ChrisLingayo

Lumberling, a 42-year-old civil engineer, grew numb to the monotonous rhythm of modern life. Hoping to rekindle his sense of wonder, he set out on a solitary nature trip, only to stumble upon an ancient, forgotten pyramid. A strange red light burst forth, killing him instantly… and binding itself to his soul.

Cast adrift in the void, his soul found no rest, until he awoke in the body of a young foot soldier, bleeding and broken on a war-torn battlefield in a world not his own.

Determined not to die again, Lumberling fights to survive in this brutal new realm where knights clash with monsters, kingdoms rise and fall, and mysterious powers shape the fate of nations.

Armed with a strange ability to devour the essence of those he slays, he begins to carve out a new path, one forged by blood, strength, and sheer will.

But power alone may not be enough. In a world where danger lurks in every shadow, and ancient forces stir in the dark, can a lost soul rise above fate… or will he be consumed by the very essence he seeks to control?

The Devouring Knight

A Week Later - Mercenary Guild, Greyvale

The mercenary guild hall smelled of old wood, sweat, and ink, like parchment steeped in ambition and dried blood.

Most mercenaries clustered near the bar or the lower-level job boards. The war postings hung in a separate section, higher up on the wall, quieter. As if distance could keep danger at bay.

Lumberling stood in front of the war board, arms folded, cloak draped over one shoulder. The postings were slim. Most had already been taken by desperate bands looking for glory or coin. Others had been scratched out, presumed dead.

Town Reclamation - South of Ferndell Ridge

Estimated Enemy Count: Under 200 soldiers

Objective: Remove hostile control. Retake key junction town.

Reward: 600 gold coins + bonus for preserving key structures

Chapter 94: The Doctrine and the Knight