In his previous life, Lazybones was a British soldier who served in the Army during the Second World War. For him, the battlefield was the only place to call home. He enjoyed being surrounded by like-minded men, ready to face a glorious death while fighting relentless enemies. Although he was often branded insubordinate by his senior officers, he remained a war dog till the very end. When the conflict between nations had wrapped up, the highly-decorated veteran was forced to return to a civilian lifestyle. Deeply resentful of the fact that the Americans had dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan that led to the surrender of the latter nation, he ended up having outbursts that were brushed off as weird and bouts of insanity.

A man like Zachary (or Zack which was his name during his past life) was born in the wrong era. He was better suited as a Roman gladiator or a Viking conqueror. But Alas! the geezer who got dozens to surrender during a night armed with just his favorite sword and escaped whilst being imprisoned by forces affiliated with the Axis Powers died an uneventful death.

Following his demise, when he opened his eyes, a tall and slender man stood before him. Armed with a trident, this individual seemed to be locked in tight meditation.

Zack: I did not imagine the Holy Father to resemble someone like yourself. Where's the white beard and your Son?

Shiva: I have no idea who you are referring to. My sons have other business to attend to. The flow of time and rebirth is strictly my domain and no one else has any control over it.

Zack: Hey I know you, you are Shankara of the Tridev! I was born in Sri Lanka so I have seen many of your temples while growing up.

Shiva: Huh…The way I see it you got two options. You were not an evil person and served your country proudly, so I can invite you to join my regiment…

Zack: But I don’t want to be trapped in the spiritual realm, Lord Shankara. I miss the bloodshed and my broadsword the most.

The kooky veteran started crying as his tears turned to ice. After all, Kailasha can get pretty darn cold.

Shiva: Let me finish man. Why so serious? Let’s put a smile on that face. You can also choose to get reincarnated on a different planet and maybe choose a profession similar to what you had on Earth.

Zack’s eyes lit up.

Zack: You aren’t bluffing are you?

Shiva: I am the Alpha and the Omega. What reason do I have to lie to you? Once you are reborn, I cannot interfere anymore. So choose wisely, Mad Zack.

Veteran: OK. Send me to another realm. Hopefully, this time I shall meet a worthy end, if not I will grow to hate you, Lord Shankara.

The deity smiled. “Don’t worry, I am not so cruel. I will send you to a tempestuous planet in a different universe. Thank me later.”

______

Lazybones was born as the son of a leading general in the Army of Horan. Although his father was mostly involved in hatching schemes to ensure victories on the battlefield and wanted his son to live a similar, coddled life, LB had other plans. Starting from the age of 5, he learned the art of throwing and wielding a spear. As a teenager, he became one of the closest compatriots of Cris, the next heir in line for the throne of Horan.

When Cris was 13, Cris engaged him in conversation about his plans for the future. At that time, the 4th conflict between humans and demons was unfolding.

Prince Cris: What do think will happen at the end of this war, Drake (Lazybones’ birth name)?

Lazybones: I think your father is well on his way to a humiliating loss.

If it was anyone else telling Cris this, he would be quickly executed by the prince. But Drake was different, he shared his enthusiasm in all matters that involved carnage.

Prince Cris: Most people believe that harmony is the best option for prosperity. That is just not true. What I learned during the course of my adolescent years is this: freedom and security are inversely proportional. My citizens can never truly be free if there is a constant risk of the nation plunging into warfare. This adversely affects the economy and makes lives infinitely harder for all. Control is the only way to progress, one must sacrifice his or her freedom for the sake of their motherland’s glory. Logically it makes perfect sense.

Lazybones: Look, it doesn’t matter what you think right now. You are not the king yet. But when you are, if you wish to take the world, I would love to be your employee.

Prince Cris: For that to happen, you need to sign up at our Adventurer’s Guild first. Go kill some Giant Salamanders and mermen, maybe then we can negotiate…

Lazybones: That is a good idea. Let me see if I can work things out with my father.

The duo was as thick as thieves. And that partnership is what helped Horan escape bankruptcy after the passing of Cris’s father. While the General wasn’t happy about Drake’s chosen profession, he couldn’t possibly spit in the face of King Cris. So the man retired and became a shepherd in a peripheral province of the Kingdom.

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Over the course of a decade, the two came to be regarded with fear and admiration by the citizens of Horan. Most turned into nationalists, whilst those who resisted were penalized and often incarcerated for speaking their minds freely. Democratic sentiments proved to be a thorn in Cris’s chosen path, so he crushed all kinds of resistance with absolute brutality.

Those who dared to dream disappeared.

______

Back to the Present- Scene: Outside the Palace Court of Horan

The two warriors encircled each other, each trying to figure out the other’s weaknesses.

Lazybones: Before I gut you like a wild boar, I will ensure you give up your name. That is my promise to you.

The unknown espionage agent continued to remain mute.

Lazybones: Activate Martial Skill- Enrage. Boost- Speed. Boost- Strength. Boost- Spatial Awareness.

The Stranger pointed a finger at the enemy. An arrow magically appeared and bolted towards the Class 0 Adventurer.

Lazybones: Phew, that was close. If I dodged a second late, I might have ended up…

Before he finished his sentence, the Masked figure fired a second arrow into the sky. Suddenly, the atmosphere turned black, and hundreds more rained upon the Kingdom’s forces who had surrounded the venue where the skirmish was unraveling. Cris remained protected due to his position being inside the fortified balcony. His men were not so lucky.

Drake’s laughter echoed louder in spite of the screaming of those who were wounded. Even though he had managed to dodge most of the arrows, two had gotten thrown with each piercing his right shoulder and left toe respectively.

Lazybones: How long have I waited for a showdown like this? If only I had met such a feral beast before…the girl in Avaron could learn something from you. Thank you, Oh Great Lord of Time for sending me to this world.

Drake: Activate Martial Skill- Destroy. Triple Boost- Strength. Triple Boost- Speed. Triple Boost- Spatial Awareness.

These advanced spells put immense strain on the user's body. Blood was gushing out of his wounds, and yet his smile continued to widen.

Lazybones: Now it's a party!

In one step, the gap between the two foes was reduced to zero. The spear came down heavily on the masked fellow, and yet the latter parried it without a single sigh. Something wasn’t adding up, both the King and his Ace began to sense a peculiarity in the movements and behavior displayed by the infiltrator.

The spear swiveled back and struck the adversary in the chest. This made him fly back at least 5 meters. Yet the challenger recovered and gained his stance back.

Lazybones: Perhaps it is time that I use the final blow. I am hungry mate, and they have some delicious fish fry in the kitchen today marinated with a variety of spices that you should die for!

The Stranger flung yet another arrow at his rival. This made all the soldiers and Adventurers, lifeless or not fly away at uncontrollable speeds. Even Drake found it hard to resist the winds.

The cloaked figure jumped into the air and took aim at the shocked King in the verandah. Just as he was about to fire a projectile, a spear pierced his chest and the black frame evaporated.

King Cris: What the hell? How badly have you been hurt, Drake?

Lazybones: Nothing a good meal and a few nights’ sleep can’t fix.

King Cris: Good. After you are done with lunch go to my medic. She will patch you up in no time. An emergency meeting will take place in the Court today evening. All my ministers must arrive, alongside you and Class 1 Adventurers as well. This is a matter that requires precedence over anything else.

Far away in the town of Avaron, the illusionist sensed that his Soul Copy had been extinguished.

Indrajit: So Horan does have some decent warriors at the very least. Interesting. Will I be able to reason with the King? Only time will tell…

______

Head Nurse Charlotte and her family have been serving the King of Horan for generations. Even though she was a woman of stunning beauty, Charlotte had turned down propositions from countless Ministers over the years. Her mother had ingrained inside her a sense of discipline from an early age; once a particular outlook has taken hold of a psyche, it is very hard for a person to override it.

Life in the Palace was fairly comfortable for her, even though an irregular number of patients would come and go. Today, an outrageous number of soldiers lay groaning on beds, many on the verge of death while some had already perished. Charlotte had never seen so many casualties since the end of the previous war. As the stench of blood filled the air, she felt increasingly squeamish.

Drake was lying on one of the beds, keenly observing her reactions.

Lazybones: What is the matter doc? You should be used to this at least. In the coming week, these will feel like rookie numbers.

Head Nurse Charlotte: I am sorry sir but all this mayhem…what caused this?

Lazybones: We had an uninvited guest drop in not too long ago. Whatever that thing was, I have never seen anything quite like it. It almost took me down.

Head Nurse Charlotte: I think an assassin is not someone you have to worry about.

Lazybones: Do I seem distraught? I have finally found a decent nemesis.

Unbeknownst to Charlotte, Drake always enjoyed spending time in her company. Personality-wise, they were on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Head Nurse was mellow and selflessly treated her patients, while the brash Lazybones was overbearing and always looking for new ways to get into trouble. Drake had fallen for her after she treated his injuries in the aftermath of his first fight against a Giant Salamander.

While she was disinfecting the shoulder wound, the Class 0 Adventurer clasped her hand tightly.

Lazybones: Lady Doc, you ever think about marriage? God knows we can't do this forever...

Head Nurse Charlotte: I live to serve the King and the House of Horan. That is the sole purpose of my existence. Everything else is secondary. I have put some herbal tincture on your lacerations. The bleeding will stop in a while, just rest for now. No need to exert yourself. For once, think of your well-being, Mr. Lazybones.

Lazybones drifted off when the anaesthesia began to take its toll on him.

Glossary:

Lazybones/Drake/Zachary - Class 0 Adventurer reborn as a result of Lord Shiva’s blessing. Based on the real-life figure Mad Jack Churchill who was an absolute demon on the frontlines of war. He frequently disobeyed senior officers and in spite of harsh punishments became one of the greatest adrenaline junkies known to man. The addition of his character might cause some Britishers to feel offended but I sincerely wish to honor Jack’s memory.

Indrastra - Used by the Soul Copy to shower arrows on his opponent(s).

Vayuvyastra - Used by the Soul Copy to create a terrifying gale that has the potential to fling thousands away. Can destroy illusions as well.