The two weeks swiftly passed, and the day Kaiden had to leave Emendel arrived all too soon. As he walked past the full-length mirror in the hallway of Aridan’s parents’ house, he paused to examine his reflection. His physique had changed dramatically; he was more muscular now, filling his taller frame nicely. His black unruly hair, unruly and spiked, framed amber eyes that glowed with an inner light. This vibrant gaze contrasted sharply with the intricate network of enchanted tattoos, the sigils wrapped around his entire body forming patterns that were almost mesmerizing, blending in with his skin and scales seamlessly.
He briefly wondered about the mechanics of muscle development in this world – wondering whether it was influenced by attributes, training, and diet or perhaps a combination of both.
Strapped to his waist was the sword Janos had gifted him, its hilt catching the light as he moved. The shield was also secured on his back, along with a rucksack slung over his shoulder that contained all his worldly possessions – food, a few health and mana potions they’d bought and spare clothing Aridan’s mother had prepared for him.
Kaiden descended the stairs to find the Everclear family gathered around the breakfast table, which was laden with an inviting spread. Fresh fruits, warm bread and a steaming pot of porridge filled the room with comforting aromas.
“Couldn’t send you off on an empty stomach,” Sana said warmly, a gentle smile gracing her features.
A mix of gratitude and sadness welled up in Kaiden as he took sight, realizing this would be his last meal with the family for quite some time. He took a seat, his eyes momentarily lingering on the food before helping himself to a generous serving of porridge topped with honey and fruit.
“Are you certain you want to be an adventurer?” Janos inquired, his tone serious. “I’m sure the Human Empire could use a warrior such as yourself in our ongoing fight against the Dragonborn.”
Kaiden paused, his spoon suspended midway to his mouth. Throughout their training sessions, Janos had increasingly urged him to consider joining the Human Empire’s Army to combat the Dragonborn. “I don’t think I’m ready for that,” Kaiden replied, placing his spoon down gently. “I need to get stronger and there’s so much more I want to see and learn first. I think attending the Academy in the Capitol and joining the adventurer’s guild first will help me achieve those goals.”
“Your strength would be wasted at the guild.” Janos protested, “I’d wager you’re already stronger than ninety-nine percent of their recruits already.”
Kaiden raised an eyebrow, surprised, and somewhat flattered by Janos’s high regard for his capabilities.
“Let the boy choose his own path, honey,” Sana interjected, placing a calming hand on Janos’s arm. Her intervention brought a reluctant frown to the large elf’s face, but he reluctantly conceded, dropping the subject as they continued their breakfast.
“At least your citizenship paperwork arrived on time,” Aridan stated.
Kaiden nodded in reply, the paperwork had only just arrived the day before. His initial plans of joining the Adventurer’s Guild in Emendel had to change to applying in the closest Human Frontier town instead. A thought occurred to Kaiden. “If I had a guild membership here, could I have applied for a work permit?”
Aridan shook his head, “You could apply, but it wouldn’t be successful. Work permits are typically issued for classes that are in short supply within the city. Given that Capitol cities often have an abundance of combat classes particularly those employed in the Army, your chances would be slim. Here, the guild functions more as a recruiting and administrative hub than an active adventuring post. Most adventures find better opportunities in frontier towns, where there’s a genuine need for their skills and fewer troops to maintain order.
“Do you remember where you should head next?” Janos inquired.
“Tibesa, right?” Kaiden confirmed, “I’ve got it marked on the map that you provided to me.”
“Yes, it’s an ideal sport to start, It’s the closest human frontier town to here, so it should have a small guild post there, you should be able to register there, complete a few easy jobs if you want and continue from there to the capitol,” Janos explained.
Aridan chimed in, “I’ll take you to Yenlin, it’s the nearest Elven town to Tibesa.”
“I thought you were joking when you said you take me to the Elven border,” Kaiden replied.
“Well, it’s only a portal away.” Aridan clarified.
Curious, Kaiden asked, “How many portals to this city do you have?”
“Quite a few,” Janos responded. “There’s no main road from any city to Emendel. Our dominant classes are primarily dexterity and magic-based, in line with our attributes. With limited classes to hold the line, we’ve had to adapt our defences. We wouldn’t withstand a full siege. The lack of main roads linking our major cities forces any invading army to traverse through untamed wilderness, which we’ve extensively and magically trapped. If an army did invade we’d harass them the whole way, and by the time they arrived they’d be significantly weakened, making a successful siege highly unlikely.”
Kaiden nodded as he processed what was said. It was interesting how the different races had developed based on their natural attributes and environment.
The breakfast concluded with lighter conversation, easing the weight of the morning’s discussion. At the doorstep, Sana embraced Kaiden warmly. “Thank you again for bringing my son back to me,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Kaiden, feeling a blush creep up his neck, replied, “Thank you for having me.” He then turned to Janos. “And thank you for training me. I know you were pushing for me to join the Human Army, and maybe one day I will. I’ll never forget how powerless I felt back in Gul’Gormeth. I just want to make sure I’m strong enough to face them.”
For a fleeting moment, Kaiden glimpsed of what seemed like guilt in the large elf’s expression, but it vanished almost instantly – had he imagined it? Janos’s voice was earnest when he responded, “You’re one of the best I’ve taught Kaiden. If we had more time, you might have even topped the list. I’m not sure what the future holds for you, but I’m certain you’ll rise to any challenge.”
With a grateful nod, Kaiden turned to join Aridan. Together, they made their way towards the portal. Kaiden took the opportunity to observe the elven city he was leaving behind, a place that had become a significant chapter in his life.
As they stepped through the portal, the first thing Kaiden noticed about Yenlin was its resemblance to Enyath, the town that bordered the Dragonborn lands. The sight made his heart grow heavier, apprehension settling over him.
They walked in silence to the edge of town, where Aridan activated the platform to descend to the forest floor. The sounds of the city faded above them as the dense forest floor enveloped them. The air was filled with the earthy scent of moss and leaves, and the forest was alive with the distant call of creatures and birds.
“Follow this road to the edge of our territory, then make sure you follow the map to Tibesa. Stick to the roads; they’re patrolled and travelled regularly by merchants who hire adventurers as guards,” Aridan advised.
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Kaiden nodded. It was the third time Aridan had mentioned it. They stood in silence for a few moments, the road stretching through the dense forest before them, a vibrant tapestry of greens and browns.
Aridan broke the silence. “Stay safe, Kaiden. I know that I’ve said it before, but thank you again for getting me out of there.”
Kaiden looked at his friend, feeling a lump in his throat. “Thank you, Aridan. For everything.”
Aridan smiled softly. “I’ve never had a sibling, but if I did, I imagine this is what it’d feel like to have a brother,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “If you ever need me, just send word.”
Kaiden chuckled, “Ha, I can’t imagine what your father would do if you ran off. Don’t worry, your service is up in two years, I survived Gul’Gormeth, so I think I can manage to survive studying at an academy and low-ranked adventuring missions.”
Kaiden embraced Aridan tightly, a gesture filled with the weight of their shared experiences. Releasing his grip, he turned and started down the forest path towards the Human Empire.
***
Kaiden had been following the Eastern highway for a week, and he still wasn’t out of Elven territory. The journey was proving more arduous than he had anticipated. The forest without the comfort of civilisation, with its humidity and mugginess, was quickly becoming as loathsome to him as the wastelands. When it rained it turned paths into sticky morasses of mud and sludge.
But above all, it was the insects that tested his patience. Despite a vitality sore slightly over 19, mosquitoes still found their way to pierce his skin, leaving itchy welts in their wake. It struck him as extremely unfair that they were also in this world, and he was convinced that some malevolent deity must be scattering these pests across habitable worlds as a cruel cosmic joke.
Kaiden found the highway mostly clear of monsters, with only the occasional low-level beast crossing his path. As he traversed the route, he contemplated whether it had been worth dedicating one of his skill slots with the Analyze skill. With it occupying a space, along with his class skills, he only had seven free slots left. Aridan however, had insisted on its importance, arguing that Kaiden might not always have a scout in his party and that the ability to assess threats independently could be crucial in avoiding unwinnable fights.
Serving as one of the major trade routes from the Human Empire to the Elven Federation, the road also hosted a sparse flow of travellers. Most passed by with nothing more than a nod, wrapped in their own journey and thoughts. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness as he watched adventures laugh and joke as they travelled together.
Despite no longer being under Janos’s direct tutelage, Kaiden continued to maintain his training regime. Every morning and evening, he practised his swordplay and shield work, ensuring his skills not only remained sharp but continued to improve. The repetitive motions of drills became a type of rhythmic meditation, a way to centre himself and clear the tumultuous thoughts that threatened to gather like storm clouds on the horizon.
As twilight descended, Kaiden was on the lookout for a suitable spot to set up camp when an unexpected whoosh cut through the air. His years of survival in Gul’Gormeth had sharpened his reflexes, and he instinctively dove to the left. A long, pink appendage, slick and glistening, tore through the space he had just vacated, snapping back with a wet sound. Tracking the trajectory, Kaiden’s gaze landed on a grotesque sight – a giant toad. It was an abomination, easily twice the size of a human, with bulging eyes and mottled skin. The creature seemed poised for another strike, its massive form tensed and repulsive in the failing light.
Kaiden sprang into action, dropping his rucksack and swiftly drawing his sword while slinging his shield into position. In a reflective response, drawn from hours of training, he activated his Dragon Scales skill, enhancing the shield’s defence just in time to intercept a stream of green liquid the toad spat from its gaping maw.
The acidic substance hit his shield with a hiss, splattering droplets that seared through his clothes and scorched his skin. Wincing from the sudden pain, Kaiden activated his analyse skill and realized he was dealing with a far more dangerous foe than he anticipated.
Analyse
Spit Toad
Level
44
As Kaiden deactivated his Dragon Talons skill, he noted with dismay how the acid began to eat away at the wooden shield without the bonus defence from his skill. He reactivated the skill this time keeping it continually active, feeling the drain on his mana. This time the toad’s tongue, thick and slimy, stuck, slapping against his shield with a wet thud. It stuck to his shield and nearly unbalanced him as it tugged him forward towards the gaping maw of the toad.
With a grunt, Kaiden swung his sword, which emitted a faint glow on impact as he activated his Dragon Talons skill. Despite his strength, the toad’s tongue, composed of tough muscle, resisted his attack, his sword only drawing a shallow wound. His life-draining skill activated, only slightly easing his injuries. The toad roared in pain and released his shield, the tongue had pulled Kaiden within striking distance and he swung again, this time aiming for the creature’s foreleg. His sword barely made an impact, bouncing off the tough, warty skin with a discouraging thump.
Realizing his attacks were futile, Kaiden knew he had to disengage. This toad was too high level for him to handle alone, especially with his dwindling mana and the acid attempting to eat away at his equipment.
Kaiden’s heart pounded as he dodged another acidic attack, the glob splattering against the bushed beside him and dissolving them into a sticky, smoking mess. Desperation clawed at him as he sprinted away, and ducked behind a tree, hoping for a brief respite or chance to escape. His hopes were crushed as the giant toad, defying its large size leapt effortlessly through the forest, landing with a heavy thud nearby. Kaiden’s breath caught in his throat as he faced the creature again, its hungry yellow eyes fixated on him.
With escape an increasingly distant possibility, Kaiden knew he needed to somehow inflict enough damage to either break free or deter the toad. He studied the creature hoping to find a weak point. As it reared its head to launch another spit of acid, he noticed the softer smoother skin beneath its throat and belly, a potential vulnerability. There was no chance to dodge this time; he charged forward, shield raised to intercept the incoming acid. Though his shield took the brunt of the attack, some of the corrosive liquid splashed onto his back and legs, searing his skin, and drawing a scream of pain and anger.
Ignoring the agony, Kaiden lunged, his sword ignited with the Dragon Talon skill. The blade sank into the toad's throat, drawing a significant gush of blood. A surge of life energy flowed into him, healing a portion of his burns. To his surprise the toad was far from defeat, it retaliated with a swift swipe of its foreleg, striking his shield with such force that Kaiden was thrown back, tumbling across the forest floor.
As he struggled to rise, another glob of acid flew past, narrowly missing his face. Pain seared through him as he attempted to stand, only for his leg to buckle under him, bending unnaturally. Huddled behind his shield, Kaiden grimaced as another glob of acid splattered nearby, droplets hitting his clothing and skin, igniting fresh waves of pain. In the chaos, his thoughts raced – Kaiden knew the battle was nearing its end. His mana was nearly depleted, drained by the constant activation of his Dragon Scales skill. Maybe he was delirious from the pain, but a crazy idea came to him. He quickly unstrapped the forearm strap and only held onto the shield with his hand strap. Just in time, the grotesque tongue shot out, slapping the centre of his shield. Kaiden clung on with all his might, wincing as the force of the pull, as it snapped him towards its mouth, dislocated his shoulder. As he neared the gaping maw, he let go of the shield, watching as it was swallowed whole by the beast. Propelled forward, he aimed his sword straight at the toad’s eye, activating his Dragon Talons Skill at the moment of impact.
The toad roared in agony, its body thrashing wildly in an attempt to dislodge him. Kaiden desperately held tight to his sword, the handle slick with sweat. Each second drained the toad of its life force, his skill, syphoning it to mend his own injuries. As his shoulder snapped back into place, he found a secure grip on the creature's rough hide and thrust his sword deeper.
Exhausted and with his mana completely drained, the glow from his sword faded. He collapsed to the forest floor as the toad, too, fell, its massive body quivering in an effort to rise. Kaiden gathered the remnants of his strength and struck once more. His blade sliced deeply into the creature's throat, nearly decapitating it. With a final gurgling sigh, the toad slumped to the ground, lifeless.
Kaiden stood over the slain toad, panting heavily and covered in a mix of acid burns, mud, and his own sweat. The familiar, satisfying chime of a level-up rang in his ears – not once, but twice – signifying just how strong the System thought his foe had been, prompting a wild grin to spread over his face. However, his triumph was short-lived as a realization dawned on him: the beast had swallowed his shield. He eyed the monster in disgust, knowing what he had to do next – he couldn’t afford to lose that shield.