Howard began to explain that Loren had inadvertently become involved in a "Holy War" a brutal war that involved various races from across this strange world. Each participant was chosen to fight one another to collect magical crystals that held extraordinary powers capable of granting a single wish to the victor.
"You’re not from here," Howard continued, his voice low and urgent.
"But somehow, your fate is tied to this battle. If you don’t fight and win a crystal, you won’t be able to return to your world."
Confused, Loren felt like he had stepped into a nightmare.
"But… I don’t know how to fight," he said, desperation creeping into his voice.
"I don’t even know how I ended up here."
Howard fixed him with an intense gaze.
"That’s why I’m here," he replied firmly.
"I’ll teach you, but you have to trust me and train hard. They are after you, especially once they realize you’re unprepared."
As they spoke, Howard elaborated on the threats looming over them. The elven archer that had attacked Loren was part of a predatory group, hunting for magical crystals.
They were not just soldiers, they were ruthless hunters trained to eliminate participants in this war. Loren was now a prime target, marked as the weakest link in this deadly game.
Even more alarming, there were others involved in the war participants who had previously won crystals and now posed a formidable threat. Howard had his own personal reasons for participating, but he withheld those details from Loren, further thickening the air with tension.
Howard leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"This world is governed by ancient battles between six races: Humans, Elves, Undead, Engineers, Dragonian, and Ogres. Each race sends five participants to fight until only one remains. Each race has unique abilities, reflecting their strengths and weaknesses. For Humans, our greatest strengths are courage and adaptability, but we’re also the most physically vulnerable."
“If we’re part of the Humans, are there still three others whose identities we don’t know?” Loren’s mind raced.
"Yes, they’re out there, possibly hiding or biding their time. Each participant has their own reasons and strategies for survival." Howard nodded gravely.
“I don’t have a weapon, and I don’t even know how to fight. How can I survive this battle?” Panic surged within Loren.
Howard rose and opened a box hidden behind a pile of dusty relics.
"Even as a Mage, I’ve kept this legendary sword for a reason.” He held it up a weapon gleaming with an otherworldly light.
"This was given to me by my best friend, Eleanor. He was an extraordinary swordsman, and he entrusted me with this sword, hoping I’d one day pass it to someone worthy. Now, it belongs to you."
As Loren grasped the sword, an unsettling sensation washed over him. Flashes of memories that weren’t his own surged forth scenes of a violent battlefield, grotesque creatures, and the deafening clamor of clashing weapons. Overwhelmed, he nearly dropped the sword.
"That sword holds immense power. Those memories may indicate a deeper connection you have to this battle than we realize." Howard observed him with concern.
“But I still don’t know how to fight. What good is this sword if I can’t wield it?” Loren felt utterly lost again.
Later that night, as Loren wrestled with his confusion, they were attacked again. Three elves that had been lurking in the shadows charged in: an archer, a warrior, and an elven summoner. The summoner wasted no time, invoking the Blinding Light ability, summoning radiant fairies that flooded the cave with blinding brilliance.
In the chaos, the elven archer unleashed the Ensnare Arrow skill. An arrow shot into the air, weaving a magical net that ensnared Loren and Howard. Panic gripped Loren as they were immobilized, their bodies tightly bound. Howard struggled against the net, casting spells that fizzled out under its oppressive grip.
As the light from the summoner's spell gradually dimmed, Loren's heart raced. He looked up to see the elven warrior poised to strike Howard down. In that moment, memories overwhelmed him with renewed intensity.
These flashes ignited something deep within him. Loren felt an unfamiliar power coursing through his veins. With an instinctual motion, he extended his arm, and the legendary sword he had dropped flew back into his grasp, pulled by an invisible force.
Now feeling as though the sword was an extension of himself, Loren moved with a speed he didn’t comprehend. In a swift, decisive motion, he tore through the magical net, launching himself at the elven warrior with lethal precision.
With a single stroke, he cleaved through the warrior’s defenses, sending him crashing to the ground. Howard watched, eyes wide with disbelief and pride.
"You are the one worthy of your Sacred Relic, Eleanor," he said, his voice filled with awe. It was clear now that the sword was meant for a warrior with a grand destiny.
The remaining archer and summoner stood frozen in shock, their earlier confidence shattered. Realizing they were no match for Loren’s newfound power, they turned and fled into the shadows, their frightened whispers echoing through the trees.
Once the dust settled, Loren collapsed to the ground, utterly drained. The exertion had stripped him of energy.
"Who am I?" he gasped, breathless, his mind swirling with questions. Was he just an ordinary human caught in this brutal ritual, or did he hold secrets yet to be uncovered?
"You are not just an ordinary human, Loren. There is immense power sleeping within you, and that sword is only one piece of the puzzle. But we must act quickly; as word of your power spreads, the danger will only escalate." Howard knelt beside him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
The tension hung thick in the air, an unspoken promise that the battle was only just beginning. As Loren looked into Howard's determined eyes, he knew that their journey would not just be about survival it would be about uncovering the truth of who he really was and the power that lay dormant within.
CHAPTER 3: THE ELVES AND THE VILLAGE OF HEILENAnfalen, the summoner, and Nelaeryn, the elven archer, fled the battle after witnessing Loren unleash his incredible power. Loren’s quick victory over Olalen, the formidable elven warrior, left them trembling in fear. “Damn it, did you see that? What kind of power was that?” Nelaeryn exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock.“My blinding light wasn’t long enough to counter that attack. He crushed us without a hitch,” Anfalen replied, his voice laced with frustration.“We need more help to deal with them especially after Olalen was defeated so easily.” Realizing their own strength would not be enough to defeat Loren and Howard, Anfalen suggested.“But the more of us involved, the greater the risk. He might kill us all in an instant.” Nelaeryn shook her head, hesitant. “We have no choice,” Anfalen replied firmly, determination hardening his voice. “We must return to Montmart and seek help from the Assassins.”They soon returned to Montmart, the
CHAPTER 4: THE FIRST CRYSTAL BATTLE PART 1After recovering in Heilen Village, Loren, Howard, and Anne had no time to rest. A rumbling sound from the ground shook the village, and the large shadows of ogres began to loom in the distance. They came quickly, their red eyes burning with anger as they searched for the newly detected crystal.Loren, who had just begun to understand his powers, felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. The legendary sword in his hand felt lighter now, as if he had become one with the magical power within it, yet a knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach. This was his first real battle, and he could sense the weight of their lives resting on his shoulders.Howard, on full alert, began to cast a spell to create a protective barrier around the village. The air crackled with energy, heightening the tension. Meanwhile, Anne took out her prized harp. Her slender fingers strummed the strings nimbly, producing a soft melody that enveloped them in healing po
CHAPTER 5: THE FIRST CRYSTAL BATTLE PART 2"Anne, we need more power!" Howard shouted.Anne played the harp more intensely; the notes she played were not only healing but also providing Loren and Howard with additional strength. It was Crescendo. The soft light from the harp began to envelop them, making Loren's every move faster and stronger.Anfalen cast Blinding Light once more, summoning three small, dazzling fairies to confuse the enemy. But this time, Loren was ready. With flashes of memories becoming clearer in his mind, he closed his eyes for a moment, sensing the direction of the attack with his intuition. As Anfalen tried to attack with his summons, Loren nimbly leaped toward the fairies, slashing them before they could cripple his team.Nelaeryn fired another Ensnare Arrow, trying to trap them in a net. However, Loren, with his enhanced reflexes, dodged the attack with a quick jump, turning the tables to confront Nelaeryn.Vy, seeing her partner in danger, immediately cast
CHAPTER 6: THE SECRET OF THE LEGENDARY SWORDIn the corner of the dark room where Zharok stood, heavy footsteps were heard. Another figure, a Death Knight, emerged from the shadows, wearing thick, rusty armor and a helmet cracked at the forehead. The same green light shone from the eyes of the helmet. The greatsword he held gave off a cold aura, as if it were sucking the life out of the air around it.“They may have won that fight” the Death Knight said in a low, deep voice.“But the power of the crystal has not been fully utilized. They do not even know its true potential.”Zharok laughed, a sound that resembled a combination of the last gasps of the dead and the roar of gloomy thunder.“That’s right. That is their weakness. They have the crystal, but they do not know how to use it. I can smell their ignorance from here. They are merely pawns in this game.”The crystal ball in front of Zharok shimmered for a moment, emitting a light that depicted Loren and his group as they began to
CHAPTER 7: HISTORY OF THE HOLY WAR"Long ago, before the current holy war, there were only three races fighting: Humans, Undead, and Elves," Eleanor began. "That battle was very different. There were no seven crystal shards like today there was only one great crystal that was the center of power and desire for all races."Loren listened intently, while Howard and Anne, who were standing nearby, also focused on the story."Back then, the great crystal had the power to change reality. Whoever touched it would become the ruler of this world. But as you know, such power attracts hatred and greed. War broke out, and the Undead, led by King Tharoth, attacked brutally, slaughtering entire armies of Elves and Humans.""As I stood before Tharoth, I could feel the darkness seeping into my bones. The temperature suddenly dropped drastically, and Tharoth's every step shattered the ground beneath him, making it feel like the end of everything."Tharoth swung his giant black staff, a weapon made f
CHAPTER 8: NEW ENEMY“The location of the second crystal has been determined.” The system that controlled the holy battle announced that the crystal had been detected in the southern mountains, right in the territory of the Dragonians. The Dragonians, a race with incredible physical strength and magic, would not be easily defeated.“We need to move now, if the Dragonians already know the location of the crystal, we might be too late.” Howard said. As Loren, Howard, and Anne prepared to head to the second crystal, a thick cloud of smoke suddenly enveloped them. Two robots emerged from the fog, one with a whirring gun and the other firing small explosions that made the ground tremble. The two robots appeared to be highly trained and coordinated. Without warning, they opened fire on Loren’s team, who were immediately caught off guard and cornered. The gunfire continued to pour down on them from all directions, forcing them to act quickly.“Howard, give me a shield!” Loren shouted, tryi
CHAPTER 9: THE BATTLE OF THE UNDEAD AND THE CHIMERAThe southern mountain region, known as the "Heavenly Mountains," was a breathtaking sight. Towering peaks seemed to float above the clouds, their snow-covered summits glistening in the sunlight. Thick white mist hung over deep valleys, while a cool breeze rustled through the boulders and steep cliffs. Hidden behind mossy stone walls, ancient shelters lay undisturbed, and swift rivers flowed gracefully through the valleys, adding to the area’s beauty. The Dragonians, who inhabited this serene landscape, lived in harmony with their surroundings, uninterested in holy combat only in maintaining the balance of their land. However, this tranquility was shattered by the looming presence of an undead army led by the Death Knights and Zharok, a cruel and merciless necromancer. Countless corpses, moving with stiff motions, filled the steep slopes of the mountains, creating a bleak and terrifying sight. They were relentless, advancing with a
CHAPTER 10: LOREN AND ZHAROK'S ENCOUNTERThe Death Knight moved with incredible power. Every time Vy attempted to strike, the Death Knight effortlessly blocked her blows, his sword spinning to counter each slash and thrust. Nelaeryn's arrows slammed into his armor, but they bounced off harmlessly, causing no significant damage.Seeing their attacks ineffective, Anfalen once again invoked his Blinding Light, concentrating his small fairies into a single, large ball of radiant energy. He raised his hand and released the brilliant sphere, which shot toward the Death Knight and exploded in a dazzling flash of light.However, the Death Knight was no ordinary foe. With a single swipe of his sword, he sliced the light in two, dispersing it like smoke. With a ferocious roar, he charged toward Nelaeryn. Vy and Anfalen shouted warnings, but Nelaeryn, who was preparing her bow, was too slow to dodge.In a powerful swing, the Death Knight slashed at Nelaeryn. His dark blade cut through the air wi
CHAPTER 69 : THE TWISTING FOREST: TRIAL OF DECEPTION“Okay, so where do we go now?” Loren muttered, unfolding the map as he leaned against a weathered boulder. The desert's heat still clung to his skin, but his thoughts were already focused on the next challenge.He traced his finger along the map’s path, stopping at a thick patch of green labeled ominously.“Next is The Twisting Forest.” he said, his brow furrowed.“The name’s not promising, but sitting around won’t get me anywhere.” he muttered, rolling the map back up. The lush expanse loomed ahead, a stark contrast to the barren desert behind him. It was time to move.The forest stood as a monolithic wall of green, its ancient trees twisted and gnarled as if shaped by centuries of storms. A shroud of mist clung to the air, giving the entire biome an otherworldly quality. Loren stepped cautiously into the dense thicket, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his greatsword. Each step felt heavier, as though the forest itse
CHAPTER 68 : THE SCORCHED EXPANSE"Okay, so where do we go now?" Loren muttered to himself as he unfolded the map Mayor Edran had given him. His eyes scanned the hand-drawn details, tracing the path from Aria Town toward his next destination.“It looks like there’s a desert ahead.” he continued, his finger resting on the wide expanse marked by jagged lines and faded ink. The map labeled it simply as The Scorched Expanse.Loren sighed and tucked the map into his satchel. “Great, Of course, it had to be a desert.” he murmured, tightening the strap of his cloak. With the sun just beginning to crest the horizon, Loren departed from Aria Town, his resolve stronger than ever. The cheers and gratitude of the villagers still echoed faintly in his ears, but his thoughts were fixed on the path ahead. Mayor Edran’s guidance had pointed him toward Dragonspire Mountain, but the journey would be anything but straightforward.Hours of walking turned into days. The grassy plains gave way to barren
CHAPTER 67 : THE THIRD CRYSTAL CLAIMED The next day, Loren decided to walk through the town once more, perhaps for the last time. His heart was heavy with the knowledge that he needed to move on soon, but he wanted to see the people and the streets he had helped protect one final time. The air buzzed with the sound of hammers and saws as villagers worked tirelessly to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. His footsteps crunched softly against the gravel paths, blending into the lively atmosphere of Aria Town.Though the celebration from the previous night had ended, its spirit lingered in the bright smiles of the townsfolk. Children laughed as they played near the fountain, and merchants called out cheerfully to passersby as they set up their wares. It was a scene of recovery and hope, and Loren found himself quietly cherishing it.As he passed, villagers paused to bow or wave, their faces alight with gratitude. A young girl, no older than seven, ran up to him, clutching a small woode
CHAPTER 66 : THE HERO OF ARIA The morning sun bathed Aria in warm golden light, a stark contrast to the gloom that had plagued the town during Vy’s reign of terror. As Loren approached the gates, he noticed the walls adorned with colorful banners, and the faint sound of laughter and music carried through the air.“Loren’s back! The hero returns!” The moment the townsfolk spotted him, a shout erupted. A wave of people poured out from the streets, their faces alight with joy and relief. Children darted ahead, pointing and cheering, their voices filled with excitement.“It’s true! He defeated the shadow!”Loren paused, momentarily overwhelmed by the attention. He had expected a town still reeling from its wounds, but instead, he was met with warmth and celebration.“Loren! You’ve returned victorious!” From the crowd emerged a middle-aged man dressed in formal attire, a broad-shouldered figure with a trimmed beard and a mayoral sash across his chest. His voice boomed as he stepped forwa
CHAPTER 65 : THE DANCE OF SHADOWS PART 2The forest seemed to hold its breath as the battle raged on. Loren’s fiery aura burned bright against the oppressive darkness of the clearing, his greatsword swinging in controlled arcs to keep Vy at bay. She moved like a wraith, her speed relentless, but the wounds she had sustained began to slow her movements. Blood dripped from her shoulder, leaving dark stains on the ground as she darted back into the shadows.Vy’s grin faltered, replaced by a grimace of frustration. Her dagger trembled in her hand, pulsing as if alive, its crimson light dimming momentarily. Loren saw the flicker of hesitation in her eyes and pressed forward.“Give it up, Vy. You can’t win this.” Loren said, his voice steady. Vy let out a low, guttural laugh, one that sent a chill through Loren’s spine. “Win? Loren, you misunderstand me. This is far from over.” Her voice was venomous, yet laced with something else, desperation. She took a step back, clutching her dagger
CHAPTER 64 : THE DANCE OF SHADOWS: LOREN VS. VYThe Whispering Woods was no longer the tranquil haven it had once been. The moonlight struggled to pierce through the canopy of gnarled branches, casting ghostly shadows that shifted with the wind. Loren tightened his grip on the hilt of his greatsword, his senses heightened. The once-familiar whispers of the forest now carried a sinister tone, an unnatural melody that seemed to taunt him with every step he took deeper into the woods.The people of Aria had spoken in hushed, fearful voices of a shadowy figure lurking within the forest, wielding a dagger that seemed alive with hunger. Loren knew the truth. This was no mere thief or rogue terrorizing the townsfolk; this was Vy. Her cursed dagger, once stained with his blood, had returned to claim more lives.Loren tread carefully, his boots crunching against the damp underbrush. The deeper he ventured, the heavier the air became, as though the forest itself recoiled from the malevolent for
CHAPTER 63 : THE FUNDAMENTALS OF COMBATAs Anne sat beneath the grove’s ancient trees that evening, the Elder Bard approached her with a gentle yet commanding presence. She carried a lyre in her hands, its golden strings shimmering in the fading sunlight.“You’ve done well with the Lullaby of Tranquility.” the Elder Bard said, her voice melodic yet firm.“But soothing melodies alone won’t protect you in battle. There will be moments when you must defend yourself and strike.”“Strike? You mean... offensive magic?” Anne looked up, curiosity lighting her eyes. “Exactly.” the Elder Bard replied. She strummed her lyre lightly, and a series of glowing notes floated into the air before dissolving into nothingness. “Your harp is more than an instrument of harmony. It is a weapon, and I will teach you how to wield it.”“Start small. Play a single note and let it resonate—not just in your ears, but in the air around you. Feel the energy it creates.” The Elder Bard knelt beside Anne, her grac
CHAPTER 62 : ANNE'S DISCOVERY: THE SYMPHONY OF SHADOWSThe Whispering Grove was alive with music. The rustling leaves, the soft hum of the wind, and the occasional chirping of distant birds, all blended into an eternal harmony. Anne had spent countless hours in the grove, her harp strings mimicking its melodies, her heart resonating with the grove's peaceful rhythm. Yet, despite her efforts, she sensed that the grove held something more, a deeper secret hidden within its symphony.The Elder Bard had been cryptic, as always. "The grove will reveal its truths to you when you’re ready." She said with a knowing smile. Anne hadn’t fully understood, but she trusted his wisdom.It was during one quiet evening, as twilight painted the skies in fiery orange and deep violet, that Anne ventured farther into the grove than ever before. The air was cooler here, the light softer, and the grove’s music more complex. Her fingers moved instinctively over her harp, her notes blending seamlessly with t
CHAPTER 61 : RESONANT GUARDThe Elder led Anne to a clearing within the Grove, where the air was charged with a different energy. The wind seemed to whisper in a language Anne couldn’t understand, and the trees loomed overhead, their boughs swaying in a rhythmic dance. The Elder gestured for Anne to stand in the center of the clearing.“Play.” the Elder instructed.Anne hesitated, her fingers trembling as she lifted her harp. She began to play, soft and tentative, the familiar notes flowing from her fingers. The sound was sweet and gentle, the melody a balm to her weary heart. But as she played, the music around her began to warp, twisting and bending into something darker, more forceful. The trees seemed to shudder in response, and the wind picked up, swirling around her in a violent frenzy. The ground beneath her feet trembled, and Anne’s heart pounded as she tried to steady her hands.Her music, once a gentle caress, now felt like a storm. It was chaotic, wild, and uncontrollable.