Ethan's hands were burned. His arms ached with every swing of the heavy axe, and blisters had already started forming on his palms.
Is this what it means to be an NPC?
He took a shaky breath and wiped his forehead, but the sweat mixed with the drizzle from the light rain, making his tunic cling uncomfortably to his skin. The big pile of firewood was barely decreasing despite his hard efforts, and Anna, the servant girl, was already at the end of her logs
"Are you even trying?" Anna huffed, expertly splitting another log with a single swing.
Ethan scowled. "Do I look like I am not?"
"Honestly?" She gave him a once over and smirked. "You look like a noble's kid who's never worked a day in his life."
She wasn't completely wrong.
Back on Earth, Ethan spent most of his time gaming, sitting at his desk, drinking soft drinks ,Hard work it was never in his dictionary. Chopping wood? Not on the list of things he had ever done.Too the hell he would do
But now, survival depended on it.
He gritted his teeth and raised the axe again. The wooden handle was rough and heavy in his grip. He brought it down with all his strength, but instead of a clean split of wood, the blade lodged itself awkwardly into the log.
Anna snorted.
Ethan exhaled sharply and yanked at the handle, but it barely budged.He was putting all his power to pull out but still it was not coming out
"Here." Anna walked over, rolling her beautiful eyes, and with one sharp perfect kick, the log split cleanly apart in two pieces, the stuck axe sliding free with ease.
Ethan stared. "What the hell? How did youu .....?"
"Years of doing this," she said, tossing him a knowing grin. "Unlike you, I don't have the freedom or luxury of standing around."
Ethan rubbed his sore hands and sighed. This is not going to be easy
After what felt like hours of chopping wood, Ethan's body felt like it had been put through a blender.His eyes were gloomy dead,His arms were sore, his back ached, and his hands were raw.
Still, he had hardly managed to complete his share, barely keeping up with Anna.
"Not bad," Anna admitted as they stacked the firewood neatly beside the servant quarters. "I thought you'd pass out after the first ten minutes,but you managed to keep up with me"
Ethan let out a dry chucklle. "Believe me, I almost did."
Just as he was about to Sleep against the wall for a break, a loude bell rang from the castle.
"Shift change," Anna said. "The knights will be having their morning meal soon. Time for kitchen duty."
Ethan groaned. "No No Is it More work?"
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Did you think servants get breaks?"
Right. This wasn't a game where he could just press pause and rest whenever he wanted,it's really difficult then he had thought
He forced himself to straighten up and follow Anna into the castle.
The castle kitchen was too chaotic
Dozens of servants bustled about, stirring massive pots, baking fresh brown bread, and carrying trays stacked with delicious food. The heat from the stoves made the air thick, and the scent of roasted meat filled the space, making Ethan's stomach growl.
"Grab those plates and start setting the tables," Anna instructed, already moving with practiced ease.
Ethan picked up a tray, his arms still trembling from the firewood cutting duty. He carefully carried it through the servant's passageway into the grand dining hall. Like a joker juggling the balls
The knights were already seated at the long tables, their polished armor gleaming under the golden chandeliers. They laughed and talked loudly, some slamming their mugs together in celebration.
Ethan tried to move discreetly, placing food and refilling drinks.
Don't make eye contact, Don't , Don't,Don't get noticed.
But luck was never on his side.
Just as he turned to leave, a knight with bright red hair and sharp green eyes grabbed him by the wrist.
"Yo Yoou seem new here," the knight said, his voice casual but firm.
Ethan stiffened. "Yaam Y-Yes, sir."
The knight studied him for a moment before smirking. "What's your name, boy? You seem pretty much nervous"
Ethan swallowed. Should he thought of give his real name? Or would that make things worse?
"...Ethan."
The knight raised an eyebrow. "Ethan huh ? Never heard of a servant with that name."
Shit. NPCs in the game rarely had names unless they were important.
The knight's grip tightened slightly. "Where did you come from boy?"
Ethan felt sweat trickle down his back. If he gave the wrong answer, what would happen?
"From the outer villages," Ethan blurted. "I was sent here to work recently."
It wasn't entirely a lie. Technically, he was sent here but not by right way just by forces beyond his control.
The knight hummed, then suddenly released him.
"Relax, kid," he said with a chuckle. "I was just curious."
Ethan let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding for so long.
The knight leaned back in his chair. "Name's Sir Aldrin. Try not to spill anything on my heavy armor, and we'll get along just fine."
Ethan nodded quickly. "Huh Yes, Sir Aldrin."
He hurried away before anything else could go wrong.
By the time the morning shift was over, Ethan felt like he had run a marathon for whole time.
His whole body ached, his hands were numb, and his mind was still racing from the encounter with Sir Aldrin.
He collapsed onto a pile of hay outside the servant quarters.
This is insane.
Just yesterday, he had been sitting in his room, playing a game. Now, he was stuck in a world where he wasn't even the main character.
A chime echoed in his mind.
[Daily Survival Complete]
+1 Endurance
+1 Strength
Ethan blinked. Stats?
So even though he was an NPC, he could still improve?
A spark of hope ignited in his chest. If he could train, maybe he wouldn't have to stay a weak as he is now , disposable servant forever.
Maybe... he could change his fate.but it all remained in his own hands.
As he stared at the status screen, another thought struck him.
If this world followed the game's storyline, then soon, the main protagonist would arrive.
The hero. The one destined to save the kingdom.
And with him... came the chaos of the plot.
Wars, betrayals, monster attacks all the major events that pushed the hero forward meant danger for everyone else.
Especially weak, unnamed NPCs.
Ethan sat up, his heartbeat quickening.
If he didn't want to get caught up in the bloodbath that was coming, he had to get stronger.
Fast.
As the sun set over the castle, Ethan clenched his fists.
I won't just survive as an NPC.
I'll change my fate no matter what it takes.