When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the ceiling.
A familiar one—white, with gentle golden patterns curling toward the corners like vines frozen in time. A crystal chandelier hung motionless above me, its glass pieces catching the morning light.
I knew this room.
I was home.
A breath escaped me, shallow and stiff. My body ached with that heavy soreness that came after overexertion, like every muscle was reminding me I'd survived.
Slowly, I sat up. The sheets slid off my chest, and a dull throb ran down my spine.
'So... I made it out.'
The memories of the Kapi Mountains returned in fragments. The beasts. The minotaur. The way the world blurred when I used that power. The fireball. And finally, darkness.
'I got lucky… That was reckless.'
I stretched my arms, wincing a little. My joints popped quietly. My body felt like a battlefield—but it was still mine.
Then the thought hit me.
'I leveled up. Three times. After killing the minotaur.'
"System," I muttered.
A soft chime rang in my ears, followed by the appearance of the familiar translucent screen.
༺═──────────────────═༻
— Personal Info —
Name: Noel Morris
Level: 17
Skill Points: 10
Class: None
Title: Player
-----
— Attributes —
Strength: 15
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 18
Durability: 14
Mana: 21
-----
— Skills —
A Player's Privilege (SSS-Rank) – Partially Unlocked
Palette of Echoes (SS-Rank) – Locked
Retroscripted Fate (SS-Rank) – Locked
Mana Veins (S-Rank) [Lv. 3]
Nocturne Mind (A-Rank) [Lv. 1]
Flash Step (C-Rank) [Lv. 2]
Heal (D-Rank) [Lv. 3]
Aerogenesis (D-Rank) [Lv. 3]
Fireball (D-Rank) [Lv. 4]
----
— Items —
Sword of Broken Faith (True Form)
-----
— Quests —
{Main Quest – [Hero]}
{Quest – [Family's Fate]}
༺═──────────────────═༻
I scanned the screen.
'Ten skill points.'
That added up. Two points per level. I got three levels when I killed the minotaur, one level when I killed the wolves, and two skill points remaining from earlier.
As for attributes, I remembered the system's rule: every level, three attributes randomly increased. I couldn't control which, but it made every level-up feel impactful.
I brought up the distribution panel.
'Let's push Strength up a bit more. Durability too—my body still isn't tough enough. Intelligence and Agility can round it out.'
> [Strength: 15 → 18]
>[Durability: 14 → 18]
>[Intelligence: 18 → 20]
>[Agility: 18 → 19]
I hit confirm.
The surge was faint but noticeable—like my muscles tightened, my senses sharpened. It wasn't dramatic, but it was real.
'Bit by bit. I'm getting stronger.'
I let the screen fade.
A quiet gasp pulled me out of my thoughts. A maid stood by the door, wide-eyed.
"Young Master, you're awake!"
She turned, rushing to the hall. I heard hurried footsteps fade into the distance—probably to alert someone.
Barely a minute passed before I heard a voice.
"Noel!"
My mother burst into the room, breathless. Her hair was unkempt, eyes swollen with tears that hadn't quite fallen. The moment she saw me upright, she ran to me and pulled me into her arms.
"You've been unconscious for four days," she whispered.
"I'm okay," I replied quietly.
It wasn't exactly true. Her embrace hurt. My ribs still felt like they'd been stomped on. But I didn't tell her.
Then came a knock—light, composed.
My father stepped into the room, his presence as firm as ever. He walked over and sat in the chair beside my bed, arms crossed, watching me.
"I spoke to the knights," he said. "They lost consciousness during the battle. You were the only one still awake."
My chest tightened.
'Right. What do I even tell him?'
But he didn't press. Instead, he leaned back and let out a deep sigh.
"I won't ask you to explain. It's clear you don't want to talk about it. And I won't even stop you from doing something like this is the future, because I know you won't stop even if I tell you to."
A small, tired smile touched his lips.
"But I have a request."
He looked me in the eyes, and for a moment, the usual weight in his gaze softened.
"Next time you do something this dangerous… take me with you."
The words hit harder than I expected.
I wanted to tell him the truth. About the system. About my true identity.
But I couldn't. Not yet.
So I just nodded, managing a faint smile.
"Okay."
---
The days that followed passed slowly.
Recovery, meals, rest. My body healed pretty quickly .
I spent time training lightly, regaining coordination, stretching sore muscles.
And every day, I felt it.
The difference.
The effect of [A Player's Privilege] wasn't just stats. It was how quickly my body adapted. How naturally I could memorize footwork, cast spells, adjust form. Every day of effort felt like a week of results.
By the time I was fully recovered, my movements were sharper than they'd ever been.
Time moved on.
I grew stronger.
And not long after that…
I turned ten.
And that was when I found something
A clue regarding Morris Dukedom's execution.
Something about the demons.
And the first shadow of the storm to come.