By the time the snake vanished, the light vanished with him.
Can I do it too. I can't see anything.
I remember what he said.
Creation — Light.
A light appeared above him.
Then something hit him like a second heartbeat. He fell to the ground.
What is this. Every part of my body hurts like hell. Is my body rejecting it. Can't hold it. My legs — I can see them getting bigger. Is my body adapting to carry this power. It feels like every single bone is breaking.
He fainted.
He woke up. What was that.
The pain is gone. I thought I was going to die.
I feel lighter. Did I get taller too.
He looked at his arms.
What. My arms—
His whole body had changed. He checked every part.
He smiled. I have to check everything.
He hooked his fingers into the waistband of his breeches and pulled it forward.
No. Same old little man.
Okay. How do I get out of this cave.
Creation — Light.
The light followed him, lighting the way as he walked. After a while he saw light at the far end of the passage. He moved toward it and stepped through.
He came out on top of a hill, deep in the jungle. The whole jungle spread out below him.
Amazing. So much beauty here, and no one ever comes to this place.
He began descending toward the jungle floor.
I can hear animals everywhere. Before — they must have been scared of the snake. That's why none of them came to this area. Now that he's gone, they know nothing dangerous is here anymore.
Oh. I forgot. I want to test my power.
Creation — Fire.
A black flame appeared in his hand.
Why is it black. My light was normal. But my fire is black.
A rabbit appeared across from him, watching him.
Burn that rabbit.
Nothing happened.
Wait. Let me try to shoot it like an arrow.
Creation — Fire Arrow.
A black fire arrow shot from his hand and hit the rabbit. When it was done, only the bones remained.
A message appeared in the air in front of him. A black screen, floating. He reached out to touch it. His hand passed through.
It read: You Leveled Up.
Level 2.
A wave passed through him. He felt stronger.
Every time this goes up, do I get stronger.
I have to be careful. I can't shoot this at a person.
I know what I have to do. Hunt. Kill beasts. Let my level climb.
I'll stay in this jungle for a while and train.
The jungle became Liam's training ground.
Days became weeks. Weeks became months. Each one a cycle of hunting and surviving and learning. Studying every battle.
He got faster. Stronger.
Two years passed.
When he killed two dire wolves, the screen appeared again.
Level 49.
Attribute — Full Capacity Unlocked.
Dark Force.
The change let him manipulate dark force, drain life from enemies, move with greater stealth.
He kept training.
Another two years passed.
He could teleport now.
He checked his status.
Liam
Level — 100 / 100
Attribute — Dark Force + Basic Light
If I go to the city no one will recognize me. Not after all this time. But I want to see my city again. This time it's going to be different.
I can use magic now. I can make money.
I know every street in Oakhaven like the back of my hand. Can I transport to one of them — somewhere no one will see me appear. I don't want anyone watching me come out of thin air.
He channeled his dark force. He vanished and appeared in an alley. Empty.
Good. Though — you only come to an alley like this if you want to kill someone. That's how frightening this place is.
I want to see the city center. The Oakhaven park. I can wait. Let me start walking.
Then he heard a woman's voice.
Let me go, you pigs.
Does she need help.
Casting — Detection Spell.
The spell found the girl.
Casting — Dark Force Shadow Transport.
He arrived behind them.
Kael laughed. "You hid in those archives for three days and walked right into my trap."
I know. So many nobles are paying a high price for you. They know you're worth money dead or alive — even for fun. If I kill you I still get paid. Your father has no heir without you. One of the nobles takes the throne.
I'll kill you when I've had my fun.
Take her inside. Shut her up. Dress her for me — but don't have too much fun without me.
Liam stepped out of the shadows.
Kael spun around. "W-who are you?"
I know you, Kael. Still doing your dirty work — selling children, killing for nobles, and no one can touch you because of who you work for. Of course.
But you don't know me.
Shut up, or I'll have my men kill you where you stand. Doesn't matter. You've seen too much.
Kill him.
Liam raised his hand. Dark force flared. Shadows wrapped around Kael, pressed into him. His face darkened. He crumpled to the ground.
Liam looked at Kael's men.
If you don't want the same, don't be here in another second.
They all ran.
Royal guards flooded the alley with swords drawn.
"There she is — Princess Lyra!"
King Alaric pushed through. He rushed to Lyra and grabbed her. "My daughter. We searched for three days."
He turned and looked at Liam. Then at Kael's body on the ground.
"You saved my daughter?"
Liam nodded.
"What is your name?"
"Liam."
The King studied him for a moment.
"Liam. You have my gratitude. Come to the palace. I want to reward you."
"Come with us. The King demands it."
Liam stood in the throne room. Lyra sat beside her father.
The King broke the silence.
"You look strong. I can tell by your build." He leaned forward. "Are you strong?"
"I can protect myself."
The King laughed. "Good. I said I would reward you for saving my daughter. Name it. Whatever you want."
"Anything?"
"Anything. I'm a king — believe me, I can deliver." He laughed again.
"Okay." Liam paused. "I'm a traveler. I don't have anywhere to stay right now, until I can afford to rent something. I need somewhere to sleep for the time being. Sorry if that's asking too much."
"That's all you want?" The King shook his head. "That's nothing. This palace has more empty rooms than we can count. Take one. How does that sound."
The King's right hand stepped forward. "We'll have your room prepared shortly."
"Thank you. You're a generous King."
"No — thank you. Lyra, show him the palace while his room is being prepared. And tonight, we celebrate."
Lyra stood and walked to Liam, chin up.
Beautiful. Like something out of a painting.
Se smiled.
"Follow me, my hero."
She thanked him first.
"If you hadn't been there, I was done."
Liam said nothing. He followed.
She showed him the dining hall, the resting quarters, the training ground. Every corner of the palace.
Does she have to show me all of it. Or does she just want to spend time with me.
She stopped in the palace garden. It was beautiful.
"Tell me, Liam. Are you married? Do you have someone? Where are you from? And how old are you?"
"No. Nothing like that. Honestly, this is the first time in my life a girl has talked to me. I was never lucky that way."
"I don't believe you. You're too handsome for that."
"Believe what you want. I told you the truth." He looked at her. "I'm twenty-three. You look young, Princess. Fifteen maybe?"
She hit him on the head. "You idiot. You think I'm that young? I'm twenty."
"You're sure you're twenty? You really look—"
"Do I need to hit you again?"
"No. No. Sorry."
A guard approached. "Sir, your room is ready."
Liam turned to Lyra. "Thank you, Princess. For everything."
"Drop the Princess. Drop the royal talk. I hate it."
"Okay. Goodbye. I'm going to sleep like I've never slept in my life."
The guard brought him to his room. The moment he walked in he crossed straight to the bed, jumped on it, and was asleep before he could think another thought.
Morning came. Liam was heading out of the palace.
"Where are you going."
"Hey — Lyra. I'm going to the adventurer's guild. I have some questions I think they can answer there."
"You're coming back after?"
"Yeah. I'm coming back. I told you I have nowhere to stay in Oakhaven. I don't have a choice." He turned to leave. "Goodbye, Princess."
"If you say Princess one more time I'll tell my father to throw you out of the castle."
"Okay okay. Bye."
He arrived at the adventurer's guild.
"Welcome, sir. Are you here to take a job or to register?"
"Neither. I want to know where I can find monsters."
"Sir, there are monsters all around the city. What kind are you looking for?"
Two adventurers sitting nearby were already talking.
"Ha. Listen to this guy. Scared of something?"
"You know there's a tower near the country's border? No one can enter it. They say anyone who goes in never comes out — not alive, not dead. Nothing. Some of my friends went to the city NyxAlum, it's close to it."
His friend nodded. "If you want to see it go with them. It gives off a bad feeling just standing near it. I saw it myself."
Maybe this tower holds something. If there are powerful monsters inside I can train there. Level up.
He vanished.
Right there in the guild. He was so focused on the thought he used transport without thinking.
The girl at the desk looked up.
"What just — where did he go."
The adventurers looked at each other.
"Did I imagine that. There was a man standing there, said he wanted to find strong monsters, and then just—"
"He was here. Yeah."
The girl stared at the empty space.
"This city is something else."
Liam found the carriage waystation. A man was shouting.
"One more passenger and we leave for NyxAlum! NyxAlum carriage, right here!"
Liam walked over and boarded.
Someone left money in my room while I was sleeping. I think it was Lyra.
Thank you, Lyra.
He paid the fare.
"Hold on tight. We're moving."