The sky turned dark as Ray rushed from the town plaza into the comfort of the shadowy alleyway he called home.
As Ray stood there, back to the street-lights And facing deep into the Darkness he couldn't help but think.
'What do i even wish to do with this power, i can see other's strengths and weaknesses. and i could target my own growth.. but why?' He looked back at the road behind him, the empty carriages. the occasional silhouette in the night. he birds circling above. And the walls the encase his hometown.
'To leave? explore the world. no longer live like a beggar? is that even possible with this power. No! I will make it possible. the knights, the baron, even the king. if they could make it there without this gift. then with this power surely i can do the same.'
Ray slowly walked to the very back of the alleyway whilst immersing himself within his own mind. within his system.
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Name: Ray
Health: 27/50 (Starving)
Strength: 4
Constitution: 5
Agility: 6
Mind: 5
Skills:
Observe: 'A true hunter can Analyse its Prey.' Can sense all skills and stats of the target. (within a 10 digit range) +1 Mind
Tough body: your body has been strengthened from years on the streets. +1 Con
Deft hands: As a street urchin sometimes you have to put your hands where they don't belong. +2 Agi
Bodybuilding (not unlocked): training your body daily can lead to extreme benefits if you can persist. (requirements: lift 5 times your strength limit (kg) every day for 1000 days 1/1000) +2 Str +1 Con
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Rays eyes went wide. 'that simple' was the first thought to enter his mind. but then he counted. "fuck. almost 3 years.. this wont be easy, should. No can i do this?" he muttered.
but as he sat down to rest Ray's eyes sharpened. 'No i will do this. i must.'
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and Ray awoke feeling stiff and sore all over. Slowly pushing himself off the floor, he glanced down at the rough stone beneath him.
'Goal one, get my hands on a bed'. he muttered with tears in his eyes. and walked out of the alleyway with cracking sounds echoing out from his body as he did.
..
'It should be time for the plaza to begin opening up right?' he looked up at the sky to see the twin suns bearing down on him. before heading over to the fat-mans stall.
"Sir can i help out here again?"
"Again, sure. you usually only come here once a week though. what about your other work?" the Fat man responded, his gaze becoming a bit softer.
"your pay is too good sir, much better than most other jobs." Ray lied as easily as he breathed.
"well we always have goods to pack and unpack. head on over to the carriage and get started."
The Silverbranch village was a small village and most people had some knowledge of everyone else. Ray didn't know the exact number but it was definitely less than 10,000.
So as Ray shifted from working everywhere. to working in one of the more gruelling jobs in town. Those that knew of him well noticed, but they only thought he got hired by the merchant group. and quickly forgot about him having worked prior jobs.
And so a week passed. with Ray working with the merchant group daily. moving crates from container to stall, and stall to container, Alongside 2 other adults. who he learned were called Jacob and his Hirer who was Oliver.
"Ray, you still live on the streets right. head to the inn besides the blacksmith, they sell very cheap rooms if you want. your pay should suffice for a weeks stay + food." Oliver said at the end of the week whilst handing Ray a silver coin.
"a-a silver? Sir that's much more than i should be getting right?" Ray was confused. He didn't dare get happy till the money was in his hand. he just gained this opportunity and didn't want to flush it away by taking more than he earned.
"your a kid, and already working the same quota as a adult. Take it as a gift to your wages, don't worry i can afford it." Ray hadn't noticed until now but the fat man Oliver was starting to look a lot more handsome than before.
Ray's eyes lit up like the suns above, 'i never knew people could be so kind'. "thank you sir, have a good night". He took the coin with pride. although he worked everyday for the past couple years.
This was the first time his payment felt so fulfilling. he virtually bounced over to the blacksmith shop and looked for the inn.
"Silvermist inn, damn is everything named after that stupid family?" he thought. Not quite realising the Silverskin family is the very reason this village exists. without them this village would not only have not been built. but it also would have been destroyed too.
'Ding ding ding!' A bell's chime echoed throughout the inn as Ray walked in. the gazes of men and women alike staring at him in confusion. 'What's that orphan doing here?' basically all of them collectively thought.
Ray himself didn't know his fame, but as one of the only street rats, and the only one who's not a adult. he attracted attention and silent sympathy wherever he went. and he only managed to get away with so much due to guards and victims alike turning a blind eye.
'So what if Ray steals a few coppers, or a apple from my store, as long as he doesn't go overboard its fine.' they'd often think to themselves. since Ray held himself back and didn't take more than he desperately needed they let him off.
Ray however oblivious to their thoughts, calmly walked over to the innkeeper "hello sir. can i rent out your cheapest room for a week?".
"a week, sure kiddo. That'll be 35 coppers, or 70 coppers if meals are included." the innkeeper, a burly man named Casper said aloud.
"then with food included please", Ray said as he handed over the silver. 'so cheap. i can save a good portion of my wages like this.' his smile turned a shade brighter at the idea.
"well then your rooms downstairs, first on the right. here's the key. and your change". The innkeeper Casper said with a smile.
Ray soon enough found his room, a small closet with a bed. barely 2 meters squared. yet more than large enough for him. 'now then' he thought, 'lets see my progress.'
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Skill: Bodybuilding: requirements lift 5 times your strength limit (kg) everyday 7/1000
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He heaved a deep sigh. feeling his muscles contracting and aching at the touch. then gazed at the candle lighting his small room. and a deep sense of accomplishment welled up within Ray. "Its not much but I've progressed."