Ped's POV

I saw the the person who called my name changing as the light dances through his figure. After a while, it turned out to be a little kid not more than 8 years old or the like. What's bizarre is that the kid, looks exactly like me when I was young. Only, he was totally white, from hair to his clothes. His eyes were golden, a majestic addition to his sacred aura.

The aura of hue then settled, and revealed the younger me smiling. He then walked towards the two summoned creatures at the entrance of the tent and called them. The three mystical figures faced the three of us mere mortals.

Ped:"Are you r-really C-Cron?"

Cron:"Well, you could say that, but that is not my real name, you just insisted on naming me so I thought that it would be good for your understanding too so I picked the name that came to my mind."

Ped:"S-so what are you? Who are you? And why am I here?"

Cron:"Once again, I am you, and you are me, we are one because we are created by one entity. You can call me Cron as I said earlier, I am your God counterpart. A fraction of the God that you represent on this competition."

Ped:"I didn't remember signing up on any. Do you know how crazy that sound? GOD COUNTERPART?!! What the hell does that even mean. I don't understand anymore"

Cron:"Then let's start from the beginning then."

Cron narrated the events that led me here. First was that I was chosen by a certain God to represent him. The God saw compassion, determination and good will on me that was why he chose me. He didn't even bother my race which is a human. Sure, there are lots of other races that could surpass human, so I asked Cron why me and he just shrugged it off.

He then told us that in order to come to this world, you need to die a natural death first. Either of natural illness, accidents or calamities. As long as it doesn't conflict any of that world's law. So it explains why there was an earthquake to the area where I was playing.

So I really am dead. I thought I could meet my parents if I died. Wait a sec0-

Ped:"Hey Cron, are there many who's lives has been taken on that tragedy you caused? You could've just give me any lethal disease so that it may not affect others"

Cron:"Don't fret, my friend. You were the only one who was missing there so they presume you are dead. Sadly the shop you were in was destroyed. But overall, no harm done to anyone except, you"

Ped:"Am I really dead? If so, where are my parents"

Cron:"No, of course you're not dead. You were just transported here through the warp gate. And also, it's a misconception on your planet on the belief that you go to the afterlife when you die. You are just a spec of dust in the universe. "And to dust you shall return." Isn't that you're saying? That is kinda accurate."

Ped:"S-so you mean there are no s-souls?"

Cron:"Of course there is, what I said is that there is no afterlife. Your plane is the source of the soul and it also the collector. Soul is the mana of your world, but you can't use it. People in Earth tends to be literal, they don't believe what they can't see in their own. That is why you can't use magic before."

Ped:"Then why am I using it now? Also, where are my parents? Can I see them back? Or can I return to my world?"

Cron:"You can use because I showed and taught you how. Also, you have already an innate large mana pool inside of you. Don't you even wonder where you get you're strength when you were very exhausted in your former home? That is the mana that's replenishing your energy. Also, your parents are in your planet of course, at the core, where all the souls are. No, you can never see them back because it will disrupt the flow of the soul system in your planet. And as for your homecoming, hmm..it depends on how you perform in this competition."

Ped:"S-so there is a chance?"

Cron:"I wonder about that"

Cron smiled slyly as if he was up to something. No, he really is up to something. But I couldn't guess what it is. Now that it has all been cleared up, its time to get to the more important stuff. The mechanics of the competition.

Ped:"What should I do? I mean do I have to kill again?"

Cron:"That depends on you. But in order to win the competition you have to prove your worth. You have to defeat the ruling representatives of each God that is scattered in their domain. Not one yet had attack another with full force but there are wars going on between them."

Ped:"W-wars? You mean there are more like me that could number hundreds of thousands?"

Cron:"Not exactly like you, they are one of the select few like you. But they are not humans. Most of them have arsenals exceeding that of a human's power. Like draconians, expert in magic and had brute force accompanied by their toughness and longevity. Or trolls like the guy who has just pledged on you. They great battle prowess and regenerative abilities."

Ped:"Wa-wa-wait. You mean I will face those kinds of creatures? And they are even champions. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? What could I possibly do against those? And even more so, against an ARMY OF THEM ?"

Cron sat on the chair like a little prince. The two guards then stood behind him side by side. It was like witnessing a royal image before me.

Cron:"Don't sweat it dude. You know that I am always with you right? I will teach you everything that you need to know."

Ped:"S-still seriously dangerous! I am just a kid!"

Cron:"You felt it right? When you were battling that guy, you felt the rush in your veins, the calmness of your mind and the thrill of the battle? That is the real you."

Ped:"..that."

Cron:"No use in denying it, I am you after all."

I couldn't deny the fact that the thrill of the battle had caught me off guard and just let my instincts drive me. That was the best moment I ever had all my life. Then I ask Cron on what happens if I won every obstacles. He said that I will over the world as an emperor. I will be the one deciding the fate of this world and its inhabitants.

He said that as he saw me, I will be the most fitting ruler if I want peace. But that would only happen if I won the competition. I can even send everything on Earth here any time I want.

These causes me to shudder in thought. An extreme power, can cause to tragedy. Along with it bears reliability and responsibility of keeping everyone alive.

Cron:"Well, you should start by commanding those two. In their ears, we are speaking in a gibberish language. I did it to protect your reputation as a leader you know. Now you should act like the ones you see on TV or the game that you played."

My eyes shone brightly as the thought that I could be the character on the game I played so much. I pictured myself as the hero who could protect everyone in his town. A hero of legends that goes to history and songs of time. This thought got my blood pumping.

I don't have a life in that town anyway, but I hope they could at least manage a hospital there. Now, for the adventure of my life. Let's do this.!

Ped:"I'm ready"

Cron:"Then let's start with the problem of one of your servants then."

Ped:"I'd rather not call them that, rather, they will be called Knights. The Freedom Knights."

Cron:"Not bad, not bad at all. Then let's go with that. Oh by the way, only you and your serv- I mean the Freedom Knights, can see me and hear me."

Ped:"Wh-what? why?"

Cron:"It's in the condition of this tournament. No contacts on other Gods. Now lets go to the blighted forest alongside your new Knights"

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Tom's POV

I was stunned to see the sacred being appearing before me. I can't help myself but kneel alongside Rez Naguv. Only Ped was standing and was talking to him in a different language. They seem to be debating about something then came up with the same ideas.

I saw Rez Naguv looking at Ped intently, like he is expecting something from him. I can see the loyalty in his eyes and pure admiration. He was revived, what more do I expect but to see him worship Ped.

Honestly, my thoughts on Ped changed drastically. I thought of him as an excellent and talented individual at first, then I thought that he might be special like one of them. Then he performed a divination that restores life, which practically made him like a God. I know from there on that our fate as humans rest on the palms of this man's hand.

He has the power to protect our race in this rugged world. I believe that he could lead us, he shows mercy and righteousness on others even to his enemies. This proves that he is the one that could unite humans all across this continent. The legend of a man that would unite all humans and conquer the continent.

Then he turned around and look at us. His eyes were the look of a guy who is determined to prove his worth. Even though I am the successor of this town, I would be more than happy to let this guy rule over it.

Ped:"I have decided, I shall call you my first comrades and the upcoming ones as, The Freedom Knights."

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After naming his subordinates, Pedro and his little band went to the center of the town. They informed the adventurers and human soldiers about their aim to protect the region from the Ungo. The people of Rafline took arms and joined us in our cause. They banded together as we proceed to the forest.

The creatures of the Forest of Loah are scattered all around it. But one call of the Ruler and all of them gathered at the center of the forest. The center of the forest was a huge plain with a monolith at the center. Pedro stood above the monolith and the Knights including the summoned creatures was below in a cardinal direction positions. Cron was hovering over him, he was invisible to others so it doesn't really matter.

Pedro told them that he had their ruler under his command now and that he will protect anyone who would be under his rule. He also tackled the issue on the blighted lands of the forest that was caused by Ungo. As he was in the middle of his speech, he saw some of the creatures cringe and tremble in fear.

Rez Naguv shouted that they will be successful for they are now one with the people near the forest. The crowd which was divided into half where the humans were at the left and the forest inhabitants at the right, was now looking at each other. Distrust and doubt was obvious in there look.

Cron told Pedro to raise his staff. As Pedro's staff rose, he was then instructed to utter the words Growth Spurt. When he uttered those words, the monolith glowed a bluish light and then a huge crack appeared on the monolith. The monolith was a seed, a huge seed that turned into a sapling that was more than a hundred meter tall.

Pedro then stood at the center of his knights and yelled that he will restore the forest to its former majesty. The effect of the tall tree growing and the persuasive words uttered by Pedro caused the crowd to heed on their call. They seem to have a rejuvenated force that wipes away the terror of Ungo.

Pedro assigned Tom to lead the humans and Rez Naguv for the forest inhabitants. After all the preparations, they headed towards the blighted land of the forest. Their purpose and aim was one, to protect what they care about and destroy the ones harming it. The whole forest and the town were united as one by a single man.

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Pedro's POV

After the nerve wrecking speeches I delivered on both the people and adventurers of the town, and the inhabitants of the Forest of Loah, I deliberately sat beside the sapling which was once a monolith.

Cron:"You'll get used to it. HAHA"

Ped:"Ugh- Easy for you to say"

We prepare for the war that would be my first. Cron told me to relax and release the tension in my body and feel the energy around me. This process was called meditation. He says that it will help me in the future when I will be as exhausted as the time I resurrected Rez.

After three hours, the people were fully armed and armored. The adventurers have done all the rituals and maintenance of their weapons and items. The Tikbalangs have sharpened their weapons and gears. Even the forest trolls of the tribe of Rez Naguv joined in the alliance.

Creatures such as Kabogs, Ramos, Bakukangs, Wolves and Bears were kept under control by their tribe.

The alliance of humans and monsters advanced towards the blighted lands of the forest. They were determined to restore the forest and

keep the peace of the whole area. An impossible alliance that was made possible by the appearance of a common enemy. Driven by the righteous motivation shared by every one, they walked forward as one.

Not long after, a view of a withered part of the forest appeared in our line of sight. The scouts have reported that we will encounter the Ungo less than an hour by now judging on our speed. Creatures of the undead and horror was said to be present in the area. Now I understand the terror of the monsters against this invader.

The Ungo was ready for our assault. They formed ranks of their horde of horrific entities. Skeletons, Death Knights, Vampire Bats and other unspeakable creatures were present in them. To my surprise, they were not what I thought they were, a savage. They formed ranks neatly and seemed to be obeying orders of someone.

Then before I was about to search for their commander, a rank of Ungo advanced towards us. Our alliance wasn't fazed by their action, rather we were like volcanoes waiting to erupt. Cron that was still hovering over me said that they were all waiting for my command to attack.

Cron:"Let the battle for survival, BEGIN!"