Marcus trudged through the thick underbrush of the forest, his mind swirling with thoughts of his encounter with Cassius and the mysterious Chronomancer's Key. Despite the palpable tension of the situation, the weight of the moment, Marcus couldn't help but feel... weary. He had never asked for this. He didn't want to be the hero, the one who carried the fate of the world on his shoulders. His only desire had been to live a simple life, perhaps tending to his farm in peace, away from the chaos of fate, gods, and grand destinies.
But here he was, caught in the middle of it all, with the universe seemingly determined to force him onto the path of a hero. And to make matters worse, the system—his inexplicable, overenthusiastic companion—was still by his side, poking its virtual head into his thoughts at every possible opportunity.
*Ding!*
