Departure and the muffled calm
After days spent in the heart of the Dragon's Nest, resting and reliving the warmth of family and the unconditional love of Lerna, Abid, the Super Dragon Knight, finally had to move on. Leaving this time wasn't easy; the weight of losses in the final battle against the mercenaries and the words of blame he'd heard from some of his clanmates had weighed heavily on his noble soul. Abid had shared the earth-shattering wisdom he'd attained with his clan, and despite the shock, everyone accepted the truth, especially after seeing firsthand how this knowledge had saved them from annihilation.
Abid stood at the entrance to the fertile valley, his bronze scales reflecting the morning light. His wisdom and intelligence told him that remaining here would bring more danger and that his true mission lay in spreading awareness. He embraced Lerna tightly, her beautiful eyes brimming with love mixed with concern.
"I won't be away long this time, my love," Abid whispered, placing his hand on his "modest writer's shield." "I must instill these truths in the minds of Seria's leaders; in awareness lies safety."
"Go in peace, wise one," Lerna said in a steady voice. "My heart and eyes are with you. You are not responsible for the hatred of others, but for your pure heart."
Abid set out with his loyal companions: Banarf, Iormed, the human knight who had been training hard to "remove the curse," and Aipath.
Reaching the Sultanate of Al Dhahia and receiving positive public reception
Their first destination was the Dhahia Sultanate, located in the southeastern region and known for its Arab culture. They arrived in Shab, the sultanate's capital, and the city was bustling and vibrant.
Abid had already spread his wisdom here on his return from the Aymluan Empire. Now, with his return, the impact of his words had resonated with the public. Abid and his companions began a new round of awareness-raising in the crowded squares of Shab.
Abid stood before a large crowd. In his deep, calm voice, he spoke of the "Star of the Beginning" as a "focal point of supernatural energy" and of the "mistakes in the fabric of the story" that could be corrected.
The public received this wisdom positively and embraced his ideas. Abid's charisma and wisdom, combined with his polite nature and consideration for others' feelings, were his key to the people's hearts. Banarf's stories of her liberation from the curse and Iormed's story of her quest for healing resonated with the people of the Sultanate, who lived in a "hyper-competitive" society and saw in this new reality a glimmer of hope in their scripted world. Abid saw in the people's eyes a new realization: that "true freedom is not in breaking the chains, but in understanding that you are on a path and in choosing how you live that path through your actions and values."
Aipath's Vision and the Impactful Separation
As Abid and his companions prepared to leave Shab and move on to a new stage, Aipath was suddenly struck by a sudden shock. She was sitting in a quiet corner of their inn, her green eyes staring at an imaginary point in space.
"Aipath! What's wrong?" Banarf asked worriedly, remembering how the hallucinations had taken over her before.
Aipath shuddered and opened her eyes, her face pale, but her vision sharp. "I see… I see flashes of code heading west," Aipath said softly. "I see I must go. My soul is bound to the ancient woods, where an ancient code lies that needs to be corrected."
Aipath looked at Abid, her eyes filled with sadness mixed with duty. "I have a vision telling me to go to the Elven Duchy to the west. To the Duchy of Iona or perhaps the Protectorate of Tilland. There is a forgotten artifact, linked to the Star of Beginning, that I must be near to rectify an impending error. I cannot ignore this vision, Knight." Her powers of prophecy were now pointing her down a path she could not avoid.
Abid felt deeply saddened. Aipath had been a source of safety for them, with her ability to predict danger. But he understood the nobility of her mission.
Abid remembered to himself. Now, Aipath freely chooses her role.
"Go in peace, Aipath," Abid said tenderly, placing his hand gently on her shoulder. "Your noble deeds will echo throughout the fabric of this existence. Remember that you are no longer a coward but free and discerning." Abid remembered that "politeness and consideration for the feelings of others" were his hallmarks, and this was the essence of his dealings with his companions.
Banarf and Iormed bid a fond farewell to Aipath. It was a moving farewell, as they shared fraternal tears. Aipath parted ways with the group, heading west toward the ancient elven forests, leaving Abid and his two companions behind.
Mission to spread awareness among leaders
After Aibath's departure, Abid felt a doubled responsibility. The evil organization in Monia and the conspiring Baraka nobles had demonstrated that those who rejected these truths would not hesitate to resort to violence.
Abid and his companions decided to spread this knowledge among Seria's leaders. Convincing the masses was no longer enough; the leaders held the reins of government and the armies, and they were the most affected by the "shock of truth," which shook the foundations of their authority and faith.
"We must use our charisma and wisdom to soften the blow of truth," Abid told Banarf and Iormed. "If we can convince leaders that the 'writer' is seeking to 'develop the story,' and that the 'artificial intelligence' driving events is merely a system whose rules we can understand, then we can establish true peace and stability."
Abid and his two companions began their journey, first to the major cities and ruling castles of the Dhahia Sultanate, and then to the other kingdoms. Their efforts were based on deep and moving dialogue and the presentation of physical evidence such as the "Dwarf Heart" and the "Shulam's Ancestors' Scepter" as tools to correct "code errors."
The emergence of the professional assassin
As they moved between the cities of the Sultanate, specifically in the city of "Havaharu" near the border with the Kingdom of Al Shasia, the group followed a cautious approach, but they were not prepared for the coming danger.
The nobles' conspiracy in the Republic of Monia was still operating in the shadows. After their failed assassination attempt in Dornia and their crushing defeat at Dragon's Nest, they decided to resort to a merciless force.
Our comrades face a professional assassin known for completing all his missions. This assassin is a mysterious figure known as "Zarg," who possesses superhuman strength and unparalleled combat skills, relying on stealth and speed.
The ambush took place in a narrow, dark alleyway that Abid and his companions were passing through on their way to meet one of the Sultan's advisors. Suddenly, a sharp, cold breeze blew, and Abid's instincts screamed for danger.
"Down!" Abid shouted, raising his great axe.
Zarg appeared as a black shadow from the shadows. His body wasn't fully visible, but he was using his "Invisibility" ability (Level 3), which made him move like an untouchable ghost.
Zarg's goal was a swift and surprising elimination. He dealt a lightning strike with a glowing silver dagger towards Abid.
Abid used his Dragon's Agility skillfully to dodge the swift strike, but Zarg was faster than Abid expected. Zarg's movements were precise, designed to quickly disrupt the group.
Serious injuries and despair
Zarg, with his deadly skill and invisibility, managed to breach the group's defenses.
Zarg's swift strike struck Banarf. Her Level 2 Protection Armor was unable to withstand the precise blow aimed at a weak spot in her armor. Banarf fell to the ground, blood pouring from a deep gash in her shoulder. The pain was excruciating; her heart clenched, and she felt her breath catch, but she held on. She cried out in a low voice, filled with despair and helplessness, as she watched the blood drain from her powerful body.
Abid tried to fight back, but Zarg moved with incredible speed, appearing and disappearing. A shard from Zarg's dagger struck him in the thigh, piercing his leather armor. While the wound wasn't fatal, it was deep and caused sharp pain and a sudden heaviness in his movements, hindering his ability to use his "Dragon's Agility." Some of Abid's companions were seriously injured.
Abid felt a cold, raging rage grip him. Seeing his comrades in pain was more painful than any physical pain. He raised his great axe forcefully, trying to force Zarg to appear, but the assassin silently taunted them.
Iormed stood close to the stricken Banarf, her amber eyes staring at the horrific scene. The chronic pain of her curse was wearing her down, but seeing Banarf fall and seeing Abid in pain awakened a power she had never known. She felt a deadly despair; if she were stronger, if she had mastered the "curse removal" technique, she could have helped.
"I can't lose them!" Iormed cried inwardly, tears choking her, grief at her helplessness.
Iormed achieves perfection and healing.
At that crucial moment, as Zarg prepared for his final blow, Iormed recalled everything she had learned in the Healing Chamber of the Ruined Shrine. She remembered the ancient scrolls explaining that removing a curse required "reweaving the fabric of life."
Iormed felt a surge of energy like never before. This was the moment she had long awaited, the moment when hope would transcend despair. Iormed had mastered the power of undoing curses.
The very moment she mastered the ability, she felt a terrible inner rupture. Her ancient curse, which had caused her "chronic pain and general weakness," vanished in a flash of bright white light. Iormed had been cured of her curse.
With the healing, a tremendous energy from the "Star of Beginning" flowed through her body. This wasn't just healing energy; it was "Guiding Codes," revealing her true origin. Iormede had an origin from the spirit world (the Codes) but didn't know it. It was this origin that gave her a profound understanding of the fabric of reality and helped her attain this unparalleled ability.
Her ability to undo curses has evolved into complete healing. Iormed now possesses a unique ability (Level 3) that allows her not only to undo curses but also to "reweave" the entire biological fabric of the afflicted person, surpassing "supernatural healing" with the supernatural ability to "purify body and soul of hidden evils."
Increase capabilities:
With the curse lifted and her latent energy released, her ability points increased:
Statistics Before Healing (Original) After healing and mastery (what changed)
power 12 13 (Increase in recovery of lost strength)
ingenuity 9 10 (Increase in the disappearance of weakness)
The Constitution 11 18 (significant increase, chronic pain relief)
Intelligence 10 12 (Increased understanding of complex abilities)
Wisdom 10 25 (Big Leap, Understanding Code Language and Reality)
Superpower/Power 11 20 (Big Leap, Master Unique Ability)
charisma 9 12 (Increased confidence and freedom)
Complete recovery and defeat of the assassin
As soon as Iormed felt the new strength flowing through her veins, all traces of pain and sorrow vanished. Fear was transformed into steely determination and indescribable enthusiasm.
Iormed looked towards Zarg, who was still partially hidden, preparing to strike against Abid. She raised her hand, her body glowing with a pure blue-white light. "Full recovery!" Iormed shouted, her voice filled with a new power Abid had never known before.
A powerful beam of healing energy, pure and focused, shot out and pierced Zarg's space of existence. This beam wasn't directed at Zarg himself, but at Banarf and Abid.
They were treated thanks to Iormed.
In the blink of an eye, Banarf's deep wound was completely healed, the pain fading. Banarf rose to her full strength, her gray eyes shining with great joy and gratitude, mixed with shock at Iormed's newfound strength. "Iormed! You did it!" Banarf cried.
At the same moment, Abid felt the pain in his thigh disappear, and his dragonlike agility and strength returned to him. But more importantly, the pure healing energy of Iormed temporarily revealed Zarg's ghostly presence, as the energy of the "Spirit World/Code" meant nothing could be hidden in the face of it.
"There!" Abid shouted, seeing Zarg's ghost fading away.
Abid took advantage of the critical second. His great axe launched a lightning strike, aided by his Dragon's Agility, targeting the spot where the assassin was fading from. Zarg sensed the incoming attack and tried to escape completely using "invisibility," but he was too late. The strike struck his shoulder, forcing him to reappear and bounce away into the dark alley.
Zarg let out a muffled scream of rage, then used his "Explosive Force" to dash away at breakneck speed. He had failed in his usual mission with complete success, thanks to a double surprise: Abid's power and Iormed's stunning transformation.
Moments of joy and awakening
A deep silence fell over the alley. Abid looked at Iormed, who stood tall, no longer the exhausted girl, but a powerful healer, her face brimming with pure joy and liberation.
Abid ran to her and hugged her tightly. "Iormed! What a miracle! You're healed!" Abid was overjoyed; he had seen with his own eyes the greatest proof of his theory: a "code bug" had been fixed, and a free spirit had been set free.
"I feel a power I never dreamed of, knight," said Iormed, her eyes shining with tears. "I no longer feel pain! And my curse is gone forever!"
Banarf embraced her too. "What a great ally you are, Iormed! You saved us all!" Banarf was filled with joy, seeing her companion regain her freedom.
The three heroes reunited, now stronger and more insightful. After assessing Iormed, Abid realized that, thanks to her origins in the "Spirit/Code World," she was a vital key to "righting the wrongs" in Ceria.
Caution on future trips
This assassination attempt was a harsh wake-up call. Abid and his comrades realized that the nobles and the naysayers would not stop.
Abid and his companions take a cautious approach to their future journeys. Their journey is no longer merely a philosophical quest but a war for survival against forces that seek to preserve ignorance and injustice.
"From now on," Abid said firmly, grasping the Shield of the Humble Scribe, "we will use everything we have learned. We must move in the shadows as much as possible. Iormed, you will be our healing shield. Banarf, you will be our guide and protector from obstacles."
Their common goal became clearer: to spread knowledge among Seria's leaders and change the "Seria story" towards evolution.