(Note: 300 years have passed instead of 100 years. I had to change it.)
Introduction Arc: Chapter 9.
The cave howled, as if egging them to enter. There was an unmistakable sense of dread emanating from the cave. The deeper they'd descend, the stronger it would get. The manifested undead lingered behind, still watching their every move.
Alluna Allat whispered a chant, and a ball of light appeared in the palm of her hands. The ball of light then shot forward, descending towards the cave with great speed before suddenly disappearing, enveloped by the deep darkness inside the cave.
Feledil DeBestEye broke the silence, glancing at Winter with gleaming eyes. "If there's treasure or loot below, we reasonably split it. Sixty percent for us, and forty percent for you." The offer was fair, at least for Feledil, considering they would be doing the heavy lifting.
Winter kept silent but nodded, noting that it was reasonable. (So long as I make myself useful, he's willing to entertain my inexperience.) He thought, adjusting his leather armor.
(What a nice guy.)
Alluna, Fae, please prepare yourselves. "We're heading into uncharted territory here. Spare no expense. The guild will surely reward us for our actions here." Feledil said with a smirk that he then concealed. Winter noted that it was strange but ignored it.
◆ [ Would you now like to hear the summarization of this whole world? ] ◆
"Oh yeah, the summary from the books. I forgot." Winter wiped his scorch dagger with the rag he snatched from the bar. "Sure, go ahead. Try not to keep it long and use simple language."
◆ [ Around three hundred years ago, this world was full of heroes like you. They numbered in the millions, and they saved countries and realms. However, most information from that time is lost. What remains are the firsthand accounts of beings who were around at that time. It was a time when heroes were the only authority in the world, and everyone was at their mercy, even the dragon race. ] ◆
◆ [ The heroes and the dragon lords were always at war; however, ultimately, the dragon lords were defeated, and so were their massive armies. It was a long, arduous war with significant losses to both sides, but the heroes had one glaring advantage. They'd always come back, even from death or erasure. An advantage that the dragon lords could hardly circumvent. ] ◆
◆ [ Even with the dragon lord's defeat, their influence remained, and over the years, a lone dragon or a dragon general would arise with massive armies, seeking vengeance. There were also other threats like The Realm Eaters, The Dishonored Scourge, The Mad Reich, and the Inter-Aliens. ] ◆
◆ [ However, as time passed, the number of heroes had dwindled, and there came a point where the remaining heroes numbered only in the thousands. Then the Rise Disturbance happened. An event where the number of heroes has increased, then disappeared in an instant. ] ◆
◆ [ It's been three hundred years since the Rise Disturbance. Heroes have popped up every now and then, disturbing the balance of power and becoming self-serving individuals instead. ] ◆
◆ [ Feledil DeBestEye's lineage originated from a player. The Feledil family is a strong aristocratic powerhouse in this kingdom. He's also glaring at you right now. ] ◆
Bricks finished his summary with a grim fact. Winter glanced at Feledil, and he was indeed glaring at him, as if looking for something specific. Winter coughed, raising a brow. Feledil noticed that Winter was uncomfortable, so he approached him, a question forming inside his head.
Feledil stopped three meters away from Winter as the slight breeze blew, causing their hair to flutter. The glare from Feledil was now piercing. Winter glared back, unwilling to back down, but inside, he was slowly losing composure.
(What the heck does he want from me?)
"You've a hero's lineage, don't you? The same as me." Feledil DeBestEye said, The breeze blew stronger this time, creaking the dead trees. "You don't need to hide it. I can see it." Feledil said, extending a welcoming hand, the tension disappeared.
Winter gulped and shook his hand with a wry smile. "Y-y-yeah. You're right."
Feledil smiled, teeth showing, although his eyes somewhat betrayed his expression. "I knew it." He said, hugging Winter like a long-lost friend or companion. Alluna and Fae were confused, done with their preparations, and the two of them approached the hugging duo.
"M-master Feledil?" Alluna said, a hint of curiosity.
Feledil stopped hugging Winter and faced the two women, deep kissing them again with extreme vigor this time, causing the two's brains to almost shut down from the pleasure and intensity. Winter's brows furrowed. It was strangely reasonable the first time, but now? It was extremely awkward.
"Still though, god, I wish that were me."
◆ [ You wished you were one of the women? ] ◆
Bricks said, causing a brief picture in his mind of Winter and Feledil kissing intensely in the middle of a forest with bare clothing. He was disgusted by the thought, his expression intensifying to one of intense sourness.
"The man!" Winter retorted with barely concealed hostility.
Feledil stopped the deep kissing, turning to Winter with satisfied, excited eyes. The two women's breathing was hitched, their figures were quivering in anticipation. As if they wanted more, wanted something more intimate. "We can talk more after this sudden quest. I'd like to introduce you to my family, and we then maybe admit you to our merry group. You can be one of my underlings."
Winter shyly smiled, not even a full week of being in this world, and he was already making friends and genuine connections. Although the underlying clause was questionable, he was genuinely honored with the offer; however, he proposed a slight change.
"You mean a teammate, not an underling. We both have the heroic bloodline, we're equals." Winter said, shaking Feledil's hand again.
Feledil's eyes went blank, as if he had heard the greatest unforgivable offense in the world. Winter was confused at first, but Feledil instantly shifted his expression and smiled again.
"Yeah, a teammate. That's workable."
"Now, I believe we have a cave to conquer and a source to stop. Let's get going, teammate." Feledil said, heading towards the cave entrance while Alluna and Fae followed, eyes still enchanted.
◆ [ Analyzing target: A noticeable change in emotion and body language. ] ◆
Bricks said, but Winter ignored it for now, still delighted with the fact that he's made a friend.