Johan's heart raced as he held the ring toward Ludolf, his fingers trembling slightly. The fear of not knowing what was coming next trickled through his body. After all, he was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by men who seemed to want nothing more than to decapitate his head.
The ring, a delicate heirloom entrusted to him by Princess Elara herself, seemed to pulse with a faint, supernatural light as it rested on his finger.
Ludolf's sharp eyes narrowed as they fixated on the ring, his expression unreadable as he studied it. With lightning-fast reflexes, he snatched the ring from Johan's finger, his hand closing around it with a vice-like grip.
Johan's anger boiled as he watched Ludolf toss the ring into the air before catching it again like a common plaything.
"This does not belong to you. Something this valuable would never leave Princess Elara's sight," Ludolf spoke, his voice cold and dictatorial, penetrating Johan like a dagger. "Who are you to hold such a treasure and use the princess's name? And more importantly, who are you to be looking for me?"
Johan's mind raced as he struggled to find the right words, his thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of emotions. Princess Elara had entrusted him with the ring; he saw it as a symbol of her trust and faith in him. He couldn't let her down now, not when so much as his word was at stake.
"I told you already, my name is Johan. Princess Elara gave me that ring. She sent me to find the Den of Wolves and ask for a man named Ludolf."
Ludolf's grip on the ring tightened, his expression hardening with suspicion. "And why should I believe you?" he demanded, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. "What proof do you have of your allegiance to the princess? For all I know, you could have stolen this from her."
"Proof? I don't have any other proof..." Johan admitted, frustration and desperation creeping into his voice. "She trusted me with that ring, and I promised I would return it to her. Just give it back, will you?"
Ludolf's eyes studied Johan intently. "First of all, I don't have to do a thing you ask. Remember that. And second, why would the princess send you to me?" he questioned, his voice chilling and calculating. "What possible reason could she have for entrusting you with such a task?"
Again, Johan's mind raced as he searched for an answer. Why had Princess Elara chosen Ludolf of all people to send him to? What did she hope to achieve by sending him into the heart of danger?
"...I have no idea," Johan confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But she told me to find the Den of Wolves and ask for you."
Ludolf's gaze toughened at Johan's words, his grip on the ring tightening ever so slightly. "And you believed her?" he scoffed, amusement tinged in his voice. "You expect me to believe the princess would send a mere stranger into the depths of the forest on her behalf?"
Johan felt a discomforting doubt gnaw at his resolve as he faced Ludolf's scrutiny. Had he been foolish to trust Princess Elara's words? Had he been naive to believe he could make a difference in a world so foreign and dangerous?
But then, as if in defiance of his doubts, Johan felt a surge of perseverance. He couldn't afford to doubt himself now, not when it seemed his life was at stake. "Look, I get it. This sounds crazy, but Ludolf, you have to trust me. I need that ring back. Are you always this stubborn?"
Ludolf showed no signs of relenting. His gaze fixed upon Johan with an unyielding intensity. "Who are you to question me?" he asked, his voice like a rumble in the silent chamber. "Answer, or face the consequences."
Johan's heart sank as he realized the seriousness of the situation. He needed to convince Ludolf of his sincerity. But before he could utter another word, Griffin stepped forward, blocking Johan's path.
"Enough of this nonsense. You told me you had a message to deliver from the princess, not to grovel and beg for assistance," Griffin growled, his voice low and menacing. "You'll get nothing from Ludolf unless he deems it necessary. Now, back off before you get yourself killed sooner rather than later."
Johan straightened up, meeting Griffin's glare with defiance. "Grovel? Please, I'm not the one with a stick up my ass," he shot back.
But before he could react further, Griffin moved with lightning speed, executing a swift martial arts maneuver that sent Johan crashing to his knees. The impact knocked the wind out of him, leaving him gasping for breath as he looked up at Ludolf.
The atmosphere in the chamber grew tense as laughter echoed off the stone walls. Instead of sympathy, Johan was met with jeers and calls for his demise from the men gathered around, their voices rising in a bloodthirsty excitement, egging Ludolf on to end Johan's life then and there.
Ludolf raised a hand, silencing the crowd with a single gesture before his attention fell back on Johan. "This is your last chance to explain yourself truthfully," he demanded.
Johan hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. Then, with a deep breath, he made a decision, one he hoped would save him in his time of need. He would reveal the truth to Ludolf and his men, no matter the consequences.
"...I'm not from this world," he declared, and a sudden silence followed. "I, along with my friends, were summoned here just a couple of days ago."
Whispers rippled through the chamber at Johan's revelation, the men exchanging skeptical glances as they tried to make sense of his words. But amidst the uncertainty, a murmur began to spread—a whisper of prophecy fulfilled, of heroes summoned from distant lands to save their world from impending doom.
Griffin, taken aback by this new information, turned to address Ludolf, "The sky did indicate the summoning of the heroes not long ago. But who knows if he's telling the truth."
Ludolf's gaze probed Johan's for answers. "If you're one of the heroes said to be summoned to our world by the prophecy..." he began slowly, "...then why would the princess send only one of you to me? Why not all four?"
The weight of the room's attention bore down on Johan. He knew he had to find a way to diffuse the tension before it escalated any further.
"I swear, I'm telling you the truth," he began, his voice steady despite the anxiety bubbling beneath the surface. "I was summoned here with my friends, but King Audermas decided I wasn't hero material. Can you believe that? Me, not hero material?"
Ludolf's grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger, his eyes reflecting the suspicion that bore down upon him. "First the princess, now you bring the king into this? You expect me to believe this tale of yours?" he spat, his voice dripping with contempt.
Johan searched for a way to calm Ludolf's mounting anger. But before he could speak, the tension in the room reached a boiling point.
With a sudden movement, Ludolf drew his dagger, the blade glistening in the torchlight as he advanced on Johan. "You come into my home and dare lie to me, boy?" he growled.
The men in the chamber erupted into cheers, egging Ludolf on. Johan's pulse quickened as he tried to think of a way to overcome the situation before it spiraled out of control.
But just as all hope seemed lost, a notification popped up in front of Johan, cutting through the suspense like a bolt of lightning.
[System Notification]
[Quest Triggered!]
[Diffuse the Tension]
[Attention Lightbearer, you find yourself in a precarious situation, facing off against Ludolf and his men. Your primary objective is to ensure your safety while navigating the delicate balance of power in the chamber. You have two options: engage in combat and eliminate the threat of Ludolf and his men, or find a way to de-escalate the situation and resolve the conflict peacefully.]
Johan felt a sense of unease settling deep within him from the new quest imposed upon him by the system. The options presented felt stark and unforgiving. He knew he couldn't take on Ludolf and his men in their hideout, nor did he have the heart to resort to violence, especially against those who may just be following orders.
Johan's thoughts spiraled into despair, but a sudden voice pierced through the chaos. It was a woman's voice filled with power and conviction, cutting through the disorder like a beacon of hope. "Ludolf, stop!"
Johan quickly recognized the voice. It sounded familiar, stirring a memory within him. And when the woman stepped forward from the crowd, he couldn't believe his eyes.
It was Fayina, the half-dark elf he had encountered in the forest. Her presence was unexpected yet strangely comforting amidst the brewing storm. She stood tall and resolute, her gaze fixed firmly on Ludolf.
"This man poses no threat to us," Fayina declared, her voice unwavering. "I can vouch for him."
Ludolf's expression softened lightly, considering Fayina's words. Though he remained wary, there was a hint of deference as he turned his attention back to Johan.
"And who is this man to you, Fayina?" Ludolf inquired.
She stepped forward, her gaze locking with Johan's. "I met him recently after his summoning to this world," she replied firmly. "He deserves a chance to prove himself, although the king has deemed him not one of the heroes."
Johan felt a swell of gratitude toward Fayina. Her intervention provided him with hope in the face of adversity. But even as relief washed over him, he knew the situation was far from resolved. He still had to navigate the delicate balance of power in the chamber.
As Ludolf mulled over Fayina's words, Johan braced himself for whatever would come next, knowing that his fate hung in the balance. Ludolf's steely gaze softened again as he acknowledged her words.
"Very well," he conceded, his voice carrying a touch of reluctant acceptance as he sheathed his dagger and returned to his throne of swords. "I will hear what you have to say. But make no mistake, it's only because Fayina vouches for you."
Johan's heart soared at Ludolf's concession; grateful for the opportunity to plead his case. "Thank you," he whispered earnestly to Fayina.
As the anticipation in the chamber began to ebb, Johan took a deep breath, his spirit still high from the confrontation. He felt a strange sensation wash over him. At that moment, amidst the flickering torchlights and the watchful eyes of Ludolf and his men, another notification popped up on his HUD screen.
[Experience Gained]
[Completing Quest "Diffuse the Tension": +50 EXP]
Despite the tense situation he had just navigated, he was happy he didn't have to resort to violence or aggression. Winning over Ludolf was a small victory, perhaps, but an important one nonetheless. Johan watched as his EXP bar steadily inched upwards, each tick representing a small but significant increase in his experience points, growth, and development as a player within this mysterious game-like world.
[EXP needed for Level 3:]
(173/250)