This Time, I Will Be The King

Pain woke me up as I laid down on the ground. Every muscle in my body hurt. The wounds healed, even internal injuries, but the headache continued and overusing Qi and MaQi caused my veins to overstrain.

"... Ugh…" The soft touch of fur embraced my arm, and something licked my ear. Shadow smirked.

"You're awake!" A young soldier's soft voice echoed. She had probably been watching over me for a while, "I'll call the sergeant over."

Smiling, she left. The huskies were around. They dragged me away from the collapsed bridge. The sergeant hurried over.

"Young man, it's good that you're already awake. We wanted to take care of you, but your friends…" He glanced at the huskies, "They didn't let anyone near."

And who would pick a fight with them after what they saw? It was a good thing they did, in case someone wanted to feed something from our world to "heal" me.

I patted the huskies, "Thank you, my friends," and then looked at the sergeant, "I'm fine. How long has it been…?"

"Only fifteen minutes. I sent my men to scout ahead before we move, in case there are more of those things. It's great that you woke up so soon, but are you really okay? I can't believe it. You fought that thing, I thought it wounded you for sure…"

It was normal for him to doubt what he saw. New Qi was truly miraculous after awakening the system, even more so during the [World Merge]. I wouldn't waste my time explaining something they would not believe, "Yeah, it was a close call. We have no time to rest."

"But we don't know where to go. If this is happening everywhere…" the sergeant said with a worried look.

I took a deep breath. I had to decide whether to tell him about this world or let them find out for themselves. Aside from Jiwan and the others, how many would believe me?

I explained what I could, especially about food, water, and the changes in Qi.

"It's… hard to believe, but hard to deny after seeing your fight. So, as long as we open the system, we can also receive powers like that? Like a… game?" His eyes showed he believed some of what I said, but not all of it.

"Yes. You will receive powers, but I don't know which. Wounds will heal much faster, and your body will be much stronger. Don't ask me how or why, I also stumbled upon it by chance after being near death."

"This… this information is too precious. I need to let command know," the sergeant said.

"Command?" I shook the head, "There's no such thing anymore."

He didn't want to believe it, and I couldn't blame him. His whole life was probably the army, and now it was gone.

"It's my duty as a soldier. The closest military base from here is Fort Iron, to the southwest. I think we'll be safe there."

Looking into his eyes, I sighed. Even knowing he wouldn't listen to me, I had to try, "Come southeast with me, to Sonis City. We will be safe there."

"How do you know…?"

"I… you will have to trust me."

He shook the head, "You saved us, so I have no reason not to trust you, but… I can't do that. Those people won't go either. Some of them already ran. Most refuse to believe what they saw before. I know we owe our lives to you, but…"

"I'm too young, and suspicious," I smiled. Age didn't matter anymore in this world, but they were still stuck in the old world. People were important resources. I would like to save them if I could, but I wouldn't change my plans, "Have you seen a small group over here? A burly dude, a popular-looking fella, two pretty ladies, a kid, and a black lab?"

He shook the head.

Good. They should have headed south as I told them to. I was worried they would turn back to look for me. My priority was to find them before trouble found them first.

"Come with us. We will feel a hell lot safer with a fighter like you!"

"I have people waiting for me. Sergeant…"

"Miles. Sergeant Miles Grow," he tried to shake my hand…

"Grrr…." Red scared him into pulling it back right away.

"Hey, behave!" I patted its head and shook the sergeant's hand.

"The scouts returned. I'll see what they found out and ask if some people want to go with you."

"Oh?"

"I'm not sure I can protect them, so they should make their own choices," Miles smiled and left.

'You really saved me out there. Thanks,' I showed gratitude to my two friends.

'Small. Matter,' Dark-Grey answered me. Red pointed to something on the ground next to me, a red glowing stone.

'A Demon Core. From the Hunter.'

Red nodded.

Demon Core was the only possible drop from this type of Ath'Taren. While harmful to humans and other species, monsters and some animals could absorb them to boost their strength. Since the dogs opened the Path, the energy inside would be useful to them.

I smiled, 'Good job. This is yours. I have no use for it. Swallow, and it will strengthen you.'

As soon as I finished, Dark-grey tried to eat the core, but red was faster, swallowing the whole thing.

'You!!! Awooooh!' Dark-grey looked ready to pick a fight, but I stopped him while Red sat quietly to absorb the core's energy.

'Now, now, that won't be our last one, haha. What are your names?'

'No name. I forgot,' Dark-grey rolled his eyes away, 'Friend. You give us new name.'

He was clearly lying. Was his name embarrassing or something?

Red had a smug look on its face as if it knew a big secret.

'You. Shut up,' Dark-grey sent a death glare towards him.

'hahaha, fine. Your name will be Shadow, and yours, Blood.'

Shadow and Blood. Simple and fitting.

'Haha, I like it. Awoooooh!' Dark-grey howled. Red also nodded, pleased.

The sergeant came back, "We're ready. Those monsters don't seem to be anywhere in the south. We better get the hell away from here before they cross."

I nodded. The Ath'Taren won't go to the south for now, yet that didn't mean we were free of worry. I couldn't warn them about what would come, since I wasn't sure. I was going in blind from this point on. In the past, I was carried, just barely escaping. I had no way of knowing how long I was out since it happened during the Timeless First Day.

Looking around, I know this was still part of the Old World, but I wouldn't know which world merged into Fort Iron and its whereabouts. If a new world ate it, then there might be powerful enemies and dangerous species. If it was still part of the old world, then hunger and thirst would be the greatest problems.

Right now, I wasn't even sure the worlds invading stayed the same. Worlds clashed, and the victors survived. In the past, the Ath'Taren demons waged war against all other species, wiping many of them out, turning some of the useful ones into their minions.

I warned them the best I could. Their fate was in their hands now.

"I asked if anyone wants to go with you, but…"

"It's okay," I smiled, "I wish you luck."

The soldiers gave me a salute before leaving. The people had ragged clothes, most breathing heavily. They left some bodies behind. They carried hope there was a still safe place somewhere in the world, and I truly hoped they would be lucky enough to find such a place.

I probably would never see them again. I risked my life, went against my resolution to survive at all costs, and, in the end, they didn't follow me. I could only respect their choices.

'They afraid. You, scary,' Shadow said.

I felt the sharpness of his comment stabbing me, 'They're more afraid of you! I heard you almost bit them before!'

Shadow smiled widely, showing all his teeth, 'Blood's fault.'

'Grrr!' Blood glared at him.

'Let's go. We have no time to waste. We need to find our friends.'

I clenched my teeth. The headache and tiredness didn't go away yet, but I could still move and fight. I looked back at the destroyed bridge, further to the fallen city I used to live in, now the Realm of the Ath'Taren Demons.

Everything north of here would become a forbidden territory, known to humans of the Old Earth as the [Land of Death].

The Ath'Taren would become the world's scourge. There was a long way ahead of us, and a lot of work to do if we wanted to survive. This time, I wouldn't let our fate in the hands of anyone else.

Whether they followed me or not.

Believed in me or not.

I would not leave our lives at the hands of incompetent rulers once again.

This time, I would be the King.