Arzoth sat on his bed, staring at his status window as it glowed the words in its blue light.
[System]
[Status Window]
[Daily Quest complete] [ +5 EXP gained]
[ +5% Mana gained]
[ +10 Strength points gained]
Arzoth thought, "What about the rewards for those memories?"
[Arzoth's memories installed successfully]
[Rewards gained]
[ +200 EXP gained]
[ +90% Mana gained]
[ +50 Strength gained]
Arzoth's eyes widen in disbelief
"That's insane! What's my stats now?"
[Stats: Level 2]
[Mana: 105%]
[Strength points: 98]
[EXP: 200]
[Skill: Swordsmanship Lv 2 acquired]
[Unique Skill: - ]
Arzoth looked at the glowing screen with a satisfied smile. He said, "Why are my Unique skills nil?"
[To unlock unique skills, experience points should be exchanged]
[Unique skills available: ]
[Jump to swordsmanship Lv 5 for 50 EXP]
Arzoth said without hesitation, "I'll take it."
[Unique Skill Unlocked]
[Unique Skill: Swordsmanship Lv 5]
"I have to gain as many skills as possible. I will need it if I plan to go to the Valkyra land. Though I have sent a reply to them stating the change in pact, I still have to be prepared for the unknown threats."
****
Evren walked through the hallway, returning from his task given by the empress, to prevent the advisors from slipping the word of the letter. At least the advisors won't spill the word out. They are trusted by the emperor for a reason after all.
His steps were focused, a stark contrast to his unfocused gaze, his brows furrowed in thought. He was deep in thought. The situation was not ideal at all. The sudden change in his brother's behavior, the unexpected letter from the Valkyra clan, and now the matter of a child. It was all overwhelming and concerning.
Evren paused in his track as he heard some footsteps approaching him. He turned around and saw his brother.
"Evren," Arzoth called out before he halted in front of him. "I have a favor to ask of you,"
"And what might it be?"
"I want you to accompany me to the demonic realm."
Evren's eyes widened, "Demonic realm, you say? Why would you want to go there?"
"To see my child, of course."
"Arzoth, I hope you are not planning to bring it here. And unlike Your majesty, I am interested to know about that pact mentioned in the letter." Even's voice came out as a low rumble.
"I'll tell you everything when we are there. For now, I just want you to accompany me."
"Just like that?"
Arzoth nodded, "Yes, just like that."
Evren sighed, "Alright, I guess I can't leave you to go alone."
****
Arzoth and Evren left for the demonic realm the next day itself. Evren did refused the escort of the soldiers or knights, as it may risk spreading the word of the half breed child. They rode their horses until a mountain area came into view, and they could not take their horses with them from there, so they walked their way forward.
Evren was alert every step of the way, his posture tense and rigid. His eyes darted to every corner of the place, keeping in notice the slight movement of the wind or the leaves. He walked in front of Arzoth, his sword clenched in his hand, ready to strike at any potential danger.
Arzoth was walking casually, his calm demeanor opposite to his brother's.
Arzoth looked over at Evren, sensing his tense body language, he said, "Evren, is something the matter?"
Evren didn't pause or turn around as he said, "We can get attacked any moment, stay alert."
"Not necessary, the demons won't attack us."
"How are you so sure about it?"
"Because I told them so."
Evren finally paused and turned his head to look at Arzoth. "You told them not to attack?"
Arzoth walked past Evren, "Yes, I did. I had sent a reply to the letter."
Evren looked at Arzoth as he moved past him, his eyes narrowed at his brother's oddly calm poise. He walked up to him, catching up to his pace. "Arzoth, you promised to tell me what's going on. What's with the child? And that pact?"
Arzoth glanced at his brother and then ahead, "The pact was a half-breed child in exchange for your life."
Evren stopped dead in his tracks, the words ran in his head over and over again.
He walked up to Arzoth in a flash and grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at him while he said, "What did you say?"
The grip was brutal, but Arzoth didn't flinch.
Arzoth said in a composed yet cautious tone, "I know what you are thinking, don't worry. That pact is closed."
Evren gripped Arzoth's arm tighter, "That doesn't matter, it still doesn't change the fact that you offered my life like that." Evren sneered.
"I wasn't even the one who did that. This is so unfair, but I have to calm him down before he does something reckless like hitting my new pretty face."
Before Arzoth could say anything, Evren's head snapped at a rustle in the bushes that made his ears stand. Arzoth's eyes widen for a moment before they flicker toward the sound of the footsteps that come their way in this deep mountainous region.
Evren looked around with the corner of his eye and whispered, "Bandits."
Some shadowy figures emerged from the bushes. All wore black clothes draped around their bodies. Their faces were covered behind their masks. They wield sharp, short swords, black just like their clothing. Evren's hands lost their grip on Arzoth's arm and instinctively went to the hilt of his sword. Arzoth darted his eyes around the men.
"Twelve of them."
"Bandits in this region are not only out of the ordinary, but it also doesn't make sense. There are rarely any humans traveling this way for them to gain any victims to rob."
"This is unexpected. In the novel, there was no mention of bandits. They weren't supposed to show up. So why now? Are the events of the novel changing its course since I interfered?"
"Either way, this will be over quickly."