Chapter 10: The Road to Draquenport
The wind was crisp as the trio moved through the Verdant Expanse, a land of rolling green hills and thick pinewood forests stretching endlessly eastward. The dirt road beneath their feet was old—older than even Velaria—etched with faint, ancient symbols long worn by time.
It had been two days since they'd left the city. With each step, the world seemed to grow wider, the silence heavier, the air filled with potential.
At a break near a woodland stream, Kaela poked at a fire with a stick, while Juno set a kettle to boil. Mano, sharpening his blade beneath a tree, finally broke the silence.
"Tell me something," he said, "How does the rest of the world work? Velaria felt... too small."
Juno looked up. "You're not wrong."
He pulled a rolled parchment from his pack and unfurled a map.
"This continent—Elyndor—is divided into five major kingdoms and dozens of minor city-states. You've seen Velaria, part of the Western Reach under the Velarian Crown. But beyond that..."
He pointed eastward.
"Thalor lies ahead—known for its monster-hunting guilds and ancient ruins. South of that is Emberholde, a volcanic land ruled by warrior clans. To the north, past the Frostspine Mountains, is Solaria, the Sun Kingdom—magic-rich, church-dominated. And far to the west lies the Cradle of Storms—where no kingdom rules, only warlords and beasts."
Kaela chimed in, "Don't forget the Central Divide—where the Twelve Demon Kings fell centuries ago. Nobody dares settle there now. It's cursed."
Mano nodded slowly. "And the factions?"
Juno leaned back.
"There are three major ones:"
The Holy Church of Radiance, based in Solaria. They claim divine rule and hunt heretics—especially anything demon-related. Their Paladins are no joke.
The Adventurer Association, neutral but everywhere. They regulate quests, relic trades, and dungeon access. Stronghold cities like Draquenport are their hubs.
The Arcane Spire, a network of magic towers and researchers. Not loyal to any kingdom. They handle magical theory, relic containment, and spellcraft development."
Kaela added, "And then there are hidden cults, underground rebel cities, roaming monster hordes, mercenary clans... Trust me, things get complicated fast."
---
Mano digested the information silently. It was more than he'd imagined. This world was vast, layered with history, factions, politics—and danger.
And I was dropped into it with a sword and a system.
He focused inward, pulling up his status window.
---
[Status Window – Mano Ardent]
Class: ???
Title: Blade Ghost, Crimson Reborn
Level: 8
HP: 480/480
MP: 230/230
Strength: 32
Agility: 28
Endurance: 26
Perception: 19
Wisdom: 17
Talent: SSS-Rank Swordsmanship – Heavenly Blade
Skills:
Sword Burst (Rare) – Unleash a shockwave with your strike.
Quickstep (Uncommon) – A burst movement to reposition instantly.
Parry Edge (Rare) – Reflects a portion of physical damage when perfectly timed.
Store Points: 140
Inventory: Heaven Fragment (1/12), Iron Guild Crest, Minor Potion x2
---
"Still not sure how this system picked me," he muttered.
Kaela, now crouching next to him, tilted her head. "You talk to yourself a lot."
He ignored her. "Do you have something like this? A status window?"
She blinked. "What? No. Only chosen ones have access to the Origin System. That's old world magic—stuff from the gods."
Juno grunted. "It's said that heroes and fallen kings were granted systems in the Age of Chaos. Most were consumed by them. The few who mastered theirs changed history."
Mano clenched his fists. So this wasn't normal—he truly was marked. Chosen, or cursed.
"What about Store Points?" he asked.
Kaela gave him a blank look.
Juno frowned. "That's a system feature. Some believe it's tied to slaying evil. Monster kills, defeating corrupted humans, ending cults… Your system must reward 'cleansing.'"
> "And the shop itself?" Mano thought.
He pulled it open mentally.
---
[Store – Tier 1 Access]
Minor Stat Potion (+1 STR/AGI) – 60 SP
Skill Book: Wind Slice (Uncommon) – 100 SP
Trait Scroll: Swordmaster's Stance (Passive Block Boost) – 150 SP
Key Fragment: ??? – 200 SP
Tier 2 unlocks at Level 10 or with special conditions.
---
Mano didn't spend any points. Not yet. He wanted to learn more before committing.
As they continued down the road the next day, strange signs began appearing—abandoned merchant carts, claw marks on trees, and a faint hum in the air.
They were nearing something old. And dangerous.
A ruin, maybe.
Or a trial.
Whatever it was, Mano knew it was only the beginning of what this world had in store.