Eldoria was a vast and ancient country; the duchy Aiden found himself in, known as Bartania, stood as a vibrant testament to the kingdom's opulent history and the diversity embodied by its twenty-two duchies and seven archduchies.
As he navigated the bustling market of the millennium old city, the lively symphony of voices and the medley of scents filled the air. Stalls adorned with vibrant tapestries and colorful awnings formed a labyrinthine path that meandered through the duchies’s main city: Eldenholm.
Nestled against the craggy mountains in the northwest, Eldenholm was a land of resilience and fortitude, known for producing the most finely crafted blades, each possessing an edge as sharp as the mountains that surrounded it.
Amid the bustling sea of people in the market, merchants hailing from diverse corners of the realm proudly displayed their wares: intricate jewelry from across the kingdom, exquisite fabrics reaching beyond the realm's borders, and weaponry spanning from petite blades to sturdy spears, predominantly crafted by skilled hands within the region.
While Aiden was examining the blades displayed at a weapon stall, Sigma asked, “Could you please remind me what we're doing here?”
Aiden, being led by Omega, replied, "Since we were about to take our leave from this city, I was thinking, why not check the market before we do so."
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Yes, it's on our way to the local guild. Besides, it's the perfect opportunity to refill our provisions.”
“I guess you're right.”
As they strolled through several other weapon stalls, picking up swords, axes, and even daggers, carefully inspecting the balance and testing the handles. Aiden finally stopped before a collection of spears, his fingers tracing the carved designs along the shafts.
“What are you doing?”
Aiden grinned and selected a spear, twirling it experimentally. “Checking out a new weapon. I haven't been able to raise my swordsmanship all that much these days. I feel like I'm stuck at level 5, so I've been thinking, perhaps I should try something else.”
“So you were thinking a spear would do it?”
Aiden scratched his head, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face. “No good?”
“It's not a question of whether it's good or not. Firstly, your swordsmanship isn't improving because you aren't using it much in combat. You need to gain experience with it to level up. Secondly, your stance is incorrect. And thirdly, if you're considering trying a spear, you, who doesn’t have my [Weapon Enhancement] ability, should seek out a high-quality one—ideally, a rune-enhanced spear, forged by a skilled dwarf and enchanted by an elf. Don't settle for just any spear scrappily put together by a random peon.”
Aiden chuckled at Sigma’s comment, “We’re lucky the stall owner can’t hear what you’re talking about because I don’t think he would be happy to hear what.”
“You’ll be surprised to hear how little I would care.”
Aiden grinned, placing the spear back among the collection and giving a nod at the stall owner before talking his leave.. “Alright then, let's focus on finding those provisions and getting to the guild. Maybe I'll stick to improving my swordsmanship the old-fashioned way. But if I ever stumble upon a well-crafted and well-enhanced spear, I'll also give raising my spear proficiency a shot.”
“Fair enough.”
“Oh, and now that you've been mentioning it, I just realize how convenient your [Weapon Enhancement] is,” Aiden remarked, his tone thoughtful. “I kind of wish I had it too.”
Sigma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Why?”
Aiden scratched his head. “Just like that. How can I get it?”
Sigma chuckled. “With your sword proficiency, I fail to see why you would need this ability. Besides, it only works on basic weapons; it won't enhance either of your two main blades.”
“I know. But, you know, I want it... Just for the sake of it.”
Sigma shook his head in amusement. “What are you? A spoiled child?”
"Perhaps," Aiden replied, a mischievous smile on his lips. “A child, indeed.”
Sigma sighed playfully. “But to answer your question, I have no answer as to how you can get that ability. It's an innate one.”
“An innate one, huh?” Aiden mused, gazing at the bustling market.
There were two distinct paths through which individuals could attain abilities recognized by the system. The first involved inheriting them as a form of racial trait, known as racial or innate abilities. The second path encompassed abilities acquired through titles and naturally through classes, hence termed acquired Abilities. These were commonly referred to as Titular or class-based abilities.
“So I can't obtain it then,” he mused, a hint of disappointment in his tone.
“Yes, not through any conventional means. At least, not that I know of.”
“So there's a way?”
“Yes, there is. If you're adamant about obtaining it, you should message Theta. If anyone can help you figure out how to get your hands on it, it's her. After all, she's the one I got that ability from.”
“I see Theta, huh? You think she'd be willing to help me out? Considering the fact that I still owe her a couple of favors from last time.”
“She's alien to normalcy, apathetic to many things, so I know for sure she's not the type to keep track of favors, at least favors like the one you think you feel you owe her. Therefore, I'm confident that if it's within her capability, she'd be more than willing to assist. And if you're still uncertain, try approaching her with your best puppy-dog eyes next time you meet.”
Aiden chuckled. “Puppy-dog eyes, huh?”
“Yeah, she’s trying to pass off as a decent human being, so no doubt she’ll try to come across as kind, if you do that.”
“I see. I'll give it a shot.”
As they strolled through the market, their conversation shifted to lighter topics, punctuated by laughter and jest. Before long, Aiden had completed his errand and was ready to head toward his original destination, the local guild.
***
The adventurer building stood as a robust edifice at the crossroads between the opulent rich district and the more modest common districts. Its architecture was a harmonious blend of rugged practicality and subtle elegance. Fashioned from sturdy stone, the building bore the marks of years of use and stories of countless adventurers passing through its doors.
A weathered wooden sign, hanging above the entrance, depicted a gallant figure holding a sword aloft, an emblem of the brave souls who sought refuge and camaraderie within its walls.
Upon entering the room, Aiden immediately sensed a shift in the atmosphere. His gaze met that of the receptionist, prompting him to make his way towards her. As he did, he couldn't help but notice glances being thrown his way from the tables in the tavern area of the building. Like many adventurer guilds, the room was divided, with one half serving as a bustling tavern and the other functioning as the reception area where receptionists attended to requests, issued missions, and interacted with clients.
Unlike his last visit, the room wasn't as densely crowded, yet a dozen adventurers still occupied various tables within the tavern area. Their eyes seemed to linger on Aiden, their gazes filled with a mixture of curiosity and something else he couldn't quite place. Accustomed to the attention his attire and the black blades of the churches garnered, he had grown used to such glances. However, the stares he received from those fine gentlemen seemed tinged with a subtle difference, one that didn’t miss to catch his attention.
“Them…”
“Do you know them, Sigma?”
“No, let's just do what we came here to do and leave this city.”
“Okay.”
With a subtle nod by way of greeting sent in the men's direction, Aiden approached the receptionist, fully prepared to carry out the purpose that had led him to the adventurer building.
“Good morning, Madam,” Aiden greeted.
“Good morning, Mister Aiden,” the receptionist replied. “I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. How are your injuries?”
“As you can see, I'm fine, Madam," Aiden reassured her with a smile. “I had enough time to rest.”
“That isn't nearly good enough. You really should take more time to rest properly,” the middle-aged woman scolded. “But, well, I doubt what I'm going to say is going to change your mind. I've grown used to this.”
“Hahaha, sorry for that.”
“So how can I assist you today?”
“I’d like to give you back the key to the room I’ve been using.”
“You’re leaving the city?”
“Yes,” Aiden nodded. “Was it that surprising?”
“Huh? Erm, no,” she said, collecting herself, “It's just that I was thinking you might want to take part in the next raid to conquer the dungeons. With everyone lost, I thought perhaps you'd like to seek revenge as the sole survivor of the expedition.”
“I guess that's how it should be, right?” Aiden mused.
“Oh, sorry if it came across that way,” the receptionist said, her tone apologetic. “I didn't mean to sound judgmental about your decision not to join.”
“It's nothing. It was a natural reaction. I can't blame you for that. After all, that's how adventuring is,” Aiden replied. He paused for a moment before adding, “That's how adventuring should be. That's why I became a Vicaris Executor instead of anything else. But there are things that, for me as what I am, come with utmost priority, and that is my duty towards the Divine. The only reason I was in that dungeon was because of what was expected of me as a devout follower, not as an adventurer. If I had been there as an adventurer, perhaps things would be different. But they are what they are. Now, what I have to do next: I have to return to the capital and submit my report of that incident.”
The receptionist, her expression softening, nodded in understanding. “I, once again, apologize for my mishap earlier. It was just that…”
“And just as I said, ‘it’s nothing,’ I understand.”
"Out of curiosity,” Aiden continued, “has anything tangible been decided about the dungeon?"
The receptionist shifted her gaze slightly, her brows furrowing as she thought. “The city absolutely needs the dungeon's magicite, but with the dungeon uncleared it won’t be possible to reach onto, so the reward tripled.”
“Tripled, huh?” Aiden raised an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“So what was the result like?”
“No one wants to try to take the quest over,” she admitted.
“Were the Eclipsed Vanguard, Abyssal Syndicate, and Covenant of Ruin the only local A-ranked adventurer parties?”.
She shook her head. “No, they weren't, but with their leader being A++ Adventurers and their members mostly A-ranked, the party that composed that raid were considered the best. So…”
“—no one else locally wants to attempt the dungeon that took down the best in town,” Aiden guessed on his own.
“That's exactly it, Sir.” The Receptionist sighed. “There's a rumor going around that the city might try to contact an S-ranked adventurer party, but it's just that: a rumor.”
“I see. I just hope someone will be able to accomplish what they couldn't,” Aiden said, before casting a glance towards the Quest Board. “I'll be on the road for a while, so I was thinking I would check out one of the guild quests. Perhaps there'll be one I could complete by the time I reach the next city.”
To which the receptionist replied with a bow. “Please suit yourself.”
With a nod of gratitude, Aiden turned and headed toward the Quest Board. Unfortunately, it happened to be located beyond the tables where the men, who had been eyeing him strangely from the moment he entered the guild reception, were seated.
With a respectful nod toward the men, Aiden continued on his way and arrived at the Quest Board.
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“Let's see what we have here,” he mused to himself, his eyes sweeping over the array of quests displayed on the board.
“A-Rank Quest:
Escort caravan to YellowPeak Mountain range
Reward: 70₠,”
Aiden mused aloud as he read the parchment.
“So cheap. Yellow Peak, that’s literally across the kingdom,” Sigma commented.
“So that’s a no go. Let’s see what else we have here.”
“A-Rank Quest (5+ Adventurer Party only):
Protect caravan to Mellow Tusk Refinery (Probable monsters: Flesh-Eater Mosquitoes and/or Graveshade Crawler)
Reward: 40₠.”
“If you intend on using this as an opportunity to raise your swordsmanship, what might want is monster slaying quests, not escorting ones.”
“Slaying quest it is then.”
“A-Rank Quest:
Slay and collect the eyes of the Grayskull wolf pack roaming south of Eldenholm.
Reward: 1₠ per pair of eyes,” the parchment read.
“It's paying a literal pittance for what doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but it seems like it's going to be our next quest, right?”
Plucking the parchment from the board, Aiden turned around only to find himself being approached by the same men who had been sitting at the table earlier.
“You,” a man built like a brick called out, clearly the leader of the group of adventurers.
“Me?” Aiden responded.
“Yes, you. Do you see anyone else I could be calling to except you?”
“I guess not.”
“Sigma, do you not know these gentlemen?”
“I really do not. But I saw them yesterday in…. in a bar, they asked me questions I did not answer.”
“I see that makes more sense now.”
“So, is something the matter, Mister?” Aiden inquired.
“You're the one, aren’t you? The priest who’s said to have been the only one to come out alive from the last raid on Gardavah, the Dungeon of Ember?” the man inquired.
“I’m not a priest, but a Paladin. Yes, it's me. What of it?” Aiden responded. In an instant, as if he had just uttered something he shouldn't have, the man and his companions turned somewhat hostile.
“Erm, Aiden, actually…” Sigma trailed.
“See, that's exactly what I said,” one of the adventurers chimed in, followed by another who echoed the same sentiment.
“So you aren't even going to deny it this time,” the bulky man retorted.
At that moment, on these words, Aiden who was still confused about where the sudden animosity came from, instantly grasped the situation.
“Oh, I think I finally get it. We did meet yesterday, didn't we, at a bar somewhere? I'm sorry, I must have been quite intoxicated by then. I'm that kind of person. I'm not really myself when I'm drunk. I hope I didn't spout out any nonsense or behave disrespectfully…”
“Do you know Davion of the Covenant Ruins?”
“... Mr. Davion.”
“Yes. So this time you finally acknowledge knowing him. How could you not? He died in that dungeon, but not you. He was my brother.”
“I see... My condolences. He was a nice person and a brave adventurer. I'm so–”
“Spare me your crap!”
“You're not sorry, weren’t you the one fully enjoying yourself in that brothel yesterday?”
“Brothel?” Aiden questioned himself internally.
“I can explain,” replied Sigma, but naturally there was no one to hear that but Omega himself.
The atmosphere had turned tense, and Aiden could feel the weight of their anger directed at him.
“My brother was a bona fide adventurer—an adept in dungeon crawling. He was brave and strong. There's no way he just died like that in a dungeon, especially not one he had ventured into on numerous occasions,” the man asserted, “while you were simply able to make it out alive.”
Seeing how things were unfolding, Aiden stepped forward to interject. “I'm not going to pretend that I understand the pain of losing a brother, but the fact remains—I made it out alive, and he did not. I don't intend to apologize for anything other than your loss. So, if it does not bother you I would like to go.”
Despite Aiden's request, as he attempted to make his way past them, the man's hand shot out, effectively blocking his path.
“Mister?” Aiden asked, his gaze meeting that of the man.
“You see,” the man said, reaching onto Aiden's shoulder, “it does bother us. Yesterday you ignored us, and today we have questions—a lot of them, we'd like you to answer, since you're so cooperative.”
"I'm cooperative, but not to that extent—” Aiden began, only to be silenced by a sudden pressure on his shoulder.
“Mister, don’t you see the blades on my back, I’m an envoy of the church, I believe you understand what that implies.”
“You think you’re threatening anyone with that? You’re not. Certainly not me,” he said, increasing the pressure, bringing Aiden down to one knee.
“I would have preferred you did,” Aiden mumbled, reaching onto the man’s wrist.
"At first, I didn't want to believe it. Then, as days went by, I was left with no choice but to believe the rumors. My brother died, and some brown-noser sent by the church survived. I didn't want to believe it. But then I saw you, in that brothel surrounded by harlots, feasting like there was no tomorrow. At first, you'd tell me exactly how the who—" the man's words were abruptly cut off by a strange popping noise.
The sound was that of bones being crushed, the noise reverberated so clearly that it was impossible for anyone nearby to miss.
The man instinctively retracted his hand, his body shivering with a pale and livid expression on his face. He stumbled, nearly falling, saved only by the men standing behind him who caught him in time.
Confusion marred the man's features as he looked down at his arm, expecting to find it injured. To his bewilderment, he saw that his arm was practically untouched, showing no signs of injuries one could’ve presumed from the previous noise.
“What did you do to me,” the man barked, still trembling.
“What did I do to you?” Aiden repeated, popping his shoulder. “Nothing obviously? What could I have done to you?”
"You little bas—" one of them began, but before any of them could voice anything further, they were cut short by Aiden. He raised his hand, holding the quest parchment, and waved it to get the attention of the receptionist.
“Gentlemen, as you can see, I have in my hand what I came here to retrieve. It's time for me to go register this quest, so if you could excuse me,” Aiden stated, making his way past.
This time, the man didn't obstruct his path, allowing Aiden to pass through. However, just as he made it past him, Aiden seemed to freeze in place. He turned around, locking eyes with the man, his gaze and expression completely different from what he had displayed earlier.
“Jest and courtesy aside, I have my limits, and I won't stand for anyone breaching them. The first time, I exercised restraint by ignoring your presence back then. The second time, you dared to lay hands on me. You've far exceeded the boundary I've set for vermin like yourself. So, heed my words and heed them well: let there not be a next time,” Aiden warned, his tone merciless and absolute.
The next instant, Aiden resumed his usual demeanor as he headed over to the counter to register the quest he intended to undertake.
***
After registering his quest, Aiden left the local guild, walking silently in the direction of the city's Southern gate. The sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky with warm hues, as he made his way forward.
“Sigma.”
“Yes?”
“What were we doing in a brothel yesterday?”
“I can explain.”
“You better be.”
“I was… I was looking for friendship?”
“In a brothel?”
“Yes. I can promise you nothing happened, it was absolutely platonic. We were just talking.”
“Platonic, huh?”
“Yes.”
“ In a brothel?”
“Yes.”
“And may I ask what you were talking about?”
“Erm, a lot of things.”
“Like?”
“Like how hard it’s sometime is to raise a child on one’s own.”
“I guess one can say that you have a lot of experience when it comes to that, can’t we?”
“I guess yeah. We definitely can say that?”
After that, a brief yet seemingly endless pause hung between the two, until Sigma finally added, “Just in case it's still on your mind, I really didn't do anything?”
“Don't worry, I trust you. I don't plan on imposing restrictions on what you do when I'm not the one in control. After all, you have just as much right to this body as I do,” Aiden assured Sigma.
“…”
“So don't think that I'm trying to blame you or anything. I'm not. Besides, it sounded like from what they said that you actively avoided confrontation, and that's not bad at all,” Aiden clarified to Sigma.
“Why does it make me feel like I was some unreasonable creature?”
“…”
“Okay sure I can be stubborn at times but I’m usually a calm and reasonable person.”
“Are you? Just like earlier, perhaps? Hahaha, I was sweating beads when you suddenly took over and broke his arm. Luckily, you had the decency to at least heal his arm.”
“Heal his arm?”
“Huh?”
“What?”
“You healed his arm, right?”
“Yeeeeeaaah. Of course, I did. Why wouldn't I be nice enough to do that? Surely nothing will happen the next time he carries something heavier than his arm.”
“ ... I'm going to erase that part of our discussion from my memory.”
“So will I.”
With the incident at the adventurer guild left behind them, Aiden soon made his way out of the bustling city. The city's gate loomed ahead, its massive doors open to the world beyond. By the time he had crossed the threshold, evening had already descended.
The city's walls and its safety loomed behind him, he was now out alone, or perhaps not so much, into the wilderness yet, with confidence, he checked his Inventory.
_____________________________
[ Aiden Ω's Interface ]
Inventory:
- Mid Grade Healing Potion (x3)
- Mid Grade Magic Potion (x3)
- Elixir of Stamina (x2)
- Stone of Appraisal
- Holy Symbol of the Church
- Staff of impotence
- Oathbinder
- Oathbreaker
- Spacial Ring (A++-ranked Artifact)
Inventory (Ring):
- Oathbinder (A+-ranked Artifact)
- Oathbreaker (A+-ranked Artifact)
- Summon Steed (B+-ranked Artifact)
- Bread (x7)
- Baguettes (x14)
- Bottle of Water (x12)
- Bottle of Wine (x21)
- Pineapple (x8)
- Cheese Wheels (x13)
Currency:
- Eldrin : 1,314₠
- Celestium: 27✦
- Dracorn: 156Ɖ
_____________________________
He retrieved his [Summon Steed] artifact from his spatial ring, but as he did he also came to notice something on his interface.
“Oh, a message. It’s from Omicron.”
_____________________________
[ Aiden Ω's Interface ]
- [1] New message from [Omicron (Ο)]
_____________________________
Omega (Ω) has entered the chat…
Omega (Ω): It has been taken care of. The Dungeon Core was just as you surmised, a sentient Dungeon Core. He has already been subjugated. I’ll be waiting for your next mission. I'm here anytime.
Omega (Ω) has left the chat.
Omega (Ω) has entered the chat…
Omega (Ω) has left the chat.
Omicron (Ο) has entered the chat…
Omicron (Ο): Well done.
Omicron (Ο) has left the chat.
_____________________________
“Wow! Talk about a way of praising a job well done,” Sigma exclaimed. “But well, it's Omicron we're talking about. Expecting more from him would be expecting too much.”
“Um,” Aiden nodded. “Even if it’s true that his words are rather short, they still make me feel like my efforts are appreciated, especially given how small my efforts and achievements are compared to yours and to the others.”
“You… so you like praises after all?”
“Of course, I like them,” Aiden replied, summoning a spectral steed with his artifact.
“Oh, I see. I was under the impression that it was not the case.”
“Well, I’m just like everyone I guess,” Aiden declared riding the steed.
“Like everyone, huh? I guess we can say that," Sigma mumbled before asking after a pause, "Can I take control?”
“Huh? Sure.”
With Sigma in control, Aiden said, “You know, in the good old days,when we were riding a car…it’s something similar to, erm, let's say “carriage”, for a long journey, we didn't simply do it in silence like people of this world do. We did it by listening to something called 'Radio'.”
“Radio?”
“Yes, it was a tool that... I wouldn't know how to explain it, but it played music like this.”
Activating his special ability, [Memory Manipulation,] a melody began playing in Aiden's mind, audible to both Sigma and Omega.
"This is a melodic masterpiece that transcends time and space. So, open your ears and let it carve into your soul," Aiden dramatically said.
The melody began with a whistling, followed by a distinct soft strumming of guitars and the harmonious voices of the singers resonated in their shared consciousness. Literally.
The opening notes transported them to a different time, a simpler time, where the worries of the present were temporarily forgotten. As the melody continued to play in Aiden's mind, its harmonious notes intertwined with the rhythmic cadence of the horse's hoofsteps. Together, they forged an unparalleled atmosphere, one that was both nostalgic and present, serene and purposeful. The song's soothing tones seemed to blend seamlessly with the landscape around them, enhancing the journey with an ethereal quality.
As the last notes of the song echoed in their minds, the melody gradually faded away, leaving behind a sense of serenity. The horse's hoofsteps became the predominant sound once again, as if the song had gracefully handed back the reins of their reality.
“So, what do you think?”
“I loved it. But that song… could it be the one that Upsilon was looking for?”
“Yes, it is.” Aiden confirmed before remarking, “I'm impressed by how you were able to tell from those lyrics of his.”
“So you knew about the song he was looking for. You could’ve told him.”
“If he forgot about it, that’s on him. He’s the one who lost his pride as an earthling. Anyway, wanna listen to another one?”