Entering Apocalypse in Easy-Mode

Clyde looked around the fortress in silence. Sivagadh Fortress looked almost exactly the same as he remembered. The massive structures from different worlds meshed together, fortified walls, the familiar black sky, and even the magical energy that lingered throughout the fortress did not change.

But Clyde had no idea how much time had actually passed since he had disappeared from this place in his previous life before eventually being reincarnated into Jack’s body. He let out a quiet sigh.

This nostalgic feeling should have been pleasant. He had returned to a place he once knew, a place that had once given him shelter and allowed him to fight.

But there was nothing pleasant about it. Because he had returned after suffering a devastating defeat. And after losing someone who had meant everything to him.

Clyde’s face was pale as he continued looking around. He knew that for now he had to act normally. He could not let anyone realize that he already knew this place. He could not react too strongly to anything and show recognition of anything. He could not behave as though he had already walked through these streets.

His eyes slowly moved across the fortress. Were the people he knew still here? Or had something happened to them during the time he had been gone?

He hoped they were still alive. Seeing them again would be more than just nostalgic. They could become a tremendous help. There was Maethion, the elf who had been one of the members of the Council that governed Sivagadh Fortress.

Then there was Hammer. Clyde almost smiled at the thought of the dwarf blacksmith.

The five people who had rescued them remained nearby, watching Clyde and the others for several moments. Their expressions became more concerned as they observed the condition of the group.

Mina was barely conscious. Sean and Connor were covered in wounds. Ray looked exhausted to the point of collapse. Even Clyde looked battered after everything that had happened.

Finally, the leader spoke. "Get them to the infirmary quickly. They’ve been through a lot."

The others immediately moved. Clyde allowed himself to be guided along with them. He could still move far better than he appeared to, but showing that would only raise questions.

The group eventually reached the infirmary. The moment they entered, several healers immediately rushed toward them.

Only Clyde remained conscious in his bed right now.

A female healer eventually approached him. She looked at him for several seconds with an expression of surprise. "You’re still awake?" she asked.

Clyde turned his head toward her. The healer examined him carefully, her eyes moving across his injuries and the faint remnants of magical energy surrounding his body.

"I’m honestly impressed," she said. "Most people would have collapsed after what you went through."

Clyde gave her a faint smile. "I guess I’m a little stubborn."

The healer chuckled softly. "That might be one way to describe it."

She raised her hand and allowed a gentle wave of healing energy to pass through his body. Clyde felt warmth spread through his muscles as some of the pain began to fade.

"You’re exhausted," she said. "Even if you can still remain conscious, your body needs rest."

"I understand."

"So don’t try to get up."

Clyde nodded.

The healer gave him one final look before turning away. "Just rest. We’ll take care of the others."

"Thank you."

The healer left.

Clyde remained on the bed. For a while, he simply stared at the ceiling. The ceiling also still looked familiar. Almost painfully. It seemed that almost nothing had changed.

Clyde’s eyes narrowed.

"So nothing changed here..." A feeling of irritation surfaced inside him. While he had been fighting for his life, this place had remained almost exactly as he remembered it. While Asqa had died protecting him, this place had continued to exist like nothing happened.

Clyde’s fingers tightened against the blanket. He hated that.

But then another thought followed. Wasn’t this exactly what he had wanted?

He had chosen to remain in a Ruin precisely because he wanted Sivagadh Fortress to remain safe. The people of this fortress had already suffered enough. They were survivors of the Selection Stage, people who had escaped worlds that had been destroyed and had lost almost everything in the process.

Clyde wanted to protect them so that’s why he and Asqa had stayed away. If the Higher Beings discovered him while he was here, they would eventually discover Sivagadh Fortress as well, and once that happened everyone here would become a target.

So perhaps this was a good thing. The fortress was still standing, its people were still alive, that should be good.

Clyde closed his eyes for a moment. The feelings returned anyway.

When the Higher Beings had finally found them, he and Asqa had been alone. Asqa had fought to protect him. She had died doing it.

Clyde had managed to kill several of the Higher Beings but it had not been enough. Not even close.

His teeth clenched. He opened his eyes again. "I need to get stronger."

The thought was absolute. There was no other answer. He needed to recover his old power back. More importantly, he needed to surpass the power he had before. If he wanted to destroy the Higher Realm, simply returning to his former strength would not be enough.

He needed something greater. Something that even they could not overcome. Maybe even allies.

Clyde stared at the ceiling for several more minutes. Eventually, the exhaustion he had been suppressing finally caught up with him. His eyelids became heavier, his breathing slowed, and his body finally surrendered to the fatigue.

Clyde fell asleep.

—

"More people came?" Maethion sat inside his office, several reports spread across the desk before him. The elf adjusted the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose as he read through another document.

"Yes, sir." The voice came from across the room. The leader of the rescue team stood before him. His name was Marlon.

Maethion lifted his gaze. "How many?"

"Five people were brought back."

Maethion nodded slowly before pushing his glasses higher. "That’s good. How difficult was the rescue?"

Marlon hesitated. "Well... It wasn’t actually that difficult, sir."

Maethion raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because they had already killed the final Scenario boss."

Maethion’s eyes slowly lifted from the papers. "Really?"

"Yes."

For several seconds, the room remained silent.

"The final boss was already dead when you arrived?"

"Yes, sir."

Maethion stared at him with disbelief before a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Well..." He adjusted his glasses again. "Then perhaps we’ve just gained a group of excellent fighters."

Marlon nodded. "They certainly looked capable."

"Once they recover, I’ll meet them personally. You can go."

Marlon bowed slightly. "Yes, sir."

He turned and left the room and the door closed behind him.

Maethion remained alone. He slowly leaned back in his chair and looked toward the distant window.

Beyond the glass, the fortress sight stretched across the landscape under the perpetually dark sky. His expression gradually became more thoughtful.

Five survivors. The final Scenario boss already dead. His gaze remained fixed on the distance as several possibilities began forming in his mind.

—

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