《The Porter’s Ascension》 Chapter 1: The Burden I wake up before the sun even rises. The first thing I feel is the pain in my body, reminding me that the night I''ve gone through was tough. I slept on the ground, in the cold, with only the sky above me. Being a porter means no comfort, but it''s the life I''m used to. The market streets are calm right now, but by noon, they¡¯ll be full of traders, adventurers, and merchants all needing something carried. That¡¯s when I step in. I¡¯m Elian, the porter guy. The baggage handler, Loadhog. But I''m used to it. I don¡¯t have fancy lifestyle or a riches, and I¡¯m not important or skilled. But I¡¯ve got hands, and they¡¯ve helped me make a living so far. Today¡¯s task isn¡¯t much different from the others. A group of travelers need a mule to haul their goods across the city. Simple stuff. They treat me like a mere cog in their machine¡ªjust a lowly worker, a servant. I haul what they¡¯re too lazy to carry, and in return, they pay me in copper. Copper that¡¯s never enough to fill my empty stomach. I know I have dreams¡ªsomewhere in the back of my mind, a faint spark of something more. But those dreams always fade away in the harsh reality of my life. The job takes me through the streets, past the grand homes of those who¡¯ve succeeded, and into the rundown district where I live. It¡¯s here that the weight of my failures feels heaviest. ¡°You still hauling stuff around like that?¡± My father¡¯s voice rings out from the doorway, the sneer in his tone sharp as ever. I force a smile, knowing better than to say anything. It¡¯s not worth it. He¡¯s never been proud of me, not since I was old enough to walk. Always comparing me to the others¡ªhis strong, successful friends¡¯ sons who handle swords like they¡¯re part of them. "They''ve got a future waiting for them, you know." he says, as if I¡¯m invisible. "You? What are you doing? Carrying bags?" I clench my fists but don¡¯t say a word. He¡¯s right. I¡¯m not like the others. Not like the warriors or the rich merchants. I¡¯m nothing but a shadow in their world. It¡¯s my mother¡¯s voice that hits hardest, though. ¡°Why can¡¯t you be more like Leo?¡± She asks, always comparing me to my cousin, the shining star of our family. Leo, the one who¡¯d already been in a dozen battles, the one who¡¯d secured riches and glory at such a young age. I pull my pack tighter against my shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ll find my way,¡± I mutter. Though I can¡¯t remember the last time I believed it. Leo doesn¡¯t need to be mentioned. I don¡¯t need to be reminded of how little I¡¯ve accomplished. When the work is done and the sun sets, I find myself walking the streets again, wondering what else I can do. I can''t sit still¡ªsitting still feels like failure. So I keep moving, earning a few coins here and there, delivering goods or helping out wherever I can. Anything to avoid going back to that empty house, filled with their expectations. My best friend, Tolan, is always around when I need him. He¡¯s a funny guy, always cracking jokes even when the world feels heavy. He¡¯s got dreams, too. Bigger dreams than mine, in fact, but he knows what it¡¯s like to work. He doesn¡¯t mind that I¡¯m just a porter. ¡°Hey man, you know,¡± Tolan says one evening as we sit by a campfire, ¡°you¡¯re stronger than you think.¡± I snort, shaking my head. ¡°Stronger than I think? I carry bags for a living, Tolan.¡± ¡°No man, seriously. You have a heart that won¡¯t quit. That¡¯s worth more than a sword any day.¡± I laugh, but his words stay with me, the rare reminder that there¡¯s more to me than just the endless cycle of work. I sat at the edge of the table, my back against the cold stone wall of the Adventurer''s Guild. The room hummed with noise¡ªgruff voices swapping stories, the clink of weapons being sharpened, and the occasional laughter of adventurers celebrating a successful hunt. But I was here for just one thing: work. Porters don¡¯t get much attention in places like this. We¡¯re just the background noise, the ones carrying bags, the ones who aren¡¯t quite strong enough to fight but still valuable enough to be hired. So, I waited. Every morning, I showed up, sat in the same spot, and hoped for the best. Sometimes, I hustled outside the guild, looking for side jobs¡ªdelivering supplies, or running errands. But most days, it was just waiting. Sitting. Hoping someone needed me. Today felt different, though. My eyes swept across the room. A tall, muscular man walked in, his boots echoing and his presence alone was enough to silence the chatter inside. He scanned the room, his gaze landing on me. Then, he started to approach. ¡°You a porter?¡± I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. ¡°Yes, sir.¡± He grunted, sizing me up. ¡°Got a job for you. Think you can keep up?¡± I didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I can.¡± He gave me a curt nod, then turned to his group. They were five in total. The man himself, tall and built like a wall, his expression hard as iron. Beside him was a smaller woman, her eyes sharp, a bow slung over her shoulder. Next to her, a hulking dwarf with a thick beard and a massive warhammer. The last two members, a tall and lanky elf with a staff, and a quiet, scowling rogue whose fingers twitched as if itching for a fight. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. They barely looked at me as the man told me to grab my things and get ready to go. The walk to the dungeon was two hours of silence. The others didn¡¯t acknowledge me, and I didn¡¯t force any conversation. They didn¡¯t need to see me as anything more than a set of hands to carry their gear. But I''m used to it. We reached the dungeon entrance just as the sun was setting. ¡°Stay close,¡± The others didn¡¯t wait for me. They started walking into the dungeon¡¯s mouth without a glance, without a word. I followed. Beacuse that''s my only talent. The darkness inside was overwhelming. I can hear my footsteps in the silence. This was it. The dungeon¡¯s air grew heavier as we moved deeper. Goblins, small but swift, scattered across the stone floors, their annoying but scary cries echoing. The others fought with ease¡ªblades flashing, arrows soaring, spells crackling through the air. I watched, helplessly holding onto the bag of supplies, the weight of it suddenly feeling so much heavier. Could I ever be like them? Like the tall man, strong enough to crush any enemy in his path? Or the elf, whose arrows never missed? When I was younger, I dreamed of being a warrior¡ªof wielding a sword, of slaying monsters, of earning the respect I never got. But those dreams had shattered. They lay in pieces at my feet, crushed by the reality that no matter how hard I tried, I was just the guy who carried baggage. A sharp voice broke my thoughts. ¡°Hey!! Grab the materials. The good ones. Put ¡®em in the bag,¡± the dwarf grunted, pointing to a goblin carcass. I snapped to attention, moving quickly, feeling the weight of their eyes on me as I bent down to grab the herbs, the shiny rocks, the odd trinket the goblins left behind. It was the same thing over and over. The others killed, I collected. Hours passed. The deeper we went, the more monsters we encountered. But something felt... off. The layout of the dungeon was changing. Or rather, it wasn¡¯t. The same corridors. The same traps. The same monsters. I glanced at the others, but they didn¡¯t seem to notice. They were focused, moving with precision, as if they¡¯d done this a thousand times. But a seed of doubt started to grow inside me. We¡¯d passed the same stone pillar three times now. That trap? I could have sworn we¡¯d already triggered it. Something wasn¡¯t right. I caught the elf¡¯s eyes for a moment, his sharp gaze narrowing as if he too had felt the loop. But he didn¡¯t say anything. The air grew colder, the shadows deeper. Then, all at once, the light from our torches dimmed. It wasn¡¯t just that the shadows deepened¡ªit was as if the very light itself was being swallowed. The flames flickered, like they were struggling to stay alive. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± I muttered, my heart racing in my chest. ¡°We¡¯re¡ª¡± The man cut me off with a sharp gesture. ¡°Shut up. Keep moving.¡± But even he, the towering figure who commanded respect, seemed uneasy now. His grip on his sword tightened, his eyes scanning the shifting darkness. We kept walking, but now I could hear the air itself around us. This dungeon wasn¡¯t just an ordinary one¡ªit was something else. Something that wanted us lost. Suddenly, the last flicker of light disappeared. The torches went out. Swish. Complete darkness. ¡°Light the torch!¡± the tall man shouted, his voice low and tense. I fumbled with the torch in my hand, my fingers trembling. My heart pounded as I tried to light the fire. But nothing happened. The matches slipped from my grasp. My hand was shaking too much. The panic set in. I could feel it¡ªsweat dripped down my back, my breath coming in short gasps. The others were shouting now. ¡°Light it, Fluff! You damn useless.¡± the elf yelled. I tried again, my hands slick with fear. The match snapped as I struck it, crumbling uselessly. And then it happened. I heard a hiss, followed by the crackle of flame. The torch finally lit, but in my panic, the flame was too close to the bag I was carrying. It ignited the cloth. The fire spread quickly. ¡°NO!¡± The dwarf¡¯s voice boomed. ¡°You idiot!¡± I dropped the torch, but it was too late. The fire had already caught. The bag burned, the items inside cracking and smoking. Before I could even process what happened, the tall man was on me. ¡°You¡¯re useless! You idiot!¡± he roared, grabbing my collar and throwing me hard against the stone wall. Thud. My head hit the rock with a sickening thud. Pain exploded across my skull, my vision spinning. ¡°Hey bastard, get it together!¡± the man shouted, his face twisted in fury. His hand tightened around my neck, lifting me off the ground. Everything went still. I was nothing. Just weak shadow, suffocating under the weight of their rage. The world around me spun as I tried to focus. My head throbbed, the blood dripping down from the gash in my skull, but something caught my attention. A soft, golden light flickered in front of the party, cutting through the suffocating darkness. It was almost too bright for me to make out, my vision fading in and out, but I could tell¡ªit was something else. The others froze. Even the dwarf, normally brash and quick to anger, stared at the light in shock. They seemed to forget about me for a moment. It was a relic. A legendary relic. I had heard stories about them. Objects of immense power, coveted by all who sought fortune. Some say they could turn the tides of battles, change the course of history, even grant the wielder unimaginable power. But the cost¡ªthere was always a cost. My heart pounded. How could something like that be here? In this dungeon? But before I could fully process it, my mind loses again. The blood on my face smeared in my vision, and the pain made it hard to think. One of the party members¡ª the tall man, I think¡ª staggered forward, eyes wide, and grabbed the relic. He raised it high, as if claiming it as his own. The others joined in, their laughter rising like they had just struck the biggest fortune. And in a way, they had. Fortune. The kind that could make anyone rich beyond measure. The kind that would make my parents proud and treat me like their own. But as soon as the relic was lifted, the dungeon itself seemed to shudder. The walls shaken, the air thickened. I barely heard the others laughing, not through the haze in my mind, but I felt something shift¡ªshift in a way I couldn¡¯t explain. The exit. The one we had thought we¡¯d lost for good. The stone doors creaked open, revealing the light of the outside. It was an escape. My heart skipped. We¡¯re free? But something gnawed at the back of my mind. My body still trembled, the pain clawing at me, and it was like I couldn¡¯t shake off the unease that gripped my chest. I tried to stand, to walk with them, but my legs buckled. My head spun like a carousel, everything blurring together. I was so tired. "Move faster idiot!" the elf shouted, his voice tight with impatience. "Move!" But I couldn¡¯t. I just couldn¡¯t. Then, a voice echoed in the cavern, cutting through the din of their footsteps. ¡°You can¡¯t leave this dungeon.¡± The words were sharp, like ice, reverberating against the stone walls. I froze. The others did too. ¡°You can¡¯t leave until you leave one of your party behind.¡± A cold wave washed over me. The light from the exit flickered and dimmed, the doors closing just slightly, like they weren¡¯t quite sure if they should stay open. ¡°What the hell?¡± The tall man¡¯s voice was harsh, confused, as if he didn¡¯t know what was happening. ¡°Who said that?!¡± I staggered, my feet unsteady beneath me, and looked at the others. Their faces were full of confusion, fear, and disbelief. We were trapped again. But not just by the walls. Not by the monsters. This¡ªthis was different. The dungeon had its own rules. And we hadn¡¯t played by them. ¡°Who the hell are you?¡± The dwarf barked, his fists tightening. "What do you mean, leave one behind?" The voice, low and cold, echoed again. ¡°The rules are clear. Only you can leave by leaving one of your kind behind.¡± The room seemed to close in around us, the air heavy with something ancient. Something that had been waiting. A chill ran down my spine. The door didn¡¯t open anymore. It was almost like the dungeon was... waiting. And that waiting¡ª that silence¡ª was more terrifying than any monster I''ve seen. The gazes turned toward me, cold and calculating. I could feel it¡ªthe weight of their eyes on me like I was nothing but a piece of meat. A lamb. A sacrifice. The tension in the air thickened, like the dungeon itself was holding its breath, waiting for them to make their choice. And I knew. I knew it was me. They didn¡¯t have to say a word. It was in their eyes, in the way their lips curled into sneers, in the way they shifted closer to the exit, looking back at me like I was the last piece of trash they¡¯d have to throw away. And then¡ªthat voice. The same chilling voice, echoing through the dungeon. ¡°The dungeon will close in ten seconds. Leave a sacrifice, or none of you will leave.¡± Ten seconds. My breath hitched. I felt it then. The true weight of it. The truth I¡¯d been dancing around all my life. I wasn¡¯t just the lowly porter. I wasn¡¯t just the one who always carried the bags, always took the blows. I was expendable. I had always been expendable. Their eyes were locked on me now. The silence was deafening, and the seconds stretched. I could feel my heart racing, my legs shaking. My stomach twisted in knots, but I couldn¡¯t move. I was going to die. I knew it. And then, to my horror, one of them stepped forward. The tall man¡ªthe one who had hired me in the first place¡ªraised his sword, his eyes empty of anything resembling mercy. Slash. The pain was immediate, like nothing I had ever felt before. It felt like my insides were being ripped open, a rush of warmth flooding my abdomen. I staggered back, gasping, my hands clutching at the wound as my vision blurred. The others laughed. They laughed like I was nothing. I crumpled to the floor, choking on blood, my body failing me. I could hear their footsteps, echoing in the distance. "D-don''t leave...me." They were already leaving, already walking out of the dungeon without a second thought. No hesitation. No remorse. My vision blurred further, memories flooding back. But not the good ones. Not the moments of warmth or happiness. No. It was all dark, all painful. All of it. Since childhood, I had been alone. I remembered my parents, but they never truly saw me. They never loved me. They treated me like a burden. Like I was some mistake they couldn¡¯t undo. They abandoned me long before I even knew what it meant to be abandoned. And now this. This final betrayal. I felt it then. The cold hand of death creeping closer, wrapping around me. I was dying. But even in the face of death, something inside me screamed. I refused to die like this. I refused to die like an outcast. But my body couldn¡¯t fight anymore. The goblins had surrounded me, their sharp weapons glinting in the dim light, their eyes gleaming with malice. They started to hack at me, tearing into what was left of my body. Each slice, each cut, was a new wave of agony. I could feel it. The end. The pain. It''s the end. "It''s finally the end." And then, just as I was slipping into darkness, a light appeared. It wasn¡¯t like the light from the relic. This light was... different. It was sharp and clear. And it appeared in front of me. [You unlocked Flux System. You are getting reborn] A jolt shot through me. The pain began to fade. The world around me seemed to stretch and distort. Reborn? And then, everything went black. But the light... the light was still there. Chapter 2: A New Light All I see is darkness. But it¡¯s different this time. There¡¯s no pain. Just a strange warmth feeling I never had before. And then suddenly in front of me, there¡¯s aa light that appeared. It¡¯s not blinding, though. It¡¯s calm, almost comforting, like it¡¯s calling to me. I try to reach for it, but I have no hands, no body. Just¡­ awareness. ¡°You are being reborn,¡± The light whispers, though the words are more of a feeling than a sound. Reborn? I¡¯m not sure I believe it. I should be dead. I remember the darkness, the blood, the betrayal. But here I am, bathed in light. Then I feel it¡ªa pull, like something is drawing me back, threading me through time itself. Searching¡­ Locating vessel... A blur of images flashes by¡ªfaces, people, places I don¡¯t recognize. It¡¯s like watching memories that aren¡¯t mine. And then, everything halts. [Target found] The light grows brighter, and suddenly, I¡¯m like being pulled or falling to a deep, unknown place. And then, after few minutes inside the light. Air touches my skin. I feel it. I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m alive? As I open my eyes. The light fades, and then I saw a blurred shapes, and slowly, those shapes become faces. A woman¡¯s face, glowing, gazes down at me with soft, loving eyes. Beside her, a man, his smile wide, his eyes full of something I don¡¯t quite understand. It¡¯s kindness. Happiness. They¡¯re looking at me like I¡¯m their whole world. Like I¡¯m¡­ wanted. ¡°Oh, he is so cute! Alistair¡­¡± the woman whispers, her voice thick with joy. Her hand rests on my chest, so gentle it almost feels like she¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll break. Alistair? That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s me now, isn¡¯t it? The man¡¯s laugh is warm, full of pride as he glances at her. ¡°Look at him Hahaha! Strong little one, isn¡¯t he? Didn¡¯t even cry.¡± They¡¯re confused, I realize. For a moment, they stared at me, curious that, as a newborn, I¡¯m so quiet, as if they¡¯re expecting more. I know what they want. I should cry, right? Babies cry. So I close my eyes, take a breath, and let out a wail, shaky cry. But I know it sound more like a duck in my perspective. But it works. They both laugh, their faces filled with relief. My new mother pulls me close, wrapping me in warmth, while the man¡ªmy father, I assume¡ªreaches over, gently patting my head with quiet pride. They hold me close, their love so strong it feels like I could reach out and touch it. For the first time in my life¡ªor maybe this new life¡ªI feel a strange, unfamiliar comfort. The warmth from my new parents surrounds me, soft and comforting. Their voices, full of love, hum in the background, but my attention is elsewhere. Something is¡­ appearing in front of my eyes, it¡¯s like the same light that appeared when I died. Welcome, Alistair. [System Activated] I try to reach out to touch them, but my hands remain still, as if the screen is inside my mind. I hear the voice of my mother, soft and warm, cooing at me as she rocks me gently. "Look Jorin, our baby is enjoying himself." But my attention is fixed on the screen. Trying to make sense of what¡¯s happening. Then the screen displayed more words.
Name: Alistair Quinlan Level: 1 Strength (STR): 0 Agility (AGI): 0 Stamina (STA): 0 Intelligence (INT): 0 Aura (AURA): 0 Perception (PER): 0 Endurance (END): 0
I stared at the numbers, confused. The silence stretches, heavy, until I hear my father¡¯s voice, trying to make me laugh.. "muh-muh, bah-bah." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. But my focus is entirely on the screen. I imagined tapping it with my mind. It responds. A new set of words appeared. [Help Menu] I figure it might be useful since it says "help menu," so I select it.
Flux System: The Flux System is a special system unlocked upon your rebirth. You are currently able to view your status, attributes, and basic information. Further unlocking will allow access to more advanced features, including skill management, quests, and personal progression.
The key word stands out to me: "progression." So, I can get stronger using this system? Yeah, I¡¯ve figured it out. This is real. It¡¯s... it¡¯s happening. The confusion builds, but along with it, something else stirs: curiosity. I shift slightly in my mother¡¯s arms, trying to focus on the screen without her noticing. I can¡¯t explain it. I feel a need to understand this system more and more. This system. It¡¯s mine. But¡­ not fully. Not yet. I search into it more, trying to navigate. I reach for the Attributes tab. More numbers appear, but they¡¯re all zero.
Strength (STR): 0 Agility (AGI): 0 Stamina (STA): 0 Intelligence (INT): 0 Aura (AURA): 0 Perception (PER): 0 Endurance (END): 0
Nothing. Just numbers. I guess I¡¯m still a baby after all. All these zeros make sense. I scroll down, searching for more information that might satisfy my curiosity. The next message comes up:
Note: Your Flux System is in its initial state. It is not fully unlocked. You can only view your basic attributes for now. Unlocking requires growth and experience.
Growth? Experience? Hmm. It looks like I¡¯ll have to be patient and figure it out as I grow. I¡¯m so focused that I don¡¯t even realize my parents are still talking. My mother¡¯s soft voice continues, unaware of what is happening inside my mind. "He¡¯s smiling, looks like he likes his beautiful mom. But why don¡¯t you smile at your dad, huh? Are you scared of his face? Hahaha." "Don''t joke about me, darling. He smiles at you because he thinks you have a funny face." "What did you just say?!" My mother replied, keeping a straight face as she tried to hold back her laughter. I blink, finally pulling my attention away from the screen. I glance at their faces, laughing and smiling, and I feel at ease watching them. So I look at both of them and manage to smile. "HEY! LOOK! He¡¯s smiling at both of us!" my father shouts, incredibly happy. "Well, it seems we both have funny faces after all," my mother replies, teasing. The days pass, and I slowly get used to this new environment. I wake to the sound of my mother¡¯s humming, her hands lifting me from the bed. Gentle greetings of her greeted me everyday, "Good morning, Alistair." I don¡¯t speak yet, but I smile at the sound of her voice. Afterward, we play. Jorin, my father, always lifts me high into the air, his strong hands cradling me. I giggle, and he laughs too, his big belly shaking with the sound. "You¡¯re getting big, Alistair. Almost ready to run!" I don¡¯t feel weird or awkward being treated this way. In fact, I¡¯ve never been treated like this before in my childhood. Sometimes, I watch them work too. They take me to the fields after breakfast. The land is vast. The soil is tough and dry, the sun relentless. My father digs, lifting his spade and driving it into the earth, sweat beading on his brow. My mother works beside him, her hands steady as she plants seeds in the soil. I can tell it¡¯s a struggle. Every step seems heavy. They never complain, though. They just keep going. Always. And as I watch them, I remember my past self through their hard work. Sometimes, I sit on the side, watching them. The sun burns on their backs, but they don¡¯t stop. They never stop. It¡¯s a quiet kind of struggle. The kind you can¡¯t escape. ~ The months slip by so fast, each one another step in my growth. I can feel it in my body, in the way I stretch and pull. I begin to sit up on my own, then crawl, then stand. One leg after another, unsteady, but I try again and again. I hear my father¡¯s encouraging words everyday, kind and patient. "You¡¯ll get there, kiddo. Keep trying." Then one day, after falling countless times, I take my first step. ¡°Did you see that? Jorin, he walked!¡± I look up at them, and they smile, their faces glowing with pride. My father claps his hands. "There you go, little one! I told ya!" And in that moment, the system again appeared. Bing!
System Reward: Milestone Unlocked: First Step +1 STR +4 AGI +2 STA +3 END
Woah! Strength. Agility. Stamina. Endurance. They¡¯ve all gone up. I didn¡¯t expect this at all. Then another appeared. Bing!
Flux System Progress: Milestone: First Step Complete Bonus: +3 Intelligence
What the! Intelligence. It¡¯s a small boost, but it feels like a key turning in my mind. The world opens just a little bit more. Day''s past and I learned more and more. "Mama," I said one day, my voice clumsy but clear. My mother¡¯s face lights up, her hands gently cupping my cheeks. It''s a reaction I expected but I felt so happy! "Yes, Alistair," she whispers, her voice sounds like she''s about to cry. "Mama." And the system appeared again.
System Reward: Milestone Unlocked: First Word +5 INT +5 PER
Months later, I¡¯m running. My legs feel stronger now, my steps more sure. I race through the fields, my parents close behind, their voices calling my name, full of pride and encouragement. "Go, Alistair! Keep going!" "Oh, I can¡¯t keep up with that little kid. He''s quick¡ªwhat are you feeding him?" my father asked. "No, I¡¯m feeding him just fine. He''s just so scared by your expressions, haha," I feel like I could run forever. But as I push forward, the system again rewarded me. Bing!
System Update: Milestone Unlocked: Full Mobility +2 STR +5 AGI +4 STA +4 END
I feel stronger, faster, more alive than ever before. It¡¯s not just the physical changes¡ªit¡¯s the feeling that comes with them.
Name: Alistair Quinlan Level: 1 Age: 1 year old Strength (STR): 3 Agility (AGI): 9 Stamina (STA): 6 Intelligence (INT): 8 Aura (AURA): 0 Perception (PER): 5 Endurance (END): 7 Chapter 3: A Trial The years pass quickly. Life on the farm never slows down, and neither do I. By the time I turn seven, I¡¯m already learning the ropes of farm work. I feel the urge to ask my father to teach me more, to help him out. I want to ease his load, even if just for a little while, so he can get some rest. Everyday I wake up early, and it¡¯s as if I¡¯m returning to who I once was¡ªbut this time, there¡¯s no pressure from my parents. I don¡¯t have to worry about what work I should do today, or how to find a way to feed myself, or how to make my parents proud. But now, in this life, I don¡¯t feel any pressure at all. It¡¯s like I¡¯m finally settling into this life. "Morning, Alistair," my mother greets me, still busy with breakfast. Mama always greets me like that whenever she sees me, and it¡¯s something I¡¯ve grown used to. "Morning, Mama," I reply, pulling over a stool to help. My small hands press into the soft dough. It¡¯s tough work, but I enjoy it. It feels real. After breakfast, I always follow my father out to the fields and try to help him as much as possible. It all started when I asked him to teach me, jokingly saying it was just for fun. ¡°Alright¡± he says, handing me a smaller tool. ¡°Time you learn to work this land proper.¡± I nod, determined to learn. He shows me how to loosen the soil, how to plant seeds just right. ¡°Not too deep,¡± ¡°The roots need air.¡± I copy his movements, my hands digging into the earth. ¡°You¡¯re doing good, Alistair,¡± he says, clapping me on the shoulder. ¡°Better than I did at your age.¡± I smile, and I felt proud. Some days, we finish quickly, but other days are so sunny. On those days, my father won¡¯t let me help him. He doesn¡¯t want me getting burns all over my body, and he says it''s not good for a young lad like me. At home, my chores never seem to end. My mother teaches me to fetch water, clean, and cook simple meals (which I already know). She¡¯s patient, even when I mess up. "Careful, Alistair." "You¡¯ve got to think ahead." "I¡¯ll get better," I promise, and she smiles. "You always do." But my favorite part of the day? Spending time with Sylra. She¡¯s full of life. Her laugh is the best sound in the world. I love making her giggle, whether by making funny faces or bouncing her gently on my knee. ¡°Alis!¡± she babbles, reaching for me with her chubby hands. "Sylra, are you ready to be lifted up?" I ask, lifting her into the air. She squeals, her tiny hands grabbing my face. She tugs at my hair, but I don¡¯t mind. She¡¯s my 1 year old little sister, and I¡¯d do anything for her. ¡°Be gentle, Sylra,¡± my mother warns, but she¡¯s smiling. ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± I say, holding her close. ¡°She¡¯s just strong. Like me hahaha.¡± Sylra babbles nonsense, and I laugh. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be big and tough one day, too,¡± I tell her. ¡°but now just eat your veggies, right?¡± My days are full, every moment accounted for. I wake, work, learn, play, and help. I¡¯ve come to understand the value of time and effort. I met him while I''m walking through the forest to go to the near sea. In this new life, I¡¯ve also met a friend¡ªhis name, just like in my past life, is "Elias," though the last letter is different. I met him while I was walking through the forest, heading toward the nearby sea. "HEYYY!!" he shouted, and I almost lost my damn life. "What the hell are you thinking?" I said. "What the? Are you cursing at such a young age?" And that¡¯s how we met. Every time I go to the sea, I see Elias waiting. I don¡¯t know who he¡¯s waiting for, but he always seems like trouble. "You¡¯re late," he says, tossing a small rock into the water. It skips once before sinking. "I had chores," I reply, plopping down beside him. "You know how it is." He snorts. "Chores, huh? Bet you¡¯d rather be out there." He nods toward the horizon, where the water meets the sky. "Maybe," I admit, leaning back on my hands. "What about you? You just sit here, staring so far away." "Well," he says, his voice quiet, "I¡¯m always waiting here. It¡¯s kind of weird, you know? But I have to." "My father left us, he went out on a boat, my mom said. He promised he¡¯d come back, and he sailed into this very sea... and then, yeah, he disappeared." "My mother lost her mind, and I... I just keep waiting for him to come back. Not for me, but for her. I want her to smile again." But then Elias¡¯s mood shifts, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "But one day," he says, "I¡¯m gonna be an adventurer. The best one in the world. My dad¡¯s gonna know me, and maybe he¡¯ll come home." ¡°The best, huh?¡± I tease. ¡°I bet you¡¯re really gonna do it, Eli.¡± ¡°Yeah, I mean it,¡± he replies, now serious. ¡°I¡¯ll be stronger than the Sentinels.¡± You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. That catches my attention. ¡°The Sentinels?¡± Elias nods eagerly. ¡°Yeah. You¡¯ve heard of them, right? They¡¯re so strong, according to the stories. They just stand there, and you melt. The strongest fighters in the world. They protect the kingdoms, fight off monsters, even save entire cities.¡± I know them. Or at least, I know of them. In my past life, when I was Elian, there were only three Sentinels. They were legends, their names whispered with awe. Now there are ten? The world¡¯s evolving, growing stronger. It¡¯s strange, but it makes sense. Power attracts more power. ¡°But two of those ten are considered heroes,¡± Elias continues, his voice dropping like he¡¯s sharing a secret. ¡°They¡¯ve done things no one else could. Like saving the capital from that dragon three years ago. You remember that?¡± I nod slowly. ¡°Yeah, I heard about it.¡± Elias leans in closer. ¡°One day, I''ll be one of them. An adventurer. A hero. I''ll be up there with the Sentinels.¡± I smile, but my mind is already turning. Could I really do that too? Leave the farm, chase a dream so big? It¡¯s what I want more than anything. But my parents¡­ they¡¯ve worked so hard, poured everything into this life. How can I tell them I want something different? That night, as I lie in bed, the thoughts won¡¯t leave me alone. I stare at the ceiling. The farm is my family¡¯s life. It¡¯s steady, honest work. But it¡¯s not my dream. I want more. I want to see the world, fight monsters, make a name for myself¡ªsomething I never could in my past life. But how do I tell them that? How do I look my father in the eye and say, ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a farmer¡±? The thought twists in my chest. I know they¡¯d support me, but would they be disappointed? Hurt? I don¡¯t want to let them down, but I can¡¯t ignore this fire inside me. The next morning, I sit at the breakfast table, the words heavy on my tongue. My mother hums as she serves porridge. My father sips his tea, his eyes already on the day¡¯s work ahead. Sylra giggles in her high chair, throwing bits of bread on the floor. ¡°Alistair,¡± my father says, breaking the silence. ¡°You¡¯re quiet today.¡± I swallow hard. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking.¡± He raises an eyebrow. ¡°About?¡± I take a deep breath. This is it. ¡°About my future.¡± I know I¡¯m just seven years old, and it¡¯s ridiculous to bring this up now, but I think it¡¯s better to start telling them early. They both stop what they¡¯re doing, their eyes on me now. The weight of their attention feels like a mountain, but I push through. ¡°I want to be an adventurer,¡± I say, the words rushing out before I lose my nerve. ¡°I want to see the world, fight, protect people. Be strong enough to protect my family.¡± The room goes quiet, except for Sylra¡¯s happy babbling. My parents exchange a look, and for a moment, I can¡¯t read their faces. Then my mother smiles, soft and understanding. ¡°You¡¯ve always had big dreams,¡± she says, her voice gentle. My father nods slowly. ¡°It¡¯s a dangerous path, Alistair. But if that¡¯s what you want¡­ we¡¯ll support you.¡± It¡¯s almost too quick for me to process. They agree to let me follow the path I want. I¡¯m stunned. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever felt this free, this confident. I know now I can grow stronger, faster. I don¡¯t say anything. I just hug them, showing them how much I appreciate them. Weeks passed. Something changed inside me. It¡¯s different when you find the courage to tell your parents your dreams, to say out loud that you¡¯re going to pursue them. It¡¯s something I hadn¡¯t expected, but it had a bigger impact on me than I could¡¯ve imagined. And my father¡ªsurprisingly¡ªwas supportive. He didn¡¯t argue or tell me I needed to stay on the farm. No, he did something more. ¡°Here,¡± he said, handing me a smooth, polished wooden sword. I stared at it for a moment. It wasn¡¯t just any wooden sword. This one was special¡ªwell-made, carefully crafted. The handle was wrapped in leather, and the blade was shaped so perfectly that it felt real, almost alive in my hands. ¡°This is for you, son,¡± my father said. ¡°If I¡¯d known earlier that you wanted to be an adventurer, I would¡¯ve made this for you sooner. But if this is your path, you need to practice. Take it. Train with it.¡± I swallowed hard, a lump forming in my throat. ¡°Thank you, Father.¡± "It''s alright son,¡± patting me on my head. ¡°And remember, even heroes need to work hard.¡± --- And It wasn¡¯t long before I introduced Elias to my parents. The first time they met, they were a little wary¡ªafter all, Elias wasn¡¯t from around here. But he charmed them quickly with his easy smile and the way he listened when they spoke. My mother, especially, seemed to take a liking to him, offering him more food than he could finish. As the days went on, Elias became a regular part of our family. We¡¯d all eat together, laugh together, and then I¡¯d take him out to practice with the sword my father had made for me. He was eager to learn, just like me. The bond between us deepened with every passing day. After seeing how serious we were about our training, my father again did something unexpected. ¡°This is for Elias,¡± he said, holding it out to my friend. Elias¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°For me?¡± My father nodded. ¡°You¡¯re Alistair¡¯s friend. If you¡¯re going to practice with him, you need your own sword.¡± Elias looked at me, his grin spreading wide. ¡°Thanks, Mr. Jorin. I¡¯ll make sure I practice hard.¡± ¡°Good,¡± my father said, ¡°but remember, practice is only one part of it. Don¡¯t neglect the hard work that comes with it. Help out. That¡¯s what keeps you grounded.¡± --- The days turned into weeks, and I found myself balancing two worlds. The work on the farm, helping my parents with the chores, and my training with Elias. We¡¯d spend hours in the fields, swinging our wooden swords, practicing strikes and blocks. Swishh! Swish! Slash. Thud. Our hands would blister, our arms would ache, but we pushed on. We didn¡¯t have a lot of time to spare¡ªthere was always something to do, whether it was tending to the crops, fixing fences, or bringing in the harvest. But every free moment I got, I¡¯d grab my sword and train with Elias. He was getting better, just like me, though sometimes I felt like he was catching up faster. But I never stopped helping my parents. I couldn¡¯t. They needed me. Even when my muscles burned and my body begged for rest, I would find a way to get up and keep going. ¡°Alistair,¡± my mother would call, her voice soft but firm. ¡°We need you in the field.¡± I¡¯d nod, wipe the sweat from my brow, and grab the nearest tool. And when I finished, I¡¯d head straight back to my training with Elias. It was exhausting, but it was the only way I knew how to start growing. ~ ¡°Alistair you''re a traitor!¡± Elias shouted, role playing like we''re in some kind of play while blocking a strike with his wooden sword. I smiled, swinging again. ¡°You¡¯re getting faster. I¡¯ll have to step up my game.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going easy on you,¡± he grinned, his sword dancing through the air as he parried my strike. We laughed, our swords clashing with the sound of wood against wood. For a moment, it felt like nothing else mattered¡ªno chores, no work, no responsibilities. Just me and Elias, pushing each other to be stronger. But I couldn¡¯t forget why I was doing this. One day, I¡¯d be more than a farmer. I''d be more than a porter, I¡¯d be an adventurer. I¡¯d be the strongest. But for now, I¡¯d keep working. I¡¯d keep training. And I wouldn¡¯t stop until I was ready. I also became aware that the system had been quiet for a while now. It wasn¡¯t fully unlocked yet, but I could still see my stats. I didn''t know when or how the system would fully unlocked, but I knew one thing: I''d have to be ready and train hard. More years passed. I was thirteen now, and everything seemed the same. The fields stretched out before me, endless and familiar, a reminder of everything we''ve worked for. But this year, things felt different. The harvest was supposed to be the best one yet¡ªbetter than any other year before it. But the weather had other plans. The sky grew heavy with dark clouds, a warning I had ignored. We should¡¯ve known. We should¡¯ve prepared more, but we didn¡¯t. My parents and I had been so hopeful. We thought this year might be the one where we could finally take a breath, maybe even rest from all the endless labor. Then, the storm came. It started slow, just a few gusts of wind and a light drizzle. I didn¡¯t think much of it at first. But by the second day, the winds howled like beasts, tearing through the trees, and the rain came in sheets, relentless and unforgiving. My father tried to go out and check on the crops, but he had to retreat within minutes. We couldn¡¯t even see the barn from the house¡ªthe storm was too fierce. By the third day, the storm had become a beast in itself, and we all knew it wasn¡¯t going away anytime soon. My father sat by the fire, silent, his eyes hollow and distant. My mother, too, withdrew into herself, her hands trembling as she tried to keep the house warm. But it was hard. The cold seeped in no matter what she did. I could feel the weight pressing down on her, just like it was on all of us. She knew, just like my father did, that the crops were gone. The storm had taken them. It''s been a whole week of never seeing the sun. The storm¡¯s strength had us all trapped inside, the winds so fierce they rattled the windows and shook the walls. It was like the earth itself was screaming. On the seventh day, I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. I had to see it for myself. The storm, the destruction. So I peeked through the window. Everything outside was dark. It was like the world had been swallowed by the storm. The wind howled louder than I thought possible. I saw nothing but sheets of rain and swirling dirt. Our fields? Gone. Our crops? Gone. My heart dropped. My family had worked so hard for that harvest. And now¡­ it was all lost. I turned my head, and I saw my parents, sitting there. They looked defeated. My father¡¯s shoulders slumped, his head in his hands. My mother stared out the window, her face pale, her lips trembling. They didn¡¯t know what to do. I looked back out, trying to understand what was happening. Something didn¡¯t sit right with me. The winds¡­ they were coming from somewhere. I couldn¡¯t see it clearly, but I felt it. The storm wasn¡¯t just random. It was too focused, too deliberate. I squinted through the rain, and then I saw it¡ªa pattern. The wind wasn¡¯t just blowing from any direction. It was coming from up top. From the mountains. But there was more. It was coming from¡­ a cave? A cave at the top of the mountain? It hit me like a lightning strike. The winds weren¡¯t natural. This wasn¡¯t just a storm. It felt like a spell, like someone or something was casting it. The winds twisted and turned, like they were being controlled, funneled into a single point. I had to know. I turned and ran back to my parents, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn¡¯t just stand by and watch everything my family had worked for be destroyed. Something wasn¡¯t right, and I had to find out what. But I had no idea where to start. The storm was still too strong to go out there, too dangerous. I paused for a moment, looking at my parents again. They didn¡¯t see it. They didn¡¯t see the storm for what it was. All they saw was the loss. I clenched my fists, determined to know what really is inside the cave. I needed to check it out. I feel it¡ªa driving need to uncover the truth, to find out who or what is behind this. The storm might be relentless, but so was I. Chapter 4: Devour The rain didn''t even stopped, but it had lessened. I stood by the door, my grip tightening around the kitchen knife I''d taken. Kitchen knife? ridiculous. It wasn''t much, but it was better than nothing. I waited till my parents were gone to sleep. ¡°I¡¯ll be back,¡± I whispered, though no one was there to hear it. The sky remained dull, a bruised gray, as I stepped outside. Each step left mud clinging to my boots, weighing me down. The wind still carried some bite, but it had quieted. My eyes stayed fixed on the mountain ahead, its peak obscured by mist and clouds. That¡¯s where I was headed¡ªthe source of the storm. The climb proved tougher than I had imagined. The mud acted like a trap, pulling at my feet with every step, turning the path into a constant struggle. I slipped more times than I could count, my hands sinking into the wet earth as I fought to regain my balance. The higher I climbed, the colder it got. But I didn¡¯t stop. I couldn¡¯t. The storm hadn¡¯t come out of nowhere, and I needed to know why. Finally, after what felt like hours, I saw it. The cave. Carved into the mountainside, the cave loomed dark and ominous, like a gaping mouth waiting to swallow anyone who dared come too close. But it wasn¡¯t the cave itself that drew my attention¡ªit was the light. A strange, flickering glow pulsed from deep within, not the steady burn of fire, but something else, something unnerving. As I drew nearer, I felt it¡ªan unnatural shift in the air. It was thick, heavy, as though the very atmosphere around the cave was alive, pressing in on me. I crouched behind a rock, peering out at the entrance. The light grew brighter, and that¡¯s when I saw it. A figure. They stood near the mouth of the cave, their hands raised, moving in fluid, intricate patterns. Runes flickered around them, glowing faintly and shifting in the air like whispers of magic. The rain and mist blurred their features, but their presence was unmistakable, a dark energy emanating from them that made the air grow heavier. They were casting the spell. The storm was no accident. It was deliberate. Controlled. I was right. And then it stopped and entered the cave. I ran, slipping and sliding, but I didn¡¯t stop. The mud tried to pull me down, but I pushed harder. Trying bring me closer to the top. The rain poured relentlessly, soaking me to the bone. My legs ached with every step, and my hands stung from the sharp rocks and branches I grabbed for support. But none of it mattered. I couldn¡¯t afford to care. I had to keep moving. Finally, I reached the summit. There it was. The cave. From below, it looked small, like a crack in the mountain¡¯s face. But up close? It was massive. The entrance of it loomed over me, dark and foreboding, like it was alive. I stopped for a moment, trying to rest a lil bit. My chest heaved, and my heart raced, but I was here. I had made it. The rain still fell, relentless. I wiped the water from my eyes and turned. Below, our farm stretched out, clearer now from the height. What I saw made me more determined to go deep into the cave. The fields were ruined. Crops flattened, soil washed away. Everything we¡¯d worked for, gone. I clenched my fists. Just as I was about to take a step toward the cave, system screen appeared. Ding!
[NEW QUEST] [DEFEAT THE SPELLCASTER]
It was a command. So it is really a spellcaster? I gripped the knife tightly. The cave stood ahead, dark and swallowing the light. Somewhere inside, the spellcaster waited. I moved quietly, each step careful. The air was cold and heavy. Drip... drip... Every sound echoed¡ªdrips of water, the soft crunch of my feet on loose gravel. In my past life, as a porter, this silence would¡¯ve driven me mad. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Panic would¡¯ve gripped me, my hands shaking, my thoughts racing. But now? Now, I understood. Confidence didn¡¯t mean I wasn¡¯t scared¡ªit meant I could keep moving despite the fear. But I couldn¡¯t let my guard down. The glow intensified as I moved closer, my hand tightening around the knife. Then, I saw them. "Ha ha ha! Heh heh heh!" Goblins. I¡¯ve seen goblins in my past life¡ªmost adventurers fight them because they¡¯re the most common monsters. They¡¯d kill them without a second thought. I¡¯ve even seen goblins lying there, just resting, only to be killed. But for me, there¡¯s a reason. I want to eliminate them. Their eyes¡­ They were red. Glowing red. They moved unnaturally, twitching and jerking like puppets on invisible strings. It was like they were being controlled. I''m sure about it. These weren¡¯t like the ones I knew. No, they were cursed. I¡¯d heard the stories¡ªmonsters with glowing red eyes, bound by dark magic. They weren¡¯t in control. They were slaves. But the one that really caught my attention was the one behind them. Towering over the rest, was the tallest goblin I¡¯d ever seen. It leaned heavily on a twisted walking stick, the top of which crackled with dark energy. The source of the storm. The spellcaster. My stomach churned. I¡¯d seen goblins before in my past life, sure. But never like this. Never with one of them leading the charge. ¡°This is bad,¡± I whispered. The goblins stirred, their glowing eyes locking onto me. The spellcaster raised its stick, and the cave trembled. ¡°Here we go,¡± I said, bracing myself. The air grew heavier as the goblins advanced. My grip tightened around the kitchen knife, the blade trembling slightly in my hand. Bing! A screen appeared. Why does the system have to display my stats at the worst possible time?!
Name: Alistair Quinlan Level: 5 Age: 13 Strength (STR): 15 Agility (AGI): 20 Stamina (STA): 17 Intelligence (INT): 15 Aura (AURA): 1 Perception (PER): 13 Endurance (END): 12
Then another message appeared:
[Congratulations! Upon entering a Quest] [You have unlocked the Observer¡¯s Eye] You can now peek at the stats and status of others. You may only view those near your level or below. Levels beyond yours remain hidden.
!!! A grin spread across my face. Observer¡¯s Eye? ¡°This just got interesting,¡± I muttered. Excited, I activated it. I focused on the nearest goblin, and instantly, its stats appeared before me.
Five Goblin Pawns Level: 1 Strength (STR): 5 Agility (AGI): 5 Stamina (STA): 5 Intelligence (INT): 3 Aura (AURA): 0 Perception (PER): 4 Endurance (END): 5
"Maybe this kitchen knife is enough for those of you," I whispered. The pawns were nothing more than fodder. But then my eyes locked onto the tall one¡ªthe spellcaster.
Cursed Spellcasting Goblin Level: 5 Title: Calamity Bringer Strength (STR): 15 Agility (AGI): 11 Stamina (STA): 15 Intelligence (INT): 17 Aura (AURA): 5 Perception (PER): 17 Endurance (END): 11
¡°Calamity Bringer?¡± I murmured. It has a title?! Great. Just my luck. Its stats were close to mine, but its Aura and Perception were far higher. Still, we were on the same level. I shifted my focus back to the goblins. They inched closer, their glowing red eyes cutting through the dim light. Behind them, the spellcaster raised his staff, the air around him full of dark energy. I adjusted my grip on the knife. ¡°Let¡¯s see how far this knife can go,¡± I muttered, stepping forward. I lunged forward, the kitchen knife slicing through the air. The first goblin rushed at me, snarling, its crude club raised high. Focus. Shwick! I was precise, and so was the knife, slashing clean across the goblin¡¯s chest. Splat! Dark blood sprayed onto the ground. The goblin staggered, its growl fading into a wet gurgle before it collapsed. My heart pounded, but not out of fear. It was something else. Something... exhilarating. This is it, I thought. This is what I¡¯ve wanted all along. Another goblin rushed me. This one was faster, more aggressive. Grahhh! Whoosh! It swung a jagged blade at my side. I barely dodged, feeling the air shift as the weapon missed. My knife shot up, stabbing deep into the goblin¡¯s side. It screamed, clawing at me in desperation. I twisted the blade and pulled it out, watching it collapse. I stood there for a moment, panting. Blood dripped from the knife. My hands shook, but not from fear. I lifted my attention to the Calamity Bringer. It stood motionless, its red eyes locked on me. No orders. No movement. Just... watching. I tightened my grip on the knife. ¡°Is that all?¡± I muttered. Then I heard it. Crkk! A faint crack. I looked down at my knife. The blade had snapped in half. "The timing is perfect. Maybe I should invest in luck If there''s any. System, got any skills to buff that one?" I muttered sarcastically, tossing the broken handle aside. One of the fallen goblins still clutched a weapon¡ªa crude but sturdy-looking sword. Without hesitation, I grabbed it, testing its weight. It wasn¡¯t in great condition, but it would do. The remaining goblins circled me, growling and snarling. ¡°Let me finish this,¡± I said, taking a defensive stance. They rushed in, two at once. I parried the first goblin¡¯s strike, countering with a quick slash that opened its throat. Shlick! The second goblin tried to flank me, but I spun around, driving the blade deep into its gut. Gshh! They fell, one after the other. I didn¡¯t stop. Each swing, each stab, felt more natural. My movements became sharper, more precise. By the time the last goblin fell, my chest heaved with effort. The cave floor was covered in bodies. And still, the Calamity Bringer stood there, unmoving. I wiped the sweat from my brow and raised the goblin sword. My eyes locked onto the towering figure ahead. ¡°Your turn,¡± But the system again appeared. Bing!
[Reward! Congratulations on taking down those goblin pawns! Looks like your kitchen knife was just the start of your new career as a goblin exterminator! ]
Damn, it really knows how to be annoying sometimes. But I''m stunned
[Plus 3 points to all the stats!] [You level up!] [You have unlocked Devour] A skill that increases your stats every time you defeat an opponent.
Name: Alistair Level: 7 Age: 13 Strength (STR): 18 Agility (AGI): 23 Stamina (STA): 20 Intelligence (INT): 18 Aura (AURA): 4 Perception (PER): 16 Endurance (END): 15 Chapter 5: A Swordsman The battle went on for hours. Now, I¡¯m heading back to the house in the middle of the night. The Calamity Bringer was strong, even though our stats were nearly the same. Its attacks were sharp and unforgiving. Every swing of the staff pushed me back. I always knew that mages are always tough, but this one was different kind, it was cursed. They were controlled by dark magic. I don¡¯t even have know who did this, but it was powerful. Now I''m walking down the mountain, like some thief in the night, still thinking about the fight. The rain''s finally stopped. The sky¡¯s clear, but the land below still looks messed up from the storm, the one that almost wrecked everything. I already killed the one who started this but instead of feeling good. A bitter taste in my mouth still in. I can¡¯t bring it back. But we can move forward. After the fight though I manage to be rewarded by the system again. While ago... [You have completed the Quest!] [Rewards] - Plus 10 to all stats - Anti magic cloak [Effective for lower magic spells] - Oblivion''s Gift [CONGRATULATIONS FOR COMPLETING THE QUEST] [YOU HAVE UNLOCKED THE ROLE SELECTION] "Woah! I''ve unlocked something again, this is sweet!" I got myself an anti-magic cloak and... something called Oblivion¡¯s Gift? I¡¯ve never heard of it before. Turns out, it¡¯s some kind of treasure box with random abilities. I couldn¡¯t open it earlier, though. I just had this feeling that I needed to get home fast, so my parents wouldn¡¯t start asking questions. Then there¡¯s the whole role selection thing. But it¡¯s pretty obvious what that is. I figured I¡¯d look at it later, once I was back home where it¡¯s safe. ~ I tried to stay as quiet as possible, but every step seemed to betray me. Squish¡­ squish¡­ squish¡­ When I finally reached home, the house was quiet. Too quiet. Perfect! They are all asleep. I snuck into my room as quietly as I could, too tired to think about anything else. I just flopped onto my bed and fell asleep. Goodnight. ~~ When I woke up, my body hurt like hell¡ªI''d never felt pain like this in this body before. It felt like I had spent the night wrestling a bear... Hhhh... I groaned quietly, rubbing my face. I had pushed myself hard last night. I stayed in bed for a few minutes. Well, I told myself just a few more minutes, but before I knew it, I had stretched it out into an hour. But then¡­ it was all sinking in. I needed to check out my rewards! With slow, aching movements, I reached out for the system. The gift one from the night before¡ªOblivion''s Gift. I mentally clicked it open, waiting for a surprise to happen. [Opening in 5 seconds] 5.. 4.. 3.. 2 1 It felt like an hour though. Bing!
[Wrath of Fenrir] Any weapon wielded channels the primal fury of the great wolf, allowing you to release an increased power of attack. It also grants immunity to magic.
"Wrath of Fenrir. Sounds cool, and it sounds useful too. I¡¯ll definitely save it for later." Excitement bubbled up inside me, but I pushed it aside. There was more to check. I opened the next option:
Role Selection. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. I scrolled through the list, each role standing out in its own way. Warrior, Mage, Knight, Berserker¡­ There were so many choices. But I knew, deep down, what I wanted. Swordsman. I selected it. The screen flashed, and It let me see my current status. [Attributes & Status New Look] Name: Alistair Quinlan Level: 9 Age: 13 Role: Swordsman [Beginner] Strength (STR): 28 Agility (AGI): 33 Stamina (STA): 30 Intelligence (INT): 28 Aura (AURA): 14 Perception (PER): 26 Endurance (END): 25 The increase was overwhelming. It boosted my stats a lot. I wonder, though¡ªif I face stronger opponents, will I be able to level up even more? The system appeared more, and a new option appeared: The Chamber. It was a display of Abilities.
Abilities: - Wrath of Fenrir: Any weapon wielded channels the primal fury of the great wolf, allowing you to release an increased power of attack. It also grants immunity to magic. - [Earn more Oblivion''s Gifts to acquire more abilities.]
I couldn¡¯t help but grin. More abilities? More power? Yes, please. The excitement is great that i didn¡¯t notice my mother calling me downstairs. I barely heard her calling me. "Ali, I know you''re awake¡ªstop pretending. I can hear you moving around up there. Get down here and have breakfast before I come up and drag you out myself!" I dragged myself out of bed, feeling every ache in my muscles, but forced myself to get downstairs. The smell of warm bread and stew filled the house, it comforts me. We sat at the dinner table. My parents, my siblings¡ªall of us, still recovering from the storm. "Great gods, I ask for your blessing upon this meal. May it nourish our bodies as your light nourishes our souls. Protect us from the dangers that lurk in the shadows, and guide us to wisdom and strength. I thank you for the bounty before us, for the love we share, and for the strength to face another day." I thought it''ll be a day full of sadness but my family looked happy, hopeful even. Dad broke the silence, his voice steady and calm. "I know this hurts. We put in so much effort... But there''s nothing we can do about it now. All we can do is move forward, work harder, and be better prepared for next season, is that right Sylra?." My little sister nodded playfully. I smiled back, grateful for the simplicity of the moment. They were clueless about last night. They didn¡¯t need to know. I hadn¡¯t even shared the fight with them¡ªnot yet. Maybe never. But then¡ªMother shouted from the other room, her voice shrill. ¡°Where¡¯s the knife?!¡± I froze. My heart skipped a beat. ¡°Oh, shit,¡± I whispered under my breath. ~~ Days passed, and life slowly returned to normal. I worked alongside my parents to rebuild the farm, pushing through the aftermath of the storm, and focusing on what we could salvage. Elias, my friend, helped too, though I never told him the full story. Some things were better left unsaid. There were details my family didn¡¯t need to know, things I didn¡¯t want to burden them with. Life moved at a slow pace, the way it only could in a small town. Mornings were spent working on the farm, the afternoons quiet and uneventful. In the evenings, I practiced with the sword my father had made for me. My parents supported me, even letting me venture into the forest now and then. There were no real dangers here, just that rare goblin that I encountered, which was more of an oddity than a real threat. It had always been peaceful in our village¡ªtoo peaceful, at times. No neighbors, no pressing dangers, just the occasional merchant passing through and the dense woods to the east. But there were downsides to such a peaceful place. I didn¡¯t have enough fighting experience. There were no more goblins to fight, no monsters to defeat. No opportunities to earn more stats or grow stronger. I was still at Level 9, and it was frustrating. I knew there was more out there. More to learn, more to conquer. I couldn¡¯t stay here forever. I knew that since I tol my parents that I wanted to become an adventurer. At fifteen though, I¡¯d leave. I had to. I knew I had to leave the safety of the farm, step into the world beyond, if I was ever going to find the strength I needed. I needed the experience, the challenges, to grow into the warrior I dreamed of becoming. It wasn¡¯t easy, but staying here, in my comfort zone, wouldn¡¯t get me anywhere. At sixteen, I would take the Trial of the Arcane Flame. The Adventurer¡¯s examination. If I passed, it would change everything. It will determine my ranking and I''m going to be accepted as an adventurer. So, I couldn¡¯t stay here forever. I knew it. ~ Two years later. Alistair stood at the edge of the farm, a small pack over his shoulder. His parents stood with him, their expressions a mix of pride and sadness. It had been two years since the storm¡ªtwo years of training and preparing. Now, at fifteen, it was time to go. Elias was supposed to come, but life had other plans. His mother¡¯s condition had worsened, and he couldn¡¯t leave her. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up with you someday, you brat,¡± Elias had said, forcing a grin. Now, Alistair was heading out with a merchant caravan led by Garrick, an old friend of his father. The burly merchant had agreed to take him to one of the kingdoms in the west, where his journey would truly begin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jorin,¡± Garrick said, clapping Alistair¡¯s father on the shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on the boy.¡± Jorin nodded, his usual stoic demeanor softening. ¡°I trust you, Garrick. Alistair, take care of yourself.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Alistair said, his voice firm. He embraced his parents one last time, then climbed into the carriage. Inside the carriage, Garrick settled into the seat across from Alistair, his broad shoulders almost touching both walls. He gave a wide, toothy grin. ¡°So,¡± Garrick said, leaning back. ¡°You¡¯re Jorin¡¯s boy, huh? Can¡¯t deny the resemblance.¡± Alistair nodded, managing a small smile. ¡°Garrick¡¯s the name, though you probably already knew that,¡± the merchant said, extending a hand. Alistair took it, giving a firm shake. ¡°Alistair. But I guess you knew that too.¡± Garrick let out a hearty laugh. ¡°Sharp one, eh? Your old man said you¡¯ve got a good head and a strong arm hahaha.¡± ¡°Did he?¡± I felt a warmth in my chest at the praise. ¡°Aye,¡± Garrick said. ¡°But don¡¯t let it go to your head. We¡¯ve got a long road ahead, and I could use some good company.¡± Before I could reply, Garrick leaned back and started singing. His voice was deep and rich, filling the small space with a surprising warmth. ¡°Oh, the trees sway and the rivers run, The mountains stand tall in the sun. The wind it whispers, the birds they sing, Nature¡¯s a song, a wondrous thing!¡± The lyrics were ridiculous, talking about squirrels stealing acorns and rivers gossiping about the rain. But his voice was so good, I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. ¡°Where¡¯d you learn that?¡± I asked, grinning. ¡°Made it up on the spot,¡± Garrick said, winking. ¡°Travel long enough, and you find ways to keep yourself entertained.¡± I laughed again, feeling a bit of the tension from leaving home slip away. The road was long, but maybe it wouldn¡¯t be so bad with Garrick around. After his singing, Garrick leaned forward, his face suddenly serious. ¡°Did I ever tell you about the time I faced down a pack of wolves with nothing but a stick and a loaf of bread?¡± I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°No, but I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re about to.¡± He nodded solemnly. ¡°It was a cold night, deep in the heart of the Forest of Echoes. I was younger then, still green to the ways of the wild. The wolves came out of nowhere, eyes glowing in the dark.¡± He paused, his expression grave. I leaned in, hooked. ¡°What did you do?¡± ¡°I broke the stick in two,¡± he said, voice low, ¡°and threw the bread to distract them. Then I ran like hell.¡± I blinked. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Garrick broke into a wide grin. ¡°Of course not, lad! The wolves didn¡¯t care about the bread¡ªthey wanted me! But I led them to a stream, where I tripped and fell face-first into the water. Turns out, wolves don¡¯t like the smell of wet Garrick. They ran off, tails between their legs.¡± I laughed, shaking my head. ¡°You had me there. Thought you were telling some grand survival tale.¡± ¡°It is a survival tale!¡± Garrick said, chuckling. ¡°the lesson I''ve learn that day is you have to always carry a stick and a loaf of bread hahaha." --- The journey stretched on, but Garrick made it bearable. Between his stories, his terrible but entertaining jokes, and the games he taught me¡ªlike "Rock Toss," which involved guessing how far a rock would land after he hurled it out of the carriage¡ªI barely noticed the hours passing. As we rode, I couldn¡¯t help but reflect. The Kingdom of Cindralis was our destination, one of the great powers of the West. I¡¯d heard of its sprawling cities, towering spires, and bustling markets. A land of opportunity¡ªand danger. The system had confirmed it long ago: I¡¯d been reborn in the same world, just on the opposite side. As Elian, I¡¯d roamed the East, a place of dense forests and winding rivers. But even then, I¡¯d never explored all of it. Now, as Alistair, I had a chance to see the West. This world was divided, with the borderline cutting it cleanly in two. West and East. Back then, I hadn¡¯t cared much. Now, I wondered how different the West from the East I once knew. ¡°Lost in thought, lad?¡± Garrick asked, breaking my reverie. ¡°A little,¡± I admitted. ¡°Just thinking about how different things might be.¡± ¡°Different, sure,¡± Garrick said, ¡°but one thing stays the same no matter where you go.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± He grinned. ¡°People. You¡¯ll find good ones and bad ones, no matter the side. Just keep your wits about you, and you¡¯ll do fine.¡± I nodded, his words sinking in. The road ahead was uncertain, but I was just getting started. Chapter 6: The Fruits of Unyielding Training After several hours of travel, we finally arrived near the kingdom of Cindralis. The road ahead was crowded. Carriages were lined up in both directions¡ªsome old and worn, others grand and decorated. People walked beside them, their belongings strapped to their backs or piled on carts. "Did you hear about the market today?" "How much for the spices?" Squeak... squeak... creak... The air was filled with the hum of conversation, the squeak of wheels, and the occasional shout from a guard. ¡°That,¡± Garrick said, pointing ahead, ¡°is the first checkpoint. They¡¯ll check us over before we¡¯re allowed to pass. Of course for safety reasons¡± I nodded. The first gate was a security checkpoint. Beyond it, the real entrance to the Kingdom of Cindralis loomed in the distance. We were still hours away, but the size of the kingdom¡¯s walls made it seem much closer. We waited in line for what felt like ages. By the time we reached the guards, the sun was high overhead. They looked like they hadn¡¯t slept in days¡ªdark circles under their eyes, their movements slow but deliberate. One of the guards, a tall man with a bushy beard, stepped forward. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve been going back and forth, Garrick. What¡¯s your business this time?¡± Garrick grinned. ¡°Just passing through, Merek. Got a load of silk and spices, and this lad here,¡± he said, giving my shoulder a friendly clap, ¡°is heading to the city.¡± Merek squinted at me. ¡°First time?¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± I said, keeping my voice steady. He grunted, giving the carriage a quick once-over. ¡°Anything to declare?¡± ¡°Nothing but the best silk in the West!¡± Garrick said, winking. Merek rolled his eyes but smiled. ¡°Alright, Garrick, you¡¯re clear. Move along." After passing through the checkpoint, I managed to glance down at the bag my mother had packed for me. Inside were neatly wrapped bundles of food, a small flask of water, and a pouch of coins. It wasn¡¯t much, but it would get me through the first few months.. Although I felt a bit anxious, my plan was clear. I had a year to prepare for the Trial of the Arcane Flame. That meant finding work suited to my age, leveling up, and gaining experience. As we passed through the main gate, I finally saw the city of Vermillion, inside the kingdom of Cindralis. The streets buzzed with activity. I saw children playing and performers practicing magic on the corners. People moved in every direction, each focused on their own business. Vendors called out from their stalls, offering everything from fresh produce to sparkling trinkets. At the center of it all stood a grand fountain. Water shot up high, catching the sunlight and creating rainbows over the square. People gathered around it, some resting on the stone ledge, others simply enjoying the view. I spotted a few who looked like tourists, their eyes wide with awe. We eventually stopped in front of a sturdy-looking building with large wooden doors. Garrick¡¯s name was carved into a sign above the entrance. ¡°Well, lad,¡± Garrick said, hopping down from the carriage, ¡°this is where we part ways. You¡¯ve been good company.¡± He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small pendant, made of polished bronze and shaped like a carriage wheel. ¡°Take this,¡± he said, pressing it into my hand. ¡°It¡¯s a token of the Garrick Merchant Guild. If you ever find yourself in a tight spot, show this to any of my people. They¡¯ll know you¡¯re a friend.¡± I turned the pendant over in my palm. It was simple, but it carried weight. ¡°Thank you!" I said while bowing. He gave me a firm nod. ¡°Keep your head up, Alistair. The world¡¯s big, but you¡¯ll do fine. Just remember, even when it feels like you''re lost, a good laugh can usually get you back on track." With that, he entered the building while waving me goodbye. ~ Alistair moved through the crowded streets, his eyes scanning for a weapon shop. He needed something simple¡ªa basic sword to start with. The city was overwhelming, but he stayed focused. Before I could take another step, I felt a sudden lightness in my bag. "Oh hell... Not today." I turned just in time to see a small figure darting through the crowd¡ªa kid, with my pouch of coins in his hands. "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me," I muttered. "Hey! Stop!" The kid didn¡¯t stop, of course. He was already at full speed, weaving through the crowd like a fish in water, slipping between people and carts with ease. I took off after him, my eyes narrowing. [Observer¡¯s Eye] This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it It was a skill I hadn¡¯t used much, but now seemed like the perfect time. --- Name: Grognak the Totally Innocent Agility (AGI): 21 Stamina (STA): 15 --- I nearly tripped. ¡°Grognak the Totally Innocent? Seriously?¡± And his agility¡ª21. No wonder he was so damn fast. That was higher than I expected for a street kid. He was good, but I wasn¡¯t about to let him get away. Grognak darted into a narrow alley, barely wide enough to squeeze through. I followed without hesitation. No crowds here¡ªjust shadows and silence. It looked like a good place for criminals to meet up. At the far end of the alley, he stopped¡ªnot because he was tired, but because he wasn¡¯t alone. Three men stood behind him. Grown men. The kind who looked like they spent their days lifting barrels or roughing people up for coin. One of them, broad and towering, cracked his knuckles as I approached. ¡°Well, well,¡± the big one said, grinning. ¡°Looks like we caught ourselves a newcomer.¡± But then I saw the kid smirking like some kind of psycho. He seems to be enjoying. ¡°Hand over that bag,¡± the big man growled, his tone darkening. ¡°You¡¯ll give it to us, or you¡¯ll give it to us¡ªyour choice. Either way, we¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t leave here in one piece.¡± ¡°Pick wisely.¡± The other two laughed. Grognak didn¡¯t say anything¡ªjust stood there, grinning like he was enjoying the show. I kept my expression calm, but inside, I was already sizing them up. [Observer¡¯s Eye] --- Grath: Strength (STR): 13 Agility (AGI): 18 Stamina (STA): 10 Varek: Strength (STR): 10 Agility (AGI):15 Stamina (STA): 12 Drosk: Strength (STR): 9 Agility (AGI): 16 Stamina (STA): 11 --- I could take them all without breaking a sweat. But then I needed a weapon. Then... My eyes caught a sturdy stick lying on the ground. It wasn¡¯t much, but it would work. I picked it up, weighing it in my hand, feeling its balance. The big guy laughed. ¡°Are you fucking serious? A stick? You think that¡¯s gonna save you? What, you gonna play fetch with us?¡± The others joined in, doubling over in laughter, mocking me like I was some clueless farm boy. Grognak¡¯s smirk widened. I held the stick up and took a step forward, my voice steady. ¡°No, we''re gonna play a game. Which one¡¯s gonna last longer¡ªthis stick, or the three of you?¡± The laughter stopped. I gave Grognak a slow, taunting smile. His smirk faltered for a second. He didn¡¯t like it. Good. Without waiting for a reply, I lunged forward. Whoosh! It was like my fight with the goblins. A kitchen knife back then, and now a stick. I caught the thugs off guard. They barely had time to react before I swung the stick like it was a sword. The first thug took it in the ribs with a loud *crack*. ¡°Gah!¡± he shouted, stumbling back into a pile of crates. The big guy roared, charging at me with his fists raised. I sidestepped, planting the stick across his knee. He went down hard, cursing as he clutched his leg. That¡¯s when I felt it. I¡¯d completely forgotten. Wrath of Fenrir¡ªa skill that grants a powerful buff to any weapon I hold. It enhances the weapon¡¯s strength, imbuing it with a raw, untamed force, making every strike hit harder and faster. ¡°Oh, right,¡± I muttered. ¡°Forgot about that.¡± The next swing was effortless. Whoosh! I barely had to put any strength into it. The third thug flew into the wall. His groan said everything¡ªhe wasn¡¯t getting up anytime soon. The big guy tried to crawl away, but one sharp jab to his back sent him sprawling. I stepped back, letting them writhe in pain. Grognak stood frozen, his earlier confidence completely gone. His smirk had vanished, replaced by wide eyes and a pale face. ¡°You done watching?¡± I asked, walking up to him. He didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t even blink. I reached into his hand and plucked my pouch right out of his fingers. ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, patting his shoulder. ¡°Maybe next time, don¡¯t do it again.¡± He stayed rooted there, stunned, as I turned and walked away. At the end of the alley, I glanced back. He hadn¡¯t moved an inch. ~ Now, swords! I walked through the streets, keeping my eyes focused for any sword shops. After asking a few locals, I finally found it. The sword store. It had an old, almost antique feel to it, like stepping into a place that had witnessed decades, maybe even centuries, of history. The air was thick with the scent of wood, metal, and leather. The walls were lined with various blades¡ªsome gleaming and sharp, others showing the marks of age and use. ¡°Can I help you, kid?¡± he asked, his voice deep, but welcoming. ¡°Uhm.. I need some basic sword,¡± I said, keeping my tone confident. ¡°Something that¡¯s good for my size, about 5¡¯6¡±. I¡¯ve been training, and I need something reliable.¡± ¡°A young one with passion for swords, huh?¡± He smiled, grabbing a simple, well-crafted sword from the rack. It had a strong, sturdy blade, not too flashy but solid. ¡°This should be perfect for you,¡± he said, handing it to me. ¡°Good for someone your age and height. Will serve you well for training.¡± I tested the weight in my hand, feeling the balance. It was just right. I could already picture myself training with it. ¡°How much for this one?¡± I asked, already reaching for the pouch of coins. ¡°10 silver coins,¡± he replied with a grin. ¡°For someone as dedicated as you? It¡¯s a steal.¡± I handed over the coins, and he gave me a nod of approval. ¡°You¡¯re a young one,¡± he said. ¡°Young, but you¡¯ve got the spirit. Keep at it, and you¡¯ll go far.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± I said while bowing, turning to leave. ~ After seven days in the city, I decided to challenge myself with a hell week¡ªseven days of relentless training, pushing my limits and honing my skills. The first step was to gain experience. So, I set my sights on Silverpine Forest, a place not too far from the kingdom. Silverpine Forest was peaceful¡ªmore peaceful than any forest I¡¯d ever seen. There weren¡¯t any truly dangerous monsters, but that didn¡¯t mean there weren¡¯t threats lurking. The forest had its share of creatures, some aggressive, others just unpredictable. It was the perfect place to start, a testing ground to hone my skills without risking my life too early. I trained nonstop for almost a week, even sleeping in the forest. It wasn¡¯t comfortable, but it was effective.
[Status] Alistair Quinlan Level: 17 Age: 15 Role: Swordsman [beginner] Strength (STR): 53 Agility (AGI): 58 Stamina (STA): 60 Intelligence (INT): 47 Aura (AURA): 15 Perception (PER): 55 Endurance (END): 61
I had increased all of my stats greatly, and the level gains were astounding. Coming here had been a great decision. Bing!
[Hidden Quest Completed] Slay 50 monsters [Reward] - Sanctum
Another reward! And another unfamiliar word. "System what is sanctum?" [Sanctum] It¡¯s an illusionary dungeon that appears before your eyes as a realistic, fully formed dungeon. The moment you step inside, it feels completely real, as though you¡¯ve entered a true, physical space. Monsters roam within, making it a perfect training ground. ¡°Well, looks like I won¡¯t be resting this week,¡± Chapter 7: A Challenger The moment I stepped into the illusionary dungeon, everything changed. The air turned cold and damp, heavy on my skin. Endless stone walls surrounded me, and the flickering light of torches barely lit the narrow path ahead. It felt real¡ªlike I¡¯d stepped into another world. [System Notification] Warning: Monsters range from Level 15 to Level 30. I''m Level 17. Right in the middle of the danger zone. I tightened my grip on the sword, feeling the strain in its worn blade. Weeks of relentless training had pushed it to its limit. If it snapped in the middle of a fight, I¡¯d be in serious trouble. Then they appeared. Five undead knights. They eyed me like they wanted to end this fast and brutal. Their levels ranged from 14 to 15¡ªnot too bad if I fought them one-on-one. But together? That¡¯d be a whole different story. The one farthest from the group caught my eye. I darted toward it, closing the gap quickly. It reacted, raising its shield just in time. I swung. Clang! The blade clashed against steel, its defense holding firm¡ªbut I had the upper hand. [Wrath of Fenrir is active] With a quick kick, I threw it off balance and went straight for the neck. Swishh! One clean slice. Its head dropped, and the rest of the body crumbled into the ground One down. The others closed in, not giving me a second to breathe. Two of them attacked from both sides, their swords cutting through the air in perfect sync. I ducked just in time, feeling the rush of wind as their blades narrowly missed. Swishhh! I drove my sword straight into the chest of another knight, shattering its core. The last three backed off slightly, circling me. They weren¡¯t underestimating me anymore. "You think I¡¯m losing steam? I¡¯m just getting warmed up." Swoosh! I surged toward the next knight, catching it off guard. My overhead strike smashed through its shield, and with one swift follow-up, I took it down. Two left. They charged together. I deflected one strike, but the other grazed my arm, sending a sharp pain through me. But I couldn¡¯t stop now. I swept low, knocking one knight off its feet, and drove my blade into its chest. The last knight hesitated, its empty eyes flickering. Too slow. I lunged, driving my sword through its core. It let out a hollow scream before crumbling on the ground. Huff... huff... I stood there, breathing heavily, surrounded by heaps of broken armor and shattered bones. [System Notification] Victory. All enemies defeated. "Guess I''ll need a new weapon soon," I muttered, wiping the sweat from my brow. But it wasn¡¯t over yet. In the darkness ahead, I spotted countless lights¡ªeyes, all staring right at me. Bing! [+5 to all stats, excluding Aura] You receive: Potions x5 Nice. The boost was solid, and those potions were a lifesaver¡ªliterally. I tucked them into my belt pouch, knowing I¡¯d need them later. But Aura? That was a whole other problem. Trying to improve it was like trying to fill a bottomless pit. You couldn¡¯t just grind it out. No, Aura needed something big¡ªan epic win or a battle with someone way stronger than you. Otherwise, it barely moved. I glanced at my stats again. The system was helpful, sure, but it also kept reminding me how much further I had to go. Then I stepped deeper into the dungeon. Grrrrr... The growl rumbled, vibrating through the room like a war drum. And then, out of the shadows, they appeared. Dire Wolves. [Dire Wolves] Level: 16 to 17 Six of them. Great. Just what I needed¡ªan all-you-can-eat buffet of teeth and claws. I tightened my grip on my worn-out sword. ¡°Alright, boys,¡± I muttered, trying to sound braver than I felt. ¡°Let¡¯s dance.¡± The first wolf lunged, faster than I could blink. Swishh! "Damn." I barely dodged, feeling its claws scrape across my side. Another one charged from the left, forcing me to roll just in time to avoid getting torn to shreds. They weren¡¯t just strong. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. They were coordinated. They moved like a pack, circling, waiting for an opening. I swung at the nearest wolf, aiming for its legs. It jumped back, but not before my blade cut through its front paw. The wolf yelped and stumbled. Three minutes of pure survival mode. Finally, the last wolf staggered and collapsed at my feet. Blood soaked my clothes, my breath came in ragged gasps, and my sword¡ªyeah, it was pretty much done for. Bing! [+5 to all stats, excluding Aura] I leaned on the hilt of my sword, catching my breath. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ more like it,¡± I muttered, watching the glowing text fade. It wasn¡¯t easy, but I was getting stronger. The rest of the dungeon passed in a blur of chaos. Giant goblins wielding clubs the size of tree trunks. Skeleton mages hurling fireballs and ice shards. And spiders¡ªhuge, hairy beasts that spat poison and moved way too fast for comfort. Each fight pushed me a little closer to getting stronger. Bing! Bing! My stamina was dropping fast, and my swordplay was starting to falter. But I kept going, somehow managing to push through and grab another +10 to all stats. Not bad, but something felt off¡ªthe gains were slowing down. The deeper I went, the tougher the battles got, but the rewards? They weren¡¯t matching up to the risk. It was tempting to turn back. My body was screaming at me to stop, and I wasn¡¯t sure how much longer I could keep going. But just as I was about to give in, I saw it. A massive door. No, a gate. [Boss Room Detected] Great. Just great. The gate creaked open, and there it stood¡ªa towering skeleton, easily the size of a small building. Its rusted armor looked ancient but sturdy, and in its hands was a colossal sword, sharp enough to cleave through stone. Yeah, this was definitely the boss. I pushed the panic aside and focused. No room for fear now. I swapped out my worn-out sword for the double blade I¡¯d snagged earlier. It wasn¡¯t flashy, just a straightforward weapon, but it had a solid weight to it, and it felt right in my grip. ¡°Alright.¡± I said, tightening my grip. ¡°Let¡¯s see what you¡¯ve got.¡± When I stepped into the room, the giant undead knight was already stirring. Its hollow eyes glowed faintly, a cold blue light that felt like it was staring straight through me. [Observer¡¯s Eye] [Giant Undead Knight - Level 30] Level 30? I was barely scraping by at 25. "Fantastic.¡± Greater risk, greater rewards.Of course, the flip side was equally motivating¡ªgreater risk, instant regret and maybe death. The knight began to move, each step crashing down like thunder. THOOM. THOOM. It stood a towering 15 feet, its shadow swallowing me whole. I had to crane my neck just to see its face. Meanwhile, I was stuck at 5¡¯6, feeling like an ant about to get stomped. ¡°Alright, Let¡¯s do this.¡± The knight¡¯s sword slammed down, and I barely managed to dodge. BOOM. A crater opened up where I¡¯d just been standing. I tightened my grip on the double blade. No room for mistakes. This fight was going to push me to the edge. But something felt off. Yeah, the knight was slow¡ªevery swing of its massive sword left a window big enough for me to slip in and land a few hits. Its armor was tough too; every time my blade connected, it was like trying to carve into a boulder. But for a level 30 boss? This guy felt... underwhelming. Its vision sucked. The narrow slits in its helmet made it easy for me to dodge its line of sight. When I did, it could only flail around, swinging at nothing. I used the openings, circling it, chipping away bit by bit. ¡°This is way too easy,¡± "Solid defense, sure¡ªbut where¡¯s the offense?" The knight stumbled a bit, its hollow eyes flickering faintly. It barely even reacted to my attacks¡ªno sudden counters, no burst of speed. Just the same slow, clumsy swings. Something was definitely off. I sidestepped another heavy slash and took a few steps back, catching my breath. Why does this thing feel weaker than it¡¯s supposed to? Rumble... Rumble... The knight stopped moving, its sword planted into the ground. ¡°No,¡± realization hitting me. ¡°It¡¯s been holding back.¡± The system screen appeared. [Warning: Phase Two Initiating] ¡°Oh, come on,¡± I groaned. I gripped my double blades tighter, sweat trailing down my face. My breathing was heavy, but I didn¡¯t dare make a sound. Then, without warning¡ª Shing! Shing! Shing! Out of nowhere, swords¡ªdozens of them¡ªbegan raining from above, each one gleaming as it pierced the ground around us. "It¡¯s a mage knight huh?" The swords weren¡¯t normal, either. They fell fast¡ªway faster than I thought possible, sinking into the stone floor without breaking a sweat. Dodging wasn¡¯t a choice anymore; it was do or die. I darted, ducked, and rolled, barely staying one step ahead of the attack. Just when I thought I¡¯d found a rhythm, another blade would come from a completely new angle, forcing me to adjust again. And they just kept coming. I could hear the knight¡¯s eerie laugh echo through the room, like it was enjoying this whole thing. I needed to close the distance, fast. If I stayed back too long, one of these swords would eventually find its mark and pin me down. But up close? That¡¯s where I had a shot. I sprinted forward, weaving between the falling blades, every part of me screaming to just stop. A sword grazed my arm¡ªjust a quick cut, but the pain shot through me. I barely flinched and kept pushing forward. The knight raised its massive sword, getting ready for another swing, but I wasn¡¯t backing down now. I just needed to find its weak spot. There¡¯s always a weak point. Always. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± ¡°Show me where to hit.¡± I closed the distance, but my mind was working in overdrive. Slashing through its armor wasn¡¯t going to cut it¡ªnot yet. I had to be smarter. Where was its weak spot? First, I tried the head. Solid helmet. No chance there. Then the arms. Huge, armored, and tough. Definitely not there either. I shifted focus to the body. The armor was thick, but there were small gaps. A hit might slip through, but I wasn¡¯t sure it would do enough damage. I checked its back¡ªnothing. The giant knight swung again, its massive sword cutting through the stone like it was butter. I barely rolled out of the way, and before I could catch my breath, the swords started falling again. The pace was picking up. It was getting harder to dodge now. Blades littered the ground, forcing me to jump, twist, and dive to stay alive. But I didn¡¯t mind. The adrenaline. The thrill of the fight. Taking on something stronger. Thump-thump-thump-thump... I was hooked. ¡°I could get used to this,¡± I wasn¡¯t backing down. I couldn¡¯t. The thrill of this fight¡ªthe real, heart-pounding kind¡ªwas something I hadn¡¯t felt in this new life. The kind of battle that makes you feel like you might not make it out alive, but also pushes you to get stronger anyway. I grinned. Maybe I wasn¡¯t the best yet. Maybe I still had a long way to go. But one thing was clear: I was in this to win. And this knight? It wasn¡¯t going to stop me. I steadied myself, eyes fixed on its massive frame. ¡°Here we go,¡± I muttered to myself, charging at it again. Then, I saw it. A strange, flickering glow coming from its body¡ªnothing like I¡¯d ever seen before. It almost looked like shifting particles, quick and faint, and something about it felt off. I didn¡¯t have time to think. I had to act now, or I might not get another shot. I closed the distance again, waiting for the right moment. The knight raised its massive sword high, preparing for another swing. That was my opening. I climbed up its arm, moving carefully so it wouldn¡¯t spot me. The armor was heavy, but that worked in my favor. I positioned myself just out of its line of sight, near its shoulder. 3¡­ 2¡­ 1¡­ I leaped, launching myself straight into its view. It saw me coming, but there was no time for it to react. I dove toward its chest, aiming my double-bladed sword at the weak spot I thought I¡¯d found. But¡ª I missed. The armor was tougher than I¡¯d thought. My sword scraped off solid metal, and I cursed under my breath. ¡°Shit!¡± I muttered. If I didn¡¯t find a way out of this, I was done for. But then¡ª The glow appeared again, this time right in the center, above its chest. The spot I had missed. This was my chance. I gritted my teeth, pushed past the pain, and with everything I had left, I shoved my sword into the opening. Boom. The knight groaned, a low, echoing sound as it staggered back. The ground shook, and then¡ªfinally¡ªit crumpled. The massive undead knight hit the ground with a thud that shook the whole room. ¡°Well¡­ that wasn¡¯t so bad,¡± I said, glancing at the fallen giant. If I¡¯d figured that out sooner, this whole thing might¡¯ve been a lot easier.
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU CLEARED THE DUNGEON] [Plus 20 to all of the stats excluding aura] [Plus 5 to your aura] [Rewards] - 2x Oblivion''s Gift - 5 gold coins (Wait, I can even earn using this?)
[You have Unlocked the following] - Relationship System: See how others perceive you, their first impressions, and emotions toward you. - Title Progression: You can now unlock titles.
Alistair Quinlan Level: 28 Age: 15 Role: Swordsman [beginner] Title: Undead Slayer Strength (STR): 93 Agility (AGI): 98 Stamina (STA): 100 Intelligence (INT): 87 Aura (AURA): 20 Perception (PER): 95 Endurance (END): 101 Chapter 8: Where It All Began I stepped out of the illusionary dungeon and back into reality. I¡¯d spent what felt like a week in there, but here, it seemed like only an hour had passed. Before leaving the forest, I checked my rewards. Two Oblivion''s Gift. Interesting. I opened the first one and¡ª [Avelar] A technique-based style that focuses on footwork and quick strikes from unexpected angles. I couldn¡¯t help but grin. That sounded like something I could actually use. Maybe it was time to try something different. I opened the second one. [Obsidianite] [Note: It wasn¡¯t a skill but when turned into a sword it will give you skill] A dense, dark stone with a smooth, glass-like texture. Its description was simple enough, but the more I read, the more I liked it. It was a magical material with insane durability and sharpness. Ideal for crafting swords. Now that was something to look forward to. I glanced at my Title Progression. The first title I had unlocked was Undead Slayer, which felt fitting after defeating that giant undead knight. I spent a solid week in that dungeon, training and pushing myself. But now it¡¯s time to head back to the city. It¡¯s been eight days since I left, and honestly, I¡¯m ready for a break. After we part ways, Garrick¡¯s reached out to me. He gave me a place to stay, so I¡¯ve actually got a reason to come back. I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s been so generous, but I¡¯m not complaining. A roof over my head and a bed to crash on? Yeah, I¡¯ll take it. As I walk through the city gates, I notice something immediately. The place is way more crowded than before. People are pouring in, all heading in the same direction¡ªtoward this massive coliseum-looking building. What¡¯s going on? Some kind of event? I watch for a second. Doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m not in the mood to figure it out. Right now, all I want is a bath and some rest. I make my way to Garrick¡¯s place, a shared building where his workers live and we¡¯ve got our own rooms. I step inside, the familiar creak of the door welcoming me back. My room¡¯s small but cozy, and it feels good to be home. First things first¡ªa long, hot bath. The bath felt amazing. The place was spotless, like someone really put in the effort to keep it nice. A big mirror hung on the wall in front of me, and for the first time in a while, I got a good look at myself. I¡¯ve changed. It¡¯s subtle, but noticeable. I might¡¯ve grown an inch or so, and my muscles are starting to show more definition. When I left my family, I barely had any muscle¡ªjust a little in my arms. Now? It¡¯s not huge, but there¡¯s definitely progress. Guess all that dungeon grinding paid off. After a quick bath, I threw on some fresh clothes. Nothing fancy, just the basics. As I was adjusting my shirt, a knock echoed at the door. I opened the door to find one of Garrick¡¯s workers standing there, holding a letter. ¡°Sir Garrick instructed me to deliver this,¡± he said, handing it to me. ¡°A letter?¡± "Thanks." I replied, giving him a small nod. He smiled and walked off, leaving me to shut the door behind me. Curiosity got the best of me, so I tore open the letter. Inside was an invitation. My eyes widened as I read the words: You are invited to witness the Trial of the Arcane Flame. No way. I had completely forgotten the trial was today. Of course, it was from Garrick. He must¡¯ve pulled some strings to get me this. He never fails to surprise me. I smiled to myself. I¡¯ll have to figure out something nice to thank him later. But for now, it looks like I¡¯ve got somewhere to be. The Trial of the Arcane Flame. Every year, a new group of adventurers steps up, trying to prove they¡¯ve got what it takes to move up the ranks. And next year? I¡¯ll be participating also. I checked the letter again to make sure I hadn¡¯t missed anything. Nope, everything¡¯s good. Time to go. The streets were crowded as I headed toward the coliseum. The energy was contagious¡ªvendors shouting, kids laughing, and people moving around like it was a festival. On the way, I ran into a few familiar faces. Some stall owners I¡¯d bought from before, a few kids who used to watch me train, even a couple of older folks who always had some advice to give. ¡°Hey, Alistair!¡± one of the vendors called out. ¡°Back from training?¡± ¡°Yeah, just got back,¡± I replied with a grin. ¡°How¡¯s business?¡± ¡°Same old grind,¡± he said, chuckling. I nodded, continuing down the street. Seeing everyone hard at work reminded me of my time as Elian. Back when I worked the fields with my parents, it was all about survival. But one thing stayed the same: hard work. There¡¯s something about people who keep pushing, even when no one¡¯s around to see it. That quiet determination. It¡¯s easy to overlook, but it¡¯s what makes real change happen. ¡°The ones who keep going, even when no one¡¯s watching, are the ones who really make a difference,¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. I¡¯ve never really told anyone that. Maybe I don¡¯t need to. It¡¯s just something I carry with me, like a reminder of where I came from and where I¡¯m headed. When I reached the entrance of the coliseum, I spotted the trial candidates¡ªabout thirty of them. Most were wearing armor, a few carrying unique weapons. They looked focused and tense. "Invitation?" I handed my invitation to the guard at the entrance. Stepping inside, I expected the place to be packed with cheering crowds. But instead, it was quieter than I thought, with only a few scattered groups here and there. Guess the invite-only rule kept it more exclusive. Then the people outside must be watching through the cracks in the walls. Makes sense now. No one would want to miss this. I found a seat in a less crowded section, near a group of older-looking guys. They had that seasoned adventurer vibe. Scarred armor, calm expressions, the kind of people who¡¯ve seen some real battles. One of them glanced my way briefly. [Aura active] [Few have felt your presence due to low aura.] So hat¡¯s how it works. Aura isn¡¯t just about power¡ªit¡¯s about how much presence you give off. The higher it is, the more people notice you. I shifted my focus to the center of the coliseum, where the announcer stood. His voice boomed across the arena. ¡°Welcome, honored guests. Today, you will witness the Trial of the Arcane Flame: Duel Examination. Only the strong survive, and only the strongest rise. Remember, this event is for observation purposes only. Once the duels conclude, your business here is finished.¡± The crowd murmured in anticipation. I leaned forward, ready for the show to begin. The announcer stepped forward, raising his hand. ¡°Let the duel begin!¡± Two examinees walked to the center of the coliseum. They introduced themselves, loud and clear, then vowed to fight with honor. Standard stuff. Curious, I activated [Observer¡¯s Eye]. Their stats popped up. [Level 15] Low stats, way lower than I expected. The duel started. It was¡­ okay. They swung their weapons with more confidence than skill. One of them had decent footwork, but the other just relied on heavy strikes. As the matches went on, I kept using [Observer¡¯s Eye]. Same story every time. The highest level I saw was 20. Everyone else? Lower than that. Then the last two candidates stepped into the arena. One was like the rest¡ªaverage, armored, nothing special. But the other guy... there was something about him. He had this intense presence, like he wasn¡¯t here to mess around. His hair was a sharp, dark purple, and his serious, almost annoyed expression gave him a vibe. He looked young too, maybe just a year or so older than me. They introduced themselves, and the person who caught my attention: Lucian Valemont. Apparently, he was a noble. He and his opponent made their vows, then took their stances. My curiosity got the better of me, so I activated [Observer¡¯s Eye]. [Lucian Valemont] Age: 16 Level: ?? I frowned. ¡°I can¡¯t see his level? And even his stats.¡± This was a first. Usually, I got full stats on anyone. But with him, it was locked. This guy is one year older my age, yet somehow beyond what my skill could read? Then, without warning, he raised his sword. In a blur, he lunged forward. Swoooshh! The next second, his opponent was on the ground, out cold. Thud Lucian turned, muttering, ¡°Pathetic.¡± His voice was sharp, and somehow, I heard every word like he was standing right beside me. This guy wasn¡¯t just strong. He was dangerous. The crowd around me erupted in hushed murmurs. ¡°Did you see that?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not human¡­ a monster.¡± ¡°No one else stood a chance.¡± I couldn¡¯t disagree. He wasn¡¯t like the others. His precision, his speed¡ªit was in a league of its own. He didn¡¯t just stand out; he made everyone else look like they were barely trying. But just as I thought it was over, Lucian did something unexpected. He walked back over to his unconscious opponent and knelt beside him. For a moment, it looked like he was showing respect. The whispers picked up again. ¡°Even after that, he¡¯s still humble enough to acknowledge his opponent.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why he¡¯s so well-regarded. He doesn¡¯t need to humiliate anyone.¡± Yeah, right. Somehow, I wasn¡¯t buying it. ~ ¡°Pathetic,¡± ¡°If this wasn¡¯t an exam, you¡¯d be dead already.¡± ~ After the duel ended, Lucian gave the guy a smirk, a twisted, almost playful one. He didn¡¯t say anything to him, but I could see it in his eyes. It was like he was enjoying the entire thing. Something about him was off¡ªmysterious, unsettling even. "The winner is... Lucian Valemont!" Once the duel was over, the crowd began to clear out, and we were all ushered to leave. The next phase of the exam was about to begin inside the coliseum, but we arent allowed to watch that anymore. I stepped out into the fresh air, my chest tight with excitement. Thump thump thump... If he could do that, so could I. I¡¯d train harder, get stronger. I clenched my fists, determination lighting a fire in me. I knew it was time to push myself even more. After all of that. I decided to find a blacksmith to craft my sword, but things didn¡¯t go as planned. I checked out two blacksmiths in the city, and both of them hit me with prices that were downright insane. Like, I could practically buy a house with what they were asking for. And also while asking for the price, I tried the new feature that I unlocked. [He thinks: You¡¯re too young and a total idiot.] Okay, wow. That stung a bit. I mean, maybe he¡¯s not wrong, but still. A little harsh, don¡¯t you think? [He thinks: You¡¯re a lowlife poor.] Oh, perfect. Just what I needed. I laughed to myself, shaking my head. I could already see where this was going. The attitude of these guys was probably going to end up in a crap sword, anyway. If they saw me like that, it¡¯d only mess up the process. So, I walked away. No sword today. Maybe next time. But then I couldn¡¯t wait. I decided to make an early visit to Garrick today. I showed up at the building for his merchant guild, the Garrick Merchant Guild. The place had two floors and was spotless. Garrick was a responsible guy, that¡¯s for sure¡ªhe was all about cleanliness. I asked one of the workers kindly where I could find him, and after I showed the token Garrick gave me, they nodded and said he''d be here soon. They led me up to his office. His office was just like everything else¡ªtidy and organized. There were a few books scattered on the shelf, and naturally, I had to take a look. "101: This Book Will Never Gonna Give You Up, Never Gonna Let You Down." What? Was this for real? I chuckled. "Zero to Hero in 300 Pages." Okay, that¡¯s a bit more reasonable. But then¡ª¡°How to Start Your Own Country.¡± I stared at the book. "What kind of books is this guy reading?" I laughed to myself. Maybe Garrick had big plans. Then it hit me¡ªI hadn¡¯t gotten him a gift yet to show my gratitude. No... I could always do it next time. Yeah, no pressure. I waited for about an hour, tapping my foot. Then I saw him outside the window, and I quickly ran down to greet him. "Alistair! It''s good to see you visiting me like this," he said, his voice warm. I nodded, feeling a rush of respect. "This is my first time inside, and I have to say, it''s so clean! Oh, and I also want to thank you for the invitation." I bowed slightly. He waved me off, grinning. "Ah, kid, you''re always welcome. It¡¯s the least I can do. Your father did so much for me, so I¡¯m just returning the favor tenfold." We exchanged a few more words, and honestly, it felt good to be around someone like him. Someone who actually cared. We continued talking in his office, and he asked me how the Trial of the Arcane Flame went. ¡°It was fine,¡± ¡°But there was one person who really stood out, like he was in a league of his own compared to the other examinees.¡± Garrick raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? Tell me more about that.¡± ¡°He was just... different. He¡¯s a year older than me, but already that strong. It¡¯s crazy.¡± Garrick nodded, like he got it. ¡°Yeah, seeing someone like that can definitely push you to do more.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Then he shifted the topic. ¡°So, what brings you here today? Got something you need?¡± I hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°Do you know any good blacksmiths around here? I¡¯m looking to get something made.¡± He scratched his chin. ¡°I know a couple, but their reputations aren¡¯t exactly stellar. People here in Vermillion don¡¯t really speak too highly of them.¡± I raised an eyebrow. Damn, I already met them. He thought for a second, then shook his head. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t recommend them, honestly. But¡ª¡± He paused, like he was mulling over an idea. ¡°There¡¯s a blacksmith in the nearby city of Blackspire. It¡¯ll take you a few hours to get there, but his work is top-notch. I¡¯ve heard nothing but good things about him. His name¡¯s Rurik. Trust me, he¡¯s worth the trip.¡± Blackspire... I made a mental note of the name. It wasn¡¯t that far, so it was worth checking out. After that, we sat back and played a couple of rounds of a game he had on his desk. We talked about his weird books again, and I couldn¡¯t stop laughing at some of the titles. "How to Start Your Own Country?" I said, shaking my head. "I don¡¯t know whether to be impressed or confused." Garrick chuckled. "I just like to keep my options open." I smiled, genuinely appreciating the guy. He didn¡¯t have to help me out as much as he did. We spent several more hours chatting. I made sure to thank him again, telling him I¡¯d return the favor for everything he¡¯d done. Finally, I stood up, stretching my legs. ¡°Thanks again, Garrick. I¡¯ll make sure to pay you back, one way or another.¡± He smiled, standing up with me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it kid. Just stay strong and you know, live healthy. Also, don''t hesitate to visit again, you are always welcome here.¡± I bowed to him, and we shared a laugh before I left. Chapter 9: Small World
To rise, one must first confront the ground beneath them.
A family of three sat together at a long table, but it felt like they were worlds apart. The father sat at the head, the farthest from the others. The mother, calm and distant, ate quietly. The boy, barely ten, stared at his plate, absentmindedly pushing his food around. Finally, the father broke the silence. ¡°How¡¯s your training?¡± The boy kept his eyes down. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Father.¡± The father¡¯s face twisted with anger. He grabbed his plate and hurled it at the wall. Crash! The boy flinched but didn¡¯t dare lift his head. Thump... thump.... thump! The mother, unfazed, continued eating, her eyes fixed on her plate as if nothing had happened. ¡°Fine?¡± ¡°You call that fine? You can¡¯t even learn the basics of our family¡¯s swordsmanship! At your age, I had already mastered it.¡± The boy¡¯s hands trembled under the table, gripping his knees tightly. ¡°You¡¯re a disgrace!¡± ¡°It¡¯d be better if you weren¡¯t born into this family. Maybe you¡¯d be better off dead.¡± For a moment, the only sound was the father¡¯s heavy breathing. Huff¡­ huff¡­ huff¡­ Then, the mother smiled¡ªcold and distant. She picked up her glass of wine, taking a slow sip, as if her husband¡¯s outburst hadn¡¯t just shattered the silence. Lucian! You are a disgrace! Huff¡­huff.. huff¡­ huff¡­ Thump... thump.. In a dimly lit room, a young man with dark violet hair shot up, clutching his chest. His breathing was quick and shaky, sweat dripping down his face. His eyes darted around, a wild mix of fear and anger flashing in them as he tried to pull himself together. Lucian. He rubbed his face, still haunted by the nightmare. It wasn¡¯t just a bad dream¡ªit was a memory. A soft knock at the door broke the silence. A maid stepped inside, her voice calm and composed. ¡°Master Lucian, your father has summoned you.¡± Lucian¡¯s jaw tightened. He pushed the sweat-soaked hair from his face and stood, his hands clenching into fists. ¡°Tell him I¡¯m on my way,¡± The maid nodded and left as silently as she had come. Lucian stared at the door for a moment, his chest still heaving slightly. Then, with a deep breath, he straightened his posture, pulling the mask of composure back over his face. Lucian pushed open the heavy wooden door to his father¡¯s study. The room was dimly lit, with only a single lamp casting a pale glow over the large desk in the center. His father sat behind it, his fingers rhythmically tapping the surface, creating a steady, unnerving beat. The air between them was thick with tension. Neither spoke at first. Lucian¡¯s father, Lord Valemont, fixed him with a piercing gaze, his face as unreadable as ever. Lucian clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. The pain helped clear his head, letting him hide the chaos in his mind. He kept holding on until he felt a small trickle of blood beneath his gloves. Finally, Lord Valemont rose from his chair. He didn¡¯t rush. Each movement was calculated, his boots echoing softly as he paced around the desk. He stopped in front of Lucian, studying him for a long moment. ¡°Congratulations,¡± ¡°You passed the Trial of the Arcane Flame. And the only one to pass at that.¡± There was no smile, no pride in his expression. His words, though meant to praise, felt more like a statement of fact than celebration. Lucian smirked slightly, bowing his head. ¡°Thank you, Father.¡± He turned to leave, his hand already on the door, when his father¡¯s voice stopped him. ¡°Lucian.¡± He paused, his back still to his father. ¡°You¡¯re better be aware of your next goal. You¡¯ve proven yourself to be one of the pillar of this family, but that¡¯s not enough.¡± Lord Valemont¡¯s voice was calm, yet commanding. ¡°You must aim higher. Join the strongest. Become a Sentinel.¡± There was a pause, just long enough for his words to sink in. ¡°You were born to lead, Lucian. Anything less would be a waste of your potential. You must aim higher and represent our family.¡± His tone carried a subtle edge, a reminder that Lucian¡¯s achievements were not his own¡ªthey were a reflection of his father¡¯s legacy. Lucian nodded slowly. ¡°Yes, Father.¡± His voice was even, but inside, his chest tightened. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Lord Valemont returned to his desk, satisfied. ¡°Good. Don¡¯t disappoint me.¡± Without saying another word, Lucian walked out, his mind racing with the pressure of his father¡¯s expectations. As the door shut behind him, he exhaled slowly. The way forward was clear, but it felt like the weight of it had never been heavier. ~ I opened the door to my room and stepped out, the cool morning greeting me. The day felt promising¡ªBlackspire was only a few hours away, and I had a lead on a decent blacksmith. As I walked through the estate, I noticed one of the older workers struggling with a cart piled high with rocks. Every push seemed like it might be his last. His face was red, sweat dripping down his face as he grunted with effort. I sighed and walked over. ¡°Need a hand with that?¡± Before I could even touch the cart, the old man slapped my hand away. ¡°Don¡¯t need your help, boy,¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been pushing this cart before you could even walk. I¡¯ll handle my own.¡± I held up my hands, taking a step back. ¡°Alright, alright. Have a great day old man.¡± He grunted something under his breath and went back to pushing. I didn¡¯t take it personally. People like him? They had their pride. I respected that. As I walked away, I glanced back over my shoulder. Sure enough, the cart¡¯s wheel was stuck in a deep rut. The old man was too stubborn to ask for help, but I could already see the frustration bubbling under his tough exterior. I smirked to myself. Fine. If he didn¡¯t want help, I¡¯d just make it easier for him without him knowing. When his back was turned, I casually strolled by and gave the cart a solid kick. The wheel popped free, and the cart rolled forward like nothing had happened. The old man grunted in approval, probably thinking he¡¯d done it himself. ¡°Enjoy the smooth ride,¡± I muttered under my breath as I continued down the road. With my double blade securely strapped to my back, I felt a quiet sense of purpose. Blackspire wasn¡¯t far now, and Rurik, the blacksmith Garrick mentioned, was supposed to be one of the best around. The road stretched out before me, just like Garrick had described. I kept a steady pace, the path winding gently through fields and small clusters of trees. The journey was calm, almost too quiet, but I didn¡¯t mind. I passed a few travelers on the way¡ªmerchants guiding their carts, a group of adventurers talking loudly, and even a couple of mothers walking hand in hand with their kids. A little further down, he noticed a lake just off the path. A group of kids were fishing, their poles clumsily balanced in their small hands. One of them jumped up, shouting with excitement as he pulled a tiny fish from the water. Alistair chuckled to himself. This place really is something else. The calmness here felt like a world away from the intensity of the trials he¡¯d seen. For the first time in a while, Alistair felt a strange sense of peace. He wasn¡¯t used to it, but he could understand why people would want to settle in a place like this. Still, he wasn¡¯t here for sightseeing. Blackspire and Rurik were waiting. The walk wasn¡¯t bad. Honestly, he liked it. It felt like he was pushing himself, like every step was part of some training. After what felt like forever, I finally saw it¡ªthe city. Its architecture wasn¡¯t what I expected. The buildings were dark, almost gothic, but with a weird charm. The roofs sloped at sharp angles, and the streets were lined with lanterns that gave off a faint, bluish glow. It was quiet. Too quiet. There weren¡¯t many people around. No bustling markets or street performers like in Vermillion. Just a handful of folks going about their business. I kept walking, my eyes taking in the scene. A few shops here and there, nothing too fancy. Even the air felt thicker. Still, it wasn¡¯t bad¡ªjust different. Calm. I noticed an older man leaning against a wooden post, chewing on what looked like dried meat. He seemed like he might know something. ¡°Excuse me,¡± I said, stepping closer. ¡°Do you know where I can find Rurik, the blacksmith?¡± The man squinted at me and then pointed his thumb toward a narrow alley. ¡°Down that way. Last door on the right. Follow my instructions and you will not miss it.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± I said, already heading in that direction. This city might be quiet, but something about it made me feel like I was stepping into a whole new world. I kept walking, following the directions, but then I heard shouting up ahead. It was loud, and definitely not the peaceful kind of noise. I quickly rushed over to the commotion and saw a huge guy, just as big as a wall, along with two others. He was the one shouting, and he was yelling at a girl. "Why you so clumsy you bitch!" I didn¡¯t jump in right away, knowing that understanding the situation was the first step before acting. I wanted to figure out what was going on. [Observer¡¯s Eye] They¡¯re weak... They might be big, but they¡¯re definitely not a threat. I could take them if it comes down to it. Then I saw some food splattered across the big guy¡¯s clothes. The girl must¡¯ve done it by accident [Observer¡¯s Eye] Lilith Age: 17 She straightened up and said, ¡°It was just an accident. I¡¯m sorry.¡± The three guys started to ease up as she apologized. But then, her expression changed to something smug, almost teasing. I definitely didn¡¯t expect what came next. ¡°You ugly trolls, I¡¯m not apologizing for something I didn¡¯t even mean to do.¡± I raised an eyebrow. This girl definitely had guts. The big guy took a step closer to the girl, raising his hand to slap her. That¡¯s when I decided to step in, grabbing his wrist before it could land. He whipped his head toward me, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, there was silence. The girl and I exchanged a quick glance. Her eyes were wide, but then¡ªwithout a word¡ªshe bolted. Like, full-on sprinted away, her black hair flying behind her. ¡°Wow,¡± I muttered, watching her disappear. ¡°Guess that¡¯s one way to handle things.¡± The guy tried to shake his arm free, but my grip was solid. I sighed. ¡°We can do this the easy way, or¡ª¡± He growled and cut me off with a wild punch. Big mistake. I stepped aside, letting his fist miss. This is the best time to try Avelar. the martial arts that I''ve acquired. It¡¯s all about balance and quick strikes¡ªfaster than they can react. I shifted my weight, spun on my heel, and slammed an open palm into his side. He staggered back, gasping for air. Before he could recover, I moved in close, landing a quick series of hits¡ªtwo to the ribs, one to the jaw. He dropped like a ragdoll. His friends charged at me without a second thought. One threw a wild punch. I ducked, sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard, the air rushing out of his lungs with a loud whoof. The last guy hesitated for just a moment too long. I closed the gap, landing a clean jab to his temple. His eyes rolled back, and he dropped next to the others. ¡°That wasn¡¯t too bad,¡± ¡°Might even call it a workout.¡± I adjusted the double blade on my back and kept walking toward Rurik¡¯s place. As I moved away from the scene, I noticed a few residents watching me. Some looked impressed, others didn¡¯t seem to care, and a couple were just frozen in shock, staring at the pile of unconscious guys behind me. I wasn¡¯t sticking around for their reactions, though. I kept walking. [You gained +2 to all stats, excluding aura.] "Not bad," I muttered with a smirk. "Small boost, but I''ll take it." The path eventually led me up a hill, and at the top, I saw a house. It looked solid, made from dark stone, with smoke rising from the chimney. This had to be it. As I got closer, I heard the unmistakable sound of metal hitting metal¡ªsharp, steady, and heavy. Someone was definitely working inside. When I reached the door, I knocked three times. No answer. The hammering continued. I waited a few seconds, then knocked again. Still nothing. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll let myself in,¡± I said under my breath, pushing the door open. Inside, the heat hit me first, along with the smell of burning coal and molten metal. A large man stood at the forge, his back to me. He was big, though not as hulking as the guys from earlier. His white hair and beard caught the light, giving him an almost regal look. He didn¡¯t turn around. ¡°I¡¯m not taking any new orders,¡± he said, his voice rough but steady. ¡°Busy enough as it is.¡± I stepped closer, keeping my tone respectful. ""Garrick sent me. He said you''re the best in the kingdom, and I need you to take a look at something." That got his attention. He paused mid-swing, setting the hammer down, and finally turned to face me. His eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto mine. ¡°Garrick, huh?¡± He crossed his arms, sizing me up. ¡°Well, if he sent you, you better have a good reason for interrupting my work.¡± ¡°I do,¡± I said, standing tall. He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. Without saying a word, I reached into my bag and pulled out the Obsidianite. Rurik¡¯s eyes widened the second he saw it. He leaned forward, his gruff exterior cracking for the first time. ¡°Where the hell did you get this?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just say it was a weird day,¡± I replied casually. He frowned, clearly not satisfied. ¡°Weird day, huh? You don¡¯t look a day over eighteen. How does someone your age come across something this rare?¡± Screen appeared. [He is curious about you] [He thinks you¡¯re bluffing] I didn¡¯t respond, letting the silence do the heavy lifting. Rurik huffed, grabbing the Obsidianite from my hand with surprising care. His massive fingers, covered in soot and scars, cradled the stone like it was a newborn. He examined it, turning it over and holding it up to the light. ¡°This¡­ this is the real deal,¡± he muttered to himself, more than a little impressed. Just then, the door behind him creaked open, and a girl¡¯s voice called out, ¡°Father, lunch is ready.¡± I turned, and our eyes locked. It was her. The black-haired girl from earlier, the one with the sharp tongue and even run like a horse. She blinked, clearly recognizing me too. For a second, the room felt way smaller than it was. ¡°You,¡± she said, her voice a mix of surprise and suspicion. "Really? what a small world.¡± I replied. Chapter 10: Path of The Adventurer Before leaving Blackspire, I decided to explore a bit more. The first part of the city was quiet, almost too quiet. But as I ventured deeper, I stumbled upon what seemed like a hidden market. It wasn¡¯t bustling, but there were more people here¡ªenough to make it feel alive. The goods were different too. In Vermillion, you¡¯d see flashy trinkets, rare spices, and performances meant to lure in travelers. Here, it was simple. Basic supplies, plain clothes, the kind of stuff you¡¯d grab if you just needed to get by. But what really caught my eye wasn¡¯t the goods. It was a name. Isolde Evercrest. I¡¯d seen it carved into walls and etched on stones around the city, but here, in the center of the market, stood a statue. Tall, elegant, and worn from time, it bore the same name at its base. I stepped closer to the statue, taking in the details. It depicted a woman, her hair tied back in a tight bun. Her hands were raised, casting some sort of spell¡ªdefinitely a mage. At the base of the statue, a plaque caught my eye. The lettering was weathered, but still readable. Isolde Evercrest The First Female Sentinel from Blackspire. What the heck? The first female Sentinel? And she came from here? I¡¯d never heard of her before. Maybe she¡¯s a newer Sentinel? No, that didn¡¯t make sense. The statue looked ancient, worn down by time. "Isolde Evercrest..." Something about this place felt different now. Knowing that a Sentinel had risen from here... it made Blackspire seem less like a quiet, forgotten city and more like a place with real history. After wandering for a while, I stumbled upon a fountain tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. It wasn¡¯t in the center like you¡¯d expect, more like a hidden gem. I wouldn¡¯t even notice it unless I went looking. The water sparkled in the sunlight, and a group of kids was gathered around it. Some were tossing coins in, others laughing and splashing. I leaned against a nearby wall, watching. They were... wishing? I shook my head, trying to clear the thought. Would I be rich if I pulled those coins out of the water? Nah, I needed to focus. One kid, probably around eight, closed his eyes tight, holding a coin like it was some artifact. His lips moved in a whisper, but I edged closer, just curious enough to listen. ¡°Please make my brother stop snoring,¡± he said, dead serious. ¡°Or at least make him sleep somewhere else.¡± I stifled a laugh. Yeah, that checks out. Kids have their priorities straight, I guess. The kid tossed the coin with dramatic flair, watching it sink before turning to his friends. ¡°It¡¯s gonna work. I can feel it.¡± I shook my head, grinning as I walked away. Who knew a hidden fountain could offer such entertainment? As I walked through the streets, I heard some murmurs. A group of guys were talking, and their conversation caught my attention. They were talking about a man¡ªa Sentinel from the East. I slowed my pace, keeping my head down, trying to blend in while I listened. One of the guys was saying, ¡°There¡¯s this guy¡­ he¡¯s been crashing the ranks of sentinels lately.¡± ¡°Crashing ranks?¡± That was new to me. In my past life, there were only three Sentinels¡ªno ranks to climb. The guy continued, trying to recall the name of the Sentinel. ¡°It¡¯s right on the tip of my tongue¡­ Ah, Zarathis. That¡¯s it.¡± Zarathis. The name hit me like a wave. My body froze. The guy kept talking, describing him. ¡°He¡¯s huge. Muscled as hell. Tall as¡­ well, really tall.¡± I stood there, rooted to the spot. My mind went blank. Zarathis. The name seemed so familiar, but it also felt distant. The group of men noticed me standing there, staring at nothing. They exchanged uneasy looks. ¡°Uh, you okay, buddy?¡± one of them asked, raising an eyebrow. But I didn¡¯t respond. I couldn¡¯t. My thoughts were too loud. They exchanged another glance, clearly uncomfortable, and quickly turned to leave. I was still stuck in the same spot, my mind racing. Zarathis. That name. I knew it, but I couldn¡¯t place why. The more I tried to remember, the more my head ached. I was about to lost it but suddenly an old woman appeared in front of me. She moved slowly but deliberately, her eyes locked onto mine. Without a word, she reached for my hand and placed something in it. It was a small pearl-like ball, smooth and faintly glowing. ¡°This will protect you,¡± she said, her voice low but firm. ¡°From the evil that is nearing to destroy this world.¡± I blinked, caught off guard. Before I could even respond, she turned and started to shuffle away, leaving me holding the strange object. A few people nearby had seen the exchange. They started whispering, loud enough for me to catch snippets. ¡°Crazy old hag,¡± ¡°She lost it years ago,¡± another added. ¡°Always rambling about the end of the world.¡± I glanced back at the woman. She was hunched and frail, but her eyes... they were filled with something. Not madness. Something deeper. I didn¡¯t really care what the others said. She might¡¯ve been strange, sure, but there was no malice in her. Just a kind of quiet urgency. I bowed my head slightly. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, tucking the pearl into my pocket. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. As I walked out of Blackspire, my mind raced. First Zarathis. Now this old woman talking about the some evil nearing. It was hard not to feel like pieces of some bigger puzzle were falling into place. But honestly? I didn¡¯t like where this was heading. What if the peace we all enjoyed was just the calm before the storm? I hated the thought, but I couldn¡¯t ignore it. If things were about to take a dark turn, I had to be ready. That¡¯s what the old woman¡¯s strange gift reminded me. Stay sharp and get stronger. Then the system popped up. [You have received an Anti-Dark Magic Pearl.] Effective in repelling any dark magic energy within a close range. Maybe she wasn¡¯t so crazy after all. If I ever saw her again, I¡¯d make sure to return the favor somehow. With that thought, I kept walking, leaving the city behind. Then I figured I could take down a few monsters, test out my skills. It¡¯d be a good way to clear my head. After thirty minutes of walking, I reached the edge of the forest. The trees were taller here, their thick branches casting long shadows. But I didn¡¯t stop. If I wanted to find something worth fighting, I had to push deeper. Soon enough, I spotted them. Squish.. squish... Rabbit slimes. Small, squishy creatures with razor-sharp teeth. They hopped around aimlessly, gnawing on tree roots. Their levels barely scratched ten. I drew my blade and made quick work of them. Slash, dodge, repeat. They were fast but predictable. After about ten minutes, the forest floor was littered with defeated slimes. The system chimed. [+3 to all stats. Aura excluded.] The problem was obvious. I wasn¡¯t pushing myself. Low-level monsters weren¡¯t going to give me the growth I needed. By the time I made it back to Vermillion, it was already getting dark. The streets were busy with people closing up shops or rushing home. As I approached my residence, I noticed a small group of Garrick¡¯s workers standing near the entrance. They were huddled together. ¡°Evening,¡± I called out, giving a small wave as I walked up. They turned toward me, a mix of surprise and amusement on their faces. One of the older men, Davos, spoke up. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t young Alistair,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect to see you back so soon.¡± ¡°Yeah, thought you¡¯d be off training or chasing down some monster,¡± another chimed in. "I couldn¡¯t find any monsters out there, so I just came back here to get some rest." I replied ¡°What¡¯s going on? You all look like you¡¯re plotting something.¡± Davos chuckled, scratching his chin. ¡°Actually, we were just talking about a job posting that might interest you.¡± That caught my attention. ¡°Oh? What kind of job?¡± ¡°It¡¯s from one of the nobles here in Vermillion,¡± Davos said, leaning in slightly. ¡°They¡¯re looking for an escort team to guard a caravan heading to a neighboring kingdom. Important cargo, from what I hear.¡± ¡°And they¡¯re paying well,¡± another worker added. ¡°Gold coins. Enough to make it worth your while.¡± ¡°Sounds like a good deal,¡± I said, crossing my arms. ¡°But why mention it to me?¡± Davos gave me a knowing look. ¡°Because this isn¡¯t just any escort job. There¡¯s a Gold-ranked adventurer already signed on for the mission. Working alongside someone like that could be a real opportunity for you. Build your reputation. Maybe even learn a thing or two.¡± I nodded slowly, the gears in my mind turning. ¡°Fifteen people, you said? How do they pick who gets the job?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the tricky part tho.¡± Davos admitted. ¡°They¡¯re only taking people eighteen and up. The only way you can apply is to bend the rules and fake your age.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You think so?¡± He shrugged. ¡°Couldn¡¯t hurt to try. You¡¯re strong for your age, and you¡¯ve got that... determination. Plus, it¡¯s a good deed, protecting people. Might even impress some higher-ups but still I also want to warn you that it is risky.¡± The others murmured in agreement, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel a spark of excitement. ¡°Thanks for the tip,¡± I said, bowing slightly. ¡°I¡¯ll look into it.¡± The group fell silent, clearly surprised by my gesture. One of them muttered, ¡°Kid¡¯s got manners, huh?¡± Davos just chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t let that fool you. This one¡¯s got fire in him.¡± After chatting with the workers, I finally made my way back to my room. The quietness was almost a relief, but it didn¡¯t last long. I stripped off my travel-worn clothes and hopped into the bath. The warm water helped me relax, but my mind wouldn¡¯t stop spinning. I tried to focus on the feeling of the water soaking into my skin, but all I could think about were the things I¡¯d heard today. The job. Zarathis. The old woman. It was like they all collided in my brain, and I couldn¡¯t escape the mess of thoughts. When I finished, I wrapped myself in a towel and headed to the bed, but the comfort of the blankets didn¡¯t help. I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Eventually, my thoughts drifted, and I found myself thinking about my family. I hadn¡¯t allowed myself to really think about them for a while. The memories of my little sister, her laugh, her smile... I missed them more than I thought I would. But it wasn¡¯t the kind of missing where I wanted to drop everything and rush back. No, it was more of a longing, a quiet ache. I wanted to hold them again. See them safe. See them happy. I wondered if my sister missed me too. I could almost hear her voice in my head, calling for me, asking when I was coming back. I shut my eyes, trying to block out the thought of them. I couldn¡¯t go back¡ªnot yet, anyway. But the job offering ¡­ that¡¯s when my mind shifted again. Could I pull it off? Faking my age would be risky, but it wasn¡¯t impossible. I could probably pass for eighteen with the right clothes and attitude. But what if they found out? If I got caught, I¡¯d be sent packing, and I couldn¡¯t afford that. Not when a chance like this might not come again. Should I ask Garrick for help? No, that would just complicate things. He had enough on his plate, and I didn¡¯t want to drag him into something that could backfire. I sighed, running my hand through my hair. Maybe I was overthinking it. I needed to sleep on it. Think it through tomorrow when I wasn¡¯t so tired. I pulled the covers over myself and tried to close my eyes, but the thoughts kept coming. The job. My family. Zarathis. It was no use. I stayed awake for hours, staring at the ceiling, until finally, exhaustion overtook me, and I drifted into an uneasy sleep. When I woke up, I glanced at the window. Damn, it''s already late. I usually get up earlier than this to get a head start on my day. Guess staying up late last night thinking about everything caught up with me. I groaned and shoved the covers off, jumping out of bed. Time to get moving. I quickly threw on some clothes and headed straight for the center of town. After a short walk, I finally spotted the building with the flag bearing a horse logo on it. That''s the place. My heart kicked into gear as I walked up to the entrance, but as I reached the guards, one of them stopped me. "Afternoon," he said, giving me a once-over. "You¡¯re here for the job? You¡¯ll have to wait. Applications only happen in the morning." I frowned. Of course, the one day I wake up late, the session''s already over. "Great," I muttered under my breath. I had no choice but to wait. I sat on a nearby bench, running my fingers through my hair in frustration. Not far from me, there was an old man sitting, leaning on a cane, humming to himself. He looked like he was waiting for something too. After a minute, I couldn¡¯t help myself. I nudged him, ¡°You here for the job old man?¡± The old man chuckled, his wrinkled face lighting up. ¡°Yep, that¡¯s right. Needed to make some money. My granddaughter¡¯s medicine isn¡¯t cheap, you know. Poor girl¡¯s been sick for a while now.¡± He said it so casually, like it was no big deal. But the way his eyes softened when he spoke about her, I could tell it meant everything to him. ¡°That¡¯s rough. I hope she gets better.¡± The man waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Ah, don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯ll all work out. Everything always does, doesn¡¯t it? But hey, I¡¯ll make sure I grab a big paycheck for her, that¡¯s for sure hehehe¡± I smiled, impressed by his optimism. But then, as if something had clicked in his mind, he looked me over. ¡°You sure you¡¯re applying? You don¡¯t look like you¡¯re 18.¡± I almost jumped and cover his mouth but stopped myself just in time. He was an old man, and I didn¡¯t want to be rude, but damn, he was making me nervous. I forced a laugh, hoping he wouldn¡¯t say anything more. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m applying old man. Just don¡¯t let the guard hear that.¡± The old man¡¯s eyes twinkled, and he leaned in closer. ¡°Relax, kid. I won¡¯t say anything. But seriously, you should take care with that. They can¡¯t let anyone under 18 on these kinds of jobs, you know? It''s too risky.¡± I groaned internally. "I''m nervous, really. But thanks for the reminder..." He chuckled, then nudged me lightly. ¡°Ah, come on. You seem like a bright kid. Just don¡¯t let ¡®em catch you, that¡¯s all. Besides, you¡¯ve got that look, you know?¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°What look?¡± He grinned. ¡°That ¡®I¡¯ve been through some crap and come out the other side stronger¡¯ look. You¡¯ve got that determination. I can see it.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but feel a little lighter. His words were strange but somehow encouraging. ¡°Yeah, maybe you are right old man,¡± I said, giving him a nod. ¡°Thanks, I guess. But what about you? You don¡¯t look like the type to be stuck waiting for a job.¡± The old man let out a loud laugh. ¡°Well, I¡¯m not exactly applying for a noble¡¯s caravan job. No, no, kid. I¡¯m just here for the coin. Couldn¡¯t care less about the adventure. Been there, I''ve done so many jobs and adventures but I¡¯ll take whatever I can get these days.¡± I raised an eyebrow. ¡°You sound like you¡¯ve had quite a few adventures of your own.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t get me started. Back in my day, I could outfight any man twice my size. But now? Well, let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve got more stories than strength left to back ¡®em up.¡± He winked, and I couldn¡¯t help but laugh. He definitely had a way of making light of things. ¡°Alright, kid, let me give you a bit of advice,¡± he said suddenly, leaning forward. ¡°When you¡¯re out there, on these jobs, don¡¯t just think about the money. Sure, it¡¯s important, but the real prize is what you learn. Trust me. When you¡¯re doing a job like this, you¡¯ll learn more than you ever expected¡ªabout the people you work with, about your enemies, about yourself. Take it all in, every bit of it.¡± I nodded, taking it all in. His words felt heavier than they should have, but in a good way. ¡°You¡¯ll do alright,¡± the old man added. ¡°Just remember to keep your head cool and your heart strong. Don¡¯t let anyone push you around, not even the guards hahaha.¡± I chuckled. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡± As the conversation went on, the tension in me started to fade. The old man had a way of making everything seem like it was just another story in the making. I didn¡¯t know if I was ready for whatever came next, but at least I had something to hold onto now: a little advice, a little laughter, and a strange feeling that maybe, just maybe, I could pull this risky move.