Korten's brutal words still echoed in Raiden's mind. "There is no need for such failure!" His father's disdain had been a constant presence in his life, a reminder that he was never good enough.
Raiden's tears fell like rain as his father's blows rained down on him. "Why are you always like this?" he sobbed, his voice barely audible.
Korten's response was a slap, followed by a merciless beating. "You're gonna fight with me? Huh, get a life loser."
As the beating continued, Raiden's world went dark. He was lost in a sea of pain and despair.
Just as suddenly as it had begun, the beating stopped. Korten's voice was cold, detached. "Go do that work over there, and no food for you today!"
Raiden's response was barely audible, his voice shaking with fear. "Okay..."
As he stumbled away, a magical fairy godmother appeared before him. Her voice was like a ray of sunshine, warm and comforting. "I've heard you've got beaten by your dad? REALLY? ARE YOU THAT NON-MALE?"
Raiden's eyes welled up with tears as he looked at the fairy. "Go do your work," he whispered, his voice cracking.
But the fairy's words were cut short by the sound of screaming villagers and the roar of flames. Raiden's village was ablaze, his parents' voices echoing through the chaos.
Raiden's world went dark once more, his mind reeling with shock and horror. The fairy's voice was a distant echo, a reminder that he was not alone.
As the village burned, Raiden's anger and despair boiled over. "I will kill those monsters, and I WILL!" he screamed, his voice lost in the inferno.
The fairy's final words were a whispered apology before she vanished, leaving Raiden alone in the midst of the devastation.
As the backstory faded, Richard's voice cut through the silence. "Wake up! Raiden, wake up!"
Raiden's eyes snapped open, his mind foggy. "Was there an attack? How did we survive?"
Richard's expression was grim. "Survive what? An attack from your mom? HUH? You fell asleep halfway here. Now we're stuck, get us out of here!"
As they moved forward, Richard's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Tada! We arrived! The Ulzeimer is a example of pure beauty!"
Raiden's response was dry. "Better beauty than your crush!"
Richard chuckled. "I don't have one."
Raiden's eyes widened in mock horror. "Man, that's sad!"
Richard shrugged. "Nah, that's good! No crush equals no girlfriend, and no girlfriend equals no money wastage and time wastage."
Raiden's expression turned cold, his voice barely above a whisper. "SHUT UP—"
But Richard's words cut him off. "Sorry, bruh, but for your parents for having a failure like you."
Raiden's eyes flashed with anger, his voice rising. "I have a shotgun, and it shoots four deadly bombing bullets at a time!"
Richard's expression turned wary. "Ohh! Never mind."
As they stood there, a group of Royal Sin Wizards emerged from the shadows, their jet-black clerical robes billowing behind them.
Raiden's eyes narrowed. "What the hell? What are these guys? Some random kids trying to act cool?"
Richard's response was dry. "Agreed."
The Royal Sin Wizards' leader sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You shall feel pain, and regret for coming here."
Richard's eyes flashed with defiance. "So they're the guards, is the king blind?"
As the battle began, Richard's words were cut short by a deadly blow. His body crumpled to the ground, his vision fading to black.
But as he lay there, a voice echoed in his mind. "Would you like to restart the timeline?"
Richard's response was instinctive. "Wait, the Great System?"
The voice responded, its tone detached. "I shall take that as YES."
As Richard's vision faded, he realized that he was being given a second chance. But as he respawned, he found himself in a different timeline, one where Raiden's powers were awakening.
Raiden's eyes gleamed with determination. "Here we go! Massive flow, but weak powers."
Richard's response was dry. "You're a weakling, just like me! HAHAHA!"
Raiden's expression turned cold, his voice rising. "Keep your mouth shut! You're stupid as hell! Just shut up and awaken my powers, I have to learn 'How to survive alone'! You stupid nursery failed kiddo!"
As they stood there, Richard realized that this timeline was not the timeline he was previously.
Richard's eyes widened as Raiden's anger boiled over. "Bro, chill! Don't be this angry, I ain't gonna do that if you keep yelling at me!"
Raiden's response was a torrent of insults, his words cutting deep. "YOU'RE A FAILURE AND A FATHERLESS AND A STUPID IDIOT!"
Richard's face stung from the verbal assault, but he refused to back down. "SAME GOES TO YOU! YOU ARE A BIGGER FAILURE AND A FATHERLESS AND A STUPID!"
The air was electric with tension as the two friends clashed. But just as suddenly as it had begun, Raiden's anger dissipated. "That took too long! I was just kidding, not gonna lie."
Richard's eyes narrowed, his expression wary. "Still a failure, Hahaha!"
Raiden's grin was sheepish. "Yeah, yeah, shut up."
As they stood there, Richard's eyes sparkled with a new technique. "Realm Travel! Another technique acquired!"
Raiden's eyes widened in surprise. "What does that do?"
Richard's grin was mischievous. "I can travel to any realm with anyone, not physically but mentally. My real body will stay here, but a fake body will be made for me to travel to that world mentally."
Raiden's eyes gleamed with excitement. "That sounds awesome! Can you try it?"
Richard's nod was enthusiastic. "As I wish, sir. Where do I want to go? And whom do I want to meet?"
Raiden's suggestion was instant. "World of humans, Karl Richardson."
Richard's grin was wicked. "Good! Called Karl Richardson at the mall at 6:00."
As Richard's mental body traveled to the world of humans, he found himself standing in a bustling mall. Karl Richardson, a man with a kind face and a warm smile, walked toward him.
Richard's grin was wide. "It's good to see you, partner."
Karl's eyes sparkled with surprise. "Richard? What are you doing here?"
Richard's response was cryptic. "Just visiting, Karl. Just visiting."
As they stood there, Richard realized that this new technique opened up endless possibilities. He could travel to any realm, meet anyone, and gather information that would aid him in his quest.
But as he returned to his physical body, he found Raiden's eyes gleaming with a fierce determination.
"What's wrong, Raiden?" Richard asked, his voice low.
Raiden's response was a single word. "Aredimona."
Richard's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. What did Raiden have planned for Aredimona? And what lay in store for them in the world of Ulzeimer?