Capítulo 8: CHAPTER 8: THE PRINCE'S FIRST MISSION
**(Arthur's Point of View)**
Morning light streamed through the window cracks, waking Arthur from his sleep. Warmth still lingered beside him. He glanced at Cici, still asleep in his embrace, her breathing even. Last night, for the first time in a long while, he felt wholly human, not just a fleeing heir to the throne.
He slowly released Cici, tucked her in, and rose. The clothes scattered on the floor reminded him of the passionate night. He put them back on, took his Ancient Valorian Katana, and stepped outside. The morning air of **Northwood** felt fresh.
As he opened the door, a flirtatious voice greeted him. "Morning, handsome. So energetic this morning after a hot night, huh?"
Arthur looked up. In front of his house stood a voluptuous auntie. A mischievous grin adorned her lips. Arthur's face immediately flushed red with embarrassment. So, Cici's moans last night were heard outside?
"Morning to you too, sexy Auntie," Arthur replied awkwardly, trying to act casual.
"Where are you off to, Prince? So handsome this early," the auntie teased.
"Ah... I'm heading to the Mercenary Guild. Do you know where it is, Auntie?"
The auntie smiled sweetly, "Go straight, then turn left at the big intersection. There's a large building with a sword and shield emblem." She winked, "Be careful, okay. Lots of people like handsome guys there."
Arthur nodded, grinning. "Thank you very much, Auntie." He hurried off, his embarrassment still lingering.
The city streets were already bustling. Merchants hawked their wares, citizens began their daily activities. After walking for a while, Arthur arrived at a large stone building. The sword and shield emblem the auntie mentioned was carved clearly above the gate. This was the Mercenary Guild.
He stepped inside, greeted by noise and the smell of sweat. Dozens of mercenaries of various races gathered. His eyes scanned the room until he saw a receptionist with cat ears and a tail standing behind the counter. A Cat Person.
"I am Hurta Volir. I want to register as a mercenary," said Arthur.
Suddenly, loud laughter broke the atmosphere. A large, bearded mercenary approached him. "Hey, Gigolo! Are you in the right place, kid?" he yelled, pointing at Arthur. "Handsome face, sturdy body, and surely... uhm... is 'that' big? Maybe you're better off serving love-starved noblewomen in a brothel!"
The mercenary's grin was mocking. Other mercenaries around them joined in the laughter.
Arthur did not answer. His eyes coldly stared at the man, then he slowly released the intimidating aura he had used against the Unorthodox Sect. The dark, heavy aura spread, pressing down on everyone. The laughter suddenly stopped. The mercenaries' hearts seemed to stop beating.
The man who had mocked him instantly turned pale. His body trembled, his knees went weak. He couldn't hold himself, and warm liquid flowed down his pants. He had wet himself.
Roaring laughter erupted again, this time mocking the bearded man. "All brawn, but pees himself when a kid looks at him!" one of them shouted.
Before the commotion could escalate, the Cat Person receptionist jumped onto the counter. His tail twitched and his eyes glowed. "SHUT UP, YOU BASTARDS!" he yelled. Immediately, everyone fell silent.
He jumped down, greeting Arthur with a friendly smile. "Forgive them, Sir Hurta. Welcome to the Mercenary Guild. My name is Kael. For registration, you must pass two tests. First, a written test. Then, a sparring test against a senior mercenary."
Kael handed over a piece of paper and a quill. "This is the written test. You have 30 minutes. Please sit at that table."
Arthur nodded and took a seat. He read the questions on the paper. They varied from how to make a fire in a storm, how to identify traps, to how to track game animals. For most people, this was a difficult test, relying on wilderness experience. But for Arthur, whose brain was wired as a programmer from Earth, this was just a matter of logic and reasoning. He didn't need experience. He just needed to analyze the problem, consider the variables, and find the most efficient solution. His brain worked like a machine, processing information at an incredible speed. With strong logic, he easily solved all the questions, almost without thinking.
In less than 10 minutes, Arthur put down the pen. Kael was surprised but checked Arthur's answer sheet and smiled. "Perfect," he said. "Now for the second test."
Kael led him to an arena behind the building. In the center stood a short man, only about 165 cm tall, dressed entirely in black. His movements were silent, his eyes sharp. He was an Assassin.
"My name is Ren," the man said in a hoarse voice. "I already know you have that Intimidation skill." Ren circled Arthur. "Believe me, it's only useful against weak people." He stopped in front of Arthur. "Intimidation can be countered by Bloodlust. As an Assassin, I must be able to manipulate Bloodlust—whether to hide it or release it on purpose. Like this, for example."
Suddenly, Ren's eyes glowed. A thick, cold, bloodthirsty aura enveloped Arthur. Instantly, Arthur's body shivered. It felt like a thousand eyes were watching him, ready to stab him from all directions. He felt a mental attack pressing down, far more dangerous than the intimidation he had ever unleashed.
"I understand," Arthur replied, trying to remain calm.
"Good. So, shall we begin?" asked Ren.
**(The Fight Begins)**
The fight began. Arthur and Ren moved so fast they were almost invisible. The maturity of Arthur's Gale Step nearly matched the movement speed of an assassin like Ren, making their battle a test of focus and sight. Ren moved like a shadow, his sword thrusting toward vital points: neck, heart, back. Arthur parried nimbly, his Ancient Valorian Katana spinning deftly in the air. The sound of CLANG! CLANK! echoed throughout the arena.
They moved from one side of the arena to the other at a bewildering speed, their swords clashing in brief flashes. Ren looked surprised. Although Arthur was a swordsman, he could keep up with an assassin's speed. Ren increased his speed, thrusting and slashing with complex combinations, trying to find an opening. But Arthur was always one step ahead, parrying every one of Ren's attacks.
After a few minutes, Ren realized he couldn't defeat Arthur with speed alone. He retreated a few steps. His eyes sharpened. "Now feel this," he whispered. He activated his ultimate skill: Dark Illusion.
**(Ren's Point of View)**
Dark Illusion is the ultimate skill I'm most proud of. Thick darkness enveloped the arena, blocking the opponent's view. But it wasn't just physical darkness. I attacked the opponent's mind. I made their brain believe there was nothing around them, making them panic and helpless. I could feel a slight panic in Arthur. Now I could stab him from anywhere. This skill should be impossible to counter without special abilities like the Divine Eye of the Holy Knights or rare magic skills.
I moved through the darkness, floating like a ghost. My sword raised, ready for a fatal slash—to his back. I smiled. I would win this fight perfectly.
Suddenly, something strange happened. In the darkness, I felt something. An energy, not magic, not ordinary battle aura. That energy spread from Arthur's body, enveloping the entire arena. As if the boy had just created "eyes" out of thin air. That energy mapped my every move, my every heartbeat.
Panic seized me. That was impossible. It shouldn't happen.
I saw him. In the darkness, Arthur turned with his eyes closed, his sword raised. I felt exposed. He wasn't seeing, but he knew where I was.
TANG! Our swords clashed. A loud clang broke the silence. I retreated, shocked. He managed to parry my ultimate attack. He managed to break my Dark Illusion!
**(Arthur's Point of View)**
I knew Ren was shocked. His expression when our swords clashed, when he realized his darkness was useless, said it all.
"Enough!" Ren shouted. He sheathed his sword. "You pass."
Ren looked at me in amazement. "Only 3 out of 10 people can break my Dark Illusion. And you, kid, managed to neutralize it on the first attack." "Your ability to spread internal energy and turn it into a sensor is something I've never seen. That technique is amazing," said Ren, full of admiration. "You're not just good at fighting. You're also smart. Maybe you could be the hero we need, Hurta Volir."
I gave a weak smile. "Thank you."
Ren glanced at Kael, who was staring at us with wide, disbelieving eyes. I knew what I had done was impossible in this world. But on Earth, it was just logical thinking. I had just improvised my Qi Sense, forcing it not only to feel energy but to map shapes and movements in space. It drained a lot of energy, but it worked.
**(The Rescue Mission)**
"Do you want to take a mission right away, Sir Hurta?" asked Kael, the Cat Person receptionist, after I returned from the arena. "The day is still young."
I nodded. "Yes, I'd like to see what missions are available."
Kael smiled, then pointed to a large board on the wall filled with scrolls. "Missions are categorized by rank and difficulty. Since this is your first mission, I suggest starting with an easy one. Message delivery, killing small monsters..."
Suddenly my eyes caught a scroll located in the upper corner of the board, far from the other missions. That mission had the emblem of a **blood-tearing eye**, the same symbol as the Unorthodox Sect I had faced in the forest.
"This one," I said, pointing to the scroll.
Kael and Ren, who were standing beside me, were shocked. "That's a dangerous mission," said Kael. "That mission is related to the Unorthodox Sect, where orphaned children are kidnapped and sold as slaves. Our intelligence reports roughly 50 members guarding that place. Many high-ranking mercenaries have refused this mission."
"I'll take it," I replied without hesitation. My heart trembled. I couldn't let those children share the same fate as my people. They were innocent.
Kael looked hesitant, but Ren stared at me sharply, as if measuring my ability. "Alright," said Ren, "maybe you are the one we need."
Kael handed over the scroll. "This mission leads to a cave not too far, but also not too close from the city. Be careful, Sir Hurta. We don't want to lose a talent like you."
I nodded. With the remaining gold coins I got from the bandits, I bought a horse to speed up the journey. I glanced back and saw Ren secretly leaving the guild, following from a distance. He was curious, not because he wanted to see my ability, but because he recognized the samurai sword I carried on my back. That sword was the Ancient Valorian Katana, a treasure I never left behind.
During the journey, I racked my brains. Killing 50 people wasn't easy. I had Gale Step, but the mana I used for this skill was limited. I couldn't kill 50 people just by relying on Gale Step. I had to think like an Assassin. Fast, efficient, and lethal.
What could I do? Then, my memory as Arya worked. Action movies, stealth games, history books about ninjas. Silent ranged weapons... like shuriken or arrows... but I didn't have any. Then, my eyes fell on tree branches. That's it!
I picked several tree branches and cut them to the size of chopsticks. As I walked, I focused and infused my internal energy (Qi) into those branches, hardening them and giving them lethal sharpness. This was an improvisation based on my understanding of Body Reinforcement and Qi control. My brain (INT 53) calculated the angle, speed, and force needed. I made dozens of Qi-Infused Sticks and stored them in a special belt.
When I got near the destination, I tethered the horse a bit far away. Stealthily, while walking towards the cave, my survival instinct and experience hiding from Mordred taught my body silent movements. I got the feel for it, a new skill I called Stealth. I merged with the shadows of trees and rocks, moving without a sound.
I arrived at a slightly high point, giving a good view of the area in front of the cave. Below, about 30 guards were on watch in small groups. They chatted casually, unaware of the coming danger.
This wouldn't work if I approached. I needed a different strategy. My mind (INT 53) worked quickly, analyzing their formation, the wind, and the distance. Gale Step to get into position, then throw. One well-placed Gale Step could give me a chance to take out several people at once.
I gathered five Qi-Infused Sticks I had prepared. I took a deep breath, focusing my Qi.
Gale Step!
The world around me blurred for a moment. I had moved to the top of a large rock in the middle of the area, a perfect position to attack. The nearest guard was startled, his mouth open to shout.
But it was too late. My hand was already moving like a machine. With a smooth and efficient spinning motion, I threw my five Qi Sticks.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Five faint hissing sounds. Five guards fell simultaneously, each with a stick embedded right in their throat or eye. They didn't even have time to make a sound.
Chaos ensued. Other guards who saw their comrades fall stared wide-eyed, still trying to understand what was happening.
I had no time to retrieve my sticks. Had to use others. My hand grabbed five new Qi Sticks from my belt.
Gale Step! I moved again, this time to the left side of the area. Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Five more throws. Five more bodies fell. Now they started to panic, shouting incoherently, drawing their swords but not knowing where to attack.
They were thugs, not trained soldiers. Their discipline crumbled at the sight of invisible death.
I kept moving. Gale Step to the right. Throw five sticks. Gale Step behind their formation. Throw five more sticks. In four Gale Steps and twenty perfect throws, twenty guards were already lying lifeless. My MP was drained, but it was enough for the rest.
The remainder, about ten people, finally saw me. Their eyes were full of fear. They shouted and ran towards me, but that was their last move. I no longer needed Gale Step. I stood upright, grabbing a handful of Qi Sticks. With eerie calmness, I threw them one by one. Every throw hit its mark: neck, temple, gaps in the leather armor.
In less than twenty seconds since the first throw, thirty guards were motionless. There was only silence and the smell of iron blood beginning to spread.
I climbed down from the rock, my body slightly tired but my mind still focused. I entered the cave, dealing with the remaining guards inside with the same method: Gale Step for repositioning and lethal Qi Sticks to take them out from a distance. Everything happened quickly, efficiently, and silently.
In less than two minutes, I emerged from the cave, leading the kidnapped orphaned children. My body felt lighter. Using Gale Step only for repositioning and not for every kill turned out to be much more mana-efficient. My MP was still quite sufficient.
**(Ren's Point of View)**
I saw everything from behind a tree. My body trembled, not from fear, but from awe. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. The precision and efficiency of his throws were incredible, and the ability to kill dozens of people without a sound, in a matter of seconds. He used sticks, throwing them with terrifying accuracy. He was like a god of death calmly counting every life.
As he exited the cave with the surviving orphaned children, my eyes widened in shock. I knew he was great, but what I just saw... that wasn't the ability of an ordinary swordsman. It was the skill of a master assassin combining magic, precision, and strategy. But, I had never heard of a swordsman who could throw with such precision and speed, surpassing many assassins.
Is he really human? I thought.
And then, my eyes turned to the sword wrapped on his back. That sword, the Ancient Valorian Katana. No mistake. A few weeks ago, I got information about that missing sword from Shadow Eel, my friend. We were both assassins, but also arch-enemies within our organization. He was rank 7, I was rank 8. He was very strong, and he wanted to be free.
I remembered our conversation. Shadow Eel was looking for Arthur. Mengaya? Did he know something I didn't? Yes, he did. The information he got was about Shadow Eel's desire to free his people, the Elves, who were now enslaved by King Mordred.
And then, there was Erlic. General Erlic Darnel. My other friend. I heard he was planning a coup. More puzzle pieces were coming together. The rain for seven days and seven nights, the curse that accompanied the death of Maria D. Valoria, Arthur's mother. All those pieces merged into one: Shadow Eel, Ren, Erlic, and Arthur.
That bastard Shadow Eel wanted to cooperate to overthrow Mordred.
And here I was. Mordred had created a mission for our organization: to find and kill Arthur. However, this mission could only be taken by assassins level 10 and above, given the amount of gold offered by Mordred. It was an enormous amount, so most of us refused it because we wouldn't get a share of it. Shadow Eel wouldn't take the mission because he didn't want to help Mordred, and I didn't want to either.
I just stood there, hidden behind a tree, watching a boy who might hold the key to ending Mordred's tyranny. I wouldn't report him. I would protect him.
**(Arthur's Point of View)**
I led 20 orphaned children out of the cave. Their small faces were dirty and full of fear. Some of them cried, calling for their parents. My heart broke seeing them.
I led them to the horses I had parked. Carefully, I helped them onto the horse-drawn cart. This cart I got from the cave's storage—seemingly belonging to the now-lifeless Unorthodox Sect members.
The journey back to **Northwood** felt so long. The children, who were initially afraid, began to smile and laugh a little as they saw the scenery along the way. They pointed at flying birds, at rabbits jumping in the bushes.
Seeing them, I couldn't help but remember my children on Earth. They were about the same age as these children. An intense feeling of longing stabbed me. A longing that I could never fulfill.
Unconsciously, my hand opened his Oculus. I knew this was a mistake, but I couldn't help it. I searched for my wife Laras's social media account.
I found her account. Her profile picture was of her with our children. There was a photo of the four of us at the beach, our faces smiling widely. My eyes scanned the gallery. I saw videos of my children playing in the park. I heard the sound of their laughter. The sound of laughter I hadn't heard in so long.
"Dad, come swing!" my little daughter Alya shouted in the video. "Dad, look! I can go down the slide without holding on!" my son Andi shouted.
I muted the sound, but their images remained in my head. My tears fell, wetting my cheeks. I lowered my head, hiding my tears from the children now seated in the horse-drawn cart. They didn't need to see my tears.
Forgive Dad, kids. Forgive Dad.
Dad... a coward. Dad came to this world to escape debt. Dad came to this world selfishly, not because Dad is a hero. Dad can't see you. Dad can't hug you. Dad can't hear your voices.
I took a deep breath, trying to stop my crying.
Dad can't watch you grow up. Dad won't be able to see Alya get married, or Andi become successful. But for your own good, Dad must do this. Dad must become someone worthy of you.
I wiped my tears, turned off the Oculus, and refocused my mind on the road.
The journey back to **Northwood** felt quick. The horse-drawn cart I was on cut through the picturesque countryside, letting the orphaned children enjoy the natural scenery. Once at the city gate, I took them straight to the Mercenary Guild.
As I led the children inside, all the mercenaries who had been noisy immediately fell silent. Their eyes widened in disbelief. I had only left two hours ago. They knew the mission location required at least two hours for a round trip. That meant I completed the mission in less than five minutes.
Kael, the Cat Person receptionist, jumped from his chair. His tail swished quickly. "Sir Hurta! You're back already? These children..."
"They're fine," I replied. I didn't want to linger. "Mission complete."
Kael took the mission scroll from me and stamped it. "So efficient! We are very grateful. The reward is..." Kael pulled out a leather pouch containing gold coins. "Thirty gold coins."
I took the pouch. A decent amount. In this world, thirty gold coins could support a family of six for a full month.
I said goodbye to Kael and left, leaving the bewildered mercenaries behind me.
I returned to the inn, where Cici was waiting for me. She greeted me with a relieved smile. "Young Master! You're back?"
"Yes," I replied with a smile. "Mission complete."
I put the pouch of coins on the table and pulled out a bottle of alcohol and a pack of cigarettes I bought on the way. Habits from Earth that I couldn't leave behind, even in this world. While enjoying the alcohol and cigarette, I sank into my thoughts.
My children's laughter. Laras's smile. Their faces...
I fell silent. Deep in my heart, I knew nothing could fill this void.
"What's wrong, Young Master?" asked Cici. "You look sad."
I turned, giving a weak smile. "It's nothing, Cici." I made up an excuse. "I was just thinking about the fate of those orphaned children. They're too young to experience terrible things like that."
Cici nodded, unaware that behind my smile was a secret I couldn't tell anyone. I am Arya, a father and husband from Earth. And I cannot return.
Estado de energía semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Piedra de
Poder