They approached the entrance. [Aki confused]:"Why are we here? I already know about the guild." Soe looked at him. [Soe]:"You know what the guild does. But you don't know the story behind it." Aki became interested. [Soe explained]:"The guild you see now isn't the original guild." Aki raised an eyebrow [Soe]:"A long time ago, there was a former adventurer guild. It was completely independent. It didn't answer to the kingdom, didn't receive funding, and operated by its own rules." They entered the building. The inside was filled with adventurers as usual. Some were accepting quests. Some were celebrating victories. Others were preparing for dangerous missions.
[Soe continued]:"Because of that, the kingdom saw them as unnecessary. They were planning to remove the guild completely." Aki looked surprised. [Aki]:"They wanted to destroy it?" [Soe nodded]:"Until someone changed everything." They stopped near the quest boards.[Soe]:"About twenty to thirty years ago, a new founder, Master Hiro took over the guild." Aki listened carefully.
[Soe]:"He created connections between the guild and the kingdom. He gave them a reason to exist, showed them how useful adventurers could be, and because of that, the kingdom allowed the guild to remain. But the former guild master disappeared with some of his members and were never seen again."
Aki looked around. The place that was once almost removed had become one of the most important organizations in the kingdom. [Aki]:"So the current guild exists because of him?" Before Aki could ask more, a familiar voice interrupted. Aki turned. Amy was standing behind her receptionist counter. She looked at him with a small smile. Amy looked him over.
Then her expression became serious.
[Amy serious]:"The remaining members of black scorpion might not take it well. Losing their licenses and being humiliated by someone they considered a beginner could make them angry." Aki shrugged. [Aki confident]:"I think I'll be okay."
Amy sighed. [Amy]:"You really don't worry enough." Before she could continue, Soe spoke. [Soe calm]:"Don't worry. If something happens, I'll help him." Amy looked at Soe. Then she smiled slightly.
[Amy]:"I guess I'll leave your safety to this jackass." They left the guild and continued their tour.
The next place they reached was completely different. The moment Aki saw it, he stopped. A massive building stood before them. Unlike the Guild Hall, which felt energetic and adventurous, this place felt peaceful. Sacred. The Justia Church.
Its white walls reflected the sunlight, while golden and blue decorations surrounded the building, matching the colors of the kingdom.
The design was beautiful. Tall towers reached toward the sky, and the entrance was decorated with symbols representing the gods. Nuns walked through the area wearing elegant uniforms with white, yellow, and blue colors. The entire place felt calm. [Aki quietly]:"It's beautiful." Soe nodded. [Soe]:"This is where people come to pray and learn about the gods."
They entered. The atmosphere immediately changed. The sounds of the city disappeared. Only silence remained. [Aki]:" So can you tell me more about these gods you mentioned." Soe nodded. [Soe explained]:"There are ten gods. Seven of them created the seven kingdoms." Aki thought for a moment.
[Aki confused]:"Wait. There are seven kingdoms, but ten gods. What happened to the other three?" Soe's expression changed. The cheerful tone disappeared.
[Soe lowered his voice]:"The other three are known as the Evil Gods. The Gods of darkness chaos and death." Aki became more serious.
[Soe continued]:"They didn't create kingdoms for humans to live in. Instead, they created a continent where only the strongest survive. They're filled with demons and powerful monsters." Aki listened. [Soe]:"The Dark Territory." The name alone sounded dangerous. [Soe explained]:"It is the largest continent in the world." He raised three fingers. [Soe]:"It is divided into three parts."
"The Valley of Death."
"The Dark Plains."
"And..."
He paused. For a moment, his expression changed. Pain and torment written all over his face. Aki noticed immediately. [Soe quietly]:"The Chaotic Forest." Aki stared at him. Something about that name affected him. But before he could ask, a loud sound interrupted them.
BOOM!
Fireworks exploded above the city. The streets erupted with cheers. People shouted excitedly. Aki and Soe looked outside. [Soe surprised]:"He's here." [Aki]:"The hero?" Soe smiled. [Soe]:"The hero has returned."
The two rushed through the streets. The entire kingdom had gathered. People stood on both sides of the road, leaving a clear path in the middle. Aki and Soe raced up a nearby building to get a better view.
Aki jumped effortlessly. One. Two. Three. Using his triple jump skill, he reached the rooftop instantly.
Soe arrived moments later, breathing heavily. [Soe annoyed]:"You cheated." Aki looked at him. [Aki]:"You never said skills weren't allowed." Soe stared. Then sighed.
[Soe]:"You're annoying." Aki smiled. Then both looked toward the street. The hero appeared. The entire kingdom became silent. A young man walked forward. He looked around nineteen years old. His hair was pure white, shining under the sunlight. He wore magnificent golden armor that covered his entire body.
His eyes were striking. Blue irises.
And golden pupils shaped like crosses. At his waist rested a golden sword inside a white sheath. Aki stared.
[Aki thinking]:"That sword..." Something about it felt familiar. It gave off the same feeling as The axium blade. The system appeared to Aki alone [Aki thinking]:"Could he be from my world?" A brief silence followed. Aki looked surprised [Cynth]:"This world was created for you alone. I doubt he would bring anyone else here without informing me." Aki looked back at Damien. [Aki]:"So there is no one else?" [Cynth]:"Not from your world. However... other worlds exist. Someone capable of travelling between dimensions entering this world is possible."
Aki's eyes widened slightly. [Aki thinking]:"Dimension travel..." Then he looked at the hero again. [Aki]:"Is he really a good person?" [Cynth]:"Excalibur answers that."
Aki looked at the sword. [Cynth]:"That blade can only be wielded by someone with a pure heart. Anyone who tries to use it with evil intentions loses their ability to move for more than a week no matter how strong you are." Aki relaxed. [Aki thinking]:"So he's actually the real deal. I'm glad I don't have to add beating the hero to my list."