Kazuki's eyes fluttered open just past midday, the crystal still glowing faintly in his hand. A peaceful breeze swayed the leaves above. For a brief moment, everything was calm.
Too calm.
> MP: 500/500
Status: Fully Recovered
> Passive Perk Activated: Meditation Efficiency +5%
[You gain slightly more MP while meditating or resting near mana-rich locations.]
Kazuki tucked the recharger into his satchel and stood, stretching. "Alright… time to see what kind of trouble I can politely avoid today."
He hadn't taken more than ten steps when a voice whispered from the shadow beneath a tree.
"You're the one, huh? The Demon Lord who walks in daylight?"
Kazuki stopped, turning slowly.
A man in a deep green cloak stood half-hidden by the shade. He had no visible weapons, but something about the way he stood—the stillness, the poised readiness—put Kazuki on edge.
"Depends who's asking," Kazuki replied, cracking a smile. "You a fan or a future disappointment?"
The stranger chuckled. "Neither. Let's say I'm a messenger. The Guild wants to test you."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Test? I just brought in demon chickens and a poultry warlock."
"Still," the man said, stepping fully into view. He had a scar running down the side of his face, and his eyes glinted with amusement. "Chickens aren't real enemies. Bandits are. Monsters are. The world isn't as charming as Windale."
> New Quest: "Shadows of the South Road"
A trade route just outside of Windale has gone quiet. Rumors suggest an organized group of bandits—and possibly something darker—are involved.
Objective: Investigate the South Road. Repel or eliminate the threat.
Reward: 400 Liria, Tier 1 Weapon Voucher
Optional: Impress the shadowy guild observer.
Accept? [Y/N]
Kazuki smirked. "I always say yes to shady quests handed out by shady men under shady trees."
> Quest Accepted.
"I'll be watching," the man said, disappearing into the forest with unnatural silence.
Kazuki muttered to himself, "Great. A test and an audience."
Celestia's voice chimed in, "Careful. That wasn't just any observer. That was a Shadewalker. They're... rare."
"Let me guess. Guild assassins?"
"Something like that. They don't usually take interest in newbies."
"Guess the chickens were a hit," Kazuki said with a grin as he made his way to the town's south gate.
---
The road stretched long and lonely through open hills and sparse woodland. Kazuki walked calmly, keeping his senses sharp.
Half an hour in, he found the first sign: a shattered cart, its contents strewn across the path. Blood smeared the wooden panels. No bodies, but definitely signs of struggle.
> [Skill: Conceal Presence – Active]
MP Drain: -1/sec
Kazuki melted into the shade of a tree, his presence dimming like a candle. His eyes scanned the tree line.
Movement.
He slipped quietly behind a bush, watching as three figures emerged—bandits, rough-looking men with scavenged armor and crude weapons.
One of them knelt near the cart. "Still fresh. They ain't far."
The second muttered, "Boss said bring 'em back alive if we can."
The third grinned. "What about looting this freakin' thing? Gold's gold."
Kazuki narrowed his eyes. So they're organized. Maybe even working under someone bigger...
He exhaled and dropped concealment.
"Hello, boys."
The three spun around. One fumbled for a dagger.
Too slow.
Kazuki flicked his fingers. "[Create] – Bind Wire."
> MP Cost: 25
Description: Creates durable, magical wire that restrains or entangles. Lasts 30 seconds.
Blue-glowing wires erupted from his palm, snaking around two of the men and slamming them to the ground. The third tried to run.
Kazuki hurled a stone—lightly enhanced by a [Create]-boosted throw—and clocked the man in the back of the head.
> Enemies Defeated: 3
MP: 474/500
EXP Gained: 45
Loot Acquired: 17 Liria, Bandit Dagger (Common)
Kazuki dusted off his hands. "And stay down."
A groan came from behind the wrecked cart. Kazuki rushed over and found a young merchant, tied up but unharmed. He quickly cut her loose.
"Thank the gods," she gasped. "I thought I was gonna end up—"
"You're safe now," Kazuki said. "Get back to Windale. Tell them the route's clear. I'll finish the cleanup."
She nodded quickly and ran.
---
Deeper into the hills, Kazuki found the bandits' hideout: a crude cave with guard posts and torch-lit interiors. Five more men stood at the entrance.
"Five guards... and probably more inside," Kazuki muttered. "Let's try something flashy."
> [Create]: Smoke Bomb – Conceals vision and dampens sound for 5 seconds.
MP Cost: 15
Craft? [Yes]
He tossed the newly formed sphere. It exploded in a cloud of thick, gray mist.
He leapt in, weaving through disoriented enemies.
> [Create]: Flash Edge – Temporary blade of light energy. Cuts cleanly, burns slightly.
MP Cost: 30
His glowing sword sliced through weapons and armor, disarming, not killing. He moved like a shadow wrapped in lightning.
One by one, the guards fell.
> Bandits Neutralized: 12
Hideout Cleared
Hidden Cache Discovered: 230 Liria, Ironblood Sword (Rare)
Kazuki stood among the unconscious bandits, breathing heavily. He wiped his brow and let out a satisfied sigh.
> Quest Complete.
Reward: 400 Liria, Tier 1 Weapon Voucher
Bonus Achieved: Observer Impressed
Bonus Reward: Skill Shard – "Flicker Step"
> New Skill Acquired: Flicker Step (Passive/Active)
Briefly teleport 5-10 meters to a nearby location within sight. Costs 20 MP.
Celestia's voice returned, this time with a mix of surprise and admiration.
"You're growing fast. Most people wouldn't get Flicker Step until at least level 15."
Kazuki smiled. "I'm not most people."
He stepped out of the cave as the sun began to set.
"That's true," Celestia said softly. "You're something more. And you're not walking a peaceful road, Kazuki."
"Good," he muttered, watching the sky turn crimson.
"I didn't come here to walk a peaceful road."