"Wait here. I'll call you in," Abel said before disappearing behind the flaps of the command tent.
Arlen stood outside, staring at the heavy canvas.
'Who even is this guy to have access to Kaius?'
He had never encountered an NPC named Abel during his previous playthroughs. The fact that Abel could walk freely into Kaius Greyroad's tent and speak casually suggested he wasn't just any background character—he had to be a high-ranking or powerful Unique NPC.
A moment later, a man stepped out of the tent. Arlen recognized him immediately.
'That's the aide… the one who never leaves Kaius's side.'
Dark hair, sharp eyes, and a single silver piercing on his left ear—Arlen had seen him from a distance multiple times throughout the caravan's journey.
Soon, Abel returned and beckoned him forward.
"Come on. You're in."
Inside the tent, the air shifted. The tension was immediate—dense and electric. Arlen stood alone before two men. One, Abel, now stood with his arms crossed, unusually serious. The other sat behind a low field desk in casual military attire, a blank expression on his face. Blond hair, piercing gaze.
Kaius Greyroad.
"Sir Abel, is this the one?" Kaius asked, his voice flat but sharp.
"Yep. This is the kid," Abel nodded.
Kaius's brow furrowed. "Seriously? A child?"
"I'm eighteen," Arlen said, irritated.
"Huh?" Abel blinked. "You're eighteen? Damn, you're small."
Before Arlen could snap back, Kaius cut in. "Enough. Let's stay on topic."
His demeanor shifted. The casual air vanished, replaced by intensity.
"Is what you told Sir Abel true?"
"Yes," Arlen replied, his tone firm. "Unfortunately."
Kaius slammed a hand on the desk, leaning forward. "Where did you hear it? Did you see their faces? How many were there?"
"Whoa, whoa," Abel interjected. "Calm down, Kaius. You're rattling the boy."
Kaius exhaled sharply and sat back. "Apologies. That was uncalled for."
Arlen kept his voice level. "I overheard them behind the camp. I didn't see their faces, but… I'm sure one of them is high-ranking."
Kaius frowned. "High-ranking? What makes you say that?"
"Think about it," Arlen said. "Only someone with access to detailed caravan routes could leak that information. It wasn't a grunt."
"He's right," Abel added. "Monster ambushes at choke points? That takes planning."
Kaius fell silent, the weight of the implication settling over him. Then he nodded once. "Understood. I'll handle the rest."
"Wait—" Arlen began.
"Information is valuable," Abel said, stepping forward. He looked at Kaius sharply. "You will reward him."
Arlen shot him a wide-eyed glare. 'What are you doing?!'
Nobles rarely handed out rewards unless compelled. Kaius was no exception.
But Abel held his ground.
"Always know your worth, child," he muttered.
Kaius glanced between them, then smirked slightly. "Fine. You'll be compensated. I'm not ungrateful."
Arlen blinked.
Did that just… work?
"What do you want?" Kaius asked, his tone flat, but his gaze sharp.
'Food… maybe some coin…' Arlen thought, then shook his head. No. This was an opportunity.
He took a deep breath. "I want just two things."
"Two?" Kaius raised a brow.
"First—I want a mana potion."
Kaius blinked, surprised at the specificity. He didn't press, just nodded. "Easy."
Arlen hesitated, then continued, "Second… I want you to teach me Basic Mana Strengthening."
The room went still.
Kaius looked at him, expression unreadable. Then his eyes flicked toward Abel, as if gauging something unspoken between them.
"I can't teach it to you personally," Kaius finally said. "But I can show you how it's done."
Arlen exhaled, relieved. "That's fine."
Without another word, the commander reached into his desk, rummaging through papers and gear until he pulled out a small glass vial of blue liquid. He tossed it underhand.
Arlen barely caught it.
[Low-grade Mana Potion]
[Recovers 20 Mana]
"Now. Watch closely," Kaius said, rising from his chair.
He clenched his fist, "Mana flows through you—start by imagining it leaking into your palm."
As he spoke, a faint blue shimmer enveloped his hand.
"Once it leaks, control it like a liquid. Shape it. Spread it."
The bluish aura thickened, forming clean outlines around his knuckles and wrist—stable, disciplined.
"And that's how you do it."
Arlen stared, fascinated. He understood the principle well enough—but practice required mana.
And mana was the one thing he didn't have… not naturally. Not with his curse.
His hand tightened around the potion.
This single bottle was now both his lifeline and his gamble.
"You may leave," Kaius dismissed him with a wave.
Abel also waved with a smile. "I got something to discuss with him. Go ahead."
With a nod, Arlen left the room silently.
"So what do you think?"
"I am thinking of calling someone here!"
Abel scoffed. "You need support to wipe some Centuria dogs?"
"We never know what we are facing, Sir Abel"
"That's not the priority here." Abel looked at Kaius coldly. "We need to find the bastards that leaked the caravan route information."
"And don't worry about support. If push comes to shove, I will personally step in." Abel assured Kaius.
"Sir Abel!!"
"Don't call me Sir, I am retired a long time ago."
Abel left the room quickly after that,
Kaius took a sharp breath and sighed as his close aide Kevin entered the tent. "Commander, who was the old man?"
"Oh him!! He is the former guild master of Nightfall."
"Huh!!! Wait…you mean that S-Rank adventurer that successfully completed the expedition of Alcove of the dead?"
"That's him…"
why is someone like him here?"
"Anyway, Kevin. I need you to do something quick."
"Call a meeting of all high-ranking officers at dawn. No exceptions," Kaius commanded.
Kevin straightened. "Is there a problem, sir?"
"You'll find out at the meeting. Now go."
**
Meanwhile, Arlen was walking back to his tent, he hid his mana potion in his tunic's pocket.
He didn't get the unique scenario yet. He was worried.
Suddenly, a blue screen popped up.
[Quest Updated]
[Unique Scenario Generated]
[Quest: A Great Tragedy Befalls]
[Main Objective: Survive the Ambush]
[Unique Objective: Prevent Abel's Death]
[Rewards: ??? | Storage Ring | ??? Title]