The night skies were filled with the smell of burnt wood, as a massive dark crater could be seen at one side of the forest. There stood a man with an emotionless look on his face, his eyes shining like a star. The man was none other than Thalor.
After the mysterious man was defeated easily, the surroundings became normal again. Then, Claire, who was wrapped in the shadow chains made by the mysterious man, was released and seen lying on the ground not to far from where Thalor stood.
"Regeneration process completed! Reviving the young lord in progress!" Thalor emotionlessly said as the white light in his eyes flickered. He stared at Claire who was on the ground half-naked.
"The Young Lord wouldn't like it if I left her like this." Thalor said.
Then he carried her back to the village and wrapped her in a cloth which he found in one of the rundown houses. After clothing her, he placed her gently at the village gate.
"I can sense the S.E wave of a group of people heading this way. They should be able to take care of the Young Mistress." Thalor said.
"I have to find a suitable training ground for the young Lord" Thalor said as he turned around to leave.
Claire then slowly opened her eyes as she stared at Thalor's back, she muttered, "T-Thalor?" Before fainting once more.
By the time she fainted, Thalor had already disappeared into the night sky.
Not long after, Governor Ravenwood and some knights arrived at the gate of the village. On arrival, he immediately ran towards Claire's body and checked for signs of life. After confirming she was alright, he ordered the rest of the knights to survey the area and bring back reports.
Thus, concluding the whole saga.
It was reported that 100 villagers were killed, 20 knights were brutally murdered, and one person was pronounced missing.
Rumors of the incident spread far and wide, it was so fear inducing that people called it "The Night of The Bloody Masacre".
What was more mind boggling about the whole event was that the said Supreme Warlord who caused the disaster was not found. Only the broken remains of his weapons were found on the battlefield.
The cause of his death was still a big mystery to everyone.
Meanwhile, in the duchy mansion of the Larsons, one of the royalties of Misth city. A kid can be seen grinning from ear to ear. While staring outside his window, he sips a glass of red wine.
A man clothed in black then appeared at his back and kneeled in a submissive way.
"Has it been taken care of?" Pierrew asked in a condescending tone.
"Yes, my Lord. There are no traces left of either the knights or the useless scum." The man clothed in black disdainfully.
"Good!" Pierrew grinned then he said, "You shouldn't have crossed me Thalor! Now there's nothing in my way now." Pierrew laughed heartily as he dismissed the man in black cloth.
"Now, Miss Ravenwood is mine." Pierrew said with a grin on his face.
(T/n: Think again bitch.)
Three weeks after the incident.
Inside a cave, a boy with a mixture of crimson and black hair could be seen lying on the ground. Water dripped from the top of the cave and landed on the boy's face.
Like as if shocked back to life, he jolted up with cold sweat immediately covering his body.
"I'm not dead!?" Thalor said as he checked his surroundings.
Beside him was a puddle of water, he slowly moved close to it to check his reflection. Once he saw it, he moved back shocked by his sudden change of appearance.
"My hair has changed… Am I really alive?" Thalor said bewildered.
As he was engrossed in his body, the floating screen-like menu appeared and then a voice rang out as the text was appearing.
"Welcome Young Lord!" An emotionless, system-like voice rang out in Thalor's ears.
"Whoa! It's this thing again. Wait! Did you just speak!?" Thalor asked as he stared at the text in disbelief.
"Yes, I did." The voice rang out again.
"Firstly, what on manos are you?" Thalor asked.
"As you know already, I am the AI of the Phoenix Lord System created by my Lord, The Phoenix Lord!"
"AI? What is that?" Thalor asked.
"Artificial Intelligence." The voice replied.
"Do you have a name?"
"I do not. I am an Artificial Intelligence; I do not have any need for such filial things such as a name"
"That's not good. I can't keep calling you AI. Hmm… Let's call you, Siros!" Thalor said enthusiastically.
"Then I shall register my name as Siros as the Young Lord wished." Siros said.
"Can you stop with the Young Lord?" Thalor said.
"I cannot."
"Ugh! Anyways, how am I alive?"
"It's the reward from your quest."
"Reward? I thought the reward was access to the system?" Thalor asked.
"Yes, it was. But for you to make use of the system, you had to be, as the name of the quest suggest, reborn as a new being. Shall I open your status window, Young Lord? I think you'll understand better once you see it"
"Status Window?" As Thalor said that the floating text in front of him changed.
Status
Name: Thalor Flamefeather
Level: 0 (Phoenix Pawn) (Rank F9)
Job: None
Languor: 45
Title: Young Phoenix Lord
HP: 100
SE: 50
Strength: 20
Agility: 20
Stamina: 5
Perception: 0
(T/n: Wow, these stats are trash!)
As Thalor read the status window, his eyes twitched as he felt really embarrassed.
"Isn't this cruel?" Thalor asked as he collapsed to the ground.
"Do not be disheartened Young Lord. Now that you have the system, you'll only continue to grow. And you'll eventually reach the top." Siros said.
"The top… I think you're mistaken. I'm just a useless bum that was luckily escaped death." Thalor said self mockingly.
Thalor couldn't possibly see himself rising to the top. He had been considered someone useless since his birth, and it hasn't been long since he lost all hope of becoming great.
"Young Lord, have you forgotten the promise you made to your grandma?" Siros said.
Suddenly, Thalor remembered what his grandma told him
------Flash back------
"Thalor, can you grant this dying woman a last wish?" The old woman asked with a sad smile.
"Find your parents for me. Find them and help them with any problem they are facing. Can you do that Thalor?" The old woman asked.
'How could I forget? The promise I made.' Thalor thought in his mind
"But if the Young Lord believes he can…"
"I'll do it!" Thalor said.
"…"
"Are you sure Young Lord?"
"Yes! I'll train with you! And rise to the top." Thalor said with a determined look on his face.
"As you command! Main Quest Unlocked!" Siros said
Suddenly, the words of the floating text changed
Main Quest: Ascend To The Top!
Main Quest details: The world is being threatened once more and the power of the Phoneix Lord is needed. Player must rise to the top by completing various Sub-Quests giving to you by the system
Sub Quest: Promotional exams!
Quest details: Player must reach Lv.11 (Phoenix Knight) (Rank D5) In three months before the promotional exams.
Quest Conditions: Pass the Promotional exams!
Quest Rewards: Access to Custom Sword!
Access to Phoenix Abilities!
Quest Penalty: Return to Rank F9!
Sorry for the late chapter😔
Chapter 8 will be posted in Sunday as usual.🥹