Chapter 3 - New Home

After returning to the barracks, Alden quickly went to his sister's grave at the back to rest, having had a difficult day no matter what. Meanwhile, Lars entered and began inspecting the loot.

He had acquired two daggers and a rusty mace, all belonging to Ragnhild.

The daggers were classic medieval-style short daggers, newly sharpened and sharp, while the mace was larger and heavier than regular maces.

"If that monster had fought with this mace, I would have died with just one blow," Lars remarked.

Lars fashioned a belt from the torn clothing he had gathered and attached the daggers to it.

"The system gave me 3000 points. What are these good for?"

[Ding!]

[Summoning Points: Points used to summon specific characters who have left significant marks in history or absorb their abilities! These characters are classified and summoned based on the marks they left in history and their abilities.]

[Points are as follows;...

S Rank: 10.000 P

A Rank: 5.000 P

B Rank: 3.000 P

C Rank: 1.500 P

D Rank: 1.000 P

E Rank: 500 P]

-Okay... My abilities are still not sufficient... Can you summon 2 characters of level C?

[Ding!]

[Summoning Completed!]

[Congratulations! Chris McCormack ]

[Chris McCormack

Chris McCormack is an Australian professional triathlete. Throughout his long career, he has achieved significant success by winning the Ironman World Championship twice and has earned a respected position in the world of long-distance triathlon.]

[Skills:

Running Ability (C)

Marathon Endurance (C)

Mental Durability (D) ]

[Animate Character / Steal Skill]

-Steal skill.

[Ding!]

[Skill Stolen!]

[New Skill! Mental Durability (D)]

-The worst skill came, but still nice.

[Ding!]

[Summon Completed!]

[Congratulations! Conor McGregor ]

[Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor is an Irish mixed martial artist (MMA) and professional boxer. Known for his aggressive fighting style and flashy personality, McGregor is the first fighter in UFC history to achieve dual-weight championship.

Skills:

Fighting Ability (C)

Explosive Power (C)

Wrestling (C)

Fighter Durability (C) ]

[Animate Character / Steal Skill]

-Of course, steal the skill...

[Ding!]

[Skill Stolen!]

[New Skill! Fighter Durability (C)]

-Great durability is definitely what I needed.

After a while, Lars's body began to warm up and slowly transformed; now he was a bit taller and more muscular.

-Show me the system specifications.

[Name: Lars

Surname: None

Status: Orphan

Location: White Harbor

Age: 7

Height: 150 (average 140)

Weight: 40 (average 40)

Abilities:

Twin-Winged Swordsmanship (B)

Thievery Agility (A)

Fighter Durability (C)

Mental Durability (D)

STR: 12

SPD: 13

AGI: 17

STA: 11

INT: 14]

While Lars was dealing with these, Alden came in and stared at Lars.

Alden: "Hey, Lars... Is it just me, or did you get taller?"

Lars: "They say curiosity or love comes to a person, Alden..."

Alden: "Sigh... I didn't come to say anything."

Lars: "Forget about that and get ready. Let's go out and get something to eat; I'm starving."

Alden: "Alright."

After preparing their belongings, they quickly left the barracks and headed towards the city center.

After a short walk, they reached the market in the city center.

The stone-walled houses in the city center were covered with a blanket of pure white snow, and in the dim light of the street lamps, they seemed frozen. However, within this cold atmosphere, the city was more alive than ever.

The square was filled with colorful tents and extravagant stalls. The snow accumulated on the roofs created a glittering cover over the merchants' goods. Thick walls with traces of medieval architecture and Gothic-style columns gave the market a historical feel.

People wandering in the market were dressed in long coats covered with thick fabrics. Colorful woolen scarves were details that alleviated the effects of the cold weather. Craftsmen adorned their stalls with handmade products, each item resembling a work of art.

There was a young craftsman standing in front of a stall. Her name was Elena. She carefully crafted the wool in her hands, presenting warm gloves and colorful yarns to the customers. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she saw the happiness on the faces of people shivering from the cold. Elena symbolized warmth and durability even on cold winter days.

The wool products on Elena's stall brought smiles to everyone in the city on cold winter days. Standing at the head of her stall, Elena had chosen each product as if telling a story.

One morning, under the gray sky, Elena spread colorful yarns on her stall. Delicate details turned each glove into a work of art. Thick wool threads in one corner of the stall seemed to stop the cold breath of winter with their warmth.

People strolling in the city were drawn to Elena's stall. Colorful woolen shawls not only formed a shield against the cold winds but also carried a story within each. The color transitions on a shawl evoked memories of the past and hopes for the future.

Elena carefully selected special design beanie models, each of which was suitable for the personality and style of everyone in the city. The beanie not only kept the head warm on cold winter days but also the soul.

A little girl wandering in the market examined a purple woolen glove. Elena approached her, adjusted the glove to fit the girl's hands, and the joy on the girl's face was one of the most beautiful rewards for Elena's creativity and the warmth of her products.

The creative products on the stall created a warmth oasis between the cold walls of the city. Elena's craftsmanship was not just about knitting wool; it was like touching people's hearts. Each product told a story; Elena's stall had become not just a shopping point but also a place where everyone in the city came together and shared warm friendships.

Lars quickly came to the stall where the girl was and began examining the products; they were quite sturdy. This girl was definitely talented.

Elena: "What would you like?"

Lars: "Two sets of wool clothing, gloves, and beanies."

Elena: "Which ones do you prefer?"

Elena asked with a smile on her face while arranging the items.

Lars: "One should be classic, plain black. Ask the brat about the other one."

Alden: "Stop calling me a brat!"

Alden: "Anyway... I'll take a set of the blue one."

Elena: "Alright, I'll prepare them quickly."

Elena swiftly arranged the clothes and handed them over.

Elena: "5 Silver will be enough."

5 Silver was not a low price in Westeros, but considering the quality of the clothes, it was worth it.

Lars handed over the 5 silver and was about to leave quickly when the girl called out.

Elena: "Hey! If you have money like it seems for two kids, there's entertainment among the youth here in the evening if you want..."

Lars, pulling Alden's attention quickly...

Lars: "Let it be..."

After saying this, they quickly walked away.

Alden: "Lars, why didn't you listen to what she said? Maybe we could have had some fun in the evening."

Lars: "Are you an idiot? Am I going to spend the money I earned with my life on a few stupid women now? Lift your damn ass, and let's get what we need and find a new place to stay."

Alden: "But my sister..."

Lars: "Look at me, Alden, and tell me, do I look like someone who would deal with your stupid emotional problems? If you want, you can stay in that damn barracks, but at least you owe me, and you won't die until you pay off that debt."

Alden: "Huh... Alright, you're right... I guess I need to look forward... But still, stop insulting me; at least act like we're friends!"

Lars: "Do whatever you want..."

After wandering for a while, Lars bought items to cover their faces from another stall and entered a tavern.

The door of the tavern had a heavy wooden structure, and an old sign adorned with iron rivets hung above it. Those who stepped inside when the door creaked felt like they were traveling through time in this hidden historical place beneath the stone floor.

Dimly lit rooms created a mysterious atmosphere under the light of candles. The tavern was filled with wooden tables and rustic chairs. The ceiling was adorned with beams faintly visible under the smoke. Each table was illuminated with cast iron candlesticks unique to the Middle Ages, while old paintings and rusty cast iron lanterns were displayed on the walls.

The bar counter was adorned with wood carvings and separated by an old cast iron-hooked curtain. On the counter, there were bottles of spirits, colorful drinks, and wooden barrels containing medieval flavors.

Live music playing in the tavern, the melodies of lyres, and laughter filled the space. Those sitting at the tables sipped their drinks, engrossed in conversations about the past.

Ignoring this atmosphere, Lars approached the man behind the bar.

Lars: "I'm looking for a place to stay for an extended period."

Bartender: "No need to drag it out... Finja is often out of the city, so she wants to rent her house to someone, only condition is sharing the house with her for a month each year. 2 gold dragons for 3 months and a ten percent commission to the tavern for the first time."

Lars: "I want to make a contract; I'll pay the initial fee within 3 months."

Bartender: "You must give a twenty-five percent guarantee..."

Lars: "Ten percent..."

Bartender: "Twenty..."

Lars: "Fifteen..."

Bartender: "Alright..."

Lars: "Show me the place."

Bartender: "Leif!"

Leif: "Here, boss?"

Bartender: "Show Finja's house to these people and prepare a contract with fifteen percent plus commission."

Leif: "Sure thing, boss."

The man named Leif quickly began writing a contract; it was quite interesting to have a contract in this age. The contract detailed the debts and obligations of each party, and both parties stamped their fingerprints. It was a custom that had spread from the Iron Bank.

After completing the transactions, each party received a copy. Until the payment in three months, Lars had to pay 462 Silver, which was 2 gold and 42 silver.

Later, the thin but charismatic-faced man named Leif led the duo to the house. The building was not far from the center and situated in a clean area, a sweet single-story house. The inside was already furnished; only sheets needed to be bought, and Lars had taken care of that. After showing them the house, Leif left. Lars took the large bedroom, and Alden took the smaller one. With the money Lars had from Ragnhild, they had only 10 silver left. After sorting out all these, it was already nighttime.

Lars: "Alden, you start training tomorrow morning."

Alden: "Alright."

Lars had no intention of wandering around with a useless throat trailing behind him, and Alden understood that.

----------------------

As morning arrived, Lars had already woken up early, had eaten something, and was preparing. At the same time, Alden had just awakened and was having something to eat.

Lars: "Finish your meal quickly, and let's hit the road."

Alden: "Where are we going?"

Lars: "To make money."

When Alden understood the situation, he chose to remain silent and returned to his meal. The food wasn't rich, at least not fit for a noble brat, but it was quite sufficient for the locals.

After Alden finished his meal and got ready, they set out. By noon, they reached the back streets, Lars showed his wooden identification, entered, and Alden followed him.

Eric: "Welcome, kids. Who do you want to fight with today?"

Lars: "What are the options?"

Eric: "Truth be told, you don't have any today. There's only one person available right now, but he wouldn't want to fight you; after all, he's a champion."

Lars: "Champion? What's that?"

Eric: "If you survive for 20 fights, you are declared a champion and get privileges."

Lars: "What kind of privileges?"

Eric: "Simple, you get protection."

Lars: "From whom?"

Eric: "Look around, kid, where are you? Realize it. If you draw attention, you'll die. But if you become a champion, you enter our protection; no one can touch you."

Lars: "..."

Eric: "Don't get downhearted right away; I have a job for you."

Lars: "Tell me..."

Eric: "Recently, a new gang of thugs has emerged, and the city guards don't want to deal with them. After all, this is the back streets, and you never know what might happen. These guys are causing us trouble; someone needs to stop them."

Lars: "Will two kids at the age of 7 take down a gang of thugs?"

Eric: "Seven? Buddy, you look at least 12, anyway, it doesn't concern me. Also, that seven-year-old kid killed Ragnhild just two days ago, so don't play tricks on me."

Lars: "2 gold..."

Eric: "200 silver..."

Lars: "400 silver..."

Eric: "300..."

Lars: "I won't go below 400 silver."

Eric: "Alright."