Prologue - The Tale of a Legend Part II

The group was finally reunited, the tension from the earlier battle dissipating into an almost absurdly comedic scene. Astra had her arm wrapped tightly around Kim's neck, her expression a blend of frustration and exasperation as she practically shouted at him. Her voice rose and fell in waves, each word laced with the kind of anger reserved for someone you cared about but who had made a reckless mistake.

“How could you?!”

She bellowed, shaking him slightly as if trying to rattle some sense into his head.

“How could you agree to that fight under those conditions?! You know how dangerous and unpredictable battles between users can be! If that team had been even slightly competent, you could’ve lost everything. Everything, Kim! Do you even realize that?”

Her grip tightened, but it was clear to everyone that it wasn’t meant to hurt him. Despite her fury, there was no malice in her actions. Kim, for his part, didn’t resist. His face was turning a faint shade of red, but it was more from the awkwardness of the situation than from lack of air. He knew better than to argue with Astra when she was like this.

Nearby, Ardyn was rubbing his forehead, his expression the very picture of frustration and resignation. He heaved a heavy sigh, glancing at Astra and then at Kim.

“I hate to admit it, but I have to agree with Musclebrain here. What you did was incredibly reckless, Kim. Do you even realize what could’ve happened? Imagine if that team had a Plot Device like ‘I Cheat, You Lose!’—an automatic win condition. You’d have lost all your points in an instant.”

Ardyn’s words hung in the air, the weight of the hypothetical situation settling over the group. He didn’t make any move to stop Astra’s “punishment”, seemingly content to let her handle the scolding for now.

Aethera-09 stood a few paces away, her expression—or lack thereof—unchanged. Her mechanical eyes flickered faintly as she processed the conversation, her voice as monotone and devoid of emotion as ever when she finally spoke.

“The scenarios you are suggesting have an exceedingly low probability of occurring.”

She stated, her words precise and calculated.

“The likelihood of encountering a team with an SR-rank Plot Device such as ‘I Cheat, You Lose!’ is less than 0.001%. Similarly, the probability of this team defeating Kim under normal circumstances is negligible. Statistical analysis of our previous collaboration mission indicates we successfully defeated the rank-one team with minimal difficulty. Your concerns are statistically unwarranted.”

Her matter-of-fact tone did little to ease the tension in the air. If anything, it made the situation feel even more surreal.

Meanwhile, Dr. Thrandal stood off to the side, a warm, amused smile on his face as he observed the chaotic scene unfolding before him.

“Ah, youth.”

He said with a soft chuckle, his voice calm and unhurried.

“Taking risks is part of life, especially at your age. I see no harm in what Kim did. After all, fortune often favors the bold.”

Kim, still caught in Astra’s grip, finally managed to wriggle free. He stumbled a step back, rubbing his neck and coughing theatrically as if he’d just survived a near-death experience.

“Alright, alright, just... give me a moment, okay?”

He said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. Astra and Ardyn glared at him, their expressions a mixture of irritation and disbelief. They stood with their arms crossed, watching as Kim exaggerated his recovery. He coughed a few more times for effect, then started fussing with his uniform, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. Next, he checked his shoes, even lifting one foot slightly as if inspecting the sole for dirt. Finally, he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to style it with an air of casual confidence.

The entire display only served to irritate Astra and Ardyn further. Astra’s eye twitched, her patience wearing thin. Ardyn groaned, running a hand down his face.

“Are you done?”

Astra snapped, her voice rising again. Kim glanced up, feigning innocence.

“Almost.”

He said, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I just—”

“That’s enough!”

Astra and Ardyn shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the space.

Kim flinched, his reaction so exaggerated that it bordered on slapstick.

“Alright, alright! I get it! Sorry for stalling. It’s just... well, I didn’t want to keep getting scolded, you know?”

He said quickly, raising his hands defensively. The two of his friends looked like they were about to start yelling again, but before they could, Kim took a step forward, his playful demeanor giving way to a rare moment of sincerity. He raised a hand, pointing at Astra and Ardyn with a steady finger.

“You don’t have to worry about me, we’re a team. No—more than that. We’re friends. We’ve been through so much together, saved each other’s lives more times than I can count. We know what we’re capable of, and we know our limits. So trust me. Trust in my strength. I’m on a mission—an important one. I won’t let anything, in this world or any other, stop me.”

He said, his tone firm but not harsh. For a brief moment, the group fell silent. Astra and Ardyn exchanged glances, their expressions softening just slightly. Even Aethera-09 tilted her head, as if processing his words on a deeper level. Dr. Thrandal chuckled again, clearly enjoying the heartfelt moment.

But the silence didn’t last long. Astra grabbed Kim by the neck again, shaking him lightly.

“It’s not your strength we’re worried about, you idiot!”

She exclaimed.

“It’s your common sense! Or lack thereof!”

Ardyn groaned, facepalming with a mutter.

“Exactly.”

Aethera-09’s head tilted the other way, her mechanical voice chiming in.

“Their concerns regarding your judgment are statistically valid.”

Dr. Thrandal laughed heartily, his amusement reaching new heights as the chaos resumed.

The group settled back into calm after a while, though the energy in the room remained oddly charged. Kim lay sprawled on the ground, looking completely defeated yet somehow comical in his posture. He extended one arm dramatically toward the ceiling, as if he were calling on some otherworldly force. His fingers twitched before a soft chime echoed in the air, and a translucent screen materialized above him.

The screen displayed a simple yet significant prompt:

[Do you wish to leave the Trade Nexus?] [Y/N]

Without lifting his head from the floor, his face pressed against the cold ground, Kim sighed heavily and muttered.

“Yeah, it’s better to head back.”

His finger hovered for a moment before pressing the [Y]. Immediately, his body began to dissolve, breaking apart into countless shimmering particles of light. The glow intensified, spreading across his form until he vanished entirely.

Astra crossed her arms, her expression both exasperated and resigned.

“He really knows how to make an exit.”

She muttered, though there was a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

Ardyn, standing nearby, pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh.

“At least he didn’t try to make another speech.”

Dr. Thrandal chuckled warmly.

“Ah, the impetuousness of youth. Always entertaining.”

Aethera-09, true to her mechanical nature, simply tilted her head and stared at the spot where Kim had vanished.

One by one, the rest of the team followed suit, their forms dissolving into light as they confirmed their departure. Astra and Ardyn vanished almost simultaneously, their reluctance evident in their heavy sighs. Dr. Thrandal disappeared with his usual serene smile, and Aethera-09 blinked out last, her expression remaining as neutral as ever.

The transition was instantaneous. When the light dissipated, they found themselves in the center of a quaint village. Wooden houses with carefully carved details lined cobblestone streets. Lush greenery framed the town, with flower beds blooming in vibrant colors and birds chirping overhead. A light breeze carried the faint aroma of baked goods from a nearby shop, mingling with the earthy scent of freshly turned soil.

Kim, now standing upright and brushing imaginary dust off his uniform, took a moment to admire the scene. Before he could comment, a voice called out to them.

“Well, look who’s just in time.”

Said the cheerful yet slightly exasperated tone. The group turned to see a woman walking toward them. She appeared to be in her early thirties, with warm hazel eyes and auburn hair tied into a loose braid that fell over one shoulder. Her attire was practical yet stylish—a leather jacket over a fitted blouse, with boots that suggested she was no stranger to hard work. This was Elfrida d'Lange, a trusted ally and member of Team Abyss.

Elfrida placed her hands on her hips and gave them a knowing smile.

“You’re cutting it close. According to the countdown, you were only minutes away from missing the next scenario entirely.”

Kim waved dismissively.

“No need to worry. We’ll follow the usual plan.”

As if on cue, Thrandal stepped forward, his expression calm but focused.

“I’ll activate [Interdimensional Refugee Lv16] and send everyone to our allied team, except for the five of us.”

His tone was light, but his words carried the weight of responsibility. Elfrida visibly relaxed and let out a relieved sigh.

“Thank you again. It’s getting harder to organize things with all the newcomers. Just now, we had a guy named Benjamin who took ages to calm down and explain things to. He’s nice enough, though.”

Kim chuckled softly.

“You’re doing great, ‘Elfri’. None of this would be possible without you keeping everything running smoothly.”

The compliment caught her off guard, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.

“Oh, please. I’m just organizing people. You’re the ones risking your lives out there, keeping everyone else safe.”

Astra puffed out her chest proudly.

“Well, of course! That’s what heroes do.”

Ardyn groaned and ran a hand through his hair.

“I’m so tired of this hero shtick, but I’ll admit—keeping innocent people out of danger is worth it.”

Thrandal chuckled again, his eyes sparkling with humor.

“It’s the duty of the strong to protect the weak. A simple principle, but a good one.”

Aethera-09’s monotone voice cut in.

“Diverting non-essential personnel from combat scenarios maximizes survival rates by 84%. Logical outcomes do not require gratitude.”

Kim rubbed the back of his neck, laughing nervously at the mix of responses from his team.

“You’re all so... unique.”

Elfrida joined in his laughter, her voice bright and genuine. After a moment, she added.

“Oh, and when we’re with the allied team, Angela Rose will probably ask about you again. She keeps asking when you’ll visit.”

Kim’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and he looked away, suddenly bashful.

“Just... tell her it’ll be soon.”

He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.

“But first, I’ve got to wrap up this next scenario and, hopefully, end all of this for good.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Raising his hand, he summoned another system screen. As his fingers scrolled through the menu, his expression grew serious. Finally, he stopped at the bottom of a long list, where a single option stood out:

[ 4th Wall No More - Rank ?+ : 4,000,000 points ] [????] [ Omniscient Information Recap ] [You will break free from your chains.]

Kim stared at the words for a long moment before exhaling deeply.

“This option is the key to the end—not just escaping, but finding the answers we need.”

His team watched in silence, each of them processing the weight of his words.

Without more delay, Elfrida moved with an air of quiet efficiency, her expression calm but focused as she called the remaining members of Team Abyss to the center of the small village. Her voice was clear and commanding, cutting through the mild chatter of the group as she motioned for everyone to gather.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s get into position.”

She said firmly, gesturing toward the clearing. The seven other members responded with varying degrees of confidence, some moving briskly while others hesitated, their inexperience showing in their unsure glances.

Dr. Thrandal, ever the charismatic leader, stepped to the forefront. His coat billowed slightly in the breeze as he cleared his throat. His warm, reassuring smile was a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

“Everyone, please form a circle and hold hands, I promise, it’s perfectly safe.”

He instructed, his voice calm but authoritative. The group obeyed, albeit with a mix of trepidation and trust. The newer recruits looked to the more seasoned members for reassurance, and slowly, the circle came together. The faint rustling of fabric and shuffling of feet filled the quiet atmosphere as they clasped hands, their grip tightening slightly as the anxiety of the moment set in.

Dr. Thrandal extended both hands toward the group, his fingers moving in intricate patterns as he began to channel his skill. A soft hum of energy filled the air, and moments later, an intense green light burst forth from his palms, bathing everyone in its glow. Beneath their feet, an enormous circle of runes began to etch itself into the ground, glowing brighter with each passing second.

The recruits exchanged uneasy glances, but the veterans stood firm, their faces calm. Thrandal chuckled softly, his laughter carrying an infectious warmth that seemed to ease some of the tension.

“Relax, my friends.”

He said, his tone light.

“Everything is ready. We’ll see you all once we’ve finished with the scenario.”

With a deft motion, Thrandal reached out and pinched the glowing green bubble that had formed around the group. The translucent sphere shimmered briefly before imploding silently, leaving no trace of the circle or its occupants behind. The only ones remaining were Kim and his four companions.

The silence that followed was almost deafening. Kim exhaled deeply, running a hand through his disheveled hair as he glanced at the others.

“Alright, get ready. The notification for the next scenario could come at any moment.”

He said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of weariness. As if on cue, a familiar chime resonated through the air, sharp and unmistakable. A glowing blue screen materialized in front of them, the text displaying the title and brief details of the upcoming scenario. The robotic voice of the system was just about to begin its narration when Aethera-09, standing with an almost statuesque stillness, took a step forward.

“Activating: [Personal Skill: Admin Privileges Lv18]”

She announced in her cold, mechanical voice. Her eyes glowed faintly as she extended a hand toward the blue screen. The surface of the display flickered and distorted, momentarily filled with digital glitches before stabilizing. The screen expanded in size, revealing far more information than what was originally intended to be shown.

Kim’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of the expanded screen, a mix of awe and anticipation crossing his face.

The others gathered closer, their expressions a mix of curiosity and tension, as they prepared to digest the expanded details now, revealed before them. The glowing blue screen pulsed faintly, holding their attention like a beacon as they braced themselves for the challenge ahead.

image [https://i.imgur.com/eyIICVK.jpeg]

(Check Spoiler for Details)

Ardyn let out a long, drawn-out sigh as his eyes scanned the screen, his face reflecting the weight of what he read. His shoulders sagged slightly, his posture giving away his exhaustion.

"Another S+ rank scenario... that's three in a row now."

He muttered, his tone tinged with a deep sense of dread. Aethera-09 tilted her head slightly in response.

"That’s been the pattern since leader Jeongu Kim completed his personal subplot."

She remarked calmly.

"He reached S+ rank as a human, so it’s only logical that the system would respond in kind."

Astra, who had been listening with an amused smirk, couldn't resist chiming in.

"Don’t worry, Ardyn. If you’re too scared, I’ll protect you."

She teased, her voice lighthearted and full of mock reassurance. Ardyn shot her a sidelong glance, his eyebrow arched skeptically.

"Those are brave words coming from someone who was crying in the last scenario after barely surviving the meteor impact."

He said dryly, his lips curling into a small smirk. Astra's face immediately flushed bright red, a mix of embarrassment and fury flushing her cheeks.

"That’s not true! You know it wasn’t!"

She stammered, her voice rising in indignation.

"It was an anomalous meteor with tons of restrictions! It was made to—"

But before she could finish her explanation, Ardyn interrupted, his tone dripping with mockery.

"All I remember is having to pat you on the back to calm you down after you almost died from it."

He said, his voice tinged with playful sarcasm. Astra’s face burned even hotter, her hands clenched into fists as she glared at him.

"You’re such a liar!"

She shot back, her voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment.

"I wasn’t crying, and I wasn’t scared!"

Without another word, Ardyn casually raised an eyebrow. "Sure, you weren’t scared at all when you were crying like a baby."

He said, the teasing lacing his words. The back-and-forth between them quickly escalated into a full-on, playful bickering match. Ardyn playfully poked Astra’s side, and she retaliated with a playful slap on his arm, even tho those were attacks that could kill any normal person in an instant. Their laughter and lighthearted insults filled the air, each trying to outdo the other in their teasing.

The playful bickering was soon interrupted by Dr. Thrandal’s warm chuckle.

"It doesn’t matter if it’s another impossible scenario."

He said with a grin, his voice full of conviction.

"We’ll complete it at 100% again, just like we always do. We’ll finish this, just as we swore when we joined Kim."

The team fell into a brief silence, each person nodding in agreement, though Kim continued to stare at the screen. His brows furrowed, a look of quiet concern settling over his face.

"What worries me the most is Team Eden and the amount of time they’ve had to prepare. They’re going to be more than ready to face us."

Kim said, his voice steady but filled with a trace of apprehension. Astra, still caught in the heat of her argument with Ardyn, paused for a moment and glanced over at Kim. "I don’t see the issue, we’ve faced Team Eden a few times before, and they’ve never really been a problem. Why would this time be any different?"

She said nonchalantly, her voice casual. Kim’s eyes remained fixed on the screen, his expression hardening.

"The last thing we should do is underestimate them."

He replied firmly.

"Everyone in Team Eden is the best of the best when it comes to users. Every member needs a potential equal to S rank or higher, so they’re on par with us. We can’t afford to take them lightly."

Aethera-09, always analytical, interrupted before Astra could respond.

"A high potential rank does not necessarily mean an individual is especially powerful."

She said, her voice precise and devoid of emotion. The sound of data being analyzed filled the air, her robotic tone taking on a slightly more methodical edge.

"Based on the data we have on Team Eden, the most powerful member of their team has only reached rank A for their race. According to the available information, they shouldn’t pose a significant threat."

Everyone looked to Kim, who was the first to raise an eyebrow in response to Aethera-09’s analysis. Despite the data, he wasn’t convinced. He had learned from experience that potential could be an unreliable measure of true power. He was the living proof of that. Although Aethera-09 liked to call him "the exception that proves the rule", Kim knew that there were too many variables for any calculation to be foolproof.

"I don’t trust the data."

Kim murmured under his breath, more to himself than anyone else.

"Potential is too random to be measured accurately. It doesn’t tell the full story."

He looked up, his gaze steely and determined.

"We need to finish this scenario as quickly as possible, and we need to avoid direct confrontation with Team Eden at all costs. But... can we avoid it? I hope we can. I have no intention of killing them. We just need to complete the scenario and move on."

The others remained silent, each processing his words in their own way. Though Aethera-09’s data seemed to provide some comfort, Kim’s instincts told him otherwise. And as they stood there, readying themselves for what lay ahead, the weight of the unknown settled heavily on them.

The boy had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice when Astra began speaking to him. His mind wandered, distant, as he mulled over the intricacies of their mission. He didn't hear his friend's voice at first, only the faint hum of the system as it continued to process the various inputs, until a sharp slap to the back of his neck snapped him out of his stupor.

"Hey!"

Kim exclaimed, slightly startled, his hand instinctively moving to rub the sore spot on his neck.

Astra, her face flushed with playful irritation, crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Stop overthinking it. We're about to start, and you still haven't used the Plot Device that we nearly killed ourselves out of boredom trying to obtain!"

Kim blinked a couple of times, still dazed from the abrupt interruption. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the heat rising in his cheeks.

"Right, right, give me a second."

He muttered, finally regaining his bearings. Then he quickly extended both of his hands in front of him, summoning the long-awaited Plot Device. A glowing, otherworldly object materialized before him, pulsing with an energy that felt like it was from a distant, forgotten time. With a snap of his fingers, two system screens appeared, hovering in midair, each flashing with messages.

⌠Notice: L-class Plot Device: ‘True Ending’ has been used⌡ ⌠The final reward will be exponentially multiplied to the maximum allowed if the "Completion Rate" reaches 100% by the end of the scenario.⌡

The moment the words appeared, a deep, resonant hum filled the air, and the world around them began to warp. There was no warning. In the blink of an eye, the group found themselves standing in a completely different realm.

They were now in the "Feast"—a place unlike any they had seen before. The surroundings were an endless banquet hall, suspended in a pitch-black void. The floor beneath their feet was made of polished, gleaming bone, cold to the touch, yet firm. The walls shimmered faintly with divine gold, glistening like the faintest remnants of a lost civilization, all jagged and asymmetrical. The ceiling above them seemed to stretch infinitely, covered in a swirling array of constellations that moved and shifted in patterns they could not comprehend. None of the stars looked like any sky they had ever seen before.

Massive tables stretched out before them, laden with grotesque and decadent dishes. There were roasted beasts on platters, their flesh writhing and screaming as it was carved, their eyes wide with terror. Chalices overflowed with glowing liquids, pulsing in rhythm like the beat of a heart, casting an eerie glow in the dark. And the fruits... they were strange, alien things—plump, vibrant, and glistening, but as one of the group approached, a fruit shriveled in agony, oozing blood as if it were alive, as if it felt pain.

The group took in the scenery, each of them responding in their own way.

Astra, her eyes wide with disgust, let out a small scoff.

"This is... messed up."

Her voice was laced with distaste as she turned her head away from the grotesque feasts laid before them.

Aethera-09, ever the logical one, scanned the surroundings with a cool detachment, her mechanical eye whirring.

"Fascinating, the architecture is erratic, a strange mix of cultures long forgotten. It’s as if... time itself has no meaning here."

She muttered, processing the data. Dr. Thrandal chuckled, shaking his head.

"Never a dull moment with you lot. First, the haunted world, now this... banquet from hell."

He glanced around with an amused smirk.

"I bet the food’s as bad as it looks."

Kim stood silently for a moment, his mind already racing ahead. He was already thinking about their next move.

"Aethera-09, please use your ‘Personal Skill’ again. Check for any Hidden Subplots, and find the conditions for 100% completion."

He asked, his voice steady. Aethera-09 nodded and began her task, her eyes flickering as her system began to process the scenario's details. But before she could complete her analysis, a sudden disturbance filled the air, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.

Without warning, a massive figure appeared before them—a towering, monstrous presence, the very air around it warped with power. It was a humanoid tree, its bark-like skin cracked and leaking dark crimson sap that glistened in the dim light. From its branches, fruits that resembled human hearts dangled ominously, swaying gently in the air. Its roots slithered across the floor like snakes, coiling and uncoiling in a rhythmic pattern.

But it was the face—or lack thereof—that was the most unsettling. Its face was featureless, save for a gaping maw filled with jagged, wooden fangs, the kind that could tear through flesh without hesitation.

The energy emanating from this creature was suffocating. Every living thing nearby would likely be obliterated just from proximity alone. Yet, the five of them stood unaffected, a testament to their strength and fortitude. They were not ordinary beings—each of them had faced horrors far worse than this before.

The being slowly moved toward them, its deep, booming voice filling the space, laced with disdain.

"I am Naphorix, the Blood Orchard."

It declared, its voice like the crackling of wood.

"I am the god of fertility and corruption, the very essence of decay and rebirth. Your kind, mortals, are nothing more than insects to me. The greatest blessing you will ever receive is to serve as food for my roots. You will nourish me, and in turn, I shall grant you the mercy of a quick death."

The group stood unmoving, not flinching in the face of the god’s words. All eyes turned toward Aethera-09, who had finished analyzing the god's data.

"Lesser Divine race: S-rank"

She said, her voice calm and factual.

"This being exceeds all known thresholds of power. However, the information gathered shows that it is not invincible."

Dr. Thrandal chuckled softly, the sound a little too loud in the otherwise still air.

"Well, looks like not everything in this place is a true god."

He mused.

"I don’t think we’ve got much to fear."

Astra cracked her knuckles with a loud snap, grinning.

"You all just keep standing around while I get to work!"

She yelled, excitement in her voice.

Without waiting for a response, she lunged at Naphorix with a burst of speed, her form blurring as she collided with the god’s massive arm. The impact was so strong that Naphorix's arm exploded, the bark shattering as if it were brittle wood. Before the god could even react, his other arm was torn from its socket, this time by the fangs of a massive, monstrous creature.

The creature was like a black gargantuan version of a T-rex, its massive form towering over Naphorix. Its skin was a deep, inky black, and it roared as it tore into the god's remaining limb. The beast’s fangs were like jagged cliffs, and its eyes glowed with an unnatural, predatory intelligence. On its back sat Dr. Thrandal, his expression one of amusement as he looked down at Naphorix’s weakening form.

Naphorix roared in fury, exuding a vast cloud of black miasma that engulfed his body. The oppressive energy spread out, filling the banquet hall with a sickly, choking atmosphere. But even as the miasma swirled around him, the god lost his balance, his towering frame tilting and crumbling under the assault.

As Naphorix began to fall, a flash of white light cut through the air, and Ardyn’s massive sword, imbued with divine energy, pierced the god’s body, cutting through the miasma and purifying the corruption in a single stroke.

But that wasn’t the end. As Naphorix’s torso began to plummet toward the ground, his face twisted in rage, he looked down at Kim, who had appeared directly in front of him, as if time itself had slowed.

"What?! Impossible… Are you also god?!"

Naphorix screeched, his voice filled with disbelief. Kim simply smiled.

"Nope."

In a blur of motion, Kim swung both of his swords, his katana and claymore, in a perfectly synchronized strike. The movement was so fast that Naphorix’s body was sliced into perfectly measured pieces, each fragment vanishing like mist in the wind.

Kim landed gracefully, his swords resting on his shoulders as he looked at the others, a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Just a human with a lot of imagination."