Cedric stepped from the ruins at dawn's first light, his breath misting in the chill air. The moon had set, leaving a pale wash of dawn across the plains. His status panel hovered unobtrusively at his peripheral vision:
> LEVEL: 2 XP: 70/100
FUNCTIONS: Skill Tree, Basic Status
NEXT UNLOCK: Threads of Magic Alignment Tutorial (Level 5)
He glanced at the narrow road winding toward ElmHollow. In two nights, he'd recovered herbs and felled beasts; in one desperate moment, he'd defended an innocent innkeeper. Now, he needed more—equipment, gold, and a reliable means to accrue XP faster than solitary hunts.
A distant rumble drew his attention: a Church supply caravan, its wagons decked in crimson banners and gold-trimmed shields. Armed guards—about a dozen—marched beside oxen, vigilant for bandits. Cedric smirked. Bandits they might consider him, but he had purpose beyond petty theft.
He circled to higher ground and knelt, calling up the Skill Tree. Two paths glowed: Martial Proficiency and Stealth Training, both advanced branches opening at Level 3. He tapped Stealth's next node—Silent Blade.
> Silent Blade Unlocked
Effect: First strike from stealth grants +50% damage.
A thrill pulsed through him. Soon, he would test it. He closed the menu and picked his way down through scrub and stone.
---
An hour later, Cedric lay concealed behind a cluster of boulders overlooking a narrow defile. The caravan creaked into view, guards spaced evenly. At the center rode a mounted lieutenant, resplendent in polished armor. Cedric counted twelve armed men, one officer, and two supply wagons—each heavy with provisions and spare weapons.
His mind raced. Taking on all twelve at once would be suicide. But if he struck swiftly, he could ambush a smaller patrol, gain XP, and abscond with a few swords and coins.
He drew his hood tighter, slipped from cover, and vanished into the shadows.
---
Cedric moved like mist, closing the distance. Two guards conversing near the rear wagon never saw him until he was upon them. With Silent Blade's power, his blade flashed out of the night: one guard fell without a cry, the second's throat parted before he could react.
> XP +36 (Ambush: 2 Guards)
Current XP: 106/100
The interface chimed triumphantly.
> LEVEL UP! Level 3
+2 Skill Points Earned
HP +25, MP +12
NEW UNLOCK: Advanced Skill Tree, Quick Strike
He felt strength surge through aching limbs. Rising, he surveyed the tableau: ten guards ahead, two wagons, and the lieutenant. He could craft a second ambush, but stealth nodes would soon crown him discoverable. Instead, he acted decisively:
He stepped onto the path, sword drawn. The lieutenant wheeled his mount. "Who—"
Cedric didn't wait. He sprinted, activating Quick Strike—a lightning-fast thrust that disarmed the officer and sent his mount rearing. The lieutenant yelped as steel whispered past his ribs. He crumpled, hand clutching his side.
The remaining guards drew swords. Cedric ducked under a blow, rolled aside, then slashed at the ankle of the nearest man. He fought with the grace of his new training, every parry and counter precise. Two more guards fell before the rest broke ranks, calling for reinforcements.
> XP +48 (Lieutenant & Guards)
Current XP: 49/200
His threshold for the next level had doubled; he would need 200 XP now. But the deed was done. The wagons lay defenseless, their drivers cowering beneath spilled sacks of grain.
---
Cedric gathered coins from fallen purses—enough for a suit of simple leather armor and a stack of healing herbs. From the wagons he pilfered a fine longsword and a small pouch bearing the Church's crest: a key to infiltrating holy strongholds later.
He mounted the loot on one wagon, set the other ablaze, and melted into the woods as distant bells sounded the alarm. By midday, a column of riders surged past, but Cedric was gone.
---
At dusk, he returned to Ish'thar's Keep. The night breeze carried embers from the distant wildfire he'd sown as distraction. Alone on the ramparts, he reviewed his status:
> LEVEL: 3 XP: 49/200
SKILLS: Martial Proficiency III, Stealth Training II, Silent Blade, Quick Strike
THREADS OF MAGIC: Alignment 15%
A faint glow flickered where "Threads of Magic" lay dormant. At Level 5, he would unlock its secrets—true mastery of raw arcana. Until then, he would continue to hunt, raid, and learn. Each victory would bring him closer to the system's core and to the justice he'd been denied.
Cedric sheathed his new sword. Tomorrow, he'd push further into the church's territory—and closer to the heart of their lies. The ember of his vengeance burned brighter than ever.