The air was crisp as dawn broke over the crystalline forest. Octavius stood at the edge of Lysara’s camp, his gear—meager as it was—strapped tightly to his back. His body ached from the intense training session the previous night, but the soreness was a welcome reminder that he was adapting to this world. “You’ve made progress,” Lysara said as she approached, her green cloak rippling in the morning breeze. She handed him a small pouch that jingled faintly. “Here. Mana shards. They’re common currency in Eltherion. You’ll need them in Eldros if you want supplies or lodging.”
Octavius accepted the pouch gratefully. “Thanks. What about weapons? All I have is this briefcase, and it’s not exactly built for combat.”
Lysara smirked. “I thought you’d ask.” She unsheathed a small dagger from her belt and handed it to him. The blade was sleek and lightweight, its edge gleaming with a faint blue hue. “This is mana-infused steel. It’s not much, but it’ll cut through most creatures you encounter. Just don’t lose it.”
“Noted,” Octavius said, sliding the dagger into a makeshift sheath on his belt. “Anything else I should know before I leave?”
Lysara’s expression grew serious. “The road to Eldros is dangerous. You’ll likely encounter more than just beasts. Bandits, rogue mana users, and worse often prey on travelers. Keep your wits about you, and don’t be afraid to run if things get too dangerous.”
“Got it,” Octavius replied, though the knot in his stomach tightened. She stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve done well so far, Octavius. But this is just the beginning. Remember: trust your instincts and use your resources wisely. You’ll make it.”
With that, she stepped back, and Octavius turned to face the path ahead. The forest stretched out before him, the trees glowing softly in the morning light. Taking a deep breath, he started walking.
The path to Eldros was narrow and winding, flanked by towering crystalline trees that seemed to pulse faintly with life. The hum of mana filled the air, a constant reminder that this world was alive in ways Octavius had yet to fully understand. His stats hovered in the corner of his vision, a silent reassurance that he wasn’t completely helpless.
[System Status: Level 2]
* Health: 110
* Vitality: 85
* Mana: 140
* Strength: 75
* Intelligence: 100
* Agility: 80
[Skills:]
* Firebolt: Level 2 (Improved speed and power)
* Endurance: Level 1 (Enhanced stamina regeneration)
The morning passed uneventfully, the only sounds being the crunch of leaves beneath his boots and the distant chirping of unseen creatures. But as the sun climbed higher, the tranquility of the forest began to feel unnerving.
He stopped to take a drink from a small flask Lysara had given him, the cool water refreshing against the growing heat. As he capped the flask, a faint rustling reached his ears.
Octavius froze, his hand instinctively moving to the dagger at his side. The rustling grew louder, accompanied by the sound of snapping branches. “Stay calm,” he muttered to himself, scanning the trees for the source of the noise. A moment later, a group of three figures emerged from the underbrush. They were humanoid but rough-looking, their clothes patched and dirty. Each carried a weapon—a rusted sword, a club, and a crude bow.
“Well, well,” the one with the sword sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. “What do we have here? A traveler, all alone on the road to Eldros.”
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“Bad luck for you,” the archer added, nocking an arrow and aiming it at Octavius.
Octavius tightened his grip on the dagger, his mind racing. “I don’t want any trouble,” he said, keeping his voice steady. “I’m just passing through.”
“Trouble?” the man with the club laughed. “Oh, you’re in trouble, alright. Hand over your mana shards, and maybe we’ll let you go in one piece.”
Octavius's heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the System nudging him, the faint hum of his mana itching to be unleashed.
The archer loosed an arrow without warning, the projectile whistling through the air. He barely managed to dodge, the arrow grazing his arm and tearing a small hole in his sleeve.
“Alright, then,” he muttered, summoning a firebolt to his hand. “You asked for it.”
He launched the spell at the archer, the firebolt striking him square in the chest. The man screamed as he stumbled back, his clothes smoldering. The other two bandits charged, their weapons raised. Octavius sidestepped the one with the club, slashing at him with his dagger. The blade bit into the man’s side, and he cried out in pain. The swordsman swung at Octavious, his rusty blade coming dangerously close to his neck. He ducked, kicking out and knocking the man off balance.
The fight was chaotic, each movement a blur of adrenaline and instinct. Octavius managed to take down the club-wielder with another firebolt, the spell sending the man sprawling. The swordsman, however, was more persistent. He lunged at Octavius again, his blade glinting in the sunlight. Octavius blocked the strike with his dagger, the clash of metal ringing through the forest.
“You’re tougher than you look,” the bandit growled, his teeth bared in a snarl.
“And you talk too much,” Octavius shot back, driving his knee into the man’s stomach. The swordsman doubled over, and Octavius didn’t hesitate. He slammed the hilt of his dagger into the back of the man’s head, knocking him unconscious.
[Combat Complete: Bandit Trio Defeated][Experience Gained: 75 EXP]
Octavius stood over the fallen bandits, his chest heaving as the adrenaline began to fade. His stats appeared briefly, showing that he had taken some damage but was otherwise in decent shape.
He searched the bandits for anything useful, finding a few extra mana shards and a small vial of what looked like a healing potion. “Not a bad haul,” he muttered, pocketing the items.
The rest of the day passed without further incident, though Octavius remained on high alert. The encounter with the bandits had been a stark reminder that danger could strike at any moment.
By evening, the forest began to thin, the trees giving way to rolling hills bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. In the distance, he could see the faint outline of a village—a collection of thatched roofs and stone buildings surrounded by a wooden palisade.
“Eldros,” he said aloud, relief washing over him.
He quickened his pace, eager to reach the safety of the village before nightfall.
The village gates were guarded by two men in simple leather armor, each holding a spear. They eyed Octavius warily as he approached. “State your business,” one of them said.
“I’m a traveler,” Octavius replied. “Just looking for a place to rest.”
The guards exchanged a glance before nodding. “Alright. But don’t cause any trouble, or you’ll answer to us.”
Octavius nodded and stepped through the gates, taking in the sights and sounds of Eldros. The village was small but bustling, with merchants hawking their wares in the central square and villagers going about their evening routines. He found an inn near the edge of the square, its wooden sign creaking in the breeze. The building was modest but well-kept, with warm light spilling from its windows.
Inside, the innkeeper—a stout, middle-aged woman with a friendly smile—greeted him warmly.
“Welcome, traveler. Looking for a room?”
“Yes, please,” Octavius said, placing a few mana shards on the counter.
The innkeeper nodded, taking the payment and handing him a key. “Room’s upstairs. Dinner’s included, if you’re hungry.”
“Thanks,” Octavius said, his stomach growling at the mention of food. He took a seat at one of the tables, the aroma of roasted meat and fresh bread filling the air. As he ate, he couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the conversations around him. The villagers spoke of strange occurrences—a rise in monster attacks, a mysterious figure seen lurking near the forest, and whispers of a growing darkness in the land.
Octavius frowned, the words stirring a sense of unease in his chest. It seemed that his journey in Eltherion was only just beginning, and the challenges ahead would be greater than he could imagine.