Chapter 12: The Chosen One.

For a moment, Daniel stared at Roman Schitzwit. Without responding to his words, he shifted his gaze back to Ethan and said,

 "You're the chosen one, the only one who can wield this power. You're the one capable of fighting against the Karnixm..."

Hearing the word 'Karnixm' both Ethan and Roman Schitzwit froze in shock. Roman began to tremble uncontrollably, his face pale as the name echoed in his mind. Desperately, he reached out and placed a hand on the wall to steady himself, barely keeping from collapsing.

Meanwhile, Ethan's hand shook as the weight of the name spoken by Daniel sent a shiver down his spine.

 "Who is Karnixm?" [Ava asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.]

The others echoed the same question, their eyes fixed on Daniel, waiting for an answer. Before Daniel could speak, Ref interrupted, his expression dark and heavy with concern.

 "Karnixm—the king of monsters and beasts. You could say that he is a devil incarnate." [His voice trembled; each word laced with fear.]

 "Indeed. But I'm curious—how do you know about this... devil?" [Daniel asked, his gaze serious and unyielding.]

When Daniel confirmed Ref's words, a collective gasp of fear rippled through the room. Ava instinctively wrapped her hand tightly around Ethan's arm, seeking reassurance.

"It's because you're a character from the novel The Monster, written by Roman Schitzwit." [Ethan snapped furiously, his voice rising with each word..] "You're the character—the monster. Everything has merged now, turning fiction into reality."

Daniel, who stood there silently, listening to him intently. Gasping every word he said. He nodded with understanding look and said,

 "So, I'm a character from your novel?" [He pointed at Roman Schitzwit.] "And because reality and fiction have merged, I've ended up in your world. That's why you know so much about me—and about Karnixm, right?

Ethan, Ref, and Roman Schitzwit—each of them nodded in acknowledgment.

 [Daniel smirked] "To all of you, my world might seem like just a fiction, but in reality, I've come from a true dimension—a true world. This goes far beyond anything you could ever imagine." [He paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward Roman Schitzwit]

 "My world—the one you're calling your fiction—has somehow merged with your reality. Hmmm, but you're wrong."

Roman Schitzwit looked confused. Noticing his puzzled expression, Daniel continued:

 "In your story, I assume you mentioned 'Advika Celestial'?" [Daniel's expression shifted at the mere mention of the name.]

"'Advika Celestial'?" [Ethan and Roman Schitzwit both asked in unison.]

"Hmpf. Your fiction is different from my world. You maybe know about me and my world but its all changed because of someone named 'Advika Celestial.'"

Ethan's heart raced, each beat growing faster with every passing second. Advika Celestial—this was the first time he had ever heard the name. Not even in the novel...

 "This is the person who changed everything? What is he talking about?" [Ethan thought, confusion and anxiety swirling inside him.]

"I can understand that it's hard for you to grasp, but my world is nothing like your fiction. Advika Celestial—she came to my world five years ago, when I was fighting the Dragon King. From that moment on, everything changed."

 [His voice faltered for a moment, then grew heavy with anger.] "She changed everything. My life... my family... my sister..." [He stopped again, struggling to form words as the name of his sister hit him with raw emotion.]

 "What?" [Ethan's confusion deepened.] "But Daniel fought the Dragon King in the first volume of the novel 'The Monster'. And there are twelve volumes total, with the story still ongoing. Does this mean everything in his world changed after the first volume?"

 "Wait – does that mean you never fought Erythmire?" [Roman Schitzwit asked, his curiosity piqued.]

"Erythmire? Is that another monster?" [Daniel asked, shaking his head.] "I only fought the Dragon King—Raphel. After defeating him, Advika intervened and took over my world. She changed many things and killed countless people. She wanted this device, but I didn't give it to her. Instead, I used it to travel across different universes so she can't get it." [His voice was filled with disappointment and anger.]

"So, she's following you... and because of you, our world is in danger?" [Ethan said, his anger rising with each word.]

[Daniel met his gaze, his expression calm and unshaken.] "No, she doesn't have the ability to travel across universes or dimensions. And I don't know why our realities merged. I was suddenly transported here. I never chose which universe or dimension to enter—it was this device that chose for me."

Before Ethan could respond, Ava stepped in, holding him back. Daniel watched the scene unfold, then pulled the device from his pocket. It gleamed brightly, flashing faster and faster with each second as he pointed it toward Ethan. The device shone even more intensely.

"This is—"

Before Daniel could finish, Ethan interrupted.

 "Yes, we already know… 'NeuroMorphX1.' This device helps you travel from universe to universe. We know because the author, Roman Schitzwit, mentioned it after you killed the Dragon King—Raphel."

Daniel nodded and locked eyes with him, his gaze icy cold. Ethan was right about the device. He had obtained it after slaying the Dragon King, but then Advika intervened and seized control of his world.

The device gleamed brighter and brighter as Daniel moved it closer to Ethan.

 "I still don't understand. Why a powerless human?" [Daniel asked, confusion rising.] "But Raphel said that this device chooses only the worthy person—and that person alone can wield its full power."

[Ethan's heart skipped a beat at Daniel's words. A spark of excitement lit his eyes.] "So, how were you able to use its power?"

[Daniel smiled, hearing Ethan's question, and replied.] "I'm not using its full power. Just a fraction of it. I can regenerate and travel across different universes and dimensions. You can say, this device only lends me that much power."

"I'll hand you the device. Try to use its full power. If you're truly the chosen one, then you're the only one who can defeat Karnixm and Advika Celestial."

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. It felt like a dream—monster outbreaks, the chosen one, everything. And the hero he admired the most: Daniel Willington.

He stepped forward, reaching for the device in Daniel's hand. But before he could take it, Alicia stepped forward, grabbing his arm and pulling him back from Daniel.

As Ethan was pulled back by Alicia, the device's glow dimmed slowly.

"Y-Your device may have made a mistake... My son, Ethan, he's not some hero... He's just an ordinary man. I-I won't let him take this dangerous step to fight Karnim or karmic... or whatever its name is." [Alicia's voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes.]

Daniel studied her for a moment, then stepped forward, moving to where both mother and son stood. As he did, the device in his hand began to glow brightly once more.

"I understand your concern as a mother. But if he does nothing, if he doesn't take the power, then your world's fate will be the same as mine. The monster outbreak has already begun, and bullets can't stop them. I'm afraid... If Advika finds a way into your world, it'll be the end for you all."

Daniel's words hit Alicia like a blade.

"B-But..."

Ethan squeezed his mother's hand, offering her a warm smile. Gently, he removed her grip from his arm, then took a tentative step forward toward Daniel. The device now gleamed with an unmatched aura, sparking with raw power. Ethan's heart raced.

He stood before Daniel and took the device from his hand. As he did, the device's glow intensified. Everyone watched, their expressions serious, waiting for what would happen next. But time passed, and nothing changed.

Ethan glanced at the device, its light still blinding, then looked at Daniel, confusion clouding his face.

"Uh… Try to feel its power." [Daniel said, equally confused.]

Ethan tried, but nothing happened.

"What?" [Daniel snatched the device from his hands.] "Why isn't anything happening?"

"H-How can you travel through dimensions then?" [Ethan asked, his voice trembling.]

"I can use it directly—by feeling its power." [Daniel replied, frustration creeping into his voice.]

"B-but I don't feel anything through it!" [Ethan protested.]

Daniel stared at the device for a moment, then sighed heavily. His cold gaze shifted away from Ethan to the others around him, who were watching their exchange closely.

Before Daniel could speak again, a menacing tentacle shot through Emily's back, stabbing her with terrifying force.

"Urgh…" [Emily choked, blood spilling from her mouth as a second tentacle pierced through her eyes, leaving her lifeless.]

Everyone gasped in horror. Fear gripped them, and their legs buckled, but Ref managed to recover and sprinted for the exit, escaping as quickly as he could.

"K-K-Karnixm..." [Ethan stammered, fear seizing his voice.]

Daniel immediately conjured an aura sword in his hand. It wasn't as powerful as Ethan had imagined from the novel, but seeing it gave a glimmer of hope.

Lily screamed in terror at the sight of Karnixm. His gaze shifted to her and Lilia, and his tentacles lashed out, stretching toward them. One tentacle struck Lily in the head, piercing through her skull.

While Mr. Henry leaped in front of Lilia to shield her, but the tentacle pierced his chest, and Lilia was also struck by its deadly reach. They both fell to the ground, their hearts impaled by the sharp tentacle.

"Nooooooo…" [Alicia's scream tore through the air.]