The massacre was an instant thing. Myriad of spells ripped apart the Chef and Server, in a blast of death and dust. The castle rumbled as the stone wall crumpled in the wake of power. Their body flayed by a cacophony of elemental magic. The tower shook, and pain was the trigger that snapped those monsters out of their daze.

  The monster's eyes snapped, and they started to charge again, even amidst the slaughter of arrows and spells, but the brief window Rue had bought was enough to nullify any attack attempt. More and more are killed by surges of magic. Dust hung in the air, and the smell of death accompanied each freckle.

  Dust settled, and Bondred jumped straight at him. Rue was on his knees. Almost half of his Mana was drained. Parrying sense came alive within him. He parried an attempt from one of the head chef’s knives, knocking it off the monster's arm in a whip of ice.

  However, he was not done yet. Bondred’s other hand jolted, straight at his throat, but Rafael blocked it, sending the knife flying out of the Head Chef's grip.

  Romero charged, glowing red energy pulsed from his saber. And he struck down. Again, he cut off Bondred’s left hand. The man screamed and followed with a stab straight into Bondred’s heart. Hefting the Chef against his shoulder, they both crashed straight into the stone wall to their left.

  With body pinned. Bondred still managed to recall his knife and attempt a strike. But Romero's armor warded off any try.

  The head Chef roared–his fate sealed, he coughed a blob of blood, trying to spit into Romero’s eye slit. Romero, in turn, headbutted the maniac hard, breaking his nose, sending him reeling as Bondred’s head recoiled against hard stone.

  “Gluttonous! Let me go! I still nee—” Five knives flew by. All pinned Bondred’s last arm. Three of them along his wrist, and the last two jabbed deep into his shoulder.

  The Head Chef screamed in agony. A breaking, yet pathetic tone of the monster was almost too human. Yet, its word was anything but so.

  “Glutton! My work! My mission! My purpose! You would end it? Here, this way? How Gluttonous—”

  Romero punched the Head Chef, and blood exploded. Rafael moved; he sliced down, removing Bondred's last arm from his body in one sizzling strike. It was now pinned to the stone wall like some decoration.

  A mirthless laugh came from the creature. He opened his bloodied eyes to stare at Rue. “Let me see… Let me see your face, brother.”

  Before Rue could land the finishing strike. Romero withdrew his saber, and with red swirling energy, he cut apart the Head Chef's neck. Kicking the head of his body the moment it landed on the carpet.

  (Bondred, the Maniac Kniver, Has Been Slain by SwordWall Bulwark Romero.)

  The word blared across his vision. Rue had to check Bondred’s head again before he was sure it was definitely no longer attached to his body.

  “He is dead?” Someone asked behind him.

  Rafael pushed up his glasses. The long-haired man scanned the battlefield. Amid dead bodies that had just now turned into dancing ashes, three of them finally lowered their weapon.

  “Yes,” Rafael shut his Glaive’s electricity off. “Now, get to the hall. The meeting is still happening. There will be three watches, and all of you will be on the third. But, I still need complete participation in the meeting, so get going!”

  As he climbed the stairs onto the upper floor hallway, Rue had to lean against the wall. Romero was there too, still in that full armor. He caught Rue by his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Rue huffed. “Well, I needed sleep.”

  “And to think we will get only six hours,” Seila grumbled. She crossed the hallway, not giving them even a glance. She was clutching a man's arm lovingly as she stared up. The man was handsome, with a balding head and the body of a bodybuilder. “Well, that's plenty enough,” She winked.

  The man grinned. “Sure does”, his hand went down, not bothering the fact they’re in public.

  Seila looked back toward Romero and Rue. “Both of you got some rest. I prefer not to be the only useful one later,” She waved before disappearing through a door right next to Rue's room.

  “What are the chances they won't be noisy?”

  “These are stone walls, I think you don’t have to worry about that,” Romero said. He waved at the Mages and Archers who had been fighting with them. Each of them nods their head at Rue and Romero, some even bowing as they go to their own room.

  Rue did a quick identify. And most had surpassed level twenty. The fight has been brutal, but not without reward.

  “Alright,” Rue sighed, opening his door. “See you later then”

  “Wait, your name, what is it?”

  “It's Rue”

  “I see. Get some rest, Rue. I’m sorry for not asking your name earlier. No one should die without knowing their brother in arms' names,” Romero said. The knight proceeded to walk across the hallway, opening a door quite far away.

  Rue merely shook his head and chuckled. He barely knew those who died earlier.

  Also, it's quite something to see Romero act like a knight. Maybe honor will prevail in a world soon full of danger? The very thought is scary, but strangely not horrifying to him.

  “Maybe I’m losing my mind,” He mused.

  He entered his room to find Soma, Junior, and Lars there. All of them tensed the moment he entered. Rue wondered why, only to realize he was still wearing the mask

  “It's me,” Rue rose both of his hands. He tapped his spatial ring to his mask, and it disappeared. Immediately, wind swooshed around him, and he drew a huge breath like the world just opened up to him.

  “You have been fighting with others with that mask?” Junior blinked.

  “Well, yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t I? Ah, thanks for cleaning the floor.” Rue mused as he looked down at the floor that clearly had been wiped out.

  “Everything went well then? Sorry, I couldn’t come. Junior and I were forced to buy some potions and guard those who are injured.” Soma scratched the back of his ear. Like he was genuinely guilty of that. The young man seemed to think it was his job to get involved with danger. Like when Rue decided to confront Joya, and when they were about to attack Alfred, too.

  Right then and there, Rue immediately knew that he wanted Soma as an ally. He is someone who will grow stronger.

  If he did not die first, that is.

  “No need to feel guilty, Soma.” Rue turned to Lars, noting various cuts and wounds across his shirt and cheek. “Things go well for you, too?”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Of course it does,” He huffed, ponytail bobbing as his cocky expression took over. Although his wound said otherwise.

  “Why are you here?” Soma asked the highest level. “Did you miss us?”

  “Hah!” Lars shouted, like Soma pissed on his mother's grave. “How Lukewarm, like hell I am”

  What with this ‘lukewarm’ comment? Rue gets Ashram curses, which involve light, those are probably embedded inside Entram and Sentram’s cultures. But this ‘lukewarm’ insult, Lars thinks, sounded like someone forcing it.

  “I’m here to finalize the deal,” Lars said, eyes focused on Rue.

  The deal?

  “Oh”

  Three swords that looked like they had been made out of light appeared in Lars's hand. Junior and Soma openly gaped at them.

  And Rue also wanted it so badly. He realized he wanted a one-handed sword, now that his fighting style with one staff and one sword was working. Having a good sword to rely on instead of a sword wrought from magic will cut a lot of his worries, just in case his Mana is not in a good spot.

  Light Liquid Sword (Rare) – By the light and his blessing, Roh has created a sword that would imitate the effect of his favorite spell, Sword of Light. Extend and bend Light Liquid Sword and catch your enemy off guard. A perfect weapon against the unsuspecting.

  “I will take the ticket.”

  Rue nodded. He summoned one of his tickets, handing it to Lars, who dropped the swords on Rue's bed.

  When Lars was about to take it, Rue’s finger tightened around it. He scowled at Rue.

  “Don’t be reckless,” Rue cautioned. “They’re strong.”

  “Like I can take it easy in this new world,” Lars said, wrenching the ticket away from him.

  Sleep came to him strangely, rather hard. Maybe it's because of the peace inside this room. The wall did not let in any noises; all inside Rue’s head is void, nothing at all.

  The peace eventually drifted him to close his eyes, before his eyes snapped open. He forgot about his skills choice. Rue opened his status and was greeted by a significant level up.

  Cleave (Uncommon) (Passive) – A Swordsman's blade needs to be deceptive, even to those who hide behind. The echo of your blade shall carry forth with one-tenth of your original power.

  It did not take Rue long to decide on the General Skill Option. This one seemed to be the obvious choice as it would allow him to perform well against a bulk of monsters like the earlier battle. Especially in this stage, in which no doubt he will be fighting a crowd of monsters again.

  Now, as for the Frost Swordsman skill option, his eye went into one in an instant.

  Winter’s Sword Momentum (Rare) (Passive) – A strength is not always used fully, some often not wasted. Frost gathered in your sword shall not be wasted after it deals damage to your opponent. Unused. Within your blade shall stay and cover the sword area where the Frost element has been used.

  This, with Winter Edge and Time of Obsidian Ice, might give him a curious combination. He will test it tomorrow. For now, he checked his status one last time and rested right after.

  Name: Rue.

  Level: 32→36.

  Race: Human.

  Class: Frost Swordsman Lvl 28→33

  Magic Vein (Stone): 32%

  HP: 2559/3287 → 3572/3972

  Mana: 3129/3129 → 1522/3736

  Strength: 235 → 263

  Vitality: 257 →293

  Dexterity: 253 → 279

  Arcana: 425 → 501

  Mind: 259 →285

  Perception: 115 → 123

  -Skill (9/15)-

  - Fireball (Common)

  - Time of Obsidian Ice (Rare)

  - Frost Shrapnel (Uncommon)

  - Frostbite Sword (Mystic)

  - Glacial Wake (Uncommon)

  - Spiral Swipe (Uncommon)

  - Edge of Winter (Rare)

  - Liquid Light (Rare)

  - Golden Dominion (Mystic)

  -Passive Skill (14/15)-

  - Cold Resistance (Uncommon)

  - Cold Healing (Uncommon)

  - Icen Frost (Rare)

  - Frost Pulse (Uncommon)

  - Balance of Ice (Uncommon)

  - Heart of Tundra (Uncommon)

  - Parrying Sense (Uncommon)

  - Weapon Throw (Common)

  - Will of Steel (Rare)

  - Sweeping Strike (Common)

  - Willow Tree Sword Style (Uncommon)

  - Poison immunity (Legendary)

  - Winter’s Sword Momentum (Rare)

  - Cleave (Uncommon) (Passive)

  He wondered about Paxwell and the others. Are they alive? How about Rita, Yomi, and the animals? What were they doing now? And also, his past. The orphanage, Rue had lost almost all connection to his orphanage. It's entirely his fault. He did not keep in contact. It was something he did unconsciously. His Keeper, Joan, has messaged him plenty of time, but his answer is just one or two lines. Eventually, he stopped.

  Also, the other kids who grew up with him, he remembered their names, though he is not sure that they would remember him.

  Hopefully, they all survived, just like he did. Strangely, he hoped the tutorial would transfer them here; their world sounded more dangerous than the tutorial. Here, at least the system grants them power, a path they can walk on.

  If Rue had left back, if the system hadn’t taken him…

  He can imagine himself huddling alone in a shelter, hoping for the military to deal with whatever happened. Without knowing, the military won’t stand a chance.

  His eyes opened. Sleep now escapes him. Has it been six hours yet? Rafael mentioned of sending a messenger when it's time. So for the next hours, Rue closed his eyes, struggling to fall asleep. But, at the very least, he kept his eyes closed. Letting his body get some rest.

  Someone finally knocked at the door. Rue jumped up from his bed. Opening his door to find Jessica, she heaved heavily. Sweat marred her long blonde hair.

  “Is it time?”

  “They needed help,” Jessica huffed. “The second watch overwhelmed… By the ants”

  “Ants?”

  “So that's how you look!” Seila smiled as she leaned over her door frame. Completely naked.

  “Uh,” Jessica blushed.

  “Oh,” She looked down before dipping her head to her room. “Dear? Give me my clothes.”

  A man responded, clearly annoyed from being woken.

  A thunk of steps echoed through the carpet, muffling the noise of clanking. Romero was already in his full armor. Rue wondered if the guy even slept. “Let's go, Rue.” He gave him a nod before shouting straight at Seila’s room. “You too.”

  Seila appeared with the man, and both donned their respective clothes. Seila wore a different dress from earlier. She wore a purplish dress with a scaly pattern embedded all over it—resembling a snake skin.

  “Good, I was getting bored.” Seila licked her lips.

  “We’re going through the main stairs,” Jessica said, and she began running. And her jog was a sign enough of the severity.

  Rue followed her, running past the open door, and dozens of massagers were scurrying around, waking people up. Some were clearly pissed, and it's clear that this had not been six hours. It’s been only four.

  They reached the huge spiraling stairs, climbing up in haste. The moment Rue glanced up, it was a sight out of a horror movie. A shield wall holds the stair, with various mages, archers, and warriors behind the line, firing at the approaching ant, who crawled inside the huge tower. Rue watched as one red ant, the size of a man, stung a warrior through his steel armor.

  Ant Worker. Lvl 23

  “Are you kidding me?” Rue breathed out. He might be struggling to fall asleep, but that doesn’t mean he wants to be thrust into another fight!

  “Watch out,” Jessica shouted. Above them is another ant who stares at them with those red, glassy eyes. The ant dropped, stung point, jabbed at Rue.

  Summoning his frostbite Sword, he whirled, parrying the attempt. His sword clashed against the stinger, which emitted a green substance capable of melting steel armor. The side of FrostBite sword melted the moment the green sticky substance marred it, and Rue clicked his tongue.

  These ants might be more difficult to deal with.

  And what happened up there? Was the wall breached?

  Jessica moved, her hand flew to her bow, and she fired, knocking the ant down below.

  Rue watched as it exploded upon reaching the ground—sending a spray of green dung all over. A group of spears was staring up. They each had shields with mages and archers hiding below them.

  “Ma’am! You and I assigned down there”, Jessica shouted over the screams of combat.

  “I assume the commander is fighting?” Seila asked.

  “Yes, Rafael is on the front line. He was holding the narrow pass leading down the second staircase.”

  “Good, let's go then,” Seila said. She kissed the warrior beside him, wishing him good luck. “Ah, and you two, too. Knight and Mask,” She winked, before descending with a knife, dancing around her. One of her knives stabbed straight into an ant, spraying its green blood.

  “Where are we going?” Romero asked Jessica, as she was about to run after Seila.

  “The very front,” She said, pointing up where the human shield wall is, fighting a very huge ant whose head is a natural shield, and built like a bulldozer.

  “Of course…” Rue grunted, donning his Plague Doctor mask.

  (Supermajor Ant. Lvl 38)