Somewhere in the cosmic realm....
Keith opened his eyes and found himself standing on a vast, grass-covered ground. The sky above him was crystal clear but not blue at all. It was pale purple yet bright. No clouds, no stars, not even a sun, and not a single bird—just purple and bright.
He took a keen look at himself. He was still intact—safe and sound—even after being struck by lightning half a second ago.
He was still wearing his sleeveless brown jacket, a long-sleeved grey cotton shirt underneath, and long brown trousers. His hunter's accessories were with him: an archer's bow in hand, a quiver of arrows strapped on his back, and a sharp dagger at the side of his belt.
Then, he sensed someone watching him.
He looked up, and his gaze landed on a young woman sitting on a golden throne that floated midair. She was dressed in grey robes. Her hair was long, wavy, and orange in color. Her eyes were green. She was light-skinned, with delicate features and soft hands. So pretty she was!
"Hello, Keith," she called, smiling at him.
"Hey... how do you know my name? Who are you? Have we met before? And what is this place?"
Instead of answering his barrage of questions, she simply smiled—an alluring, knowing smile.
"Oh, cautious. I see. I like this already. Kinda worthy," she said.
"Wait—what?"
Keith blinked and found himself sitting opposite her on a golden throne too. Now, the two weren't floating anymore but seated beside a golden table on solid ground, each holding a wine glass filled with a pink liquid.
Keith panicked.
"Don't panic, little one. You are in a safe place."
Her words calmed him instantly. She then leaned forward over the table.
"Will you tell me who you are now?" Keith asked, eyes briefly flicking toward her blessed chest. Her cleavage was... more than a cleavage.
"Oh, about that. I'm someone you already know but have never seen physically."
"In this case, who?"
"Artemis. Goddess of the Hunt—or Goddess of Hunting. Does that ring a bell? Or should I strip down the Greek myths for you?" she asked in a voice that was more seductive than informative.
Those words raced through his mind several times before their meaning settled in. When it did, he nearly scrambled off his throne to kneel in confession. After all, he was in the presence of a goddess.
"Oh, come on. No need for that," she giggled.
"Wait, you heard my thoughts?" Keith asked, flabbergasted.
"Of course I did. But don't freeze. Let's talk like... friends. Shall we?"
Her voice was sweet, soft, and kind of fluffy—like pancakes. Her smile was gentle. There was something about her so magnetic that Keith found himself liking her for no reason. She was a woman. He was a teenage boy. He cursed his pervert heart.
Short silence.
"Yes... okay. In fact, I'll start with a question. What am I doing in the presence of a goddess?" he asked, sipping the pink wine for the first time.
"Cute. I like your confidence. See, there's a wicked entity wiping out wildlife and possessing some of them in the process. I fear it might wipe out the Kora Forest, then move on to maul humans."
She paused.
"Mmh, never heard of it," Keith said, taking another sip. Goodness, that drink was sweet. How sweet —heavenly.
"I don't blame you—it's hideous. And now you know. So, I want to send you to hunt it for me before it's too late."
Keith choked on his drink at her last sentence. He stood up.
"Are you kidding me? I'm one of those despised by the ancient super meteor. I'm no summoner, not an elemental, not an enhanced human—not even a cultivator! Why choose me?"
Artemis looked at him, leaned back in her throne, one hand holding her wine. She smiled again. A smile that only confused him more.
"Wait—am I dreaming?" Keith asked, slapping his forehead several times.
Why would Artemis choose a powerless teenage boy to stop a demonic monster?
Is Keith really dreaming?
Coming up next: Energy Ball.