the boss Knight on my shoulder. The first one to be delighted was the Agent, who was happy not to get jailed by the manager. Lilia was happy a good hunter had not died in the dungeon where the accident was supposed to have occurred. "Kid, thank you for coming out," the field manager rushed at him and gave him a big hug with an almost crying face. "Huh, what the hell is here? And what are you doing? Get off me, I don''t have that kind of kink." "No, even I am not into that stuff," he said as he backed away, denying it. "Okay, sir, even if you have this kind of kink, we aren''t demoting you," the junior officer said as he put his hand on his shoulder. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "Shut up and go handle your desk, as you have to do ten dungeon raids with me for this punishment," the Agent shouted as the officer ran away in fear. Lilia giggled a little as she looked at me, who was also laughing a bit while seeing the comedy unfold in front of me. "So, Evan, I think your name is right. My name is Lilia, as you may know, and I wanted to ask what happened inside the dungeon and how much the level of the dungeon boss was for the investi...." Before she could finish, the dungeon behind me started shaking. Before I could react, I was behind the pillar in the room. Lilia was holding me in her embrace while looking at the dungeon, which was shaking and increasing little by little. After reaching a certain range, it started cracking and blasted into nothingness, releasing a huge amount of mana that raged toward both of us. Lilia raised her hands and activated her skill, forming a shield in front of us. The underground area was shaking due to the explosion of the dungeon, and sirens started ringing as hunters and officials rushed about. While I was so shocked I didn''t know what had happened. After a few minutes, Lilia dropped the shield and taking deep breaths, as if her strength had been greatly drained in protecting us from the mana radiating from the blast. If I had been alone, I would have surely been burned to a crisp. "Thank you, ma''am, for the help," I said. Before she could reply, several officers and hunters burst into the room and found us standing where the dungeon gate had been, now replaced by a crater with a ten-meter area around it corroding if high-grade poison had been used. "Manager, are you alright?" Darian asked as he entered, seeing her gasping for breath as if she had fought someone strong. "What happened here? Was there a monster or hunter who attacked?" he asked, looking around and finding me standing beside her, offering her water from my bottle, which she accepted and began drinking. "Kid, who are you, and why are you in the underground area where only Tier 1 hunters are allowed?" he asked. Before I could respond, Lilia stopped me, handed me the empty bottle, and said to them, "Ahem~~~! Listen, everybody, there was kind of malfunction in experiment which caused this explosion, so please don''t worry and go back to your work. Darian, wait for me as we have to talk with this kid for a few minutes." She said as she dispersed the crowd gathering in the room, and Darian nodded as he took one last glance at me and. "And you, Evan, right? Come explain to me everything that happened there and what just happened now. If you try to me even a single lie, you won''t see the sun of the next day, I am sure of it." She said, and like an obedient soldier, I nodded my head and started walking behind her while taking a single glance toward the crater formed behind me. ''So that''s what he meant by it being the last time he fought, huh.'' I thought as Lilia called me out to walk out of the room and I started following her for the interrogation. "So where are we going now, Ma''am?" I asked her. She, who was walking in front of me, looked back and just smiled a little, which sent chills down my spine. "Oh, don''t worry, just a simple interrogation is going to take place right now, so don''t worry follow me." "O-Okay....." -- To be continued -- What''s going to happen next? Is Evan to alright, or will his secrets revealed, showing that he has more class and talents? Chapter 114: Interrogation. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country. In a room, there was one table and three chairs, the rest of the room was empty. The walls were thick soundproof, with many runes placed around them, seemingly to prevent anything from escaping the room. Lilia sat in one of the chairs, Darian was in the second chair beside her, and I, Evan, was sitting in front of them. "So, Evan I see that you''re already Level 20, which is impressive for a kid who is a D-rank hunter. You even took the solo hunting test and got victorious without any support. It''s hard to believe that a child without financial support from parents could defeat a boss several levels higher," Lilia explained as reviewed the papers containing my details. "There is also suspicion that you hold more than one class," she added, which made me feel uneasy, though I tried not to show it as they can''t even see it as my face was covered with my mask. "Well, now that I remember, I know this boy from one of the schools I attended recently. Are you the kid who first awakened a Magic Swordsman class then a Necromancer class?" Darian asked, and I nodded, unable to lie. "Yes sir, I am the one you speak of. However, I need to clarify that I was about to awaken the Magic Swordsman class but to some issues I ended up awakening the necromancer class. I am still saddened by this," I said, and Darian nodded without further comment. "Okay, we will verify this later, but first, tell me what happened inside dungeon that collapse," Lilia directly. "Yes ma''am, I was about to. I believe I now understand the reason behind the dungeon accident," I said, partially truthful, as revealing the entire truth might force me to join the CG by agreement. "So, what happened was....." I start telling them about my raid as I tell them, when I meet the boss, who was inside the mountain cave. And molded the story as a Necromancer type build hunter who uses summon as fighter. I told them that when I encounter the boss, who after seeing my summoned skeletons got into a raged mode right from the start and his level escalated from Lv.27 to Lv.29 as I happen to have battle with a monster higher than fifteen level then to me. They were giving quite shocking expression like never seen before stuff. I told them that boss even summoned a horse skeleton who helped him and my courageous way of commanding my skeletons in such way that I first defeated the horse and then using my skeletons as obstacles did I use my magic spell skills to buzz off all the HP of the boss and finally defeated him. After which I got a skill and the two set items of the boss and I put both armor and weapon onto the table as both check the screen of them and was shocked to find the Tier 1 degraded item into Tier 0 boss weapons. "So, is there anything else, or have you told us everything?" Darian asked as I replied. "Yes, sir, there is one more thing. When the boss was defeated and about to die, he told me that he had mistaken me for an enemy and even apologized. He then upgraded my skill from a normal one to a unique one that can grow by my side as a comrade. If you wanted to buy it, I''m sorry, but it has become non-tradable, so I had to use it right." I said as I used my skills and summoned my comrade right there. [Phantom Bond ¨C Zephoros] {-50 MP} As I used my skill to summon the horse, a huge shadow began hovering beside us. A thin string connected to my shadow, from which a horse-like bone figure started to form and rising from the ground. At first, it looked like a normal undead horse until the shadow below it to creep over it, covering like a hide, the horse then acquired dark black skin, along with a saddle and a leash to it. "Okay, so that''s a growth-type summon, huh? good gain you got. But the small downfall is that stats are connected you, and I don''t think you will be able to enhance this horse''s power further... aaooh." Darian was telling me when Lilia nudged him with her hand. "Okay, Evan, it''s good that you the skill, but can why the dungeon collapse after arrival?" Lilia asked as I prepared for this. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. "Ma''am, I think that maybe the condition for the dungeon to completely disappear has been met. A notification appeared on my screen indicating that I had completed a hidden condition by defeating the boss in his rage mode, and the reward was an upgrade to my summon undead horse skill," I said, as what I stated wasn''t a blunt lie but close to the truth. "And sir, can you tell me the class of the person who was caught up in the accident back then?" I asked, as I might have a solution for this as well. "Umm... yes, the person who was caught up in the accident was a Curse Doll Mancer who controls monsters by turning them into dolls with his skill," Darian said as he flipped through some pages answered. "Oh! So that''s why how huh, the boss was angry towards the death-type class holder who uses undead summons to attack," Lilia said. I nodded, and thus the mystery was solved. "Okay, but still to verify all of this, we have to use an item. After that, you will get your Sole Wolf mark for solo hunting," he said. I nodded, and Darian brought out an orb from his inventory and it in front of us, instantly realizing what it was. The Lie-Detector orb helps to determine if a person is lying or not. "So, put your hand on the orb and answer a few questions," Lilia said. I nodded and placed my hands on the orb, feeling the mana inside me harmonizing with the orb''s mana. It uses fluctuations as a source to detect lies. "So, tell us, are you human?" Darian asked, as both Lilia and I had expressions worth seeing. (=_=) "Sorry, just checking," Darian said as Lilia sighed and asked me, "Okay, so tell me, Evan, was everything you told us true or false?" she asked. I nodded and replied, "Yes, everything I told you was true, and there was no lie in it." ''Still, some things are not something I can tell you.'' "Okay, so tell me, did you really get the skill upgrade after defeating the boss?" "Yes, I got the upgrade from the boss." ''Straight from his soul form.'' "Okay, is there any part of your plan that involved collapsing the dungeon, and are you from guild." "No ma''am, I didn''t even know that the dungeon would collapse until we faced it ourselves, and I am not a member of another guild." "Okay, so I have asked everything, and I think that you''re not guilty in this case." "Wait, Manager, I wish to ask this kid a question." Lilia nodded as Darian looked at me with suspicious eyes. "Okay kid, this will my final question. Do you have another class as a Magic Swordsman?" The room was, as no one expected his question; Lilia and I were just thinking about the dungeon collapse accident. "Umm~~! no sir, I said it before, and now I am saying it again that I don''t have any class named Magic Swordsman. If I had, I would have already been caught, as I don''t think I can get away from Miss Lilia''s appraisal." "Yes, it''s correct, as even the orb of truth confirms it. Darian, I told you that this kid doesn''t even have a second class, so why are you so eager to try to get him into the Association?" "But ma''am, I mean that..." "No, nothing more to ask. Go and finish the remaining tasks, after which we both have to attend the meeting. Aren''t you forgetting it?" Lilia said as Darian looked at me with suspicious eyes but still had to leave. "Okay, Evan, go now and meet the guy at the main desk of the building to your ID upgraded as I have already informed them. Be attentive in the dungeons, as there is saying, ''if the glance shifts, disaster will follow.''" She said as I nodded and walked out of the room towards the main desk of the branch on the ground. "Hush, maybe I was wrong back then. This kid six... No, it can''t be, as even those who two classes are rare enough to be counted on one hand. Having six classes and many talents that aren''t even visible with my unique appraisal eyes must be a facade a glitch, as this guy''s status is different now. As to hold such artefact to block my skill use is not available in this city and this kid doesn''t have such background to hold this kind of treasure." She said to herself as she remembered the status she saw back then and a few minutes ago. ____ {Before in the lobby back then with whole class} <<<STATUS>>> Name: Evan Ravencall Race: Human Age: 18 Title: ????? ?????? Rank: Tier 0 Level: 20 [720/2,200] Class: Necromancer Apprentice(D), Mage (?), Weapon Master (?), Blacksmith (?)[??????], Alchemist (?) [??????], Rune Enchanter (?!) [??????] Talent: P#$#$^(?), I#$^% #^$^#^%^$^$ & @%#$#^$%^ (?) [!], Su#^%*%$ #$^#&%& (?), Tran$@@^#^&&#$ #@%% (?) [Locked], Repl%@$^ %& @$% #######(?) [Locked] ____ {Just now.} <<<STATUS>>> Name: Evan Ravencall Race: Human Age: 18 Title: None Rank: Tier 0 Level: 20 Class: Necromancer Apprentice(D) Talent: None ____ Consider it as a dream or perhaps a daydream, as such experiences are often. She then walked away to her office, where Darian was waiting for her. Little did she know that what she witnessed was real and could potentially change her life if she used it wisely. Even Evan was unaware that Lilia had seen his status by pure chance. -- To be continued -- Is there going to be a connection between them, or is it a mere facade created by the author, me? Reflect on it and share your thoughts or imagination regarding it. Chapter 115: Lone wolf mark And Small commotion. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, DC-23 City. At Ceruleth Global Association, we can observe someone heading towards the main desk in the center of the ground floor. This desk was not used for normal inquiries and could only be accessed by Tier 2 hunters. As a Tier 0 hunter, I, Evan, approached it with steady steps. Lilia had sent me here to get my Hunter ID modified. Upon reaching the desk, I found two attendants, one male and one female, engrossed in their work. I tapped the desk to draw their attention. "Hello sir, how ma... oh, Tier 0. Sir, please head towards the other desk as this one cannot be used with your current status," the female attendant said, about to return to her work when she noticed I hadn''t moved. "Sir, I already told you that we don''t handle the work of..." "Sorry, but I was sent here by Branch Manager Lilia to get my Solo raiding mark modification on my Hunter ID," I interrupted. "But I wasn''t informed about this," she replied. "But I know, you may continue your work while I assist this gentleman," the male attendant interjected. She nodded and returned to her tasks. "Yes, sir. Mr. Darian instructed me to with this task under manager''s orders. Please hand over your ID so I can imprint the required data," he said. I nodded, taking out my ID card and handing it to him. "Okay, sir. Just wait a few minutes and it will be done," he said. I nodded and began waiting until my eyes fell on someone I knew quite well. A charming boy with black hair and eyes stood beside a lady who appeared to be in her thirties, as a small commotion brewed with another man. The boy was Lucas, and the lady was Tess, who wore lightweight armor with a bow hanging on her back. The person arguing with them was unfamiliar to me, perhaps a regular hunter here. "What type of trouble has Lucas gotten into now?" I said, about to depart, but I stopped to inform first to avoid misunderstanding. I told the male attendant to continue his work while I would return in a few minutes. He nodded as I departed from the desk and approached the place where many people were watching the commotion without intervening. "Brother, do you know what happened here just now? Are some high-ranking hunters here to hunt today?" I asked a person standing at the back of the crowd, who looked at me and said, Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "No, it is just a simple commotion involving a low-level boy and a rich man''s child. Who was trying to poach a member from his group, and the argument started after that. I am eager to see if a fight will break out or not." As I moved closer to hear the argument, I heard this: "Do you think being rich gives you permission to claim any group member?" Lucas said with a smirk. It was clear that the man arguing with Lucas had asked Tess to join his team and leave Lucas alone, as he had gear full of Erith rank. He must be a wealthy man infatuated with Tess''s body and was coveting her. A simple story of a rich man getting beaten up here and trying to take revenge later is common nowadays. "Yes, I have, as I don''t think this lady should waste her time helping you grind while being level 50+ and you aren''t even over twenty levels. So, I ask you again, come join me or you''re going to face many problems later on, Lady." The man told her, but Tess did not back away and came in front of him, giving him a slap straight to his face, which made him fall to the ground, as the man was maybe level 40 or so by judging from the action just now. /Slap/ /Thud/ "I already told you that I am not coming with you, so stop bothering me and leave." She told him as she started going back to Lucas, who was smirking while looking at him. The man stood up from the ground and looked around to find many people smirking while trying to hide it, which embarrassed him more. He started to leave but stopped at some distance, looked back, and said something in a low voice. "I will take my revenge for this day''s humiliation sure." With quick steps, he went outside the building, followed by some hunters from his group who were glaring daggers at both of them. The crowd dispersed, and I also moved away to avoid getting mixed up with them. I didn''t want to lose any opportunities to get stronger quickly. "These main characters (Destined ones) are really trouble magnets but get many opportunities because of this," I said to myself as I moved toward the main desk to get my ID, which was prepared a few ago. "Sir, is my ID ready to use?" I asked the man working on his desktop looked at me and stood up to take out my ID from a device. "Yes, I have completed the modification to your Hunter ID. Now you won''t be stopped from going solo in dungeons, as your ID has the mark of Solo Hunt. So, you''re ready to go," he said as I looked at my modified ID and found a small wolf face formed on the lower side of the ID, below my photo "Okay, thank you," I said as I started moving toward the dungeon inquiry desks in the left corner. "This guy might be quite strong to get the mark; maybe I should make some connections with him," the attendant said as he sat down to do his work, while the lady asked him with curiosity. "Senpai, who was this guy? Is he some big shot kid or has an S or SS class to get permission to raid alone in dungeons?" she asked him as the guy signaled in denial with his head. "No, he''s not. He didn''t have an SS class, not even a B rank. He is just a D rank necromancer, but he completed the test of Courage, which isn''t possible for more than 90% of the hunters here. He must have defeated a hunter ten to twelve levels higher than him to get clearance in the test So, if you see him anywhere, try to get close to him, as this type of guy isn''t normal if they survive," he said. The lady didn''t understand but just nodded started doing her work. He also glanced at my back and got to his work. -- To be continued -- Chapter 116: Public/Private Dungeon. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, DC-23 City. In the building of the association, I Evan, was walking straight toward the lines where I previously went to find dungeon. I took my place in line and started to wait for my turn when my eyes fell on the duo who I had encountered some time ago. Lucas and Tess were standing in another line, also waiting for their turn. Lucas was looking as if trying to find, and I was sure that if he saw me, my dungeon raiding plans sure to get entangled with them. So, I moved a little and hid behind the of the guy in front of in the line. It was successful, as a few minutes, Lucas and Tess were already at counter, inquiring about. As I got near, I overheard their conversation. "But sir, why can''t I take the test? And won''t let us into the same, and you won''t even let me go into a dungeon alone," Lucas asked, and I gathered that he was asking to raid a dungeon alone, but rules were rules, even for the destined ones. "Yes sir, we know that you wish to go into the dungeon alone, but it is not possible right now as the branch manager isn''t here, and there aren''t any other ways to take the test while the manager and vice manager are absent," the attendant told him. Lucas fell into thought and asked, "Is there any other way to go into the dungeon alone or take the test even if the inspectors are not here?" "Umm, let me ask my seniors, sir, then can I inform you," the attendant replied and stood up to go. A few minutes later, a person I recognized easily came up. Yes, it was the field agent who helped me back then was here, maybe if I hadn''t taken the test today, then Lucas would have taken the dungeon raid and gotten some bonus leads here. As I did not care much, I did not take his opportunity intentionally, and even if I did, he wouldn''t know about it. "Hey, move forward or step aside, as I don''t want to wait any longer," the guy standing behind me said as I looked back and then in front to find the line empty and the attendant waiting me. "Oh, sorry brother," I said and reached the table to inquire about the dungeon raid. "Hello sir, how may I help you?" "I wish to raid a dungeon." "Okay sir, please give me your ID and details." "Here, I am a Lv.20 NECROMANCER, without any team," I said as I passed my ID to him and provided the details. He first checked my ID to find the relevant requirement, the tag of the wolf, and after confirming the qualification, he proceeded. "Okay sir, sorry for the wait. So, tell me, what type of dungeon do you wish: a private or public dungeon?" Can you please describe both to me as I am new here?" I asked to understand the details of both types of dungeons. "Yes, sir, no worry, as it is our duty to let you know all the details." I nodded as he continued. You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. "So, sir, the dungeons are mainly divided into two types excluding the unique dungeons. The first one is a private dungeon, where only a group or solo person can enter and only after completing it, they can exit the dungeon. On the other hand, a public dungeon is a dungeon where anyone enter regardless of the number of people but there are some level restrictions. This type of dungeon won''t close or refresh even after boss is defeated until two months later when it gets refreshed and ready to be used again. The only downside of this dungeon is that only a few have been found so far, with the count being less than five." "Okay so if I to raid a private dungeon can you please recommend dungeon that is around Lv.20-30 or a little higher in level and can be used now?" I asked as the attendant nodded and started checking screen to see if he could the required dungeon. "Oh, sorry sir, there are four dungeons, and all are reserved for week by some Guilds, so you won''t be able to use them. However, there is a public dungeon Lv.20-50, and the price to hunt there 20% of the total bodies you hunt per day," he told me and after hearing I started to think. ''Hmmm~~~! well I can''t wait for one week also so going into dungeon is okay for me.'' "Okay sir, I will take this dungeon, can you tell me the way?" I told him, as the attendant nodded, started typing something, handed my ID back me, and pointed toward the dungeon areas. "Sir, please go to the designated dungeon areas and hand over this slip to gain entry." He said as he took out a slip from the device and handed it to me. "Thanks for the help," I said as he nodded with a professional smile. I started walking toward the dungeon area, where all portals were located. I found many hunters entering the area, along with some guild with all their members present. I walked around to see if I could find the association officials. After a few minutes, found one who was standing just after sending away two groups of. "Hello sir, may I help you?" He said as I handed him the slip the attendant told me to pass. "Okay, so sir, where is your team? This public dungeon is this area, so you all can enter it right now." "Sir, I am entering alone right, so can you guide me, as my time was already wasted before?" "Sorry sir, but going alone in the dungeon is dangerous, even if it is a public one, does not mean that you can enter it however you want. Please join a group to hunt in there, and I will ask the senior officer about this mistake of sending such a low-level hunter alone to hunt." He said as he tried to shoo me away, but I did not back down and took out my ID to show him proof. "Sir, you can check my ID as I am quite eligible to enter the dungeon alone." I said while pointing toward the wolf logo below the ID section, and it was truly satisfying to see his reaction when he saw my qualification to hunt alone. "Oh, sorry kid I thought you were trying to hunt inside the dungeon without your team. Don''t take it to heart. Come, I will show you the way He said as I nodded with a small grin after seeing his change of behavior upon seeing my ID. We walked toward a larger dungeon-type rift where many hunters were going in and out. Inside the dungeon, I could see many temporary stalls set up to make some profit. "Here is the dungeon, sir. It''s available for use anytime, so just come here. When exiting, you just have to give our officials 20% of the total hunt you''ve got. If you try to hide the corpses of monsters, then please be aware that the charge is half of the bodies you''ve got from the hunt." "Okay, but is there any information about what type of dungeon it is, or will I get it from inside?" "Oh no, sir, I will get it for you just now, so please wait. We don''t do it for everyone, but you being a solo raider should be informed so you can take precautions." He said as he started tapping his phone screen and, after a few seconds, showed me the information. _____ <<<Beast Grove Dungeon (Lv. 20-50)>>> <Dungeon Type: Field Dungeon> Accessible to All This massive field dungeon is home to wild beasts and untamed creatures, offering adventurers a chance to test their mettle in an open-world environment. It spans a vast area filled with different types of monsters, mini-bosses, and a powerful boss. The dungeon is designed to accommodate levels from 20 to 50, and it is open for anyone to challenge. Monsters: ... _____ -- To be Continued -- Chapter 117: Beast Grove Dungeon [1], New Skills & Limits. [14th Everdusk 2103], CGA Branch, Dyna Crest country, DC-23 City. <<<Beast Grove Dungeon (Lv. 20-50)>>> Dungeon Type: Field Dungeon Accessible to All This massive field dungeon is home to wild beasts and untamed creatures, offering adventurers a chance to test their mettle in an open-world environment. It spans a vast area filled with different types of monsters, mini-bosses, and a powerful boss. The dungeon is designed to accommodate levels from 20 to 50, and it is open for anyone to challenge. <<Monsters>> <Forest Boar> Level Range: 20-30 Abilities: Charge, Boar Stampede <Wild Stag> Level Range: 25-35 Abilities: Antler Strike, Stag Leap <Cave Bear> Level Range: 30-40 Abilities: Bear Roar, Bear Slam <Thunder Wolf> Level Range: 35-45 Abilities: Thunderclap, Pack Strike <<Mini-Bosses>> <Boar King> Level Range: 40-45 Abilities: Charge Rampage, Boar Fury Requirement: Kill 50+ Forest Boars <Forest Guardian Stag> Level Range: 45-50 Abilities: Stag Charge, Earthquake Stomp Requirement: Kill 50+ Wild Stags <Elder Cave Bear> Level Range: 45-50 Abilities: Cave Roar, Ground Shatter Requirement: Kill 50+ Cave Bears <<Boss>> <Giant Beast of the Grove> Level Range: 50 Abilities: Beast Roar, Fury Slam, Nature''s Wrath Requirement: Kill 100 of any monster in the dungeon + All mini bosses. _______ The dungeon details were as follows: the officer showed Evan the screen, and Evan quickly took a picture with his phone to use it until he got past level 50. "Okay, sir, thanks for the. I can now enter by myself, so you are free to go," Evan told the officer, who nodded and walked away. As the officer was a few steps away, some hunters started chatting with him. "These guys really don''t have time to rest for even a minute," Evan muttered to himself and started walking toward the pictures he took to remember all the details. "Hmm, I think I can at least get two mini bosses until I reach the required level," Evan thought and, without further delay, entered the dungeon. The gate felt like walking through a thin layer of a squishy veil. As he moved through, he found himself standing in the field of dungeon, where a few temporary stalls were built by hunters and other hunting groups. There were even tents of guilds camping here to level up their new hunters. Evan, who had just walked out of the portal, was looking around when his eyes fell on a certain tent of the guild, <Fangless Hounds>. This was the guild to which Kale and Brin belonged, and where the parents of the previous body owner were members of. They were a local guild where the Guildmaster is a Tier 2, and there are many Tier-1 hunters, along with a handful of Tier 2 hunters in higher positions. This type of guild would be the first to be destroyed when the MC(Lucas) rises to power. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ''These guys aren''t much my enemies either as the previous owner, who did not want to get entangled with them, so I won''t either.'' Evan thought and started walking away. He approached the hunting fields where the grass reached his knees. He entered the and saw many hunters fighting against boars, while some were even fighting against stags on rare, those creatures were fewer in number right the gate where the hunters were staying. Normally, boars are the ones roaming around in this area, but when you reach a short distance away, you start find stags and, in rare cases, cave bears. These creatures are of a high level and are only found the deeper areas of the dungeon. "Well, me find some prey to hunt, so I can go home today and have a tasty meal from the meat I get from these monsters," Evan said, thinking of the delicious food he would eat after the hunt of these monsters. As he entered the field to hunt, he saw that there were no boars to hunt, all had been taken by hunters. He started to roam the field little by little see if he could alone. He also observed that the way hunters handled the monsters here was good, with minimal injuries. ''Maybe the monsters are easy to fi...'' Just as he was thinking that a hunter from one of the groups came flying straight toward him and landed just a short distance away. "Argghhh~~~!" he cried out as some blood ooze from mouth. ''Or maybe not.'' Evan thought as he saw that one boar was overpowering a group of four hunters. Maybe the level of the boar too high to handle as the hunters were also newbie and possibly from other schools. "Well, let me just find a single one, as I can maybe even that boar if I allocate my stats from the level up back then the test dungeon," Evan said to himself as he first looked around to see if any boar was there to ambush him and quickly opened his system screen to use his points. As he quickly allocated the unassigned points, the stats were looking like: _______ {Stats} Health Points (HP): 750 (HP= 1:10 Vitality) (Regen: 3.75/minute = 75*.05) Mana Points (MP): 750 (MP = 1:10 Intelligence) (Regen: 3.75/minute = 75*.05) Strength (STR): 85 (13^) Agility (AGL): 95 (7^) Vitality (VIT): 75 (14^) Intelligence (INT): 75 (7^) Endurance (END): 70 (8^) Stamina (STA): 63 (11^) Unassigned Stats: 00 (-60) Attack Power: 216+20 {Physical} [ATK: STR+AGL*1.2], 112/113 {Elemental} [MAG: INT*1.5] Defense: 133+20 [DEF: END+STA*1] __ As he was checking his stats, his eyes fell on the skill section which looked quite different from before. He noticed some new skills in his class skill section and remembered that every ten levels, you gain a class skill randomly. However, what was different was that his third class, Weapon Master, didn''t get new skills like his Necromancer and Mage classes did. Maybe the rumors were true that F-class hunters can only level up their skills to Lv.10, E-class to Lv.20, and so on, with S-class able to level up to Lv.70, SS-class to Lv.85, and SSS-class to Lv.100. The difference is that you can only get skills up to the limit of your class. For instance, an F-rank class hunter will get 1 skill, while S, SS, and SSS classes will get 7, 8, and 10 skills respectively. "So, now class skills limit of Weapon Master is reached, huh? Well, maybe even the Mage one should be as Lv.20 is the limit for E rank, and my main class Necromancer, is going to reach the limit at Lv.30," Evan thought. He didn''t think much of this as he was sure that with his plunder talent, he could another way. He then took out the skills description which he just got. ___ Skill: Weak Curse (Lv. 1) Type: Active Cooldown: 10 seconds Mana Cost: 20 MP Proficiency: 0% Description: A basic curse that weakens the target by applying a mild debuff. While not powerful, it can be useful for weakening enemies before engaging in more potent attacks or summoning. The curse lowers the target''s effectiveness in combat for a short time. Effects: Curse of Weakness: Reduces the target''s Strength and Agility by 5% for 10 seconds. Diminished Resistance: Reduces the target''s Defense by 5% for 10 seconds. -- Skill: Spark (Lv. 1) Type: Active Cooldown: 5 seconds Mana Cost: 10 MP Proficiency: 0% Description: A simple electric spell that shoots a small bolt of lightning at a single target. While weak at first, it can be used frequently in combat, providing a steady stream of damage against weaker enemies or distractions during a fight. Effects: Lightning Strike: 30% of the caster''s magic attack. Shock: Has a 10% chance to stun the target for 1 second. ____ "Hmm... perhaps I can utilize these skills more effectively if applied this way," Evan said as he began to formulate a plan to enhance his hunting strategy after observing the Boars attack patterns. -- To be continued -- Chapter 118: Beast Grove Dungeon [2] & Skill Fragments. [14th Everdusk 2103], DC-23 City, Dyna Crest country, CGA Branch, Beast Grove Fields. In the beast grove field dungeon, many hunters were hunting boars left and right. In the field of the dungeon, a single boar moving around, unnoticed by the other hunters. However, it seemed that someone was indeed eyeing this boar. The boar''s expression grew gloomy as it walked ahead, as if it sensed several eyes targeting it. It stopped and tried to find the culprit when it heard the sound of grass being stepped on. It turned its head in the direction of the noise and saw a few skeletons running toward it with swords in their hands. The boar roared and charged toward the skeletons, sensing that none of them were stronger than it. It lunged at one of them and slammed its tusk into the skeleton''s body. The skeleton didn''t shatter, but it did fall backward. Just as the boar was about to move toward another skeleton, something happened. [Spark] {-10 MP} A small spark hit its body from behind. The boar screamed so loudly that many hunters who were hunting boars turned to look. The culprit of the skill, Evan, stood some distance away from the fight. He had used another skill on the boar. [Weak Curse] {-20 MP} The skill struck the boar, and as effect took hold, the boar''s strength, agility, and defense were reduced by five percent. "Now charge," Evan shouted as he drew his sword, ready to strike the boar when the time came. The skeletons began attacking the boar, which overwhelmed for the first time as the curse took effect, though the skill''s duration was short. Evan waited for right moment to assist the skeletons in killing the boar, but it wasn''t necessary as the boar was easily subdued by his summons. "Well, even this strategy works if the summons can handle this much for me. Who wants to get hit when the undead can do the work?" Evan said himself as he approached the boar''s body as the System Notifications appeared. [You''ve defeated (Lv.24) Forest Boar, gaining 340 EXP. (+20 extra for level difference)] [1060/2,200] [<You''ve gained 24 EE points. T.P: 1268>] A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. As the notification disappeared, he used his talent again. "Plunder," he said, looking around to see if anyone was watching. Seeing no one, he sat down in front of the monster as the talent activated. The energy appeared and start covering the whole body and the notification of the talent appeared. [<Detected 1~Lv.24 Forest Boar.> <Wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store> <Host has chosen to plunder. Plundering is in progress.> <No Talent, Abilities or Bloodline detected. Skills and Body Stats have been identified.> <You''ve gained +3 STR, +4 AGL, +2 STA, Skill (Charge).> <Other unsuitable skill for the host body is being disintegrated. The skill fragments have been formed. T.F: 1 S.K.> "Huh, now what is this thing used for? What type of mutation did that candidate perform with his talent to acquire so many features?" Evan said as he tried to open the skill fragment icon that had just appeared when the talent even helped him know about it. [<Skill Fragments ---> A mysterious and versatile resource that contains traces of skill energy something even desired by higher tier beings. These fragments can be used to enhance, modify, or even create new skills. The effectiveness and potential of a fragment depend on its quality and compatibility with the user''s abilities. Uses: -> Skill Enhancement: Increases the proficiency or potency of an existing skill. -> Skill Fusion: Combines with another fragment or skill to form a stronger or altered ability. -> Skill Creation: If enough fragments are gathered, a completely new skill can be synthesized. -> Skill Restoration: Can be used to repair degraded or lost skills.>] The description left Evan''s face in shock. (O o O) "Hahh~~~! What the hell, what is this happening with these talents? Aren''t they too much?" Evan shouted as he instantly recognized his mistake and looked around to see if anyone was watching him, but luckily there was no one eyeing him, or maybe not. "Maybe I should thank this talents owner later when I meet him for the last time, as he won''t be friends with me for sure," Evan said and opened his inventory space to put the boar corpse in it. He lifted it from the ground and started squeezing it inside, and after a few struggles, he accomplished it. "Wheep~~! Now I just have to hunt some more, get home for rest, and eat some tasty meals," Evan said to himself and started thinking of the food he could eat now with the money he would make today after selling the corpse. ©d(¨R¨Œ¨Q*)o And he started moving again to find his new prey. __ In another place, two hunters were standing and trying to find somebody. One was Lucas and the other was Tess, who were trying to find a solo hunter who came here to hunt without any teammate and maybe also trying to find some group to hunt with. Tess and he were looking around to find some hunters to join them. Tess was trying to find hunters with her skill, but even though Lucas didn''t have a sharp eye skill, he had something else which was several times stronger than her skill. His talent, Draconic Insight, was much more powerful than most eye skills. He was using it to see the other person''s status in large radius. He found some hunters looking for groups, but their potential was much lower than he needed. After few minutes later, ''Hmm~~! Yes, found you, the person who is going to become my team''s third member,'' Lucas said as his eyes landed on a person who was trying to find a team to hunt with. "Tess, let''s go. I see a hunter who may be good for the team," he said as he pulled Tess along with him and approached the person he was referring to. "Hey, do you want to join our party?" he directly asked the person, who looked back at him. Upon seeing the face, Tess was shocked. -- To be continued -- What caused Tess to be shocked upon seeing that person''s face? Is it someone they know, or is the person Lucas found related to Tess in some way? Chapter 119: Beast Grove Dungeon [3], Meeting Lucas & Little Accident [1] [14th Everdusk 2103], DC-23 City, Dyna Crest country, CGA Branch, Beast Grove Fields. While in association, Lucas was attempting gather his teammates, in the dungeon where Evan was hunting. We observed a few skeletons hunting a boar, which was lying on the field with a bone fang pierced into its belly just below the heart area. The boar, in its last moments, tried to run away from the skeletons. Gathering all its energy, it charged forward, but the escape mission proved futile as someone was waiting for it a short distance away. The boar, seeing its enemy, thought it could simply charge through, but the person raised a black sword and slashed straight at the boar''s throat. A flame surged from the blade, making a cut as the boar''s head fell to the ground The body took a few more steps before collapsing. "Hah~~! looks like I can now face some boars by myself after gaining so many stats and items from these hunts," said Evan, the one wielding the blade. He put the blade back in his inventory and quickly sat in front of the boar to use his talent before anyone else arrived. "Plunder," said, as the talent activated, and the Boar body was enveloped in energy. [<Detected 1~Lv.27 Forest Boar.> <Wish to do: Plunder, Dismantle, Store> <Host has chosen to plunder. Plundering is in progress.> <No Talent, Abilities or Bloodline detected. Skills and Body Stats have been identified.> <You''ve gained +5 STR, +4 AGL, +4 STA, +1 INT, +2 END, Skill (Charge).> <Other unsuitable skill for the host body is being disintegrated. The skill fragments have been formed. T.F: 7 S.F.> <Talent has detected the same skill in host body, the Skill (Charge) is being changed into the proficiency level of the same skill.> 100%. Charge, Lv.3(1^)>] __ Skill: Charge (Lv.1 ¡ú Lv.3) Type: Active Mana Cost: 15 MP ¡ú 25 MP Cooldown: 10 sec ¡ú 8 sec Proficiency: 0% Description: A skill taken from a monster, wild boar, allowing the user to dash forward with explosive force. Upon impact, the target is knocked back and may be momentarily staggered. Ideal for closing distances or breaking enemy formations. Effects Forward Dash: Rushes up to 5 ¡ú 7 meters in a straight line. Impact Force: Damage increased by 5 ¡ú 15%. Stagger Chance: 10 ¡ú15% chance to momentarily disrupt the enemy''s balance. Momentum Boost: If Charge is used immediately after sprinting, it gains an additional 5% damage boost. (!) __ "Huh, I am going to be incredibly overpowered if I have to live until the end. It even got a new effect for me to use," Evan said as he saw the skill description. He had leveled up without even using it once. He still remembered when it first appeared, and he saw the skill proficiency increase just by acquiring the same skill. "That guy must have sacrificed many things to gain these talents for sure," Evan said, feeling full of himself as things were going well. "Well, now I have gained some stats from this Boar. In total, I have now from just this hunt: 18 STR, +17 AGL, +11 STA, +2 INT, +7 END, +5 VIT. I might reach the stats limit by the time I get to max level, I think," Evan said as he started counting his gains, as the system notification of the kill appeared. [You''ve killed Lv.27 Forest Boar, you''ve gained +510 EXP (+50% EXP for Level Gap).] [2,640/2,200] [You''ve levelled up. Lv.21(1^)] [440/2400] Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. [You''ve gained 10 Unassigned Stat points.] "Huh, finally another level up. Gaining seven levels in one day is good, but in the later stages, it can be called monstrous," Evan thought as he began stuffing the boar and looked at his skill section to see the changes that had occurred today. [<<Skill Upgrade>> --) <Undead Summon>, Lv.3(1^) [02%] --) <Weapon Mastery>, Lv.3(1^) (12%) --) <Necrotic Aura>, Lv.3 (1^) (32%) --) <Magical Focus>, Lv.3 (1^) (3%) --) <Basic Battle Instinct>, Lv.4 (2^) (5%) --) <Weak Curse>, Lv2 (1^) (16%)] "Hmm~~! If it goes that way, then surely, I will reach the maximum level in skills by the end." said as he looked around for more beasts, but eyes fell on someone he didn''t want to see. Yes, it was Lucas, accompanied by someone Evan didn''t recognize. "Hmm, Lucas, what is he doing here and who is this girl? Perhaps his team partner and likely his soon-to-be family member, I''m sure of it." Evan as he noticed them walking toward him. He looked around to see if there were any beasts nearby or if they were approaching another group, but no one else was around. "Is he coming toward me? What should I do now?" Evan thought, beginning to panic and attempting to hide his face when he had an idea. "Please let it work," Evan thought as he made his mask visible and altered his status, knowing that Lucas might have ways to pry into others'' statuses. "Umm~~! Brother, are you hunting here?" Lucas asked directly, while the girl behind him remained silent, her entirely on Lucas''s face as if her heart was melting every time. "Ahmm!" Evan didn''t anything and just nodded. "Oh, okay then, maybe you have taken the test for the solo hunting maybe, right? But brother why are you wearing a mask now as isn''t hunting solo a kind of brave work only done by strong hunters?" Lucas asked, trying to engage him while his eyes scanned area to find some signs of blood. "NOTHING, JUST LEING AFTER HUNTING, NOTHING ELSE," Evan said like that in heavy voice to disguise his voice to sound like someone else. "If you don''t mind, would you like to join us for hunting?" Lucas asked, trying to recruit him into his team as he was still missing one member, as Tess''s level was too high to enter this dungeon. "Ammm~~! Lucas, I think we shouldn''t involve anyone like this, especially since he is trying to hide his identity. He might be a criminal or a banned hunter from CGA, here to hunt illegally," the girl behind Lucas whispered to him. "Don''t worry, Ilyra, I have an eye for people, and I think he is just a hunter of the same age as us. He is only Level 21, and you should know that I can handle anyone here if any issues arise," Lucas told her. Perhaps she didn''t notice, but Evan did; he saw that his eye color was different than before, as if assessing him. Evan was sure that Lucas was using his talent related to dragon and now he was sure what it was, a Dragon eye or sight maybe of SSS rank he can guess. ''They think I don''t know what they''re talking about, assuming my stats are low, but I have more than they can imagine,'' Evan thought. He even considered joining them right now and killing Lucas and even handling the girl Ilya, but he thought maybe someone might see him, so he dropped the idea and decided to leave the dungeon for now. "Would you like to join our party for a hunt? My name is Lucas, and I am a D-rank Battle Mage. This is Ilya, my old friend, and an A-rank Healer with a unique class," Lucas introduced himself. "OH, YES, MY NAME IS RAVEN. I AM A NEWBIE HUNTER LIKE YOU AND A D-RANK SWORDSMAN. SORRY, GUYS, BUT I''VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME ALREADY, SO I HAVE TO LEAVE. THANKS FOR THE OFFER," Evan, pretending to be Raven, told them. Lucas nodded as he observed what Evan was showing him. ''This guy class is already D rank huh. Maybe should have got an upgrade in it.'' Evan thought. "Oh, okay, but come to me if you ever wish to join our team. Here is my ID number to contact me," Lucas said, showing him, his ID. Evan glanced at it for a few seconds and nodded. "OKAY, BYE," Evan nodded and started walking away but overheard what Ilya said about him. "What an attitude that guy has. He didn''t even note the contact info you gave him and didn''t show his own," Ilya said with a hint of anger in her voice. "Oh, don''t worry, Ilya. Maybe his way of talking is like that, and he doesn''t get close to others quickly. Just relax. We don''t have much time left to hunt here, but I also think that his voice is someone I know." Lucas said. Ilya nodded, shook off her sulk, and followed Lucas as they walked ahead to find some monsters to hunt. While at some distance away, Evan glanced back at their disappearing figure, sighed, and felt a bit relieved to get entangled with them at the moment. He knew he would have deal with them eventually, but not now as was not prepared enough. "Well, let''s go home for today as six boars are enough to get some money and a healthy portion of meat from them as well," he told himself and started walking toward the dungeon exit area when a huge voice echoed from behind him. He looked back and found something shocking. "This sh*t is really messing with me...." -<To be Continued>- Chapter 120: Beast Grove Dungeon [4], Little Accident [2/Last] [14th Everdusk 2103], DC-23 City, Dyna Crest country, CGA Branch, Beast Grove Fields. "Is this sh*t for real?" Evan shouted, as the sound of a massive blast echoed through the area, strong enough to destroy several trees. A few minutes earlier, Lucas and Ilya were walking towards the deeper area to hunt at its outskirts. At that moment, Lucas, who was constantly using his talent, noticed a monster, Wild Stag, peacefully eating the grass. "Ilya, I am going to hunt that one over there, so be prepared for anything," he told her as he took out his new sword, brought to him by Tess to ensure his safety, along with his new and better armor than the school one. "Yes, don''t worry, I am ready to help you anytime," she said as Lucas smiled and began preparing his skill with handling his sword. He used his Fireball skill, which was almost level 10, and threw it at the Stag to inflict initial damage. However, something went wrong as the Stag coincidentally moved away, and the ball passed by its backside, burning its little tail. It screamed loudly, catching the attention of several other stags. The burned stag now stared straight at Lucas and Ilya, ready to confront them. /ROOOAAARRRR~~~/ In a fit of rage and a desire for revenge for its tail, the monster seemed to gain unique energy, increasing its speed and power several times over. It rushed forward with a loud roar. Lucas, ready to face the monster, realized that this attack couldn''t be blocked. He took Ilya in his arms and jumped away from the charge line of the enraged beast. In its full rage, the beast didn''t stop and continued rushing forward, destroying many trees in its path. It charged ahead, breaking into the Boar area, where one hunter stood in front of it, none other than... /In Present time/ Evan, who was walking peacefully, heard the sound of a tree falling nearby and looked back to find someone rushing toward him. When he looked closely, he found an enraged beast charging at him, seemingly intent on tearing him apart. "What kind of mess has Lucas caused now?" Evan said as he saw Lucas and Ilya running behind the stag a few meters away, chasing it. ''Even though I didn''t agree to join, which was already a win, is it my destiny to face problems every time I meet him? Does just seeing him bring trouble for me?'' Evan thought, and without waiting, he rushed to take out his sword from his inventory and it out without looking. However, the problem was, it wasn''t his sword but the one he got from the boss after its kill. The change in weight and size caused an error in the swift motion of his hand, which was suited for his previous Ember Fang blade. The blade swung slightly ahead while the beast was right in front of him and landed on the ground. Evan thought he was dead when a miracle happened. One of his passive skills, Blade of the Tempest, which hadn''t been used until now, activated. A slash formed from wind rushed forward toward the beast, already at point-blank range, and hit it straight in the chest, even though the skill was only at Lv.1. But Evan''s strength and the close range made it possible for a huge cut to form on its chest. The beast staggered and fell to the ground. Even though it fell, the momentum didn''t break as it slid forward a few distances away, with a huge amount of blood pouring out of its wound. [Charge] [Power Slash] {-40 MP} Evan didn''t wait and charged toward it with his skill, delivering a powerful strike straight at its throat, ending its life. Lucas and Ilya, who were chasing it, halted in their steps to witness the action performed by Evan, also known as Raven. Evan, standing in front of the now-dead stag, checked to see if his mask was still on, and thankfully, it was. ''Hahh~~! Thankfully, I didn''t remove the mask after that,'' Evan thought, as he began placing the stag into his inventory. He couldn''t use his talent in front of so many people who had gathered after the situation occurred. "What happened just now? Why was a stag running around here?" one hunter asked, who came with his team, inquiring of Evan, who was putting away the monster''s corpse into his inventory. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. "Oh, it''s our fault. We were hunting it, but it got enraged during the hunt and started running straight in this direction. Raven, this guy, was in its path. But are you alright, bro? I saw you in front of the monster, and it suddenly fell down without even touching you," Lucas said as he approached them and explained the incident. "OH, DON''T WORRY, IT WAS A MISTAKE, AND WITH YOUR HELP, I GOT ANOTHER MONSTER IN MY POCKET," Evan told them as he was about to head back when Ilya stopped him. "Hey, wait! Give back the monster you put in your inventory. We were the ones hunting it; you can''t just take anyone''s prey as you wish," Ilya said angrily, as what those hunters and Lucas didn''t see was the swift attack of the wind blade created by Evan''s passive skill, which he acquired by plundering as she thought Evan was taking the last hit and getting the prey. "BUT I KILLED IT, SO IT BECOMES MINE, AS I EVEN JUST RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION OF THE KILL," Evan told them, as the notification already on his face was put on hold for now as he wished to plunder this monster as well. [You''ve killed Lv.32 Wild Stag, you''ve gained +860 EXP (+77% EXP for Level Gap)] [1300/2,400] [<You''ve gained 32 EE points. T.P: 1359(32^)>] "But still, it was our prey," she told him as hunters around them began whispering among themselves about Evan''s bad behavior of taking someone else''s prey. "Ilya, don''t do it. We are the ones who caused trouble, so let it be," Lucas tried to stop her as he didn''t want to make this guy wary of them. He found him interesting enough to add to his team as he just noticed that Evan, alias Raven, hunted down the stag easily even though some damage was done by him. "No, Lucas. If you treat this kind of trash like this, they will start bothering others like us again," she said, convinced that Raven had just gotten lucky because maybe Lucas had done massive damage to the stag, and Raven just took the final attack to win the monster''s corpse. "Hurry, take it out so we can check your powerful attack which made it fall to the ground," she said, trying to make fun of him. ''Hah, these are really into making a mess with me for sure. Lucas isn''t taking her side as he knows the truth and wants me in his team, but maybe this girl Ilya doesn''t like me so much,'' Evan thought and told them. "LISTEN CLOSELY, I AM JUST DOING IT TO PROVE MY INNOCENCE HERE AS I DON''T WISH YOUR FALSE RUMORS TO MAKE MY REPUTATION FALL. AND AFTER THAT, DON''T EVEN TRY TO GIVE EXCUSES," Raven told them as Ilya just nodded with a smug smile, sure that Evan, alias Raven, was just bluffing and that they stop him from doing this. "Hurry, we don''t have enough time to waste on your trash lie talks," she told him as everyone''s eyes were set on Evan''s hands. He sighed and called out his inventory to pull out the stag. He took it out, and the stag was now on the ground in front of everyone. One of the hunters, who was a leader of a big team, came out and started checking the wounds of the monster''s dead body. "Well, I found three wounds on this monster. First, a small burn on the tail area, a big slash on its front below the neck, and a cut on the neck. The biggest attack is on the chest, likely made by a long sword, as the second wound was also inflicted by the same weapon. So, please tell me who did what," he said, looking at Evan and Lucas. "I did the fire magic damage and nothing more. The stag started running around after that, and then this happened," Lucas explained as everyone looked at Raven. "I DID THESE TWO ATTACKS, ONE ON THE CHEST THE OTHER ON THE NECK WITH MY LONG SWORD, WHICH IS RIGHT HERE IN MY INVENTORY. MISS ILYA, ARE THERE MORE QUERIES OR QUESTIONS FROM YOU FOR ME? I AM ALREADY GETTING LATE AND HOPE YOU ALL WON''T CIRCULATE FALSE RUMORS ABOUT ME," Evan, also known as Raven, stated as he started walking away after putting away his killed stag. The crowd began to disperse as everyone returned to hunting boar to earn their fill. Lucas started following me, and Ilya, having no other option, followed Evan with him. "Hey Raven, wait! Can''t we talk over this small misunderstanding? It was our fault. Wait, brother," Lucas called out, trying to stop him. "Ilya, hurry and apologize to this guy. We can''t afford to let him leave without taking him into our team," Lucas whispered into Ilya''s ear as she stopped in her tracks and looked at Lucas in disbelief. "Raven, wait. Ilya has something to say," Lucas said again. Evan stopped and looked back to see what Ilya wished to say. "Um, sorry for the trouble," Ilya said hesitantly after Lucas whispered something in her ear again, which wasn''t audible to Evan. "NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT, BUT THIS IS OVER NOW. PLEASE GO BACK AND TAKE YOUR TIME TO HUNT. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO DISCUSS," Raven said as he tried to walk away, but Lucas stopped him in his tracks, exerting some force to let him listen to his words. "Wait, can''t we just go outside and talk about things to resolve the mess between us and be friends again?" Lucas said as his grip tightened, much stronger than that of an average low-level hunter. Even Evan was a little shocked, but it wasn''t something he couldn''t handle. "EVERYTHING IS SOLVED NOW, LUCAS. AS FOR BEING FRIENDS, I WILL TALK TO YOU ABOUT THAT LATER WHEN WE MEET AGAIN. LET ME GO, AND YOU GO HUNT BY YOURSELF. TALKING NOW WILL ONLY WORSEN THINGS BETWEEN US," he said, removing Lucas''s arm with a little force and walking away to go home. Lucas grinned slightly and started heading back to hunt as Ilya looked back at Raven''s retreating figure and began following Lucas. "Lucas, why did you let me apologize to that guy? He isn''t good enough to be in our team," Ilya asked him. "No, he is special, very special compared to other hunters. Where else have you seen a level 21 hunter take down a level 32 monster in such a short time, even when his own life was in danger? Also, he is a solo hunter who took a special test where hunters defeat someone 10-15 levels higher to clear the test in the presence of the Branch Manager or Vice Manager. Hunters like him are rare and receive special treatment," Lucas explained. Ilya realized this and looked back, but Raven was already gone. "Okay, but still, keep the promise. I won''t let you off today if you don''t fulfill it," she said with a mischievous smile. Lucas nodded in agreement as they both ventured deeper into the fields to hunt monsters. The promise remained a mystery for now. -< To be Continued >-