Dragon's Wrath: The Cursed Returnee

pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ How in the hell a human from Earth obtained such a relic? That was the question that stayed in Ethan's mind for quite a while, even after he watched Ivan returning to his tent. It didn't make any sense, as if that wasn't enough. Somehow, Ivan knew that Ethan would be able to use part of the effect of the sword.

After studying his system for almost a year, Ethan learned a few things. Why do some weapons have requirements? In games, weapons have requirements to balance the game. It would be weird if a level one player could use the strongest sword. Still, that logic doesn't make sense in reality. However, eventually, Ethan learned that magic weapons have requirements because they have ''wills''. Magic weapons weren't just objects, but they weren't quite like sapient beings. Still, they had wills… and thanks to that, they couldn't accept being used for those they deemed unworthy. That was why some weapons had requirements.

Another example. Ethan could carry the Doomsday sword just fine on his back and make use of ten percent of its effects since he had ten percent of the strength and the endurance to use the sword. However, if he tries to use the weapon, the will of the sword will refuse him. Making him feel like the weapon was much heavier than it was supposed to be.

"How the hell does he know that? Ian or Anna told him? No, I don't think they have a system like mine…"

In any case, questioning things wouldn't change a thing. It wouldn't be perfect, but with the effect of the sword, Ethan would be able to fight a little more like he did in the past. It wouldn't be easy or pleasant, but that didn't matter.

"That is some ominous-looking sword," Emily said. "Still, despite everything, it doesn't suit you, and it would suit better the last boss of one very hard RPG."

"What do you mean by 'despite everything'?" Ethan frowned.

"Anyway, it looks like today we aren't going home," Emily said. "The chances of us skipping school tomorrow are quite high as well."

That was one way to change the subject. Still, Ethan wasn't worried since he had already warned his parents that he won't return tonight. Besides, his attendance at the school was the least of his worries. Ethan was excited… that sword would help him quite a bit in many ways, so he had to make good use of it because now more than ever, he knew that the future was uncertain.

"Did you already send a message to your parents?" Ethan asked, and he frowned since he asked without thinking.

"It is fine, and I live on my own," Emily said.

No wonder she looked kind of unhealthy the first time Ethan saw Emily. Teens weren't supposed to be that responsible, but still, it made sense, given her personality. Besides, summoned heroes had a decent salary, so it wasn't surprising that some would decide to live by themselves. Still, Ethan couldn't quite understand why she would do that, and to make matters worse, he didn't want to pry any further.

"Oh boy…" Ian suddenly appeared. "Father really brought that and lent it to you. He is really serious about a change."

As far as Ethan was concerned, Ivan always looked serious. In any case, it was also very surprising that Ian only showed that many surprises. That sword was one of the two strongest weapons Ethan had seen, but Ian didn't look even a little bit jealous. Maybe it was because he was a bit more mature than Ethan, and that was why he couldn't understand the appear of an excellent magic weapon. Still, Ethan refused to think that was the case.

"Anyway, don't try to keep the weapon, Ethan," Ian said. "If you even joke about it… I feel shivers just thinking about what Father might do."

After giving that silly warning, Ian left again. He definitely doesn't understand that real warriors would never retort to dirty methods to gain power. Besides, he didn't need to keep that weapon because…

Much faster than everyone had expected, everyone around the camp began to see dust clouds approaching in the distance. As if that wasn't enough, there were in three directions: North, East, and South. Ethan's doubts disappeared from his head at that moment. Someone or something was definitely influencing the devourers. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to organize their massive forces in order to attack a single target all at the same time.

"Attention, ladies and gentlemen," Ivan raised his voice. "This mission is coming to an end much sooner than I expected. Still, this is a good chance we can't let it go. Your job is simple: attack as much as you can and prevent the monsters from reaching the top of this mountain. If you succeed, tomorrow you will be at your homes celebrating with your deserved reward. However, if a single side is defeated, I highly doubt that the others won't suffer the same fate. We can't let the monster break our lines of defense. Do your best to survive because if you die, you won't have anyone to blame for it."

Ivan wasn't very good at giving those exciting speeches, but in the end, he was right. There was an immense number of potions ready to be used around them. So, everyone could attack as much as possible. Anna will even focus on support to make the potions more effective. Still, she could only do so much.

"Well… inspiring speeches are too annoying. I can recognize their value, but I can't respect those who need such a thing to fight as fiercely as possible."

While watching the army of devourers approaching, Ethan recalled a certain day. Although he was already making use of his powers here and there, at some point while he was fighting for Hedo, the humans' army suffered many defeats in a sequence. Until one day, all the remaining survivors of the world were forced to take shelter in the capital. Four months had passed since Ethan had been summoned, and on that day, he thought: I failed.

The streets were filled with refugees, women, and kids who couldn't fight and gravely injured men who had lost eyes and limbs or were in comatose. To make matters worse, the capital gates had been closed, and many refugees had been left out. Thousands would be massacred because Ethan had failed… Still, that day, not a single civilian got killed. That day, Ethan led a small group of soldiers who managed to survive the previous fights and managed to hold back the demons. At some point, Ethan saw that he was the only one alive. Still, he never stopped fighting. That was the only day of his life he felt like a real hero.