"Hmm!"
A muffled groan, and Hongchen opened his eyes.
What greeted him was a dimly-lit room.
"Boom!"
A thunderous clap from outside descended.
The light it brought, through the shattered windows, illuminated the room.
"Your Highness, you're awake? How are you feeling now?"
A female voice came from beside him, and Hongchen felt himself being helped up.
It was then he realized his whole body felt weak and sore, as if falling apart.
Hongchen looked at the woman who was helping him up.
In the dim room, he couldn't make out her features, only that her face was smeared with dirt.
So hard.
He then noticed the woman was wearing a somewhat damaged piece of armor.
"Alyris." Hongchen blurted out.
"Your Highness, I am here." Alyris's voice was gentle, yet it still carried a raspiness.
How do I know her name? Hongchen couldn't help but wonder.
As this question arose, the identity of the person before him surfaced automatically in his mind.
Yes, Alyris, the Guardian Knight arranged by the mother.
Mother? Where do I have a mom? Wasn't I motherless?
His memories began to twist and intertwine with various information.
It was this body's mother, but from what he recalled, she's gone too.
"Your Highness, are you alright?"
Listening to Alyris's concerned words, Hongchen's head felt slightly clearer, and he nodded at her.
"I'm fine."
He had crossed over, into the game he used to play.
His current name is Kana Safro Sat.
This name sounds so familiar, where have I heard it? In past life memories.
That's right, I remember, isn't this the Joker?
I am actually the Clown Emperor!
Kana was taken aback; this was an NPC character within the game he used to play.
Players affectionately called him the Clown Prince, Clown Emperor.
Why does he have such a title? Naturally, because this NPC had numerous clownish moves in the game, and happened to be a prince of a ruined kingdom.
In order to restore the country, he often did outrageous actions, the designated boss for the April Fool's event dungeon.
Officially got involved.
This is not the time to think about these things, Hongchen or rather Kana shook his head and examined his surroundings.
The environment around him unmistakably indicated that the place he was in was unsafe.
Damp air carried a moldy smell mixed with a metallic blood scent, and the dry rust taste in his mouth also revealed his poor condition.
Amidst the continuous thunder, a heavy rain was drenching the outside.
"The useless prince has awakened, damn it, really got killed by this bastard."
A crude, raspy voice came from nearby.
Kana turned to look, and there at the stairs of the house, sat three soldiers.
One of them was speaking.
"Insolent! How dare you disrespect his Highness!"
"Tch, still think yourself as a noble prince, huh? This country is finished, you know? All because of you damned nobles!"
Another soldier yelled in their direction.
"Shut up!" a lowered voice immediately scolded.
It was the final soldier who hadn't spoken, and with his words, the room quieted down.
"Keep your mouth closed, do you know where we are now? Do you want to get killed?"
He spoke in a hushed tone, turning his head towards the window, cautiously scouting.
As he gradually regained control over his body, Kana could start to hear the incongruent sharp screams amidst the rain.
Occasionally, there were cries coming from the stormy night.
We are still fleeing for our lives.
Recent memories began to revive in his mind.
Noble as the prince of a country, albeit the Fourth Prince. This country, as the soldier said, was already destroyed.
He quickly matched previous knowledge of the game's background to the region and forces.
Safro - Land of Freedom
At the game's start, this country was already devastated, or perhaps because not long after its fall, the story began.
A new race emerged within this nation, paralleling vampires in design, known as the Blood Race.
Due to the world's style, this Blood Race was designed like vampires, but far more repulsive.
Said to be a race of wisdom, yet categorizing them as monsters posed no issue whatsoever.
In fact, it might be more fitting.
Kana's mind started to race, quickly contrasting and contemplating memories from his past life and this body.
I haven't turned into a vampire yet; my Guardian Knight Alyris hasn't turned into one either.
The blood disaster must have started not long ago, the country has fallen, and we are amidst fleeing.
From his memories, he gathered.
They should have already left the Royal Capital, which by now should be the Blood Race's base camp.
"Where are we now? Alyris," Kana asked.
"In a village outside Giant Rock City, apologies your Highness, I do not know the name of this village." Alyris's voice sounded unsure but still loyal as she answered.
"Our prince finally got his head smashed, huh?" The soldier remarked sarcastically from a short distance.
"Shut up, Matt, save your energy."
Once again, the Soldier Captain stopped his subordinate's snide remarks.
Looking in Kana's direction, he responded in a hushed voice, "Rubble Village, that's the name of this village."
Giant Rock City I know, Rubble Village... never heard of this area name.
But if they've reached Giant Rock City, then it's certain this village is where in the game, the original storyline captured him.
Once as a gamer, playing a game named "Stone of Creation," Kana went through the personal storyline of the Clown Emperor.
In his recollections, watching how he fell from a noble prince to a fallen ruler overnight.
And how during the escape, he was caught, dragged back, and transformed into part of the Blood Race base camp Royal Capital.
The moment he was captured during the escape was just outside Giant Rock City, which should be here.
Should he willingly transform into the Blood Race?
The very thought of this option was immediately dismissed in his mind.
No way, absolutely not.
The present Blood Race is purely monstrous; perhaps the later version of pure Blood Race might be okay.
He had to find a way to leave here; the memories of this body have aligned with his past gameplay experiences.
Undoubtedly, this is the game he played, "Stone of Creation."
If he truly crossed into this world, given his knowledge of late-stage plot developments.
Using his identity as a high-level player and storyline enthusiast, unless the plot turns drastically, he could certainly make some impact in this world.
The notion of joining the Blood Race was out of question; that is utterly anti-human factor.
Determined in this situation, setting goals, Kana forcibly endured the soreness and struggled to sit up.
Alyris helping him, also cautiously watched over him.
"Those monsters are coming, Captain, quickly leave, if you don't go now, there will be no chance."
Some howling noises grew closer; the rain and thunder almost couldn't drown them out.
The Soldier Captain looked at Kana and Alyris.
The soldier beside him said, "Stop thinking, Captain, quickly go, taking these two with us, we definitely won't escape."
Alyris immediately pleaded, "No, the prince can still move, please take him with you."
Kana noticed then, Alyris's left leg was bent irregularly.
While escaping, this was terribly fatal.
"We won't carry a shouting waste, that will only hasten our deaths.
Our brothers have already died for this waste, not killing him here is proof of our loyalty."
As he spoke, he tugged on his Captain.
"Let's go, don't look at them, they're beyond saving, this country too.
We can flee to Cohen, worst-case scenario become mercenaries."
The soldier scouting earlier also came over to advise, "Yes, Captain, let's go, or else none of us will survive."
The Captain seemed determined: "Sorry."
Once said, they proceeded downstairs.
"No, at least take His Highness."
"Alright, no more talking."
Kana covered Alyris's mouth, carefully approaching the window to look outside.