“Father, I’ve chosen to live in the Human Kingdom...”

“Have you grown bored of our training?”

“I think there’s more out there that I must know. Knowledge beyond my books and our village.”

Mother and Father looked sad. Mother said I’ve graduated...with the bare minimum.

“I’m going to visit often anyway. I just feel...being close to the World Guild might make me stronger.”

“You’re already strong. You’ve won a duel against me! Out of a thousand tries...”

“You don’t have to mock me!”

“I was not.”

“Try exploring all the Kingdoms first before you settle in.”

Father handed me a small wooden chest.

“The day came when I told my Father I was going to become a soldier. He expected me to travel and meet all the masters of the sword...I met a few, learned a few tricks but I did not grant my Grandfather’s request. This is not my treasure chest but your Grandfather’s.”

“I don’t think I can meet them all. How will I know?”

“You’ll know because they are strong. Off you go son.”

They were both crying at the doorstep as I walked away. I’ll miss them.

Wait a minute...there’s a lake I have to cross. I forgot where Father placed the boat, maybe it’s on the note he left me…

“Make your own boat. Plenty of forest around you.”

I finished the boat by sunset and started rowing through the lake. No time to decorate the boat.

By sunrise, I hit the mainland and walked straight hoping straight ahead would be The Human Kingdom…

I was wrong...it’s the Demon Kingdom. Just like my book said, it’s protected by a black force field. Maybe I can go through?

I touched the field with my hands and I couldn’t feel pain. I just welcomed myself.

“Who are you intruders? I see you are alone intruder.”

My neck doesn’t feel safe from all the spears around me…

Demons are very red and...naked except the one talking. The voice came from behind the demons that crowded me. A Demon General? A Demon Lord?

“Demon Lord you weakling. I read the minds of the weak. Why have you come?”

It should have been obvious to me as he’s currently wearing a tuxedo. A fancy type of clothing I’ve read from the books. The pale skin almost makes him look like a vampire but the eyes have become pitch black.

“I’ve come supposedly to the Kingdom of Humans but I walked into the wrong Kingdom.”

The wrong Kingdom is still beautiful though it’s mostly red, purple and black… The buildings are glossy and it's always night time in the Demon Kingdom with the red moon. The structures are very tall maybe because demons live together.

“I’ve verified your words through your memory. The Human Kingdom is directly opposite our Kingdom. You should have placed your boat on the other side. In the meantime, you are a prisoner.”

Do I fight? I think they’re too strong for me right now.

I let them take me to the Red Brick Prison. The bars are red hot so I can’t escape…

“The new prisoner is human. Make a human meal.”

The Demon Lord I met ordered to make me a meal. A meal I’ve never seen. It doesn't taste like wolf or soup. I flipped the pages of my brain as if trying to remember my studies and I think this is turkey.

A very fancy meal for nobles plated heavily in favour of appearance but the taste is mild. It’s not the same as wolf meat. Maybe it needs more salt.

“Pssttt. Kid. I can get us out of here.”

It sounded like my direct neighbor.

“How? Who are you?”

“Shhh. Later after we’ve escaped. Focus on your katana then shout ‘Infernus’.”

“Yeah right like I actually have aptitude for magic?”

“Ignite.”

My whole body was engulfed in flames but I did not panic. I closed my eyes and opened them again to check my burnt skin.

But my skin was still fair.

“Ok I’ve proven to you. Break the damn bars with the word.”

I concentrated on my katana and slashed the air shouting Infernus.

Nothing.

“Hahaha you think it’s that simple. Try again.”

“You’re just mocking me!”

“No. The moment you land one we’re free.”

“Why don’t you do it???”

“I have no mana left. You ate all of your food. Maybe if you saved some I could’ve had mana.”

He sounds really old with a deep voice.

I tried again but nothing.

“Won’t I run out of mana too?”

“Then we’re both stuck until the next meal.”

“Wait a minute you get to eat also...what happened to all your mana???”

“The same trick but with my bare hands. I think you need a sword.”

Third time's a charm, my Mother said.

“Infernus!”

I broke the entire cell wall and the bars plus the cell in front of me.

“I’m free as a bird thanks kid. Zap.”

I suddenly felt sleepy...betrayed...sleep

“Yo wake up.”

I felt my sword and went for a simple slash behind the old man. He turned his back and stopped the impact with two fingers.

“My turn.”

The same two fingers wounded my arm...the fingers are human but the slash produced was sharper than what my katana could…

“Luckily I know Heal.”

My wounds were gone.

“Are you a master of the sword?”

“I’m the master of the finger. I used to do the technique on women.”

I’d rather not understand what he said.

“Yes technically but we have disbanded. We used to have a dojo where all masters would spar and all types of matches were welcome. Then The Dark Lord defeated us all and demanded we disband after the loss.”

“So you’ve been wandering all this time?”

“Yes we were also forced to hand over our swords and they were destroyed before our very eyes. I think I’m the only one who learned to use my hands and fingers as chops and slashes.”

My treasure chest was gone...maybe I left it behind.

“Ahh when we came to the Human Kingdom, I used your treasure chest to pay for the Inn. We’ve been here for...two days...three days. I’m not sure.”

“I’ve wasted my time. I was supposed to explore Errd and become stronger.”

“If you want to explore Errd then you have to train first.”

Again...I’ve done so much training with Father.

“I’ll show you why. Summon Wyvern.”

“Wait what! Something that big will destroy the entire-”

“Foolish youngling, I have magic to instantly put us in the sky. I also spent your chest to feed myself and restore mana. Look there. Near the gates, a level 500 lion has breached the Human Kingdom. They always sacrifice the squires and lower levels first.”

I felt like vomiting seeing the lion rip apart and disfigure men.

“We have to go down!”

“Shhh. The hero is here. He’s laughably weaker now but Level 400 should be enough.”

It was BraveHart who barely defeated the lion one on one. BraveHart collapsed and the rest of the eight came to celebrate and take him to the World Guild.

“In order to make legendary heroes look good, they let these weak players die first as if their deaths were avenged. What a decade old facade that’s still going on. Humans are disappointing. Anyway the real lesson is danger is everywhere! We might even face alien invasion.”

We’re back at the Inn and the Wyvern is gone. What are aliens???

“So let’s get your lvl 70 ass to level up! You need to perfect that fire boomerang thing too... I forgot. Ah Infernus. It looks like a boomerang so I’ll call it a boomerang.”

“Are you a player?”

“No kiddo, Special NPC like you. How come I understand levels? I’m not an airhead.”

That was harsh. Another training session again...