The winter wind, carrying flurries of snow, swept across the grey skies of the North.
The air was filled with the scent of dryness and snow.
Lynn's cheek was pressed tightly against a rough, moss-covered wooden block.
The icy touch pierced him to the bone.
A sharp chill ran down the back of his neck.
It felt as if a venomous snake was flicking its tongue against his skin.
In his peripheral vision, pairs of legs, encased in thick leather and fur, stood silently in a circle.
Heavy breathing rose and fell around him, mixed with the faint rustle of chainmail.
A deep, authoritative male voice, devoid of any emotion, rang out.
Each word struck Lynn's heart like a heavy stone.
"In the name of Robert I of House Baratheon, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."
Lynn's pupils suddenly constricted.
This voice, these words...
He struggled to lift his head.
But two strong hands held his shoulders firmly, pinning him to the execution block.
"I, Ned Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, hereby pass judgment."
Ned Stark!
Chaotic fragments of memory, like a breached dam, instantly overwhelmed Lynn's reason.
Wasn't he supposed to be having an intimate conversation with his junior sister?
How could this be...
A memory that didn't belong to Lynn surged forth.
Black robes, the cold The Wall.
And... beyond The Wall, those eyes burning with blue flames.
He had become a Night's Watch deserter.
"...I sentence you to death."
Ned Stark's words fell, as if sealing his fate.
Lynn felt the pressure on him ease slightly.
He heard the loud clang of metal being drawn from its scabbard.
The sound was long and clear, carrying the resolve to cut through everything.
This Valyrian steel greatsword, named Ice, was imbued with Magic and spells.
It was wider than a man's hand and stood taller than Robb when upright!
Its color was as dark as black smoke.
Ordinary weapons could not kill Others, but Valyrian steel had the effect of killing Others, making it incredibly precious.
However, its forging method had long been lost, and existing Valyrian steel weapons were all held by various noble houses, each with its own story.
Lynn's heart hammered wildly in his chest, almost bursting through his ribs.
No!
I can't die like this!
Just as Ice was raised high, a cold, mechanical voice exploded in Lynn's mind.
Detected Host's strong desire to survive...
Enemy Slaying System officially activated!
Newbie Gift Pack: Includes one Newbie Protection privilege!
Host: Lynn
Strength: 3 (Weak)
Agility: 4 (Weak)
Constitution: 2 (Weak)
Reference standard for a healthy adult male: all attributes 3.
Skills: None
Experience Points: 0
Experience Points Note: Killing enemies grants experience points. The amount awarded depends on the enemy's strength (minimum is 1 experience for a normal human). Experience points can be used to increase skill proficiency.
Attribute Value Note: Can be increased through various methods such as training, blessings, and more. Through training, the limit is 10 points. There is no upper limit for attribute acquisition through other means.
Attribute values represent an absolute doubling of power, regardless of body weight. Pure maximum exertion capability becomes twice as strong. For example, if a normal person with 3 Strength can deadlift 120 kg, the protagonist with 6 Strength can deadlift 240 kg.
Lynn's consciousness was momentarily dazed.
A System?
But the pitiful panel data instantly extinguished the sliver of hope that had just ignited within him.
With this sickly body,
Forget about resisting; even getting up from the execution block would be difficult.
He could clearly feel the legendary Valyrian greatsword, Ice, already raised high.
It was about to fall on his neck!
Even Ned couldn't wield this greatsword with ease!
No time to think!
Lynn used all his strength to squeeze a hoarse roar from his dry throat.
"The Old Gods gave me guidance!"
Lynn's voice was hoarse and sharp, cutting through the heavy silence of the execution ground.
Everyone was stunned.
The greatsword, which was about to fall, swerved, striking the block beside Lynn's head.
The cold wind stirred by the blade grazed his skin, raising a fine goosebump. He swallowed with difficulty.
Lynn could even smell the icy scent of Valyrian steel from the blade.
He was almost chopped by Ned!
Fortunately, Ned had turned the greatsword aside in time!
"Nonsense!"
A young, frivolous voice rang out, filled with undisguised mockery.
"To save your life, you'd say anything?"
Lynn didn't need to turn around to know it was Theon Greyjoy speaking, the only Unsullied of the Iron Islands...
No, he was still here for now.
Ned Stark said nothing.
He simply stood there quietly.
Holding the greatsword, his figure was like a silent statue against the dim sky.
But the paused sword was Lynn's opportunity.
Lynn forced himself to calm down, his mind working at an unprecedented speed.
Ned Stark.
A man who valued honor and duty more than his own life.
He followed ancient traditions.
The Starks still had the blood of the First Men flowing in their veins; he believed that those who passed a death sentence must carry it out themselves.
To take a life, one should at least look into their eyes and listen to their last words.
If one couldn't do that, perhaps the person didn't deserve to die.
He was an extremely just man.
Deceiving him with lies would only lead to self-destruction.
Moving him with pleas for mercy was a pipe dream.
The only way out was to use his "duty" to counter his "tradition"!
"My Lord."
Lynn's voice was no longer a roar; it became steady.
He tried to make every word clear and audible.
"I am a deserter. I broke my oath, and by law, I deserve to be executed."
These words once again astonished those around him.
Theon's face even showed a confused expression.
No one expected a man who was just desperately fighting for his life to voluntarily admit his guilt.
A subtle ripple passed through Ned Stark's deep grey eyes.
"But I didn't run because of cowardice."
"It was because I received guidance from the Old Gods."
Lynn's words were not fast, but they were full of power.
"Everything I did was to bring back the message safely!"
Lynn turned his head, straining to look up at the tall figure.
"The Old Gods allowed me to foresee."
"Beyond The Wall, something has awakened."
"They ride dead horses, their eyes like burning sapphires. Wherever they pass, everything freezes!"
"The Others, they are not a story, my Lord, they are real!"
Lynn did not describe specific scenes.
He simply depicted the deepest fear from the original owner's memory in the most direct language.
That bone-chilling cold.
That suffocating silence.
That indescribable ancient evil.
The execution ground fell into a dead silence.
Only the wind whimpered past everyone's ears.
Robb Stark, behind Ned Stark, had a young face filled with shock and unease.
His hand unconsciously gripped his sword hilt.
"My Lord, he's spreading heresy!"
"How could the Old Gods guide him?"
Theon tried to break the eerie atmosphere.
Ned Stark remained silent.
He looked into Lynn's eyes.
There was no cunning of a liar in those eyes, only the terror of having narrowly escaped death, and an undeniable... certainty?
Lynn knew the decisive moment had arrived.
He met Ned Stark's gaze and spoke each word distinctly.
"I can foresee the future. Not just the Others, but other things happening!"
"Killing me is simple, my Lord."
"With that greatsword in your hand, just one swing."
"But along with me, you'll be cutting off a warning about the coming Long Night."
"You are the Warden of the North. Your duty is to protect the North, to protect the Seven Kingdoms from invasion by wildlings and those dead things."
"Which is more important, the life of a deserter, or the safety of the entire North? Please, my Lord, you decide!"
"If you don't believe me, I can give you a prophecy right now!"
Lynn finished speaking and stared intently at Ned Stark.
Time seemed to stretch in that moment.
Every second was agony.
Lynn could hear his own heart pounding like a drum.
After a long while.
"What did you see?"
Lynn heard Ned ask him, and immediately replied.
"On your way back, you will encounter a dead direwolf."
"If you don't find a direwolf, my Lord can behead me on the spot, and I will have no complaints!"
The sound of metal sheathing rang out, and Lynn's heart eased.
"Take him back."
Ned Stark's voice was still deep, but carried a hint of irresistible weariness.
"Guard him closely."
Two guards immediately stepped forward and roughly pulled Lynn from the ground.
The exhaustion of having escaped death instantly swept through his entire body.
Lynn's legs went weak, and he almost couldn't stand.
He was dragged, stumbling, through the crowd.
Before leaving, he looked back.
Ned Stark was watching him.
In those grey eyes, emotions were complex and unclear.
There was scrutiny, there was doubt.
But Lynn knew he was temporarily safe.
He had bought himself a lifeline from under the Warden of the North's sword.
Lynn knelt on the ground, his body trembling uncontrollably.
It was from the cold, and also from lingering fear.
In his vision, the blue panel, visible only to him, still floated quietly.
Lynn's lips curled upwards, uncontrollably.