Relf Renzaaro was an ordinary nineteen-year-old student.
If anyone asked what made him different, the answer would be simple—nothing. He wasn't the strongest, smartest, or most talented. He was just… average.
But there was one thing he loved more than anything else.
Fantasy worlds.
Every day, every night, Relf would sit in front of his screen, watching endless fantasy web series—heroes, magic, monsters, adventures. Worlds where even the weakest person could rise and become something legendary.
He used to wonder, What if that were me?
That thought always ended the same way—with a quiet sigh and reality pulling him back.
Because real life wasn't a fantasy.
Or so he believed.
That evening, Relf was walking home alone.
The streets were quiet. The sky was dim, painted in shades of orange and fading blue. Everything felt normal.
Too normal.
Then—
A distortion appeared in front of him.
A strange, swirling portal opened out of nowhere, its dark energy twisting the air around it.
Relf froze.
"What… is that?"
His instincts screamed danger.
Without thinking, he turned and ran.
Fast.
But no matter how far he ran, the pull of the portal grew stronger. It was as if the air itself had turned against him, dragging him back.
"NO—!"
His hand stretched forward, trying to grab onto anything—anything at all—
But it was too late.
The world around him shattered into darkness.
When Relf opened his eyes again…
He was no longer on Earth.
The ground beneath him was cold stone. The air felt heavier, unfamiliar.
He quickly sat up.
"…Where am I?"
Looking around, he realized he wasn't alone.
Six other students stood nearby.
All of them wore school uniforms.
All of them looked just as confused.
Before anyone could speak—
A voice echoed.
"Welcome."
Everyone turned.
A girl stood before them.
She looked around their age, maybe slightly older. Long hair, calm expression—but there was something unsettling about her presence. Something… powerful.
"Welcome," she repeated, smiling faintly, "to the Fade Kingdom."
The group fell silent.
"We have summoned all of you here," she continued, "because we need your help."
One of the boys stepped forward, trying to stay calm.
"Help? With what?"
The girl's eyes darkened slightly.
"With fighting the Roktions."
"Roktions?" another asked.
"They are monsters," she said. "Creatures more dangerous than demons. They don't think. They don't feel. They only destroy."
A murmur spread among the students.
Fear.
Confusion.
Excitement… for some.
But not for Relf.
He stepped forward, his voice sharp.
"Wait. Why should we help you?"
Everyone looked at him.
"I don't care about your monsters," Relf continued. "I want to go home."
The girl walked toward him slowly.
Her smile remained—but her eyes were cold.
"You cannot return," she said softly. "Not until the Roktions are defeated."
Relf clenched his fists.
"That's not my problem."
She stopped in front of him.
"In this world," she said, her voice now carrying quiet authority, "I am the strongest."
A faint pressure filled the air.
"You would be wise," she added, "to listen."
The others exchanged looks.
Some were already convinced.
Adventure. Power. Another world—it was everything they had seen in stories.
But Relf…
He wasn't smiling.
"If you're so strong," he said, staring straight into her eyes, "why don't you fight them yourself?"
For the first time—
The girl paused.
Then she smiled again.
"My name is Dolia," she said. "And that… is exactly the problem."
She turned slightly.
"I am powerful," she continued. "But alone, I am not enough."
She raised her hand.
"Bring it."
Guards stepped forward, carrying weapons—and a glowing crystal sphere.
"This," Dolia said, "will reveal your rank."
The students looked at each other nervously.
"One by one," she ordered.
The first boy stepped forward.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
It exploded with light.
A bright, overwhelming glow filled the room.
Dolia smiled.
"Congratulations," she said. "You are S-Rank."
Gasps filled the air.
S-Rank.
The highest rank.
One after another, each student stepped forward.
Each time—the same result.
Blinding light.
S-Rank.
Excitement replaced fear.
They weren't ordinary anymore.
They were chosen.
Special.
Heroes.
Then—
It was Relf's turn.
He walked forward slowly.
Something felt… off.
Still, he placed his hand on the crystal.
Nothing happened.
No light.
No reaction.
Silence.
Relf frowned.
"…Is it broken?"
Dolia's expression changed.
"No."
She stepped closer.
"The crystal never lies."
Her voice turned cold.
"It means… you have no power."
The room froze.
"No magic."
"No rank."
"Nothing."
A few students stepped back.
As if he had become something… unacceptable.
Dolia looked at him with clear disappointment.
"You are useless."
Those words hit harder than anything else.
"In this world," she continued, "even the weakest possess power."
She leaned closer.
"But you… have none."
Relf's fists trembled.
Anger burned in his chest.
"You brought me here!" he shouted. "You don't get to decide my worth!"
Dolia's eyes narrowed.
"You should be grateful," she said calmly. "I will show mercy."
She turned to the guards.
"Take him."
"He will remain imprisoned until the others complete their mission."
Relf's vision blurred with rage.
"I said—send me back!"
The guards moved.
But before they could grab him—
Relf lunged forward.
He attacked Dolia.
But—
His hand stopped mid-air.
He couldn't even touch her.
An invisible force held him back.
Dolia stared at him.
For a moment—
She looked angry.
Then suddenly—
She smiled.
A different smile.
Cold.
Cruel.
"So," she said softly, "you don't want prison?"
Relf glared at her.
"…Fine."
She raised her hand.
"I'll send you somewhere better."
The other students hesitated.
"Where are you sending him?" one asked.
Dolia didn't look away from Relf.
"To a place," she said, "where even devils fear to go."
Darkness swallowed him again.
When Relf opened his eyes—
Everything was black.
No light.
No sound.
Just endless darkness.
His breath quickened.
"…Where am I now?"
Then—
A faint glow appeared in the distance.
A small light.
Relf moved toward it.
Step by step.
Until—
He emerged from a cave.
And what he saw…
Made his blood run cold.
The moon was red.
The sky was darker than night.
Even the clouds looked unnatural.
"…What is this place…?"
His voice trembled.
"That witch… I swear—"
A deep sound interrupted him.
A heavy… monstrous sound.
Slow footsteps.
Something huge was approaching.
From the shadows—
A massive creature appeared.
Its eyes locked onto him.
And it smiled.
"Finally…" it growled. "After so many years…"
"A human."
Relf's heart stopped.
"I'm going to enjoy this."
The creature lunged forward.
Relf turned and ran.
As fast as he could.
His breath broke.
His legs screamed.
But fear pushed him forward.
Then—
His foot hit a rock.
He fell.
Hard.
Pain shot through his body.
He turned—
The monster was already above him.
Relf's mind went blank.
"…So this is it…"
The creature raised its arm.
And attacked.
To be continued…