"Someone... kill me," the fat landlord muttered, staring at Raizel with an expression of utter disbelief.

But no matter how impossible it seemed, the documents were real.

There was absolutely no way to fake their authenticity. Each one was embedded with a unique magical insignia. Even if someone dared to commit fraud, the punishment for such a crime would be unforgettable.

"H-how did you do it, young man?"

Raizel didn't respond. His crimson eyes, filled with ridicule, silently told him to scram.

The landlord swallowed hard. Understanding the mood, he turned and left the house, his mind in turmoil.

This was huge news. Someone from their sector had made it into the Apex Guild. It was a moment of great pride for everyone.

He had to brag about this to the others.

With that thought, his expression became smug.

Seeing the landlord leave, Robert shook his head helplessly.

"I'm off to work, Marianne," he said before heading out.

"Work safely, husband."

His wife closed the door and turned to Ruby and Raizel.

"Ruby, don't you have school today? Go get ready immediately," she said sternly.

Ruby pouted but didn't argue.

However nefore heading to her room, she looked at Raizel, admiration shining in her eyes.

"Good luck with your game, big brother. But you have given me big problem. Sigh… now I have to say goodbye to my friends at school," she said, sounding disappointed—but her eyes betrayed her excitement.

Raizel chuckled and ruffled her hair gently. "Of course. You're going to a new school, after all."

"Hehe…"

She grinned happily and skipped toward her room, humming a cheerful tune like a little kid.

Then Raizel added,

"I'm entering the game, Mother. Take care of yourself until I come back."

"Don't worry, son. I'll be fine. You just focus on your job, and don't push yourself too hard," she said gently.

"Haha… That I will, Mother."

With that, Raizel logged into the Supreme Game right before his mother's eyes.

Raizel appeared in the game exactly where he had left off—just outside the entrance of Green Leaf Village.

But It had just passed evening , with a mild fog hanging in the air and darkness was all around.

He walked toward the guest house to see if Kierra had returned.

The village was mostly asleep, except for a few house, and few guards who were in Charge of guarding the village.

Because of the darkness, they hadn't noticed him yet.

But as he crept closer to the guest house, one of the guards spotted him immediately.

In the dim light, they could only make out his figure, but his crimson eyes made them uneasy.

When the flickering torchlight illuminated his face, the guard exhaled a sigh of relief.

"Sir Mage, you're still here?" he asked, mildly surprised.

"Leave? Why would I leave without saying goodbye?" Raizel responded, slightly puzzled.

The guard answered hurriedly as if afraid of angering Raizel,

"I mean no offense, Sire, but the female mage you came with—she already left the village just after you disappeared yesterday."

"She left in the evening?" Raizel muttered, slightly stunned.

"Yes, she did. She headed out alone, and we assumed you had left as well. Why? Is there a problem, Sire? Should I inform the village Chief?" the Guard asked.

"No, nothing. I'm going to the guest house. Don't follow me."

Raizel said strictly before he taking his leave, his mind churning with chaotic thoughts.

"Why did Kierra leave alone?"

"Was she somehow offended?"

"Or was it something else entirely?"

Regardless, Raizel decided to rely on himself rather than waiting for others.

He had grown alone in his past life through countless explorations, and this would be no different.

But before anything else, he decided to undergo the Class Upgrade Trial first.

Who knows it might grant him more benefits than he imagined.

After that, he would venture beyond this small village to discover the outside world.

Upon arriving at the guest house, Raizel lit up the room with firelight and prepared to initiate the trial.

There was nothing to prepare, really. He simply chose the house for safety, as he wasn't sure what kind of trial he would face.

Once done, without hesitation, he clicked [Yes] to accept the Class Upgrade Trial.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, his surroundings changed as if teleported to whole another place.

"Hmm, what's this?"

Raizel found himself inside a massive cave-like structure, where dim light shone from jewels embedded in the walls.

The environment was slightly cold and eerie, with nothing in sight. Absolutely nothing.

<Welcome to the Trial of Forbidden Heroes, RAIZEL!>

Suddenly, a deep voice—ancient and devilish—echoed throughout the cave.

Raizel's heart pounded instinctively, as if those words were striking his very soul. It was so powerful, so overwhelming, that he felt like a mere drop of water before an endless ocean.

"Wh-Who is it? How do you know my name?"

Slightly flustered, he glanced around but still found no one.

Ignoring his queries, the voice continued to speak, mechanical and uncaring.

< Raizel, you will go through seven waves in this trial. Only by clearing all seven waves will you earn your ultimate reward >

< If you fail, the outcome will be.. very bad.>

<So... PREPARE YOURSELF!>

The voice declared thunderously, sending a wave of crimson energy surging throughout the cave, almost blinding Raizel.

However, once the energy dissipated, Raizel found himself standing before a red giant.

The giant stood steady with eyes closed as if in deep slumber.

"What the—"

The giant stood nearly 3 meters tall, its form robust and, more importantly, deadly.

A massive hammer rested on its shoulder, appearing a critical threat to any newbie.

Suddeny, its crimson eyes gleamed with a predatory glint as he glanced at Raizel.

"F**k.. Do I have to fight this monster? Why don't you just kill me already?"

He grumbled loudly, but regardless, he tightened his grip on his broken sword.

The fight would be tough, but he would give his all to obtain the promised ultimate reward.

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