Bruce gazed up at the moon, mesmerized by its blue hue, a stark contrast to the off-white moon of his world. It served as a constant reminder that he had crossed into an entirely different realm. Every experience since his arrival felt like a surreal dream compared to Earth. He couldn't help but wonder if everything in this world was as fundamentally different as the moon's color.

Inside the ship's cabin, Captain Morgan and the Princess engaged in a discussion about the recent events.

"Princess, Bruce wishes to leave the ship, so I implore you not to attack him," Captain Morgan said, taking a sip of his rum.

"Do you think I still have the courage to attack him, especially after witnessing his strength? I'm still trembling from what happened, and Sienna is still unconscious in her bed," the Princess replied, concern in her voice.

"Speaking of Sienna, Bruce did apologize for his actions. He didn't realize she was a woman when he struck her chin," Captain Morgan said, chuckling. "You know, Princess, this world is vast, much more than I ever imagined. I thought I knew it all, but clearly, I was mistaken."

"Did you manage to figure out how he could wear that cloak? It was specially made for our leader," the Princess inquired, still perplexed.

"Yes, I believe I have an answer to that. He doesn't possess a mana core," Captain Morgan replied.

"What did you say?" The Princess was taken aback. "That's impossible! I've never heard of anyone without a mana core. How can he be so powerful then?" She was utterly confused.

"I can't provide a straightforward answer. We agreed not to disclose the details of our conversation," Captain Morgan explained. In truth, he was as bewildered as the Princess and had no clear explanation.

"I need to see it for myself. How can someone be that strong?" the Princess said, her curiosity piqued.

"Then come with me," Captain Morgan suggested.

They made their way to the captain's quarters, where Bruce was resting. The Princess cautiously knocked on the door, but there was no response. Captain Morgan anticipated what might happen next but kept silent. The Princess hesitantly opened the door, only to find that Bruce was nowhere to be seen. She turned to Captain Morgan, her confusion evident. Using hand signals, she asked, "Where is he?"

Captain Morgan chuckled softly, having experienced a similar surprise. The Princess continued to search the room, but Bruce remained elusive. Just as she was about to give up, someone grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth, with a sword pointed at her back. A soft voice whispered, "Boo..."

Captain Morgan witnessed the scene and was shocked; he hadn't anticipated Bruce would pull such a stunt, especially after their previous encounter. "Bruce, ease up! She only came here to talk and see if you really don't have a mana," he said, panicked.

The trembling Princess struggled, attempting to shout, but Bruce's hand muffled her voice. "She wanted to talk?" Bruce inquired. "Knowing her, I thought she had come to seek revenge. My apologies." He released his grip and gestured towards her weapons. "Sorry for borrowing your sword, Captain."

"It's alright," Captain Morgan replied.

Bruce turned away and began unbuttoning his shirt, allowing the Princess to examine him for a mana core. Confused by his actions, she asked, "Why are you taking off your clothes?"

"Oh, so you can perform your... glowy hands thing," Bruce replied.

The Princess was still baffled but started to observe Bruce's body. Her eyes emitted a soft glow, leaving Bruce astonished. He remembered Captain Morgan sensing him differently, using his hands, but the Princess's method was distinct.

"I didn't know you could do that. Why did you need to touch my back, Old man?" Bruce asked.

"It's not my expertise; I'm more of a fighter," the Old man responded.

The Princess couldn't believe her eyes. "He doesn't have it," she said in disbelief. "But how? How can you be so strong?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I eat bread with spread on it?" Bruce quipped.

The Princess glanced at Captain Morgan, searching for an explanation. Captain Morgan merely smiled, as he had reacted similarly the first time he had observed Bruce's body.

"Why are you all so shocked? Is this the first time you've seen someone without a mana core or something?" Bruce inquired.

"Yes! You're the only person in this world without one. People without mana cores are usually dead, as they can't absorb mana anymore," the Princess explained.

"Am I a zombie now?" Bruce joked, hinting at his prior death.

The Princess still couldn't fathom the anomaly of someone living without a mana core.

"Now that you're here, I need to talk to you," Bruce said to the princess. "But first, you need to tell me your name. You attacked me without introducing yourself, so let's start anew."

"I am Princess Aetra Salvitori, hailing from the Kingdom of Sandra. The one you struck earlier is Sienna, my loyal knight," the Princess introduced herself to Bruce. "And you? If memory serves me right, your name is Bruce, correct?"

Bruce bowed politely and introduced himself, "My name is Bruce Miller, and I'm Batman," he added with a laugh.

"Batman? What's that?" Captain Morgan asked.

"It's a joke, old man," Bruce explained, laughing.

The two of them were baffled by his humor.

Princess Aetra wasted no time and inquired, "How did you learn to fight? For someone without a mana core, you're incredibly strong."

"I don't know about being strong, but I served in the military," Bruce replied.

"The military?" the Princess asked.

"Yes, as a soldier," Bruce confirmed.

"A soldier? In service to which kingdom?" the Princess inquired further.

Bruce hesitated for a moment. "It's complicated, Princess Aetra. I can't provide a straightforward answer," he replied, understanding that numerous questions would follow if he revealed more.

"So, it's a secret, then?" the Princess said, empathizing with his decision.

Princess Aetra rose from her seat, preparing to leave the captain's quarters. As she exited, she stated, "Captain, provide him with the boat. We'll drop him off at Pearl Village."

Captain Morgan nodded in agreement.

Bruce overheard the Princess's decision and quickly gathered his belongings to follow her. As he approached the boat, a wave of apprehension washed over him. He was uncertain about what awaited him in this new land. He didn't know anyone, and he had no idea where to begin. Anxiety gnawed at him, but he believed it was a better choice than remaining with this ship's potentially dangerous crew. Besides, he was yearning for a change from the monotonous bread without spread; he wanted meat and rice.

Stolen story; please report.

As Bruce reached the boat, Captain Morgan offered some parting words, "Be careful out there." He tossed a pouch filled with gold and silver coins to Bruce. "Find Kilos and tell him you know me."

Bruce smiled gratefully and replied, "Catch you on the flip side, Old man!"

Bruce started rowing the boat, taking one last look at the ship and shouting, "I won't forget this, Captain Morgan!" His heart was filled with gratitude and a newfound sense of camaraderie with the ship's captain.

Bruce stepped onto the unfamiliar shore, his first encounter with solid ground in this new world. He lay down on the sandy beach, a grin creeping across his face as he gazed at the cerulean sky above. He couldn't help but draw parallels between this world and Earth. The salty sea, the golden sand, the rustling trees, and the crisp, clean air—all eerily reminiscent of home. Bruce decided to treat this like a foreign vacation, reminding himself that he was just in another country, here to explore.

With renewed energy, he rose and began searching for shelter. Gathering wood for a fire to fend off the night's chill, he stumbled upon a small cavity near the shore, a perfect spot to take refuge. A crackling fire soon flickered to life.

Memories of his military training flooded his mind, both the excitement and the trauma. Bruce had been intrigued by his parents' military careers as a child, but enlisting himself had proven arduous. He shivered at the recollection of grueling training exercises and the emotional toll it took.

As he reminisced, the soothing sounds of crashing waves and the gentle caress of the breeze eased him into slumber. Dawn broke, and Bruce awoke before the sun painted the sky.

Gathering his belongings, he noticed the princess's knife still in his possession. It was a finely crafted red blade, sharp and gleaming. Grinning, he contemplated using it for hunting, hopeful that the princess had a spare.

His breakfast consisted of the same bland ship-bread, far from satisfying but better than nothing. He treaded cautiously, unfamiliar with the local flora and uncertain about the safety of consuming local fruits.

Opting for fishing, Bruce recalled the old man's fondness for it. He crafted a rudimentary fishing rod from a nearby branch and string, then set about digging for worms. His search yielded an abundance of small, squirming bait. Armed with his makeshift fishing gear and a pocketful of worms, he returned to his boat, rowing out into the waters.

Hours passed, and to Bruce's delight, he finally felt a tug on his line. Excitement coursed through him; it was the first time he had caught a fish in this new world. Eager to continue, he cast his line once more, hoping to secure more food for himself.

Eventually, Bruce decided to head back to the shore, having successfully caught three decent-sized fish. A sizzling fire was kindled, and he set to work cleaning and filleting his catch, the savory aroma of cooking fish filling the air. He toasted the last of his bread over the flames, creating a simple meal that tasted divine.

Satisfied, Bruce rested briefly before resuming his journey to find Kilos in the Pearl village. He trekked for hours, spotting a distant column of smoke that signaled his destination.

"There it is! The village!" Bruce exclaimed with a mix of excitement and relief.

Approaching the village, he saw humble houses constructed from wood and brick, along with a crowd of villagers forming a queue. Among them were individuals clad in armor and armed with weapons.

As Bruce attempted to approach one of the villagers, a man in armor intercepted him. "You there, don't join that line. Come here."

Bruce pointed to himself, confirming that he was the one called out, and approached the armored man.

"What's your name?" the man inquired.

"I'm Bruce," came the reply.

"And your age?"

"Uh, I'm 23."

"Any family around these parts?"

"No, I don't have any family here. I'm not from this place."

"Yeah, we've heard that one before," the armored man replied skeptically. "You're trying to escape, aren't you?"

Bruce furrowed his brow in confusion. "Escape from what?"

Ignoring the question, the armored man asked further, "Do you have a wife and children?"

"No, I'm single," Bruce answered, growing increasingly perplexed.

"Good," the man said, seeming relieved.

"Now, head over to that gathering area. They're discussing what you need to do."

Bruce complied, making his way toward the gathering spot. There, a congregation of men, some armored and others like him, began to assemble under the sprawling canopy of ancient trees.

Beneath a massive tree, Bruce observed a gathering of people engrossed in conversations about their lives, families, and preparations for something significant. Though confusion clouded his mind, a haunting sense of déjà vu washed over him, reminiscent of his first mission during a terrorist attack in his homeland.

His attention was drawn to two soldiers engaged in a candid discussion. One admitted, "I'm scared," and the other replied, "Me too. I have a wife and a child waiting for me, but I don't think I'll make it back."

Another voice chimed in, "My mother didn't want me to go, but I insisted. This is for her and the kingdom's protection."

Bruce, sensing the weight of the moment, approached them and asked, "What's happening here?"

Suddenly, a towering figure clad in armor, armed with a sword and shield, stepped forward. His eyes blazed with determination and hope as he addressed the assembly.

"Listen closely, my fellow comrades!" His shout echoing and silencing the murmurs. "We stand on the brink of battle, facing a formidable enemy. But remember, our strength lies not just in numbers, but in our resolve, our ingenuity, and our love for the kingdom!"

He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The villagers, warriors, and even Bruce were all ears.

"The empire may have quantity on their side, but we have quality! Our unity and our unwavering spirit are our greatest assets. We are the last line of defense against the empire and we will protect it at all costs! God protect us all!"

"Now, let's discuss our strategy. We all know that the empire will march here in three days with a force of a thousand soldiers, while we have only three hundred defenders – two hundred trained soldiers and a hundred villagers. I understand that the odds are against us in terms of numbers, but I'm here with you! Our plan is to hold our ground and confront them directly. By maintaining a defensive position, we will prevent them from breaking through our lines."

Bruce was somewhat puzzled by this strategy. He had found it amusing when the commander began his speech, but now he couldn't help but question the commander's decision.

Bruce, perplexed by this audacious strategy, mumbled to himself, "He's a brain dead. A thousand against three hundred, and they plan to fight head-on? They're dead."

Recognizing the looming disaster, Bruce contemplated escape, but his conscience wrestled with the moral dilemma of abandoning these people to their potential demise.

To gain a better understanding of the terrain, Bruce began surveying his surroundings, attempting to familiarize himself with the village's layout. However, the limited scope of his vision left him with no option but to seek out a map of the area.

Bruce inquired among the villagers if anyone possessed a map, but their gestures all pointed toward the commander in charge.

With no other recourse, he trailed behind the commander, who led him to a secluded area. To Bruce's surprise, the commander was already holding a piece of paper, which he willingly handed over. "You're seeking the map?" the commander inquired, his eyes keenly observing Bruce's actions. "I noticed you were looking around."

"Yes, I want to gain knowledge about the surrounding area," Bruce replied.

"alright, you have my permission to study it," the commander granted, a trace of amusement playing on his lips. "You don't trust my plan, do you?"

Bruce met the commander's gaze and retorted, "It's suicide. If you want to die, do it alone. Don't drag others into it."

The commander's chuckle resonated in the quiet space. "What's your name?" he inquired.

Unwilling to disclose his true identity, Bruce opted for a nickname. "Call me Ghost."

"Ghost, huh," the commander mused. "So, do you have a plan?"

Bruce brushed off the question, dismissing it with impatience. "Shut up. I'm trying to think," he muttered, his attention fixed on the map before him.

The commander found amusement in Bruce's frankness, a rarity among those he commanded.

As Bruce pored over the map, a surge of determination overcame him. He recognized that their current strategy was doomed. A thousand adversaries against their meager three hundred would undoubtedly wear them down in a relentless onslaught. He shook his head in disbelief, wondering how this commander had risen to his position.

Observing the commander calmly polishing his sword, Bruce couldn't help but question how did he end up on his rank.

Bruce began to point out strategic locations on the map, formulating a new plan. He factored in the uncertainty of the enemy's technology, weaponry, and the potential for magical elements at play in this world. With limited knowledge of magic's workings, Bruce focused on what he could control.

"Have you got a shovel?" Bruce inquired of the commander.

Puzzled by Bruce's question, the commander probed further. "What do you intend to do with it?"

"We're going to dig," Bruce declared, laying the groundwork for his evolving strategy.

Bruce elaborated on his plans, detailing the execution, and pointed out specific locations for digging and setting traps. The commander, initially skeptical, gradually comprehended Bruce's intent.

"So, you propose a surprise attack instead of a defensive stance?" the commander inquired.

"A great offense is a great defense," Bruce replied confidently.

The commander considered the shovel request but then had a better idea. He stepped outside the tent and engaged in conversation with someone.

Minutes later, five individuals entered the tent and saluted the commander. The commander turned to Bruce and explained, "Hey, Ghost, these individuals possess an earth attribute. They can expedite the plan."

Bruce, somewhat puzzled by the concept of an 'earth attribute,' began to explain his plan. As he did, rocks and soil around them started to levitate and reshape the terrain, completing the task in seconds.

Bruce was taken aback by the display of earth manipulation. It exceeded his expectations, and he couldn't contain his laughter, akin to a mischievous villain. The men, bewildered by Bruce's sudden amusement, exchanged uncertain glances.

"This is even better than I anticipated!" Bruce exclaimed amidst laughter, patting the shoulders of the earth-wielding individuals. "You all have a lot of work to do!"

Inspired by what he had witnessed, Bruce's mind raced with new strategies. He hurriedly returned to the commander's tent, brimming with excitement.

"Ha! You braindead commander, we may have a chance for a win." Bruce declared enthusiastically. "We will make a tunnel!

The commander, still grappling with the concept, remained somewhat puzzled about how a tunnel could lead them to victory in the upcoming war.

Bruce, his excitement undeterred by the commander's confusion, explained his tunnel strategy in more detail. He pointed out the advantages of having an underground passage, emphasizing surprise attacks, covert movements, and the potential to disrupt the enemy's formations from below.

The commander, after carefully considering Bruce's insights, began to grasp the brilliance of the plan. He nodded in agreement and remarked, "Ghost, your weird thinking might be just what we need. We'll proceed with your tunnel plan."

They gathered the earth attribute individuals and set to work immediately. As Bruce observed the earth manipulation at play once again, he marveled at their abilities and felt a renewed sense of hope for their impending battle.

Throughout the day and night, the tunnel slowly took shape beneath the village, extending in strategic directions. Bruce and the commander collaborated closely to ensure its effectiveness. They discussed potential exit points and ways to conceal the tunnel's entrances.

As the tunnel neared completion, the commander addressed the gathered warriors and villagers, explaining the new strategy they would employ. The morale of the troops was boosted, knowing that they had an unexpected advantage on their side.

In the days leading up to the battle, Bruce continued to refine the tunnel system and coordinate with the earth attribute individuals. He knew that their chances of victory had greatly improved, thanks to this ingenious plan