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Seeds of Hope

Chapter 2

A few miles north of Roman’s location…

“I have a report, Sire!” a young voice echoed through the grand hall, filled with noblemen dressed in their finest attire. The only one seated was the ruler of the county, Count Kenan.

“Speak!” Count Kenan barked, his anger still simmering from the previous report. “Have you found those monsters?”

“We have, my lord. They’ve been traced to the Merkwood Forest.” The young squire’s announcement was met with shocked gasps from the assembly. Everyone knew the terrifying tales of that forest and the surrounding lands; no one dared to venture that far north within the county.

“Mobilize the army! I want every last one of those beasts dead by the end of the month! Do you hear me? Not a single one of those filthy creatures is to live after ransacking one of my cities! They slaughtered thousands in a week—KILL THEM ALL!” He leaped from his seat, his voice booming as his fury was met with the roaring approval of the gathered nobles.

One of the knights standing beside the Count stepped forward, bowing slightly and saluting with his right hand over his chest. The other knights followed suit, their synchronized gesture drawing the Count’s attention and silencing the room.

“We shall hunt those orcs to the ends of the earth, Sire. You have my word,” Knight Commander Dalf vowed solemnly.

“I leave it in your hands,” Count Kenan said, his tone quieter but no less intense. He sank back into his chair, his mind already shifting to the next issue at hand.

Roman

Roman had been walking for hours, losing track of time without a watch. The sun blazed overhead, but a gentle breeze kept the heat from becoming unbearable. He admired the stunning scenery—the vibrant green of the trees, their dark bark almost black, creating a stark contrast that felt both eerie and captivating. Bright bushes and colorful plants dotted the landscape but vanished as soon as he got too close. They seemed to shy away, as if hiding.

“I should probably keep moving. I need to find somewhere safe to rest,” he thought, taking a step forward—only to be knocked down flat.

He rolled to his feet, sword at the ready, expecting an attack. But nothing happened. Confused, he took another step, only to be knocked down again. Frustration flared within him.

“What the hell is going on? Am I being attacked?” he muttered, spinning around, his eyes darting in every direction.

Still nothing. He was about to move again when he noticed something peculiar. Surrounding him were tiny, fluffy balls bouncing up and down, as if waiting for him to make his next move.

“What are you?” he wondered aloud.

A screen appeared before his eyes:

The creatures were undeniably cute—until they weren’t. The moment he thought this, they transformed into something out of a nightmare. One was covered in fur with six arms, each wielding a tiny dagger. Another had four snarling, foam-mouthed heads. But the one that truly unnerved him was the headless figure, cloaked in a hood that floated as if it had a life of its own.

“I’m not sure which is worse,” he muttered, eyes darting between the horrifying forms.

“Roo!” one of the smaller furballs cried, leaping up to bounce off his leg before retreating back to the group. They repeated this action several times, almost playfully, before suddenly launching into an attack. Now that he could see them clearly, Roman easily dodged their advances, using his sword to push them back without harming them. He moved in a wide circle, gradually backing away from their cluster of trees. It was clear they were protecting their home, and he didn’t want to hurt them for that.

As the creatures realized he wasn’t fighting back and was instead retreating, they, too, began to fall back, letting out a collective “Humph,” as if to say, “Yeah, you better leave.” Roman chuckled at the thought, turning his back and continuing on his way.

After a few steps, a thought struck him. Why didn’t I get any proficiency? Then he remembered: Oh right! I turned it off. With a quick mental command, he reactivated the system.

Status:

Name: Roman

Race: Human

Age: 19

Titles: [World Walker], [Exponential Growth], [Cultivator's Body]

Skills:

Sword Proficiency Level 2

Observation Level 3

Far Sight Level 2

Blocking Level 2

Evasion Level 3

Cultivation Level: Broken Core

He skimmed through the familiar information until his gaze settled on his cultivation status.

Cultivation Level: Broken Core

A core has formed but possesses only limited functionality. Energy absorption is significantly reduced due to the core's incomplete creation and imperfect seal. Supports only one Seedling. A Seedling grants access to the core's power and can be placed in extremities, senses, and five locations between the brain and gut. Each Seedling type unlocks different abilities.

“Okay, so my core is incomplete, but I can place a Seedling for additional power. Once I improve my core, I can add more Seedlings…” Roman murmured, thinking it over. Cultivation novels usually laid everything out clearly from the start, but this felt much more... real. He tried questioning the system, but it didn’t respond—it wasn’t sentient, just a repository of information that became available as he met certain criteria.

As he puzzled over the system, he heard that familiar voice again: “Trust.” More words followed, but they blurred together, leaving only a single word echoing in his mind. Yet, that one word filled him with a sense of certainty, guiding him toward what he needed to do.

Roman sat down, leaning against a tree. He focused inward, visualizing his core not as a sphere but as a small bonsai tree growing in a pot. Taking a deep breath, he pulled in more energy, watching the leaves glow as they absorbed the energy, channeling it through the branches and trunk. He imagined the roots, hidden but essential, and was thrilled to see the tree grow ever so slightly.

He continued this process, his core growing inch by inch until it stood almost three inches tall.

“There,” he whispered.

A soft crunch interrupted his concentration. Roman scanned the area, his eyes locking onto a bush just as it shifted. Pain shot through his head. I’ve reached my limit, he thought, struggling to his feet. His body felt sluggish, exhaustion pressing down on him like a heavy weight.

As he stood, waiting for the dizziness to pass, he noticed something remarkable—his fatigue melted away almost instantly. Power surged through him, more potent than before, like the rush from three espressos followed by a shot of adrenaline.

“This feels incredible!” he laughed, exhilarated. He took a step and stumbled, covering twice the distance he expected. Am I tripping? he wondered, testing it again. Each step carried him farther, his speed and strength seemingly doubling.

“Thank you, Lord,” he whispered, closing his eyes and smiling as he prayed. This place, this experience—it was already a thousand times better than he could have imagined. For so long, he had been a doormat, bullied and abused, but he had always held onto his faith, seeking those moments of peace that reminded him he wasn’t alone. Now, he had a chance to change things, to be someone who mattered.

His joyous thoughts were interrupted by a series of growls. Normally, those sounds would have frozen his blood, but now he grinned, gripping his sword. A pack of nine large, brown wolves, led by a larger gray one, surrounded him. The alpha’s eyes narrowed, questioning why he wasn’t afraid. Most people would have run, but Roman charged straight at the gray wolf instead.

Don’t kill them—just hurt them enough to scare them off, he felt more than heard. Adjusting his strike, he slashed at the wolf’s face. It yelped, and the pack sprang into action. Roman moved like a whirlwind, dodging and striking with precision. In less than thirty seconds, the wolves realized they hadn’t landed a single hit and retreated. The gray wolf glanced back one last time, its eyes filled with fury as blood dripped from a cut near its eye.

Roman looked at his sword, now glowing faintly. Messages flashed before his eyes:

He focused on the new title: One with the Blade: The user can wield their sword as an extension of their body, enhancing its durability and sharpness proportional to their proficiency level. Additionally, the blade's edge can extend up to one foot. “Oh, that’s awesome!” he exclaimed, envisioning himself as his favorite game character, slicing through enemies from a distance. He practiced, imagining a large radius around him as the sword’s reach. After several failed attempts, he finally felt the pull, his energy draining as the blade’s edge glowed bright blue, extending and slicing through the air. He continued until he could sustain the technique for a few swings, then looked up. The sky was darkening. Might as well set up camp, he thought, gathering sticks for a fire. Roman gathered a bundle of sticks and branches, arranging them into a makeshift fire pit. As he worked, he realized that aside from his sword and some water, he had no other supplies. Despite the lack of provisions and the discomfort of sleeping on the ground, his excitement overshadowed any sense of inconvenience. He lay down next to the fire, feeling its warmth seep into his bones. Though the day had been pleasantly warm, the temperature had plummeted sharply after sunset. Pulling his cloak tighter around himself, he listened to the crackling of the fire and the soothing symphony of the forest night. A deep sense of peace enveloped him, and he closed his eyes. Wake up. Roman’s eyes snapped open, his heart pounding. He sat up, every muscle tense, and looked around. The fire was now just a heap of glowing embers, casting a faint red glow. The moon hung high in the night sky, bathing the clearing in a pale, silvery light that made the shadows stretch and sway like ghostly figures. His eyes darted around, scanning every shadow, straining to hear any sound out of place. There. He spotted it—a small, black blur flitting at the edge of his vision. It moved swiftly toward him, but the moment his eyes locked onto it, the shape froze and seemed to dissolve into the darkness. Roman leapt to his feet, drawing his sword, his senses heightened and alert. What is that? An animal? Another monster? A person? His mind raced through the possibilities, none of them comforting. He forced himself to take slow, measured breaths, trying to calm his nerves. Movement again. This time, it was larger and darker, creeping toward him at a deliberate, menacing pace. Roman focused all his willpower, trying to pierce the shadow’s veil. For a brief moment, he saw something—patches of light and dark shifting behind the shadowy form. But just as he began to make sense of it, the image shattered, leaving him with a splitting headache. Gripping his sword tighter, he braced himself, frustration mingling with fear as he prepared for whatever was coming. A cold chill ran down his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up as if warning him of imminent danger. The shadows around him seemed to ripple and move, but the figure that had approached him vanished as silently as it had come. Was it scouting me out? he wondered, his thoughts a jumbled mess. I can’t stay here. Without another thought, he turned and ran, pushing himself harder than ever before. It felt as though the wind itself was propelling him forward, his feet barely touching the ground. Trees blurred past, the forest a whirlwind of dark shapes as he sprinted deeper into the woods. Even with his newfound speed, a persistent sensation nagged at him, as if he were being watched, stalked by that same shadowy presence. “What the hell?!” he shouted, coming to an abrupt stop. He turned sharply, sword raised, his chest heaving. “Come on then! If you want to fight, let’s do it!” His voice echoed through the silent woods, his challenge ringing out. Sweat dripped down his forehead, and his grip on the sword was so tight that his knuckles turned white. He scanned the area, every sense on high alert, but saw nothing. Minutes passed, his initial adrenaline beginning to fade, leaving behind a tense, coiled readiness. Then he saw it—a shadowy figure to his right, moving with a slow, deliberate gait. As it drew closer, the darkness peeled away, revealing a young man dressed in black, his features sharp and his eyes wary. A long dagger was strapped to his right hip, the blade gleaming faintly in the moonlight. “I mean you no harm,” the stranger said, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. Roman kept his sword raised, his instincts screaming that this could be a trap. “Who are you? And why were you stalking me?” The man’s expression was calm, almost apologetic. “I sensed a strong presence and came to investigate. When you started running, you passed through one of my shadow puppets—it stuck to you until you slowed down. I followed it here. I was going to step behind a tree and de-stealth myself—I’ve learned it’s less creepy that way.” “Shadow puppet? Stealth?” Roman echoed, his mind racing to piece together what the stranger was saying. “Oh, yeah, I’m a Shadowwalker.” He shrugged as if that explained everything. “I can move through shadows, become invisible, manipulate darkness. All that fun stuff.” “What’s your name?” Roman asked, still wary. “Oh, sorry! I’m Seth. And you are?” “Roman,” he replied curtly, not lowering his guard. “Nice to meet you, Roman. But this isn’t really the safest place to be having a chat. What are you doing out here, anyway?” Seth asked, glancing around nervously. “I don’t know,” Roman admitted. “I woke up here.” Seth’s eyes widened slightly. “Woke up here? Man, someone must really have it out for you. This is the Merkwood Forest, one of the most dangerous places in the kingdom!” “So why are you here?” Roman countered, his curiosity piqued despite the situation. “I’m here with my party. We came to train, fight some monsters, and level up. It’s rough, but you get stronger that way.” He paused, scrutinizing Roman. “Wait, are you saying you don’t know about the System?” “Levels? System?” Roman asked, feigning confusion to glean more information. Seth nodded. “Yeah, most people are blessed with the System at birth. It quantifies their abilities, attributes, everything. You gain Experience Points from various actions, and once you’ve gathered enough, you level up.” Roman frowned, thinking about his own situation. “What does leveling up do for you?” “It gives you a boost in stats, depending on your class. I’m a Shadowwalker, so my stats focus on dexterity. You also get a few free stat points to allocate as you see fit,” Seth explained. “But you can still get stronger without it—there are many who aren’t blessed with the System but can still hold their own, especially if they have unique Titles.” “Titles?” Roman’s mind raced. He thought of his own Titles, powerful in their own right. “Yeah, Titles are like special acknowledgments from the System. They’re incredibly rare, given for unique accomplishments, and they grant bonuses. The King has the Title of Sovereign, which makes him a more effective ruler. Most people are lucky to get even one Title in their lifetime.” Roman nodded, absorbing this new information. His Titles were extraordinary, and it seemed others didn’t have a way to see them. That gave him an advantage, but also a reason to be cautious. “Why don’t we head back to my camp?” Seth suggested. “It’s not safe to be out in the open like this.” “Right,” Roman agreed, his wariness still intact but his curiosity winning out. “Lead the way.” Seth turned, and Roman followed, the forest around them filled with unfamiliar sounds. They moved quickly but cautiously, Seth leading them through the dense underbrush. Roman’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to process everything he’d just learned. When they arrived at the camp, Roman saw a small clearing with a blazing fire in the center. Three figures sat around it—two were seated, and a third stood near the edge of the trees, eyes alert. “Everyone, we’ve got company!” Seth called out, his voice cheerful. He plopped down next to a girl with almost white-blonde hair. Roman quickly took stock of the group—the standing figure was a woman with a bow slung across her back, while a man in full plate armor lounged by the fire. “Hey there, nice to meet you all,” Roman greeted, raising a hand. “Hey, I’m Jessika,” the blonde girl in the long flowing robe type dress said, waving back. “I’m Zorin, but people call me Z,” the armored man added, nodding. “Alexia, but you can call me Lexi,” the woman with the bow said, giving him a friendly nod. “And I’m Roman,” he replied, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie despite the circumstances. “So, where did you find him?” Zorin asked, a faint smile on his lips. “He was in the middle of the woods, alone,” Seth said. “He doesn’t remember much.” “How did you survive out there?” Zorin asked, a hint of incredulity in his voice. “I’m tougher than I look,” Roman said with a grin. “Well, you’re welcome here. We don’t turn our backs on people in need,” Zorin said, and the others nodded in agreement. “Thank you. I really appreciate it,” Roman said sincerely. He felt a strange sense of relief, as if a weight he hadn’t realized he was carrying had been lifted. “So, do you remember anything at all?” Lexi asked, curiosity glinting in her eyes. Roman hesitated, then decided to tell them part of the truth. “I woke up in the middle of a grassland near a city. The city was destroyed, everyone dead. I ran and ran until I ended up in the forest.” “The only city near here is Eidon,” Zorin said, the mood around the fire growing somber. “We were headed there to set up a base. If it’s destroyed, we need to alert the kingdom.” “Did you see anything that could tell us who did it?” Jessika asked, pulling out a leather-bound notebook. “I saw a lot, but nothing I could make sense of at the time,” Roman admitted. Jessika nodded, scribbling something down before tearing the page out and tossing it into the fire. It burst into flame and vanished. “That’s amazing,” Roman muttered, impressed. “Magic book,” Jessika said with a smile. “I’ve linked it to my mom back home. I just sent her a message to alert the authorities.” “Thanks,” Roman said, feeling gratitude and a strange sense of hope for the first time since he’d arrived. The group chatted more as the night went on, sharing stories and laughter. Jessika and Seth served food—something like meat and potatoes, though Roman had no idea what kind of meat it was. It tasted amazing, and he ate with a hunger he hadn’t realized he’d been holding back. For the first time in what felt like forever, Roman felt a sense of belonging. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew he wasn’t facing them alone. “Oh, okay, that’s pretty cool. You mentioned you were headed to Eidon. Why is that?” Roman asked, his curiosity piqued. “We came here to train for the next year,” Lexi explained, leaning back and stretching her legs toward the warmth of the fire. “Since Eidon is the closest city, we thought it would be a good place to set up base. The plan was to go there first, get settled, then head out here. But SOMEONE—” she shot a playful glare at Z— “couldn’t wait and dragged us into the forest.” Z grinned, unabashed. “It ain’t my fault! You saw that orc! It looked too cool to pass up. We had to fight it.” Lexi raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. “And how did that go, exactly?” “Fine!” Z defended, crossing his arms. “We did just fine! I only broke a sword.” Jessika burst into laughter, wrapping her arms around Z in a playful hug. “You were amazing,” she said, planting a kiss on his cheek. Z’s confident demeanor faltered as he blushed, turning his head away to hide his embarrassment. “You two are together?” Roman asked, a smile tugging at his lips. “Oh no, he’s like my big brother,” Jessika said, her smile softening. There was a genuine warmth in her voice, and Z’s expression turned from embarrassed to affectionate. “Ah, got it. So, you’ve mentioned the kingdom a couple of times now. Can you give me more details about it?” Roman inquired, eager to learn more about this world. “Yeah, sure,” Z said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “This is the Kingdom of Meridia. It’s ruled by King Juelius and Queen Willemina. We’re the easternmost kingdom on the Northern continent.” “There are three other kingdoms on this continent,” Seth added, gesturing with his hand as if mapping out the region. “Fairen, Akilus, and Darnison. To the south, there’s the Southern continent, which has five different kingdoms, all ruled by a High Emperor.” Roman nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the information. “And where exactly are we now in Meridia?” “We’re near the southwestern border,” Lexi said, poking the fire with a stick. “Just past Eidon lies the boundary we share with Fairen.” “So, do you think it was Fairen that attacked Eidon?” Roman asked, his mind flashing back to the destroyed city he had seen. “Maybe,” Lexi said cautiously. “There’s been a lot of tension recently, but an attack like that without warning? It could start a continent-wide war. Meridia is allied with Darnison to the west, and Fairen is allied with Akilus to the south. If they were behind it, things could get messy.” “Who has the strongest military? Is Meridia powerful?” Roman asked, trying to gauge the kingdom’s strength. “Meridia is one of the strongest,” Z said confidently. “But all four northern kingdoms are pretty evenly matched. Darnison is usually considered the weakest, but that’s mostly because it’s smaller and has fewer people.” “That makes sense,” Roman replied, his mind racing as he tried to piece together this new information. The mention of alliances and potential conflict made him uneasy, but it was clear that understanding the political landscape would be crucial for his survival. Their conversation shifted to lighter topics as they shared stories around the fire. They talked about how they had met, the adventures they’d had, and the close calls that had bonded them together. Jessika and Seth moved around the campfire, serving up portions of the meal they had prepared. Roman accepted a wooden bowl filled with what looked like meat and potatoes. He didn’t recognize the meat, but it was tender and flavorful, filling him with a warmth that spread through his body. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until he began eating. Each bite felt like a small victory, the simple act of eating grounding him amidst all the chaos and confusion of the past few days. For a few moments, the fear and uncertainty faded away, replaced by the camaraderie and comfort of the shared meal. “So, how did you all meet?” Roman asked between mouthfuls, genuinely curious about this group that had so readily accepted him. “It’s a bit of a long story,” Jessika said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling in the firelight. “Z and I are actually from the same village. We’ve known each other since we were kids. When we both got our System Blessings, we decided to travel together. Seth joined us a few months later.” “Yeah, I was wandering around, getting into trouble,” Seth added with a grin. “I heard about these two crazy adventurers who took down a wyvern all by themselves and figured I had to meet them.” “We didn’t know what we were doing back then,” Z said, shaking his head. “We just saw it terrorizing a village and jumped in.” “And nearly got ourselves killed,” Jessika interjected, laughing. “But Seth showed up and helped us finish it off.” “And Lexi?” Roman asked, glancing over at the archer, who had been quietly listening to the conversation. “I joined a little later,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “I was tracking a band of slavers that had kidnapped some villagers. Ran into these guys while they were fighting off a group of bandits. We decided to join forces, took down the slavers together, and I’ve been with them ever since.” Roman nodded, feeling a sense of admiration for these people. They were brave, resilient, and seemed to genuinely care about each other. He glanced around at the group, a strange warmth spreading through him. It had been so long since he’d felt like he belonged anywhere. “Sounds like you’ve been through a lot together,” he said quietly. “We have,” Z said, his voice filled with a quiet pride. “But it’s made us stronger.” A comfortable silence settled over the camp as they finished their meal, the fire crackling softly. Roman leaned back, gazing up at the stars that twinkled in the clear night sky. For the first time since he had woken up in this strange world, he felt a glimmer of hope. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he wasn’t alone anymore. “We should get some rest,” Jessika said, breaking the silence. “Tomorrow, we’ll need to decide what to do about Eidon.” Everyone murmured their agreement, and the camp slowly quieted as they settled in for the night. Roman lay down, wrapping his cloak around him. The ground was hard and the night air cool, but he felt a deep sense of peace. He closed his eyes, his thoughts drifting. He still didn’t know why he was here or what his purpose was, but for now, it was enough to know that he was no longer wandering aimlessly. He had found allies, maybe even friends, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

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