Atlas Hawley trudged his way through the marshy swampland hating every moment of it. He covered in sweat and mud and his legs ached, he looked up at his guardian spirit with contempt as it easily floated above all the foliage.

“How much longer?” Atlas complained loudly as he struggled to dig his foot out of a hidden pool of mud he had stepped in.

“Not much longer my child, soon you will reach what is rightfully yours.” The guardian said urging him on. Internally the demon disguised as a righteous spirit of protection enjoyed watching the boy struggle.

Yes, the boy was meant to be turned and groomed by the demon but still, this filth was chosen by Afa, Goddess of Heroes. The demon felt revolted having to give even an ounce of kindness towards him was more than he wanted. Still, the ends justified the means and Atlas will fall and he will fall far from his position as one of the six chosen heroes.

“Soon we will reach the blade, you must take heart. For this is a simple trial, one of many before you achieve your true greatness.” The demon said assuredly.

“Yeah, I get it.” Atlas grumbled as he forced himself forward. I don’t know why I need this stupid sword anyways. It’s not in the original story and I already have my cheat.

Atlas Hawley had a secret he had not revealed to anyone and one that only Afa and this guardian spirit knew. It was that he had once already lived a life, back on another planet, back on Earth, he was Adam Wong. A simple convenience store worker who passed the time reading web novels.

One day he found himself dead and woke up here in Strarth as Atlas Hawley. A very minor character that was mentioned once in the story “The Boy Who Would Challenge Fate.” To be perfectly honest it was a pretty average novel from Atlas’s viewpoint but still it was an entertaining enough read to help pass the time.

In fact now that he thought about it, he never did finish the series, he died while reading it along with a half dozen other stories. Still he knew what would happen in the next few years and that gave him an edge.

Atlas Hawley, was originally the son of a baron, not really meant to inherit any land or position, so he was sent to The Academy in hopes of achieving greatness like everyone else that goes there.

Atlas Hawley in the story gets his hands cut off by Bryson Coldwater for challenging him during one of Bryson’s infamous terror streaks. Honestly, Atlas shuddered at the thought of having to actually meet Bryson Coldwater.

But the only other option aside from going to The Academy was to waste away into nothingness, and he did not want to do that. So the plan was simple, get strong enough not to fear Bryson Coldwater, help avoid disaster as much as possible and keep the story as close as possible to the original.

Things were made easier with his cheat ability he was gifted, dubbed the display screen. It was a magical invincible screen that could only be seen by him. Using it on a target allowed him to see the stats of it, be it an item or a living thing. Though some powerful beings like the guardian spirit didn’t give him much information compared to others.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Atlas had already used this cheat screen multiple times and had already improved his meagre stats greatly over the last few months by selecting the best items to improve his physical abilities. Still they could be better, and this ancient sword might be something special, the spirit hasn’t lied to him yet.

“Just how much longer? I don’t want to be here at nightfall.” Atlas said looking around, there were monsters around and while Atlas was confident that he could handle them, it was better to be cautious. The spirit sold a compelling argument on how powerful that thing really is.

“Just past this we’ll reach a clearing. The word lays there.”

“Fine.” Atlas grumbled and after several more minutes of toiling in the mud he finally managed to get to a drier area of land, “Where are we going now?” He said rubbing his sore legs.”

“Just past the thorn bushes.” The spirit said gesturing through a large underbush of gnarled thorns.

“Are you serious?” Atlas said with a loud groan.

“It won’t be that bad.”

Atlas said nothing as he activated another benefit from his display screen cheat was the ‘inventory’ ability. An ability that grants him access to a pocket dimension of empty space to store whatever item. It was like the extraordinarily expensive storage bags some places sell but free and impossible to lose.

[Inventory Open]

[‘Treecutter Blade Selected’]

In an instant a machete-like sword with a green tinge on the sharp end appeared in the palm of his outstretched hand. With one smooth motion he easily hacked away at the thick underbrush, it wasn’t long before he reached the clearing which was a surprise altogether.

He stood in what he found to be a completely circular clearing that looked far different from the swampland from earlier. It looked like he was in a lovely forest. The ground below him was some lush green grass on completely flat ground. But what was most interesting was what lay in the center of the circle.

At the center of the circle lay a completely smooth cube of stone with a sword jutting out from the middle. It gleamed in the sunlight and had a beautiful red ruby at the end of the pommel.

“Is that the sword?” Atlas said in wonder.

“Indeed it is. It is an ancient weapon forged to slay dragons, the previous owners of the blade called it the Runefang.” The spirit said.

“Why is it in a rock?” Atlas asked as he checked the stats of the sword. He was practically salivating reading what the thing can do. The best part of it all was that it would get stronger as Atlas did.

“It was locked away here by the last owner, meant for someone special to pick it up and continue its legacy.”

“I’m chosen for it?”

“Everyone in the past had some special skill, you not only have your ‘display screen’ power but are an otherworlder. You meet what is required to wield the blade.” The spirit explained before further beckoning, “Go pick up the blade, wield Runefang and become the unstoppable warrior.”

Atlas didn’t need much more goading to grab the sword. He stared at the blade marveling at how the metal glimmered in the light. With a firm hand, he gripped the handle of the blade and pulled the sword out.

It was as if the sword was stuck in butter with how smooth and satisfying it felt to free the weapon. He tested the weight of the blade as he moved the sword around, it was better than any of the swords he had collected before.

As he was busy looking transfixed the spirit gently called to him, “You must test the blade, understand it.” He said as he began to float away.

“Where are you going?” Atlas asked.

“As you get yourself familiar with the blade I must go and contact Afa, I will be back soon.” He said as he began to fly away.

“Don’t take too long.” Atlas called out before focusing back on the blade, “Let’s find something to test with huh?”