17 - Unveiling Destiny: Blades of Betrayal and Valor

Unveiling Destiny: Blades of Betrayal and Valor

Following Ren's turmoil, the sinister attempt to assassinate Riverwood's young promises, Jon and Gwen, reverberated widely throughout the village. The tranquility of the place was momentarily shattered by the bitter taste of betrayal and unexpected violence.

Ren, despite being a relatively new and unfamiliar face in Riverwood, having only settled there six days ago with Melissa's caravan, had already left an indelible mark. His homicidal attempt caused outrage, especially because the targets were two children well-liked and cherished by the local community.

The situation grew even more complex when Melissa, the caravan leader and a previously less notable figure, intervened decisively, saving Jon and Gwen. Melissa's brave action reinforced her position and reputation in Riverwood, turning her into a key figure in the subsequent events.

Faced with Ren's death and the disturbing details revealed, Jon and Gwen became Melisa's staunchest defenders. Jon, with a dramatic and moving performance, portrayed her as the heroine of the day, promising to one day repay the debt. Gwen, in turn, reaffirmed the nobility of Melisa's action, solidifying the merchant's positive image among the inhabitants.

The local leaders, recognizing the gravity of the situation, opted for a discreet approach, avoiding involving Valdoria's Imperial Guard. They knew that drawing too much attention to the case could bring unwanted repercussions, especially with the possibility of Valdoria interpreting any disorder as an opportunity to raise taxes.

Jon settled into his bed, his eyes fixed on the menu screen floating before him. That sight had become a constant since he found himself trapped - or perhaps reincarnated - in the mysterious world of Aeloria. But today, there was something different.

His body was wrapped in bandages, a result of the recent confrontation. He felt like a mummy, every movement reminding him of the pain and recent adventures. As he navigated the menu, flashes of the attack returned to his mind, making him slightly squirm under the bandages.

**[GAME MENU]**

---

**Name:** Jon Woodmoon

**Level:** 10

**EXP:** 175/2000

**Tils:** 345

---

**[STATISTICS]**

- **HP (Health Points):** 180

- **MP (Mana Points):** 150

- **Strength:** 20+10

- **Agility:** 21+10

- **Constitution:** 25+10

- **Intelligence:** 25+2

- **Luck:** 10+10

- **Points:** 5

**[EQUIPMENT]**

**[Luminar, the Sword of Serenity: SS RANK]

**EXP:** 3/200

**Level:** 2

**[STATISTICS]**

- **Strength:** +10

- **Agility:** +10

- **Constitution:** +10

- **Intelligence:** +2

- **Luck:** +10

**Description:** Luminar is a sword of modest appearance at first glance, with a straight and simple blade adorned with silver runes along its length. Its handle is wrapped in time-worn brown leather, and the crescent-shaped guard exhibits a subtle golden glow.

**History:** Luminar, the Sword of Serenity, belonged to a chosen one who brought peace to Aeloria, a land of conflicts. Wielded by a hero in despair, it united nations in lasting peace.

**[ABILITIES]**

- **Active:** None

**[Enchantments]**

**1.** Owner's Adaptation: The sword fits the user perfectly.

**2.** Energy Absorption: Absorbs energy from victims to increase bonus attributes with unlimited capacity.

**[ABILITIES]**

- **Active:** None

- **Passive:**

- **Elven Race:** Amplifies mana manipulation ability.

- **Human Race:** 50% increase in EXP gain due to inherent adaptability.

- **Riverwood Moonstone:** 50% increase in EXP and abilities for hunter classes.

- **Apprentice Archer:** Level 7

- **Apprentice Warrior:** Level 3

**[QUESTS]**

- **None**

Jon looked thoughtfully at the points he had gained upon reaching level 10. Logic would dictate to distribute them immediately, but something was holding back his hand. He knew his sword would grant him extra points as he leveled up. So, as a precaution, he decided to hold onto these points for a critical moment.

The recent memories of the dungeon echoed in his mind, reminding him of his recklessness. Despite being trapped in Aeloria, he had unintentionally treated everything as if he were still playing a simple game in his old world. The closeness of death, the threat to Gwen, and the agonizing sensation of his life slipping away... It had been a harsh reality and a wake-up call.

But there was a complication: his body was that of an 8-year-old child. Inside, he felt like a 27-year-old man with profound knowledge of the world of Aeloria, thanks to the countless hours spent in his favorite game. He had underestimated his situation, believing that, as a main character with an apparently cheat-like system, he would dominate the scene. The idea of becoming a dominant force, humiliating others with his superiority and knowledge, now seemed ridiculous to him.

The harsh reality hit him: without the power to protect his secrets and advantages, those very strengths turned into a curse. Instead of relief, they brought him an unbearable burden.

Despite it all, Jon knew that isolation wasn't the answer. The tales of Aeloria foretold an impending cataclysm that would devastate a significant part of the continent. And there were the missions, increasingly threatening and challenging. But Jon recognized that, in the present moment, he couldn't afford to dream about the future. The incident in the dungeon had proven that he wasn't the hero he had imagined himself to be.

"Slow and steady wins the race," Jon repeated the phrase in his mind, conjuring memories of his favorite cartoon, Jack Chan. The protagonist of the animation, with his wisdom and humor, always seemed to find the right words for the moment. It was funny how some words could stick with you for so long.

His new course was set. As soon as he recovered and gained his mother's approval, Jon would return to the hunts, side by side with Gwen, just like in the old times. Each day, he would dedicate hours to perfecting his skills as an archer and warrior. His recent adventure in the dungeon could have been disastrous, but instead of lamenting, he felt gratitude. In the depths of that place, he had found an SS-ranked sword, capable of evolving infinitely. Such an item was unimaginable, something he never believed he would possess even in his wildest dreams.

Now, all he needed to do was dedicate himself, hunt, train, and little by little, build his strength. He was determined to be prepared for the challenges that Aeloria's future had in store for him.