When he finally sat against the crumbled wall, chest rising and falling, the system flickered in front of him again — unprompted.
[A.E.O.N. SYSTEM – INTERFACE EXPANDED]
New options available:
Ability – (1) Active
Map – Local Grid Partial
Scan – Ready
System Upgrade Tools – [LOCKED]
"You're stabilizing," A.E.O.N. said gently. "The interface is adjusting to your pace."
Arthur wiped his forehead. "So what's next?"
"We keep going. You're not ready to fight the world yet… but you've stopped kneeling to it. That's progress."
Arthur gave a small nod, letting the screen fade from view.
Arthur took the long way back again — through side streets and quiet alleys where the buildings leaned too close and the air smelled like damp stone and ash.
His limbs ached in a satisfying way. Not from pain — from effort. From work.
[Stamina Recovery: Active.] [Balance: Stable.] [Mental Focus: Consistent.]
A.E.O.N.'s voice echoed gently in his thoughts.
"You're adapting faster than expected."
He didn't answer. Just let the silence stretch between the system's words and his steady footfalls.
Then he saw them.
Two figures stood at the far end of the narrow alley near the butcher's back wall — cloaked, shadowed, speaking low.
They weren't familiar. No faces he recognized. Not the thugs. Not townsfolk. Not guards.
Arthur didn't recognize them — not from this distance, and not dressed like this.
His pace didn't change. But his thoughts sharpened.
'Just passing by. Nothing unusual. No sudden moves.'
He kept walking, eyes forward, hand near the inside of his coat — just in case.
Arthur slowed slightly — just for a heartbeat — then kept walking. Eyes ahead. Pace unchanged.
Hooded. Still.
They stood in shadow, half-hidden behind the broken cart, saying nothing.
A good distance away, the two figures stayed in shadow.
"That's him. The kid from last time." Vos
"Tch. Thought we gutted him. He walks like nothing ever happened." Rekk
"He's been coming here. Same time, every night. Training. Not hiding it either."
"That's not normal. Something's changed in him."
"No. Something's inside him."
"Whatever it is... we watch. We don't move until we're sure."
Arthur passed the alley's mouth and turned down the next path, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
A.E.O.N. whispered quietly in his mind:
"Two targets observed. No immediate threat. Unidentified. Data will be logged."
He nodded silently.
'Whoever they are… they're not thugs looking for coins. Not this time.'
But he didn't look back.
He just walked home.
Arthur reached the edge of the tavern block, the door creaking softly as he stepped inside.
Myra was already curled up under the blanket, lamp half-burned on the table.
He didn't wake her.
But he didn't sleep easily either.
The next day went by like usual. Arthur headed to work — a job that felt way too easy now.
Even his coworkers had started to notice the change. His boss, too, was paying more attention to him. Arthur used to take longer than everyone else and always looked exhausted. But now? He was finishing early and still looked fresh, like he hadn't even worked.
What Arthur hadn't realized yet was that as he changed because of the system, the people around him were changing too — not who they were, but how they acted around him.
Later that evening, Arthur returned home after buying groceries for dinner. He also noticed something odd — the group of thugs who usually hung around the alley were gone. He smirked and kept walking, unaware of what was waiting for him in the days ahead.
He had time today. Myra was still at work and would be back late. She'd be cooking dinner, so Arthur had the evening to himself.
He went straight into his training.
Out by the old well, he began his usual routine — some exercises, basic drills, then punches and kicks. Each movement felt smoother than before.
He could feel it. His performance was getting better. His body was changing.
Muscles more flexible. Bones stronger. Mind clearer.
After a while, he sat down, wiped his sweat, and started talking to Aeon in his mind.
"That's not possible at your level," Aeon said calmly.
Arthur chuckled. "But I should be able to get one from the local blacksmith."
Right now, the only weapon he had was a dull knife. Honestly, punching someone would probably do more damage. If he wanted to get stronger, he needed something better.
Once the workout was over, Aeon explained that unlocking higher system ranks would give him more chances to grow. But there was one big problem:
He had no money.
Getting stronger with the system was fine, but it didn't pay the bills. If he wanted to change his life, he needed a way to earn.
He thought about it for a while. Maybe he could take up a second job since he finished his current one early. Or maybe sell something in the market.
But they were just ideas. Nothing solid yet.
While walking through the street, still lost in thought, he saw an old man struggling to pull a cart. One of the wheels on the right side was broken, and it made dragging it a real pain.
Arthur noticed and stepped forward.
"Hey sir, need help with the cart?" Arthur asked.
"It's alright, boy. I can manage," the old man replied.
"No, really. I can fix it in a few minutes," Arthur offered.
"But… I don't have money to pay you," the man said, a little embarrassed.
"I'm not asking for anything. It'd be my pleasure to help," Arthur smiled.
He quickly pulled out some tools he always carried. Using a piece of wood, he started crafting a new wheel right there. Aeon helped him with the design and gave him rough measurements through the system.
The old man watched carefully.
"You work at a woodworking shop?" he asked, curious.
"No," Arthur said, still carving. "I work at a building site... just a laborer."
The man looked impressed. "And your family?"
"They left a long time ago. I just live with my childhood friend now."
The old man nodded slowly. "Well then… what do folks call you, son?"
Arthur looked up and gave a small smile.
"I'm Arthur Greystone."