United in Hatred Arc: Chapter 14.
Claudia Osser and Petel Stenenem both brandished a satisfied smirk; they've somewhat convinced Winter to temporarily join. This was their modus operandi, taking advantage of an individual's personal tragedy, then working from there to slowly welcome them to the ranks.
The Peasant's Revolutionary Commoner Brotherhood has way more sympathizers than active members since most commoners were busy surviving rather than making their lives better.
"Do you want to take a bath, Winter Icecream? We have some spare clothes for you, and Petel can repair your armor, don't worry." Claudia said with a warm tone, gesturing for Winter to follow her.
"Yeah, a shower might be nice." Winter followed Claudia outside. The morning rays hit his eyes, blinding him for a moment before his eyes truly opened to the view outside.
The wind softly breezed, causing the leaves to flutter. And the breath of fresh air filled his lungs with clean air. The scenery was cozy, straight out of an old painting. There was a small bridge above a small, steady stream, and at the banks were colorful, waving flowers.
The scenery caused him to shed a tear. The world was still very beautiful despite being filled with horrible people. A part of him wanted to stay and stare at the beauty forever. A strong gust of wind passed this time, causing Claudia's tunic and dress to flutter and ripple.
Her long reddish hair flowed like the water in the stream; it was oddly entrancing. The wonderful brightness of the morning sun enveloped her face, highlighting her beauty. Those eyes of green marbles sparkled like a gemstone.
Claudia turned to Winter, causing her to chuckle because of his star-struck eyes. "Are you okay?"
Winter cleared his throat and continued walking, nodding yes.
"After this, it'll be about your training. You need to be strong, to stand against the aristocratic class and the night generals." Claudia continued, slightly walking ahead with energetic steps.
"Yes, yes, glory to the proletariat comrade," Winter replied, half-listening.
"What?"
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Three days have passed.
It was now dark outside; the night had set. There were howls in the distance and the unmistakable noise of the crickets nearby. Winter sat on a rocking chair on the outside terrace, staring straight at the wooden gate entrance.
His mind raced, perpetually in conflict.
A part of him wanted to explore and defeat monsters, but there's also a part of him that wanted to settle some debts first. He has yet to repay his two saviors for saving his life.
"I want to go out there." A heavy sigh escaped him.
"Soon, we'll be out there," Claudia said, slightly surprising Winter. (Where'd she come from?)
Winter hummed, staring back at the wooden gate entrance. "Petel made some tea, it's still fresh."
Claudia kept silent, also staring at the gate entrance. The silence was unbearable, unnerving Winter. He wasn't comfortable with being silent and then staring at something. It was socially awkward for him.
"You never told me how the night generals wronged you?" Winter asked, trying to make conversation. There was a slight pause from Claudia, as if mulling the question.
"If you don't want to discuss it, that's fine."
Claudia instead smiled and exhaled, closing her eyes while recounting her experience.
"My village was a meat and dairy village. It was quaint lazy village until an adventurer triggered an ancient trap and summoned thousands of monsters in an old cave some distance away. Within a week, my city turned into a supply hub and a front line for both soldiers and adventurers."
"That's where I've met Feledil. He was my first love. This was back when he was a silver-tiered adventurer. An adventurous noble who helped us common folks. I instantly fell in love. I was nineteen at the time, always fantasizing about a prince or knight to come take me and give me a life of luxury."
"I thought he was that fantasy. Everything about him at that time seemed so magical; he had a direct lineage to past heroes, attractive, rich, and strong. Almost all the women wanted him, and for some reason, he wanted me."
Claudia's voice strained, as if she didn't want to explain further. "To make a long story short, I had his child, and he forced me to give it away after it was born. Our relationship was a secret, so when I carried his child, no one knew who the father was. He promised to reveal our relationship in the near future." She continued, clicking her tongue in disdain.
"But that never came, and when the child was born and was missing from my hands. The town instantly assumed I was a harlot. My parents disowned me and spread rumors that I killed my child." Claudia said, voice becoming shaky, tightly gripping her dress and scratching her thighs beneath it.
Winter's eyes were wide open. He didn't expect that kind of a backstory. "He should pay for his crimes..." That was all he could mutter since he expected another adventuring betrayal backstory. Instead, he got a depressing one.
Claudia stretched her body and headed inside. "Tomorrow, you'll be hunting monsters with me." She said, the hint of sadness in her voice was gone. It was obvious to Winter that she was hiding her pain.
Winter sighed and headed inside, too. (I don't care much for her ideology, but that Feledil guy needs to be stopped, as soon as possible.)
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The next day.
"Minor Strength."
The loud dying yelp of a goblin rang around the forest. It was begging for its life in its own language, but it fell on deaf ears. The goblin desperately tried to crawl away, but it bumped against the charred corpse of another goblin.
The goblin was then stabbed in the head, causing its face to scorch and burn.
A surge of energy enveloped Winter; he had leveled up again. Claudia huffed and puffed, enjoying and relishing the ruthless massacre that they had both inflicted on the goblins.
(I see it now. When I level up, I regain my lost strength and techniques. That's why I don't have a system, I was already a max level character, and I am just slowly regaining my powers.)
(It's not the best, but I'll take it. With enough grind, I can reach my peak.)