I Was a Loner, but My Class Got Summoned to Another World…

Roland continued fighting with greater vigor after killing that poor girl.

He slaughtered every demon he came across with a ferocity that even worried his teammates.

The hero single-handedly killed at least half of the enemy force—no demon escaped him.

His mana blades kept digging into their bodies long after their deaths.

The boy was slightly broken.

Emotionally, he was on the verge of collapse—especially since the feeding den wasn't even the worst part of the fortress.

Thousands of humans were barely clinging to life, starving, lashed, and toyed with.

In those few short hours, Roland had seen more horror than in all his life combined.

After ensuring no demon still drew breath, he ordered an evacuation.

Then, he used a newly gained skill—a fusion of fire and stone he had developed with the help of the spirits, who were just as disgusted as he was.

Not just by the treatment of humans—but by the entire situation.

Fay unleashed a barrage of fiery comets that tore through the fortress, reducing it to rubble. Not a single brick remained.

Everyone cheered—those who felt his power, and those who understood the meaning behind it, roared with renewed vigor.

All supplies were salvaged, and the return journey began.

Progress was slow due to the sheer number of refugees, but Roland didn't leave a single one behind.

He personally helped everyone who needed it—even pulling wagons himself to get them to safety.

His strength was now something else.

From the experience of that battle alone, he estimated he'd reached level 40.

But more than that, he felt something building inside him—something converging into a new form he couldn't yet explain.

He ignored it for now.

Instead, he focused on helping.

Producing water, hunting beasts for food, and anything else he could to help the people who were walking slow like zombies but with some motivation still within them after seeing the hero fight.

Once a portal back to the Hidden Bastion was established, the journey quickened.

The new problem?

Housing and feeding nearly two thousand rescued humans.

But Roland wasn't letting anyone tell him it couldn't be done.

Upon his return, Roland saw that Stella was waiting for him—standing beside the king, who greeted him with a nod.

"Good thing you came back safe! We were worried since you took your time," Stella said, flashing a wide grin. She wanted to do more, to express how relieved she was, but with her father present, it wasn't easy.

"That's right," the king added. "Good to see you healthy and well, hero. I see you brought more people. We'll need your help soon to find a larger area."

Roland glanced back at the caravan behind him and nodded.

"Don't worry. This is only the first stronghold we're taking this week. I'll pillage all of them within the next few days. I can already feel my power reaching the next stage… Soon, I'll have more than enough strength to kill anyone who stands in our way."

The king nodded in agreement.

He could already see that the hero's armor was wearing out after just one battle. Even his sword had grown terribly dull. He would need replacements—and fast.

"Good. Let's go then," the king said. "We need to hold a meeting about our next targets. The rest of you—rest up. We attack first thing tomorrow! Make sure everyone eats from the supplies you brought. If the hero's words are true, the next battle will be even greater!"

His words weren't only meant for the soldiers. Everyone present cheered in response.

Roland followed the king into the strategy meeting. The discussion focused on identifying strategic camps and barricades known to house soldiers and food supplies.

Their plan was to work their way toward the Light Spirit's domain—the closest of the elemental territories. If they could reach it, the hero would likely have the chance to transcend, as they called it—evolving his class and becoming even stronger.

Roland liked the idea. It reminded him of a class quest from the MMORPGs he used to play.

But he didn't view any of this as a game.

Not anymore.

He was ready to kill anyone who got in his way.

Because now, he had a real purpose.

That night, Roland was restless. The image of the girl haunted him, keeping sleep at bay. He couldn't understand why children had to suffer too—or why he had been forced to kill one in order to save her. The memory clawed at his thoughts.

He rolled around in bed, tangled in unease, until he sensed someone silently enter his tent.

Roland noticed immediately and reached for his dagger—only to stop when a warm, petite hand gently touched his.

"Stella? What are you doing… I could have—"

Before he could finish, she pressed her lips to his. Her scent, her softness—it made him forget what he was going to say.

The kiss lasted only seconds before she tried to pull back, but he held her close, refusing to let her slip away. He lifted her with ease, adjusting her on top of him as if she weighed nothing.

That kiss deepened, stretching into minutes. Then minutes into more.

They took it further.

Both were slightly broken, burdened with pain and purpose, needing something—anything—other than bloodshed to remind them they were still human. That night, pleasure became their escape. And there, within the shelter of that tent, they crossed the threshold into adulthood.

Hours passed. Roland had to recast silencing spells more than once.

At last, he relented.

Stella, glowing with residual energy from her light magic, lay sprawled over his chest, her beautiful face resting against the lines of his well-defined torso.

"My father will kill me if he finds out…" she whispered.

Roland chuckled. His smile made her playfully pinch his nose.

"Relax. You're dating the strongest man in this world. No king, demon, or human would dare go against me now," he said. "You should be more concerned if we went too far…"

This time, it was her turn to laugh.

"If there's one thing my mother taught me before she died," she said, "it's that I need to handle things that come after. Don't worry, my hero. You won't be having an heir anytime soon. I need you to make this world better first."

Roland chuckled again.

"An heir, huh? I wonder…"

Stella turned her face, poking his chest with her chin while puffing her cheeks.

"Wait, what? As if I'd just let you leave after you took my…"

She trailed off, unable to finish, hiding her face against him.

"No, not that," Roland said gently, brushing his fingers through her hair. "I was wondering how long it'll take to cleanse this world, my dear. It wasn't just you who lost their… innocence. But still, I can promise you one thing, Stella."

He looked down at her.

"We'll be together. I don't plan on walking away from the only thing I've found worth holding onto—not for revenge, not for anything."

A few minutes passed in silence before he realized she was softly snoring on top of him. He fought the urge to laugh and instead tucked a loose strand of her hair over his nose, inhaling her faint scent.

It was surreal.

He still couldn't fully grasp how he'd ended up here—with everything moving so quickly. Just days ago, he was a lonely loser working in a convenience store. Now, he was the hero of an entire nation.

And yet, with Stella sleeping peacefully on his chest, he found the courage to reflect on everything. Even the worst moments. Somehow, she gave him the strength to look back at what he'd done… and not break.

He couldn't fix the past.

But he could change the future.

The only downside was… he wasn't tired. Not even a little. It was as if his body no longer required sleep. So instead, he meditated—his mind focused on refining spells, channeling mana again and again without waking his new beloved.

Each time his hands pulled on that invisible current, he felt mana being drained correctly. That alone confirmed he was doing something right. Spell casting was slowly becoming second nature. The only part that still bothered him?

Most spells had ridiculous, over-the-top names.

He was just glad he didn't have to say them aloud. Saying something like Freeze Ray of Light in battle would've been unbearably embarrassing.

Several hours passed.

Birdsong began to fill the air, and soft morning light crept into the tent.

Deciding it was time, Roland focused on the spell he had spent hours perfecting. He placed his hand gently against Stella's bare back and began to release mana.

"Dawnthread," he whispered—though he didn't need to say it aloud.

A soft glow shimmered from his palm, threading light into her skin like the first rays of morning sun.

Her breathing deepened, her muscles relaxed completely, and her expression softened—peaceful, as if she were dreaming beneath the sky in the purest part of Elris, in the heart of the Light Spirit's domain.

"Did you sleep well, beautiful?" Roland murmured with a playful smirk. "You snored so cutely, I couldn't even wake you—no matter how hard I tried."

Stella stirred, rubbing her eyes as she blinked several times in confusion, trying to remember where she was.

Then her bright blue eyes—gems full of light—opened wider. She glanced down at Roland's chest, then slowly at her own.

"Don't worry, my dear," Roland said smoothly. "I made sure to enjoy the view while you slept. I still haven't gotten enough of it, truth be told. But as much as I'd love to keep exploring your body, I imagine you'll want to leave soon."

He gently caressed her cheek as she instinctively pulled the blanket up to cover herself.

"Yes, well… yeah, I need to go before my father finds out," she admitted, her voice a whisper. "Please… keep quiet about this for now. Just for a while. Please."

Roland sighed and leaned forward, giving her a soft kiss before she rose to dress. As she adjusted her clothes and gathered herself, he pulled a small brooch from his side pouch—one he had been preparing the night before.

Channeling mana through his fingers, he cast a new spell into the brooch—a delicate enchantment woven with threads of light.

"There," he said, fastening it gently to her cloak. "This will cloak your form with soft illusion, bending light around you. You'll be able to come and go at night without anyone seeing."

He looked up at her, voice sincere.

"Visit me anytime you want, Stella. I'll always be here for you."