Chapter 7: A Parting of Ways

The journey was grueling, and Alex felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. Thal, though weakened, remained focused and vigilant. They traveled through dense forests, crossed rivers, and climbed rocky hills, always staying off the main roads. Thal's determination to keep moving, despite his injuries, was a testament to his willpower.

One evening, as they set up camp under the stars, Thal seemed more contemplative than usual. The crackling of the fire provided the only sound in the otherwise silent night. Alex watched his mentor, sensing that something was weighing heavily on his mind.

"Get some rest, Alex," Thal said, his voice unusually soft. "We have a long journey ahead."

Alex nodded and settled down, exhaustion quickly overtaking him. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.

Alex awoke with a start, his head throbbing. It took him a moment to realize he was alone. The fire had burned down to embers, and there was no sign of Thal. Panic set in as he scrambled to his feet, his eyes darting around the camp. Then he saw it—a letter pinned to a nearby tree with a dagger.

His hands trembled as he pulled the letter free and unfolded it.

Alex,

By the time you read this, I will be far away. I know you would never have agreed to let me leave, which is why I had to knock you out. Believe me, it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make.

The Black Hand is relentless. As long as we are together, you are in grave danger. They will stop at nothing to find and kill me, and I cannot bear the thought of you being caught in their crossfire.

You have potential, Alex, more than you realize. You are strong, resourceful, and brave. I have laid out a path for you, one that will lead you to safety and help you grow. Follow the instructions I have left in this letter, and you will find your way.

First, head to the old kingdom. There, seek out an inn called The Broken Sword. Inside, find a man named Alaric. He was a trusted ally and will help you. Tell him I sent you, and he will understand.

Second, train every day. Keep your skills sharp, and never let your guard down. The world is a dangerous place, and you must be ready for whatever comes your way.

Finally, stay hidden. The Black Hand will be looking for me, and they may come after you if they suspect we were together. Keep a low profile and trust no one until you find Alaric.

I promise we will meet again when the time is right. Until then, stay safe, and remember everything I have taught you.

With all my strength and hope,

Thal

Alex felt a mix of anger, fear, and determination as he read the letter. Thal had left him with no choice, but he understood why. The Black Hand was a relentless enemy, and Thal's departure was meant to protect him.

Clenching the letter, Alex stood up and gathered his belongings. He was alone now, but he had Thal's guidance and his own growing skills. He would follow the instructions, find Alaric, and train harder than ever before.

As he walked away from the campsite, a familiar chime sounded in his mind. The system's interface appeared before him, a message flashing brightly:

"Congratulations, Alex. You have completed the Beginner Training Session. New functions have been unlocked: Shop, Titles, and Quests."

Alex stopped in his tracks, looking around wildly. "What the hell?" he muttered. "Who said that?"

"I did. The system you've been using, remember? Well, now I can talk," the system replied.

Alex blinked, stunned. "You can talk now? This is just great. Not only am I stuck in this world, but now the system has a voice. Who even designed this thing?"

"Why don't you ask the Creator when you meet them? Oh wait, you can't," the system mocked.

Alex gritted his teeth. "Great. Just what I needed—a smart-ass system. Okay, let's see what these new functions are."

He navigated through the new options, starting with the Shop. A series of tabs appeared, each filled with various items. He skimmed through the weapons section, seeing everything from basic swords to mystical weapons with strange names and exorbitant prices. Potions of healing, strength, and even invisibility caught his eye, as well as various pieces of armor.

"Well, at least I won't run out of things to spend my coins on," Alex said sarcastically. "Assuming I ever have enough to buy any of this."

"Not with your current balance, that's for sure," the system chimed in mockingly. "Maybe if you save every coin for the next decade, you'll afford something nice."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Alex muttered, moving on to the Titles function. A list of potential titles appeared, each with its own set of benefits. Titles like "Novice Swordsman," "Adept Tracker," and "Experienced Hunter" were available. Selecting a title would grant him passive bonuses to relevant skills.

"System, care to explain how these titles work?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Titles are earned based on your achievements and milestones. Each title grants specific bonuses. For example, 'Novice Swordsman' increases your swordsmanship skills by 10% and your stamina during combat by 5%."

"Alright, so it's like a badge of honor with perks. Got it," Alex replied, intrigued. "And how do I earn these titles? Do I just fight a bunch of monsters or what?"

"Titles are earned through a variety of activities, including combat, exploration, crafting, and completing quests. The more you engage in these activities, the more titles you can unlock."

"Great, more work. Just what I needed," Alex muttered, moving on to the Quests section. The quest to enlist as a soldier was prominently displayed.

"Quest: Rise Through the Ranks. Objective: Enlist as a soldier in any kingdom. Higher ranks will unlock better skills and rewards. Tier 1 ranks will give you enough influence to command an army."

The quest also included a brief overview of the ranking system:

Tier 1 Ranks: Squad Leader, Captain, General Tier 2 Ranks: Commanders with kingdom-wide influence (details locked) Tier 3 Ranks: Rulers and strategic masterminds (details locked)

"System, what's with all the locked information? You don't think it's worth telling me what I might be working towards?"

"Higher tier information is classified and will be revealed as you progress. Focus on achieving Tier 1 ranks first."

"Of course. Keep me in the dark, why don't you?" Alex said with a hint of sarcasm. "What about the rewards for these ranks? Any hints?"

"Rewards for higher ranks are tailored to the skills and responsibilities of those positions. Tier 1 ranks offer enhanced combat skills, tactical knowledge, and leadership abilities."

Alex sighed. The system was useful, but its cryptic nature was frustrating. Still, he had a clear path ahead of him. He needed to enlist, rise through the ranks, and uncover the mysteries of this world—and the system.

"Alright, System. Let's get this started. I've got a long way to go," he said, setting off towards the old kingdom with renewed determination. He would find Alaric, enlist as a soldier, and begin his journey to uncover the truth behind his transmigration and the system's secrets. The real story was just beginning, and Alex was determined to carve his own path in this new world.

"Better hurry, wouldn't want to miss the chance to get lost or eaten by wild beasts on your way," the system added with a mocking tone.

"Thanks for the encouragement," Alex replied dryly, rolling his eyes. Despite the system's sarcasm, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement for the journey ahead.

Curiosity getting the better of him again, Alex decided to explore the Shop function in more detail. He scrolled through the different categories, noting the various types of equipment and items available. Some items had detailed descriptions, while others remained enigmatic.

"Alright, System, what's the deal with these 'Mystery Boxes'? Are they worth it, or is this just another way to get me to waste my coins?"

"Mystery Boxes contain random items of varying rarity. They can be a gamble, but sometimes fortune favors the bold. Not that you have much fortune to gamble with," the system replied, dripping with mockery.

"Gee, thanks for that. Maybe I'll save that gamble for another day," Alex muttered, moving on to the armor section. He could see various types of armor, each with its own set of attributes.

"Considering your current state, perhaps you'd like to invest in some better armor? Or are you planning to brave the world in that flimsy outfit?" the system teased.

"You're just a bundle of joy, aren't you? I'll think about it. First, I need to see what I can afford," Alex shot back.

He navigated to his status page to get a clearer picture of his current state:

[Name: Alex Draven] [Age: 28] [Status: Refugee]

[Rank: None]

[Skills: Determination (Passive) - Enhances endurance, mental fortitude, and perseverance in the face of adversity, aiding in achieving goals and overcoming challenges.

Swordsmanship (Novice): Level 3 - Basic understanding of sword techniques and combat strategies.

Tracking (Beginner): Level 2 - Fundamental skills in tracking and identifying trails left by people, animals, and other entities.

Survival (Novice): Level 4 - Practical knowledge of wilderness survival techniques, including finding food and water, building shelter, and navigating through nature. ]

[Attributes: Strength: 39/100 Stamina: 41/100 ] [Quest: Daily Quest (1) Hunt for food. Reward: 1 Silver.]

[Description: Alex, reborn into a frail body in Eldoria, retains memories of his past life as a soldier. Physical appearance: Thin, weakly, brown hair, dark eyes. Strong will, strategic mind.]

[Remarks: Trash physical attributes, "meh"-level mental fortitude.]

Alex stared at the interface, his eyes widening in shock. Everything looks right, except for some new addition "What the hell? I didn't have these skills before!" He quickly scrutinized the new additions, each one providing a crucial edge for his survival and growth in this world.

"System, how did I gain these skills? I don't remember learning them."

"You've been using these skills unconsciously during your journey with Thal. Your training and survival instincts from your past life as a soldier have carried over. The system merely recognized and formalized them."

Alex felt a strange mix of relief and frustration. While he was grateful for the skills, he disliked the system's cryptic explanations. Still, these skills were essential for his journey.

"Alright, enough browsing. Time to get moving," Alex said, closing the interface and resuming his trek.

As he walked, he couldn't help but wonder about the creator of the system. Who would design something so complex and sarcastic? The thought made him curse under his breath. "Whoever made this thing must have had a twisted sense of humor."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, but it's noted," the system quipped.

"Shut up, System. Let's just get to the old kingdom," Alex muttered, feeling a mix of annoyance and determination.

Despite the system's constant mockery, Alex felt a strange sense of companionship. He was alone in this world, but the system's voice, as sarcastic as it was, kept him company. And perhaps, in some twisted way, it was a reminder that he wasn't entirely alone.

As the sun began to set, Alex found himself at the edge of a dense forest. The old kingdom lay beyond, a place filled with both opportunity and danger. He set up a small camp for the night, determined to get an early start in the morning.

Lying under the stars, Alex reflected on Thal's letter and the path that lay ahead. The system's new functions were both a blessing and a curse, but he couldn't deny their potential. He would use every tool at his disposal to survive and thrive in this new world.

"Feeling nostalgic already? You haven't even started the real journey yet," the system chimed in, breaking his thoughts.

"Just mentally preparing. You know, some of us need to do that," Alex replied.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that. Just remember, the world isn't going to wait for you to get your act together," the system responded.

"Good night, System. Try not to be too annoying in my dreams," Alex said with a smirk, closing his eyes.

"No promises," the system shot back, its tone as mocking as ever.

As Alex drifted off to sleep, his mind was filled with thoughts of the challenges and adventures that awaited him. The road ahead was uncertain, but he was ready to face it head-on. With Thal's guidance, his growing skills, and even the system's sarcastic support, he felt a newfound sense of purpose.

The real story was just beginning, and Alex was determined to prove himself worthy of Thal's faith in him. No matter how many sarcastic comments he had to endure along the way, he would rise through the ranks, uncover the secrets of the system, and carve out his own destiny in this strange new world.