“Do you guys hate humans, Miss Ronya?” I asked.

She watched me as I helped close up the shop.

"It is not that we want to; we were forced to. Many of us fled our home planet because of the Devastation," She said.

“Does that mean your planets were destroyed?”

“No. While sections of our planets were corrupted by socrixes, our societies function differently. Some believe only the strong prevail, or that it's an omen, leading to ostracization. There are many interpretations, but for me, only the strong could survive. I was outcast by my own people.”

“Then why here?” I pressed further.

“Unlike our species, humans are more free-spirited and open to new ideas. They allowed any species to live on Volara, but it came with a cost. While we are indeed free, we are still often outcasted. Do you understand?”

I nodded my head.

“Good, then no more questions. But I’m glad there’s at least some hope."

“Hm?”

She looked at me.

“You are the first human to not judge us in a long while. Thank you," Miss Ronya said.

I nodded.

“I don’t see the point in judging when there are bigger problems."

That being the final boss of this world.

She chuckled.

“If only other humans had that way of thinking.”

“...They really should though," I said.

<><><><><>

I was on my way back to the Academy. Although it was only a few hours of work, it was enjoyable. The customers, mostly regulars, turned out to be quite friendly despite their initial appearance. My cooking impressed everyone, and I left on a positive note. However, I was taken aback by how prevalent xenophobia was in the game.

“If I recall correctly, the Ocion Federation is a multi-planet alliance formed to combat the Socrixes and preserve life. So how am I supposed to defeat the boss when we can’t even get along?”

Tsk.

This was frustrating.

I made my way back to the academy, handing in my pass. As it was getting late and I had class early in the morning, I navigated my way to the dorms. S-class students had their hall, but despite my S-class recommendation, I was still assigned to the regular dorms reserved for ranks C to E.

The room was simple: a bed, a desk, a bathroom and shower, and a closet. It wasn't amazing, but it was comfortable enough. Compared to sleeping outside for countless days and nights, this was a luxury.

After a quick shower, I collapsed into bed, the day’s exhaustion hitting me all at once, leaving me staring at the ceiling.

“Status.”

==================

— {[Lucien Crow]} — +

Goal: Defeat the Primordial Giant of Destruction

Age: 16

Affinity: ???

Silvion Academy Rank (Year 6864): 4000/4000

Overall Rating: E

Skills:

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Jack of All Trades Lvl 1

==================

Just how did I get here?

I tried to brush it off, but I couldn’t. I was in a game, completely unsure of the situation. I found myself in a body that wasn’t mine, with a task that seemed to hold the fate of the world in its balance. Why me? I’m nobody.

Hah.

“Just who are you, Lucien Crow?”

I opened my datachron and looked through the notes Aurelia had left me. I needed something to take my mind off this.

“Let’s see…”

There are two types of weapons. You’re regulatory which are your standard weapons that the vast majority uses: guns, blasters, swords, plasma weapons, etc.

Then there are the Socriliums. These advanced weapons, created by the Ocion Federation, harness the power of the socrixes. Socrixes are categorized into tiers from ten to zero. Tiers ten through eight represent those that are not a threat or are passive. Tiers seven through four include hostile and dangerous Socrixes. Tiers three through one are extremely lethal, and tier zero represents the infamous evolution where socrixes transform into unstoppable creatures capable of destroying entire planets.

“Tsk. And four of them were barely prevented.”

The socrixes are captured and fused into weapons, with their life essence integrated into the device and harnessed by nanites in the form of a sphere. Despite the Federation's brightest minds advancing this technology, they couldn't entirely remove the socrixes' tendencies and consciousness. Consequently, users must undergo extensive mental and physical training to control these living weapons, relying heavily on their willpower to maintain dominance. The higher the tier of a socrix, the more challenging it is to control. Although these weapons are living entities and possess the potential for evolution, such occurrences are rare.

That concluded Aurelia’s notes.

During the Socrilium Trial event, I played through various types of socrixes, but none managed to leave a dent on the boss. Well… there was one, but what did I remember about it? The details were all over the place.

“I think it was a sword type?” I said, yawning. “I'll just figure it out later."

I closed my eyes, letting myself drift into a deep sleep.

<><><><><>

"Did you ever have dreams before this war?” River asked me.

"Not that I can think of. I just wanted to live and be financially stable," I responded.

"That's really basic. What about being a chef? You're good at cooking. Or maybe even a billionaire of a company?"

"Hm? I guess I can consider those options. You got any dreams?" I asked River while firing a bullet at the target.

“Easy pro gamer or better yet a pro gamer and a content creator. Maybe a singer.”

“Wow. You know what? I like it. Maybe I can be your manager in the future,” I laughed. "That way, you can do everything..."

As I turned to look at River, multiple blood wounds were protruding from his chest. His leg was missing. Bullets fired all around.

“Fuck! River we need to get out!”

His eyes were staring at me, wide and filled with pain. The blood continued to spill, pooling around him.

"Just stay with me! Focus, we can get out of here," I shouted, my voice cracking with desperation.

“Wake up Lucien.”

“What?”

“You need to wake up, Lucien.”

“But I’m Hien?”

“Wake up.”

The scene changed once more. I found myself in a town that lay in ruins — a wasteland of twisted metal and shattered stone. Buildings crumbled as giant creatures ran amok, their grotesque forms roaring with primal fury and tearing through the town with unrelenting force. Flames and smoke choked the air, casting an eerie glow over the devastation. The sky was darkened with ash, and the sounds of crumbling infrastructure and anguished cries filled the air as the creatures rampaged, leaving nothing but ruin in their wake.

“Where the hell?”

I got up, my mind gripped by fear and my body…

“Why couldn’t I move my body?”

I looked down. My bottom half, completely missing.

“No, no, no, no. This can’t be real.”

“But it is, boy. I’ve finally found you.”

A black shadow with multiple piercing red eyes confronted me, watching with a predatory gaze. It smiled, a sinister grin that sent chills down my spine.

As it approached me, a blinding light erupted, blurring my vision and engulfing everything in an endless brightness.

“Hahaha! It appears I was too late this time. May we meet again soon, child.”

I bolted upright, drenched in sweat, my breath ragged. My heart pounded heavily in my chest, and my hands trembled.

Hah…hah…hah…

My breathing, heavy.

I quickly reached my desk for my phone. I needed music. Something. Anything to calm me down.

“Fuck.”

My phone didn’t exist.

“Mmm-mm-hmmmm~.”

...Just who was humming?

“Mmm-hmmmm~.”

I looked around the room, nothing. However, my breathing became stable, and I could feel my heartbeat calming down. My eyes became drowsy.

Have I finally gone crazy?

“Mmm~.”

My eyes closed as my vision faded to black.