As Gremory stood before me, paralyzed and helpless, I could see the fear etched in his eyes—but there was something more, a glimmer of defiance, faint but unmistakable. It made me pause.

"Is there something you want to say?" I asked, my voice cold yet tinged with a dark amusement.

Gremory looked up, his expression hardening. "In all my decades… to think I'd lose to a pack of lizards… flying lizards at that! Led by a contemptible hero!" He spat the words out, throwing a venomous glare at the army of dragons circling above.

"Now, now," I chuckled, crossing my arms as I settled back onto the Black Dragon's massive shoulder. "Let's not pretend anyone here is a victim. We had an agreement, Gremory."

Hero's POV

"Liar!" Gremory shouted, cutting me off. "You agreed to destroy the kingdom you.."" He didn't get to finish as I appeared before him in a blur, my hand gripping his throat. His eyes widened, a flicker of fear blending with his furious glare as he struggled in my grasp. I could feel his pulse racing beneath my fingers.

I leaned in, my voice low and steady. "You had your chance to keep your word, Gremory. But you broke our pact now, you pay the price."

He thrashed in my grip, but it was no use. He was at my mercy. I smiled"a cold, cruel smile that made him shudder. "I should have killed you when I had the chance," he said, his voice trembling. "I had you at my mercy once and I let you go. That was my mistake."

In a swift, brutal motion, I tore his arm off, watching the limb fall lifelessly to the ground. Gremory let out a strangled scream, his remaining hand igniting with a red energy that he hurled at me. I batted it away with a flick of my wrist, then lunged forward, my hand seizing his throat tighter as I lifted him off the ground.

"You should have known better than to challenge me," I hissed, my gaze piercing into his. "Die!" he roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield as a crimson sword manifested in his hand. With a desperate swing, he aimed it at my neck. But as the blade struck, it shattered like fragile glass against my skin. The look of shock and horror on his face was almost laughable, and I couldn't resist a smirk.

"You're right, Gremory," I sneered, "you should have killed me when you had the chance."

He paled, his voice a faint whisper. "You you're a monster. You're not supposed to exist."

"Oh, but I do," I replied, my tone dark and laced with mockery, the shallow cut on my neck healing instantly. I chuckled. "Any more tricks up your sleeve? If not, I'll be taking what's mine."

Gremory's lips twisted into a crazed grin as his entire body began to glow, radiating a blinding, white light. "You fool," he spat, his voice filled with bitter contempt. "Did you really think I'd come unprepared?"

With that, the light intensified, and I felt an unexpected surge of energy. Something was happening, something I couldn't explain. Then, everything went black.

A voice—a dragon's voice—snapped me back to reality. My eyes opened to see her standing before me, her expression full of concern.

"I'm fine," I assured her, brushing off her worry. "I knew he'd try something like that, so I was prepared." I stood there in my half-dragon form, holding up a crimson-red sphere. The dragon's eyes widened in recognition.

"Is that…?" she began, her voice trailing off.

I nodded, a sly grin spreading across my face. "It is," I said. "The Demon Lord's Essence. And now it's mine."

Just then, the system interface appeared before me:

[Demon Lord's Essence: {Mythical}]

"I haven't done this before, but with my current level, this shouldn't be too difficult." Taking a deep breath, I swallowed the essence. A new notification appeared:

[Host has swallowed the essence of the Demon Lord.]

At first, nothing happened. Then, a searing pain tore through me, as if every atom in my body was being ripped apart and reassembled. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't even think—I could only feel the agony ripping through me.

My vision went black once more.

♤♤♤

I opened my eyes, groaning. Had it all been a dream? I was lying in a bed—a comfortable one, but it wasn't mine. I sat up, looking around, realizing I wasn't in a magic circle anymore, and I was back in my human form.

"What the hell is going on?" I muttered. That's when I noticed the system interface hovering in front of me.

[THE 100TH PLAYTHROUGH: THE HOST HAS FAILED YET AGAIN. THE HOST ATTEMPTED TO ABSORB AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF ENERGY BEYOND THE SYSTEM'S EXPECTATIONS. THE SYSTEM HAS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE HOST'S ABILITIES. HOWEVER, THIS RESULTED IN THE HOST'S DEATH.]

"I can't believe this," I muttered, frustration boiling over. "I worked so hard to get to this point, and now I have to start all over again?" I shook my head, hardly able to process it. It was so unfair. But… at least I still had the power of the essence. That gave me a glimmer of hope.

"Display my stats screen," I commanded, eager to see the results of my newfound abilities.

The interface flashed, filling with new information.

[Reviewing Host's level...]

[Name: Alistair ??. Title: Noble

Level: 1.

Race: Human

Stats:

Strength: D, Constitution: E, Dexterity: D,

Speed: C, Intelligence :S, Wisdom: B, Charisma: F,

Enhancement: F, Weapon Mastery: F, Politics: C

Intuition: E, Magic: D, Nature magic: F, Focus: E. Mana Capacity:D

◇: F

He looks at the strange glyphs and a screen pops up

[Name: Alistair ??. Title: Fallen Hero,

Level: 999+ Outcast, Dragon Slayer...

Race: Chimera

Stats:

Strength: SSS+, Constitution: SSS+, Dexterity: SSS, Speed : SSS+,Mana Capacity:SSS+

Intelligence: SS, Wisdom: SS, Charisma: SSS+, Spirit: SSS+,

Enhancement: SSS+, Weapon Mastery: SSS, Appraisal: SSS+

Evil miasma: SSS+, Magic: SSS+, Massacre: SSS+, Submission: SSS+

Dragon Control: SSS+, Devour: SSS+, Aura: SSS+, Elementals: SSS+

Fortitude: SSS, Mental Fortitude: SSS+, Indominable: SSS+, Equip: SS

Magic: SSS+, Dark Magic: SSS+, Light Magic: SSS+, Chaos Magic: SSS+

Demonic Apotheosis: SSS+, Demon Control: SSS+, Insight: SSS+, …

Dragon Form: ◇, Demon lord: ◇]

[◇: F - Can only access this for 30 minutes]

"How is this possible?" I exclaimed, my tone full of wonder. "My stats remain unchanged." I paused trying to make sense of what I was seeing. "Is this a glitch in the system? I don't recognize the symbol."

[ If the Host exceeds the time limit penalties will be given]

[The penalties Host is likely to receive are severe backlash, fatigue, psychosis, physical damages, and possibly Death]

*Sighs*, I stand up from the bed and stretch, feeling the aches and pains of the previous incident, I walk towards the window and look around realizing that I am still in the Seifina Kingdom. "Why am I in a bedroom instead of a magic circle?" I asked, my voice tinged.

[ Host's Playthrough has been changed.

The Role of the Hero is stripped from the Host

A new role has been given to the Host, Host

is now the son of a Duke, Sir Gray IV of Sefina.]

" I am not a Hero? Sir Gray? I remember him a lot during the summoning ceremony. The younger brother of that Grumpy Oaf. Interesting, this shouldn't be too bad". I turn to the oval ivory mirror at my side, my dark eyes stare back at me. My appearance was still the same but I looked more human than in my previous life".

I open my mouth to respond, but the words are cut off by a knock on the door. "Come in," I called out, my voice low and hoarse. A young maid enters the room, her head bowed. "Your dinner is ready, and the Duke wishes to speak with you," she said. I nod, I'll be there shortly." The maid curtsies and leaves the room, leaving me alone once more. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the evening ahead.

As I walk down the hallway, I couldn't help but wonder what I will find when I arrive at the dining room. I know so little about my family, and I want to learn more. Suddenly, a blinding light fills my vision, and I feel a sharp pain in my head. When the light fades, I see a vast array of information floating in front of me. It was too much to process all at once, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and slowly open them again. "Next time a heads up, goddammit. I sigh as I continue walking." this family. *I smirk*, maybe interesting".

I walk into the dining room. "I apologize for my tardiness," I said, keeping my voice respectful. "It won't happen again." My stepmother scowls, her eyes cold and distant. "Your father has been waiting for you, and dinner is getting cold." I take my seat, avoiding eye contact with her. I could feel her gaze on me. My father was not angry with me. He simply greets me with a cool nod and gestures for me to begin eating. I had expected punishment for my tardiness, but it seems I had been spared. Perhaps my father didn't care as much as I had thought, or perhaps he was simply saving his anger for another time. Whatever the case.

As I finish my meal, my father clears his throat. "I have news that you may find interesting," he said, his voice low and measured. I tensed. "The royal family has announced a summoning ceremony, to summon heroes from other worlds to fight against the Demon King." I was shocked. I knew what this meant. A bitter laugh escape my lips, a laugh that only I could hear. "Poor soul," I whispered, "another sacrifice to suffer." I knew all too well what it meant to be a "hero," summoned to another world to fight a war that was not my own. I knew the risks, the sacrifices, and the pain that would come with such a fate. And yet, I knew I would be able to escape it. The summoning ceremony wasn't my destiny anymore.

"Alistair," my stepmother said sharply, her voice like a whip. "You must learn to control yourself, or you will bring shame to the family." My stepbrother, Harvey, nods in agreement. "Mother, I suggest that Alistair stay in the castle," he said, his voice smug and self-satisfied. "He may cause a nuisance during the ceremony." I kept my face impassive, but inside, I was seething. How dare they talk about me like I was a child like I was someone who needs to be disciplined and controlled. I knew they were wrong, but I would not give them the satisfaction of showing them how I felt. Instead, I smiled; a cold, empty smile that sent a shiver down Harvey's spine.

My father cleared his throat, his voice commanding the attention of the room. "As much as I understand your concerns," he said, addressing my stepmother and stepbrother, "all of us must be present at the summoning ceremony. My brother, the king, has requested it. Clara and Callum are currently in training, Alistair, you will be attending." I met my father's gaze, my expression carefully blank. I knew that I could not refuse his command.

I sit in my room, my thoughts whirling. I was glad it was over. I hear a knock at the door, and I call out, "Come in." A butler and a maid enter, pushing a rack of exquisite clothing into the room. "Lord Alistair," the butler said, "you must choose your attire for the summoning ceremony." I sigh, knowing that I could not refuse. I go over to the rack, my eyes scanning the fine fabrics and intricate designs, my eyes settling on a black suit, exquisite in its simplicity. But as I reach for it, I notice something odd. I pause, my hand hovering over the fabric. I feel a sense of unease, but I brush it aside. I take the suit off the rack and gave the butler and maid a brief nod, telling them to leave without uttering a word. As I examined the suit more closely, I noticed a subtle thrum of dark magic in the fabric. The symbol was a curse, but it was only a D-rank curse, easily dispelled by someone of my skill level. With a flick of my hand, I dispelled the curse, absorbing the magic into a small, dark orb. I popped the orb into my mouth, swallowing it in one gulp. I couldn't help but laugh, wondering who had thought such a weak curse could affect me. It was almost comical.

Evening came as we arrived at the castle, the butler announces our arrival, and I could hear the buzz of conversation die down, replaced by polite applause. I could feel the eyes of the other guests upon us, and rolled eyes at their nosy inspection. I scan the room, taking in the opulent surroundings. Chandeliers glittered above us, casting a soft glow over the crowd. The floor was polished marble, gleaming like ice. Servants moved through the room, carrying trays of fine wine and delicate finger food. It was no familiarity to me, This was the place centre of the ball where we were summoned before the king. "No surprise, The poor souls will meet this same celebration. An evil grin on my face. The room went silent as the butler made his announcement. The grand doors at the far end of the ballroom swung open, and the royal family entered, their presence causing a stir among the gathered crowd. King Edgar, a tall, imposing figure, his crown gleaming in the light of the chandeliers. I sniffed in disgust. This grunt got an update, he is no more the fat king I cut up. Queen Eleanor was a vision in a flowing gown of gold and white, her beauty dazzling all who saw her. And Princess Catherine? I was surprised by this new character. She was a vision of loveliness, her eyes alight with curiosity and wonder. I remember the royal family was childless in my previous playthrough. They made their way through the crowd and unto their thrones respectively. King Edgar stood at the front of the room, with his false benevolent smile on his face as he addressed the crowd. "My good people, I am pleased to welcome you all to this momentous occasion. We have gathered here today for a very important purpose - the arrival of heroes ." The crowd responded with polite applause, but I could sense the undercurrent of excitement that ran through them. The king continued, "We hope that these great heroes will be able to help us in our time of need, and we are grateful for their presence." He paused, taking a breath. "Now, without further ado, I will begin the summoning. "I heard the king say "heroes" instead of "hero" and my curiosity was piqued. Was there more than one hero being summoned? As I stood there, surrounded by the crowd, I felt a surge of annoyance. I had been alone for so long, fighting my battles without anyone by my side. I had sacrificed so much, and yet I had been treated like a disposable tool, a means to an end. It wasn't fair, and I knew it, but I couldn't help but feel resentful. I wasn't just angry - I was furious. How dare they summon more heroes, after everything I had been through? It was almost as if they were mocking me, rubbing salt in my wounds. And yet, there was something else beneath the anger. Something I couldn't quite name. It was a mix of longing and regret, a sense of loss and grief. A dark smile crossed my lips as I thought about the other heroes meeting the same fate as me. I had been through so much, and yet I was still here, still fighting. I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the thought of others suffering the same way I had. It was petty and vindictive, but I couldn't deny the satisfaction I felt. I knew it wasn't right, but I couldn't help myself. I was only human after all.

As the door opens, four people enter the room. I took in their appearance, noting that two of them are girls and two boys. They were all dressed in the same uniform, a simple yet elegant robe of white and gold. Their eyes are aglow with a strange light, and they carried themselves with an air of confidence and strength. A tall and lean, his black hair falling to his shoulders, his cyan eyes piercing. His features were sharp and aristocratic, and he carried himself with quiet confidence, his introduction wasn't my business. The introduction was all the same, they pledged their allegiance. I heard a murmur, I noticed that Harvey, his eyes lingering on a hero, Kyoto, a beautiful and small in stature lady, her figure was anything but petite. She had a figure, with curves that were impossible to ignore. Her beauty was undeniable, and she exuded an air of sensuality that was hard to ignore. Her peach-blonde hair only served to accentuate her natural allure, and she was a woman who knew how to use her charms to her advantage. But beneath the surface, there was a strength that belied her delicate. I felt a surge of disgust and annoyance. it was clear that Harvey didn't see her as anything more than a beautiful object to be admired. His feeling was lust as his eyes stared blankly, his cheeks flustered. The heroes stood in a row, their hands raised as they took their oath. "I swear to protect this kingdom with all my strength, to defend it from any threats," they declared in unison. The crowd erupted in applause, their cheers echoing throughout the hall. The heroes lowered their hands, and the ceremony continued. As I was heading to the refreshment table, I collided with Rylan, a hero "Oh, I'm so sorry!" he exclaimed, his face turning red. "I didn't see you there." I passed him off, feigning indifference. "It's fine," I said curtly, trying to avoid any further interaction. I didn't have much patience for Rylan, who I found to be too flashy and overconfident, I observed the ceremony, and I couldn't help but notice Harvey, beside my stepmother, his eyes fixed on Kyoko. Harvey's gaze was intense, almost predatory. I laughed as I watched Harvey squirm in embarrassment, I couldn't help but compare him to a particularly silly-looking animal, a Buffon. No matter how hard I tried to hold back my laughter, I couldn't help but chuckle at the mental image. As Lady Adriana, My stepmother noticed Harvey's gaze on Kyoko, she leaned in and whispered something in his ear. I couldn't hear what she said, but it was clear that it affected Harvey. His cheeks turned a bright shade of red, and he quickly averted his gaze. He seemed embarrassed and slightly ashamed, and I couldn't help but be disgusted at the way, he is at this moment. As I was lost in thought, I suddenly noticed my father, the Duke, speaking with the King of Sefina. They were deep in conversation, their voices hushed but animated. It was clear that the conversation between my father and the King of Sefina was more than just a casual exchange. They spoke with the easy familiarity of brothers, sharing stories and inside jokes. As I turned around, I caught Kyoko's gaze fixed on me, her eyes bright and inquisitive. She smiled at me, I kept my expression neutral and gave nothing away. I turned and walked across the ballroom as if I hadn't noticed her at all. I didn't even know why I was feeling this sense of recognition. But I felt like I needed to keep my distance, at least for now.

As the king's voice rang out across the hall, the crowd fell silent, their attention rapt. "I have one last announcement to make," he said, his voice solemn. "A goddess has graced us with her presence today, and she has agreed to bestow the blessings of the gods upon our heroes." Gasps of amazement rippled through the crowd as they wondered what this could mean. Suddenly, a white circle of light appeared on the floor of the hall, and a tall, elegant woman stepped out of it. Her long, white robes glimmered with an inner light, and her hair shimmered like the great blue sea. Her eyes were a startling shade of blue, and her face was as beautiful as any artist's rendering of a goddess. The crowd fell to their knees, their heads bowed in reverence. But I stood firm, a slight smirk on his lips. "I guess some things haven't changed," he said, his voice full of wry amusement goddess spoke, her voice ringing with authority. "Greetings, people of this realm," she said, her words echoing around the hall. "I am known as the Goddess of Light, and I have come to bestow my blessings upon you. Know that you are not alone in your fight against the demon lord. I and the other gods stand with you, and we will do all that we can to ensure your success." There was a ripple of excitement among the heroes, their spirits lifted by the goddess's words. " pfft, same introduction as usual"

I muttered folding my arms. The goddess raised her hand, and an array of weapons appeared before the heroes. There were swords, axes, bows, and staffs of all shapes and sizes. The weapons seemed to hum with magical energy as if they were alive. The heroes gasped in wonder, their eyes fixed on the dazzling display. The goddess smiled and spoke again. "These weapons have been crafted by the gods themselves, and they are imbued with powerful magic. To claim your weapon, simply reach out and call it to you by name. "As I stood there, my mind was racing. The goddess was lying about the origins of these weapons, it was just a normal blacksmith and her dumb magic. Harvey suddenly approached me, I could feel my irritation rising. he whispered something that stopped me in my tracks. "You should watch your back, pal. Kyoko is mine, and I won't let you take her from me." I turned to face him and arched my eyebrow. I had underestimated him, and now I was going to have to deal with his obsession.

I overlooked Harvey's words as I felt a sudden flash of insight. Rylan's weapon had been a double sword, exclusive to heroes. I recalled the information I remembered something about the ceremony and the fact that it was about the weapons who which was only available to heroes. I quickly checked my system, and the words "Hero" still flashed in the corner of the system screen. I slowly backed away behind Harvey. Brandt catches a broad long sword which moved towards him. Farrah also caught two twin daggers.

As I stood behind Harvey, I watched as the racks of weapons started to rattle and shake. The goddess tried to speak, but her words were drowned out by the deafening sound of metal clanging against metal. I heard the other heroes gasp, and I knew that something was about to happen. Suddenly, the weapons flew off the racks, hurtling towards Harvey with deadly force. He let out a shriek of terror, backing away until he tripped and fell to the ground. The last of the weapons landed directly between his legs, and he let out a high-pitched yelp. The ballroom had fallen into stunned silence, and everyone was staring at Harvey in shock. But not me I was fighting the urge to burst out laughing at the ridiculous sight before me. As my stepmother rushed towards Harvey, she fixed me with a glare so withering that it would have turned a lesser man to stone. "Are you alright, my dear?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Harvey nodded, his eyes still wide with shock. But then, my stepmother's gaze turned cold as she turned to me. "This is your fault!" she snapped. "You did something to cause this, didn't you?". "I am simply an observer. I have no such powers or no magic. I cannot do anything to cause such a disturbance." But she would not be convinced. "Liar!" she said. " I'm not so easily fooled. You must have done something to cause this." I opened my mouth to protest, but she cut me off. "Enough!" she snapped. The king stood up and placed a reassuring hand on my stepmother's shoulder, and she visibly relaxed under his touch. "I understand your concern, my lady," he said, his voice kind but firm. "But I trust your son's word. He has no reason to cause such a disturbance, and I believe him when he says he is innocent." He turned to the goddess. The king bowed his head respectfully, his manner formal and polite, "Goddess, I understand that you may be uncertain as to what happened. The goddess hesitated, clearly still shaken by the events. She took a deep breath and began to speak. she turned to Harvey, her eyes searching his face. "It seems that this boy has been blessed.," she said. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, and I could see my father's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Blessed?" he repeated. "What does this mean?" The priestess spoke again, her voice ringing with authority. "It means that your son, Harvey has been chosen by the gods for a special purpose. A divine purpose, for which he will fulfill the destiny of a hero" My father looked at Harvey, and I could see the confusion on his face. I knew he was struggling to understand what was happening, and I felt a pang of sympathy for him. Adriana's embrace of Harvey seemed to confirm the goddess's words, and I scowled "Blessed? Him? Don't make me laugh" I thought. The king's laughter rang out, breaking the tense silence in the room. He clapped my father on the back, a smile spreading across his face. "Grayson, it seems you have more reason to be proud of your family," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "I had no idea that you had another special gift in your midst." He turned to Harvey. The king's words seemed to rouse Harvey from his stupor, and he stood up straight, his eyes wide. "Your majesty," he began, his voice shaking slightly. "I am humbled by your words. I did not know that I was blessed in such a way." The king nodded, and I could see that he was pleased with Harvey's response. "It is a rare and precious gift, young man," he said. The King's voice cut through the silence, and Harvey turned to face him, his expression full of trepidation. "I ask that you join your fellow heroes," the king said, his tone gentle but firm. Harvey nodded, his eyes fixed on the floor, and slowly made his way to stand next to Kyoto. She gave him a soft smile, and he blushed, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. The goddess's voice rang out, resonating through the room like a bell. "I now call upon the gods to bless you, heroes," she said, her eyes glowing with a strange light. "In times of great danger, in moments of peril, you will have the strength and power of the gods with you. This blessing will remain with you for as long as you need it, and it will never fail you." The heroes stood in awe, their eyes wide with wonder. I sighed the goddess's blessing. more like a curse. Instead of saving me from death, it had simply put me in this eternal hell." I have blessed you with a system that will be of great use to you in your quest," the goddess announced, her voice echoing through the hall. "It will give you information on anything and everything, allowing you to make the best decisions for your journey. With this system, you will be able to overcome any obstacle and reach your ultimate goal." The heroes looked at each other, their eyes wide with wonder. The ceremony went on, but I was no longer paying attention. My mind was elsewhere, I slowly made my way out of the hall, trying to go unnoticed. The goddess entered the guest room, and I stepped out from the shadows and grabbed her by the neck. She was startled, and I could see the fear in her eyes." "Who are you?" the goddess demanded, her voice quivering. "Do you have any idea who I am?" she added, trying to sound authoritative, but her tone betrayed her fear. I just smiled, enjoying the power I had over her. "Typical Seraphina, playing goddess as usual," I said, a smirk playing on my lips. Seraphina's eyes widened in recognition, and she let out a shrill shriek of fear. "Alistair!" she cried, trying to release from my grip. "How are you here? I thought you were..." she trailed off, to finish the sentence. I just grinned, enjoying her fear. "Dead?" I finished for her. "Not quite."

"I can see that now," Seraphina said, her voice trembling. "But how is this possible? And why aren't you a hero anymore?" she asked, her eyes darting around the room, looking for a way out. I tightened my grip on her. "I should ask you," I said, " you have to answer a question for me." Seraphina looked at me, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper." why did the gods change my status from hero to noble?" I asked, my voice cold and calculating. "What's up with the system, and what are the gods planning?" Seraphina looked at me, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I don't know," she stammered, shaking her head. "I'm just following orders. I don't know anything else." I narrowed my eyes at her, not believing her for a second. "I think you're lying," I said, my voice hard."Who are you taking orders from?" I asked, pressing my advantage. Seraphina was shaken, and I could feel her weakening under my grip. "I-I can't tell you," she said, her voice barely audible. "I'm just a servant, following orders. I don't know anything else." I could tell she was terrified I could see that I wasn't going to get anything else out of her. I released my grip on her, and she fell to the ground, gasping for air.

"You shall say nothing of this ".I told her. She nods weakly. As I made my way back to the ballroom, I passed Brandt and Farrah, who were discussing my brother Harvey's newfound status as a hero. I couldn't help but chuckle, a dark, sinister sound that made them both jump. "What's so funny?" Brandt asked, his voice in annoyance, I ignored him and kept on walking. As I made my way through the ballroom, I found myself face-to-face with Kyoto, one of the other heroes. We made eye contact, and I felt a rush of annoyance. Why was I running into all of these people so soon after returning? I tried to brush past Kyoto, but she called out my name. "Alistair!" she said, Kyoto's words stopped me in my tracks, and I turned to face her. "What did you say?" I asked, my voice tense. "The system," she said, a smile playing on her lips. "It reveals people's names and levels. Did you know that?". "I know all about it," I said, trying to sound casual. "What do you want, Kyoto?" Kyoto seemed surprised by my directness, but she recovered quickly. "Nothing, really," she said, her smile still in place. "I just wanted to talk to you. We haven't had a chance to get to know each other, and I thought it might be nice". " I don't have time for idle chit-chat.," I said, not bothering to hide my impatience. " I have more important things to do."

Kyoto opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get a word out, a loud explosion shook the castle, and a guard burst into the room. "Wyvern!" he yelled, panic in his voice. "A wyvern is attacking the kingdom!" All of the other heroes looked at each other, fear and uncertainty on their faces. As the crowd of people started to panic, I saw my chance. While everyone else was frozen in fear, I slipped away, making my way to the top of the castle. From there, I had a clear view of the battle raging below. I watched the chaos below, I realized something. This wasn't a wyvern. It was something much more powerful. It was a dragon and not just any dragon. It was Oreia...

Hope you liked it. ☺️❤️