Rain walked down the castle's vast corridor, his thoughts running like a river of conflicting emotions.
Duke Orwin had welcomed him with the utmost grace, treating him as an honored guest, unaware of the deeper turmoil stirring within Rain.
The opulent chambers, the elegant servants, and the righteous atmosphere were suffocating.
Orwin was a man of justice, a noble protector of his land—exactly the type of man Rain had no patience for.
It was clear that he couldn't be swayed into helping Rain's more self-serving goals.
To gain Orwin's trust, Rain had skillfully manipulated conversations, aligning himself with the Duke's ideals. He spoke of loyalty to the kingdom, ensuring his demeanor was calm, respectful.
Over time, Orwin had come to see Rain as a fellow patriot, someone who could be relied upon in the days of coming war. Yet, Rain's words were a mask, concealing the true motives behind his every action.
But Orwin wasn't Rain's concern. Not anymore. The real threat lay beyond these walls—heroes summoned from another world.
Just like Rain. But they were far less experienced and not yet a real danger. Only seven days had passed since their arrival, but already, they were being molded and trained for a single purpose: to defeat the Demon Overlord and save this world.
Rain's jaw clenched. Saving this world would mean returning to his old one, and that was something he absolutely could not allow.
Earth had been a prison, and this world, despite its dangers, was freedom.
The thought of going back to his mundane, powerless life on Earth filled him with dread.
No. He would make sure the Overlord wasn't defeated. He'd stay here, where he could carve out his own destiny, no matter the cost.
- Day 7 passed -
[ ● Mana increased + 50, Martial power Increased + 2 ]
Valis, a seasoned knight and a loyal protector of Orwin, had seen men like Rain before—men who hid secrets beneath smiles and polite words.
He observed Rain carefully, noting how his expression changed when the Duke wasn't looking.
There was a dissatisfaction, a restlessness that couldn't be masked behind the veneer of loyalty.
- Day 12 passed -
[ ● Mana increased + 220, Martial power Increased + 11 ]
One evening, after Rain had finished a private conversation with Orwin, Valis approached him. They stood in the castle courtyard, the evening air cool and quiet.
"You've earned the Duke's trust quickly," Valis said, his voice calm but probing.
Rain turned to him, his face a mask of politeness. "I only seek to serve the kingdom."
Valis nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that so? You seem to have a way with words, Sir Gandolf. But I've seen men like you before. Men who speak of loyalty but carry something darker in their hearts."
Rain's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I assure you, my intentions are pure."
Valis stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Be careful where your loyalties truly lie. The Duke may trust you, but not everyone here is so easily swayed."
Rain said nothing, watching as Valis walked away, his warning hanging in the air.
It wasn't long after this encounter that the man in the cloak found him.
One night, while Rain roamed the halls of the castle, searching for information to further his own plans, he found himself in a quiet, empty corridor.
The moonlight filtered in through the windows, casting long shadows across the stone floor.
That's when he saw the figure waiting for him—a man cloaked in darkness, standing at the far end of the hall.
Rain's eyes narrowed, his hand instinctively moving toward the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice low and controlled.
The man stepped forward, his cloak rustling as he moved. "A friend," he said smoothly. "One who knows you are not as loyal to the Duke as you claim to be."
Rain tensed. Few people sought him out in private, and even fewer for legitimate reasons. "And who might you be?"
The man smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Someone who understands the bigger picture, let's say. You see, not everyone is aligned with the Duke's pure intentions. Some of us see things differently... beyond just protecting the land."
Rain kept his guard up. He'd encountered enough smooth talkers in his time to recognize one when he saw it. "Get to the point."
The man's smile faded slightly. "The Demon Overlord. His seal is weakening, Sir Gandolf. It won't be long before it shatters completely. And when it does, chaos will reign. The summoned heroes are the key to stopping that from happening. They're being trained, strengthened, prepared to face the Demon Overlord and his forces."
Rain raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "And why should I care?"
"Because if the Demon Overlord falls, so too does the very balance of this world. These so-called heroes are being protected—captured demons have already attempted to assassinate them but have failed. They are under heavy guard. If they succeed in their quest, they'll bring ruin to this world's order."
Rain's thoughts raced. This was exactly the opening he needed. If the Demon Overlord was defeated, the heroes would fulfill their purpose, and he, too, would be sent back to Earth. But if the Overlord remained, Rain could continue living in this world, far from the mundane existence he had escaped.
"I see," Rain said carefully. "So you want the heroes to fail."
"Not just fail," the man replied, stepping closer, his eyes glinting with purpose. "We need to make sure they're destroyed before they even reach their full potential. The Overlord's forces have already begun targeting them, but they need help. Someone powerful enough to shift the tides. Someone like you."
Rain let the man's words hang in the air for a moment. He had no intention of aligning himself with demons or becoming a pawn in anyone's game, but there was merit in his proposal.
If the heroes were eliminated before they grew strong enough to challenge the Overlord, the balance of this world would remain intact, and Rain could continue living freely, undetected.
"What's your role in all of this?" Rain asked.
The man's smile returned. "Consider me a... facilitator. I have connections with those who serve the Overlord's interests. I've come to you because I believe you can tip the balance in our favor. You may not be aligned with demons, but you understand the importance of preserving your freedom. Help us eliminate the heroes before they reach their full power, and you will secure your place in this world."
Rain looked away, pretending to consider the offer. In truth, he had already made up his mind. He couldn't let these heroes succeed. He wouldn't be dragged back to Earth like some expendable tool. But that didn't mean he trusted this man.
"And what if I refuse?" Rain asked, his voice laced with cold indifference.
The man chuckled, though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "That would be unwise. There are many forces in play, and neutrality isn't an option. Whether you help us or not, the heroes will eventually come for you. It's only a matter of time before they learn of your existence, Sir Gandolf."
Rain remained silent, letting the threat linger in the air. The man clearly thought he held some leverage, but Rain wasn't so easily manipulated. Still, the information was valuable.
It confirmed what Rain had already suspected—the heroes were being protected and groomed for their eventual confrontation with the Demon Overlord. And that meant Rain had to act soon.
"Very well," Rain said at last, his voice measured. "I'll consider your offer. But know this—I won't be anyone's pawn. I'll do things my way."
The man's smile returned, though this time it seemed more genuine. "Of course, Sir Gandolf. I wouldn't expect anything less."
With that, the man turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Rain alone in the corridor. Rain watched him go, his mind racing with possibilities.
This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He had no interest in aiding the Demon Overlord, but stopping the heroes before they could challenge the Overlord was now his top priority.
If they failed, he would remain in this world, free from the shackles of Earth.
Rain soon left the castle, his path clear in his mind. Duke Orwin had granted him the freedom to move as he wished, trusting Rain as a loyal ally. It gave him the perfect cover to roam the city unnoticed.
After all, what reason would a trusted guest have for hiding anything?
The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the noble district, but Rain's mood was anything but bright. The streets were busy with merchants closing their stalls and nobles making their way to evening engagements, but Rain walked with purpose, his destination clear in his mind.
He needed to find out more about these heroes—who they were, where they were being trained, and how best to undermine them.
And for that, he would need allies. Not righteous nobles like Orwin, but those who understood the complexities of this world.
Those who wouldn't hesitate to eliminate a threat, no matter how 'noble' it appeared.
Rain's thoughts darkened as he considered his next move. He had no intention of playing the villain for someone else's game, but if that's what it took to ensure his place in this world, then so be it.
The heroes had to be stopped, and Rain was more than willing to do whatever it took.(Here's the updated stats. I indicate with ● if some stat is changed in that chapter)
Name: Rain
Rank: E - A cultivator
Race: Human
● Martial power: 1173 - Foundation Stablishment realm, 10th stage
● Mana Circle: 3
● Mana: 2700
Abilities:
* Calm Mind - B Rank: The ability to remain calm in any situation.
* Unhinged - SS Rank: A twisted mind immune to any SS-rank or lower mind debuffs, as well as any SS-rank or lower mind-reading or control abilities.
* Reader - S Rank: Can read, comprehend and remember most texts with ease.
* Cultivator: Able to sense Qi and use Qi.
* Sorcerer - Rank EX: Able to highly sense mana, control all elements, limited by knowledge.
* Sorcery - Rank EX: Can cast spells based on imagination, no chanting, magic circles, or catalysts needed.
* Elven bloodline: Their body is much purer, allowing them to naturally sense and contain foreign energy like mana, and live 10× longer than humans.
* Body Reconstruction - Rank EX: Ability to reconstruct and repair the body with energy.
* Global Translation - Rank EX: you can understand all languages in this world, you can translate your speech to any form of language.
* Inventory - 1.5m² in Size: Able to create a space bound to one's soul, Size can be increased based on the mana poured onto it.
● * Mana Heart - 3 stars: Ability to store a huge amount of mana and condense it within the Heart, Give ×3 more mana capacity, Enhance Mana capacity based on bloodline.
Titles:
* Hero-Sama: +10% all stats
Inventory:
* Crown of the Fallen Goblin Emperor - Unidentified
* Goblin king's magic core
* Unidentified Staff
● * 79 gold coins, 914 silver coins