With the announcement of Phase Two, Rudy extended his metallic arms wide, as if heralding some great change.
A holy light descended from the sky, its radiance bathing the entire town. The villagers gasped, their voices rising in awe-filled murmurs. Some fell to their knees, whispering prayers to the Lord, their faces illuminated by the divine glow.
Noah watched as the light touched his skin. It was warm, almost soothing, yet something about it held an unnatural intensity. The longer he stood beneath it, the more it mesmerized him, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.
Then, Rudy's voice echoed through the town, cutting through the reverence.
"Now that you are awakened, it is time to learn. And what better way to learn… than firsthand experience?"
His digital eyes flickered, his words laced with eerie enthusiasm.
"I am your guide, and my job is simple—to prepare you. When you return to Earth, chaos will consume your world. People will look to you for strength, for leadership."
The air tensed. Something felt wrong.
Rudy spread his arms wider, his voice rising in intensity.
"But strength is not given—it is earned. And leadership?" His glowing eyes scanned the students. "Leadership is forged in battle, not in books. Do you think you are ready?"
No one answered.
Rudy let the silence linger before his tone softened—mocking, almost playful.
"No… you're not. But you will be."
A strange hum vibrated through the air. The runes on the town's defensive walls flickered. A shift, subtle at first, then undeniable. The light from the sky began to fade, casting long, creeping shadows across the dirt paths.
Then—the bell rang.
BONG!
The bell tolled across the village.
The villagers—instinctively—paused, their expressions shifting to uneasy fear. The bell only rang for one reason.
An attack was coming.
Heads turned toward the village lord, their silent prayers hanging in the air.
One among them, trembling, fell to their knees. "My Lord… I understand your blessings upon us, for we are weak in this perilous world. But is it just? Is it right to send such vile creatures upon us?" Their voice cracked with desperation. "Please, grant us an answer!"
High above, Rudy looked down at the pleading villager, descending slowly.
"Do not be mistaken, my child," Rudy intoned. "I am benevolent in granting others my blessing. But those who receive must hold firm. Strength is the right to protect what is yours. If you lack it, then you do not deserve to keep it."
The villagers shuddered; Rudy's words heavy with finality.
"This is a test—not just for them, but for you. Too long have your people remained stagnant. It is time to grow, to evolve. Only those who adapt will move forward."
His voice, regal and unwavering, echoed across the village. The meaning was clear.
Survival belonged to the strong.
"I'm sorry, my Lord. I was not worthy. Never have I doubted you."
The villager bowed their head, trembling.
"Now, I understand… your true vision." Their voice wavered, but conviction burned in their eyes.
"You are almighty, my Lord. You see what we cannot. You know that we must grow—must become stronger. And now, I see it too. We have been stagnant."
They clenched their fists, their breath steadying.
"Thank you, my Lord… for showing us the way."
Rudy then floated higher, a peaky grin stretching across his metallic face—smug, satisfied. As if proud of himself.
Proud of gaslighting the villagers into believing they needed to be attacked by goblins.
'Yeah… this guy is something else.'
Noah couldn't help but think it as he watched Rudy cause mayhem with a smile, his glowing eyes flickering with amusement.
He didn't care about the villagers.
He wasn't here to protect them.
He was just a guide—nothing more.
A shepherd for the poor souls of Earth, thrown into chaos by mana.
And now, they were forced into a tutorial they never asked for.
They had no choice. No say in the matter.
And for that, the people of Elkvar would suffer the consequences.
As the bell rang across the town, the villagers scattered, rushing to take their positions—each move precise, practiced and necessary.
They had done this before.
"Wait… what does he mean?" Amanda muttered, watching the chaos unfold as the villagers armed themselves.
Noah's expression darkened. "I'm not sure… but I think Rudy just summoned an attack on the town. And we're supposed to learn from it."
"That's right!"
A familiar, too-cheerful voice chimed in.
Floating above them, Rudy beamed, his metallic frame practically glowing with excitement.
"As your guide, it's my job to teach you everything! And what better way to learn how to defend your home… than to watch the villagers do it firsthand?"
His tone was jubilant—far too enthusiastic for what he had just said.
"Isn't that exciting?"
Noah and Amanda stared at Rudy, deadpan.
"Are you fucking serious right now?!"
Noah's voice cut through the air, sharp with disbelief.
"Rudy, really? You're just gonna put innocent lives at risk? Just because you're our 'guide' or something?"
Hearing the outrage in Noah's tone, Rudy blinked in shock, his usual smugness momentarily faltering.
"Noah… how dare you?"
His glowing eyes dimmed for a moment, flickering with something unreadable.
"I thought you, out of everyone here, would understand. You were the first to realize that this isn't a game. That the stakes are real."
Rudy's jubilant expression cracked. His voice softened, disappointment bleeding into his words.
"But clearly, I was wrong. Clearly, you still don't understand enough."
Then, his grin returned—wider, faker. Forced.
"So let me reiterate for you, Noah."
Rudy spread his arms, his tone suddenly chipper again, though the amusement in his voice felt… off.
"Why yes, I am a guide. I am all-knowing in what is happening, in what is to come. But that's all I am—a guide."
His grin stretched.
"A guide here to teach you."
His voice darkened.
"Lessons."
Noah's stomach twisted.
"And right now, you're about to miss an important one."
Rudy sighed, shaking his head.
"We're here, wasting time, talking about morality—the morality of the situation. But that's okay." His tone turned mocking, almost patronizing. "I understand. It's a difficult time for you. But don't worry."
His fingers twitched.
"You'll learn."
His eyes gleamed.
"You just have to see it firsthand."
Snap.
With the flick of his fingers, light erupted from the sky.
Noah barely had time to react before it slammed down, wrapping around him and the others like invisible chains.
Then—they were airborne.
Before he could even struggle, he was slammed against a rough wooden surface, arms spread wide. A cold realization settled in.
They were plastered against the village walls.
The entire group.
Noah's heart pounded as he glanced down. Below them, the wooden pikes that lined the village's perimeter jutted out like jagged teeth. The platform beneath their feet—haphazardly built, uneven—creaked under their weight.
His breath hitched.
They weren't just watching the battle.
They were being made to witness it.
Rudy hovered above them, his grin unwavering.
"Now then…" he hummed, his voice sickeningly sweet.
"Let the lesson begin."