Kurt Striker believed Randi McCafferty would always be in danger until she revealed the identity of her child's father, so he was determined to discover her deepest secret...any way he could. Guarding Randi, body and soul, forced Kurt to confront the desire for the woman he'd been trusted to protect.

The Girl in Red Dress
a novel written by Hanjmie

FIRST LOVE LAST FOREVER. Iyon ang paniniwala ni Marie sa pag-ibig na nararamdaman para kay Kurt. Parehong third year high school sina Marie at Kurt ng magkakilala at ma-inlove sa isa't-isa. Minahal ni Marie si Kurt sa kabila ng kaalaman na isa itong playboy sa campus. Kahit anong sabihin ng bestfriend ni Marie na si Lincoln ay minahal pa rin ng batang puso ni Marie si Kurt.

Lumipas ang walong taon, ang matamis na pag-ibig ay unti-unting nawalan ng tamis. Nawalan ng oras si Kurt kay Marie at napabayaan ang relasyon. Lalong nagbago ang lahat sa pagitan nila ng may isang pangyayaring gumuho sa buhay ni Marie. She was raped and now pregnant.

What will happen to her now and her love for Kurt? Magkakaroon pa ba ng masayang buhay si Marie gayong may buhay sa nabubuo sa loob ng katawan niya na sumisimbolo ng madilim niyang kahapon?

© 2019

De vez en cuando escribo alguna «historia de autor ficticio». Estas historias son cuentos supuestamente escritos por un autor que es un personaje literario, como David Copperfield o Anna Karenina, por ejemplo. Hasta ahora no se han editado historias suyas, pero no me extrañaría que cualquier día apareciesen publicadas en algún libro o revista.
   Lo primero que escribí con la firma de uno de estos autores fue la novela Venus en la Concha, de Kilgore Trout. ¿Hay alguien que no conozca a Kilgore Trout? He llegado a averiguar que mucha gente. Pero también hay millones de personas que están al corriente de quién es ese desventurado escritor de ciencia ficción que aparece en Dios le bendiga, Mr. Rosewater, Matadero Cinco y Desayuno de Campeones  de  Kurt  Vonnegut. Y  hace  algunos años,  muchos de  ellos  debieron sorprenderse al ver mi novela exhibida en los escaparates de las librerías. Siempre habían creído que Trout era un personaje literario y, de repente, se encontraron con una novela de Trout, una bibliografía de sus obras, una breve biografía y una fotografía en la contraportada de un escritor con cara de vivir del cuento, que no era otro que yo mismo disimulado bajo unos postizos que me había encolado cuidadosamente en la cara.
   Muchos lectores llegaron a estar convencidos de que Trout vivía realmente, pero no todos. El pobre señor Vonnegut recibió un verdadero alud de cartas preguntándole si el libro de Trout era obra suya.
Vayan para él mis sentidas disculpas.
   No obstante, la novela fue escrita como el mayor homenaje posible a mi, por aquel entonces, escritor de ciencia ficción preferido y ofrendada como el más alto tributo que podía pagar.
   Además, descubrí que  siendo otra  persona, es  decir, Kilgore Trout, lograba romper el bloqueo que como escritor estaba sufriendo. Por lo tanto, cada vez que la amenaza de un nuevo bloqueo se cernía sobre mí, me introducía en un personaje de otro novelista y el bloqueo desaparecía. Dado que no era yo, Philip José Farmer, quien escribía, sino un autor ficticio que no se hallaba bajo el peso de mi bloqueo, podía escribir. Cuando acababa de escribir una de estas historias, podía transcurrir una larga temporada sin que el bloqueo volviese a atenazarme.
Una buena treta este autoengaño, aunque sea yo quien lo diga. Al fin y al cabo
¿quién mejor que yo para decirlo?
   Uno de los personajes de Venus en la Concha era un escritor, Jonathan Swift Sommers III. Con su firma escribí un par de historias, y espero escribir algunas más. Lo  hice  para divertirme y  no  porque me  sintiera bloqueado. Pero me  gustaría subrayar que Sommers III es hijo de otro Jonathan Swift Sommers, aquel nefasto y frustrado poeta cuyo epitafio aparece en la Spoon River Anthology de Edgar Lee
Masters. Un caso de círculos concéntricos.
   En esta colección hay tres historias escritas por autores ficticios. La que viene a continuación es una de ellas. Apareció por primera vez en una revista con el título de Es la Reina de la Obscuridad de Rod Keen. Rod Keen fue un personaje creado por Richard Brautigan que tuvo una fugaz aparición en su obra El Aborto: Una Fábula Histórica 1966. Keen era un trabajador de las alcantarillas que entregó un manuscrito al encargado de una peculiar biblioteca de San Francisco. Su único comentario fue que se trataba de un cuento de ciencia ficción.
Recomiendo este extravagante libro a todo el mundo, es uno de mis preferidos. Pienso que Brautigan, al dar a dicho trabajador el nombre de Rod Keen, estaba expresando indirectamente su opinión sobre las obras de un famoso y rico escritor de San Francisco que tiene la increíble audacia de llamar a lo que escribe «poesía». Dado que comparto su opinión, le he puesto al antihéroe que protagoniza este cuento un nombre similar, haciendo de él un mal poeta.
   Las últimas líneas de «El Fantasma de las Cloacas» no son exactamente las que aparecían en la versión original.
   Del mismo modo que al escribir Venus lo hice con un cierto sabor Vonnegutiano, he dotado a esa historia de un ligero regusto Brautiganiano.
   Ha  sido  muy  divertido ser  Trout, Keen, el  doctor John  H.  Watson, Gazapo Manders, Paul Chapín, Leo Queequeg Tincrowdor y Sommers III, y ya no digamos Lord Greystoke, también conocido como Tarzán, y Maxwell Grant, el autor de las historias de La Sombra. Espero seguir divirtiéndome en el futuro.

Mundo del Río

La serie está integrada por cinco novelas, más un libro de cuentos. De las cinco novelas, cuatro de ellas forman parte de la tetralogía original, mientras que la quinta es un añadido posterior:

A vuestros cuerpos dispersos (1971), que obtuvo el premio Hugo en 1972.
El fabuloso barco fluvial (1971).
El oscuro designio (1977).
El laberinto mágico (1980).
Dioses del Mundo del Río (1983).
El Mundo del Río y otras historias (1979).
River of Eternity (1983).

The next morning I woke up in my own bed, without a hug pillow next to me. 
-Don´t misunderstand me I like woman, they are soft and so on but every time I have to sleep next to a person I can hardly sleep. Their mere breathing hinder me. Well I scored hundredth points with these parents, it could had been that they are slavers or violent. In this case, I would have had to search for another village. I think I´ll give them the gold, jup let´s do it.- 

I stood up and got dressed, then I went down to the kitchen and saw dad. 
-How does it come that he is here every time? He is even making breakfast does he know when I wake up?- 

"Oh sweety good morning, did you sleep well?"Dad 
"Yes dad, the bed is wonderful."Me 
"Good to hear, could you wake your mom? Breakfast will be finished soon."Dad 
"Sure," I said and rushed up. 
-huhuhuh now how should I wake her up? Oh, I know.- 

I opened the door as silent as I could and sneaked in front of her. 

Bing! 

Skill:


Sneaking:


If you want to assassinate someone, steal something or

just to pray a prank on some unfortunate this skill will

help you I could even hide from scary monsters.

LV 0


A quick point disruption and I now I can sneak.

-Now let´s do it the wake-up call from every fantasy with little kids-


I aimed and leaped myself on her stomach, hugged her and shouted.


"Wake up mom you have slept long enough, daddy has finished making breakfast."

"Uff, what happens who is attacking,"Mom asked a little panicked.

"No one is attacking, I am waking you, now come you have to go up." I said and showed her my best smile.

"Oh, oh it´s you sweety. We have to practice the wake-up call"Mom said and hugged me back.


Five minutes later we got down.


"What did you take so long" Dad

"Our daughter attacked me."Mom

"Attacked you ?"Dad

"Hug attack" I replied.

"And what is with me? When do I get a hug attack?"Dad

"You don´t sleep."Was my answer.

His shoulders dropped and he looked a little sad.

"But I can make an exception, "I said while I made a hug jump to him.

"Hoho if this is a hug attack I kindly defend against more,"Dad said laughing.


We stood like this a little and the ate.


"Now sweety wait here I fetch some books for forging."Dad said and went up

A few minutes later he came back with five books.


"These are for ore identification, you have to know which ore is what when you want to forge something. So until you are finished we can´t do more. You do can read do you?"Dad


-Woah I kinda thought it will be like this.-

"Yes and okay dadd~y "Me


"Good then I´ll be out. "Dad

-So five book with round about 300 pages, let´s see how fast I´ll be able to read them and if I get a fast reading skill if I try to read it fast. Or a memorization skill when I try to remember it.-


I took one book and begun to read. 
- Am I able to read it because I have the language skill? Convenient, now the experiment.-
I read as fast as I could while I tried to memorize it. 

Bing! 
Bing! 
Skill:

Fast Reader.

If you don´t have time you´ll read fast

and with this skill you can look as if you

flick through a book while you are

genuinely reading it. LV 0


Skill:

Memorizing

I and you know that you hate to sit down and learn

so here you have it a memorizing skill.

Photographic memory is a joke in comparison to this.

LV 0


-Fuck yeah, but I´ve to be careful with the memorizing skill, I don´t want to recall every moment of my life. Let´s see I want to have a photographic memory but not more so I have to experiment.

What happens when I put it on LV 3?-


I maxed Fast Reader and flicked through the book.


-hm, copper is a rather soft metal, which is good for alloys and... and... okay two more points.-


I skipped it once again.


- Iron is a harder metal than copper and often used for arrowheads, as well as cheaper weapons and armors, it´s melting when it is 4 hours in the forge? No °C? that´s going to be annoying. But I think I have it, I can recall every information in this book, most of it is about the look of it and how to smelt or mine it. Not much about the actual way of forging weapons.

4 more books to go trough.-


I finished them in 60 seconds. Not because it took me time to read them that was just 5 seconds for one book. It took most of the time for opening and laying them away or checking the content.


-Okay finished, normally five books would take me 22,5 hours but then I´m not able to remember every word, I now no more have to study, if I just could have had that in my old world... Onto the next, I think dad will not come home in the next minutes. So I´ll take a walk in the village.-



I stood up and walked outside.

-Let´s see where to go? Maybe to Alice for tailoring or should I go to the adventurer guild and ask for more information´s about their adventure business? I think the guild will be more interesting.-


As I thought that I begun to stroll in the direction of the guild.


-Hm many of the townspeople are looking at me, am I so interesting?-


A few moments later I reached the guild and went inside.

It had the same spartan equipment as last time, but now my dad sat with some people at the desk.

They were four, two women, and two men.

On the left side was the first woman, she looks young and has reddish hair with lots of freckles.

She wears a blue robe. Next to her is the other woman, she is small not taller than me, and I´m 130 cm.

She has a plate armor and brown hair. And there are some small scars in her face.

-Why is there a child in their group?-

A guy sits next to her he wears a leather armor and has black hair, he looks like he is in his mid-20s.

The last guy is a really bulky man, so many muscles looks like Barnold Barteneger. He wears a tunic.

-Is that a muscle battle monk^^?-


The woman with the robe spotted me and pointed in my direction while saying.

"Hey, Kurt is isn´t that her, I mean your daughter?"Red Hair stressed the daughter part.

Dad looked in my direction and asked. 
"Is something wrong sweety? Are the books too hard for you?"Dad

"Sweety?^^ " The guys snickered.

Dad got a red head like a tomato.

"No daddy I´m finished and wanted to talk with the receptionist about the guild,"I said while ignoring the guys.

"Finished, that were five thick books? You are no way finished, I am here since 10 minutes. "Dad said disbelieving me.

"Then test me,"I said provocatively.

The other four were silently watching our conversation, but their mimics tells me that they too don´t believe me.

-I would not believe myself if I could hear my words.-


"Okay, then what is mithril and were do you find it?"Dad


"Mithril is a Tier 3 metal on the rare scale and is for magic weapons because it helps the warrior to channel his mana into the weapon. As well as amplifying it. In his raw form, it is not hard enough for a weapon, but with a harder metal like steel or at best orichalcum it can be a devastating magic weapon. As for armors, it is often used as an alloy because it is magic resistant. And you can find it in deep mines near magma springs because the abundant natural mana fluctuation is large in such positions. Mithril is nothing more than Iron which absorbed mana for a long time."I said with a proud tone while puffing out my chest.


-And there it is the falling jaw. I am a master in making it fall-

Five, no six with the receptionist, jaws dropped down.


"You did say that she is a genius in magic, but you never said that she has an otherworldly ability to read and memorize Kurt."The Red Hair said.


"I did not know.... sweety does you have more of such ability's?"Dad

"Sure I do dad, I´m awesome I can do everything if I want," I said boastfully

"Hahaha, you daughter is funny. Hey, little one I´m Paul come we have to tell you story's of your mom and dad."Paul/guy in leather armor said while he stressed the dad and daughter part and motioned me to sit next to dad.


I walked over and sat down.


"You do look as cute as Kurt said. I´m Maria, a mage and if you want I can teach you some things."Red Head/Maria said


"You can´t Maria, "said dad.

"Why, I´m tier 5 sure I can do you think I´m too stupid to teach her?"Maria asked angrily.

"Not that but Clair is casting her magic without an incantation so there is no one who can teach her,"Dad said proudly

-Oh, there it is again a dropped jaw.-


"I don´t believe that you have to exaggerate. Clair if that is true show me, cast something bigger than the beginner things without an incantation" Maria said in a disbelieving tone.

"Sure anything is fine?"Me

"Yes" Maria

-I don´t know spells of the first Tier except for fireball and that would be a problem here so I think I'll try something knew.-


I looked to the left side of the desk where no chair was and imagined that a chair out off wood will rise from the ground.

-Whoa, it will cost 15.000 mana-


I put my mana into the imagination and a wood chair begun to rise out of the ground and stopped as it was on a normal high.


"That that is a Tier 4 spell [Möbel Erschaffung]," Maria said not trusting what she saw.

"I said she is a genius"My now prouder dad said.


"That is far from genius, that is a genius among genius level."Maria stuttered.

-Sure I learn 4 times faster than the fastest genius.-

"haha I sure would love to have her in our party. Clair, I´m Donigan, a Monk and the leader of the Nenner group. When you are older would you join us?"Donigan/battle Monk said while dad glared at him.


"Sorry mister, I´ll lead my own group but if you´ll have trouble I can help."Me

Now, dad looked at me with a disbelieving and shocked expression at me.

"Sweety it is dangerous to be an adventurer are you sure? That is nothing for a fragile little girl as you."Dad

"I´m not fragile dad I have 23 points in strength."I pouted.

"What 23? That is four times as much as a normal kid of your age. By the way I´, Ricka the tank of the group"Maria, a little girl in a plate armor.


"Donigan you said when I´m older but why is there a girl not older than me in your group?"I asked


"I am not a little girl. LITTLE GIRL, I am a dwarf and I am 54." Ricka answered before Donigan had the chance.


"Sorry miss dwarf I never saw one so I thought you are a little girl."Me


"Good and don´t forget that."Ricka

"Hahaha you have to pardon Ricka, she don´t likes it when someone says she is a little girl," Donigan said.

"Sooo from where do you know dad?"I asked


"Well, I was in his old party and switched to our friends of the Nenner group after Markus died."Ricka answered my questions and everyone got silent.


-Ouch got a sore point.-


"Well, let´s not be sorrowful, Markus would not want that. So Clair you are now the daughter of Kurt and Maia, are they nice?"Paul tried to change the subject.


And so I told them my life until now with Maia and Kurt in a happy voice so that dad will not think I don´t like them.

And they told me about some story´s from Maias and Kurts old adventurer times.


We stayed there until the sun went down and dad and I went home.

"Okay sweety now we´ll eat something and tomorrow I´ll show you how to smith some basic things.

"Yea~y" I answered cheerfully.

fffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

Chapter 004 [...Spectacular...]
Friday, Sept 5, 2008
I walked on the side of one of the many corporate skyscrapers. Probably freaking someone's boss, and the employee getting demoted for not warning him. 

This had become my new normal . It was strange how this felt like down, even though I knew that wasn't the case. I read somewhere that we only recognized where Gravity was due to the Vestibular System. The System was located in our ear cavities where miniscule crystalline stones floated and quite literally sunk in response to gravity. 

That was how we understood what down was, which made me wonder what my recent genes had done to them to change my balance and perception of gravity.

That was what happening how it felt and looked on the other hand was a scene straight from Inception where the city lifted up and held itself there like a massive wall that cars drive vertical on. Or how Ichigo from Bleach just stood on the side of skyscrapers as he battled his inner demons. Just going to add in Dr Strange's maddening scene of twisting reality as well. 

Stepping onto the building over, I stood horizontally fifty meters in the air, without hesitation. I just couldn't feel the fear. 

Regardless, it was a nice way of relaxing while I thought about random boring/serious problems plaguing my life. 

I didn't know if this world was any different from my alternate's memories since his life wasn't normal in the least, but apparently I could get my GED after about a year. 

I stopped, nearly running into one of the window cleaners. He looked at my feet then to the windows before I looked where I walked had was smudged the glass. Looking back at his pained expression, I sighed, and asked for his wiper which he handed over with a thankful look and I went to work wiping my footsteps off. 

They had some restructuring to do after the Gravity Guy (his name was too dumb to bother remembering) destroyed the portion of the city that dealt with GED. 

Naturally, that would mean I would be stuck in school for another year, if I was fortunate they would be finished a lot sooner. I didn't want to wait so I found an alternative, homeschooling. While it was a bit of a process, taking at least two weeks after talking with an advisor. It was better than waiting for a year. He decided to set up a meeting in a few days, he wasn't sure how long it would take, but within the month he should be out of schooling. He paused his window wiping and wondered what Harry and Gwen would think about it. It was hard to think about them especially when he had overheard his Aunt talk about paying the bills, with his alternate's memories he knew what it was like living life on the streets. Minus the crazy baddies he had to fight- ah, no wait it was the same. 


:+:+:+:+:



After school, I walked with my tutoring club went about as well as expected. 

We were seated in some library near the school, and most of my students happened to be the X-Men. 

Rogue kept glaring at Jean, Jean was ignoring her, she and Scott understood some of it, Bobby messed around, and Kurt was eager but having trouble like Rogue.

"Jean, why are you here? You understand most of it and you don't have homework."

She glanced at the others, "Uh, just… hanging out with friends, yeah! And I have a phobia of crowds, classrooms included."

Her "phobia" of crowded classrooms was likely her telepathy acting up, "You know you can homeschool right?" 

She glanced back, "Yeah but I want to stick with my friends." 

Yeah I was sure that was the reason, "Since you're not doing much you can help Kurt out."

Scott was obviously here because of Jean, I didn't even have to ask, he was at least doing his own work.

Bobby because his friends were here. 

"Are you actually having trouble?" I asked Bobby. 

"More with biology and calculus than the sciences. And English is such a…" he swore several long explictives I wasn't going to repeat for sensitive ears.

"Don't blame you. Screw serial killer Macbeth and his murder spree and read some good stuff." I handed him Skulduggery Pleasant an old childhood favourite I had been rereading recently, "Make an essay instead on if deteurganists like this make books better than singular protagonists."

He looked at me than shrugged and started on the essay.

While Jean helped Kurt, I slid next to Rogue, "So what's troubling you?" 

"What isn't?"

This was going to be a process, "Let's go in order which is the easiest…"

Not the worst way of passing the time. 

Once we were done, she spoke up, "Are you sure you don't want to join us?" 

"I'm sure. Besides I told you guys already I wasn't a Mutant." 

:+:+:+:+:

"We're Mutants." 

I made it a point to glance at Jean's hair, "Yeah, that I'm aware." 

"We- wait you know?" 

"Yeah, anyone that doesn't have black hair or eyes has what academics call mutations. And you have white hair atop your brown hair, that's...a bit different." 

She opened her mouth then closed it, "That isn't what- That's not what I mean." 

Scott steps forward, "We mean people that have gifts unlike anything-"

"Wait time out, are you guys a cult? If this is what that is, I'm going to have to say no." 

Scott exclaimed, "What? No! We're not a cult!" 

"Are we overthrowing the government? Movies have taught me you need more pamphlets." 

Scott sighed, "Listen, Mutants have a thing called the X-Gene, and it grants us abilities." 

Jean stepped up, "We think you might have one." 

I asked for confirmation, even though it was likely the cerebro, I really hoped they hadn't seen me changing out of the red and blue "And you know this how?" 

They exchanged nervous glances, "We have a mutant detection machine, right now, as of the entire world, there's maybe fifty thousand mutants total." 

I blinked, "That's...a very small number." That's a lot smaller than I remembered them ever being in the comics. Where it numbered in the million before jumping to 16 million.

"It is. One of us, a guy who goes by the name Wolverine, he can heal really well, was tortured for a long time. To avoid anything like that happening we can offer you protection." Huh, so he was here too. That meant the Weapon X Program was around here somewhere still doing what they did best.

Scott took over, "We can also help you practise any abilities you have that might get out of control." 

"Who's this we?" 

"He's…" He seemed to hesitate saying all this to a complete stranger, but the dude had come this far, "Xavier, he runs a school not too far from here, he thought it would be a good idea for us to socialize more with kids our own age. We're taught how to control it in this place called the Danger Room by some others who're just like us." 

"What can you guys do?" I wondered if they had the same powers I was familiar with, just because I had some odd metaknowledge via dimensional memories did not mean 100% accuracy. 

Jean said, "Lasers, ice, telepathy, power absorption, and teleportation. I can do Telepathy and that's how we found out you were likely one of us, I can't read your mind."

That explains a lot, "You were trying to read my mind?" My voice and expression neutral. 

"No- I- I wasn't trying to invade them, just, they leak out like air from a balloon and I can read the signals. But you're a complete blank to me and the Professor, there aren't any signals emitting from you almost as if you were a ghost." 

"I'm very real. So yeah, this is nice and all, but I haven't exhibited any crazy mutant powers last I checked." I wasn't lying, "I don't think you guys particularly need me joining your crew." I had mutated powers, which was enough of a difference. Really didn't want Aunt May knowing about all this. They weren't wrong, but I felt it was best to go with a wait and see method first, if I needed to there weren't all that far. 

They glanced at each other, "Are you sure, nothing at all?" Scott asked. 

Bobby pointed out, "Not even Acid Breath?" 

"No, my toothbrush wouldn't survive that. Or my bathroom floor." 

Scott scrunched his eyebrows, "This is odd…" 

Bobby just outright asked, "Are you lying?" 

I looked at him, "Even if I was, could you tell?" 

"Point." My spider-sense went off like mad, but I kept still even as I watched Bobby move in slow-motion, blasting me with ice. I slammed against the blackboard knocking it loose, cold exploding all over my body, slowing me down. 

"Bobby! Why did you do that!" 

"Wanted to see if he was lying. Guess not." 

"Even if he was, do you think that would've outed his-"

"I got Rogue to do it didn't I." 

Rogue spoke, "Yeah, and I nearly killed you for it." 

"And now we're friends!" 

I shoveled the snow away, clearing it off as my teeth chattered, "Y-you know I could just have anti-telepathy as my power. Quite literally useless in every way." 

"Well..."

"And there could be someone else you guys were detecting instead of me, it's not like being unreadable means I have the X-Gene in the first place." 

They were glaring a little at Bobby, "Uhm, sorry?" He cringed. 

"Yeah, it's no big, it's literally just snow. Regardless, I don't think you need me in your gang because I'm pretty sure I'm mostly human. Not being able to read me doesn't really mean much." 

Jean sighed, "He's not wrong, there have been people I haven't been able to read at times in the slightest." 

Rogue looked over, "So I guess we just outed ourselves to a human, nice going guys. Judgement Call was a 10/10." 

"Yo, it's not like we can't be friends. Bit of a side note, you guys are still human/humanoid, I don't see how having a single gene difference makes you a new species." 

Kurt gulped and clicked his watch and revealed his blue self, "Da, you don't mind us being different?" He stood looking like a blue devil, with yellow eyes that covered his pupils, and a long thin forked tail. He rubbed his three pronged fingers nervously. 

"Dude, you're literally just blue with two less fingers, its like you lived under a blue sun your entire life. If I don't treat someone who's lost a limb any different why would I make an exception here? As far as I'm concerned you guys are superheroes in training. Seriously, a little jealous of the cool powers." 

This was a little out of nowhere, but since I knew the history of what kind of discrimination they went through, it was likely nice to hear at the very least. Needless to say, I was a little shocked Kurt cried and hugged me, but managed to pat him on the back. They rest went over and put a hand on his shoulder. 

:+:+:+:+:

Coming out of the trip down memory lane Rogue had finished and had been bugging me about joining. 

"We have a Mansion," she proclaims.  

"And I have a undestroyed house, it's fine Rogue. We can still hang out, and I'm still helping you guys. I just don't feel like meeting Xavier," I respond. 

"Oh come on he's the best. He-" 

Before she could go into his accolades I interrupt her, "Used to be friends with the Magnet dude and hasn't dealt with him. Who is clearly evil." 

"Xavier just doesn't want to fight and they have different viewpoints is all." 

"Magneto literally kills people who disagree with him." 

"They generally attack first." 

"Upstate New York and Wyoming." 

"To be fair they were experimenting on Mutants in Wyoming." 

"That I did not know, but doesn't account for every other time and NY."

She conceded, "Yeah Magneto's a douche, just not all the time, I mean. He sort of helps, uh okay yeah he's pretty terrible. I don't know why Xavier hasn't done anything, but that doesn't make him a bad guy." 

"Not saying bad, just...look I'll meet him at some point-" at her smug smile, "I said at some point."     

She shrugged, "It'll do." Out of the group she was the one that defended Magneto the most, I guessed it had something to do with Mystique which they had mentioned earlier. She and a few others calling themselves the Mutant Revolution lead by Magneto. 

I made a mental note to look into power dampener spells. 

:+:+:+:+:

I couldn't just have a simple swing over, about twenty crime busts, a drug raid, and messing with the obviously criminal mafia, (no matter what the official statements made by the police say) I landed near the gates of the mansion.

The place was massive and as pretentiously grandiose as I thought it'd be. Multi-story, a massive green front yard with a tree, and a drive in surrounding a ridiculously ornate fountain. Tony really doesn't hold back. I made my way up the path near the driveway, trees on both sides. I was let in once I showed the Avenger's Card. 

"Hello sir."

I paused and realized my spider senses' silence caused a lack of caution, "Jarvis?"

"Ah I see my reputation precedes me." I turned to see the most english butler I'd ever seen stood at over six feet tall around 190cm and a shaved head. He looked like a bouncer who'd joined the Navy Seals to teach them how to fight with class.

He was also standing in my blindspot, "Somewhat, my name is Spidey, my dad was Mr. Spidey and mum, Mrs. EightLegs. Nice to meet you."

He shook the outstretched hand, "Likewise, is there anything I can get for you, sir?"

"Yeah, is Thor in?"

"He's acquisitioned the training room for 'testing the magic room's mettle'" I could swear he smiled.

"Gotcha, thanks."

"Anytime, and good day, sir." He then strode off with footsteps silent.

I remembered Jarvis was a balding dude not the british cousin of Butler from Artemis Fowl. If he was anything like Butler, he'd have his favourite gun in his vest called the Sig. 

I mentally noted to ask him for some training later.

:+:+:+:+:

Following the sounds of thunder, and large things crashing into the ground. I found Thor wailing on mechanical Frost Giants. They looked like some cross between twenty meter tall Yeti's that were cryogenically frozen and gained Ice Powers. I had no idea how this room functioned or how Iron Man got the room to replicate half of anything in this room.

"Yo Thor!"

"Spider-man! What brings you here friend?" Before he jumped and smashed the nose off one and ripped off the knee of another.

Taking books out of the bag, I held up the spoils of war from Amora, "Do you have anything anything that isn't in Norse because I can't read this no matter what I do." I had tried nearly everything I could think of. 

"Room, Hold." Then he flew down towards me, picking them and looking them over, "Truly?" 

"Yeah, I thought you said because I had won them or something I could read them." 

"Verily…" He flipped through them, "I hadn't been able to read them then, but had seen that it was due to the rights, but if that's not the case. Spider-Man, let this matter lay in mine hands, I will traverse to Asgard to seek the knowledge there." He threw the books into the air and a blast of rainbow latter they were gone. 

"In the meantime, would you like to join me in a game of 'destroy the Frost Giant'? It's grand fun. Room, Play!" He laughed before throwing his hammer through a few, wrecking a massive hole in their chests. They fell over with a whump, bouncing once. The floor surprisingly intact.  

I looked to the twenty meter tall giants, one's wielding clubs longer than two telephone poles, "Sure, why not." 

"Excellent. Room! Raise the level to Jotunheim Level 7!" 

"As you wish sir." 

The room expanded, and I realized just how massive this place was, as hills and trees rose, alongside simulated terrain. From the walls, furry trolls that looked like a cross between the Yeti and someone's frozen snowman roared in defiance and charged. 

I gulped, and thought maybe this might not have been a good idea. 

:+:+:+:+:

A Mass Reality Warp happens on a scale never seen before. Spider-Man receives an alternate dimensional heroes memories.

Ugh ... Alaric really loved his privacy, he is just as paranoid as my dad, Aleksis complained in her head.
She would not be able to find this mansion on her own, because last night when she came here on Alaric's motorbike, it was very dark and she could not pay attention to her surroundings. This afternoon, too, they came out in a special car with dark tinted windows.
They did not talk to each other along the way. Aleksis thought Alaric would have preferred if Aleksis didn't talk to him in front of his men, so she chose to be quiet and only stroked her dog's back.
She calculated that it would take them about 15 minutes to arrive at the Continental Hotel. Hmm, she should be able to investigate Alaric's mansion's location by checking the places within a 15-min drive radius from the hotel.
Or ... she could also ask for a tracker from Carl or Sascha. She would then leave the tracker in this car and trace its location later.
With that thought in mind, Aleksis got out of the car and said goodbye to Alaric, "I'll go upstairs to pack my things. It will take a while though, do you want to wait in the lobby or come upstairs with me?"
If Alaric chose to go with her upstairs, Aleksis would have to think of an excuse on why she was staying in such a luxurious Continental Hotel penthouse ...
"There's no need. I'll go to my office and do something. You can meet me there later," Alaric said as he climbed out of the car.
"Okay..."
The two of them walked toward the elevator and entered together. Aleksis had to press the 50th-floor button when Alaric pressed the button corresponding to the 39th-floor. Aleksis couldn't let Alaric know that she was going to the highest floor.
Since the man kept his mansion's location a secret, Aleksis then would not tell him that she was actually staying in the penthouse.
"See you later ..." Alaric smiled sweetly. He then walked out of the elevator and headed to his office. Aleksis nodded. She exited on the 50th floor, in the hotel reception lobby, then re-entered the elevator and pressed the button for the 100th floor.
Three minutes later, she busied herself with stuffing some clothes, swimsuits, snorkel gear and books into her bag.
For a moment she was stunned, remembering that 8 years ago she also did the same, packing things like this to sail with Alaric. A smile slowly adorned her lips as she remembered their experience at that time. It was a very pleasant memory.
She unconsciously blushed, recalling that their first kiss was actually when Aleksis pretended to be drowning and Alaric had to give her a CPR.
So many things had happened during the past eight years, she thought. Alaric did many terrible things for his revenge, while Aleksis grew up trying to find him ...
The girl bit her lip and tried to think of how she could touch Alaric's heart and change his mind.
No matter what, she must succeed. Once she succeeded in convincing Alaric to correct his ways, then she would take him home and have him meet her family.
Aleksis knew she might have to work very hard, but given how she had looked for Alaric for years, she would not give up without a try. She would do her best to change his heart.
***
Alaric was sitting at his desk facing the stack of papers in front of him. Before him was Pavel with his arms folded across his chest while delivering his report.
"Ms. Aleksis is enrolled at St. Mary University and she'll be attending there starting this month. She is a transfer student. From the information I received, she was able to enter in the middle of the semester due to Kurt Van Der Ven's influence. That person is the CEO of the Schneider Group. She was referred to as Kurt Van Der Ven's niece, his sister's daughter, but because I cannot find information about this so-called sister, I suspect that she is actually his illegitimate daughter..."
"Hmm… Kurt Van Der Ven's illegitimate child?" Alaric asked, so quietly, as if he was speaking to himself. He remembered Aleksis saying her father was working for the Schneider Group. Maybe she was really the daughter of Schneider Group's CEO.
This would explain why Aleksis could stay at the Continental Hotel despite her shabby appearance. She was probably really an illegitimate child and she was hidden by the family, so she was not used to looking rich.
Now he could guess why Aleksis had two fathers. Maybe her biological father was Van Der Ven, and because Aleksis was born out of wedlock, she was taken care of by others.  This must be why she was calling her Uncle Rory her godfather.
Hmm ... Aleksis unexpectedly have a complicated life, he thought.
Alaric doesn't care if Aleksis was an illegitimate daughter, or if her taste in fashion was bad. He liked the girl for her intelligence and very open nature. He also liked her because she accepted him as he was ...
Alaric remembered that Aleksis went to her hotel room to get clothes ... Ah, wouldn't that be a futile act considering how her clothes were all shabby and ugly?
It would be better if Alaric brought her to shop for clothes. He could provide insights to the girl and with that, her bad taste in fashion should improve a little...
He was about to ask Pavel to contact a famous boutique to close down their shop so he could bring Aleksis there when a sudden knock rang from the door to his office.
Aleksis opened the door and entered while carrying a luxurious duffel bag filled with her belongings. Alaric was surprised to see the girl walking in gracefully. She was wearing a very fashionable and expensive outfit, looking glamorous from head to toe.
Is this really Aleksis? He was astonished.
The girl looked very happy upon seeing Alaric's reaction. She deliberately wore a short dress that accentuated her figure. The pair of fancy sandals on her feet that had precious stones on them was one of the only 3 pairs ever produced in the world. She did not want to look old-fashioned and shabby in front of this man who had stolen her heart.
Her blue-green eyes seemed to glow with joy and her beautiful face was now framed by her beautiful honey-colored hair. Aleksis was truly the most beautiful woman Alaric had ever seen in his entire (long) life.
Aleksis' sweet smile enchanted Alaric. The girl intentionally looked her best today. She wanted to make sure Alaric would not glance at other girls again after seeing her in her beautiful, stunning, original appearance.
"You ... you're so beautiful ..." Alaric murmured in a deep voice. He swallowed hard and tried to keep his cool. 
Initially, he really thought Aleksis had a bad taste in fashion ... But now he was starting to suspect that she was hiding her beauty for some reason.
He could not help the turmoil in his chest which immediately felt tight because he was fascinated by his woman's breathtaking beauty.


*How do immortals live in the modern world? One had been walking the earth for 438 years without ever falling in love. The other one couldn't get over the only woman he loved, even after 100 years.

**What happen when an immortal didn't know he was immortal? After living for almost a century, he still looked like he was 25. So, he thought maybe... maybe he was a freak, a victim of human experimentation during Hitler's time. Growing up, he came to hate humans and their fondness for war and destroying nature. He swore to one day rule the world and decide on which humans got to live. In his book, 'only the good, the strong and the intelligent should live'.

***The wealthiest tycoon was an immortal who was raised in the ivory tower by his overprotective parents. One day he decided to go undercover as poor photographer to make friends with regular people. Alas! Scheming people tricked him to sleep with the most notorious golddiger in Berlin whose only goal in life was to marry a wealthy and powerful man. When she was pregnant with his child, the undercover tycoon wanted to take responsibility but still pretending to be poor. Will he finally let her know that he was wealthy? Why was she so adamant to marry a wealthy and powerful man?

THIS BOOK HAS 3 DIFFERENT STORIES. They are connected, but you can read them as standalone.

1. The Alchemist
2. Aleksis & Prince Siegfried
3. Secret Identity


Volume 1 has fluffy romance, Volume 2 has action/adventure, Volume 3 has comedy, and Volume 4 is a revenge/redemption drama.

#modernfantasy #alchemist #alchemy #immortalmortal #immortals #fantasy #romance #slice-of-life #sci-fi #action #adventure #secret-identity #comedy #travel #trivia #contemporary #billionaires #mystery

The Xavier Institute.

Ben let out an appreciative whistle as Will Brown's old Plymouth pulled up in front of the Xavier Institute. "Nice place." He had spoken with the Brown's yesterday and let them know he found an opportunity for teaching at the Xavier Mansion. The Brown's were part worried and excited for Ben, he hated to just up and leave them after only staying for a few weeks. They were good people and he liked knowing them, but the truth was he couldn't stay with them. He was a crime fighting vigilante, he would end up bringing them more harm than good. 

Will Brown nodded in agreement. Then he gave Ben a wry smile. "And before you ask, I don't think anyone in Bayville knows much about this place. I know a little more than most. The place was built in the 1890's and except for a few years after Brian Xavier was killed it's been in the Xavier family ever since."

"Sounds to me you know quite a bit about this place." Ben smirked.

Will shook his head. "Just that when I was growing up, there were whispers about how Kurt Marko had married Xavier's widow for her money and that he beat his son for bullying his stepbrother. Apparently he was afraid Cain would kill his chances with the golden goose. Cain Marko is a case study on how to make a kid mean as hell. I got into a few fights with him myself and I could tell even then there was something wrong in that house. Cain was mean in a fight but if you beat him... He just had a look that no kid should have in his eyes." Brown shrugged. "Anyway, Kurt Marko died about nine years later and after he died, people just wanted to forget about this place. Bayville was a whole lot smaller the last time this place hosted anything you'd call a social event. And that; my boy, was a celebration of the birth of your new employer." 

He shook himself. "Anyway, I think I've spent enough time spreading old gossip. Just remember, Hannah still expects to see you for supper on Friday come hell or high water."

Ben grinned at that. "I'll be there."

"Good! Now then Mister Reilly, be off with ya! For I expect you've got a busy day ahead."

Before he went into the mansion Ben took out his Scarlet Spider mask and hastily put it on. His spider sense didn't warn him of being observed so he was fairly sure his face hadn't been seen.

Will was right, it was a busy day. Aside from the small matter of moving into the mansion, there was the paperwork to be filed in Xavier's office. Then there was a physical in Doctor McCoy's office, with his mask on of course. Although he liked Xavier's little band of misfits, because let's face it if Ben was going to belong anywhere here was probably the only place he would ever find. But it wasn't really only his identity he was protecting. If he guessed correctly Peter was either finding his way here or was already in Bayville. Either way, Peter's identity was on the line, which means Aunt May and MJ would be in danger, if somebody seen his face it wouldn't be too long before they put two and two together. 

'Beast' hadn't been able to confirm if Ben was indeed a clone. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know the answer to that question really. Doctor McCoy said he would need a sample of tissue from the 'Original' as I called him, but Ben didn't plan on bothering Peter if at all possible.

Then came his first trip to what they called the 'Danger Room'. They ran a simple introductory program designed to gauge his abilities. A course complete with moving obstacles, trap doors, projectile weapons and lasers...

"Wow! Look at him go!" Spyke exclaimed as most of the students had insisted on squeezing into the observation room to watch.

Logan grunted something about beginners luck, but still watched with an apprising eye as Ben went through the obstacle course. The mutants watched as Ben completed the course with a reverse somersault and a perfect two point landing.

"Damn showoff..." Logan growled as he turned the program off but his tone wasn't really ridiculing. 

"Oh come on Badger!" The newly reinstated Tabby teased. "You'da docked him points if he hadn't stuck the landing." It had not been easy for her to leave the Brotherhood. She cared a lot about those guys. But hearing what Ben said about why he had been fighting crime she had realized she was on the other side of what he fought against and she didn't like that. Although for the moment her barriers were still up between the Xavier's students she felt this place was possibly the better option. She wished that she could have convinced some of them to join her when she left but there was still some mistrust between the Brotherhood house and here. Tabby admitted there was some justification in their reasoning, the Brotherhood students were looked down upon by the others as the unsavory dregs, but she was wondering if they would still be treated like that if they gave Xavier's school a chance. But Tabby wanted to be part of the team again and just maybe she could work on getting some of those walls down. In the meantime, she had a little bit of mischief to perform.

"By the way... Rogue?" I was supposed to show Ben around but I just realized I've got a mountain of studying to do so if you could fill in for me? I really need to crack the books."

"But Tabby..." Kitty started to object before Rogue could speak. Tabby had volunteered to play tour guide that morning before Kitty had a chance.

"Oh! Thanks for offering to help me study Kitty! You're a great friend you know that?" Pushing Kitty out of the room before anyone could say a word. "I'll be there in a minute Kitty!"

Rogue blinked as Ben walked out of the 'Danger Room' peeling up his mask just above his nose. "How was that?" He asked.

"Amazing!" Jamie declared.

"Wunderbar!" Kurt exclaimed.

"Not bad for someone working the lowest level." Logan declared as Storm and Beast looked at him with amusement.

"That was solid!" Boom Boom declared grinning. "Oh! Rogue! Thanks for agreeing to show Ben around for me! Gotta run!" She left before either Rogue or Ben could say a word. Ben looked at Rogue curiously as Xavier stifled a laugh.

"That was a most impressive display Mr. Riley. Rogue? If you would be so kind to give Ben that tour now, I and the senior instructors have a few things to discuss. Scott... Jean... If the two of you would remain with us?" The other students recognized their dismissal and filed out of the observation room. Ben gestured to a somewhat embarrassed Rogue.

"I guess I'm all yours..." Ben told his reluctant guide.

Rogue's blush deepened. Tabby... Ah swear Ah'm gonna kill you...

Xavier leaned back in his chair thoughtfully.

"His natural skills are considerable." Hank said impressed.

"Yeah but the kid's still a loner." Logan replied.

"He wouldn't be alone in that now would he?" Storm pointed out knowing full well that Wolverine was similar in that regard.

"The question arises as how best to train him." Xavier said.

"I have a suggestion Professor." Jean said a bit hesitantly.

"Yes?"

"I think that this gives us the opportunity to address the advancement of several of the New Mutants. I think we should form a second team of X-men. I would suggest Storm as team leader and myself as second in command. We'll take Rogue and Mr. Riley along with say three of the most capable New Mutants and train them as a team together."

Xavier nodded. "Storm?"

Ororo nodded. "That is a logical idea. It least affects the effectiveness of the main team and makes best use of our available resources."

Xavier silently agreed with the suggestion. "In that case we need to decide which New Mutants to promote..."

Downtown Bayville

Peter surveyed the city skyline as he prepared for his first spin around Bayville. He didn't know whether he would run into this Spider so soon or not but he needed to get a feel for the city and there were photos to shoot at any rate. Something he could sell JJ and keep his backing up until he could get to the bottom of things.

The City was large enough not too extremely different than Manhattan, it would make a decent choice as an alternate city to protect. Peter kind of looked forward to investigating a new place, although he loved New York he wouldn't mind seeing a few different sights in a different city.

Mira Gohan is reborn in his own body in an AU world called OverWorld. Read Aux chapter to get basic idea.

*May contain different Characters from different timelines.*

Selecting load out #1, Kurt felt light move across his body as his outfit was reconstructed by the game.  A quick glance showing the unassuming, and rather boring outfit of a working professional.  The scalpel ready whenever he needed it.

Stretching his neck, hearing the bones crack, Kurt looked at the red room's transported.  Feeling a bit lazy he had to coax himself towards it.  Telling himself "Nothing to it, but to do it, so lets go get it." As he stepped into the transporter, Kurt started beating his chest, yelling like he used to before a mission, working to amp himself up for the upcoming fight. 

His blood boiling, he was ready, and in a flash of light, he was gone from the red room, teleporting instantly to the forested Riverside Campground location.  The teleportation ring located right next to the fire pit in front of the admin log cabin, near campsites #7 and #19. He hadn't been here since he was a noob on a collection quest that fed directly into an escort mission. The perfect location really for a bunch of players to get together and sell their weapons and crafts. 

Kurt may have been a player killer, but he wasn't impulsively stupid, you didn't get to be one of the best if you didn't take certain precautionary measures.  The first precaution he took was to ring the spawn location with the proximity and claymore mines he had brought with him.  Once things got going, he would have a short window before the player verse player specialists arrived, and while he was confident he would come out OK, preparation was half the battle. This would act as a nasty surprise for the boys and would give him a few extra minutes to play.

The next precaution he took was changing his own spawn point, manually selecting away from the incoming portal location, and choosing the fire pit in campsite #7.  It would keep him out of their line of sight in case he was sent to respawn, while remaining close enough that he could rejoin the fight without getting spawn camped, and placing it inside the ring prevented other people from seeing it, unless they literally walked up and looked in. 




Satisfied with the traps he had laid, Kurt began walking down the hill, seeing the wooden palisade that marked the player bazaar.  Somebodies special construction that they had taken the time and effort to build and design.  Kurt had a begrudging respect for that sort of thing, people who could create always inspired him. With a smile on his face, Kurt walked down the hill towards the bazaar, anxious to get ready. 

A mean looking guard stood watch at the entrance, a wide opening allowing multiple people to come in and out as they pleased.  By the quality of his gear, Kurt would guess his level to be in the low 100's.  For many that alone would be a deterrent against starting anything, but Kurt wasn't most people.  In "Seven Cities Online" your level wasn't displayed for everyone to see, actually almost nothing was available to see unless you were at an interface to check stats, gear, load-outs, etc. Something he preferred, there was something distracting and annoying about pop up notifications in a full immersion video game. 





Walking through the gate, Kurt was surprised by how packed the place was.  A large sign written in white and blue lettering on the side of the wall reading "Blue Dutchman Trading Group".  He actually had to squeeze by and through players as he pretended to check out the various shop wares.  

"Ah fuck it." He thought as he got into a routine, moving giving casual greetings to random players, buying bits and pieces of items and cosmetics as he went.  In this game at least he was rich and could be whatever, it also helped to give him free range to just watch and look.  All in all he counted 3 guards, though didn't dismiss the possibility of plain clothes or hidden security. 

Overall though, he was doubtful that was the case.  These were mostly lower level players, the 2nd guard was in the upper double digits, and a 3rd guard sat on the prone on top of the building scanning the surrounding valley for threats through the lens of his rifle. 

"Him first." Thought Kurt, not yet wanting to draw attention to himself as he headed over to the shop nearest the sniper.  As he looked through this shops wares, he saw a number of caltropes, barbed wire, constantina wire, and other items meant for defending a player home. Kurt had the perfect spot for them as he bought them all and thanked the vendor as he snuck past.  Using the built in invisibility function of his outfit to remain hidden in place sight, looking for the perfect opportunity to climb up the ladder, gaining roof access, and getting rid of the sniper. Three to one odds were always best when one died early. 

At the end of the world, Daniel was given a chance to go back in time to the very beginning of the apocalypse. To use his knowledge and abilities to ensure the survival of humanity.

Security garrison, interrogation room.
The group of ambushers were locked up in isolation.
Statement records were placed on the table outside, and with Tyrese's permission, Kieran went through the papers carefully.
Five minutes later, Kieran looked up at Tyrese.
"Palreynold discovered them accidentally? Do you believe it?" Kieran asked.
"I don't, but based on the investigations we carried out at the scene, they weren't lying." Tyrese shook his head and showed doubts on his face.
"Of course, they weren't lying. However, Palreynold was attacked and landed in front of them, I want to know who attacked Palreynold and why," Kieran said.
"I have no idea, I've tried my best to deduce but nothing came up to explain the situation." Tyrese bitterly smiled and shook his head again.
Kieran didn't answer. He stared at the professor for a second before the latter conceded with his hands up.
"Fine, there is one explanation, but I myself don't even believe it, so…"
"When there is one answer left, no matter how unbelievable it is, it is the true answer. Palreynold isn't paying me a visit here!
"We never fought face to face before, but because of the pieces of information I leaked, he must hate me a lot and is here to take revenge. The one who attacked Palreynold obviously didn't want me to get hurt, but the person responsible doesn't bear good intentions either.
"The person may think that me living could garner more attention here, just as we are doing right now!" Kieran interrupted Tyrese and at the same time locked onto a guard in the interrogation room. Before the guard could react, Kieran landed a kick on his chest.
Bang!
The guard crashed into the wall after the kick. All the bones in his body cracked; his widened eyes were filled with confusion, having no idea how Kieran found out it was him.
It was easy.
He was so close to Kieran and the malicious intent in his gaze so obvious, it was like telling Kieran to his face that the guard was here to kill him.
Of course, there was another point.
"The interrogation process was too fast. Since these guys were here to ambush their targets, they must have been handpicked. Perhaps not all of them would sacrifice themselves for the cause, but it can't be that each of them is a coward.
"There was no pressure in the questioning, their struggles more like they were for show, and they spilled everything so honestly… It made me think, 'are they incited to do this, just to lure me here?'.
"So other than the guard who carried out the interrogation, who would be the most suspicious? Throughout the process, these guys gave their best effort to not look at you. Isn't that weird? How could the interrogated not look at the interrogator? It didn't make any sense." Kieran explained slowly as he looked at the confused guard.
His explanation wasn't for the guard or Tyrese, despite sounding like it was for the professor.
The professor looked at the fallen guard and felt embarrassed.
Earlier, Tyrese had promised Kieran that the guards were all Principal Romuse's direct subordinates, they were all clean.
"2567, I…"
Kak, Kak Kak.
The professor wanted to explain, but before he could, the cuffs on the ambushers automatically unlocked, allowing them to jump on Kieran like hungry tigers.
Then…
Bang Bng Bang!
Kicking images that could cloud the sky bloomed like blossoms, and after the heavy thuds, all the ambushers who threw themselves at Kieran were sent flying backwards faster than they came.
"I think you should notify Principal Romuse about what happened here and also check the internal staff members. I will check their bodies for more clues," Kieran said as he walked towards the dead bodies of the ambushers. He looked like he was searching for clues but only he himself knew what he was looking for.
"Okay!"
Rapid changes occurred in a short period of time; with Kieran purposely pushing the initiative from one side to the other, the weight of the standing changed. The professor didn't notice anything weird as he nodded and ran outside.
Kieran heard the professor leave in a hurry. His expression didn't change as he checked the body before him; the scene entered Romuse's sight through a special transmission signal.
In fact, since Kieran was brought to the security garrison, Romuse's attention was wholly focused on him.
"A living 2567 attracts more attention, eh? He really does; at least, a part of mine is attracted. Well then, who else longs for my attention?"
A name suddenly popped up in Romuse's mind. The principal took a deep breath, not wanting to believe it, but it was the most reasonable answer.
"Principal?"
The record officer, Mori, looked at Romuse with worried eyes.
"Don't worry, my heart is weak but not that weak. Deal with Tyrese when he comes; I'll be back soon."
The principal then stood up from his chair.
"Noted. Please… be careful!" Mori reminded the principal again.
"I will. Let's hope he won't put me in a difficult position."
A sigh later, the principal vanished from the room, and another sigh sounded.
Mori raised his right hand to look at the little dandelion-like bonsai plant the size of his little finger. The little plant wasn't as calm and still as usual, for it was actually twitching violently.
No one understood the meaning of the violent twitches more than Mori: the principal lied.
The principal wasn't as ok as he claimed. Deep down in his heart, there was indescribable anger.
"Hope all is well." Mori prayed for the best, but sometimes, prayers go against reality.
A moment after the prayers subsided…
KABOOM!
A loud explosion went off and shook the entire E Block. All the buildings trembled, and even the firm ground got torn apart like fragile plastic wrap.
Mori was shocked when he felt the concussion. He closed his eyes, and his face showed helplessness and bitterness.
"This is the end."
…
Kieran squinted his eyes when he felt the shaking ground.
The explosion was clear in his ears, and the aura that burst out from that was also within his expectations. It was from Principal Romuse and Professor Smith.
"I guess Smith is up to no good, and Romuse caught him red-handed."
When Kieran arrived in the garrison, he noticed the place was put under heavy surveillance and that the cameras moved according to his movements.
It was obvious that he was placed under some kind of surveillance.
Kieran couldn't tell for sure whether or not Principal Romuse authorized the watch; nevertheless, it didn't stop him from carrying out his plan.
From the conversation with Smith, he knew Smith had some ulterior motives.
Although unable to pierce his thoughts, Kieran could provide a 'chance' for Smith.
For example: create a chance for Smith by garnering all the attention on himself.
At first, Kieran was still figuring out how to do it without being too exposed, but when the Ryde Family attacked him, they coincidentally provided him with an opening; hence, Kieran chose them without a second thought.
Of course, what he said about his love for food and the Ryde Family attacking him first was the truth.
The plan worked perfectly and even better than expected.
Smith seized the 'chance' without even cautioning.
Kieran was rather surprised at Smith's eagerness. He was also similarly surprised by the explosive battle aura from both of them.
"IV - V? No, no, their true power should be higher than that." Kieran was very certain.
He could feel that Principal Romuse was holding back his power in order to keep Theorate in one piece, and so was Smith, but unlike the former, he wasn't worried about destroying the school.
Kieran could tell Principal Romuse was preventing Smith from unleashing his full power repeatedly.
After thinking for a while and feeling the battle aura go away, Kieran took a deep breath.
They ended with a draw, and Smith left, traveling quite the distance within a second.
Kieran still had no idea what Smith was up to, but he was sure Smith would not give up just like that.
Therefore, before Smith returned, he should quickly solve his own problems, despite being investigated in the garrison.
So what?
He had a certain 'reliable' and 'undying' subordinate.
…
Kurt's Lab was located west of the 5th year teaching building.
Although in Theorate's syllabus, the students were to spend more time learning about expeditions and combat in the Mystic State, classrooms and labs were still available for them.
Most of the time the classrooms were empty; however, Kurt's lab was different.
The lab was filled with people all the time, today included.
Some could say today was the busiest day ever, as even the person in charge, Professor Kurt, arrived in his lab.
However, if Professor Kurt had a choice, he would rather stay away because he was only in charge in name, the kind of person who would take a handsome pay every month and didn't need to do anything or care about anything.
As for the identity of the true owner of the lab? The Ryde Family!
It was no secret in the lab, and it was also why Professor Kurt appeared.
Leo Ryde and Morphen Ryde were dead
Unlike Oliford Ryde, who died of an unknown cause, the two of them were murdered, and the culprit was obvious.
2567, the alleged strongest First Seat.
But… so what?
The principal would not allow the Ryde Family to have their way; maintaining the current situation was already the best proof of the principal's patience.
However, once the line was crossed…
Professor Kurt couldn't help but shiver at the thought.
As a professor of the school, he knew how inhumanly powerful the principal could be.
Compared to that powerhouse, how small was Professor Kurt?
Therefore, after he arrived at the lab, which was filled with the subsidiary members of the Ryde Family, he acted dumb, kept quiet, brushed them off with excuses, and stalled them with trivial stuff.
The people had a limit to their patience though.
"Professor Kurt, we hoped that you could help us," said one of the members, who was the assistant of the lab.
"Help? How? By confronting Romuse?" Kurt laid his hands open.
"You don't need to face the principal directly. We just need you to appear before the principal in a timely manner, and then we will take care of the rest," the assistant said in a euphoric manner.
"How is that different from suicide? Don't take Romuse for a fool! Or are you people treating me as one?!" Kurt chuckled in disdain, unmoved.
After that, he stood up, intending to leave; there was no reason for him to stay anymore.
The members of the Ryde Family obviously wanted to send him to his death. Kurt himself only wanted to earn some extra cash, not die for some cause. Why would he go along with the crowd's suggestion?
"Professor Kurt, don't forget our deal! Your duty is to help us!" the assistant argued.
"The deal also stated that I have the right to reject!"
Kurt walked out without even turning back.
At the same time…
KABOOM!
A loud explosion sounded; the land trembled.
The sudden concussion shook everyone and captivated their attention, Kurt included.
Everyone turned towards the direction of the explosion; thus, no one noticed the figure that suddenly appeared in the dark.
Kurt finally noticed when the figure jumped on him.
"Who the hell?!" Kurt shouted and dashed forward, trying to ditch the ambusher, but Kurt obviously underestimated Bloody Mary's speed.
Before he could even take the first step, Bloody Mary's arm already pierced through his chest. After Kurt's shout, the other occupants of the lab realized what happened to him.
"Palreynold?!"
They looked at Kurt, who was in a puddle of his own blood, and 'Palreynold', whose hand was bloody.
"What are you doing? The Ryde Family has no conflict with the Sil Inner Sect!" the assistant shouted.
"No, we didn't have conflict before, but we do now! 2567 is our target, how dare you people touch him! Are we, the Sil Inner Sect, dead to you? I am here to teach you people a lesson about the rules around here!"
Bloody Mary chuckled coldly and charged towards the crowd like a gale, its hand like a sharp blade that was wielded in a flurry. Blood splashed, and bodies piled up.
The battle wasn't covered up so attention was garnered quickly.
Before anyone entered the lab, Bloody Mary was long gone, leaving behind a 'controlled' scene.
The news of the Sil Inner Sect assaulting Kurt's lab spread while everyone was still shocked by the battle between Romuse and Smith.
Ude, who was paying attention to the Sil Inner Sect's movements, got the news first hand.
He sent his men to verify the news before he took out a special-tuned communicator and contacted everyone within the Sil Sect.
There was to be war against the Ryde Family!


Welcome to a virtual underground game with no protection, full of lurking players who seek survival, power, and fortune. Kieran chose to enter this VRMMORPG game without hesitation, because he knew this was the only way for him to escape death’s grasp. Can he escape death in real life though, or will he end up dying inside the game? 

Six cultivators encircled the huge beast.
The sound attack that the elephant had unleashed was only able to push them back and could not cause any injury.
From his position at a few hundreds of meters away from the battle, Noah could guess the might of that attack.
'My eardrums would have exploded if I was there and the specialty of the Shrinking elephants is their strong body, the sound attacks are just a casual move. A rank 4 body is the minimum requirement to walk on this world.'
After that realization, his eagerness to increase his strength was even more powerful.
'I wonder how will they deal with it. Exhaustion?'
Since the hunters were only rank 2 cultivators, they didn't have attacks powerful enough to kill the beast in a few blows, a prolonged fight was obvious.
Once he had those thoughts though, the battle began.
Kurt jumped at the elephant and slammed his hammer on the head of the beast.
He was fast and the frame of the creature didn't allow it to avoid the blow, the hammer landed on its head and created a loud shockwave that resounded through the plain.
The elephant seemed to slightly suffer from the attack since it lowered its head due to the force of the impact, yet its eyes never closed, they remained fixed on the burly man that dared to challenge it in a physical fight.
It trumpeted again and forcefully swung its trunk toward Kurt.
The trunk was fast and heavy, the skin over it was as hard as steel, that body part was one of the best materials to create inscribed whips!
Kurt could not avoid the attack from his mid-air position and was hit on his ribs.
The power behind the blow was immense, it flung Kurt at tens of meters of distance, slamming him on the ground where he created a pit with the impact.
Kurt's attack could only make the beast budge a little while the elephant could thrash away the cultivator with just one strike!
The difference in strength was incredible!
As soon as Kurt was sent flying, attacks rained on the elephant, the other hunters weren't there just for show.
Two fire snakes coiled around the front legs of the beast, scorching the skin on them and hindering its movements.
Newton took Kurt's position and dealt with the head of the beast, repeatedly slamming his stick on it to prevent it from attacking.
Hazel and Vic managed the rear side, furiously attacking the joints of the elephant with piercing blows that cut its skin and made it bleed.
Under the full offensive of five cultivators, the rank 4 creature was forced to stay still and deal with the attackers.
It swung its head madly, using its tusks and trunk to pressure Newton.
However, Newton was experienced and showed an incredible dexterity when he swung his weapon.
His stick seemed to release explosions every time it clashed with the beast's body, slowing the elephant in its struggles to escape the encirclement.
Yet, he alone wasn't enough to hold the beast still, he was slowly being pushed back after each clash.
At that moment, Kurt rose from the pit that he had created.
There was a big bruise on his torso and traces of blood were present on the sides of his mouth, yet his eyes shone with the fire of passion, he seemed really excited to fight such a strong beast.
'Don't tell me that he is also a maniac?'
That detail couldn't escape Noah's observation, he was carefully inspecting everything that was happening in front of him after all.
Kurt shot toward the creature, forty meters were crossed in an instant and he jumped again when he was close enough with the elephant.
His hammer found again the head of the beast but there was no retaliation from its side at that time.
Under the joint assault of all six of them, the rank 4 beast could no longer attack and was forced in a passive state, continuously suffering injuries over time.
It couldn't be helped, the hunters were using their stronger methods and good teamwork to deal with each side of the elephant.
Kurt and Newton managed the front side, unleashing strong blows empowered with their respective spells.
The two sisters, Ada and Ella, were restricting its movements, using their spells to continuously burn the legs of the beast.
Hazel and Vic were weaker than the others, but Hazel could easily pierce its skin with her weapons and her spells allowed her attacks to stab deeply in the beast's flesh.
Vic struggled to inflict some serious damage but he never slowed his offensive, even if he could not be as incisive as his companions, he did his best to hinder the beast's retreat.
Little by little, wounds accumulated on the body of the elephant, it seemed that it wouldn't take long for the battle to end.
Nevertheless, all living beings had an innate survival instinct.
The Shrinking elephant knew that if it remained in that situation, it would ultimately die.
It decided that it had to escape.
"It's going to charge!"
Ada shouted seeing that the elephant was gathering its strength on its legs.
An even stronger cry sounded in the plain, signaling the will to survive of the beast.
The ground trembled and the hunters had to momentarily stop their offensive to endure the sound attack.
In that moment of silence, the elephant charged ahead, its heavy steps shook the terrain and created deep holes in the ground.
Yet, Newton and Kurt were still in front of it, they had to be removed if the beast wanted to escape.
Newton and Kurt were in that position not only because their abilities were suited for close combat but also because they were the strongest of the six!
Newton slammed on the terrain as the beast became closer
The ground morphed and small golems rose from the ground to slow down the charge of the elephant.
As the elephant destroyed them in its advance, the golems exploded and released a torrent of sharp rocks on the beast, further injuring its flesh.
Kurt jumped again and his hammer shone as it slammed for the third time on the beast's head.
That last strike finally stopped the charge, the beast could not withstand that blow and crashed on the ground, kneeling in front of the hunters!

"So, that's how my life ends, what a waste of time it was...". 
These were the last thoughts of a young man, shot by accident in a fight between local gangs. Little did he know that he would soon wake up in another world, a world of cultivation! 
This is the story of the whoreson of a wealthy family, of a transmigrator that had no purpose in his previous life, of a demon that will make power his reason to keep on living.
Noah Balvan, after he transmigrated, will have to fight against his social status and the many difficulties of the world he was reborn in to obtain the power to stand free in the sky above anyone!
Discord link: https://discord.gg/CNh28NP
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