Morning sunlight filtered through the window, golden and warm.
Reynar was folding the blanket when Liora leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"You're up early," she said.
"Didn't sleep much," Reynar replied. "Too much on my mind."
A short silence.
Then she said it — bluntly, like ripping off a bandage.
"I only brought you here because I felt sorry for you."
Reynar turned to look at her. She met his eyes without flinching.
"You're not from here. You don't know how this world works. And dragging around someone like you will only get me killed."
Her words landed harder than he expected.
"So what are you saying?" he asked.
"I'm saying you need to find your own path," she said. "You can stay in the village for a while, but this isn't your home. Not yet. And it's not mine to give."
Then, without waiting for his reply, she walked away.
Reynar stood outside her door minutes later, staring at the worn wood. He thought about knocking. About saying something.
But he didn't.
Instead, he turned and walked into the village square.
The villagers gave him cautious glances — not hostile, just uncertain. A few children stared at his strange clothes and awkward gait.
He wandered to the old well, leaned against it, and stared at the sky.
She's right, he thought bitterly. I don't belong here.
And then—
DING!
A soft chime echoed in his mind, followed by a pulse of warmth across his chest.
[System Notification]
⚔️ QUEST UNLOCKED: The Path Forward ⚔️
Objective: Gain the strength to survive in Elyndra.
Sub-Objectives:– Complete basic combat training– Unlock first Combat Skill– Survive one dungeon trial
Time Limit: None
Reward: +5 Strength, +5 Agility, Skill Choice (Combat)
Failure Consequence: None — but you'll remain a weakling. Again.
Reynar stared at the words, his fists slowly tightening.
Remain a weakling… again.
That last sentence hit harder than anything Liora said.
Memories flashed — school hallways filled with laughter at his expense, bruises he never fought back against, the rooftop ledge, the cold wind.
Never again.
He stood up, heart pounding.
Minutes later, Reynar stood outside Liora's house again.
He knocked.
No answer.
He knocked louder.
Still nothing.
"Liora!" he shouted.
The door opened with a groan, and there she was — arms crossed again, brow raised.
"You're still here?"
"I want you to train me."
She gave a tired sigh. "Reynar, I told you—"
"I'm not asking to stay in your house," he interrupted. "I'm not asking for sympathy. I'm asking for a chance."
Silence. The street behind him was still.
"I have a system," he continued. "I can grow stronger. But I need to know how to fight. If I don't learn... I'll die. Just like before."
Liora's expression shifted slightly. Just for a moment, her eyes softened.
"You want to learn how to survive?" she asked quietly.
"I want to learn how to win."
Another pause.
Then she stepped aside and motioned him in.
"Training starts tomorrow," she said. "And I won't go easy on you."
"I don't want easy," Reynar said.
"Good," she replied, shutting the door. "Because pain is the only teacher that listens."
As Reynar sat back down inside her home — not as a guest, but as a student — he felt something flicker in his chest.
Hope. Not much. But it was enough.
He opened his system screen and saw the quest glowing softly.
A path forward.
And this time… he wasn't going to run.