The morning light had only just begun to color the sky with pale gold when Altair sat upright in bed, his eyes wide and bloodshot. Sleep had hovered at the edges of his awareness all night, brushing against him like a fleeting shadow, only to be chased away by the whirlwind of thoughts that refused to rest.
The shock and excitement he had felt since the night before hadn't diminished. It pulsed in his veins, an electric current that kept him anchored between disbelief and wonder.
He recalled the description of the children's status option—Assign Ability.
It enables the host—him to purchase abilities from the system store and assign them to any child registered within the system. These children would gain powers akin to those of the Awakened.
Even thinking about it felt surreal.
He could… give them abilities.
The realization struck him all over again, like icy water splashed on a dreamer's face. The kill points he had earned—could be used not only to strengthen himself, but also to empower the children registered under him.
He summoned the system interface and opened the ability list once more. The text shimmered faintly, glowing in the early morning gloom with untapped potential.
Abilities — 1,000 Kill Points Each:
* Fire
* Water
* Healing
* Flight
* Super Strength
* Invisibility
These are the only available abilities that can be purchased for now, but each of these powers—elemental control, the gift of healing, the ability to fly, unmatched strength, the ability to conceal—could drastically shift the course of a battle. In a world like theirs, where ability meant survival and age meant little, these gifts were necessities for their survival. In the future, that means he could rely not only on the stronghold but also on these children.
He will be able to create a powerful stronghold. One fortified not just by walls or weapons, but by the strength of these children.
He stared at the beams overhead, catching the first rays of sunlight as they streamed through the window. His heart pounded like war drums in his chest, loud and insistent. The morning felt like a quiet promise—a glimpse of a brighter future amidst a world slowly falling apart.
But right now, he needed to think. Where could he get more kill points?
The idea of facing the bandits crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He didn't yet have the power to take them down. Hunting was another possibility, but there was a scarcity of prey near their settlement, and venturing deeper into the wilderness could mean death. The animals further in… he wasn't ready for them.
That left one option: to move to cities or the capital.
He would travel to the nearest city, or even the capital, and apply to join the military. If accepted, he could join missions to subdue rebels and—more importantly—gather kill points.
Once he manages to obtain enough points and gain abilities of his own, he would pretend to have been Awakened. From there, he would submit an application to the Warrior's Association and request assignment to one of the regions where the corruption was actively spreading.
That area is swarming with Rust—monstrous creatures born from within the corrosion.
A place where danger was constant… but he could also get points quickly.
He sighed, rubbing his face.
The blanket slid from his shoulders as he rose from the ground. He moved carefully, his steps light so as not to wake the small bodies still curled up nearby. Four children, breathing softly in sleep, huddled together.
The house had grown cold. It reminded him that he needed to return to town. He had to buy more blankets and clothes, both for himself and the children, along with other essential supplies for the house.
The morning chill seeped into his skin like damp cloth. He stoked the hearth, feeding the dying embers until they crackled and caught flame, casting a soft orange glow over the wooden floor.
Then he stepped into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
The smell of eggs, cured meat, and flatbread soon filled the house, warm and inviting. His hands moved quickly, chopping, stirring—mechanical actions performed with precision, though his thoughts were elsewhere. Visions of the future played behind his eyes.
Once he was recognized as an Awakened, adopting children would become much easier. With the authority and income that came with the title, he could support them without raising suspicion. He could claim he was simply taking in strays out of compassion, offering them shelter for the orphaned and lost children. People wouldn't question his motives—some might even praise him for his generosity. It was a perfect plan, hitting two birds with one stone.
A faint rustle broke his thoughts.
"Smells good," Verda mumbled, stumbling into the room, rubbing sleep from her eyes, her hair a chaotic halo around her head.
Altair glanced back, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Sit down. Food's almost ready."
One by one, the others emerged, drawn by the scent. Alvis plopped down beside Verda. Nolan took his spot across from them. Lero lingered at the doorway for a moment before shyly taking a seat.
"Did you sleep well?" Altair asked.
They nodded, though their eyes were fixed on the food. He let them eat without pressing further.
They ate in silence, broken only by the soft clink of cutlery and contented sighs.
When they finished, he gathered the plates and turned to them.
"By the way, I need to head into town today," he said.
"Me too?" Verda asked quickly, her eyes wide with hope.
He shook his head gently. "Not this time. It's not safe out there. Stay here for now, alright? There's no tasty food in the town anyway. Unlike here, you can eat as much as you want."
Verda looked unsure for a moment, but at the mention of food, she relented with a small nod.
Altair turned to Nolan. "While I'm gone, you'll be in charge. Eat what you need—but don't leave this place. It's dangerous outside. I won't be gone for long."
Nolan nodded with unshakable seriousness. "Yes. I'll look after them."
Alvis chimed in right away. "We'll stay. We promise."
Even Lero gave a soft, shy nod.
Altair smiled and patted their heads. After a few more quiet moments, he stood, ready to leave.
Aside from supplies, he planned to visit the only medicine shop in town. His family had sold herbs there in the past, and his father had been close to the shopkeeper. After his father disappeared, the shopkeeper had been helping them look for him, honoring an old debt.
He was hoping to hear some news again. Every time he visited town in the past, he made sure to stop by, but he'd been too busy lately and hadn't had the chance.
—
The forest was heavy with dew as Altair stepped outside. Mist curled around the roots of trees like slumbering serpents. The rustle of leaves, the hum of insects, and distant birdsong filled the air in a gentle chorus. His footsteps were nearly silent on the damp earth.
When the town came into view, he paused.
Wagons and carriages lined the road, crates stacked high. Soldiers loitered at the gates, some chatting, others standing at attention.
As he moved to enter, his gaze was drawn to a pair of figures atop a carriage near the entrance.
A man and a woman sat side by side, both clad in deep blue cloaks embroidered with the insignia of the Warrior's Association. The man sat on the edge of the carriage, looking relaxed, but there was something sharp about the way he carried himself—like he was ready to move at any moment. He was tall and lean, with messy ash-blond hair and cool gray eyes that seemed to notice everything around him. The woman next to him sat straight, her back never touching the seat. Her long black hair was tied back neatly, and her golden-amber eyes carefully watched the crowd. She had a calm but serious look, and a small scar on her jaw made her seem even tougher. Just by sitting there, they gave off a strong and dangerous feeling.
Altair's heart skipped a beat.
Awakened Warriors.
New Awakened had been sent here again? Was something going on? Could trouble be approaching? If so, he needed to leave this place as soon as possible. He would register later—right now, it was best to finish his errands quickly and return to the stronghold.
Just as he turned to leave, the woman's gaze snapped toward him.
Their eyes locked.
Altair froze mid-step.
A jolt shot through him—sharp and unnatural—like invisible threads slithering beneath his skin, curling around his mind.
What the hell is that? he thought, a chill racing down his spine.
His breath caught as the woman tilted her head slightly, the movement graceful but unnerving. Her amber eyes glinted with curiosity.
Why is she suddenly staring at him?
His heartbeat spiked, panic pressing at the edges of his calm. He forced his eyes away, muscles stiff, and started walking away.
He could feel the woman's gaze lingering on his back, making him break into a cold sweat.