Gathering Wives

Aboard the Train to Roselund

The train glided smoothly along the tracks, passing through vast green fields and scattered villages in the distance. From the window of his private cabin, Kein Moretti gazed at the scenery with a calm expression.

The cobblestone streets filled with pedestrians slowly faded behind him, replaced by dense forests painted in deep shades of green. Occasionally, a shimmering river appeared under the sunlight, with small boats drifting lazily on its surface.

The train's interior was far more luxurious than he had imagined. A plush red carpet with golden patterns lined the floor, small chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the polished wooden walls exuded an air of sophistication. Each private cabin had a glass-paneled door, ensuring the utmost privacy for its occupants.

Kein's eyes shifted to the velvet-upholstered seat across from him. Beside it, a small wooden table held an open book he had been reading.

As his gaze returned to the window, he spotted towering mountains in the distance. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, casting a tranquil atmosphere over the land.

Yet, his mind remained restless.

"This world… it's different. But I need to adapt quickly."

He set his book aside and reached for the plate before him. A serving of warm, tender steak and freshly baked bread sat invitingly, its aroma filling the cabin. Without hesitation, he cut a small piece and brought it to his mouth.

The rich flavor spread across his tongue, and for a brief moment, his hand trembled slightly.

Kein took a deep breath. Eating like this—something so ordinary for most people—was a luxury he had never experienced in his previous life as Jiang Han.

"Great Master, you seem lost in thought."

Kein offered a faint smile, but his gaze remained on the passing scenery. "It's nothing. I'm just… savoring the moment."

Yet deep down, he knew.

Someone was hunting him.

The Chase Begins in the Old City

Under the dimming sky, two elegantly yet practically dressed women moved swiftly through the narrow alleys of the old city.

Cassandra Moretti, her long black hair tied neatly, surveyed the surroundings with sharp eyes. Beside her, Selene Moretti raised a hand slightly, tracing the lingering remnants of magic in the air.

"We lost his trail," Cassandra muttered, her voice laced with frustration.

Selene frowned. "Not completely. His magical traces are faint, but still present. He used teleportation—but it's not limitless."

They arrived at a narrow crossroads behind an old residential area. The surrounding brick walls, covered in moss and faded graffiti, added to the air of abandonment. A damp, musty scent clung to the alley.

Cassandra kicked a small rock near her foot. "That impostor of Kein must know we're after him. He's been in that body for too long, yet he still acts like a fool who only knows indulgence."

Selene took a slow breath, then closed her eyes briefly, allowing her magic to take effect. A faint blue glow shimmered in the air, forming thin lines leading toward the main street.

"That way," she said.

Without hesitation, they sprinted forward, following the trail.

Inside the Private Cabin

Kein Moretti sat comfortably, but his thoughts were far from calm. Before him, a translucent blue screen hovered midair, filled with rapidly shifting lines of code—visible only to him

"AQCC, what are you doing?"

"I am calculating the optimal route for the Path of Hell you have chosen, Great Master, as well as the likelihood of imminent battles."

Kein frowned. "Battles?"

"Based on my latest calculations, there is an 87% probability that within the next 3 hours, you will face your two sisters—Cassandra Moretti and Selene Moretti—directly."

Leaning back against his seat, Kein's expression turned serious. "They're catching up that fast? I already left false trails behind."

"Unfortunately, they cannot be underestimated—especially Cassandra Moretti. She possesses exceptional insight in detecting illusion magic and deception. They have already found the correct path and are heading toward the city where you will soon arrive."

Kein tapped his fingers on the small wooden table before him

"Two against one, huh? And I still haven't fully recovered my body's condition…"

"That is not the only issue, Great Master. You are currently at the very beginning of the Path of Hell. This means every battle you encounter will carry severe consequences. Victory will bring growth, but defeat could mean death… or something even worse."

A heavy silence filled the cabin as Kein stared at the blue screen. Within it, three possible paths unfolded, each representing a different approach to the impending confrontation:

[Avoid conflict—seek alternative ways to grow stronger before facing them.

Use cunning strategies—exploit the environment and unexpected tactics to gain an advantage.

Engage in a direct battle despite the high chance of losing, just to test the limits of his new body.]

Kein exhaled slowly. "Path of Hell really doesn't offer any easy choices…"

"But that is what you have chosen, Great Master. This path is not for those who fear the darkness."

Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Kein then smirked. "In that case… show me all the potential abilities I can obtain from this path."

"With pleasure."

The blue screen flickered, and a new list of abilities emerged—powers that did not rely on divine blessings or protection but were instead forged through suffering, determination, and limitless evolution.

Kein's gaze sharpened with unwavering resolve.

A City Cloaked in Darkness

Nightfall had settled over the old city. Flickering streetlights cast long shadows across the narrow alleyways, their dim glow barely cutting through the darkness.

Cassandra Moretti and Selene Moretti sprinted down the cobbled streets, their hurried footsteps echoing through the silent night. They followed the lingering magical trail—one that was quickly fading.

"He's close," Selene murmured, her eyes glowing blue as she analyzed the remaining traces in the air.

Cassandra didn't slow down. "That impostor Kein is cunning, but he can't run forever."

They finally reached a small, abandoned square in the heart of the old district. Dust-covered windows of long-deserted buildings loomed over them, casting an eerie atmosphere. The magical trail they had been following converged at a single point, forming an unusual pattern on the ground.

Selene knelt down and touched the pattern. Her expression immediately darkened.

"Cassandra… something's wrong."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Slowly, Selene stood, her body tense with realization. "This isn't a real trail… It's a decoy."

Cassandra's eyes widened as the truth struck her.

"Damn it!" She raised her hand, unleashing a pulse of magic that surged through the area. A crimson-violet aura flared from her body, burning away the false traces on the ground and dissolving every illusion.

Instantly, all the signs they had followed vanished—erased as if they had never existed.

"He made us waste our time," Cassandra growled.

Selene clenched her fists. "We were too focused on the trail. The magic used wasn't simple teleportation—it was an incredibly refined diversion technique."

Cassandra turned sharply to the north. "In that case, he must have gone the opposite way."

Without hesitation, they both pivoted and dashed in the new direction—toward the real Kein Moretti.