<h4>Chapter 18: Scars aren''t always visible</h4>


    Jayce''s eyes shot open, and his hand instinctively reached for his sword, a reflex honed through countless battles. Yet, as his fingers groped the empty space beside him, panic gripped his heart.


    His mind raced to catch up with reality, and he finally grasped his situation. He was no longer out in the wilderness, surrounded by enemies and monsters alike. Instead, he was in the nightclub that Colin had converted into a shelter . Old habits die hard, and even though he had traveled back into the past, his instincts of a seasoned warrior persisted.


    With a sigh of relief, Jayce calmed his racing heart. It had been three months since he was transported back in time to before the Cmity had started. Those months had been filled with moments like these—waking up with the persistent notion that danger lurked nearby, ready to pounce at any moment.


    In the beginning, the disorientation was disconcerting. He had grown ustomed to sleeping with his sword within arm''s reach, relying on it for protection and survival. The absence of that familiar weight had left him feeling vulnerable and exposed.


    In these three months, he had faced battles of a different kind—battles with his own demons and memories. The horrors of survival and the faces of fallenrades haunted his dreams, making sleep an elusivepanion. But even amidst the turmoil, Jayce found a sense of sce.


    Despite when he had first experienced the descending of Cmity, he now had much more knowledge at his disposal. His already honedbat experience, as well as a grasp on future events would make his life much easier.


    As Jayce steadied his breathing, the memories of his previous life as a swordsman lingered, reminding him of the path he had chosen, or what was chosen for him. Though he had been assigned the Chef ss, he couldn''t deny the call of his true nature. The sword had been his ally andpanion for too long to be easily discarded.


    As Jayce stepped into the main area of the shelter, he cast a weary gaze over the sleeping inhabitants. The dim light from a few flickering candles illuminated their peaceful faces, blind and na?ve to the horrors thaty outside.


    While he may have done his best to convey the current situation of the outside world to these people, hearing about it was one thing. It wouldn''t be until they witnessed it for themselves that they would truly understand what Cataclysm had done to their world.


    A sigh escaped Jayce''s lips as he couldn''t help but wonder how many of these people would survive the trials thaty ahead. The world outside was ruthless and unforgiving, and even in the shelter, safety was an illusion. He knew that danger coulde knocking at their door at any moment, and he feared that not all would emerge unscathed.


    Yet, amidst the uncertainty, Jayce shook his head and steeled his resolve. He couldn''t afford to be pessimistic. He had found a purpose in protecting these people, a purpose that gave him the strength to keep going despite the nightmares that gued his sleep.


    The weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders, but it was a burden he willingly embraced. He had seen enough suffering and death in his previous life to know the value of life. Each life in the shelter was precious, and he would do whatever it took to ensure their survival.


    Jayce knew he couldn''t protect them from every danger, but he vowed to try his best. He would train them in the art of self-defense and survival, equipping them with the skills needed to navigate the harsh world outside.


    Moreover, he understood that safety within the shelter was not enough. The people needed more than just protection; they needed hope and a sense of purpose. Jayce had seen firsthand how despair could consume a person''s soul, leaving them with nothing but a hollow existence.


    So, he resolved to be more than just a guardian. He would be a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration for those who had lost their way. He would show them that even in the darkest of times, there was still a glimmer of light to hold onto.


    If these people knew the thoughts and experiences that the young 18 year old man had, they would be shocked. Although they had subconsciously taken him as their leader, they still viewed him as a young, yet forthright man.


    Jayce was about to head over to see Colin when something stopped him in his tracks.


    [Good morning my dear supporters! I trust you enjoyed your first night in the new world]


    Rubick''s sonorous voice rang in Jayce''s head, forcing a grim expression onto his face. He had forgotten that he would be receiving a quest from the enigmatic… thing this morning.


    [Please hold tight, I''d like to do this announcement in person.]


    "In person… What?" Before Jayce had a chance to question things, he felt an invisible pull, drawing his consciousness out of his body.