CHAPTER 5: Shadows of the Sun
The knight bowed deeply and guided the group through the grand stone corridors of the castle, the flicker of torches chasing shadows along the marble walls. After several turns, he stopped before a large wooden door and opened it with a creak that echoed softly through the hall.
"This will be your room for the night," he said before leaving them in silence.
Inside, the chamber was warm and wide, illuminated by a circle of wall-mounted torches. Red velvet couches formed a square at the center, surrounding a low table of polished oak. The faint scent of wax and smoke lingered in the air.
Doma threw himself onto one of the couches with a heavy sigh.
"Bro, what was that all about?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.
Zodac — once Alex — sat opposite him, his expression unreadable. His head rested against the back of the couch, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"Yeah," Aiden added, arms crossed. "You trying to make us look bad back there?"
Zodac didn't answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm, precise — the kind that cut sharper than any blade.
"A wise man has no reason to explain himself," he said. "I merely pointed out the truth while the rest of you were drowning in your own excitement."
Jin smirked, leaning forward with elbows on his knees. "Hey, don't get too cocky. That's a lot of talk coming from the weakest among us."
Zodac turned his gaze toward him, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement.
"I don't need to be the strongest," he replied. "I only need to be the smartest."
Jin scowled, but Zodac's faint grin told everyone he was enjoying the reaction.
Before the tension could rise further, Rae spoke up — his tone softer, more sincere.
"Listen, Zodac. This is supposed to be a thrilling experience — a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Why are you acting like this? Aren't you the least bit excited?"
Zodac gave a short, humorless laugh.
"Thrilling experience," he echoed. "You people keep saying that like it means something."
He leaned forward, his red eyes catching the torchlight. "You're all too busy pretending this is destiny to see the truth. We were almost lied to by those men earlier. You think being summoned here makes us special? It doesn't."
"Hey, calm down," Doma said quickly, holding up his hands.
But Zodac's voice only grew quieter — colder.
"I bet the last heroes thought the same thing. That they were chosen. That they mattered. And where are they now? Dead. Forgotten. I didn't see their names carved on any wall in that castle."
Silence fell. Even Jin looked away. The weight of his words hung thick in the air.
Zodac leaned back again, exhaling through his nose. His gaze drifted back to the ceiling, to the dancing orange glow above.
"We're not the first," he said softly, almost to himself. "And we won't be the last. So no — it doesn't make us special."
The room stayed quiet for a long time until Aiden broke the silence with a forced laugh.
"Yikes, man. You need a drink or something. Maybe there's a bar around here — or a few beautiful ladies to help you forget your doom talk."
Zodac's lips curled into a half-smile, but his eyes remained distant.
"I've had my fair share of women," he said. "They're all the same."
"Heartbreak," Jin muttered with a nod. "I know that look."
"Really? Damn, sorry about that," Aiden said, suddenly sheepish.
Zodac waved it off with a shrug. "You four are the real heroes here. Go on and fight the wave."
Rae frowned. "You're not coming with us?"
"Oh, I'll be there," Zodac said with a small smirk. "But if I die in the first battle... that would be nice."
The others stared at him, uncertain if he was joking. But Zodac's calm smile said enough.
The torches crackled softly as he rested his head against the couch again. The light painted his face in amber and shadow — thoughtful, unreadable.
The rest of the group slowly drifted to their own couches. Doma and Rae sat together across from him, while Aiden and Jin occupied the sides. Within minutes, their breathing grew steady. Sleep claimed them one by one.
But Zodac stayed awake.
He pulled up the shimmering blue screen before him — the strange interface that had appeared since their arrival in this world. His eyes scanned the glowing text.
ELEMENT: WOOD Lv.1 STP: (EMPTY) SKILLS: ??? AFFINITY: ??? ----------------------- PRIMARY: (EMPTY) SECONDARY: (EMPTY) TERTIARY: (EMPTY)
He clenched his jaw.
"Wood element," he muttered. "Fucking useless."
The anger stirred beneath his calm mask. He slammed the interface closed, the light fading back into nothingness.
"What did I get myself into…" he whispered.
Sleep found him hours later, restless and heavy.
The Next Morning
The throne room of Sundara shimmered with gold light as the new day began. Marble pillars reached high into the ceiling, banners of crimson and white fluttering in the faint breeze. Dozens of people filled the chamber — nobles, knights, servants, and curious onlookers.
Zodac stood among the other summoned heroes, dressed in clean armor provided by the castle staff. He didn't look impressed.
The king rose from his throne, his presence commanding even without words.
"Heroes," he began, voice deep and resonant, "today marks the beginning of your journey."
He spread his arms wide as a knight stepped forward with small pouches, handing one to each of them.
"As a token of gratitude, and to aid your first steps, I grant you five hundred silvers each."
The heroes murmured thanks as the coins clinked softly in their hands.
"This will help you find your footing in our world," the king continued. "And may it remind you that Sundara stands with you."
The hall erupted into applause and cheers. Zodac bowed with the others, though his movements were slower, more reluctant. His mind was elsewhere — thinking, calculating.
Then the king clapped his hands once, and the room quieted.
From the side doors, a group of young men and women entered — armored, confident, and determined. They lined up before the heroes, their eyes filled with admiration.
"These brave souls," the king declared, "will accompany you on your quests. They shall be your allies in the fight against the Abyss."
Zodac's gaze swept over the group until it caught on one particular woman. She had light blue eyes, soft but sharp, and hair the same color as his — a pale red that caught the light like fire. She smiled at him, subtle and knowing, before giving him a wink.
Zodac's eyes narrowed slightly. He looked away and fixed his attention on the king again, pretending not to notice the faint heat that crept into his chest.
The king raised his hand, his white robes gleaming beneath the sunlight that poured through the stained glass windows.
"Heroes of another world," he said with pride, "welcome to Sundara — the land where the blessing of the Sun never ceases!"
The crowd erupted once more, chanting their names.
And in the noise and glory, Zodac stood silent, his thoughts far from the cheers.
He had no illusions of destiny or divine favor.
He only saw the road ahead — and the shadow waiting at its end.