Leonardo sat on his bed, staring at the faintly glowing dagger and the colorless crystal resting on the table. The events of the day replayed in his mind—the mysterious pouch, the treasures it held, and the cryptic voice announcing his reward.
As he reached into his pocket absentmindedly, his fingers brushed against something small and smooth. Frowning, he pulled it out—a crystal ball no larger than a marble. The translucent sphere shimmered faintly in the moonlight, its surface cool to the touch.
"Another item?" he murmured, inspecting it closely. How come it's in my pocket, when did I received it. Why it wasn't inside the pouch.
It was now clear that the leather pouch had gifted him a total of four items: the glowing dagger, the handful of coins, the colorless crystal, and now this peculiar sphere. Each object seemed to hold its own mystery, yet it was the dagger and his enhanced reflexes that had already proven invaluable.
Leonardo rolled the crystal ball between his fingers, wondering about its purpose. Unlike the other items, this one didn't radiate power or significance—it felt ordinary. But something told him it wasn't.
"Is this another key to something… or a test?" he pondered aloud.
His gaze shifted to the dagger and the crystal. These items had already brought him into a world of danger and discovery. Whatever lay ahead, he knew this crystal ball would eventually reveal its purpose.
Placing it gently next to the dagger, Leonardo leaned back with a sigh. The rewards from the leather pouch were extraordinary, but they came with a cost: the responsibility to tread a path he never asked for.
Yet, deep down, he knew there was no turning back. The journey was just beginning, and he was determined to see it through—no matter where it led.
Leonardo carefully placed the dagger, the colorless crystal, and the tiny crystal ball on the wooden shelf in his room. He had no idea of their full significance but knew they were far from ordinary. After arranging everything neatly, he glanced at his mother, who was still resting peacefully. The sight of her frail form reminded him of his priorities.
With a determined sigh, he decided to head into town to buy good food and medicine for her. He quickly freshened up, washing the grime from the past few days off his face. His stomach growled, but he ignored it—his mother's well-being came first.
Leonardo slipped one of the gold coins into his pocket and left the house, walking briskly towards the bustling town. The weight of the coin in his pocket felt heavy—not because of its physical weight, but because of what it symbolized. In their poverty-stricken life, earning even a silver coin required months of hard labor. Yet now, he had gold coins worth six months of sustenance.
As he entered the town, the familiar scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meat wafted through the air. The marketplace was alive with chatter, laughter, and the occasional sound of haggling. Leonardo made his way to the general store, where he planned to buy food and medicine.
The shopkeeper, a burly man with a grizzled beard and suspicious eyes, looked up as Leonardo approached the counter. His gaze sharpened when Leonardo placed a gold coin on the counter.
The shopkeeper picked up the coin, flipping it between his fingers. "Where did you get this?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. "Did you steal it?"
Leonardo straightened his back, meeting the man's gaze with confidence. "No, I didn't. It's mine—hard-earned," he replied firmly, though he avoided giving any details.
The shopkeeper snorted, a smirk playing on his lips. "Hard-earned, huh? How come a beggar like you is earning gold coins now? Don't tell me you've started looting rich folks."
The insult stung, but Leonardo refused to show it. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He had endured years of such slander due to his family's financial struggles, but today, he wouldn't let it slide.
"Mind your own business," he growled, stepping closer to the counter. "I can go to another shop if you don't want to sell to me. I'm paying you fairly, and you have no right to question how I got this coin."
The shopkeeper smirked, but his confidence wavered as Leonardo grabbed him by the collar, dragging him forward slightly. The boy's sudden boldness was unexpected, and the shopkeeper's expression shifted from smug to startled.
"Listen to me," Leonardo said, his voice low but firm. "I'm not here to beg or steal. I'm here to buy what I need for my sick mother. You can either take this coin and do your job, or I'll go to someone else who will."
The shopkeeper stared at him for a moment, then huffed and stepped back, adjusting his collar. "Fine," he muttered, placing the coin into the till. "What do you want?"
Leonardo listed the items: fresh bread, dried meat, vegetables, and a small pouch of medicinal herbs. The shopkeeper collected everything, still grumbling under his breath, but Leonardo didn't care. He had made his point.
After gathering the supplies, Leonardo left the store, his head held high. He couldn't afford to let anyone undermine him or his resolve. He was no longer just a poor boy struggling to survive. He was something more now—something stronger.
As he walked back home with the supplies, he couldn't shake the thought: This is only the beginning.
If you're enjoying the journey of The Awakened Slayer, I'd really appreciate your support! Your feedback and power stones mean the world to me and help keep the story going strong. Every like, comment, and stone motivates me to write even more and bring you the next thrilling chapter. Thank you for being a part of this adventure, and I look forward to sharing more twists and turns with you!
What secrets do the dagger, the crystal, and the tiny sphere hold? Were they mere treasures, or tools for an unimaginable destiny? Leonardo's journey has only begun, and the mysteries deepen with each step. Curious? Add this story to your library, leave a comment, and support with power stones to uncover what lies ahead!