VIP System

Chapter 44 - Threads of Destiny

Elara sighed deeply, her frustration evident as she glanced at the unconscious Thorne. "I apologize for Thorne's behavior," she said, turning to Leo and Roxanne. "He's a womanizer, but he means no harm. Please forgive him."

Leo nodded, understanding the situation. He then opened his inventory and began scrolling through the list of items. His eyes darted from one item to another until saw an item marked with a "new" badge. He tapped it, and a glowing object materialized in front of him. He grabbed it mid-air and handed it to Elara.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the monster core. It was the very item they had been seeking to complete their quest. "You didn't need to do this," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thorne didn't mean what he said earlier. It's just... it's been almost a week since we hunted the monster, and we're short on food and money."

She explained how they had encountered the monster earlier but were unable to defeat it due to their weakened state. "When we saw it today, we weren't at our best," she continued. "We thought we had cornered it, but it overpowered us and got away. We heard people wailing in agony and saw that the monster attacked a carriage. We ignored it at first when we realized it was bandits, but we followed the trail of wreckage into the forest."

They continued to follow the trail until they saw the sliced gap in the clouds. That was when they saw them.

It was a normal scene where adventurers have shortages of supplies during their quests, especially for this kind of quest where a mini boss is the target. Mini bosses are what they call the monsters that are just short of power compared to the main boss. Parties with shortages of food and money often get themselves into trouble that sometimes costs their lives. Although adventuring is a very dangerous job, many still pursue it because of the thrill and high-stake rewards.

Her fingers hovered above the glowing core, her eyes darting between it and Leo. Her hand trembled slightly as she pulled it back, shaking her head softly. "You really don't have to give us this,"

But Leo insisted since the item was of no use to him at the moment. He said they could pay him later if they happened to see each other again. Elara and the priest thanked him and promised that they would help him in any way they could if their paths ever crossed again.

Leo's eyes widened in astonishment as she bent down, effortlessly lifting Thorne's unconscious body onto her shoulders with a fluid motion. His jaw dropped as he watched her adjust Thorne as if he weighed nothing more than a feather, her strength defying her appearance. Elara and her party bid farewell after that, leaving Leo and Roxanne standing in the clearing.

He decided to continue with his gathering quest and other quests they had picked up. The forest around him seemed less daunting now, and with a renewed sense of purpose, he set off to complete his tasks, knowing he had made new allies along the way.

Back in the capital, the king was in a strategic meeting in the grand hall, where large windows provided a clear view of the sky. The room buzzed with activity as advisors and generals discussed plans. Suddenly, a commotion erupted as people pointed outside, their eyes widening at the sight of the sliced clouds.

The king glanced up and, with a knowing smile, muttered, "There he goes again."

With a steady hand, the king placed his signature on a document, the phrase "is hereby transferred to Leo" clearly visible. He rolled the parchment carefully and pressed his royal stamp onto it, sealing the letter. The king called out, and a white-robed individual appeared, bowing low.

Handing the letter to the robed figure, the king leaned in, speaking quietly. The robed individual nodded, still kneeling, then bowed deeply before leaping into the air. In an instant, they disappeared, leaving the king to address the growing unease among his subjects.

The murmuring of the crowd filled the air, soldiers working to calm the anxious populace. The king, his cape billowing in the breeze, strode towards the balcony of the grand hall. He raised his hands, commanding attention, and the crowd quieted.

"Citizens, there is nothing to fear," the king proclaimed, his voice strong and reassuring. "What you witnessed is likely the result of a new system user's battle. We must brace ourselves, for more such events will come because the kingdom's greatest adventurers are about to return."

He chuckled at the thought, a gleam of excitement in his eyes, and then laughed hysterically, the sound echoing through the grand hall. The crowd, reassured by the king's words and his unexpected laughter, began to settle, the soldiers continuing to maintain order.

The king watched over his people, his eyes reflecting both concern and determination. The capital's heart beat steadily once more, the promise of new challenges on the horizon.

###

High atop a tranquil mountain in the Valley of the World, an elderly sage opened his eyes from meditation, his serene face marred with concern. "The balance is shifting," he whispered to the wind. "I must prepare."

In a barren wasteland, a monstrous beast lifted its head, nostrils flaring at the scent of the energy. It roared, the ground shaking with its feral excitement. "More prey," it growled, eyes narrowing with predatory intent.

A young woman speeding along the Wolf Plains in gleaming armor halted her mount, a magnificent winged beast. She gazed upward, wide-eyed at the disruption in the sky. Her mount shifted uneasily beneath her, sensing her sudden tension.

On a cloud racing across the skies of the Human kingdom, the demihuman's grin widened as he twirled his staff one last time, his tail—covered in fine, soft fur—flicking with barely contained excitement. "Looks like playtime's coming early," he chuckled, lounging back on the cloud with a satisfied sigh. His nimble fingers, calloused from countless climbs and dexterous maneuvers, drummed lightly on the staff.

The world below continued in its usual rhythm, but the air was ripe with the scent of change. With mischief dancing in his keen eyes and a sense of impending adventure, he eagerly awaited the thrill of the unexpected, ready to spring into action with the agility and swiftness only his kind possessed.