Hitori’s eyes widened.
His body moved before his mind could even comprehend the danger.
Acting purely on instinct, he raised his hands in front of himself, feeling that dark energy violently pulsating through his arms.
Darkness condensed around his fingers and, in the next instant, five Black Spheres shot toward one of the beasts.
But something was different.
The spheres did not maintain their original shape.
In mid-flight, they spun rapidly, sharpening their edges until they transformed into cutting black discs.
SHRAAAK!
The five discs struck the creature one after another, tearing through its flesh with brutal precision.
The beast let out a desperate roar and collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony as dark blood stained the earth around it.
Kamero: “The spheres… hit it?”
He narrowed his eyes, observing more carefully.
Kamero: “No… wait. Those are discs?”
The Black Spheres had changed shape.
What had once been unstable masses of darkness now resembled sharp circular blades, spinning with enough force to tear apart the body of a magical beast.
Hitori looked at his own hands.
His fingers trembled.
Hitori: “Looks like it…”
His voice came out quietly, almost drowned out by his own confusion.
Kamero turned toward Hitori and noticed something even stranger.
His hands were wrapped in a kind of black mantle, as though darkness had adhered to his skin and moved like silent flames.
Kamero: “How did you do that?”
He pointed at his friend’s hands.
Kamero: “Your hands…”
Hitori lowered his gaze.
The black mantle pulsed slowly, matching his breathing.
His body felt lighter.
Faster.
Stronger.
But at the same time, it was frightening.
Hitori: “What’s happening to me…?”
Before anyone could answer, another beast charged at him.
Hitori was distracted.
The creature opened its enormous jaws and bit down violently on his body.
Kamero: “HITORI!”
Kamero immediately raised his hand, forming an ice spear between his fingers.
But before he could throw it—
Hitori: “Black Sphere…”
His voice came from inside the beast’s jaws.
Low.
Cold.
Hitori: “Cutting Disc.”
A black disc appeared beside the creature and spun at high speed.
The next moment, it passed through the beast’s body.
SHRAAAK!
The monster was cut in half.
The two halves of its body fell beside Hitori, spreading blood across the ground.
Kamero stood motionless.
Speechless.
Kamero: “Hitori…?”
Hitori staggered a step.
The beast’s bite had wounded him.
Blood flowed down his clothes, staining the torn fabric.
Kamero: “Hitori! Are you alright?!”
But there was no time to answer.
Only one beast remained.
The larger wolf.
And it was consumed by rage.
The mana around the creature became violently agitated.
The ground trembled beneath its paws as its body grew before their eyes.
Its fur darkened into a savage gray.
Its size doubled.
Its fangs grew larger.
Its claws lengthened like blades.
And in the center of its forehead, a strange mark appeared, glowing like a symbol of hatred.
Hitori took a deep breath.
The pain from the bite burned through his body, but his eyes remained fixed on the creature.
Hitori: “Kamero…”
Kamero: “What?”
Hitori tightened his grip on the black dagger.
Hitori: “Do you still have enough mana?”
Kamero frowned.
Kamero: “What are you talking about?”
Hitori: “It doesn’t have to last long.”
He took a step forward.
Hitori: “Just enough time for me to kill it.”
Kamero’s eyes widened.
Kamero: “You must be insane! How are you going to withstand that?!”
He shouted, pointing at Hitori’s bloodied body.
Kamero: “Yashina is the strongest among us and she ran out of mana fighting one of those things! You’re wounded, bleeding and—”
Hitori: “Kamero…”
His voice interrupted his friend’s desperation.
Even out of breath.
Even wounded.
Hitori looked at him firmly.
Hitori: “Trust me.”
Kamero clenched his teeth.
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then he slammed his hands against the ground.
Kamero: “Ice Barrier!”
A thick mass of ice rose around Kamero and Yashina, forming a solid and shining protection.
Hitori turned his attention back to the beast.
The gray wolf growled, saliva dripping between its fangs.
Hitori: “You want a piece of me, don’t you?”
He was breathing heavily.
Hitori: “I killed your friends…”
Darkness around his hands began to expand.
Hitori: “But you tried to kill mine first.”
Hitori stared at the remaining creature.
The darkness around him pulsed ominously.
Hitori: “Now it’s just me…”
Hitori: “And you, you damned beast.”
The creature growled violently.
Then it opened its mouth.
A powerful sonic howl exploded across the field.
Hitori raised his left arm.
Instantly, a shield of dark matter appeared in front of him, blocking the attack.
The impact drove his feet into the ground.
Even so, he endured it.
Without hesitation, Hitori moved his right hand.
The five Black Spheres appeared around him, spinning like tiny dark stars.
Hitori: “Go.”
The spheres deformed in the air, transforming once again into cutting discs.
Then they shot toward the beast.
The creature dodged with rapid movements, leaving gray trails across the field.
Some discs grazed its body.
Others cut through its skin.
Dark blood splattered onto the ground.
The beast answered with another howl.
Hitori covered his legs with dark matter and leaped out of range.
In the air, the discs split into small black needles that rained down upon the creature.
The beast was struck in multiple parts of its body.
Even wounded and bleeding, it continued charging.
Then it released such a piercing cry that the entire atmosphere seemed to tremble.
Immediately afterward, it charged again. This story is hosted at g.com.
Its fangs and claws collided against Hitori’s shield.
The impact almost knocked him down.
Hitori gritted his teeth.
At that same instant, the spheres orbiting his body began releasing black spikes.
The beast avoided most of them.
But some tore through its flesh.
Taking advantage of the opening, the creature unleashed another howl at point-blank range.
This time, Hitori could not completely avoid it.
The impact sliced part of his arms and face.
Blood slowly ran down his skin.
The two stared at each other.
The beast knew.
That attack had not been enough to kill him.
Hitori took a deep breath.
His vision was becoming heavy.
His mana was running out.
Even so, he gripped the black dagger.
And threw it.
The creature immediately dodged.
But that had only been a distraction.
The moment it moved its body—
Hitori appeared in front of it.
His arm had taken the shape of a gigantic black spear.
CRASH!!
The blow pierced through the beast’s head and hurled its body violently into the barn.
Wood exploded from the impact.
The creature collapsed, barely able to move.
But before dying—
It released one final howl.
The attack passed straight through Hitori.
Hitori: “It missed…?”
Then his eyes widened.
No.
He had never been the target.
The attack was heading directly toward Kamero and Yashina.
At that instant…
Time stopped.
Sound disappeared.
Dust remained suspended in the air.
Hitori had felt that sensation before.
That same strange feeling between consciousness and unconsciousness.
His body vanished.
And reappeared in front of his friends.
Then time resumed.
Even without understanding what had happened…
He knew what he had to do.
The five Black Spheres spun around him and merged into a single gigantic disc.
Hitori: “Black Barrier!”
The disc expanded in front of him like a dark shield.
The sonic howl struck the barrier with a brutal impact.
Kamero’s ice barrier shattered shortly afterward, completely cracking under the force of the attack.
Kamero’s eyes widened.
Kamero: “That’s impossible…”
He saw Hitori kneeling before them, his body covered in blood.
Far in the distance, the beast finally collapsed dead.
Yashina: “Hi…tori…”
Hitori looked back.
Kamero was alive.
Yashina too.
He had done it.
Everyone was alive.
Then his body became heavy.
The darkness around his hands began to dissipate.
His vision slowly darkened.
Hitori tried to remain standing, but his knees gave out.
His mana had reached its limit.
And he was about to lose consciousness.
???: “Well, well…”
???: “Who would’ve thought…”
???: “Someone defeated my toys…”
A figure emerged from the forest.
Kamero: “Who are you?”
He prepared himself to attack if necessary.
???: “Ah…”
???: “Interesting.”
???: “Very interesting.”
The mysterious man placed his hand on Hitori’s face.
Kamero: “Let him go!”
Kamero fired several ice spears.
???: “Be quiet!”
A huge mass of dark energy appeared before the mysterious man, destroying the spears.
Then, a hand made of dark energy threw Kamero backward.
Kamero: “Hitori, wake up!”
His body felt heavy, as if something was pinning him to the ground.
The man wore a black robe with red ornaments.
His face was disfigured.
He had no features.
Hitori: “Kamero…?”
Looking at the man before him, Hitori spoke weakly.
Hitori: “Who are you?”
???: “I am no one.”
???: “But you…”
He licked Hitori’s eyeball.
???: “Will become someone important for my purpose.”
???: “Seventh.”
At that moment, the mark that had appeared on the forehead of the beast slain by Hitori manifested on the left side of the boy’s face.
Aysa: “Get away from him!”
She threw her knives.
???: “There was still one more?”
He turned toward Aysa.
???: “We’ll meet again soon.”
The man began laughing as darkness covered the entire area.
???: “I can hardly wait…”
???: “To see your despair.”
???: “Your sweet despair.”
The darkness vanished.
And with it—
The mysterious man disappeared.
Aysa: “Who was that man?”
Kamero: “I don’t know…”
Kamero: “But I hope I never see him again.”
Hitori collapsed to the ground, the mark still visible on his face.
Aysa: “We need to take them to the infirmary in the city.”
Kamero: “You need treatment too.”
Aysa: “All of us do.”
Three days passed, and everyone recovered from their injuries and was discharged from the infirmary.
Kamero: “You really don’t remember anything?”
Hitori: “Only up to the part where the wolf attacks you and Yashina.”
Hitori: “After that, everything went dark.”
Aysa looked toward Kamero.
Aysa: “What’s worse is that we didn’t get anything from that mission.”
Aysa: “Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka from the farm were already dead when we arrived.”
Yashina: “But we didn’t see their bodies there.”
Kamero: “At least we got the Free Pass.”
Kamero: “We’ll be able to leave the city and explore the Four Kingdoms.”
Hitori: “Good.”
Hitori: “I’m starving.”
A gentle breeze blew through the streets while countless players hurried across the central plaza.
Some celebrated the end of the event.
Others proudly displayed their newly acquired equipment.
Entire groups prepared to depart for the newly unlocked areas.
The atmosphere was different.
It felt like…
A new beginning.
Near the city’s great gate, the members of Guild EXO observed the enormous holographic map that had appeared in the sky after the event ended.
Many new regions were now accessible.
Mountains.
Forests.
Ruins.
Unknown cities.
The true world of MMO: Isekai no RPG was finally opening before them.
Kamero crossed his arms and smiled slightly.
Kamero: “So this is it…”
He looked at his companions.
Kamero: “Our first objective has been completed.”
Yashina nodded calmly, holding her staff against her chest while her hair swayed in the wind.
Yashina: “Yes.”
Aysa placed her hands behind her head and slowly walked around them.
Her eyes wandered among the many players passing through the square.
Aysa: “I wonder what kind of men are out there in the other cities…”
Hitori immediately turned toward her with a tired expression.
Hitori: “Is that really all you think about…?”
Aysa smiled mischievously.
Aysa: “Life is too short to ignore handsome men.”
Kamero let out a long sigh.
Kamero: “It’s impressive how she manages to talk nonsense even during important moments.”
Aysa: “Jealousy isn’t attractive, you know?”
While they talked, other players began leaving through the northern gates.
A new journey was beginning.
Now that they had reached Rank C, Guild EXO could finally leave the starting city and explore the vast world of the game.
But before they departed—
Another group appeared before them.
Guma walked over with his hands in his pockets and the same competitive smile on his face.
Behind him were Mimi and Nicelle.
Guma stopped in front of Hitori.
Guma: “Well, look who’s here.”
Hitori raised an eyebrow.
Hitori: “The inn lunatic.”
Guma: “Hey, grumpy face.”
Guma: “I heard you got beaten up pretty badly and ended up in the infirmary after a mission.”
Hitori stepped forward.
Hitori: “That’s none of your business!”
Kamero placed a hand on his face.
Kamero: “Children…”
Yashina let out a small laugh beside Mimi, who was also smiling while watching the two argue like childhood rivals.
Guma: “Looks like we’ll be rivals from now on.”
For a few seconds, Hitori remained silent.
Then he smiled faintly.
Hitori: “Yeah…”
The wind blew between the two.
The city behind them seemed livelier than ever.
Guma raised his hand in farewell.
Guma: “Good luck, Hitori.”
Hitori returned the gesture with a genuine smile.
Hitori: “Good luck to you too…”
Hitori: “Guma.”
Mimi slowly walked up to Hitori.
The golden eyes of the feline girl shone softly beneath the morning light.
She stopped right in front of him.
Hitori blinked in confusion.
Then—
Mimi leaned closer.
And kissed his cheek.
Mimi: “Until next time…”
Hitori’s brain simply stopped.
Hitori: “…”
He froze completely.
Eyes wide open.
Face bright red.
It looked as if his soul had left his body.
Aysa immediately narrowed her eyes.
Aysa: “Oh no…”
She pointed at Hitori indignantly.
Aysa: “When it’s me, he doesn’t react.”
Aysa: “But because of this cat girl, he turns into a statue?!”
Nicelle covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laughter.
Nicelle: “Looks like you’re losing your touch, girl.”
Kamero nodded seriously.
Kamero: “I was thinking the same thing.”
Aysa turned furiously toward him.
Aysa: “Shut up, Kamero!”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Even Yashina smiled as she watched Hitori remain completely frozen, still trying to process what had just happened.
After the farewells, Guma’s group began heading toward the city gates.
Yashina was still waving goodbye when she noticed Hitori standing in the same spot, blushing and completely lost in thought.
She observed him silently for a few moments.
Then she walked over to the others.
Kamero placed his hand in the center.
Aysa immediately placed hers on top.
Yashina smiled softly and added her hand as well.
Finally—
Hitori returned to reality and placed his hand over theirs.
The four formed a small circle.
Kamero looked at each one of them.
Tired faces.
Battle-worn clothes.
Yet all of them were smiling.
Kamero: “Alright, everyone…”
A confident smile appeared on his face.
Kamero: “Today marks the beginning of Guild EXO’s true journey toward the future.”
Hitori: “Yeah.”
Aysa: “Yeah!”
Yashina: “Yeah!”
The four raised their hands together.
At that moment…
They truly looked like a team.
A family.
Then they began walking toward the enormous city gate.
The world beyond it was unknown.
Filled with dangers.
Filled with monsters.
Filled with adventures capable of destroying anyone.
But even so…
They smiled.
Because they were no longer alone.
And they would move forward together…
Toward the new world.