[Kael] pleaded, [Dont hurt me! Dont hurt me! I surrender!] I raised my hands in defeat. My heart pounded as I tried to steady my breathing. [But can you tell me who you are? How did you find me so quickly? And why did you surround me?]

  [Alucard] threw his head back and laughed, a deep, mocking sound that echoed through the forest. [Alucard] said, [Ha, ha, ha! Brothers, I guess he's a country bumpkin. He doesn't even know who we are!]

  The others chuckled, their eyes gleaming with amusement. [Alucard] stepped closer, his fiery hair catching the sunlight like a flame. [Alucard] said, [We are the notorious group of Chrono Users known as the *Red Scorpions*. Im the leader of this group Alucard, also known as the *Law Breaker*.]

  He paused, his sharp gaze studying me as if I were some kind of curiosity. [Alucard] continued, [As for how we found you so quickly, one of our brothers is a scouting Chrono User. When he focuses, he can scan a three-mile radius instantly, detecting any living being within his range. You didn't stand a chance.]

  His words sent a chill down my spine. *A scouting Chrono User? A three-mile radius?* This wasn't just some ordinary group of bandits they were organized, dangerous, and clearly experienced.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  [Alucard] barked, [Enough talking. Tie him up tightly. Make sure he cant escape!]

  As rough hands grabbed me and bound my wrists with coarse rope, my mind raced. From their words, I realized this place couldn't be the Earth I used to live on. The strange abilities, the unfamiliar forest, the way they spoke it all pointed to one conclusion. *This must be some kind of fantasy world, like the ones Id read about in manga and novels.*

  For now, I decided to play along. Following them might be my best chance to learn more about this world and find a way to survive.

  It took about 15 minutes to reach the edge of the forest. Just as we were about to step out into the open, we were ambushed.

  Strange, short, ugly green creatures leaped out from the underbrush, their crude weapons raised. But before I could even process what was happening, the Red Scorpions sprang into action. Their movements were swift and precise, their weapons flashing as they cut down the creatures with ease.

  [Paul] muttered, [Goblins. Low-level evil beings. They're no threat to us.]

  I stared at the scene, my mind reeling. *Goblins, Chrono Users?* This world was nothing like anything Id ever known. But one thing was Clear, I have to try my best to survive here!

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