Chapter 1
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Episode 1 - Protagonist [1]
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「The "???" has sent you a gift」
I stared at the system message; a rectangular screen with the inscribed text floated before me.
"Oh, right… the gift. What could it have sent me?"
Just at that moment, the screen trembled slightly before updating.
「The gift from "???" is being opened」
— — — || Gift from "???" || — — —
Type: Gift.
Description: Hello, author. This is my gift as your number one fan of 'The Hero in a Ruined World'. Enjoy it.
Reward: Three skills and one Stigma obtained.
「Skills Obtained」
「Perfect Synchronization Lv 1」
「Instinct Mastery Lv 2」
「Master of Steps Lv 1」
Stigma Obtained: 「Requiem of the Devoured Souls」
Final Reward: Stats raised to Lv 20.
Final Note from "???": Hello, author. Remember you must change the story. You shouldn't just be strong on your own; you must also play the role of the villain with your great intelligence. Goodbye, and I wish you great luck.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
A chill ran down my spine.
The Constellations…
In 'The Hero in a Ruined World', Stigmas could only be granted by the "Constellations." There was no other way to obtain them.
"Are you telling me I got a Stigma just like that…? And what the hell is this Stigma?"
My gaze settled on the screen with skepticism. "Requiem of the Devoured Souls" had never existed in the original story.
The skills granted to me weren't ordinary either. Perfect Synchronization, Instinct Mastery, and Step Master… These combined too perfectly with the two skills I already possessed.
"Isn't this… too good to be true?"
My thoughts lingered for a long time.
Forgotten.
This world isn't just about being the strongest.
This world is deceptive.
True power isn't just brute strength… it's intelligence.
In a world already reduced to ruins, only the most cunning find a purpose for survival.
Though, of course, strength is also a factor to consider.
But setting that aside…
"Survival Window."
A golden screen appeared before me, this time with a significant update.
— — — || Survival Window || — — —
「Zeth Dover」
-Rank: F
-Level: 1 「0%」
「Stats」
Strength Lv 20 | Endurance Lv 20 | Agility Lv 20 | Magic Power Lv 20
「Stigmas」
Obtained: Requiem of the Devoured Souls
「Skills」
Weapon Master Lv 1 | Intellectual Genius Lv 1 | Perfect Synchronization Lv 1 | Instinct Mastery Lv 2 | Step Master Lv 1 |
「Coins: 0」
— — — — — — — — — — — — — —
My eyes scanned every detail of the window, but a voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"It's okay if you don't want to share your skills and stats, Zeth."
I blinked and looked up. Henry was watching me with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
That's when I realized.
The trio in front of me was observing me in silence.
As if I were now a complete stranger to them.
"Ah… sorry. I was lost in my thoughts."
Henry let out a light laugh.
"Ha, ha, don't worry. Of course, if you don't want to share your stats and skills, no problem."
But this time, his tone was different.
It had subtly changed.
"No worries, I'll tell you."
His eyes lit up slightly.
Wow… you sure change expressions fast, bastard.
Maybe… I should kill them.
No.
It'd be better to use them.
If I want to survive, these three will be useful to me.
And, more importantly…
I need to find the true protagonist of this story.
The "Underground Prison" was the starting point of the story, but since it was the beginning, no one here had combat experience or impressive skills.
Except for the protagonist.
With a grim smile, I spoke:
"I have skills related to the sword and intelligence. My stats are all at Lv 20."
"…..?"
The expressions of the three changed drastically.
Why do they look more distant than before?
「Skill: Intellectual Genius has been activated」
「You can think at an accelerated rate and read any surprise attack」
My eyes glowed with an intense red as I studied the expressions of the three.
For a moment, I considered attacking them. But before I could make a move, Henry smiled, Elia jumped with joy, and Frey clicked his tongue in obvious annoyance.
"Great, you're the strongest in the group."
"Yay! If we have someone with high stats, we'll survive more easily."
"Tch… I should be the strongest."
Their reactions caught me off guard.
No… They shouldn't distrust me.
If they tried to kill me or abandon me, it'd be a terrible idea for them. If they left me behind, I wouldn't be able to use them to survive in this place.
Henry approached and gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder with a smile.
"Let's keep moving. Zeth, since you're the strongest, you could lead the way. Plus, you can see in the dark, right?"
Anyone would think he was sending me to the front to stab me in the back. But after analyzing their reactions, I sighed.
「Skill: Intellectual Genius has been deactivated」
***
The main mission began in the Underground Prison. It was the first scenario and the start of the story of 'The Hero in a Ruined World'.
There were two possible exits.
The first was the main exit: climbing several floors and facing dozens of orcs along the way.
The second option was to go through the sewers and emerge into the forest. Despite being full of monsters, it was the option with the highest chance of survival.
"Stop, I can see two monsters ahead."
In the midst of the darkness, two orcs were holding two-meter-long axes while patrolling.
"How big are they, Zeth?"
Henry asked in a low voice.
"Three meters tall. They have massive muscles, and each is wielding a giant axe."
Henry nodded and quickly devised a plan.
"Then, Zeth, Frey, and I will attack together. Elia, support us from a distance. I don't want you in danger since you're not specialized in close combat."
Elia nodded without hesitation.
"Damn it, bastard, don't give me orders. I'm enough on my own."
Frey stepped forward.
But I unsheathed my sword and blocked his path.
"Don't be reckless. We don't even know how strong they are, and just looking at their physique, it's obvious they have immense strength."
Of course, that was a lie.
I knew exactly the stats of these orcs. They were all at level 5, with a strength stat above Lv 30.
"Know your enemy before attacking."
Henry nodded, supporting my argument.
"I agree with Zeth. We can't attack recklessly."
Frey gritted his teeth but finally stepped back without a word.
People like him were the ones who survived the least in this world.
I observed the terrain and took a deep breath.
"Let's go."
At my signal, Henry and Frey ran behind me.
Adrenaline coursed through my body as soon as the orcs spotted us. Their red eyes flared with rage, and they let out a guttural roar that echoed through the hallway.
"They're going to attack!"
I shouted, charging forward with my sword raised.
The first orc lifted its two-handed axe and brought it down with brutality. I dodged to the side at the last second, feeling the sharp gust of wind pass by my face as the blade struck the ground, leaving cracks in the stone.
Henry appeared to my right, his sword reflecting the dim light of the place. He took advantage of the opening to deliver a slash aimed at the orc's leg. However, the monster's thick skin resisted the cut, and in response, the creature swung its massive arm, striking Henry with the flat of its axe.
"Ugh!"
Henry was sent flying against the wall and fell to his knees, coughing.
Frey, who had stayed back, clicked his tongue.
"Damn it! Those bastards are tougher than they look!"
The second orc advanced with unexpected speed and charged toward me, trying to crush me against the wall. I leaped back, barely dodging its rush.
"Elia! Magic now!"
Hearing my shout, Elia acted immediately.
Elia, who had stayed in the rear, raised her staff and muttered a spell. An instant later, a blast of fire shot toward the orc that had attacked Henry, hitting it in the side. The monster roared in pain but didn't fall.
"Its skin is resistant! I need more time to prepare a stronger spell!"
The first orc, still furious from Henry's attack, raised its axe again. I wouldn't give it time to finish its strike.
I activated the "Step Master" skill and moved with precision. My body glided between its movements, finding an opening in its guard. Gripping my sword with both hands, I delivered a slash to its wrist. This time, the cut was deeper. Dark blood spurted as the orc grunted and momentarily dropped its weapon.
"Henry, now!"
Henry, his face still twisted in pain, gritted his teeth and lunged forward, driving his sword into the creature's side. This time, the wound was deep enough to make the orc stagger.
The second orc, seeing its companion injured, roared and charged toward Henry. But Frey stepped in, a defiant smile on his lips.
"Not so fast, asshole."
He swung his long mace with both arms, putting all his strength into it, and struck the orc's leg. The creature fell to its knees, growling in rage.
"Now, Elia!"
Elia, who had been preparing her spell, extended her hand. A compressed sphere of fire materialized and shot forward, hitting the orc square in the face. The explosion of flames made it let out an inhuman screech before collapsing lifelessly.
Only one remained.
The remaining orc, staggering and wounded, glared at us with fury. Its breathing was heavy, its blood dripping onto the floor.
We exchanged glances, and without needing words, we launched ourselves together to finish it off.
With a final war cry, the orc tried to attack, but its strength no longer allowed it to move with the same speed. My sword pierced its chest at the same time Henry slashed its neck and Frey struck the orc's head with the tip of his mace.
Silence settled over the place.
Henry, breathing heavily, slumped down to sit.
"Damn… that was harder than I expected."
Elia let out a sigh of relief.
"They almost killed us."
Frey spat on the ground.
"It wasn't a big deal."
I wiped the blood off my sword and looked at the corpses. It was our first battle against real monsters. It had been tough, but we had won.
For now.
But before I could react…
「You have contributed to the death of two level 5 orcs」
「Reward: 10%」
"Anyone else see what I'm seeing?"
Henry and the others looked bewildered.
I had expected the reward for killing the two orcs, but I masked my expression to hide my calm demeanor.
"It only gave me 10% as a reward…"
The percentage represented the experience gained toward leveling up.
The protagonist should be above level 5 by now. Killing monsters solo grants a higher percentage, and leveling up accelerates.
"We should keep moving. It won't be the last time we have to fight, after all."
As I spoke, I looked ahead.
The hallway stretched in a straight line, dark and damp, with the echo of our footsteps reverberating off the stone walls. I had an idea of where we were headed.
To reach the sewers, we had to cross the waste area.
Yes.
I had to write a place like that, and now I'd be covered in shit to get out of here.
"Well… better to be covered in shit and live another day than die smelling like roses."