Its name is bright red, and its level is question marks.
Hmm, it's just like in the games.
So this might mean that my level is extremely low compared to it.
What's my level anyway? Eman's head tilted as he continued to watch the monstrous creature, still amazed by the scene unfolding before him.
Amanda chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. The massive beast began to rise, but a commanding voice from above rang out, "Thunder Strike!" A bright spark suddenly appeared in the sky, crackling with immense power before streaking down to the monster. The impact was explosive, creating a thick cloud of smoke and causing the air to vibrate with residual electricity.
When the smoke cleared, Eman saw a figure standing triumphantly over the slain monster, pulling a sword from its lifeless body. The man stood tall, his posture exuding confidence as remnants of magic lingered in the air. His eyes widened with excitement as he noticed several objects left behind on the ground. It even dropped loots! barely containing his excitement.
"Clay!" a voice called from a distance. Eman turned to see three more figures approaching the man who had defeated the monster. His heart raced with excitement as he recognized the dynamics of an adventuring party. There were three people coming in: the girl who shouted, wearing a pointed hat and holding a long staff; another girl dressed in a full white robe like a nun; and a guy clad in brown long sleeves and pants, adorned with patches of metal plates and carrying a large shield on his back.
Eman's babyish shout of excitement reached Amanda's ears. She looked down at him, a smile playing on her lips as she observed his enthusiasm. The adventurers began collecting the items dropped by the monster, working efficiently as a team. The farm workers, who had momentarily scattered, returned to the area, expressing their gratitude to the adventurers and resuming their work as if nothing had happened.
Amanda stood up, preparing to go back inside the house. She noticed he had bruises from his earlier fall. "Oh no, you're hurt," she murmured, her brows knitting together in concern. She picked him up with her right hand, pressing him gently against her chest. Her sweat-drenched dress clung to her skin, making her silhouette even more pronounced and her nipples visible through the fabric. Eman's gaze darted around, not knowing where to look.
She placed her other hand over his bruised knees. "Heal," she whispered, her voice a soothing melody that echoed in his ears. Her hand glowed with a soft, warm light. A gentle warmth pulsed from Amanda’s hand, spreading through Leo’s small body like sunlight breaking through a winter chill. The bruises faded, replaced by the comforting sensation of her magic, as if her love itself was mending his wounds.
Amanda returned Eman to his crib, the wooden floor creaking softly under her weight as she moved. She took a moment to fix herself, smoothing down her dress and brushing her damp hair back from her face. His frustration bubbled over, manifesting in a series of plaintive baby cries. Please don't go there looking like that! but only incoherent sounds emerged.
She turned back at the sound of his cries, her expression softening. "I'm sorry, little one, but I need to continue work," she murmured. She picked him up once more, cradling him. Eman felt her warm, damp skin against his own, the scent of sweat mingling with the earthy aroma of the farm.
Powerless to stop her from going out dressed so revealingly, he cried louder, his small fists flailing. Amanda's movements were graceful, almost like a dance, as she gently swayed him and hummed a soothing tune. Her voice was a calming melody, and despite his continued cries, he began to feel his fatigue winning over.
Eventually, his cries subsided into soft whimpers, and his eyelids grew heavy. Amanda placed him back into his crib, tucking him in gently. Trapped in this fragile, growing body, Leo’s frustration burned deeper each day. He hated the feeling of helplessness, of watching Amanda work so hard while he could do nothing. It was a cruel reminder of how much further he had to go.
As he drifted to sleep, the image of Amanda's glowing smile lingered in his mind. He thought of the savings he had been accumulating in his past life, wishing he could bring that wealth into this world to give Amanda the life she deserved. The thoughts faded as sleep overtook him, leaving him with dreams of a brighter future where he could protect and provide for the woman who cared for him so deeply.
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Years passed, each one marked by small but significant changes. As the seasons cycled through their relentless march, Eman grew from a curious toddler, stumbling over the fields, into a strong and capable young man. He learned the rhythm of the farm, the ebb and flow of the land’s needs, and the weight of responsibility that came with each sunrise. Under Amanda’s watchful gaze, his once clumsy hands became skilled, and his childish dreams gave way to a determined resolve.
Sixteen years have passed, his feelings for Amanda deepened.
Leo often found himself marveling at how much he'd changed. The helpless infant was now a man, his hands calloused from farm work, his mind sharpened by years of observation. Yet, the core of who he was—a reincarnated soul with knowledge of another world—remained unchanged, a secret he kept close to his heart.
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What had begun as gratitude for her care had grown into a bond stronger than blood. She was his mentor, his anchor, and the person he admired most in this world.
As Eman and Amanda worked side by side in the fields, the distant sound of laughter drew their attention. A group of villagers approached, their voices lively as they exchanged stories from the day. He straightened up, wiping the sweat from his brow, and offered them a welcoming smile.
"Evening, Leo—Eman's name in this world—!" called one of the villagers, a burly man named Garret who often helped with the heavier farm tasks. "Looks like you’re finally catching up to Amanda here!" He gestured towards her with a broad grin, his tone light-hearted but full of respect.
Leo chuckled, shaking his head. "I’m trying, but she’s still got years on me."
A young girl from the group, her hair tied in a messy braid, stepped forward shyly. She held out a small basket filled with freshly picked berries. "These are for you, Miss Amanda," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mama says they’re the sweetest of the season."
Amanda knelt down, accepting the basket with a warm smile. "Thank you, dear. They look wonderful." She glanced at Leo, her eyes softening as she added, "We’ll have to share these after dinner."
He watched the girl’s face light up with pride, and he felt a surge of warmth in his chest. These moments, though fleeting, reminded Leo of how far he had come. In his past life, connection had always felt somewhat distant, but here, surrounded by warmth and laughter, he finally felt like he belonged. He knew that he was no longer an outsider in this world; he had found a place among these people, just as they had found a place in his heart.
As the villagers departed, waving their goodbyes, he returned to his work, feeling the weight of responsibility settle comfortably on his shoulders. Leo glanced at Amanda, noticing the brief flicker of sadness in her eyes as she watched the villagers leave.
Her eyes told the story of a past she could never fully bury, a grief she kept hidden beneath her quiet strength. She had taken on the role of caretaker, protector, but the weight of those lost promises hung in the corners of her smile, always threatening to surface.
Through their time together, he learned more about Amanda's past. She had once been an adventurer, serving as the support member of her party. Years ago, a quest went horribly wrong. What was supposed to be a routine goblin extermination escalated into a nightmare. They had expected to deal with slightly advanced monsters, but upon reaching the site, they discovered a Goblin Dominion.
A dominion forms when enough monsters gather and create an ecosystem, triggering the evolution of its inhabitants. Outnumbered and exhausted, they fought with everything they had, each blow bringing them closer to safety—or so they thought. But then, the ground trembled, and from the shadows emerged the Dominion Lord, its presence suffocating. Amanda’s heart sank. There would be no escape now.
Dominion Lords emerge after a significant period, and their presence drastically increases the power and territory of their dominion. Trapped within the dominion with no way out, Amanda and her party fought valiantly.
Claire and Samuel, Eman's parents, were also members of the party. Claire was a skilled wizard, and Samuel, a strong vanguard. Alongside them was Neto, a brave swordsman. They held off hordes of evolved goblins to the best of their abilities but were eventually overwhelmed by exhaustion and sheer numbers. In their desperate moment, Claire and Samuel urged Amanda to use her race skill, "Recall." This unique elven ability allowed Amanda to teleport to a designated waypoint once a day.
Amanda vehemently refused, knowing "Recall" could only teleport its caster. But Claire, embracing her tightly, pleaded with her to take care of her child. Tears streamed down Amanda's face as Claire implored her, saying Leo should not grow up alone. Samuel placed a heavy hand on Amanda's shoulder, nodding with a solemn smile.
Her heart twisted in agony as Claire’s desperate words echoed in her ears. She had no choice. Her hands trembled as she whispered the incantation, the magic bubbling up within her like a cruel reminder of her impending escape. She wanted to stay, to fight alongside them, but as her friends smiled through their exhaustion, she knew they had already accepted their fate.
The acrid smell of blood and magic filled the air, mingling with the war cry of her companions. Amanda's skin tingled with the building energy of her Recall spell, a stark contrast to the bone-deep exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Recall," she whispered, her voice hushed from the chaos. Her gaze locked on her friends for the last time as Samuel continued to block the onslaught of goblins. Neto defended Claire as she began casting a powerful spell. "Cataclysmic Circle!" Claire's voice rang out, and a massive magic circle appeared beneath them, glowing with intense energy.
As the magic circle engulfed her, Amanda's heart pounded in her chest. She watched in horror as Samuel and Claire stood their ground, their faces determined yet filled with acceptance. The roar of the explosion echoed in her ears as she disappeared, their figures swallowed by flames. Their smiles were the last thing she saw before the world around her dissolved into silence.
The present slowly returned, but the memories clung to her, as sharp and painful as they had been all those years ago. The ache never left—it had only dulled with time, like a scar that throbbed in quiet moments, a constant reminder of the love she had lost. Her eyes, usually so warm and full of life, flickered with the shadows of loss—an ache she could never quite escape.
Leo had learned to recognize the signs—how Amanda’s smile would falter at the edges, how her eyes would glaze over as she stared into the distance, lost in thoughts he could only guess at. It was during these quiet moments, when the world was still, that her pain surfaced, etched into the lines of her face and the stiffness of her posture. He would sit silently by her side, offering the only comfort he could, hoping that his presence might ease the silent ache that seemed to swell with the setting sun.
Sometimes, Amanda would look at him with a mix of joy and sorrow, as if seeing both him and the ghosts of his parents. In those moments, Leo felt the weight of the legacy he carried—a son to the parents he never knew, and a lifeline to the woman who had given up everything for him.
He had been powerless once before, watching as life slipped through his fingers. Not again. This time, he would be the one to stand between Amanda and the dangers of the world. He would become the protector she deserved, no matter the cost.
She dedicated her life to taking care of Leo, honoring the vows she made to her fallen friends. The bond between the two grew stronger with each passing day, forged in the crucible of shared hardship and unwavering love.