Ivandoe's eyes blazed with determination as he stood at the edge of the ruined village. The villagers' fearful whispers echoed around him, but his focus was already fixed on the distant lands ruled by the Empire of Chandesia.
"I'll rescue them," he declared, his voice firm and unwavering.
The Paradox Hyperbook pulsed at his side, its energy resonating with quiet approval.
A brave heart, the Paradox spoke within his mind. Very well, Ivandoe. This will be your first true quest.
A holographic message flickered before his eyes.
QUEST INITIATED: RESCUE THE CAPTURED STUDENTS
Complete this mission successfully and your Hyper Level will increase.
Ivandoe nodded silently.
He turned toward the horizon and began his journey.
The landscape gradually shifted as he traveled.
The dense forests of Ruin's Forest faded behind him, replaced by rocky hills and barren terrain carved by time and wind. Jagged cliffs rose like silent guardians, casting long shadows across the ground.
Ivandoe moved cautiously, every sense on alert.
The Empire's territory was close.
Too close.
Suddenly—
The ground trembled.
Ivandoe halted instantly.
A massive shape emerged from the shadows of a crumbling cliff.
A colossal goblin towered above him, its enormous body easily twice the size of a carriage. Its thick arms tore a nearby tree from the ground as if it were nothing more than a twig.
With a roar, it hurled the trunk toward Ivandoe.
A holographic interface instantly appeared.
HYPER STATES UPDATE
• HEALTH: 100%
• ENERGY: 40%
• AURA/MANA: 70%
• HYPERBOOK LVL: 2
• HYPER LVL: 1
SUB-ABILITY ACQUIRED: DILATION
Ability to manipulate time flow for short durations.
Ivandoe's eyes widened.
"Manipulate time…?"
The tree trunk rushed toward him.
Without hesitation, he activated the ability.
"Dilation!"
The world slowed.
The flying trunk froze in midair, drifting forward like a leaf in slow motion.
Ivandoe moved.
He dashed beneath the suspended trunk and lunged forward with the Sword of the Paradox, its blade glowing with violet-blue energy.
The sword struck the goblin's knee.
A deep crack echoed across the rocky terrain.
The creature roared in agony, collapsing to one side.
Ivandoe pressed the advantage.
His sword flashed through the air in rapid succession, each strike landing before time fully returned to normal.
When the world resumed its natural speed, the goblin collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.
Silence followed.
Ivandoe lowered his sword, breathing heavily.
"Well done," the Paradox said calmly. Your Hyper Level remains the same, but your combat efficiency has improved.
Ivandoe wiped sweat from his brow.
"Good enough for me."
He continued his journey.
But after several hours of travel, exhaustion began to creep into his body.
His energy reserves were dropping rapidly.
The Paradox spoke again.
You must replenish your energy. Search for Chrono Berries.
Ivandoe scanned the rocky terrain.
Moments later, he spotted a faint glow near a cluster of bushes.
Small berries pulsed with soft golden light.
"Chrono Berries…" he murmured.
He carefully plucked several and ate them.
Instantly, warmth surged through his body.
His muscles relaxed.
His vision sharpened.
HYPER STATES UPDATE
• HEALTH: 100%
• ENERGY: 80%
• AURA/MANA: 70%
• HYPERBOOK LVL: 3 (UPGRADED)
• HYPER LVL: 1
• ITEMS: Sword of the Paradox (Equipped)
• SUB-ABILITY: Dilation
Ivandoe smiled slightly.
"Now that's more like it."
A sudden burst of speed filled his body.
The Chrono Berries had granted him temporary enhanced movement.
Using the momentum, Ivandoe pushed forward toward his destination.
As the sun began to sink below the horizon, Ivandoe finally saw it.
The Empire of Chandesia.
A massive stone wall stretched endlessly across the landscape like an iron barrier separating two worlds. Its towering structure shimmered faintly with magical energy.
Before the wall stood a colossal gate adorned with intricate carvings that symbolized the Empire's power.
Heavily armed soldiers guarded the entrance.
Ivandoe crouched behind a rocky outcrop, studying the scene carefully.
"Getting through that gate won't be easy," he muttered.
"Indeed."
Ivandoe nearly jumped.
A familiar voice had spoken beside him.
He turned.
Standing there calmly was Lucas Camelous, the mysterious wizard who had appeared earlier in Ruin's Forest.
"Ah, young Ivandoe," Camelous said with a faint smile. "I see you're determined to rescue the captured students."
Ivandoe straightened.
"I need to get inside the Empire."
Camelous stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"And how do you plan to do that?"
Ivandoe hesitated.
"I was hoping you might help me."
Camelous chuckled softly.
"I'm afraid I cannot simply hand you an Empire identity card."
Ivandoe sighed.
"So I'm on my own."
Camelous nodded.
"You must find your own way inside."
Ivandoe turned his gaze back toward the massive wall.
As he stepped closer, he felt something strange.
A faint humming vibration radiated from the stone structure.
Camelous noticed his reaction.
"The wall is enchanted," the wizard explained.
"Powerful magic surrounds the Empire. Anyone without authorization will be detected and repelled."
Ivandoe's eyes narrowed.
"So brute force won't work."
"Correct."
The wizard folded his arms.
"If you wish to enter Chandesia, you must find… another way."
Ivandoe stared at the wall once more.
His mind began racing with possibilities.
Somewhere within that empire…
His friends were prisoners.
And he would find a way inside.
No matter what it took.