Gray stared at the loot dropped by the Goblin Shaman. A single heavy bag of gold coins glinted in the torchlight. Not bad, but not what he'd hoped for.
"That's it? No magic item? No bonus weapon? Not even a hat?" he muttered.
He sighed and turned to Eliard, who was already sheathing his dagger.
"I suppose this dungeon was more ceremonial than rewarding," Eliard offered, inspecting the chamber walls.
Victoria peeked out from his pocket. "Most early bosses don't drop anything fancy. Be glad you got coins."
Level Up!Gray: Lv 2 → Lv 3
Gray grinned. "Alright, let's see what we've got."
He opened his status panel.
🧍 Character Overview
Name: Gray
Level: 3
Class Type: Invocator / Trickster
Primary Attribute: Luck
❤️ Core Stats
HP (Health Points)10
MP (Mana Points)15
Strength 2
Agility 1
Intelligence 2
Luck 2
Endurance 4
New skill points available.
Gray opened the Trickster skill tree. Dozens of glowing icons pulsed before him. After a moment, he selected:
[False Cast] – Creates a fake version of a chosen spell. Harmless but convincing. Costs 2 MP.
"Let's test this out."
He raised his hand, channeled mana, and a swirling orb of fire materialized. Eliard jumped back, raising his arms, only for the fireball to burst into harmless confetti.
Gray burst out laughing. "Did you see your face?!"
Eliard dusted himself off, unamused. "Very convincing, Master."
Victoria chuckled in his pocket. "There is no scenario where this ends well."
They collected the loot, tied the goblin shaman's staff to their caravan, and prepared to leave the dungeon. With the same horse-drawn cart they had 'borrowed,' they made their way back to the village.
When they arrived, a red-faced villager ran up.
"That's my cart! You stole it!"
Eliard stepped in, hands raised. "We only borrowed it. Urgent business."
Gray reached into the bag and flipped a gold coin toward the man.
The villager caught it, eyes lighting up at the glint of gold. He turned the coin over in his hand, inspecting it like a seasoned merchant before tucking it into his vest.
"You're always welcome to borrow it again!" the man said, suddenly all smiles. "In fact, if you ever need a horse again, just come by my stable. Name's Ruger."
"You paid triple what that cart's worth," Victoria muttered.
"Consider it investment," Gray said. "Reputation matters."
They left the cart and weapons behind, heading into the village square. People were staring at them. Gray still wore his blood-splattered corpo suit. Eliard's butler attire didn't help.
A notification appeared.
Tutorial 4/5: Main Quest – Meet the Guild Master (See Quest Description)
Gray looked at the nearby tavern-like building. It bore a wooden sign with crossed swords and a lion emblem, the symbol of the Adventurer's Guild.
Inside, the place was loud and rowdy. As they stepped in, conversations stopped. Every eye turned to them.
Gray cleared his throat. "I bring urgent news! A wave of beasts is approaching this village! I must speak with the Guild Master!"
There was silence. Then, from the stairs, a group of adventurers in leather and mail came down, surrounding him.
One spoke. "Garfeld wants to see you. This way."
They led him and Eliard to the second floor, through a corridor to an office where a tall man with blonde hair sat behind a desk, a large window lighting up his face. Garfeld.
Gray immediately recognized him. In the game, he was a tutorial character, doomed to die in the monster raid. But not this time.
Garfeld looked up. "You're the one claiming a monster wave is coming? How do you know? That is not public information."
Gray lied smoothly. "I was with a scouting party that encountered them. Everyone else died. I barely escaped."
Garfeld frowned. "We've had some villagers go missing lately. And some scouts haven't returned. Maybe you're telling the truth. But how do I know you're qualified?"
Gray stood straighter. "My name is Gray Devolti, from the high mountains of Calvari."
Eliard blinked. "Calvari?" he whispered.
Garfeld's eyes widened. "You're with the royal army?"
"I was sent as the personal strategist of the Queen herself."
Victoria stifled a laugh from his pocket.
Garfeld stood up. "This explains your unusual attire. But can you prove it? Do you have your badge?"
Gray hesitated. "It was lost during the ambush. Our caravan was destroyed. But I assure you, the main army is not far behind. And the monsters are already coming. If you hesitate, this village will be destroyed."
A moment passed.
Garfeld nodded. "Fine, then we'll prepare defenses. I'll mobilize our fighters. We don't have much time. But at least we have confirmations."
Gray turned to Eliard as they walked out.
"That lie was layered with so much confidence, even I almost believed it," the butler said.
Gray smirked. "I nearly believed myself."
Victoria floated up. "By the way... for that lie to hold, you're going to need to act like a real strategist."
Gray grinned. "Then let's give them a show."
They left the guild and began walking the edge of the village perimeter. Several guards were already moving into formation, digging shallow trenches and stacking crates and barrels into makeshift barricades. Villagers watched with confusion and fear. Children were ushered indoors.
"We need to make them believe I belong here," Gray said. He stopped a passing guard. "Remember, if you feel like your life is ending, take an explosive with you; we are low on medicine."
The guard blinked. "Uh... yes, sir..."
Eliard leaned in. "We are going to die."