It was the first time Booza and his friends had seen the queen up close. Many said she was already in her 40s, but physically, she still looked astonishingly beautiful—like a woman in her 20s. Her skin was fair and flawless, still firm with barely a wrinkle. Her long, jet-black hair flowed down gracefully. Today, she wore a long white gown that covered her entire body.
Standing slightly behind the Queen, Yonvi Virosta glared at everyone angrily. "Aren't you going to greet the Queen?"
Only then did Booza and his friends realize they needed to show respect. Some who were asleep were also woken up. Despite the pain in their bodies, they all bowed low in reverence.
"Thank you."
The Queen seemed pleased by their show of respect. Soon after, she summoned several people carrying large trays of food.
"Quick, bring them dinner," she ordered.
The Queen began walking through the room, observing everyone from the outskirts who was resting there. As she walked, her eyes scanned left and right, examining every inch of the bodies before her. Booza and his friends could only lower their heads. It felt like the Queen was undressing them with her gaze, scrutinizing them from head to toe.
Standing at the room's far end, she leaned against the window. "Eat your food. Just sit on your beds."
Booza was now holding a plate filled with food—rice with chicken, shrimp, meat, and vegetables like tomatoes and broccoli. For someone from the outskirts, this was a feast. Perhaps in his entire life, Booza had never eaten something this delicious. His friends felt the same—their eyes sparkled when they saw what was on their plates. They immediately began eating with gusto.
Hunger had long gnawed at their stomachs, so it was no surprise that the food disappeared in an instant. In fact, Booza and the others still felt unsatisfied. They wanted more.
Meanwhile, Queen Caterine II looked delighted to see the food completely gone. She then asked her attendants to serve drinks to Booza and his friends.
"Give them something to drink."
Moments later, several people appeared behind the door, each carrying cups of water. They were quickly distributed among Booza and the others.
"I'm honestly surprised you survived this morning's massacre. Usually, not even 10 from the outskirts survive. This time, there are 50 of you. Truly surprising," said the Queen, clapping lightly with a faint laugh.
"But your task isn't over. You'll begin military training tomorrow. So rest up—be ready for the hard training that awaits you."
The Queen turned and began walking out of the room. But Booza still had questions—especially about what the Queen had said earlier. She mentioned 50 survivors, yet only 25 were in the room. Where were the others?
"Pardon me, Your Majesty—may I ask something?"
The Queen, already near the door, stopped in her tracks. "Go ahead."
Booza hesitated for a moment, trying to phrase the question politely. "Only 25 of us here… what happened to our other friends?"
"They're dead," Queen Caterine II answered calmly, and then continued walking out of the room.
"Why did we have to be tortured like that by the city folk?" Booza couldn't hold back any longer. His mouth wanted to protest after knowing for sure that the others had died.
But the Queen ignored him, walking straight out. And just when Booza went silent, a threat approached. Yonvi Virosta appeared beside him in an instant.
"Don't complain too much. If you want to die, just say the word—I'll gladly kill you right here."
Booza swallowed hard and said nothing. He could now read Yonvi's mind—and it was terrifying. He could sense only threats; if Booza dared to speak again, Yonvi's sword would slice his neck.
Once Booza remained silent, Yonvi finally walked away. But inside, Booza burned with rage.
"When my power awakens… you'll be the first one I kill."
---
Morning came with its warm and calming rays. Birds chirped in the thick trees, fluttering about in search of food.
But the peaceful atmosphere didn't apply to Booza and his friends. They were now gathered in a field before the royal palace. The people from the outskirts were lined up to the far left. Townsfolk and nobles occupied the central part of the field. Everyone had to line up neatly and wait for the Queen.
Suddenly, a transparent cyan screen appeared in Booza's mind.
[Loading system]
[Your body is beginning to recover, you can now begin training]
Daily Missions:
100 push-ups
100 sit-ups
100 pull-ups
10 km run
100 kicks
100 punches
Reward: 5 points per mission
Penalty for failure: -
"What is this?"
Booza stared at the daily mission screen. "Why is the training so intense? Ten kilometers? I feel like dying after just 100 meters."
"Life is indeed cruel."
Booza chose to ignore the daily missions for now. He had to focus on waiting for the Queen and the upcoming military training.
Not long after, the Queen arrived. She now stood on the palace balcony. Behind her were ten individuals, all dressed in full battle armor—elite knights of the Luzia Kingdom. But among them, Yonvi Virosta was nowhere to be seen.
"Welcome, all of you—the proud soldiers of the Luzia Kingdom. Congratulations on the awakening of your powers!" Queen Caterine II shouted.
In total, there were 300 people gathered in the open field. They were divided into 10 separate lines. Men and women aged between 18 and 27 had been gathered as recruits for the kingdom's military training. Cheers erupted as the Queen greeted them.
"Make me your war commander, my Queen!"
"Make me your knight, Your Majesty!"
"My glorious Queen!"
"I love you, Queen!"
The shouting continued endlessly, loud and excited—especially from the city-born and noble recruits, who acted like they were meeting a celebrity. But not Booza and his friends. They remained quiet and indifferent.
The Queen raised her right hand—a sign for silence.
"Quiet!"
"Today is your first day of training. Train hard, for only the strongest among you will become my knights."
Cheers erupted once more. The Queen's words ignited their spirit.
"Each line will be assigned a mentor from those behind me."
A moment later, the ten knights behind the Queen shot off the balcony with incredible speed. Suddenly, a beautiful woman with golden hair and a graceful suit of armor appeared in front of the outskirt group.
"I'm your mentor. Nice to meet you. I'm Elsie."