Chapter 4 – Moonveil Village and the First Bonds
The smell of blood still clung to Chen Yue's clothes as he trudged through the forest. Every muscle ached, his arm throbbed from the shallow cut left by that cultist's dagger, and his Fang Blade was nicked from the brutal fight. But compared to dying in an accident back on Earth… this was a second chance he couldn't waste.
Up ahead, warm lights twinkled through the trees. Voices drifted on the night air—laughter, the creak of wagon wheels, the faint melody of a flute. Chen Yue quickened his pace.
[Detected: Human Settlement – Estimated Population: 1,200]
[Name: Moonveil Village]
"Finally," he muttered. "Civilization."
As he stepped out of the treeline, the view took his breath away. The village sprawled across a crescent-shaped valley, its rooftops glimmering under the twin moons. Lanterns floated along the river like stars fallen to earth. Wooden bridges arched gracefully over water channels that glittered with faint blue light—mana-lamps, he realized.
Unlike the metallic glow of Earth's cities, this place pulsed with life and mystery.
But what caught his eye most was the massive Mana Crystal Obelisk in the village center. It radiated energy, threads of azure light weaving upward like vines.
So this is a mana-based world, Chen Yue thought. No wonder cultivation vanished. Why bother with Qi when this… thing exists?
His system chimed:
[System Analysis: Mana Obelisk – Primary energy source for village. Capable of sustaining defensive wards and enhancing mana circulation for residents.]
"Great. I'm walking into a world where everyone runs on mana except me."
He sighed and approached the village gate. Two guards in leather armor, holding spears tipped with glowing runes, eyed him warily.
"Halt. State your business," one barked.
Chen Yue quickly adjusted his torn tunic and forced a smile. "Traveler. Got lost in the forest. Barely made it out alive."
The guards exchanged looks. One squinted at the blood on his clothes. "You fought something?"
"Boar," Chen Yue lied smoothly. "Big one."
The other guard raised an eyebrow. "And you survived with… that?" He nodded at Chen Yue's Fang Blade.
"Guess I'm lucky." Chen Yue shrugged.
The first guard grunted. "Fine. You can enter. But cause trouble, and you'll answer to the village warden."
Chen Yue nodded, passing through the gate. First step complete. Now… food, shelter, and information.
The Tavern Encounter
Moonveil's main street bustled despite the late hour. Merchants packed up wares under colorful canopies, adventurers clinked mugs in open taverns, and children darted between mana-lamps that hummed softly with light.
Chen Yue followed the smell of roasted meat to a large timber building with a swinging sign: The Silver Antler Inn.
Inside, warmth hit him like a wave—fire crackling in the hearth, laughter spilling from adventurers clustered around wooden tables. A bard strummed a lute in the corner while servers weaved through the crowd balancing trays of ale and meat pies.
Chen Yue headed to the counter. The innkeeper, a burly man with a scar across his jaw, gave him a once-over.
"Room and food?"
"Both. Cheapest you've got," Chen Yue said, patting his empty pocket.
The man chuckled. "A broke traveler, huh? That'll be two silver for the night and one for dinner."
Chen Yue froze. Silver? Great. I don't even have copper.
Before he could answer, a voice drifted over—soft, lilting, and cold enough to freeze fire.
"Put it on my tab, Baren."
Chen Yue turned.
And stared.
The woman standing a few feet away was a vision of moonlight—long silver hair cascading down her back, eyes like shards of amethyst, and a figure wrapped in a flowing indigo cloak embroidered with runes. Mana shimmered faintly around her like a halo.
She glanced at Chen Yue, her gaze sharp and assessing. "You look half-dead. Sit. Eat. Before you collapse."
Chen Yue blinked. Is this real life?
The innkeeper grunted. "As you wish, Lady Velira."
Velira. Even her name sounded like music.
Chen Yue hesitated, then followed her to a quiet corner table. "Uh… thanks. You didn't have to—"
"I didn't," she cut in, sitting gracefully. "But I dislike seeing people starve. Especially ones bleeding all over the floor." Her eyes flicked to his bandaged arm. "What were you doing in the forest at night?"
Chen Yue forced a casual tone. "Got lost. Attacked by a boar."
Velira's lips curved—barely. "A boar didn't do that." Her gaze pierced him, unsettling and strangely magnetic. "You killed something else. Something… wrong."
Chen Yue's pulse quickened. How does she—
Before he could answer, the tavern door slammed open.
Trouble Arrives
A group of armored men strode in, their breastplates gleaming with the crest of a crimson serpent. At their head was a man with slicked-back hair and a cruel smile.
"Velira," he drawled, sauntering toward their table. "Still pretending you're above everyone else? My father offered you a place in House Drakov, and you spit on it. Bad manners."
Velira didn't even look at him. "Leave, Kael."
Kael's smile widened. "Or what? You'll throw a spell? In here?" His eyes slid to Chen Yue. "And who's this stray dog? Your new pet?"
Chen Yue's jaw tightened. Great. First day in town, and I've got drama.
Velira's mana flared faintly, the air crackling like a storm about to break. "Last warning, Kael."
But Kael ignored her, reaching to grab her wrist.
Chen Yue moved without thinking. His hand shot out, gripping Kael's wrist in an iron hold. "She said leave."
Kael sneered—and his free hand slammed into Chen Yue's chest, glowing with mana. The blast sent Chen Yue crashing into a table, splintering wood.
Gasps erupted around the tavern.
[HP: 100 → 62]
Chen Yue staggered up, vision swimming. His system blared alerts:
[Recommendation: Do NOT engage Mana User directly without preparation.]
"Yeah, screw that," Chen Yue muttered.
Kael chuckled. "Pathetic." He raised his hand for another strike.
Velira stood—but before she could act, a second figure burst into the room.
The Archer in Red
An arrow whistled through the air, embedding itself in the floor between Kael's feet. The room went silent.
At the doorway stood a woman in crimson leather armor, a bow in hand and a quiver slung across her back. Her chestnut hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her green eyes burned with fury.
"Kael Drakov," she said, voice dripping venom. "Still picking fights like a spoiled brat? Or do you enjoy harassing women because you can't win a duel?"
Kael's face twisted. "Ayara…"
The archer—Ayara—strode in, nocking another arrow. "Leave. Or I pin you to the wall like the rat you are."
Kael's bravado faltered. He spat on the floor and gestured to his men. "This isn't over."
They stormed out, slamming the door behind them.
The tension bled from the room in a wave of murmurs.
Chen Yue groaned, clutching his ribs. Ayara glanced at him, then at Velira. "You sure know how to pick company."
Velira ignored the jab, her eyes on Chen Yue. "You're reckless."
Chen Yue managed a grin. "You're welcome."
Ayara snorted, pulling up a chair. "Idiot. You almost got yourself killed."
Chen Yue looked between them—the icy sorceress and the fiery archer—and thought: Okay, this world isn't all bad.
System Prompt
As he slumped back, his system pinged:
[New Quest: Allies of Fate]
Objective: Gain the trust of Velira and Ayara.]
Reward: Bonded Technique – Tri-Spirit Resonance.]
Chen Yue smirked despite the pain. "Guess I'm making friends whether I like it or not."
Outside, the wind howled, carrying with it whispers of darkness. And far beyond Moonveil Village, something stirred—a power that had felt his Fragment awaken.
The real game had just begun.
End of Chapter 4