《Born in apocalypse》


 Information about Cosmos

    <h4>Chapter -1: Information about Cosmos</h4>


    This chapter will provide basic information about the novel. The information revealed within the story will be duplicated here for easier ess. As such, it may contain spoilers.


    ? Cosmic evolution


    It''s a phenomenon where a young sr system begins it''s evolution, so it''s inhabitants can utilize mana.


    ?Cosmic Connection


    It''s the mark of the cosmos. It can be used to ess your attributes, abilities, and many more.


    ? ss leveling system


    You can level up your ss by earning exp. You can earn exp either by killing any other being or by performing your ss-rted task. Every level-up rewards you with one ss point that can be used to either upgrade your existing skills or buy any new skills that you desire.


    ? ss tier


    After reaching a certain level, your ss can evolve to a higher tier. Every evolution will reset your level. These are themonly used terms:


    ? Tier 1 ¡ª Infant


    ? Tier 2 ¡ª Adept


    ? Tier 3 ¡ª Elite


    ? Tier 4 ¡ª Master


    ? Tier 5 ¡ª Grandmaster


    ? Tier 6 ¡ª Legend


    ? Tier 7 ¡ª Saint


    ? Tier 8 ¡ª deity


    ? Tier 9 ¡ª divine


    The ss itself is divided into different ranks, these are...


    Common ¡ú umon ¡ú Special ¡ú rare ¡ú epic ¡ú legendary ¡ú Mythical ¡ú Unique


    ? Magical affinity


    Everyone within the cosmos has a magical affinity towards one or more elements. They can also use the magic of another element but don''t be as efficient as using their own element.

 Chapter 1: A small crack

    <h4>Chapter 1: A small crack</h4>


    In the depths of a menacing prison...


    A ce where the worst of humanity gathers... There''s a mix of murderers, rapists, robbers, gangsters, and even innocent people... Yes, even innocent ones. There''s such an individual in this prison as well who ended up here because of our wed justice system.


    ***


    In a dimly lit hall...


    The air began to fill with the scent of blood as a man''s eyes burned with pleasure and satisfaction.


    "Hehehehe! Ahhh! I like you, Dhruv, I like you... give me that flesh of yours..."


    Like the devil''s whispers, his words resonated in the area as his fist collided with the soft flesh of his victim. With each blow, small droplets of blood rained upon his face.


    "Arghhhh! Arghhhh!"


    The cry of pain left the victim''s mouth, but it had no effect on the devil.


    "Give me... Give me all... I WANT IT ALL... HEHEHEHEH!" Licking all the blood off his face, the man shouted.


    <i>Crunch!</i>


    "Arghhhh! Arghhhh!"


    A punch of his connected directly with the nose, and it shattered in an instant. No hint of mercy appeared over his face even after hearing the pained cry of his victim.


    "Arghhh! Spare me... leave me alone..." Brawling on the floor, Dhruv cried for mercy, yet it had no effect...


    The man seemed strangely pleasured by the begging of his victim.


    Lowering himself to his level, he picked Dhruv''s head up by his hair. Bringing the head closer to his face, he whispered, "You really think that I will leave you after just this much ''love,'' Dhruuuuvv?"


    "Hehehe! Why do you want to get away from me... I was away for two weeks... Yet you don''t seem happy with our reunion. How cruel..." he muttered, punching Dhruv directly in the face.


    <i>Arghhhh!</i>


    Looking at him, the man continued, "... And why do you even want me to stop... It seems we still have so much energy left... don''t you think..."


    Even while speaking, the man didn''t n to stop. He continued to beat the shit out of Dhruv, not willing to waste a single second during this precious reunion of his.


    ''Arghhh! F-Fuck, at least stop while speaking,'' a thought appeared in Dhruv''s head, but he didn''t dare to voice it out.


    Even though he didn''t say anything... it seemed luck was on his side.


    Seeing how dire his condition was getting with each passing second, one of the gang members stepped in and said, "Enough, Dekion. He might actually die if you continue."


    Dekion''s punches stopped as the sound reached his ears. Turning around, he looked directly into the speaker''s eyes...


    "I-I m-mean, I''m just saying..." the man muttered, shivering.


    Staring for a second, Dekion turned around once again and stood up. A frown appeared on his face as he looked at Dhruv''s condition.


    "People these days can''t even handle some beating..." Kicking him in the stomach three or four times, he turned around and left.


    As Dekion continued his steps, a hint of sadness appeared on his face.


    Anyone who happened to catch a glimpse of his face at that very moment would be forced to think that Dhruv was the culprit and not the innocent and adorable figure Dekion seemed to be at the moment.


    His expression resembled that of a young child who had just lost his favorite toy¡ªthe toy that gave him so much joy during their y.


    "Fuck... what a fucking psycho... Arghhh!" Dhruv cursed, but eventually, a sigh of relief left his mouth.


    Dhruv was free for the time being.


    Atst, he got some peace... But like everything, this peace came with a cost.


    The cost of reliving the agonizing past, where his entire life was doomed within a single year by that heartless businessman.


    If only he hadn''t set foot in that hotel that cursed day, he wouldn''t have made that mistake.


    As Dhruv''s mind turned to that ill-fated day, a faint trace of sorrow filled his heart. The faint trace quickly erged until he was eventually consumed by it.


    Tears began flowing as they mixed with the blood. Dhruv clutched his heart as the pain only seemed to grow stronger and stronger.


    The pain didn''te from just his physical beatings; no... it was something far more painful. It was something more sinister... something more horrifying.


    The grief he was feeling came from losing loved ones.


    "Forgive me, Mom," Dhruv whispered, as the image of his family began to appear in his head.


    No matter how much he tried, all his imaginings quickly became tainted with blood.


    "How I wish I hadn''t taken you there that day." An illusionary piece of paper appeared in his hand.


    "How have I failed in my duty as your son and elder brother?" He seemed to see the bloody faces of his siblings.


    "If only it were all just a dream," he could only wish it were not true... just an illusion.


    "If only I were trapped in a nightmare..."


    Dhruv wished with all his power. Yet, s, it was nothing more than wishful thinking. Everything was as real as it gets.


    <i>Tuk! Tuk! Tuk!..</i>


    The sound of someone walking began to resonate in the area. Slowly but surely, it was getting close to him.


    Suddenly, a hand came from the darkness and tapped on his shoulder. Even without turning back, Dhruv knew very well whose hand it was.


    "Charlie, what''s the matter?" he said, trying to hide his tears. Dhruv didn''t know why, but he didn''t want to show his weak side to his only friend in this prison.


    "Dhruv, you know what''s the matter, don''t you? Then why are you keeping secrets? Please talk to me..." Charlie said this with a worried expression. He wanted to know the cause of his pain.


    "C-Ch... Cha...rlie..." Despite Dhruv''s best efforts, his voice quivered as tears streamed down his face.


    ''Why can''t I just b...'' Biting his lips Dhruv thought.


    Seeing tears falling from his eyes, Charlie bent down and hugged him. He was trying to provide whateverfort he could during the hard times of his friend.


    "If you don''t want to share, don''t share; who am I to ask you that?" Charlie said, with a hint of disappointment.


    "C-Charlie, how can you say that? You''re the only person I consider a true friend here, and you know it. Please don''t say that." With much effort, Dhruv was barely able to speak.


    "Dhruv, it''s just that if you truly see us as friends, why keep secrets from me? I mean, I don''t want to pry into your secrets or anything like that..."


    Pausing for a moment, he continued, "... But see for yourself, it is only affecting your health badly."


    "..."


    Charlie waited in silence, giving Dhruv a few moments to speak. But until the end, not a single word escaped his lips. He was just sobbing in pain.


    "Dhruv, if you don''t want to share, I won''t force you. Just remember, I''m always here for you, even if I can''t stop the beatings," Charlie muttered, especially focusing on thest part.


    Charlie mentioned that, despite fully understanding that it isn''t about getting beaten, it is about something else, something much more painful than just getting bullied.


    Even with the understanding of the reason, he said so because... his main goal was to divert Dhruv''s attention from his mental pain by talking about physical abuse.


    Although not the perfect strategy, it did help, at least a little.


    Dhruv took a deep breath as he found himself blessed to have such a man as a friend in this hellhole¡ªand not just a friend, but a best friend.


    ***


    Time passed as they continued talking. Disturbing their talk, a bell rang throughout the prison.


    Listening to the sound, they knew it was time to head to their own rooms.


    "See you soon, Dhruv..." Nodding his head, Charlie got up, ready to move toward his room.


    Before he could take a step, though, Dhruv''s voice reached him.


    "Thank you, Charlie. I''m grateful to have you as a friend... I mean really," Dhruv muttered, an awkward smile appearing on his face.


    "Oh! You don''t have to say it, Dhruv. I''ll always be here for you, no matter what. We''ll get through this together, my friend," Charlie reassured him, tapping his friend on the shoulder.


    Having their cells on opposite sides of the prison, both of them moved in different directions.


    After walking some distance, Charlie looked back, trying to pry into the darkness but could not see Dhruv anywhere.


    After confirming Dhruv wasn''t anywhere near him, he wiped away the smile from his face. He removed the veil of smile, after which what appeared was nothing more than...


    ...Disgust.


    "What a pathetic crybaby!" Charlie muttered under his breath.


    "Why can''t he just toughen up and stop crying like a baby for once?" Making all sorts of faces, he mocked the one he was calling a friend just moments ago.


    ''No, this can''t go on longer like this. This fucker is of no good,'' he thinks remembering the sobbing face of his so-called friend.


    Charlie knew this wouldn''t cut it.


    If Dhruv''s mental state was left unchecked, there was a real risk of him losing his sanity. And if that happened, Dekion would lose interest in Dhruv.


    Dekion wouldn''t get this much pleasure from a broken toy. And if that were to happen, Dekion would have to find a new doll.


    And who was a better toy than Charlie... the one he previously yed with?


    ''No, no, no... I can''t allow that to happen.''


    ''I can''t go back to living like that again...''


    ''I just have to keep everything like this for another two years, then I would be free. I have to make everything right.''


    ''And for that, I have to know the reason. The reason behind his pain. I have to know everything.''


    Charlie knew he needed to understand why Dhruv was bing more and more unstable. Why his mental state was degrading? He had to make it right so the beatings could continue.


    ''But this fucker never talks about his past... What the hell did he do to end up in this prison, and why? It has to be connected in some way.'' Theck of information frustrated Charlie to no end.


    He had to find out the truth, and understand the man''s history.


    To achieve that, Charlie knew he had to use every ounce of his abilities to get Dhruv to spill every important piece of information without being suspicious at all.


    Everything depended on that. If he failed to achieve that, the result wouldn''t be very pleasant, and Charlie knew this.


    ***


    While all this was going on, the world was experiencing a cosmic change.


    In the heart of the wilderness, a dense forest thrived. Towering treesy everywhere, their branches interwoven in a pattern of a leafy canopy.


    In this wilderness, where no human presence could be found... something cosmic happened.


    Suddenly...


    Tearing the space in half, a small crack emerged into existence. The moment it stabilized, an unknown blue vapor began to pass through it.


    This was not just a matter of one ce; such incidents could be seen in many ces.


    With so many of them appearing, it was just a matter of days before someone noticed this cosmic phenomenon.


    And it can be said that Dhruv was among the first people to notice the event in question.

 Chapter 2: ICA

    <h4>Chapter 2: ICA</h4>


    After A Month...


    On a remote ind...


    On the deserted ind, a sleek, white circr building stands out, exuding elegance. It is guarded by armed personnel positioned around its perimeter, ensuring top security.


    This location required this level of security because it housed the majority of the world''s significant people at the time.


    Inside the building, many people could be seen sitting and waiting for others toe, then they could start the meeting as soon as possible Because the matter in question is very serious.


    After a minute or two, all the chairs were filled with people.


    After confirming everyone was present, One of the representatives stood up and started speaking.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining this urgent meeting. We have gathered here today to address a concerning phenomenon that has been observed globally. Small cracks are appearing in multiple ces, and there are indications that some otherworldly force is behind this event," Said one of the old men, wearing a long white zer.


    After hearing this, a young man stood up and said.


    "Thank you, Magnus, for initiating this discussion. The appearance of these cracks is indeed cause for rm. It''s essential that we share any information or data we have on this phenomenon to better understand its origin and implications. And announce it publicly, We cannot afford to keep our citizens in the dark.


    "That''s why I despise young men like you. always wishes to make a speedy decision." said an elderly woman, clearly dissatisfied with the suggestion of announcing it publicly. "Even so, I ept the first part. As leaders, we should share as much information as possible among ourselves. But I disagree with making these details public ''right now,'' until we have a whole picture." Said an elderly woman dressed in ck.


    "I understand the concerns, Devid, but we also need to consider the potential impact on public order and stability. If this phenomenon is not well understood or its effects are unpredictable, sharing iplete or unverified information could create unnecessary chaos. We must strike a bnce between transparency and the responsible dissemination of knowledge," said another woman.


    "While I understand the need for caution, we cannot ignore the fact that citizens have a right to know about significant developments that affect their lives. By keeping information hidden, we risk losing the trust of our people. We should establish an international task force to investigate these cracks and provide urate updates to the public." Devid suggests.


    "That''s a reasonable suggestion. Establishing a task force would enable coboration between our nations and pool resources and expertise to address this phenomenon. It would also ensure that information is shared transparently while avoiding undue panic." Magnus said.


    "Agreed. We must prioritize scientific research to understand the nature of these cracks. Let''s encourage our nation''s scientists to coborate, share data, and work together to find exnations and potential solutions. Public safety should be our utmost concern." Another man said.


    "I support the idea of a task force and international cooperation. We should also engage with relevant international organizations, such as the United Nations, NASA, and UNESCO, to leverage their expertise and resources in addressing this phenomenon. Coborative efforts will yield better results."


    After some more chatting, Magnus, being the representative, stood up with a notepad in his hand. Today''s meeting proposals were written on the notepad.


    "OK, During this meeting, the following conditions were proposed and put to vote. If agree, please raise your hands. If you disagree, please State the reason." Magnus said


    ¡ª-----------------


    Identify and Secure Crack Locations: Deploy resources to identify and secure the locations directly affected by the crack. This may involve establishing exclusion zones or restricted areas to prevent unauthorized ess and ensure the safety of both the public and government personnel. Implement measures to protect evidence, preserve the scene, and conduct thorough investigations to understand the nature of the incident. Establish a new organization: Create a dedicated team of experts, including scientists, astrophysicists, and military personnel, to analyze the situation, assess potential threats, and develop a coordinated response n. This team should be equipped to gather and evaluate all avable information about the incident. Allocate Adequate Resources: In response to the extraterrestrial incident, allocate as many resources as possible to address the situation effectively. This includes financial resources, personnel, and equipment necessary to support scientific research, technological development, and any required emergency response efforts. Adequate funding and resource allocation will facilitate aprehensive and timely response. Communicate with the Public: Transparency and clearmunication with the public is crucial during such an event. Establish official channels to provide updates, address concerns, and disseminate urate information to avoid panic and misinformation. Regr press conferences, official statements, and a dedicated website or hotline can help maintain public trust.


    <Only after we deem it necessary.>


    ¡ª------------------------


    After looking at the conditions, one of the group''s oldest members said,


    "My dear friends, all this has be a matter of sharing the work among themselves. If we get something from these cracks, then shall we discuss how we will share it among ourselves."


    Everyone nodded, including Magnus.


    After confirming that everyone was on the same page, Magnus looked at Max, the one who proposed the deal and asked, "Max, can you suggest how we should handle the profits then?"


    "With pleasure Magnus, My suggestion is that we should distribute 90 percent among ourselves and give the remaining 10 percent to the public." Max proposed.


    This preposterous suggestion makes even most of the greedy members frown.


    "Come on, this much greed is not good, even for you Max," Magnus said, trying to digest what he had just heard."


    "So you tell me how much we should keep?" He didn''t even express regret for what he had just said.


    "Let us keep 65% among ourselves and we will distribute the remaining 35% among the government and the public," Magnus advised.


    After hearing this Max made a face as if he had just emptied a te full of bitter things. But in the end, he nodded his head and epted their words.


    "I think everyone has agreed to these terms, if yes please stand your hands. If you disagree please State the reason" Magnus said


    As anticipated, everyone raised their hands in agreement with the terms.


    "Excellent. Let usmit to openness, transparency, and coboration. We owe it to our citizens to provide urate information, involve scientists and experts, and establish aprehensive global strategy. By working together, we can navigate this phenomenon responsibly and safeguard the well-being of our nations." Magnus said.


    After adding this new point to the notepad, he looked at it and thought something was missing... he realized the missing thing is none other than the name of the organization itself.


    "Can anyone suggest the name of our organization?" Magnus asked.


    "Men in ck," Devid said with an eager smile on his face.


    "No, I don''t want to deal with copyright issues," Magnus said.


    "Dimensional seekers," Max proposed.


    "No," everyone said collectively, not wanting to make their organization sound like some cult.


    "Cosmopolitan Interterrestrial Research Society," proposed the old woman.


    "Nah! Too long andplex," Devid murmured thinking of an appropriate name for. After thinking for a while a perfect namees to his mind...


    "How about ''Interdimensional Crack Administration (ICA)?" Devid whispered looking at everyone with a smile.


    "Hmmm! Not bad..."


    "Neat and on the spot..."


    "Good enough!"


    Thinking the name is good everyone agrees without posing any problem.


    "Thank you, everyone, for your contributions. Let''s move forward with establishing the international task force and implementing the necessary measures to address this phenomenon. Our collective efforts will ensure that we confront this challenge with the utmost diligence and transparency." As the meeting came to an end, Magnus stated.


    Everyone got up from their seats after hearing that and started heading back to finish the necessary preparations.

 Chapter 3: Cosmic evolution

    <h4>Chapter 3: Cosmic evolution</h4>


    One month before the meeting,


    Dhruv was headed towards his cell when, as he was about to drift off to sleep on his bed, a surge of weakness engulfed him. His legs went numb, causing him to copse headfirst into the ground, losing consciousness.


    After a few hours, he finally gained conciseness.


    And when he opened his eyes, his eyes widened at the sight of whatever was in front of him...


    He could not believe his eyes because, the area under the bed between him and the wall. There was literally a crack in space in front of his eye. This crack was almost like a miniature version of the portal that Doctor Strange uses to make transportation, albeit blue in color.


    "Wait!! what the fuck is this thing doing here, Shouldn''t all the Marvel movies be pure fiction?"


    He waited for some time for Dr. Strange toe out of this portal and save him from this hell hole, but even after waiting for a few minutes, nothing happened.


    "I guess we ain''t going to see Doctor Strange today,"


    ''Should I touch it?''


    ''What if I get sucked in it?''


    He thinks about it for a moment andes to the conclusion that he shouldn''t mess with this thing. But curiosity got the better of him, and he ultimately touched it...


    "Here goes nothing."


    But as soon as his hands were about to touch the portal, they were repelled from it as if some otherworldly force was preventing him from touching it. The closer he got to the portal, the more repulsion he felt in his palms.


    The fact that blue color vapors were emanating from the gateway is another unusual aspect of the situation. The quantity is not very much; Instead, it was almost negligent. It was practically unnoticeable if one didn''t pay attention to it.


    In the midst of this strange phenomenon, he remembered that he had to eat food too. He saw that he would be going to bed hungry today when he caught a glimpse of the time in his room. as no one will wait for him with a serving of food in their hand given that it is almost midnight.


    But this was nothing new to him.


    He was about to go to sleep with a sad face, and that''s when he realized Hey!!


    ''Am I even hungry or not? Because I can clearly feel my stomach full. Even when I haven''t eaten anything since this morning.''


    He didn''t eat, or more likely, he couldn''t eat breakfast because Dekion would always take his breakfast.


    But how can this happen? I haven''t eaten anything since morning, and Dekion took away half of what I atest night.


    That''s when Dhruv realized something.... and instinctively looked towards that portal.


    Then what he saw left his eyes wide open.


    Because he could see that the vaporing from the portal was being absorbed into his body. Like his body is made up of a ma, and the vapor is clearly attracted to it.


    Seeing this, he was so happy that he forgot to even question this strange phenomenon.


    What is this vapor, and why is it being absorbed into my body and satisfying my hunger?


    And there was a reason for him to be so happy. Because now he will never have to sleep hungry.


    He spent the whole night in peace. knowing that he won''t Starve anymore.


    But this peace onlysts until the morning. The very next morning, Dekion and his men came, their fists clenched, ready to beat him once again.


    And this cycle continued every day, like a storm that refused to calm down. With each blow, the pain etched deeper into his bones, leaving scars on his wounded soul. The bruises on his body became a cruel testament to his suffering.


    He held onto a flicker of hope, believing that their beating would end and that they would be bored with their bullying. But this was nothing but mere naivety, shattered by the harsh reality that greeted him every morning. The bullying continued, relentless and unyielding.


    Days melted into weeks, weeks transformed into months, And now, exactly a year has passed since he discovered the portal. He bes trapped in this terrible whirlpool of suffering.


    Due to his constant proximity to the portal, his body has undergone significant improvements, but not enough to allow him tobat 20 opponents at once.


    Due to not getting enough pleasure from beating Dhruv, Or As fate would have it, their cruelty found another target in Charlie. Dhruv first watched in anguish as his friend became a victim, bearing the brunt of their attacks. But in his desperation, Charlie turned his back on Dhruv, ming him for the misery that had consumed his own existence.


    Then, Dhruv''s eyes were opened to Charlie''s true nature, stripped of the friendly facade that had deceived him for so long. The revtion pierced his heart, a dagger of betrayal that cut deep. The realization dawned upon him that Charlie had been nothing more than a maniptor, using their friendship as a tool for his own gains.


    In the midst of the physical torment and emotional betrayal, Dhruv found himself standing at the crossroads of despair. The weight of the world bore down upon him, threatening to extinguish thest vestiges of his resilience. Yet, in the depths of his pain, a flicker of determination sparked within him, a whisper of defiance that refused to be silenced.


    ~~~


    As usual, Dekion and his men were standing around Dhruv, Ready toplete today''s quota.


    Dhruv is standing in the middle of all these men with his lifeless eyes, not evenining about the whole thing.


    Dhruv stood silently while Dekion slowly walked towards him, clinching his hand, making a fist. Just as he was about to hit Dhruv, a sound was heard in his mind, simr to a phone notification.


    DING! DING!


    Dekion stopped midway and started looking around, trying to find the source from which this sound wasing. After looking around, he couldn''t find any abnormalities, so he asked his men.


    "Did you guys also hear this weird-ass notification sound?"


    The group of men were all startled, including Dhruv, because they had also heard the sound of this notification.


    "Yes," one of the men replied.


    Everyone was about to question the sound when another one came to mind, this time more clear andplete.


    [Attention! Beings of the cosmos. The ''cosmic evolution'' has descended upon your sr system, marking a major turning point in your existence. Prepare for the revtions that follow.]


    "What Cosmos?"


    "What kind of Cosmic evolution?"


    This type of question was going on in everyone''s mind, as if whoever said this could read everyone''s mind. Information about Cosmic evolution pops up in front of everyone.


    [In this cosmic realm, when a new sr system is born, it slumbers, awaiting its awakening. but fear not, for the ''cosmic evolution'' arrives! It is a magical event where cosmic energies converge and fill the young sr system with incredible potential.


    As cosmic evolution unfolds, extraordinary things happen. Springs of magical water burst forth, bringing life to fantastical nts and creatures. Imagine vibrant flowers with shimmering colors and creatures unlike any you''ve seen.


    But the magic doesn''t stop there! Mortals touched by this cosmic energy discover newfound abilities. Spells be reality, and they gain the power to heal, protect, and destroy. It is a time of growth and wonder, where the ordinary bes extraordinary.]


    Dhruv instantly knew the answer to his question about the origin of the portal as soon as he saw the word "magic." But the reason they arrived still remains a mystery.


    However, this mystery won''tst for very long....


    Dhruv was thinking about the announcement when it began to y once more.


    [You are now intimately linked to the vast cosmos itself. Through this connection, a profound intery of energies and forces urs, forging an intricate rtionship between all beings. This cosmic bond transcends individuality and fosters a sense of collective consciousness.]


    The mark of ''cosmic connection'' was inscribed in their chests without their knowledge as soon as this dialogue ended.


    [The cosmos operates under the fundamental principle of bnce. It ensures that harm and well-being are distributed equally based on individual performance and choices. Your actions will directly impact the harmony or disharmony within the cosmicwork.]


    [The emergence of ''Mana'': With the evolution, and unveilinges the introduction of an extraordinary form of energy known as ''mana.'' Mana represents the pinnacle of power, transcending conventional energy sources within your sr system. It is a versatile force capable of transforming into various manifestations, including heat, cold, light, darkness, life, death, sound, and more.]


    [Soar high, embrace growth, and reach for your limitless potential! Being of cosmos]


    In the annals of time, this message will redefine humanity''s destiny. Its impact, whether for good or ill, remains to be witnessed.

 Chapter 4: Teacher Coby

    <h4>Chapter 4: Teacher Coby</h4>


    After the dialogue ends, A small creature appears in front of me. This creature''s appearance is bizarre, unlike anything I have seen before.


    It has a five-year-old boy''s body, skinposed of stars, and a substance that resembles purple mist in ce of flesh. The only features on the face are two purple eyes that illuminate in the dark.


    [Hello!! I am Coby, nothing but a humble servant of the universe, but as a fellow cosmic entity, I am here to educate you on the fundamentals of this situation so that you can endure it and reach far greater heights.]


    Said the creature without addressing the fact that we are amazed by his appearance and that this isn''t his first time dealing with this type of situation.


    [First of all, let me teach you how to use your cosmic mark. As you were engrossed in listening to the revtion, you missed that a mark of the cosmos is inscribed on your chest.]


    I and every other prison inmate started removing the clothes from their chests in an attempt to see the cosmic mark.


    And there I see a stunning abstract art piece featuring a jellyfish-like creature in shades of purple. The background is predominantly purple, with some lighter hues and stars scattered throughout theposition. In the center of the image, there is an illuminated circle that stands out against its dark surroundings. This light source casts a blue hue on one side of the jellyfish and creates an interesting contrast between light and dark elements. The jellyfish itself has intricate details such as small leaves or tentacles that give it texture and depth. Overall, this mark conveys a sense of mystery and beauty through its use of color, lighting, and shape to create an eye-catching visual experience.


    [That''s what we call the cosmic mark, And it has two purposes.]


    He said this, pointing at the mark I was looking at.


    [The first one is to connect you to the cosmos itself


    you will learn more about this in the far future so let''s move on to the second purpose.]


    [For your survival in this post-apocalyptic world, the second purpose is as important as breathing, if not even more so.]


    He pauses for a moment for us to digest this new information..


    [As I''ve seen, you guys seem to be familiar with the concept of ''SYSTEM''. So this will be easy for me.]


    ''System'', I think I have read something simr about this in web novels, in my high school. It was a pretty popr genre at that time, but I don''t remember it very clearly.


    [For you to activate your mark, you have to say the word ''STATUS'' or if you don''t like the acti...


    "Status," I said without listening to the end part of the sentence.


    \\ Name: Dhruv


    ss: N/A


    Title: N/A


    Magic Affinity: NOT AWAKEN


    Stats: Strength Lv. 11, Stamina Lv. 13, Agility Lv. 12, Magic Power Lv. 47


    Abilities: Absorption Lv.??? < Unique ability given to chosen ones until the start of evolution >


    Evaluation: One of the ''chosen ones''. Due to the long exposure to mana, your body has be a better and stronger version of your past self. //


    While I was looking at my status and reading my information, a strong energy started flowing inside me, and I felt as though I were being electrocuted. My internal organs started to hurt like....


    "Ahhhh!!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.


    Everybody started looking at Dhruv due to his voice being a disturbance in their conversation, but the expression everybody was giving was different. Some people are gazing at him with angry expressions; some are questioning his behavior; and some are delighted for him to be miserable. However, if anyone in this room could read Coby''s expression, they would see the unending fascination on his face, as if a very unusual episode were about to ur.


    After some time, when that excruciating pain disappeared from my body, I felt rejuvenated, better, and stronger.


    And this new strength is no joke; now I feel as if I can take down five Dekion, no, six, maybe even more, without any difficulty, and one particr thing I notice is that new and powerful energy seems to flow in my body.


    Maybe this is the ''Mana'' thing I heard in the previous announcement.


    [ I hope you all have seen your status.]


    [Let me tell you some basic things about your status window. First, If you look at your status, there is a thing called stats.]


    I hastily opened my status, and there sure is a section for Stats in my window.


    [Stats: Strength Lv. 11, Stamina Lv. 13, Agility Lv. 12, Magic Power Lv. 47]


    ''Hmm! I have a higher magic power than the other stats; why is that? Is this typical, maybe, and what are typical human stats for a point ofparison?'' I think rather fast.


    Uhmm! Something is weird, why I can think so fastpared to my slow processing brain. Is this the effect of Magic power or the system? Maybe both, maybe none. Let''s first hear what Coby has to say.'' I once again think at the speed of an F1 racing car.


    [Your stats are divided into four categories: Strength, Stamina, Agility, and Magic power.]


    [ Strength represents your physical power and ability to exert force. It determines how effectively you can engage in meleebat, wield heavy weapons, and perform feats of raw physical might. So in simple words, strength means your physical body''s raw power. On the Other hand,


    Stamina reflects your endurance and overall physical resilience. It represents your ability to sustain physical exertion, endure prolonged battles, and resist fatigue. It also influences your ability to withstand and recover from physical injuries or detrimental effects. While...


    Agility measures your physical speed, dexterity, and nimbleness. It affects your reflexes, bnce, and overall finesse inbat. High agility enables you to move swiftly, dodge attacks, perform acrobatic maneuvers, and strike with precision. Last but not least, we have magic power...


    Magic power refers to your aptitude and proficiency in manipting ''MANA''. It determines your ability to cast spells, channel magical abilities, and harness supernatural forces. A being with high magic power possesses greater spellcasting potential, allowing them to cast more potent andplex spells. Magic power is the most important stat if you choose to be a mage or simr ss.]


    [Do you understand that?] Asked Coby.


    ''I think I get the gist of it, but I want a reference number topare with my stat. Should I ask or let them ask the questions? Let''s wait; if they don''t ask, then I will do it myself.'' I thought.


    A few momentster, one of Dekion''s goons started asking questions.


    "Sir Coby, can you provide us with a reference number topare our stat against?" He asked the question nervously, as if he were afraid that if he said something wrong, then that would be the end of him.


    [Why not? So for your species, the average stats for a normal adult would be Lv. 1.]


    ''Huhh! WHAT?''


    ''Normal stat should be Lv. 1 but my average is right around Lv. 10, with the highest being Lv. 47 in magical power.''


    As I was trying to process why my stat is so highpared to a normal human, Coby spoke again.


    [With this, your basic knowledge learning sessiones to an end.] After saying These final words, Coby snaps his fingers and disappears into nothingness, leaving a silent and menacing prison hall for us.


    But this silence didn''tst long because a momentter I got a notification from the system saying...


    [The main quest has started.]

 Chapter 5: First Quest

    <h4>Chapter 5: First Quest</h4>


    ¡ª-----------------------------------


    [Main Quest #01- The Path of Expertise]


    Clear condition: Choose a ss you are an expert in, And show the worth you possess to the cosmos. <Your status screen needs to reflect the ss you''ve chosen.>


    Time limit: 7 Days


    Reward: 1000 CC <Cosmic coins>, ess to Cosmic store


    Failure: Death


    ¡ª--------------------------------------


    The quest is for us to get a ss that the system recognizes.


    All of the prisoners had a distinct expression of confusion when I nced at them, while at the same moment, another, more pronounced feeling could be seen on their faces.....


    The look of excitement...


    A sense of liberty, that now in this new world no one is going to stop them, judge them, or bind them against their will.


    Dhruv doesn''t want to believe it, but he himself is in the same category because he can clearly feel a sense of exhration deep within himself.


    [The cosmos has sent a gift for you to start this journey.]


    With this message, a new screen pops up in front of me.


    [Choose a weapon or tool.]


    A screen with rows of weapons and tools appears in front of me, telling them to choose any one of them.


    Dhruv ponders for a moment which weapon he should choose.


    After a moment, he chose a spear because, in his opinion, a spear offers several advantages that make it a worthy choice. Firstly, its versatility allows for both close-range and rangedbat, providing flexibility in various situations. Secondly, its longer reach grants superior defensive capabilities by keeping foes at bay. Additionally, spears are easier to handle than heavier weapons, allowing for greater agility and speed.


    After selecting the spear, it appeared out of nowhere in his hand.


    With a spear in my hand, Dhruv looked at other inmates and could clearly sense they were thinking which weapon to choose...


    ''This is clearly my chance.'' I thought and looked at my closest prey.


    At the moment, Dhruv clearly views them as nothing more than prey waiting to be ughtered. Some could assume he is insane for considering them prey, given that they had just bullied him yesterday, but they couldn''t be any more mistaken. Because the strength he gets from absorbing mana elevates his body to a new level, and he is well aware of this newfound strength of his.


    Dhruv instantly found his first victim, and it was none other than Dekion himself.


    In the midst of everything, Dhruv''s eyes gleamed with determination as he gripped his spear tightly. With lightning speed, he lunged forward, his body a blur of motion.


    In an instant, he materialized in front of Dekion, catching him off guard. The spear sliced through the air, aiming unerringly for Dekion''s head. Time stood still as the weapon found its mark, prating with a savage force.


    Booooom!..... Thud!


    The air was ripped apart by a thunderous explosion from the impact as Dekion''s head violently burst apart, resulting in a gruesome spectacle that left only devastation in its aftermath.


    What was truly astonishing was that the entire sequence of events, from Coby''s disappearance to Dekion''s death, transpired within a mere 10 seconds.


    Dekion''s unmoving bodyy on the cold floor, and Dhruv stood silently watching it, not worried at all that he could be attacked in this time frame. He watched Dekion''s body, knowing that there was no one who could hurt him now.


    He stood there, staring at the lifeless body before him. At that moment, the truth struck him, shattering the illusions that had bound his existence for far too long. Dekion, once thought of as an invincible force, was nothing more than a fragile fa?ade, a mirage of strength and power.


    They created illusions that made him believe he had no power or freedom to change his fate. However, that is no longer the case.


    He moved ahead confidently, looking straight ahead. He epted the freeing truth that he was the one with strength now. The power that others used to have over him was now in his own hands.


    Starting now, he would shape his own future, bravely challenging the false ideas that tried to limit him. The world would see how he changed after waking up from the illusions he was supposed to be in.


    He stayed there, looking at the motionless body, which reminded him of the illusions that had controlled him before. But now he had found the real truth beyond those illusions. And within that truth, he gained the power to control his own destiny...


    A heavy silence gripped the hall. The busy room had turned still, and all twenty of them stood motionless like statues, their faces filled with horror and disbelief.


    Dhruv looked around the room with intense, wild eyes, driven by a strange sense of justice.


    He looked from one frightened face to another, feeling the fear that pulsed through their faces. The smell of the air had changed somewhere along the line; now it smelled of only blood and fear. The weight of the weapon in his hand felt bothforting and menacing, adding to the raw power surging through his veins.


    A feeble and shaky voice shattered the silence. "P-Please," a frightened prisoner begged, dropping to their knees and crying. "D-Don''t... K-kill us."


    Despite being a prisoner himself, he couldn''t witness bloodshed of this magnitude, where a man is headlessly lying on the floor in a pool of blood.


    Looking at how the roles had reversed, Dhruv''s lips curled into a cruel smile. But mercy was a luxury he wasn''t familiar with; after all, he had never received it himself. If only these people had shown him mercy before, he might have given it back.


    "Spare you, you say."


    "Hahhhahhahahhahaahah"


    "Even in this situation, you truly managed to crack a joke, don''t you think... Ahhh! What was your name?... Yes"


    "...Mandy!" With an ice-cold stare, he raised his weapon high, ready to deliver a final, merciless blow.


    Despite understanding what was happening, not everyone was scared. Some gathered the courage to stand up against this predator. Their faces disyed anger and resistance. With shaky hands, they grabbed their weapons, ready to take on the ruthless predator.


    Amidst the chaos that followed, the sound of metal shing and frantic shouts filled the air. Bodies collided in a deadly struggle. Dhruv, like a predator among the prey, moved with not so much calcted precision, yet his blows were merciless and lethal, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake, once again showing the might of his new profound strength.


    Blood sprayed on the ground as their battle cries transformed into cries of pain. Some fought courageously, refusing to surrender even when death seemed inevitable, but their struggles were futile. Dhruv had be an unstoppable presence, driven by a fierce hatred that consumed every fiber of his being.


    While the battle continued, a sense of both desperation and eptance filled the air. The once strong voices of resistance faded, reced by the cries of those who understood they were doomed. Strength diminished, fatigue set in, and hope faded away. Yet, Dhruv, relentless in his pursuit, showed no mercy.


    In the end, the hall was left ravaged, bodies scattered randomly across the icy stone. Dhruv stood in the midst of the carnage, panting heavily, while the smell of death filled the air. Sweat mingled with blood on his brow as he nced at the aftermath, his eyes devoid of guilt.


    Ultimately, the hall was in ruins, with bodies scattered randomly on the cold stone floor. Dhruv stood amidst the chaos, breathing heavily and surrounded by the scent of death. Sweat and blood mixed on his forehead as he nced at the aftermath with eyes that were devoid of any guilt.


    Dhruv knew he had be something he hated. He epted that he had be a monster, a being of destruction. However, he believes that for his survival, he should have grown into this long ago.


    "Ahhh! Such silence... I loved it..."

 Chapter 6: Class selection

    <h4>Chapter 6: ss selection</h4>


    After killing them all, when he looked around, all he could see was torn flesh and blood...


    ''Why don''t I feel guilty or anything close to that? All I can feel is satisfaction.'' he thought.


    This was the obvious oue. If he were to feel guilty killing the one who had tortured him for all this time then that would be a very strange thing.


    "Uhhh!! This must be how it feels after getting revenge. Truly a wonderful experience." he whispered


    Talking about the experience, he noticed that there were multiple notifications. To see all those notifications he said ''status'' and looked at it...


    ****


    [You have killed a human.]


    [100 CC have been earned.]


    [You are the first one to kill someone after evolution.]


    [Due to that, you have gained the Title- First Blood.]


    [You have killed a human.]


    [100 CC have been earned.]


    [You have killed a human.]


    [100 CC has been earned.]


    [You have killed...]


    ****


    There were a total of 21 kill notifications, including one about him getting the title [First Blood].


    Wondering what this title exactly means he clicks on to expand it''s description?


    [ First Blood: You are the first one to kill someone after evolution. A fitting title for someone who soaks his hands in blood


    Effects: +10% in every stat.]


    ''So I''m the first one to kill someone; I must have gotten this title when I killed Dekion.'' Dhruv thought, '' and the effect is pretty good as well, the increase of +10% in stat. This will truly sher on when my stat reaches hundreds or even thousands.


    ¡ª------------------------


    Name: Dhruv


    ss: Avable!


    Title: First blood


    Magic Affinity: NOT AWAKEN


    Stats: Strength Lv. 11(12), Stamina Lv. 13(14), Agility Lv. 12(13), Magic Power Lv. 47(51),


    Abilities: N/A


    Cosmic coins: 2100


    Cosmic store: <LOCKED>


    ¡ª------------------------


    Looking at his high magic power stat a thought appeared in his mind, ''I still don''t understand why my stat is so high.''


    Before Dhruv could ponder over this matter further, he heard a calming voice...


    "You must be wondering why your stat is so highpared to others, am I right?"


    Not knowing who was speaking to him he panics and shouts, "...W-who are y...you, where are you, and why can you read my thoughts? "


    He yelled while taking a defensive position. Druv didn''t know who he was defending against, but it seemed like the best way to go at the moment.


    "You don''t need to worry that much. Hey, it''s me, Coby." the voice sounded once again.


    "W-what do you mean, don''t worry? You suddenly read my mind, I don''t know from where you speak. How am I supposed to not worry." Dhruv tried to talk in a calm manner but lost his cool while speaking.


    Listening to his voice a small figure appeared in his view out of nowhere, obviously, this little figure was coby...


    "Now, happy?" he said.


    "Better than talking to air at least," Dhruv replied sarcastically.


    "So, you must be wondering why your stat is so highpared to others," he asks once again.


    "Yes, that was exactly what I was wondering." Dhruv asked, lifting an eyebrow to try to convey the message, ''How do you know?''


    Coby ignored Dhruv''s ''how do you know?'' look and said,


    "Your stat is higher than others, because you lived close to the portal, due to which your body was constantly absorbing the mana with the skill mana absorption you had and was making itself stronger."


    "It has something to do with the portal, I knew that too. My question is, when I was absorbing the mana all this time, why did the effect be obvious after the evolution?"


    "That is because you needed some medium to awaken that dormant power of yours, and the cosmic mark became that median. Even if somehow you could have awakened that power, you would have... died. The reason being that the body of a mortal could not bear the power of mana without the help of ''Mark''."


    "Now that makes sense," he whispered.


    Dhruv stood there, his gaze fixed on Coby, as he floated into the room with a smile on his faceless face.


    There was something about his demeanor that didn''t sit right with him. Call it intuition or a gut feeling, but Dhruv couldn''t shake off the suspicion that Coby''s presence here was more than just to answer his one question.


    Dhruv waited for a minute, and then one became two. Then three minutes passed. And when Coby didn''t leave even after 4 minutes, he called him.


    "Well, then why are you hovering there like a ghost? don''t you have any other work to do?" I said trying to get rid of this mind-reading ba.. sir.


    "It is not a good thing to call someone a bastard. Don''t you have any manners?"


    "What are you talking about." DHruv first tried to scoff the me as he didn''t know what he was talking about but then he remembered that he could read his mind,


    "When you read someone''s mind, I think they lose the right to lecture someone about manners." Dhruv lectured.


    Well, you''re right about that, hahaha," Cobyughed as he epted the me.


    "Cut the crap and tell me why you''re here," Dhruv said


    "So, I havee here for two things."


    "And what are those?" Dhruv said with a straight face.


    "Let me finish at least; where was I? Yes, the first is to awaken your magical affinity, and the second is, how to use your coins ."


    The moment he heard about awakening his magic affinity Dhruv thought, '' ''So I can use magic after all.''


    "Yes, you can, or anyone whose magic power stat is equal to or above Lv. 10 can use magic after awakening their affinity."


    "So does that mean I have to awaken my affinity to use magic," Dhruv asked with genuine curiosity.


    "yes"


    "So what are we waiting for?" Dhruv said, hinting at Coby to start the awakening ceremony.


    "Ohhh! There is no need for any ceremony," he said while snapping one of his fingers.


    "Looks like my time is up, So let me tell you about coins. Coins can be used in a number of ways, but for your circumstances, you should use your coins to upgrade your stats."


    "So, what is my affinity? ..... And he disappeared again." Dhruv whispered.


    ''Why did he wait for thest moment to tell me when he knows that there is a time limit..'' Dhruv could have thought about this matter in the details but his thought was abrupt by the barrage of notifications...


    [You have awakened your affinity.]


    [You have an affinity for Illusion and metal.]


    [Due to your affinity, you have gained the ability to manipte illusion and metal.]


    [You have gained the abilities: Illusion maniption and Metal maniption]


    [Due to your abilities, you have learned the following skills.]


    [Basic mana maniption: Ability to harness, control, and shape raw mana.]


    [Basic illusion resistance: Ability to perceive and resist the effects of mana.]


    ''Woah! Woah!


    It looks like I got many skills. So what do we have here?'' he thought as he looked at the notifications...


    <i>So, with Illusion maniption, I can manipte illusion particles avable in the environment to make illusion spells; the same is true with metal maniption.</i>


    <i>Basic mana maniption can be used to manipte raw mana; I think raw mana means it doesn''t belong to any element.</i>


    <i>And basic illusion resistance is a defensive skill.</i>


    <i>But why do they have the basics in their name?</i>


    <i>Does this mean I can upgrade themter on?</i>


    <i>But how do I upgrade them?</i>


    <i>Let''s not think that far ahead of ourselves.</i>


    <i>So, what do we have next on the list?</i>


    <i>Oh, yes, I have toplete the quest by selecting a ss.</i>


    With these thoughts in his mind, Dhruv opened his status once again and clicked on the avable button beside the ss icon.


    [ss: A ss is a distinct path of specialization within the realm of Cosmos. It represents a unique set of abilities, skills, and attributes that define your role and capabilities. Each ss has its own strengths, weaknesses, and ystyle, offering a diverse range of options for you to explore. Please select your ss with caution, as it can not be changedter on.]


    [Your ss options are as follows:


    - Spearman (Common)


    - Hunter (Common)


    - Murderer (Common)


    - Mage (Umon)


    - Elemental duelist (Umon)


    - Mirage Lancer (Umon)]

 Chapter 7: Class selection part 2

    <h4>Chapter 7: ss selection part 2</h4>


    [Spearman: A spearman is a skilled warrior who specializes in the art ofbat with a spear. They possess exceptional proficiency in handling this versatile weapon, both for thrusting and throwing. Spearmen are known for their ability to maintain distance, deliver precise strikes, and provide an effective defense against adversaries.


    The skills and are given, along with a bonus of 5 in agility.]


    <i>Is Spearman on the list because I used a spear to kill them?</i>


    <i>Makes sense, but nah! I''m not feeling this one.</i>


    <i>What next!</i>


    [Hunter: A hunter is a highly skilled individual who specializes in tracking and eliminating targets. With extensive knowledge of weapons, camouge, and tracking techniques, they excel at locating and dispatching their prey with lethal precision.


    The skills and are given, along with a strength bonus of 5.]


    <i>Nah! I want something magical.</i>


    <i>Next!</i>... Completly ignoring the hunter ss Dhruv clicked on the next one.


    [Murderer: A murderer is an individual who intentionally kills another person uwfully. Motivations for murder can vary and may include revenge, greed, anger, or other personal reasons. Murders are considered heinous crimes and are punishable byw in various regions.


    WARNING! If you choose this ss, your entry could be denied in many ces.


    The skills and are given, along with a bonus of 5 in strength and stamina.]


    <i>Man, why the fuck would I want to be a murderer? Do you seriously need to add this ss?</i>


    <i>Even if I choose this ss¡ªnot like I will choose it, but even, soooomehow I convince myself, what reward do I get, denied entry to many ces?</i>


    <i>Why would anyone want to even choose this?</i>


    <i>Next!</i>


    [Mage: A mage is a practitioner of magic, harnessing mystical energies to cast spells and manipte the fabric of reality. They are often characterized by their deep knowledge of arcane arts, incantations, and rituals. Mages can wield elemental powers, summon creatures, and perform acts of enchantment. With their mastery of magic, mages y vital roles, serving as schrs, healers, protectors, or formidable forces in battle.


    The skills and are given, along with a bonus of 10 in magical power.]


    <i>Ohhhhhhh boy! Now we talking, this is some good stuff.</i>


    <i>I can finally fulfill my childhood dream of firing fireballs out of my hand. Maybe I could even fly after bing a mage. Ahhh! What more could I Do... </i>While looking at the description Dhruv began to imagine things.


    <i>I am soaring through the sky, casting fireballs. mes dance at my fingertips as I hurdle through the air, defying gravity. I am a fieryet, a magical force of chaos and awe. This dream of mine, oh, how it sets my sends the current of exitment within me...</i>


    <i>Hahahahahhaha!</i>


    <i>Do I even need to look any further?</i>


    <i>Calm down! Dhruv, lest you get a heart attack out of excitement</i>


    <i>So! What do we have next?</i>


    [Elemental Duelist: You are a skilled mage who specializes in the arts of illusion and metal magic. You possess the ability to manipte and control the elements, particrly metal, and illusion, shaping it to your will. With proficiency in illusion, you can create deceptive illusions to confuse and distract your opponents. Combining these two forms of magic, elemental duelists are formidablebatants, capable of both dazzling their foes and wielding the raw power of metal to devastating effect.


    WARNING! If you choose this ss, you won''t be able to use any other form of magic.


    The skills , , , and are given along with a bonus of 10 in magic power.]


    <i>This is great, BUT WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY I CAN''T ANY OTHER FORM OF MAGIC?</i>


    <i>Man, this ss is good. I get to start with four skills, but limiting myself... I don''t like it.</i>


    <i>Uhmm! This ss is as good as gone, I guess.</i>


    <i>And thest one is...</i>


    [Mirage Lancer: Strong and skilled in both mountedbat and the art of illusion, a Mirage Lancer is a powerful warrior. They have the capacity to produce lifelike illusions and mirages that can trick adversaries and distort their perspective of reality. The Mirage Lancers are masters of mountedbat, swiftly striking their adversaries from unexpected angles while utilizing their illusions to strengthen both their offense and defense. They are dangerous and unpredictable foes on the battlefield due to their skill with illusions and riding abilities.


    The skills , are given along with a bonus of 10 in both agility and magical power.]


    <i>This is interesting, there isn''t any immediate restriction or anything like that, but mountedbat is just.. too niche for my preferences. I prefer a more magical department.</i>


    <i>So, I guess this is no for me as well...</i>


    <i>That means there''s only one left to choose from.</i>


    <i>There is no point in dying this any further.</i>


    Wasting no time, Dhruv selected the ss Mage. the moment he selected his ss multiple notifications began to bombard in front of him.


    [You have selected mage as your ss.]


    [You have learned the skills and .]


    [Minor Mana Absorption: Absorbs a small amount of mana from the surroundings to replenish the caster''s magical energy.]


    [Mana Bolt: Conjures a concentrated bolt of mana energy that can be hurled at opponents as a projectile attack.]


    [NOTE! As a mage, you can use any type of magic but you should focus on using your affinity magic, as it is easier to practice.]


    [You have unlocked the ss leveling system.]


    [You can level up your ss by earning exp. You can earn exp either by killing any other being or by performing your ss-rted take. Every level-up rewards you with one skill point that can be used to either upgrade your existing skills or buy any new skills that you desire.]


    <i>Oh, hold on a second! So you''re telling me that I can earn experience points just by killing monsters? Not specifically monsters, but you get where I''ming from, right?</i>


    <i>And, when did our world turn into a freakin'' video game? I mean, seriously, who signed me up for this twisted version of reality?</i>


    <i>Did I identally stumble into a real-life version of GTA? Can someone please let me know when the cheat codes are being handed out?</i>


    <i>Because I could really use a boost in my stats. I mean, I already have a massive boost in my stats, but you never have enough, right?</i>


    <i>Time to level up, baby! But seriously, if I respawn after getting killed by a monster, I might just quit this game and go back to the good ol'' non-virtual reality.</i>


    [You havepleted your quest.]


    [you have earned 1000 CC and ess to the cosmic store as a reward forpleting the quest.]


    [You can either wait or umte more rewards by performing various tasks.]


    ¡ª------------------


    Name: Dhruv


    ss: Apprentice mage


    Title: First blood


    Magic Affinity: Metal (S), Illusion (D)


    Stats: Strength Lv. 11(12), Stamina Lv. 13(14), Agility Lv. 12(13), Magic Power Lv. 57(62),


    Abilities: Metal maniption Lv.1, Illusion maniption LV.1


    Skills: Basic mana maniption Lv.1, Basic illusion resistance Lv.1, Minor mana absorption Lv.1, Mana bolt Lv.1


    Cosmic coins: 3100


    ¡ª------------------

 Chapter 8: The Crack is expanding!

    <h4>Chapter 8: The Crack?is expanding!</h4>


    The globalwork of the International Crack Administration (ICA)prises a total of four strategically dispersed headquarters worldwide.


    To borate, the ICA''s south-western headquarter can be found in Kharb, situated on the continent of Akea. Simrly, the ICA''s south-eastern headquarter is located in Cleardia, on the continent of Aesita. Moving towards the north-western region, the ICA has established its headquarter in Myser, on the continent of Yachen. Lastly, the ICA''s north-eastern headquarter is positioned in Gobsil, situated on the continent of Ehai.


    This geographically diverse distribution of ICA headquarters ensures effective coordination and coboration across different regions.


    Presently, we are at the Gobsil headquarters of the ICA, located approximately 700 km from Dhruv''s current whereabouts.


    A busy scene is taking ce inside the building as many people work thoroughly on their different responsibilities.


    Amidst the bustling activity, a man in his early thirties stands out as he paces with purpose toward what appears to be the central office of the headquarters.


    With a powerful force, the man forcefully thrusts the door open, resulting in a resounding crash as it ms against the adjacent wall.


    Bang!


    The noise was echoing through the opposite corridor.


    "Lyman, you and your habit of crashing the door open... can''t you be some gentle person? Tell me, why are you in such a hurry?" Asked the man who was sitting in that office.


    "Really, Magnus, really. Given the situation, I don''t think I am in a hurry, in contrast to you, a slow-ass old man who spends his entire day in his office ordering everyone. God, why did I choose you to be my partner?" Layman yelled.


    "Ya! Ya! Ya! Why don''t you calm down first, young man, and then tell me what happened?" Said Magnus.


    Layman picked up the ss kept nearby and drank all the water in one fell swoop. Then he put the ss back on the table with the same energy with which he had opened the gate.


    Thud!


    "Poor ss," said Magnus while looking at the ss with an apologetic face.


    "Magnus, can you please be serious? This is a matter of life and death."


    Magnus nodded.


    "As far as I know, all of us have the same quest, and"


    "And"


    "No one haspleted that."


    "That''s to be expected, as so far only an hour has passed," said Magnus.


    "I''m not saying we should havepleted it in an hour. But my point is that at least we should know how we can even aplish that."


    "So, have we made any progress in that?" asked Magnus, with a worried look on his face.


    "Yes, we have a piece of good news. One of our officers'' sons called him and told him that he had read a novel and that this incident was somewhat simr to that story. So, he had an idea of how we would get a ss. "


    "What are we waiting for? Call that boy here for interrogation."


    "Uhmm!" Layman interrupted.


    "I mean for peaceful talking, and arrange a team of scientists to read this novel of his and try to get as much valuable information as we can get." Said Magnus, with a serious look on his face. His previous yful expression is nowhere to be found.


    Despite appearances, Magnus wasn''tzy; on the contrary, he is a hardworking man. Hezed around due to current circumstances, with no way out. However, when a clue surfaced, he transformed.


    Magnus became determined, relentlessly seeking a solution.


    ~~~


    The child arrived at the headquarters after an hour with rows of guards apanying him, as if he were the president of some nation.


    This security is provided by ICA because this boy is currently the lone lead on this quest.


    A few minutester, the boy was escorted into a basement room. The room was just named; it looked more like an interrogation chamber. It was a dimly lit room, devoid of anyforting elements. Its purpose was clear from the moment one stepped inside - to extract information, often through intense questioning or psychological tactics. The walls were painted a somber shade of gray, conveying a sense of confinement and istion.


    The boy shivered; all the hairs on his body stood on end as he entered the room. Anyone could feel the dread on his face.


    Finally, the door swung open, revealing an old man with a shock of white hair all the way down to his shoulders. His face was adorned with a thick, unruly beard that reached his chest.


    He is none other than the man himself- Magnus.


    "Hello, I''m Magnus, in charge of our discussion," he said while extending a hand for a handshake.


    The boy shook his hand and said, "Hello, sir, I''m Rishab. Nice to meet you."


    "You have a lovely name, Rishab, my boy."


    "Thank you, sir," said Rishab with a smile on his face.


    "So, Rishab, I have heard that you know something about how toplete this quest; mind exining?"


    "My pleasure, sir. I recently read a novel about a protagonist who transmigrates into another world, acquiring systems that grant him various advantages, simr to our own cosmic connection, or system, as you prefer to call it. In order for him to obtain a ss, all he needs to do is touch ore into contact with the corresponding item. For instance, if he desires to be a shepherd, he simply touches the item and gains the shepherd ss, the same is true for swordsmen, magicians, or anything else for that matter. While I don''t think it will be as easy for us, it might be worth attempting, at least," said Rishab without taking a single pause in between sentences, like he was some kind of salesperson trying to sell his product.


    After some thought, Magnus expressed his opinion by saying, "I personally believe that obtaining such sses wouldn''t be as simple for us. If it were, our soldiers would have acquired the "gunman" ss by now."


    "Exactly," said Rishab.


    "Do you have any idea how we can get ss?" asks Magnus.


    "I have two ideas. Firstly, engaging in repetitive tasks may lead to the attainment of a particr ss, such as the possibility of attaining a fireman or soldier ss by consistently firing a gun, or it may have something to do with stats."


    "An interesting idea." After thinking for a while, Magnus bid farewell to Rishab.


    Hees to his office and starts thinking about Rishab''s second idea, which has something to do with stats.


    While getting a ss is not directly rted to stats, it certainly has an impact on the options given by the cosmos. Like how Dhruv gets a mage ss without any prior corrtion with magic.


    He gets the mage ss because his magic power stat was over


    Lv. 20, which was the major factor for him. Anyone who wants to obtain any umon ss at the beginning has to have at least Lv. 20 in any of the stats


    Magnus noticed a knocking noiseing from his door as he was preupied with thought.


    Knock! Knock!


    "Who is there?" he asks


    "Sir, I''m Ben from the research department, may Ie in?" Ben asks.


    Yes, Ben,e in. Now which trouble have youe to narrate."


    The office doors open and a man with pale skin and dark circles under his eyeses in. Looking at him, it seemed that the poor fellow had not slept properly for a week.


    "Sir, I have good news and bad news; which one would you like to hear first?" Ben suggested, lifting his two fingers, indicating Magnus to make a selection.


    "For the past year, I have been constantly listening to bad news. Ben, could you please share something that I would enjoy hearing?"


    "Good news it is, then."


    "Yes"


    "The good news is that One of our soldiers received notification that he can select a ss," said Ben.


    On hearing this, Magnus'' face lit up with immense joy but he controlled it and asked, " Then, what is the bad news?"


    "The bad news is that all the cracks are expanding in size like they are making a pathway for something to enter our world," said Ben with a frown.

 Chapter 9: Spellcasting!

    <h4>Chapter 9: Spellcasting!</h4>


    Just after selecting my ss, I felt a strong excitement building up inside me. It was like something invisible was leading me, and suddenly, a huge amount of information rushed into my mind, revealing the mysterious ways of using mana and casting spells. It felt like the very core of my magical ability was bing a part of who I am.


    As time went on, my mind became a vessel filled with an immense amount of knowledge that went beyond what is normally understood. I absorbed the detailed subtleties of casting spells, the vast variety of spell types, and the ancient wisdom that only a skilled mage could understand. All this knowledge settled deep within my intellect, weaving together and bing a part of me.


    The sheer pleasure derived from assimting andprehending such a vast reservoir of knowledge is indescribable, to say the least.


    After about a minute or two, it stops.


    Arranging my thoughts, I began looking for ways to cast magic spells.


    The theory behind casting a spell is straightforward... You just have to follow these steps:


    Familiarize yourself with the blueprint of the empty magic spell you wish to cast. The blueprint is the imaginary structure provided by the ability ''maniption''. Study its structure,ponents, and any specific instructions, as each spell will have a unique blueprint.


    Mana is the energy required to cast a spell. You need to infuse the appropriate amount of mana into the blueprint for the spell to work. The blueprint often indicates the minimum mana required. You can either gather mana from within yourself or from the environment around you.


    Achieve a state of mental focus and concentration. Clear your mind of distractions and enter a calm and focused state. This will help you direct your mana effectively and keep the blueprint stable. Because As you fill the blueprint with mana, it is crucial to maintain stability in the spell''s structure. Even a miniscule disruption or imbnce in the blueprint can cause the whole structure to fall apart. Concentrate on keeping the blueprint intact and preventing any disruptions or imbnces.


    Visualize the desired oue of the spell in your mind. See the elements of the spell taking shape and the energy being directed towards its purpose. Hold this visualization firmly, as it helps guide the magic in the right direction.


    Once you have sessfully filled the blueprint with the required amount of mana and ensured its stability, release the energy within the spell. This can be done through a specific action or incantation associated with the spell, depending on the blueprint''s instructions.


    Dhruv initially believes casting the spell would be a very easy task, as he just has to follow these simple steps, only to discover its true horror after his first attempt.


    With the help of the skill ''mana maniption'', he directs his own mana towards the blueprint. However, as the first drop of mana connects with the design, it crumbles apart, revealing his oversight in maintaining overall stability.


    Dhruv frowned after seeing this result but thought nothing of it as this was merely his first attempt at spellcasting.


    He once again started guiding his mana toward the blueprint along with trying to keep it stable, but it was much harder than he thought it would be to keep both things running at the same time, so he fails once again and just manages to keep it stable for merely half a second.


    ''Okay, rx, and let''s get started once again'', Dhruv taught with a confident expression on his face.


    ~~~


    "Why the fuck is it so hard to cast a basic spell?"


    For several hours, he has been trying to cast a basic metal spell but has yet to seed.


    Why am I failing this so badly? It''s not like I''m trying to create a spell out of nowhere but just filling in the mana in an already created blueprint. After several hours of hard work, he understood that the main reason behind his failure was his inability to create an equilibrium between infusing mana and simultaneously stabilizing it.


    After knowing his mistake, he resumed his grind, and after an hour, he finally got the fruit of hisbor. He can now maintain the structure for a total of three seconds with a halfplete spell.


    [The basic mana maniption skill has been upgraded to Lv. 2]


    After so much grinding, one of his skills finally leveled up.


    This skill proved to be very helpful as, after being upgraded, Dhruv could feel his control over mana getting better and better with each passing minute.


    With renewed devotion, he resumed his efforts to improve his overall control over mana...


    As Dhruv''s dedication and practice continued, he found himself making steady progress in his spellcasting abilities. Another hour of focused training allowed him to improve his skills even further. Now, Dhruv could maintain the blueprint for the spell for a full ten seconds without any disruptions.


    Encouraged by his progress, Dhruv knew that he was getting closer to the moment when he would be able to cast his first spell sessfully. Only a few remaining elements needed to be addressed before he could bring his magic to life.


    With his mind focused and his mana pulsating, Dhruv started to slowly infuse the mana into the blueprint of the spell. He meticulously maintained the spell''s structure, paying attention to every detail and preventing any disruptions or imbnces. He could feel the energy flowing through him and into the blueprint, reinforcing its stability.


    As Dhruv continued to concentrate, visualizing the desired oue, the ''Metal Arrow''- the spell he chose to cast, began to take shape in his mind. He saw the metallic essence coalescing, forming a sleek and deadly arrow. He held onto this vivid visualization, guiding the magic towards its purpose.


    After five seconds of unwavering concentration and mana infusion, Dhruv could sense the spell structure growing stronger and more stable. With each passing moment, his confidence grew. At the tenth second, feeling a surge of power and conviction, Dhruv channeled the final surge of mana into the blueprint.


    In an instant, a gleaming Metal Arrow materialized before Dhruv. It hovered in mid-air, ready to be unleashed with precision and force. With a focused gaze and a swift motion, Dhruv directed the arrow towards his target, letting it soar through the air with a metallic gleam and hit the wall. Due to not having that much energy, it couldn''t pierce it. but that''s none of Dhruv''s concern at the moment.


    Dhruv''s joy knew no bounds as he finally witnessed the fruit of hisbor. The echoes of his sess reverberated through the chamber, a testament to his newfound prowess in the realm of magic.


    As if even the cosmos agreed with his sess, the sound of notification was once again heard in his ear.


    [You have learned the spell- Metal Arrow]

 Chapter 10: The True winner, Silence!

    <h4>Chapter 10: The True winner, Silence!</h4>


    Dhruv was overjoyed when he sessfully cast a spell. He couldn''t contain his happiness and began shouting and jumping all around, like a mad scientist who had justpleted his experiment.


    Hhehehheehe...


    The empty prison hall echoed with his shouts and jumps, creating a continuous noise of excitement. The sound filled the air, making the once quiet cee alive with the energy of his celebration.


    ~~~


    Tap! Tap! Tap!


    As the guard''s footsteps echoed through the dimly lit corridor, a chilling silence hung in the air, which was only disturbed by the y the distant sound of the unknownughter.


    Their fingers tightened around the cold metal of their guns. The flickering of the blub creates an eerie dance of shadows on the wall. The two men who both looked the same age and were in their middle twenties exchanged nces.


    Just from exchanging nces, they both sighed a relief. Thanking, god they continue their steps...


    After walking for a while they reached a corner and made an abrupt halt. Looking at the darkness ahead both of them met their gazes once again


    This time it wasn''t to confirm their liveliness, No, this time both of them were begging and silently telling each other that theycked the courage to venture further.


    They instinctively knew whaty beyond that corner was something they shouldn''t see, yet they also knew that they had to face it.


    Cough!


    One of the guards coughed up to clean his throat and spoke,


    "I-If you are this afraid, why don''t we forget about this and go back? Man! In all the movies this is exactly the type of situation where the side characters movies die. You know we shouldn''t be chasing after some sinisterugh, right?"


    He gave a lengthy reason why they shouldn''t go any further...


    "I know, but we have the order to check whatever is making this sound," the other guard replied. Deep down, he knew they had to confront this, no matter how terrifying it might be.


    "Why don''t we just go and tell them that one of the prisoners lost his mind due to the recent events?" he suggested with a smile.


    His friend''s eyes widened and he also smiled,


    "That''s a good idea. We could tell the warden this," he murmured...


    "Yeah! And we''ll let him know that we''re unable to prevent him fromughing." He whispered.... but destiny had other ns.


    Before he could finish his words they realized that whatever wasughing had suddenly stopped, and now a chilling silence had enveloped the air. The silence was even more horrifying than theughter.


    Each strand of hair on their bodies stood on end as a wave of unease washed over them.


    With trembling hands, they slowly turned their heads around the corner, desperately trying to understand why theughter had stopped so suddenly.


    But all their eyes met was darkness, an abyss where there wasn''t even a strand of light that could guide their vision. They began to get ufortable the more they looked at the horrifying darkness.


    "C-Chris, f...sh the torch," one of them whispered, the words barely escaping their lips.


    The sound barely reached the ear of Chris, yet he instinctively understood the urgency in his friend''s voice. He reached for the shlight, his fingers trembling.


    With a shaky hand, Chris gripped his gun tightly, ready to defend himself against any looming threat. The shlight quivered in his other hand as he aimed it toward the unknown, the beam cutting through the darkness like a lifeline.


    Time seemed to slow down as the light pierced the Abyss, revealing a horrifying creature before them.


    Chris''s heart skipped a beat, and a cold shiver ran down his spine as the horrific sight unfolded before his eyes.


    The one who was standing in front of him, looked inhuman, No.. Devil.


    Long, matted brown hair concealed its face, preventing anyone from looking into it''s eyes. Its tattered clothes were drenched in blood, a chilling proof of the horror he had done.


    In its hand, a wickedly sharp spear dripped with blood, Creating eerie or disturbing shadows on the walls.


    Chris''s mind raced as he desperately tried to piece together what even was this thing. Was it human? Was it a monster? Or was it something far more sinister and otherworldly?


    Paralyzed in terror, he couldn''t even react until, a split secondter, the thunderous sound of his friend''s gunfire shattered the silence.


    Bang! Bang! Bang!.....


    Relief washed over him, thinking this was the end, but it was short-lived as his widened eyes beheld a horrifying sight. None of the bullets managed to prate deep enough to kill the abomination in front of them.


    Waking up from the shock he too unleashed a relentless barrage, emptying all his magazines in a desperate attempt to end the creature''s life.


    Yet like a devil the entity in front of him remained alive.


    The abomination twisted its body, assuming a battle posture, its blood-stained spear held menacingly in front.


    Dread gripped Chris'' heart as a chilling realization took hold¡ªhe had no choice but to escape before it was toote. He turned his gaze towards his friend, intending to convey the same message to him as well.


    When he looked at his friend, his words caught in his throat, for there wasn''t his friend beside him. Instead, a headless corpsey on the blood-soaked ground.


    With his insane disy of inhuman speed, the monstrous entity had closed the distance of at least three meters in a mere instant.


    Panic consumed Chris as he saw his fate. Instead of protecting himself, he began to think about how had everything escted so rapidly?


    Before he could even understand anything, a searing painnced through his chest. Gasping for breath, he instinctively nced downward, only to be met with a sight that defied reason.


    Where his chest should have been, there was nothing but a gaping hole, a grotesque void where his lungs once lived.


    The realization struck him faster than the speed of light¡ªhe was doomed, there was no escape. Darkness encroached upon his vision, and his consciousness began to fade.


    With a chuckle, he thought, ''So this is how I die,''


    But slowly his smile began to fade as he remembered the beautiful, memories of his beloved family.


    The image of his beautiful daughter, her cuteugh, and her innocent eyes illuminated his fading thoughts. The thought of his son who was frail but resilient, filled him with pride and a tinge of sorrow for the moments they would never share again.


    Then the picture of his wife surfaced the love of his life. She hugged him with a warm smile and said with teary eyes...


    "I had told you not to go, right."


    "You were right as always. Sorry Maya f..." he whispered as the flow of tears increased.


    The silence once again returned to its ce and became the sole winner.

 Chapter 11: Laughing Elixir

    <h4>Chapter 11: Laughing Elixir</h4>


    [You have killed a human.]


    [You have earned exp.]


    [100 CC have been earned]


    [You have killed a human.]


    [You have earned exp.]


    [100 CC have been earned]


    [You have reached level 1]


    [You have gained a skill point]


    ~~~


    Fuck! fuck! fuck!...


    ''Why do they have to shoot me like this? I was just looking at them,'' He thought, trying to find the reason behind their action, but he couldn''t find any. Yet this wasn''t even his biggest concern, as he was bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds. These wounds weren''t deep enough to truly kill him immediately, But he surely will die from bleeding if he doesn''t stop it as soon as possible.


    ''How do I stop this bleeding?'' he thought while walking around trying to find some first aid kits.. but realized it would be of no good, and if he came into contact with the guard, it would truly be the end for him.


    His body may have stopped, but his mind was in full gear, trying to remember anything useful that might help him get out of this scenario.


    That''s when he remembers the notification he gets after he chooses the mage ss.


    It was something like, He can buy skills with skill points he gets from leveling up his ss.


    He can clearly see a ray of hope if he finds some skill that can heal him if not at least stop his bleeding.


    He opens this status, and there at the very bottom of the screen, right underneath the store icon, is radiating a golden glow akin to a ray of hope. There he beheld the single skill point thaty within his reach. He stared at it for a while, as this one skill point might be the border between his life and death. Without further dy, he clicked on the icon which showed his sole existing skill point.


    He clicks on the icon, and as always, a confirmation message pops up in front of him.


    [Would you like to spend your skill point]


    "Yes," I said.


    With that, a list of skills I can purchase at the moment started appearing in front of me.


    There were all kinds of skills I saw here... but the more I scroll, the more it starts to get weird... At first, it shows some truly good skills like basic mana sense, meditation, and focus¡ªthe short list of skills that can truly help me in my path as a mage.


    After that, these are the skills that can be helpful but truly are a waste of skill points and time, like these ones¨C <Automatic Shoce Tying: the ability to automate the process of shoecing> or this one, <Beard Control: The talent to manipte the shape, and color of one''s facial hair at will, creating borate and ever-changing beard styles>.


    You thought these were bad, and yes, they are bad, but at least they had some practical use, but after that were the truly horrible shits.


    Like this one, <Nose bncing¡ª can be used to bnce objects on your nose>.


    <i>Okkkk, niiice skill...</i>


    Ohh! You thought nothing could be worse than this, right? No, it gets worse. Prepare yourself for the mind-blowing power of... drumroll... the legendary "Nail Tracker"!


    Yes,dies and gentlemen, behold the incredible invention that will magically locate your missing nail clipping! Because, you know, losing a tiny piece of keratin is definitely a crisis that requires divine intervention.


    Picture this: You''re frantically searching for that minuscule nail clipping, panicking as if your entire life depends on it. But fear not, for I shall unleash my mighty, all-knowing powers!<i> ....heroic pose....</i>


    With my Nail Tracker, equipped with thetest in nail-finding technology, I will swoop in and save the day. No longer will you have to suffer the agony of a lost nail! I will navigate through the treacherous terrain of your living room carpet, battling dust bunnies and rogue hair strands, all to reunite you with your beloved nail clipping.


    Just imagine the awe-inspiring sight of me wearing a superhero cape and carrying a high-tech device that beeps and boops like it''s solving the greatest mysteries of the universe. All for the sole purpose of tracking down that elusive piece of keratin that dared to escape your grasp.


    So fear not, dear friend! Your lost cut nail shall be found, thanks to my unparalleled, godlike abilities. With the Nail Tracker in my hands and a determined look on my face, I shall restore peace and harmony to your nail collection.


    ~~~


    After scrolling for some time, I lost hope and was ready to embrace death. That''s when I saw the same one of those weird skills, but it was exactly what I was looking for.. I mean, not exactly, but something is better than nothing.


    The skill in question was [Laughing Elixir]. As its name suggests, I can heal my wound if Iugh. This is possible because, ording to the skill description, in several culturesughter is considered the best medicine.


    After hesitating for a bit, I finally made my decision.


    [Would you like to purchase the skill: Laughing Elixir]


    ''Do I even have another choice?'' and was about to rant, but at thest second decided against it. Putting these thoughts aside, I clicked on the yes button.


    [You have learned the skill: Laughing Elixir]


    With that, knowledge of how to use the skillses to mind.


    He activated the skill and his injuries started to heal.... Or that should have been the case


    "Why isn''t it healing?" he pondered, consumed by frustration.


    Did this damn skill make him foolish? How could he forget thatughter was the key to initiating the healing process...


    Then a sudden realization struck him, sending cold sweat trickling down his scalp. How can he hope to evenugh in this fucking situation?


    Desperately, he searched for ways to force augh.


    "Hehe," he attempted, but nothing happened.


    "Hehehe," still nothing.


    "Hehehehehehe," nothing changed yet again.


    He even tried tickling himself, yet noughter emerged. He attempted to recall his birthdays, hoping to find sce in those happy moments, but it was all in vain.


    How ironic the situation he was in, isn''t it? He is injured because he wasughing menacingly, and now that he has tough in order to get out of this situation, not even a single smile is escaping from his lips.


    "Fuck! Am I just going to die like this?" he thought.


    Slowly but surely, his body started getting cold in the absence of blood.


    Hey down on the floor, his gaze fixed upon the barren ceiling, stripped of any sce.


    His thoughts began to wander aimlessly as he recalled how every time his life seemed to be heading in the right direction, but someone always came along to fuck it up...


    In a state of perplexity, he found himselfughing at his own misfortune, consumed by self-pity. How easily others hade and determined his fate for him, leaving him lying on the cold floor, awaiting the embrace of death.


    Even starting at a higher power than others in this so-called evolution¡ª yet where he was¡ª lying on the cold floor, waiting for death to embrace him.


    "Haha," he chuckled, not because he was attempting to trigger the healing process but simplyughing at his own sorry state. Yet the skill did not judge him; it began to take effect.


    "Hahahahahaha."


    "Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha."


    "Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha."


    Amidst hisughter, his body''s nervous system sensed that he was no longer in immediate danger and granted him the respite of sleep once again.


    Before drifting into slumber, he vowed.....

 Chapter 12: Destruction or forgiveness

    <h4>Chapter 12: Destruction or forgiveness</h4>


    Everything was strangely quiet at the moment. It''s like nature is taking a deep breath, preparing for what''s toe.


    The air feels heavy and still, as if holding its breath. The wind gently whispers through the leaves, sharing its secrets.


    It''s so peaceful, it tricks you into thinking everything is okay... birds sense something approaching them and seek shelter. The sun hides behind dark clouds, casting a shadow over everything. It''s in this calmness that you know the storm is about to unleash its power.


    Dhruv stood atop the watchtower, his eyes fixed on the horizon as the sun dipped below the edge of the world. The sky above was tinged with hues of deep orange and fiery red, a breathtaking sight that whispered of the night toe. The air around him grew cooler, carrying with it the promise of an impending storm. The wind began to pick up, its gentle caress gradually transforming into a forceful gust, as if nature itself were preparing for a tempest of unparalleled magnitude.


    As Dhruv gazes at the sunset, he contemtes his next course of action.....


    A gust of stormy wind brushes against his face, causing his long hair to sway. At that moment, a defining thunderp rolled over him, illuminating his face, revealing an expression devoid of its radiance, filled with emptiness and uncertainty.


    Despite narrowly escaping the grasp of death, his face was filled with nothing but hollowness and uncertainty... This uncertainty invaded every aspect of his existence, casting doubts on his future, his life''s path, his choices, and even his very actions.


    ''Should he destroy the very world that seems to take everything away?'' He thought, yet at the same time, Dhruv finds himself struggling with another question.... ''whether he should grant forgiveness to this world and remain lost and alone, unsure of what lies ahead.''


    As Dhruv continues to behold the captivating scene of the sunset, his mind delves deeper into introspection. Lost in his contemtion, a rush of thoughts overwhelms his mind....


    ''Does this world even deserve his forgiveness?''


    Dhruv has encountered countless challenges in a world that is borate and conflicting. It has been an unforgiving entity, consistently testing his resolve and seemingly intent on taking away everything he holds dear. The scars of past battles, both visible and hidden, mar his spirit, casting shadows on the once-illuminated Silhouettes of his being. Doubt and skepticism creep into his mind, whispering their Subtle doubts about the Innate goodness of this world. The weight of disillusionment burdens Dhruv''s heart, yet flickering embers of hope are still harbored within.


    Despite the scars etched upon his soul, he yearns for a sense of purpose, a reason to believe that the world can be redeemed...


    Should he choose to embrace forgiveness, Dhruv contemtes the potential for healing, both for himself and for the world around him....


    On the other hand, the temptation to let anger and vengeance consume him grows stronger with each passing moment. The scars of past injustices serve as reminders of the pain inflicted upon him, fueling a desire for retribution. Destroying the world that has taken so much away bes a tempting possibility, offering a false sense of control and a twisted sense of justice.


    In this profound state of contemtion, Dhruv stands at the precipice of a decision that could shape the course of his life and the destiny of the world itself. The weight of his choice presses upon him as he reflects upon the consequences of either path.


    As the sun''s dying rays paint the sky in a vivid palette of colors, Dhruv''s gaze lingers on the horizon.


    For now, Dhruv remains suspended between forgiveness and destruction, his path undecided. The sunset fades, leaving him with the night sky as his only witness. The wind, now a gentle breeze, whispers the secrets of the universe, carrying with it the weight of infinite possibilities. And in this moment of profound contemtion, Dhruv searches for the answer that will define his purpose and shape the legacy he leaves behind.


    "What are you pondering for so long? Within this new world, you should be death, the destroyer of worlds." A sinister voice slithered through Dhruv''s mind, its chilling tone echoing with malevolence. Dhruv clenched his fists, his brows furrowing as he battled the dark whisperings that gued his thoughts. The evil presence toyed with his deepest fears and desires, tempting him to sumb to its wicked suggestions. It fed on his insecurities, exploiting his hidden vulnerabilities.


    CRACK!! BOOOOM!!


    Another thunderstrike reverberated through the air. The sudden burst of light cast his surroundings in an ethereal glow, but instead of catching a glimpse of his own face in the rainwater, a vivid memory from his childhood flooded his mind.


    In the fleeting brilliance of that lightning-infused moment, Dhruv found himself transported back to the memory of his fifth birthday celebration.


    None of his friends showed up to celebrate with him, marking the day with disappointment and frustration. Overwhelmed by sadness and anger, he impulsively decided to sever his friendships with them all. It was a decision made in the heat of the moment, fueled by a sense of betrayal.


    But in the wake of that painful memory, Dhruv recalled the tender wisdom his father imparted on that very same day. With a voice filled withpassion, his father gently whispered, "Son, we are a peculiar species. If you seek darkness and evil, you will find it lurking at every turn. However, if you search for goodness and kindness, you will discover that they exist abundantly everywhere."


    In that tender moment, the young boy found sce in the gentle touch of his father''s hand, which lovingly caressed his hair. The father''s touch was filled with warmth and tenderness, radiating a deep affection that enveloped the child''s heart. As his father''s hand caressed his head, all the pain and hardship that burdened the young boy seemed to melt away, if only for a brief moment.


    As the rain cascaded down, blurring the memories, the men watched as his father''s figure faded into the distance. He looked at his father''s fuzzy back....


    Before fading away...


    Once again looking back in his eyes, his father said, "So, my son, think deeply about what it is you truly wish to find."


    The words of his father resonated within Dhruv''s soul, prompting a profound shift in his perspective. He realized that his desire to destroy the world was born out of a ce of pain and disillusionment. Yet his father''s wisdom reminded him that the world, despite its ws and imperfections, was also capable of harboring immense beauty and goodness.


    His father was right all- along...


    Once again remembering his birthday and reflecting on his father''s guidance, Dhruv cast his gaze upon his surroundings. Though not the exact type of people he had yearned for, his room was filled with people who cared about him. They may not have been the friends he had once envisioned, but their presence in his life held significance nheless.


    In that transformative moment, Dhruv understood that his perception of the world shaped his reality. If he chose to focus solely on the negative aspects, he would be consumed by anger and despair. However, by embracing his father''s words and seeking out the goodness that coexisted amidst the darkness, he could uncover a different path forward.


    The storm''s fury began to subside, the thunder''s roar giving way to a gentle whisper. Dhruv''s heart, once fueled by rage, now pulsed with a renewed sense of purpose.


    Beneath the weight of yet another thunderstrike, Dhruv stood at the precipice of a decision. In that split second, as the thunderous echoes reverberated through his being, a resolute determination began to crystallize within him. With the storm raging around him, he reached a moment of rity, an understanding of what it was he truly sought to find in this world.


    The tension hung heavy in the air as Dhruv, his mind racing, prepared to unveil his choice. Would he sumb to the allure of vengeance, embracing the destructive path he had contemted moments ago? Or would he heed the words of his father, seek out the flickering mes of goodness, and forge a different destiny?


    As the storm''s intensity reached its zenith, the answer formed in Dhruv''s mind, etching itself into his very core. The thunderp ceased, leaving behind an eerie silence. In that profound stillness, Dhruv''s resolve solidified, his heart beating with newfound purpose.


    For hearing his purpose, even the world held its breath, anticipating the revtion of his decision.....

 Chapter 13: Building a kingdom?

    <h4>Chapter 13: Building a kingdom?</h4>


    As Dhruv gazed upon the rising sun, he was filled with determination and a vision for a better world and made a solemn vow to construct a kingdom free from any trace of evil.


    Dhruv wanted to build a ce where he would be, the king, the ruler, and the one to pass the justice. He was going to look for his citizens but he would be the first in the priority list.


    He knew that to build this heaven.... And for a kingdom to reach heaven, its foundation has to be built in hell.


    He knew it, understood it, and was ready to ept it.


    He looked at the sun with his gaze... took a deep breath... Close his eyes and exhaled all the ipetence within him.


    With a new resolve in his eyes, he opened his status.


    ¡ª-------------------


    Name: Dhruv


    ss: Apprentice mage


    Title: First blood


    Magic Affinity: Metal (S), Illusion (D)


    Stats: Strength Lv. 11(12), Stamina Lv. 13(14), Agility Lv. 12(13), Magic Power Lv. 57(62),


    Abilities: Metal maniption Lv.1 , Illusion maniption LV.1


    Skills: Basic mana maniption Lv.2, Basic illusion resistance Lv.1, Minor mana absorption Lv.1, Mana bolt Lv.1


    Spell: Metal arrow


    Cosmic coins: 3300


    <Cosmic store>


    Skill point: 0


    ¡ª------------------


    He looks at his coins and decides to invest them all in magic power, as, being a mage, it was the best stat to invest in.


    But after having a second thought, he decided against it because his magic power is at level 47; for it to make it 48, he would have to invest; 48 times 50 would be... Yes, a total of 2400 CC is needed for it to increase by a single level.


    And that isn''t worth it at all; instead, it was aplete waste of coins. So, he decided to invest it all in stamina¡ªfor obvious reasons, of course.


    [Do you want to invest all your coins in stamina]


    "Yes"


    [3010 CC has been used]


    [Stamina Lv. 13 ¡ú Lv. 21]


    With all the preparation done, he climbed down from the watchtower, looked at the prison entrance, and started walking toward it.


    But this time, Dhruv was not the same person he once was. He was not the same innocent Dhruv anymore.... but something fundamentally different, far more dangerous, far more brutal, and far more deadly than anyone in the prison.


    He enters the hall, and looks at the dead bodies of the two guards he had killedst night... Bow down to one of the guard''s bodies, pick up the gun, and a full magazine from his pocket, put them under his shirts, and start walking in the same direction where these two guards came from.


    After walking for a while, he heard something ahead of him. He stops. And started walking stealthily toward whatever was making the sound, not wanting to disturb or scare them.


    Slowly, the sound started getting louder, and now he can clearlye to the conclusion that these sounds wereing from people talking. And to his surprise, they were talking about him.


    He stops and hides behind one of the pirs, and starts listening to their conversation.


    ~~~


    One minute earlier!


    "Hey, did any of you see those twoe back?" One of the men said this, with a worried look on his face.


    "No, what happened?" another asked, not knowing the situation at hand.


    "Well, our two subordinates, William and Chris, went to investigate a menacingugh we heard near Section B. But it''s been over 12 hours, and they haven''t returned yet."


    "Are you guys fucking serious? We are in the middle of this strange situation, and you heard a menacingugh, and you thought sending two men alone was a good choice. Did they mention anything about what they were going to do or what they expected to find?"


    "No, Nothing like that, but we heard multiple gunshotsing from section B"


    "And"


    "And, What?"


    "And don''t you think it would have been a good idea to go and investigate why you heard the gunshots?" the man shouts.


    "We thought that, but nobody had...


    The guard was about to finish his sentence, but he found himself struggling to say anything.


    He started to feel his chest getting wet... Feeling that something was wrong, he raised his hand and touched his chest.


    Afterward, he brought his hand in front of his face and looked at it. Looking at his hand, he didn''t know what to make of this, as his hand was full of blood.


    He turned to look at his fellow guardmates, wanting to ask the question, Why would his chest be covered in blood?


    But the look he found on his mate''s face was even more terrifying than his... He opened his mouth, wanting to say ''what'', but yet again, instead of hearing his voice, he felt a stinging pain clutching his throat.


    Before even knowing the reason behind his pain, all of a sudden he fell to the floor and a really strong urge to sleep clouded his mind... and he sumbed to it.


    [you have killed...]


    [...]


    [...]


    "One down, thirteen more to go," Dhruv said with a wide grin on his face.

 Chapter 14: Best friend

    <h4>Chapter 14: Best friend</h4>


    A group of guards were diligently walking the premises while talking about the recent events happening in the prison.


    Rumors circte about ''Section B'' being haunted, where those who dare to venture never live to see another day.


    So, why have theye here, if you may ask?


    Because they had lost a bet. Simple as that.


    Amidst their walking, one guard bes aware of an unusual sensation underfoot. Sensing that he has unwittingly stepped into a pool of liquid, he halts his stride, signaling his friend to stop as well.


    Expecting water, he looks down to inspect the source, only to be confronted with a chilling realization.


    Instead of the colorless liquid he had expected, The fluid he found under his foot was deep red.


    To his horror, the substance surrounding his legs is not water, as anticipated, but an unnerving pool of blood. The sight sends a shockwave of rm through his being, instantly evoking a surge of unease and dread. The once mundane and routine walk has abruptly transformed into a situation of grim intrigue and potential danger.


    "What the fuck is this? Why is there so much blood on the floor?" he thought aloud.


    The guard''s heart pounds in his chest as he tries toprehend the implications of this gruesome discovery. Questions race through his mind: How did blood end up on the prison floor? Is someone injured or worse? Could there be a threat lurking nearby?


    He raises his gaze from the grisly sight, scanning his surroundings with heightened vignce. The silence of the prison corridor now feels oppressive, amplifying the weight of the situation.


    The other guards, sensing their colleague''s distress, instinctively converge around him, their eyes widening with concern and curiosity as they too bear witness to the macabre scene.


    They started following the blood trail...


    While following the blood trail, the guard can''t help but feel a surge of empathy andpassion for the person or group who suffered such a severe injury. His heart goes out to them, and he silently prays that the individuals who suffered this are not his fellow guards but rather prisoners.


    Yes, it was cruel to think this, but if he has to choose between his fellow guards and prisoners, he will choose guards, without any second thought.


    However, deep down, a sense of realism weighs heavily on him.


    The sight of such a significant pool of blood suggests a grave injury, one that is typically associated with potential¡ªnot potential, but certain death. While he desperately wishes for a positive oue, he understands the harsh reality that it may not be possible to survive such a devastating loss of blood.


    The guard''s thoughts momentarily wander to the potential circumstances surrounding the incident. Was it a result of violence within the prison, or an ident that took a tragic turn? Questions continue to haunt his mind...


    As he was in the middle of his thoughts, they arrived at the location, and the sight was ten times worse than what he could have ever imagined..


    As the guard''s gaze remains fixed on the horrifying pool of blood and a mixture of dead bodies, a wave of nausea rises within him. The sheer brutality and macabre nature of the scene threaten to overpower his senses. A profound feeling of disgust creeps up, and he senses an imminent urge to vomit.


    His stomach churns, and he can feel a cold sweat forming on his forehead. The sight before him is jarring, testing the limits of his emotional fortitude. The guard''s body tenses as he battles the instinctive reflex of retching, his face contorting with difort.


    Desperately trying to regain control, he takes deep breaths in an attempt to steady himself. He closes his eyes for a moment, focusing on his breathing, trying to block out the gruesome imagery.


    "Blugrrr"


    Not everyone has the same iron stomach as his, and they started puking at the scene of what was in front of them.


    "... Wha.. What has happened... here?" one of them asked.


    "I don''t know, but at least there aren''t any guards among them," he said after looking at their uniform, which was that of prisoners.


    He was indeed right, as this was the aftermath of Dhruv''s first ughter, where he had killed all the Dekion men.


    "Let''s fall back. And report what we have seen here," he said with a solemn expression.


    "Bu.. but what about the bet?" one of them said.


    "Are you fucking out of your mind? If you care so much about Bet, then remain here, but we are going back," he said, and everyone nodded.


    "No, no, don''t leave me behind. I was just joking."


    Everyone looked at him with a furious gazes after hearing the word ''joking'', as nobody was in the mood for jokes after seeing everything.


    "Sorry," he said, reading the mood.


    ~~~


    On the other side, Dhruv has killed yet another fourteen guards, earning him one level''s worth of exp and 1400 CC, which he invests all in agility.


    After exchanging his empty gun for a loaded one, he once again disappeared into the embrace of darkness.


    After walking for half an hour, he finally met another person, and the sight of him made his blood boil. This man is probably the third most hated person on his list.


    He is Charlie, his so-called best friend, who used him, manipted him, and cursed him when his value went away.


    After thinking for some time, he started following him from the dark.


    Charlie finally reached his cramped, dimly lit cell. Copsing onto the lumpy mattress, he sought sce in the familiarity of his solitude. As he began to settle, a faint sound crept into his ears, causing him to stiffen. Slowly, he turned his head, his heart pounding in his chest, to identify the source of the disturbance.


    "Who are you?" he managed to utter, his voice barely more than a whisper, as his eyes fell upon the shadowy but familiar figure standing in front of him, beside the door.


    "How quickly you''ve forgotten me, Charlie," came the retort,ced with sarcasm. Dhruv''s voice dripped with a mixture of disdain and concealed disgust. He struggled to maintain aposed expression, masking his true feelings.


    "What are you doing here in my cell, you bastard?" Charlie''s said with both anger and unease.


    He felt uneasy because he could see blood stains on his clothes and angry because he had suffered at the hands of Dekion due to Charlie''s mistakes.


    "Hey, hey, now you''re resorting to cursing, are you?" Dhruv responded, a smug smile ying at the corners of his lips. "I thought we were friends, weren''t we?" Dhruv said with a sarcastic tone, "At least until a month ago."


    "I am not your friend anymore, so don''te into my cell. And why have you locked the door?" Charlie''s voice rose, frustration dripping from his words. His mind raced, sensing danger, and he rose from the bed. He propelled himself toward the cell''s entrance, seeking escape.


    "Why are you in such a hurry?" Dhruv''s voice taunted, his tone eerily calm. "I''vee to catch up with you."


    "You bastard, if you don''t get out of my cell this instant, I will call the guard," Charlie threatened, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance.


    "If you insist," Dhruv sneered, stepping further into the room. "But before you make that call, I suppose I can start our little get-together."


    "What get-together?" Charlie''s voice wavered, confusion etched across his face, his mind struggled toprehend Dhruv''s words.


    Suddenly, as if materializing from thin air, an arrow struck Charlie''s shoulder, lodging itself with a sickening thud into the cell wall. The force of the impact caused him to stagger backward, pain contorting his features.


    "Ughhh! What are you? How are you doing this?" Charlie''s voice trembled with fear, his eyes wide with terror. "Please spare me, whoever you are. I didn''t do anything wrong."


    Charlie''s eyes widened as he looked at the unexpected turn of events. The arrow protruding from his left shoulder seemed to defy all reason, leaving him paralyzed with shock and disbelief.


    He couldn''tprehend how Dhruv, or whatever this entity was, could conjure arrows seemingly out of thin air. Panic surged through his veins, and Charlie''s mind raced, desperately seeking a means of escape. He began to plead, hoping to buy time, praying that passing guards would hear his cries ande to his rescue.


    But his pleas fell on deaf ears.


    Ten secondster, a new arrow pierced his right shoulder, causing a guttural growl of pain to escape his lips. Agony wracked his body, and his vision blurred with tears.


    "What have I done to you? Please spare me," he begged, his voice trembling with desperation. "I will do anything you ask; just spare me."


    Dhruv remained silent, his eyes fixed on Charlie as if absorbed in some otherworldly task. Time stretched on, each passing second fraught with dread.


    Another ten seconds passed, and a new arrow found its mark, this time burying itself in Charlie''s left leg. The searing pain intensified, causing him to writhe in agony, his cries echoing off the cell''s cold, unforgiving walls.


    "Ughhhhhhhhh, you bastard!" He roared, his voice choked with anguish. "Please... plea... se... spa...re... m...e."


    But his words came out in fragmented gasps, his strength waning with each passing moment. The ten-second interval felt like an eternity, tormenting him with the dread of what woulde next.


    A new arrow tore into his right leg, stealing away what little resolve he had left. Darkness closed in around him, his voice reduced to a feeble whisper.


    "Pl...eas...e... s...pare..." he managed to utter, his words barely audible.


    And then, after another excruciating ten seconds, a final arrow pierced Charlie''s head, snuffing out his life. Silence descended upon the cell, broken only by the echoes of his final breath.

 Chapter 15: Two new spells

    <h4>Chapter 15: Two new spells</h4>


    Over the past five days, I have been killing anyone who was unlucky enough toe across me. Initially, things were progressing smoothly. However, after the second day, rumors started spreading within the prison that there was a dangerous monster, known for its insatiable thirst for blood, and was responsible for the recent killings.


    These rumors spread rapidly throughout the prison, causing a state of panic among both the guards and the prisoners.


    In response, they began to form groups consisting of 20 or more individuals, moving around discreetly and cautiously.


    Their aim was to ensure their safety and protect themselves from the perceived threat of this bloodthirsty beast. Consequently, this situation has made my killing spree less sessful and fruitful than I had hoped.


    In essence, the rumor about the monster roaming the prison has led to increased vignce and security measures, making it more challenging for me to find potential victims and continue my spree.


    Yet it was anything but unsessful as in the past five days, a total of five hundred, No maybe... six hundred people have been killed by my hand, which mostly consists of prisoners.


    Prisoners for the most part were easy to kill because they were nearly every time locked behind the bars, so just one metal arrow to the head and their life was over.


    Talking about metal arrows, even I couldn''t believe the extent of my progress with the metal arrow spell. It has reached a level that surpasses my own understanding.


    Now, I have honed my skills to the point where I can shoot a metal arrow with remarkable speed. It takes me no more than 2 seconds to prepare and shoot, and astonishingly, there are instances where I can shoot it in less than a second.


    The efficiency and speed with which I can cast this spell have vastly improved, making me believe I''m some kind of novel protagonist.


    In the field of magic, this wasn''t even my biggest achievement as I had recently learned two new spells of metal magic.


    One of them was the [Metal shield]. As the name implies, this spell allows me to create a shield made entirely of metal.


    Through rigorous practice, I have reached a point where I can create a shield with a diameter of around 1 meter, and its thickness measures between 10 to 12 millimeters, thick enough to stop bullets.


    This spell is one of the best I can learn in the defensive department. This spell is also important because I don''t want to increase the number of holes in my body.


    As for the duration of skill, the shield remains intact for approximately 15 to 20 seconds, either until my mana supply is depleted or I struggle to maintain its shape beyond that duration.


    The second spell I''ve learned is called [Metal Constructs].


    While it may seem straightforward, its versatility is truly remarkable. With this spell, I have the ability to shape and form various objects using metal, limited only by the amount of mana I possess and my mental capacity to process the construct.


    The most disappointing thing to note is that the constructs I create are not permanent. They typically dissolve within a short span of 10 seconds, and in some cases, they may even disappear immediately after I cast the spell.


    Despite this temporal nature, the flexibility and range of possibilities offered by Metal Constructs are fascinating and provide me with a plethora of options for creative applications.


    I also have been trying to cast an illusion spell, before you get your hopes high let me tell you, this shit is just soo much harderpared to metal spells. Simply describing it as "harder" doesn''t do justice to the sheer difficulty andplexity involved.


    To be honest, casting these spells is downright terrifying. It presents a myriad of obstacles and demands a tremendous amount of effort. For now, I have set it aside temporarily.


    However, I firmly believe that the rewards will be worth it. Even the most basic form of this spell holds an astonishing power¡ªnot in a physical sense, but rather in the realm of the mind.


    But you don''t have to worry as with dedicated practice, I anticipate being able to cast one of its spells within a day or two.


    All this grinding has provided me with many precious levels in my abilities. All my magic-rted skills have undergone substantial leveling, some even advancing two or three times over. In particr, my mana maniption skill is on the cusp of reaching level five¡ªI can practically sense its impending achievement.


    However, with all the killing and shit I have already reached level five two days ago, and when I tried to evolve it, it says that further evolution is only possible after reaching the second quest.


    It feels frustrating to have earned so much valuable experience only to discover that I must now await an additional opportunity to progress. It seems like a waste, given the considerable effort I have invested.


    What I haven''t wasted is my skill points, I have been waiting for my skill to reach level five so i can upgrade them further. And wasting my skill point after buying some stupid skill.


    One of the remarkable progresses I''ve made is in improving my stats. With all the kills, I had amassed a substantial sum of approximately sixty thousand CC.


    Talk about being rich, but this wealth doesn''t sit in my ount for too long as I had decided to invest all of it in my stats.


    Wisely, I have chosen to distribute this newfound wealth evenly across all of my stats. This bnced approach ensures that each aspect of my abilities receives a proportional boost, maximizing my overall potential.


    By investing in the enhancement of my stats, I have fortified myself and further solidified my capabilities in various areas.


    So after all those upgrades this is what my status looks like now.


    -------------------


    Name: Dhruv


    ss: Apprentice mage


    Level: 5/5 [Plese evolve as...]


    Title: First blood


    Magic Affinity: Metal (S), Illusion (D)


    Stats: Strength Lv. 35(38), Stamina Lv. 35(38), Agility Lv. 35(38), Magic Power Lv. 62(68),


    Abilities: Metal maniption Lv.4, Illusion maniption LV.2


    Skills: Basic mana maniption Lv.4, Basic illusion resistance Lv.1, Minor mana absorption Lv.3, Mana bolt Lv.2, Laughing elixir Lv.2


    Spell: Metal arrow, Metal shield, Metal Constructs


    Cosmic coins: 1530


    <Cosmic store>


    Skill point: 4


    ------------------


    I''ve significantly improved all my stats, and the effect is just... so much more apparent. I feel like I can take down at least two of my past self without even breaking a sweat, physically of course.


    However, I must admit that my progress in the magical realm has not been as significant. Once I have sessfully dealt with all the inhabitants of this prison, I n to shift my focus toward developing my magical abilities in a more dedicated and focused manner.


    I recognize the importance of nurturing my magical potential and intend to devote my energy to its advancement.


    With all the improvements, I can finally hunt in the open... and that I n to do...

 Chapter 16: Warden

    <h4>Chapter 16: Warden</h4>


    Today is the day to end all this.. As I decided to kill the warden and end this all at once. I had trained myself enough for all the challenges he could pose.. I think.. maybe.


    As I slowly started heading toward his office, my heart started beating loudly, not in fear but in excitement¡ªthe excitement of finally getting rid of all the pests from this prison so I could finally start the foundation. The foundation of my holy ground..


    In the process of that, I can also get my revenge for all the things he has done to me¡ªI mean, he hasn''t done anything, but I''m pretty sure he is somehow linked to that man, and how do I know that? I simply don''t know, but at this point, even a child can guess this much¡ª and today he will get his reward for all my suffering.


    As I began to reach my destination, the number of guards guarding the ce began increasing, as if they were protecting him from some kind of monster...


    That''s exactly what they were trying to achieve, at least.


    ''''Hehe, as if they even have an ounce of a chance of seeding, not in my watch," Iughed out loud, attracting the attention of the guards.


    One of them noticed me instantly and voiced hismand.


    "Look, there he is... Fire at my order with all you might." He orders them to hold, as he wants to negotiate; if not... at least stop him until reinforcementse.


    "Call for reinforcement," another one said as if he knew that the monster in front of him couldn''t be controlled by all the men herebined.


    "This is Team 4V reporting in. The monster is currently at our location. We are positioned at the western gate behind Section E. Requesting backup and immediate support, I repeat, on the western gate...


    Before he could even finish the call, a metal arrow prated his throat and killed him on the spot.


    At the sight of this, themander threw out the idea of peaceful negotiation and gave the order to.. fire.


    I didn''t even notice who sounded themand, but as soon as the order of fire rang in their brains, they started firing.


    I was already prepared for this and instantly cast my metal shield, which I had been preparing, since the moment they noticed me.


    I can practically feel the force from the impacting bullet on the shield, but my strength isn''t just for numbers, and I can easily withstand this much repulsion with ease; any more and I have to retreat.


    Simultaneously keeping the shield and firing the metal arrow is more burdensome than I had thought, but I somehow manage to achieve that.


    As their magazines finally depleted, I unleashed my metal arrows with full determination, and the enemy began falling rapidly. It''s not that theycked protective measures; it was totally the opposite, and they wore a vest and a helmet. However, those didn''t help much, as the prating power of these arrows is no joke; they can effortlessly pierce through a standard helmet and vest.


    Yes, they can pierce the normal helmet but not the bulletproof ones; that''s why I mostly aim for the neck and eyes, as I don''t want to risk it.


    But you would think, How is my aim this urate? Even I don''t know... I mean, I have some spection, but the most likely scenario would be that the more I increase my agility stat, the more my movement-rted actions be... yes, precise.


    "Fall back and retreat; only charge when you have reloaded your guns,"es themand. After noticing the one-sided ughter.


    But I''m not going to give them any more time, as reinforcement is about toe. So I left aside the magic attack, picked up my trusty spear, and rushed in their direction.


    "The enemy is engaged in meleebat; I will keep him busy, you all reload and shoot when you get the chance. Am I clear?"


    "You are not going to get that much time, to begin with," I said, interpreting his dying speech.


    With my dash nearing him, I thrust my spear with all my might, and then... There was no then; as his body became a mess and he dropped dead.


    "Y.. you, monste..r, what have.... we done... to you?" a guard yelled at me


    "That''s exactly my point; you haven''t done anything; you haven''t done your duty; you haven''t maintained the order; you haven''t done anything you were supposed to do," I yelled back.


    Before he could even realize what I was talking about, he dropped dead with a massive hole in his chest.


    "You are going to suffer for all this," another one said.


    "And who is going to make me, YOU? Your warden? Your government... Don''t tell me you believe God is going to punish me!"


    "Ye... Yes, god will punish... you for.. all... your sin," he shuddered


    Picking up his cor, I yelled in his face, "Why do you think God will bother to punish me for my sins? When he didn''t even bother to do anything to him, who has caused all this to me? Then why do you think he will protect you? ... what makes you so special?"


    He began to ponder my question, but I didn''t have time, so I mercilessly crushed his neck, sending him to god... giving him the chance to ask all the questions he likes.


    But in the end, I wasted some time, and the guards started scattering, causing me so much trouble.


    It caused me some pain, but in the end, I sent them all into the embrace of God. If he even is... real.


    When all the reinforcements arrived at the scene, I was already moving deeper into the den of the warden.


    I started to wonder, What should I do after... but before I could even finish my thought, a bullet hit straight in my head but couldn''t do any damage.


    "Motherfuckers, didn''t even let me think!" I yelled. But on second thought, Iughed, "Hahaha, who am I kidding, when I myself am the same?"


    I began a habit ofughing in the middle of battle¡ªall for this shitty healing. I am crushing the skill, but it is pretty powerful if you know how to use it. I have to admit it, but I am beginning to like it.


    Hahahahahaha!" Iughed.


    At the sound of myugh, all the guards found their hair standing on end.


    "Is this fucker out of his mind? Why is heughing?" One of them voiced his opinion.


    But I didn''t like it, and did the thing every normal person would do; I dashed and obliterated his head.


    "Now, who is ''out'' of his mind?" I said, controlling myughter.


    "Come on, no one gets it... Out of his mind¡ªout of his mind¡ª" I tried to exin the joke, but still no one got it, so I let it go and began my ughter.


    At this point, they don''t possess even a tiny bit of chance to kill me with all my stats and abilities. Not until they startedunching nukes.. Of course.


    "fuck! Did I just jinx it?"


    With all of them dead, I began my journey, checking all the rooms for any survivors.


    Several minutes passed, but I didn''t find a single soul, so I started getting carefree. After a minute or two, I came across the same one of those normal-looking doors, but when I opened this one, what I saw inside made my eye-widened in shock.


    There were literally at least a hundred, if not two hundred, men in armed positions in front of the gate, holding their assault rifles, ready to shoot any ignorant men who happened toe inside without their permission... And I happened to be one of those ignorant fools.


    Our eyes met... I can feel the hatred radiating from their eyes.


    "Sorry, boys, I''m just looking for a bathroom. I beg your pardon... You guys can continue what you were doing."


    I slowly closed the door and was about to run when I heard someone say the word...


    "FIRE"


    .


    .


    ''Fuuuuck''

 Chapter 17: Necromancer

    <h4>Chapter 17: Necromancer</h4>


    ''fuc... ''


    The bullets were already fired, and I was still in the middle of finishing my word...


    But that didn''t stop me from seeing my life ending if I didn''t do something... But how they say that at thest moment, time slows down, and that''s exactly what was happening.


    As time seems to slow down, I can see the trajectory of the bullet... and with just a mere moment away from me, somehow I managed to cast my shield in time. A shield was flung between us, protecting me from my impending doom, but the horror didn''t end there.


    Fuck!


    The sheer forceing from hitting the shield is like getting hit with a massive hammer all over my body.


    As the seconds passed, the shield started to give up, and to make it worse I didn''t hear any signal of them stopping anytime soon..


    ''Fuck, fuck, fuck... I cursed my luck. My luck was getting cursed without any fault, as this isn''t entirely my luck''s fault; I was just getting high on my power, And with all my proud pride, this was bound to happen someday.


    A moment before the shield was about to be destroyed, I dispelled the spell and ducked to the side of the door... but I didn''t leave unscathed, as in that short time frame, at least ten bullets hit me.


    Thank God, they only managed to hit me and not prate deep enough to do any serious damage. I began waiting for them to stop firing and let them taste the taste of their own medicine


    After a minute of continuous firing, it finally stopped. Giving Dhruv some room to breathe.


    But the soldiers weren''t in the mood to give him the time he needed to catch his breath.


    As they stop firing and look at the door¡ªor where it was supposed to be¡ª but all they can see is smoke and dust covering it, hindering their vision.


    "Hey, you, go and check," one of the officers ordered, while pushing the soldier toward the door.


    The soldier looked into his eyes, indicating that he was too afraid to go to meet the monster, but the officer signaled him to go nheless.


    With a sigh! The soldier picked up his knife and slowly moved toward the door.. Where there was nothing but darkness and the smell of burned wood.


    With a strong resolve, he enters the darkness and...


    "Where had he gone?"


    The officer asked in surprise, as from his perspective, after moving beyond the door frame, the soldier gets devoured by the darkness of the hallway.


    ''How is this possible? At least some noise would havee if they had been fought.''


    but with no sound, no signal, nothing... They assumed the worst and nned to advance together, as that would be the safest option... With the officer left behind tomand then.. But everyone knows that was nothing but an excuse.


    As they began moving and reached the door frame, they had to thin out as the space for the door was narrow, and only one or two could pass it simultaneously.


    One by one, they all started passing the door... and from the looks of it, they all began to be consumed by the darkness..


    With no man left except for himself and the warden... He looked at the napping warden like there was nothing going on; he knew he had no other choice but to go.


    So he slowly started moving towards the hallway..


    "Is anyone here?" he shouted, expecting an answer, but all he heard was his voice echo through the hall. He looked at the hall and shuddered.


    Soon, the devil answered his call.. As a handes from the left, holding tight around his neck, before he can even utter a single word, it crushes it, killing thest human alive in this prison.


    Dhruv slowly began moving in the office room, where he saw a rather normal man napping. From the looks of it, the man was in his thirties, wearing a simple ck shirt and formal ck pants. He couldn''t see the man''s facial features as he wasying over the desk. He didn''t let this normality deceive him, as he knew there was nothing about him that was normal.


    Looking at the men, Dhruv could clearly feel the aura of deathing from him.. Even more potent than his own, despite the fact that he had killed hundreds of men on his own. Somehow controlling his instincts that were telling him that this man was no good and he should leave as soon as possible.


    He didn''t know why his instincts were so strange today, as nothing could kill him¡ªnothing human at least¡ªand he was sure of it after facing so many life and death situations, but still with a cautious nature, he approached him.


    Reaching his preferred range for shooting arrows, he raises his hand to cast the spell, aiming for his head. Wanting to finish this as soon as possible, he shoots the arrow.


    ng!


    But to his surprise, the arrow bounced off his head, leaving only scratch marks.


    Upon seeing this, Dhruv finally understood why his instincts were screaming at him to run away. Because the man in front of him was either a chosen one; like him,who happened to have been in contact with a gate, or he knew how to earn coins and use them. But he doubts histter choice, as for him to reach this level of toughness, he has to kill a lot of men and invest all his coins in stamina.


    And If the former was not the case, then he was even more dangerous because he could have ess to an umon level ss, which would make the whole thing moreplicated.


    With an arrow to his head, the man finally wakes up from his nap and looks at Dhruv with an evaluating gaze... With his gaze upon him, Dhruv''s whole being shudders in fear, and he regrets not listening to his instinct.


    ''Fuck, fuck..''


    "So, you must be the monster they were all talking about. Nice to make your acquaintance, mister... uhh! What was your name? Stop, don''t tell me.. It was something rted to stars and the north. Ohh! Yes, it is Dhruv.


    Nice to meet you, Dhruv," he said with a smiley face.


    I didn''t reply, or better, I couldn''t reply, as I was so angry at his funny remark that I could swear I was on the verge of losing my mind... But maybe that was this bastard''s n all along, so I controlled my anger.


    "Ohh! You must be mad about that whole prison bullying thing. and you have the right to be mad at me, but what can I do? I mean, a man has to provide for his family one way or another, right? After all, you yourself are a family man... ohh! Sorry, were a family men.


    My deep condolences to you... Soo, What do I owe the pleasure for you to visit me at this hour as this time isn''t exactly for meeting?"


    "I think you know why I am here, do you not?" I said, practically gritting my teeth.


    "If it is about revenge, then so be it. I think I can entertain you for a while," he said while lifting his hand, showing that he was about to cast a spell.. A very big spell, with the amount of mana I sense.


    ''Why am I such a stupid person?''


    I realize the reason behind all his talk. He was wasting all my time talking... but he himself was preparing his spell. But still another question appears as why would he wait until ie in the room? He could have prepared it when I was fighting, as that would have been more favorable for him than starting to prepare after my entry.


    That''s when a sudden realization struck me...


    At the very moment he cast the spell, a ck smoke released from his hand and began moving in the direction of the hallway where the dead bodies were.


    And my assumption was right, as he is a.... Necromancer.

 Chapter 18: Killing the dead

    <h4>Chapter 18: Killing the dead</h4>


    "Ahh! Thanks for killing them and making my task easier... Otherwise, I don''t think I would have been able to fight you¡ªThe monster¡ª and win without ''YOUR'' precious help."


    Warden seems to be mocking Dhruv for hisck of perception during a battle.


    With all his mocking, I tried to calm myself after realizing that this could also be one of his ns to distract me... and to my surprise, I found myself calm just a momentter.


    "Why are you so confident that your undead can even kill me..? If I can kill them one time, what stops me from killing them a second time... you..?


    Hahaha! Don''t make meugh... and if you are delusional enough to think that you can stop me with that pathectic self of your then... live.. No Die in that delusion of yours."


    Ahhh! Mocking him felt he good after listening to all his crap. I made it sound like a piece of cake, but...


    Growl, growl, growl...


    The sound of undead growling is starting toe from the hallway, and I think the one making these sounds isn''t happy. I know what is making this type of sound. At the thought of that, my body shivered and grasped the reality that everything is possible in this world.


    I jumped forward to finish the warden at short range without having to get entangled in all the undead mess, but as my spear is about to stab him, an undeades between us and blocks the spear with his body, making the total number of holes in his body... nine.


    Growl... growl..


    The wound I had caused should have been deadly to any mortal, but even with two massive holes in his chest, one I caused now and the other was the reason he died, But even with two holes in his body, this motherfucker still lunged forward to bite my head off.


    I instantly back off, not wanting to get bitten and be undead¡ª I doubt it is even possible¡ª but who is going to risk it..? Not me.


    I moved one foot backward, pulled my hand backward, and thrust my spear with all my strength, but this time my target was not his chest but his head.


    Boom!


    With a thunderous st, the zombie''s head got obliterated in a rain of blood and flesh. I waited cautiously to see if this thing could survive without a head or not, but thank God, these things don''t seem immortal. With all my time wasted in my experiment, almost fifty undead had already gathered in the room.


    I don''t practically feel threatened by these undead, as I found after shing with the first one, but the warden himself is the problem here if he decides to join the fight.


    I looked at the warden, and the look on his face lifted my mood, as his face was devoid of light and looked pale white like a dead corpse.


    And I know the full reason behind the cause of this type of pale face, as I myself have suffered from it during my training with magic. If I am correct, he had used a spell with almost all his mana, making even standing on his two feet difficult.


    All I have to do is get rid of all these undead, and the man will be disposed of pretty much just after that without any mercy, but I have to be quick, as he could have mana absorption skill and could be absorbing mana as I continue to kill.


    The undead horde of fifty or so corpses emerges from the dark, their lifeless eyes glowing with an eerie light. Standing at the center of the room was Dhruv, his eyes zing with determination. Gripping his gleaming spear tightly, he prepares himself for the ughter that is about to happen.


    As he proceeds to kill them, he notices that they don''t give any type of reward, not exp, not coin, not nothing, and that itself can be depressing when you are fighting a literal horde of undead.


    The undead horde closes in, groaning and moaning, eager to feast on his flesh. The mage... or spearman for the moment, steps forward, the ground trembling beneath him as he charges toward the undead.


    His movements are superhumanly agile due to his level thirty-five agility, and he weaves through the horde, striking with astonishing precision. Every thrust and swing of his spear sends undead bodies crashing to the ground, severed limbs flying through the air.


    Dhruv bes a blur of silver amidst the sea of undead. With each strike, several undead fall at once, but the horde is relentless, closing in on him from all sides.


    His face remains stoic as he fights with unmatched skill and strength. He spins, parries, and counters, dancing between the undead, seemingly invincible... But he is far from invincible, as all the fighting has started to build up fatigue.


    The undead w at him, their rotten flesh tearing away as they attempt to overwhelm him.


    His movements seem fluid and graceful, like a deadly dance, but someone is actively reading his movements, trying to learn the pattern in them. He harnesses his superhuman abilities to their fullest, his spear cutting through the undead with ease.


    The ground is now littered with undead bodies, but still, more approach, undeterred by the fallen.


    Sweat drips down his brow, as he shows signs of fatigue... Blood starts dripping from all the wounds caused by the teeth, but still, his eyes burn with determination as he fights on, unwilling to be overwhelmed.


    The undead horde seems to be closing in, almost engulfing him.


    Suddenly, he performs a powerful, leaping strike, sending out a shockwave that throws several undead back, giving him a brief moment of respite. Catching his breath and ncing around, he assessed the situation.


    Dhruv grips his weapon tightly, and a faint, pulsating glow emanates from it... as if demanding more ughter.


    His resolve strengthens as he takes a deep breath, ready to face the horde once more. With newfound determination, he charges back into the fray, his spear glowing brighter than before.


    The battle onlysted five minutes, but for Dhruv itsted an eternity, but with his superhuman abilities,bined with his unwavering determination, he manages to thin the ranks of the undead horde.


    As another minute passes, thest of the undead finally falls, their twisted bodies returning to lifeless stillness. The spearman stands amid the field of defeated foes, his clothes now sttered with undead remains.


    With all the undead lying motionless, he look at the warden... and to his surprise the look on his face turns normal, indicating that he had managed to recover all his mana, As Dhruv didn''t want to give him a chance to cast that dreadful spell again, he lunged forward to attack him... not even resting for a bit after fighting with hundreds of undead.


    Looking at Dhruv running towards him, the warden smiled... as if everything is going ording to his n.

 Chapter 19: The last one standing

    <h4>Chapter 19: Thest one standing</h4>


    Dhruv lunged forward with all the speed he could muster, thrusting his spear toward Warden with precision.


    Warden wasn''t skilled enough in meleebat as much as Dhruv, yet he showed remarkable speed and somehow managed to parry the attack with the saber, showing surprising reflexes.


    They exchanged a series of quick blows, but Dhruv''s experience with the spear allowed him to maintain the upper hand. His strikes were fierce and strategic, forcing Warden into a defensive stance.


    Dhruv''s eyes were intense, showing the reflection of the many battles he had fought and won. His nickname ''monster'' isn''t only for name; it was theplete opposite, as he had earned it.


    Warden''s heart pounded in his chest as he blocked Dhruv''s spear thrusts. He knew he was outmatched in terms of experience, but he refused to let fear overwhelm him. He wasn''t naive to think that he was skilled enough to beat him fair and square; that''s why he had sacrificed two hundred men to make him tired, even going as far as making another two hundred undead to hit thest nail in the coffin.


    ''That should be enough to make him tired enough for me to cross the gap... right?'' even after all the arrangements, he still shows signs of worry... and that goes to show how experienced he was in battle.


    As the battle wore on, Warden''s nerves began to settle. He found his rhythm and started to counter Dhruv''s attacks with more confidence. Warden''s strikes grew fiercer, and he began to close the distance between them, using the saber''s shorter reach to his advantage.


    Dhruv started to feel the pressure; the fatigue from his previous encounter with the ¨Cfour hundred and some more became evident.


    Dhruv''s breathing became heavier, he felt his muscles burning with exertion. The weight of his past victories now bore down on him, making each movement feel sluggish and slow.


    ''I have to end this quickly, or I can die with all the errors I''m making'' Dhruv thought, knowing full well the consequences of losing at this stage.


    He tried to hide his tiredness, but warden being the warden, he noticed the subtle changes in Dhruv''s stance almost instantly, as he was waiting for this exact moment and seized the opportunity instantly. With a swift sidestep, he managed to evade Dhruv''s spear and deliver a grazing blow to his lower abdomen.


    ''Shit''


    Dhruv cursed his ipetence once again, forgetting to ount for the fact that just like himself warden would also have cosmic weapons. He doesn''t know the reason, but after an experiment, he concluded that those weapons could cut his skin far smoother than a fired bullet.


    Forgetting about this thing isn''t entirely his fault, as no one uses those weapons except for some prisoners... whom he managed to kill far too quickly. But that doesn''t change the fact that he is now in a dire situation because of his,ck of focus.


    Dhruv''s movements began to slow, and his attackscked the same intensity they once had. Warden once again saw this as an opportunity and pressed his advantage. He managed tond a few ncing blows on Dhruv, chipping away at his stamina. Warden''s persistence and tactical approach now bnce the experience gap between them.


    Warden''s eyes sparkled with a newfound sense of determination. He could sense that victory was within his reach. He had heard stories of Dhruv''s savagery and skill, but now he saw him in tatters, soaked in blood¡ªnot of his opponent but of his own He had to keep pushing and keep wearing down the monster in front of him with caution, as a single mistake can spell his doom¡ªa mistake he can''t afford at the moment.


    As Warden pressed forward, Dhruv''s mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Doubt crept in, and for the first time in a long while, he questioned his abilities.


    ''Should he flee? No, he can''t. The only escape route is littered with corpses, which would slow him down.


    Should he beg? Not an option. The warden won''t let him get away with what he''s done.


    Should he...?'' All types of questions started appearing in his mind but he knew the only answer was that he had to fight; either kill him and win or lose...


    ''I couldn''t afford to lose, not after everything I had endured to reach this point'' he thought, trying to find a way to turn the table in his favor... After much thought, he found a method, but for it to work, he had to wait for the right moment.


    Warden''s newfound confidence was contagious, fueling his determination to oust Dhruv.


    Dhruv''s exhaustion was now evident.. if it wasn''t already, as he struggled to maintain hisposure. He knew that he should have ended the battle earlier, but his fatigue had caught up with him, and Warden could sense it.


    Warden''s saber danced with precision, each strike inching him closer to victory. He moved fluidly, dodging Dhruv''s weakening attacks and countering with his own. Dhruv''s once unyielding defense now faltered, and he stumbled backward, giving ground to the relentless Warden.


    As the final roundmenced, Dhruv''s movements werebored, and his once decisive strikes became sloppy. Warden, on the other hand, felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing victory was within reach. With newfound strength, he pressed on, pushing Dhruv back with each strike. Warden''s relentless spirit was beginning to overshadow Dhruv''s experience.


    Dhruv''s grip on his spear loosened, and he stumbled backward, barely able to defend against the Warden''s onught. His experience was no match for Warden''s determination.


    Warden''s heart pounded in his chest as he saw an opening. He took a deep breath, steadied his hand, andunched a decisive strike. The saber connected with Dhruv''s spear, and with a mighty wrench, he disarmed the monster. The spear ttered to the ground, and Dhruv fell to his knees, gasping for breath,pletely drained from the prolonged fight.


    Warden rejoiced the moment he see the light in his eyes wavering; he knew he had won the battle and the man in front of him was just living on his mercy... and he could decide his fate.


    For a second, he thought of keeping Dhruv alive... making him his partner so they can climb the ranks of this new world together... but he quickly dismisses that thought aside when he remembers what Walton had done to him and that he had decided to help him.


    ''Let''s not be stuck thinking about the past'' He thought, looking at the Dhruv crawling towards his spear.


    "You still want to continue... ugh! I admire your persistence.... you are a different breed... and I respect that and that''s why I have to kill you, so you don''t get in my way.. you... understand, right"


    "...Hah! Nothing to say... nevermind"


    He advances toward Dhruv, determined to finish him off... However, having been a prison warden for twenty years, he had developed the habit of always asking for thest wish of a criminal before executing them...


    "...Let''s say, Dhruv, do you have any dying wishes I can fulfill..?" he instinctively asks, never intending to keep his word. But this time, to his surprise, a replyes.


    "..let me.. Die with my we.. weapon in my embrace.." he says.


    The warden ponders for a moment and decides it would be dangerous if Dhruv were to get hold of his weapon again. With just a hand''s distance between Dhruv and his spear, the warden opens his mouth.


    "Sorry, but we can''t do that."


    Gripping his saber, he moves toward Dhruv, intending to finish him by severing his neck in one fell swoop.


    Step by step, he closes the distance between himself and Dhruv, who also moves towards his spear... but now it poses no threat in the warden''s eyes.


    As the warden lifts his hand, about to deliver the blow, time seems to slow down. He notices Dhruv gripping his spear with one hand as if it were his long-lost lover and sees another hand lifting towards him, wanting to stop the saber''s blow.


    ''What a fool'' he thought, continuing his attack...


    When the saber is only 30 cm away from the hand, something changes, something bizarre happens... As the smile on his face froze, he heard a whisper...


    "Why did you have to kill me?" a voice echoes in his head.


    He gulped, trying to make sense of what was happening and why he was hearing his father''s voice. He started panicking... as the sound was getting louder and louder..


    "... have to kill me... kill me... kill ME... KILL ME... KILL ME"


    He stood paralyzed, stunned by the onught of his father''s shrieks. All he could do was try not to fall to his knees. And that''s when he realized that it was nothing but a mere illusion¡ªbut it was already toote.


    A sharp pain assaulted him before he could even think where the pain wasing from...


    He dropped to the ground, where a moment before Dhruv was... a strong sense of sleeplessness assaulted his mind...


    ''I guess it''s time for me to take some rest'' With these thoughts in his mind, he closes his eyes.

 Chapter 20: The end of first Quest

    <h4>Chapter 20: The end of first Quest</h4>


    ''Huh! Fuck..''


    Dhruv didn''t even believe for a second that he had managed to kill the warden, even when he was lying on the floor looking exactly like a corpse... His doubt didn''tst longer, as the cosmos itself announced victory in his battle, which he is so shocked to realize.


    [You have killed an awakened human]


    [You have gained exp]


    [Please upgrade your ss to umte more exp]


    [You have earned 1500 CC.]


    The result sure brought a big smile on his face¡ªif you ignore the part where all the exp got wasted¡ª but the smile didn''tst longer and quickly turned into a frown when he remembered how close he had been to death just a minute ago. if it weren''t for the [Phantom voices]¡ªthe new illusion spell he had learned¡ª this time he would have died for sure.


    But, one question is still in his mind about what kind of sound the spell produced, as he didn''t hear anything himself... but one thing is sure it was anything but pleasant. He still got shivers after remembering the type of face the warden had made after bing the victim of the spell.


    For a second, he wanted to use the spell on himself to check the performance but decided against it.


    ''Who knows what kind of horror it can produce..?''


    I mean, there is one who knows it, or more like, there was one.


    He thanked his past self for training the illusion spell without much result, as this exact thing prevented him from getting killed.


    After thinking about all the positive aspects of the fight, he started to ponder why he got this close to getting killed in the first ce. After thinking for a while, he didn''t find a reason¡ªbecause there were four reasons behind his fall.


    The first and most important one would be his pride... the pride of not leaving the battle when he was tired and decided to continue fighting. If only he had left after killing two hundred men and returned even an hourter, the result would have been far better than now.


    Even worse than this was to underestimate his opponents without knowing full well about their strengths and weaknesses.


    Even after underestimating the warden, he would have gotten away from there if only he had paid attention to his surroundings. And that''s where his second weakness lies¡ªhis inability to read the battlefield. If he had been aware of his surroundings in advance. When it was time to escape, he would not have been trapped in the room... where his only escape route was blocked by corpses, preventing him from retreating.


    And the third reason is that... Doing things without creating a fool-proof n¡ªwe all know there is no such thing as a fool-proof n, as even minor things can create a big variable. But what was Dhruv''s approach towards this fight¡ªI go, I fight, I kill, or I die¡ªeven a monkey can create a better n than this bullshit? If only, even for a second, he had considered the warden being one of the chosen ones, the fight result would have progressed in a totally different direction. In the direction of his smooth victory.


    Andst but not least, not being strong enough.


    Everything can be neglected if he is strong enough to crush everything. He knows if he had some more time, learned some more spells, practiced some more... then things would have been different.


    But deep down, he also knew that no matter how much he trained.. At the end of the day, he only had himself to fight, whereas his enemy could bring hundreds, even thousands, ofpanions with them. Like how the warden had used his men to tire him out.


    It''s not that he wanted to run from fighting, that he greed for allies instead; instead, it''s theplete opposite of that... He wants allies so he can go to war with an enemy he can''t handle alone.


    ''But where can I find worthy, loyal, and powerful allies in this world?''


    The main concern is that, as he cannot just let any random human join his team... If he has to build a team. That team was going to be the most powerful anyone had ever seen.


    Yet again, the question is how he will find worthy members for his team...


    As he contemted this, a sudden idea popped into his head.


    Like how the warden had used his necromancer ss to create undead to fight for him.. In that sense, if in the next ss upgraded, If he gets any ss rted to necromancy, beast taming, summoning, or anything like that. Then he can advance in his n. But, then again, this alles down to luck¡ªthe luck of getting one of these sses as an option.


    ''I should ask Coby, how the ss option works, next time we meet''


    ~~~


    In the chilling moonlight, a ghastly figure emerges from the shadows¡ªa man in his


    twenties, standing an imposing 1.8 meters tall. His long, matted hair dances wildly in the cold breeze, casting an eerie silhouette against the night. But something is horribly wrong with his clothes, which are stained and soaked with blood.


    With each step, a murderous aura surrounds him, and a haunting whisper seems to echo from the darkness. The young man carries a lifeless body draped over his shoulder, its limbs dangling limply as if mere shells to his past self.


    The path he follows leads to a dreadful site¡ªan area where the pale moonlight illuminates a small mountain of corpses, some of which were fresh, while others were decaying beyond recognition. A stench of decaying smell Each lifeless form lies tangled and contorted, a haunting testament to an unknown horror that has befallen them.


    As the man nears the grotesque mound, he seems unfazed, almost numb to the horrific sight. His eyes gleam with an unnatural intensity, reflecting a resolve that sends shivers down the spine of anyone who dares look upon him.


    He was none other than Dhruv, who had decided to burn all the corpses of the prison. Not for any sentimental value or anything, but purely from a logical perspective. He has decided that this prison will be his stronghold... where everything has started or ended.


    He puts thest corpse on that pile and sprinkles some oil, which he had found in the kitchen so that the fire would be able to spread quickly. As he was about to light it when he heard a sound... the sound he became so familiar with after a week¨C


    The sound of the cosmos..


    [Main Quest #01- The path of Expertise has ended]

 Chapter 21: Majestic

    <h4>Chapter 21: Majestic</h4>


    [Main Quest #01- The path of Expertise has ended]


    [Prepare for your appraisal]


    ''What the fuck... What appraisal? when this whole thing transforms into an exam. What the fuck is going on at this point in time.''


    he waited for some for something to show up, but nothing of that sort happened..


    "So, what did I get?" he thought, eager to know his result despite his cursing. He ended up so engrossed in this, that even forgot to light the pile of corpses on fire... Who could even me him for forgetting the task when such news was in front of him?


    Holding his breath, he opened his status.


    [Evaluating...]


    ''Ahhh! What is this..? How long is this going to take?'' he thinks, wanting to know the result as soon as possible, like a child awaiting his present. His behavior of sudden mood swings can be really scary for someone who meets him for the first time.


    One moment he was cursing, and another moment he was waiting like a child...


    He put one of his arms on his hip... took a pose like he was looking at a watch in another hand¡ªdespite there not being a watch on the other hand... Just to pass the time.


    He once again opened his status, but found the same message... that it was still evaluating him... Now his heartbeat started going up, thinking that he had messed up something. It shouldn''t take this long... right..? maybe?


    It''s not like he knows how much it should take.


    As he was lost in thought, the cosmos was done with his appraisal... Sending a bombardment of notifications informing him of his result, and almost causing a heart attack.


    "What the fuck, why are there so many notifications?" he wondered but was happy nheless.


    [An orphan who got into prison without any crime and thought this was the end. But something changes, and now he dreams of building a kingdom... But the question remains... Can he turn his illusion into reality?]


    [You are the first person to get a title.]


    [You are the first person to get a ss.]


    ''Was I?'' He doubts it but continues to read.


    [First one to get an umon ss.]


    [First one to use one type of magic.]


    [First one to use two types of magic.]


    He was gobsmacked with the result... He knew he had done something amazing when he had cast the spell... but he did not know that he was the first one to do it.


    And still, this wasn''t the end, as more such achievements were waiting...


    [You have killed hundreds of creatures.]


    [You have killed thousands of creatures.]


    [You have killed an awakened human of infant rank.]


    Even his kill counts were added...


    [You were the first one toplete the quest.]


    [You were the first to reach level 5 in ss.]


    [You were the first to reach stats above 10.]


    [You have achieved the impossible.]


    [Final appraisal: Majestic. The prison is exactly where you belong.]


    "What does it mean that I belong here?" he roared. But after some thought, it was right all along... After all the things I''vemitted, this is exactly where I belong...


    But even that didn''t stop him from being happy.


    ''If there is an appraisal, then there must also be a reward'' he thought.


    And he indeed was right, as just after that, the reward message came.


    [Your exclusive attribute began to bloom.]


    [You have received a diamond chest as a reward]


    What is an exclusive attribute? Is it something different from ability or skill? And it says bloom.. What is that supposed to mean? Before he could even think about that, his eyes moved to an immediate reward, which was a diamond box.


    On his palm, there is a diamond box, shining with almost blinding light.. Like telling him to open it. He moved his hand and was about to open the box. A familiar voice rang in his ear. This time it isn''t the voice of the cosmos but someone else, someone Dhruv was eager to meet; after all, he had many questions to ask...


    "So, you have received ''majestic'' as your appraisal. Wonderful.. Truly wonderful," said the thing.


    "How nice to see you, Coby... Once again," said Dhruv, this time not sarcastically but with a true feeling.


    Before Coby could even reply, Dhruv cut him in the middle and said.


    "..But, how do you know, I had gotten ''majestic'' as my appraisal?"


    "That''s how," he said, pointing at my hand, where a diamond box was revolving.


    "Make sense. So, why am I being visited by none other than our teacher, Coby?" Dhruv said, this time with a serious look on his face.


    "Nothing, just catching up with my friend," Coby replied nonchntly.


    "Catching up? Friends? What''s that supposed to mean? And when did I be your friend?" he asked, lifting one of his eyebrows.


    "Ughhh! Am I, not your friend? How can such heartbreaking wordse from a young man? You broke my heart, Dhruv. And here I thought we were pretty good friends," he said with a dramatic style like he was some kind of anime character.


    "Why are you behaving like this? Wasn''t you supposed to be like some bastard who gives insanely difficult quests and kills people for views and subscribers?" Dhruv said, questioning his beliefs.


    "Who do you think I am? I''m not like those dokkaebi bastards," he groaned.


    "Sorry, sorry.. Don''t be mad; I was just joking." Dhruv Hurley said.


    "Okk, but remember never topare me with those coins, loving bastards."


    "Hey Coby, as a friend, I''ve got some questions I would like to ask. Can you answer them... if you don''t mind, of course?" Despite his friendliness, Dhruv''s approach was still careful, as who knows how powerful he is?


    "Yes, go ahead," Coby said, forgetting Dhruv''s previous remark.


    "This will sound stupid, but Is everyone on earth affected by this evolution?" Dhruv asked. This is one of the questions that appeared in his mind after evolution. And due to not being able to ess the inte or any sort ofmunication, he didn''t have any answers... Truth be told, He had already guessed the answer but had asked nheless.


    And he was right, as Coby nodded his head after hearing the question.


    "Ohh!"


    "Are you disappointed by the answer?" Coby asked.


    "No, there is nothing out there for me to care about. Ohh! I have another question," he said.


    "Go on"


    "Then exactly how does the ss system work?" he asks. This is exactly the question he was waiting to ask. As the answer can change the course of action.


    "If you want to know the inner workings of the cosmos. Then I''m sorry, as even I don''t know how it works," he said.


    Dhruv was disappointed and was about to ask something else. But Coby cut him off and said.


    "...But if you want to know what can influence the ss option, that''s what I can tell you."


    Dhruv nodded while smiling from ear to ear.


    "Creepy!" Coby criticizes his behavior.


    "The ss option can be influenced by many things, but there are three main things that y an important role.


    First, the type of skill you use For example, if you buy a fireball spell and use it continuously, the cosmos will give you ''fire mage'' as an evolutionary option on your next upgrade.


    The second thing is your environment.


    Let''s suppose you live in a poisonous environment for long enough.. You can get a ss rted to poison.


    The third, and arguably the most important, is your goal, your motivation, or your purpose within the cosmos.


    If you believe hard enough that your goal is to be an excellent mage, your ss progress will reflect that. But keep in mind that you should follow it wholeheartedly, as nothing is hidden from the cosmos.


    Anything else"


    "How many quests are there?"


    "That I can''t tell you," Coby answered.


    Dhruv sighs! So there are questions he can''t answer despite knowing them; does that mean there is someone above him?


    "I think my time is up..."


    "So early?"


    "It is what it is. But before I leave, I would like to give you some friendly advice. The true horror of the cosmos will begin from here and out. So, Prepare as much as you can.."


    With those warnings said, he snaps his finger and disappears into nothingness.


    ''What horror?''


    Again, he left him with more questions than he had started with. But life is exactly like this, full of uncertainty.


    "Ohhh! Shit, I didn''t even ask him, What is an exclusive attribute?"


    But he quickly forgets about that when his eyes fall on the shiny diamond box revolving on his arm.


    "Let''s open this bad boy first..."

 Chapter 22: Creation Stone

    <h4>Chapter 22: Creation Stone</h4>


    [Do you want to open the Diamond chest?]


    What kind of question is this? Of course, I want to open the box.


    Holding his breath, Dhruv said ''Yes''


    As soon as Dhruv said yes, the diamond box slowly disintegrated into a golden glow and disappeared, leaving three items and a notification for him.


    [You have received 100K CC.]


    ''Sweet..!''


    Dhruv couldn''t control his emotions and smiled after seeing the notification. Thinking about how much he could level up his stats with this much coin, the smile on his face got wider and wider.


    Calming himself down, he looked at himself and found himself in new clothes¡ªnot exactly clothes but armor. He walked to the nearby ss window and looked at his reflection.


    He saw where his prisoner''s uniform was supposed to be, but instead of that, a new leather armor had taken its ce. The design of the armor was simple in itself, but beautiful nheless. It was gray in color, and... and, there was nothing else to add. The armor was so simple in design that some could confuse it with a suit of the exact same color.


    But who says Dhruv was interested in the design of the armor? He was more interested in its capabilities.


    "How can I check its enchantment..?" he said.


    And as if the cosmos was listening to his thought the description of the armor got disyed in front of me.


    Name: [Leather Tunic of Unholy Souls]


    Rank: Rare


    Tier: III


    Type: Armor


    Description: [The Leather Tunic of Unholy Souls is a masterpiece of artisanal craftsmanship, yet so simple. Created with souls for the purpose of destroying it.]


    Dhruv didn''t know why but he got chills after reading the description...


    Enchantment: [Resilient], [Self-clean], [Soulward], [Soul re]


    [Resilient: The souls within the armor keep it bound together, making it more durable.]


    [Self-clean: The souls within the armor keep it clean all the time.]


    ''Huh..''


    Dhruv thought for a bit. So the leather armor is more durable and on top of that, it can clean itself... shouldn''t that be a good thing..? Then why am I getting chills?


    With a heavy heart, he disyed the other two enchantments.


    [Soulward: It can protect the soul of the wearer from the attack directed towards their soul.]


    [Soul re: After providing the armor with mana, the wearer can enchant his attack with soul damage.]


    ''So, these two Enchantments cover the defense and attack prospects... nice!


    It has three passive enchantments and one active Enchantment. The passive enchantments will be activated all the time, whereas to activate the active enchantments, I''ve got to provide the armor with mana.


    ''...and how would I do it


    After thinking for a while, he got the idea that it could be possible with the help of the skill of mana maniption. He activated the skill and started flowing his mana toward the armor, and to his surprise, it worked.


    After manipting the mana and letting it flow in the armor, he felt slightly warm.


    He started preparing a metal arrow to check its effect when he fired the spell. To his surprise, there was a small fire on the tip of the arrow.


    ''Huh..''


    After traveling for a bit, The arrow stuck on a wall, and the damage it caused was the same as before¡ªOf course, it would be, as walls don''t have souls.


    Without even knowing its true effect, He was pretty happy with the result.


    Satisfied he shifted his gaze toward the spear that was lying in his hand.


    Name: [Bloodrage]


    Rank: Umon


    Tier: III


    Type: weapon


    Description: [...hungry for blood.]


    Enchantment: [Razor edge], [Thirsty], [Blood heal]


    "Only three this time; these better be good."


    [Razor Edge: The de of this spear is extremely sharp.]


    [Thirsty: ...absorb the blood of the opponent.]


    [Blood heal: Heal the user with the absorbed blood.]


    So, basically, this spear is extremely sharp, can absorb the blood of the opponent and use that blood to heal me. Which means the more bloody my opponent gets, the more rejuvenated I will get. Talk about a broken item.


    With anticipation, he looked at the other hand, where an octagonal-shaped stone was lying.


    At first nce, it looks like an ordinary stone, but it was anything but that. If you looked deeply at the stone, you would see that it was filled with little stars and something weird but mystical.


    Without wasting any time, Dhruv looked at its description.


    When Dhruv looked at the description, his eyes widened with shock... and he couldn''t believe what he had seen..


    Name: [Creation Stone]


    Rank: Unknown


    Tier: Unknown


    Type: artifact


    The first shocking thing was why its rank and tier were unknown.


    Description: [A Divine artifact that transcends the boundaries of imagination and unleashes the power of creation like never before. This divine stone bestows upon its possessor the ability to create anything their mind can conceive, limited only by their own strength and boundless creativity.]


    ''Create anything..?''


    Dhruv couldn''t believe what he had gotten his hands on. The mere fact that he could create anything left his mind in shambles. Dhruv couldn''t fathom the possibilities the stone could bring him.


    This is exactly the thing he had wished for...


    With a weird smile, he continues...


    Enchantment: [Creation], [Loyalty], [Protection], [Destroy]


    There was no fancy word for its enchantment. It was simple and normal, but Dhruv could feel the power behind these simple words.


    [Creation: It can be used to create anything the user wishes for.]


    [Loyalty: The Creator Stone''s influence extends beyond mere creation, for it grants absolute loyalty and devotion to all that is brought into existence. Any item, ce, or sentient being crafted by the wielder of this remarkable stone bes forever subservient, bound by an unbreakable bond of loyalty to its creator.]


    [Protection: The Creator Stone safeguards the existence of its creations, rendering them impervious toplete annihtion unless confronted by a force mightier than the very creator of the stone itself. Destruction may tremble at the presence of these creations, for they possess an innate resilience that defiesplete obliteration.]


    [Destroy: This isn''t a wishing stone but a creation stone, so think ordingly. Any wrongmand for creation and the stone will destroy itself.]


    Dhruv trembles with excitement after reading its description. But manages to calm himself down after reading the fourth description, as any wrong move will cause the stone to destroy itself. It''s like the stone is mocking and saying how efficiently can you use me.


    ''First of all, let''s calm down.''


    He took a deep breath and calmed himself.


    After a while, he started going through his future ns and how he wanted to proceed from here on out.


    After calming down and thinking with all the energy his brain could muster, he decided what he was going to do with the stone.


    He brought the stone to his mouth and spoke softly


    "Create an ability that can help me fuse any and everything"

 Chapter 23: My Cheat

    <h4>Chapter 23: My Cheat</h4>


    Just as Dhruv said those words, the creation stone exploded into many tiny purple fragments... and started floating in front of him. They floated there for some time, after a while, it was as if some force was acting on them, and they started getting attracted together, forming a purple ball the size of a fist.


    The ball hovered for a while, then headed towards Dhruv''s head.


    First, he wanted to resist the invading ball but decided against it. And let the ball enter his head peacefully.


    For some time, nothing happened, and Dhruv thought he had done something wrong. But as the clock approached the fifth second mark, his head started burning like crazy..


    "Ahhhhhhh!" He kneeled on the ground as a sharp pain seared through his head.


    At first, the pain was only in the head, but after a moment, it started sliding down his throat reaching his chest..


    ''O..hhh!...no...nooo...''


    He already had a feeling what was about to happen and he was right...As his chest also started burning like crazy, increasing his agony twofold.


    But things didn''t stop there as it moved once again, moving from his chest, reaching both arms, then traveling through his stomach, and finally stopping after reaching his feet.


    "Ahhh! F..fuck! It finally stops," he muttered..


    But he had spoken too soon, as the energy started traveling back the same way it hade..


    "Ohh! FUUUUCK." He passed out due to all the pain he was going through.


    *****


    After a while, he got up from his nap and found himself drenched in sweat and blood..


    "Blood?!... where it came from..?"


    He got scared after seeing the blood and checked all over himself but didn''t manage to find any injuries. After seeing a bloody trail near his body, he calms down, as it was the blood of the dead body.


    He got up and opened his status window in hope of finding his new ability... After taking a look, he found the notification he had missed due to his nap.


    The notification was from the cosmos.. Congratting him for the new ability he had learned.


    [You have learned the ability True Fusion]


    ''So this is the skill I got..''


    Opening the description of the ability, he found nothing fancy, as the description repeated exactly the words he had said into the creation stone.


    [True Fusion: Ability to fuse any and everything]


    ''Now the real question is how to use this ability...''


    Just as the thought of using the skill appeared in his head, a new and vast amount of information started collecting in his head, giving him insight about how to use the skill. Apart from how to use the ability, there was much more information in it.


    A momentter, when he absorbs all the knowledge greedily...He knew that the pain was worth it.


    "Interesting.. There is so much I can do with this ability...


    He was surprised to find out that he could do so much more with this ability than he had thought at the time of its creation.


    His mind started to wonder about the possibility... He could promise that he could hear the sound of his heart throbbing loudly in excitement. That''s when his gaze moved toward the pile of dead bodies, and he got a crazy idea..


    ''What if I use fusion on these corpses?''


    Step by Step he began moving toward the pile.. His steps stopped all of a sudden. As he got an even crazier idea than his previous one..


    "What if I use a small part of my soul during the fusion? ... wouldn''t that make the resulting fusion a crazy strong person instead of a strong dead body?"


    He knew that he could use a part of his or anyone''s soul in the process of fusion to make a sentient being, even after using the inanimate objects. This knowledge, of course,es from the information he got after learning Fusion.


    Dhruv now wanted to try his crazy idea...


    With a beating heart, he crossed the final steps, and now the distance between him and the pile was just about a meter.


    He put his hand in front of the pile of corpses and said,


    "Fuse"


    After announcing the words, a strange energy began to gather in front of his hand.


    He knew this was the moment where he had tomand the energy, what does it have to fuse.


    He sent a mental signal to the energy that it has to fuse all the corpses. After sending the signales the moment if he wants to add his soul or not into the energy.


    He didn''t know how or why.. but now he knows the process of splitting a part of his soul and how to add it to the energy... So he started doing that.


    But knowing how to do it doesn''t mean he has full mastery over it.. he was still a newbie after all.


    he started flowing his soul into the energy... but something suddenly changed as his soul started getting sucked into the energy... as his soul started to get sucked a crazy amount of pain started washing over him.


    But at this point he was already getting familiar with pain so he didn''t panic and started controlling his soul... after a minute or two he finally managed to get control over his soul and stopped himself from getting sucked dry.


    But it was alreadyte at this point, as almost thrice the amount of soul got sucked then he had intended.


    The color of the energy started changing from purple to white as it began to get bigger and bigger.


    After reaching the size of a party balloon, it stopped getting bigger, signaling Dhruv that it was time to cast the spell..


    Dhruv looked at the energy, thinking how beautiful it looked... He cast the spell.


    The ball of energy traveled towards its intended target, enveloping it.


    The radius of the energy began expanding from all sides, covering all the corpses within it.


    ''Now.. What.?'' he thought.


    It had been five minutes, and nothing had changed. The white dome was still present, covering all the dead bodies.. And now Dhruv started panicking, but he couldn''t do anything except wait.


    *****


    When an hour had passed, the dome slowly started to subside, and a sound was heard in Dhruv''s ear...


    The sound of a heartbeat...

 Chapter 24: Sword, Shadow and Death

    <h4>Chapter 24: Sword, Shadow and Death</h4>


    Just as the veil of the white dome was about to go away, I heard something.. Something that was full of life... something that shouldn''t be here... in this cursed ce, but it was.


    I heard the sound of a heartbeat, and it wasn''ting from mine¡ªalthough mine was beating pretty hard due to all the anticipation¡ª no, this was from another creature.


    Slowly, the white dome started to disintegrate. On one side, the veil was disappearing and on the other, his heartbeat was going higher and higher...


    After a while, there was nothing but smoke left, and there was nothing left where the pile of corpses was supposed to be. All the dead bodies vanished into thin air like they had never existed in the first ce.. Even the blood, clothes, and all the weapons were gone.


    Dhruv stepped forward where there was smoke with caution. He wasn''t cautious because he was afraid of the creature. He knew that whatever was made with the fusion couldn''t harm him... even going so far as to say that they wouldn''t even dream of harming him¡ªtheir master. He was cautious because he didn''t want to shock the thing that had originated.


    He didn''t like the idea of being the master of a living creature... but he couldn''t do anything about it as this is how fusion works.


    When the smoke got away... the thing he saw left his eyes wide open.


    The ce where a living thing should have been... Instead of that, a blob of darkness was there, surrounding something or someone... To be precise, it was hiding something behind this imprable shield of darkness.


    ''Is that a skill..? he thought, trying to make sense of what the darkness was..


    He began inspecting the blob... and just like he was inspecting the blob, the blob was also inspecting him... trying to identify him.


    A momentter, it vibrated and began unfolding itself.


    Instinctively, Dhruv got one step back and was about to cast the metal arrow. But he stopped after seeing the ones that the darkness was hiding. There were three creatures instead of one, as he originally thought. But why didn''t he hear the other two heartbeats, you would ask? Because they didn''t have a heart to begin with.


    The one on the right was an undead skeleton made up of little skeletons. little skeleton because he was the size of a five year old baby, and his eyes were devoid of any light. Looking into them feels as if your soul would get sucked into them if you looked at them for long enough. There is one more interesting thing about him... if you look at his head, you will see a diamond shaped pitch ck gem embodied in his skull.


    Looking at the one who was in the middle of them... there was nothing noticeable about him except that he was the same height as the other two and madepletely out of darkness... but, after looking at him for a while, he understood that it wasn''t darkness, but the thing he was made of was shadow.


    ''So, he was the one who cast that shadowy skill... hiding them.''


    Looking at thest and the one he heard heartbeats, his heart melts as this one was just too cute to be true.


    The one who was on the left was an adorable wonder with a rounded, cherubic head that perfectly embodies the essence of innocence and arrogance. His big, curious red eyes sparkle with enthusiasm, reflecting a captivating sense of wonder about the world around him. His eyes are a striking contrast to his soft, radiantplexion, which showcases the true beauty of youth. But that wasn''t all, as if you looked closely at his head, you would see two small bumps on top of his head...


    But don''t let his cute appearance fool you, as he was holding a sword in his tiny hand like he was born to wield this thing and was grateful for that. The sword was made of ck material and red where it was sharpened.


    They felt the dhruv''s gaze on themselves, so they got up and began moving in the Dhruv''s direction.


    After reaching in front of him, they stop. All three looked directly into his eyes... after being satisfied with whatever they wanted. All three of them kneel in front of him... as if they were in the presence of the mightiest and most respectable being in the universe..


    Dhruv looked at them... He couldn''t stop his heart from melting.


    He signals them to stand up, as he couldn''t endure seeing three adorable people kneeling in front of him.


    Getting order, they stand up and stare at him like they are demanding something.


    "What...?" he questioned.


    [My Lord, name us.]


    One of them said... Didn''t even manage to say theplete word properly, but Dhruv understood nheless. They were asking to be named. He didn''t know who said it or how... but he was able to hear them without any form of speech because they were directly talking mind to mind.


    He focused his mind on it, and with some concentration, he figured out that it was the one who was made out of shadow who was speaking to him, but how he didn''t know yet.


    Without any time wasted, he simply asks him..


    [How are you talking to me?]


    After hearing, or more like understanding, that Dhruv was questioning him, all three of them trembled.


    ''Huh! Why are they feeling nervous all of a sudden..? Wait?! Wait a minute, why can I feel what they are feeling..?'' Instead of answering his previous question, another one appears in his mind.


    He looked at the trembling trio and said.


    [Look! I''m not going to eat you. So, tell me, how are you able to talk to me?]


    Again, the shadowy one steps forward like an elder brother protecting his siblings and says.


    [We made.. same soul, we can..talk.]


    [So, you guys are made of my soul; that''s why you were able to talk to me, right.?]


    [Yes..]


    He said it with a slight smile..?


    [And now you want me to name you, Is that right?]


    [yes]


    [what if it wouldn''t be to your liking?]


    [We don''t dare... Refuse master order..]


    He said with astonishment, like refusing my order... what''s that..?


    It''s never going to happen...


    [Then your name shall be... ric] he said, pointing at the one who was made up of shadow.


    [you, the one with the sword, your name shall be Vexar.]


    [THAANNNKKKUUU MMAASTTER] he shouted.


    [Ahhh! Why are you so aggressive..?] He questions but doesn''t get any reply, as Vexar was once again engrossed in admiring his sword.


    [Last but not least, from now on, you shall be remembered as Azrax.]

 Chapter 25: Alaric POV

    <h4>Chapter 25: ric POV</h4>


    Within the white dome, All the corpses and their possessions started to liquify, and everything changed to thick liquid. The second process began and they started to merge together, trying to form into one being. But before it could merge... three small white ethereal lights came and fused with the liquid.


    After the merging with the white glow, something fundamentally began to change within the fluid. The first and arguably the most noticeable, was that... Now, instead of bing one, it began to deconstruct and divide itself into three equal parts.


    After dividing into three separate fluids. One of the fluids began its transformation into something different, something magical... First, it changes its color from white to pitch ck, and the thing it was made out of was smoke¡ªpure smoke at this point in time.


    But that didn''tst long, as the smoke slowly began to solidify. And after a minute, its body changed from being made out of smoke to being made out of dark flesh.


    After finishing its transformation... It now looks like a five year old baby, but madepletely out of shadow.


    The soul essence within him began doing its job of granting life to this lifeless creature. The soul essence begins flowing from his head toward his chest... stops there for a while and then proceeds to get further down toward his feet... There it ended the process and fusedpletely with its body.


    After a moment, a slight ck glow appeared on his face where his eyes should have been¡ªif he had been a human child.


    He curiously looks toward the other two gooey things that were still in the process of being formed.


    He couldn''t see them as he didn''t have any eyes, but he could sense their presence due to his ability.


    After looking at them for a while, he noticed that one of the structures had begun forming into a pile of white bone, and after that, it began to arrange itself into a structure simr to his body shape.


    One thing he found interesting was that instead of traveling throughout the body like with him, his soul essence began concentrating into a strange shape he didn''t know of yet.. And get attached to a different shape of bone than his body was made of... Perhaps the shape of the bone in which his soul essence was concentrated was called round..


    For a second, he wonders how he knew about so many of these many things but dismissed it after reaching the conclusion that it must have been given to him by his master, his creator.. His everything.


    [..How.. Maglicent..]


    ''What..!?'' That doesn''t sound exactly like what he had thought. After thinking, why was that? Hees to the conclusion that he wasn''t worthy enough to handle all his master''s wisdom.


    While he was admiring his creator, the second one was fully formed. And now the third one has begun its journey toward life.. The life that was meant to serve the master.


    He looked toward the second one, who now looked like a creature made only out of bones. He was a totally different entity than himself but somehow he feels very affectionate toward him.


    No...no! That''s not the word he wanted to say... He just couldn''t find any other word. The words didn''t matter, as he knew that he must keep his brother safe from anything and everything.


    ''Brother... What.. a nice word...


    I looked at the second, probably the youngest of the brothers. Who now had started to form from the liquid... His body was totally different from mine and Skelly''s, it was more like abination of the two. His inner structure is made out of the same material as Skelly''s, and on the outside, it is made out of the same thing he was made of flesh... but at the same time, he felt it was totally different from his flesh.


    Now what is probably the most important factor in granting them life has begun... Infusing the soul''s essence into the created body


    Both I and Skelly looked at the process with total concentration. As the process began, the start was the same, as how it happened to me. Started at the center of his head and then got toward the chest area... and that''s where the simrity ends, as after that instead of traveling all through the body, it started concentrating in his left chest area.


    After the process was done, he came to life. Aftering to life, the first thing he did was look at his hand... And there was something in his hand. Ahhh!What is it called? Yes! There is a sword in his hand. Which was weird as I and Skelly didn''t have anything. But it could be a reward for him from the master.


    But for what?


    Ohh! It''s probably so he can even out his sword with the thing hanging out from his waist, between his legs.


    How wise is my... no! our lord.


    The youngest looked at us and said something


    [I wo..n''t s.ha..re sw..ord wit..h you.]


    Why would I even want your sword? I was about to say that, but Skelly looked into his eyes and scared him off.


    Hhahhaha..


    That''s what you get from messing with Skelly. I gave a thumbs up to Skelly and I myself was about to say something to the youngest when something happened..


    The dome surrounding us began to disappear.


    I looked at the dome disappearing... then looked at my vulnerable brothers and thought that it would be dangerous if they got out of this dome without the protection of the master.


    He did the only thing he was capable of..


    He got in the middle of his brothers and then inted himself like a balloon, covering Skelly and the youngest within himself.. Trying to protect themselves from any danger if the master was too absent..


    He felt something strange..


    [sto..p po..ke youngest.]


    He says this to the youngest as he is poking him from the inside with his sword... And that didn''t feel right at all.


    Finally, the dome disappeared and now they were at the mercy of whoever found them.


    Just as the dome disappeared, he sensed someone traveling in his direction... He focused with all his might, trying to sense who it was.


    When his senses touched theyer of the creature who was approaching them... a strange feeling began to take root inside him. The emotion was hard to describe, but if he had to use human words, he would describe it as loyalty, respect, belonging, and unwavering devotion.


    But these were mere words, and mere words can''t truly show the emotion he was feeling at the moment.


    After confirming that there was no danger, he began unfolding himself.


    After unfolding and looking at his brothers, he was happy to see that his brothers felt the same way he felt toward their master.


    After looking at the master, we thought of doing the obvious and began going toward him.


    We kneel, as everyone should do, in front of the master.


    After seeing us kneeling, the master signals us to stand up.


    ''How benevolent is our master, isn''t it?''


    I looked at his eyes... and began to admire them when suddenly master spoke..


    "What..?"


    After hearing the question... I say the thing which was in my mind from the moment I was born..


    [My Lord, name us.]


    ... asking to be named.


    But the answer that came wasn''t... what I was prepared for.


    [How are you talking to me?] Comes the question...


    After hearing the question, I realized my mistake...How can I, a mere worthless ve, ask for something from the master? I was about to beg for forgiveness, but master being the master was once again one step ahead of me.


    Probably feeling my regret, he says...


    [Look! I''m not going to eat you. So, tell me, how are you able to talk to me?]


    Once again, that goes to show how benevolent our master is. Now, I can answer the question without any hesitation..


    [We made.. same soul, we can..talk.]


    [So, you guys are made of my soul; that''s why you were able to talk to me, right.?]


    [Yes..]


    Talking with the master sure is pleasant..


    [And now you want me to name you, Is that right?]


    The moment I was waiting for, so without wasting any time, I said yes.


    [what if it wouldn''t be to your liking?]


    Master sure is humorous as well, I mean... Who would dare refuse the name bestowed by such a mirthful figure?


    For all of us, I muttered.. [We don''t dare.. Refuse master order..]


    Master, happy with my response, gave me the thing I longed for, from the moment I was born..


    [Then your name shall be.. ric]


    Ahhh! What a nice name... Now, with this, I feelplete.


    Confirming my idea.. Something voiced in my head.


    [Dear ric, Wee within the realm of Cosmos.]

 Chapter 26: The Vision of a far future

    <h4>Chapter 26: The Vision of a far future</h4>


    In a faraway ce away from the horrors of humanity, there exists a peaceful tribe named Orian.


    They were located far away from any human settlement for the purpose of not staining themselves with greed. They live in peace and harmony, away from the worries of being of a different race or connected with other nations'' borders. For survival, they hunt, farm, or gather, and only get into contact with people when there is an absolute need. Like recently, they met with their nation''s alleged leader for not letting anyone enter their territory, because recently the cases of people entering had gone exponentially for the purpose of filming them.


    It''s not like they hate them or anything. On the contrary, they were a loving bunch. It''s just that they didn''t rest peacefully like they should have. They didn''t behave like guests should. Instead, they would go out of their way to record their females and children for more poprity... and even go as far as to record their priestesses, and that is the part they hate so much.


    And so, In the end, they had to ban all guests from entering their tribe and personal lives.


    In the tribe, the position of the priestess is very important, as she is the one who handles all the critical decisions for the tribe... They even go so far as to say that their tribe couldn''t exist without the presence of the priestess.


    But things had changed for the worse in thest week. The tribe was in a very gloomy situation after the arrival of evolution. To get out of this predicament, they decided to sacrifice animals and present them in front of their goddess for any guidance on what they had to do in this cmity for survival.


    ******


    It had been ten hours since the sacrifice was made. The priestess has been seated in her position like a statue for the past ten hours in order to receive the vision... but hasn''t been sessful as of yet. This is a concerning matter, as this hasn''t happened to her until today. She always had her visions within two or three hours.


    The smell of blood and constant breaths of smoke started to take a toll on her body. but there wasn''t any sign of vision... If this continued for another hour or two, there was a very high possibility of her death due to inhaling this much smoke... and that wasn''t a fluke; as it had happened with many previous priestesses.


    But that didn''t scare her off; as for the priestess, her life wasn''t full of love. She knew that her life belonged to the tribe and she had to follow the teachings of her predecessor with her life.


    But the worst didn''t happen, and just after twenty minutes..


    Her vision started to fade away slowly, slowly.


    A hint of a smile appears on her face as this confirms that the sacrifice has been received and now the vision will start at any moment. A momentter her vision got entirely cked out... And she began to fall from the sky like a free star.


    While falling, the thing she saw made her eyes stretch in astonishment...


    From the looks of it, she was falling above a pretty big ind... but that wasn''t the cause of her astonishment. No! The cause of her astonishment was the inhabitants of the ind as it was filled with different races¡ª not like the type of race humans divide themselves into but a literal one¡ª it was filled with humans, then there was a type of spider-human, and there were also beings made out of ice...


    But before she could identify all of them... she got teleported into the middle of a grand hall.


    In the grandiose halls, there sat a king... Probably... whose presence alonemanded respect and awe. His name she didn''t know... as she didn''t recall meeting him anywhere when they had gone to meet rulers.


    His visage was a sight to behold, even for her. At the center of his captivating appearance were his magnificent brown eyes, like pools of rich, warm cocoa, which seemed to hold the wisdom of hundreds of battles and the depths of boundlesspassion.


    His face was nothing but a work of artistry, sharp in its angles, sculpted with an aura of infinite authority that showed only strength and determination. Each line etched upon his countenance told the story of battles fought, challenges ovee, and the responsibilities of ruling a kingdom that weighed heavily on his shoulders. His high cheekbones and defined jawline portrayed a ruler who could weather any storm that dared to grace and fortitude.


    Crowning his head was a cascade of long, luscious pure white hair, bundled and cascading down his broad shoulders.


    But that wasn''t all. Upon his magnificent throne, his majesty was nked by his six formidable guardians, each one as formidable as the other and only beneath the king himself.


    The strange thing she found was that every guardian was of a different race than the king. She couldn''t clearly see the details, as it looked like they were surrounded by some kind of illusion protecting them from any kind of prying.


    But one thing was clear... as they d themselves in armor that shone like the morning sun, they looked like the living embodiment of unwavering loyalty and devotion to their king. With eyes sharp as eagles, they scanned the surroundings, ever vignt to protect their sovereign and the kingdom.


    As the king sat surrounded by these guardians, his courtiers, and subjects gazed upon him in admiration and reverence. That suggests that he must have ruled his subjects with fairness, justice, and benevolence, earning him the unwavering loyalty and love of his people.


    Before she could find any more information, the king''s eyes met with hers, and that''s when her vision ended. Now she knew what she had to do in order to ensure the safety of her tribe


    She calls her guard and tells him to call all the tribe members.


    An hourter, everyone had gathered together except for the one who had gone for the hunt.


    "Dear tribe member, I have finally received the vision of our goddess," she announced.


    Everybody just erupts in joy. When she said those words, the tribe members jumped in happiness. They were pretty nervous when, even after ten hours, there wasn''t any good news.


    "Thank goddess"


    "I had bad feelings for this one... but thank you, goddess Selena, for not abandoning us."


    "All hail, goddess Selena!"


    "All hail, goddess Selena."


    Seeing the smile on her tribe member''s face, a calm and elegant smile appears on her as well. But she hides it away, knowing how difficult things are going to be from here on out.


    "Everybody, please Calm down," she said quietly.


    The crowd was instantly silenced by one whisper from her. She proceeded to tell her the n they had to follow to reach... safety.


    "In the vision, I saw a magnificent city filled with monsters and humans..." After the mention of monsters, some members showed a frown on their faces. Ignoring them, she continued, "... But fear not, as there wasn''t any hint of jealousy, battle, or any sort of malice toward any of their fellow mates, just like us. They lived in total harmony..."


    She lets the crowd fill in, then continues.


    "... In my opinion, we should migrate to this ind, and we should be safe from the horror of this cmity that will fall upon the world in the very future..."


    The crowd was silent still. Then she continues again, saying her final words.


    "... But this is a heavy decision... and I couldn''t decide this myself. So I ask the elders and the members of our tribe to voice their opinion on the future of our tribe. I hope we will decide the best course of action," the priestess announced.


    After the revtion, the crowd got into a discussion.


    After a while, an elderly womanes out from the crowds and gets in front of the priestess...


    "You''re not only holy but also a smart person, Lyra. So, I think the decision about our future can be easily put on your shoulders." Mumbled the elderly woman.


    "Yes, the elder is the right priestess... You should decide the course of the future, and we will follow your order till the end." One of the crowd members said..


    "Yes! Yes, we will follow your order, priestess..." Another one said.


    Like a chain reaction... Everyone voiced their agreement.


    "If this is the will of everyone, then this is exactly how we will proceed."


    She stood in front of a small temple and announced...


    "In the presence of the goddess, Serena...I, Lyra, the fifteenth priestess of the Orian tribe, had decided that... for the better future of our tribe, we would travel far north and then reside on the ind I had seen in the vision."


    After cooking and eating the sacrificed animal, they began preparing for the journey that was going to be filled with nothing but danger. But this was the will of their goddess, and they would follow it till they died.

 Chapter 27: Exclusive attributes

    <h4>Chapter 27: Exclusive attributes</h4>


    As the night surrenders to the embrace of the dawn, a breathtaking spectacle begins to unfold¡ªthe arrival of a new day painted across the canvas of the sky. The air is cool and serene, carrying with it a sense of anticipation and renewal.


    As time progresses, the sky transitions through a mesmerizing disy of colors. Hues of deep purple, indigo, and navy blue slowly give way to lighter shades of pink, orange, and gold. The horizon bes a seamless blend of warm tones, with the stars quietly retreating into the background, their brilliance fading against the approaching light.


    Feeling the warmth of the sunlight on his face, Dhruv got out of bed. God knows how many months have gone by without him sleeping peacefully. But now it wasn''t for beingzy¡ªno matter how much his mind craves it. Looking at the rising sun through his window, he remembers his conversion with the trio.


    One day had passed since the birth of the trio and many things had changed as well. First and foremost, they now have something to wear... except for ric, who refused to wear any clothes, saying that it hindered his ability to urately interfere with his shadow sense.


    The clothes were bought from the cosmic store with the help of coins, as there weren''t any clothes in child sizes lying in the prison... And why would they even be?


    Talking about the trio, there is one thing that is bothering him so much. And that was because they were so loyal to Dhruv that it almost feels like they view themselves as ves in front of him.


    I mean, I wanted loyal partners for my quests, but this isn''t something even I amfortable with. I probably consider myself a very adept person.


    As he had killed so many people despite having no prior involvement in any crimes. And If the circumstances demanded it, he wouldn''t hesitate to do it all over again. But keeping someone against their will... that thing even makes him shiver, but the strange thing is that they enjoy serving me.


    "And there is a saying.."If anyone loves doing something, who are you to judge them?"¡ªprobably something like that.


    After their arrival, my knowledge of the cosmos had grown much more. Prior to their existence, he often thought that if the cosmos gave everyone an equal chance, Could monsters also be able to level up like us humans, and evolve their ss?


    And with this question, another one always pops up... If maybe monsters also level up like us and obtain sses like swordsmen, spearmen, wizards, etc., then how will they use these types of sses, which require hands... if you want to use the full potential of that ss? Of course.


    But you see! I was wrong, but only partially; And they indeed level up after killing their opponent¡ªnot like how we acquire exp¡ªand absorb their monster core. Like, for humans, our soul is most important; and just like that, it was their monster core.


    After absorbing their opponent''s core, their own core will start to fill up, and after filling up the required amount, they could begin the process of their evolution. And unlike us, instead of only evolving their ss, their whole body evolves.


    Talking about their bodies, there was one more difference between humans and monsters. Monsters can mutate their own body parts with the help of an energy known as essence. They get essence points after eating any living organism.


    Evolving a monster can be very efficient, as monster bodies provide very beautiful benefits. The benefit was that they could buy cores from anywhere and evolve without any danger of being in battle.


    But monsters alone couldn''t exploit this w in the system because they don''t possess the intelligence required for trade. But this will change if they are under a master who can provide them with sufficient core.


    But just like there weren''t any blessings without a curse, there was also a w in them. The w was very simple yet very problematic at the same time. The exp, or essence, they get from the core is almost one-fifth of what a human would get for killing the same creature.


    But one thing that still bothers him and he still doesn''t understand is why the trio seems to possess human traits; for example, Vexer wields a sword like a human swordsman would, and Azarax seems very good at handling magic, yet the cosmos considers them Monsters, not even hybrids, but full fledge monsters.


    He had tried to think about it all night but couldn''te to any reasonable conclusion, so he stopped searching for an answer¡ªfor now, that is.


    Because today he had a very important thing to do.


    After naming them, the cosmos informed him that he could copy one of their exclusive attributes for himself if he wanted to. Just like it sounded, this was a very good thing; he would get an exclusive attribute without having to do anything, so he was so eager to try it out.


    Talking about exclusive attributes, his own has not bloomed yet; why would that be?


    ''Will he get a powerful attribute... just like the creation stone. That would be so good..''


    Before he could distract himself from his n, he pulled himself out of his mind


    ''Focus Dhruv! Focus, Let''s not distract ourselves...''


    Fully determined, he called the trio that was guarding the door of his room, protecting him from God knows who, as there wasn''t a single soul left on this deserted ind except for themselves.


    Vexar and Azarx entered the room after listing themand, but ric was nowhere to be found.


    Dhruv didn''t find ric in the gang and was almost about to panic when he remembered that he didn''t have to worry about him, as this one always seemed and probably loves to reside in his shadow.


    ric also exited the shadow of his master when he heard hismand, but was almost reluctant to leave the embrace of his kin.


    All three lined up in front of him like school children getting ready for morning prayer.


    He called the little swordsman and peered at his status.


    --------------------------


    Name: Vexar


    Species: Lesser fire demon


    Core: Tier I [O%]


    Magic Affinity: Fire (S)]


    There was some simrity with his own status, like the name and affinity section being the same as his... but that''s where the simrities end, as instead of ss, his shows species, and in ce of level, here it is written as core...


    ''So, Vexar''s core was of tier I... and that [0%] shows how much it had filled as of yet, which was nothing..''


    [Stats: Strength Lv. 35, Stamina Lv. 30, Agility Lv. 30, Magic Power Lv. 25]


    ''Woah! They got 30 as their average stat; talk about cheating.''


    [Exclusive attributes: Soul Bond, Master Swordsmen,


    Skills: Basic mana maniption Lv.1, Basic Fire resistance Lv.3, sh Lv.1, Thrust Lv.1


    Mutation: Arm +0, Legs +0


    Skill point: 0


    Essence point: 0]


    He found two exclusive attributes on Vexar''s status, but it wasn''t of his liking. So, he didn''t copy it and left it as it was. Decided to look once again after his evolution to tier II.


    Dejected, he looks at Azarx''s status...


    "Now we talking..."


    With that creepy smile made his debut in front of the trio... making them shiver in cold sweats.

 Chapter 28: Second main Quest

    <h4>Chapter 28: Second main Quest</h4>


    ---------------------------


    Name: Azarex


    Species: Lesser Undead


    Core: Tier I [O%]


    Magic Affinity: Death (S), Darkness (D)


    Stats: Strength Lv. 25, Stamina Lv. 30, Agility Lv. 25, Magic Power Lv. 40


    Exclusive attributes: Soul Bond, Poison immunity, Undead


    Skills: Basic mana maniption Lv.3, Necromancy Lv.3, Life drain Lv.2


    Mutation: Death Crystal +0, Skeleton +0


    Skill point: 0


    Essence point: 0


    ---------------------------


    So, this is what Azarex''s status looks like. Immediately, he noticed the simrities and differences between him and Vexar.


    The simrity being, that both were lesser types of their species and were also tier I with [O%] in their way to filling the core.


    Azarex''s stats were more heavily focused on the magic side, whereas Vexar''s were on the physical side, and that makes sense. He also noticed that Azarex has two types of magic affinity, just like him. And both of them sound ominous¡ªDeath and Darkness. But that was a good thing, as he was now on his side.


    ''So, the thing in his skull is called the Death Crystal, ''he thought after seeing it mentioned in the mutation section.


    And now was the time to reveal the thing he was waiting for¡ª his exclusive abilities. Without even opening it, he knew which he was going to select.


    Dhruv clicks on the letter showing the names of the abilities to open their description..


    [Soul Bond: You are bonded with your masters through souls.]


    This one was pretty simple and exnatory in itself.


    [Undead: You are a creature of Death.]


    This was also simple in its description, but after talking to Azarex, I found out that this is a prettyplex attribute. ording to him, he would get many benefits from being undead due to this attribute, like increasedprehension in death magic, ack of fatigue, and curses wouldn''t affect him. But there was also some downside to this, as he couldn''t use magic rted to holy very well, would receive extra damage from holy or light magic, and couldn''t sleep or eat anything.


    But this wasn''t the end of it as he would get its effects and ws enhanced with each evolution. So, even after these ws, I wanted to copy this attribute... but to my disappointment, I couldn''t copy it because I wasn''t undead.


    So, he looked at the third¡ªtechnically, second¡ª attribute...


    [Poison immunity: You are immune to natural poison.]


    This attribute wasn''t of any use to Azarexa, as he didn''t have any blood vessels. So this attribute was pretty much useless to him.


    But!... But in the hands of Dhruv, it would give him so much passaway, that he couldn''t even imagine.


    He would not only resist but also be totally immune to any type of poison in nature. This was such a big thing that it couldn''t even be described in words. Now that this whole evolution thing has begun, God knows how many monsters or beasts will evolve to use poison as their offensive tool.


    But one thing that confused him a lot was that, in the attribute description, it was mentioned that it would only work against natural poison... which means there must be different types of poison. One such type of poison he could think of right now is a magical type.


    After all, when anything was possible with magic, why not poison?


    He quickly tells Azarex toe close so he can transfer this attribute to himself... afraid that the cosmos will strip him of his ability to copy-paste.


    He put one hand on his skull near the death crystal and began the process. His mind goes ck Just a momentter, he touches the skull. And now he is floating in the middle of nowhere, which was arguably the inside of the Azarex monster core*.


    The moment he thought of copying the attribute, three attributes began floating in front of him in the form of a dark orb. He noticed that there was a shield surrounding the [Soul Bond] and [Undead] attributes, preventing him from touching them. He looks at the lonely [Poison immunity], the only one that wasn''t surrounded by a shield... and says that he can copy it.


    He hesitated for a moment, thinking of the consequences that could befall on him. But he quickly dismissed it, knowing, now wasn''t the time to step back.


    As his hand trembled, he reached for the orb. A spark surged through him as he made contact. Time itself slows down as Dhruv begins to feel something changing within himself, something at a fundamental level. The process wasn''t painful like his previous works, on the contrary, it was almost rxing.


    But the peace didn''tst, as just a momentter, the rxing feeling was gone. But there was still a smile on his face, and the reason for this smile was the notification floating in front of him.


    [You have received the exclusive attribute Poison immunity.]


    He had received the attribute, and just as it was mentioned, there was still [Poison immunity] orb floating in Azarexs'' Core.


    After finishing the process, he closes his eyes and gets transported into his body.


    "Thank you Azarex for letting me copy your exclusive attribute." With a pleasant smile, Dhruv thanked Azerax.


    "You don''t have to thank this lowly servant like me for anything, My lord. I exist only for the sole purpose of serving you... and I am very happy with it." Azarex countered Dhruv almost instantly.


    Dhruv knew it wasn''t wise to argue with him, so he simply nodded.


    Knowing now that it was his turn, rices forward and stops in front of Dhruv.


    ---------------------------


    Name: ric


    Species: Lesser shadow


    Core: Tier I [O%]


    Magic Affinity: Shadow (S), Shield (D)


    Stats: Strength Lv. 25, Stamina Lv. 30, Agility Lv. 40, Magic Power Lv. 25


    Exclusive .... : Soul Bond, ...... , .....


    S.... : Basic ... maniption Lv.1, .... Cloak Lv.2, Shadow meld Lv.2, Mana Shield Lv.1


    Mutation: Shadow Skin +0


    Skill point: 0


    Essence point: 0


    ---------------------------


    Dhruv gazes at ric''s status... But before he could even read it properly, a new and terrifying notification appeared on top, shadowing some of its information.


    The new notification was terrifying, yet a smile appeared on Dhruv''s face... after reading it...


    [The second main quest has appeared]


    ****


    [*= Azarex Death crystal and Monster core are two different things, and both exist within him.]

 Chapter 29: Class evolution

    <h4>Chapter 29: ss evolution</h4>


    It had been one hour since the announcement of the second quest, and as Coby had mentioned, this is going to be a hell of a journey, from the looks of it.


    Dhruv had lost count of how many times he had opened the quest window, looking at the slowly ticking clock.


    [Main Quest #02- Survive the Onught]


    Description: After getting the role you excel in, Now is the time to use your role and survive the onught of monsters that wille out of the existing cracks in the near future.


    Clear condition: Survive for three days.


    Time limit: 3 Days


    Reward: ording to your performance.


    Failure: .... ]


    [Time left before the start of the second quest: 00:57:46]


    So, ording to the description of the quest, the monsters will pour out of the cracks. That means there must be two such cracks on this ind; one that was in my room and another that the warden had found.


    This time, the cosmos was generous enough to give us some time for preparation, which I weed with open hands as I myself had some things to prepare.


    Despite the unrealness, it was true that in the next hour, the horror would begin¡ªnot that I am afraid of it or anything¡ªit was just quite... fascinating. I wasn''t afraid because of my pride, of course. This time, I''ve been preparing quite well. As for the past hour, I''ve been investing my coins slowly into my stats, increasing them bit by bit.


    Why slowly-slowly? You would ask. And the answer was simple because I cannot increase my stats more than five levels at a time. And this was the exact reason why, despite having coins, I couldn''t upgrade my stats while fighting the warden.


    I cannot increase my stats, saying it would be unfair... as It''s not blocking or stopping me from investing in it, but the reason was that suddenly increasing stats will put quite a burden on the body and it would do more harm than good. This I had learned the hard way.


    One thing I noticed when investing my coins is that I can''t give coins to the trio, as due to being monsters, they can''t use coins for upgrading their stats... Forget about upgrading their stats; they can''t use coins for anything. And that''s why they don''t even have ess to the cosmic store for themselves.


    This wouldn''t pose any problem if they behaved as normal and asked me for anything they would need, which I could buy for them. But they were anything but normal and wouldn''t ask for anything on their own. Even after telling them that it isn''t an inconvenience for me to buy it, they refuse to do it. So in the end, I had to order them... which hurt a little... but I did it nheless, as this would increase the chance of their own survival.


    After ordering, they finally found the courage to ask for a few things, and the first one was... obviously! Vexar, asking for another sword.


    And the funny thing is, when I asked, what do you need a second sword for?


    He looked at me like, Are you crazy?¡ªnot in the sense of disrespect, of course. And proceed to say who doesn''t wa... n..need a second sword.


    I understood what his motives were, but I didn''t argue with this sword-loving bastard and bought him another one from the shop. And when he saw that I could just pop things from nowhere... he hurriedly asked for another one.


    In the end, I have to buy him three swords, costing me 3000 CC. Now this bastard has four swords, two hanging from both sides of his waist. Remembering the look on his face when he hung all four of his swords on his waist, I knew it was all worth it. I couldn''t even be mad at this little demon.


    The other two weren''t that crazy; ric asked me to buy him a sharp dagger, and Azarex''s demand was for a magical scepter so he could channel his magic well. Those two items also cost me 3000 CC¡ª1000 for the dagger and 2000 for the magical scepter.


    I also bought one staff for myself, as it could help me cast spells faster and with much better uracy¡ªording to Azarex. All the items were ofmon rank without any enchantments. Maybe that was the reason for their cheap price.


    As for some misceneous items, I bought some health and mana potions in case of a dire situation. I couldn''t buy them before, despite being able to ess the store, which is another thing that bothers me. After buying some more items that look like they could be useful, I close the shop.


    With all the shopping done, I looked at probably the most important thing I have to do before diving into the second quest, and that was to evolve my ss, which was left alone for quite some time.


    [You have reached the limit of your current ss, Do you want to evolve it]


    [ Yes/ No ]


    With a sense of aplishment in his mind, he pressed the yes button.


    [Congrattions on reaching the limit of your ss! The evolution of the ss will allow you to understand and perform it better.


    WARNING! The exp you will earn from creatures with less evolved versions will decrease.


    These are the options avable for your ss evolution


    -Spearman (Common)


    -Hunter (Common)


    -Mass-Murderer (Umon)


    -Spear-master (Umon)


    -Adept Mage (Umon)


    -Miragencer (Umon)


    -Magic Warrior (Umon) ]


    So, this time I have seven options. Compared to the six I gotst time, it wasn''t that much of an improvement, but that really wasn''t the case. Because, this time, I got five umon level ssespared to the three I gotst time.


    [Spearman: A spearman is a skilled warrior who specializes in the art ofbat with a spear. They possess exceptional proficiency in handling this versatile weapon, both for thrusting and throwing. Spear-men are known for their ability to maintain distance, deliver precise strikes, and provide effective defense against adversaries.


    The skills <Thrust> and <Throw> are given, along with a bonus of 5 in agility.]


    [Hunter:A hunter is a highly skilled individual who specializes in tracking and eliminating targets. With extensive knowledge of weapons, camouge, and tracking techniques, they excel at locating and dispatching their prey with lethal precision.


    The skills <Locate Prey> and <Track> are given, along with a strength bonus of 5.]


    As expected, these two were the same as thest time, so I skipped over them without much thought.


    Looking at the name of the third option, a frown appeared on my face... but when my gaze got to its description, a smile¡ªcreepy¡ª appeared on my face.

 Chapter 30: Mass-Murderer?

    <h4>Chapter 30: Mass-Murderer?</h4>


    [Mass-Murderer: You are nothing but a more defiled version of a murderer. Whereas murderers could satisfy their hunger by just killing a few... You can''t control yourself until youmit genocide. But that isn''t a bad thing, as you could be an immovable mountain in the presence of arge enemy.


    WARNING! If you choose this ss, your entry could be denied in many ces.


    The skills <Mass Enrage>, <Crowd Cyclone>, <Indomitable Resilience> and <Aura of fear> are given, along with a bonus of 25 in strength.]


    Now, this is much better than thest version of this ss, and why wouldn''t it be better? After all, it is an evolved version of it.


    The immediate boost of 25 stats is already too sweet, considering the thousands of coins I have to invest for it to upgrade just a single level.


    But that wasn''t all. On top of that, there are four skills given as rewards, and one of them even sounds like an advanced skill to me¡ªAura of Fear¡ªbut the rest of them aren''t just for the show, of course.


    ording to [Mass Enrage] description, it''s an aggro-type skill that lets the enemy pay more attention toward me on the battlefield.


    The [Crowd Cyclone] is also a CC (crowd control) type skill that lets me make a cyclone in the middle of the enemy hoard, which would be a pretty good advantage. And ording to the description of [Indomitable resilience], activating this skill would temporarily grant immense resistance to magic, physical damage, and mental maniption. Meaning I would be pretty much invincible for some time.


    The synergy of these three skills fits very well with each other. For example, after activating [Mass Enrage], all the enemy''s focus would be on me, and as a result, they would gather around me. And that would make the best opportunity to activate the [Indomitable resilience] along with the [Crowd cyclone] where the number of enemies was thergest. With thisbination, I could clear out arge number of enemies pretty fast.


    Andst but not least, we have [Aura of Fear], which is self-exnatory. This is a passive skill that lets me have an aura of fear around me... which isn''t that powerful but could be useful in some cases.


    This ss could be a good option despite its restrictions for my evolution if there aren''t any that could match it.


    Moving on, we have Spear-Master...


    [Spear-Master: In the realm of warriors, the Spear Master reigns supreme as the unparalleled Sovereign of Piercing Precision. With the grace of a seasoned dancer and the power of a relentless storm, they wield their spear-like an extension of their very soul, making every strike an ethereal masterpiece.


    The skills <Whirling Spear>,


    , <Spear Mastery> and <Tempest Charge> will be given along with a boost of 15 in agility and 5 in strength.]


    ''Why is the description so cool but the skills are all basic? Is there someone trying to sell these things?'' he couldn''t help but think after reading the description and the rewards.


    The skills are obviously not as bad as I made them sound. But!... but it just couldn''tpare with the skill of [Mass murderer].


    ''Why am I so attracted toward the mass murderer ss? What! It''s not like I''m starting to like it or anything. I''m attracted to it for the reward.. Yes! Just for rewards. Just look at its reward: it even has more stat bonuses than this spear-master.


    ''So, this spear-master is a no from me''


    The fifth on the list is Adapt Mage.


    ''Let''s see what you have got for me..''


    [Adapt mage: You are no longer an apprentice and have advanced in your journey toward the realm of myth and arcane. The adept mage is a step ahead of the apprentice mage, which would give you a boost in casting magic with ease.


    The skills <Telekinesis>, <Dispel Magic>, <Elemental Bolt,> and <Mana Drain> will be given along with a boost of 25 in magical power.]


    ''Ohhh! The is also pretty good''


    This Adapt mage also gives four skills along with a pretty good upgrade in stats.


    Its skills are pretty versatile as well, covering both the offensive and defensive sides. There was a skill simr to telekinesis that I had seen in the metal magic blueprint, but it wasn''t this flexible and could only work against metallic objects. Compared to that one, which only works against metallic things, this could work with anything, Metal or not.


    Other skills are also good, if not better than this one. [Dispel magic] would let me dispel the spell cast by the enemy, which can be a very good defensive skill. [Mana drain] could also be counted in this category, as it will help me drain the mana of the opponent upon contact with their body.


    [Elemental bolt] is an excellent offensive spellpared to its predecessor, which was [Mana bolt]. I hadn''t used [Mana Bolt] because its offensive power was so low. But looking at the [Elemental bolt] description, this ought to be good.


    The secondst ss is the same one I got thest time, so I skipped it... of course, after checking that there weren''t any changes, which clearly weren''t any.


    Last but not least, we have a magic warrior...


    [Magic warrior: You have decided to walk on the path of magic and might. There is nothing that you can''t do when ites to fighting. Using the knowledge of the arcane along with the might of a warrior, you will be thest to fall.


    The skills <Adaptive Mastery>, <Mana Drain>, <Mana Infusion>, <Tempest Charge,>, <Elemental Bolt> and <Basic heal> will be given along with a boost of 15 in both strength and magical power.]


    ''hohooho..! Sweet...''


    This one is probably the best so far.


    At my first ss selection, I totally neglected the path of warriors, but that was my naivet¨¦; as at this level of skill, I ain''t so proficient in magic casting that I could totally neglect my use of the spear. So, this time I had to also consider that, which I would.


    Looking at the skills that were going to be given as rewards, this ss is the most generous of all in that category, as it gives a total of six skills along with a total of 30 bonus stats on top of that, which was the icing on top of the cake.


    The skills were also good!... Not just good, but top-notch. The first skill [Adaptive mastery] allows me to adapt well to any situation. So this without a doubt is an exceptional skill.


    As previously mentioned in the adapt mage ss, the [Mana Drain] is already a good skill, but it does not stop there, and its description got an update as well. Previously, I had to touch my opponent with my skin for it to drain mana, but this time the effect will also work when I use my weapon.


    The third skill, Mana Infusion, is an enchantment-type skill that lets me enchant my weapon and armor with ayer of mana, making them more durable and sharp. This doesn''t sound much at the moment, but when facing a hoard, even a little bit is a pretty big edge to have.


    As the name suggests, the [Tempest Charge] is an offensive skill that makes charging into the ranks of the enemy more destructive.


    Last but not least, we have [Basic heal].


    I can''t even express how happy I am to see this skill on the list. No matter how much I searched, I couldn''t find any healing skills in the skill buying¡ªthe skill you can buy with the help of skill points¡ªand had already lost hope of ever obtaining them.


    ''But, I guess, my luck has finally started to shine.''


    Just the [Basic heal] increases the value of the magic warrior so much.


    I don''t think there is anything more that can be done. And this is the best I can get from this evolution.


    For a moment, I thought of [mass murderer]... but in my opinion, it wasn''t the best choice. Yes! It is a good ss despite its restrictions, but one thing that itcks is adaptability for the future. As a murderer, I can''t really guarantee the path of evolution it''s going to take in the future, making this a bit unreliable in the process.


    Not wanting to be in the middle of a dilemma, I hurriedly clicked on the [Magic Warriors] option.


    The moment I clicked on it, a current of pain washed over me, beginning the change it needed, In order to increase my stat.


    ''Fuc...fuck fuck''


    After developing a connection with pain, I believed I was bing quite resilient to it¡ªbut how naive I turned out to be!


    ******


    I didn''t know I would pass out from the pain, but that was exactly what happened. And I was lying on the floor, drenched in sweat.


    After copying their abilities, the trio had gone out, so they didn''t see me in this miserable state... Well, expect ric, as he is always in my shadow.


    Feeling the strength flowing through my body, I knew that the pain I had endured wasn''t for nothing.


    There was a smile hung upon his face after feeling the strength coursing through his veins. But then the shape of his lips suddenly changes and he panics. He abruptly opens his status and looks at the ticking clock...


    [Time left before the start of the second quest: 00:4:07]

 Chapter 31: Goblins

    <h4>Chapter 31: Goblins</h4>


    Probably a minute had left before the start of the second quest; the shorter the time, the more unsettling his feelings were getting.


    Once again, opening the status, he looked at the ticking clock, probably thest time...


    [Time left before the start of the second quest: 00:00:50]


    And he was right; there were only 50...48.. seconds left before the start of the quest. He looked at the clock, which began to tick slowly the closer it got to zero¡ªOr that''s how he felt at the moment. He kept looking at the slowly descending number.


    Before long, the number reached...10


    Then 9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1!


    The moment the number hit 0, it seemed like the world had be dreadful. Dhruv only managed to regain his senses after listing the sound of the cosmos.


    [The Second Quest had started.]


    The moment he heard the notification, it was as if a strange but dreadful aura had spread all over the. Feeling a sense of dread, a chill ran down his spine.


    Another weird thing happened, two pirs of light got shot up in the sky. Dhruv saw these pirs of light despite being surrounded by walls from all sides.


    ''It looks like they had some kind of glowing effect..'' This is the only reasonable conclusion he coulde up with.


    These two weren''t the only pirs, as he could see countless others ahead of him. He was so mesmerized by it that he forgot to look behind himself.


    Dhruv knew the location of these pirs¡ªat least one of them, as one of the light pirs was on the exact location where his cell was. The other one was on the far right of his cell, at the end of the prison.


    ''Perhaps that was the crack from which the warden had absorbed his power.'' he thought.


    He was indeed correct, and this is the exact crack from which the warden absorbed mana and became one of the chosen.


    The pir of light remained for a second, then disappeared,pleting its duty.


    He began moving out of the room and wanted to leave the prison so that he didn''t have to face the monsters from all directions.


    The prison is surrounded by probably 10 Meter walls from all directions, with only one gap in it''s defense. And that gap was for the purpose of entry and exit.This is exactly what Dhruv was aiming for.


    "Vexar and Azarex, let''s get out of here." Exiting the room, he orders the duo.


    All three of them began moving toward the entrance of the prison¡ªactually, four.


    While sprinting toward the exit, they began hearing growls; at first they were barely audible, but as time passed, they began to sound louder. Fearing the worst, Dhruv sprinted with all his might, which was quite fast considering his stats.


    And not long after that, they got out of the prison safe and sound¡ªfor now at least. He didn''t close the gate of the prison because being safe wasn''t his goal. His goal was to hunt. And with the help of its narrow gate, he is going to achieve this. Because of the narrow space, they couldn''t move forward together as it was only a two or three-man wide door.


    Before they could even catch a breath, a bizarre monster poked his head out from the gate, looking for any prey...


    Looking at the hideous monster, he thought...


    ''I swear to God, I had seen them before somewhere...''


    The creature in question possessed green skin and stood at about half a meter in height. Its long, pointy ears and bulbous nose were noticeable features, while its small, beady eyes seemed perfectly adapted for nocturnal activity. For offense, it had a really sharp and sturdy w on top of jagged and pointy teeth.


    Before he could even remember its name, the monster got close enough. Thinking it could be dangerous if it got any closer, Dhruv was about to fire his spell when Vexar got in front of him and sliced the monster in half with just one swing of his de.


    And to his surprise, a sound was heard in his head...


    [You have killed a monster: lesser goblin.]


    [You have gained exp]


    [You have earned 50 CC.]


    ''WHAT..?!!''


    ''Why am I getting the exp for vexar''s kill.''


    Dhruv also got coins from the kill but didn''t think it was weird. And his reasoning for that was... as monsters, they can''t earn coins, so he got them instead. But with exp, it was a different thing, as even after getting the exp, they could also use the core of this monster to upgrade them.


    This could be huge in either case, whether there is a core left in the body or not. If the answer happens to be ''yes'' then it would be a very big sess, and he could use one monster for two purposes¡ªleveling himself and then, with the help of the core, saturating the trios'' cores.


    And if the answer came out as ''no'' then it would be equally disastrous. That means he could forget about evolving his guardians any further... not unless someone is willing to sell their core, which would be quite tedious at this moment.


    "Vexar, quickly go and check if there is any core left in the monster''s body." He cried out, eager to know the result, whatever it was.


    But luck wasn''t on his side, as the moment Vexar stepped forward, a wave of goblins began to pour out from the gate. A wave because, despite the narrowness of the gate, their small and nimble bodies could easily pass through them.


    Dhruv looked at Vexar, who was probably thinking of fighting the hoard, and blurted out, "You continue, we will hold them off."


    Listing the order, Vexar continued his step and walked toward the corpse.


    Dhruv looked at the pouring monster from the gate. He lifted his staff and started firing metal arrows. He cast an elemental bolt, and instead of the fire bolt he wanted, a bolt made out of metal got fired.


    Looking at the result, he frowns...


    ''Didn''t the description say that I could use any type of element? Then why is it only popping out metal bolts?'' He questioned and wanted to think more about the reason, as he sure was missing something. But couldn''t ponder for long as the number of goblins was increasing by the second.


    Azarex and ric were also helping him to thin out the number as much as they could, but it wasn''t enough. He looked at the Vexar, hoping for good news, but the task was still in progress. Due to not knowing where and what he had to find, Vexar was making a mess of the corpse.


    Dhruv began to worry and thought that the worst had happened...


    He couldn''t even properly look at the Vexar before the monster had alreadye dangerously close to the group.


    Seeing the monster this close, ric dissolved into the shadow, then appeared in the middle of the hoard, capturing and dragging some of them into his shadow. He began to repeat this in the hope of thinning the numbers out.


    Looking at the dragged monster he couldn''t help but think,t ''For some reason, I could almost pity them... almost''


    Azarex had also begun using his necromancy, as I could see one or two undead among the ranks of the hoard fighting against their own kin. But his skill wasn''t at the level of the warden yet.


    He could feel that between all four of them, Vexar was probably the most frustrated of all.


    Vexar was frustrated because he couldn''t find that damn core, but that wasn''t even the main reason behind his frustration. He is frustrated because he couldn''t use his dear swords to cut down these vile monsters who dared to threaten his master. And for him to join the battle, he had to search this corpse thoroughly to find the core, if there was any.


    Noticing the distance getting further reduced, he dropped his staff and picked up the spear. Activating the [Tempest Charge] he charged into the ranks of the goblins.

 Chapter 32: Core?

    <h4>Chapter 32: Core?</h4>


    Amidst a swarm of goblins, a man with brown hair appeared to be gracefully dancing to the tune of death. With every precise thrust of his spear, he expertly killed one of his enemies. Their flesh rained on him, but he didn''t care. The flesh didn''tst as long on his body as his armor quickly cleaned up the mess, making it as good as new.


    The de of the spear, which seems to be razor sharp, cuts anyone with a single thrust. Even with all these corpses, there was barely any blood on the floor. The corpse couldn''t even bleed, as the spear greedily absorbed all the blood.


    Slowly, due to the number of enemies being so great, the spearman began to sustain injuries. But like the immortal he looked, his body also seemed to be immortal, as any injury sustained by it didn''tst long and quickly healed.


    ''Huh... now this is fun as much as it is dangerous'' Dhruv thought while beheading one of the goblins once again.


    He lost count of how many goblins he had killed so far. No matter how many he killed, it seemed there was no end to their numbers. But Dhruv wasn''t at any loss, as despite the numbers, even goblins don''t seem to possess the strength to kill him. He would have at least sustained some injury if there weren''t the [Thirsty] and [Blood Heal] enchantments on his spear. So he was unkible as long as he had enough blood... which was plenty considering the number of goblins.


    ''[Bloodrage] is truly a fantastic spear... thank god i got it as a reward.''


    He looks at the Vexar, who seems to be still trying to find the damm core.


    ''Man, where the fuck is it?'' His suspicion grew more and more, and in a fit of rage, he threw the spear, killing three goblins in a row.


    But he quickly realize he would get screwed up if he didn''t get the spear as soon as possible


    ''Ahh! Fuck..''


    He began running in the direction of the spear. After removing the spear from the corpse, he noticed that the undead, whom Azarex had created, were fighting near him. They were anything but strong; it looks like they weren''t even as strong as their normal version.


    Looking at the flimsy, walking corpse, he got an idea. Going into the middle of the four undead, he straightened his hand and cast a spell. Upon casting the spell, four white energies got out of his hand and got stuck with all four undead.


    After merging with that white energy, a weird force began acting on them, making all four of them get attracted to each other¡ªnot emotionally, of course, but physically.


    A momentter, all four of them began to fuse together. The scene was as fascinating as it was gruesome. All four undead began to break apart, and after that, they began fusing together.


    A couple of secondster, the fusion seemed to be a sess, and a big, 2 meter giant goblin was made. All its features were the same, if not more hideous than the goblins. In front of him, goblins look like angels.


    "Groooowl.. Growl"


    With a loud growl, the monstrosity opens his eyes, looking at the battlefield. Before, it was flimsy and struggled to kill the goblins, but now... now! This abomination packs quite a punch, and with one punch, a head would go kaboom.


    When the fused undead goblin opened his eyes, a strange connection had been made between himself and the undead. Now, he can sense that he could order it around. Along with his link, there was another link present in the undead that was far more powerful and stronger than his own one.


    ''This link should be for Azarex'' he thought. Which wasn''t a surprise, as he had raised them from the dead after all.


    Just as Dhruv had noticed the Azarex link, Azarex had also noticed his master''s link to the undead. He wasn''t mad or anything about it; instead, he was so happy that he was almost about to cut off his link from the undead so his master could fully control it however they wanted.


    But remembering that the moment he cut his link, the undead would be useless, he decided against it. But that didn''t stop him from raising another four goblins as undead, now that his mind was clearer after all four of them got fused into one. This continued until he had four of these monstrosities under hismand.


    Now the undead truly began to make a difference on the battlefield, obliterating anyone who dared to get close to Dhruv.


    ''Why are you protecting... me? scatter and thin out the number as fast as possible. I don''t need your protection.'' Hemanded the undead through the link.


    The undead seem confused for a moment about whose order they should listen to. Before they could fry out their brains with this dilemma, Azarex also ordered them to scatter and kill as many as they could.


    Looking at everyone fighting, Vexar''s frustration began to rise up like a coke to which mentos had been added. He frantically began looking for the core, and that''s when sunlight suddenly got in his eyes... which shouldn''t be the case as he was looking down and not in the sky. This shouldn''t happen, unless...


    Unless... There was a reflective item on the ground. He quickly picked up whatever material was reflecting the light. He looked at it for a second; it was a material that looked like it was made out of ss and wasn''t very big, about the same size as a pea.


    He quickly turned around, now facing the direction where Dhruv was battling, and yelled:


    "Master, look... have found... weird..core"


    Dhruv looked at Vexar, then at his hand, where there was something between his fingers. His heartbeat suddenly spiked after looking at the thing in Vexar''s hand. He couldn''t even see it properly, but he knew that he wouldn''t lie to him.


    "Well done, Vexar. Now quickly try to absorb it.." he replies.


    Listing his order, Vexar lifted up his arm. And instead of absorbing it, he swallowed the core.


    "Noooo!!!"


    Dhruv''s heartbeat suddenly spiked even more, and now he could feel a slight pain in his chest.


    ''Why did that moran eat the thing? Shouldn''t he try to absorb it first? What if there is a side effect to eating the core? ric hadn''t mentioned anything about eating the core.'' He began to panic. He panics, not because he wasted a core. But thinking about what could be the side effect, Because No matter how moronic he was, Dhruv still loves him wholeheartedly, Not just him, But all of them.


    Oblivious to all the panic he had caused. While smiling, Vexar lifted his hand and made a thumbs up sign. Indicating that the experiment had been sessful.


    Looking at the smiling bastard, Dhruv heaves a sigh of relief!


    Now that the Vexar was free from his tedious task, He quickly brandished his sword and began the massacre. Now all eight¡ªDhruv, Trio, and the four undead¡ªof them began the game of death.


    But not everyone was as strong and lucky as them. For Dhruv, this quest was an opportunity to increase their strength; for others, hell had descended upon the earth.

 Chapter 33: True horror of the cosmos

    <h4>Chapter 33: True horror of the cosmos</h4>


    Eight days ago, when the cosmos made its announcement about the evolution of our sr system, there were people who thought that this was the end of the world; some thought this was the gift of our god given to us for the purpose of liberation; Some thought this was an opportunity to elevate their lives.


    But the most prominent feeling that almost everyone felt at the moment was fear¡ªfear of the unknown, fear that they were no longer on top of the food chain. Their illusion had broken, that they were all mighty among the universe, that they were unique... that they were irreceable.


    The fear grew even more when they saw that they could die if they couldn''t seed in the quest that had been given to them. Seeing the consequences so close, Some lost their minds, some grew stronger, some prepared for what was about toe, and some just epted their fate.


    But to their surprise, the quest turned out to be so simple that they couldn''t even believe they were afraid of it. After doing their job for twenty-four hours, everyone got a notification that they hadpleted the quest. For example, a doctor got the ss of [Doctor] after 24 hours, a beggar got the ss of [Beggar], a student got [Student], and if someone wasn''t even able to get any of these, they got the [Earthling] ss.


    There were even instances where patients who were inas got up from their sleep only for the purpose of choosing the ss, and after choosing the ss, they once again went back to sleep.


    Even when all of thempleted the quest, the quest was still on the status tab, saying that afterpleting the quest¡ªpersonal¡ªthey could either wait six days to pass or umte more rewards by performing tasks.


    This whole cosmic Evolution turned out to be so simple that they forgot the seriousness of this whole situation. People make memes on social media, news anchors get bonkers, making as much krispy news as they can for TRP.


    After all, humans are very adaptable creatures. They began their normal routine, workers went to work, students went to school, and farmers went to the field. Everyone began living their lives as if nothing had happened.


    They even forget to piece together why, when the quest itself is so simple, there is a six day dy. What these six days were meant to be. There were several clues that this is just the beginning and they shouldn''t be this careless... For instance, the mention of the first main quest,meaning there were more toe, and the existence of cracks that were expanding at an rming rate.


    Days passed, and even the sixth day came and went without any developments. People''s belief that nothing would happen grew stronger. They were convinced that another day would pass without incident. However, their world shattered when they received a notification about the second Quest...


    [Main Quest #02- Survive the Onught]


    And when the people read about the description of the second quest, a cold chill ran down their spines. They couldn''t believe what they were looking at.


    They tried to prepare as much as they could in the remaining three hours, but it was for naught as it had already been toote.


    When the clock finally reached zero, they saw numerous pirs of light rising in the sky. Some of these pirs were close to them, while others were far away. Some had their starting points on thend, while for others, it was in the sea. There were even some that originated from points in the sky, indicating that there was no longer any safe ce on Earth.


    A secondter, the white pir of light extinguished, and then all hell broke loose.


    In the basement of a long-forgotten warehouse, the cracks suddenly flickered to life. A few secondster, a hand covered in ck fur emerged from the crack. This hand, entirely covered in fur, had monstrously sharp fangs for fingers. And the owner of the hand wasn''t alone ¨C a dozen or more bears followed.


    Using its sharp fangs, the creature tore apart the gate that had isted the warehouse from the rest of the world. Like any living creature, it first reveled in the sunlight, which soothed its body. After feeling the warmth, it was time for food, and luck was on their side as there was nock of prey nearby.


    The moment their gazes met the flimsy, mundane human, they knew they were going to have a feast today. Sprinting with all its might, it mauled the head of a female. And Just like a melon,it was obliterated by the sheer force of the impact the moment its paws touched the female''s head.


    It scooped up a handful of meat and began to chew it in front of the crying boy, who had just lost his mother. The boy''s cry didn''tst long, as he also died a momentter by the same paw with which his mom had died.


    All dozens of bears began to ughter the humans and began feasting on their prey.


    This was the case all over the world, where people were getting killed by beasts of all types. And even the sky wasn''t spared from its wraith.


    In the sky, from the crack, a swarm of monsters that resembled dragonflies came out.


    They looked at their surroundings and were disappointed by the fact that there wasn''t any prey near them. However, their disappointment didn''tst long as one of them noticed a birding in its direction at a very high speed. Mistaking it for prey, they predicted its path of travel and got in its way to satisfy their hunger.


    However, they were mistaken; it wasn''t a bird, as they had assumed, but rather an airne. Due to the ne''s speed, before they could even get out of its way, they crashed into it, resulting in the deaths of all the dragonflies in the process. But the ne didn''t escape unscathed either, as many dragonflies had crashed into its wings, destroying them in the process.


    Due to the failure of both engines the ne crashed into a tower killing hundreds of individuals.


    ******


    In a poorly lit hallway, a red glowes from lights on the walls. This glow made strange moving shadows on the cold metal surfaces. The air felt heavy and tense because loud sirens were ring non-stop. The loud noise from the sirens bounced off the in walls, making a confusing mix of sounds all around.


    "CODE RED!! I REPEAT, CODE RED. ALL PERSONALS QUICKLY GATHERS ON THE OUTER FIELD OF THE COMPOUND."


    "CODE RED!! I REPEAT, CODE RED. ALL PERSONALS QUICKLY GATHERS ON THE OUTER FIELD OF THE COMPOUND.


    "CODE RED!! I REPEAT, CODE RED. ALL PERSONALS QUICKLY GATHERS ON THE OUTER....."


    A row of soldiers dressed in various uniforms began to sprint in the direction that led to the outer field. A sense of urgency hung all over their faces. They all seemed to know that something very horrible had happened.


    In a matter of minutes, they arrived at the field, where people dressed in the same uniforms as them were already gathered. They were all facing the same direction where an old man with a long beard was standing...


    The old man picks up the mic and begins to speak...


    "... as you already know me, I don''t like to waste anyone''s time, so let''s directlye to the matter. And from the looks of it, you already know about the situation... Am I right?!"


    "YES SIR"


    "YES SIR"


    The sounds of "yes" echoed all around the field, making it even more potent than it already was.


    "... that''s what I like to hear. All I ask of you is to protect the venerable people of our country from the ws of these monsters. Do you want to protect them or not?" Magnus questions.


    "YES WE WILL PROTECT THEM AT THE COST OF OUR LIFE"e the replies.


    "...then we have nothing more to discuss. Go meet with your assigned captain, who has been assigned to you, and begin moving."

 Chapter 34: Wraithpaw

    <h4>Chapter 34: Wraithpaw</h4>


    A team of soldiers began unloading from an armored truck.


    This was the location from which they had received the distress signal. However, upon their arrival, all they found were ruins. The roads were destroyed, filled with wrecked cars, and the pathways were strewn with corpses.


    There was no sign of life left here...


    "Let''s head back, guys..." the captain instructed his team, covering his mouth in an attempt to stop himself from vomiting.


    The soldiers started moving back towards the truck. Suddenly, a bike came flying in their direction.


    "Whoa.. What the fuck.."


    They couldn''t see iting as it was thrown from an area that was fully covered in smoke from all the fire that was going on. They managed to dodge the bike, which then crashed into the truck.


    Now that they had an idea of where the bike hade from, they all turned their attention to the smoke. From within it, a humanoid monster was approaching them, chewing on something that looked like a hand. The monster tossed the half-eaten hand aside and got into a running stance.


    "Be prepared. Something is approaching us," the captain ordered, drawing his gun at the same time.


    As soon as the monster emerged from the veil of smoke, a storm of gunshots was unleashed upon it.


    The monster withstood several shots, but then a bullet from the sniper''s rifle struck it directly in the skull, killing it just a few meters away from the soldiers.


    Staring at the lifeless monster, and now that they could examine it up close, they realized it resembled a bear. A grin spread across the sniper''s face, having earned experience points from the kill.


    "Sam, what was the name... of this monster, and how many coins had it provided?" The captain asked the sniper for all the information.


    The captain hadn''t asked for the information out of his own curiosity¡ªeven though he was somewhat curious. No, he had asked because the headquarters had demanded they send as many details about the monster as they could the moment they killed anything.


    "dly captain, the name of the bear is ''Wraithpaw'' and the amount of coin I have received is..."


    But before he could even finish the sentence, he noticed there were dozens more Wraithpaws in the smoke from where this hase on...


    "...C..captain there are... more of t..them," he whispers toward his captain.


    "More of what?!!"


    "...there are more... b..earsing our way..."


    Noticing the difference in his way of speaking, the captain once again turned around, now directly looking at smoke. The sight he witnessed within the smoke sent a shiver down his spine.


    There were at least 20 bearsing toward them... Just looking at them made him break out in a nervous sweat. Despite his nervousness, he quickly connected to the headquarters.


    "Captain Vid speaking.. We encountered a pack of bear monsters whose name seemed to be ''Wraithpaw'' ording to the cosmos. From the looks of it we can''t deal with them. So, please send the reinforcement as soon as possible.


    And what should I do in the meantime, Should we engage or should we retreat? For the supply, we have the same amount of ammunition that was given to us, minus a few magazines. In our team, there are thirty-nine gunmen with sufficient hand-to-hand training and one sniper with no melee training." The captain exins his situation.


    "How many monsters are there, and how many are you..?" the question from the headquarters came.


    "There are 20 Wraithpaw, and we are twice as many as them," he hurriedly replies.


    "ording to your information, the monster you saw is ''Wraithpaw'' so you shouldn''t waste any time thinking you can retreat... not when the road is this bad, at least... you have supply and men for you tost long enough for the reinforcement to arrive. So, fight and do your best to survive for as long as possible.."


    And with that, the connection had been cut.


    "Shit... shit!!!" He wanted to kick something so bad but somehow managed to control the urge to do so.


    "Let''s prepare ourselves, everyone. We have to hold on until the reinforcements arrive. Sam, take your position. You need to eliminate as many of them as possible before they get to us," the captain ordered.


    Sam was on the verge of interjecting, wanting to express that it would be difficult to defeat them while they were on the run. But just before he could say it, the captain spoke up...


    "...No!! Forget about killing them, you try to injure them as much as you can."


    "As youma...."


    Before they could even finish the sentences, the Wraithpaws began to run in their direction¡ªnot at their full speed yet.


    All the soldiers began to aim their guns at them and began firing nonstop... The sound of the gunshots started erupting throughout the streets, but it still wasn''t loud enough to suppress the sound of the rumbles that were created by the massive paws of the monster.


    Among the soldiers stood a lone figure, a sniper with eyes that held the weight of countless lives. Positioned strategically, he hid behind rubble and debris, its keen gaze sweeping the street. With calcted precision, the sniper''s finger gently squeezed the trigger, sending a bullet straight through the chest of a bear.


    "Crack... Booooom!!"


    The sharp report of the rifle echoed through the destion as the first of the Wraithpaw crumpled to the ground, life extinguished by a well-aimed shot. Two, three more followed suit, their thunderous roars silenced forever by the deadly uracy of the sniper''s bullets.


    Yet the bears were relentless. With thick hides that offered a formidable defense against the soldiers'' gunfire, they lumbered forward undeterred. The earth seemed to quake beneath their massive paws as they closed the distance, a foreboding storm of fur and muscle. The soldiers continued to im lives.


    But the hundred-meter gap between the two forces shrank with every passing moment, and soon the confrontation would devolve into a melee.


    The bulletproof armor of the soldier provided some safety against the sharp ws of the monsters, but they knew that soon enough even the armor would be torn apart. Leaving their soft skin at the mercy of their hard ws.


    As time passed, the battle escted, and lives began to be lost in a gruesome ballet of violence. One by one, soldiers fell, their valor not enough to withstand the relentless fury of the Wraithpaw. Likewise, the bears weren''t unscathed, with a few sumbing to wounds inflicted by brave soldiers.


    However, the monsters were still ahead. Only thirteen Wraithpaws remained from the original twenty. But this was a much better situation than having only two soldiers left out of the original forty. Only the captain and the sniper survived. The captain''s advancedbat skills and high-level stats contributed to his survival, while the sniper''s proficiency at firing from a distance kept the bears from approaching his direction.


    Breathing heavily, the captain and the sniper locked eyes, a silent understanding passing between them. The air crackled with tension as the remaining bears circled, their growls reverberating in the stillness.


    And in that heart-stopping moment, the captain and the sniper were preparing to make their final stand, when something changed...


    The Warithpaws in front of them began to catch fire all of a sudden. This sudden change of events made him question his sanity. The sight in front of them was as reliving as it was terrifying.


    ''Did another monster intercept in the fight?'' the captain thought. Trying to justify the event.


    Before he could prepare for the unknown enemy, a group of five humans appeared in front of him...


    "Let us handle it from here on out," one of the members said.


    For a second, he couldn''t even take them seriously, as they were dressed like some actor who had just gotten out of the set. Two of them looked like swordsmen, one was holding an axe, another was dressed like a mage, and thest one was covered head to toe in heavy metal armor.


    But before he could even say anything, the swordsmen got in front of the monster and when the monster tried to attack him... His head rolled on the ground.


    ''...WHAT JUST HAPPENED..?''


    And just like that, the fight ends before it can even start.

 Chapter 35: Strange obsession

    <h4>Chapter 35: Strange obsession?</h4>


    ''Fuck, how long has it been? And there they are, stilling from the cracks'' he thought with a tired expression while beheading another goblin with a merciless sweep.


    Despite the Bloodrage¡ªthe spear¡ª[Thirsty] enchantment sucking all the blood. He still seemed to be covered in green blood all over his body, except for his armor, of course.


    For Dhruv, it felt like hours had gone by, but in reality, the battle had not even reached the ten-minute mark. Due to this constant attack from all sides, all four of them began to sense the pressure gradually mounting. Despite Dhruv''s clever n of leaving only a narrow passage for the monsters, they continued to slip through with surprising ease and attacked inrge numbers.


    During the initial five minutes, they had only been dealing with the goblins. But after that, a new threat emerged in the form of spider monsters joining the fray.


    In Dhruv''s opinion, these spiders were likely the monsters that had entered their world through the second prison''s cracks, possibly originating from the warden''s room.


    After the involvement of the spider, the number of monsters doubled, and now we have to fight both of them at the same time. Which wasn''t easy.


    After the appearance of the spider, there was one thing that went in Dhruv''s favor, at least. The spiders and goblins asionally engaged in battles among themselves, giving the cohort a moment to catch their breath.


    Additionally, the spiders posed minimal danger to the group, thanks to Dhruv''s newfound [Poison Immunity] and ric''s shadowskin, which protected him from the spider bites. Only Vexar remained vulnerable to the poison, which is why Dhruv had instructed him to keep his distance from these ''Venomfang'' as much as possible.


    Dhruv turned around and looked at Vexar, who, despite the warning, was gleefully chopping off the spider''s legs andughing. He was strangely in love with chopping the legs off the spider. And this is the fourth time he has caught him doing this.


    "GODDAMMIT..!! VEXAR..! How many times have I told you not to fight with the spiders? They could poison you... And why in the world are you just cutting off their legs?" Dhruv shouted in frustration.


    ''Oh my god, this kid is going to give me a heart attack any moment. Weren''t they supposed to be incapable of disobeying my orders? Then why does he always go against my order?'' he thought in exasperation.


    And he was correct. They couldn''t act against his orders, but the key point here is that he has to explicitly give an order. If he merely suggested something, they could act ording to their own will.


    "Can''t you learn from your older brothers about how to behave? And enough with yanking those spider legs, you sword addict... Now, go and kill some goblins with that sword of yours," Dhruv scolded Vexar.


    Embarrassed, Vexar tossed the spider aside and nced at his siblings. He could have sworn he saw veins bulging on Azarex''s forehead. And ric..? Where is he?


    ''Wow, Azarex actually has veins now. And where''s ric? He better not be cking off during a battle. Well forget him and let''s take out some more spiders now that master isn''t watching.'' He began heading towards the nearest spider when suddenly a chill ran down his spine. Trembling, he looked down at his feet, where a shadowy tentacle was lurking, waiting for him to take a step forward.


    Reversing his path, Vexar redirected his focus towards a goblin. He dashed towards it with full force, his attention now entirely on the goblins.


    ''Yay! No spider-killing for me today. They are gross, after all.''


    ***


    The battle was bing increasingly chaotic with each passing moment. And at this point, the field, which was covered in grass earlier, was now only covered with the flesh of the fallen goblins and spiders. The influx of monsters from the entrance has also started to dwindle. At this point, pretty much all the goblins had been in, leaving only a few spiders remaining.


    After a few more minutes of effort, they were able to eliminate the remaining spiders as well.


    The fight wasn''t as difficult as he had expected:


    ''Well, the fight wasn''t exactly easy, but it wasn''t dangerously deadly either. They were pretty weak for the monster Coby had warned me about. But that could be an illusion because of my high stats and considering they were only Tier I monsters. Talking about tiers...''


    "ric and Azarex, collect all the cores from the corpses and absorb them," Dhruv instructed the duo. Then he turned his attention to Vexar, who seemed to be the most injured among them, and added:


    "...And you,e over here."


    Vexar started moving towards him at a leisurely pace.


    ''Look at him, walking like a turtle. He''s probably expecting some sort of punishment. I wish I could bring myself to punish him when he looks this adorable... And it''s not like he did something wrong that posed a threat to someone else''s life¡ªexcept his own, of course.''


    "Hurry up, Vexar. I''m not going to punish you or anything."


    Upon hearing that there wouldn''t be any punishment, Vexar''s speed increased dramatically. A momentter, covered in blood, he stood in front of Dhruv.


    Looking at the battered little demon, Dhruv sighed and used [Basic Heal] three times before handing him two small ss bottles, which were filled with crimson liquid.


    "Drink one right now and keep the other for emergencies. Now go help your siblings," he instructed.


    Vexar drank one of the health potions. After drinking the potion, he got into much better shape than just a minute ago. He then made his way towards his brothers. After joining them, he yfully waved the health potion in front of them for a brief moment, as if it were a prize, and then said something... Dhruv couldn''t hear their conversation because of the distance.


    After having some fun, the trio once again goes to collect the core.


    Dhruv also used [Basic Heal] on himself to heal some of his minor injuries. With no immediate tasks at hand, he started heading towards the trio''s location so he could help them extract some core.


    While walking, Dhruv caught a glimpse of something white moving in his peripheral vision. Before he could identify it, a sharp dagger made of ice flew towards him. Reacting swiftly, he summoned a metal shield just in time to protect himself from the impending threat.


    Remembering that the trio was exposed, Dhruv promptly lowered his shield to assess their condition.


    "Phew! Well done, ric."


    Just in time, ric had employed his skill to shield the trio from the onught of ice attacks. Azarex and Vexar were unharmed, but the same couldn''t be said for ric, as he was facing the full force of the attack. And from the looks of it, it wasn''t very pleasant.


    ''Shit!... What are these..? Dhruv thought, observing the monster who seemed to be madepletely out of ice. There were also some crystals growing from their bodies here and there. They stood at the same height as goblins, and it was evident that they were proficient in using magic.


    Assessing the situation, Dhruv swiftly started devising a n for how to win the fight. And the first thing he noticed was their small numbers...


    ''Their numbers aren''t as high as the goblins and spiders, so that''s a positive. Also, considering their preference for long-rangebat, their physical stats shouldn''t be too impressive. Thus, engaging them in meleebat seems like the right approach.''


    Spotting a brief opening in their attack, he cast a metal arrow to test the durability of their icy skin. However, before it could even reach the monster, an ice shield formed between them.


    "Tsk! This is going to be one challenging fight..." Dhruv muttered under his breath.

 Chapter 36: Crystallce

    <h4>Chapter 36: Crystallce</h4>


    ''Shit... Why are they all so fixated on me?'' Dhruv thought as he erected a metal barrier to shield himself from the onught of ice spikes. His initial attempt to assess the durability of their skin had backfired, leading all of them to target him relentlessly.


    However, this situation wasn''t as dire as it seemed. In fact, it might prove beneficial for him and costly for his opponents. Concentrating their attack solely on him wasn''t the wisest strategy, given that seven other formidable adversaries were looking for openings in their defense.


    With all the attacks directed at Dhruv, ric saw this as an opportune moment to turn the tables. He unpacked himself, leaving Azarex and Vexar vulnerable to the attack. The worst didn''t happen, as the enemies are still focused on Dhruv.


    Using his skill, ric vanishes into Azarex''s shadow, only to reappear from the shadow of one of the ice monsters. The moment he appeared in the middle of their ranks, the monsters were fast enough to notice him. But ric was faster; he quickly decapitated one of them, and without any time wasted, he disappeared once again. Sessful in his n, He began to wreak havoc by repeating the same thing over and over again.


    With all the monsters now fixated on ric, their coordinated attack was interrupted. This brief disruption provided Dhruv with the opportunity to shift from a defensive stance to an offensive one. Surging towards the monsters, he picked up the spear from the ground and swiftly activated [Tempest Charge]. A mere second after employing the skill, he found himself positioned in front of one of the monsters.


    The monster turned around, now looking directly into his eyes. For a while, Dhruv and the monster were locked in a contest of eye contact. But that didn''tst long, as Dhruv lifted his hand and touched the cold surface of the monster''s head. Before the monster could even defend himself, he cast the elemental bolt spell, obliterating the monster''s head. Now, covered in blue blood, he looked at the notification, where the name of the monster was mentioned...


    [You have killed the monster: Lessar Crystallce.]


    [You h...]


    [You h...]


    In a span of just ten seconds, the monsters'' long-range advantage was nullified. As their ability to attack from a distance vanished, so did their power.


    Now that the battle had turned into meleebat, the eight of them managed to quickly turn the battle to their advantage. Crystallce''s physical attributes were truly the worst among the three types of monsters they had fought. This made it rtively easy for them to defeat these monsters, especially for Dhruv, who could obliterate them with his devastating punch.


    Despite their strategic advantages, the battle didn''t proceed as smoothly as they had hoped. The ice spells wielded by the Crystallce proved to be a significant nuisance, requiring a sturdy defense to prevent serious injuries.


    Vexar''s fire affinity proved to be incredibly advantageous against the Crystallce as well. Harnessing his fire abilities, he enhanced his sword with mes, allowing him to effortlessly slice through the icy creatures as if they were made of tofu.


    It still took some time for the squad to finish them due to their defensive approach toward the fight. But in the end, they won, with two giant goblins as casualties. Which wasn''t exactly a bad deal.


    Not bothered by the deaths of his two goblins. On the contrary, he seems quite satisfied with the fact that they gave their lives for his master, and now he could create undead from the corpses of Crystallce. And these ones seem practically more promising for fighting, considering that they could use magic.


    Azarex approaches the Crystallce corpses and revives four of them. After reviving them, he looked at the dhruv with his lightless, hollow eyes and spoke in a supplicating manner.


    "Master... I beseech you, bestow upon them the strength to serve you for all eternity,"


    Dhruv found it quite surprising that Azarex was able tomunicate so smoothly. Drawing nearer to the undead creatures, he used his fusion ability. After a while, all four of them began to merge together.


    The new fused monster is quite beautiful, to say the least.


    ''Fusion seems to enhance every aspect of the monster¡ªmaking the ugly even uglier and the beautiful even more attractive,'' Dhruv mused with a hint of irony.


    The newly formed undead beings appeared even more frozen; their height hadn''t undergone any significant change akin to that of the goblins. Rather, it seemed that the ice within their bodies had be denser, with the crystals that were previously scattered now concentrated over their vital areas.


    After crafting the first one, he proceeded to create another of these undead creatures. Then, addressing Azarex, he inquired,


    "Azarex, how many of these can you control simultaneously..?"


    This was a question that had been lingering in his mind since the moment he witnessed Azarex resurrecting the corpses.


    Azarex thought for a moment, then said, "If the task isplex and needs precise control, like fighting or... or anything like that, then I can control up to five at a time after leveling up my necromancy. And If the task is simple, then I canmand as many as ten at once."


    Processing the response, Dhruv contemted for a moment before asking, "So, moving objects from one ce to another, is that considered aplex or easy task?"


    Azarex pondered the question before replying, "If the undead is just required to perform simple lifting and moving, then the task would be considered simple. If I''m not crossing the limit, I would like to ask the reason behind your inquiry, my lord."


    "Oh, no worries. And I must emphasize, never hesitate to ask anything you find challenging. The reason I was inquiring is because I intend to seal off the prison entrance before the next wave of monsters arrives," Dhruv exined.


    Azarex appeared puzzled for a moment before asking the question once more, his expression reflecting confusion, "But why do we need to block the prison entrance?"


    Dhruv gazed into Azarex''s hollow eyes and stated, "Azarex, we were fortunate that the ''Crystallce'' didn''t assault us while we battled the goblins and spiders. But just consider this: What if we were to be surrounded on all sides by them?"


    He paused, allowing Azarex to reflect on the scenario. After brief contemtion, the necromancer responded, "The likelihood of us losing would rise significantly."


    "Exactly! That''s precisely the point. To prevent such a scenario, I want to secure the prison entrance so that we don''t have any surprise attacks from the rear," Dhruv affirmed.


    Satisfied with their discussion, Azarex proceeded to create more goblin undead. Dhruv followed up by employing his fusion ability. In a short while, a line of ten powerful undead emerged,posed of eight mega goblins and two Crystallce.


    Following the n, Dhruv ordered the eight goblins to transport heavy materials from the prison and ce them in front of the gate.


    After an hour or two of work, a significant amount of material had umted by the gate. The stack primarilyprised beds. Satisfied with the result, he picked up a rod from the pile and lodged it in the middle of the handles to obstruct the easy opening. Then, the entire stack was heaved in front of the gate.


    With the preparationspleted, Dhruv and the ten undeadmenced extracting cores from the defeated monsters. Meanwhile, the trio began consuming parts of the monsters to absorb their essence for body mutation.


    To expedite and streamline the process, Dhruv merged many corpses into one so they could absorb more essence points in a shorter amount of time.


    Following this, the group divided the cores into equal portions and initiated the absorption process to saturate their cores.


    Observing the group diligently at work, Dhruv also took the opportunity to ess his status screen to do some skill upgrades he had postponed for a while.

 Chapter 37: Skill upgrading

    <h4>Chapter 37: Skill upgrading?</h4>


    -----------------------


    Name: Dhruv


    ss: Magic Warrior


    Level: 03/10


    Title: First blood


    Magic Affinity: Metal (S), Illusion (D)


    Stats: Strength Lv. 65(71), Stamina Lv. 40(44), Agility Lv. 40(44), Magic Power Lv. 82(90),


    -----------------------


    Upon essing his status, Dhruv''s attention was immediately drawn to his impressive stats. Among these, his magic power stat stood out as particrly remarkable.


    ''Ahhh, what a satisfying number! It''s at 90 now, just ten more points before I reach the first three-digit stat,'' Dhruv mused to himself, appreciating his progress. As he reviewed his stats, he also became aware of the level increase that had happened due to his and the trio''s collective effort.


    At level three, Dhruv''s progress might not seem extensivepared to the number of monsters that have been killed for this minor upgrade. But what can he expect? They were all just Tier 1 monsters. He would rather fight Tier 1 monsters to level up than deal with a hoard of Tier 2 or higher-level monsters.


    It''s not that he''s afraid of Tier 2 monsters; he''s just cautious due to the presence of the trio, especially Vexar. He knows that he could end up severely injured somehow. So, this is how he had decided to approach the battle, which held especially true until his guardians managed to reach Tier 2 status, at the very least.


    With a thoughtful expression, Dhruv pondered the progression of his ss''s evolution.


    "So, after reaching Tier 2, I need to reach Level ten to evolve my ss further. I wonder if it will always follow this pattern of doubling. If that''s the case, then the number of levels required for each evolution will increase quite rapidly," he contemted with a mix of curiosity and a somewhat perplexed look.


    ''And I still haven''t got another title. Receiving a title is certainly difficult and probably requires performing truly remarkable feats. And why shouldn''t that be the case? It gives a remarkable upgrade after all'' Dhruv mused, his thoughts veering into contemtion.


    Before his mood could sour from overthinking, he shifted his focus back to his stats. This action sure brought a broad grin to his face. With an expression of contentment, he directed his attention toward a new tab that hadn''t been there before:


    A tab for exclusive abilities.


    Within the exclusive abilities tab, there are four abilities at this moment. Not four exactly¡ªas the first and his own exclusive ability hadn''t bloomed yet.


    ''How long does it take for these abilities to bloom?'' Dhruv wondered.


    ''I hope the wait is worth it for the time it takes to bloom.'' He expected that the wait would be justified by the value of the abilities once they fully developed.


    Gazing at the second ability listed ¡ª named [Soulbond] ¡ªDhruv noticed that it was the same ability the trio possessed, albeit with some modifications in its description. The trio''s soulbond created a connection that bound them to him as their master. On the other hand, his soulbond effectively made them his ves.


    Dhruv isn''t exactly thrilled with the term "ves" to describe their rtionship. But he knows there is nothing he can do to change it, at least for now.


    Letting out a sigh, Dhruv shifted his focus to thest two abilities listed ¨C ones he had copied from Vexar and ric, respectively. With that matter momentarily settled, he turned his attention to his skill list, an area that had been in need of his attention for quite a while.


    -----------------------


    Abilities: Metal maniption Lv.5, Illusion maniption LV.3, True fusion Lv. ??


    Skills: Basic mana maniption Lv.5, Basic illusion resistance Lv.1, Minor mana absorption Lv.5, Adaptive Mastery Lv.1, Mana Drain Lv.2, Mana Infusion Lv.2, Basic heal Lv.1


    Spell: Metal arrow, Metal shield, Metal Constructs, Mana bolt, Phantom voice, Elemental bolt, Tempest Charge


    Cosmic coins: 32,500


    <Cosmic store>


    Skill point: 7


    -----------------------


    Satisfied with his progress, which reflected his hard work, he was pretty happy.


    ''So, there are three skills that need to be upgraded. And how many skill points do I have? Seven. Then what am I waiting for?'' Eager to upgrade, he clicked on the Metal Maniption skill. After clicking on the skill, three notifications appeared before him:


    [Do you want to evolve the ability: Metal maniption.]


    [One skill point will be deducted.]


    [Yes/No]


    With determination, Dhruv pressed the "Yes" button. Almost instantly, a notification emerged:


    [Metal maniption has evolved into Advanced Metal maniption.]


    The moment he evolved it, information about numerous new blueprints flooded his mind, and these were considerably powerful. Opting to review themter, he continued upgrading his skills.


    [Basic Mana maniption has evolved into Precise Mana maniption.]


    [Minor Mana absorption has evolved into Faster Mana absorption.]


    After evolving his maniption skills, he could sense a distinct change within himself. Now he can control the mana more precisely, which would undoubtedly aid him in various tasks, such as infusing mana into his weapon, faster spellcasting, and things like that.


    The evolution of his Mana Absorption skill yielded aparable impact. While in the past his mana absorption speed had been sluggish, now he found himself capable of absorbing the mana necessary for casting a metal arrow in just half a minute. Although this improvement wasn''t groundbreaking, Dhruv''s knowledge that the skill had the potential to evolve even further filled him with a sinister grin, tinged with anticipation.


    With four skill points remaining, Dhruv navigated to the skill purchasing section of the store and started scrolling through the options. Initially, he didn''t hold much hope of discovering any valuable skills; as he had recently examined the list after evolving his ss, only toe up empty-handed.


    However, his expectations shifted dramatically when a certain skill appeared before his eyes¡ªa skill he never would have dreamed of finding.


    The skill that had taken him by surprise was none other than Fire Maniption, apanied by Water, Air, and Earth Maniption.


    Dhruv''s initial reaction was one of disbelief. He rubbed his eyes, thinking it was his imagination, but he was wrong; it wasn''t. It was as real as anything could be. Fire Maniption, along with its elemental counterparts, was truly avable for purchase.


    ''But how is this possible? Without the element''s affinity, how could I buy its maniption'' He tried to wrap his head around it, trying to find the answer behind this absurdity.


    Despite ruminating on the matter for a considerable time, he couldn''t arrive at a rational exnation for why these maniption skills were given. Eventually, he conceded defeat, his mind exhausted from attempting to solve the enigma.


    Left defeated, he looked at his status onest time As he prepared to close his status screen, he spotted something that caught his attention¡ªone of his spells, [Elemental Bolt.]


    ****


    There had been some changes to the status screen.


    For those who are wondering why there isn''t any level in spells, the answer is... that you can control the strength of the spell by controlling the amount of mana you feed them.


    That''s all...


    Enjoy reading :]

 Chapter 38: Fire manipulation

    <h4>Chapter 38: Fire maniption</h4>


    The moment he looked at [Elemental Bolt], a sudden realization struck him. Upon reading the skill description, a memory resurfaces.


    ording to the skill description, he could use any type of element as the base for the [Elemental Bolt]. But when he used it during the fight with the goblins, he could only use metal bolts when, in fact, he wanted a fire bolt instead. No matter how much he tried to change it, it always had the same result.


    The pieces of the puzzle suddenly clicked into ce. Dhruv realized that in order to wield a different type of elemental bolt, he had to infuse a different kind of mana into its construct. Heprehended that if he wanted to cast a fire bolt, he would need to use fire mana, which he didn''t know how to do. This made sense, as he currently only possessed knowledge of how to manipte metal and illusion mana. This exined why he had been unable to generate bolts from other elements.


    He also had a hypothesis about how he would be able to use different types of mana. He had spected that he would need to learn how to transmute natural mana into elemental mana. And he considered the possibility of achieving this with the help of a skill¡ªwhich he didn''t have ess to¡ªor through diligent practice and experimentation. At that time, thetter approach seemed like a feasible route for him to pursue.


    As he continued to reflect, Dhruv came to an epiphany, that he had been thinking wrong this whole time. He knew that he could use any type of magic, as it had been mentioned during the selection of his first ss. This fact was further corroborated by the elemental bolt description. What he didn''t know was the possibility of getting another maniption skill itself.


    And getting the maniption skill changes everything, as, with these skills at his disposal, he understands that he could seamlessly change the type of mana used.


    And the funny part is he didn''t even need to do that; Instead, the maniption skill itself would enable the transformation. Additionally, he would also get the blueprint for the respective element spell, and These blueprints would automate the process of conversing normal mana into elemental mana,


    As Dhruv continued to contemte the situation, one question remained unanswered: What had caused these elemental maniption skills to reveal themselves now? And he had considered three possibilities.


    The first and also the most obvious would be his evolution to Tier 2, but he dismissed this notion since he had checked the skill list right after upgrading his ss.


    ''This left me with two other options: either the increase in magic power stat or the evolution of the metal maniption skill that had triggered it'' He engaged in deep thought, mulling over these possibilities.


    Dhruv found himself leaning more toward his third hypothesis. The connection between the evolution of his metal maniption skills and the sudden avability of fire maniption seemed to support this idea. Both instances involved the maniption of elements, suggesting a possible cause-and-effect rtionship between them.


    After contemting the fire maniption skill for a moment, Dhruv found no reason to refrain from purchasing it. His decision to acquire the skill wasn''t merely based on its coolness¡ªalthough it was¡ªand usefulness in casting fire spells; he recognized its practicality inbat situations.


    The memory of Vexar''s effective use of fire against the Crystallce still lingered in his mind. Fire maniption yed a significant role in that scenario, making it clear how advantageous this skill could be against such an icy opponent. With this in mind, Dhruv opted to purchase the fire maniption skill.


    He also wanted to buy the other elemental skill but controlled himself as he didn''t have or, more likely, didn''t want to waste¡ªit wasn''t exactly wasting¡ªthe skill points, saving them for potential skills with greater utility and impact. After all, he didn''t have that many skill points to begin with.


    One such skill that caught his attention was [Normal Magic Sensitivity.]


    [Normal Magic Sensitivity: With the help of this skill you can detect, feel, and interact with the mana sources near you.]


    Dhruv''s thoughts were well-founded, and the potential applications of the [Normal Magic Sensitivity] skill were indeed extensive. With this skill, he could gain a significant advantage in battles by detecting approaching monsters or hidden enemies. Additionally, the skill''s capability to feel mana could also help him enhance his mana handling and maniption, opening up opportunities for him to fine-tune his spellcasting and magic-rted abilities.


    Moreover, the prospect of disrupting an enemy spellcaster''s mana by interacting with the natural mana around them was an ingenious strategy. For example, this skill would have been very helpful when fighting the Warden, as it could have disrupted his necromancy spell before he could even cast it.


    With these considerations in mind, Dhruv decided to invest one of his skill points in acquiring the [Normal Magic Sensitivity] skill. And just like that, another two skill points were gone.


    [You have learned the ability: Fire maniption.]


    [You have learned the skill: Normal Mana sensitivity.]


    The information about fire magic and spells began to seep into his brain, overwhelming him with a pleasurable feeling.


    ''Ahhh! Keep it going, cosmos,'' he thought as the feeling of new information brought a very delighted sensation. It felt like a tingling sensation, which rxed the body.


    But his wish didn''t get fulfilled, and after a while, the pleasurable sensation went away, leaving a sour taste in his mouth. The bad mood went away as quickly as it hade because in front of him were tons of new spells for him to y with.


    Looking at the remaining coins, he decided to invest them in his stats as well. This round, he opted to distribute them evenly between his agility and stamina, given theirparative neglect. It was apparent they needed attention, especially when he was going to fight against three hordes of monsters, which required significant agility and stamina. Considering the prolonged battle, a surplus of stamina would undoubtedly prove beneficial.


    While there hadn''t been any instances of him bing parched duringbat, the first time could also be thest.


    ''Alright, with 32500 CC still at hand, I can boost both stats by 6 levels each," he mused, contemting his options. ''But the maximum upgrade per round I can do is limited to five levels. So, I''ll need to split this into four separate rounds.''


    ''Time to go for six this round; it might help build up a tolerance for more pain,'' Dhruv pondered, considering the change in strategy and going for six levels in one go.


    As soon as he began the stat upgrade, a faint twinge of pain began to assail him. It was a sensation he had grown ustomed to, apanying him every time he upgraded his stats. However, this instance seemed to deviate from the norm; the pain didn''t halt at its usual intensity but instead surged, gradually epassing his entire body. The difort was now at a point where it genuinely stung, coursing through every fiber. Just as he had anticipated, this ache was bound to persist, tormenting him for a considerable period of time.


    But fortunately, this time around, the expected agony didn''t transpire. And surprisingly, the pain swiftly dissipated as soon as it began to genuinely hurt.


    ''Huhh! That''s it.''


    He had be so ustomed to the pain that, for a brief moment, it felt weird that the pain wasn''t severe on this asion.


    Completing his personal upgrades, he shifted his attention to the trio. They were nearly done assimting their cores and were leisurely enjoying their snacks.

 Chapter 39: Another dilemma

    <h4>Chapter 39: Another dilemma</h4>


    The snacks had a distinct crunchiness¡ªalmost too literal. The echoes of bones snapping and crystals shattering as they were consumed still reverberated vividly in Dhruv''s mind.


    The sight of them eating the dead corpse still sends shivers down his spine, but what can he do? They have to eat if they want to be stronger, faster. The mutation is a very important aspect of their lives, as they can further decide the task they want to assign the responsible limb to perform.


    They hadpleted their portion of the meal and were now nearly done consuming the cores.


    Dhruv observed them and then started heading in their direction. As he gazed at the remaining cores, he remarked, "Leave a few of those cores behind. I''ve got an experiment in mind that I need to carry out."


    Looking at the trio, who almost stopped their absorption the moment they hear this, he then shifted his attention to the surplus of remaining cores, which actually exceeded what he required for the experiment. Awkwardly scratching his head, he continues...


    "You don''t have to leave this many; absorb them and spare ten for me." He thought for a bit and then continued. "Yeah, ten would do the trick."


    Getting permission, they set aside the ten cores and resumed absorbing them, as if the previous interruption had never urred.


    After waiting for a few minutes, they had absorbed all the cores except for those ten that had been set aside. As Dhruv looked at their satisfied expressions, he inquired, "How much progress did you make in saturating your core?"


    "50%," ric replied. While nodding in acknowledgment, he assumed the other two were likely at the same level of concentration since they had absorbed an equal number of cores. However, the response from Azarex that followed left him stunned.


    If not the same, he had anticipated that the percentage difference would be minimal, perhaps around 2 or 3% at most. However, the answer he received from Azarex shattered his expectations; the response of 63% was far from anything he had imagined, representing a staggering 13% difference.


    Processing this revtion, he turned his attention to Vexar and gestured for him to proceed. Once again, the oue was different.


    Vexar looked at his brothers in confusion and then said: "70%."


    "Huh! Why did the concentration differ when all three of you had the same number of cores," he asked in amazement.


    "Wow! Why was the concentration different even though all three of us had the same number of coins?" he asked, surprised.


    As they nced at one another, all three of them simultaneously spoke up, and it wasn''t just their timing that matched. Their response was identical too: "I have no idea."


    ''What is happening today? I''m getting one shock after another. Is someone pranking me'' Dhruv couldn''t help but wonder.


    Jokes aside, that didn''t make any sense. The concentration percentage should be equal, unless... unless the required amount for evolution varied among different species.


    That was the best answer he coulde up with. And it wasn''t just a random guess either; his theory had some validity. Vexar''s being a demon wasn''t that unique of a species, if you consider the entire cosmos, of course. Azarex might be seen as rtively umon, given his skeletal nature. However, the most distinctive of them all was ric; he''s essentially like a shadow.


    ''This means that the more unique a species is, the more energy it requires for evolution. This is likely the reason.'' He wanted to think more about this problem but was just too tired to continue this much thinking.


    He looked at the trio, who were looking at him with burning gazes, looking for an answer. To satisfy their curiosity, he began exining his hypothesis about the difference between their concentrations. Even his hypotheses were heard by them like a very knowledgeable sage passing on his life''s worth of knowledge.


    "...But remember, these are just hypotheses and not absolute truths," he cautioned them upon noticing their intense focus.


    "Yes, of course, my Lord," all three of them replied in unison.


    At times, their striking resemnce almost gives him a creepy feeling.


    Staring at the remaining ten cores, he picked them up and then instructed an undead goblin to fetch a bed from the pile that was thrown in front of the gate.


    Obeying themand, the undead brought him a bed. He seated himself on it, adopting a meditative posture. He began to take out the ten cores he had previously picked up, tossing them in front of him onto the bed. He began to closely examine them, trying to find any differences. Even after a while, he could not find any difference, except for a slight difference in their size.


    Not finding any results outside, he tried to look inside the monster''s core. It wasn''t possible before but now he can do it with the help of [Mana sensitivity].


    The moment he peers inside of the core, his mind bes overwhelmed with the amount of information that is seeping into him. He quickly deactivated the skill, but the image was still in front of his eyes.


    ''What was that?'' he eximed.


    The thing he saw in the core was the same as how DNA is depicted in science books. And the thing that overwhelmed him was that all this information stored in the DNA was transferred to him. In addition to the DNA sequence, there was another thing there. It was an extremely concentrated form of mana that had bound all the DNA together.


    ''But it was different, that... that thing was so pure..'' he thought, remembering that mana.


    He remembered how the color of the concentrated mana was pure white, instead of blue. Which was the normal color of the mana.


    Now he is even more eager to perform the experiment. And the thing he wants to do is see what happens if he uses the fusion skill on two of these monsters cores.


    He set aside two cores from the rest and began their fusion. To his surprise, the process unfolded seamlessly without any anticipated explosions. As he fused the two cores, theybined into a singr core. Their outward appearance remainedrgely unchanged¡ª they retained their original size and emitted an identical amount of mana externally.


    ''Maybe the changes happened on the inside'' Thinking this, he decided to peek inside the core.


    He activates the skill, and this time, with caution, he peers into the core. But, his caution went for naught as once again the headache began to form just a second into the core.


    But one second was enough, and he had seen what he wanted to know. The experiment had been sessful, as he originally wanted to increase the potency of the core by twofold.


    Which had exactly what happened, and the dense mana inside the core became twice as strong, but the purity remained unchanged. What had not remained unchanged was the DNA sequence. Prior to the experiment, it had been meticulously arranged, almost mesmerizing in its beauty. But now, unfortunately, it is aplete mess.


    Satisfied with his experiment, he decides to sleep.


    Little did he know, this would be hisst peaceful nap for a significant period of time.

 Chapter 40: Sweet dream or a Nightmare

    <h4>Chapter 40: Sweet dream or a Nightmare</h4>


    The person''s eyes gently opened, adjusting to the light. A quiet sigh apanies his wakefulness, stretching his limbs and shaking off sleep''s embrace. He got out of the cozy bed. The real world reces dreams, and they fully return to wakefulness.


    Escaping his bed, the person looked confused, as if something was missing...


    ''Huh! What was that nightmare about me being in prison? Then something that only happens in novels happened, and then there were monsters, skills, and magical powers.'' Dhruv thought confusedly as he walked out of his room, now going toward the hall where all his family was gathered.


    "Why are you home, Surya? Why didn''t you get to school?" He scolded his little brother, who was ying with puzzles.


    "Today is Sunday, bro," came the reply.


    ''Ohh! Today is Sunday. How could I forget such a little thing? ... Maybe I forget because it is a little thing, he ponders, chuckling to himself.


    He looked at his sister, she was also ying something on her phone.


    ''It must be that new game everyone was so hyped about.''


    "Ohh! You woke up this early," Rani said sarcastically. Then she proceeded to signal towards the kitchen and said, "Tea is there; you can heat it and then drink it."


    "Why didn''t you wake me up, when it had been made?" he protested.


    "Why do you think I didn''t attempt to wake you up?" Pausing to catch her breath, she continues, "And how can you sleep like a log? Do you have any idea how much effort I put into trying to rouse you?"


    "Alright, alright. Geez, calm down. I understand. Can you at least please heat it for me while I go freshen up?" Dhruv pleaded.


    Pointing to her phone with a smirk, she remarked, "It''s an online game, my dear brother. Otherwise, I would have probably done it."


    "Yeah, probably, my as.."


    Before he could even finish his word, aposed voice reached his ears.


    "Dhruv... manners," his mother interjected, her gaze fixed on him with stern eyes.


    "Sorry Mom," he apologized.


    Feeling a bit helpless, and tired...


    ''Why am I so tired? It''s like I''ve fought in a war.'' Thinking about how his body was acting strangely, he made his way to the bathroom and began his morning routine. Five minutester, he emerged from the restroom, feeling refreshed. Heading to the kitchen, he grabbed the teapot and started heating it up.


    "Tea with biscuits would be a nicebination," he thought to himself. Looking at Surya, he said, "Surya, could you please go buy a packet of biscuits?"


    Surya is slightly irritated but still agrees. "Like I have any other choice. Just make sure you give me my tip as well," he grumbles.


    "Hahaha! You''re spot on," heughed, putting his hand in his pocket to search for any spare change. However, he felt a piece of paper that seemed unusuallyrge for money inside his pocket.


    "How could I forget about this?" he murmurs, recalling the content of the paper. He swiftly approaches his mother, who is seated on the sofa, engrossed in a book.


    His mother looked at Dhruv, who stood in front of her, and said, "What...?"


    He pulled the paper out of his pocket and started unfolding it. Holding the paper in front of his mom, he eximed, "Do you know what this is, Mom?". The mere mention of the paper brought a smile to Dhruv''s face.


    "What is it?" his mother inquired, her own smile forming as she gazed at her son''s joyful expression.


    "Guess... Guess?" he eximed.


    Hisughter and murmuring caught the attention of his younger siblings. Seeing their curiosity, he gestured for them to take a guess about the paper''s content.


    However, after five minutes passed without them figuring it out, he couldn''t contain his excitement any longer. And, decided to share the news with them himself.


    "This is a ticket for our seven-day holiday trip," he revealed, dropping the bomb.


    Hearing the revtion, all of them gasped in unison.


    "Really...?" Surya asked in disbelief.


    "Realllly..." he replied, giving a thumbs up.


    Upon receiving confirmation, Surya quickly jumped and hugged him.


    "Take it easy, buddy. The ticket is for the day after tomorrow, so you better start packing," he said, wiping away a small tear that had welled up in his eyes, looking at them all filled with happiness.


    He had been nning this trip for a long time, perhaps ever since hended his job. And now, after two years of saving diligently, he had finally managed to gather enough money for the trip.


    He sat there and began talking about the trip. They chatted andughed, sharing stories and enjoying each other''spany. The happiness in the air was palpable¡ªa warm embrace that made him forget any worries or troubles I might have had.


    They were all happy, then something changed suddenly; a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. Surya''s joyful yfulness turned to terror, and he pointed toward the window, his eyes wide with fear.


    "Master, master, there are monsters here! Wake up!" He cried out, his voice trembling with urgency.


    ''Huh! Monsters... what monster?''


    At first, I brushed off his words, thinking they were part of our yful banter. But then an unsettling feeling began to creep over me. The scene around me wavered as if the very fabric of the reality I had been experiencing was fraying at the edges.


    I turned to look at my family, only to see their faces twisted in fear. The sunlight seemed to lose its brightness, casting elongated shadows throughout the room. Theforting warmth that had surrounded us just moments before began to retreat, reced by an unsettling coldness. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat.


    Surya''s body started to undergo a grotesque transformation, contorting into a monstrous, dark, and indistinct shape. In an instant, he shifted and morphed, now taking on the form of a smoky, shadowy creature.


    No matter how hard I struggled to speak, to shout for help... nothing happened. It was all in vain. Despite my efforts, not even a whisper escaped my lips.


    The scene shifted rapidly, spiraling into chaos. The cozy living room dissolved, reced by a nightmarishndscape. Shadows twisted and writhed, forming grotesque shapes that loomed over us. My family''s terrified faces blurred as if they were being pulled away from me.


    The ground beneath my feet vanished, reced by a dark, ebony sea, and I found myself sinking into its depths.


    Then, suddenly, something emerged from the darkness¡ªsomething even cker than the water surrounding it. It was the hand of that same shadowy monster. Instinctively, I grasped onto the monstrous hand, struggling to save myself from drowning. The instant my hand made contact, the world around me began to fracture, as if I were trapped within an illusion.


    And then... then I awoke from my dream, or rather, my nightmare.


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