Reincarnated Hero System

This new group wore the same sect uniform as the succubus girl, and Arthur quickly noticed that one of them was a dryad, similar to the ones he and Evan had dealt with before.

All of them were ridiculously attractive, exuding a natural charm, though none of them quite reached the intensity radiating from the succubus.

They hurried toward Crim, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.

“Crim! We heard you were fighting! What happened?”

One of them asked, clearly worried, while Crim scratched the back of her head, a sheepish look on her face.

“Well, those five over there were talking badly about your sect because it’s a Dual Cultivation sect…”

She said, gesturing toward the unconscious figures on the ground. Then, motioning to the succubus girl, she continued.

“They also mentioned Hibiki, and I got pissed. So, I beat them.”

The succubus—Hibiki—blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting that she was the reason Crim had gotten into a fight.

Meanwhile, Evan turned to Arthur, who looked back at him, amused smiles forming on their lips as they spoke in unison.

“Dual Cultivation sect?”

They shared a knowing look, then simultaneously burst into laughter.

“And another one.”

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Arthur looked back at Crim, eyeing her red and white hakama as he asked,

“You guys aren’t from the same sect, right? Or is it that you have different uniforms for the same sect?”

Crim shook her head in response.

“Nope! I’m from the Blood Moon Sect, but I’m moving separately from my sect members for this. I wanted to stay with Hibiki here.”

“You left your sect behind? Guess you two must be pretty close then.”

Evan remarked, and Hibiki responded with a polite smile, one that seemed just slightly strained.

“Something like that. Crim can be a little too protective sometimes, but it’s not so bad.”

“Hey, someone’s gotta look out for you, with all the attention you attract,” Crim said with a teasing smile, nudging Hibiki lightly.

Seeing that Crim was fine, Hibiki’s sect members decided to return to where they were before, with the exception of Hibiki, who decided to stay with Crim a bit longer.

After they departed, the six—Arthur, Evan, Artemisia, Beatrix, Hibiki, and Crim—were left together.

Suddenly, the skies darkened and thunder rumbled as six figures appeared above, their robes billowing as they stood suspended in the air.

Moments after the group recognised them as High Elders of the Denerth Sect, a seventh figure appeared in a fiery blaze, the Sect Master himself, radiating an overwhelming presence.

The crowd fell silent at his appearance, all eyes fixed on him, waiting for his words.

◇　◇　◇

While Sect Master Chang was delivering his speech about the upcoming Secret Realm event, a familiar figure suddenly appeared beside Arthur, Evan, Beatrix, and Artemisia.

“Yo! Seems like you found new friends,” Jamie greeted casually, drawing immediate attention from Crim and Hibiki, who turned toward him.

“?!”

“….eh?”

Their eyes widened, not just in surprise, but in recognition. It wasn’t just Jamie’s striking looks, though his presence could easily fluster even a succubus, but because they knew who he was.

Nearby, other Core disciples of various sects who had been briefed on the major figures of the Intergalactic stage began whispering and pointing, their shock spreading like wildfire through the crowd.

Arthur, unfazed as always, fist-bumped Jamie and gestured toward Crim.

“Yeah. Blonde vampire girl whose name is ‘Crim.'”

“And we got a Dual Cultivation Sect too,” Evan added, pointing at Hibiki with a light laugh.

Jamie just chuckled, amused by their trope-heavy introductions.

“There are a lot more around. I doubt you’d get to see them, though.”

His words carried a double meaning, and before Arthur could ask for clarification, Sect Master Chang’s booming voice once again filled the air.

[We have a special guest here today. It is with his cooperation that we can prepare this Special Secret Realm event.

Please welcome, His Excellency, the Demon King of the Void!]

The man swept his hand toward Jamie with theatrical flair, and at the announcement, the crowd broke into a frenzy of murmurs, eyes shifting rapidly between Jamie and the Sect Master.

“That’s my cue. Catch you later,” Jamie said with a grin, patting Arthur and Evan on the back before vanishing in a flash of light.

“Seventy-two Demon Kings…”

“Supreme Demon King!”

“He’s hot…”

As the crowd murmured in shock, Crim and Hibiki exchanged startled glances, realising they’d been casually interacting with people close to a Demon King.

Arthur, noticing their surprise, pointed out they’d also been talking to the daughters of the Supreme god Rulers. At the word ‘daughters’, Crim turned to Beatrix in disbelief, only to be met with a playful, knowing smile, leaving her even more overwhelmed.

Just then, Jamie appeared in the sky beside Sect Master Chang and began explaining the details of the Secret Realm.

[So, I’ve set up something a little special for you all.

This new location has purer magical power and energies than the original. We’re talking about an environment that’s been optimised for cultivation and training. With more emphasis on the training part.]

Gasps spread through the crowd as the significance of his words sank in.

[But—and it’s a big BUT—this realm is many, many times more dangerous than what you’re used to.

Chances of survival are a lot lower in there.]

He let that hang in the air for a moment, his tone serious, before clapping his hands and slipping back into his usual carefree demeanour.

[The entrance isn’t on Denerth Prime. You’ll be heading to a different location using the spaceship arranged. It’s all part of the adventure!]

Most didn’t notice anything unusual, but Arthur and Evan both felt something subtle in Jamie’s words that didn’t sit quite right, though they couldn’t say what.

It was even greater with Evan as his Danger Sense skill activated for a second.

Right after, Sect Master Chang stepped forward again, instantly drawing the crowd’s attention with his commanding presence.

[As His Excellency has said, the survival of each individual in this realm lies in their own hands.

Cultivation is fraught with danger, and you must be prepared for anything that comes your way. This Secret Realm will remain open for two months, allowing you ample time to explore and grow.]

The crowd listened in rapt silence, hanging onto every word.

[Within this realm, you will find numerous fortuitous opportunities for cultivation. There are special dungeons filled with challenges and hidden artifacts that can enhance your abilities.

However, I urge you to tread carefully. Some artifacts may be cursed, and the dungeons may have guardians that will not take kindly to your intrusion.]

As murmurs of excitement and anticipation spread among the assembled cultivators, the Sect Master raised his hand to quiet them once more.

[We will soon initiate the teleportation to the spaceship. Ensure you are ready, as this is an opportunity unlike any other.]

After the Denerth Sect Master’s speech, the crowd quickly scattered and formed alliances, with friends from friendly sects sticking together, rivals keeping their distance, and smaller sects banding for safety.

Within any Secret Realm, alliances were a necessity, as these Realm explorations were rife with bullying, extortion, and outright killing. Trust was scarce, even within fellow sect members.

Arthur, Evan, Beatrix, Artemisia, Crim, and Hibiki naturally grouped together, a decision that separated Crim and Hibiki from their original sects, though neither seemed to mind.

Once groups were settled, the Sect Master raised his hand, manifesting glowing tokens bearing the Denerth Sect’s symbol that floated toward each participant.

[These tokens are your identification and your keys to the Secret Realm.

They are linked to talismans in the Denerth Sect. Bond with them to gain access to the Realm.

They will also monitor your vitals and record whether you live or die in the Secret Realm. You may form allies and parties and register their tokens with yours, allowing you to see your party members’ statuses and general directions.]

After everyone received their tokens, Jamie clapped, using his Spatial Power to envelop the crowd.

A huge spaceship descended near the atmosphere, then beams of light shot down, surrounding the cultivators and lifting them off the ground.

Instantly, the beams of light lifted them from the ground and carried them straight into the heart of the ship, a sight that made Arthur and Evan chuckle.

“He could’ve just teleported us normally, but he had to make it seem like an alien abduction,” Evan muttered, and Arthur nodded in agreement.

“He just loves theatrics.”

When the light finally faded, they found themselves standing inside the vast interior of the spaceship.

The hall was enormous, with ceilings stretching high above and walls lined with glowing magic power crystals. Around them, other sect members appeared one by one, all equally stunned by the unfamiliar surroundings.

Sect Master Chang’s voice then echoed through the hall.

[Besides the staff and crew aboard this vessel, you will be the only ones on board.

We will not provide you with food or supplies. You should have prepared for this journey by yourselves. Use your Spatial Artifacts, rings, or inventory skills as needed. This journey will take several days.]

This entire process was designed not only to test their power but also their self-sufficiency.

[You have all been assigned rooms. Use your tokens to locate them. You are free to do as you wish during the journey, but I remind you—there is to be no fighting on board. Save your strength for the Secret Realm.]

As his voice faded, the ship emitted a low hum. The floor beneath them vibrated gently while the magic power crystals along the walls glowed brighter as the vessel powered up.

Then the ship lifted off into space.

Arthur and Evan moved toward a nearby window, watching their ascent. Outside, the world grew smaller beneath them as the spaceship steadily climbed above the atmosphere.

Soon, the vast expanse of space stretched out before them.

“Well, here we go,” Arthur said, eyes locked on the stars ahead. Evan folded his arms, leaning against the window as the ship accelerated toward their destination.

“A few days of peace before all hell breaks loose.”

“Sounds about right.”

◇　◇　◇

As soon as the ship departed, leaving the vast landscape of Denerth Prime behind, Sect Master Chang, the High Elders of the Denerth Sect, and the Elders from the various sects involved in the Secret Realm Exploration gathered in the observation room.

This chamber, equipped with intricate formations and monitoring artifacts, enabled them to watch every event unfolding within the Secret Realm.

From this vantage point, every individual who had entered the realm could be tracked.

The Elders took their seats, ready to discuss their plans and ensure that everything was proceeding as intended.