"What the hell is this guy saying?"
A boy with striking white hair stepped forward, his good looks enhanced by sharp, defined features and piercing grey eyes that glinted like steel in the dim light. Clad in a green football team jacket emblazoned with a fierce white tiger on the front, he exuded an air of confidence and intimidation. The jacket hugged his athletic frame, showcasing the strength beneath as he closed the distance between himself and Noah, standing just inches away.
"Follow your orders? Who do you think you're talking to, princess?"
"Move."
"What?"
"I said, move. You've got three seconds."
Noah's voice was cold, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Or what? You think you can make me move, tough guy?"
Boom!
Noah struck fast, driving his knee into the boy's leg with precision. The white-haired boy crumbled to the ground with a pained gasp.
In one fluid motion, Noah pulled a pair of scissors from his back pocket. The metallic glint caught the boy's eyes, and fear flickered across his face.
"Consider this a warning."
Without hesitation, Noah plunged the scissors into the boy's thigh. The blades sank deep, tearing through flesh.
"Urgh-ahhh!!!"
The boy screamed in agony, clutching his leg as blood spilled onto the floor.
Noah looked down, his eyes cold and detached. "Next time someone disobeys, these blades will be in your trachea instead."
"What the hell! You're insane! I'll report you to the police as soon as we get out of here!" the boy shouted, writhing in pain on the ground.
Noah crouched, leaning in until his face was just inches from the boy's. His voice dropped to a low whisper.
"Remember, we have to make it out of here alive first."
With a sharp yank, Noah pulled the scissors from the wound, and blood gushed forth. He stood up, twirling the weapon between his fingers.
"These won't be enough for the boss," he muttered to himself, wiping the blood on his pants. Then, his voice rang out across the group.
"Anyone else have something to add? Remember, this world follows one rule: the strong lead, and right now, no one here is stronger than me."
The entire atrium fell silent. No one dared to breathe. No one dared to challenge him.
"Good. Now, I'll tell you who's coming with me. Kevin, you're first. And you, down there on the floor, what's your name?"
The boy winced, clutching his leg.
"John Fletcher… urgh!"
"Alright, John, you're with us. Oh, and take this."
Noah tossed him a healing potion.
John caught it with trembling hands, his face a mix of fear and pain.
"And finally… Isabel."
Noah's eyes found a blonde girl in the crowd. She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, her gaze meeting his with quiet determination.
"No problem," Isabel replied, her voice steady.
Perfect. With this, the party was complete.
__________________________________
The four of them climbed the stairs, step by step. The walls were splattered with dried blood, a stark reminder of the massacre that had taken place earlier that day.
"Stay calm. We won't encounter any enemies," Noah said confidently.
Kevin shot him a look. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I took care of them before I came to meet you. Or rather, we did," Noah replied with a smirk.
"We?"
John raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with skepticism. "And who's 'we'?"
Noah's smirk widened as he pointed ahead. At the top of the staircase, a skeletal figure awaited them—a creature that once resembled a large ape, now nothing but bones.
"That thing... it's with me. Don't attack it," Noah said nonchalantly as they approached the creature.
__________________________________
At the top of the final staircase, a heavy fire door stood before them.
The party seems balanced.
Noah thought.
These three defeated the boss last time. But today, things will be different. Today, they'll learn exactly who they should follow if they want to survive.
Noah hadn't picked his companions at random. In the original timeline, these three were legends. They had been the ones to defeat what lurked behind that door.
Isabel McDonald: the Dragon Knight.
John Fletcher: the Archmage.
Kevin Brown: Disciple of Achilles.
In the original timeline, these three were hailed as heroes. In this one? Noah intended to be their god.
He turned to the group, his face calm but authoritative. "Listen up. Here's the plan..."
__________________________________
"So, let me get this straight," John interrupted, crossing his arms.
"You want us to stand around and watch while you either massacre the boss or get massacred yourself. Did I get that right?"
"Exactly," Noah replied with a shrug.
"You'll watch, and once we're done, you'll decide whether you want to follow me out of here… or take your chances on your own."
"And what about the others downst—"
"Ugh... how many times do I have to explain this? I hate repeating myself,"
Noah groaned, standing up and stretching.
"Oh, before I forget," he added casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Hand over all your coins."
"EHHH?!"
The three of them exclaimed in unison, their shock evident.
Noah couldn't help but smirk to himself.
Stealing candy from kids has never been this fun.
__________________________________
As they prepared to open the door, Noah felt the weight of what was to come. He had chosen his companions carefully, but this wasn't just about fighting the boss. It was about showing them, showing everyone, who held the true power in this new world.
This fight would determine everything. Not just their survival, but Noah's dominance. He'd make them understand one thing: in this world, there was no choice but to follow him.
With a deep breath, he placed his hand on the door's handle.
"Let's get this over with," Noah muttered under his breath, a dark smile tugging at his lips.
As the door creaked open, the chill of the rooftop air hit them, and a massive shadow loomed in the distance.
The first real battle was about to begin.