Entering Apocalypse in Easy-Mode

Maethion entered his office with an expression that was clearly brighter than usual. A faint smile plastered on his face as he closed the door behind him.

He had just received some good news. His attempt to convince the Council had gone better than expected.

Without too much difficulty, he had managed to get the authority to personally evaluate the newcomer known as Jack Johnson and determine whether the young man was suitable to become one of Sivagadh Fortress’s fighters.

Of course, Maethion knew the truth. Jack Johnson was Clyde.

Through careful persuasion and several convincing arguments, Maethion had managed to convince the Council that the young survivor could become a valuable asset to the Fortress.

His physical endurance was unusually high. His wounds had healed faster than those of the other survivors. Most importantly, his demonstrated combat strength was far beyond what could be expected from someone as young as him.

Eorgen, the leader of the Council, had not needed much convincing.

In fact, the entire process had been easier than Maethion had expected.

With this authority, Maethion could now officially evaluate Clyde as a potential fighter.

More importantly, he could send Clyde on missions into Ruins without having to worry about the Council constantly questioning why he was being given opportunities to leave the Fortress.

Maethion smiled faintly. Things were finally moving in the right direction.

He walked toward one of the portals inside his office and activated it. Space twisted before him and a moment later, Maethion stepped through and emerged into the training dimension.

The vast green plain stretched before him. Hills covered the distance, trees swayed gently beneath the artificial sky. All around him, people trained with weapons and magic power.

Some of them fought against summoned creatures, others practiced their swordsmanship. A few stood alone while manipulating their magical energy.

Maethion’s eyes moved across the training ground. Then he found him.

The young man was standing in an isolated part of the field, his new sword in hand.

Maethion’s eyebrows rose slightly. He was already using a new weapon. The elf immediately guessed where it had come from.

"He already met with that dwarf," Maethion thought, smiling. Hammer must have already recognized Clyde.

Maethion walked toward him.

Clyde noticed him immediately. The sword stopped halfway through another swing. Clyde lowered the blade and turned toward Maethion.

He studied the elf’s expression. There was something different about him. Maethion looked pleased.

Clyde narrowed his eyes slightly. "I guess he is bringing good news," he thought.

Maethion stopped a few steps away.

"What is it?" Clyde asked.

Maethion smiled. "I managed to convince the Council. They’ve given me authority to evaluate you for a position among the Fortress fighters."

Clyde remained silent as he listened.

Maethion continued. "With this authority, I can officially send you into Ruins as part of your evaluation. I can decide which missions you take and report your performance directly to the Council. More importantly, you won’t have to worry about everyone watching your movements. As long as you’re under my evaluation, I have a legitimate reason to send you outside the Fortress."

Clyde understood immediately. This was exactly what he needed.

He nodded and said, "That is good."

Maethion nodded back. "It means you can start working toward your goals much sooner than expected."

Clyde looked down at the sword in his hand for a moment before returning his gaze to Maethion.

"Then I suppose my training can finally become useful."

A faint smile appeared on Clyde’s face knowing that finally his time staying idle inside the Fortress was coming to an end and he would return to the Ruins again.

"Thanks," Clyde said.

Maethion nodded, but the faint smile on his face soon disappeared. His expression became serious.

"I suggest you be careful," he said. "You’re not as strong as you were before."

"I know." Clyde’s expression turned solemn. His eyes drifted toward the distant horizon without focusing on anything in particular. "I’ll be careful. Don’t worry. I won’t do anything that puts this Fortress or anyone inside it in danger."

"Good."

Maethion nodded slowly. He studied Clyde for a moment before asking, "Do you need my help with anything else?"

"No." Clyde shook his head. "When I am outside this Fortress, you don’t need to get involved in anything. Let me handle my own affairs outside."

Maethion hesitated. "But... won’t you feel lonely doing everything alone?"

The question came quietly. Maethion looked at Clyde with a trace of sadness in his eyes. He knew what this young man had been through. He knew about the battles, the losses, and the person Clyde had failed to save.

Some burdens were never meant to be carried by one person alone.

"Lonely?" Clyde let out a quiet snort. A bitter smile appeared on his face. "That doesn’t bother me anymore."

Maethion remained silent. He did not completely believe Clyde.

But he also knew that pressing him further would accomplish nothing. Whatever Clyde had lost, it had changed him in ways Maethion could not fully understand.

"Alright," Maethion finally said. "If you need anything, just ask me. And Hammer as well."

Clyde nodded. "I will."

He turned and walked toward the portal.

The swirling dimensional energy reflected faintly across his face as he stepped closer.

Clyde tightened his grip around the hilt of his new sword. He looked up. Beyond the artificial sky of this dimension lay countless Ruins, countless worlds, and the vast darkness where the Higher Beings still existed.

His gaze became impossible to read.

—

The next day, Clyde stood before one of the massive portals in the center of the street. His mission had already been assigned, and everything he needed for the expedition was ready.

He looked at the dimensional gate. The destination had already been fixed. Beyond it waited a Ruined World that had been consumed by the Selection Stage.

Clyde tightened his grip around his sword. There was no hesitation in his eyes.

He stepped forward. The moment his body passed through the portal, the world around him twisted into a blur of distorted light.

—

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