Chapter 10: Before the Journey
Sky stepped out of the small house, the morning sun warming his face as he stretched slightly. The breeze carried the scent of bread, iron, and something that could only be described as "market chaos."
He made his way slowly toward the heart of Toma Village.
As he reached the central plaza, the peaceful morning shattered.
"Fresh rooster! Get your fresh rooster right here!"
"Goblin cores! Full of energy! Buy one, get one free—today only!"
"Discount on anti-diarrhea elixirs—half price if you tell me you need it!"
Sky blinked as a merchant nearly shoved a squawking bird into his face. Another offered him a glowing green crystal with a wink that felt way too suggestive.
"…Right," he muttered, shaking his head.
"System, convert 10 SP into bronze coins."
[Transaction Successful]
10 SP deducted.
+10 Bronze Coins added.
Coins jingled softly into his pouch. He tucked it away and started browsing.
He stopped by a travel stall and picked up a sturdy, foldable tent—nothing fancy, but it'd survive a storm or two. A few stalls down, he met a well-dressed carriage broker and paid the booking fee for a ride to the capital in three days.
It wasn't cheap. But with his new stats, gold wasn't the only thing he'd be flexing soon.
With his new tent strapped to his back and a carriage booking slip tucked into his pocket, Sky made his way toward the outskirts of Toma Village. The market noise faded behind him, replaced by rustling trees and the chirping of lazy birds.
It was time to prepare.
He found a quiet clearing not far from the main road. Flat ground, good shade, and more importantly—no one around to judge him if he accidentally tripped over his own sword.
Sky opened his inventory with a thought.
[Inventory – Slot 1: Long Sword [E-Rank]]
[Slot 2: Strength Enhancement Pill]
"Let's get to it."
He popped the Strength Enhancement Pill into his mouth. It dissolved instantly, tasting like burnt pepper mixed with regret.
[System Notification]
Strength +10
New Strength Total: 37 (+10)
He flexed his fingers and swung his sword once. The blade felt lighter, but he could feel the weight in his arms more fully, like his muscles had synced with it.
He moved through basic slashes, strikes, and stances, combining what little sword knowledge he had with raw intuition. After half an hour, he was sweating, shirt halfway off, and his hair stuck to his forehead.
Then he tried to look cool.
He raised his sword high, concentrated all his strength, and shouted, "Wind Split—Slash!"
...and cleaved directly into a fruit stand behind him.
"Oi! That was my last batch of storm mangoes!" shouted an old lady from a porch.
Sky froze. "...I can pay for that."
"You better! Mango juice doesn't grow on trees—oh wait, yes it does! But still!"
He bowed deeply, placed ten bronze coins on a stool, and quickly retreated from the scene of the crime.
Back at his training spot, Sky sat down and reopened the system. He focused on his Inventory Skill, trying to force another slot open.
[Inventory Skill Leveling Attempt – 73 Repetitions Logged]
Error: Level Locked. Requires either 100 repetitions or system enhancement.
"Of course. Nothing's easy."
Still, progress was progress. His body felt stronger. His form is more refined. And most importantly, no exploding mangoes in sight.
He sat back under the tree, staring up at the leaves.
"Two more days. Then the capital."
And that was just the beginning.
The next morning, Sky woke up sore—but satisfied.
His muscles ached in that good way, like they'd been torn down just enough to rebuild stronger. He dressed, clipped his E-Rank sword to his side, and met Serena by the shop door.
"You're up early," she said, noticing the slight stiffness in his stride.
"Pain builds character," he replied flatly.
She smirked. "Don't tell that to the mango lady. She still wants blood."
Sky made his way into the village again, this time headed toward the small building that served as Toma's records hall and scroll library. It wasn't grand—more like a glorified hut with shelves—but it smelled of ink, dust, and quiet wisdom.
A sleepy-looking clerk with half-moon glasses looked up from behind the counter.
"Help you with somethin', boy?"
"I need information. On the capital—nobles, factions, threats. Anything worth knowing before I arrive?"
The man sighed and stood slowly. "Everyone gets ambitious before heading to the big city. Follow me."
For the next hour, Sky pored over old records, torn maps, and yellowed pages.
Things he learned: The capital was called Argos—a massive city built in rings, with noble families controlling each layer. The outer ring was military-run. The middle ring belonged to merchants, guilds, and the academy. The inner ring was strictly nobility. Dangers, political, and cutthroat. Three noble families dominated power: House Albrecht, House Veyra, and House Duskveil. A mysterious bloodline rebellion had happened years ago, but records were suspiciously vague about it.
He rolled the last scroll shut, deep in thought.
So I'm heading into a hornet's nest wrapped in gold.
On his way back through the village square, he passed a shady-looking tent with a crooked sign:
"Madame Yuzu's Remedies, Fortunes & Love Oils."
He tried to walk past.
He failed.
"You there," came a voice—silky, sharp, and ancient. "The demon boy with rising blood."
Sky stopped.
A hunched figure stepped out from the tent, wrapped in patterned silks, face half-covered in veils. Her eyes glowed faintly beneath the cloth.
"How do you know what I am?"
"I don't," she replied, grinning with one gold tooth. "But your aura is leaking. Tense. Ambitious. Slightly over-lubricated."
"…Excuse me?"
"Your libido stat," she said plainly. "Capped and probably messing with your focus."
Sky took a slow step back.
"Thanks. I'll be going now."
"Come back when you want answers—or when your dreams start dripping."
He returned to the shop before sundown, slightly haunted by the fortune teller's words and still unsure if she was joking.
Serena raised an eyebrow.
"Did you learn anything useful?"
"Mostly that everyone in this village is either crazy or prophetic," he muttered.
She smiled. "Both can be true."