While testing his skills with the new weapon, he decided to try and see if perhaps the runes he had carved into his shell layer worked. With the power of his left arm, he observed a tiny flame in his heart. He added hypothetical fuel in the form of his mana. The ember glowed brighter, and roared. It became massive and was ready to be used. The flames then condensed and became bluish-purple with a white hue. It had condensed and exceeded the power he had even thought was possible!
James condensed the fire in his heart to his palm, yet nothing happened. He tried again, and this time a small flame lit up, like a lighter. He poured more of his mana into it, and made the flame he had seen in his heart materialize! A tiny wisp appeared in his palm, making him sweat, both from excitement and the heat that the flame was emitting. He tried making it bigger, but he felt as though it was useless, like trying to push a steel wall. He decided to be content with the flame he had and tried discovering what it could do. He took out a nice pumpkin spice candle and pulled it closer to the flame. Before it even touched it, the wax started flowing like water. The candle was slowly even vaporized in James' hand!
He let out a little giggle from his excitement and his mind was set! He would also become a fire wielding mage! Whilst imagining all the things he could do, something else popped into his mind - he had also carved some runes into his spear. What about those? He didn't exactly have an accurate way to test it, other than simply battling.
Since he didn't have much else to do in his flat, James decided to go to the Hunter Center (yes, that's what I've decided to call that place.) and see what the highest rated danger zone is.
At the Hunter Center, he found a wall mounted display that had the words "Automated Information". James clicked into it and was met with a login screen that said "Position" and "Password". James was displeased, as he hadn't been informed about any accounts or information technology. He headed over to a hall which had a sign that read "Offices". He walked down the hall and saw various well-furnished offices with people working in them. After walking for a good ten minutes, he reached the end of the hall with a door that had some writing on it. "Mystic Vanquisher". James assumed that this was where he could settle and do some work.
James saw a slot next to the door, and assumed that this would be a place to slot his verification card in, so he took it out and put it in. A green light lit up on the slot and the door swung open, revealing an astounding, beautiful, over furnished, castle-like room.
It was filled to the brim with sculptures, had paintings, a fireplace, a sizable desk and many more assorted objects, such as a couch and chandelier. James rubbed his eyes until he was completely certain that this was indeed an office. His office.
On the desk, there was a computer. Not any run-of-the-mill computer. In this future, every computer company that currently exists also did in that world. The PC was equipped with the most advanced tech, an NVIDIA 9090 Ti alongside an Intel 19900K. It was an absolute beast. Anyways, after finding a battle royale game then bullying and trash talking some kids, he opened a document containing every single known danger zone and proceeded to read.
After skimming over some zones, he found the highest rated zone was an 11 star codenamed "The Devil's Playground". After finding and pinning the location on his hunter band, he set off.
When he arrived, he saw a shocking scene. The entire danger zone was contained within some sort of dome, and the entrance looked like a literal gate to hell, littered with skulls and blood. He pushed the gate open and braced himself for whatever may be inside. There was a clearing and a forest of red trees!
He also saw tens of red skinned humanoids rushing towards him. James utilized his newly acquired fire and blasted all those monsters! They all turned to dust under his stream of fire. Soon, he had patrolled most of the dome's edges and decided to go further into the crimson forest.
In it, he found a small fortress with no guards. The monsters which rushed at him must have been the guards. He smashed the door made of odd looking materials to pieces with a single punch and rushed in.
Torches that burned with a blue flame were lit in the building and the moment he rushes in, they went out.
"So… a lowly human dares to exterminate my guards and smash my door… you'll be paying for that! I, the great overlord of Tartarus, Hades, will make sure you perish!"
James was surprised by the monster in front of him, as it seemed to have been able to speak and also was wearing a suit of odd armor. It had carvings on it etched in with something that had a deep red color.
"Well, I've never encountered a monster that could speak before! You must indeed be special. Also, that suit of armor, tell me what it is!"
"Ah, my armor has caught your eye, I see! Since you are about to die, I'll honor this as your final wish. Only the most talented blacksmith in all of Tartarus was able to create this. The carvings you see were made with the blood of Titans, the previous gods! They have unspeakable power. The Titan whose blood we used was of Kronos, the king of the Titans! He also had the ability to control time. Using his blood and the inscriptions on my armor, I am able to control time to some extent. Be prepared!"
James was terrified from what he had heard… Titans? Kronos? Tartarus? No… was it? At that moment, he came to a realization - this world and his previous one shared the same supernatural beings! The creature he was currently fighting may be the actual Hades, as the monster had no reason to lie. Either way, all that James could do was simply rush and kill what may or may not be a god.