Adrian stepped into the familiar embrace of Shadowgrove Forest, the dense canopy of trees filtering the sunlight into a soft, dappled glow on the forest floor.
The air was thick with the scent of earth and foliage, a reminder of the many battles he'd fought here to grow stronger.
His mind was focused, but the absence of Sophia by his side felt strange. Though he understood her responsibilities, he missed the comfort of her presence, her steadying influence.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, Adrian couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The usual sounds of the forest seemed muted, the atmosphere heavier than usual.
His instincts, honed by his recent battles, sent a tingle down his spine, filling him with unease. But he pressed on, determined to make the most of his training.
"My Reincarnator senses are tingling," he muttered jokingly, trying to calm his unease.
Unbeknownst to Adrian, a figure lurked in the shadows, watching his every move. The envoy of Baron Mortimer, a man hardened by years of service to his ruthless master, smirked as he saw Adrian walk further into the forest, away from the safety of the town.
The information he had gathered over the past few days had proven useful. He had been waiting for this moment, and now the time had come to strike.
As Adrian approached a clearing, the envoy signaled to his men, who had been lying in wait. The rustling of leaves was the only warning Adrian had before the attack began.
From all sides, six armed men emerged, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. Adrian's heart raced as he realized he had walked into an ambush. But he didn't panic. Instead, he quickly assessed his situation, his training kicking in.
"Well, well," a voice sneered from behind the group. The envoy stepped forward, his face twisted into a grin. "The young lord of Everhart Manor, all alone in the woods. How convenient."
Adrian narrowed his eyes, recognizing the man as one of Baron Mortimer's lackeys.
"What do you want?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
The envoy chuckled darkly. "Nothing personal, boy. The Baron simply can't let your little stunt go unpunished. But don't worry, I'll make sure you don't suffer too long."
Adrian's grip tightened on his dagger as he mentally prepared himself for the fight ahead. He knew he was outnumbered, but he refused to give in to fear.
His mind raced as he considered his options. He could attempt to escape, but that would only leave him vulnerable to another ambush later. No, he needed to fight, to show them that the Everhart family wasn't to be trifled with.
Adrian sighed and called the system, deciding to spend his SP to buy the Appraisal skill.
Depending on the levels of these people, he would decide whether to stay and fight or run away. Adrian wasn't the same person he was when he first entered Shadowgrove Forest.
He had grown stronger, more skilled, and he wasn't about to back down now.
"System, I want to buy the Appraisal skill," Adrian commanded in his mind, his voice calm and focused.
"Confirming purchase of the Appraisal skill. 10,000 SP deducted," the system replied promptly, the familiar tone of its voice oddly comforting in the tense situation.
Adrian felt a slight tingling sensation in his eyes as the skill took effect. He blinked, and suddenly, the figures before him seemed to shift, their levels and basic stats appearing in his field of vision.
He scanned the six men first, all of them seasoned fighters but not particularly extraordinary in any one area. Their levels ranged from 5 to 9.
The highest-level opponent was the envoy at level 10, but his job class was surprisingly a non-combatant one: [Bureaucrat].
Gareth (Level 5)
HP: 100/100 | MP: 50/50
Strength: 18
Agility: 15
Intelligence: 10
Rufus (Level 6)
HP: 110/110 | MP: 60/60
Strength: 22
Agility: 16
Intelligence: 11
Doran (Level 7)
HP: 120/120 | MP: 70/70
Strength: 24
Agility: 17
Intelligence: 12
Ryker (Level 8)
HP: 130/130 | MP: 80/80
Strength: 26
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 13
Jaxon (Level 9)
HP: 140/140 | MP: 90/90
Strength: 28
Agility: 19
Intelligence: 14
Balen (Level 9)
HP: 150/150 | MP: 100/100
Strength: 33
Agility: 20
Intelligence: 15
Envoy: Darian (Level 10)
HP: 160/160 | MP: 110/110
Strength: 16
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 21
Job Class: Bureaucrat
Though they outnumbered Adrian, their stats were relatively average compared to his own status. They were weaker than him.
However, the hidden seventh figure caught his attention. Shrouded in a dark robe, this person's stats were far above the others.
Adrian focused his Appraisal skill on them, and the details emerged, revealing their identity as Eve Mortimer, the daughter of Baron Mortimer.
Eve Mortimer
Level: 13
Title : Illegitimate Daughter of Baron Mortimer, Nature's Daughter
Class: Mage
Health Points (HP): 200/200
Mana Points (MP): 300/300
Strength: 12
Agility: 14
Endurance: 16
Intelligence: 45
Charisma: 27
Luck: 15
Skills:
Flame Burst: A mid-range fire spell that deals significant damage.
Mana Shield: A protective barrier that reduces incoming damage by absorbing it with mana.
Dark Binding: A spell that restrains the target's movements with dark energy, making them vulnerable to attacks.
Eve Mortimer's presence was far more threatening than that of the envoy and the other six men. She was the only one with stats comparable to his.
Her high intelligence indicated she was capable of devastating magical attacks, and her Mana Shield would make her difficult to take down with a frontal assault.
As the tension in the clearing grew thicker, Adrian's mind raced. The new Appraisal skill had given him a clearer understanding of the threat before him, but it had also highlighted the presence of Eve Mortimer, a powerful mage whose abilities could easily turn the tide of battle.
Adrian's heart pounded in his chest, but he remained calm. The time for hesitation had passed; now, he had to rely on his training and newfound strength to survive.
Adrian didn't waste any time. He activated Mana Fortification, channeling his mana into his legs to enhance his speed.
With a burst of agility, he darted toward the nearest as well as the weakest ambusher, Gareth, his enchanted dagger gleaming in his hand.
The man barely had time to react before Adrian's blade sliced through his side, and then quickly thrusting his dagger to his heart, for the final kill.
The remaining five men, along with the envoy, were stunned by Adrian's speed and precision. They couldn't believe that the man they cornered would be the first to attack them and with such decisiveness.
Adrian's eyes flicked to Eve Mortimer, who had not yet joined the fray. She stood back, watching with a calm, calculating gaze. He knew she was waiting for the right moment to unleash her magic, and he needed to act before she did.