Delmo stood among the remnants of Eldham, the sun casting long shadows over the shattered buildings. Smoke curled from smoldering debris, and the air hung heavy with the scent of blood and burnt wood. His heart ached at the sight. The village he once knew was gone, its vibrant life snuffed out like a candle in a storm.
He clenched his fists, the grip on his Verdant Tempest Blade tightening as he recalled the faces of those he had lost—his parents' smiles, their laughter now silenced forever. A bitter taste filled his mouth. Anger surged within him again, but it dissipated into an overwhelming sense of loss.
The remaining villagers gathered near what remained of the town square. Elara stood at their forefront, speaking with the elders in hushed tones. Delmo watched her, admiring her strength as she rallied the survivors amid their despair.
Jax approached him, his war hammer resting heavily on his shoulder. "What do we do now?" The question hung in the air.
Delmo's eyes narrowed as he surveyed their ruined home. "We can't stay here," he replied, his voice low but firm. "They'll come back and we have no shelter."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the villagers nearby. The elders had begun to speak of Brighthaven. There were rumors of its safety and protection from bandits.
Elara turned to face Delmo, concern etched across her features. "We should go to Brighthaven." Her voice trembled slightly, but there was resolve behind it.
Delmo hesitated, his thoughts racing. Leaving Eldham felt like abandoning his parents all over again. But what good would it do to linger in a dangerous place filled with memories that only brought pain? He swallowed hard, glancing at the faces surrounding him.
"Brighthaven is our best chance," he finally said, though it felt like admitting defeat. "We need to regroup and plan."
One elder nodded gravely. "The journey will be perilous without proper supplies and protection."
Delmo's jaw tightened as he looked around at what remained of Eldham; broken homes and grieving souls filled with fear for what lay ahead.
"Then we'll gather whatever we can find before we leave," Jax asserted. He turned back toward Elara and Lila, their faces reflecting hope amidst despair.
Delmo surveyed the group of villagers, their eyes alight with a mix of admiration and confusion. Whispers filled the air, tales of his unexpected power traveling like wildfire among them. He stood at the center, a reluctant hero wrapped in blood-soaked cloth, the Verdant Tempest Blade glimmering in his grasp.
"Did you see how he fought?" Lila exclaimed, her voice rising above the murmurs. "It was like he was dancing! The way he moved… it was incredible!"
"He took down that marauder leader single-handedly!" Jax added, pride swelling in his chest as he glanced at Delmo. "We owe our safety to him."
The praise washed over Delmo, an odd mixture of pride and discomfort stirring within him. He had never sought glory from this, all he wanted was vengeance and justice for his family. Yet here they were, looking at him with eyes full of praise.
"What changed?" an elder questioned, stepping forward with a furrowed brow. "How did you become so powerful overnight? One moment you were just a boy…"
Delmo shifted on his feet, uncertainty gnawing at him. "I—I don't know," he admitted, staring at the ground as if the earth might provide answers. The memories flooded back: awakening his latent energy, merging with the Supreme Skill Synthesis System, discovering the Verdant Tempest Blade. All things that felt foreign even now.
"Whatever it is," Elara interjected, her voice steady, "it's saved us." She stepped closer to Delmo, her gaze unwavering. "You're not just a boy anymore."
He met her gaze and saw something different. There was a recognition of strength. It felt strange to be placed on such a pedestal when all he had done was act on instinct.
However, Delmo could feel their gazes penetrating him, each look a silent question—how had he transformed from an ordinary boy into a force that had avenged their village?
Delmo opened his mouth to talk, but the words failed him. How could he explain the strange connection he felt with the Supreme Skill Synthesis System? It was as if it had awakened something deep within him, something primal and powerful that he never knew existed. He hesitated, glancing at Elara for support.
"I don't know," Delmo finally managed. "It just… happened." His voice faltered under the weight of their scrutiny.
Elara stepped forward, her presence grounding him. "We all witnessed it," she said, her tone firm yet soothing.
"Then it's a gift," Jax declared, his eyes alight with fervor.
"Let's gather supplies," Elara suggested, her voice cutting through Delmo's spiraling thoughts. "We can't leave empty-handed."
As they moved about the ruins, Delmo watched as the villagers picked through their belongings, salvaging what little remained of their lives. He helped Lila sift through debris near what used to be her family's home. She unearthed a battered wooden chest, her fingers trembling with hope.
"Look!" she exclaimed, prying it open with effort.
Inside lay an assortment of small trinkets and faded clothes—remnants of joy now steeped in sorrow. Lila reached for a delicate necklace, its silver glint catching the light even through the grime.
"Take it," Jax urged softly when he noticed her hesitation.
Lila shook her head defiantly. "It belonged to my mother. I'll bury it with along with her."
Jax nodded, understanding the weight behind her words but unable to provide comfort when he felt so empty himself. Instead, he turned his attention back to gathering supplies. There were canned goods from abandoned homes and water skins still intact amidst shattered pottery.
As all the dozen or so remaining villagers worked together in silence, an uneasy tension filled the air. Delmo could feel it building within him like static before a storm.
The tension hung thick as villagers exchanged glances, each heart beating with shared grief but also with newfound resolve stemming from Delmo's rescue.
They moved into action, each knowing they faced an uncertain future as they buried their dead. Yet, they clang to one another as they began to search through the final remnants of their past lives for anything worth taking on their journey forward.
---
Delmo walked through the thick forest, his boots sinking slightly into the soft, rain-soaked earth. The wooden sword he had materialized—the Blade of Verdant Tempest—hung at his side, pulsing faintly with the energy it contained. He still wasn't sure how he had survived the encounter with the marauders, or what exactly had awakened inside him. The Supreme Skill Synthesis System... it sounded like something out of a legend, a power that no one should have, let alone a village boy like him.
The only thing driving him forward was the knowledge that there was nothing left for him in Eldham. His family, his home, his former life, it was all gone. What he did know was that he had to learn more about this mysterious system that had chosen him. It had saved his life, and it was clear that it had more to offer. But at what cost?
Delmo paused to catch his breath near a small stream, watching as the water flowed calmly, oblivious to the chaos they had just escaped. His thoughts swirled like the currents, twisting with questions he had no answers for.
Suddenly, the System's voice echoed in his mind once more.
New Quest: Survive and Grow Stronger
Objective: Reach the City of Brighthaven
Reward: Experience Points, Access to New Skill Synthesis Options
Delmo's eyes widened. Brighthaven? They had already decided to travel there to seek refuge. It was one of the larger settlements nearby, a place where warriors, mercenaries, and adventurers gathered to seek fortune or fame. But it was far, at least a week's journey by foot.
"Brighthaven…" he muttered under his breath, the name heavy on his tongue. It was a city of opportunity, but also danger.
He rose to his feet, glancing down at the Blade of Verdant Tempest. The weapon was a reminder of the power now inside him, of the potential he had to tap into. The thought stirred something deep within, something fierce. He wasn't just the boy who fled his village anymore. He had the System. And with it, he could change his fate.
With renewed determination, Delmo set his sights on Brighthaven. Delmo was uncertain of what lay in store for him there, but if he intended to become more powerful, it was as good a place to begin as any.
The journey was grueling. For days, Delmo and the villagers trekked through forests, fields, and rough terrain. The weather shifted constantly, from rain to biting winds to stifling heat, as if the world itself sought to test his endurance. Every night, they found shelter where he could, sleeping beneath trees or in the shallow recesses of hills. The thought of marauders or wild beasts kept Delmo from sleeping deeply.
But the System kept him going. Occasionally, it would offer small rewards:
+10 Experience Points for Travelling
+1 Dexterity for Travelling
Small boosts, nothing major, but enough to keep his spirit intact. He also experimented with his skills and the system along the way.
Delmo paused beside a gnarled tree, the sun dipping low in the sky. The villagers moved around him, setting up camp for the night, but he felt the familiar pull of curiosity and determination surge within him.
He drew a deep breath and focused on the Supreme Skill Synthesis System that had become a part of him.
A flicker of light danced before his eyes, and an interface materialized in his mind's eye. The familiar display floated there, vibrant and intricate.
Current Status:
Name: Delmo
Level: 2
Age: 17
Max HP: 110
Max Mana: 105
Experience Points: 320/1000
Attributes:
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 16
Intelligence: 13
Wisdom: 9
Skills:
Basic Healing (Lv. 1): Restores a small amount of HP.
Forest Affinity (Lv. 1): Increased movement speed and awareness in forested areas. (Passive)
Verdant Tempest Blade (Lv. 2): Combines swordsmanship and wood elemental manipulation, along with swift footwork.
Synthesis Points:
Total Synthesis Points Available: 2
Delmo's brow furrowed as he absorbed the details on the screen. His HP had increased, an encouraging sign. The rest of his attributes had all seen improvements as well. Each point felt like hard-won merit from every challenge faced thus far.
The sight of his experience points rising brought a surge of excitement through him. He had already gained around 100 points from their trek. With every encounter, he could feel himself growing stronger, more capable of defending those who remained with him.
"Two Synthesis Points…" he murmured to himself, recalling how skills merged to create something entirely new. The possibilities excited him; he could enhance his healing ability or deepen his connection to nature through synthesis.
"Delmo!" Elara's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality.
He turned to find her approaching, her expression curious yet encouraging as she carried a small bundle of herbs she had gathered earlier.
"Everything alright?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Delmo nodded, still captivated by the status screen lingering in his mind. "Just checking our surroundings."
Elara smiled softly at that. It was a reminder that even amidst turmoil, moments like these could exist.
He glanced back at the interface one last time before letting it fade from view, determination burning brighter than ever within him as night began to fall around them.