The canvas walls of the command tent muted the forest's sounds, but inside the silence was heavier than steel.
Two figures sat across a wooden table.
The Guard Captain, armored and broad-shouldered, eyes sharp as drawn blades.And beside him, cloaked in fine black and silver, the Tier 1 Envoy from the capital—an aura of cold detachment radiating from him.
Neither spoke. Neither welcomed Kenji.
They simply watched.
Their gazes pressed down on him like weights, measuring every twitch, every hesitation.
Kenji's fingers brushed against his inventory. He had come prepared—but which card to reveal?
The 5♣ pulsed faintly, almost mocking. Too weak? Too common?
Still, he needed to test.
With a breath, he materialized it in his hand.
"Protector GrayWolf," the Captain murmured, leaning forward. His eyes flickered with interest—brief, mild. Nothing more.
The Envoy didn't even blink.
The Captain exhaled. "A pity. Clubs are strength, but a Five barely stirs the shield."
He reached beneath the table, pulling free a scroll sealed with wax. The air shimmered faintly with system recognition.
[Item Acquired: Ashwood Frontier — Tier 0 Dungeon Map][Description: Details location, monsters, and structure of the five-man Tier 0 Regional Dungeon: Hollowfang Burrows.]
Kenji's pulse quickened.
Information. Real, detailed information. The kind no player could access—not without blood, wipes, and endless trial and error. In a world where one death erased progress, such a scroll was worth more than gold.
He bowed slightly, concealing his grin.
The Captain nodded curtly, already turning to dismiss him.
But Kenji wasn't finished.
He drew out the second card.
The 9♣.
The room shifted instantly.
The Captain's chair scraped back as he surged to his feet, eyes blazing, the composure of an officer momentarily shattered. His voice shook with excitement.
"Nine of Clubs… This is power. This is defense."
For the first time, real hunger burned in his eyes.
The Envoy remained still. Disinterested, as if cards themselves were beneath his notice.
The Captain leaned forward, his hand trembling ever so slightly. "What do you want?"
Kenji hesitated. The system offered no prompts, no choices. This was him. His words mattered.
If he asked for gold, he might receive it. If he asked for armor, perhaps. If he asked nothing, the chance would die.
This game wasn't shallow. Every branch mattered.
Instead, curiosity gnawed at him. Why were they here, deep in the forest, military banners raised, with an Envoy from the capital at their side?
He asked.
"What are you preparing for?"
The Captain's jaw tightened. For a moment, silence stretched. The Envoy's gaze flickered briefly toward him—warning, perhaps.
But then the Captain answered.
"A storm is coming. A Regional Boss has been sighted, roaming too near. Its path… leads toward Hollowbrook."
Kenji stiffened. Hollowbrook. The starter village. His anchor point.
The Captain continued, voice low, grave.
"If left unchecked, it will devour the region. Our orders are to hold the frontier. That is why the Guard Outpost was built. That is why even the capital sent an Envoy. The beast must be stopped."
Kenji's heart hammered. This was bigger than farming wolves. Bigger than elites. This was war.
He weighed the risk. Regional Bosses weren't meant for single players. Even guilds would struggle.
But then again… he wasn't here to play safe.
"I want to join."
The Captain barked out a laugh, rough and booming.
"You? A lone Protector? Against a Regional Boss?" His laughter faded into a grin. "Bold. Very bold. Perhaps your speed will save you—or perhaps it will be your grave."
He extended his hand, palm open. The 9♣ pulsed, shimmering, before dissolving into his grasp.
[Card Consumed: 9♣][Reputation +200][Quest Unlocked: Defend Ashwood Frontier][Quest Rank: Legendary]
Kenji's vision filled with golden letters.
[Legendary Quest Acquired!]The Regional Boss approaches. Stand with the Guard Captain, the Envoy, and the assembled forces of Ashwood to repel it. Failure means destruction of Hollowbrook.
Kenji's breath caught. Legendary.
Not Epic. Not Rare. Legendary.
He glanced between the Captain and the Envoy.
The Captain's eyes burned with grim determination.The Envoy's remained cold, detached—as if all of this was inevitable, as if Kenji himself was merely another pawn on the board.
This game… this world… went deeper than he had ever imagined.
And now, he was at its center.
✦ GrayWolf — Status Panel (Post–Ch16)
Name: GrayWolf (Kenji Tanaka)Level: 7Regional Rank: #1 (Ashwood Frontier)
Rival: Skarlie (Lv7 healer, Epic Quest)
Reputation: 450 RP — Protector → close to next rank (Defender: 500 RP)
Attributes
Base: STR 10 • VIT 10 • DEX 70 • INT 10Item Bonuses (Rare T0, 8 pieces, STR/DEX):
Twin Fangs (Rare Dual Swords): +3 DEX, +2% Crit Chance
Other gear: mix of +STR / +DEX
Totals: STR ~18 • VIT 10 • DEX ~73+ • INT 10
Cards
Registered:
10♠ (T0): +15% Crit Rate, +10 Spell Pen
K♠ (T0): +25% Crit Damage, +15% Attack Speed
Unregistered:
4♦ (+2 Loot Chance, +1 Craft Speed)
6♥ (+15 HP, +2 Regen)
7♣ (+8 Armor, +2 Block)
Consumed (NPC trade):
5♣ (T0) → Dungeon Map reward
9♣ (T0) → Triggered Legendary Quest
Deck Slots: 2/5 filled
Combat Modifiers
+15% Crit Rate
+25% Crit Damage
+15% Attack Speed
+2% Crit Chance (gear)
+10 Spell Pen
Skills
Twin Slash (Dual Swords, 5s CD)
Economy
Currency: 2 Gold, 59 Silver, 89 Bronze
Auction VIP Card: 10% fee
Mount: Ashwood Pony (+15% travel speed)
Active Quest
Defend Ashwood Frontier (Legendary)
Objective: Fight alongside Captain, Envoy, and gathered NPCs to repel approaching Regional Boss.
Stakes: If failed, Hollowbrook Village is destroyed.