Leonard's breath caught in his throat as he faced something completely unreal. The being before him glowed with an otherworldly light, sending electric chills down his spine. This was no ordinary meeting; he felt it deep in his bones—a sensation that echoed like thunder in his mind.
'Am I on Olympus?!' The thought hit him like a rogue wave at the beach, knocking everything else out of his head. Had he kicked the bucket? Was this some kind of do-over? His brain was spinning with questions as he squinted at the figure walking toward him.
Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, stood before Leonard, majestic and commanding. His presence demanded attention, radiating authority and power.
He had a long, flowing beard and hair that shone as white as snow, showing his wisdom and age. His intense, piercing eyes held a mix of divine anger and kindness, capturing what it meant to be a god. In his hand, he carried a thunderbolt—a crackling spear of energy that showed his control over storms and the sky. Everything about him was awe-inspiring and powerful, reflecting what it truly meant to be supreme.
Leonard remembered the details he'd learned about Zeus back on Earth, and they perfectly matched the figure approaching him.
'I… need… to… disappear…'
Just as Zeus opened his mouth to address the mortal, Leonard suddenly vanished into thin air.
Confused, Zeus halted his stride, staring at the spot where Leonard had just stood. Disbelief washed over him as he grappled with the inexplicable event.
Zeus stood frozen, his mind racing as the last remnants of the mortal's presence faded into the air. 'That was definitely a mortal,' he mused, the peculiar sensation lingering like an echo. His size had given him away, yet how could someone vanish so completely?
With a frown creasing his regal features, Zeus scanned the empty lobby, the weight of silence pressing down. No witnesses remained to offer answers, only the flickering light of divine torches illuminating the vast hall. He scratched his snow-white hair in thought, frustration creeping in. What sorcery was this?
'Was that mortal a child of Hermes? Did he simply move too quickly for my eyes to follow?' The possibility danced in his mind, sparking a hint of amusement. A smile crept across his majestic face, soon blossoming into a low, rumbling laugh.
'How delightful! Hermes must have created a notable child! But what a curious circumstance… Is he contemplating elevating him to godhood? How amusing that would be!'
Back in his parents' room, Leonard jolted awake, finding himself sitting on the floor where he had fallen. His eyes widened, sweat beading on his skin as he trembled.
The shock of what he had just experienced left him questioning everything. What had he seen? Why did it happen?
Looking for answers, he glanced down at the shattered orb in his hand, noticing the fragments still clutched tightly in his grip. He sighed, confusion swirling in his mind.
'What kind of dream was that?'
As he calmed himself, the realization of hunger struck him. He stood up and tucked away his parents' letter.
"I will explore the world from this moment on. That must be why I had that dream—to make me realize someone reincarnated me. That god wasn't Zeus, for sure."
With a newfound resolve, he decided to keep the fragments of the gift his parents had left him. To fully embrace life, he knew he had to leave this small village behind.
***
The calm of the forest was shattered as a group of armed men burst through the trees, their faces streaked with sweat and dirt. They breathed heavily, desperation pushing them forward. Roderic, their ruthless leader, scanned the horizon and spotted a small village nestled in a clearing, a wicked glint of determination in his eyes.
"This is it," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos. "We'll take it over and use it as our base."
With a surge of violence, the bandits charged into the village, their sudden attack throwing the residents into a panic. Doors were kicked open, and cries filled the air as they seized supplies. The village square, once a peaceful place, quickly turned into a battleground.
Kellan, a young bandit, rushed to Roderic, panting heavily. "We've taken control, but the villagers aren't giving up without a fight."
Roderic turned his gaze to the frightened villagers gathered in the square, their eyes wide with fear and defiance. "Show no mercy," he ordered, voice cold and commanding.
"This village is our sanctuary now. Anyone who resists will face the consequences."
As dusk fell, the bandits turned the village into their new stronghold. They barricaded exits, took over homes, and hid their stolen goods. The once peaceful village was now a fortress, its quiet life shattered by a harsh new reality.
Night settled in, bringing an uneasy silence. The bandits, now in control, braced for the inevitable counterattack from the government. The villagers, trapped under their rule, faced a turbulent and uncertain future.
At Leonard's house, he stood frozen in the doorway, horror gripping him as bandits ransacked his home. His belongings flew through the air, and his memories lay in ruins.
Rage boiled within him, but before he could act, a rough hand clamped down on his arm.
"Let go of me!" Leonard shouted, struggling against the iron grip.
The bandit dragging Leonard sneered, completely indifferent to his fury. As they reached the village square, Leonard glanced back just in time to see flames engulfing his home. His heart sank, despair intertwining with his rage.
"You'll pay for this!" Leonard screamed, his voice cracking with emotion.
The bandit shot him a dismissive look. "Move it," he ordered, yanking Leonard forward without a second thought.
Tears blurred Leonard's vision as he was dragged away, the roaring fire behind him a painful reminder of everything he had lost.
With every passing second, his rage intensified. Nerves tightened with each step the bandit took.
'I want them dead.' He gritted his teeth, his green eyes blazing with fury.
In that moment, a surge of lightning erupted from his body. The bandit, about to throw him among the other villagers, jolted in shock and lost his grip on Leonard.
Every bandit who witnessed the spectacle understood one thing: Leonard had magic.
"We've got a mage!" one bandit shouted, but they had no idea that Leonard was not just a mage—he was something far greater.
"Hey, mortal. Did you just summon me?" A voice emerged from Leonard's side, cutting through his rage. He turned his head toward the sound, utterly surprised.
[Player Leonard's Class: Summoner]
[You summoned 'The Greek God of the Sky and King of the Gods, Zeus.']
Leonard's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped as he gasped. His eyebrows shot up, and his hands flew to his mouth in shock. For a moment, he stood frozen, unable to comprehend the figure that had just appeared.
It was Zeus, right before him! While he didn't appear giant in his original form, his ethereal and majestic aura was unmistakably powerful.
PassingNote: Let's have a trade.
For every 50 power stones, I will provide a bonus chapter.