The next day, William made his way to a special room deep within the castle's underground. Here, a unique portal, monitored around the clock, awaited him. It was now time for William's first dive into the Parallel World.
In a person's lifetime, there are three chances to dive into this world. The first dive is often fatal, with nine out of ten participants not surviving. However, it's the second dive that truly matters. Success on the second dive is crucial, as it sets the foundation for one's future. The third dive, while offering a final opportunity, often comes with weakened troops and diminished prospects if the first two attempts failed. Hence, everyone stresses the importance of making the most out of the second dive, knowing that the first is often a brutal and deadly test.
As William stepped into the room, he was greeted by the sight of three familiar figures. His father, King James Von Chronos, stood tall and commanding, the strongest person in the entire Nexus Alliance. Beside him was his mother, Lumia Von Chronos, whose presence was always both comforting and intimidating.
The third figure, however, was someone who always seemed out of place, even in the most dangerous settings. Myster Ross, the rough-looking old man with a long scar etched across his face, including over one eye, gave off an aura that would make any villain in a story seem tame. Despite his rugged appearance, Ross was the guardian of the portal to the Parallel World, a man who practically lived in the underground chamber, keeping constant watch over the portal and dispatching any demons that dared to emerge. His talent was legendary, capable of killing a demon or any threat from over 100 kilometers away, even if he was preoccupied with mundane tasks.
Ross's gaze flicked over to William, his scarred face unreadable as always. "You ready for this, kid?"
If it had been anyone else, they might have trembled at the audacity of calling William "kid" in front of both the King and Queen. But not Ross. In the entire Nexus Alliance, he was the second strongest, right after King James, and a close friend of the royal family.
"You're still the same old friend," James laughed, amused by Ross's casual disregard for formality as he addressed William directly.
"This kid of yours is good," Ross replied quietly, his voice gruff but filled with a rare note of respect. He wasn't one to dole out compliments lightly, but William had something special—a potential Ross had seen in very few.
William nodded, his expression determined. "I'm ready."
Ross gave a slight nod, acknowledging the boy's resolve. He had seen countless young warriors stand where William stood now, each one facing the daunting challenge of their first dive into the Parallel World. But there was something about William that set him apart. Whether it was his upbringing, his training, or simply the fire in his eyes, Ross could tell this boy was different.
"Just remember, once you're in there, it's all on you," Ross said, his tone serious. "No one's coming to pull you out if things go south. But I've got a feeling you'll make it."
As William stepped into the portal, the tension in the chamber shifted dramatically. Lumia, her face tight with a mix of emotions, left the two men behind, retreating to her study without a word. The reason for her abrupt departure was clear to those who knew her well—she couldn't stand to witness what was about to unfold.
The moment she was gone, the atmosphere relaxed, and the seriousness that had hung in the air dissipated like smoke. James, now free from his wife's gaze, pulled out a bottle of strong booze and took a deep swig, grinning at Ross.
"Hah! Old man, I tell you, my son will survive more than a month in there," James boasted, raising his drink in a toast to his own confidence.
Ross snorted, his expression unimpressed. "Don't get ahead of yourself, James. My eyes never lie. He'll make it at least three months in that hellhole," Ross replied, casually taking a drink of his own.
James's eyes gleamed with a challenge as he slammed his bottle on the table. "You wanna bet on that?" he asked, his voice slightly slurred from the alcohol.
Ross grinned, taunting him. "Who's afraid of betting, you pitiful bastard?"
"Who's pitiful!" James shot back, his voice rising as he pointed an accusatory finger at Ross.
Ross chuckled darkly, leaning back in his chair with a smug look. "Strongest man in the Nexus Alliance, yet you only have three wives. Look at me—second strongest, and I've got a harem of over 100 beauties."
James fell silent, his bravado deflating as he slumped back in his chair. He wiped away a tear as he mumbled, "It's all Lumia's fault. After marrying her, she no longer allows me to have any other women."
He wept openly, sinking further into his chair, the mighty king reduced to a forlorn husband under the iron will of his powerful wife. Ross just laughed, shaking his head as he poured them both another drink, he knows Lumia never stopped him it was his own pride after losing to her once, he vowed to never marry any other woman as long as he marries her after defeating her.
William stood in the middle of the crystal-clear lake, surrounded by the lush, green forest, feeling a mix of confusion and disappointment. This was far from what he expected the Parallel World to look like. He had been prepared for a barren, hostile environment, not this serene, almost otherworldly beauty.
As he scanned his surroundings, doubts began to creep in. The dense forest, the vibrant colors, the peaceful atmosphere—it all seemed too perfect, too out of place for the deadly landscape he had been warned about. His first thought was that something had gone wrong with the transmission.
"Did the transmission fail?" William mumbled to himself, still standing naked in the cool water. The idea of a failure was disheartening, especially after all the preparation and the expectations placed on him. He had hoped to not only survive but to thrive, even daring to think he might surpass his father's record of surviving for 11 months on his first dive.
But this... this didn't feel right. If he wasn't in the Parallel World, where was he? And if he was, why did it look nothing like what he'd been led to believe?
His mind raced as he considered the possibilities, each one more confusing than the last. He knew he needed to figure out his next steps quickly, but for now, all he could do was take in the surreal beauty around him and try to make sense of what was happening.