They all stopped to camp as night slowly swallowed the horizon. The wind grew calmer, and the crackling of firewood soon filled the quiet forest.
Akube took a silent stroll around the perimeter, activating Observed to scan the surroundings, while Dranexx joined the others in setting up camp.
Uto: "Hey Dranexx, mind giving me a hand with this tent top?"
Dranexx: "Sure, man."
They adjusted the support poles together.
Uto: "So… what country are you guys from anyway?"
Dranexx paused for half a second.
Dranexx: "Oh, we came from a far deserted village called Jugelia."
(Oh man… I just made that up.) he thought calmly.
Uto froze.
Uto: "Jugelia…?! I've heard of that village before! It's some kind of legendary Westland where high-level monsters like Blood Ogres are executed for rituals. They say the people there are extremely skilled."
Dranexx blinked.
(Wait… it's real? That was just a made-up name… I can't believe there's actually a place like that.)
Soza: "Wooo, hold up! You two are from that village?"
He looked visibly terrified.
Uto: "I knew you guys were something special… but I never imagined you were from that deadly land. What are you even doing out here?"
Dranexx forced a relaxed smile.
Dranexx: "Oh, we just wanted to explore the outside world. Jugelia is… well, a desert paradise. Nothing much to do there except high-level training ing and monster hunting. We figured it was time for a change."
Uto: "I see… I can't even imagine how strong you must be. Anyone from there could probably take on ten no, twenty Orgs alone without breaking a sweat."
Dranexx: "You think so?"
Uto: "Of course! Blood Ogres are S-Rank monsters, and you guys execute them for fun. That's insane."
Idanru: "Just thinking about it gives me chills…"
The fire crackled louder.
Uto: "So what do you plan to do when we reach the city? You could join the Adventurers' Guild, Merchant Guild, Mercenary Guild, Assassin Guild… If I had to recommend something, the Mercenary Guild would fit you perfectly."
Dranexx: "The Adventurers' Guild suits me better. I'm here to explore, not fight for old geezers."
Amanda leaned forward slightly, cheeks flushed from drink.
Amanda: "Hmm… confident and perceptive. I like that."
Dranexx: "Thank you."
She smirked lazily.
Amanda: "If you're gentle… I might even let you spend the night with me."
Uto: "Huh?! What are you saying? Oh no… she's drunk. Please pardon her."
Dranexx grinned.
Dranexx: "No problem… though I might take her up on that offer."
Uto: "You're kidding, right?!"
Dranexx: "Relax. But older women do have more experience… according to old logic."
Laughter erupted around the campfire.
Soza: "Wait… how old are you anyway?"
Dranexx: "Old enough to do whatever I want."
Uto: "Jeez, you've got some nerve. Well, what do I expect from a Jugelia citizen?"
Everyone laughed again.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Akube lay on his back, staring at the star-filled sky.
Footsteps approached.
Dranexx: "Figured I'd find you here."
Akube: "Hey, bro."
Dranexx: "What're you thinking about? Some scheme to destroy a Grandmaster?"
Akube scoffed.
Akube: "Woo, man, that's too far. What grudge do you even have against the Grandmasters?"
Dranexx's expression hardened slightly.
Dranexx: "Not all of them. Just… specific ones. For starters, yours. She's too proud. It pisses me off. And the Grandmaster of Truth… and the Grandmaster of Faith. I want to see how far I can go against them."
Akube turned his head toward him.
Akube: "You're strong. I know that. But you saw it yourself they're on a completely different level."
Silence lingered.
Then Akube spoke again.
Akube: "Dranexx… do you believe there are other universes out there?"
Dranexx looked up at the stars.
Dranexx: "I do. The Heavenly Palace alone proves it. That realm feels like an entirely separate universe different timelines, different laws. There's no way one universe could contain nineteen Grandmasters at once. We've already seen that a single Grandmaster can threaten an entire universe."
Akube nodded slowly.
Akube: "So you believe in multiple timelines… parallel universes?"
Dranexx: "That's exactly why I need to grow stronger. I want to see it all myself. You've read those Japanese novels, right? Look at how their cosmology is structured layered worlds, higher realms, outer gods. I have this feeling… our world is structured on an even larger scale."
His gaze sharpened.
Dranexx: "And something deadly is waiting for us in the future."
Akube exhaled.
Akube: "Maybe. But right now… we survive the present."
A quiet breeze passed.
Then—
A whisper.
"I… am… waiting…"
Dranexx stiffened.
(That voice again… This makes it the second time now.)
His eyes narrowed into the darkness beyond the skys.
Something or someone is watching
Arrival at the Kingdom of Nacia
The next day, they continued their journey until the towering walls of the Kingdom of Nacia came into view.
"Wooo… it's huge!" Dranexx said, staring at the massive gates.
"So this is the Kingdom of Nacia?"
Uto smiled proudly. "Yes. Not to brag, but Nacia is one of the most successful kingdoms in all of Lumeria."
"Really?" Akube raised a brow.
"Yes. Our kingdom has remained undefeated for thousands of years. We possess the strongest military force."
Dranexx narrowed his eyes toward a marching unit in silver-blue armor.
"Hmmm… are those kingdom knights?"
Soza nodded. "Yes. They are called the Syria Knights. They are the elite military force that has protected our kingdom for generations."
Dranexx smirked. "Compared to Jugelia… they seem more armed and organized."
Uto glanced at him carefully. "Jugelia is far away and small… but that does not mean weak. According to ancient history, they stopped waging war over 3,000 years ago. Many believed they no longer existed… until we met you two."
Dranexx: "I see…"
Telepathic Conversation
Akube suddenly whispered mentally:
Wait… what are they talking about?
Dranexx responded through thought communication:
I made up a random village name… and it turns out to be real.
Akube froze.
Hold up… are we communicating through thoughts right now?!
Yes.
Akube grinned. You haven't even been in this world for a full day and you already understand the system?
Dranexx replied calmly:
Unlike you, I'm more observant. I don't plan to obey this world's laws… I plan to define them. I will override its concepts and become divine.
Akube smirked back mentally.
Not until I surpass you first. I won't let you get ahead of me.
Sounds like a challenge.
At the Gate
Guard: "Hold it. Who are these boys?"
Uto: "They're from a distant land. They seek refuge in Nacia."
Guard: "Are they under your responsibility?"
Uto: "Yes. Whatever happens is on us."
Guard: "…Very well. You may pass."
Farewell
Inside the city—
Dranexx bowed slightly. "Thank you. You've helped us a lot since we met. I don't know how to repay you."
Amanda smiled softly. "There's no need. We simply help others… as long as we don't regret it later."
Akube grinned. "Trust us. We always repay our debts."
Amanda leaned slightly toward Dranexx and whispered:
"If you wish to repay me… don't forget my offer."
She smiled calmly.
Dranexx blinked. "Ah… okay."
Uto cleared his throat. "Amanda?"
"Oh nothing."
Soza sighed. "Typical Amanda."
Uto pointed ahead. "That building over there is the Adventurers Guild. If you want to survive here, you'll need to join a guild and earn money from quests."
Dranexx: "We will. Thank you again."
Uto: "We'll meet again."
They parted ways.
Guild Decision
Akube: "So… which guild are you choosing?"
Dranexx: "Adventurers Guild."
Akube: "Really? I'm joining the Mercenary Guild."
Dranexx: "Ah, okay."
Akube burst out laughing. "Relax! I'm joking. We're joining together."
Dranexx: "You're such a jerk."
Akube: "HAHA!"
Adventurers Guild
They entered the large hall filled with warriors, mages, demi-humans, and adventurers.
A beautiful demi-human receptionist greeted them.
"Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. Are you here to register?"
Akube (thinking): She's pretty… and a demi-human too…
Dranexx: "Yes, please."
Receptionist: "Alright. Please sign here, then place your hand on the magic orb."
Akube: "Me first."
Dranexx: "Slow down, idiot."
Receptionist giggled. "No need to rush, sir."
Akube smiled shamelessly.
Dranexx stepped forward next.
"How does this work?"
"It stores a portion of your mana or aura. We appraise it to determine your elemental attributes and suitable rank."
Dranexx placed his hand on the orb.
The orb glowed brightly.
Receptionist: "You too, sir."
Akube followed.
Moments later
"Mr. Dranexx. Mr. Akube… I'll be right back."
They waited.
Dranexx whispered, "What rank do you think we'll get?"
Akube shrugged. "No idea."
She returned.
"You two are… exceptionally strong for first-time registrants. You've both been assigned A-Rank."
Silence.
Dranexx (thought): Damn. That's too high. I wanted to keep a low profile… now everyone will notice us.
Akube grinned widely. "Oh great! Thank you! By the way, what's your name?"
"You may call me Asunal."
Akube: "Nice name, Asunal."
She smiled. "You may now select a quest suitable for your rank."
Both: "Alright."
The Sky Dragon Wager
Dranexx: "Which job are we taking?"
Akube: "Look at that one… Sky Dragon Subjugation. That payout is huge. Let's take it."
Dranexx: "Alright."
They accepted the quest and headed toward the marked location.
When they arrived
Dranexx: "So this is where we fight the Sky Dragon…"
Akube: "About that… are those the dragons over there?"
High above the clouds, massive winged creatures circled the sky.
Dranexx: "Appraisal."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"…What? That's not a normal Sky Dragon. These are Emperor Sky Dragons."
Akube: "Yeah… and there's a lot of them. Why would the guild mislabel this?"
Dranexx: "Doesn't matter. The more we kill, the more we earn. You get me?"
Akube smirked.
Akube: "Let's make it interesting."
Dranexx: "A challenge?"
Akube: "Whoever kills more dragons gets the bigger share of the reward."
Dranexx: "Heh. Don't cry when you lose."
Akube: "In your dreams."
"GO!"
Dranexx's Move
Dranexx looked at the sky.
"How do I kill them without destroying the forest…? If I draw a sword from The World of Cavalry, the entire area might vanish…"
He paused.
"Oh. That'll work."
He picked up a long tree branch.
"Hell Flame Slash."
The branch ignited instantly, blazing with infernal fire. With a simple swing
BOOM.
Thirty Emperor Sky Dragons were sliced in half mid-air.
Using just a stick.
Dranexx: "Wooo… that was too much. I need to tone it down or I'll burn the whole forest."
Akube's Counter
Akube: "They're flying… and I'm grounded. Hmmm…"
He smiled.
"Rising Water Jet."
Dozens of high-pressure water spears erupted upward like missiles.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Thirty-eight Emperor Sky Dragons fell from the sky.
Akube: "At this rate… I'm winning."
Dranexx Evolves Again
Dranexx looked at the fallen dragons.
"…Now how do I carry all this?"
"Item Box… that's what they call it in those Japanese novels, right?"
He grinned.
"If I don't have one… I'll create one."
"Hyper Containment."
A new skill was born instantly.
Hyper Containment – A dimensional storage capable of containing anything… even an entire planet.
The dragon corpses vanished into a dark spatial rift.
"Well. Problem solved."
He turned toward Akube's location.
"Let me go disturb him."
Sabotage
Akube: "Three more… after that I'll go steal Dranexx's kills."
"Blazing Shotgun."
A blast of condensed flame tore through the sky.
The remaining three dragons exploded instantly.
Akube froze.
"…What just happened?"
Dranexx stood behind him.
Akube: "THAT WAS MY PREY!"
Dranexx: "Too slow. Looks like I win."
Akube: "Jerk."
Dranexx: "Don't cry, twerk."
Akube: "Who are you calling twerk?!"
Their rivalry burned hotter than the battlefield.
Meanwhile… In the Kingdom of Brugia
Far away—
"Sneeze!"
Lisa: "Who's talking about me?"
She stood before the gates of the powerful Kingdom of Brugia , a land where Elves, Demi-humans, and Humans coexisted.
Despite its strength and territorial dominance, Brugia had never won a war against the mighty Kingdom of Nacia whose military power had crushed them repeatedly over the years.
Lisa looked up at the grand city walls.
"Well… first things first. I need money."
Her eyes landed on a large building.
Mercenary Guild.
She smiled.
"Let's see where my power can take me ."
And somewhere far away…
Two monsters continued arguing about who killed more dragons.