The sound of bells was the first thing Cain heard when he came out of the stone building. Ton... ton... ton... three heavy strikes. He asked: "What is this?" The doctor who was walking in front of him said: "The barrier bell." "Every day at sunset, it is confirmed that the magic barrier is still working." He looked at the horizon. And here... he saw her. A huge transparent dome covers the city. Like a glass sky. But it has light cracks. He said: "And if it crashes?" She paused. Then she said in a low voice: "We die." You didn't add anything. He didn't need an explanation. The city was big. But... strange. Cain quickly noticed something. "The class division is very clear." First Street: Clean stores. Knights. Witches. Luxury clothing. Second Street: Warsh. Blacksmiths. Workers. Third Street: Poverty. Barefoot children. Tired sellers. Soldiers screaming. He said: "The closer we are to the center, the greater the wealth?" I looked at him in surprise. "How did you know?" Answer: "Planning." Then he pointed: "Wide roads." "Cleanliness of the stone." "Guard type." Then he said: "Human cities are similar." I smiled a little. "You're really weird." They arrived at a large square. Statue of a king. But… his face cracked. Not because of time. Rather... blows. He asked: "Why is the statue broken?" "The people don't like him," she said. He asked: "Why isn't it fixed?" "It's being fixed," she said. Then she added, "Every week." Here they understand. "So the anger continues." Then stop. Look right. Then left. Then he said: "We are being watched." I got nervous. "What?" "Three men," he said without looking. "One on the roof." "Two behind us." I froze. "Don't look." Then he said, "Their breathing is different." "They are not civilians." After 10 seconds...the men left. I asked him: "Who are you?" Reply: "Someone who doesn't like surprises." Then she said: "My name is Lina." Reply: "Cain." "Your name is not from here," she said. He said: "And you didn't ask where I am from." "People who have your eyes…" "Either crazy…" "Or they've been through hell," she said. Then she smiled: "And you're not crazy." Suddenly... screaming. But not a screaming girl. Man screaming. "I didn't do anything!" Soldiers beat him. Baby girl crying. "my dad!" One of the soldiers said: "Evade the tax?" Man: "I don't have any money!" The hit was strong. Kane didn't move. Just watch. "4 soldiers." "Medium training level." "A real weapon." "Interference = problem." But...the little girl. She was looking. Not for soldiers. Rather, for him. As if she was asking for a decision. Cain asked calmly: "How much is the tax?" Lina said: "3 silver coins." He asked: "How much does he have?" "One coin." He asked: "The law?" "Prison…or forced labour," she said. to think. Then he walked. He stood in front of the soldier. He said: "How much?" The soldier sneered: "And who are you?" Cain took out a small bag. It contains the currencies that the regime gave him to begin with. He tossed 3 coins. "I finish." The soldier looked at him. "Why?" "I hate noise," he said. Then he left. He didn't wait for a thank you. The man was crying. "my lord!" Cain didn't turn around. He just said, "Protect your daughter." Lina asked him: "Why did you help him?" "An investment," he said. She said: "Investment?" "The city is about to collapse," he said. "The people will remember those who helped them." I looked at him. "You are not doing good..." he said. "I am doing what increases my chances of survival." Then he added: "And the little girl would have remained in my memory." Order appeared.
Hidden Quest Completed
Selfless work.
Reward:
Observation Skill unlocked.
He smiled slightly. "Even morals have points." Then they arrived at a large building. It said:
Adventurer Guild
"If you want to stay… you need a job." He entered. Noise. Mercenaries. Wizards. Hunters. A huge man said, "A new face." Cain ignored the provocation. He headed to the desk. The girl there said, "Name?" "Cain." "Experience?" "Beginner." A man behind him laughed. "Beginner?" "You'll be dead in a week." Cain said, "Maybe." Then he added, "But not today." They laughed. But the man fell silent. Because he didn't hear fear in his voice. The clerk said, "A simple test." She handed him a crystal ball. "Put your hand in." He did. The ball lit up. Then… it cracked slightly. The people fell silent. She said, "Strange." He asked, "Bad?" She said, "No." Then she read, "Unstable adaptability." "High potential." "Unknown danger." She raised her head. "I've never seen this before." Then she said, "Your rank: F." She handed him a card. He said, "Acceptable." She said, "Don't ask why." He said, "Ranks are just for starters." First mission: Kill 5 small monsters outside the barrier. "Information?" he asked. "Weak," she said. "That's not information," he said. She handed him a file. He smiled. "Finally, some organized people." As he was leaving… an old man said, "Don't go alone." Cain asked, "Why?" "The monsters have changed," he said. "They've become smarter." He paused. "Important." "When?" he asked. "A month ago." The system appeared.
New Information logged.
Monsters evolving.
"So the problem is deeper." Cain didn't go straight away. Instead, he bought: a map, a knife, ropes. "That's an easy job," Lena said. "There are no easy jobs," he said. Then he added, "Only unprepared people." Before leaving, he looked up at the glassy sky. He saw a new crack. Small. But new. "How much longer?" he asked. Lena was silent. "Maybe… a year." "A lot," Cain said. Then he walked out the gate. The guards said, "Another rookie." "A bet?" "Three days." Cain heard. But he didn't reply. "Let them talk." As he walked away, the system emerged.
Main Quest Updated
Find cause of world decay.
Sub Quest:
Survive first hunt.
Then… a warning.
Danger Probability:
32%
He smiled. "Finally." Inside the woods… the rustle of leaves. The sound of movement. Cain didn't draw his sword. Instead… he waited. "Something's watching me." A minute. Two minutes. Then… an attack. A creature faster than expected. But… Cain was waiting. He dodged. He struck. He retreated. He watched. "Faster than a file." "Its skin's tougher." "Learning?" The creature didn't attack directly. It circled around him. Cain smiled. "You're not stupid."