Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss

"H-How is he keeping up?!" the man thought, panting. His eyes narrowed. "I don't sense any mana from him. Is he hiding it? No… it's something else! I can't even see his sword!"

His frustration turned to panic—and in that single hesitation, Callan made his move.

With a swift sidestep, he twisted his blade around the man's guard and thrust his sword clean into his stomach.

"AAAGH!" the man gasped, dropping his sword as the pain overtook him. Blood spurted from his mouth. The prince pulled his sword out in one clean motion and the man fell to his knees, clutching the wound.

"I-Impossible… how?" he muttered. Desperately, he turned to his own guild members. "What are you doing?! Heal me! HEAL ME!"

One of the guild members—his face cold and disgusted—stepped forward and said loud enough for all to hear, "How dare someone like you disrespect a Korean ranker like Ms. Alexa?"

The man's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-What the fuck are you saying?! Don't just stand there!" He turned to the healer in his group but the woman stepped back, hiding behind her teammates.

No one moved to help him.

Prince Callan stood before him now, his silver armor gleaming, his blade dripping blood.

Without another word, the prince raised his sword high, and with one clean, graceful motion—

SLASH.

The man's head flew off his shoulders, landing with a dull thud on the grass. His body slumped next to it, lifeless.

For a brief moment, the world fell silent.

Then—

CLAP.CLAP. CLAP.

The sound echoed confidently from behind the guilds. It was Seoha, Beside her, Daewon chuckled and clapped louder.

"Well done," she said with a wicked smirk.

"That guy's been annoying me since the last World Quest." Someone whispered.

"Tch. Finally someone shut him up. Guys like him are the reason our country's reputation gets dragged through the mud."

[STAGE TWO QUEST INITIATED]

Main Objective: Earn the trust of the kingdom.

Failing to gain their trust will result in disqualification.

Global System notice appeared in the sky.

That was when Alexa stepped forward, her boots pressing lightly into the cracked stone ground from the earlier attacks. Her armor had scratches, her arms still sore from holding off the poisoned arrows, but her presence stayed calm and steady.

Her hands were raised slightly in peace as she approached the man who just saved them—the one who executed a disrespectful guildmaster with a single strike.

"Crown Prince Callan," she called politely, then slowly knelt on one knee and bowed her head deeply, showing respect like one would to royalty. "Thank you for protecting both your people and ours."

Her voice was respectful, firm. "I am Alexa Ford of the Vortex Guild, from the nation of Korea."

The Crown Prince's eyes narrowed slightly. "Korea…?" he muttered under his breath, confused. His brow furrowed even more. "That name… and Ford? That sounds nothing like the kingdoms of this continent."

He studied her face, watching her every move as if trying to figure out who she really was. Alexa slowly stood up as she continued.

"We came here through a trial sent by a higher power. We do not wish to harm your people. If allowed, we would like to prove our purpose through cooperation, not war."

Callan looked at her again in silence, the name "Korea" still turning in his thoughts like a puzzle. But he could see her sincerity—her calm eyes and respectful words weren't those of a liar.

He turned slightly, gazing at his soldiers still gripping weapons tightly. Then he slowly raised one hand.

"Stand down."

The soldiers hesitated for a moment, but they obeyed. Spears lowered, bows relaxed.

Crown Prince Callan then spoke again, "You will all be escorted to the Outer Court. There, you will answer to the Emperor."

Alexa bowed her head again. "We will comply with all rules of your kingdom. Thank you, Your Highness."

From the back, Seoha muttered, arms crossed. "Hah, first quest is politics, huh? Boring."

As soon as Crown Prince Callan finished speaking and turned away, a new bright screen appeared again in front of them.

[GLOBAL SYSTEM NOTICE]

VORTEX GUILD — GUILDMASTER: ALEXA FORD

Kingdom Trust Gained: 30%

Status: Under Observation

A few guild members gasped, some whispered, and others looked toward Alexa with slight surprise and silent admiration. S

Not everyone had gained trust yet. And the Crown Prince had already left.

The knights, guards, and cavalry still formed a circle around all the invaders—no, the guests—ensuring no one would sneak away or try to cause trouble. Their armor clinked softly as they moved with discipline, watching everyone closely, ready for anything.

Not far behind the front lines, surrounded by elite royal guards and mounted commanders, Emperor El sat tall upon his black steed. His long crimson cloak fluttered behind him, and on his chest gleamed the gold dragon sigil of his house. His sharp golden eyes scanned the strangers—those with strange clothing, magic weapons, and unreadable intentions.

As they reached a small rise that overlooked the gathered invaders, Crown Prince Callan turned to face his father.

"Thank you for letting me lead, Father," he said again, this time with the sky and the enemy army just ahead.

The Emperor remained quiet for a moment, then said, "You acted with clarity, not impulse. You made the right judgment in the field."

Callan nodded. "They are not like the barbarians of the Southern Wastes, Father. They're organized. Disciplined. Some even speak our language. And they didn't strike until they were attacked."

But the Emperor's face darkened. "They wield forbidden power. I saw it."He stepped forward, lifting his spyglass, the long brass scope engraved with old runes, and once again scanned the strangers.

His jaw tightened. "The girl with two blades in the back, That mad one, the one with fire, and the hammer-wielding brute—they break the laws of this world. Of our world."

He lowered the scope slowly, voice growing colder.

"What sorcery is this? What gods let these outsiders fall from the sky with such strength?"

Callan replied quietly, but firmly. "Maybe our laws… are not the only ones that exist. Maybe… these are not enemies, but another kind of traveler."

The Emperor did not answer right away.