The city of Elandros stretched wide and proud, its high walls crowned with banners of crimson and gold. Ethan followed the guards through the eastern gate, every step echoing in his battered body.
The captain with the scar, who had introduced himself as Captain Darius, marched beside him, silent yet watchful. Villagers parted at their passing, some bowing to the soldiers, others whispering about the outsider who slew a chimera.
Ethan kept his head low, but his mind churned.
The system had grown quieter since the fight. A part of him feared that silence—it was like carrying a blade that could cut the world but not knowing which edge faced him.
[Integration 15%. Awaiting next growth milestone.]
He clenched his fists. Fifteen percent… and already I nearly died twice. What happens when I reach one hundred?
The answer wasn't given.
They arrived at a massive stone keep in the heart of the city. Guards opened iron-banded doors, and Ethan was ushered into a grand hall. The air inside smelled of oil lamps, incense, and parchment. Nobles in robes whispered, and armored knights stood in rigid rows.
At the far end sat a man in regal armor, dark beard streaked with silver, his crown shaped like entwined thorns of gold. His gaze was sharp enough to pierce Ethan's chest.
"Your Majesty," Darius bowed deeply. "We present the outsider who felled the chimera spawn."
The king's voice was heavy and commanding. "Step forward, stranger."
Ethan did, though his knees screamed to buckle. "Ethan Cross."
Murmurs rose. The name was foreign here, strange in their tongues.
The king studied him for a long moment. "My city speaks of your deeds already. A chimera does not fall easily, yet you wear no crest, no order's sigil. Who trained you?"
Ethan hesitated. Lies or truth? He had no sigil, no order—only a cursed gift from gods.
Before he could answer, a cold laugh cut across the hall.
From the crowd stepped a man clad in silver armor, polished until it gleamed. His blond hair caught the torchlight, his features sharp with arrogance. At his hip, a sword pulsed faintly with mana.
"Your Majesty," the man said smoothly, bowing only half-heartedly. "Surely we do not take the word of peasants? An outsider appears from nowhere, drenched in blood, and suddenly claims heroics against a chimera? Ridiculous."
The court murmured in agreement.
The king raised a hand for silence. "Lord Kael, do you suggest this man lies?"
Kael smirked, his eyes never leaving Ethan. "Not lies. Tricks. I've seen such before—sorcerers who mimic valor with cheap parlor magic. Allow me, Your Majesty, to prove the truth."
Ethan felt the system stir, as though recognizing Kael's presence.
[Alert: Hostile Soul Signature Detected.][Classification: Champion of Divinity.][Affiliation: Chosen of the War God, Aros.]
Ethan's blood went cold. Another champion. Already?
The king frowned. "Kael, this hall is not an arena."
But Kael's smirk widened. "Then let us not duel, sire. Merely… a test. If this man truly slew a chimera, let him stand against a single strike of mine."
The court buzzed with anticipation. Nobles leaned forward eagerly. Knights whispered wagers.
Ethan's fists tightened. His body was battered, his wounds still raw. But refusing meant weakness—captivity, or worse.
The system pulsed.
[Quest Generated: Survive Kael's Strike.][Failure: Loss of credibility, imprisonment, possible execution.]
Ethan swallowed. "Fine. Let's test it."
Kael's grin turned sharp. He stepped into the center of the hall, drawing his blade. It glowed faintly, heat radiating off the steel. "One strike, outsider. Endure it, and I'll hold my tongue."
Ethan moved opposite him. The nobles watched with predatory smiles. The king leaned forward in silence.
Kael raised his blade. Mana surged like fire around him—the blessing of a War God, raw and destructive. Ethan's heart thundered. His eyes flared, threads faintly appearing around Kael's body.
He had one chance. One thread to break.
Kael's sword came down like a blazing comet.
Ethan's hand shot forward, his golden blade flashing to sever a glowing thread near Kael's shoulder.
The strike twisted mid-swing, veering off course, slamming into stone instead of Ethan. The hall shook from the impact.
Gasps erupted. Dust filled the air.
Kael staggered, fury burning in his eyes. "You—!"
But Ethan stood tall, blade humming faintly in his grip. Blood trickled from his reopened wounds, yet his voice rang steady.
"Your one strike… wasn't enough."
The court fell into shocked silence.
The king's eyes narrowed, then gleamed with something unreadable. "Interesting. Very interesting."
Kael's glare promised violence later. "This isn't over, outsider."
The system chimed.
[Quest Complete.][Integration: 20%.][New Trait Acquired: Defiance.][Description: When facing overwhelming odds, slight increase in resistance to fate manipulation.]
Ethan exhaled slowly, his body trembling. He had survived—but now the entire kingdom had seen him defy a War God's champion.
And he knew… Loki was laughing louder than ever.