It took a week to reach the frontlines.
As I looked around, gathering information, some people noticed my age — fifteen — but didn't pay me much attention.
I learned that the place I was heading to was in the western region of the Empire, bordered by an ocean known as the Devil Sea, where ancient creatures called Leviathans dwelled.
But now, parts of the western lands near that ocean had been taken over by demons. They had occupied the area for around six years, and it was said to be under the control of an Archfiend — beings only second to the Calamities themselves.
That land belonged to a vassal lord of the Greyheart Family — one of the ten great houses. My father, Fredric Frest, serves under them as well. But the lord who directly ruled that territory had fallen... which led to it being under the demons control.
So, in short, I was being sent to fight on the frontlines, helping to reclaim territory that had once belonged to a fallen lord — the same event that caused this entire region to fall. The Archfiend who led the invasion had killed the Lord in his sleep, using mental magic. The most feared type of magic. The kind that could even read minds.
I let out a slow sigh and reached into my Ring, pulling out a pair of gloves.
They slipped on easily — a smooth process, though it took a small amount of mana. Around my neck hung the Necklace of Alice, one of the artifacts I had bought early on with one point of Store Currency. It had a simple but powerful ability — to cancel the magic of anyone it touched for an hour. Of course, stronger opponents with higher-tier mana cores were harder to suppress, as higher cores not only enhanced magical power but also physical strength.
Still, for now, it was enough.
After putting on the gloves, I waited. A few hours later, the low screech of the train's brakes pulled me from my thoughts. The rhythmic hum beneath my feet stopped.
We had arrived.
The furthest the train could go was a fortified city under the control of Lord Ester Forge. As I stepped off, I joined a group of recruits being escorted by armed soldiers toward waiting vehicles.
Inside one of the armored carriers, I sat with five other men — all older than me. I could feel their glances, their curiosity, their quiet judgment. I'd seen it before—the look green recruits gave the one who didn't fit. It didn't matter.
In the driver's seats sat three knights.
One of them turned and introduced himself.
"You'll be under our care from now on," he said firmly. "I'm Knight Eris. The driver is Knight Liam, and the other is Knight Athena."
Eris looked to be in his thirties — short black coily hair, dark skin, and sharp features. Definitely handsome. Not as much as this body of Atlas, or the three main protagonists I remembered from the game, but still well above average. And in this world, looks improved the higher one's core tier — so that could change.
"We don't really have a name for our squad yet," he continued, smiling faintly. "If anyone has suggestions, feel free to say so."
We looked at one another. No one spoke.
He shrugged and went on. "Anyway, we'll be one of the many squads trying to reclaim the lost territory. The reward, of course, is a knight's title and salary. But as for killing the Archfiend…" — he smirked — "that's impossible. Unless you're Knight Athena."
A few of the recruits immediately turned to look at her, curiosity in their eyes. Her glare was enough to make Eris chuckle nervously.
"Sorry, sorry," he said, raising his hands. "I was just joking. We'll all be fighting for our lives out there."
Athena ignored him and turned her attention to the holographic projection on her Coms device. I couldn't see what she was reading.
Eris continued. "Anyway, she's an amazing knight — late stages of the Master Rank. And did I mention she can use Destructive Magic? We're lucky to have her."
She didn't react, but I studied her quietly.
White porcelain-like skin. Long, pink wavy hair. Emerald green eyes. Even sitting still, she radiated authority. Her presence demanded attention, and that late-Master Rank meant she possessed at least a Tier 4 or 5 mana core.
The man driving — Knight Liam — was older, probably in his fifties, with olive skin, short black hair streaked with white, and a hardened face that spoke of decades of experience.
I'd seen that look before — the face of a veteran. I'd seen plenty of them in my previous world.
"You'll be given proper equipment after we arrive at the camp," Liam said, his tone strict and steady. "After a month of training under me, we'll march west — sixty thousand strong — to push against the demons. So you better not slack off."
His voice carried weight, and the vehicle fell silent. The atmosphere turned heavy — grim.
Our lives were on the line. Everyone knew it.
Hours passed in quiet tension until we finally arrived at the military camp, deep in the forest near the occupied city.
After stepping out, we were handed our gear — light armor, a knife, and a rifle.
I stared at the weapon in my hands. For a moment, it brought me back.
It looked similar to the C.S.R.G Mle 1915 from my world — but instead of bullets, its magazine was filled with mana.
"These will last for about a thousand shots," Liam explained. "When they run out, head to a refueling station — a mage will recharge the magazine for you."
I understood immediately. A few of the others didn't, their confusion obvious. Liam noticed and began explaining the mechanism in more detail.
The day passed in a blur of physical training and basic drills. By evening, I was drenched in sweat and covered in dirt.
When it was finally over, I requested privacy and was given a small tent — smaller than the others, but I didn't care. I needed space to cultivate.
Hours passed as I practiced my breathing technique, but eventually exhaustion hit me. I collapsed onto the floor, gasping.
"Huff… huff…"
I opened the system again.
Character Information
Name: Atlas Frest
Level: 5 (26%)
True Name: None
Strength: D
Speed: E
Agility: E
Intelligence: A
Mana: 0
Passive Skills: Visual Replication — Copy any action witnessed once, Understanding — Instantly comprehend anything seen.
Receptive Skills: None
Spells: None
Store Currency: 0
It still didn't show mana, but I could feel it. The core just wasn't there yet. Whenever I tried to form it, something was missing — I wasn't ready.
So, I decided to wait until I reached Level 10.
At the pace I was going — thanks to my Rare Breathing Technique — I'd get there before the end of the month.
"Huff… huff…"
My breathing slowed as my eyelids grew heavy.
I was exhausted — body and soul — but this was the path I chose.
Tomorrow, I'd do it all again. The grind was familiar, the exhaustion a old companion. This time, the hell was of my own choosing, and I would conquer it.