Back in the quiet solitude of their own wing, Godric paced the floor of Leon's room.
"I can't believe it, Leon! You just let them walk all over you! That vial alone was worth a fortune!"
Gracia sat on the edge of the bed, her face etched with worry. "Son, why did you do that? We could have reasoned with your grandfather."
Leon looked at his distraught parents and offered a calm smile. "Father, Mother, please don't worry. I have my reasons. Trust me." He held up the small pouch of coins. "All I ask is that you let me use this money as I see fit."
Godric stopped pacing and stared at him. "300 silver coins? What could you possibly need that for?"
"It's a start," Leon said vaguely.
His parents exchanged a look of profound confusion. Seeing their son so calm and resolute was a bit unsettling. "Alright, Leon," Gracia said finally, letting out a long sigh. "It's your money. Just… please, don't spend it all in one place."
"We'll let you rest," Godric added with a weary resignation. "Just… be careful. Don't do anything that you should not."
"I won't, Dad. Rest assured."
After his parents left, the respectful and calm demeanor vanished from Leon's face, replaced by a wide, predatory grin. Though others might think that Leon had lost in the previous encounter, only he knew that he was the ultimate winner.
"System," he thought. The familiar translucent screen flickered into existence.
A notification was flashing.
Ding!
[Mission Complete!
Mission: A Small Start
Description: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Your new path requires resources. Obtain at least 300 silver coins as your starting capital.
Rewards: 100 Necromancy Points (NP)]
(A/N - This Mission was given to the MC earlier when the servant summoned him and Gracia; however, it was not shown on screen)
[You now have 100 NP. Would you like to unlock the first Requiem Mission? Cost: 50 NP]
"Yes," Leon thought without hesitation.
[50 NP deducted. Unlocking First Requiem Mission.]
The screen changed, displaying the details of his first real task.
[Requiem Mission #1
Target: Kira, the Fox-Kin Bride
Regret: "I never had my wedding night."
Backstory: Kira was a beautiful fox-kin woman from a remote village, chosen to be a new concubine for the King of Aeridor. The King was instantly smitten with her beauty and gentle nature. The current Queen, fearing Kira would usurp her position, secretly poisoned her on the eve of her wedding night. Kira's loyal handmaidens, fearing the Queen's wrath, smuggled her body out of the capital and gave her a secret burial in the Sunwood Forest, a place she once said reminded her of home.
Objective: Locate Kira's grave in the Sunwood Forest near Ashyn and perform the Ritual of Revival.
Rewards:
Necromancy Level Progression: 50/100
Item: Minion Strengthening Scroll]
Leon read the mission details, a thoughtful look in his eyes. A tragic story, a jealous queen, and a soul waiting for release. This was the first step on the path back to his master.
He clutched the pouch of silver coins. They were more than just money; they were the key to starting this mission. He would need supplies, information, and perhaps a map of the forest.
His grin returned. His new life had truly begun.
-------------------
Later that afternoon, Leon slipped out of the manor. He used 50 silver coins to purchase a detailed map of the Sunwood Forest from a grizzled old hunter, a sturdy dagger, a waterskin, and some dried rations. He spent the rest of the day in his room, memorizing the map and waiting for nightfall.
Under the cloak of darkness, Leon moved through the sleeping town of Ashyn like a phantom. He easily scaled the town wall and melted into the shadows of the Sunwood Forest.
So this is the Sunwood Forest, he thought, looking up at the trees whose canopies were so thick they blocked out the stars.
'If I were to bury a body in secret, I wouldn't choose an easily accessible place. I'd find a spot deep within, somewhere off the main paths, somewhere people would have no reason to go.' He studied the map in his mind, tracing a path toward a region marked with warnings of dangerous beasts and treacherous terrain. That seemed like the most logical place.
He set off, his steps silent on the forest floor. A low growl echoed from the bushes. A Shadow Cat, a Novice-rank magical beast, pounced at him.
Without even looking, Leon flicked a finger. The cat, which weighed over a hundred pounds, was sent flying into a tree with a dull thud, some of its bones shattered. Crying out in pain, it immediately ran back into the forest.
Leon continued walking, unbothered. A pack of Intermediate-rank Razor-Wolves surrounded him, their eyes glowing in the dark. Leon simply flicked a pebble at the one in the front, who seemed to be the leader of the pack. The leader was immediately crippled, and gave a howl, on which all the wolves immediately retreated, some pulling the leader by his front legs.
Leon traveled across the Sunwod Forest for quite a while, moving deeper into the woods. As he neared the location that he had marked on his mental map, he heard voices. He crept closer and saw two men in gleaming armor sitting by a small campfire. They wore the crest of the Royal Guard.
"I can't believe we're still out here," one of the guards complained, poking the fire with a stick. "Two weeks of guarding a pile of dirt in the middle of nowhere. My back is killing me."
"Quiet, you fool!" the other guard snapped. "These are direct orders from the Queen herself. Do you want to be charged with treason for questioning them? We stand watch until we are relieved. That's the end of it."
The Queen herself? Leon thought, a smirk touching his lips. This is definitely the place.
'System, analyze them.'
Target Analysis
Name: Royal Guard (2)
Profession: Guard (Light Magic)
Rank: Novice
Once again, scooped up a couple of small stones, flicking them at the two guards in quick succession. The stones whistled through the air, striking each guard squarely on the back of the helmet. They slumped over, knocked out cold, without even knowing what hit them.
Leaving the guards to their slumber, Leon went further to a small, secluded clearing bathed in moonlight. In the center was a small mound of earth, a makeshift unmarked grave, distinguishable only by the discoloration of the earth around it. Seeing this, Leon beamed.
This was it.
The resting place of Kira, the Fox-Kin Bride.