The night descended like a velvet shroud, casting long shadows through the dense forest. Min Joon walked behind the mercenary, heart pounding as they trudged along a winding path. His mind was sharp, alert to every rustle of leaves, every whisper of the wind. The mercenary hadn't spoken another word since they started walking, his aura imposing and impenetrable.
But Min Joon's mind was racing.
This world—Cale's world—was an intricate web of power and secrets. Characters would rise, alliances would form, betrayals would unfold. Min Joon knew every twist and turn from his years spent obsessively reading the story, yet now he was entangled in it, living each moment of Cale's destiny.
[**"Host is advised: Unforeseen variables may alter the course of the original story. New players have entered the stage."**]
Min Joon nearly stumbled. "New players?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The mercenary glanced back. "You say something, boy?"
Min Joon shook his head, eyes wide. The system's words haunted him. *New players?* What did that mean?
They soon reached a small clearing, the moonlight flooding the space with an eerie silver glow. Sitting in the middle of the clearing was a woman, wrapped in a heavy cloak, her hood pulled low over her face.
She rose with a silent grace as they approached. Her eyes, a piercing amber, shone beneath the hood, studying Min Joon with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. The moonlight outlined her face, showing high cheekbones and a faint scar across her jawline. There was a power in her presence, one that was quiet but undeniable.
"Ah, you brought him," she said, her voice soft but commanding. She looked Min Joon over, her gaze piercing. "Is this him, Darius? The one you said you found wandering alone?"
"Yes," Darius replied, his tone lacking any hint of deference. "He has… potential. Something unusual about him, though he claims to be just another noble's son." He tilted his head toward Min Joon. "Introduce yourself."
Min Joon hesitated. He had learned enough in this world to understand that a single word, the slightest misstep, could be his undoing. But he also knew that hesitation was weakness.
"Cale von Astaroth," he said, his voice steady, masking the tremor of nerves beneath. "But you… can just call me Cale." He forced a smile, hoping it appeared genuine.
The woman's lips curved slightly, though her eyes remained cold and assessing. "Cale," she repeated. "Such a simple name for someone with such… interesting company."
Min Joon tried to keep his expression neutral. This woman was no ordinary character. She radiated an energy that wasn't mentioned in any of the chapters he had read. She was one of those "unforeseen variables."
He took a deep breath, his mind racing to piece together her identity. In the original story, the early arcs had revolved around Cale's own cruel schemes. He was meant to cross paths with noble families, mercenaries, and eventually, Arthur, the hero himself. But this woman… she had never been part of that plot.
*Who was she?*
The woman stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Do you know who I am?"
"No," Min Joon replied, keeping his voice firm.
She tilted her head, a hint of amusement flickering across her face. "You can call me Selena." She paused, letting the name hang in the air. "I make it my business to know things, Cale. Important things. Especially when a young noble with no escort and no family guards appears alone in the forest."
"Seems dangerous, doesn't it?" Min Joon replied, his voice steady but soft. He didn't want to provoke her, but he couldn't afford to look weak either.
Her eyes flashed. "Quite. Tell me, are you as naive as you appear, or do you know why Darius brought you here?"
He glanced at Darius, who offered no support, his face an unreadable mask. Min Joon swallowed, remembering that hesitation could be dangerous. "I know that I'm here for a reason, and I'm willing to listen."
Selena's gaze lingered on him, assessing, weighing. "Good," she said finally. "The world we live in is… complex. And men like you, Cale, often underestimate its complexities. You think that because of your noble blood, you're safe. That power alone will shield you. But power comes at a price." Her words hung heavily in the air. "Are you willing to pay it?"
Min Joon felt the weight of her gaze, and for a brief moment, he saw something behind her eyes—a flicker of sadness, perhaps, or regret. But it vanished before he could understand it.
"I don't know what you're asking of me," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "But I've already paid a price I didn't choose."
Selena smiled, a brief, almost wistful expression that made her seem somehow… more human. "Then perhaps you'll be able to understand." She glanced at Darius, giving him a nod.
Darius stepped forward, placing a rough hand on Min Joon's shoulder. "Selena has a task, one that could change the course of your life if you succeed. She knows things, Cale. Things that go far beyond what any noble child could comprehend."
"Consider it a trial," Selena added, her eyes gleaming. "You succeed, and you'll have earned knowledge worth more than gold, more than power itself. You'll know the truth."
Min Joon's heart raced. He couldn't read these people's intentions, couldn't predict what lay ahead. But he knew that he needed to do this, needed to seize this opportunity if he wanted any chance of breaking free from the story's script.
"What do you want me to do?" he asked, his voice steady.
Selena's smile grew, but it didn't reach her eyes. "There's a fortress to the west, isolated and guarded by a cult that reveres power above all else. They've taken… something important. Something that belongs to me. Your job is to retrieve it and return it here."
Min Joon felt a chill settle in his chest. "You want me to go up against an entire cult?"
"Think of it as a… learning experience," she said, her voice laced with dark amusement. "And don't worry—you won't be alone."
She gestured behind him, and Min Joon turned, realizing that someone else had joined them, silently slipping into the clearing. He barely contained his shock as he took in the newcomer: a young woman, with fiery red hair and a cloak draped over slender, athletic shoulders. She carried herself with the confidence of a seasoned fighter, her sharp gaze sweeping over him in cool appraisal.
"This is Astra," Selena said. "She's an old friend—and she's here to ensure you don't get yourself killed."
Astra's expression was unreadable as she looked at him, her eyes like ice. "Just try to stay out of my way," she said, her tone flat. "I'm not here to babysit a noble."
Min Joon forced himself to stand taller, meeting her gaze. "I'm not looking for a babysitter."
Astra raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk playing at her lips. "Then let's hope you can keep up, Cale von Astaroth."
Selena's voice broke through, bringing their attention back to her. "Return with what I seek, and I'll give you the answers you crave, Cale. Answers about this world, about power… and perhaps, even about yourself."
Min Joon's heart pounded, his mind reeling with possibilities. Selena's words had hinted at secrets, truths that he couldn't afford to ignore. And if this was the price for a chance at freedom, he was willing to pay it.
He nodded. "I'll do it."
Selena's smile grew wider, colder. "Good".