The humid air of the African jungle clung to Leon Cross's skin like a second layer. He lay prone on a grassy hillside, hidden beneath a camouflaged ghillie suit. His breathing was steady, heart rate calm—like always. Through the scope of his custom-built sniper rifle, the world narrowed into a single focus: his target.

1,200 meters away. Slight wind shift. Adjust one click left.

Leon's gloved finger rested lightly on the trigger as his pale blue eyes sharpened. He watched the man through the scope—a warlord responsible for countless atrocities. The payout for this mission was massive—seven figures. But money was never why Leon took the job.

"A mission is a mission."

His left hand tightened slightly on the rifle stock. His lips curled into a cold smirk.

"Bullet Reaper… huh?"

That nickname had followed him through every battlefield, every covert mission. Every target he'd lined up in his scope had fallen. No one had ever escaped his shot. No one.

Through the scope, Leon could see the target sitting in a high-backed leather chair in a dimly lit room. The warlord was speaking to another man—his advisor or perhaps his second-in-command. The conversation was heated.

"We've been exposed," the warlord growled. "The shipment was intercepted. Someone leaked our route."

The advisor's face twisted in fear. "It wasn't me! I swear!"

The warlord's dark eyes narrowed dangerously. "We're losing ground. If this keeps up… the entire operation will collapse."

"Maybe it's time to pull back," the advisor suggested cautiously.

"Pull back?" The warlord's lips curled into a sneer. "No… we crush them. Double the shipments. Send a message."

The advisor hesitated. "And if it fails?"

The warlord leaned forward, his voice dark and venomous. "Then we burn everything down."

Leon's finger twitched on the trigger.

"A monster surrounded by cowards."

Leon spoke softly to himself, a ritual before every kill.

"May your sins be cleansed by this bullet."

His breath steadied. His focus narrowed.

"Exhale."

His finger squeezed the trigger.

BANG

The recoil was absorbed by the rifle's custom dampener. Through the scope, Leon watched the target's head snap back. A spray of red mist followed. The body dropped.

Target down.

Leon's eyes remained cold as he rolled onto his side, pressing a hand to the comm device in his ear.

"Mission complete."

A gruff voice crackled through the earpiece.

"Good work, Reaper. That's another million in the bank. Get home safe."

Leon sat up, stretching out his legs. He slid the rifle onto his back and stood. His dark combat boots pressed into the soft grass as he scanned the jungle one last time. Another mission. Another life taken.

"One shot, one kill."

Suddenly—

A blinding light erupted beneath his feet.

"What the hell—?!"

Leon's arm shot up to shield his eyes. His ears rang as the light grew stronger, the world around him distorting. His heart rate spiked for the first time in years.

"What's going on?! A flashbang? Some kind of tech—"

The ground vanished beneath him. His body tensed—then he was falling.

Leon's eyes snapped open.

Cool marble pressed against his palms. His ears still rang from the light. Slowly, his vision adjusted. He wasn't in the jungle anymore.

A massive circular platform spread beneath him—etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with fading golden light.

Leon's hand instinctively went to his sidearm—only to find it missing. His sniper rifle was gone too. His breathing quickened, muscles coiled.

"Where… am I?"

He lifted his gaze.

Around him, eight others were stirring awake.

Dante Briggs groaned, his hand on his forehead. "What the hell…?" His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, his military instincts kicking in. "This… isn't right."

Kara Matsumoto rubbed her arms, emerald green eyes narrowing. "Okay… definitely not Japan. Did we get drugged?"

Sophia Langley adjusted her silver-white hair, her icy blue eyes calculating. "No… this is deliberate. A summoning ritual, perhaps?"

Ethan Graves sat with his back against the marble, crimson eyes narrowed. "If this is someone's idea of a joke… they're about to regret it."

Isabelle Carter brushed her blonde hair behind her ear, looking around anxiously. "This… this isn't Earth…"

Daichi Tanaka stood up, his towering form casting a shadow over the others. "This doesn't make sense… but whatever's going on, we'll fight through it."

Mikasa Arata knelt with her hands folded in quiet prayer. "Spirits… where have we been taken?"

Jared Quinn adjusted his stance, his steel-gray eyes calm. "Stay focused. There must be a reason for this."

The throne room was massive—a cathedral-like chamber lined with tall stained-glass windows, rich blue banners, and polished obsidian columns. Golden sunlight streamed down, casting long shadows across the white marble floor.

Leon's eyes narrowed as he spotted the throne.

A bearded man in regal crimson and gold robes sat upon it. A heavy crown rested upon his brow, and his sharp blue eyes held a weight of authority. His hands were folded over the hilt of a ceremonial sword.

To his left sat a stunning silver-haired woman—her beauty matched only by the quiet strength in her gaze. Beside her sat a young woman with violet eyes, her long silver hair cascading down her shoulders. Her expression was soft—but curious as her gaze lingered on Leon.

At the base of the dais stood a young man with sharp silver hair—his confident smirk radiating quiet danger. Behind the throne, another young man leaned casually against a pillar, his emerald eyes sharp with thinly veiled arrogance.

"I am Aldric Velhart, King of Velharia," the man's deep voice carried across the hall. "By the ancient covenant of summoning, you have been brought forth from your world… to fulfill your destiny in ours."

Leon's eyes narrowed.

"Summoning? Destiny?"

The others glanced at each other, uncertainty on their faces.

Adrian stepped forward. "Now… state your names."

Dante Briggs: "Dante Briggs. Former U.S. Special Forces."

Kara Matsumoto: "Kara Matsumoto. Olympic athlete."

Sophia Langley: "Sophia Langley. Chess Grandmaster."

Ethan Graves: "Ethan Graves. Fighter."

Isabelle Carter: "Isabelle Carter. Medical student."

Daichi Tanaka: "Daichi Tanaka. Fighter."

Mikasa Arata: "Mikasa Arata. Shrine Maiden."

Jared Quinn: "Jared Quinn. Knight."

Leon's gaze remained cold.

"Leon Cross. Sniper."

The king's gaze sharpened.

He raises his hand toward the banners behind the throne—each one bearing the sigil of the Velhart bloodline: a silver sword surrounded by a crown of stars.

"Our kingdom stands on the brink of destruction," King Aldric said. "The Demon Lord's forces grow stronger with each passing day. Our knights and mages have fought valiantly… but the darkness continues to spread."

"We have called upon the ancient rite of summoning, as our ancestors did in ages past, to bring forth champions from beyond the veil," the king continued. "You are those champions."

His eyes narrowed. His hand fell to the hilt of his ceremonial sword.

"And so, I ask you now… Will you take up arms for Velharia? Will you stand as heroes of this realm?"

Leon's gaze sharpened. His heart beat faster.

"Heroes?" he thought. "I'm not a hero. I'm a sniper."

After the king's speech, Queen Isolde stood, her voice calm and composed.

"I am Isolde Velhart, Queen of Velharia," she said. Her silver-blue eyes swept over the heroes with quiet intensity. "Though you are far from home, know that you will have our full support. Your sacrifice will not go unrecognized."

A step forward—Prince Adrian placed a hand on the pommel of his sword and spoke next.

"I am Adrian Velhart, First Prince and Commander of the Royal Knights," he said. His tone was calm but authoritative. "I will personally see to your training and deployment."

He locked eyes with Leon.

"You have my word that I will stand beside you on the battlefield."

From behind the throne, a softer but colder voice emerged.

"And I am Julius Velhart, Second Prince," Julius said. His emerald eyes glinted with thinly concealed arrogance. "Should you fail… I will ensure you are replaced."

Finally, Princess Elara stood, her hands clasped together at her waist. Her voice was soft, almost hesitant—but clear.

"I am Elara Velhart… Healer of the Royal Family," she said.

Her violet-blue eyes lingered on Leon for a second too long.

"I pray that you do not come to harm in this dangerous world."

Leon's brow furrowed. "Why are they all looking at me?"

"The next step is the Awakening Chamber," King Aldric said. "To receive your powers and abilities."

After the formal introductions by the royal family, the heroes were led from the throne room into the Chamber of Awakening—a massive circular hall beneath the castle. The chamber was constructed from smooth black stone, embedded with glowing magical symbols and runes along the walls and floor. The center of the room held an enormous Summoning Crystal—a floating, multifaceted gemstone the size of a boulder, pulsing with shifting colors of light. Ancient stone pillars surrounded the chamber, etched with carvings of past heroes and their legendary weapons.

Leon and the eight other summoned heroes stared at the room, shocked.

"Looks like something out of a JRPG… except way more intense," Leon thought.

King Aldric stood at the edge of the chamber, his sword held upright in both hands.

"Heroes, step forward," the king said, his deep voice echoing through the room. "Present yourselves before the Crystal of Origin. Through this crystal, the gods of this realm will awaken the power resting within you. Your class and blessing will be revealed… and your true path will begin."

The summoned heroes were instructed to place their hand on the crystal. The crystal would analyze their soul, potential, and compatibility with divine magic. When a match was made, the hero's class and blessing would be engraved into their soul—triggering a dramatic physical manifestation of their weapon or ability.

Dante stepped up first, his confident smirk never fading. He placed his hand on the crystal—

A burst of golden light erupted from the crystal, blinding the room for a second. A deep, regal hum filled the chamber. A glowing golden sword materialized before him, floating in midair. Dante grabbed the sword by the hilt—and the golden light rushed into his body.

Class: Legendary Swordmaster

Blessing: Blade of the Eternal King

Dante swung the sword experimentally, and golden flames followed the arc of his blade. He grinned.

"Yeah… this'll do," Dante smirked.

Kara stepped up next, cracking her neck. She pressed her hand to the crystal—

A violent gust of green wind erupted around her. Green magical lines spiraled up her legs and arms as a pair of silver daggers materialized in her hands. Her eyes flashed emerald.

Class: Wind Dancer

Blessing: Spirit of the Gale

Kara spun one dagger in her hand. Her feet lifted slightly off the ground as the wind swirled beneath her.

"Oh yeah. This is gonna be fun," Kara grinned.

Next, Sophia approached calmly, placing her hand on the crystal without hesitation. The room filled with the hum of arcane energy as blue-white light spiraled around her body. A sleek silver staff formed in her hands, glowing with magical sigils. Her eyes glowed faintly blue.

Class: Grand Mage

Blessing: Heart of Arcana

Sophia raised her staff—ice crystals formed midair. She extended her hand and fired a bolt of blue light at a nearby target dummy—it exploded into frozen shards.

"Acceptable," Sophia said quietly.

Ethan stepped up without a word. The moment his hand touched the crystal, a black shockwave pulsed outward, darkening the chamber. A twisted black sword formed in his hands, leaking dark mist. Red runes appeared on his armor.

Class: Dark Knight

Blessing: Shadowheart

Ethan opened his crimson eyes and stepped away.

"Next," Ethan said coldly.

Suddenly, Daichi punched the crystal. A red burst of energy erupted as massive gauntlets formed on his hands. His muscles bulged with crimson energy.

Class: Berserker

Blessing: Rage of the Ancients

Daichi laughed. "Oh hell yeah!"

Isabelle approached nervously, clutching her hands together. The crystal pulsed soft white light—gentle warmth spread through the chamber. The white runes beneath her feet began to glow. A silver staff with a golden cross formed in her hands.

Class: High Priestess

Blessing: Light of Mercy

"I… I'll do my best," Isabelle said softly.

Mikasa gently touched the crystal. A silver glow pulsed through the chamber as ghostly shapes floated into existence. A silver charm necklace materialized in her hands. A pale blue fox spirit formed at her feet, curling around her legs.

Class: Spirit Summoner

Blessing: Soul of the Ancients

"Thank you…" Mikasa said quietly.

After the others finished, Leon was the last one left. He stepped toward the crystal, feeling the tension in the room. Celestial Sight activated for the first time—he saw the flow of magic inside the crystal. He sensed the divine energy evaluating him.

He placed his hand on the crystal. Nothing happened.

"Hm. Perhaps the gods made a mistake," Julius mocked.

Suddenly, the crystal pulsed with a deep blue and silver light. A single arrow-shaped symbol burned into Leon's hand. A blinding light formed in front of him—

Class: Divine Archer

Blessing: Celestial Sight

The Bow of the Stars materialized midair. Leon gripped it. A glowing blue arrow formed at his fingertips. He fired at a target—the arrow curved midair, ricocheted off the wall, and struck a second target from behind.

Leon smiled. "Huh. Guess it works."