Chapter 4: Preparing for War
The weight of the impending monster raid hung heavy in the air, a tension that permeated every corner of Rivenwood.
Ethan knew he had to prepare, and quickly.
He started by seeking out Harren, hoping the village elder could shed some light on the world beyond Rivenwood's crumbling palisades.
He found Harren tending a small, withered garden behind his hut.
"Elder Harren," Ethan began, "I need to understand more about this world. About the System, about… everything."
Harren straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the neglected plants.
"Knowledge is a seed, traveler," he said, his voice raspy. "It must be nurtured to grow. What do you wish to know?"
"Everything," Ethan replied, "But perhaps… start with the basics. How does the world work? How does the System… fit into it all?"
Harren nodded slowly.
"This world, Aethelgard, is woven with magic, a force that the System channels and quantifies.
It flows through all living things, and even the land itself.
The System, as you call it, is a manifestation of this magic, a framework that allows us to interact with and understand this energy.
It quantifies our potential, our skills, and even the very fabric of reality."
"And the economy?" Ethan asked. "How does trading work? What are the currencies?"
"Trade is the lifeblood of Aethelgard, though Rivenwood sees little of it these days," Harren sighed. "We use various forms of currency, but the most common are Gold and Silver.
One Gold piece is worth a hundred Silver pieces.
Beyond that, there are rarer and more powerful currencies, often tied to magical elements or powerful creatures, but those are beyond the scope of our humble village."
"And power levels?" Ethan inquired. "How do I know where I stand?"
"The System provides a framework for that as well," Harren explained.
"Your level, your stats, your skills – all these contribute to your overall power.
But true strength lies not just in numbers, but in understanding how to use them.
Mana, the magical energy that flows within us, is key.
Learning to channel and control it is what separates a novice from a true warrior."
This conversation gave Ethan a basic understanding of Aethelgard's workings. He realized that knowledge was indeed power, and he needed more of it. He thanked Harren and returned to his hut.
He opened his System interface. He had a quest to complete, and he wanted to optimize his rewards as much as possible.
He navigated to the quest details for "Protect Rivenwood."
[Quest: Protect Rivenwood]
[Description: Rivenwood is facing an imminent monster raid. Protect the village and its inhabitants.]
[Objectives: Defend Rivenwood against the monster raid.]
[Rewards: 200 Experience Points, Rivenwood Membership, Random Skill Book]
Ethan considered the rewards. 200 experience points were good, but he needed more. The Random Skill Book was a gamble, it could be anything.
Rivenwood Membership was intriguing, but its benefits were unclear.
He decided to use his System Manipulation skill.
[System Manipulation (Lv.1)]
[Active Skill]
[Description: Allows limited manipulation of System parameters. Current Level allows for minor adjustments to skill descriptions and basic stat allocation, and Quest Rewards.]
[Available Manipulations: Skill Description Alteration, Stat Point Distribution, Quest Reward Adjustment]
He selected "Quest Reward Adjustment."
[Quest: Protect Rivenwood - Reward Adjustment Mode]
[Current Rewards: 200 Experience Points, Rivenwood Membership, Random Skill Book]
Ethan hesitated. He didn't want to seem greedy, but he also needed to maximize his growth. He decided to focus on experience and the skill book.
[Modified Rewards: 300 Experience Points, Enhanced Random Skill Book (Increased chance of a higher-level skill)]
He saved the changes.
[Quest Rewards Updated]
He closed the System Manipulation window, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
He had successfully tweaked the rewards. Now, he needed to make sure he was strong enough to earn them.
He decided to seek out the village guard, the one who had challenged him at the gate.
He seemed like he had some combat experience. Ethan found him sharpening his spear near the palisade.
"Excuse me," Ethan said. "I'm looking to learn more about combat in this world. Would you be willing to… train me?"
The guard looked him up and down, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You? A traveler? What do you know of battle?"
"Not much," Ethan admitted. "But I'm willing to learn."
The guard considered for a moment. "Alright," he said finally. "But don't expect any special treatment."
The guard, whose name was Borin, showed Ethan the basics of combat in Aethelgard.
He explained the importance of stance, footwork, and timing.
He also introduced Ethan to the concept of mana-infused attacks.
"Mana," Borin explained, "is the energy that flows within us. By focusing your will, you can channel it to enhance your strikes, making them stronger and faster."
Borin demonstrated, channeling mana into his spear. The tip of the spear glowed with a faint blue light, and when he thrust it forward, it moved with incredible speed and force.
Ethan tried to emulate Borin's technique, but he found it difficult to control his mana. It was like trying to grasp smoke – elusive and unpredictable.
He practiced for hours, but he could only manage to produce a faint flicker of light around his hand.
As the sun began to set, Borin stopped the training. "You've made some progress," he said, "but you have much to learn. Mana control takes time and practice."
Ethan thanked Borin for his help and returned to his hut, feeling both exhausted and frustrated.
He knew he needed to improve his mana control if he wanted to survive the monster raid.
As he entered his hut, he noticed something leaning against the wall. It was a sword, old and worn, but there was something about it that radiated power.
He picked it up. The hilt was wrapped in worn leather, and the blade, though dull with age, felt perfectly balanced in his hand.
As he held it, a new notification appeared on his interface:
[Item Acquired: The Hero's Blade
(Fragmented)]
[Description: An ancient sword, once wielded by a hero of Aethelgard. While its power is diminished, it still holds a fragment of its former glory.]
[Stats: Damage: +10, Mana Conductivity: +5%]
Ethan felt a surge of excitement. This sword, even in its fragmented state, was a significant improvement over his bare hands.
He examined the blade closely. There were faint inscriptions etched along the blade, but they were too worn to decipher.
He spent the rest of the evening practicing with the sword, getting used to its weight and balance.
He felt a connection to the weapon, a sense of history and power.
He imagined the hero who had once wielded this blade, fighting against the forces of darkness.
As he finally lay down to rest, he knew that he was as prepared as he could be.