[ At the same time when Lucien enters stellar mountain]

  A strange, tingling sensation crawled over Ryan’s skin, like static before a storm. His body trembled as a white light swallowed him whole, its brilliance so intense it blurred the edges of his vision. A meek, childlike scream escaped his lips, brief, startled before the world around him shifted.

  In the next moment, he and Max stood at the center of a vast hall.

  Ryan barely had time to process what had happened. His heart pounded in his chest as he took in his surroundings with wide, curious eyes. He had never seen this place before, had never even known it existed. The sheer enormity of it struck him first.

  The hall stretched in all directions, a towering expanse of white marble carved with ancient runes that pulsed with an eerie, arcane light. Massive pillars supported the structure, each etched with symbols, radiating an undeniable magical presence. The ceiling loomed high above them, endless, adorned with sigils that whispered of forgotten power.

  The architecture was unlike anything Ryan had ever encountered, a strange fusion of a colosseum, a royal assembly hall, and a city chamber. It was grand yet simple, vast yet unnervingly empty. There were no seats save for the ones shaped directly from the marble itself, a testament to the room’s cold, calculated purpose.

  Ryan’s fascination devoured him. He had seen wonders within the Sinclair estate, had witnessed magic beyond the comprehension of ordinary men, yet something about this place stirred a deep yearning within him, a hunger for the unknown.

  Like a child stepping into a vast toy shop for the first time, he wandered, his fingers brushing against the cool marble, his mind racing with questions.

  Then, a voice smooth, mechanical, yet oddly regal cut through the silence.

  “Greetings to Max Sinclair and Ryan Sinclair. I am the house assistant, Clay. How may I serve?”

  Ryan’s curiosity erupted into full force, shattering the silence he had maintained until now.

  "What is this? Instead of answering my questions, you’ve only given me more!" He turned to Max, brushing his white hair back, trying to mask his excitement beneath an air of forced composure.

  Max, unfazed, leaned against one of the massive pillars, adjusting his messy brown hair with practiced laziness.

  "Don’t worry. All your questions will be answered… just not by me." He turned his attention elsewhere. "Clay, explain your function and how teleportation works."

  “Affirmative. I shall begin with my introduction. I am C.L.A.Y.—Celestial Locus of Arcane Yonder. A system designed for the management, maintenance, and operation of Sinclair House.

  My primary functions include defense monitoring, external world connectivity, information processing, and command center oversight.

  Additionally, I govern all circle gates, ensuring their security and functionality. My creation stems from the highest mastery of rune craftsmanship, alchemy, restriction magic, and arcane engineering. This should sufficiently inform Young Master Ryan of my purpose.”

  Ryan absorbed the information, his curiosity only deepening.

  “Now, tell me, regarding teleportation immediately”

  Clay’s voice shifted into a factual, unwavering tone.

  “The Sinclair domain lies deep within the Shadow Labyrinth, at the heart of the Devil Forest. A land of mystery, shrouded in darkness, surrounded by the towering Stellar Mountain, which acts as both a shield and a barrier.

  To maintain control and security, the land is divided into concentric circles, each fortified with one-way teleportation gates. These gates allow seamless exit but restrict unauthorized re-entry, ensuring strict territorial control.

  The Outer Circles, five in total extend far beyond our estate. They are monitored, though not ruled directly. Surveillance is maintained to detect any emerging threats.

  The Inner Circles, however, are a different matter. 7 in number, these zones lie at the heart of our domain and fall under absolute Sinclair control. Each spans fifty kilometers in radius, with at least twelve strategically placed gates per sector. Only those of Sinclair blood, embedded with a Core Rune, may use them.

  For security reasons, these gates allow only outward travel. However, any Sinclair bearing the Rune may return from anywhere as long they are within in any of the circle or peripheral area.

  As an emergency measure, should a marked individual suffer critical injury or near death, the Rune will self-destruct, triggering an automatic teleportation back to the main estate no matter where they are. This ensures safety of the Sinclair family, while also providing a way to immediately return home without any issue no matter how far they are, though it is usable only once after that rune core needs to be replaced.”

  Ryan barely heard the last sentence. His mind was spinning, still processing the sheer magnitude of what he had just learned. Excitement flickered in his eyes.

  "So Brother Lucien just teleported outside like that? Amazing..."

  His voice carried a hint of something else. Something mischievous.

  Max, lost in his own thoughts, hadn’t noticed. He simply yawned and leaned further into the pillar, more interested in fixing his hair than indulging Ryan’s awe.

  Until Ryan with all his bravado and style he could muster shouted,

  "Clay, I command you to take me to Outer Circle Gate 3."

  This, words echoed in the whole room followed by sudden pause.

  Which itself was followed by the mechanical voice.

  “Command rejected. Ryan Sinclair is unauthorized for such a request.”

  Max erupted into laughter, doubling over.

  "Did you seriously think you could just leave like that? You fool! A second ago, you didn’t even know how this place worked, and now you’re already trying to run off? And what was that ridiculous pose you just made? Ha! Hahaha! Oh, this is gold!"

  Ryan stood frozen, humiliated, his face burning.

  "Why didn’t it work? I’m a Sinclair too!" he muttered under his breath.

  “Young Lord Ryan does not have a Core Rune embedded in him.”

  "Then how do I get one?"

  “Only the Head of House may authorize it.”

  Max, still chuckling, stretched his arms.

  "Got it, you idiot? Now if you’re done embarrassing yourself, let’s go back. I’ve had enough of this."

  Ryan didn’t move. His face twisted, his frustration bubbling over.

  Then, like a toddler denied his favorite toy, he dropped to the floor, thrashing and wailing.

  "Huuhhh! I want to go outside too! I want to go out! Let me out! Let me out!"

  Max sighed, unimpressed.

  "That’s enough, Ryan. You’re overdoing it. I won’t fall for your tantrums again. As funny as this is, even I wouldn’t pay to see it twice. Stop now, or I’ll make you stop."

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Ryan’s cries only grew louder.

  "Please, Brother! I beg you! Just this once! Please! If you take me outside, I’ll play with you anytime you want! I swear!"

  Max blinked, stunned.

  "You... you actually called me 'Big Brother' for the first time in your life. And all to butter me up." He clutched his chest in mock pain. "Truly, my heart is shattered."

  Before Ryan could argue, Clay’s voice cut in, its tone sharper.

  “Outer Circle, Gate 1—breach detected. Estimated intruders: 150. Surveillance footage unavailable.”

  Max’s demeanor shifted instantly.

  "Already at the first gate? That was fast. Lucien, haven't dealt with them yet? He must be letting nature deal with them. Doesn’t surprise me, within a span of day they will become food for some monster or something."

  Ryan’s eyes gleamed with new excitement.

  "Then let’s finish them off! Wouldn’t that be better?"

  "The only place you’re going is back home." Max didn’t even look at him. "We don’t know why they’re there. It’s not like they pose a real threat to us, so why bother?"

  Ryan turned, giving him the biggest, most pathetic puppy-eyed look he could muster.

  Max didn’t even blink.

  "This is not going to work on me. Get ready. We’re leaving, NOW."

  Ryan clenched his fists.

  "Is there really no way for me to leave without his help?"

  “There is none. You may only exit if accompanied by an elder.”

  Ryan scowled.

  "Huh... fine than."

  Then the surrounding air changed. Blue energy flared from his body, his hands elongating into razor-sharp claws.

  "Command: Leave."

  “Unauthorized. Request denied.”

  Max ran a hand through his hair, exasperated.

  "You’re such an idiot. You’ll get hurt if you keep this up. I do not want to use force on you kid"

  Ryan didn’t stop.

  "Doesn’t matter, even if you break every bone in my body."

  Max replied with a rare serious expression,” Think again, kiddo it won't be pleasant for you at all, don't make me hand your ass back to you”

  Ryan only becoming more and more frenzy, ”Quit, blabbering, if really are something, come at me”

  Max visibly irritated and groaned.

  "Fine. You win. But we’re only looking. Anything more, and I’ll actually hurt you."

  Max: “Clay, take us to Gate 1 of the Outer Circle. Ryan, hold my hand and listen carefully. Do not, under any circumstance, do something stupid like running off or ignoring my words. We will be there for no more than ten minutes. And if you so much as try—” His voice turned cold, laced with quiet malice. “I will rip those legs right out of your body.”

  Then, just as easily, his tone lightened, almost playful. “Also, you do realize that we are seen as monsters in the outside world, don’t you? If anyone finds out what we really are… well, you get the picture. So, keep your mouth shut and don’t reveal anything unnecessary—even if they’re not going to live long enough to tell anyone.”

  Ryan: “You don’t need to tell me that. I’m smart enough to know.” He grabbed Max’s hand, bracing himself for the tingling sensation of teleportation again. But instead, to his surprise, a shimmering white gate of pure mana materialized near one of the marble pillars.

  Max: “Let’s go.”

  Ryan: “Wait… I didn’t actually need to hold your hand, did I?”

  Max grinned. “No. You didn’t.”

  Ryan shot him a glare. “Fine, fine, I’ll let it go… since you’re actually taking me outside.”

  Max smirked. “If only you could be this nice without an ulterior motive.”

  They stepped through the glowing portal.

  A rush of fresh air greeted them as they emerged on the other side. They stood atop a rocky outcrop, overlooking a vast mountainous landscape.

  The sky stretched endlessly above them, a bright, unbroken blue. Below, dense forests sprawled across the land, a sea of emerald swaying under the burning sun.

  Jagged peaks rose in the distance, their slopes scarred by time and weather. The wind carried the scent of damp earth, wildflowers, and something distant, something unfamiliar.

  Ryan: “So… this is the outside world.” His eyes widened, taking it all in. “It’s amazing.”

  Max: “It’s a forest. We live in a forest. We see trees every damn day. What’s so special about this one?”

  Ryan: “A man like you wouldn’t understand. It’s about the atmosphere.”

  Max: “That’s bullshit. You’re acting like you didn’t just throw a tantrum not once, but twice today.”

  Ryan: “That was a necessary tactic. A means to an end.”

  Max gave him a side-eye, looking at him like he was some kind of strange insect. Ryan ignored it.

  Ryan: “Anyway, we should start looking for those guys and interrogate them.” He glanced around. “They could be anywhere.”

  Max: “No need. Look down.”

  Ryan followed Max’s gaze down the slope.

  Below them, a mercenary convoy made its way through the mountain pass. There were dozens of them, moving in tight formation.

  The vanguard, battle-hardened warriors with scarred faces and cold eyes led the march, scanning the terrain with careful precision.

  Behind them, men loaded with supplies trudged forward, their shoulders heavy with crates and barrels. A few tribesmen, dressed in furs and primitive armor, walked alongside them, acting as guides through the treacherous landscape.

  Then, there were the carriages. A terrible choice for mountain travel. The heavy wheels struggled against the uneven ground, creaking with each movement. One stood out—a cage-like wagon, its iron bars trapping women, children, and the elderly inside.

  Ryan frowned.

  Ryan: “So, how do we take them down?”

  Max: “We don’t. We start a landslide. Let the mountain deal with them.”

  Ryan shot him an irritated look. “A landslide? Seriously? Do you have no interest in a good fight? No curiosity? No desire for battle or exploration? More importantly, we need information, don’t we? Believe me, I have a proper method to force even the most tight-lipped soldiers to speak”

  Max: “No. I don’t. There’s no fun in battle. It’s not like those stories you read—it’s just work. It’s boring, tedious, and the faster it’s done, the better.”

  Ryan: “Hah, you have no sense of adventure. Fine. I’ll take the front. You take the rear. The leader should be at the front.”

  Max: “The leader is usually in the center.”

  Ryan hesitated. “… Then I’ll take both the front and center.”

  Max shook his head. “No. I refuse. I’m killing them all in one go. I’ll leave a few alive—do whatever you want with them. And you’re not leaving my side.” His gaze hardened. He meant it.

  Ryan huffed. “Fine. Then we hit them from the back first.”

  Max: “No. We create a diversion, cause chaos, and use the confusion to take the leader. Then, we bury the rest under the rocks.”

  Ryan: “You’re so damn boring.”

  Max:” you mean I am so effective and efficient”

  Ryan ignored him. They moved swiftly, closing the distance between them and the mercenary army. Finding a perfect vantage point, not too close, not too far, they crouched in the shadows, hidden from sight.

  Ryan: “A landslide won’t work. And I can sense a few strong ones in the group.”

  Max: “I see, then. Guess I have to do some work after all.” He rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles. “Ryan, get ready. You’re about to get that ‘fun battle’ you were hoping for.”

  Ryan’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

  Ryan: “Now that… is what I wanted to hear.”

  Ryan: “Are we using brute force, or do we have a proper plan, something that combines our abilities to take them down systematically?”

  Max: “I’ll handle the ones outside. You’ll go in once the path is clear and cut them down. Don’t waste time. No duels, no dramatics. Kill them fast and move on. I’ll take care of most of their forces in four minutes, at most. You just have to hold out until then.”

  His tone darkened. “If you run into someone stronger, use guerrilla tactics. You’re part beastman, so it should be easy for you. Or just run back to me—I’ll follow immediately. But don’t do anything reckless.”

  Ryan: “Got it. Easy-peasy.”

  His eyes gleamed crimson, pupils contracting into razor-thin slits. Claws slid from his fingers, wicked and sharp, his body brimming with raw energy. A deep blue aura flickered around him, but he forced it down, keeping himself hidden from his prey.

  Then he leapt.

  Max had already carved a path for him, and Ryan dove straight into the chaos like a starved beast let loose in a den of lambs.

  Excitement surged through his veins.

  This was the moment he had dreamed of.

  All the novels he had devoured, the stories of war and battle, of lone warriors cutting down armies, of chosen heroes standing against overwhelming odds, he was living it. His heart pounded, his breath came fast, and for the first time in his life, reality felt better than fiction.

  A swordsman lunged at him, blade flashing.

  Ryan didn’t just dodge, he moved as if he had seen the strike a thousand times before. He shifted an inch to the left, felt the blade miss his ribs by the width of a hair, and seized the moment. His clawed hand lashed out, snatching the man’s wrist.

  Too slow.

  Ryan twisted. Bone snapped like brittle wood. The man barely had time to scream before Ryan wrenched the weapon from his shattered grip and drove it through his chest, pinning him to the dirt like an insect beneath a nail.

  One charged, roaring as he swung a battleaxe. Ryan sidestepped with a dancer’s grace, yanked the fallen swordsman’s blade free, and slashed upward in one fluid motion. The axe-wielder’s head tumbled from his shoulders before his body even realized it was dead.

  More came. A dozen of them.

  Ryan let them.

  He darted between them like a shadow, his claws flashing. His movements were too fast, too erratic. A spear thrust at him, he caught it midair, snapped it in half, and buried the jagged end in its owner’s throat. An archer loosed an arrow, Ryan snatched it mid-flight and sent it spiraling back, straight into the bowman’s eye.

  Limbs fell. Blood sprayed. Screams filled the air, but Ryan barely heard them over the pounding of his own heartbeat.

  The mercenaries stumbled back, their confidence shattered, their formation breaking. They had not expected a monster in human skin.

  Max watching the whole thing from the sidelines, all while also doing his task,

  Panic spread through their ranks.

  The mages and best swordsmen had already fallen for unknown reasons.

  Their strongest warriors lay lifeless on the ground, not torn apart, not visibly wounded, just... dead, their faces twisted in horror, their body become like dried carcass in an instant.

  This wasn’t a battle.

  It was a performance.

  And Ryan was the star of the show for now.