Alaric saw the message, sheathing his sword and crossing his arms.
"What are you?"
He said, observing the glowing blue panel in front of him, even trying to touch it if it was physical.
"A messenger of the gods, perhaps? The ones that sent me here?"
[You could say that, I am merely here to guide you.]
"I see, can you tell me about the world then?"
[Unfortunately, I cannot.]
"What? Then what use are you?"
[It is meant for you to explore on your own; I merely grant you abilities to aid in it.]
Alaric thought about the panel's reply before nodding in agreement. He didn't think about that. An adventure is only an adventure if you explore and learn firsthand, after all.
[Alaric Von Alexis]
Str: 13
End: 16
Mana: 4
Qi: 1
[Skills]
Western Swordsmanship: (Max)
Heavy Armor Proficiency: (Max)
[Talents]
Crusader's Adaptation: (SSS-Tier)
Alaric read out the series of information laid out in front of him, before resting his hand on his hips in confusion.
"SSS...? and these s-t-r things... what do they mean?"
[...]
[Right...]
[Injecting Information Directly Into Mind...]
"What...?"
Alaric asked, before falling to his knees as a sudden mind-breaking pain was unleashed through his skull, hundreds and thousands of information about the basics of a system were transferred into his brain.
It was faster than the system explaining it to him one by one, and he was a knight; he could handle the temporary pain.
After a minute of nerve-wracking pain that caused him to crumble into the dirt, it finally stopped, causing him to rise again.
A newfound knowledge in his eyes.
"Agh... warn me next time, system."
Alaric planted his shield on the ground, using it to support himself to stand up again, and then it hit.
He called the panel a system, one that even surprised him; it meant the transfer was successful.
[Have you recovered?]
"Yes... barely."
Alaric laughed, trying to sound confident, but the memory of the unimaginable headache he felt was still as clear as day; it was more painful than even the dragon's breath.
[!]
A sudden arrow appeared in front of him, one that pointed to a specific direction through the dense forest of bamboo and trees.
[Quest: Reach A City]
[Reward: 1+ On All Stats]
Alaric cleared his mind; his first quest was now granted to him, and with enough knowledge to keep him from barraging his system with questions and delaying his adventure.
He began to walk again, exploring this eastern world that was completely unknown to him.
"This place reminds me of stories from seafarers..."
He mumbled, cutting through foliage to clear his way, until he finally got out of the forest, finding himself in a huge field, with a road paved to a huge walled settlement.
One that even rivaled the major cities that Alaric was familiar with.
"Impressive..."
CLOP. CLOP. CLOP.
A carriage rode past him, horses dragging it as dozens of once again unarmored guards holding swords protected it.
"Hey... what in the world is that man wearing..."
A guard spoke, asking his companions, clearly another martial artist, eyeing Alaric as if he were a weirdo.
"Don't make eye contact... must be a foreigner."
The leader ahead of the carriage spoke, reprimanding his guards as they continued on their way.
But Alaric had his own remarks.
"Ha! They think of me as strange when they're the ones parading around as soldiers without even the proper equipment!?"
Alaric was a proud knight and champion of a holy order; of course, he would be insulted. They only know how to move fast, but clearly do not know how to even properly defend themselves.
"No matter, let bygones be bygones."
Alaric scoffed, following the road into the city, just like his quest marker pointed.
***
As he entered the city, it was a complete surprise to him; it looked beautiful and lively, one that he didn't expect from a world where their warriors did not know basic protection.
"I guess they spent all their treasury on their cities instead of their warriors."
Alaric remarked, continuing to walk.
[Quest: Reach A City] (Completed)
[Reward: 1+ On All Stats]
[Alaric Von Alexis]
Str: 14
End: 17
Mana: 5
Qi: 2
[Skills]
Western Swordsmanship: (Max)
Heavy Armor Proficiency: (Max)
[Talents]
Crusader's Adaptation: (SSS-Tier)
'Satisfactory...'
He thought to himself as the next quest was given.
[Quest: Forge Your Own Path]
[Reward: +Skills]
'How vague... but it is fitting.'
He roamed around the city, getting weird stares all the while, with some even calling him a barbarian or an idiot.
Why would someone willingly slow themselves down wearing metal instead of mastering the blade and protecting themselves with it instead? he was only limiting his speed from their perspective.
"A simple Qi-infused strike would break that hunk of metal like it was nothing..."
"Shush, you idiot! He might hear."
As Alaric grew impatient at the annoying remarks, he began to think about the issue of money; he had nothing to buy food or supplies with.
But he was a powerful and skilled knight; surely he could make money, right?
He approached a nearby stall, one that sold a variety of vegetables.
"Excuse me, but is there perhaps a way to earn money through combat?"
The vendor looked in confusion; he clearly didn't look like a martial artist, but he just shrugged it off. must be a newbie who didn't know how things worked yet.
"I heard the Flaming River Academy in the south is hiring guards. What about trying your luck there? just follow the signs."
"I see! Thank you for your time!"
Alaric bowed at the vendor before leaving, leaving the vendor in a confused state.
"What a strange accent..."