Chapter Two: The Savior's Shadow
Lucian stared at Michael Kaiser as if the man were a mirage. The calm confidence in his golden eyes, the effortless way he had dispatched that monstrous creature—it was like watching a legend live and breathe before him.
"Why did you save me?" Lucian finally asked, his voice rough with disbelief.
Michael shrugged, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. "Because you're not supposed to be out here alone, in the northern verge. It's no place for someone who doesn't know how to survive."
Lucian swallowed hard against the cold lump forming in his throat. "I don't know anything. I don't even know where I am."
Michael's expression softened, though his tone stayed firm. "You're on the Central Continent, near the northern border where demons roam. It's a dangerous place for anyone, especially a newcomer like you."
He stood, stretching leisurely, as if he carried the weight of the world with the ease of a breeze. "The world you woke up in is no Earth. Here, everyone has a status screen, but only they can see it. You'll learn how to use yours. I'll teach you."
Lucian blinked at the mention of the screen. The translucent window he had seen moments ago flickered faintly in his mind's eye. "You know about that?"
Michael chuckled. "Of course. I've been around long enough to understand what this world truly is. But strength alone isn't everything. You need to know how to navigate it."
Lucian's mind reeled with questions, but before he could speak, a sharp howl echoed through the trees. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.
Michael's eyes narrowed. "More demons. And they don't like strangers."
He drew his sword—sleek, shining with an otherworldly light—and motioned for Lucian to follow. "Stay close. Watch and learn."
Lucian's heart pounded as they moved silently through the forest, shadows shifting around them. The air was thick with tension, and every crack of a twig or rustle of leaves set Lucian on edge.
Suddenly, a pack of grotesque creatures burst from the underbrush. Their twisted forms combined traits of wolves, lizards, and something alien, with glowing red eyes and snarling maws.
Michael moved with lethal grace, parrying claws and slicing through flesh with fluid, effortless strikes. Lucian struggled to keep up, his body tense and uncoordinated, but determination burned in his chest.
One creature lunged at Lucian, teeth snapping. He barely dodged, tripping over a root and falling hard. Panic surged, but before the beast could strike, Michael was there—his blade flashing, cutting the creature down in one clean stroke.
"You'll get better," Michael said, offering a hand to help Lucian up. "But you can't afford to freeze. Not here."
Lucian accepted the help, breath ragged. "How do you stay so calm? How are you so good at this?"
Michael grinned, the arrogance sparkling in his eyes. "Because I've spent years honing my skills. And I don't plan to lose what I've worked for."
He glanced back toward the sky, where the first stars began to twinkle. "I was called the Savior of the World Tree by the elves, Son of Earth by the dwarves, Brother by the orcs, Friend by the giants, and loved by the dragons. Strength commands respect, but it's also a responsibility."
Lucian studied Michael, trying to understand the weight behind the playful swagger.
"Your journey starts here," Michael said, sheathing his sword. "But you won't be alone. I'll be walking beside you."
The words sent a strange comfort through Lucian's chest, like a tether in the vast unknown.
Over the next days, Michael became both mentor and companion. He taught Lucian to read his status screen more clearly—how to assess his health, stamina, and mysterious stats that hinted at untapped potential.
Lucian learned about the world's continents—the murim warriors in the East, the elves and dragons in the West, the dark creatures of the South, and the demon strongholds in the North. The Central Continent was the hub, but its northern edges were perilous, a place where only the strong survived.
Michael's lessons were peppered with sarcasm and humor, often at Lucian's expense. Yet beneath the teasing was a genuine desire to prepare him.
One evening, as they rested beside a small fire, Michael tossed Lucian a simple wooden training sword.
"Tomorrow, we start sparring," Michael said with a grin. "If you want to survive, you'll need to fight smart."
Lucian rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the spark of excitement.
As the weeks passed, Lucian's confidence grew. Under Michael's watchful eye, he became stronger, sharper, and more aware of the dangers lurking in the shadows.
But with each victory, he also sensed the looming threat of the northern demons growing bolder.
One night, as Michael rested against a tree, he pulled out a popsicle, his quiet indulgence barely noticeable.
Lucian watched him, amused.
"You really love those things, don't you?"
Michael smirked, licking the popsicle slowly. "Everyone's got something that keeps them sane."
The road ahead was uncertain, but Lucian knew one thing for sure—walking beside Michael Kaiser was a chance to rewrite his fate.
To be continued..