Chapter 136 — Portal II

"Which means they come prepared with organized combat teams, experienced fighters, proper equipment and coordination.

While we’re a random collection of civilians and one military officer who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They had time to assemble an actual force before getting pulled through."

Ryan’s scarred face went pale, then flushed with anger.

’This information is classified! Not available to normal civilians or even most Academy students! How the hell does a student know about Monster portal detection capabilities?!’

But the damage was done.

Everyone who’d heard Damian’s explanation lost what little color had returned to their faces.

"I-I don’t want to die–"

"Fuck! We’re going up against a prepared enemy force?!"

"I don’t even have a weapon! How am I supposed to fight organized Monster warriors?!"

"We’re dead. We’re all dead."

Damian continued his warm-up exercises, ignoring the rising panic, his mind working through the situation with cold efficiency.

’Finally the memories of that novel from that old beggar from my past life are coming to use. I remember him telling me about how the portals work. I also know the details of those Monsters better than anyone.

Which means I know more about Monsters than most trained soldiers.’

His internal monologue grew darker as he processed the situation.

’I can’t catch a single fucking break, can I? First the Shadow Council issues, then Academy conflicts, then the city takeover, then Demons attacking my train, now I’m trapped in a fucking portal!! It’s like ever since I regained my memories, something or someone has been pulling strings to make sure I’m constantly in life-or-death situations.

Is this intentional? Is someone testing me? Training me? Or just trying to kill me through increasingly absurd circumstances?!’

He took a slow breath, forcing himself to focus on what mattered.

’At least Luna is safe. I got her away from the portal before it pulled me through. She’s back in Norrington with family who can protect her. That’s what matters most.’

Major Ryan was trying to restore order, his voice rising above the panic.

"The safest path forward is survival! We find defensible terrain, establish a perimeter, conserve our energy and resources!

If we can last long enough for the portal to stabilize naturally, rescue teams will come through once the opening to our world forms!"

Most of the men were nodding, grasping at the hope that salvation might come if they could just hide and wait.

Damian stopped his warm-up and spoke, his voice cutting through the desperate planning.

"Trying to survive passively is foolish."

Everyone turned to look at him.

"The enemy is already prepared for us. We have no idea how many of them entered this portal or what capabilities they have.

Sitting around waiting for rescue while they hunt us down systematically? That’s not a survival strategy. That’s choosing to die slowly instead of quickly."

His crimson eyes swept across the assembled men.

"I’m not going to hide and wait for death to find me. I’m going on the offensive. Hunt them before they hunt us. Take the initiative and control the battlefield instead of cowering in whatever hole we can find."

Ryan looked incredulous.

"That’s insane! We don’t know the terrain, don’t know enemy numbers, don’t even have proper equipment or coordination! Offensive operations would be suicide!"

"Maybe. But at least it’s choosing how I die rather than letting the enemy dictate terms."

Damian’s voice was absolutely calm, carrying the certainty of someone who’d made his decision and wouldn’t be swayed.

"I’m asking anyone here who has weapons and actual fighting experience: if you want to join me, step forward now.

I’m not confident about surviving alone against unknown odds, but I’ll take those chances over waiting passively for organized Monster teams to pick us off one by one."

As he spoke, the shadows at his feet darkened and twisted.

Kuro emerged from those shadows like something birthed from nightmare, the raven’s form expanding as he materialized until he was roughly the size of a large dog.

His blood-red eyes glowed in the dim light, his presence radiating predatory intelligence and barely-contained violence.

The raven settled on Damian’s shoulder, his talons gripping carefully to avoid piercing flesh, his gaze sweeping across the assembled humans with unsettling awareness.

"What the hell is that?!"

"Is it some kind of familiar?! But humans can’t form bonds with–"

"That’s not possible! The biological incompatibility prevents human-familiar bonding entirely!"

"How is he doing that?!"

Fear and shock rippled through the group as they witnessed something that shouldn’t exist according to all known Federation research on awakener abilities.

Damian didn’t bother explaining. He honestly couldn’t explain even if he wanted to, since he didn’t fully understand the bond himself.

Kuro had simply appeared one day and decided they belonged together. The how and why remained mysteries.

But the raven’s presence served another purpose beyond shocking the crowd.

It demonstrated power, capability, and the extraordinary nature of the teenager standing before them.

The tall businessman was the first to move, stepping forward with visible determination despite the fear in his eyes.

"My name is Marcus Feng. I’m C- rank, former military before I transitioned to corporate work. I have combat training even if it’s rusty, and I’d rather die fighting than waiting around for the inevitable."

His voice was steady despite the circumstances.

The fat man who’d been panicking earlier surprised everyone by stepping forward as well.

"Gerald Moss. D+ rank. No military background, but I’ve trained in martial arts my whole life and I have some practical combat experience from... less legal activities in my youth. I’m with you, kid. If we’re going to die anyway, might as well make it interesting."

One by one, others began stepping forward.

A scarred veteran with grey hair and dead eyes.

A young man barely older than Damian with hands that suggested labor work but eyes that showed intelligence.

An older gentleman in workout clothes who moved with the controlled grace of someone who’d fought professionally.

Eventually, two dozen men stood separated from the main group, having decided that Damian’s insane offensive strategy was somehow less suicidal than waiting to be hunted down.

Major Ryan looked at them with something between respect and pity.

"You’re all going to die. You know that, right? Against prepared Monster forces with unknown numbers and capabilities, two dozen humans with minimal coordination will be slaughtered."

"Probably."

Damian’s smile was cold and sharp.

"But we’ll take some of them with us. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll survive long enough to figure out how to actually win this impossible situation."

He turned to address his newly assembled group.

"Everyone who just joined me, understand this clearly: I’m not a trained commander. I’m a fifteen-year-old student, um... sixteen as of few minutes ago, who’s been in a few real combat situations before this. I make no promises of survival or success. I will do everything I can to keep us alive and achieve victory, but the odds are absolutely against us."

His crimson eyes blazed with conviction despite the disclaimer.

"But I promise you this: we will not die cowering in the dark. We will not wait passively for the enemy to pick us off. We will fight on our terms, using every advantage we can create, and if we die, we die taking as many of those bastards with us as possible. Is that acceptable to everyone here?"

"Yes!"

The response came from multiple throats, not quite in unison but close enough.

Damian nodded once, satisfied.

"Good. Then let’s figure out what we’re actually dealing with before we charge off into certain death. Everyone spread out slightly, scan the perimeter, report anything you see or sense. We need intel before we make any tactical decisions."

The group began moving with surprising efficiency for a collection of civilians and one student.

Major Ryan watched them go, his expression conflicted.

"Kid, you just convinced two dozen men to follow you into what’s probably a suicide mission. I’m not sure if that makes you a natural leader or a dangerous sociopath."

Damian glanced at him, his smile never wavering.

"Can’t it be both?"

Ryan had no response to that.

Kuro cawed softly from Damian’s shoulder, his red eyes tracking movement in the distant forest.

’Alright. Another impossible situation. Another fight where survival seems unlikely... Just another day since I woke up with memories of being someone else.

But I’m not dead yet. And as long as I’m alive, I’m winning!

Time to show these Monsters what happens when they trap a killer in their world.’

The hunt was about to begin.

And Damian Valcor, covered in blood more often than not lately, was ready to paint this alien forest red.