Alex stood frozen at the edge of the street, breath caught somewhere between awe and disbelief. This other world—no, this living, breathing miracle—had only moments ago revealed itself to him. The market sprawled like a dream given form: floating lanterns humming with soft mana-light, stalls carved from crystal and bone, merchants of every shape and species calling out in languages that bent the air itself. Scales shimmered beside silk robes, steel clinked against enchanted glass, and the scent of unfamiliar spices made his head spin. Fascination drowned his fear, and he wandered forward, eyes wide, heart pounding with thrill. Then suddenly.
A thunderous crack split the market square as iron bars twisted apart like wet clay. From a shattered cage burst creatures that made Alex's blood run cold—tiger-like monsters, massive and monstrous. They were tigers only in silhouette; everything else about them spoke of relentless savagery. Ten times more fierce than any beast Alex had ever known, they roared as one, a sound so violent it seemed to shake the sky.
Chaos erupted instantly. Stalls exploded under claw and fang, screams cut through the air, and people scattered like leaves before a storm. One of the beasts leapt, crushing stone beneath its paws as it tore into anything that moved. Alex stumbled back, the wonder of moments ago replaced by raw terror. This world was beautiful—yes—but it was also cruel, untamed, and lethal. And as the monsters rampaged through the market.
Alex turned to run.
Then as he was turning, he caught a glimpse of a boy standing directly in the path of the monsters. Panic surged through him. The creatures were closing in, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground.
"Why did I see...Aghh!"
Alex stepped forward and broke into a run, his heart pounding as he raced toward the boy, determined to reach him before the monsters did.
"Oh! NO"
As Alex was running, he took out his cape and, closing the distance between them, threw it over the boy.
"Don't let it go," Alex shouted.
Alex reached for his sword and drew it in one fluid motion, steel whispering free of its scabbard. Instinct guided his hands—no hesitation, no wasted breath. The monster struck first, a brutal arc of claws tearing through the air, but Alex was already moving. He pivoted on his heel and raised the blade just in time, the impact ringing like thunder as steel met flesh and bone. Sparks burst at the point of contact. The force shuddered up his arm. Alex falls down on the ground.
A thought came into Alex's mind: "I have to run"
Alex turns back to run. He barely took three steps before a monster lunged from behind. A massive claw ripped across his back, and pain exploded through his body. Warm blood spilled down his spine, and its sharp scent filled the air.
That was a mistake.
The smell of Alex's blood drew the others instantly. Low growls echoed through the clearing as shadows moved around him. Alex tried to push himself up, but it was too late.
The tiger-like monsters had already surrounded him.
They leapt all at once.
Claws tore into his shoulders, ripping through skin and muscle.
Heavy bodies crashed into him, pushing him face-down into the ground. Another set of claws dug into his back, pressing him down until he could barely breathe.
Alex almost lost his life. Then two figures appeared in an instant without a sound. There was no warning, no battle cry. Only a flash of motion.
One of them carried a sword that shone like the sky itself, sparkling along its edge. In a single, flawless movement, the weapon carved through the monster. The second figure struck just as swiftly, precisely and mercilessly. The creature never had time to scream.
The beast collapsed.
The weight on Alex vanished. He caught one last glimpse of the glowing sword before his strength gave out.
Alex fainted.
Several days later.
Alex woke to a silence so deep it felt sacred.
For a heartbeat, he thought he was dead.
Warmth surrounded him, not the biting cold he remembered, but a gentle heat that seeped into his bones. When he tried to move, a dull ache flared through his body, and the faint rustle of cloth answered him instead. His breath caught. He looked down slowly and found himself wrapped head to toe in clean white bandages, layered with careful precision, as if someone had taken great pains to keep him whole.
The bed beneath him was nothing like he knew. It was vast and impossibly soft, draped in silken sheets the color of moonlight. Pillows embroidered with golden thread cradled his head, carrying a faint scent of herbs and something floral he could not name.
Alex turned his gaze outward.
The room was luxurious beyond reason. Tall arched windows let in pale morning light, filtered through sheer curtains that shimmered like spun glass. Stone walls, polished smooth, were etched with glowing runes that pulsed softly, as if alive. A chandelier of crystal and enchanted flames hovered above, casting warm light without smoke or heat. Rich tapestries lined the walls, depicting battles, dragons, and crowned figures whose eyes seemed almost aware.
Every detail whispered magic and wealth.
His heart began to pound.
Who had brought him here? Who healed him? And why did this place feel more like the chamber of a king?
Many questions came to Alex's mind.
The door to the room opened, and a man clad in blue and gold stepped inside, a sword resting at his waist. His presence alone carried an air of nobility.
" As I thought you woke up" said the man.
Behind the man, Nari and the old man also entered the room. Upon seeing them Alex felt relieved.
Nari and the doctor who has been taking care of Alex use healing spells, and after checking everything is all right, the doctor removes the bandages. As the last layer of bandage was removed, everyone in the room was shocked. Alex has been healed completely but there were monsters claw marks on both sides of his shoulders.
Nari and the doctor used every healing spell and medicine they knew, but for some reason, the scars didn't vanish.
"It's okay these didn't even hurt; leave them," said Alex.
Alex puts his shirt on. Then he remembered seeing a glowing sword before passing out and asked the man.
"Sir, you are the person I saw before passing out. Right! Thank you for your help."
Old man introduces the man "He is king of Iron Blaze Kingdom, Majesty Sagoria Lopetes Rynah"
Alex instantly greeted him in exactly the way how a king should be greeted.
King Rynah was amazed and impressed by Alex's greeting. King Rynah invited everyone to talk over tea.
Everyone moves out of the room, Nari stays with Alex and gives his things back to him.
Alex thanks her for retrieving his things for him.
Alex notices his cape, sword, and his adventurer token but the monocle given by Vardain Elsar was not there.
"Miss Nari there was a dragon chain type monocle... Do you know where the monocle is?"
Nari nodded and replied.
"So it was yours; I found it at the farmhouse"
Nari crossed her hands before her chest and whispered the spell. Green light bloomed between her palms as glowing branches burst forth, twisting and weaving together. They curled inward, forming a tight sphere of living wood. Slowly, the branches unfurled, petal by petal, revealing Alex's monocle resting at the heart of the spell.
After returning the monocle, Nari explains that the monocle was steeped in divine power; its presence alone was enough to bend lesser beings to fear. If Alex wore it during a monster attack, that holy force would mark him as untouchable. No creature would dare challenge.
Alex held the monocle in his hand and tried to remember what Vardain Elsar said to him but he didn't remember anything related to the monocle. Then Alex tried to focus his mana, and suddenly he was overwhelmed by the divine presence and fell to his knee.
Alex coughed.
Alex didn't witness anyone or anything he was just overwhelmed by the presence only.
Nari gave Alex water to calm down.
"Are you okay now. We should head as well we shouldn't make the king wait for us"
Alex agreed.
Alex gathered his belongings with quiet precision. He swung the cape over his shoulders, fastening it as though it were part of him rather than a garment. The sword followed, its familiar weight settling at his side. Last, he lifted the monocle and slipped it into his shirt pocket, where it rested just above his heart, a small and deliberate gesture of respect. When he straightened, he looked ready.
"When meeting a king, one should always present oneself to one's best."
They left to meet the king.