"This marks the end of the Combat Trial," he announced, his voice carrying over the quiet murmur of the crowd. "I will now call forward those who will proceed to the final phase."
Jamie stood before the diminished crowd, his gaze sweeping over the remaining contenders. Some choices were clear to him; others required deeper contemplation. T...
2025-03-12 23:48:48 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
"What the hell is this?" Oliver exclaimed, his voice reverberating through the immense chamber. He stood rooted at the threshold, his eyes wide as they scanned the vast expanse before him.
"Relax," Martin said with a chuckle, placing a reassuring hand on Oliver's shoulder. "Everyone is surprised by the siz...
2025-03-12 23:33:34 +0000 UTC View PostThomas stepped forward this time, turning to address the gathered crowd with a confident gaze. "Next!" he called out, his voice clear and commanding atop the makeshift stage.
Watching from the sidelines, Jamie allowed himself a slight smile. Seeing Thomas brimming with confidence was a sight to behold. That simple summons was all it took f...
2025-03-12 00:01:18 +0000 UTC View PostAs Jamie's keen gaze swept over the weary faces before him, he noted two familiar figures among the crowd—the boys from the Cutpurses. ‘They came. Who would have thought?’ Jamie mused, momentarily surprised. Despite his blessing, which sometimes granted him information about the future, it was always clear what would happen.
Seeing t...
2025-03-11 23:59:18 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
As Oliver advanced toward the looming silhouette of the military base, the cacophony of warfare engulfed his senses. The sound of gunfire echoed across the barren landscape, punctuated by the thunderous detonations of missiles.
A flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Was his plan solid enough? Had they ...
2025-03-11 23:40:42 +0000 UTC View PostOver the next few days, whispers of the new company's creation swept through the Lower Quarter like wildfire. The audacity of its founders—not even considering to post a single notice in the Commercial Quarter—was seen by some as bold, even courageous. But to the mercenaries dwelling in the Commercial Quarter, it felt like a bitter jest, as ...
2025-03-10 23:44:37 +0000 UTC View PostJamie's voice dropped to a lethal whisper, as cold and unforgiving as steel. "Now explain to me," he said, "why I shouldn't kill you?"
The boy gave a faint, bitter laugh before answering. "Kill me if you want," he said defiantly, "but I won't stoop to begging for my life." As he finished speaking, he spat on the ground before him, his eyes...
2025-03-10 23:21:40 +0000 UTC View PostAs Jamie concluded outlining the plan, Thomas and Elize appeared more at ease about the next steps. Elize returned her focus to the tavern while Jamie carefully stored the documents in his room.
He soon re-emerged with a stack of flyers in hand. "Thomas, let's go and post these," he said. The guard, who had been helping tidy the tavern, st...
2025-03-10 23:15:32 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
Confusion surged through Oliver as he stared up at the towering sign before him. The bold letters, though weathered by time, were unmistakable: ‘Wolmi Theme Park. ’
"Wolmi Theme Park?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant hum of the city. "Isn't that in Incheon?"
The simple act...
2025-03-10 23:11:42 +0000 UTC View PostAs you may have seen, I launched The Crime Lord Bard, which had an interesting success in Rising Stars. We reached 13th place, which was an unprecedented achievement for me.
[Update] I have already written all the chapters up to the end of the first book.
However, I’m starting to research for my next story, a...
2025-03-10 14:35:13 +0000 UTC View Post"This is our plan," Jamie declared, his voice steady and resolute.
Thomas and Elize leaned in, their eyes scanning the scattered parchments and worn maps spread before them.
"The most important and fundamental step," Jamie continued, "is that we secure control over our territory." He pointed to a recently acquired weathered map from ...
2025-03-09 01:50:21 +0000 UTC View PostJamie's eyes narrowed as he recognized the symbol ornamented on the wax seal. "Thank you, Elize," he said, accepting the letter with care. He didn't need a closer look to confirm it—it was unmistakably the sigil of the noble house of Hafenstadt.
For a moment, he stood contemplating the envelope in his hands. His mind raced with possibili...
2025-03-09 01:40:54 +0000 UTC View Post| You destroyed the ‘Cutpurses.’
[The Pantheon blesses you with 1,000 Experience Points]
| James Frostwatch (Soul: James Murtagh)
| Experience: [2620 / 2000]
[You leveled up!]
Jamie stared in amazement as dozens of notifications cascaded before his eyes. The numbers and words seemed to dance and shift. His heart...
2025-03-09 01:23:50 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
The man inclined his head, his gaze fixated on Oliver. His eyes glinted beneath the shadow of his hood, a subtle blend of curiosity and authority. "Welcome," he said, his voice resonating with a confident timbre that carried across the dimly lit chamber. "You're in the right place. Welcome to the Children ...
2025-03-08 00:37:39 +0000 UTC View Post| You have killed the Cutpurses' Leader.
| The God of [Thieves] has a gift for you.
| You got 500 Experience Points
Jamie lowered his gaze as the shimmering notification faded from his sight. He extended a hand to Thomas, who stood nearby with a vacant look, still processing the cold decisiveness with which his leader had dispa...
2025-03-07 00:32:08 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
The grueling six months of relentless training had finally drawn to a close. Midnight was the appointed hour for them to embark on the final stage of their mission—the culmination of all their preparation and sacrifice.
Oliver stood at the base of the Silo, gazing upward at the spiraling stai...
2025-03-07 00:14:51 +0000 UTC View PostThomas wore a slight smile on his face, but Jamie seemed even more exhilarated. ‘Two hundred and fifty experience points—for both of us!’ he celebrated inwardly as the shimmering notifications faded from view.
“I'll have to be careful not to become a mass murderer…” Jamie muttered under his breath, a shiver running down his spi...
2025-03-06 00:40:05 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
"Who is that?" he whispered, lifting a hand to touch his face. The reflection mimicked him, confirming that this remarkable figure was indeed himself.
Oliver stared in disbelief at the mirror embedded in the wall of the washroom. He could hardly believe how much he had transformed with just a single evolut...
2025-03-06 00:38:46 +0000 UTC View PostThomas POV
"I was wondering what all the commotion outside was about," a voice dripped with disdain, echoing through the grand hall. "Who would have thought I'd find two rats scurrying around?"
Thomas lifted his gaze. At the top of the sweeping central staircase stood one of the Cutpurses' elite guards, his eyes fixe...
2025-03-05 00:27:03 +0000 UTC View Post"A feast," Thomas murmured. "It's happening tonight."
"Yes," Jamie replied, his voice steady but laced with tension. "It's time we prepared." He gestured for Thomas to follow as they navigated the winding streets back toward the Golden Fiddle.
Over the past few days, the tavern had undergone a remarkable transformation. The old sign ...
2025-03-05 00:18:02 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
As soon as his trembling hand grasped the ledge of the first floor, a notification flickered into existence before his eyes.
| You obtained 50 Experience Points.
Oliver collapsed onto the cold floor, his chest heaving with labored breaths. Beads of sweat dripped from his brow, mingling with the grime...
2025-03-05 00:16:40 +0000 UTC View PostJamie fixed Thomas with a steady gaze. "We have one last task for the day," he said quietly. "It's time to scope out our target."
That was all the explanation Thomas needed. Without another word, he fell into step beside Jamie as they slipped into the darkened streets of the Lower Quarter. The night enveloped them, the narrow alleys illumi...
2025-03-04 00:15:01 +0000 UTC View PostJamie leaned over the cluttered workbench, using a piece of chalk to sketch crude diagrams on a scrap of parchment. He gestured as he explained his vision to Knall. Though not an expert, he conveyed the basics of brewing beer—the selection of grains, the fermentation process, and the importance of temperatures. Where his knowledge faltered, he...
2025-03-04 00:01:27 +0000 UTC View Post- Lian Zhiyong -
Atop the skyscraper, Lian crouched low, his knees sinking slightly into the layer of dust that had settled over the years. With practiced precision, he eased his long-range rifle onto the rooftop's edge, the barrel extending just beyond the lip. His calloused fingers deftly adjusted the bipod's legs, secur...
2025-03-03 23:59:09 +0000 UTC View Post"His heart's still beating," Jamie announced, though his relief was tainted with urgency. "But it's weak. We need to act."
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Jamie realized that Thomas was too shaken to be of immediate help. The color had drained from Thomas's face, his eyes wide with fear and helplessness as he stared at Knall's unco...
2025-03-01 01:05:12 +0000 UTC View PostOver the next few hours, Jamie delved deeper into his plans with Thomas, the two of them huddled over the worn map spread out on the tavern table. The glow of candlelight cast dancing shadows around them as Jamie outlined what needed to be done and the strict code he lived by.
"These are the rules I operate under," Jamie said firmly, his g...
2025-03-01 01:00:16 +0000 UTC View Post- Oliver -
Each step was a monumental effort, more arduous and torturous than the last. Oliver's right foot dragged upward, heavy and trembling with exhaustion. His left foot tried to follow but failed, slipping and scraping against the cold, metallic surface of the stairway. His weary body could no longer withstand the re...
2025-03-01 00:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post[Yes]
| Thomas Hartfield - Registered as Lieutenant
| EXP Boost applied to Thomas Hartfield
| The God of [Mystery] looks at you
| The God of [Mystery] smiles at you
Jamie wasn't sure what to make of another god taking an interest in his affairs—especially so soon after his impassioned monologue about destiny, deities, a...
2025-02-28 00:45:53 +0000 UTC View Post"I can't let this opportunity slip away," Jamie thought to himself, the weight of Thomas's Legend heavy on his mind. The words he'd seen—of untapped potential—urged him to act. Thomas could be the key to strengthening the Golden Fiddle and, in turn, improving his position in Hafenstadt's Lower Quarter.
Jamie deliberately avoided starin...
2025-02-28 00:36:18 +0000 UTC View Post- Dante -
"Shit. He's going to be pissed," Dante muttered under his breath as he skimmed over the initial operation report. The luminescent text scrolled across the translucent screen in his gauntlet, each line more troubling than the last. His brow furrowed, a knot tightening in his stomach.
Despite his apprehension...
2025-02-28 00:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post