*This chapter includes the prologue and Chapter 1*

Prologue

My name is Alex, and I died saving my friends, and now a ball of light appeared in front of me. I didn't know who this ball of light is or what it is, but all I know is that I died, and I'm here.

“Don't be afraid poor soul. I'm not here to bite you.”

“Ermm... okay... But who are you?” I asked him with flinching in my voice.

“I am your second chance giver.”

“Second Chance Giver?” I asked him.

“Yes! But before we moved on, let me review your story.”

“Reviewing my story? Why?”

“Well, because I want to know you, and I'm going to reincarnate you to another world,” he explained in a soft voice.

“Reincarnate me? Why would do that?”

“Because I think you deserve a second chance,” he went on, cast a spell on me, and out of, nowhere an orb came out from my body and went straight to his hand.

“My, your life is quite interesting. You died, so the main protagonist can have character development. What a cliché,” he sympathized.

I could feel that he was shaking his head inside that ball of light of his. I began asking the ball of light a question. “What is my role in the main character story?”

“Well, you, my friend, are just a side character on his story.”

“Side character?”

“Yup, and right now, your friends are grieving over your death. I can sense some major character development on the two of them, especially your Hero friend,” he told me in amusement.

I really didn't even care about this character something-ish. All I cared about right now was the safety of my friends. But thanks to him, I finally had my closure. "Hey, thanks for telling me that they are safe."

“Huh?” he gasped, “Sorry, I, unexpectedly watch your two friends banging each other.”

They dared do that on the day I died. I wished I could send my lightning at them. That could be great.

The ball of light asked me a question, “Would you mind telling your story before we moved on to the reincarnation stuff?”

“Huh?” I gasped, “Why? You're literally watching my life's story using that orb of yours.”

“Yeah, but I want you to talk to you and, I want to know you personally before reincarnating you into another world,” He explained his reason.

“Is my story too hard to understand?” I told him, “My story is not that very complicated. It just that I was born, live, and die. That's much it.”

“Kukuku... Every person is a complicated being. They have their own dilemmas and morals on how they handle it. Which begs the question of how can I, or, we understand them behind their action. Well, the answer is simple, we listen and, so that is why I want to hear your story,” He explained.

“You’re avoiding the question here. Can't just reincarnate me into any other world. I’m pretty sure I can handle myself in that world.”

“Hah,” he blurted out, “I’m not the type of person who just reincarnates someone willy nilly. I need to make sure that your personality and your skills fit the settings of the world that I will reincarnate you.”

“Urghh… fine,” I reluctantly agreed.

I began telling the ball of light my story. I was born in a poor family and always got beat up by my fathers. Yes, with an 's' and I'm always getting served eating dog food and pork food. My mother was a maid and a prostitute, and we moved from house to house, client to client each month.

One day, I decided to run away because I’m getting tired of living like that, and so I did. When I was on the street, I stole stuff from rich and poor, women and men, kids, and even dogs. If I get desperate to live.

Then, one day, when I was walking down the street. I saw a guy pulling a knife on a person. That person probably didn't belong here as I could see that he wears nice clean clothes and a golden necklace. The guy who is holding the knife tried to stab him. I didn't know what got into me, but my body moved and ran towards the guy and bit his hand.

He dropped the knife, and I took the knife mid-air and stabbed him in the necks. Blood began to spill all over the ground. Looking back, I think that was my first ever kill. The man that I just saved thanked me and said, I have great reflexes. He told me he’s a master swordsman. I asked him why he didn’t grab the knife. He told me he was going to, but I jumped in to save him.

He went on telling me that he would train me in the art of sword fighting and magic. If I wanted to. At that time, I didn't think much and, so I followed him, and he trained me. Soon after, I became a master swordsman and adept in magic sword fighting at the age of. 16 or 17. I didn't quite remember.

It is at that time. I heard about the prophecy, which tells about a hero that would appear to kill the Red Army King, and it was also that time that I met him, the hero. My first reaction was, is this person even a hero? Because he had a weak body and, I could tell he hadn't drawn a sword before.

He wanted me to train him, and so I did. We became friends. Soon after, we were on an adventure, killing demons and getting laid. Not me, though, only him. He gets all the ladies. Until we met her, the love of my life, but they fall in love and left me broken-hearted. She joined our merry-go-round group because of her healing spell, and her relationship with the hero became passionate.

What is astonishing about him is that he could quickly learn magic instantaneously with a slight effort, and now. He had overcome me and became the best magic swordsman. If you asked me if I got jealous... Well yeah... That ladies-fucker just succeeded me.

The three of us continued our adventured until we learned about a labyrinth controlled by one of the Red Army generals. This was also where my life ended, and kind of began?

Chapter 1 - I Died Saving The Hero

A powerful monster was right in front of us, and he swung his large ax at Chloe's head. In a second, I dashed forward in front and protected her with my shield. The ax hit my shield, and I could feel the force behind it.

“Arghh...,” I cried in pain.

“Alex!!” She shouted. I turned around and gave her a thumbs up.

“I'm okay... Just heal Arvin quickly...,” I puffed. Turning my attention to the giant Monster, “I'll buy you sometimes. Just do it quickly.”

I pushed the ax away using my shield and dashed towards the Monster with my sword in hand. I jumped into the air and sliced the Monster's left shoulder. The Monster cried in pain as the blade makes a large cut. I jumped back and landed on the ground with my feet.

I took the opportunity and ran towards the Monster, cutting his right hand clean off. His hand drops to the floor, and blood sprinkles everywhere. He turned around with tears flowing through his eyes while holding his now handless arms.

I wasted no time to felt sorry for him. I jumped behind the Monster and slashed his head. The Monster's head dropped on the floor, with blood pouring all over the place. I took a piece of shirt from the Monster's clothing and wiped the blood of my swords.

I turned around and saw Chloe healing the unconscious Arvin. Some hero he is. Very weak. Why was he the hero? I walked towards them, putting back my sword on my scabbard, “How is he?”

“Arvin! Don't die on me, please!” She cried and ignored me.

Lovebirds, it baffled me how this guy can get Chloe to fall in love with him the moment they met. I tried flirting with her countless times, but to no avail, she didn't even bag an eye on me. Oh well, at least she didn't get hurt.

Moments later, Arvin, the hero, woke up and glanced over at the Monster that I killed. He looks shocked. Then, he slowly turned and gazed at me and started asking me questions. ” You've... Killed him?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“And you haven't even try to talk to him?” he glared.

What is the matter with him? I just saved their lives, and all he said I didn't talk to the Monster. A little thank you, could appreciate than getting flame on.

“Are you fucking mad? That Monster just swept you away and got you unconscious,” I shouted, “I saved you and Chloe's life! A little 'thank you' Could be enough for the hard work I did.”

“No, thanks for you! That Monster was the key to get through this labyrinth. If you could talk to him, he may not even continue to attack,” he reasoned.

“Look, I get it we can-“ before I'd continued, Chloe, who was beside Arvin, cuts in and added more fire to the fuel.

“You had already cut out his hand. Why did you have to cuts his head off?” She shouted while pointing her index finger at me, “You could knock him out. Plus, I still have plenty of mana left, and I can heal his wounds. Then, we can try talk to him.”

“I agree with Chloe,” Arvin chimed in, “We can ask him about the labyrinth if you knock him out and not kill him!”

I couldn't reason with them at all. Arvin and Chloe couldn't understand why I did it. Did they really think I could knock the Monster out? I couldn't. I didn't have the strength nor the power.

As we're this argument, We suddenly heard a loud growl in the dark, scary hallway of the labyrinth. A dark figure with fangs and wears dark robes comes forward and showed himself in front of us. It was one of the great generals of the Red Army.

“Kukuku... What an interesting encounter we have here,” he giggled. He looks at us one by one until he stopped at Arvin. “The hero... Kukukuku.”

I took out my sword and stood in front of them. The General turned his eyes on me then looks away uninterested.

“Sorry pal, if you have some issue with this person, you got to line up.”

“Alex! Stand down. I can manage myself,” he told me as he walks up beside me.

He took out his swords and enhance them with fire magic. That magic is an advanced spell. It took him weeks to learned and an hour to perfecting it, which reminds me of the day I met him.

We were in training, and he began to show his ability. At first, he didn't even manage to do the simple magic spell, so as someone who is kind-hearted, I walked up to him and told him a couple of tricks. Moments later, he finally does a magic spell and, from that spell, he learned and performed more advanced magic spells.

“Are you sure you can defeat me?” The General asked him.

“I can… Just watch me,” Arvin responded.

"Kukuku... If you defeat me, then you are free from the labyrinth.”

So, you told me that if Arvin defeats him, we can escape the labyrinth? I highly doubted that. He just got his ass swiped by a giant monster. I believed he would lose this fight.

“Hey, Arvin, I think-,” before I said another word. The General flicked his finger and flung me to a wall.

“Arghh,” I cried in pain as I smashed into the wall. Then, my body fell to the ground.

Damn, that hurts a lot. I looked up and saw Chloe standing there looking at me. She didn't even run or walk towards me.

“Chloe!” I mustered the strength, “Help... it... Hurts...”

Chloe ran towards me and began healing me.

“Sorry, If I take too long, I get scare,” her voice shivered.

“Hey, you don’t have to worry about a single thing. As long as both me and Arvin at your side, you will be safe. I guarantee you that,” I reassured. I looked at her face and could tell she was relieved by what I just said.

Then, turning my attention towards Arvin and the General. They are fighting with such intensity. Arvin cast a fireball at him, and he blocked it with a mana sphere. The General formed a dark sword and struck him. Arvin blocked it with his sword. He added a mana sword to his left hand and engulfed it with light magic. He slashed the mana sphere with the sword, breaking it. The General jumped back to avoid being hit by the sword.

I could feel the pain dissipating, and my strength gained bit by bit. All I need to do now is stayed calm and trust that Arvin could give me some time. The two of them continued to battle forever. I could see Arvin starting to struggle. He was getting tired, but my strength had not fully replenished. Arvin, I want you to wait a little longer.

“Alex...,” Chloe muttered. She was crying, “Please, help Arvin... He is getting tired, and I'm worried that he will get killed.”

“Chloe, I understand your feelings, but right now, we need to remain calm and trust Arvin. If I go there half-assed, both Arvin and I will be in trouble.” I reasoned.

My strength had not fully replenished, and I might die, but looking at Chloe's crying face, made me feel guilty.

I turned my face around and took the sword that is on the ground. I struggled to stand up, but Chloe holds my hands and helped me. I could feel her soft and gentle hand against mine. I didn't know why I sensed it. Is this how I know I'm going to die?

“Thank you,” There were tears in her eyes.

I didn't reply to her. I took a few deep breaths and charged at the General. I cast two wind missiles at his face to get his attention from Arvin. The missiles hit, and both the General and Arvin looked at me.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Arvin shouted at me.

What the fuck I just said? Come and get me? Am I nuts? Did I get the stupidity syndrome from Arvin?

“Kukuku... You're a brave man... You're not a hero, but you do have the heart to be one...,” he complimented me as he cast several dark balls at me.

“Thank you for the compliment but, I’m no hero. The only hero in this room right now is Arvin. He's the only hero here that can stop you and your stupid boss,” I told him while avoiding the dark ball.

I believed that if you said nice things about the hero, their power became much powerful than before. I hope it was true.

Arvin, who was on the ground, was taken aback by what I just said. He began to stand up, “Yeah, he's right. The only hero in this room is me, and I'm the only one who can defeat you.”

Wow, it actually works!

He shouted at the top of his lungs and then dashed towards the General. Noticing that, Arvin had run towards the General. I took that opportunity and formed clay on the General's feet and harden it. Then, I threw my lightning ball in front of him and ignited it mid-air, blinding him. Arvin saw what I was doing and immediately stabbed him at the back. The General's body dropped to the ground lifelessly. Arvin took out his sword from the General's body, and the labyrinth began to open a new path that could lead to the outside.

“We won.” Arvin shouted in excitement.

“Arvin!!!” Chloe shouted as she quickly hugs him with tears flowing, “I was so worried that you might be dead. Thank goodness you're alive.”

“Ahh, so you finally say thank you,” I teased. Then, Glancing over at the General's lifeless body, I walked towards it, “Can I stab him?”

“No, he's already died. There is no need to stab him.”

“I just want to make sure.”

“The answer is no. Now lets head to the exits,” he took Chloe's hands and walked towards the new path.

I took a heavy sighed and approached them from behind, “Hey, wait-”

Before I could finish, I felt a sharp weapon pushed itself through my body. I got stabbed and saw a bloody sword in front of me.

Arvin and Chloe turned around and looked at me. Their expression change to shock.

“I knew, You... We... ren't... Dead...,” I groaned as I side glanced at him.

“Kukuku, you should've taken the chance.” He took out his sword from my body and kicked me to the side.

“Garghh.” I squeaked.

“How? The path is now open when I defeated you.” Arvin shouted. His eyes filled with fear as he looked at me and said, “Don't worry I'll, save you.”

“No... Just leave me!” I shouted at him.

“No, I'll save you. You are my friend.”

“Just...leave me!” I screamed, struggling to stand up.

“Oh?” The General turned his face around to looked at me, “My. My. Even with that wound, you can still stand up. You, my friend, have a great heart, but I can also feel another part of you. A darker version of you.”

“Well, we can have a nice long talk about it in the afterlife.”

I began focusing on what was left of my mana and flowed it through my sword. The sword starts to glow, and I went on adding lightning magic to it.

I never knew this day would arrive for me to use the Forbidden Spell of Lazorian. The reason this spell is forbidden because it took the user's life.

“Alex! No, you can't use that spell. You'll die,” Chloe shouted. Her voice rings through my ears.

turning my gaze at her and saw tears flowing through her cheeks, "Sorry, Chloe, I have too."

Then, I turned my attention to Arvin, “Hey... I have something to tell you.”

“No... Please.”

“Number one, always listen to others if they have something to tell you.”

“No!” he continued to shout, but I ignore him. The surrounding buildings began to fall. The General cast a dark sword on his right hand.

“Number two, when you finish killing their boss. Place his head beside my grave.”

“And Number three, never make Chloe cry again,” With that last words, I dashed towards the general, and we clashed our swords. Both of us are standing our ground. I began feeling my life force being suck by the spell.

It had finally come, the end of my life.

“Lazorian, Death Lightning!” I shouted. The swords began to glow in red color.

The General was shocked by what I just said, and now, he began trembling in fear, “You... Are you stupid?”

“Yes, and I'm going to kill you with it.”

I screamed on top of my lungs, and the spells overpowered him by electrocuting him. I could hear his cry of pain as the lightning spell hit every cell on his body. His body lightens and exploded in bright lights, leaving no trace of his body. I killed him with my life as the price.

My body fell to the ground, face first, and heard their footsteps rushed towards me. They turned my body around, and I saw both of them in front of me. Both Arvin and Chloe were in tears. Chloe was trying to use her spell, but it didn't work. The Lazorian spell, a spell that manipulates the person's mana and changes it into pure lightning within the body. That’s why the caster died when using it.

I had little strength left on me. I grabbed both of Chloe's hands and slowly put them away, “Chloe, stop, there is no use for you to use your spell on a dead man.”

“But...”

“It's alright.... You can stop crying. It makes your face ugly. Even Arvin agrees to it,” both began to laugh with tears flowing.

I looked at her eyes and noticed that it was so beautiful. It's like watching the sunset on a beach. I think this is my last time to tell her what I feel.

“Chloe... I...” before I could say any more words. My eyes turned to pitch black. Wait no! I haven't told her my feelings. Please let me said something to her. Please!

Suddenly, a light began to glow and come closer to me.

“Welcome to the midpoint of life,” The ball of Light spoke in a male voice.