Feng Yun folded his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on Riyal. "I forgot to ask. Tell me about myself."
Riyal wiped away his tears, composing himself. "Well, like me, you're twenty years old. Your name is Leon. You have a younger brother and an older sister."
Before Feng Yun could react, the sky above them darkened.
A thunderous boom shattered the air, followed by the deep rumble of an unseen force. Thick, swirling clouds twisted together, forming a massive vortex. A ripple of power spread through the city as a portal-like door split open in the sky, its dark maw stretching wider.
Then—everyone collapsed.
Feng Yun gasped as a crushing force weighed down on him. His knees buckled, his lungs squeezed tight. A sharp, searing pain coursed through his body.
He spat blood. "What... the hell?" His vision blurred as he gritted his teeth. "Can't this damn thing control its power?"
Through hazy eyes, he turned toward Riyal—only to see him standing completely fine.
His breath hitched. "Riyal… aren't you feeling anything?"
Riyal looked puzzled. "N-no? But why are you sweating and struggling like this?"
Feng Yun clenched his fists. The disparity between them gnawed at him, but before he could think further—
A colossal creature emerged from the portal.
A three-eyed Raven, its wings spanning across the ruined skyline, descended with an ominous presence. Each flap of its massive wings exuded waves of dense spiritual energy, pressing against the ground like an invisible storm.
As the energy settled, the crushing force faded. One by one, people staggered to their feet, clutching their chests and gasping for breath.
The Raven's voice boomed across the city. "Humans of this world, I, the Great Three-Eyed Raven, have come to fulfill your dreams—"
A frail voice cut through the tension.
"You bastard! You killed my son and my wife!"
An old man, his face twisted with grief and rage, staggered forward. His trembling fists clenched at his sides. "Give me back my family!"
The Raven's expression darkened. "Who gave you permission to speak?"
The old man opened his mouth to respond—
But a single feather shot from the Raven's wing like a bullet.
A sickening thud echoed.
The old man crumpled to the ground, lifeless. Blood pooled beneath his unmoving body.
Screams erupted through the crowd. Some fell to their knees, sobbing, while others covered their mouths in horror. Desperate apologies filled the air as the people scrambled to avoid the same fate.
Feng Yun's expression remained unreadable as he watched the spectacle unfold. His thoughts ran cold and analytical. "So this raven has a temper… interesting."
Beside him, Riyal trembled with fury. His fists clenched, veins bulging at his temples. "I'm going to kill that bastard crow."
Feng Yun's eyes flickered toward him. "Hold on, Riyal. Do you have any idea how strong he is?"
"I don't care!" Riyal spat. "That thing killed an innocent old man just because he spoke the truth!"
Feng Yun exhaled, his voice dropping into a chilling whisper. "If you attack and fail… he'll kill us all."
Riyal froze.
Feng Yun's eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "Tell me, do you still want to kill him?"
Riyal swallowed hard. His bravado faltered, and his voice wavered. "N-no, I don't want to fight him…"
Feng Yun smirked faintly. "That's what I thought." He placed a firm hand on Riyal's shoulder. "Power comes with great responsibility. You can't act on impulse without thinking through the consequences."
The Raven's booming voice silenced the city. "Enough! No one speaks until I allow it."
The crowd stilled, eyes locked onto the massive creature.
His gaze swept across them, his third eye gleaming. "Ask your questions."
A man hesitantly stepped forward, his entire body shaking. "S-sir, may I ask… who are you? And why are you here?"
The Raven scoffed. "Did you not hear my introduction? I am the Great Three-Eyed Raven. I am here to guide you. But don't expect coddling. Ask wisely."
A woman, clutching her arms, choked back sobs. "Why... why are you doing this? I lost my family—my children! My world is gone!"
The Raven's expression remained indifferent. "Ask the Creator, not me."
Feng Yun's ears perked up. "Creator?"
Before he could press further, Riyal stepped forward. "Sir, as we know, this is The Path to Godhood. Can you explain the rules?"
The Raven sighed, irritation flickering in his tone. "Finally, a decent question. Listen well—"
"First: Conquer worlds using strength, wit, or any means necessary. The guiding system will assist with resources and strategy.
Second: You will be transported to different worlds, each filled with dangers and opportunities.
Third: You will be grouped into teams of five to conquer each world."**
Riyal's eyes widened with excitement. "So… we'll be traveling to other worlds? Like in Isekai anime?"
Feng Yun raised an eyebrow. "Isekai?"
Riyal's face turned beet red. "N-never mind…"
Another person asked, "How exactly will the system assist us?"
The Raven's expression hardened. "The system provides guidance, nothing more. Do not expect it to fight your battles for you."
A hush settled over the crowd. Some nodded in understanding, while others seemed lost in thought.
Then, a lone voice cut through the silence.
"I refuse to play this game."
The speaker was a boy, barely seventeen. His eyes held a quiet defiance as he stepped forward. "I won't participate in something I never agreed to."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Feng Yun's smirk widened slightly. "Brave… but foolish."
The Raven's three eyes gleamed with amusement. "Oh? Is that so?"