Justin stretched as he stood from his bedroll, feeling the tension in his muscles ease as he shifted from the uncomfortable stone surface. The others were still asleep, except for Kargan, who sat near the door, keeping a silent vigil. The home was eerily quiet, save for the faint sound of dripping water echoing from somewhere deep within the old stone walls.

As he moved away from his resting spot, the System’s voice resonated in his mind.

[You have reached Level 8. Sometimes, taking a significant risk can pay off. But always be mindful that the biggest gains come from simply showing up every day, doing what you’re supposed to do.]

The System’s words lingered in Justin’s thoughts. The massive experience from his tense encounter with Baron Valdrik had clearly pushed him forward, but the System seemed to be cautioning him against reckless behavior.

[You have unlocked the next tier in your Cane Proficiency Boon: Improved. This increases the damage dealt and defensive capabilities with your cane, refining your technique.]

Justin felt a twinge of excitement. His trusty Cane of Valoria, which had served him well in various situations, was now even more formidable.

[As a Level 8 Socialite, you have one Attribute Point to distribute.]

Without hesitation, Justin allocated the point to Charisma.

[Your Charisma is now: 19.]

A sense of satisfaction washed over him as he reflected on his choice. He was just one more point away from getting up to 20, an important milestone.

[You have also unlocked a new skill. Choose wisely! There is no going back.]

Justin perused both options presented to him:

Singular Persuasion: Once per day, double your Charisma during a single conversation with one target when trying to persuade or negotiate. If successful, the target remains favorably inclined toward you for 24 hours, treating you as if you have +5 Charisma.

Charm Offensive: Once per day, boost your Charisma by +1 for each person successfully charmed. The boost caps at double your base Charisma. Each successful charm adds 1 minute to the effect duration (multiple people can be charmed at once). If a charm attempt fails, the chain is broken.

Justin considered both options carefully. Neither was a combat bonus, so both offered an excellent opportunity to increase his social game.

Already, he had a feeling he knew which one would be better, but he still forced himself to think them through.

Singular Persuasion had a certain appeal. The ability to double his Charisma during a single, crucial conversation could be a game-changer, especially when dealing with key figures or negotiating delicate agreements. It was straightforward, powerful, and reliable—a sure thing in a tight spot.

Plus, if the persuasion attempt was successful, that same person would be positively inclined toward him for the next twenty-four hours.

But Charm Offensive offered something more dynamic, more exhilarating. Unlike Singular Persuasion, the potential to stack his Charisma with each successful charm was tempting, and assuming he could max it out, that boost would remain with him for a decent amount of time, ten minutes or even more. It had the potential to snowball him into a formidable presence that could turn the tide in a social situation similar to Lord Harrington’s party.

The risk, of course, was the possibility of failure breaking the chain, but the rewards seemed worth it. And of course, as his base Charisma increased, the skill would scale powerfully, not only allowing his Charisma to be boosted further but also to allow the effect to last longer. It was easy to imagine a situation where he could pop off a Dandy’s Swagger, go on a Charm Offensive, and then finish with a Dazzling Display if he truly wanted to get people’s attention.

He weighed the pros and cons, considering his recent experiences. Singular Persuasion would be invaluable in one-on-one encounters, perfect for a high-stakes negotiation or persuading a single influential figure.

However, in a group setting, Charm Offensive could turn the entire room to his favor. The prospect of expanding his Charisma to such heights was hard to resist.

Ultimately, it came down to versatility. Charm Offensive wasn’t just about charm; it was about momentum.

Justin made his decision.

[You have chosen: Charm Offensive.]

As the choice solidified in his mind, Justin felt a surge of energy course through him, as if the System was acknowledging his decision. The path ahead was uncertain, but with his newfound skill, he felt more prepared to face whatever challenges lay in wait.

[Remember, Adventurer: hope can be found in even the darkest of places…]

The System’s voice faded, leaving Justin alone with his thoughts. He glanced at his cane, the polished Ebonwood gleaming faintly in the dim light. There was something different about it now—a subtle shift in balance, a newfound sense of precision in his grip, a function of his Improved Cane Proficiency. He moved to the center of the room, twirling the cane experimentally.

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With each movement, he felt the new knowledge flow through him—not just from his own experience, but from the System itself. Now, every strike, block, and parry came with a sense of purpose and refinement. He executed a series of deft cane moves against an imaginary opponent, his body moving fluidly, almost as if on instinct.

He swung the cane in a sharp arc, imagining an assailant’s head as the target, then brought it down to intercept a low blow. His footwork was more confident, his movements precise and controlled. The cane whistled through the air with a satisfying swoosh, each strike feeling more powerful than before. He spun it in his hand, transitioning effortlessly from an offensive stance to a defensive one, and then back again.

“Not bad,” a familiar voice said from the shadows.

Justin paused, glancing over his shoulder to see Eldrin leaning against the wall, a faint grin on his face. How long had the Ranger been watching him? From his expression, he was clearly impressed.

“Care for a spar?” Eldrin asked, his tone light but his gaze serious. He reached over to a nearby hearth and grabbed a fire poker, twirling it experimentally. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

Justin hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “All right. Let’s give it a go.”

Eldrin wasted no time, lunging forward with a swift strike aimed at Justin’s midsection. Justin reacted instinctively, his cane sweeping up to block the attack. The impact resonated through the cane, but instead of being knocked off balance, Justin absorbed the blow with surprising ease. The newfound strength in his grip held firm, and with a flick of his wrist, he deflected the poker to the side.

Eldrin’s eyes gleamed with approval as he pressed the attack, coming at Justin with a series of rapid strikes. But Justin was ready. He sidestepped one swing, then ducked under another, his movements graceful and fluid. With a quick flick of his wrist, he pulled out his pocket kerchief and flicked it toward Eldrin’s face, momentarily blinding him.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Justin hooked the poker with the mouth of the stag’s head, twisting sharply, disarming Eldrin with a smooth, practiced motion. The fire poker clattered to the floor, and Justin stepped back, holding his cane at the ready.

Eldrin rubbed his chin, clearly impressed. “Well, well. Looks like you’ve been holding out on us. That was good. Really good.”

Justin glanced around the home, noticing that everyone was now awake and watching him. Even Kargan seemed to have a flicker of approval in his eyes. Lila, who had been rousing from sleep, now sat up, blinking away the remnants of her rest.

Justin couldn’t help but grin, the adrenaline still pumping through his veins. “Thanks. Feels like I’ve got a bit more finesse with this thing now.”

“You’re not just swinging a stick around anymore,” Eldrin said. “You’ve got the makings of a real fighter.”

Even Bohemond had a slight smile. “Turns out Socialites aren’t all talk! It is proof that the gods have a place for all of us, each according to our abilities.”

Justin twirled the cane once more before resting it against his shoulder. “Talking’s still my strong suit. But a gentleman is always prepared for when words fail.”

Eldrin nodded in agreement. “True enough. But remember, down here, it’s not just about fancy footwork and clever tricks. It’s about survival. We’ve got a long road ahead of us.”

Justin’s smile faded slightly at the reminder of their precarious situation. “Yeah, I know. We’ve got to stay sharp.”

As they prepared for the day ahead, Eldrin retrieved several pounds of boar meat, enough for everyone to have a satisfying breakfast.

But before anyone could take a bite, Bohemond clasped his gloved hands in prayer. “Allow me.” The Knight kneeled, bowing his head in solemn reverence before anyone could say otherwise. “O Arion, Lord of Power and Justice, bless this food we are about to partake in. Guide our steps through the treacherous paths of Drakendir and may your divine favor light our way as we seek the Vault, clearing it for your glory.”

Justin exchanged a knowing glance with Lila. This was going to get old, fast.

Bohemond finally broke his prayer, tearing into his food with zeal. As they ate, the Knight’s expression darkened. “So, I’ve been quite patient so far, but I must insist on details of this Vault. I am here at significant risk, and I could have left at the entrance of the Gate but chose not to. I have taken part in the deception; this area is forbidden unless adventurers have the City of Windfall’s permission, and the consequences could be great if we’re caught. In this way, I have lapsed in my own morals, and as Arion’s Faithful, we will have to seek Absolution from a Cleric or Priest as soon as we return. I also can’t help but feel that all of you are keeping something from me. I’ve noticed the furtive whispers, along with Justin, who keeps looking over his shoulder like something is chasing us.”

Justin glanced at Eldrin, who nodded. It was time for some honesty, even if it wasn’t the full story. They needed Bohemond’s strength and loyalty, and that meant giving him enough to keep him invested in their cause.

“We’re being pursued,” Justin began carefully, choosing his words. “By someone powerful. The Vault we’re after…it’s tied to him. We needed to throw him off our trail, which is why we couldn’t be upfront about our destination. With luck, he’s headed for the Everwood, just like the others. But I promise you, Bohemond, you’ll be well-rewarded for your efforts.”

Bohemond’s face reddened with anger, his fist clenching around the handle of his sword. “You lied to me. Not once, but twice. I am an utter fool…”

Eldrin stepped forward, his voice steady. “We deceived you, and for that, we apologize. But understand this: your involvement is not just for our sake. If we succeed, you’ll not only walk away richer, but knowing that you’ve played a part in something far greater. This was a necessary risk to prevent something worse, even if we can’t explain everything now.”

Bohemond’s expression remained stern, but then something clicked in his mind. His eyes narrowed as he connected the dots. “This powerful someone you’re running from…it’s the Baron, isn’t it? All those rumors at the party…they’re true, aren’t they? He had something to do with this death of Alistair of Drakendale. Didn’t he?”

The silence that followed was answer enough. Justin couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. He’d used Bohemond as a shield, and now the Knight, just like them, was no longer safe. He had been a fool to think Bohemond could walk away unscathed from this. The Baron couldn’t afford to leave loose ends.

But Bohemond’s reaction surprised him. Rather than anger, the Knight’s expression softened into grim determination. “It’s clear to me now. Arion guided me to this party for a reason. The Creator turns the designs of the wicked into instruments of His will. It’s hard to imagine a greater crime than killing an anointed Paladin. Only an Agent of Morvath would dare such a thing, and if those rumors are any sign, then Morvath’s evil is involved in this.”

Eldrin nodded. “You’ve guessed rightly, Bohemond.”

“Then it is our duty to deliver justice. The deception was wrong, but I see now that it led me here to serve a greater purpose.”

Justin let out a quiet sigh of relief. “You’re right. That’s exactly it. We need you, Bohemond.”

Before anyone could say anything more, Eldrin’s expression sharpened, his hand drifting to his weapon. The others froze, sensing the shift in the air.

“What is it?” Justin whispered.

His question was answered as the stone floor rumbled, a deep, tremulous vibration that shook the surrounding walls. It was as if something truly heavy and lumbering was moving right outside their door.

Eldrin’s voice was barely audible, yet tense with warning. “Troll. It would seem it has caught our scent.”