A kid ran frantically through the rocks, only to stumble into a dead end.
Stone walls boxed him in on all sides.
He pressed his back against the cliff, trembling as the heavy steps of the guards drew near.
he thought, tears gathering in his eyes.
What should I do…?
Two guards arrived, blocking the only way out.
The first guard.
"Kid, you'll pay for making us chase you on such a hot day."
The second guard chuckled.
" We should rough him up before bringing him back. What do you think?"
The kid squeezed his eyes shut, whispering in desperation.
" Please… someone save me."
Footsteps echoed behind the guards.
They turned, and their faces hardened.
A man in light armor, hood pulled low, stepped into view.
A sword gleamed in his hand.
It was Amadeus.
he said calmly.
"Move away from the kid "
The guards drew their blades instead.
The first one froze for a moment as his eyes caught the insignia on Amadeus's armor.
"Wait… isn't that the messenger?"
His partner grinned.
"You're right. Orders said to kill him on sight."
The first guard smirked.
"Looks like we're about to earn a reward."
Above their Heads.
[ Easy ]
[ Easy ]
Both lunged at once.
[ Sword Mastery Lv.1 ]
Steel clashed.
Amadeus dodged the first guard's slash and parried the second, but their coordination pressed him hard.
What the…? They're only 'Easy.'
Why are they this annoying?
Then, a voice echoed inside his head.
The Knight Memory.
"It's about time you learned something new. Listen carefully."
Amadeus stepped back, putting distance between himself and the guards.
The Memory continued.
"Dodging and countering, blocking and countering—it works against weaklings."
" But this is different. Don't let your body move only by habit."
" Watch. Learn. Memorize. Break their rhythm."
Amadeus gritted his teeth, trying to follow the advice. But focusing on their patterns left him open.
A guard's foot slammed into his stomach, sending him sliding across the dirt.
He stabbed his sword into the ground to stop his momentum.
The second guard laughed.
"I thought he'd be dangerous. Look at him now—just a weakling."
Amadeus clenched his jaw.
Enough. I'll fight like before.
But the Knight Memory's voice cut in sharply.
"Do that, and you'll fall before they do."
Amadeus
Then what do I do?
"Relax. Focus. Remember our training."
" The only difference here is that instead of me, your opponents are two fools."
Amadeus steadied his breath.
The guards charged again.
This time, his eyes tracked their rhythm.
The second would always strike after he blocked the first guard attack.
Their goal wasn't to kill him immediately—it was to exhaust him.
Amadeus.
I get it now.
When the second guard lunged, Amadeus didn't dodge—he blocked.
The unexpected move threw both men off.
The first faltered for a split second.
That was all Amadeus needed.
He kicked the first guard in the chest, launching him backward.
By the time the man struggled up, his friends head had already rolled to the ground, with Amadeus standing over the corpse.
The survivor screamed and swung wildly.
But without his partner's rhythm, he was helpless.
A sharp slash disarmed him in one move.
Amadeus's voice was cold.
" Now where going to talk a little."
He didn't finish him with the blade.
Instead, his fists hammered into the man's body, leaving bruises and blood until the guard slumped against a rock wall.
Amadeus crouched, his crimson eyes gleaming beneath the hood.
"Now. Tell me who ordered my death."
The man spat blood at Amadeus.
That was when the Assassin Memory whispered.
"Let me teach you some tricks…"
Moments later, the guard broke.
"Xera… the second-in-command! He told us to do it. Please, stop!"
Amadeus narrowed his eyes.
"And why would he want me dead?"
The guard shook his head frantically.
"I-I don't know! I'm just a guard!"
Amadeus stood, raising his sword.
"Then you're of no use to me."
His head hit the ground before he could beg.
[ You killed 2 Easy Humans ]
[ Reward: 2 Essence ]
Another panel appeared.
[ Encounter Mission Completed ]
[ Reward: 5 Essence ]
Amadeus spent the Essence he got.
[ HP lv 3 --) HP lv 5 ]
[ STM lv 4 --) STM lv 6 ]
[ STR lv 7 --) STR lv 8 ]
[ AGI lv 6 --) AGI lv 8 ]
Returning his sword into the inventory, Amadeus called out.
"How long do you plan on hiding?"
A kid stepped out from behind the rocks, falling to his knees.
"Thank you for saving me… b-but please don't cut my head off."
Amadeus blinked.
" And why would I do that?"
The Kid.
" Because… you like cutting off people's heads."
A long sigh escaped Amadeus.
" Relax. You're safe. "
" It's getting dark. Follow me—I know a safe place."
They reached one of the hidden shelters Jax had marked on the map.
There, the boy introduced himself.
"My name's Lio."
Through trembling words, he told his story.
His family had been slaughtered by bandits then he was sold into slavery and thrown into the Quarry.
Amadeus questioned him about the situation inside the Quarry.
Lio explained,
"The Quarry's split between Xera the right hand of the Guard Leader, and Arex, the one who oversees the slaves."
" Above them both… is Atlan, the Guard Leader of the Quarry."
" He's stronger than anyone else. If you want to take the Quarry"
" you'll have to face all three."
Amadeus frowned.
" Which means I'll need more strength before I can even think about it."
he asked.
"Do you know where monsters appear around here?"
Lio shook his head.
"They're gone. Either killed or driven off by Atlan."
Amadeus.
"That explains why I couldn't find any."
Lio said nervously.
"Wait, your asking so you can avoid them?"
Amadeus calmly answered.
"No. I'm asking because I plan to hunt them."
Lio's jaw dropped.
"You're joking."
He stood, adjusting his hood.
"I'm not. But that can wait."
Amadeus thought.
if i go out at the night, i might find anything to kill.
That was when the Noble Memory's calm voice spoke inside his mind.
"The guards give Essence, don't they?"
"Then I think I have a plan. One that will both make us stronger… and weaken the Quarry."
Amadeus's crimson eyes narrowed.
i am listening.
To be continued.