'Status.' I thought, and the blue status screen appeared.
_____
Name: Cale
Titles: Adopted Prince
Level: 2 (150/200 EXP)
Magicules: 1,450
[Stats]
Strength: 14
Vitality: 11
Agility: 11
Intelligence: 11
Perception: 11
Remaining Points: 0
_____
I looked at my status. My stats increased, and the 20% debuff was gone.
I started moving in between the trees and rocks silently. Well, silently, due to Mai's screams
"I will enjoy my time with you." The slave trader said as she tried to free herself from his grasp, and I gritted my teeth hearing it.
People like that should die in the most painful way. But, unfortunately, he will get an easy death...
As I got close enough, I took a deep breath, tightening my grip around the knife handle.
There was about a five meters gap between me and him, so I ran at full speed. The slave trader was not expecting anything until I was too late.
I put all my strength into it as the blade went through his back and into his heart.
He turned his head around with wide eyes to stare into my emotionless face as I twisted the knife before taking it out.
Mai looked scared but quickly went to check on Aiden.
[100 EXP for killing (Human)]
[Magicules increased by 100]
[You leveled up]
[All attributes increased by one.]
A notification popped up as the slave trader dropped dead.
Humans. They say monsters are evil when they do things like this to their own race. But isn't that hypocritical for me to say after killing three myself?
I chuckled dryly. This isn't the time to think about it.
On closer inspection, I saw the corpse emit a slight shadowy aura, and a single word rung in my mind 'Arise.'
I knew I should do it, but deep inside, I didn't want to see them again, even as a shadow.
Walking over his corpse, I went to check on Aiden. His left leg was broken, but he was alive and unconscious.
I sighed in relief. Even if I didn't know these kids, I didn't want them to die.
"Do you know where to map is?" I asked, and she nodded, still scared after everything.
"I-I-It's in his pocket." She answered.
"Good then, let's go. I will carry him," I told her, taking the map before picking him up and carrying him over my back.
"We will need to get help from a priest who knows healing magic when we arrive in Ruberios," I told her and hoped there would be a priest who would do it for free.
I sighed. Humans are greedy, and you never know if they would demand to pay to heal Aidens leg.
---
After walking for hours, we were at the forest's edge and decided to take a small break.
I could already see the mountains in the distance, about eight hours of walk from here.
While I was okay and could continue due to my higher status, Mai was tired, so I told her to take a quick nap.
Taking this time, I brought up the Daily Quest screen.
[Daily Quest: Preparations to become strong.
Press-Up x100: Incomplete (0/100)
Sit-Up x100: Incomplete (0/100)
Squat x100: Incomplete (0/100)
Running 10km: Incomplete (3/10)
Warning: Incompletion of Daily Quests will result in appropriate levels of punishment.]
I don't want to return to the penalty zone until I'm stronger and have a weapon, so let's do it.
[Press-Up x100: Incomplete (1/100)]
[Press-Up x100: Incomplete (2/100)]
[Press-Up x100: Incomplete (3/100)]
---
[Squat x100: Incomplete (98/100)]
[Squat x100: Incomplete (99/100)]
[Squat x100: Complete (100/100)]
I sat down and rested until they woke up.
After about twenty minutes, Aiden started stirring awake.
"Urggg..." He groaned and slowly opened his eyes.
"What..." He started but then suddenly shot up, "MAI!" He shouted and looked around.
I quickly went towards him so he didn't try to stand up, "She's fine. We made it out alive, but your leg is broken." I told him and tried to calm him down.
"Cale, your alive!" He said, hugging me.
"Where is she?" He asked after calming down.
"She is sleeping near that tree," I said, pointing behind him.
"What about the slaver traders and that dog?"
"They won't be a problem anymore..." I told him and looked up at the sky.
"Urgg, Why is everyone so loud... Aiden, your awake!" She shouted and went to check on him.
"It's getting late, and we are still about an eight hours walk away from Ruberios, so let's camp here today," I told them before coming up with an excuse to complete my daily quest.
"Here, take this just in case while I collect sticks for a fire." I gave the knife to Mai, walked deeper into the forest, and started running when I was far enough.
---
[You've completed 'Daily Quest: Preparations to become strong.']
[Would you like to accept? Accept / Refuse]
Accept.
[The following rewards are available.
Reward #1: 3 Stats Points
Reward #2: +100 Magicules
Reward #3: +100 Magicules
Would you like to collect them all.]
Huh? So I didn't get a status recovery?
Well, extra magicules are always welcome, but then again, I also got magicules instead of a random box. So what would I get for doubling the daily quest?
I will see that when I complete that quest. But, for now, I should start collecting the sticks. I've been gone for over half an hour.
Accept all.
[Remaining Points: 0 -> 3]
[Magicules: 1550 -> 1750]
---
"I'm back," I said, walking out of the forest and saw Mai on guard before she noticed it was me and relaxed.
"Cale! Are you alright? You were gone for so long. You didn't get attacked by monsters or anything?" Mai asked, circling me and looking for any injuries like the overprotective mothers in novels.
It's actually a nice feeling having someone worried for you.
"I'm fine, Mai. I went too far and got lost for a while." I lied.
I started piling the sticks, and Mai observed me. "Emmm... Cale, how will you start the fire?" She asked
"..." I didn't think about that.
Twenty minutes later, after remembering a survival in the wild without any equipment book I'd read in the library, I managed to start a fire.
I read that book once while thinking about escaping my family and living in the forest, but I quickly scratched that idea after realizing how stupid it was. But, hey, at least it was helpful.
We sat around in awkward silence.
"Umm... Are you sure about joining the church and becoming a Holy Knight?" I tried to start a conversation.
"Umm. Yeah, we heard everyone could be trained to be Templars, even commoners and orphans." Aiden said.
Why do I feel weird when I think about the Holy Empire? It's like a feeling of safety but, at the same time, a feeling of fear in my body.
"You okay, Cale?" Mai's voice snapped me out.
"Huh?"
"You were staring at the fire for a while without answering," Aiden said
"Ahh... Just just a bit tired after everything." I answered quickly before yawning.
"We will keep watch. You can take a nap after doing everything yourself, Cale." Aiden said while throwing more sticks into the fire.
I nodded. "Yeah... Wake me up in a few hours so we can change,"
---
Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
If you enjoy this story, remember to vote and leave a review if you haven't.