Should I really do this? Nolan thought. I’m not sure if I should. In my previous world, I was a nobody. In this world, I might also be a nobody if I don’t push forward. Do I even want to be somebody? Yes... I want to. I want to. His fists clenched tight.
Lucan’s eyes grew distant. "Luthar, my brother, was part of a cult. Their main goal is to destroy the world. Before I fought him, they had already begun their experiments, sacrificing humans and twisting them into something else. I still don’t know exactly what they were creating.
"When I finally confronted him, I wasn’t as strong as I used to be. We fought, and he won. He left me with this scar on my face." Lucan’s hand brushed the mark, his expression heavy. "After that, he went to the Empire. He needed powerful people to join his cult. That’s when he became the champion of the Empire’s arena."
Lucan’s voice lowered. "The previous hero was already dead, so didn’t join the hero party like I did. But now there is a hero. And the last challenger who stands in the tournament will face luthar. If that challenger loses to my brother Luthar, then the hero himself will be bound to him, forced to become his comrade. I am certain his true plan is to drag the hero into the cult."
Lucan looked directly at Nolan. "And I don’t believe there is anyone else capable of stopping him apart from you. No adventurer or warrior can defeat him. Not even me. Even if I fought in my werewolf form, I would not win. Because he too can transform into a werewolf."
"Is he really that powerful?" Nolan asked.
Lucan shook his head. "No, that’s not it. He’s powerful, yes. But if I were at my full strength, I could have defeated him. The problem is—I’m not. And right now, I don’t think there’s any adventurer alive who can truly beat him. There are a few who might stand a chance... someone like Alaric."
Nolan blinked. "What? Alaric? That flashy, beautiful guy? Are you saying he’s actually that strong?"
"Don’t be fooled by how he looks or how he acts," Lucan said firmly. "He’s strong, far stronger than most realize. But even if I asked him, it wouldn’t be possible. He’ll be a guest at the event—watching, just like the King of the Empire, his father, the King of Sindra, and all the other nobles. Alaric won’t be able to fight. He can’t go."
Nolan turned to Celia. She met his eyes and nodded. Then he looked at Linda; she nodded too. Finally, he looked at Lyra. She smiled faintly and said, "I’ll go."
"But..." Nolan hesitated. "If I win, I’m not going to accept the offer of joining the hero’s party."
"That’s fine by me," Lucan said with relief. "As long as you defeat Luthar."
Nolan’s brows furrowed. "But will I still receive the hundred million gold coins?"
Lucan’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Absolutely. Yes, you will."
"Just get prepared, because I’m going to go," Nolan said firmly. "Tell me the exact time the tournament will start. I’m not sure if the last one was in July or not."
Lucan nodded. "You’re right. But this time, the tournament starts in exactly seven days. Next week."
"That fast?" Nolan’s brows rose.
"There will be about five hundred challengers," Lucan explained.
"Five hundred?" Nolan asked in disbelief. "Does he really have to fight all of them?"
Lucan shook his head. "No. You don’t fight everyone. The weak ones will be eliminated quickly. Only the strongest will move forward to the next stage, and you’ll be one of them."
For a moment, Nolan fell silent, his thoughts drifting. Yeah... a nobody like me. But maybe this is what I’ve always wanted deep down.
He remembered his old life, the janitor’s uniform, the halls of the very school he graduated from, the laughter of students, even teachers who knew him. They mocked me. Looked down on me. Treated me like I was nothing.
But here, in this world, it was different.
His gaze hardened. In this world, I’ll carve my own path. I’ll leave a mark so deep no one will ever mock me again.
Nolan clenched his fists and raised one.
"Master, is anything wrong?" Linda asked softly as she stepped closer. Nolan had raised his hand high a moment ago, but now he lowered it slowly.
"No, no, it’s fine," Nolan replied, forcing a small smile. "I was just feeling pumped up. I wonder what the Empire will look like."
"Yeah," Linda said, her eyes bright with excitement. "I can’t wait to go on my first journey with you."
Nolan smiled at her. "Thank you. I appreciate you accepting my offer."
At that moment, Lucan bent his head toward Nolan. "Well, I think I should get going. I have other work to do."
"No, no. Raise your head," Nolan said quickly. "There’s no need to be this polite with me. You’re the Guild Master."
Lucan lifted his head, nodded, and turned to leave the compound.
As the gate closed behind him, Nolan’s eyes grew sharp. "Still... before I go to this tournament, I need to find the person who’s been trying to kill me. Whoever really wants me dead."
"Yes, you have to," Lyra said firmly. "It’s important. The person might even try to follow you to the Empire. But no matter what they attempt, they won’t succeed. You have companions. I’m sure they’ll be safe."
"Yeah," Nolan said with a low voice. His gaze drifted toward Linda and Celia. "They’re safe with me. Because I’ve placed a crest on them. That day I hugged them, they didn’t notice. It’s a skill. The crest will activate a shield if they’re in danger, if anyone tries to attack them or pierce them."
He leaned closer, his tone barely above a whisper as he finished, "They’ll be protected. Always."