In a dimly lit room, a young, tall, muscular man stood before a middle-sized window. His stoic face, framed by long dark hair and cold black eyes, was focused on several digital windows that appeared before him.
[Your bond with Narod has been strengthened by 9% >> 35%]
Without much surprise, he looked up at the sky, where an unusual reflection of the moon's light caught his attention.
"So, what's on your mind?" a young voice emerged from the side.
Without turning, the man glanced with his peripheral vision to find a young boy resembling a version of his younger self. Turning back to the outside, he spoke with an emotionless voice, "Well, I think it's time to return to the family."
"So, you want to save the world. Don't you remember that you're the villain of this world?" the boy declared, his voice firm.
( Villain, Huh !? ) Fray, recalling the novel's plot through memories acquired from Yassine, mumbled without realizing, "Well, I can't deny that, but I'm not interested in saving the world. I want to rebuild it according to my vision, and this time, I won't let anyone stand in my way." Turning to look at the young boy, he found no one there. Unfazed, he muttered, "But time isn't on my side, I have to start building a team before the Old Continent opens."
Next morning...
The small caste of Serath, its castle, standing sentinel on the western edge of the Dalma family territory, bore the responsibility of safeguarding the cities from the enigmatic creatures dwelling within the nearby Magora Forest.
In front of the sturdy gates of the Castle, Fray in formal attire, perched atop his majestic pegasus, surrounded by a gathering of knights bidding their farewells.
"We owe you a debt of gratitude for the unwavering support you've provided in these past months, young Master. Feel free to return whenever you please," declared a burly man with brown hair and a resolute expression, his face marked by a broad smile.
"General, your hospitality has meant a great deal to me. Thank you," Fray responded, a genuine smile adorning his features.
Amidst exchanged nods and salutes, Fray gracefully mounted his pegasus, preparing to ascend into the sky.
With a final wave to the comrades Fray had fought alongside, he soared into the air, leaving Serath Castle behind. His journey had a clear destination – the Dalma family mansion in Iskar City.
Swiftly soaring on his Pegasus, Fray covered vast distances in just an hour, and Iskar City emerged on the horizon. The city, nestled by the ocean, sprawled with grandeur—a labyrinth of stone buildings, towering walls, and a bustling port, evoking the essence of a medieval fantasy realm.
However, as Fray approached the city gates, his journey took an unexpected turn. Two Pegasus knights, adorned with the Dalma family symbol, soared toward him.
"You don't have permission to enter Iskar City. Identify yourself and state your purpose," one of the knights declared, brandishing his spear with an air of hostility.
(Why is the security is so tight, is something going up ) thinking to himself, Fray reached for his permission, but before he could present it, the knight hurled his spear toward him. Fray, with lightning reflexes, dodged the attack at the last moment.
"What do you have there? Are you trying to pull up a scroll?" the other knight demanded, his tone violent.
" Did you just try to kill me?"His eyes cold Fray unleashed a suffocating aura, surprising the knights.
( H-How can this aura belong to a human !?) One of the knights froze in fear, while the other, with a hesitant yet violent expression, declared, "You dare unleash your aura on the Dalma family elite knights. This is your death day."
Drawing their swords, the knights lunged at Fray, while the other knight still afraid without a choice followed his comrade.
Fray, on his Pegasus, faced them with a stoic expression. Muttering "Cemetery Army," thousands of black bees materialized, enveloping Fray.
The bees, like dark smoke, swirled around Fray, enhancing his presence. With a gesture, Fray directed the Cemetery Army toward the approaching knights.
Confused, one knight questioned, "Is this his spirit?"
Unfazed, the other knight urged, "Let's kill them." Slashing his sword through the bee cloud, the bees deftly evaded the attack. Before the knights could strike again, the bees surrounded them.
"I sense a dangerous threat, use your..." one knight shouted, but before he could finish, the bees swirled and exploded one by one, engulfing the two knights.
Fray, expression unchanged, watched as the knights emerged from the explosion, one holding a shield creating a protective dome. The rest of the bees followed, detonating with a series of explosions.
(They are strong. I can't win with the Cemetery Army alone. I have to land,) Fray thought, scanning for a suitable place to touch down.
"Shit, there's no end to these insects!" The knight with the spear and shining shield struggled to dodge the swirling bees hurtling towards them.
"Look there, he's trying to escape! Let's go, we can't let him get away!" The knight with the long sword screamed, and the two knights pursued Fray, dodging the exploding bees in their path.
Meanwhile, Fray landed near the city wall in a clear terrain. As the knights approached, he awaited their arrival.
Drop!
The knight with the sword dropped in front of Fray, smirking. "You're waiting for us!? Did you become crazy after spending all that time in the Magora Forest?"
Drop!
Beside his fallen comrade, the knight with the spear and shield, his expression filled with fear, whispered, "What are you doing? He'll know that we recognize him!"
"Shut up! It's not a problem; we'll kill him here. He won't be able to tell anyone." The sword-wielding knight screamed with an ugly expression.
Observing the exchange with a stoic expression, Fray mumbled, "Narod, answer my summoning. The first phase, activate."
[The first phase has been activated. Your stats will be multiplied by 35 times,]
Fray's body transformed, muscles growing thicker, and his height increasing. (I can feel it. I've never been this strong before,) Fray thought, sensing the power coursing through his veins.
Fray, as a member of the Dalma family, can use the unique Class of a Spirit Warrior, But Fray due to his legendary soul he has two contracting spirits one of them is the cemetery army and the other's name is Narod, Wich is Fusion type spirit.
(The aura has become stronger. I should end this quickly,) the longsword knight muttered to himself," WindWold answer my call..."
As swirling energy appeared trying to materialize, but before the summon could finish, Fray who was far away from the knight vanished from his view.
The knight's eyes widened in shock as he opened them, desperately scanning his surroundings to detect Fray's location.
Suddenly, a sense of impending danger gripped him from behind. Swiftly turning with superhuman speed, the knight found Fray standing just inches away.
In a frantic attempt to defend himself, the knight raised his sword as quickly as he could, attempting to swing it at Fray. However, before he could execute the strike, Fray, with imperceptible speed, seized the knight's head with both hands.
Click!!
A distinct click echoed in the air, and a blurred motion, the knight's head twisted at an impossible angle. With a look of terror etched on his face, his lifeless body dropped to the ground.
The second knight, with a pale face, stared at the fallen body in front of him. Slowly turning his gaze to Fray, who observed him with a stoic expression, a shiver ran down the surviving knight's spine.
Driven by instinct, the remaining knight utilized every ounce of physical prowess to distance himself from Fray as swiftly as possible.
Meanwhile, Fray, seemingly unfazed by the swift dispatching of his adversary, examined his hands, contemplating his strength. (I always forget how potent this skill is. And this is just the first phase. Just how formidable was Narod when he was alive? Even in the novel, there's no mention or clue about entities like Narod. Perhaps he's related to those mysterious beings, I have to figure this out as soon as possible.)
Narod, a fusion-type spirit, presented an enigma to Fray. Unlike typical spirits, Narod boasted not just one or two but five distinct fusion phases. Despite Fray's inability to unleash the full power of the first phase, he could effortlessly overcome opponents much stronger than himself. The origins of Narod remained shrouded in mystery, especially since Narod was the first known spirit that didn't establish any contact with its contactor.
Lost in contemplation, Fray's attention shifted to the surviving knight, who, covered in sweat, struggled to devise a plan against an opponent who had effortlessly slain his comrade. Interrupting the knight's thoughts, Fray turned to him with a cold expression before calmly asking, "Don't you want to call for backup?"