The Summoning

Chapter 28: The Summoning

The living area was filled with a rare sense of warmth and calmness.

Seraphine sat comfortably between Lyra and Raven on the long sofa, her golden eyes sparkling with contentment.

Raven leaned back with his hands crossed over his chest, his black eyes occasionally glancing at Seraphine with a faint smile.

Lyra sat on Seraphine's other side, her white hair cascading over her shoulders as she scrolled through her phone, her delicate features relaxed.

Their mother occupied a separate, cushioned armchair, her white hair tied loosely and her gaze soft as she looked at her children.

Grim sat apart from the rest, his imposing figure sprawled on a single couch. His eyes were closed, his head resting gently against Aurelia's as she sat on his lap, her crimson hair spilling over his chest. Her arms were wrapped loosely around his neck, and her golden eyes were closed, a peaceful expression on her face as she soaked in his warmth.

The tranquility of the moment shattered when a translucent screen suddenly materialized before everyone's eyes.

Raven's eyes widened in shock, his body tensing as the words glowed with an eerie brilliance:

[GAME STARTING

EVERYONE AGED 18 TO 25 HAS BEEN SUMMONED.]

"What the hell?" Raven muttered, his black eyes darting around to see if the others were seeing the same thing.

Lyra's eyes widened, panic flickering in her gaze as she looked from Raven to Seraphine. "What... What is this?"

Seraphine's golden eyes narrowed, her crimson hair falling over her shoulder as she glanced at the screen in confusion. "I don't... understand. What kind of sick joke is this?"

Grim's eyes snapped open, his cold gaze locking onto the screen without a hint of concern. Whatever this was, it was nothing worth worrying about to him. He simply stared at the glowing words with icy indifference, his hand gently patting Aurelia's head, comforting her as if nothing unusual was happening.

"What's happening?" Aurelia asked, her voice unsteady.

The screen began counting down.

10... 9... 8...

"What the hell is this?" Raven growled, his fists clenching.

Lyra clutched Raven's hand tightly, her black eyes trembling with fear. "Raven... What's going on?"

"Quiet," Raven whispered, his voice strained. "I don't know... just stay close."

Seraphine's hand reached over, her fingers finding Lyra's and giving them a reassuring squeeze. Despite her own confusion, she tried to remain calm.

Grim, however, remained motionless, his gaze fixed on the countdown with absolute calmness, his hand continuing to gently pat Aurelia's head.

7... 6... 5...

Aurelia looked up at Grim, seeing the relaxed look on his face despite the strange situation. Somehow, his indifference made her feel slightly calmer.

4... 3... 2... 1...

The world shifted.

In the blink of an eye, the familiar surroundings of Luxe Haven were gone. They were standing on endless green grass, the soft blades cool beneath their feet. Above them, the sky was painted with the gentle hues of dawn, the golden sunlight bathing everything in warmth.

"What... just happened?" Seraphine whispered, her voice trembling as she looked around.

"It was night just now... How is it morning?" Lyra's voice was filled with panic as she clung to Raven's arm, her white hair blowing gently in the cool breeze.

"I don't know," Raven replied, his eyes darting around, taking in their new surroundings. Countless other people were scattered across the grassy plain, all appearing just as confused and terrified as they were.

Seraphine glanced at the people surrounding them before narrowing her golden eyes. Without hesitation, she activated her ability, Queen's Eyes, her vision sharpening as information appeared before her.

STATS

SERAPHINE ASHFALL

LEVEL - 1

STRENGTH - 51

SPEED - 40

ENDURANCE - 20

IQ - 80

ABILITY - QUEEN'S EYES

Her eyes widened. It was the first time she'd seen her own stats displayed so clearly. But how? Even her ability had never shown her own stats before. She swallowed, her fingers tightening around Lyra's hand as she looked at her.

Again, her vision shifted, and new information appeared before her.

STATS

LYRA CROSS

LEVEL - 1

STRENGTH - 70

SPEED - 50

ENDURANCE - 80

IQ - 79

ABILITY - NONE

Seraphine's heart pounded in her chest, her golden eyes flickering with worry. So this is the challenge my ability was telling me about before... She thought, her grip on Lyra's hand growing firmer. Whatever this was, it had only just begun.

---

The air was thick with confusion and terror. People all around were panicking, their voices merging into a chaotic roar of desperate questions.

"What's happening?"

"Who brought us here?"

"What was that screen about?"

The noise grew unbearable as fear fueled the frenzy. But Seraphine only stared at Raven, her eyes meeting his with quiet resolve.

Suddenly, an oppressive force swept through the air, like a tidal wave of power crushing everyone under its weight. It was as if the atmosphere itself had grown heavy. The entire crowd went silent, unable to speak or even move from the overwhelming pressure. The sensation was eerily familiar, resembling the terrifying aura Grim often projected.

A group of people began to approach from a distance, all of them heavily armed and looking like seasoned warriors ready for battle. Their presence alone was intimidating, but the sudden appearance of a man dressed like a joker shattered the brief silence.

He emerged from thin air, his twisted grin stretching unnaturally wide as he addressed the crowd in a booming, theatrical voice. "Welcome everyone to this world! I am the administrator of the first floor."

His manic smile only seemed to grow wider as he continued. "You all have been summoned here for the Kings and Queens to enjoy your show."

Before he could continue, a man's furious voice cut through the air. "Who the hell are you? Why have you brought us here? Send us back!" he screamed, his voice trembling with both anger and desperation.

The joker's expression darkened, and he snapped his fingers.

CRACK!

The man's head exploded into pieces, blood splattering the ground. Screams erupted from the crowd, but they were quickly stifled by sheer terror.

The joker's smile returned, but his eyes were cold and merciless. "If I allow you to speak, then you speak. If not, you stay quiet." His tone was playful, yet filled with lethal intent.

He continued as if nothing had happened. "This is a world where you can achieve everything. You all will remain here for one month. During this time, you will challenge the tutorial room. After one month, you will be transferred back to your world, where you will stay for another month before repeating the process."

He tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a predator observing prey. "I've explained everything you need to know. The rest of the explanation will be handled by this group." With that, he vanished, his twisted laughter lingering in the air.

Silence.

The group of warriors who had approached earlier stood before the crowd, their eyes sharp and unreadable. One of them, a man who looked like the leader, stepped forward.

"Follow us," he said in a deep, commanding voice. "You will be taken to the city where you will stay for one month before challenging the tutorial room. During this time, you will receive training from us. Follow, and do not fall behind."

The crowd, too stunned to resist, began to move.

There were five men and one woman in total, each one exuding authority and strength. Raven's eyes narrowed as he studied them. They didn't seem ordinary. And the fact that each one appeared to be the leader of some kind of guild made the situation even more unsettling.

Seraphine gripped Lyra's hand firmly, her expression unreadable as her mind raced.

So this is the challenge my ability was warning me about.

They had no choice but to follow.

---

As the crowd followed the six warriors through the massive stone gates, they entered the bustling city of Valeria, the Kingdom of Velor.

The city was a sprawling medieval paradise, filled with towering castles, elegant stone structures, and bustling marketplaces where merchants called out to sell their goods.

The streets were paved with cobblestone, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh bread and spices. It was a noble world, untouched by technology, where warriors, adventurers, and merchants thrived under the rule of kings and queens.

The towering structures of the City Hall loomed in the distance, a grand building large enough to fit almost a thousand people. As they stepped inside the grand hall, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and majestic banners, the six warriors turned to address the crowd. Their commanding presence immediately silenced the murmurs and fearful whispers.

The one who spoke first was a tall, muscular man with tan skin and sharp, predatory eyes.

"I am Draven, leader of the Iron Legion. We specialize in defensive combat and brute strength. Those who wish to master their bodies and fortify themselves against any assault, my guild is where you belong."

Beside him stood a pale-skinned man with black hair and a calm, cold demeanor. His eyes carried a deadly stillness.

"I am Vexar, leader of the Shadow Clan. We are masters of stealth, assassination, and reconnaissance. If you wish to become one with the darkness and strike from the shadows, then you will find your place with us."

A brown-skinned woman with fierce amber eyes and a confident posture stepped forward, her gaze sharp and intense.

"My name is Nyra, leader of the Blood Blades. We excel in aggressive combat and swordsmanship. If you wish to crush your enemies with sheer ferocity and unrelenting force, then my guild will teach you the art of war."

A dark bronze-skinned man with a rugged appearance and a deep voice let out a small chuckle before he spoke.

"I am Garrick, leader of the Stormbreaker. We are all about physical strength and resilience. If you desire to break through anything that stands before you and endure the harshest of trials, then join me."

Standing next to Garrick was a pale-skinned man with silver hair, exuding an aura of wisdom and authority. His calm gaze carried a chill that matched his words.

"I am Alden, leader of the Frostguard. We specialize in magical combat and elemental control. Master the power of ice and learn to shield yourself from anything that dares to harm you. Those who seek the mystical path, follow me."

Lastly, a golden-skinned man with a commanding presence and sharp eyes stepped forward. His voice was deep and authoritative.

"I am Darius, leader of the Warhound. We are experts in strategic warfare and weapon mastery. If you wish to sharpen your mind and skills to become an unstoppable force on the battlefield, then the Warhound will welcome you."

Their voices echoed through the grand hall as they introduced themselves, each exuding an aura of confidence and dominance. It was clear that these were not ordinary warriors but powerful leaders of their respective guilds.

One of the warriors, Draven, continued to address the crowd.

"This is Valeria, the Kingdom of Velor. We call you all as Players, and after you clear the Tutorial Room, you will be known as Rankers. But let me warn you—this journey is not meant for everyone. The Tutorial Room is brutal, and many of you will fail. Those who die in the Tutorial Room will die here and in your original world. And if you die outside the Tutorial Rooms, the result is the same. Death is absolute."

He let those words sink in before continuing.

"If you do not challenge the Tutorial Room within a month, you will be sent back to your world. But if you choose to live without strength, your world will eventually change, and those who fail to grow stronger will be left behind as losers. But those who persevere and succeed will gain power beyond imagination."

Vexar then spoke with his calm, cold voice.

"We will train you for one month. If you wish to challenge the Tutorial Room before then, you are free to do so. But if you do not survive, the fault is your own. After completing the Tutorial, you may join one of our guilds. It is the best way to grow stronger."

Nyra stepped forward with her arms crossed, her amber eyes gleaming.

"Now, group yourselves into teams of five and register your names at the table. You will be provided rooms and food for one month. If you are deemed useless within this period, we will abandon you. Remember, this world is not kind to the weak."

Alden added with a chilling calmness,

"There's one last thing. Your entire world has been summoned across various kingdoms and cities. Your city is summoned here, in the Kingdom of Velor. You are fortunate. Others may not be."

The crowd buzzed with tension and fear, the reality of their situation settling in. Raven glanced at Grim, Aurelia, Seraphine, and Lyra, his face calm and composed despite the madness surrounding them.

"I'll go and register our names. The rest of you stay here." Raven said, his voice steady.

Grim only gave him a silent nod, his cold eyes scanning the crowd with disinterest as he continued to gently pat Aurelia's head. Aurelia remained resting against him, her eyes half-closed, appearing unconcerned about the chaos. Seraphine held Lyra's hand tightly, her gaze distant as she processed everything.

Raven walked over to the registration table where several warriors were taking names and handing out tokens. After providing their names, he received a small token with their room number engraved on it.

He returned to his group and said, "This is the room we got. They told us we should go there and rest. Training starts tomorrow, and no one's allowed to be absent until they clear the Tutorial Room."

They all nodded, knowing they had no other choice. The nightmare had only just begun.