The hidden village of Grentlock lay shrouded beneath the graceful silhouettes of gnarled Emberwood trees, their leaves whispering secrets of ancient times. The village was softly illuminated by glowstones, mystical gems that emitted a soft, azure light, revealing thatched roofs and sturdy stone walls. Smoke gently wafted from chimney tops, merging with the cool night air of Centurion, a harsh yet magical realm dominated by the overpowering might of the Royal Family of Rothgar.
'So this is where Claw is from? They're busy at night aren't they?'
Klade entered Grentlock with Seven still slumbering in his arms, the villagers' eyes wary but curious. An elder, a wizened man with a face map of weathered lines approached, offering to guide Klade to a place where Seven could rest. He delicately laid her down in a small, humble room furnished with hand-carved furniture and simple comforts. As he turned to leave, Seven's hand weakly reached out, grasping his arm momentarily before her grip loosened in her sleep, a silent plea for reassurance.
Leaving the room silently, Klade was met by Claw's brother, a tall figure shrouded in what was known as the Raging Bull armor, a curious amalgamation of bear and Minotaur designs, though worn thin by time and use. His voice was as drab as the faded metal encasing him. "You're not Claw...did you kill him?"
He had a brown and black Minotaur armor on his body, and his face covered by a dark red steel helmet with his long white hair coming out the back of the helmet and two braids on the side of the helmet.
"You already know that, don't you? And I'm sorry. We had to," Klade replied, his voice carrying a mix of defiance and sorrow.
"Eh. No telling what you kids went through in that dungeon. And I see you're carrying a head…? Sweet…"
"Sweet…?"
'This guy is nonchalant and laid back, isn't he going to try and fight us? I was prepared just in case..'
Aethereal, still being held by Klade, looking at the brother, and growled, then looked at Claw's son and grower too, and Claw's son ran away.
As they walked through the village, the brother explained in a monotone, "Claw tried to curry favor with demigods, sacrificing our own. He led raids, hoping to offer them to beasts for protection, even turned on outsiders to preserve what little we had... The apocalypse, driven by the Royal Family's search for an embryo, leaves us clinging to survival. They seek their future son, an avatar of light, meant to rule all realms, but leave ours in despair. Dumb bastards. It's so annoying, right?"
"Yeah…listen, we—."
"I know why you two came. I know you had to kill Claw to protect yourselves. And I don't blame you to be honest. Though it does suck, he was a bad dude."
"Yeah…"
"I don't even wanna ask what happened in there, but if you and your little girlfriend were able to make it out of a dungeon alive, then that means you two are strong."
"I brought things back from there. Supplies and stuff. He was planning on bringing them back to you all, but…yeah."
"Don't sweat it. But if you're feeling super duper generous, you can just drop it in the middle of the village."
"Just like that?"
"Yeah no one's gonna steal stuff. No point."
Around them, the village life unfolded subtly. Children played with hand-carved toys near the houses, while women tended to small, vibrant gardens using enchanted tools that glowed under the moon's light. Men discussed quietly beside stacks of freshly chopped wood, making plans for another harsh winter promised by the whims of the Royals.
Klade said, "Children are playing…"
"Of course they are, that's what children do, right?"
"I mean, in this world…? This world run by the royal family now turned gods? Beasts and monsters all over the place? Demigods causing havoc as well?"
"Oh yeah that DOES sound dangerous.."
"HUH?!"
'He's so unserious!'
The brother continued, "But-But-But we don't wanna take the joy from these children. Any way we can, we need the children to be happy. Sucks ass they have to grow up in this time, but we do whatever it takes to keep them content, and away from violence. That means if we had a good reason to kill you, I would drag you out of the village and do it."
Klade paused, his heart sinking.
The brother chuckled, "Relax. I'm not kidding. But you don't gotta worry."
"Oh ok."
"You need to sleep. The village elders are gonna immediately wanna know about you. So in the morning, they'll be expecting you in the grand hall."
"Thanks. But wait."
"Hm?"
"What's your name again?"
"Again? I never even told you my name. But it's Kanemi."
Klade walked in the middle of the village, and everyone looked at him.
'So many eyes on me, I hate it. Stop staring. It's like standing up and presenting a project to the entire class.'
Klade stood still, everyone saying:
"Who is he?"
"What's that head he's holding?"
"Looks like a royal family member!"
"He was actually able to behead one?!"
"He's gotta be strong…"
Klade's system opened beside him, and he reached inside of it, and an overflow of crafting material and food came out, and the kids around started smiling.
"Look, ma!"
"There's so much!"
Klade grinned, thinking, 'On the way here, I picked up some food from along the way, trees in the wilderness bore fruit, and had to make sure they weren't poisonous or dirty. And there was only one way I had to make sure.'
(FLASHBACK)
Klade was sitting behind a tree squatting, and was taking a dump, saying, "AGHH! Okay…okay…that tree is no good!"
Aethereal's head sat on a rock, spitting the cloth out of her mouth, saying, "I can see your whole ass crack, brat!"
Klade panicked, "Stop looking at me, I'll drown you in my shit!"
"I'm immortal!"
(FLASHBACK END)
'Some trees were tainted with rot, and some were good. But there was rot spreading fast, so I had to get what I needed out quickly.'
More food and supplies came out, and villagers and kids ran to it, more excited because this was more than Claw had brought back in a while.
The brother, named Kanemi, leaned against the wall and watched this all unfold, saying to himself, "Claw…you killed so many and robbed so many, and got killed by two children. Even after that son of yours told you to stop, you didn't."
Kanemi had a tear hit the ground, as it came from under his helmet. He then turned around and walked away.
….
Under the vigilant eyes of the village and the grim elders, Klade is silently escorted back to the room where Seven rests. The village of Grentlock, bathed in the soft glow of the azure stones, seemed even quieter now, as if holding its breath under the heavy blankets of impending doom and whispered secrets.
'They're so nice to us. But that Kanemi guy..Claw's brother. I hope he's not trying to sneak attack us. Is it even a good idea to sleep here? Ah it should be.'
As he enters the room, Klade finds Seven still ensconced in the gentle embrace of sleep, her face tranquilly unaware of the tumultuous world beyond their shelter. Gently, so as not to wake her, he lies beside her, his mind heavy with the day's disclosures and the weight of Aethereal's still chattering head, finally silenced by his side. Exhaustion overtakes him swiftly, and he falls into a deep, though not entirely peaceful, slumber.
'I'm sleeping beside a girl. I won't get too close, that's weird.'
Klade slid over a few inches, trying not to make noise.
'Phew! Okay, I'm not too close, so I'm not a creep. Today's been crazy though. If only those from my world knew what the hell is going on. Do they even know? What state is my own world at? Mom and dad, I haven't heard from them in awhile. I hope they're okay. Other than that, I feel okay right now. What's keeping me from being all excited is due to the fact that I never know when I'm gonna get clapped by a royal family member. But other than that, having Seven with me, even though I don't know how she feels about me, I know she DOESN'T hate me, because she ranked me up while I was asleep. That reminds me I need to check my stats and inventory and see what she crafted, but I'll do that in the morning. I'm too tired now. But all in all, I don't feel useless at this point. Even though my real life version of me is weak, I'm not letting myself get distracted by it. Fuck that.'
Sometime in the black depths of the night, Seven stirs restlessly beside him. A sharp gasp escapes her lips as she's jolted awake by images too haunting to name. Her breath is ragged, a stark contrast to the quiet symphony of nocturnal village sounds filtering through the wooden walls. Haunted by visions of her long-loan mother, who had disappeared without a trace, Seven feels her heart clench in terror.
The nightmare is vivid: her mother's face, twisted in anguish, disappears repeatedly into a swirling abyss of shadows. The emotional turmoil is so overwhelming that Seven, desperate to escape the torment, resorts to her rare ability of astral projection. Separating her spirit from her body, she watches herself lying rigid with fear; with a profound sense of sadness, she reaches out to soothe her own trembling form.
This astral act, though a relief, comes with its own agony. As her spectral self coaxes her physical body back to sleep, a solitary tear traces a silver line down her cheek. The realm of sleep beckons her once more, and she reluctantly returns to it, hoping for respite. But the mind has its own trajectories.
This time, the dreamscape morphs into a battlefield strewn with the carnage of war. The ground is sodden with blood, and the air is thick with the cries of the fallen. Among the chaos, a figure in the distance catches her astral eye—her mother, walking calmly through the massacre as if she were strolling through a garden in spring.
Seven follows, her heart hammering in her chest as they move through the surreal landscape. The sky above is dominated by a colossal moon, fractured down the middle like a broken shell, its jagged edges sharp against the dark firmament. Despite the gruesome surroundings, her mother speaks with a serene clarity.
"The moon, my dearest, look at it—even broken, it still glows. Fear," her mother continues, "is much like this moon. It seems overwhelming, consuming, but it's just an emotion, my child. It holds only the power you give it."
Captivated, Seven watches the lunar light casting long shadows over the bodies of soldiers, turning their final grimaces into grotesque theater. Her mother stops, turning to her with eyes that pierce through the veil of the dream.
"Please, for me... kill your father. He is not who he seems. And please find me. I need you." Her words, though soft, fall like hammer blows, shattering any semblance of peace in Seven's heart.
With those chilling words, her mother's image begins to fade, dissolving into the mist that rises off the blood-soaked earth. The dream begins to crumble around Seven, pulling her back towards wakefulness.
As she surfaces from the depths of her slumber, a heavy sigh escapes her lips. Her heart pounds with a fiercely protective love, a stirring fear, and a dawning resolve. The room is still dark, Klade's breathing a steady rhythm beside her; yet within her, a tempest rages—fueled by her mother's cryptic parting words, and the haunting image of the fractured moon.
Even as the dream ends, the echo of her mother's plea lingers in the silent room, a poignant reminder of the battles yet to come, both in the waking world and those fought in the shadowy realms of sleep.
'No..I cant..we need to be together. That's all I want. Not to lose anyone else. I'll fight harder and harder to keep it that way.'
…
In the morning, Klade yawned, and he opened his eyes, the sun right in his face.
"Huh? It's early already?" Klade yawned.
He looked forward, and he saw he was moving farther and farther away from where he was sleeping.
'I'm being carried?'
Klade turned away, seeing Kanemi carrying him.
Klade exclaimed, "What the hell?!"
Kanemi sighed, "Damn you are SUPER loud early in the morning. Did you and your girlfriend get extra last night when we weren't looking?"
"What is wrong with you…?"
"Nothing. I'm just lonely…"
"What about Claw's son? You have him, and everyone else in the village…"
"That brat hates me..he thinks I'm trying to be his new replacement father. Just wanna help that little rat…"
"Oh. He'll warm up eventually."
"Oh yeah? Are you a seer?"
"No."
"Damn, I thought you were."
"HOW?!"
"I'm just weird."
"Where are you taking me?"
"To see the village elders. You scared or something?"
"Tch. Hell no. I'm not scared."
"Good. They saw that you had the head of a royal family member, so they might work you."
"Work me? I don't work for people. I already have too much on my plate."
"I get it. I get it. But it could help all of us."
"Hmmm."
'Could help us huh? I think on the ride towards the first dungeon, Seven mentioned we were going to head to a giant in the mountains who forges things. A former Hero Lance who helped actually kill a royal family member. Which is something I'm still shocked that happened. When they're supposed to be immortal.'
Klade gasped, and asked Kanemi, "Wait! Where did you put that head?!"
Kanemi pointed up, and Aethereal's head was lodged in a tree. Aethereal exclaimed, "I'll kill everyone! Just wait!"
Kanemi sighed, "She's so annoying, I don't know how you put up with that whore. So I lodged her head into that branch. She keeps spitting things out of her mouth, I can't seal her mouth shut."
"Tell me about it. And hey.."
"Hm?"
"Why are you guys being so nice after what happened between me and your brother in the dungeon?"
"You and my brother..trying to take all the blame instead of bringing that girl in it?"
"You're smart."
"There's a saying in this village, I forgot it because it was too boring and lame. But it had something to do with forgiveness. You see, I don't like you, brat. But I don't hate you. But you did what you had to do. But what made me really not hate yog is that you brought materials back for the village instead of taking it for yourself. Showing that you aren't a bad guy."
"It was actually my friend's idea, Seven. So she deserves the credit honestly. I kinda just made sure I survived the journey here to deliver what she was gonna do."
"Sweet."
Klade thought, 'Okay. He's not too bad of a guy. Nothing like Claw I hope. But anyway, if the elders of the village try to make me do jobs for them, then I'm gonna need something from them in return. I won't be a pushover. They see me and Seven beheaded a royal family member and think we're insanely powerful. That means they might think we can handle powerful beings, I gotta check my stats and my new weapons and armor Seven forged.'
[Character Name: Klade]
[Occupation: Dragonhound Blacksmith]
[Level: 40]
[Attributes]
[Vigor: 705]
Klade's being resonates with a titan's endurance; he can now venture into environments detrimental even to elemental creatures, to gather the rarest of ores unscathed.*
[Mind: 700]
A mind unfathomable, Klade can now complete the most complex arcane geometries in his head, solving puzzles and crafting challenges that span dimensions.
[Endurance: 704]
Few challenges tire him; Klade can forge for months on end, his stamina likened only to the eternal flames that forge stars.
[Strength: 705]
Strength is profound, he can shape the hardest known materials by hand, crafting cores of planets and tears of deities into tools and armaments.
[Dexterity: 702 ]
Precision beyond mortal comprehension, his touch brings life to inanimate metals, weaving them into forms laced with life's own essence.
[Intelligence: 700]
An intellect that architects realms; his knowledge of materials and crafting philosophies allows him to create symphonies of atomic ensemble.
[Faith: 700]
Faith now transcends metaphysical boundaries, allowing Klade to imbue his creations with aspects of celestial powers, tethering artifacts to the cosmic ballet.
[Luck: 700]
Such fortune that the rarest minerals and mystical components find their way to his forge as though summoned by the universe's own decree.
Upgraded Equipment: Excalibur-esque Ethereal Hammer (Mythic Rank)
[Weapon Details]
Type: Hammer
Material: Crafted from the core of a neutron star, lined with threads of the void
Weight: Immeasurable
-Total Length: Shifts with intent
[Weapon Stats]
Physical Attack: 500-550
This hammer manipulates the laws of physics and reality, allowing Klade to forge not just materials, but the essence of matter itself.
[Durability: Infinite]
A tool not bound by temporal constraints, its existence and function sync across all conceivable timelines and realities.
'Things are looking decent. Now for the weapons and gear.'
[Voidreaper]
- Type: Scythe
- Material: Star-core Alloy, Void Shadow Thread
- Damage: 800-950
- Magic Potential: Mythic
- Special Abilities:
- Event Horizon: Traps enemies within a temporal loop, causing continuous damage.
- Collapse: Instantly disintegrates any non-mythic material upon contact.
- Description: Its blade curves like the crescent moon, inset with ethereal darkness that pulsates with a life of its own. Crafted to reap stars and sever bonds of existence.
[Genesis Edge]
- Type: Sword
- Material: Elemental Crystal, Dawn Essence
- Damage: 760-860
- Magic Potential: Mythic
- Special Abilities:
- World Maker: Can alter physical reality, reforming landscapes at will.
- Dawn Break: Unleashes a wave of pure creation energy, birthing or annihilating matter.
- Description: A blade that shines brighter than the first light of creation, displaying intricate nature motifs that seem to bloom upon its surface.
Celestial Arc
- Type: Bow
- Material: Heavenly Wood, Comet Tail Fibers
- Damage: 740-825
- Magic Potential: Mythic
- Special Abilities:
- Starfall: Arrows summon ancient legendary bowmen from the sky upon impact to land arrows of their own (duration: 15 seconds)
- Galactic Draw: Pulls on the cosmic energy, shooting arrows that pierce through dimensions.
- Description: Bowed and strung with the essence of comets, its limbs are inscribed with celestial maps that shimmer with stellar light.
[Eternal Aegis]
- Type: Shield
- Material: Obsidian Diamond, Core Lava
- Block Rate: 95-99%
- Magic Potential: Mythic
- Special Abilities:
- Lava Surge: Unleashes a ring of molten earth around the wielder.
- Diamond Defense: Temporarily becomes impervious to any attacks; cooldown 1 day.
- Description: Almost humming with a primordial tune, this shield balances a surface as reflective as a calm lake with the roughness of volcanic terrain.
[Harbinger Flail]
- Type: Flail
- Material: Black Hole Iron, Chain of Woe
- Damage: 780-900
- Magic Potential: Mythic
- Special Abilities:
- Gravity Maelstrom: Creates a gravitational vortex pulling enemies inward.
- Chains of Damnation: Binds and continuously damages foes with ethereal chains.
- Description: Composed of densely packed metal with a gravity well core, the flail's head is encased in chains that wail softly, foretelling doom.
[Armor]
1. Astrologist's Mantle
- Type: Cloak
- Material: Nebula Silk, Starlight Weave
- Defense: 700
- Magic Resistance: 65%
- Special Abilities:
- Cosmic Cloak: Grants invisibility by bending light and shadow around the wearer.
- Description: Adorned with the constellations, wearing this cloak is like donning the night sky itself, its folds shimmering with captured starlight.
[Forgeheart Plate]
- **Type:** Breastplate
- **Material:** Dragonsteel, Heartfire Gem
- **Defense:** 800
- **Magic Resistance:** 78%
- **Special Abilities:**
- **Dragon's Wrath:** Enhances physical powers, imbuing the wearer with fiery aura that damages nearby enemies.
- **Description:** Solid and majestic, this chestpiece pulses with a warmth that protects and empowers, its surface etched with tales of ancient dragon wars.
[Gauntlets of the Titan]
- **Type:** Gauntlets
- **Material:** Meteoric Iron, Crystalized Echo
- **Defense:** 350 per gauntlet
- **Magic Resistance:** 71%
- **Special Abilities:**
- **Titan's Grasp:** Multiples the wearer's strength, allowing them to manipulate geological formations.
- **Description:** These gauntlets are a marvel, heavy and intricate, designed to give its bearer the power to reshape mountains with their bare hands.
[Greaves of Endless Paths]
- **Type:** Greaves
- **Material:** Shadowsteel, Time-Woven Threads
- **Defense:** 420
- **Magic Resistance:** 70%
- **Special Abilities:**
- **Pathwalker:** Increases speed exponentially, bending time to the wearer's pace.
- **Description:** Crafted for the wanderer with a lust for speed, these greaves hum softly, each step echoing through time and space.
Klade, his cheeks red, exclaimed with excitement., "I'M SO OVERPOWERED!!!!"
Kanemi said, "Can you train me?"
"DUH! OF COURSE I WILL!"
'What percent of a chance do I have against the royal family of Rothgar by myself?'
His system answered:
[30%]
'Even after all of that, I still would lose to them by myself?! Doesn't matter. They're still good items Seven crafted. I'm not as weak as before now, I can definitely hold my own. If I have a 30% chance against a royal family member alone, then I have a high chance against other beings and foes! Right? I just know I'm stronger. I've gotten the shit beaten out of me since I got here, loss after loss after loss. And against Aethereal, I would've lost if Seven wasn't there. I hated the feeling of not being able to fit in with their strength, but now I can.'
Klade exclaimed loudly, celebrating, "I love you Seven!"
Klade covered his mouth, 'What the hell did I just blurt out? God help me.'
Back in the room, Seven heard what he said, and she opened her eyes fast.
Seven sat up, holding her head, resembling her nightmare and dream. She then said, "Klade?"