Justin cleared his table and opened a map inside it, which was hand-drawn with black ink. There were notes and names on a few spots, written in a language I had never seen. Despite that, something translated the content inside my mind, just like when I stared at an item or a [Spell Rune].

There was a little tower with a circle with the word portal above, surrounded by a forest. A little building with a second portal was closer to it, with a mountain to its right with a temple in the middle of it, and a few tunnels. And many other points of interest with names like Dangerous Cave, Fields fo Gore, and Broken Bridge of the Ranged Man.

"This is a map of the [Memoir], right?" I asked him.

"Exactly. Do you know what happens when a star dies?"

"A new one is born."

"Exactly, again! Worlds are almost like that, when one dies, a new one is born."

"Ok, wait a moment. How does a World die?"

He glared at me. "Don't interrupt me again, but if you need to know, it's because of mana." He took the [World Atlas] from the floor and put it back on his table. "When you invade a world, you can steal its mana. Steal enough mana, and the world dies."

He put a hand over the map. "What we call a [Memoir] is a world born from the death of another, but the size of it is way lower compared to the previous world. The important part here is that until the world is restored, it's alive and dead at the same time."

Rodrigues stopped at my side and put a finger over a drawing of a portal. "The process is the same, they invade our world and steal our mana. That's normally not a problem, but this one is hard to deal with, despite the size."

If the cannibals needed the portal to get the mana from here, there was no reason for them to have destroyed it. This would only hinder them more than us. m more than us, which could only mean it was done by someone from here or another faction.

“Can -”

“I told you not to interrupt us.”

“It’s important, I promise.”

Justin sighed. “Fine, go on.”

“I thought it was strange that the portal was destroyed before the attack because my team was the first at the scene and we saw nothing. I also didn’t see a reason for someone from here to do it, unless they wanted you trapped inside it.”

Rodrigues help my shoulder. “We are already investigating your obvious outcome.”

“Not so obvious, because I got hurt inside there and someone took care of me for days. Are there portals connected to other places?”

I felt Rodrigues grip tighter, almost to the point that it would hurt. Justin just looked at me with a deadly serious, yet cold, expression, like he was playing poker and didn’t want to reveal his cards. “Are you sure about that?”

“I order you to tell us the truth,” Rodrigues said, and for some reason, the spell worked this time. I told them my tale, feeling proud to be able to share such important information with my lovely masters. When I ended up telling them everything, the spell was gone, bringing back my sanity and the odd discomfort to realise I was acting like a puppy.

“Aron, there are instances when a [Memoir] does get connected with more than one place, which gave birth to some of the most gruesome and bloody battles in all history, but if this was the case, we would already have seen the third party.” “ Justin explained, “And an enemy would have no reason to take care of you.”

“Nor does a cannibal, with due respect.”

“Lad, you were probably hallucinating,” Rodrigues said, almost spitting at my face. “Only someone with a gold core or above would be able to live inside that place.”

“A hallucination wouldn’t make him survive for so long, there has to be someone out there,” Justin said, staring at the map. “I will let the others know, and this doesn’t change what we have to do. “Aron your first task is to assemble a team of 3 slaves and work directly under Rodrigues. You will help him fulfil his mission.”

“What mission? I can look for the right people If I know.”

“It’s secret and I can’t have you telling someone due to the spell. All I can tell is that you are going to open the third portal in an area we have not explored and map the place.”

That didn’t help much, but it made sense. I was not reliable with any kind of information.

"I will build a group, how long do I have?"

"Until tomorrow."

Not enough time, but I could make it work. Michael would probably come if I asked, and Alana seemed to want to get close to me. She looked dangerous, but I couldn't be picky right now.

That left only one spot to fill.

But before that, I had something else to take care of. So I put the small bag with my [Death Coins] on the table. "What is that? Looks important, but Arlam didn't take it from me."

The mood in the room suddenly changed. Justin's eyes got fixed on the bag, while Rodrigues moved to get it, only to stop before picking up the bag. He finally took the bag, opened it and let the coins fall on the table.

I swear I could see Justin gulping, nervously. "That's Charon's death coins."

"By the king!" Rodrigues shouted while punching the table. "How the fuck a slave got that?"

"Manners!" Justin told him, glaring.

"I'm sorry M'lord, but this is unthinkable."

"Ok, what is that?"

"The Gods don't take sides, but they enjoy our struggles like some sort of sick game. Sometimes, they choose champions to spice things up." Aron took a coin. "Charon gives these coins to the chosen, so they can craft a single and unique weapon."

"Ok, looks good, but what's so special about that that only a few can get?"

"Something forged by the gods can't be broken for instance. And the effect will be different from other magical weapons." Rodrigues said, with a serious expression of a man who was looking at something dangerous. "The biggest problem is that the Gods have to be fair. Each side in the war will be getting one."

"They are weapons given to heroes?"

"Heroes? Not at all! The Gods choose who they believe will bring in more entertainment. Sometimes that means the worst of society." Rodrigues answered me, almost spatting at me again.

"Ok, I think I understood. So, I'm gonna forge a weapon and pass it to you guys. Got it already."

"It's not that simple, they are soul bound. Only with your death, your weapon can be used by another person, but only by someone from your bloodline." Justin sat on his chair. "You should have told me about that sooner."

"I didn't think it was that important. And what if there is no heir?"

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"They are sent to a dungeon somewhere random and whoever finds and beats it gets the prize."

At least they wouldn't kill me for it.

And I learned that dungeons are a thing here.

Justin closed his eyes and cleaned them with a hand. "I will send a letter to the king, for now, we will keep the plan."

Rodrigues bowel. "M'lord, we will take our leave. We both need to be prepared."

"Yes please, and order someone to bring me wine. I need it."

"As M'lord commands."

He took me by the arm and borough me off the room. We both walked in silence for a while, until he shoved me against the wall and put a dagger against my neck. "M'lord Justin treats you fair because his instincts tell him so, and he is never wrong. That doesn't mean you shouldn't know your place." He cut my throat slightly. "Behave like a proper slave, or I will have your arm cut."

I smiled. "I will."

There was a fire in his eyes. I could see it was taking all his will to not kill me on the spot. Which only showed how loyal he was to his lord.

"Good." He let me go. "Fulfill your task by tomorrow morning, or I will personally see that you are lashed."

I watched as he left, leaving me alone. I held a [Death Coin] wondering what kind of weapon I would get from it, realising for the first time how easily I was dealing with everything. I was a slave in a magical world, fighting cannibals created out of mana, only to be excited at the prospect of getting a weapon forged by the Gods.

But that would have to wait. Finding my team members was my top priority right now, so I left the area I was and started to search for Michael. The number of slaves seemed to have increased, and most of them were looking at me. If I had to guess, most were jealous of my gear, which was way better than any others, but a few were probably still surprised I had survived.

I wondered how my wife would feel when she saw me. I could already see her crying with the news, wishing to teleport to my side. I would give anything to spend a night with her, without all the worries and the fear of death.

“Hello sweat.” Alana's voice broke up my delicious thought. She stood in front of me, smiling like the devil, “I missed you so much.”

“Hello, Alana.”

“So cold, I was eager to see you again.” she teased, biting her lips.

“You know I’m a married man, so stop with this folly.” I glared at her. “I have a mission, and I need a team, are you in?”

“Of course I am, why won't I be in when everyone is working their asses and you are the only slave with an official mission and good gear?” She said, more aloud than needed, which got a lot of unnecessary attention.

“Fine, I need to find Michael, have you seen him?”

“Of course I did, he is in his church.”

That took me by surprise. “His church?”

“Oh right, you wouldn’t know because you were there, living inside the most dangerous place in the world. So manly of you.”

“Focus.”

“Just follow me, please.”

It was hard to not gaze at her ass moving in front of me. She knew how to get a man’s attention, to the point I doubt anyone would be able to ignore her. Yet, I tried to avert my gaze elsewhere, from the slaves to the wall surrounding us. We soon arrived at an old building, broken in many places, where a group of people were praying on their knees in front of an improvised cross.

Michael was in front of the cross, leading the prayers. His priest cloth was made out of rags, and I had to be honest because he looked so out of place. It was hard to imagine someone so tall and muscular as the priest type. Although, there had been some hints here and there.

Now that I thought about that, I think he never actually killed someone.

We had to wait for the prayers to end before I could talk to him. He gave his goodbyes to his flock of believers and came toward us with a smile. “Aron, I knew you were alive. I can feel that God has a purpose for you.”

Right now, I couldn’t doubt it.

“Michael, or should I call you father now?” I said, laughing, but not as a mockery.

“Michael is good. I’m happy to see you, your wife was suffering when you didn’t come back. It was hard for her, leaving all of a sudden, without ever giving you a goodbye.”

His words cut me like a cold knife. “I will see her as soon as I can. Now, tell me about you, A priest?”

“I always had the calling but had lost myself. This world reminded me that we need to have faith in something. Those people need God.”

“But why did they let you do all of this?”

“Justin allowed me, he agreed with me.”

I could see why. It was all due to his belief in motivation or maybe one of his hunchs as he had with me. Whatever it was, it would work; slaves or not, people used to survive better when they had something to rely on. His little church would bring hope and solace to those in need.

Who in turn, wouldn’t commit suicide.

“Good for you my friend. I came with a request, but I believe you are better left alone.”

“I’m sorry Aron, I don’t go there anymore. I can find someone to go with you.”

“That would help, I need two people who are good fighters and I can trust.”

“I will talk to someone, you need them when?”

“Tomorrow morning, tell them to meet me here.” I turned toward Alana, “You too, meet me here in the morning.”

“Only in the morning? We could spend more time together.”

“Really, can you stop? There are plenty of men who would love to sleep with you.”

“Oh, but I love dangerous man, and we both know how deadly you are.”

I felt my blood boiling. Her neck looked so easy to break right now, that it would only take a second to end her life and her slipped tongue. Michael may have felt my deadly intent because he held my hand and put it over his heart.

“I will pray for your safe return. God will protect you.”

“Thanks.” I told him, “I need to go now.”

“Oh, so soon,” Alana said.

I ignored her and left the small church. There was still a lot of time before night and I had no idea of what to do. I thought about trying to talk with other slaves and see if I could learn something, but gave up on the idea because I had never been good at those things.

At least I decided to work out to keep myself in shape and then found a place to spend the night. Most of the cells were already full, and they smelled so bad I wouldn't be able to sleep there.

In the end, I slept in the open.

It was later at night when someone poke my face. I woke up, surprised by the tattooed man.

"Wake up princess." He said before hitting my head with the back of his sword. I didn't pass out from it, but that gave them enough time to gang up on me, hitting and kicking.

I blocked most of the attacks aimed at my head with my arms and tried to get free from kicking the one closer to me. He fell back, only to be immediately replaced by another person. I had seen men die from less and knew I had only a few seconds to break free before they managed to kill me.

Gritting my teeth, I used the [Shadow Banner] rune on my [Mana Core] to blind them. Taken by surprise, they stopped attacking. I got up as fast as I could, and punched an old man to my right at his throat, making him cough blood.

Grabbing him, I tossed him over my blind attackers, making an opening. I jumped over them, and make a good distance between us before turning and realizing my weapons were on the ground and in the middle of them.

He had 13 people with him this time. There was no way someone like him managed to gather crowds like he was doing, which meant someone was backing him.

Arlam was probably the one behind it. If I fought with them, he would somehow turn it into an excuse to kill me or to start a.conflict with Justin. Running was also not an option, and I couldn't live while expecting him to attack at any chance.

The [Memoir] was the only place I could safely deal with him without anyone bothering me for it. But entering there without my shield and my weapon would be dangerous.

And I was also without mana.

I blinked. Realising I wasn't feeling the pain from using my inner mana. I checked it just to be sure.

[Core Mana] 0/100.

[Mana Heart] 60/100.

Since when did I have a [Mana Heart]? The only possible explanation, aside from it growing alone, was that whoever saved me did something with my body.

"You are dead fucker!" The tattooed man shouted, which made some of the knights on guard finally pay us any attention.

"What are you uglies doing this time?" Cain asked from behind me, startling me as I hadn't heard him arrive.

He was naked, saved from a robe he was wearing, despite it being opened. I had forgotten about him, because we had only talked once, and he definitely was the oddest of the knights I had seen.

"They tried to kill me."

"Oh really?" He glared at the blind crowd behind me, walking like zombies. "Could you stop with that?"

I cancelled the spell. Some of them fell to their knees, while others stared at us nervously.

"That's better. What do I do with you all?" Cain asked himself, playing with his hair. He clapped his hands once. "Oh, I know."

He smiled, and I knew I would hate his answer.

"A duel to the death! How amazing."

Forget it.

I loved.