Suddenly, I felt something congealing in my throat. If I were to truly divest myself of my war spoils, I'd be as defenseless as a duck in a storm. So, I chose the diplomatic route instead.

"Sir host, it was indeed quite challenging to acquire these treasures, but if I'm not allowed to possess them, I can hand them over without issue," though I would have liked to receive compensation, I didn't mention that part.

"Don't misunderstand me, young one. If you wish to take them, they are yours. I can't interfere. Truth be told, what we're doing now is already problematic."

"If that's what you believe, sir host, I'm willing to exchange them for whatever you see fit."

"Would you do that for me, lad? You would truly be helping me a lot, though I must warn you that there's no way I can give you something of equivalent value to what you obtained."

"Very well, sir. Besides, considering how that fanatic acted, I'm sure if I showed up with his relics, he would pursue me to the ends of the earth. Although I'm not sure what they are or how to give them to him, as they vanished as soon as I touched them."

"No problem. Just extend your hand and think of giving up your relics."

As I extended my hand, orbs of various colors suddenly appeared in the air. These represented different things—my armor and weapons, a beautifully carved wooden fragment, as well as the three scaly eggs.

The host took the three eggs without hesitation and then began performing some incantations in an unknown language, making them disappear.

"Very well, young one. You have my blessing for helping me in this matter. I must warn you that many will view this act as taking a stance, but considering your choices during the test, I think it's acceptable. Now, I shall give you my compensations. Unfortunately, we're running out of time. Take this and run to the portal."

The host opened his hand, and three flower buds appeared. When I reached out to collect them, two entered my body, but the third settled in my hand and began to bloom. Within it appeared a leather necklace with a tooth, which looked quite rustic but had a primordial charm, seeming to transport one's mind to a world with lush flora and massive, awe-inspiring life forms.

I had to divert my gaze from the necklace to avoid being engulfed by its presence. I removed my helmet to put on the necklace and then hurried towards the portal, as the host's tone implied urgency.

When I entered the portal, I arrived in a completely white space. In front of me was a chair and a table, and nearby was some sort of wooden world map and a shelf. The ambiance emitted an oak scent.

I advanced towards the table, and when I sat down, a woman of voluptuous proportions suddenly appeared. Aside from her attractiveness, there was a radiant aura around her, and the oak scent in the room was joined by a citrusy aroma.

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"While I had anticipation for the chosen human, it turns out..."

The newcomer was muttering something and didn't seem to realize her sudden appearance, so I cleared my throat discreetly to get her attention.

"Oh, it's your turn, though. I thought I had already gone through everyone from your world. Boy, you've taken quite a while, so we'll have to speed things up. I usually like to talk about the achievements of newcomers, but not this time."

The woman spoke quickly and then began reviewing some documents that appeared on the table. I could tell they were a list of my rewards. When she read them, she started muttering in disappointment.

"It seems there are many good things here since you're the second place from your world. Unfortunately, your world's members decided to concentrate their resources on the first place so that they can gain authority more quickly and form a kingdom for your kind. So, you'll have to depart with nothing."

What this woman was saying didn't make sense. There was no meeting where such an agreement was made, and I had never consented to giving my rewards to anyone. Moreover, I didn't know what authority was and how it related to a kingdom. However, something bothered me even more. If I remembered correctly, the first place from Earth had to be Ethan. That bastard somehow survived longer than me.

The woman was about to snap her fingers, but I managed to stop her just before she did.

"Wait, I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't given any of my rewards to anyone."

"Huh, what are you saying, youngster? It's obvious that you've given away your rewards. Are you implying that I'm stealing from you?"

There was a strange sense of threat in her words, and the room's scent started fading. Another subtle scent began to replace it, a scent I was familiar with, like metal.

"I wouldn't say you're trying to steal from me. I just think there's been a mistake."

The surroundings kept changing, and a reddish tone began mixing with the yellowish one. However, everything stopped abruptly at my question. As quickly as the changes had appeared, everything reverted to normal, and the oak scent returned to fill my nostrils.

"Dear participant, I see you've chosen Minas Erat as the place you'd like to appear. I must warn you that the human density there is very low. Do you wish to appear there nonetheless?"

My face darkened, but I had no choice but to accept this loss. I certainly wasn't a match for these beings.

"Of course, milady," I replied, maintaining my position and staying on guard, although she didn't seem phased by my hostility.

"Very well, you'll be transported in 10 seconds. Good luck in your new life," she said with a cordial smile. Finally, just a second before, I heard her speak at breakneck speed. Easily, she uttered about ten thousand words per second, so I couldn't understand anything she said.

With that, a flash of light temporarily left me incapacitated. It felt as if a blinding grenade had been thrown at me. Not only did I lose my sight, but a ringing sound echoed in my ears and affected my balance.

It took quite some time for this discomfort to subside. During this period, I remained motionless, but I could sense something happening around me. Unfortunately, my senses were spinning, and as I felt something on my left, it would be below, and then above in the next moment. I was really dizzy and about to vomit.

Finally, someone hit me in the stomach, and I vomited. Fortunately, this helped me begin to clear my head and see my surroundings. It was quite a gruesome sight—there were numerous mutilated bodies all around me, with blood flowing everywhere, along with the smoke of fire. Slowly, my sense of smell returned, and the distinct metallic scent of blood, as well as an unpleasant smell of sulfur and burnt flesh, mixed in.

I was chained and transported to a cage on a cart, locked together with a multitude of other beings. There were hundreds of carts being filled with what I could discern as women and children, none of whom were human like me.