Where... am I? Drew thought, his usually sharp intellect grasping at straws. Is this... death?

He scanned the bizarre emptiness, searching for any clue to his predicament. The longer he observed, the more certain he became of his conclusion: he had died. The realization should have been jarring, but Drew felt an eerie calm wash over him.

Just as he was about to resign himself to this new state of existence, a massive screen materialized before him. It was covered in strange symbols and characters, a language completely unreadable to Drew. At the bottom of the information-laden display were two buttons.

Drew's mind raced, attempting to deduce the purpose and consequences of each option. Two choices. Binary. Yes or no, perhaps? But to what question?

He considered their placement carefully. In Lord Finn's mind, 'yes' would likely be on the left side. But is 'yes' the desired outcome here?

Drew weighed his options meticulously, his thoughts a whirlwind of strategic analysis:

Option one: Press nothing. Maintain current state. Risks: Unknown. Potential for stagnation or missed opportunity. Benefits: Avoid potential negative consequences of choosing incorrectly.

Option two: Press left button. Assumes 'yes' based on Lord Finn's mental framework. Risks: Unintended consequences if assumption is incorrect. Benefits: Potential progression, new information, possible return to Lord Finn.

Option three: Press right button. Assumes 'no' based on inverse of previous assumption. Risks: Similar to option two, but with higher probability of negative outcome if 'yes' is indeed the preferred choice. Benefits: Potentially avoiding a trap if 'yes' leads to an undesirable outcome.

After careful consideration, Drew came to a conclusion. Inaction serves no purpose here. I cannot protect Lord Finn by remaining in this void. The left button, likely 'yes,' offers the highest probability of progression and potential return.

With his decision made, Drew floated towards the screen. He reached out, his fingertip pressing firmly against the left button. The screen vanished instantly, replaced by a new, larger display. This time, the text was perfectly legible.

At the top, it proclaimed:

Congratulations! You gained a Title! Chief War of a Creator

Rarity: Epic

[TITLE DETAILS]

Main Energy: Calamitas

Minor Core Principles: None

Abilities Granted:

1. Strategy Sight - (Visualize potential outcomes and strategic routes. Identify weak points in enemy formations, structures, or individuals. Predict likely actions of allies and enemies. Visualize optimal paths for movement, attack, and defense)

2. Combative Mind - (Accelerated learning of combat techniques. Enhanced muscle memory. Rapid analysis and countering of enemy fighting styles. Improved reaction time and decision-making in combat. Instinctive sensing of weak points in opponent's defense)

3. Creator's Link - (Sense creator's general location. Teleport to creator if their life is in danger)

Requirements: Must always be loyal and serve your creator dutifully.

Drew's eyes widened as he absorbed the information. The title granted him multiple abilities, with Calamitas as his main energy source and no minor Core principles. As he read through the list of new powers, confusion ran through his mind.

Strategy Sight? Combative Mind? Creator's Link? Drew marveled at the possibilities these abilities presented. This must be connected to the Astral Tapestry Roran spoke of. But... titles? What are titles in this context?

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Despite his questions, a sense of satisfaction settled over Drew as he saw the requirements. These abilities will greatly enhance my capacity to serve and protect Lord Finn, he thought, a hint of pride coloring his inner voice.

His gaze was drawn to a six-pointed star that had appeared on his right hand. Instinctively, he pressed it, and the screen shifted to what appeared to be a "Main Hub." It displayed his current status:

Calamitas Energy: 150/150

Full energy? But I was using a skill the entire battle... Drew pondered, surprised by the readout.

He noticed two skills listed: [Bane of Rage], which he recognized, and a new one called [Bane of Intensity]. Both were at level 1, but curiously, he had access to all 5 levels of [Bane of Rage].

Drew studied the descriptions carefully. [Bane of Rage] enhanced physical strength and induced an uncontrollable fury, with each level multiplying all effects. [Bane of Intensity], however, was something entirely new and potent.

Six levels available, but only one unlocked, Drew noted. Unusable by average humans due to the induced madness... but for me? A significant boost to physical output, hardened skin, and an aura that affects others. Intriguing.

The information was presented in a format reminiscent of the video games Lord Finn had described from his world. Drew found it oddly fitting, given the surreal nature of his current situation.

Having absorbed all he could from the display, Drew's thoughts turned to his creator. I've lingered here too long. Lord Finn needs me.

"Can I leave now?" Drew asked the void, his voice echoing strangely in the purple expanse.

"..."

The display offered no response. Drew scoffed, his patience wearing thin. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his desire to return, to serve his lord once more.

Suddenly, a familiar, grating laugh pierced the silence. Drew's eyes snapped open, and he found himself staring at the blood-soaked earth of the battlefield.

"Would you look at that?" Dagger's obnoxious voice rang out. "The big guy just keeled over! Some unstoppable force you turned out to be."

A smile crept across Drew's face as he lay motionless on the ground. Without hesitation, he activated [Bane of Intensity]. A tidal wave of rage crashed over him, a red aura pulsing around his form.

Dagger's laughter died in his throat as he sensed the change. The assassin immediately dropped into a defensive stance, his earlier bravado evaporating in an instant.

Drew rose to his feet, his body transformed. He was larger now, his muscles swollen and veins bulging grotesquely beneath his skin. His eyes glowed an otherworldly red as he fixed his gaze on Dagger.

A predatory grin split Drew's face as he lunged forward. His movement was a blur, too fast for even Dagger's enhanced reflexes to track. In the space of a heartbeat, Drew closed the distance between them.

Dagger's eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he felt a searing pain in his chest. He looked down to see Drew's fist buried to the wrist in his torso, blood spurting from the grotesque wound.

A collective gasp rippled through the assembled bandits. Weapons clattered to the ground as the reality of what they'd just witnessed sank in.

"Dagger... No..." The murmurs spread like wildfire across the battlefield. The legendary assassin, their undefeated leader, had fallen in the blink of an eye.

Drew stood motionless, his fist still embedded in Dagger's chest. The bandits stared in stunned silence, their will to fight evaporating with each drop of Dagger's blood that hit the ground.

The battle is won, Drew thought, his mind racing despite the rage coursing through him. But Lord Finn is still in danger. I must end this quickly.

He turned to address the assembled creations, who waited silently for his command. Drew's voice was cold and devoid of emotion as he issued his order:

"Kill them all."

Before the words had fully left his lips, Drew felt a pull deep within his being. The [Creator's Link] flared to life, alerting him to Finn's peril. Without hesitation, Drew activated the ability, his form shimmering and then vanishing from the blood-soaked riverbank.

In the camp, chaos reigned. Fires raged unchecked, the air thick with smoke and the metallic tang of blood. Drew materialized in the heart of the madness, his eyes immediately locking onto his creator.

Finn stood surrounded by a small group of battered creations, his face pale and drawn. Before him, poised to strike, was a scarred woman Drew recognized as Alyssa, the bandit leader.

Drew's body moved on instinct, propelling him between Finn and the threat. He raised his blood-soaked fist, ready to end Alyssa as he had ended Dagger.

But Alyssa's reaction gave him pause. Her eyes widened in not only fear, but in shocked recognition.

"You have a title too...?"