Leo carefully helped the injured man into his flat, closing the door behind them. The man's tall, muscular frame slumped onto the couch. His clothes were torn and dirty, a black tank top stretched over his broad chest, paired with cargo pants and scuffed boots. Blood stained his sleeves, and bruises covered his arms and neck. His short, dark hair was messy, and a small scar ran across his left eyebrow, giving him a rugged appearance.
"Here, take"
Leo said, grabbing a health potion from his inventory. He uncorked it and handed it over. "Drink this. It should help."
The man hesitated for a moment, his sharp brown eyes studying Leo. Then, without a word, he took the bottle and downed it. His wounds began to close almost instantly, and his complexion improved as color returned to his face.
"Thanks a lot, young man." the man said, his voice deep and gravelly, staring at his healing body.
'System, can you tell me more about him?' he asked in his mind.
[Query Recognized - Analyzing Target]
[Target Information]
Name: Jerry Cross
Age: 28
Status: Awakened (Rank C)
[Abilities] Enhanced Strength, Energy Shield (Partial Mastery)
[Background] Former military operative turned rogue mercenary. Known for stealing rare items from underground organizations.
[Current Condition] 75% health recovered, stamina low.
[Recent Activity] Involved in a theft of a Class B Potion from an organization identified as "The Obsidian Order."
[Additional Notes] Resourceful but reckless. Trust level: Neutral
"May I know who helped me?"
"Leo wright"
Leo blinked at the screen floating in front of him, impressed by the level of detail. "Jerry Cross, huh?" he said aloud, glancing at the man.
Jerry raised an eyebrow, still catching his breath.
"How do you know my name?"
"Let's just say I've got… resources"
Leo replied vaguely, not wanting to explain the system just yet. He decided to shift the conversation. "Where do you live, Jerry? Anyone waiting for you?"
Jerry shook his head. "I live alone. Small apartment downtown. No family, no one to check in on me."Leo frowned slightly, feeling a twinge of sympathy. "Alright. Why were those guys after you? What's this potion they were talking about?"
"They're from a group called the Obsidian Order. They deal in… let's call it high-stakes black market trades. Weapons, artifacts, potions, you name it. I got wind that they had a Class B potion, the kind that's supposed to be a game-changer. It's called the Phoenix Draught. Supposedly, it can heal almost any injury instantly and even extend someone's life for a short while."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Sounds powerful. Why'd you steal it?"
Jerry smirked faintly. "Because they shouldn't have it. They'd use it for control, leverage, or worse. I thought I could get it out of their hands and… maybe sell it to someone more responsible." He let out a dry laugh. "Thanks to you, that didn't go as planned."
"Do you still have it?" Leo asked.
Jerry nodded and reached into a hidden pocket on his pants, pulling out a small glass vial. The liquid inside glowed faintly with a golden-red hue, swirling like fire trapped in a bottle. "Here it is. The Phoenix Draught."
Leo stared at the vial, feeling a strange pull toward it. The potion's aura was almost hypnotic.
"I can't keep it with me," Jerry said suddenly, his tone serious. "If the Obsidian Order tracks me down again, I won't survive the next fight. I need you to hold onto it."
Leo blinked, taken aback. "Me? Why me?"Jerry shrugged. "You stepped in back there. You've got resources, healing potions, strength. I don't know what your deal is, but you're better equipped than I am right now. Can you keep it safe? Just until I figure something out."
Leo opened his mouth to refuse, but something stopped him. His instincts whispered that he could handle this, that he should handle it.
"Alright!" he said, taking the vial carefully. "But just until you come up with a plan. I'm not running a storage service, you know."
Jerry chuckled weakly. "Fair enough. Thanks, Leo. I owe you a lot."
Leo didn't respond, staring at the swirling liquid in the vial.
***
Next day Leo decided to pay up the pending bills for his uncle medication at hospital, jerry who had nowhere to hide from order decides to go with Leo
The hospital stood quiet in the early evening, its stark white walls illuminated by dim fluorescent lights. Leo and Jerry walked through the sliding glass doors, greeted by the faint hum of machines and the occasional murmur of passing nurses. It was 8:40 AM, and the air carried the sterile chill unique to such places.
They made their way to the reception desk. Leo, clutching a file with the details of his uncle's treatment, spoke to the nurse on duty. "I'm here to settle the bills for Mr. Harrison wright"
The nurse checked the records. "It's a substantial amount," she warned. "Are you sure?"
The amount was about 8k.
Leo nodded firmly. "I've got it covered."
He handed over a bundle of cash and a few checks, his earnings from selling loot collected in the Orc King's lair. Jerry watched silently, impressed by Leo's resolve.
As they waited for the final receipt, Jerry broke the silence. "You know, you could use that potion." he suggested, his voice low.
Leo turned to him, frowning. "The Phoenix Draught? That's for emergencies."
Jerry crossed his arms. "And this isn't? Look, your uncle's been in this hospital for months. You just cleared his bills, but that won't magically heal him. That potion is meant to save lives. Let it do its job."
glancing at the vial tucked safely in his bag "Fine," Leo muttered. "But if this doesn't work…"
Jerry clapped him on the shoulder. "It will. Trust me."
The two entered his uncle's room. The old man lay on the bed, frail and pale, his chest rising and falling weakly. Machines beeped steadily, but his condition had hardly improved in months.
Leo pulled out the potion and uncorked it. A warm, soothing aroma filled the room. Carefully, he tilted the vial to his uncle's lips, letting the liquid flow gently.
The change was immediate. Color returned to the old man's face, his breathing steadied, and his eyes fluttered open. For the first time in months, Harrison looked alert and alive.
"Huh…" his uncle rasped, his voice stronger than Leo expected.
Leo smiled, relief washing over him. "Welcome back."
Jerry leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a satisfied grin on his face. "Told you it'd work."
Leo watched in silence as his uncle sat up, the color returning to his face. The Phoenix Draught had worked faster than he'd imagined. The deep lines of illness that had marked his uncle's face seemed to fade, leaving him looking years younger.
Harrison blinked a few times, adjusting to the light in the room. "Leo… is that you?"
Leo stood at the edge of the bed, his figure bathed in the golden light streaming through the window. His tousled dark hair was damp with sweat, and his sharp features were softened by a mix of relief and exhaustion. His piercing eyes, glimmering with unshed tears, betrayed the immense weight he'd carried for months.
He wore a simple, weathered black hoodie with the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, revealing faint bruises and scars etched into his forearms. The hoodie hung loosely on his lean frame, the fabric frayed at the cuffs. His jeans, equally worn, were splattered with dirt and faint smudges of blood, a testament to the trials he'd endured. His sneakers, once white, were now scuffed and stained.
"Yes I am" Leo said softly, relief evident in his tone.
Harrison glanced at Jerry, then back at Leo. His gaze lingered, and his expression grew thoughtful. "You've changed" he said, his tone serious. "There's something about you now… your aura. It's stronger, more commanding."
Leo shrugged, trying to downplay it. "A lot's happened recently," he admitted. "I've had to… step up."
Harrison nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing in thought. "You look like someone ready to take on great responsibilities" he said quietly.
Leo wasn't sure how to respond, but before he could say anything, his uncle spoke again.
"Leo, listen" Harrison began, his voice heavy with meaning. "There's something I need to tell you, something I've kept hidden until now."
Leo frowned, leaning closer. "What is it?"
Harrison took a deep breath. "Years ago, I founded a guild called Snowfall. We were one of the best—specializing in dungeon raids, gate exploration, and retrieving powerful artifacts. But when I got sick, I had to step back. Without leadership, the guild fell into hiatus, and its name faded from memory."
Leo blinked, stunned by the revelation. "You… you were a guild leader?"
Harrison nodded. "Not just any guild leader. Snowfall was my life's work. And now… I believe it's time for you to take over."
Leo stared at him, caught between disbelief and curiosity. "Me? Uncle, I don't know anything about running a guild!"
"You'll learn with time" Harrison said firmly. "You've already proven yourself. I can see it in you—you're stronger now, more capable. Snowfall needs a leader, and I can't think of anyone better suited than you."
Reaching into the drawer of the bedside table, Harrison pulled out a small, intricately carved crest. The Snowfall Emblem. The symbol of the guild's leadership.
It was shaped like a delicate snowflake, its six intricate arms radiating outward in perfect symmetry. Each arm was adorned with minuscule etchings of swirling winds and frost-laden branches, so fine they seemed alive under the shifting light.
The core of the emblem was made of polished silver, gleaming like freshly fallen snow, while the edges were tipped with a faint blue enamel that shimmered like ice under the sun.
On the back, a faint inscription was engraved in an elegant, flowing script: "Through frost, we lead." It was a symbol not just of authority, but of unity and resilience in the face of any storm.
"This" Harrison said, holding it out to Leo, "is yours now. With it, you'll have the authority to rebuild the guild. To make it great again."
Leo hesitated, staring at the emblem. "I don't know if I'm ready for this"
"You are" Harrison said, his tone unwavering. "And I'll be here to guide you. But the decision is yours."
After a long moment, Leo reached out and took the emblem, its weight solid in his hand. He felt a strange sense of responsibility settle over him.
"Alright!" he said finally. "I'll do it. I'll lead Snowfall."
Harrison smiled, pride shining in his eyes. "You'll make me proud, Leo. I know you will."