Chapter Two: The Spear King's Art[1]

"Oh my God"

I muttered as I walked along the road, moving my head left and right like a child seeing something new...

Well, you can't blame me. Even with the memories, seeing something is different from remembering it.

I arrived at the Mana Train Station, and from a distance, I saw the train. Let me tell you, it really looks amazing.

Its design is like a regular train but bigger, modern, and it floats.

Yes, you heard me right — it floats, because it runs on mana.

Well, mana on this planet has become a natural thing after the first catastrophe — even a child can use it.

I didn't tell you about the catastrophes, did I?

I forgot — it's my fault. I tend to forget things quite often.

The major catastrophes are three disasters that occurred over the course of two centuries.

About 300 years ago, suddenly, on an ordinary day, strange monsters appeared and began to wreak havoc across all continents...

At first, they could be stopped using pistols and gunpowder weapons. But the monsters evolved, and those no longer had any effect on them.

And let me tell you — when I say "catastrophe," I mean genocide.

About 40% of humanity was wiped out in that catastrophe.

After two years of monster evolution, what do you think happened?

Yes, humans evolved. We know we are the most adaptable and evolving species in this universe.

The first generation of human heroes appeared.

But six heroes stood out specifically — three men and three women...

These heroes became a symbol of humanity. They defeated most of the monsters, until monsters started retreating and being trapped in specific locations, which are now called dungeons.

Of course, the average monster strength was about rank E,

and the strongest hero at that time was also rank E —

He was called the First Hero, the strongest spear user, and the founder of the style I'm targeting — arguably the strongest spear style:

"Zero Max"

I muttered in a low voice as I boarded the train and handed my ticket to the train worker.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

I took my seat after selecting my destination, which is a small village along the way called "Sina."

Yes, it's the location of the hidden dungeon I want to go to, to find the art that will allow me to stand in this world as well...

While the train was moving, I thought about the catastrophes that happened — especially the worst one: the second catastrophe, or "The Descent of the Demons."

Well, about 60 years after the first, suddenly, one day, a rift appeared in the sky and disappeared after a few days.

This strange phenomenon made most people afraid and go to their shelters — their safe homes...

Most of the known heroes had already retired or were helping their countries recover.

A few days later, the rift appeared again, but this time, dark creatures came out of it.

Yes — demons.

Demons are dark beings that feed on negative emotions to grow stronger and stronger.

And what's the situation with the most negative emotions?

It's war.

A great war began between the demons on one side, and humans and the other races that had mutated after the appearance of mana on the other side — the dwarves and the elves (or jinn).

Dwarves are humans who mutated to become shorter.

As usual, this race focuses on weapon-making and inventions — one of the novel's heroines is from them.

Elves are the race who can communicate with the forces of nature.

Yes, one of the heroes is also from them.

At first, he was arrogant and a pain in the ass.

But after several events, he became one of the story's main respected characters.

Where were we? Right — the Great War began.

After thinking about it, we shouldn't even call it a war — it was more of a massacre.

Human numbers dropped from 6 billion to 2 billion.

You can imagine what happened during that extermination.

After the battles continued for two months, a second savior appeared for humanity:

"Harry Dragao"

I muttered in a low voice the name of the second hero,

who is considered by many to be the strongest hero — the strongest sword user, and the founder of the "Protagonist Style."

Pay attention — the protagonist of the story, not the author who entered it.

You might wonder, "Then what's the author's style?"

I'll tell you later... Let it be a surprise.

Harry, with help from most awakened humans, was able to stop the demons' advance and confine human lands to one continent.

It's worth mentioning that after the appearance of mana, the continents moved closer together, until they became three main ones:

The Great Continent — home of humans today. The Dark Continent — home of the demons. The Northern Continent — home of dragons and other monsters.

Yes, dragons! Let me tell you: dragons are really strong.

The weakest dragon is considered rank A compared to humans.

Dragons began to appear after about a century.

As usual, they are a proud race — they don't attack unless attacked.

And yes, they can transform into other forms — like humans.

You see where this is going, don't you?

About 80 years later, the third catastrophe occurred — the last one to happen.

But I can say: I know there's another catastrophe coming, isn't there?

After humans began to rise and try to return to life — strengthening themselves, of course — the third catastrophe struck:

their war with demons for control of the Great Continent.

Yes, the demons tried to wipe out humans again to prepare for the arrival of the Demon King (Baal), the strongest of all demons —

you could say, the strongest being in this universe.

And let me tell you: it was a catastrophe,

but the one with the highest human survival chances.

If the first catastrophe had a 60% human survival rate, and the second 40%,

then the third had an 80% survival rate.

Yes, it was a war, but this time, humans didn't need a super hero.

They were almost able to defeat the demons by themselves —

until the first 9th-tier demon appeared.

Let me tell you: he wiped out 20% of humanity alone.

And without warning, the demons suddenly retreated.

To this day, no one knows why.

Amazing story, isn't it...?

Well, about a hundred years of peace passed after that.

But it looks like peace is ending soon —

and note the sarcasm here.

Seriously? The heir to the strongest hero has appeared.

What's going to happen next?

As I was thinking about the story, the train arrived at my destination.

Let me tell you — this train is truly advanced.

It stopped, lit up my compartment instantly, even opened the door for me and lit the path outside.

"Technology really is amazing."

After reaching my destination and getting off the train, I began thinking:

How do I get the book without waking the dragon that's imprisoned in this dungeon?

Yes, there's a dragon in this dungeon.

A really strong dragon — rank SS.

You might ask, "Why is a dragon like that imprisoned in such a dungeon?"

It's guarding the art book that's hidden beneath the dungeon.

And that explains why I'm carrying a shovel in my backpack.

Yes, I'm going to dig to reach that place — so I don't risk alerting the monsters inside the dungeon.

Did you really think I would enter a rank C dungeon,

while I'm still at rank F? That's suicide.

Even the weakest monster in this dungeon is rank D, and it could kill me with its eyes closed.

"Finally here."

I said as I started circling the dungeon entrance, looking for a specific rock described in the novel,

where you can start digging and reach the place of the book.

"Found you."

I said, a smile forming on my face as I pulled the shovel out of my bag and began digging.

Of course, I won't tell you how I dug, but I'll tell you it was torture —

I dug for four straight hours until I reached the entrance of the basement — the place where the dragon is.

Once I arrived, I pulled out a low-grade stamina potion from my bag and drank it immediately.

Let me tell you — it tastes horrible.

Like cough syrup, if you know what I mean.

And just like magic, my energy was fully restored.

"Amazing."

I muttered and took a step into the basement, feeling a mix of excitement and fear.

Now begins my first steps in this world...

Let's hope they're not the last.

I descended into the basement...

Not knowing that my fate was about to change —

in this very place.

...