Ace's blood froze, waiting for Allura to continue his speech. He couldn't shake off the fear of knowing Allura was also trapped like him. In this place. In the game of life and death.

"Then?" He ventured to ask further.

“After the child disappeared, I panicked. I tried to calling you, but there's no signal. Nothing. Even my phone died a few moments after that, even though it was still full of energy. It was then that I began to notice the oddity. I feel around me there is no electrical energy whatsoever. I felt the place was empty even though the view was still the same. Then, when I was about to leave that place, I… I… was shone by a very bright light. I have no memory of being in this place anymore.”

Allura's explanation made Ace's heart feel as if it had been stabbed by a sharp spear. Allura also experienced it. Exactly it seems. However, Ace felt there was something strange about these phenomena, about him and Allura being thrown into this world without dying like the others. Yes, they have violated the rules that were created unilaterally, without any agreement. Even if you think about it, all the players were trapped without them knowing.

"Wait, you disappeared when you wanted to meet me for lunch?"

Allura nodded. “The night before you called me for lunch at a regular restaurant near the station. I—”

“Wait!” Ace cut in. "Since when have you been here?"

Allura thinking for a moment. “Almost two weeks ago. Why?"

“I disappeared when the ice dragon appeared to attack the Dawn Grimmer. That means you were thrown here faster than me, but why did I disappear faster than you? I disappeared at the end of the second week of the eleventh month. Faster two days before a lunch appointment at a restaurant near the station. I haven't even sent you the message yet."

"What?"

Ace thought for a moment, trying to piece together all the awkwardness. The day of Allura's disappearance and hers were different, but why did Allura appear in Erfheim before him?

“Allura, have you obtained magic?”

"Ah? Well, that's that then."

"When?"

“The day after I was in this place.”

Allura looked confused. The woman tilted her head, looking at Ace innocently with her bunny eyes. “By the way, how did Ace get here?”

Ace swallowed hard. "Just like you. I saw a man disappear in the alley, not long after that I also disappeared."

***

Ace and Allura approached their friends after talking. Allura has explained her relationship with Ace in the real world. They were friends since childhood. The five people were surprised to learn that Ace and Allura were from the same era, while they were from different places, years, and times. This terrible fact makes Ace even more wondering, what kind of game is this? How could this game bring humans from another dimension with technology? Even as a person who lives in advanced times, Ace doubts that such a technology exists.

"So, what's your plan?" asked Edgar, crossing his arms over his chest. The man's black jacket had been removed, while the white shirt was clinging to his burly body. His black hair was tied back, revealing the scars on his sinister face.

“I saw someone in black robes when the dragon attacked.”

“Black robes? Did you see his face?”

"The hoodie covered his face, so I couldn't see. I saw it three times.”

“You met three times, but couldn't see his face?” Lucas interrupted Ace's thoughts. "But when did you two meet?"

“When the dragon attacks, inside the icy mist, then….” Ace hesitated to mention his dream. The third meeting when Ace witnessed hundreds of dragons destroying the city, was not a dream. It was all too real and painful to be called a dream. No matter how hard Ace forced his brain to search for the memory fragment, it still failed. She was sure she knew the man, but why couldn't she remember his name or face?

"Then?" Edgar urged.

"I don't know if this is a dream or not, but it all feels real to me." Ace took a deep breath. This is not the time to hesitate. “I saw hundreds of dragons destroying the city. At first glance similar to the more ancient Dawn Grimmer. Among the dragons, there was a black-robed dragon rider. He's the one. I'm sure I know him very well, but I can't remember his face."

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The six people looked at Ace. After so many years, Ace is in this position again. When many people were waiting for Ace's words.

"It's illusion magic," Niel spoke up.

Now all eyes were on Niel who was leaning casually against the wooden wall. The cold iron gloves slipped off, revealing his long, thin, pale-skinned fingers.

“Magic that high-level magicians can perform.” Niel continued.

“High-level mage? How about a first-rate mage?” This time Hilla cut off the conversation. “Niel is a tier two mage. If the one doing the illusion magic is a high-ranking mage, then it's likely equal to or higher than Niel, right? As far as I know, there are only three-tier 2 magicians. Niel, the big man from the Juran alliance, and the barbarian woman who wields a spear. While there is only one tier 1 mage.”

Edgar nodded. "It's not impossible. But, a first-rate mage obviously couldn't appear in the middle of a dragon attack without doing anything, right?”

"Then the most logical possibility, that magician is on Apostologia's side, huh," Allura said while biting her finger.

Demian chuckled while snapping fingers. Her rose-red eyes sparkled as if he had just solved a difficult case. “In that case, it has something to do with dark magicians. Could it be that person—”

“The black magician controlling Apostologia?” Lucas interrupted.

"Could be, right?" Demian insisted. “When it was first thrown, the NPC said about black magicians. Moreover Ace said he was wearing an all-black robe, right?”

Ace nodded. He was a little hesitant to tell them this. About him who feels he has a strong bond with that person. If it was illusion magic, what was the magician's intent and purpose? Was Ace's hunch about them ever meeting true?

"If I'm not mistaken, illusion magic is the same as Allura's magic." Edgar's eyes fell on Allura who sat across from him.

"Illusionary magic can be performed at any time, even over long distances, while Allura's magic can only be performed within a certain radius."

"Wow. Niel said twenty seven words in one go!” Demian spoke suddenly, eliciting laughter from his friends as well as Niel's sharp gaze.

"This is no time for jokes, Stupid Red Hedgehog."

"Hey, don't be so rude, Little Boy." Demian put his arm around Lucas, ruffling the short man's hair.

"Don't ruffle my hair, Stupid Red Hedgehog!" Lucas let go, then stomped on Demian's feet so hard the big man winced in pain.

Edgar rushed to separate the two men before their little bickering continued and broke the mood, while Allura and Hilla tried to hold back laughter.

Niel cleared his throat, making the ridiculous atmosphere turn serious. For some reason, Ace thought that cold man was the leader of this group of idiots. It can be seen from the actions of Niel who was able to stop the silliness of the three men, as well as the way he spoke.

Niel's cold and calm voice opened the conversation again. "We have to find out first. If he is indeed a black magician, we must defeat him to seal Apostologia.”

"For that, we need a lot of information from other players." Hilla added, “But we have to be careful. Not all players can be trusted."

Ace frowned. "It means?"

"Ah, it's a very long story. You who just arrived won't understand."

“How can I understand, when no one intends to tell me?”

Niel didn't say anything. So did the three stupid men who fell silent. Ace glanced at Hilla, hoping that she was still normal and would explain. Unfortunately, the brown-haired girl avoided Ace's gaze. Niel's words still echoed in his mind.

“There are players who formed the protective alliance of Apostologia.” After Niel said that, the whole room felt gloomy.

Panic hit again, Ace almost forced the man to say everything he knew. But, unfortunately, Ace's fear of the man-made him discouraged. Instead of getting information, Niel might even throw a look of killing intent. Ace took a deep breath and forced himself to accept this situation.

"What do you mean?" Ace asked again. “Surely everyone wants to get out of this place. But, why—”

“I'm not kidding,” Lucas said again. He closed his eyes, folded his arms, and leaned his body against the wall of the inn. "You can't generalize to everyone."

Edgar stepped forward and patted Lucas on the shoulder. "Hey, calm down. You'll scare him later. He is already afraid of Niel, lest he is afraid of all of us.”

“Shut up, Big Bear. At least he should understand the situation in this place.”

"Alright, alright. It's time to argue. I feel like I'll get old quickly if I keep up with your debates." Edgar was about to put his arm around Lucas, but the man brushed him off.

Lucas approached Ace, then grabbed his shirt, forcing him to look down. Edgar tried to intervene, but Lucas used his strength instead.

"Hey!"

“Your quiet and peaceful life is over, and your terrible life is just beginning. I will not hesitate to finish off a stupid brat like you if you continue to do stupid things.” Lucas let go of Ace, then turned around. “Besides looking for information about Apostologia and black magicians, we have to hunt to survive. Even if it's a game, you still need food and drink to get magical energy."

"Lucas is right. For today we will suffice. Ace also needs to adapt to his strength. Please help, Allura." Hilla winked at Allura before following in the footsteps of her four friends. That woman must have been close to Allura since being trapped here. He was young, at least the same age or older than Ace and Allura. Ace liked Hilla's gentle motherly gaze. That woman must have been tormented while trapped in Erfheim with four stupid men who went along with it.

“Allura, are you believe this world?”

Allura turned to Ace, their eyes met. “At first I didn't trust anyone in this world. They are right. No one is to be trusted. When I met them and obtained magic healing, I got a new goal. I don't want to sit around until I die in an inn. Even if one day I get killed, I still want to fight with them. Whatever happens."

Ace was speechless. Allura's fingers trembled as she cast healing magic. Allura's round face looks thinner now. But from the arc of a smile, Ace knew Allura was happy.

They fell silent, letting Allura's magic hum begin to heal Ace's wounds. Right now Ace had no choice but to accept the fact that he was a Dragon Slayer.