Krad stared at Hanan, who was still sitting on the ground, without a second thought, he stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Let me help you." he said firmly but gently.
Drugo took a threatening step again, "Stop!" he said coldly. "Your presence, your aura... It's not normal."
Hanan suddenly took Krad's hand, "Drugo, wait!" She gasped, her eyes flicking from Krad's bound form to Drugo's tense stance. "You're overreacting!"
Drugo didn't budge. "He reeks of magic. His essence has changed."
Hanan's gaze locked onto Krad's golden eyes, realization dawning upon her. She stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Drugo's shoulder. "It's him. It's really him, Drugo."
Drugo didn't move for a long moment. Then, with a reluctant sigh, he flicked his wrist. The roots uncoiled from Krad's limbs.
Krad groaned, rubbing his sore wrists. "Gods, you elves have some serious trust issues."
Drugo shot him a glare. "You're lucky I didn't kill you on the spot."
"Gee," Krad muttered. "Now, does someone want to explain why I suddenly look like I belong in a high-fantasy fashion magazine?"
Hanan crossed her arms. "It's the Moon Eater's mark. It's awakened inside you."
Krad blinked. "The what now?"
"The Bakunawa's power," she clarified. "The one you tapped into back in the forest. It's reshaped you body and soul. You're no longer human, Master Krad. You're an Elf of the Moonlight Veil."
Krad's stomach twisted. "You're kidding."
Hanan shook her head. "And that's not all. That transformation… it wasn't just an accident."
Drugo's voice was grave. "It means the past is repeating itself. The return of the Moon Eater heralds a war."
Krad's pulse pounded in his ears.
"War? With who?"
Drugo's emerald eyes darkened.
"The Gods themselves."
Krad felt his heart drop. "The Gods?"
Hanan nodded grimly. "The Thirteen Gods. The ones who turned Earth into this... game world."
The words struck him like a punch to the gut. "Wait, what are you talking about? Earth was transformed? By gods?"
Drugo's eyes narrowed. "Thirteen divine beings, once revered by humanity and mythical creatures, came down. But they were not kind. They corrupted the very nature of things, adding a framework of rules, stats, and mechanics to our world. They referred to it as Dark System."
Krad's mind spun. He remembered the sudden flash of the screen before he was transported. The cryptic message promising power, wealth, and the fulfillment of the deepest desire.
"This whole world… it's not a game. It's Earth. Our Earth."
Hanan's voice was low, but steady. "Yes. The cities you once knew are gone. Landscapes have shifted. Kingdoms have risen and fallen under the Gods' influence. And the people? They were forced to adapt. To live by the system's laws. Or die."
Krad's stomach churned. "So people are... what? Just players now? Is everything just some sick form of entertainment to them?"
Drugo growled. "Entertainment. War. Worship. The Gods are never satisfied. They watch us struggle, rise, and fall. They pit us against monsters and against each other. And when the cycle grows dull, they reset the world, erasing entire civilizations without a second thought."
"That's insane." Krad shook his head. "Why would they do that?"
Hanan's silver eyes gleamed with sorrow. "Because they feed on it. The suffering. The triumph. Every ounce of human emotion fuels their power. They are eternal, and we are their endless game pieces."
Krad staggered back, his breathing shallow. He tried to make sense of it, but the pieces refused to fit.
"And the Moon Eater? What does that have to do with me?"
Drugo's voice was grim. "The Moon Eater Bakunawa was one of the creatures that ever dared to defy the Gods. It devoured the moon, swallowing light and leaving darkness in its wake. The Gods tried to kill it, but it was said to be unkillable. Instead, they sealed its essence within a mortal vessel."
Krad's throat tightened. "And you're saying that vessel is... me."
Hanan nodded solemnly. "The moment you used that power, the mark awakened. It has chosen you, Master Krad. The Moon Eater resides in you now because you're one of the Chosen, that's why the blackhole took you here in this realm."
"But I never agreed to this!" Krad's voice cracked. "I didn't ask to be some cosmic monster's reincarnation! I just clicked a stupid link!"
Drugo's glare softened, but only slightly. "No one gets a choice. The Gods manipulate fate to their liking. But fate has a cruel sense of irony. By choosing you, the Moon Eater has upset their balance."
Krad clenched his fists. "And what does that mean for me? Am I supposed to fight these gods now? With what? Elf ears and some glowing eyes?"
"You're more than that now, Master Krad," Hanan said. "The Moon Eater's power is vast, but untamed. If you learn to control it, you might become something the Gods fear."
"Or," Drugo added darkly, "it might consume you. The Moon Eater's hunger is eternal. It seeks destruction. If you falter, it will devour everything even your own soul."
A cold silence settled. Krad felt like the walls were closing in. Every instinct screamed at him to run, to reject this insane destiny. But deep down, something else stirred.
That same surge of power. That unrelenting heat in his veins.
He wasn't sure if it was the Moon Eater's influence or his own growing resolve, but one thing was clear.
He couldn't go back.
"Fine," Krad muttered, his voice low. "If the Gods want to treat us like toys, then maybe it's time to break their game."
Hanan's eyes widened. "You mean---"
"I'll learn to control this power," Krad interrupted. "But not to be their pawn. I'll use it to end this nightmare. Whatever it takes."
Drugo narrowed his eyes, but there was a flicker of approval. "Big words for someone who are at Level 10."
Krad's eye twitched. "Level 10? Really? You're going to judge me by a number?"
Drugo smirked. "That number means everything. You may think your fancy elf body makes you special, but you're still a twig."
"Oh, shut up, Retired Tree Man."
The insult echoed through the air like a slap. Hanan gasped, visibly alarmed, but Krad was already too far gone. Drugo's smug expression vanished in an instant, replaced by sheer indignation. His fists clenched, the ground beneath them rumbling in response to his anger. The thick roots along the walls twitched, as though eager to lash out.
"What did you just call me?" Drugo's voice was dangerously low, his eyes gleaming with a green, primal fury.
"You heard me, Retired Tree Man!" Krad jabbed a finger at him. "All you do is throw roots and talk like you're some ancient forest guardian."
Hanan quickly stepped between them, panic flaring across her face.
"Stop it! Both of you!"
But Drugo was already moving. The ground split apart as massive roots shot upward, writhing like serpents. They lunged toward Krad with terrifying speed.
"Oh, come on!" Krad barely managed to roll aside, the thick vines smashing into the floor where he stood just moments ago. The force cracked the stone tiles, sending dust and debris flying.
Krad scrambled to his feet, glaring at Drugo. "Seriously? Is this how retired tree man settle arguments? By launching tree tentacles at newbie?"
"Careful, elf boy," Drugo growled. "I may be retired from the battlefield, but I still remember how to crush pests."
"Retired because you lost, right?" Krad taunted, his breath ragged. "I bet a squirrel could've taken you down."
A furious roar erupted from Drugo. "You insolent---!"
The roots lashed out once more, but this time, Krad reacted faster using his Evade skill. A surge of energy flooded through his veins, instinctual, uncontrollable. He raised his hands, and without thinking, a shockwave of silver light burst from his palms. The vines recoiled violently, as if burned.
"What the---?" Krad stumbled back, staring at his own hands. His fingertips still crackled with the strange silver glow.
Drugo's eyes widened. "The Moon Eater's power..."
But before anyone could react further, a chilling sound echoed through the air.
Ding!
System Alert!
Player Conflict Detected!
Initiating Duel Mode in Restricted Zone.
Opponent: Drugo of the Elderwood
Rank: Master Class (Lv. 89)
Combat Mode Activated!
All abilities and skills unlocked.
Friendly Fire: Unable.
"What the hell?!" Krad yelped as a translucent timer appeared above their heads.
10...
Drugo cracked his knuckles, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "No more talking. Let's see if that sharp tongue of yours can keep you alive."
9...
Hanan grabbed Krad's arm, her voice frantic. "You have to cancel it! Say Decline Duel before the timer runs out!"
8...
"Decline? Are you kidding me? This lunatic started it!" Krad shot back, glaring at Drugo.
7...
"You provoked him!"
6...
"Yeah, but he's the one with tree rage!"
5...
Drugo slammed his fists together, the ground trembling beneath his feet. Vines snaked around him, glowing with raw power. "Better start praying, elf boy."
4...
Krad gritted his teeth. "Screw it."
3...
"I'm not backing down!"
2...
A grin tugged at Krad's lips. "Let's see what this Moon Eater power can really do."
1...
Duel Start!
The ground erupted beneath them as Drugo charged, a wall of roots and thorns spiraling toward Krad. But this time, he didn't flinch.
The Moon Eater's mark burned on his arms like a tattoo. The silver glow in his eyes flared.
"Come on, Tree Man. Let's dance."
"Enough."
A burst of shimmering purple light flooded the area, and in an instant, the massive roots froze mid-air, their twisted forms suspended like statues. The tension shattered as the roots crumbled into dust.
Krad stumbled, blinking through the haze. "What the---"
And then he saw her.
Emerging from the swirling light like a goddess descending from the heavens, the Elderwood leader stood in all her dazzling glory. Silken blond hair cascaded down her shoulders, her violet eyes shimmering with an otherworldly brilliance. She wore an elegant yet daring emerald dress that hugged her flawless figure, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her curves. Every graceful step she took seemed to echo through the air, commanding attention.
A literal elf bombshell.
"Miss Vice…" Hanan whispered, her cheeks flushed with both awe and embarrassment.
But Drugo?
Pfft.
The stoic, grumpy elf warrior, the so-called Master Class veteran, turned redder than a ripe tomato. His nostrils flared, his lips quivered, and then…
"GAH!"
A single drop of blood trickled from his nose.
Followed by another.
And another.
"W-What in the name of the Eldertree?!" Drugo staggered, desperately wiping his nose as if the act alone could salvage his pride. "This… this is just---"
"Oh no," Hanan mumbled. "Not again."
"Pfft--- 'Retired Tree Man' just malfunctioned," Krad snickered, covering his mouth.
But any sense of superiority Krad had vanished the moment Vice's gaze turned toward him.
Those violet eyes locked onto his, gleaming with curiosity and amusement. Her full, crimson lips curled into a faint smile.
Krad's body betrayed him.
His eyes turned to hearts.
And then came the drool.
"Hnnnnggh… Elf waifu…" Krad's jaw slackened, a stream of saliva unapologetically dripping from the corner of his mouth.
"By the Gods, he's worse!" Hanan shrieked.
Drugo, still struggling with his bloody nose, pointed at Krad. "You idiot! Control yourself!"
"I-I can't!" Krad's hands twitched as if he were resisting the urge to dive at Vice's two huge watermelon. "Look at her! She's like a limited-edition SSR waifu in a gacha banner! Her drop rate is basically zero!"
Vice tilted her head, clearly amused. "You must be Krad, the one who bears the Moon Eater's mark." Her melodic voice was like a symphony, further reducing Krad's brain cells to dust.
"Heh… heh… He called me Krad…" he babbled, his knees buckling.
Drugo slammed a hand on his face, visibly mortified. "I swear on the Elderwood, if he proposes on the spot, I'm burying him alive."
Vice, unfazed by the chaotic display, stepped closer to Krad. The scent of jasmine and moonlight surrounded her, making his heart flutter uncontrollably.
"Welcome to the Kubo Village," she purred. "But if you plan to duel my citizen in this village, I suggest you learn to withstand more than just… temptation."
Ding!
System Notification:
Miss Vice's Presence Nullifies Duel Mode.
Combat Temporarily Disabled
Reason: Extreme Simping Detected
"Oh, come on!" Drugo groaned. "His system has a simp detector?!"
Hanan simply buried her face in her hands. "We're doomed."