Steel rang out. Laughter erupted from one corner. A man with a bandaged arm was disputing with a clerk about reward discrepancies.
Above the main counter was a gigantic crystal screen showing names and levels.
Lyra headed directly to the registration desk.
Grey trailed behind, observing people quietly.
Levels were from 3 to 18.
But one caught his eye.
Veteran Adventurer – Lv. 22Emotion: Watchful
That was… alien. Alien and strong.
A clerk handed out a metal disc.
"Put your hand on it."
Grey held back.
Lyra gave a single nod.
He touched his palm to it.
The disc warmed.
[Guild Registration Complete.]Rank: FAccess: Beginner Quests
The clerk handed out a small bronze badge.
"Keep it, or you'll pay triple."
"Noted."
Lyra didn't go to register.
"I already am," she said flatly.
The clerk didn't press the issue.
Grey realized something then.
No badge.
No visible rank.
Weird.
They chose a table near the edge.
"Listen carefully," Lyra said. "This world has five core laws."
Grey leaned in.
"Every kid is taught them. Outsiders die because they don't."
He swallowed hard.
"Okay."
The Five Laws of Elarion
-
Power Reveals Itself. You can't fully conceal strength. Suppression skills exist, but high perception or artifacts can break through them.
-
Skills Define Identity. Your skills determine your role in society. Healers heal. Smiths smith. Fighters fight. Straying from your development path is hard but possible.
-
Mana Obeys Structure. Mana and magic need structure. Uncontrolled mana is a recipe for disaster.
-
Killing Transfers Potential. Experience is mostly gained through killing or extreme development milestones.
-
The World Watches. Hi-level evolutions are noticed. From kingdoms. From ancient races.
Grey looked at her.
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"That last one isn't a kids' class."
"It's not."
He looked at his character sheet.
Level 3.
Ten stat points left to assign.
"What about races?"
Lyra leaned back slightly.
"Humans are versatile. Learn skills faster."
"Elves?"
"High mana resistance. Longer lifespan. Slower experience growth."
"Dwarves?"
"Better crafting. High endurance. Low mana sensitivity."
"Orcs?"
"Natural power. Grow through fighting."
Grey nodded slowly.
"So humans are... balanced?"
"Yes."
"That's dull."
"It's doable."
He finally assigned his points.
Three to Agility.
Two to Perception.
Three to Intelligence.
Two to Endurance.
His body honed in again.
The world was sharper.
A message popped up.
[Perception has reached 10.][Skill Unlocked: Micro-Analysis Lv. 1]Allows detection of minute physical cues in targets.
Lyra watched him closely.
"You increased Perception."
"Yeah."
"Good move."
Her mood wavered.
Pride.
A quest board caught his eye.
Slime Clearing – 5 copper per core
Herb Collection – 8 copper bundle
Escort Request – 2 silver
Grey furrowed his brow.
"What's the exchange rate?"
"100 copper = 1 silver. 100 silver = 1 gold."
He calculated in his head.
"Starting small."
"Yes."
She stood up.
"We'll take slimes."
As they walked up to the counter, a man blocked their way.
Tall. Scar on his cheek.
Level 9.
Emotion: Contempt.
"New blood?" he asked.
Grey maintained his tone. "Appears that way."
The man sneered at Lyra.
"You're wasting your time with babysitting."
Lyra didn't react.
Grey activated Micro-Analysis.
The man's fighting stance was weighted on his right side.
Old wound.
Grip tension meant aggression tempered with caution.
He wasn't dumb.
Grey smiled faintly.
"We'll get out of your way."
The man snorted and moved aside.
Lyra glanced at Grey once they were outside.
"You analyzed him."
"Little."
She nodded once.
"Good. Knowledge beats brawn."
They exited through the southern gate and into the slime pits.
Grey checked his skills again.
Luck Alignment.
Appraisal.
Emotional Insight.
Micro-Analysis.
Not showy.
But complex.
He liked that.
As they entered the marshy area, gelatinous bodies bounced lazily in the shallow water.
Green Slime – Lv. 2
Grey took a deep breath.
"Alright. I can handle this."
Lyra moved back.
"I won't interfere unless needed."
"Reassuring."
He picked up a fallen tree limb.
Not great.
But doable.
He charged.
The slime lunged.
He dodged awkwardly—
And slipped.
Right into another slime.
"Of course."
Acid bubbled against his sleeve.
Pain erupted.
He swung wildly—
And smacked a rock.
The rock rebounded off the slime—
And hit a second slime in mid-air.
The two met.
Compressed.
And burst.
[Green Slime Defeated x2][Level Up!]
Grey landed in the mud.
Lyra stared.
Emotion: Surprise.
He slowly raised his head.
"…Luck Alignment?"
She walked over, examining the two dissolved cores.
"That shouldn't have happened."
He weakly grinned.
"I'm getting fond of this skill."
High above them, clouds gathered.
Just a little.
And somewhere, something started recalculating.
Because odds had changed.