-Next Day
Marvin woke up unusually early, his vision still slightly blurry as he sat up and stretched. "Didn't think I'd ever see the sunrise sober," he muttered, rubbing his face and forcing himself to get moving. After washing up and shaking off the lingering grogginess, he decided a walk outside might help clear his head.
As he opened the door, Marvin was startled to see someone standing right in front of it—stall owner Liren. "My lord," Liren greeted him, bowing politely.
Marvin blinked, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You haven't been standing here since last night, have you?" he teased.
Liren straightened, his face serious but slightly sheepish. "No, my lord. I arrived early, but I didn't want to disturb your rest, so I waited outside."
Marvin chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, that's dedication for you. Good. Now that you're here, I have something for you. Follow me," he said, gesturing for Liren to follow him,
Marvin strolled leisurely, his steps unhurried and confident. Behind him, Liren followed quietly, glancing around at the unfamiliar paths.
The oddness of their pairing didn't escape notice—the one that walking ahead his royal attire is clean and sharp, exuding the poise of someone accustomed to nobility. Behind him, Liren followed, his torn and patched clothes a stark contrast to Marvin's appearance.
one carrying the aura of command, the other a simple farmer humbled by circumstance.
After about an hour of walking, the bustling city faded into the distance, replaced by barren, desolate land stretching ahead. Marvin finally broke the silence, his voice steady as he spoke without turning to look at Liren. "Yesterday, I promised you land to cultivate crops. That's where we're heading."
Liren hesitated, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Are you sure, my lord?" he asked cautiously. "This area… it's dangerous. There are lots of bandits here."
Marvin smirked, a hint of mischief in his tone. "Bandits? Let them try," he said mockingly. "I'm the rightful owner of this entire territory. I'll take whatever I want—and no one's stopping me."
Liren watched Marvin's calm and collected demeanor with growing relief. Despite his initial worries, something about the young lord's confidence was oddly reassuring. Even so… I'm curious to see what this lord is truly capable of, he thought to himself as they continued their journey.
Of course, Marvin wasn't truly arrogant -he just liked to play the part when the situation called for it. In truth, his confidence stemmed from a quick glance at the stats of the small silver dagger that now rested at his side:
---
Silver Dagger
Attack: 20
Defense: 20
Additional Effect: Every third hit triggers a stun for 3 seconds.
---
Isn't this amazing? Marvin thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. The dagger wasn't just practical; it was a game-changer for someone like him, But what excited him even more was the system's sudden notification while they were walking toward the barren land.
---
-New Task-
•Objective: Eliminate three bandits from the outskirts.
•Reward: Spell Unlock: Lightning Jab.
---
That was why Marvin exuded such confidence. It wasn't arrogance, just calculated optimism. I'm not a brute, he thought, his steps unwavering. But I'm definitely smarter than the lowlifes who skulk around the outskirts.
He glanced back briefly at Liren, who still looked nervous but seemed to take comfort in Marvin's demeanor. "Don't worry," Marvin said casually, tapping the hilt of the dagger at his side. "This trip will be more interesting than you think."
After walking for around more than hour or so Marvin stopped suddenly in the middle of the open field, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse. The land stretched as far as the eye could see -nearly 50 acres of untapped potential. He turned slightly to glance at Liren, who was standing behind him with an expression of disbelief.
"This," Marvin said, spreading his arms theatrically, "is what I'm giving you. Do you like it? There's a river close by, so you won't have to worry about water supply either."
Liren's mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally stammered, "I-is this where I'm going to work? Isn't this... too big?"
"That's why I told you to find people you trust to work with, remember?" Marvin reminded him with a smirk.
Liren remained awestruck, his gaze darting between the land and Marvin. But then he composed himself, his tone shifting to one of excitement. "My lord, I have good news," he said, his eyes lighting up. "I found what you were looking for. That's why I came early to inform you!"
Marvin raised an eyebrow. "You work fast, don't you? Let me guess, someone you already know? A friend?" he asked, half-teasing.
Liren nodded eagerly. Marvin couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright. Tell them to come to my mansion in the evening."
"Yes, my lord," Liren replied, bowing.
Marvin motioned to the open land. "Go on. Survey the area if you want. Look around, see if this suits your taste," he joked, his tone light.
Liren hesitated, not knowing how to respond, so he simply bowed again and walked into the field. His movements became more deliberate as he bent down, inspecting the soil and gauging its fertility—classic farmer behavior.
Unbeknownst to Marvin, Liren cast a glance back at him, his expression serious, and murmured under his breath, "Lord, I hope you succeed in whatever you're trying to do. This is my one and only chance. I don't know when an opportunity like this will ever come again."
Marvin stood by, watching Liren with a faint smile, completely unaware of the weight those words carried. For him, this was just another step in his larger plan, but for Liren, it was a glimmer of hope—a lifeline in a harsh, unforgiving world.
Marvin glanced around the open field, searching for a spot to rest. His eyes landed on a large, sturdy tree nearby. He strolled over, settling himself under the shade, the cool breeze offering a brief respite from the sun.
Leaning back against the trunk, he exhaled and muttered, "Alright, let's see what this thing has for me now."
He called out for the system, and as always, a screen materialized right in front of his face. The sudden appearance startled him, making him flinch slightly.
"Someday I'll die because of this," Marvin chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. His laughter echoed faintly, blending with the rustling of leaves above him.
Marvin tapped on the "Task" tab in his profile, and the glowing text shifted to display his current objective.
----
[Tasks]
•Objective: Eliminate three bandits from the outskirts.
•Reward: Spell Unlock: Lightning Jab.
----
Marvin stared at the glowing text on the system screen. Lightning Jab. The name alone sounds amazing.
"I can't believe I can actually learn this," he muttered, a hint of disbelief and excitement in his voice. "If it weren't for this system, I'd be stuck like everyone else—no magic, no chance. You have to be born with an affinity for magic in this world."
He closed the screen and let out a low chuckle. "No wonder there aren't many magicians out there. Looks like I'm getting the exclusive upgrade package."
Marvin flexed his fingers, imagining the crackling energy coursing through them. "This is going to be fun."