As the portal materialized before them, Ordun and the three family heads trembled. None had ever experienced stepping through one firsthand. The sensation of entering portals, of training in the unknown, was something foreign to them all. Yet, they had read countless accounts left behind by their ancestors—tales of adventures, of power. They had yearned for it, knowing deep down it would never be theirs to claim.
Eiruk stood frozen as reality settled in.
In such a short time, he had grown accustomed to following Nova, roaming the Giant Kingdom with a freedom he had never known. It had felt natural, as if the world had shifted to accommodate Nova’s presence. But now, all of it was coming to an end. His life would return to what it once was. Perhaps something even worse awaited him.
“Eiruk.”
The sound of his name pulled him from his daze. He turned toward the voice, finding Nova gazing up at him with a slight smile.
Tilting his head, he stammered, “Y-yes?”
Nova’s expression remained steady. “It was fun while it lasted but I have to go. Don’t stop growing stronger, become the next Giant King.”
Eiruk hesitated, his worry evident. Nova understood why. Shifting his gaze toward the four figures standing to the side, he spoke with quiet authority.
“Since I’m the king, I assume I have the power to order you to return what rightfully belongs to Eiruk?”
Ordun nodded in agreement, while the other three looked as if they might cough up blood.
“Good. I won’t be here to see it through, but I trust you’ll be impartial,” Nova said, his gaze steady on Ordun. The previous giant king gave another firm nod.
Satisfied, Nova turned back to Eiruk and winked. Then, without hesitation, he stepped into the portal, waving a hand in farewell—never once looking back.
The moment he was gone, Varkun snapped his head toward Ordun. “We aren’t seriously going to listen to him, right?”
A cold glare was his only answer at first. Then came Ordun’s quiet yet unwavering reply:
“Return what belongs to him peacefully, or I will take it back myself and it won’t be painless.”
From the sidelines, Eiruk exhaled, feeling a weight he hadn’t realized he was carrying finally lift. Under his breath, he murmured, “Thanks, Nova.”
On the other side of the portal, Nova stepped out onto a desolate street. He inhaled deeply, taking in the familiar sights. The sun cast its warm glow upon his face, as if welcoming him home after all this time—at least, here on Earth.
A thought settled in his mind, steady and certain.
‘I’m finally back.’
Without hesitation, he called up his Status.
[Status]
Rank: 0
Name: Nova Grey
Species: Human
Affiliation: None
Level: 27 (170/500)
Mana: Mana Core (Low) (797019/100000000)
Class: None
Titles: Goblin Exterminator, Kings Slayer, Survivor, Spear Novice, Troll Exterminator, Orc Exterminator, Rune Novice, Mana Novice, Lord (Giants), Hunter
Stat Points: 343
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Attributes:
Strength: 232 (+2434)
Vigor: 205 (+2143)
Dexterity: 255 (+2715)
Speed: 215 (+2265)
Intelligence: 171 (+1761)
Wisdom: 215 (+2215)
Will: 10
Luck: 10 (+11)
Skills
Active: Spear Thrust (15) (160/16384000), Spear Jab (15) (67941/16384000), Spear Sweep (16) (8162498/32768000), Spear Lunge (11) (583746/1024000), Spear Overhead Strike (10) (757/512000), Sword Slash (1) (75/1000), Sword Stab (1) (11/1000), Sword Chop (0) (141/500), Sword Sweep (1) (48/1000), Sword Parry (1) (184/1000), Sword Block (0) (497/500), Blacksmithing (1) (346/1000), Woodworking (0) (54/500)
Passive: Regeneration (11) (154213/512000), Keen Reflexes (7) (41791/64000), Momentum Streak (15) (1440146/16384000), One with the World (Spear) (MAX), One with the World (Footwork) (MAX)
“Shit.”
Nova stared at his Status, the numbers glaring back at him like a cruel joke. He couldn’t help but curse out loud.
“This has to be some kind of mistake… How the hell am I supposed to clear another Blue portal like this?” he muttered, his eyes fixed on the one thing he couldn’t ignore—his Level.
He had known this would happen. He had prepared for it, accepted it. But knowing something and seeing it become reality were two entirely different things. And now, the full weight of it settled in his mind.
With a heavy sigh, he thought, ‘There’s no way I’m clearing a Blue portal anytime soon…’
Still, that didn’t mean he was out of options. He needed to train, to grow stronger. But maybe… just maybe…
His gaze shifted, and he pulled up his Gold coin balance.
Gold: 171691
‘I can make up for my Level with better gear.’
The thought settled in Nova’s mind, but as he considered it further, he reached a new conclusion.
‘How did I not think of this? One with the World should be more than enough to clear Blue portals. My Level increased a lot, but my Stats exist on an entirely different level. I need to stop worrying so much about this.’
Shaking his head, he muttered to himself, “First things first—I need to get back to the academy. There’s that tournament between classes this month. I should participate, but I don’t even know the exact date.”
Glancing around, he searched for any familiar landmarks, but nothing stood out. With no other option, he took off, dashing through the city in search of people. Given his speed, it didn’t take long before he arrived at a busy street.
The sheer bustle of it nearly made him freeze. He hadn’t expected things to return to normal so quickly. But as he observed more closely, he realized his mistake.
People weren’t just walking—they were floating, sprinting at inhuman speeds, moving with precision that exceeded anything from before. The world hadn’t simply gone back to how it was.
‘They’ve adapted.’
The thought grounded him as he approached a middle-aged man standing in front of a shop.
‘Finally, I don’t have to look up at everyone I talk to’, Nova thought with a hint of satisfaction before addressing the man.
“Hey, can you tell me where we are?”
The man turned his head, eyeing Nova with mild curiosity. How could someone not know their own location? Still, he didn’t dwell on it for long and simply answered, “We’re in the northern part of Altura.”
Nova’s stunned expression didn’t go unnoticed, but the man chose not to pry, falling silent.
Meanwhile, Nova’s mind was racing. ‘So I can be sent anywhere on Earth after exiting a portal… But if that’s true, why hasn’t anyone else reported experiencing this? Is it because of the Blue portal?’ He exhaled sharply. ‘I need more people to clear them before I can confirm it.’
Snapping out of his thoughts, he gave a quick nod. “Thanks.”
Before the man could react, Nova vanished.
Blinking in surprise, the man turned to where he had stood just moments ago. Finding nothing but empty space, he muttered to himself, “First time I’ve met one of those crazy ones…”
Nova didn’t hear the man’s remark—he was already far, far away. His speed had reached a level he had never dared to imagine. In mere minutes, he stood before Univara’s academy, a place he had left less than two weeks ago.
Taking in the familiar sight, he couldn’t help but smile before striding toward one of the clerks. A quick flash of his token was all it took to pass through the gates, and as he walked toward his villa, he took a moment to appreciate the academy’s beauty.
“I need to check on my generals,” he muttered to himself. “It’s been two weeks—they should’ve recruited some people by now.”
Before long, he arrived at his residence, only to find someone standing outside.
A man, likely in his late teens or early twenties, with an average build, brown hair, and a sharp, calculating gaze.
‘Is he waiting for me?’ Nova wondered. ‘But… I don’t think I know him.’
Approaching the stranger, he asked, “Can I help you with something?”
The man’s eyes widened the moment he saw Nova’s face. Disbelief flickered across his expression as he hastily retrieved a piece of paper—one with a portrait on it. His gaze darted between the drawing and Nova, confirming what he already suspected.
Then, without hesitation, he bowed deeply.
“Welcome back, Sir.”
‘Huh?’
Confused, Nova frowned. “Are you one of my generals’ subordinates?”
The man straightened, his voice steady and professional. “Yes, sir. I’m Garrik Halvar, one of the Commanders under General Hector.”
Nova nodded. “How many people has Hector recruited besides you?”
“Fourteen commanders, fifty-seven captains,” Garrik answered without hesitation.
Nova raised an eyebrow, then let out an impressed chuckle. “He’s really good. Less than two weeks, and he’s already built up a force like that.”
Garrik’s expression remained neutral as he replied, “Sir, you’ve been gone for 196 days.”
Nova froze.
“WHAT?”
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