Leo's steps echoed softly as he hurried away from the narrow alley and into the labyrinth of Rome's quieter streets. His heart was still pounding from the encounter with Decimus Brutus. The mention of his name had sent a jolt of shock through him, but it was the cryptic message that had truly unsettled him.
Trust no one, not even Caesar.
Suddenly, a soft chime rang in his mind, and Leo almost stumbled as a holographic window appeared before him. The sudden brightness made him squint, and the system interface shimmered like an ethereal mirage.
Ding!
Congratulations! You have leveled up!
Leo stared, momentarily breathless. He had completely forgotten about the system that had activated when he first arrived in this world. With a small smile, he realized that whatever his circumstances, he was becoming more than just an accidental visitor in ancient Rome. He was becoming part of this world's rules.
Level Up!
New Skills Unlocked: Cloak of Shadows (Passive): Grants the ability to blend into surroundings, making it harder to detect by enemies.
Tactical Mind (Active): Temporarily boosts Leo's strategic thinking, providing insight into enemy plans and allowing better decision-making.
8 Free Stat Points Available.
Leo's eyes widened as he looked at his stats. He hadn't realized how much his encounter with Decimus had triggered a boost in his abilities.
Leo Carter's Stats:
Strength: 5 Agility: 6 Intelligence: 9 Endurance: 4 Charisma: 7 Wisdom: 8 Luck: 3
I need to balance this out, Leo thought, tapping the air and selecting the available stat points. He could already feel the pull of increased awareness and focus, as if his mind had been fine-tuned.
Stat Points Allocation:
Strength: +2 (Now 7)Endurance: +2 (Now 6)Agility: +2 (Now 8)Charisma: +2 (Now 9)
The system gave another soft chime, signaling the allocation was complete. Leo felt an immediate change—his steps became more confident, his breath more controlled. He knew he'd need every advantage in the days to come.
As he moved further through the cobblestone streets, the city around him seemed to come alive. Shopkeepers were closing up their stalls, the scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the earthy tang of morning dew. He kept his head down and his eyes sharp, every sound and movement telling him more about the world he was becoming a part of.
New Objective: Keep your wits about you. The game is about to change, and Rome is the board.
Leo glanced up and found himself in front of a small, dimly lit tavern. The wooden sign creaked as it swung in the breeze, bearing the name The Silver Laurel. Inside, he could hear the murmur of voices and the clinking of cups, an oasis for those looking to escape the chaos of the city.
He pushed the door open, stepping inside. The warm air enveloped him, the scent of wine and wood smoke mingling as patrons looked up with curiosity. An older man, hunched over with a long, graying beard, raised an eyebrow as Leo approached the bar.
"Looking for company or just a drink, stranger?" the barkeep asked, his voice rough but amused.
"Neither," Leo said, pulling his hood lower. "I'm looking for information."
The man's eyes glimmered with intrigue. "You've come to the right place, then. But be careful, young one. Rome has ears everywhere."
Leo took a deep breath and nodded, the hum of the tavern fading into the background as he prepared to step further into the game. This was the beginning of a path that could lead to glory—or ruin.