The warehouse sat at the far end of the courtyard, its tall wooden doors shut tight. I slipped inside, closing them quietly behind me.
The scent of metal, oil, and leather filled the air.
Weapons lined the walls. Racks of spears. Bows neatly strung. Crates of arrows stacked like towers. Swords gleamed under the dim lantern light.
Weapons meant safety… and survival.
So without hesitation, I began.
I placed my hand on the first bow.
Ding.
> [ 1 Hunting Bow Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 69 ]
Then a crate of arrows.
Ding.
> [ 1 Bundle of 50 Arrows Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 68 ]
Two short daggers disappeared next.
Ding.
> [ 1 Dagger Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 67 ]
Ding.
> [ 1 Dagger Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 66 ]
A longsword.
Ding.
> [ 1 Longsword Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 65 ]
A hand axe.
Ding.
> [ 1 Hand Axe Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 64 ]
And a spear.
Ding.
> [ 1 Spear Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 63 ]
I scanned the remaining racks.
If exile awaited us, I needed more.
So I continued:
Another bow.
Ding.
> [ 1 Hunting Bow Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 62 ]
Three more bundles of arrows.
Ding.
> [ 1 Bundle of 50 Arrows Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 61 ]
Ding.
> [ 1 Bundle of 50 Arrows Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 60 ]
Ding.
> [ 1 Bundle of 50 Arrows Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 59 ]
Two more daggers.
Ding.
> [ 1 Dagger Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 58 ]
Ding.
> [ 1 Dagger Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 57 ]
A second longsword.
Ding.
> [ 1 Longsword Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 56 ]
Another axe.
Ding.
> [ 1 Hand Axe Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 55 ]
Two more spears.
Ding.
> [ 1 Spear Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 54 ]
Ding.
> [ 1 Spear Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 53 ]
And finally… a crossbow hidden inside a crate.
Ding.
> [ 1 Crossbow Stored
Inventory Slots Remaining: 52 ]
I stepped back slowly.
Inside my space now rested:
• 2 hunting bows
• 200 arrows
• 4 daggers
• 2 longswords
• 2 axes
• 3 spears
• 1 crossbow
Alongside crates of gold.
And enough food to last years.
A small, relieved smile tugged at my lips.
At least this time… I wouldn't face fate empty-handed.
Just then, a familiar blue glow appeared before me.
Ding.
> [ Congratulations, Host!
You have successfully completed your first hoarding session.
Kiwi is very proud of you! ]
Another line of text formed.
> [ Main Mission Unlocked:
— Defend the Fu Family — ]
My heart tightened.
"…Defend them?"
More words appeared.
> [ Mission Details:
Protect the Fu Family from the incoming threat.
Time Limit: 20 Minutes.
Rewards will be granted upon successful completion. ]
The countdown flashed before my eyes.
> [ Countdown Start: 20:00 ]
And thenthe screen vanished.
Leaving only silence behind.
I stood frozen for a heartbeat.
"…Defend them from what exactly?"
No reply.
Of course.
I let out a slow sigh and straightened, brushing imaginary dust from my sleeves.
"Fine. Whatever happens… I'll manage."
With that, I turned and walked out of the warehouse, heading toward the front courtyard—
Where the rest of the Fu Family waited.
And where… my mission had already begun.
....
The courtyard was full when I walked out.
Everyone from the Fu family was already there. No one was speaking. Their faces were full of fear and confusion.
The Second Prince stood in front of them with his guards. His expression was cold and distant as he announced:
"By order of the Emperor, everything owned by the Fu family will be taken away."
The courtyard exploded in shock.
Madame Fu cried out, "No!" and quickly pulled her daughters and grandson into her arms to protect them.
The guards immediately began moving. Some rushed toward the storerooms. Others grabbed boxes, jewelry, furniture — anything they could take.
Fu Heng and Fu Sheng tried to block them.
"Your Highness," Master Fu said, struggling to remain calm. "This punishment is not fair."
But the Second Prince didn't respond. Instead, he raised his hand.
More guards moved in.
Fu Teng and Fu Tong tried to push them back, but the guards hit them hard with their sticks and the boys fell to the ground in pain.
"Stop!" Master Fu shouted and ran forward — only to be grabbed and held down by several men.
Fu Sheng's anger finally broke.
He stepped in front of the Second Prince.
"How dare you frame my family?" he demanded, voice shaking with rage. "We have never betrayed the empire."
The Second Prince gave a slow, mocking smile.
"If you wanted to protect your family," he said softly, "you should have agreed to work for the Third Prince… and kill the Crown Prince."
Fu Sheng froze.
So that was the truth.
It had all been a trap.
Before he could answer, a cry of pain filled the courtyard.
Master Fu.
I turned.
Several guards had forced him to the ground. One of them lifted a thick wooden stick and brought it down on Master Fu's leg.
Hard.
He shouted in pain.
Then they struck him again.
And again.
They were trying to cripple him.
"Father!" Fu Sheng roared and tried to run to him but three guards grabbed him and held him down. No matter how he struggled, he couldn't break free.
Madame Fu was crying uncontrollably.
Fu Fei and Fu Li clung to her, shaking.
Grandfather Fu simply stood there, pale and trembling. He didn't dare move forward. He only hugged his wife and grandchildren tightly.
And still…
The guards kept beating Master Fu.
Right then, a blue screen flashed before my eyes.
> [ Mission Timer:
15:00 Remaining ]
So this was it.
This was the danger the system mentioned.
I took a slow breath.
Enough.
From the shadows, I stepped forward.
My hand closed around a large stone lying near the wall.
Without hesitating, I walked straight toward the guards then swung the stone down hard on the head of the man beating Master Fu.
The crack of impact echoed through the courtyard.
Everyone froze.
Guards.
Servants.
The Second Prince.
Even Fu Sheng stared at me in shock.
And I stood there calmly, the stone still in my hand.
For the first time in this world…
I had taken action.
With everyone distracted by the stone, Fu Sheng finally broke free. He shoved the three guards holding him away and sprinted to his father's side, swatting aside the other men who had tried to restrain Master Fu.
I stood there, breathing heavily, watching Master Fu curl in pain as his wife, Madame Fu, rushed to his side, with Fu Teng and Fu Tong following closely behind.
Madame Fu's eyes met mine for a brief moment, and she gave me a grateful glance. I sighed, letting myself feel a small measure of relief. But I knew the danger wasn't over yet.
From the edge of the courtyard, I noticed a group of guards moving toward Fu Fei, Fu Sheng's younger sister. She screamed for help, struggling against their grasp.
The Second Prince stepped forward, smirking. "Ah… the national beauty will surely become my plaything," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Before anyone could react, I hurled the huge stone at the nearest guard. It struck him squarely, and he collapsed to the ground, clutching his bleeding arm.
I didn't hesitate. I ran toward Fu Li, shielding her from the remaining guards.
Turning my gaze to the Second Prince, I spoke clearly, my voice cutting through the chaos. "The Fu family has served the empire faithfully for generations. The Emperor himself is aware of their service and has commanded that they be exiled respectfully. How dare you disgrace them and explain this to His Majesty?"
The Second Prince's smirk faltered. His eyes narrowed, confused. How does she know…? he thought. Who told her what my father said?
He had no idea that I knew the entire script by heart. Every insult, every attack, every cruel twist I had memorized it all.
He hesitated, then barked orders to his men. "Release them!"
The guards froze for a moment before obeying. Slowly, they stepped back, leaving the Fu family unharmed.
Silence fell over the courtyard. Everyone stared at me, wide-eyed, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Even Fu Jia, Fu Fong's mischievous sister, leaned toward her mother, Aunt Fu, whispering sharply, "Mother… why is Su Long suddenly defending the Fu family?"
Aunt Fu's eyes narrowed, suspicion flashing across her face, but she remained silent, unsure how to respond.
I straightened my shoulders, brushing dust from my sleeves, keeping my expression calm. For now, the immediate threat had passed… but this was only the beginning.
*****
Additional information
Fu Sheng – Male lead
Su Long – Female lead, Fu Sheng's wife
Fu Heng – Fu Sheng's father (Master Fu)
Han Li – Fu Sheng's mother (Madame Fu)
Fu Teng – Fu Sheng's junior brother, 15
Fu Tong – Fu Sheng's junior brother, 16
Fu Fei – Fu Sheng's younger sister, 17
Fu Li – Fu Sheng's younger sister, 17
Grandma Fu – Fu Sheng's grandmother
Grandpa Fu – Fu Sheng's grandfather
Fu Tian – Fu Sheng's uncle
Guan An – Fu Tian's wife (Aunt Fu)
Fu Fong – Fu Tian and Guan An's son, Fu Sheng's cousin
Bai Ming – Fu Fong's wife
Fu Qin – Fu Fong and Bai Ming's son, 6
Fu Lin – Fu Fong and Bai Ming's daughter, 6
Fu Jin – Su Long and Fu Sheng's son, 6
Fu Jun – Su Long and Fu Sheng's son, 6
Fu Jia – Fu Fong's sister, 16
Li Manman – Original heroine, maid