ã€ŠCosmeta: Incarnate Ronin&#x27;s journey in another world.ã€‹


 CHAPTER-1 "Rift of Madness" Part-1 "Hoping to find"

    Star Labs, an illegal and secret lab under a team of mad scientists that create technology not meant for this era, my sister¡¯s last signs tell me that she was here somewhere.

    Sirens blared around me, but soon there wouldn¡¯t be anyone left to respond.

    ¡°Ronin, Cyberbots headed towards you, 4 of them and Armed with KS-200 plasma rifles.!¡± A voice says from the radio hung on the waist of my cybernetic hitman suit.

    ¡°Frey, didn¡¯t I tell you against playing games with headphones on while I am on mission? And Don¡¯t shout in the radio.¡± I say as I see the robots approach, they are humanoid machines clad in Armour.

    ¡°Just focus on your fights.¡± She says annoyed.

    ¡°Intruder, surrender and you may¡­..¡± one of the robots says but I know how this goes so I don¡¯t waste time before shooting the circuits out of its alloy skull with my specially designed pistols.

    The other 2 get ready to shoot at me but I have a plan to counter that too, on other side of my waist is an electromagnetic disruptor, I switch it ON which short circuits the robots and I take them out before they switch to safe mode and I turn the disruptor off so that it doesn¡¯t disrupt my radio.

    ¡°Shit, I am out of bullets for my pistols.¡± I say as I throw the guns and pick up a combat knife nearby.

    ¡°I know you won¡¯t need much help but are you sure you want to stick with those two pistols?¡± Frey asks sitting Infront of a big array of monitors twisting her brown hair, one monitor has a game on it while other set to monitor the labs and hallways.

    ¡°I know you told me ¡®Gone are my days of being a Pro.¡¯ but still, you have been too sloppy these days. What happened to the hitman I knew, the one who was all about efficiency, foresight. What happened to my old Ronin who once shook all nations in their boots.¡± She says

    I smirked. ¡°First of all, I was never ¡®yours.¡¯ And second, do you still have those nuke codes? Because I told you to delete them.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll never know,¡± she teased.

    Just then, two more guards rounded the corner, aiming their weapons at me.

    I lunged forward, dodging the first shot. One of them tried to grapple me, but I slid beneath his grab and swept his legs out from under him. As he stumbled, I slashed my knife across his throat in a clean, practiced motion.

    ¡°Did you forget I gave you my latest model of Plasma spear?¡± Frey said

    ¡°That weapon is too much of an overkill, I would rather not see the muscles twitching as I slice my foes even after they die.¡± I say.

    ¡°H-Hey, y-y-you are the man of death, right?¡± The 2<sup>nd</sup> muscleman says as he points his gun at me.

    I don¡¯t waste time and throw the knife such that it deflects the bullet he shoots, giving me enough time to pick up the destroyed Robo¡¯s gun and reply with my own bullet straight through the guy¡¯s hand, destroying his hand, he holds his hand in agony as the pistol slides from his broken finger.

    ¡°Now, that¡¯s how like the action to be.¡± Frey says

    ¡°Stop being a sicko.¡± I reply.

    ¡°Hey you!¡± I shout at the man.

    ¡°How many men are there inside? If you tell me, I promise I will let you live.¡± I say

    ¡°There are only 2 scientists left inside. Others are escaping the labs.¡± He said

    ¡°Escaping? Frey!?¡± I yell at the radio.

    ¡°Guess what these smart asses did, they paused the camera¡¯s servers on the floors above and below.¡± Frey replied

    ¡°What? Why?¡± I say as disappointment crept in my voice.

    ¡°Why? Who wouldn¡¯t when a demon like you is out for blood!, you will let me live now right? I have a family to get to, please I beg you.¡± The man said

    ¡°You call me a demon and expect to live, huh?¡± I say, coldness evident in my eyes.

    The man gets so scare he runs away immediately. Leaving behind his pistol. I take the pistol still

    I head towards the last room¡¯s door, the final boss, my search may finally end and I will finally reunite with my sister.

    The gates open and I see 2 scientists standing frozen near their desk as they look at me shivering as if they had seen a ghost.

    ¡°Chill, just tell me where my sister is and I will let you live.¡± I say

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    They look at each other and then they walk towards me, I sense something wrong so I shoot them both, and boy was I right, they intended to blow me up with them as grenades fall from their hands.

    I simply step out of the room and go back inside once the grenades are off.

    ¡°So much for a sneak attack, honestly I wanted to see how you would fare if you found a bit later.¡± She said

    ¡°As if.¡± I reply

    ¡°I¡¯ll hack the system,¡± she said. ¡°Plug the drive into the hazard door panel. Intel says it¡¯s a gravity prison used to experiment on beings exposed to cosmic radiation. Your sister went in¡­ but after that, all data was erased.¡±

    ¡°If what the ex-scientist told us is true, my sister vanished in this room, I find it impossible to believe, even if its true, I want to see what happened to her.¡± I say in a low voice.

    Its taking a while to hack the system, so I look around the lab, trying to pass time. Then the lock opens up.

    ¡°Oh I thought it would take you more time.¡± I say, but there is no reply, maybe she went to get a can of soda. I step into the dark room but oblivious of the fact that there is no footing in the room I almost fall but then I start to float I look around and find only darkness, this room looks and feels like I am in space, the stars on the walls of the room feel surreal.

    ¡°Ro- Roni-n, come in, R¡ªnin. Get out, of there.¡± Frey shouts through the radio as the signal seem to disrupt.

    ¡°What is it Frey? What happened?¡± I ask

    ¡°Ronin, that room, I accessed the secret file just now, it says it has spatial abnormality, get out before its too late. The place you are in, is not a room, it¡¯s a tear in space! I--- you----get--out¡± the voice seems stable but it starts to disrupt as ronin notices that the door is closing as he keeps going down, he tries to grab the wall but finds nothing to grab onto, not even the wall, soon he starts to suffocate not able to breathe.

    ¡°What the hell? I can¡¯t breathe *Coughs*¡± ronin tries to breathe but even the oxygen in his lungs escape as he tries to speak. Everything starts to go black as ronin feels as if he was floating in a sea.

    He opens his eyes, and finds himself floating in the space, although he can¡¯t breath, somehow he didn¡¯t feel the urge to, he could still see and process, there was a strange warmth running in his left eye that spread through his body. He saw a giant unmaterialized form of cosmos, a big outline marked a being who was looking at him.

    ¡°What is that, a giant helmet with a ¡°T¡± shape?¡± he thinks to himself.

    As Ronin tries to make out the being more, he is pulled from behind by a force and as his limp body turns, he sees a green landscape inside a small hole inside the darkness of space, as he nears the hole everything goes white.

    When he finds himself in a strange forest, the light through the huge tree¡¯s branches and leaves illuminate the forest but one such ray falls on Ronin¡¯s face which wakes him up completely as he snaps to reality.

    He looks around, the trees are big, the grass around him is a bit big too, Almost cushioning him.

    ¡°Oof, This is awesome! Don¡¯t know what sort of place this is but those scientist are really crazy for creating such a realistic place like this. And this Air¡­!¡± Ronin takes a deep breath and the freshness of the air feels unreal to him.

    He stands up and looks around, which makes him feel as if he has shrunk in size. The tree¡¯s branches twist, covered in green grass even on the branches. The bushes lave large spirals of small thorns points from them, Ronin¡¯s body feels a bit heavy, as if he had put on some weights on himself. He looks at his feet and notices something shine in the grass. It was a book, like a grimoire. He picks it up.

    ¡°By the gods, What is this place!? And what is this book doing in midst of this forest¡± I whisper as he opens the book but there is something written on it.

    ¡°This text is in Sanskrit? At least those mad scientists know something good. Lets see, it says, ¡®Adapt to unlock¡¯?¡± I am confused at what that means.

    The bushes shake as small squirrels as big as rabbits jump out of them, they seem extra fluffy and have blue eyes. I try to slowly move toward them, I had always liked squirrels but as I approach, they look somewhere toward a nearby group of big boulders and rocks making into a miniature mountain, as if the land had mountain under it, I turn to look but there is nothing. I turn my focus back toward the squirrels but they ran off. Disappointed I turn around only to be haunted.

    My body almost freezes as I see 3 monsters, I couldn¡¯t believe what I was seeing, giant sheep-like monster with rotten hide covering their skeletal frame, eye sockets had a purple glow with no eye or flesh. My body didn¡¯t wanted to move but I couldn¡¯t just let these creatures near me is what I am clear about. So I defy my body and the adrenaline rush helps as I rush through the forest opposite to the monsters.

 CHAPTER-1 "Rift of Madness" Part-2 â€œPower-up 1â€

    My heart races as I sprint through this alien forest, the towering trees clawing at the blue-reddish sky. The World knows me as Ronin, Earth¡¯s deadliest hitman. Right now, though, I¡¯m but a prey.

    I keep running for a while trying to see if I can find a tree with branches lower enough to climb onto. I remember about the radio that was hung on my waist¡¯s left side.

    ¡°Frey! Anyone!¡± I shout into my radio. Static. Great. I curse under my breath and hurl the radio at one of the creatures, hoping to slow it down. It doesn¡¯t as they are twice my size.

    Ahead, I spot a massive tree, but smaller compared to those around it, some branches seemed low enough for me to climb onto. High ground was my best shot. My legs scream in protest as I push harder, leaping for the trunk. I climb, my hands scraping against rough bark. For a moment, perched on a branch, I catch my breath and take in the surreal, twisted landscape below, any physical activity seem to be difficult for me for some reason.

    Suddenly The beasts decide to ram the tree trunk in perfect sync. The impact sends vibrations through the wood. Splinters fly, the tree groaning under the assault. Once, then twice and then on the 3<sup>rd</sup> time, the tree starts to topple, I leap for a branch on a nearby tree. My hands find their grip, but my heart feels like it¡¯s about to explode. Whatever brought me here, survival is going to demand every skill I¡¯ve got.

    The beasts stop abruptly, their glowing eyes dimming. I clutch the tree, panting, my heart still hammering in my chest. Something isn¡¯t right. My instincts scream at me to move, but the forest is eerily still now, as if behold of greater threat.

    ¡°Why did they stop?¡± I mutter, my voice barely audible over the rush of blood in my ears. I scan the shadows, the unease in my gut twisting tighter.

    The silence feels like a prelude, I look at the book I found when I wake up in this forest but before I can process further, I hear it: slow, deliberate footsteps, heavy enough to vibrate the ground. My throat tightens as I spot the massive wolf stepping into the clearing.

    It¡¯s huge¡ªeasily the size of a small car. Its fur ripples like smoke, and its glowing eyes met mine and there was a haunting air around it, it seemed to assess me with its eyes like intelligent being, but that soon disappears as it bares its fangs revealing its predatory nature But something isn¡¯t right about its face, its smiling at me, almost as if it¡¯s happy to find me It sends shivers down my spine as my face distort into that of a baffled and terrified look under my mask.

    The retreat of the zombie sheep suddenly makes sense.

    ¡°Out of the frying pan and into the fire,¡± I mutter, gripping the tree tighter.

    The wolf¡¯s gaze doesn¡¯t waver. This isn¡¯t just some mindless beast. There¡¯s something deeper behind those eyes, unnervingly calculating.

    First it licks its mouth then, It lunges. Massive jaws snap shut inches from my face as I dive to the ground, its jaw rips the bark out of the tree. The impact knocks the wind out of me, but I¡¯m already scrambling to my feet. The forest feels claustrophobic now, the once-towering trees pressing in like a death trap.

    ¡°Nice doggy,¡± I say, my voice steady despite my racing heart. ¡°I¡¯m just a tall, lost squirrel. Surely you¡¯ve eaten enough for today?¡±

    The wolf crouches, muscles coiling. My hand brushes against something in my pocket¡ªa high-frequency emitter, meant for disabling security systems. It¡¯s a gamble, but it¡¯s all I¡¯ve got. I activate it. A piercing whine fills the air. The wolf¡¯s ears flatten, and it recoils with a pained growl.

    I don¡¯t wait to see if it¡¯ll work for long. I sprint toward a cluster of dense trees, my lungs burning. The wolf¡¯s enraged howls echo behind me as I weave through the forest, dodging branches and roots. I burst into a small clearing and skid to a halt.

    Then the wind changes. It¡¯s subtle at first, but then it builds, carrying a strange pressure. Without warning, I¡¯m lifted off my feet and slammed into a tree. Pain radiates through my ribs as I gasp for air. Dazed, I look up to see the wolf standing over me. Its eyes now glow with an eerie greenish-blue light, swirling with energy that feels¡­ Magical. Otherworldly.

    Magic? No, that¡¯s ridiculous. But whatever this is, it¡¯s far beyond anything I¡¯ve ever encountered. A burning sensation spreads through my left arm. I glance down to see faint, shimmering Branch with Redish glowing veins under my hand. My chest tightens with panic, but I shove it down. Survive first, freak out later.

    The wolf lunges again. I twist to the side, my hand closing around the sturdy branch. My grandfather¡¯s voice echoes in my head: ¡°Even a small stone can turn a stick into a deadly weapon.¡± Muscle memory takes over. I hurl the branch with all my strength. It luckily strikes the wolf¡¯s eye, and the beast howls, staggering back as it rubs the stick out of its eye and it falls near me again.

    The wolf shakes its head, the glow in its eye undiminished. It snarls. I ready myself for the next attack as I pick up the stick again.

    <hr>

    Before it can strike, the ground beneath us erupts. Massive roots, thicker than tree trunks, burst from the earth. They try to twirl around the wolf who dodges some of them as it closes in on me some twirl around me and raise me up high, tightening like a giant fist., I throw the stick again but it misses the eye of the wolf this time as it shakes its head mid-air, in a last ditch effort my mind races and I remember that I have my electric disruptor with me, I flick its switch ON which makes the wolf lower its ears and bare its fangs even more, The wolf bites off my arm nonetheless as it jumps but karma hits all equally as it too gets caught by the vines.

    ¡°No!! Urgh, this damned mutt just had to make my life harder, what did I even do to you.¡± I try to shout in pain with the little strength I have left but my body just won¡¯t listen.

    The beast¡¯s snarls turn to whimpers before being silenced entirely as it is torn in half.

    Seeing what I saw, another wave of energy rushes in me, I try my best to free myself from the vines, but they just won¡¯t let go.

    The sight is so horrifying that I puke, but it¡¯s not over. My body freeze as in blur of my suffering I see a massive, spiderlike entity descends from the roots. Its skeletal frame glints in the dim light, its bony limbs tapping against the bark of the tree with an eerie rhythm. It has no eyes, I don¡¯t particularly hate arachnids but I certainly don¡¯t like this one. My chest tightens as it steps closer. Each tap of its limbs feels deliberate, like it¡¯s savouring the moment. I¡¯m frozen in place, unable to look away as it finally stops a few feet from me, I feel dizzy but losing consciousness here would mean my doom.

    For a moment, its head stays looking towards me. Then, it starts turning into something human-like. My breath catches in my throat. I can barely make out its features as the sun¡¯s rays casts shadow on it.

    ¡°You...¡± it rasps. Its voice is low, grating, and it feels like it¡¯s speaking directly into my mind.

    I will myself to move, to flee¡ªbut my body remains frozen, trapped in pain¡¯s cruel grip. The spiderlike creature advances, its limb stretching toward me. A wave of nausea hits, twisting the world around me. My vision wavers, the air thick with an unnatural stillness. Before the darkness swallows me whole, I catch a final, unsettling glimpse¡ªthe creature¡¯s bones crack and shift, its form warping into something no longer monstrous¡­ but disturbingly human.

    <hr>

    In the void, I find myself in a dreamlike haze. Floating in an endless white expanse, I¡¯m drawn to a colossal black sphere, its surface rippling with liquid shadows. A blood-red symbol¡ªa ¡®T¡¯¡ªpulses at its centre, I have seen it somewhere for sure, but where. As I stare, the spiderlike creature reappears, its humanoid form taking shape. Though its limbs are now folded and more humanlike, its grotesque, bony structure remains.

    ¡°Interesting, to think that a human¡¯s mind can be so complex.¡± It says in English.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± I ask ¡±Where is here?¡±

    ¡°A human who speaks the demon¡¯s tongue? How... unexpected, yet convenient nonetheless. *Laughs* As a reward of letting me have your body, and a tribute, I will let you know my name.¡± The humanoid replies

    ¡°Are you trying to sexually harass me? That won¡¯t work on me. Enough scientist, I don¡¯t know how you are doing this, but get me out of this world.¡± I demand

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are talking about, but I guess its only natural to be baffled about one¡¯s death on such a short note.¡± The humanoid says, which doesn¡¯t make sense to me at all.

    ¡°I am Geolard.¡± it says, its voice resonating in the emptiness.

    ¡°Geo who?¡± I ask in a passive way thinking its just some psychopathic scientists way of torturing his victims.

    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ¡°The 126th demon lord, and the only Bone-Demon to claim such a title. You witnessed my weakest form¡­ but even that was enough to end the beast that hunted you.¡±

    I ignore him while wandering around. ¡°I see, a demon lord huh? Seems like someone is into fantasy a lot.¡± I say as I look up at the sphere hanging in the space above, as if watching me.

    ¡°You want it don¡¯t you? Power to survive in this world?¡± he says which catches my attention.

    ¡°This world?¡± I ask

    ¡°At this very moment, I am trying to take over your body, and as we speak, I am also taking your memories, it comes as a surprise that you are an assassin called hitman named Ronin, the most feared individual in the world. But this world is way worse than where you come from.¡±

    It circles me slowly, its crimson eyes studying me with an unnerving intensity. ¡°You are... intriguing. A human, yet not bound by this world¡¯s laws. Your body... it will serve me well.¡±

    I glare at it, Defiant. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about whatever schemes you¡¯ve got, just get me out of here!¡± I say, my voice sharp despite the confusion swirling in my mind.

    Geolard paused, its head tilting again. ¡°Such Defiance. How quaint. But futile. And here I was trying to make it easier for you.¡± In a blink, it was on me. Its clawed hand wrapped around my throat, and I was lifted off the ground. My vision dimmed as I clawed at its grip, desperation flooding my senses. But as he tried to snap my neck with force I saw The red ¡®T¡¯ flared on the sphere, bathing the space in crimson light. A beam shot out, striking Geolard. It howled in agony, releasing me as it staggered back.

    ¡°You... are no ordinary human, How does a human possess his authority?¡± it rasped, its form flickering as though struggling to hold itself together.

    ¡°Seems like the tables have turned huh? Now speak, what¡¯s all this about needing power to survive in this world?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t realise it? You think some scientist sent you here, but this is actually another world from your perspective. From what is know so far, you are from Earth, a mythological world from the perspective of people of this world.¡± Geolard says as if resisting pain.

    ¡°Why tell me all this?, Why would I trust you?¡± I ask

    ¡°That black sphere, it¡¯s a lost artifact of our planet¡¯s ¡­... Cre¡­at..¡± he is interrupted as he glitches.

    Disturbingly enough he continues speaking, completely skipping the part I actually wanted to hear as if he didn¡¯t notice himself glitching.

    ¡°Ronin, from what your memories show me, you take up contracts don¡¯t you? we may not be able to meet again. My soul is being decimated by this black sphere. However, I can still offer you my powers. So please hear my request.¡±

    ¡°Power? I still find everything you said hard to believe¡± I say with suspicion evident.

    ¡°The image you have of demons on Earth is not wrong, but even we demons are prideful beings, I wouldn¡¯t be begging you if I could force you right now.¡± Geolard replies, which almost tricks me into believing that he may not be lying.

    ¡°Powers you said, huh? What¡¯s the catch?¡± I ask

    Geolard¡¯s eyes glinted with a mix of desperation and resolve. ¡°You must kill the evil elven king of the Royal Clodian family. He is the source of much suffering in this world, and his reign must end. In return, I will grant you the strength you need to survive. To think, that I would be bested by a single human¡­¡­.who just happened to have authority of¡­the great one..¡± Geolard goes on to explain a few things to me, how he was friends with one of the former generation heroes and the previous elven king but his son killed him and pushed the blame on Geolard for being a filthy demon responsible of killing him all so he could become king, even using a special poison to weaken his powers to great extent meant only for his kind of demons. He told me some basic things about how my powers may work when I wake up and how the world operates teaching me some basic things about magic and how I cannot use it.

    <hr>

    Sunlight filters through the canopy above as I wake up. My left arm and eye burn, and as I pull back my sleeve, faint scales glint in the light.

    ¡°What the hell is happening to me?¡± I think. My mind races as I try to make sense of everything.

    ¡°That¡­was a dream?¡± I blurt out loud, blinking away the lingering vestiges of sleep although my head feels heavy. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s even real anymore.¡±

    As I shift, trying to free myself from the vines¡¯ grip, a sharp pain lances through my left arm and my left eye. I crane my neck to look and freeze, my heart skipping a beat. Where my normal arm should be, there¡¯s now something else¡ªblack scales like obsidian and golden veins passing through it glinting in the morning light, and its as if I am wearing an expensive gauntlet.

    ¡°What the hell?¡± I whisper, a mix of fascination and horror washing over me.

    Geolard¡¯s words rush back: ¡°...consider this new body of yours as a payment of mine. It should be of great use to you in this world. If you absorb enough things¡ªbe it a tree¡¯s pulp or the flesh and bones of a living being¡ªyou can get stronger...¡±

    I let out a bitter laugh. ¡°Great. Not only am I stranded in some nightmare world, but now I¡¯m part demon? perfect.¡±

    As I struggle against the vines, they suddenly loosen their grip. For a moment, I feel relief¡ªuntil I realize I¡¯m plummeting toward the ground. I crash through several thick branches, each impact sending shockwaves of pain through my body.

    I hit the forest floor with a sickening thud, my left collarbone snapping on impact. Pain explodes through my chest, stealing my breath away.

    ¡°F**k, Great, now collarbone broken as well.¡± I groan, gritting my teeth against the agony. I yank the bone back inside and align it where it should be and thankfully it stick enough to not cause numbness. I drag myself near the tree blood flowing slowly from the torn skin around the collar bone, resting with my back against it.

    Lying there, trying to catch my breath and assess the damage, my mind races. A demonic contract, a transformed arm, and now more broken bones than I care to count. This world seems determined to kill me at every turn.

    As I struggle to sit up, leaning against the tree trunk for support, I feel something hard digging into my backside. Wincing, I reach around with my right hand, careful not to jostle my broken collarbone. My fingers brush against something metallic, tucked into my belt and partially trapped beneath me.

    With a bit of awkward twisting and a few choice curses, I manage to free the object. As I bring it in front of me, my eyes widen.

    ¡°No way,¡± I breathe, staring at the sleek device in my hand. ¡°How could I forget about this?¡±

    It¡¯s my plasma spear, a piece of cutting-edge technology I¡¯d completely overlooked in the chaos of the past day. The weapon¡¯s potential floods back to me¡ªits blade, when activated, burns at over 3000¡ãC, capable of slicing through most carbon-based matter like it¡¯s nothing.

    A humorless chuckle escapes my lips. ¡°Some hitman I am, forgetting about my weapon when I needed it most.¡± But I guess even this would do little against magical demonic creatures.

    As I sit there, I become acutely aware of how uncomfortably tight my suit has become. It¡¯s stretched in odd places, no doubt a result of my recent transformation.

    My eyes are drawn to the wolf¡¯s corpse, a grisly reminder of the night¡¯s battle. Despite my years as a hitman, the sight turns my stomach. Human targets were one thing, but this... this is something else entirely, I mostly like to keep things precise and clean. The sheer brutality of it all catches me off guard, livers, intestines all spread out, and some other bluish liquid other than blood is also there.

    ¡°Pull it together, man¡± I whisper to myself, forcing my feet to move. I approach the carcass cautiously, each step calculated to minimize the pain in my collarbone.

    As I near the torn upper half of the beast, something catches my eye¡ªa faint, otherworldly glimmer emanating from its belly region. Curiosity overrides my revulsion, and I find myself reaching toward the source of the light using the spear''s miniature form to gut the useless regions.

    My hand plunges into the wolf¡¯s chest cavity, and I immediately feel something solid and warm. With a grimace, I get a grip on the object and pull.

    What emerges nearly makes me drop my plasma spear in shock. It¡¯s the wolf¡¯s heart¡ªbut it¡¯s massive, almost the size of my Torso. The organ pulses with an unnatural light, and there seems to be some kind of shiny object inside the heart, but it soon loses its glow, I feel like the carcase was becoming squishy and I start feeling less in pain, I look at my collarbone and am baffled to see my flesh and bone joining back although slowly but noticeably.

    ¡°Did I gain some regenerative power? This feels so¡­Amazing and uncomfortable at the same time.¡± I think

    I notice something else on the ground nearby¡ªthe book I found when I came to this world, now covered in dirt. But it¡¯s not the book that catches my interest; it¡¯s what¡¯s lying next to it. I see a strange fruit, and my stomach groans. I¡¯m both thirsty and hungry.

    At this point, I figure I might as well take my chances. After all, I¡¯ve already absorbed a demonic entity and a giant wolf heart. How much stranger could things get?

    I bring the fruit to my lips, ready to take a bite, when suddenly something unexpected happens. The skin of my right hand begins to ripple and change, taking on a texture similar to my transformed left arm. Before I can react, the fruit starts to dissolve, being absorbed directly into my palm.

    ¡°What the¡ª¡± I exclaim, dropping the half-absorbed fruit in shock. I stare at my right hand, watching as the scales and strange texture recede, leaving behind normal human skin once more. ¡°Oh, come on! Now both arms are getting in on this absorption act?¡±

    I flex my fingers, feeling a surge of energy course through my body. The hunger and thirst that were gnawing at me moments ago have subsided, replaced by a feeling of renewed strength. Even my wound starts to heal more.

    I look around and notice something wrong with my sight. I can also see strange things from my left eye, its uncomfortable, as if I am on some heavy drugs.

    I look down at the remainder of the fruit, then at the book lying in the dirt. With a sigh, I pick up the book, brushing off the soil as best I can. Who knows¡ªin this world of magic and monsters, even a dirty old book might hold some crucial information.

    As I tuck the book into what¡¯s left of my stretched-out suit, I can¡¯t help but wonder what other surprises my body has in store for me. It seems that with each passing moment in this realm, I become less human and more... something else.

    ¡°Alright, gods.¡± I think, gathering my plasma spear and what¡¯s left of my wits. ¡°What¡¯s next on the menu? Because at this rate, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if I start breathing fire or growing wings.¡± I start to aimlessly walk through the forest, ok not clueless though, I walk toward the direction in which it looks like the sun of this world will to set.

 CHAPTER-2 â€œDwarf problemsâ€

    Its been two days now since I faced the wolf, and I have come to one conclusion, apart from surviving against the deadly beings in this world I think I can live here without regrets. Frey might miss me, but she have herself to blame for keeping the company¡¯s secrets from me all my friends are dead, is been a while since my parents and little brother passed away because of greedy relatives, no relatives left as I killed them. As for my sister, I¡¯m convinced she ended up in the same room I did. There¡¯s a chance she''s here, I hope she is because I am sure I was in the star labs before I came here.

    The book I had on me gave me idea of what this world is and what situation this world is in.

    According to this book¡¯s author Drax, who worshipped a being named ¡°Cosmeta¡± which is the balancer of existence and lives in ¡°Nothingness¡±. I don¡¯t understand how a being can exist in nothingness. But then he goes on about how he would be able to save his world from the ¡°Osmerians¡± who will arrive here to destroy or capture it. It also tell me that this world is somehow connected to Earth, and that its 5 times bigger than Earth which explains why everything felt so different here. It¡¯s been a good pass time, although other pages are strange, I try to turn the page but my left vision blurs and I find myself back on the previous page, its as if some power is restricting me from reading more than it wants, so I just let it be.

    It also had an old map in it which was hard to understand but I lost it on the day I left the place where I fought the wolf.

    I had been passing through a clearing, pausing for a moment to admire a patch of strange, violet-blue flowers swaying gently in the wind. It was a rare spot of beauty in this bizarre, twisted world¡ªone of the few things that didn¡¯t feel like it wanted me dead.

    Then, a gust of wind ripped the map from my hand, sending it tumbling through the trees before I could even react.

    And now? I¡¯m just a lost sheep.

    I keep moving, following a simple rule: opposite the rising sun, toward the setting one.

    The sky shifts in its usual, eerie way¡ªblueish-green in the morning, deep blood-red in the evening. When the sun is directly overhead, the sky becomes a swirling mixture of blue and red, shading into green near the sun itself. I¡¯ve tried looking at it a few times, but the closer I focus, the more it messes with my head.

    Maybe it¡¯s a blue giant, I wonder idly, a small distraction from the heavier thoughts gnawing at me.

    The forest is never completely silent, but something still feels... wrong.

    There are occasional animal sounds, rustling leaves, distant echoes¡ªbut no birds in the trees.

    I¡¯ve only seen birds in the skies a handful of times, but whenever I do, something shoots at them. I hear a sharp whizzing sound, followed by panicked squawks as they scatter. It¡¯s coming from the trees. Probably the monkeys.

    It¡¯s strange how the smaller creatures act more aggressively than the larger ones.

    I¡¯ve also seen weirder things.

    One plant tried to grab my left arm¡ªits vines coiling around me like hungry fingers. Before I could even react, it shriveled away, its essence draining straight into my arm. I don¡¯t know how, but somehow, I absorbed it.

    Then there was the lizard.

    At first, I barely noticed it¡ªjust another creature lounging lazily on a thick branch. But then I got too close.

    Its long, stick-like nose twitched, and I watched in confusion as it curled its tail around it¡ªas if¡­ mounting a gun.

    The realization hit a second too late.

    A sharp pop rang out, and something small and fast shot toward me.

    Pain flared across my chest.

    I stumbled back, gripping my side¡ªmy skin was turning green where the needle had struck. A sickly, creeping sensation spread from the wound, burning through my veins.

    Poison.

    I dropped to one knee, my vision blurring.

    Is this how I die?

    Then, as suddenly as it started¡­ the pain dulled.

    My body pushed the poison back. The unnatural green faded from my skin, my strength slowly returning.

    I exhaled, shaking off the lingering dizziness.

    That could¡¯ve been bad.

    <hr>

    Then came the fox.

    At first, I didn¡¯t think much of it¡ªjust another creature crossing my path.

    It stood a few feet away, partially hidden behind a fallen tree. Its fur was a deep ember-orange, patterned with white markings along its forehead¡ªstrange, rune-like symbols that almost looked deliberate.

    It just¡­ watched me.

    Not scared. Not curious. Waiting.

    Something felt off.

    Then, its eyes flashed pink.

    Shit.

    Before I could move, a burst of blue fire erupted from its mouth, rushing toward me.

    I raised my arm on instinct, bracing for the burn¡ªbut nothing happened.

    The fire reached me, then¡­ vanished.

    Not fizzled out. Not dodged. Just¡ªgone.

    The fox¡¯s ears flattened, its tail flicking, its whole body going rigid.

    It looked just as confused as I felt.

    I lowered my arm, frowning. What the hell?

    The fox snarled, eyes burning brighter, and launched another burst of flame¡ªcloser, stronger.

    Same result.,

    The fire disappeared the moment it reached me.

    This time, the fox Lunges at me with sharp claws glowing red with fire, but as it closes in on me the glow disappears which baffles the fox too, I react and slap the things away with my left hand, it whimpers in pain and runs away.

    I flexed my fingers, staring at my hand. That wasn¡¯t normal. Magic didn¡¯t just vanish like that... Right? . Another question added to the pile. No answers, at least not yet. I shook my head and moved on. No use standing around. There were bigger problems¡ªlike finding a way out of this damned forest.

    Soon The forest around me changes, the vibrant greens giving way to charred remnants of what once thrived. The landscape tells a story of destruction¡ªa forest fire, perhaps? It didn¡¯t spread, which means either it rained or someone extinguished it. The soil still holds moisture, a testament to nature''s resilience.

    A clanging sound catches my attention, I thought I was hearing things but the sound became clear as I focused on it which pulled me from my thoughts. I head toward it, navigating through the burnt patches of forest until I stumble upon a denser area Sound of metals clanging can never be a good thing in places such as these, but maybe in can find people and finally get out of this forest.

    After a few minutes, I find myself back in another clearing, where a group of green humanoids has surrounded a man. I duck behind a boulder, instinct kicking in. Goblins. Nasty little creatures, no doubt.

    They encircle a figure who looks like a dwarf, though aren¡¯t dwarves supposed to be smaller? This one stands about my height, wielding a hammer with short handle and a massive head. I strain to hear their conversation, keeping my distance¡ªapproximately 12 to 15 meters away.

    ¡°Dwarf come, he lives, not, then die. King orders,¡± a goblin with a staff barks.

    ¡°You and your king may as well have a taste of my thunder. You¡¯ll make a fine meal for the soil here,¡± the dwarf retorts, leaping into the air and smashing the head of one goblin with a sickening crunch. The others recoil, forming a defensive line.

    ¡°Maybe I should help him?¡± I ponder, but the dwarf jumps again, this time levitating as clouds swirl above him and thunder rains upon the goblins.

    Only one thought crosses my mind: ¡°The Norse god of thunder. Gods exist in this world too?¡±

    Although it looked very cool the dwarf''s attack seems less effective on goblin mage as it erects a shimmering barrier, shielding himself and his comrades.

    ¡°Dwarf kill our brothers, finally tired. Now we kill!¡± the mage commands, retreating behind his troops.

    It would be great to have a dwarf to make weapons better suited for this world and maybe I can finally make friends without worrying that some mafia or enemy may kill them to reach me, anyway, maybe doing something nice in a while may pay me off, I can have him guide me out of this never ending forest.

    So I decide it¡¯s time to act. I slip from behind the boulder, catching the dwarf¡¯s eye. I gesture for him to stay quiet as I creep toward the mage, crouched low against the sunlight that could betray my shadow.

    The Dwarf''s Perspective:

    ¡°Is that a demon? Shit, I¡¯m exhausted from these green savages chasing me for days, and now this? I can¡¯t fight¡ªI must find a way to escape.¡±

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°Wait, why is he sneaking behind the mage? And the mage can¡¯t sense him?¡± Confusion clouds the dwarf¡¯s thoughts.

    The goblin mage grinned, clutching his staff. "Finally, me go home. Me get reward. King and master happy."

    A shadow loomed behind him.

    ¡°Huh...? Who¡¯s¡ª?!¡±

    Before he could react, a sharp twist snapped his neck to the side. For a moment, his body went limp. But then¡ªcrack. The bones realigned, his head jerking back into place as he wheezed out an incantation.

    "Nature heals all: Minor Restoration."

    His glowing eyes locked onto me, no longer filled with fear but amusement.

    ¡°Hey! Goblins are more flexible, so that won¡¯t work!¡± the dwarf shouted, frustration bleeding into his voice.

    I clenched my jaw. Damn it.

    The goblin mage let out a wheezing laugh, twisting unnaturally in my grip. Before I could react, he brought his knee up¡ªhard¡ªslamming it into my ribs.

    It barely hurt, but it was enough to make me loosen my grip. He took full advantage, slipping free and scrambling backward, his small frame darting through the charred remains of the forest.

    Coward.

    He put several meters between us, then spun, raising his staff with renewed confidence. "Sun is fire, fire is hot: Flame Shot!"

    A fireball erupted from the staff¡¯s tip, streaking toward me.

    The goblin was already preparing another spell. He stepped back, staff raised. "Bless us with rain: Sun Shards."

    I hesitated. But moved. The fireball hit the ground creating crater and dust.

    Then¡ª

    ¡°Above you! Dodge!¡±

    The dwarf¡¯s warning barely reached me before my instincts screamed at me to move. I looked up only to realise that the goblin was ready with another spell. The sky shimmered. Fiery shards rained down, each one like a molten dagger hurtling straight for me.

    I raised my left arm on reflex.

    An explosion of heat and smoke swallowed me whole, I could feel some heat but it wasn¡¯t much, I watched the flames flicker uselessly against the invisible shield surrounding me. No heat. No burns. Nothing.

    My fingers twitched at my side. This was real. This wasn¡¯t some lucky dodge. Magic didn¡¯t reach me.

    I wasn¡¯t just resistant. The barrier around me rejected it. I think but first I need to settle the score with the green ugliness first, I take out my plasma spear but with its plasma off, I don¡¯t know if it has a hydro battery or not so I can¡¯t afford to discharge it in case it doesn¡¯t.

    The goblin mage threw back his head and howled with laughter. "Haha! See? Your friend¡ªdead!"

    He turned toward the dwarf, already preparing his next attack. "Now you know. Me powerful! Now you¡ª"

    The laughter died in his throat.

    A shadow moved within the smoke.

    I stepped forward, unharmed, spear in hand. "You were saying?"

    The dwarf, sees the shadow emerge from the smoke too.

    ¡°He¡¯s fine even after that?¡± he thinks, disbelief etched on his face.

    I swing my spear hard against the mage¡¯s temple, the impact reverberating through my arm. The goblin crumples, and I grab him by the neck before he can recover.

    ¡°Try that again, if you dare.¡± I say, trying my best to avoid squeezing too tightly, not wanting to kill him yet. His eyes widen in terror, tears streaming down his cheeks.

    ¡°Who you? Please, no-kill! I slave, your slave. No kill!¡± he pleads, his voice trembling. From every tale I¡¯ve heard, I know one thing: never trust goblins. But something in his desperation tugs at a sliver of sympathy within me. I let him go, my curiosity piqued.

    Maybe after destroying the shadow company I had become a bit more like I was when I was a kid, kinder. But these feelings had been supressed due to those shitheads.

    I snap out of my own thoughts and see the goblin still begging for his life.

    I let go of the goblin mage who pretend to be afraid but as soon as it got down it started to run, I didn¡¯t want to kill it just yet to test some of my theories but the dwarf finishes off his side of the fight, and before I could start chasing the goblin mage, he unleashed a thunderbolt that strikes the mage dead.

    ¡°Damn it! I needed him alive!¡± I growled, watching the smoking remains of the goblin mage. ¡°Did you really have to fry him?¡±.

    The dwarf, still breathing heavily, snaps his gaze toward me, gripping his hammer tighter.

    ¡°Why did you help me?¡± His voice is laced with suspicion, his stance shifting ever so slightly into a defensive posture. ¡°Are you not part of the Demon Lord¡¯s army?¡±

    My eyes narrow. He¡¯s ready to fight me if I say the wrong thing.

    ¡°Whoa, whoa!¡± I raise my hands, careful not to make any sudden moves. ¡°Did you just judge me based on my black suit? I¡¯m a human, not a demon¡¯s lord.¡±

    The dwarf doesn¡¯t relax. His sharp, battle-hardened eyes flicker to my left arm, the scaled, otherworldly limb that even I barely understand.

    ¡°If you are going to lie, at least make it believable, you can¡¯t hide your identity when you¡¯re swinging your demon hand around.¡± His fingers tighten around his hammer¡¯s grip. ¡°What are you, if not a demon?¡±

    For a moment, I consider lying¡ªdenying everything, making up some excuse¡ªbut something tells me that won¡¯t work on him. He¡¯s a warrior. He trusts actions, not words.

    ¡°Yeah, I get why you¡¯d think that,¡± I say slowly, keeping my voice level. ¡°Wait a moment.¡±

    With deliberate movements, I pull off my mask, revealing my face.

    The dwarf freezes. His jaw tightens, eyes darting between my human features and my monstrous arm, his breathing momentarily hitching.

    ¡°By the gods¡­¡± he murmurs, his grip on his hammer easing just a fraction.

    We stand there in tense silence. He¡¯s still wary. I can see it in the way his weight shifts, like he¡¯s ready to swing his hammer at the slightest provocation.

    I exhale. Better to keep moving.

    ¡°Look, maybe we can talk while we walk. I want to get out of this accursed forest before their friends arrive to get revenge¡± I say pointing at the goblins ¡°And I¡¯m guessing you do too.¡±

    The dwarf doesn¡¯t respond immediately. His eyes search my face for something¡ªa lie, a trap, a sign of betrayal.

    Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he lets out a gruff sigh.

    ¡°¡­Gladly. I am Warzheil.¡± His voice still carries a note of caution, but he lowers his hammer slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t want the lich to find me out aswell, so let¡¯s leave this cursed place.¡±

    ¡°Lich, huh?¡± I say as we start moving. Warzheil keeps his distance¡ªnot far enough to be hostile, but not close enough to be friendly either. He¡¯s watching me. Studying me.

    The silence stretches between us, thick with unspoken tension.

    After a while, I decide to break it. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t you have any suspicion about whether I¡¯m lying?¡±

    Warzheil scoffs, but there¡¯s no amusement in it.

    ¡°Of course I do.¡± His grip on his hammer tightens for a brief moment. ¡°You helped me, but that doesn¡¯t mean I trust you. For all I know, you could be leading me into a trap.¡±

    ¡°¡­Fair point. But you are the one walking in front.¡± I say on which he grunts

    Well I don¡¯t blame him. If the roles were reversed, I¡¯d be thinking the same thing.

    A long pause. Then, he exhales, shaking his head.

    ¡°You¡¯re clearly not from around here. I¡¯d be suspicious if it weren¡¯t for the current situation. So if its trust you want then we should start with how we got here.¡±

    His tone has shifted¡ªless guarded, more thoughtful. His suspicion isn¡¯t gone, but he¡¯s at least willing to listen.

    ¡°I will go first, ¡± he says on which I nod, Warzheil continues, ¡°You see, there was a dragon who became a god by worshipping a deity that no one other than him believed in. As a blessing for his devotion, his god granted him powers that made him stronger than the current god-king. We call him Drax.¡±

    ¡°What does that have to do with me?¡± I ask, narrowing my eyes.

    Something about the name Drax stirs a memory. I remember reading about him in the book¡ªThen it returns to me, it was the name of the Book¡¯s author that I have.

    And yet, Warzheil speaks his name like a man recalling a friend.

    The dwarf¡¯s gaze sharpens as if gauging my reaction. He doesn¡¯t answer immediately, instead tightening his grip on his hammer before finally speaking.

    ¡°Drax was my friend,¡± he says, his voice steady but cautious. ¡°Three days ago, he performed a summoning ritual¡­ but it cost him. Most of his power drained, he was left vulnerable, and Zamba¡ªthe dragon who had long envied his strength¡ªstruck him down.¡±

    My stomach tightens. ¡°Summoning ritual?¡± I say

    That sounds too deliberate to be a coincidence.

    Warzheil shifts his stance. He¡¯s watching me carefully now, measuring every reaction.

    ¡°I¡­.. wait, I thinks it¡¯s better to just show you.¡± I say as I take out the book I had from a torn part of my suit.¡±By any chance do you know of this book?¡±

    On mere glimpse of the book, I realise that the dwarf has already become hostile, taking a fighting stance.

    ¡°Where did you get Drax¡¯s diary?¡± he yells which annoys me as I feel like my head is pulling itself from inside.

    ¡°How am I supposed to know? I found it when I woke up in this forest three days ago.¡±

    Warzheil doesn¡¯t answer right away. His brows furrow slightly, and I notice the subtle shift in his posture¡ªless aggressive, but still wary. He stares at me, his eyes scanning my face, my stance, like he¡¯s piecing something together.

    ¡°Three days ago¡­?¡± His voice is quieter now, more thoughtful.

    I cross my arms. ¡°Yeah. Why?¡±

    Warzheil exhales, his grip tightening around his hammer. ¡°That timing¡­¡± He trails off, his expression darkening as if lost in thought.

    Then, his gaze snaps back to mine, sharper than before. Measuring. Searching.

    ¡°Let me see something,¡± he says, taking a slow step forward.

    I don¡¯t move, but my body tenses on instinct. ¡°See what?¡±

    He hesitates, then gestures vaguely toward my face¡ªtoward my left eye.

    ¡°I won¡¯t harm you. Just let me check something.¡±

    My first instinct is to back away. I don¡¯t like how suddenly his attitude is shifting.

    But he¡¯s not acting out of hostility. It¡¯s something else.

    Curiosity? No. Caution. Like he¡¯s dealing with something he doesn¡¯t fully understand.

    I sigh. ¡°Fine. Make it quick.¡±

    Warzheil steps closer, his rough fingers lightly brushing against my left eye. His expression is unreadable as he examines it.

    Then, he pauses.

    His breath catches, his fingers twitch just slightly before he pulls his hand back. A slow exhale, as if confirming something to himself.

    ¡°¡­So it really is you.¡±

    I frown. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±

    Warzheil takes a step back, adjusting his grip on his hammer¡ªnot aggressively, but like he¡¯s grounding himself. His face is unreadable, but there¡¯s a weight in his eyes that wasn¡¯t there before.

    ¡°Thank Drax I found you.¡±

    I blink. What?

    ¡°You were looking for me?¡±

    Warzheil¡¯s jaw tightens. ¡°Not you specifically. But¡­¡± He exhales, shaking his head. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. You are the god that Drax summoned.¡±

    Something cold settles in my stomach.

    My fingers twitch at my sides. A nervous habit.

    ¡°What?¡± I say with a voice Too hollow. Too forced.

    Warzheil doesn¡¯t blink. His stare, heavy with certainty, feels suffocating.

    He nods, his earlier caution now replaced with something that feels almost like conviction.

    ¡°Your eye says it all. It holds the mark of Cosmeta.¡±

    ¡°Cosmeta?¡± I echo. The name rings faintly in my memory¡ªI remember seeing it in the book I read earlier. The so-called balancer of existence.

    Warzheil nods. "The mark is faint now, almost unnoticeable. But it¡¯s there."

    I exhale sharply. ¡°This is ridiculous. How could you possibly know that?¡±

    Warzheil doesn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he reaches into his armor, his movements more certain now as he pulls out a small mirror from an impossibly small pocket.

    He brings it closer to my face.

    And my breath catches.

    My left eye¡ªit''s not normal.

    It mirrors the black orb from my dream¡ªthe same one that fired a crimson beam at Geolard. A swirling void of unearthly darkness, faint energy pulsing beneath the surface with a Redish ¡®T¡¯ symbol in its centre, I don¡¯t know what made Warzheil say that it was barely visible as for me the entire eye had changed, I saw my face in a pond I came across a day ago but it wasn¡¯t like this at that time. Does this have to do with that strange power that protected me earlier? My thoughts rampage in my mind but I try to supress them to prevent losing my cool.

    And that¡¯s not all.

    I look younger.

    I swallow hard, gripping my knee to steady myself. The outlines of objects glow faintly, the world around me seems sharper, and now I realize¡ªI¡¯ve been seeing differently since I got here.

    A chill creeps down my spine.

    Warzheil watches me carefully, his earlier scepticism almost entirely gone.

    "Drax chose you," he murmurs, more to himself than to me. ¡°Whether you believe it or not, this world does.¡±

    I shake my head, trying to push down the unease crawling through my veins.

    I don¡¯t trust this. I don¡¯t trust him.

    The tension lingers between us, unspoken but present.

    The weight of Warzheil¡¯s words settled in my chest. Chosen? That wasn¡¯t a word I liked. It felt like a chain more than a title. I clenched my fists, shaking the thought off as Warzheil sighed and adjusted his Armor.

    I hesitate, then nod.

    We still don¡¯t trust each other completely. I can see it in the way he keeps his distance as we walk, his hand near his weapon. And I know he notices how I stay slightly behind him, watching his movements.

    Trust isn¡¯t built in an instant.

    Warzheil keeps his distance. And so do I.

    For now, we walk together. But neither of us dares turn our backs.

    An uneasy truce.

    That will have to be enough.

 CHAPTER 3: Fateful Encounter

    We had been walking in silence for a while, exhaustion weighing on my limbs. The forest around us was eerily still, as if the very air had settled in anticipation. Warzheil, usually gruff and short-spoken, had been uncharacteristically quiet, his thoughts likely preoccupied with what lay ahead.

    Then, at last, he spoke.

    ¡°Higher dragons,¡± he murmured, his voice lower than usual, ¡°are incredibly rare. Few exist in any given age, and even fewer descend from their divine perches. When they do, they take on human form¡ªtrading their immense power for mobility, control¡­ and connection to the world.¡±

    I glanced at him, catching the distant look in his eyes. ¡°A compact body, but still strong enough to strike with the force of a catapult,¡± I said, repeating what I thought in my mind out loud.

    Warzheil gave a slow nod. ¡°Even in that form, they remain gods among men. But power¡­¡± He exhaled, the weight of old memories pressing against his words. ¡°Power always demands a price.¡±

    He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his voice tinged with something deeper¡ªa quiet revelation.

    ¡°Drax knew this better than anyone. Even at his strongest, even as a god, he understood that strength alone wouldn¡¯t be enough for what was coming.¡±

    I frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Warzheil¡¯s grip on his hammer tightened. ¡°Before he fell, Drax prayed to his god¡ªto the one he had followed in unwavering devotion. He begged for an avatar to be sent to this world, a warrior who could fight against what he feared was coming.¡± His gaze flickered toward me. ¡°And then¡­ you arrived.¡±

    A strange chill ran down my spine. ¡°You¡¯re saying Drax¡­ summoned me?¡±

    Warzheil didn¡¯t answer immediately. His expression was unreadable. ¡°Summoning magic exists, but this wasn¡¯t the work of mages or rituals. It was divine intervention. And divine intervention doesn¡¯t happen without reason.¡±

    I scoffed, though the unease in my chest lingered. ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. I didn¡¯t come here because of some dragon god¡¯s dying wish. One moment, I was on Earth, and the next, I was¡ª¡±

    I stopped myself. The memory of my arrival here was blurred, I do know I was in Star Lab¡¯s cosmic room but nothing after that.

    Warzheil eyed me carefully. ¡°You don¡¯t remember how you got here, do you?¡±

    I inhaled sharply. ¡°I do a little but--Not exactly. But I sure as hell didn¡¯t appear because of some prayer. And do I look like some god¡¯s avatar from any angle? And a God praying to another God?¡±

    ¡°Believe what you want,¡± Warzheil said, his tone indifferent. ¡°But Drax wasn¡¯t the type to place blind faith in myths. He had seen something¡ªsomething that made him certain he needed help. And about him worshipping another god, even I have my doubts but, Drax never saw himself as a ruler of all things. He saw himself as a servant. His strength, his dominion over the skies¡ªhe believed they were never truly his.¡±

    I folded my arms. ¡°And did he ever say who¡¯s they were?¡±

    Warzheil¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°No. And that¡¯s what troubles me.¡±

    ¡°I was on my way to this forest as instructed by him prior to the summoning. Through my scope I could see Black thunder rising out of the blue as clouds formed around them and fall as they carve through his body, while he called to his god.¡± His expression became tensed. ¡°He must have stood there all night. His skin burned, his wings torn. Yet he never moved. He never stopped calling.¡±

    I swallowed. ¡°Why?¡±

    I clenched my jaw. ¡°So, what? He thought this god of his was the one truly in charge? That everything he had¡ªhis power, his existence¡ªwas just borrowed?¡±

    Warzheil nodded. ¡°To him, gods like himself were just extensions of a greater will. Shadows cast by something beyond comprehension.¡±

    I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply. ¡°And did he ever get an answer?¡±

    Warzheil¡¯s steps slowed.

    The silence stretched between us, heavier than before.

    A heavy pause lingered between us. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows through the trees. Warzheil¡¯s grip tightened around his hammer again, his gaze locked ahead, unblinking.

    ¡°The only thing I saw next was there being Giant hole in the sky as if night pierced the day¡¯s sky as a figure fell, and then a big battle between Drax and his arc nemesis Zamba. Drax was the acting Dragon king of dragon-kind, but using his weakened State, Zamba struck him down as he tried to save the one summoned. All I could do was run myself as well, as I was being chased by those goblins and minions of the lich under the Demon Lord.¡± He said

    The wind stirred through the trees, carrying a strange, hollow silence between us.

    I glanced down at my hands.

    Pieces of a puzzle began falling into place.

    A god prayed for an avatar. A warrior, sent to protect his world from something unseen. A man who called to the heavens¡ªwho believed his power wasn¡¯t his own¡ªwaiting for a response.

    And then, I arrived. I stopped walking.

    Warzheil noticed my silence and turned toward me, his expression unreadable.

    My breath was steady, but my mind was racing.

    ¡°¡­Are you saying,¡± I began, my voice low, ¡°that I¡¯m not just some random guy who got pulled into this world?¡±

    Warzheil met my gaze.

    ¡°I¡¯m saying,¡± he said slowly, ¡°that Drax believed his god sent him an avatar.¡±

    My throat tightened.

    ¡°¡­And you think that¡¯s me?¡±

    Warzheil didn¡¯t answer.

    He didn¡¯t have to.

    The wind howled between the trees.

    I clenched my fists.

    Something deep inside me¡ªthe thing I had been pushing away, the truth I didn¡¯t want to see¡ªwas staring back at me now.

    We stepped into a clearing not long after our discussion, and there, against a massive boulder, lay a skeleton¡ªhumanoid in shape but far larger than any mortal could ever be. Regal. Untouched by time, as though it had been waiting.

    I slowed my steps as Warzheil came to a stop. He inhaled deeply, his shoulders rising and falling with deliberate control.

    ¡°When a god dies,¡± he said softly, ¡°their flesh does not remain. Only their bones return to the world, waiting to be reclaimed by nature. Some say it is their final act of balance¡ªoffering what remains of themselves to the land they once ruled.¡±

    I remained silent, allowing his words to settle. He stepped forward, eyes fixed on the remains of his fallen friend.

    ¡°Forgive me, Drax,¡± he murmured. ¡°I am too late.¡±

    The wind carried his words into the stillness. I had seen many kinds of grief in my time, but this was different. It wasn¡¯t loud, nor was it desperate. It was accepting, yet the weight of loss still clung to it.

    I wanted to say something, but before I could, movement in the trees drew my attention.

    <hr>

    A figure emerged from the opposite end of the clearing.

    She moved with deliberate grace, her armor barely making a sound as she stepped forward. Her blue hair swayed lightly in the breeze, her sharp eyes scanning the remains¡ªnot with greed, not with possession, but with reverence.

    She came to a stop before the skeleton, her sword still sheathed. With measured precision, she bowed slightly, her gaze lowered in silent acknowledgment. It was brief but genuine¡ªone warrior paying respect to another greater than herself.

    Only after that did she turn to face us.

    ¡°I am Commander Ava of the Holy Kingdom,¡± she stated, her voice calm, unwavering. ¡°One of the Seven Heroes chosen to lead the fight against the Demon Lord.¡±

    She let the words settle, her eyes shifting between me and Warzheil. ¡°And you must be the Thundersmith.¡±

    Warzheil scoffed, but I noticed the way his fingers flexed against his hammer, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

    Ava tilted her head slightly, assessing me.

    I instinctively moved my left arm behind me, just as Warzheil had warned me to do before. If anyone saw it, they might mistake me for something I¡¯m not.

    Thankfully, Ava¡¯s gaze flickered back to Warzheil.

    I exhaled, shifting my stance slightly. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, my voice casual but firm. ¡°Before we start throwing threats around, what is this about?¡±

    Warzheil grunted. ¡°She¡¯s one of their strongest. The so-called ¡®heroes¡¯ of the Holy Kingdom. Seven warriors, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord and ¡®purge evil from the lands.¡¯¡± He spat the last words like they left a foul taste in his mouth.

    Ava didn¡¯t react to the bitterness in his tone. She simply met my gaze and continued, ¡°We need the remains of this god. His bones will forge a weapon strong enough to aid us in the battle ahead. If we fail, the Demon Lord will consume this world.¡±

    Warzheil took a step forward, his jaw tight. ¡°And you think Drax would approve of that? Using his remains as a weapon?¡±

    Her expression remained composed, but there was something else in her eyes¡ªa flicker of something unspoken.

    ¡°I do not ask this lightly,¡± she said. ¡°I understand the weight of my actions. But we have no choice.¡±

    The forest held its breath.

    Then, from the right, another voice broke the moment.

    ¡°We are truly grateful to god Drax,¡± a man¡¯s voice rang out as a bald figure stepped forward from the treeline, flanked by a group of armoured paladins, they stand near Ava. ¡°And we will honour his sacrifice by using his remains to protect the innocent.¡±

    His arrival shattered the tension like a hammer to glass. The paladins moved with precision, their presence suffocating, their hands drifting toward their weapons.

    I narrowed my eyes, exhaling through my nose.

    So that¡¯s how this was going to go.

    Warzheil¡¯s words hung in the air, thick with resentment, his eyes locked onto Ava.

    ¡°And they call gravediggers like you ¡®heroes¡¯?¡± His voice was like distant thunder, rumbling with restrained fury. ¡°The only true heroes this land has known are Heroleas and the ancients. One of them¡ªthe one behind you¡ªwas my friend. A god who saved your sorry excuse for an empire when the Hell fiends attacked. And he never asked for anything in return.¡± His jaw tightened, the weight of his grief pressing down on his final words. ¡°And this¡­ is how you repay him?¡±

    Ava¡¯s posture stiffened. For a brief moment, her resolve wavered.

    ¡°I¡­¡± she began, but before she could answer¡ª

    The bald man spoke.

    ¡°We really are very grateful,¡± he said smoothly, stepping forward, his voice practiced, measured. ¡°And we hope that his sacrifice will add to our power.¡±

    Warzheil turned to him sharply, his voice now filled with malice.

    ¡°And who are you to decide that?¡±

    The bald man smiled, though there was nothing warm about it.

    ¡°I am Cruth, one of the Twelve Cardinals of the Holy Empire,¡± he said with unsettling, almost hypocritical grace. ¡°A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister Thundersmith.¡±

    I rolled my shoulders, my muscles coiling like a spring.

    ¡°You¡¯re mistaken if you think this is happening.¡± without realizing it, I moved my left hand as I said that.

    A reflex. A careless shift in posture.

    And that was all it took.

    ¡°Commander! Look at his hand!¡±

    A paladin¡¯s voice cut through the air, sharp with alarm.

    Ava¡¯s gaze snapped toward me. I saw her brows furrow, her body tensing as she took in the sight.

    Her pupils shrank slightly.

    ¡°¡­A demon?¡± she whispered.

    The atmosphere shifted in an instant.

    Cruth¡¯s eyes darkened. His mocking smile returned.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Oh?¡± he said smoothly. ¡°So the Thundersmith has allied himself with them now?¡±

    Warzheil exhaled sharply beside me, his posture steeling.

    The paladins tightened their formation, shields raised, their weapons no longer at rest.

    The confrontation had changed.

    And I knew there was no walking away from it now.

    The paladins shifted into formation, shields raised, their stances sharp and disciplined. Their bodies spoke their intent before their blades ever would.

    The hostility this left gauntlet of a hand attract might turn out to be a greater issue in the future. I think to myself

    ¡°Cruth, you know who the commander is, right?¡± the woman sneers at Cruth.

    The bald cardinal didn¡¯t so much as flinch.

    ¡°Oh, I do.¡± His lips curled into something between a sneer and a grin. ¡°Pardon my insolence, but that right there is the natural enemy of humankind.¡±

    He pointed at me.

    My muscles coiled.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t stand them!¡± Cruth continued, his words dripping with venom. ¡°They killed Cardinal Sir Makroth before my very eyes. You know how much I despise their kind.¡±

    Ava''s gaze flickered toward me, unreadable.

    But she didn¡¯t contradict him.

    Instead, she turned slightly to her soldiers.

    ¡°You all hold the Thundersmith,¡± she commanded. ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate him; a single thunder will kill you if you let your guard down.¡±

    That was all the confirmation they needed.

    Weapons unsheathed. Magic crackled in the air.

    Warzheil shifted beside me. ¡°You stay out of this, Ronin.¡± His voice was as heavy as the storm brewing around him. ¡°Now that you¡¯re half-demon, you¡¯re vulnerable to holy magic.¡±

    I scoffed, rolling my shoulders. My heartbeat slowed, sharpening.

    ¡°Shut it, old man,¡± I muttered, a surge of confidence rippling through me. Everything was so¡­ clear. ¡°My mind has never been sharper.¡±

    I tilted my head toward Ava. ¡°You keep those paladins and that priest busy.¡± My grip tightened on my spear. ¡°I¡¯ll deal with this girl.¡±

    Warzheil hesitated. His eyes met mine, searching.

    ¡°¡­Are you sure?¡± he asked finally. ¡°She¡¯s one of the Seven Heroes. She won¡¯t go easy.¡±

    I exhaled through my nose, feeling the rush of the moment settle over me like a second skin.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough,¡± I said, stepping forward.

    The battle had begun.

    ¡°I will count on you then,¡± he says, his voice steady.

    Ava didn¡¯t move at first.

    She raised a single hand.

    Light bloomed at her fingertips¡ªshards forming midair, spiraling like a constellation.

    Then, with a flick of her wrist, the spikes of holy energy launched.

    I moved before I even thought.

    Not out of instinct. Not out of fear.

    But because I already knew.

    The goblin mage. The fire fox. Their spells never burned me.

    The flames had licked my skin, the magic had surged around me¡ªbut nothing happened.

    I had tested it before, subtly, cautiously. Magic¡ªat least some kinds¡ªcouldn¡¯t touch me.

    But this¡­This was holy magic.

    Would it be different?

    The first arrow struck¡ªthen vanished.

    No pain. No impact.

    Just like before.

    I lowered my arm, unbothered.

    Ava was staring.

    Her previously composed expression shifted, her eyes narrowing.

    ¡°¡­Impossible,¡± she muttered.

    I almost smirked.

    A fraction of a second.

    That was all I needed.

    I rushed forward.

    Let her try something new.

    I dart forward before she can launch her attack, the air rushing past me. My legs feel lighter, faster, as though something within me is propelling me forward. Each step feels deliberate, calculated.

    What is this power? Is it the demon heart? Or something more?

    Her expression shifts, steeling with resolve. ¡°Let¡¯s see how long you last.¡±

    Hundreds of spikes materialize in the air, ready to launch at me. This could be bad; maybe my earlier luck was just that¡ªluck. She appears to be a mage, and I need to close the distance quickly.

    The hero drops her hand, signaling the start of her assault. I take off running toward her, and to my surprise, I feel faster than ever before. I¡¯ve never sprinted like this; it¡¯s as if the very air propels me forward. Yes, I can win, even without magic.

    I lower my body, dodging as many spikes as I can. Most of them bury themselves into the ground, and I manage to close the gap between us. I use my spear as a staff to strike at her, but she effortlessly blocks my attack with the hilt of her sword.

    ¡°Heh,¡± she giggles, a sound that ignites a flicker of irritation within me.

    I feel insulted. ¡°I was trying not to accidentally kill you since you¡¯re a hero, but it seems you¡¯re a fine fighter. Allow me to go all out,¡± I declare, but the hero leaps back with incredible speed, as if I had been the one teleported.

    She summons more spikes of light, but this time I will rely on the martial arts I learned from my grandfather. Well, technically, I learned most of it from him, but I¡¯ll be using a technique I saw in movies.

    The hero shoots the spikes at me again. I take a deep breath, spinning the staff in a circular motion, mixing in leaps and dodges to maintain the spear¡¯s momentum. It works; I manage to deflect most of the spikes. But suddenly, the attacks cease.

    Dust fills the air, obscuring my vision. At first, I can¡¯t see anything, but then my sight sharpens. I fall to my knees, feeling a wave of weakness wash over me. Yet, I notice something peculiar: colorful winds swirl around me. Is it even wind? I can see the outlines of the hero standing outside the smoke, as well as the trees and objects behind her. But I can only perceive this with my left eye. It¡¯s dizzying.

    But I can make use of this power. I rush from the right side of the smoke, eager to exploit the surprise. There it is¡ªthe look of bafflement on the hero¡¯s face, she must not have expected me to deflect all of her spikes.

    As she start running to avoid me, confusion fills Ava¡¯s mind. ¡°He deflected all of my spikes with a staff? Only primordial class weapons can do that. Does that mean his staff is a primordial class? Not only that, but he is not your run-of-the-mill fighter. I have never seen someone with this level of skill in this world, I need to end this before it spirals out of control.¡±

    Ava begin to chant while simultaneously launching a few spikes, hoping to catch me off guard. But, This time,I think She held back, So I ran straight in.

    ¡°Normally, I wouldn¡¯t take such a reckless approach, but I need to take chances or I¡¯ll end up exhausted.¡± I think

    But for my surprise She runs toward me as well, and for a brief moment, just to confuse her, I show a face full of fear, which works like a charm as when I shift from fear to a grin, she falters, which gives me enough time to take the attack which was aimed at my heart and move enough to protect my heart by a wide margine, but for some reason she is happy?.

    ¡°Got you,¡± Ava say as her strike lands on me, but something feels off about her reaction.

    Ava clearly saw her blade pierce Ronin¡¯s chest where his heart should be according to her. But something felt off about him, it¡¯s almost as if it struck the opposite side.

    ¡°Light of Goddess: Exorcism Blade!¡± She exclaims, watching as the sword glows briefly before the light fades. It tickled a little more than it hurt.

    ¡°Huh? The skill didn¡¯t work?¡± She questions, confusion evident in her voice.

    ¡°Hey, are you mocking me? You had such a good chance to stab me in the heart!¡± I retorts, with a hint of mockery in my tone.

    She seems taken aback by my resilience, even I am, I feel less human by every passing minute although it still painful as hell. ¡°You are no ordinary demon. I used holy magic on you, but it didn¡¯t work. It would work on any being, regardless of race. And why are you not dead even though I stabbed you through the heart?¡± Ava asks me, bewilderment clouding her thoughts.

    "My heart?" I giggle and tilt my head slightly. "Last I checked, hearts aren¡¯t supposed to be on the right side. Maybe you should brush up on your anatomy." I kick her away, which hurts me even more as she slashes her sword away.

    Ava¡¯s eyes narrowed. Her grip on the hilt tightened, but something flickered behind her cold exterior¡ªdoubt, hesitation. I had expected rage, unrelenting fury, yet here she was, Looking like she has more questions on her mind than I have on mine, of course I would be in same situation if I was her.

    ¡°To the left? But that was the case on Earth! Wait, is he by any chance¡­¡± She thinks, realization dawning upon her.

    ¡°It seems like your men are giving the old man a hard time,¡± I say, glancing over her shoulder as she approach cautiously. Warzheil appears to be holding his own, unleashing thunderbolts that scatter the paladins. He looks like a possessed Viking, he looks like he could beat a volcano if it was about erupting the hardest.

    ¡°Hey, did your mana run out?¡± I try to get under the Hero¡¯s skin as a sign of challenge to her.

    ¡°Wait, I haven¡¯t introduced myself properly. I am Ava Roheiz, one of the top seven heroes,¡± She say which catches me off-guard and breaking my flow, I don¡¯t like it when someone pulls this move, as it compels me to play mind games, I guess it¡¯s her unlucky day, manipulation is one of my strong traits.

    But above all I am baffled by her name, did I hear it wrong, she didn¡¯t just say Ava Rohiez did she?

    ¡°Ava Rohiez you say?¡± I hesitate as I am overwhelmed by the coincidence. But she nods.

    ¡°Wait? That¡¯s my sister¡¯s name, and Roheiz is our last name? That can¡¯t be coincidence. But my Ava is nothing like her, She looks completely different from her. It must be a coincidence?

    ¡°O-oh, my name is Ronin,¡± I stammer like an Amateur.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got the look of someone who¡¯s seen much,¡± I Say, as my mask obscuring the tremor of recognition threatening to break her composure. ¡°You have looks of a warrior forged in fire, fighting not for glory, but to escape something¡ªor someone."

    At this point my best bet would be to gather more information on her, even if it¡¯s a coincidence, I cant let it slide, I should try to put her off her game, this have worked out for me many times in the past too.

    Her eyes narrowed. ¡°You speak as though you know me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve known many like you,¡± I reply, keeping my[ voice steady. ¡°People shaped by shadows, trained to be weapons. The kind of people who don¡¯t belong in this world, much like myself.¡±

    I don¡¯t know where this is going but it seems like she is into it.

    She tilted her head slightly, intrigued but cautious. ¡°And what makes you think I don¡¯t belong here?¡±

    I take a step forward, slowly, deliberately. ¡°Because your movements, your methods¡ªthey tell a story. Pain, and... betrayal. Am I wrong?¡±

    To be honest, I am just talking about what I feel happened with me. Am I losing my shit on a random chance that she may be my sister?

    Her grip tightened on the hilt of her sword, but she didn¡¯t interrupt.

    ¡°I¡¯ve crossed paths with those who came from places they¡¯d rather forget,¡± I continue as I soften my voice to stabilise myself. But it seems to work. Just as I thought this, she slashed the air with her sword sending weird curves of magic towards me but they were slow enough to dodge, so I did.

    ¡°Shady Cults that tore families apart and turned children into killers.¡± I say as I dodge.

    The shift in her posture was subtle, but I am sure I caught it¡ªa flicker of unease, of recognition. So I pressed on as impatient settle in me and I decide to ask a the main question in my mind.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for someone,¡± I ask in a whisper only to be surprised at my own lack of composure, expecting something out of this made-up conversation maybe. ¡°A girl who was taken by that cult. They told her lies, twisted her against the ones who loved her most. Do you know what that feels like?¡±

    Ava¡¯s eyes darkened, her expression unreadable. ¡°You are a fool if you think you can just lie and try to manipulate me.¡±

    I held up my hands in a placating gesture. ¡°I have no reason to lie. I¡¯ve seen what they do. I¡¯ve seen how they break people, how they pit them against each other to serve their agenda. And I¡¯ve seen how they twist the truth to keep their victims from ever finding peace.¡±

    At this point I am just doing this under impression that this is my Ava, but if there is even slightest chance that it¡¯s her, I want to keep this conversation from revealing myself to her. Maybe I have started to age and go senile already. I look like a man in late 20s but am still 41 mentally.

    Her sword trembled slightly, a crack in her otherwise unyielding demeanor. ¡°Say, you don¡¯t talk like someone from here, Do the word ¡°Earth¡± ring a bell, Mister Ronin?¡± She asks

    ¡°Wha¡­? How do you know?¡± I narrow my eyes, suspicion creeping in.

    I can¡¯t let this slide How does she know? Is it possible she is my Ava?

    I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. ¡°A girl... her name was Ava, just like yours. She was taken from her family long ago. Trained, manipulated. I¡¯ve been searching for her ever since.¡±

    Ava¡¯s laugh was bitter, sharp. ¡°Ava? So that¡¯s your angle. Let me guess¡ªyou are from The Shadow Company?¡±

    I hate the name of the Shadow Company, but at this moment, I felt a gratitude towards it as it became a bridge between us, it¡¯s really my sister. She must be, how else can she know of the company. Wait. I need to calm down. This can¡¯t be mere luck.

    My chest tightened, but I kept my calm under my mask. ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±

    ¡°Oh I used to work for The Shadow Company too, this makes it easy, I can kill you without regrets then.¡± She admits, Her voice steady yet guarded, which doesn¡¯t sit well with me.

    ¡°My code name is Dark. I assume you are human too, despite how you are now, are you maybe a Cyborg? let me see you face before I kill you, I will remember you, as I know the hellish training you must have gone through to get so good at fighting even without magic.¡± She ask, Curiosity and a strange respect in her voice.

    I hesitate, unsure if I should reveal my face. What if she recognizes me? From what I know, my sister was fed hatred toward me, telling her lies about me selling her to the Shadow company to make extra money. I should take a different approach.

    ¡°No, I can¡¯t show my face. If you are from there, then you know why right?¡±

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t that rule only for the top 10 hitmen? Don¡¯t tell me you are one of the top 10?¡±

    ¡°yes, I am no.1¡±

    ¡°What is the highest ranker doing here?, Did you die on Earth and got reincarnated as a demi-demon?¡± she asks, her voice cold and sharp and I can sense a bit of hesitation in her demeanour, should I have said I am a lower rank instead? Anyone would be on the edge if they knew they are facing the final boss of the field they fought on.

    ¡°Even heroes has this many questions ,huh?.¡± I ask with a chuckle.

    I steadied myself, pushing down the storm of emotions threatening to break through. ¡°I¡¯m on a mission given to me by a close friend,¡± I says carefully, keeping my tone measured. ¡°He found clues about the whereabouts of his beloved sister¡ªclues that led here. He became the number one operative of the Shadow Company but destroyed it when he uncovered their lies. We parted ways to search separately, but I ended up here. By chance, your name matches hers, even the last name.¡±

    Her eyes narrowed, suspicion giving way to hostility. ¡°Matches my name?. By any chance,¡± she says, her tone laced with venom, ¡°is your friend¡¯s name Shar Roheiz?¡±

    ¡°You remember him huh?¡± I ask

    ¡°How could I forget the name of the one who turned my life into living hell. He was lucky I didn¡¯t remember his face as he was always away, gambling, then he sold me too.¡± She says,

    So that¡¯s what those shitheads in Shadow Company fed to her mind huh?

    The air seemed to freeze around me. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod. ¡°So,¡± I say composing myself even though my thoughts were rampaging in my head, ¡°you are his sister. I¡¯ve finally found you.¡±

    Her blade trembled in her grip, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of hesitation. But then her anger surged back, cutting through the momentary crack in her Armor.

    ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t think I can take us back, I too am stuck here now.¡± I add, my voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°Well duh genius, and wait, did you say you would Take me back? Where? To that demon who sold me, his own sister? You should know how life was in Shadow Company! We had to crawl our way up the ranks just to be treated like human-beings¡± she spits, her words dripping with venom. ¡°And I don¡¯t even have a blood relation to that bastard now. He sold me to the company for his own gain. Why would I ever go back?¡±

    I flinched at her words, but I forced myself to respond. ¡°I don¡¯t know What they told you, but I worked alongside Shar and I owe him. I know what kind of man he is. He hated the company¡ªtore it apart even trying to find you. They lied to you, Ava. They manipulated you because they feared what might happen if you learned the truth.¡± Her laugh was bitter, sharp, cutting through the fragile hope I clung to. ¡°Lies!¡± she snaps. ¡°Do you think you can rewrite my Pain with your sweet words? I lived that nightmare. I know what he did!¡±

    ¡°You know what they told you,¡± I say, keeping my voice calm despite the ache in my chest. ¡°If he sold you, why didn¡¯t they tell you where he was? Why keep him from you, Ava? They feared you might uncover the truth¡ªthat he never stopped searching for you, never stopped loving you.¡±

    Her blade rose again, a barrier between us. ¡°Enough!¡± she shouts. ¡°So what if it¡¯s true? I have a family here now¡ªa daughter and a husband who loves me. The world Shar left me in gave me nothing but pain. I died in the Star Labs¡¯s Cosmic Room, Goddess Ethis gave me new life, a purpose by bringing me to this world. He couldn¡¯t give me any of that.¡±

    Her words hit me like a sledgehammer, each one driving deeper into the fragile hope I¡¯d carried for years. My vision blurred, and it took me a moment to realize tears were streaming down my face. I raised a hand, brushing them away, but they couldn¡¯t be wiped under this mask.

    What do I do?

    She doesn¡¯t need me?

    But I did all that for her!

    Maybe I Should I just show her my face and expect mercy?

    ¡°You wanted to see my face, right?¡± I say with heavy throat as I decide to reveal myself.

    I gather the courage to remove my mask. There is a glint of surprise on her face.

    ¡°Like I thought, you are human. You look around my age too, but what¡¯s with that black eye? Is it robotic?¡±

    She doesn¡¯t recognize me! Well, I guess I can¡¯t blame her since she was small when they kidnapped her.

    ¡°Hey! Are you crying?¡± she asks, her voice softening.

    What¡¯s she saying? I rub my cheeks to find out that a stream of tears has started flowing from my eyes. When did I last cry?

    I tried. I tried my best, Grandpa. But I couldn¡¯t keep her happy OR safe. I let my family fall apart. And now I am all alone. Why must I live this pain inducing life? Had I not been bound by duties you gave me I would have jumped off a building, or destroyed the world with nukes and died with it.

    My mind was almost out of control now, thoughts started to spiral out of control. My dark side started to reveal as its shackles started to loosen. I always feared the monster I might become after doing heinous things for 21 years, but I kept control, and now I felt like I should just let go of all this control.

    Ava moves closer but stops shortly after.

    ¡°Sorry, Maybe something I said hurt your feelings, I know how hard it must have been for you too since you climbed to rank 1 even though I broke at rank 87 despite thinking I was the most resilient. To be honest, even though I know that people from Shadow Company cannot be trusted but you look like a nice guy, you had many chances where you could have harmed me but you didn¡¯t. Sadly I can¡¯t let you leave now that I have told you, who was part of the Shadow company, about my family. And right now my goddess commands me to kill you, but if you go down peacefully, I promise I will ask the goddess to reincarnate you in this world too. You will be able to live peacefully, poor you, you were also manipulated by my evil brother. I can¡¯t guarantee you to remember your past but surely it will be better than before. Mister Ronin, I hope you find peace.

    ¡°Like hell I will¡± I spoke out loud on instinct, as emotions swirled inside me.

    I see, a shame, but Please do try your best to fight back, Although it¡¯s useless since I will be using my special power, which grants me god power.¡±

    A god that summons me and then a goddess that wants me dead huh? These gods are nothing like those I revered, then I should show this goddess how much resistance in can offer.

 CHAPTER 4: First Camping with a Friend

    ¡°Ronin, I¡¯m done with them! Let¡¯s run! A god¡¯s possession is incredibly dangerous and nearly omnipotent, even if it¡¯s only for a short time,¡± Warzheil urges.

    Even though I am supposed to be a pro, I got so emotional over meeting my sister, but I know better than to succumb to my emotions and die.

    This had become a bad and yet very convenient habit of mine over years, I could just suppress my feelings, my emotions but its always helped me in times like these where I need to be wiser not emotional, thankfully Warzheil¡¯s intervention snaps me out of my emotional turmoil. He¡¯s right; we must escape. But if it¡¯s a goddess, can¡¯t she just catch us? I need to buy him time to get away.

    Drax¡¯s skeletal remains hung over his back, missing parts. Where did they go?

    Did he put them in his strange dimensional pocket? And now that I think about it, Warzheil looks Bigger, does he possess the ability to increase his size?.

    But I don¡¯t have time to think about it seriously.

    ¡°You go ahead; I¡¯ll stall her,¡± I declare, determination hardening my resolve.

    Warzheil nods, understanding the gravity of the situation, and takes off into the underbrush.

    ¡°You better not die lad, don¡¯t push your luck and run when you find your chance.¡± Warzheil says to me

    ¡°I saw him fighting earlier, his fighting style is very scary, he is mana-less and yet he was beating one of the seven heroes, I had my doubts, but the more I see him the more I think he is the one Drax was trying to call.¡± Warzheil thinks as he runs.

    Run, huh? from a deity no less, this old man doesn''t seem to understand what he is asking of me.

    ¡°It¡¯s useless; I will retrieve the divine skeleton, after I put you down.¡± Ava states, her voice chilling as she begins to levitate. I put on my mask again as it was getting too dusty.

    ¡°Divine Art: Divine Possession!¡± she intones softly.

    Suddenly, energies around me surge toward her, launching a shockwave that clears the area. The boulder supporting Drax¡¯s skeleton is obliterated, debris flying in all directions.

    Ava descends gracefully to the ground, her presence radiating an enormous aura. I can see it clearly with my left eye. She raises her hand, and everything around me is enveloped in a blinding white veil, leaving only a two-meter radius of grass untouched. The air around me feels heated up, and the dust makes my nose itch.

    ¡°Grave of Light,¡± she intones, her voice distorted, echoing as if a multitude of voices spoke from the void.

    I¡¯m surrounded by millions of spikes of light, and panic surges within me. I can¡¯t dodge them all. As she waves her hand downward, I close my eyes, bracing for the end.

    Maybe it¡¯s not so bad to die by my sister¡¯s hand. She¡¯s happy in this world. I¡¯m happy for her. So what if I couldn¡¯t live a good life? This is enough; I can finally rest.

    Moments pass, but nothing happens. Slowly, I open my eyes, and to my surprise, the spikes surround me, yet I remain unharmed in my small patch of grass.

    The barrier protects me even from divine magic. I¡¯ve always wanted to use magic, but having a magic-nullifying shield feels like cheating, that¡¯s not bad at all. Is some god watching over me?

    Ava tilts her head, her glowing eyes narrowing slightly. The white veil dissipates, revealing the clearing we were in before. Her eyes, now devoid of pupils, emit a fierce white light.

    ¡°So, you have mana resistance. I¡¯ll use my divine powers then,¡± she declares, her voice still unsettling.

    Wait, that wasn¡¯t divine magic?

    ¡°I thought gods didn¡¯t speak to us,¡± I reply, stalling for time. If that wasn¡¯t her divine magic then there is still a change I can get hit, even if I go down I shouldn¡¯t just surrender and shame my forefathers.

    She raises her hand to unleash an attack, but I refuse to wait passively. I charge toward her. She clenches her fist, as if to crush something, and I can see the concern flicker across her face. I¡¯m finally close enough to strike, swinging my staff at her, but she blocks my attack with her sword.

    ¡°Interesting; I cannot detect you using or manipulating the world laws yet Mana and divine powers don¡¯t work on you. Then How about physical attacks?¡± she muses, swinging her sword with brutal force.

    I barely manage to dodge, rolling under her sword and sliding along its edge with my spear. The sheer strength of her swing cleaves through the forest, cutting down trees for kilometres. If I¡¯m hit, I¡¯ll be sliced in half for sure.

    I use the momentum of my roll to transition smoothly, planting one hand firmly on the ground. With a swift twist of my body, I push off and swing my leg in a wide arc, delivering a powerful spinning kick aimed at her head. The fluidity of the movement¡ªrolling into a strike¡ªcatches her off guard for a split second, but she blocks it effortlessly with her forearm.

    Using the rebound from her block, I twist my hips and bring my other leg up in a follow-through kick, slamming my foot into her knee. The impact forces her to stumble, her balance momentarily disrupted.

    Before I can press the advantage, she vanishes in a blur of motion, reappearing mid-air, hovering just above me like a Specter of divine power. Her glowing eyes bore into me, her astonishment evident despite her otherworldly composure.

    ¡°Even among gods, not many have managed to land an attack like that, You should be honoured Strange Mortal.¡± she says, her voice tinged with intrigue, as if she¡¯s trying to decipher the enigma before her.

    ¡°How is this possible? He should have been dead. Is this the power of a No. 1?¡± Ava contemplates internally, her mind racing.

    ¡°Calm down, child. I searched the records of Earth and found no instance of a being called Shar. Your brother never existed, yet I can find traces of him spoken of in that world. He is a being that defies space-time, only the All-Mighty being that Drax worshipped and called Legend God could do that.¡±

    ¡°What does my brother have to do with this?¡± Ava questions, her confusion palpable.

    ¡°You are such a dull child, Ava. But since fate intends not to tell you, you will have to find the answer to that question yourself. I may not understand his existence, but it¡¯s easy to read human emotions.¡±

    As she floats there, I seize the opportunity to escape. I toss compact smoke bombs¡ªsmall spheres that explode into a thick cloud. Even if she¡¯s a goddess, this should blind her for a moment.

    I run through the forest, branches clawing at my face, the ground uneven beneath my feet. My lungs burn, but I push forward. After what feels like an eternity, I finally spot Warzheil standing in the distance, scanning the area anxiously.

    ¡°Ronin! You¡¯re alive!¡± he exclaims as I approach, relief flooding his features. ¡°I was about to turn back. Don¡¯t tell me you actually beat her?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I pant, bending over to catch my breath. ¡°I just bought us enough time to get out of there. Where¡¯s Drax¡¯s body?¡±

    Warzheil smirks and pats something hanging from his belt¡ªa small, ornate pouch that glimmers faintly in the moonlight. ¡°Relax. He¡¯s safe. I¡¯ve got him right here.¡±

    ¡°I knew that pocket of yours was something but damn is it big.¡± I ask

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will give you one soon once I have the chance.¡± He says

    ¡°And Talking about big, I saw you were looking very big yourself. Is that you ability?¡± I ask as we walk.

    ¡°Yes, that an innate power we dwarven-kind have, we can use some of our lifeforce to turn into a giant for some time. I lost 1 year of my life in escaping till here.¡± He said

    ¡°I hope you live long, old man. I wouldn¡¯t want my first friend in this world die in front of my eyes so soon.¡± I say teasing him.

    ¡°I will live long don¡¯t worry, lad¡± he says

    ¡°Lad?¡± I say in retaliation.

    ¡°Oh? What else should I call you then?¡± he asks

    ¡°I may look like a young man but I am actually 41 years old.¡± I say

    ¡°Now that¡¯s a surprise, but guess what, I am around 200 years old myself, so I am older than you¡±

    ¡°God, you are not old you are ancient.¡± I say with an overreacting step backwards.

    ¡°Hahahaha, you have a long way to go, Lad.¡± He says in a teasing tone but I don¡¯t mind it now.

    I shake my head, still incredulous. ¡°So, all that running with a dragon skeleton on your back was just for show?¡±

    Warzheil chuckles. ¡°Not entirely. I didn¡¯t want to risk opening the pocket in a chaotic fight. It¡¯s tricky to manage in the middle of battle, and the last thing we need is for Drax¡¯s remains to spill out into the forest.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough,¡± I mutter, still catching my breath. The idea of Drax¡¯s massive skeleton tucked neatly into that tiny pouch is surreal, but I¡¯m too drained to question it further.

    There seem to be a strange vibe between us. Maybe I know what it is, and I feel like Warzheil knows to as next thing he asks me shakes me a little.

    Warzheil pats my shoulder. ¡°You did good back there. Surviving against divine possession? That¡¯s no small feat, Ronin. You might not realize it, but you¡¯re tougher than most.¡±

    ¡°Is it so obvious?¡± I ask with a sad expression and a sigh.

    ¡°No matter how hard you hide behind that mask, a man cannot hide his grief, lad. Did she step on a painful nerve?¡± he asks

    ¡°That¡¯s my sister, I was looking for her back in my world, and now here she is, in this world, and just when I though I found her¡­.¡± I said but Warzheil caught on.

    ¡°She was angry, huh? Even while fighting I could hear her screaming in anger. Never thought I would see a hero so frustrated Against a Mana-less¡± he said

    I glance at him, my chest still heavy with doubt. ¡°She said she doesn¡¯t need me, Warzheil. She has her own life now. She¡¯s happy. And me? I¡¯m just a painful part of her past she¡¯s already left behind.¡± I say removing my mask feeling oily.

    Warzheil¡¯s expression softens, his usual smirk replaced with something more genuine. ¡°Hey, come on. Your sister¡¯s alive, and she¡¯s strong. That¡¯s something to be proud of.¡±

    I nod, though his words do little to ease the ache in my chest. I glance at the pouch on his belt, the faint glow from its seams casting a soft light in the dark forest.

    ¡°At least Drax is safe,¡± I say quietly.

    ¡°Damn right he is,¡± Warzheil replies with a grin. ¡°Now let¡¯s get moving before anything else comes sniffing around for him.¡±

    But seeing me still sad, Warzheil praises me.

    ¡°Hey, come on, lad! Your sister is fine. And now you can live a fine life too. But I hope you do fulfil Drax¡¯s task too. He may be someone who only dragged you into this world, but for him, you are supposed to be his god.¡±

    ¡°A god, huh? And I couldn¡¯t defeat a goddess weaker than my devotee at her lowest form?¡± I reply, a hint of self-doubt creeping in.

    ¡°Hahaha, I¡¯m sure you will get there soon enough,¡± Warzheil reassures me with a chuckle.

    As night falls my get over the sadness and we set up camp near the Kobe River, which resembles an ocean more than a river.

    The faint sound of the Kobe River whisper into our ears, Warzheil begins unpacking his supplies and starts preparing a simple vegetable dish while I sit by the fire, staring into the flames.

    ¡°So, Ronin,¡± Warzheil says casually, glancing over his shoulder as he chops some vegetables. ¡°Can you cook? Or is your skillset limited to fighting goddesses and surviving impossible situations?¡±

    The unexpected question pulls me from my thoughts. I chuckle, shaking my head. ¡°I can cook,¡± I reply, leaning back against a log. ¡°Where I come from, food isn¡¯t just about filling your stomach¡ªit¡¯s a practice, a way to bring order to life when day exhausts you. After my parents were gone, I had to take care of my siblings. Cooking was one of the few things that made me feel... grounded.¡±

    Warzheil pauses, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Grounded, huh? My clan always said, ¡®A meal shared is a burden halved.¡¯ I never put much thought into it, but I suppose there¡¯s truth in that.¡±

    I nod. ¡°There is. Preparing food isn¡¯t just a task¡ªit¡¯s a responsibility. You learn patience, precision, and respect. In my home, wasting food was considered a Disrespect to those who grew, provided, and prepared it.¡±

    Warzheil smirks. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to sound like a monk, Lad.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s... a way of life, part of my origins back on Earth,¡± I explain, choosing my words carefully. ¡°We believed in spirituality, and living in harmony with the world around us. I believe in many things and one of which was, ¡®cooking is great¡¯; it was almost sacred to me. When life got... darker, those beliefs were the only piece of my old self I could cling to. Even as a hitman, I kept cooking. It was one thing the darkness couldn¡¯t take from me.¡±

    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Warzheil whistles, impressed. ¡°An Assassin who knows his way around the kitchen? Now that¡¯s something. Care to show me what you¡¯ve got?¡±

    I smirk, rising from my spot by the fire. ¡°Fine. Let me see what you¡¯ve been working with.¡±

    I step over to his makeshift cooking area, inspecting the assortment of vegetables and the pot of water simmering over the fire. Warzheil hands me a knife and instruct me on what kind of vegetables I was dealing with since I was new to the world¡¯s flora, after learning about them I start slicing the vegetables with practiced precision.

    ¡°By Thunders, Lad, you¡¯re fast,¡± Warzheil remarks, watching me work.

    ¡°Years of practice,¡± I reply, adding the vegetables to the pot. ¡°Cooking was like therapy for me. It was the one part of my life where I could create instead of destroy.¡±

    Warzheil grins. ¡°Well, lucky me. I get to eat food made by a Spiritual Assassin. That¡¯s got to be a first in this world.¡±

    I can¡¯t help Chuckle as I stir the pot, seasoning the dish with a few spices he had packed. The aroma begins to fill the air, and for the first time since the battle with Ava, I Exhale with force, as if a burden was lifted from my chest. Turn out Dwarves are experts on improving the mood of other.

    ¡°So, this is the Kobe River, huh?¡± I ask, breaking the silence as I glance toward the massive waterway. ¡°But does the sun rise from the East or the North here?¡±

    ¡°Fine then, Let me tell you a little about how things work in our world just a bit,¡± Warzheil says ¡°We call them Ocean rivers as they are massive. Small streams or rivers are extremely rare; most went extinct ages ago. We are headed east, and the sun rises from the North. The Kobe Forest behind us is the Western Kobe Forest, while the one we will reach after crossing the Dratnir Bridge will be the Eastern Kobe Forest.¡±

    As we talk, the dish finishes cooking. I scoop some into bowls, handing one to Warzheil before sitting down to eat my own.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Warzheil says between bites, his eyes widening in surprise. He nods approvingly. ¡°Actually, scratch that¡ªit¡¯s damn good! A little spicy, but it suits me perfectly. I think I might keep you around just for the cooking.¡±

    I chuckle softly, savouring the warmth of the food. ¡°Glad you like it. People of my land don¡¯t shy away from bold Flavors. The spice is just as important as the dish itself.¡±

    ¡°And where exactly are you from?¡± Warzheil asks, leaning forward with genuine curiosity.

    I exhale, my gaze lingering on the fire. ¡°A place called Rajputana,¡± I say, nostalgia creeping into my voice. ¡°It used to be a land of warriors and kings, but by my time, survival had taken a different form. The swords were long gone, but the will to fight remained¡ªonly now, the battles were against time, technology, and the weight of history itself.¡±

    Warzheil tilts his head. ¡°Sounds like a harsh place. Got any stories about these warriors of yours?¡±

    I take a slow bite, letting the memories settle before speaking. ¡°Hmm, a story, huh? There are many but I can remember one of them which you might like. Back in Marwar, they used to tell tales of a warrior who kept fighting even after his head was severed from his body. He held his sword in one hand and his shield in the other, cutting through his enemies before finally falling.¡±

    Warzheil lets out a low whistle. ¡°That¡¯s... insane. Fighting without a head? You sure they weren¡¯t telling bedtime stories to scare kids?¡±

    I smirk. ¡°Dead serious. They called it sheesh kat Vijay Yodh¡ªvictory beyond death ¡° I exhale with a small pause. ¡±It wasn¡¯t about just fighting. It was about will. About refusing to fall until your duty to your motherland was done.¡±

    Warzheil leans back, shaking his head. ¡°Your people sound like they were made for war. Makes me wonder how they¡¯d fare against the beasts in this world.¡±

    ¡°I am sure They¡¯d have given them a run for their money,¡± I reply, the pride evident in my tone. ¡°My grandfather told me how Warriors of my nation were less about hostility and more about hospitality and surviving, although that changed with time. The land demanded it. But it wasn¡¯t just about strength¡ªit was about honour, about protecting what mattered most, even if it meant giving your life to follow the philosophy.¡±

    Warzheil leans back, clearly impressed. ¡°Thunder bless you Lad. No wonder you¡¯ve got that fire in you.¡±

    I give him a small smile, though the lingering ache in my chest doesn¡¯t let me fully enjoy the moment. ¡°It¡¯s the only way I know how to be. Yet all I could do was be used by some fools.¡±

    Warzheil tilts his head, studying me. ¡°You are pretty tough yourself lad, Let me guess¡ªsomeone taught you that toughness, didn¡¯t they? No one¡¯s born with it unless they are gods.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± I reply, my voice softening. ¡°It was my grandfather. He was the one who taught me how to be as tough as those warriors I told you about. After my parents were gone, he took it upon himself to raise me, my little brother, and my sister. He wasn¡¯t just a guardian¡ªhe was a force of nature. Disciplined, fearless, and relentless. He taught me how to fight, how to endure, and how to carry the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.¡±

    Warzheil leans closer, intrigued. ¡°Sounds like a hell of a man. Was he a warrior too?¡±

    ¡°Not in the way you¡¯d imagine,¡± I say, a faint smile tugging at my lips. ¡°He knew martial arts and survival skills like no other, but he wasn¡¯t some grand general or battle-hardened soldier. He was a man of discipline. He believed in the power of effort, focus, and resilience. He always said that strength wasn¡¯t just about what you could do with your fists¡ªit was about what you could endure and still keep striding forward even if you face a hurricane.¡±

    I pause, the flickering firelight reflecting in my eyes as I think back. ¡°My grandfather was a master of balance. He was well-versed in both Spiritual and martial ways. He knew the philosophies, and the disciplines like the back of his hand. He performed sacred fire rituals with a precision and reverence that could silence even the harshest critic. Not because he had to, but because he believed they were vital to maintaining harmony and balance within the family and retaining our history.¡±

    Warzheil listens quietly, his expression contemplative.

    ¡°But me?¡± I continue, my voice tinged with a mix of regret and nostalgia, ¡°I wasn¡¯t like him. I watched him do those stuff, but I never truly understood them. I respected them, of course, but they weren¡¯t something I ever took the time to learn. He tried to teach me, but... I guess I thought I had more pressing matters to focus on¡ªlearning to fight, to protect my family. Back then I was immature, I didn¡¯t see how those rituals and teachings were just as important as my spear.¡±

    I glance at the fire again, my jaw tightening. I say, my voice growing more reflective, ¡°They say that An elder lost is equivalent to losing an aspect of your culture. When my grandfather disappeared... it wasn¡¯t just losing a person¡ªit felt like losing a part of myself, a part of my identity. He was the one who kept us grounded, who reminded us of who we were, even when the world tried to break us. Above all, I loved him, I normally don¡¯t discuss about him but this is my first time, sharing this part of me with someone else.¡±

    Warzheil¡¯s expression softens, his usual grin fading into something more serious. ¡°I feel honoured, But What do you mean, disappeared?¡± he asks quietly.

    ¡°He just... vanished,¡± I say, my voice heavy. ¡°One day, he went out on one of his usual trips to the temple and never came back just like how my parents disappeared in an accident. No goodbyes, no sign of a struggle¡ªnothing. After I destroyed the Shadow Company, I turned over every stone, followed every lead, hoping to find some trace of him along with my search for my sister. But it was like he was never there to begin with.¡±

    Warzheil frowns, his brows knitting together. ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound natural. No one just vanishes without a trace.¡±

    Before the weight of my words can fully settle, Warzheil suddenly laughs, the sound breaking through the sombre mood like a crack of thunder. ¡°Who knows?¡± he says, grinning. ¡°Maybe he ended up here, like you.¡±

    I blink, my forced smile fading as my face twists into a look of shock. For a moment, I can¡¯t speak. My mind races as I consider the possibility¡ªa possibility I had never entertained before. Could it be? Could he really be here, somewhere in this strange world? From my recent experiences all I can think about is the possibility of him being here too.

    Warzheil¡¯s grin falters as he sees my reaction. ¡°Hey, hey, don¡¯t take it too seriously,¡± he says quickly, raising his hands in mock surrender. ¡°I was just joking. The odds of that happening are, uh, pretty slim. Right?¡±

    But his attempt to calm me does little to stop the thoughts now spiralling in my mind. I shake my head, the idea taking root despite myself. ¡°No,¡± I say quietly, almost to myself. ¡°It¡¯s not impossible. If I ended up here... why not him?¡±

    Warzheil shifts uncomfortably, clearly unsure of what to say. ¡°Ronin,¡± he starts, his tone cautious, ¡°don¡¯t let it get your hopes up too much. I mean, this world has its own rules¡ªits own... ways of bringing people here. It¡¯s not exactly predictable.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± I say, though my voice carries a new determination. ¡°But if there¡¯s even the slightest chance, I can¡¯t ignore it. I have to at least consider it.¡±

    Warzheil exhales deeply, his hands dropping to his sides. ¡°Fair enough,¡± he says, his grin returning, though less pronounced this time. ¡°But let¡¯s focus on getting through this mess first, yeah? Then maybe we can figure out if there¡¯s any truth to my crazy idea.¡±

    I nod, though my thoughts are already elsewhere, the possibility stirring something within me¡ªa fragile glimmer of hope I hadn¡¯t felt in years.

    The fire crackles between us as the conversation turns to lighter topics, the weight of the moment easing slightly. Warzheil explains the history of the Dratnir Bridge, its colossal size, and the relics that support it. As his voice grows softer, I find myself drifting into sleep, the weight of the day finally catching up to me.

    The last thing I hear is Warzheil sharing details about the bridge¡ªthe four Dratnir robots stationed at equal distances across it, the three Dratnir Colossus supporting it as pillars, and the story of a mad human king who tried to monopolize the bridge for tax collection.

    Suddenly, a screech pierces the air, jolting me awake.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I ask groggily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

    Warzheil¡¯s face sets in a determined expression. ¡°It¡¯s my fault that I forgot to tell you. The lich can sense the dead from leagues away, and the mana spilling from within my dimensional pocket where Drax¡¯s body is stored is making us a beacon. Right now, every being within 50 kilometres probably knows our location.¡±

    I stare at him, my pulse quickening. ¡°Wait, you mean the pocket isn¡¯t sealed enough to contain the mana?¡±

    Warzheil grimaces, adjusting the pouch on his belt. ¡°Dimensional pockets aren¡¯t perfect. They¡¯re great for storing things physically, but when it comes to something as powerful as Drax¡¯s remains, the mana can¡¯t be fully contained. It leaks, like steam from a boiling pot. I thought it would be minor enough to go unnoticed, but clearly, I underestimated just how much energy Drax is radiating.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± I mutter, running a hand through my hair. ¡°So not only do we have to worry about the lich, but who knows what else might come sniffing around.¡±

    Warzheil nods grimly. ¡°Exactly. We need to move now before anything worse shows up.¡±

    "Tch¡ªDamn it!¡° is all I can manage as we hastily pack up, the urgency of the situation driving us into the night.

    One moment, Warzheil and I are running, our breaths sharp in the cold night air. The next¡ªeverything stops.

    The leaves above us halt mid-sway, frozen as if caught in glass. The wind dies in my ears. Even Warzheil''s torch, its fire once flickering wildly, is locked in place, its flames casting long, unmoving shadows.

    The silence is suffocating. A wrongness settles over the world, pressing down on my senses like a weight I can''t shake.**

    And then, through the stillness, light begins to gather.

    Before me, a pure white figure made of ethereal energy materializes, radiating an aura of calm yet undeniable power. Her form flickers, almost like a mirage, and I can see her clearly only through my left eye.

    "Shar. Ronin. Man of Death. The anomaly of space."

    A pause lingers, deliberate. Her voice is soft¡ªpeaceful, even¡ªbut it carries a weight that presses into my mind, as if spoken directly into my thoughts.

    I narrow my eyes to better make out her face but its all white.

    My mask¡ªstuffed into a makeshift bag Warzheil prepared for me¡ªfeels like a missing part of myself. Without it, I feel exposed, a stranger in my own skin.

    And yet, her voice¡­ it doesn¡¯t strike like normal speech. It¡¯s soft, almost soothing, but it resonates in my skull like a thought not entirely my own.

    ¡°I trust Drax¡¯s body to you. If you must, take his power for yourself. Yes, I know you can. But by any means, do not let the Lich or the Demon Lord get their hands on it, or there will be cataclysmic consequences.¡±

    I stare at her, my mind racing. "You know who I am," I say, my voice low. "My past too.

    "Did you tell Ava about me?" I say, my voice low. ¡°You know who I am, don¡¯t you? My past too? Did you tell Ava about me?¡±

    Her expression remains serene, unreadable. The stillness around us feels suffocating, like the air itself is waiting for her next words.

    ¡°Rest assured, I will not disrupt the wheels of fate more than your existence already has. But she will eventually discover the truth for herself. And for your peace of mind, I do consider you an enemy to the order in this world.¡±

    Enemy?. It shouldn¡¯t matter¡ªit''s not the first time I¡¯ve been called that¡ªbut coming from a goddess, it carries a weight beyond mortal judgment. I nod slowly, the meaning sinking in.

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± I say after a moment, voice steady, ¡°as long as you don¡¯t meddle with her or me. I know this may sound strange to you¡ªand it feels just as awkward to say¡ªbut if you¡¯re really the guardian Ava believes in, then at least do this much: call me if she or her family is ever in danger." ¡±

    Her gaze turns solemn, the divine glow around her dimming just slightly, like a flickering candle. ¡°I can¡¯t,¡± she replies.

    I frown. ¡°Why?¡± My voice comes out sharper than I intend. ¡°Aren¡¯t you her protector?¡±

    ¡°I do not have the time to track a mana-less being such as you merely to inform you of her well-being,¡± she says, voice cool. ¡°We deities have matters far greater to attend to.¡±

    I clench my jaw. Of course. The gods are always busy. Always distant.

    "Matters like what? You came in person, so clearly something''s wrong. Should I assume it¡¯s tied to what¡¯s happening right now?" I ask.

    Ethis¡¯s eyes snap to mine¡ªsharp, unreadable. This time, I have her full attention.

    "Shar. This is an absolute. If the Lich reaches Drax, the world will suffer for it. Do not let that happen."

    A strange chill runs through me, I feel a mix of frustration and anger. ¡°You won¡¯t stop it?¡±

    ¡°I will not,¡± she answers without hesitation. ¡°And neither will any other deity.¡±

    The stillness between us deepens.

    I exhale through my nose, forcing myself to stay calm. ¡°Why?¡±

    Ethis tilts her head slightly, her voice as steady as ever. ¡°The Lich seeks more than just power. If it reaches Drax¡¯s remains, it will uncover something that should never resurface. Something that could unravel the fragile balance of this world breaking from his servitude of the King of darkness.¡±

    A beat of silence.

    ¡°So stop it,¡± I say.

    Ethis shakes her head. ¡°That task falls to you.¡±

    A weight settles in my chest. I don¡¯t fear responsibility, but this¡ªthis is different.

    ¡°If the Lich gets to Drax,¡± she continues, ¡°even you will not be able to undo what follows.¡±

    She steps back¡ªnot physically, but in a way that feels like she¡¯s withdrawing from the conversation entirely.

    ¡°This time stop is not something I can maintain for long.¡±

    I want to argue, to demand why she can interfere now but not when it actually matters, but before I can speak, she moves.

    Not a step, not a fade¡ªjust gone. A breath ago, she was standing before me, still as the frozen world. Now, nothing.

    The world jolts back into motion. The wind rushes past my ears, Warzheil¡¯s torch flames dance once more, and the sound of our footsteps echoes through the night.

    I exhale slowly, shaking myself out of the daze, and pick up my pace, hurrying to catch up before Warzheil notices.

    Ethis¡¯s words linger, curling around my thoughts like smoke. Enemy. Fate. A protector who will not protect.

    I don¡¯t like what any of it means.

    "I force my feet to move, catching up to Warzheil before he notices. But Ethis¡¯s words don¡¯t leave me. They coil around my thoughts, whispering of fate, failure, and gods who refuse to act."

 CHAPTER 5: Bridgethon Part-1 â€œThe Chaseâ€

    The pounding of our footsteps merged with the distant howls of the undead, a relentless rhythm that urged us forward. Drax¡¯s skeleton made us a walking target. Warzheil had sealed it inside his dimensional pocket Earlier in the day, but that didn''t mean we were free of concerns.

    I could feel the tension radiating from him as his expressions were tensed. If the pocket got damaged somehow, the skeleton would be forced back into the physical world, and we''d be slowed down at the worst possible time.

    ¡°Hey, What if the lich catches us? Will he turn us into undead too? Or can he control living beings too?¡± I ask, glancing back nervously as I see a black aura rise inside the forest as if something ominous was approaching.

    Warzheil ran ahead of me, his breathing controlled but heavy. ¡°We just need to keep running and not second-guess ourselves. Don¡¯t get any ideas.¡±

    I glanced at Warzheil. ¡°We can¡¯t keep running forever. We need an actual plan.¡±

    ¡°My plan is simple¡ªkeep running, without wasting breath.¡± he said bluntly. ¡°You have one better? Then cough it.¡±

    ¡°I have one and it may be good, its just- I just wanted your opinion on it.¡±

    He gave me a wary look. Noticing my strange way of speaking as I hesitate. ¡°That¡¯s not reassuring.¡±

    I hesitated. ¡°Look, hypothetically speaking¡­ if someone could take in another¡¯s power, like, say¡­ absorb their energy¡ª¡±

    Warzheil slowed mid-stride. ¡°Lad,¡± he said, his voice low, ¡°tell me you¡¯re not suggesting what I think you are.¡±

    ¡°I mean¡ªDrax himself chose me,¡± I said, dodging the real answer. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t he want me to use his power if I must?¡±

    Warzheil scowled, shaking his head. ¡°I feared you thinking something like that. The moment I saw your ability.¡±

    I blinked. ¡°Wait, you knew?, and when did you see it?¡±

    He let out a slow breath. ¡°I had my suspicion,¡± he admitted. ¡°When you were half-asleep, I saw the grass near your demon arm¡­ wilting. The colour drained from its leaves, like something was pulling the life out of it.¡± He shot me a hard look. ¡°That¡¯s not normal, lad. I¡¯ve only heard of an ability similar to a Bone Demon¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like I was hiding it. Even I don¡¯t fully understand these abilities. And it¡¯s not like I want to use it. I hate the very idea of absorbing other beings when I am supposedly a veg myself.¡± I say as I circulate my breathing as we sprint.

    Warzheil continued, his voice lower now. ¡°I¡¯ve met my share of¡­ unconventional warriors. Some of them thought they could control powers like this.¡± His eyes darkened. ¡°None of them died a good death.¡±

    I clenched my fists. ¡°And when exactly will I be ready, then?¡±

    ¡°When we have no other choice,¡± Warzheil said firmly.

    ¡°But-¡± Before I could respond, Warzheil snapped at me, yelling as he ran.

    ¡°Suggest that again, and I¡¯ll feed you to those monsters myself,¡± he snapped, irritation thick in his voice.

    I know he won¡¯t do that to me, knowing him.

    ¡°Oh, come on! You¡¯re just stalling, waiting for the perfect moment to tell me to absorb Drax¡¯s powers anyway.¡±

    ¡°Ronin, I thought maybe you were different from other humans, but Guess I was wrong to hope you¡¯d think any differently than those zealots in the Holy Sickdom.¡± he replies, disappointment lacing his words.

    Warzheil remains silent, clearly angry.

    I realised it but I am late now, I shouldn¡¯t have framed my thoughts like that, I need to mend things up.

    __________________________________________________________________________________

    We continue running, but he¡¯s slowing us down. If I were to carry him, I¡¯d need a constant supply of energy to keep from exhausting myself, and my strength would improve as well. But he¡¯s not wrong either.

    Just when things were going smooth, I see green light coming from a bush just ahead near the border of the forest I focus my eyes and barely see an outline but something is there definitely and not a friendly being, then 1 pair became 2 and then 3.

    My hair shot up as d¨¦j¨¤ vu makes my skin crawl.

    I sped up and yanked Warzheil to a stop before he stepped into their range.

    ¡°Have you lost your mind Ronin?,  I told you-¡± Warzheil shouts at me but soon enough his anger turns to alertness hearing the strong rustling of the bushes as three monstrosities emerge from the woods.

    ¡°I had a feeling it was them.¡± I blurt out loud

    ¡°By the ancients!, Crazed sheep?! things couldn¡¯t get worse. These are the fastest beasts in the Kobe forest!¡± Warzheil said

    I saw the sheep, Their legs twitched unnaturally, as if some unseen force was yanking them forward faster than their bodies should allow, They had black hair-like wool on a rotten rag-like skin hanging over its ribcage, providing it with negligible protection but making it look no less menacing.

    They sound like a combination of a rattle snake made of bones and grunting sound of a bull.

    "C-Crazed Sheep? Fastest? You sure it¡¯s not a demon-possessed, rabid bull drowning in its own spit? Because that¡¯s what it sounds like." I asked

    ¡°Yes, they are magical spirit beasts who are born when a Mountain sheep dies in an area with dense mana--¡± Before he could continue, a sheep lunges at him at speeds that it looked like a blur but Warzheil dodges it while also hitting it.

    The old Dwarf is up to his game it seems.

    The sheep lost momentum and crashed to the ground, its head landing right in front of me. I slammed my foot down, expecting to crush its bones¡ªbut nothing. It didn¡¯t even flinch. Instead, it swept its leg at me like a tiger¡¯s paw. I barely dodged, and that¡¯s when I realized¡ªthis thing was on a whole different level.

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    ¡°Wait, I think I know these beasts! Drax had the ability to control undeads too, and he used these sheep to guard our village. But their eyes used to be purple, instead its green, that must mean they are under the lich¡¯s control¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°So that¡¯s why?!¡± I said as it dawned on me

    Warzheil shot back ¡°What?¡± in a confused tone as he launches a small ray of lightning forcing the sheep back and keeping them at bay.

    ¡°When I arrived in this world, these 3 were chasing me, I felt something was off, Their eyes were purple at that time, But all they did was chase me and not hurt me, even though it¡¯s hard to admit but I was scared out of my wits, so I didn¡¯t think much of it, after that a giant wolf jumped me too. It all fits now. Drax must have been controlling them.¡± I say and notice clouds forming above us.

    ¡°Obviously I would be scared too, no shame in that lad, but you wouldn¡¯t mind getting electrocuted once right?¡± Warzheil asks

    ¡°What¡¯s this about all of a sudden¡­. wait! Don¡¯t tell me, you-¡± I realise Warzheil¡¯s Idea of escape bit late, his hand swing down as a huge lightning bolt hits between us  and the sheep monsters, I fall back electrocuted and unable to move and so are the sheep as the green colour in their eye flickers, I feel like a current had separated all my nerves from the flesh, my muscles apart from the bones, all I could do was keep lying like a puppet, I did try to force myself but it did little as I could barely move. Although the sheep looked like they were slowly getting better.

    Warzheil doesn¡¯t look like he is affected by it at all, instead he grows bigger in size once again and pick me onto his back which is broader now.

    He runs fast and soon we are away from the sheep, but Warzheil¡¯s size starts to decrease and his breathing becomes rough.

    I can finally move my fingers properly so I hoop off his back but little did I know, I fell on my face as my legs are still sore from the shock.

    ¡°You trying to get us killed, lad?!¡± he yells

    ¡°What are you think I am doing? You are out of steam, I will carry you instead.¡± I say as I stretch my legs.

    Warzheil is still breathing heavy.

    ¡°No questions allowed old man, you used your lifeforce again, didn¡¯t you? Next time I see you use that, forget running I will hand Drax over to the lich myself, got it?¡± Warzheil steps back with a retaliating expression but is too exhausted to argue so he lets out a sigh as he hops on my back.

    I flex my legs ready to run at my best, And when I start, I feel like I am a falcon tearing through the wind. I have never been so fast in my entire life. That transformation must have affected my whole body, not just the arm or the eye.

    After a few more minutes, we finally reach the bridge. Thankfully I don¡¯t see those sheep.

    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have said that, about absorbing Drax¡± I apologize, hoping to mend things.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ve must have been in a field that clouds one¡¯s emotions for far too long. I won¡¯t blame you,¡± he replies, though his tone suggests he¡¯s still hurt.

    ¡°Yeah, I was a hitman, a modern term on Earth used to address hired assassins. I killed many.¡± I said

    ¡°That explains your flexible fighting style.¡± Warzheil replies but then a long awkward pause stands between us.

    As we run a few more kilometres, I spot a statue nearly double my height

    Why do I feel like it¡¯s watching us?

    ¡°That¡¯s a Dratnir Bot, the keepers of order on the Dratnir bridge.¡± Warzheil says

    I have my own questions piling up but I cannot waste my breath on them just yet, I am already starting to feel an uncomfortable stretch in my leg and my back.

    As we approach the Dratnir bot, its eyes and body suddenly glow. It lifts its sword from a downward position to an upward one, covering its face, startling both me and Warzheil. I step away as a reflex for just a moment to observe what it intends to do but then continue only to hear it speak.

    ¡°I almost had my heart jump out of my chest.¡± Warzheil sighs with relief.

    ¡°The cosmos have blessed us again. Long live the Creator.¡± it intones, then lowers its sword back to its original position, the glow fading.

    ¡°You could have told me that they could speak!¡± I exclaim, astonished.

    ¡°Do you think I would be so surprised if I knew? I didn¡¯t know they could speak until just now, and what was that about cosmos and King?¡± Warzheil admits, equally surprised.

    ¡°Is it something to do with me?¡± I ask, curiosity piqued.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but what I do know is that some Ancient relics tell of Legendgod, a mysterious being who made this world. Maybe the robot must have mistaken you or me for him. The current gods of this world forbade the worship of any entity other than themselves. They thought Legend God was an imaginary being invented by someone, at least that is what their temple heads say.¡±

    ¡°Imaginary huh, cults seem like a thing here too.¡± I say

    ¡°Focus on your breathing now, lets talk once we are in the clear.¡± Warzheil suggests.

    We continue our journey across the bridge, and I notice screen-like devices displaying numbers on the closest divider of the lanes near the left wall.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I say, pointing at the display.

    ¡°Oh, that tells us how many beings are currently on the bridge. I used to think it counted by detecting mana, but since it¡¯s counting you as well, it must use some other method we don¡¯t know of.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I might have answers to that, but you are on my back and yet it can tell that we are 2?¡± I reply, intrigued.

    ¡°I¡¯d gladly hear your Otherworldly knowledge when leisure allows it,¡± he says, eager to learn.

    We chat for an hour as I run, but soon we reach a place that looks as if it¡¯s a toll plaza on a highway.

    ¡°This is the only supply stop on this bridge. Some have two, but this Dratnir bridge has one. Wait a moment; I¡¯ll buy something to eat since we can get vegetarian food too. I don¡¯t know how but The food is always fresh here, and the thing you order gets teleported on the counter once you pay, without mistake.¡±

    I must admit, I didn¡¯t expect such high technology in this world of swords and magic.

    I am exhausted, thankfully this place serves as the only supply stop on this bridge, it¡¯s a life saver nonetheless.

    ¡°How you hanging in there, lad?¡± Warzheil asks me

    ¡°Ignoring the exhaustion? Totally fine.¡± I say hint at Warzheil to reconsider his choice.

    I wait for Warzheil to return for a few minutes, I notice a gap in the walls on the bridge¡¯s edge and look out of it, the air is blowing harder on the outside of the bridge and not so much on the bridge itself, who even made these long and advanced bridge?

    As I am done looking outside the gap, I turn around and notice the counter on the lane again. This time, I see the numbers increasing rapidly, and the lanes turn red.

    Suddenly I hear an alarm blaring sound seeping into my ears, I look for the source and my eyes fall on the display on the bridge¡¯s lane borders. And I see the numbers rise rapidly.

    ¡°Warzheil! We need to run! The number is now 8376!¡± I shout, alarm rising. Warzheil starts hording all things he ordered in another dimensional pocket.

    Suddenly a big skeleton bird like being with rotten flesh and wings fly over our head, I focus and realise it¡¯s a wyvern and it has a delivery for us. One of the sheep monster lands Infront of me, but it seems like its alone this time.

 CHAPTER 5: Bridgethon Part â€“ 2 â€œPowerup-2â€

    I reach for my spear, but before I can extend it into staff and steady my grip, the creature moves , unnaturally fast.

    Its twisted, joint-bending front leg lashes out, striking my torso with bone-crushing force.

    My body lifts off the ground as if weightless,

    flung into the bridge¡¯s boundary. The impact rattles my skull,

    And I barely register being hit into the wall before darkness edges my vision.

    When my eyes flicker open, everything is red¡ªblood blurring my sight,

    seeping into my lashes.

    My ribs scream in protest with every breath.

    My insides feel like they are stung, sharp pain driving through my core like knives.

    I cough, thick and wet, splattering crimson onto the stone floor.

    Warzheil is still fighting, his heavy blows crashing into the monstrous sheep,

    yet the beast barely reacts, fixated on me instead.

    I force my head up and see something slide inches away from my trembling fingers¡ªa bone.

    Not just any bone. My mind barely functions through the haze,

    but I understand.

    Warzheil is yelling something at me. His voice feels distant, lost in the throbbing hum overtaking my head.

    I have no choice. I know what I must do.

    My stomach churns in disgust, but survival outweighs revulsion. I seize the bone and start absorbing it. At first, warmth spreads through my limbs¡ªthen fire.

    A searing agony erupts from within, shredding through every nerve. It¡¯s worse than the pain of my wounds.

    My muscles twist and shift,

    bones realigning as if being torn apart and rebuilt at the same time.

    My very blood feels like it¡¯s boiling, bubbling under my skin with raw, burning energy. I want to scream, but my throat clenches as waves of unbearable torment ripple through me.

    My limbs spasm against the stone, muscles convulsing in unnatural patterns.

    The lich is on back of a zombified dragon, as it shares its vision with the sheep monster.

    ¡°A human with a Bone-Demons¡¯s arm? *Grah* these little low-life insects try to steal the power which should be rightfully mine! Kill him first!¡±

    he instructs the sheep but is interrupted by the Dratnir bot, as it throws a sword made of light at the undead

    ¡°Violation of Bridge law deem you unfit for passage, Light element engaged for power saving, You shall not pass on my watch Undead filth!¡±

    the Dratnir bot says as if alive, not fearing the massive undead army coming at it like a tidal wave, it lights up the entire scene with a single slash.

    ¡°Hey! I am your enemy!¡± Warzheil Shouts as he hits the sheep¡¯s head which makes it stumble and fall down with its left legs on their knees,

    But the sheep decides it need to switch targets as it ignores Warzheil¡¯s attack and runs towards me

    Baring its razor sharp teeth.

    Just as I thought I might black out again, it changes.

    The fire in my veins turns into something controlled¡ªstronger, sharper. The pain remains, but beneath it, something new awakens,

    I feel new warmth. My vision sharpens past the haze. Every heartbeat feels heavier, more solid.

    A shadow looms over me.

    The sheep monster is above, its jaw unhinged, lined with jagged, rotten teeth. Its breath reeks of decay as it lunges. I barely react before its maw clamps down¡ªonly this time, something is different.

    Its fangs pierce my skin, but they don¡¯t sink deep. The beast jerks its head violently, flinging me from side to side like a ragdoll. Pain should consume me, but instead, I feel my body shifting again. Strength surges through my limbs. The beast tightens its grip, but this time, my fingers move with newfound force.

    I grasp its jaw¡ªnot just to pry it open, but to break it.

    A surge of raw power flows through me. Instead of struggling against its bite, I press harder, my grip like steel. The creature lets out a guttural, pained howl as its bones crack under my fingers. With a final push, its lower jaw snaps with a sickening crunch.

    I drop, rolling onto the stone, panting. My wounds should be fatal, yet they¡¯re closing. Blood no longer spills from my cuts. My hands tremble¡ªnot from pain, but from the rush of energy coursing through my veins. The crimson liquid dripping from my wounds shimmers faintly, glittering under the bridge¡¯s light.

    What is happening to me?

    Before I can process it, movement catches my eye. More figures approach.

    The sheep monster staggers back, its grotesque jaw hanging limp,

    but it isn¡¯t alone anymore. Two more have arrived, their milky green , dead eyes fixating on me like predators sensing prey.

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    I exhale, feeling the newfound strength settling into my bones.

    I flex my fingers. My body, though still aching, moves with a precision I didn¡¯t possess before.

    A slow smirk pulls at my lips.

    "You two came just in time," I mutter, stepping forward. The first sheep lunges. This time, I don¡¯t flinch. I don¡¯t brace. I move.

    I sidestep its charge with inhuman speed, twisting my body as my fist meets its skull with crushing force.

    Bone cracks under my knuckles as the monster staggers, dazed. The second one rushes in, its legs tensed to pounce¡ªyet before it even reaches me, something halts it mid-air.

    A faint shimmer surrounds me¡ªa barely visible barrier pulsing with unnatural energy.

    I glance at my hands, feeling the shift within me.

    ¡°Ronin!¡± Warzheil¡¯s voice cuts through my focus.¡°The numbers on the display just stopped dropping at 7650! That means one Dratnir bot is down. We need to finish up before we''re completely surrounded!"

    I roll my shoulders, feeling power settle into me like second nature. Warzheil smashes his hammers together, taunting the remaining sheep.

    I crack my knuckles, meeting my approaching opponent¡¯s empty gaze.

    ¡°This time,¡± I murmur, ¡°I will be the hunter.¡±

    I don¡¯t want to waste time waiting for the rest 7000 undead to swarm us, so I stop testing my new strength with brutal force and switch to precise strike.

    I spartan kick one sheep, lauching it away from me, but the sheep with broken jaw tries to tackle me, giving me a good chance as I lower myself and get into the area between its head and ribs as I lift it to get it a German Supplex and I could see its innards rotten, bones break as I slam it on ground with the new force I possess.

    It struggles to get up and this time I stomp its head again and it works, the bones of the head get crushed under my feet, even making a crater on the bridge.

    ¡°That¡¯s one down Warzheil, a hammer!¡± I say signaling Warzheil to toss me one of his hammers, he does as asked and I launch the hammer with speed at the sheep I kicked away which was now running toward me, the hammer goes crushing through the sheep and gets covered in oily green and purple goo.

    ¡°How dare you dirty my hammer!?¡± Warzheil says in anger as he fills up his hammer with thunder from a small cloud around the hammer he is wielding and then launches his hammer on the sheep¡¯s head,

    crushing it into pieces as they splinter away with lighting trailing behind them.

    Now that they are out of the way, lets get out of here before ¨C¡° I say as I turn to look back on the way we came from and surely I can see a huge wave of black and white entities rushing towards us as if the night sky had descended on the land.

    ¡°Warzheil!¡± I shout next

    Without a need for more words I give Drax¡¯s bone to Drax who puts it in his dimensional pocket again and hops onto my back, I run with unimaginable speeds.

    ¡°Woah, Slow down a little Ronin! If you run so fast you will be exhausted before long.¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°I feel like I am running on air, my body feels rather light even with you on my back.¡± I say

    ¡°That¡¯s madness, I thought your ability allows you to heal, but to think you can transform like a high bone-demon. How did you even become like this? Were you a part of an experiment?¡± he asks

    ¡°It¡¯s a bit complex, so you see¡­¡± I explain the early events of me meeting Geolard.

    ¡°What!? You killed Geolard the forgotten 126th demon lord?¡± he yells

    ¡°Stop yelling in my ears, you want me to go Deaf?¡± I say with irritation.

    ¡°Oh, my bad. But god do you have devil¡¯s luck? And that¡¯s black orb that killed him was like your left eye? You are turning more and more into a mystery, lad.¡± He says almost excited.

    ¡°Why are you so excited though? I almost died back then.¡± I say

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t right?¡± he replies

    As I run, we see a bot with a book, which looks like a mage heading towards the undead army.

    After running for what felt like hours I stop to look back, I don¡¯t see the undead army anymore but I see a beast flying toward us and it looks like a dragon.

    We need to increase our speed.

    ¡°Old man, something is heading our way on a dragon¡¯s back, and I don¡¯t think we need to guess who it is,¡± I warn as I start running again.

    After a short while, I see a robot archer running on the third furthest lane on our right.

    ¡°Intruders with weapons are to be eliminated. Travellers should retreat to the teleporter.¡± it says looking at us as it stops at a distance as it aims at the dragon that¡¯s on our tail.

    I glance at the counter on the nearby divider and see that there are still around 7600 undead left.

    ¡°There goes the third robot,¡± Warzheil says, his voice laced with concern.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t they meant to be strong? How did they get destroyed so fast?¡± I ask, shocked.

    ¡°They must be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers,¡± he replies.

    As we continue running, I hear the sound of flapping wings again after running for a few more minutes. I look back and see the King of Undead, the lich, flying toward us on his dragon.

    The dragon shoots a greenish blue flame at us. I maintain my momentum, trying to dodge, but a huge spear flies into the dragon¡¯s mouth. A robot stands at a distance, moving toward us as the dragon falls.

    A figure jumps down from the dragon¡¯s back, landing gently on the ground. The ends of his cloak flutter, revealing his skeletal frame.

    The robot stands in front of us.

    ¡°Threat level is too high for the current form. Need admin authority to activate phase 2 defence. Positive decision highly recommended,¡± the robot says, turning its head toward me.

    ¡°W-wait, Me? Am I an admin?¡±

    ¡°The only person qualified to give orders is you, the bridge authorities stopped functioning 1 existent cycle ago.¡± The bot replies as if sentient.

    I notice something wrong, I see the other 3 bots we saw on the bots running towards us, green glow in their structure. I know this can¡¯t be good, and so do Warzheil as I turn to look at his face which twists into a face that finally about to give in to fear.

    ¡°Ronin, we need to run right now, we cannot face the Dratnir bots too. Just say yes so we can leave here.¡± Warzheil says.

    ¡°Like I would allow something like that¡± says a cranky voice full of malice, I turn to look at he lich who had already launched an attack on me, but he seems baffled when he sees his attack disappear in thin air as it closes in onto me.

    ¡°Yes, do it,¡± I reply to the bot.

    ¡°Permission confirmed,¡± the robot says, as the lich watches, seemingly plotting something.

    The robot transforms into a larger, more intimidating version, glowing with an intense light.

    ¡°Transformation complete. Temporary access to Behemoth granted,¡± it speaks.

    The robot points in the East direction.

    ¡°Time is less. The bridge has energy worth 15 minutes left to maintain phase 2 before the colossus collapse. Within this time, please make your way to the teleporter 16 km from here. It will teleport you to any active bridge or any one end of the bridge. I will stop these trespassers here, I wish you well for your future endeavours,¡± it says, bowing while keeping its right fist on its left chest.

    Are these even robots anymore? It looks like a living transformer from one of the sci-fi movie I watched on earth.

    And 18 km in less than 15 minutes? I pick up Warzheil, give him the skeleton, and start running to measure my current speed using the suit¡¯s built-in speedometer. I¡¯m currently at 54 km/h, which is already insane for a human. But I need to be at above 90 km/h to reach the teleporter a minute before the time runs out. I don¡¯t want to experience that pain again, but if I don¡¯t, the teleporter will be disabled.

    ¡°Warzheil, we need to go much faster than this. I need more power,¡± I say, determination driving me.

    ¡°Start running, I will fetch the bone from the pocket.¡± he replies, as he goes through his dimensional pocket.

    ¡°Anyway What was that about just now? Is that dratnir your friend from Earth or something?¡± he asks

    ¡°Stop asking stupid questions, how am I supposed to know? Just hand me a bone already before I turn into a bone hungry dog.¡± I demand

    ¡°You are the one in need of shutting up lad, and what do you mean you will turn into a dog? I don¡¯t want to ride a human mutt.¡± He says, almost shocking me on his low sense of sarcasm.

    ¡°Will you be alright? Last time your shouts felt like you were in too much pain.¡± He asks but I don¡¯t want to describe the pain as I brace to suffer through it once more.

    I start absorbing more power, and it¡¯s kind of addictive. Soon, I feel more pain, which forces me to stop, but this time I won¡¯t faint. I bellow, keeping myself awake as I try to control the power.

    Ah, I can see my bones moving inside the suit. I fall down, unable to do anything, but I manage to keep awake this time.

    The pain subsides faster this time. I feel as if I¡¯d be able to run on water if I tried. My suit feels a bit tighter, even though its interior is woven from stretchable fiber.

    I want to know I fast I can go, and then it clicks in my mind, I have an A.I. integrated mask which comes with many features, although the A.I. is very annoying so I keep it turned off.

    I take out the mask and wear it, it tightly fits on my face, but my face has hardened too, although my nose is bent so I need to breathe from my mouth.

    I invite Warzheil onto my back, and this time my speed is over 105 km/h. I can¡¯t believe what I¡¯m seeing. Only cheetahs could run at this speed, and that¡¯s at the cost of their lives. But I feel like I can run forever now!

    ¡°Hahahahhaaaaaa, wooooh!!!¡± I exclaim, exhilaration coursing through me.

    ¡°Hey, kid! I will fall, run slow!¡± Warzheil warns, clinging to my back.

    ¡°Sorry, but we only have 10 minutes left, and we still have around 16 km to go. Can¡¯t stop, won¡¯t stop!¡± I reply, pushing my speed to the limits, achieving a speed of 110 km/h.

    I glance at Warzheil, who¡¯s struggling to hold on.

    ¡°Who knows what else you can do in the future? Even heroes can¡¯t run this fast,¡± he says, awe in his voice.

    After 8 minutes, we reach another large structure that covers the lanes like a tunnel, with a circular beam on a platform glowing blue. Warzheil uses the stairs while I make a jump, barely reaching the teleporter platform. I rush to the teleporter, where I see a display with three points of the bridge: one in the East, one in the North, and one in the center. There are only 40 seconds left. The bridge¡¯s lights fluctuate.

    ¡°Come fast, old man! We will miss our chance,¡± I urge.

    But Warzheil takes 25 seconds, and I hit the East point. The teleporter gets covered by metallic sheets, and there¡¯s too much light. We open our eyes to see the metal sheets going down, but then it jams halfway, and the power seems to die out.

    For a second there we almost gave up hope, but thankfully the metal sheets start to rise again, and just when 8 seconds were left, it worked.

    We were suddenly blinded by a bright flash of light.

    ¡°Gah, my eyes! It should have warned us at least, so much for technology¡± Warzheil says, irritation evident in his voice.

 CHAPTER 6: Into the Forge

    We finally open our eyes as the bright light looses its effect. The curtains start coming down. But stop before fully coming down it looses its power.

    ¡°Come on Ronin¡± Warzheil says as he gets on my back again ¡°We need to get off this bridge. Before both the colossus collapse under the bridge.¡±

    ¡°What is this colossus you are talking about?¡± I ask

    ¡°I will tell you as you run, we still have some way to go before we get off this bridge¡± he replies when suddenly the bridge trembles and a booming sound resonates in the surrounding.

    ¡°Start running Ronin lad!¡± he shouts as he bonks my heads.

    ¡°Fine, why are you getting so restless?. Although even I know a booming sound so loud and the bridge trembling can never be good.¡± I say as I have an Idea of what¡¯s happening.

    ¡°I will guess, something was holding up this bridge and now that the bridge no longer has power, its collapsing?¡± I ask

    ¡°That saves me a lot of explanation lad, yes, now listen closely, there are 2 to 4 colossi under that bridge, giant and more sturdier versions of Dratnir soldiers. They are the redeemers of the bridge.¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°Hmm?¡± I ask with a grunt as I run.

    ¡°Hmm¡± he gives back a short grunts as an approval ¡°Normally, if someone succeeds in destroying the 4 Dratnir Soldiers on the bridge, which have weakened over time, the colossus under the bridge will awaken and track the one who destroyed them and hunt them, destroying the bridge in the process.¡±

    he says

    ¡°I would not sleep for days if something that big came for me. Wait don¡¯t tell me that it¡¯s going to chase us!¡± I ask in a voice full of fear, although that¡¯s highly unlikely, but I don¡¯t want to die just yet.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it will chase us because the bridge has lost all its power.¡± He replies and continues

    "Bridges are sacred, lad. No one''s dumb enough to break them. Unless you¡¯ve got wings, a warship, or a death wish, you¡¯re not crossing these rivers. Although boats are only a one way travel.¡±

    A one way travel huh? The current of this river did seemed powerful even though that gap near the supply station.

    We have been running for hours now and now, finally, I feel like I can sleep soon.

    ¡°Oh! There the exit, finally! I feel very hungry.¡± Warzheil says as I hear a grumbling of his stomach.

    ¡°Oldman did you fart on me!?¡± I ask enraged

    ¡°Hey, I can¡¯t help it you know, don¡¯t you feel the nature¡¯s call too?¡± he says

    ¡°You going to eat food or answer the nature¡¯s call? Do one at a time, Well now that you mention it, I also need to take a break, but first lets set up camp.¡± I say on which Warzheil agrees.

    We both get off the bridge and a few minutes after we witness such a massive bridge get swept by the fast flow of the Kobe river. The walls on its borders breaking, even though we are almost 2 kilometres away from the other end of the bridge I can still see it, the dine pavement age against test of time twist as the structure under it is swept away forcibly

    ¡°First we need to do something about Drax. We can¡¯t just take him with us, from this point forth it¡¯s the demon lord¡¯s area. And my forge is also there.¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°How about we cremate him? Although on Earth, that is supposed to be the child¡¯s right,¡± I suggest.

    ¡°Yes, Drax has a daughter. And although this is supposed to be a secret only I and Drax knew, since you are his god, I will let you in on it.¡± he replies.

    ¡°What Secret? Spill it, I am not the one for cliffhangers.¡± I say very much interested in secret of his, expecting to get some wisdom that will help me to move forward in this world.

    Warzheil sighed. "That girl doesn¡¯t know the truth. She thinks her mother was human."

    Ronin raised an eyebrow. "And?"

    Before Warzheil could finish, his mouth snapped shut. Like some unseen force had sealed it.

    ¡°I am guessing too much but ¡­ its Ethis right?¡± I say

    Warzheil nods with an angry expression, current rising on his hands.

    ¡°Yes, it seems like she doesn¡¯t want you to know.¡± he says when suddenly the flow of wind feels different.

    We turn our heads towards the woods where a light starts to form into humanoid shape.

    ¡°You broke your promise Warzheil!¡± the light speaks in a voice with a mix of distress and frustration.

    ¡°Someone told me not too long ago that she had more pressing matters than to accept my request, a mortal¡¯s request.¡± I say with sarcasm

    ¡°Do not be mistaken Ronin, I came here because this dwarf broke his promise.¡± Ethis says

    ¡°Goddess Ethis here fell in love with Drax. They named their child Gloria and I was there, it was a secret affair that only few knew, including Zamaba.¡± Warzheil says but the goddess doesn¡¯t looks pleased.

    ¡°Stop! Stop at once Dwarf¡± she says in a threatening voice

    ¡°Gloria thinks her mother was human and died when she was born.¡± Warzheil continues as if unbothered by Ethis¡¯s presence.

    ¡°That is enough, Mortal!¡± This time she seem pissed off as she summons a spear of light and throws it on Warzheil.

    I can¡¯t just let the Dwarf die. The divine spear hiss through the air, heat radiating like a dying star. The unseen barrier around me flared in the slightest, devouring its glow before it completely vanishes just like it appeared from Ethis¡¯ hand.

    ¡°What was that lad?¡± Warzheil says in wonder ¡°I thought I was seeing things earlier but I got to ask, how did you do that?¡±

    ¡°Anomaly, do not stand in my way, unless you want to make enemy of us gods!¡± she says, her anger palpable.

    ¡°Calm down both of you, Ethis, I did not expect gods to have such lack of patience, and Oldman, stop pushing your luck. What are you both? Enemies?¡± I ask

    ¡°You don¡¯t know anything yet, lad, she was watching! She saw that Drax was weak, and instead of trying to save her husband, she just watched! How can I ever forgive her!¡± he yells at Ethis.

    The very air trembles as Ethis opposes with her voice going from low to a loud one, stirring the very wind and the ground trembles as the pebbles jump.

    ¡°Don¡¯t speak as if you know anything!¡±

    She says then pauses as If forcing a breath.

    Ethis clenched her fists. "You think I didn¡¯t try?" Her voice wavered, barely above a whisper. "I¡­ I did. But I was bound. Chained by the King of the Heavens.¡±

    ¡°He had plotted with Zamba, and by aiding him from the shadows, he got rid of the greatest threat to his throne. And I could do was watch."

    Ethis¡¯ voice wavered, strained as if she were holding back tears. A cold wind swept through the clearing, rustling the trees like whispered judgment. She lowered her gaze, her fists clenching so tightly her knuckles turned white.

    "I... I couldn¡¯t do anything."

    Even gods fight in this accursed world huh?

    ¡°That¡¯s some seriously messed-up family dynamics,¡± I say ¡°A daughter not knowing her mother, a father that believed in some god even though he is one and that too faith in someone who might not even exist, and a mother and wife who is bound by world¡¯s laws while her husband wasn¡¯t?, and above all, gods who sound like they would come crying out of the skies if I started roasting them.¡± I ask

    There is a silence, Ethis doesn¡¯t say anything on my last comment.

    ¡°Drax was a mortal, hundreds of thousands of years ago. He achieved godhood by his devotion to the god he believed in so that god cannot be fake.¡± Ethis says.

    ¡°What? You are telling me that god is real?¡± Warzheil shot back in surprise.

    ¡°I cannot answer that further, I have their eyes on me now. All I ask is the right to cremate my husband and see him off one last time.¡± She says turning to me.

    ¡°What do I get by letting you, who ditched my devotee of whom I am supposed to be god of?¡± I ask

    ¡°I-Right, I will tell you when your sister or her family is in danger.¡± She says

    ¡°You know trade. What do you say Oldman?¡± I ask Warzheil

    ¡°Suit yourselves, I am in foul mood.¡± He says

    We decide to cremate Drax¡¯s body in a secluded place, I could see many bright energies leaving the skeleton of this dead god who considered me his god, the simple place around him becomes full of flora as the skeleton turns into ashes.

    Carefully, we gather the ashes and place them in a cloth, Ethis tries to take it but Warzheil snatches and stows it in his small space pocket.

    ¡°This is for Gloria not you.¡± He says, on which Ethis steps back under her veil of light and nods as she disappears.

    The air felt heavier after Ethis left.

    Warzheil didn¡¯t speak.

    Neither did I.

    There was nothing left to say. We set up camp in silence, the river¡¯s roar the only sound between us. Then, the old dwarf stood up, rubbing his gut.

    ¡°Right. Nature calls.¡± He says as he walks towards the woods.

    I waved him off, leaning back against a rock. Finally, a moment to breathe. Or so I thought¡ªuntil the trees shook.

    ¡°Hey! At least leave the pocket with the things in it.¡± I say

    Warzheil throws the pocket at me, which I almost drop but manage to catch it.

    Minutes pass as I grow more and more concerned, Warzheil isn¡¯t back. I was about to get up to find him but I notice the trees shake as it something was coming out of it, so I ready my spear, but instead Warzheil comes running.

    ¡°You sure took your time!¡± I shout but he doesn¡¯t look very happy as right behind him, a giant T-rex tears through the forest into the clearing near the shore of the river.

    ¡°Is that a freaking Tyrannosaurus?¡± I ask as my expression distorts into the same as Warzheil.

    But this one seems different then what I know, it has armour like things all around its body except some parts.

    ¡°It has Earth element, my lighting only tickles it, sick lizard ambushed me just when I finished my stuff together!¡± he says

    I almost burst into a laugh at Warzheil, but I try to control it and throw my spear, this time with its plasma tip on. It did little as it deflects from the armour around its eye, its smart, it knew where I would aim and dodged it.

    It''s eyes glow as it makes a sound as if a giant eagle was trying to compete with a lion¡¯s roar, my ears feel itchy from its sound.

    Suddenly the ground erupts as a pillar made of soil hits me, I imagined I would go flying but instead end up staggering. Surprisingly I don¡¯t feel much impact from it, in fact I left a big dents on the place I stomped.

    Seeing such progressions in my strength I feel compelled to try out my power, so I sprint, and the beast takes notice of me, trying to stomp me as I try to get my spear back, but it fails, I take the spear and try cutting through it but the heat is not enough to cleave its flesh deeply.

    The beast tries to stomp me again but Warzheil throws his hammer which staggers the beast.

    I use the chance go for its eye again. Using my agility I climb the giant beast and impale its left eye. The plasma spear does its job as fire erupts from its eye and the beast is felled.

    Bull¡¯s eye, no, Dino¡¯s eye.

    ¡°You knew eye was its weak spot?¡± Warzheil heil says as he approach me.

    I stare at Warzheil at first, then as he gets closer I cannot control and burst into laugh.

    ¡°Hey lad, listen¡­¡±

    I start laughing ¡°So, A beast fell for you just by watching you take a dump?!¡± I say. Only after processing the joke for a second, Warzheil starts laughing too.

    ¡°*laughs* I need to note that down. *Laugh*, its been a while since I heard a good old joke.¡± he says laughing

    I prepare the fire again which was extinguished by the T-rex¡¯s movements ¡°Now you know I wasn¡¯t lying when I said I am old.¡±

    I had already prepared the space by making it¡¯s ground soft using my spear¡¯s knob and also set up the fire using its plasma, But Warzheil takes out a small tent-like thing form his pocket.

    ¡°How did you even fit things in that small space?¡± I ask

    ¡°Hey, you might not know it but, these pockets are so rare I could make a new hammer out of the metals I would get out of selling even one of these¡± He says almost flexing something I don¡¯t understand.

    ¡°You do realise I have no idea of how that¡¯s supposed to tell me its worth right?¡± I say giving him a stare.

    ¡°*Sigh* So now I need to teach you the basics too. Fine, listen to me¡­.¡± Warzheil goes on to explain the trade and commerce of this world.

    According to what I understand, this world have abundance of gold, It¡¯s almost like dirt here, so much so that if I were to filter the water of Kobe river, I would fill up a 1 litre bottle full of gold scrapes in 5 hours.

    Platinum is where the normal trading starts, and silver is rarer than platinum here. The most Rich people store riches in the banks here known as Commerce guild, store riches in Adamantium, orichalcum and Uru, I find it hard that the metals from myths on Earth are real here.

    ¡°So your hammer is made of¡­.¡± I ask but Warzheil almost immediately replies as if proud of his hammers.

    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°They are made from dark Uru, A metal so rare that if someone knew that my hammer is made of them, entire kingdoms would come after me.¡± Warzheil says.

    ¡°So you are a rich Dwarf?¡± I ask almost drooling.

    ¡°So, if I were to sell one of my pockets, I would get 2 Dark Uru ingots for them.¡± He says

    ¡°That¡¯s crazy.¡± I say

    ¡°Well your weapon is not bad as well, I think it¡¯s made of Collosium? I can smell it.¡± He says

    ¡°It¡¯s called Titanium and wait You can smell metals?¡± I ask with skepticism.

    ¡°I am a blacksmith, of course I can smell metal. So anything else?¡± He asks

    ¡°Wait, what about diamonds?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Oh those? They are used to make mirrors, ornaments, tools, mage¡¯s staffs and many other things.¡± He says as if it¡¯s normal.

    ¡°Not in trade?¡± I ask, confusion evident.

    ¡°No, they are like stones lying everywhere in dungeons, mines and mountains.¡± He says.

    We rest for half of the day, I try to process the ridiculousness of this world.

    It is almost everything that Earth isn¡¯t, full of resources, flora and fauna.

    I remember about the book I found in the forest when I woke up and search for it but can¡¯t find it so I ask Warzheil about it, thankfully he saw it coming out of my torn suit when I was asleep on other side of the river so he hands me the book with a curious look, but suppresses the urge to ask about it.

    I open the book and this time it lets me open new pages, and it seems like I have missed some of its page.

    I read it for a while and realise that it¡¯s the outline of my journey so far, to clear my suspicion I turn another page but the blur effect occurs again, I sense it more clearly now, but this time instead of going back to the previous page again, some text appears on the page.

    ¡°The night fall will deem the owl worthy, its prey will have no path to escape, but the night houses many threats, beware beyonder.¡± Is what the text says on the book.

    I rub my eyes as I turn the book into a head rest and sleep, I don¡¯t have the mood to translate some encrypted riddle. Maybe my Sanskrit has dulled over time. What does and owl have to do with being worth of night.

    I think as I let my tiredness take over me.

    <hr>

    The next sun rises, Warzheil tries to wake me up, but I feel like a sloth, and in my laziness half of that day pass, heat on its peak as the sun hangs high in the sky, I finally wake up from sweating. I may need to find a place to take a bath soon.

    ¡°Oh, finally awake, huh?¡± Warzheil says as I get out of the small tent.

    ¡°*Yawn* so, what did I miss?¡±

    ¡°The plan to get into my forge, that¡¯s what you missed.¡± He says as he hits on a very good looking Talwar on his makeshift force area. But then he cools down the sword and puts out the fire by pouring water in it from a bucket near him. The fire makes a hissing sound as it dies.

    Warzheil starts to put some of those things back in his pocket.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it no matter how many times I see it, no wonder it¡¯s so expensive. How about you sell one of those and make me a dark Uru weapon too?¡± I ask

    ¡°You should quite talking small when you are in presence of THE legendary blacksmith, lad. How do you think I got to know Drax? I am the best blacksmith of this era. Drax also had to admit when he lost to me in weapon forging duel. I have 7 ingots of Dark Uru ingots, dozens of Uru and few hundreds of orichalcum and adamantium ingots in my forge. I may look like a smelly old dwarf but I can buy kingdoms if I want to.¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°Thats one way to flex your wealth I guess.¡± I say, In a flat voice.

    ¡°You are boring you know that, Lad, At least act to be excited. I worked my ass of to get them. Don¡¯t you want to be rich? If it were someone else they would be out for my blood right now¡± Warzheil says in a plain voice too as he unfolds a big map.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I have always liked money, it makes life much easier. Maybe I should earn lot of money and then retire somewhere peaceful? But you and I both know I can¡¯t, not right now at least. I have 2 contracts to fulfil, one is Geolard¡¯s and another is Drax¡¯s.¡± I say

    ¡°So, even my riches cannot bring out your greedy side huh?¡± he says

    ¡°Nice try, Oldman, but you don¡¯t know me enough just yet, I wouldn¡¯t be THE legendary Hitman on Earth if I succumbed to greed. Smart people die winning, wise are those who win against life¡¯s baffling choices.¡± I say

    ¡°Ok, enough philosophy, now look here.¡± Warzheil says pointing in the map.

    ¡°This right here is the Northern Kobe Forest¡± he says pointing to the top centre of the map with a sketch of a forest.

    ¡°We are now in the southern Kobe Forest, where the Demon Lord have Goblins as their allied forces.¡± He says sliding his finger to the right of the map across the sketch of the river into another forest on the other side of the map and stops his finger on some kind of hammer and anvil that is drawn over the map manually.

    ¡°And this right here is my old forge, not many days ago I was almost captured by the goblins.¡± He said

    ¡°Why?¡± I ask

    ¡°That¡¯s what they are, wandering tribes of ever polluting green shits. The demon lord wanted me to work under him to make weapons for his generals and armies, but thanks to Drax¡¯s letter I prepared to leave just when the goblins started their capture on my forge, maybe he knew it was going to happen so he sent me the letter on the right time. But I ended up screwing up big time and the goblins chased me for days.¡± Warzheil explains.

    ¡°I am starting to understand your struggle now. So, what¡¯s your plan?¡± I ask

    ¡°You said you were an assassin didn¡¯t you? Make a plan, Unless you suggest going with me, head-on against hundreds of goblins, mage goblins, hob goblins, champions and their King. Who knows, maybe even the lich is there.¡± He says

    ¡°Speak of the devil.¡± I say as I see the lich approach on a smaller dragon, a wyvern to be exact.

    The lich sees Ronin and Warzheil ¡°I feel like ripping the very flesh off their face, but that damned Dratnir soldier was Insanely strong, so much so that it destroyed my army, even wounding my mana core with his light and cosmic attacks, I tried to claim it as my own minion, it exploded, I am in no shape to fight these two monster, especially this Dwarf, he is cunning fox, hiding his powers of lighting authority.¡± Lich thinks

    ¡°I must alert the goblins of their arrival.¡± As he passes near ronin and Warzheil he gives them a menacing look. Which doesn¡¯t bother them in the slightest

    ¡°Hey, Bone head, what happened to all that confidence? Fear we may kick your ass without the help of your army huh? Or did that Dratnir Soldier do it for us?¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°It won¡¯t be long before your head hangs on my dragon¡¯s tail, mortals, we will meet soon.¡± The lich replies in a domineering voice, but we both know he is just scared.

    ¡°The Dratnir must have given him a run for his money, I guess he had to abandon his army on the bridge to find a wyvern in the forest to fly all the way back here.¡± I say

    ¡°Or maybe that wasn¡¯t his complete army.¡± Warzheil speculates which raises more questions in my mind.

    ¡°You said that the goblins are under the demon lord, which means¡­.¡± It clicks in both our minds at the same time.

    ¡°Shit!, he is going to alert those green vessels of filth.¡± Warzheil says with impatience evident in his expressions as his eyebrows curl inward, tensed.

    ¡°Do you have any other way we can get inside the forge?¡± I ask Warzheil

    ¡°The owl¡­ the owl is worthy of night.¡± I say as a though drifts into my mind. Maybe that riddle has something to do with our next step.

    ¡°What do you mean by owl? We don¡¯t have time for this Ronin, take this seriously.¡± Warzheil says

    I run back into the tent and bring out the book, tossing it on the table, opening the page that contains the text.

    ¡°See here¡± I slide my finger over the text ¡°The night fall will deem the owl worthy--its prey will have no path to escape--but the night houses many threats--beware beyonder¡± I say which confuses Warzheil.

    ¡°Owl worthy of night, which means that an owl can only hunt at night.¡± I say

    ¡°Well, you aren¡¯t wrong, goblins see less at night, if that¡¯s what you are implementing.¡± Warzheil explains.

    ¡°That¡¯s great¡­now¡± I slide my finger further on the text in the page ¡°The night houses threats--beware beyonder. Which means it¡¯s referring to me, as I am beyond this world. And the night houses threats, which means that even though night is our chance to strike, it might still be risky.¡±

    ¡°W-wait, I don¡¯t understand. What you say makes some sense but, why are you sliding your finger on an empty page? Is this a habit of yours I should be aware of?¡± Warzheil says, which turns my excited expression to a confused expression.

    I close my left eye and then the text starts to disappear from the page as my right eye focuses.

    ¡°This book is not normal.¡± I say as I slowly let this discovery settle. ¡°Or maybe I am not normal.¡±

    ¡°Lets get you examined later, but first, I have an idea.¡± Warzheil continues

    ¡°There is a secret passage under my forge¡± Warzheil continues ¡°Its gates are made of adamantium, it can only be unlocked from inside. but I think your spear can melt it in a few minutes, we can carve a way in. but we need to start now as at night your blade will be visible.¡± Warzheil says.

    ¡°That¡¯s the best plan I have heard in a while.¡± I say ¡°Why stand here then? We have riches to retrieve, lets go.¡±

    ¡°Ok, I will do this, whatever you find there, you can keep it, I don¡¯t plan to come back here anyway.¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°You speak as if we will go our separate ways after that.¡± I ask

    ¡°It¡¯s your loss if you don¡¯t want that stuff, I have a strong feeling that we will not be going our own ways anytime soon.¡±

    And so We prepare to infiltrate the forge.

    We move through the forest after finishing packing our camp. As we go deeper, a fog starts blocking our vision.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, I know all corners of this forest, I have been here for a while.¡± Warzheil said

    ¡°Thankfully I won¡¯t need to hold hands with you since I can see the path with my left eye.¡± I say

    My eye is very convenient, although it feels very uncomfortable seeing things I don¡¯t want to, the wobbly energies in the air makes me feel nauseous, but I need to get used to it soon. I can see the outlines of everything in my line of sight even in this fog. I was seeing normally when we were not in the forest, which must mean I only see different according to situations and see mana when it is dense or unless I want to see it. I don¡¯t understand how this even works but as long it keeps me alive, its an ability.

    Nestled into the side of a rocky hill is Warzheil¡¯s forge. The building is surrounded by goblins and hobgoblins.

    ¡°Hey, won¡¯t they detect your mana?¡± I ask Warzheil

    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate me, lad. Only the Demon Lord can detect me no as I have supressed my mana.¡± He says

    ¡°That¡¯s reassuring¡­.hmm¡± I say but I make a questioning face as I think about possible scenarios where the plan can break down, or succeed. Thank fully Warzheil also had a map of his forge so I have a raw Idea of what I can do once we are in. spear won¡¯t be an option in there.

    We talk amidst the guttural voices of goblin-kind carrying faintly through the air. Fires burn in large pits outside, with goblins working tirelessly on crude weapons and Armor.

    But that¡¯s not all, I see some skeletons as well, which means that they are alert now. But something feels off, the security should be tighter, then why isn¡¯t.

    ¡°Hey, Is the Goblin King friends with the Lich?¡± I ask Warzheil as we are in the bushes.

    ¡°As far as I know, the demon lord¡¯s generals don¡¯t get along with the lich, he is like an outcast to them, even though he is the most loyal to the Demon Lord¡± Warzheil says

    ¡°That must be it. I don¡¯t see any prominent figure here. Which must mean that the king with his champions must be in an argument with the lich. I have seen this happen in my field a lot, even when I disguised myself.¡± I say ¡°Even if that¡¯s not the case, we cannot afford loosing sunlight, we need a way in by night.¡±

    ¡°You are right. Lets go, there¡¯s our ticket in.¡± He points to a large pipe beneath the forge, its bars glinting faintly in the sunlight. ¡°It¡¯s a water outlet I built as an escape route, but like I said, it opens only from the inside. Let¡¯s hope your spear can cut through the bars.¡±

    We approach the gate but suddenly I see 2 goblins coming our way so I yank Warzheil against the wall.

    Warzheil looks like he would cuss me out anytime but I signal him to keep it down. I pick up a pebble slowly and throw it in the opposite direction of the goblins over their head which distracts them.

    It¡¯s a good thing that goblins are idiots. I take the chance and kill both the Goblins using my plasma spear which cuts though their tiny necks, is it me or do the spear feel small in my hands? I normally don¡¯t miss with my spear but even back when I fought the T-rex, it felt uncomfortable. It looks like I have grown in size too.

    ¡°Idiot, we need to get those two into the sewer too, the goblins may detect their blood.¡± Warzheil says.

    I kneel by the pipe as I put the goblins near me, and activate the plasma blade of my spear. The bars are tougher than I expect, made from a mixture of copper and adamantite. It takes a few minutes to cut through them.

    ¡°Hard, isn¡¯t it?¡± Warzheil says with a smirk. ¡°I debated using adamantite for a water outlet, but it¡¯s proven useful.¡±

    ¡°Just keep quiet, old man. You¡¯ll get us caught,¡± I hiss as we slip into the dark, narrow tunnel.

    ¡°Don¡¯t boss me around like my mom. Show some respect for your elders,¡± he retorts in a low whisper.

    I roll my eyes. ¡°Did you finally go senile?¡±

    ¡°You little¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shhh¡­¡± I cut him off as we hear faint footsteps echoing through the tunnel. We finally got in, I put the goblin¡¯s body in the sewer water and slowly head toward the voice that¡¯s getting louder.

    Two goblins appear, their torches casting flickering shadows on the walls. Moving swiftly, I dart ahead, my spear slicing through the air. The goblins barely have time to react before they collapse, lifeless.

    ¡°You really are an assassin through and through, huh?¡± Warzheil asks under his breath, impressed but unnerved.

    ¡°This is the most crude I can be as an assassin. You haven¡¯t seen me in action just yet oldman.¡± I say, trying to flex

    ¡°Hoo? I will be watching then.¡± he says with sarcasm.