Over the last three years, the relentless hell of the training grounds hadn't just been a physical grind. In the rare, fleeting moments between collapsing and getting back up, Noen had completed hidden quests, unlocked achievements, and received system rewards.
One of those rewards was currently resting in his hands: The Shadow Whisperer. It was a striking, deadly-looking dagger, its entire blade and hilt intricately wrapped in a vivid, purple-and-white snake design. The blade itself was forged from a translucent, obsidian-like material that seemed to swallow the surrounding light, while the coiled viper hilt felt unnervingly warm to the touch, pulsating with a faint, rhythmic heartbeat. As for what exactly its properties were or what it could actually do, Noen had absolutely no idea yet.
He sat on the metal bench of the helicopter, staring down at the strange weapon. –That doesn't make any sense.– he thought, grabbing his forehead with his free hand in frustration. –You're telling me that in the last three years, my mother hasn't woken up? But she hasn't died either?– He shook his head, a dark, heavy scowl crossing his face. –Apparently, that won't happen until I tear the head off this damn Azhuron...– He gripped the hilt of the dagger tighter, his knuckles turning white under the tension.
"Everything ok, kiddo?" the muscular man asked, leaning over and noticing the intense, brooding look on Noen's face.
Noen blinked, snapping out of his trance, and quickly dismissed the weapon back into his system inventory. "Yeah yeah, everything... everything's fine."
The large man looked at him with a worried expression but didn't press the issue. The helicopter gave a final, heavy shudder as the landing gear touched down onto solid concrete.
The man immediately stood up, his commanding voice returning. "OK, EVERYONE OUT OF HERE! IN 2 HOURS, THEY WILL BE HERE!" He reached down, grabbed Noen firmly by the arm, and pulled him out through the open side doors of the chopper. As Noen boots hit the ground, the deafening roar of the massive propellers slowly began to wind down, spinning slower and slower until the blades finally came to a complete standstill.
All the men and women had jumped out of the helicopter by now, immediately falling into a perfect, synchronized marching pace right behind Noen and the large man. The rhythmic thud of dozens of military boots hitting the concrete echoed across the open ground.
"W-what is happening here now?" Noen asked, glancing nervously at the highly disciplined soldiers trailing them.
The large man took a slow, highly controlled breath in and out. "That's not important right now. Just do what I say, okay?"
Noen swallowed hard, the tension in his chest tightening. "I have no choice but to trust you..." he whispered. Looking up at the towering soldier, he added, "What is your name, by the way?"
The man grinned widely. "Ben. And you?"
"Noen."
Ben raised an eyebrow, a spark of recognition in his eyes. "That zero stats guy?"
Noen let out an exhausted sigh and rolled his eyes, bracing himself for the usual mockery. But Ben just let out a warm chuckle and patted Noen heavily on the shoulder. "Don't worry," Ben said reassuringly. "I won't make fun of you."
A faint, genuine smile crossed Noen's face. However, that brief moment of comfort vanished instantly. Ben's expression suddenly dropped, turning incredibly serious. His warm eyes hardened as he stared straight ahead into the distance.
Noen followed his gaze. There, standing perfectly still on the far horizon, were three ominous silhouettes draped in long, flowing robes. The garments were crafted from a shimmering, midnight-blue fabric that seemed to drift like smoke even in the stillness, embroidered with jagged, silver runes that bled into the dark cloth like festering wounds.
"I unfortunately can't promise the same for those three," Ben muttered quietly.
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, Ben's booming laugh returned. He clapped Noen on the back with enough force to make him stumble slightly. "Everything will be fine. You'll see!"
But as the imposing figures stood silently in the distance, waiting for them, Noen didn't smile. He just swallowed hard, a cold knot of dread forming in his stomach. As they drew closer to the three towering figures, Noen could make out cruel, condescending grins spreading across their faces.
"Everyone, halt!" Ben commanded.
Ben came to an abrupt stop, and the soldiers behind them halted in perfect unison, their boots clicking together as they maintained a flawless double-file formation. One of the three robed figures stepped forward, closing the distance. Sultan Khezar.
"Well, well, who do we have here? New Pretend-Soldiers?" Khezar sneered, slowly circling Ben like a predator. A high-pitched, mocking giggle escaped his lips. "So, you were chosen as the leader..." He casually reached out and grabbed Ben's cheek, pinching the skin tight.
"T-That is correct, sir," Ben replied, keeping his eyes locked straight ahead.
Instantly, Khezar's sickening grin vanished, replaced by an expression of pure, unadulterated malice. He pulled even harder on Ben's cheek, his other hand violently weaving into Ben's hair. "And why exactly..." Khezar whispered, his voice turning cold and venomous. "...did you not think about..."
With terrifying speed, Khezar grabbed the back of Ben's neck and viciously slammed him down. Ben crashed face-first into the dirt with a heavy thud. "...bowing before me?"
Before Ben could even groan, Khezar raised his heavy boot and stomped mercilessly on the back of his head, pressing his face deeper into the ground. Noen's eyes widened in sheer shock.
"BEN!" Noen yelled, immediately dropping to his knees besides him.
Khezar's eyes darkened, his fury instantly shifting to the boy who had just broken formation.
"No, Noen! Get back up!" Ben choked out, his voice muffled against the dirt.
But it was too late. Khezar reached beneath the folds of his long robes, pulling out a sleek, heavy handgun. In a split second, the cold metal barrel was pressed directly against the center of Noen's forehead. Khezar tilted his head, his eyes burning with lethal intent.
"Do you want to keep playing the hero... Noen?"