Chapter 18: Getting Stronger
Kane took a deep breath, admiring his new hands. They looked like those of an idol from Earth, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. He accessed the System's store, scanning the offerings:
"System, show me the store."
Clone: 50 gold
Healing Pill: 2 gold
Sword: 15 gold
Armor: 30 gold
Black Cloak: 3 gold
Gold Remaining: 123
Kane made his purchase:
"Purchased: Black Cloak. Gold Remaining: 120."
He needed a cloak to replace his destroyed clothes and to conceal his identity. If demons discovered he was human, he'd be doomed. With his new cloak, Kane set out towards the nearby city.
In the opulent halls of the White Dragon Empire, a grand banquet unfolded, attended by a sea of nobles.
Jhon, once a humble villager, found himself at the center of attention, surrounded by the cream of society. The King's invitation had brought him to this moment, where he was hailed as the Hero of Light.
The room was abuzz with humans, elves, and demi-humans, all gathered to celebrate the birth of a new hero.
Lumi, an angel in disguise, blended in seamlessly with the human nobles, her true identity hidden to avoid causing a stir in the Empire.
The King of the Elven Kingdom, Lian, rose to deliver a speech, his voice echoing through the hall.
"Friends, nobles, and honored guests, we gather tonight to celebrate a remarkable individual, Jhon, the Hero of Light. His bravery and selflessness have earned him a place among us, and we welcome him with open arms."
As Lian spoke, the King of the White Dragon Empire entered, his bond with the majestic white dragon evident in their synchronized movements.
The King's expressionless eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Jhon, who felt an unsettling chill run down his spine.
The King's thoughts drifted to the dark, yet divine history of the White Dragon Empire, forged through blood and fire.
An empire built on the principles of power, magic, and the unyielding bond between humans and dragons.
A history that whispered secrets of ancient wars, forgotten lore, and the unrelenting pursuit of dominance.
As the night wore on, Jhon found himself entwined in a web of intrigue, nobles vying for his attention, and whispers of a prophecy that spoke of a hero who would bring balance to the Empire
As Jhon navigated the complex web of noble politics, he caught sight of a mysterious figure lingering at the edge of the hall. Clad in a black hooded cloak, the figure seemed out of place among the sea of colorful nobles.
Lumi, sensing Jhon's gaze, discreetly nodded towards the figure. "That is Raven, a master of shadows and whispers. Few know their true intentions, but their presence is always accompanied by intrigue."
Jhon's curiosity was piqued, and he found himself drawn to Raven's enigmatic presence.
Meanwhile, the King of the White Dragon Empire raised his glass, his voice booming through the hall. "To Jhon, the Hero of Light! May his bravery illuminate our path forward!"
As the nobles echoed the toast, a sudden commotion erupted outside the hall. A group of shadowy figures, armed to the teeth, stormed into the banquet.
"Assassins!" Raven shouted, drawing a dagger from the shadows.
The White Dragon Empire's guards rushed to defend the nobles, but Jhon stood frozen, unsure of what to do.
Lumi appeared beside him, her eyes blazing with a fierce light. "Jhon, trust me. I will protect you."
With that, she summoned a brilliant shield of light, deflecting the assassins' attacks. Jhon watched in awe as Lumi fought with precision and skill, her true nature as an angel shining through.
The battle raged on, with Raven joining the fray, their movements a blur of darkness and steel. The fate of the White Dragon Empire hung in the balance, and Jhon found himself at the center of a maelstrom of intrigue and magic.
But suddenly
Raven's sword sliced through Jhon's defenses, biting deep into his shoulder, and he felt a warm gush of blood soak through his tunic.
He gritted his teeth, refusing to yield, and swung his sword in a wide arc, decapitating an assassin with a sickening crunch. The head rolled across the floor, eyes frozen in a permanent scream, as the body collapsed, spewing a fountain of blood from the severed neck.
Lumi's light shield faltered, and she stumbled back, an assassin's dagger buried deep in her side, just below her ribcage. Jhon's rage intensified, his sword slicing through the assassin's chest, the sound of shattering ribs and tearing flesh making his stomach churn.
The assassin's eyes bulged, mouth agape, as Jhon's sword ripped through their heart, the organ tearing apart with a wet, squelching sound. Raven lunged, her sword aimed at Jhon's heart, but he parried, their blades locked in a fierce stalemate.
For a moment, they stood frozen, eyes locked in a fierce stare, before Jhon twisted, his sword slicing through Raven's defenses, biting deep into her shoulder. She gasped, her eyes widening in shock, as Jhon's sword ripped through muscle and bone, the sound of tearing flesh echoing through the hall.
The assassins faltered, their leader fallen, and Jhon took advantage of the momentary lapse, striking down the remaining attackers with brutal efficiency. His sword sliced through limbs, sending arms and legs flying across the room, the sound of shattering bone and tearing flesh filling the air.
The hall was a charnel house, the floor slick with blood, the stench of death hanging heavy over the carnage. As the last assassin fell, Jhon stood panting, his sword trembling with exhaustion, the blade slick with blood and gore.
Lumi leaned against him, her light-infused wounds slowly healing, her face pale and drawn. Raven, her shoulder bleeding profusely, glared at Jhon with a mix of anger and admiration, before vanishing into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of blood and death.
As they stepped outside, the cool night air enveloped them, a stark contrast to the chaos they'd left behind. Lumi gazed up at the stars, her eyes searching for solace in their twinkling light. Jhon stood beside her, his presence a comforting reminder that they'd faced the darkness together.
"What are we doing, Jhon?" Lumi asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is this really what we're meant to do?"
Jhon turned to her, his eyes reflecting the starlight. "I don't know, Lumi. But I do know that I'm glad we're in this together."
Lumi's gaze met his, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. Then Jhon reached out and took her hand, his touch sending a spark of electricity through her veins.
"I'm glad too," Lumi said, her voice filled with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Jhon."
"You'll never have to find out," Jhon replied, his voice low and gentle. "I'm here for you, Lumi. Always."
They stood there, hands clasped, gazing up at the stars, their hearts slowly opening to each other. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in a moment of perfect understanding.
In that moment, they both knew that their relationship had shifted, that they'd crossed a threshold into something deeper a
nd more meaningful. The stars above seemed to twinkle in approval, as if blessing their newfound connection.