I Got A Title: Lord Of The Time!-Chapter 102: A difficult choice and final approval

The air around the six people grew heavier. After the mechanical voice announced a projection that would allow them to live through the final years of the Magic World, everyone suddenly realized how incredibly lucky they were. But they also understood the danger of such an opportunity — in the form of death or Distortion.

Aran smiled widely and looked at Silia and Royal. In his eyes, a bright flame seemed to light up, then faded.

"Interesting... I could expect anything from this place... But a projection of the final years of this world, one I can personally take part in?" he thought, then heard a cold mechanical voice not coming from the Castle of the Past, but from the Title System!

[Success! Due to the interesting event, Aran Mort has received a quest!]

Aran couldn’t hide his surprise — this was the first time he had received a quest from the system!

He looked at the others and noticed the same expressions of surprise on their faces!

All six people had received a quest from the Title System at the same time!

"First quest?" Lin looked at the system message and thought in astonishment.

He quickly wished to open the "Quests" section in the Title System, which had previously been empty and hadn’t required his attention. But now, everything had changed.

He had received a quest!

[Quests:

— "Witnesses of the Past".]

Lin smiled and wished to view the quest details:

[Quest Name: Witnesses of the Past.]

[Description: The great past of the Magic World, hidden by endless secrets and mysteries. But now, it may disappear — unless you embark on an exciting journey!]

[Requirements: Agree to take part in the projection and remain in the Magic World until the end, successfully returning to reality!]

[Reward: Low Soul Shards — X30, Medium Soul Shard — X1, Demonic Chest — X1.]

When Lin saw the rewards offered for completing the quest, his eyes widened!

"The quest itself doesn’t seem difficult; you just have to spend a certain amount of time in the projection and return to reality... But the rewards... they’re too powerful. Of course, such generosity comes due to the difficulty of the quest, where the world will be on the brink of destruction... But who hasn’t taken risks to gain rewards and achieve their goals?"

"If I can complete this successfully and survive, I’ll receive a huge number of Low Soul Shards, which can help me improve my skills or even rank up. And the mechanism said that item properties also work in the projection. So, if I kill some Distorted creature, I’ll receive its Soul Shard and can use it myself? That makes it even better..."

"But the best part — is the Medium Soul Shard and the Demonic Chest. The value of one is higher than the other, but both are items you can’t even dream of. Medium Soul Shards start dropping only from Demons and above. And the Demonic Chest, respectively, also only drops from Demons."

"The value of both items is top-tier. Even getting a Low Soul Shard on Earth is a huge problem, and higher-level Soul Shards... that’s impossible."

Lin’s gaze became as sharp as his katana’s blade. He looked at his companions’ expressions and quickly analyzed them to understand what answers they might give.

Because whatever the rewards were — the danger was equal. And not everyone was ready to accept that.

Aran smiled slightly and said to everyone:

"Interesting, right? Especially the rewards... I think even I won’t get something like that anytime soon, but the soul craves it... Anyway, I think the answer is obvious? This is a real goldmine that no one has found yet. I’m ready to take the full risk to complete the quest, and let’s not forget that even the events in the past of the Magic World could be very rewarding."

Yulan looked a bit worried and expressed doubt:

"But... Wouldn’t it be better to leave and come back later, when everyone’s stronger?.. I’m not sure we can face a Distortion that destroyed humanity in an entire world..."

Aran looked at Yulan and laughed louder than ever at her words. Then, he abruptly stopped and looked at her seriously, making her uncomfortable.

"Are you serious? Yulan, I know you’re a normal, naive, and timid girl who constantly worries. But right now, you need to understand — the game has completely changed."

He spread his arms and continued:

"There are three heirs of the Five Families here. If each of us returns to Earth and tells our families about the Castle of the Past, a real war for the legacy of the Mages will begin. Then, it will be a completely different story..."

Yulan opened her mouth and asked:

"But what if no one tells anyone?.."

Aran looked at Yulan and scoffed coldly.

"No one here would keep silent. Even if we leave, someone will say something to someone."

"But is there no alternative way to keep it secret and leave?.."

Aran shook his head and pointed at everyone present.

"Even if there were an alternative, no one here would agree to it. Everyone here wants only one thing — to use this chance to increase their value and power. They’ll either try to make sure no one else gains anything — or they’ll try their luck in the projection."

Yulan looked at Silia, hoping the girl who had supported her all this time would support her again. But instead, she saw a girl trying her best to avoid her gaze.

"Silia..."

She looked at Royal and realized he didn’t care about anyone — as if they had just met.

He only wanted benefits for himself.

"Royal..."

She barely managed a smile and quickly turned to Lin. But saw a completely cold face, filled with murderous intent toward the heirs of the Five Families.

It was clear that he agreed too.

"No... Anyone..." Yulan was lost in confusion until she heard Egro’s voice:

"I’m against it."

Everyone looked at Egro with different expressions.

Aran smirked and asked:

"And why? Planning to become stronger first and return?"

Egro shook his head.

"I have a little sister... She’s fine now, but I’m not ready to go into a projection where I’ll be stuck for two years."

"Egro..." Yulan felt like she had seen a new sun and agreed with Egro!

"And what will you do? You can leave peacefully, like Yulan. But can you return to Fort Post through the Dead Lands without knowing the way?" Aran asked.

Egro looked at Lin and said:

"I think, with Lin’s and Yulan’s strength, we can make it through the Dead Lands and reach Fort Post."

Aran smiled slightly and asked again:

"Does Lin know that? From the look on his face, he seems to be the first to agree to this projection journey."

Egro frowned and looked at Lin, asking:

"Lin? Do you really agree to such risks?"

Lin looked at Egro and stayed silent.

He truly wanted to agree to the projection, but he also didn’t want to disappoint Egro.

He was his best friend, after all.

He didn’t want to betray him in a tough moment.

But...

His goal...

If he accepted the projection, he would have a chance to become much stronger, much faster. That would give him more opportunities for revenge.

Best friend or goal...

"Lin? What’s wrong? Do you really agree to the projection?" Egro looked at Lin with doubt. Though he knew his friend’s odd personality, he still believed deep inside that Lin would side with him.

"Egro..." Lin said quietly and slowly raised his face, full of pain.

"I’m sorry..."

He had made his decision.

"I... choose the projection..."

He chose his goal over friendship.

Although Egro expected this answer, deep down he felt immense pain.

His best friend had not agreed with him.

The person who was willing to die for him — had suddenly said no.

It hurt more than any blade.

"Lin..." Yulan watched him in shock, as if seeing him for the first time.

Just like that moment when he stood before her, ready to kill her.

The same cold and distant — quiet person turned out to be a demon inside.

"No. He didn’t change. He was always like this..." she shook her head and sighed.

Aran laughed.

"What a touching moment — betraying your best friend. Anyway, Egro, Lin didn’t choose you... Will you continue without him?"

Egro clenched his fists, then looked up.

"No. If everyone wants this projection, then I’ll agree too. We can’t escape together anyway."

Yulan had to accept the projection too.

"Well, since everyone’s ready, I declare!" Aran looked up and shouted:

"We choose the projection!"

Silence.

Then the mechanical voice responded:

[We’re glad you agree! But here are some conditions!]

[You only have one chance at this projection. It’s so demanding that it will drain all the energy of the Castle of the Past. If you complete the projection without dying, you’ll appear immediately in the forest! By that time, the Castle of the Past will likely be fully drained.]

[Inside the projection, you will spend two years — equal to two years in the real world. After that time, you will return to reality instantly!]

[The projection will begin in ten seconds!]

[10...9...8...7...]

[6...5...4...]

[3...2...1...]

[Good luck in the projection!!!]

The six people were surrounded by a bright white light — then vanished!

The six people disappeared from the hall!

They had entered the projection!