Chapter 6: Newcomers

A soft hum echoed in the air as the gigantic iron door creaked open, its runes glowing faintly with residual magic. From the other side, two figures stepped out—one tall and composed in knightly armor, the other walking with slow, measured breaths, his sword still clutched tightly in his hand.

They had returned.

Shimmering blue particles drifted from their bodies, dissolving into the wind. The portal behind them pulsed briefly before fading back into stillness, sealed until the next stage.

Han blinked at the bright sky overhead. The contrast between the suffocating dungeon and this skybound sanctuary was stark. The polished white stone beneath his feet, the soft clouds that drifted nearby—everything felt surreal, yet strangely comforting.

"Lokiiiiii!"

A high-pitched voice shrieked before he could take another step.

In a blur of motion, Iselle came hurtling toward him, her wings fluttering wildly.

"You're fine! I knew a pro like you wouldn't possibly die so early on!"

Han let out a half-smile. "Told you I'd make it."

"A pro?" Shay asked curiously from beside him, raising an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

But Iselle turned with a snap, eyes blazing. "I'm talking to Loki! Don't interrupt!"

"Ah…" Shay stared blankly for a moment, then turned away with a sigh. "How did this guy manage to win over this little fairy so quickly…?"

She began walking toward the training grounds, her footsteps echoing softly on the stone path.

"Han, I'm going to train. Reach me after you're done talking with this frustrated fairy."

"Frustrated fairy?!" Iselle spun mid-air, glaring with puffed cheeks. But Shay was already gone, her figure growing smaller in the distance.

Iselle huffed, turning back to Han with crossed arms. "Tch. She's just jealous I have taste in people."

Han chuckled lightly. "Sure, let's go with that—"

But he was interrupted by a sudden system message.

[Master, beginning summoning!]

[Click, rrrr!]

The summoning chamber's massive doors swung open with a resounding metallic groan, and a golden light spilled from within. Han turned his head in the direction of the noise, feeling an odd sense of anticipation.

[You have obtained the hero, Rail (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Greet (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Jaksen (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Madelyn (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Kelcard (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Cale (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Dajeel (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Ranto (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Jenna (☆)!]

[You have obtained the hero, Mormont (☆☆)!]

"A two-star hero? Already? This fucker Anytng is really lucky, huh?" Han chuckled and immediately headed off to the summoning chamber.

Han's footsteps were steady, his eyes focused and sharp. The golden light spilling from the open doors ahead illuminated the space. He could feel the tension in the air, a slight hum of magic that always accompanied the summoning process.

As he neared, the doors opened fully, and the newly summoned heroes emerged one by one, blinking in confusion and looking around with uncertainty. They all seemed disoriented, trying to make sense of the sudden shift from whatever world they had come from to this strange, floating island.

Among the group, one man—broad-shouldered and tall—stepped forward, his expression as confused as the rest of them. His eyes scanned the others before he cleared his throat, trying to take charge of the situation.

"I'm Mormont," the man introduced himself, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "I'm a merchant. Does anyone here know what's going on? Why are we here?"

"A merchant? So that's why he is a 2-star hero, huh?"

There was a long pause as the others exchanged hesitant glances. No one spoke up immediately. They were all just as lost as he was. Han observed them quietly, his cold, calculating eyes assessing the group. This wasn't the time to hold their hands. They'd figure it out—or they wouldn't.

One by one, they began to introduce themselves, each of them shaking their heads or offering vague answers about their confusion.

"I'm Rail, I'm not sure why I'm here either."

"Greet. I just woke up and found myself here."

"I'm Jaksen. No clue."

"Madelyn. Same as everyone else."

Kelcard and the others followed suit, all offering little more than the same vague responses. They didn't know what was happening, and none of them seemed to have any answers.

And then it was a girl's turn.

She stepped forward, her fiery red hair falling over her shoulders, her golden eyes scanning the group with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. Her presence stood out among the crowd, though she was just as confused as the others. Her posture was calm, though, as if she were trying to get a handle on the situation.

[Image Here]

"I'm Jenna," she said, her voice soft yet clear. "I live in a remote forest with my father... I... I have no idea what's happening either."

Han caught himself staring for just a moment. Her red hair, especially those juicy assets of hers—they were so distracting! "Well, her father sure did a great job rising her— Han! Get a hold of yourself!" He mentally scolded himself. He couldn't afford to let his focus slip.

Suddenly, without a sound, Shay appeared beside Han, as if she'd simply stepped out of thin air.

"What's happening here, Khan? Did Master bring in other people?"

"Ye—" Han started to respond, but Mormont's voice cut him off sharply.

"Hey, do you happen to know something, young lady?" Mormont said, narrowing his eyes at Shay. "You seem pretty knowledgeable about this place."

"No, I just got here as well," Shay replied nonchalantly, barely glancing at him.

But that only seemed to fuel Mormont's suspicion. His brow furrowed deeply, and his voice grew harsher. "No, huh? Stop lying! Why would someone who just got to a completely unknown and strange place be so calm?"

His eyes darted to Han next. "Now that I think about it... you seem too suspicious as well!"

Without hesitation, Mormont unsheathed his sword with a sharp ring of steel. "Guys! I got it! We've been kidnapped! And the culprits are those two!"

"Yeah... that makes sense..." some of the others began to murmur, uncertainty quickly twisting into paranoia.

The tension in the air thickened in an instant. Fear spread like wildfire, and the group began shifting uneasily, eyes locking on Shay and Han with growing hostility.

But then, a voice rose above the muttering.

"Guys! Don't you think we're jumping to conclusions too quickly?" Jenna stepped forward, brows furrowed. "Saying they've kidnapped us just because they're calmer than us is absurd—"

She didn't get to finish.

"Shut up!" someone barked.

"She's trying to defend them!"

"Maybe she's with them too!"

The group wasn't listening. Logic had already lost the battle.

Mormont raised his sword and pointed it directly at Shay and Han. His eyes burned with resolve—misguided, but strong. "Prepare yourselves to die!" he shouted, and without waiting for a response, he rushed toward them with his blade aimed to kill.

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This was the sixth chapter? Liked it?

Also, I'll add a lot more female heroes in this novel, so if you want to add females from other manhuas, mangas, anime... you're welcome.