“What now?” I asked, turning around to face Tyla, who stood glaring at me.

“You cannot escape this {Forest}. We have {Guards} everywhere,” she said, her tone filled with certainty.

I cut her off. “I know about your {Guards}. I sensed them long before you showed up. They've been here since the moment you stepped into the {Forest}.” They were on patrol, but what I hadn't expected was that they were [Elfen Guards].

“You think you can beat so many guards on your own?” she challenged. “Now tell us, who are you, and who is this guy beside you?” Tyla pointed to Goblee.

“Underestimating me, are you?” I replied with a smirk. “If I wanted, I could kill all of you right here, take down the {Guards}, and escape without leaving a single witness.”

“You really expect us to believe that bluff?” she said, her previous confidence starting to waver.

I leaned in closer. “Try me,” I said, walking toward her. She backed away, clearly uneasy.

“Stay away!” she shouted, but I taunted her. “What happened to the brave [Maid of the Elfen Princess]? Scared now, Ms. [Disguise Master]?” Her eyes widened in shock as I named her [Title].

“And now you, [Elfen Princess]. You’re not just some ordinary {Princess}, are you? You're the heir to the throne, right?” I watched as every {Adventurer} in the group stood frozen, stunned. “And you, Mr. 6ft 3in. Are you going to take your disguise off, or shall I do the honors, Mr. [Elfen Royal Guard]?” I chuckled darkly as they all stood there in horrified silence.

One of them finally gathered the courage to speak up. It was Mr. [Future Lord], stuttering as he did. “I-I-if you want the money, we can p-provide it.”

I smirked, considering his offer. “You know, I could just kill you all and take the money from your families instead. Isn’t that right?” The look of terror on their faces was unmistakable.

“Isn’t this a little too much, Master?” Goblee whispered in my ear.

“Yeah, I know, right?” I replied with a chuckle.

I paused and then grinned, holding up my hands. “Okay, relax. I was just messing with you all. I won’t kill anyone, just chill.”

Suddenly, a new Skill notification popped up in front of me.

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Skill

Name: {Aura Manipulation}

Description: A fusion of all [Aura] Skills

* [Attack Aura]: Imbues the 'Player's attacks or weapons with [Aura], increasing [Attack] and [Agility] Attributes.

* [Defense Aura]: Imbues the 'Player's [Body] with [Aura], increasing [Defense] and [Body] Attributes.

* [Controlling Aura]: An [Aura] that renders others' minds useless, allowing the 'Player' to control them. Increases [Wisdom].

* [Bloodlust Aura]: An [Aura] so terrifying that it either breaks the opponent's will to fight or kills them.

Rank: Very Few

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Type: Physical and Mental

Mana cost: None

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“Whoa, this is cool,” I muttered, staring at the new Skill. I was so absorbed in checking it out that I almost forgot the people still standing around, watching.

“Oh, you guys are still here?” I said, not bothering to hide my disdain.

“Alright, see ya later,” I said as I turned to leave, but Maria stopped me once again.

“Please, wait,” she said softly.

I turned around, curious. “What is it?”

“Please come with us to the [Elfen Branch of the Holy Kingdom on Earth].”

I blinked, confused. “What?”

She continued, “I came from my Planet/Realm [Elfasia] to find people like you—people who will help us bring the 'End' to the 'Demonic Empire.'” Her words sent a flash of memory rushing through my mind—the words of the [King of the Holy Kingdom] came back to me. I remembered my execution, and Abella’s face appeared in my mind. Without thinking, I instinctively waved my hand, signaling Maria to back off.

“Back off, bitch,” I muttered, and my words unintentionally hurt Maria.

“Whoever you may be, attacking a {Princess} is a grave crime! ATTACK HIM!!!” shouted an [Elfen Royal Guard] as he drew his {Sword} and charged at me. I decided it was time to test Goblee’s power in the real world.

I ordered Goblee to deal with him, and Goblee murmured something under his breath. Suddenly, a fiery vortex surrounded the [Elfen Royal Guard], engulfing him in flames.

“Help me! Help—AAAAAAAAAH!” The man screamed as the fire scorched him. The onlookers stood frozen, horrified by the scene unfolding before them.

“Kill him,” I commanded, my voice cold.

Goblee responded immediately, intensifying the fire’s heat. Maria yelled, “Please STOP!”

I signaled for Goblee to stop, and he complied, extinguishing the flames by spraying water over the [Elfen Royal Guard] to cool him down.

“Thank you,” Maria said, her voice shaken.

“No problem,” I replied nonchalantly.

“So, will you come with us?” Maria asked, almost pleading.

I looked at her carefully. “I’ve got a history with the [King of the Holy Kingdom]. I’m not sure I can just jump into this.”

Her eyes brightened, and she nodded. “We can provide protection against the [Holy Empire of Earth].”

I was even more confused now. “Wait, why are you helping me? Isn’t the 'Holy Empire' supposed to work with the 'Demonic Empire' to fight together?”

“Yes,” Maria replied, “but Grandeviel wants to rule over all of [Earth], even if he has to make deals with {Demons}.”

I couldn’t believe it. “What the hell? Shouldn’t he have been kicked out for that?”

“Yeah, he should’ve been, but there’s no proof yet,” Maria explained. “On top of that, we, the higher-level {Species}, are fighting a losing battle with the {Vampires}. That’s why I came to [Earth]—to find powerful people like you and train them, something Grandeviel won’t do.”

I had more questions. “But where are you fighting? {Vampires} can’t invade [Elfasia], and neither can you [Vortire].”

Maria’s face grew serious. “{God}s have granted us a 'Space' where we can fight. It’s a bridge between [Elfasia] and [Vortire], more like an {Island}. It connects the two 'Spaces' of each Planet/Realm. It’s a massive {Island} that only appears during the battle.”

“Do you fight on [God’s Island]?” I asked.

“No,” she answered without hesitation. “We cannot fight there. It’s an {Island} that exists in every Planet/Realm. We are forbidden from stepping foot there—it’s covered in 'Unholy Magic' to protect it from us.”

I thought for a moment. “Do you know where [God’s Island] is located on [Earth] and other Planets/Realms?”

Maria nodded. “Yes, we have the locations.”

“Please, give me that information, and I’ll help you bring the 'End' to the [Demonic Empire].”

Maria jumped with joy. “Really? Thank you! I’ll provide the maps.”

A short while later, someone brought a map showing the locations on [Earth], [Elfasia], [Smalland], and [Phantasia].

“These are the locations we know on each Planet/Realm,” Maria said as she pointed to the marked spots on the map. I took the maps from her and stored them in my [Spatial Storage], causing no surprise to anyone around.

“You can come with us to [Elfen City on Earth]. We don’t have any influence from Grandeviel there,” Maria offered.

I agreed. “Alright, let’s go.”

And so, we set off to our first city.