Amid that desert, where the wind carried the sand in endless swirls, three young adventurers stood still, admiring the new clothes Aron and Jenny now wore.
Outfits of swordsmen — almost identical to the ones that had suddenly appeared on Twig's body before.
"My goodness, Twig! Where did these clothes come from? And where are my old ones?" Aron asked, confused.
Jenny looked equally startled. "What are these clothes? How did this happen?"
Twig raised his hands, trying to calm them.
"Easy, everyone. This… it's because you two are swordsmen now. Finally! You can now be considered true swordsmen. That's what I was trying to explain earlier — you've officially become part of the swordsman class."
The two siblings exchanged confused looks.
"But, man, I still don't get it," said Aron. "My clothes just changed out of nowhere, and now I'm a swordsman? What does that even mean?"
Twig ran a hand through his hair, frowning in thought.
"How am I supposed to explain this without… actually explaining it? I need to come up with something believable. System, help me out. Give me something to tell them that makes sense."
[Ding!]
"Host, you have the option of telling the truth. However, it won't be a simple explanation, and I doubt they'll understand it. You could instead say that the magic of justice—or whatever you've already been telling them—caused them to be chosen by the gods to defend what is right and protect the weak. The outfits represent cloaks granted by divine beings."
Twig sighed.
"I see… I guess I can go with that."
[Ding!]
"Host, you could simplify it even further. Tell them that when they became stronger, they proved their loyalty to the gods. You may choose whichever deities you believe they'll accept most easily."
"Hmm… good point. Should I use the Seven as an excuse? Or maybe the Old Gods?"
He rubbed his chin, thinking.
"It's tricky. The System's powers are completely different from what people in this world know. Maybe it's better to create a new pantheon altogether. Since I'm lying anyway, I can say that both the Seven and the Old Gods are just new names for forgotten deities. Then I can invent the true gods myself — and claim that the powers we gain through the System, our 'divine blessing,' come from them. That way I can shape the story however I need."
'Alright, that's it. That's what I'll tell them.'
Turning back to his friends — now with a believable excuse, or rather, a convincing story — Twig began his improvised sermon about the gods' power in that world.
"So, Aron, Jenny, pay attention.
You know the Seven, right? The gods who protect our world.
And you've also heard of the North, where people pray to the Old Gods.
Well, as you can see, we're getting stronger. There's a kind of magic that grows with us as we defeat monsters. This power is a gift from the true gods — gods far older than even the Old Gods of the North.
These gods had their names forgotten, not because they lost power, but because we humans betrayed their trust.
We became wicked, spreading cruelty and malice.
Look around — the world is dangerous and hostile.
But even though we turned our backs on them, the gods never truly forgot us.
Seeing evil magic spreading across the land, they chose a few champions — people of pure hearts and strong wills — to protect this world.
The more we fight monsters, the more we are recognized for our determination. And with that recognition, our strength grows.
These garments are like a priest's robes… except that our temple is the sword.
That's why I said — we're now true swordsmen, blessed by the gods.
And the more we fight, the stronger we'll become."
Aron and Jenny exchanged puzzled looks. Aron was the first to speak.
"Okay… you talked a lot. You sounded like a priest now.
But let me see if I got this right. You're saying we were chosen by the gods? Is that it? That's why we have powers now?"
Jenny tilted her head, waiting for some big revelation.
"That's right," said Twig with a smile. "You got it."
"Okay, but what does that mean for us?" Jenny asked. "Do we have to do anything? Pray before bed? What's the secret?"
Scratching his neck, Twig replied,
"Well… like I said, all we have to do is come to the dungeons and defeat monsters. That's how we prove our loyalty to the gods.
You don't have to pray before bed — but if you want to, you can."
Aron crossed his arms.
"Alright then. But if we're going to pray to these gods, what are their names? You said the Seven and the Old Gods aren't the real ones, right? So who are the true ones who gave us this power?"
Twig frowned, pretending to think deeply.
"Well… I don't know either. I think we need to earn the right to know their names. Maybe once we're strong enough, we'll discover them. Don't you think, Jenny?"
Jenny looked at him thoughtfully.
"Well, I don't know. But if you don't know either, then I guess we just have to trust that one day we'll find out.
If we ever do, that is…"
After the debate, the three continued walking across the desert, sand crunching under their boots.
"Well, speaking of gods and magic," thought Twig, "I already have some Skill Points to spend after leveling up my Job… also, how are my stats looking now?"
[Status]
[— USER STATUS —]
Name: Robert Nilig (Twig)
Age: 11 (+21)
Title: None
Race: Human
Job: Swordsman – LVL [04/50] | Exp: 78/460
Level: 14 | Exp: 65/833
HP: 522 | MP: 71
Attributes:
STR: 20 | VIT: 20 | AGI: 14 | DEX: 14 | INT: 12 | LUK: 4
Resources: Stat Points: 0 | Skill Points: 3 | Zeny: 2,253
Equipment: Sword [4], Adventurer's Suit
"Whoa, I already reached twenty points in Strength and twenty in Vitality! I'm getting really strong!"
Twig looked at his hands, impressed, but frowned.
"Wait a second… System, didn't you say that every 10 points in a specific attribute gives a big boost? That I'd get exponentially stronger at every tenth point? Then why don't I look stronger? I've got 20 Strength points, but my body isn't any bigger than before — I don't look anything like the Mountain!"
[Ding!]
"Host, to clarify: the evolution of your attributes through level-ups works similarly to Superman's power. When Clark Kent absorbs yellow sunlight, the energy accumulates in his cells, granting him immense strength without the bulky physique of someone like the Hulk.
In your case, however, you're still a child who suffered from poor nutrition in your early years. If you maintain a proper diet during adolescence, the energy stored within your body will allow it to grow naturally — eventually reaching a taller, stronger, well-built adult form."
Twig grinned.
"So there's still hope for this scrawny body, huh? Good to know! And good thing I managed to get some meat. Now I'll grow tall and strong!"
"Alright, System — since we're on the topic of strength, apply my Skill Points to Sword Mastery."
[Ding!]
"Applying points to Sword Mastery."
[Ding!]
"Sword Mastery — Level 3. [Sword skill equivalent to a well-rounded novice squire.]"
As the points were applied, Twig's mind spun. A rush of information poured into his head. It felt like Neo in The Matrix, receiving a combat knowledge upload.
"Whoa… I know kung fu," he thought, half-stunned.
Aron and Jenny noticed their friend stop walking, his hand on his head.
"Hey, you okay?" Aron asked.
"Do you need anything?" Jenny added.
Twig blinked, smiling.
"No, no, I'm fine. I just… received a revelation from the gods. You won't believe it."
The siblings exchanged skeptical looks.
"A revelation?" Aron asked.
"What kind?" Jenny added.
Twig smirked.
"I've just gained the sword-handling knowledge of a knight! I'll show you once we find the next monster!"
Not long after, they did. But this time, it wasn't a wolf.
"Whoa, that's one big ant!" Aron shouted, wide-eyed.
Jenny grimaced in disgust at the insectoid creature.
"I don't even remember which type this one is…" Twig muttered. "Appraisal!"
[Ding!]
Name: Andre
Level: 17
HP: 688
"Ah, so this one's called Andre… There's also Deniro and Pierre, if I remember right.
Level 17, 688 HP… that's a strong monster!"
He grinned and turned to his friends.
"Alright, guys, I'll go first and test my new sword-handling skills. You two stay alert — if I need help, you know the plan."
Twig charged toward the giant ant called Andre — a beast the size of a big dog. His new sword mastery flowed through him instinctively, guiding each motion with precision.
His first strike hit cleanly, but the creature didn't fall — its carapace was thick, its vitality high. The ant lunged back, snapping its pincers toward him.
Twig dodged, pivoted his left leg, ducked under the attack, and rose again with a swift vertical slash — splitting the ant's head cleanly in two.
[Ding!]
Obtained: BASE EXP 100 | JOB EXP 70
"Wow, that ant gives a ton of experience!" Twig exclaimed, grinning with satisfaction.
"These things are way better for grinding than wolves — way better! But…" he looked down, disappointed. "No meat. What a waste."
The drops weren't appetizing — just weird worm skins and sticky goo. Among them, a small stone gleamed faintly.
"Huh… what's this?" he murmured. "Appraisal!"
[Ding!]
Worm Peeling – Description: Shed skin from worms and insects. Sell: 26 Zeny
Sticky Mucus – Description: Mysteriously sticky liquid. Sell: 35 Zeny
Iron Ore – Description: An impure ore that forms Iron after being refined. Sell: 25 Zeny
Twig sighed.
"Yeah… just stuff to sell to the Kafra. Maybe this Iron Ore could be useful if I ever become a blacksmith someday. But for now, it's just vendor trash."
"Alright, let's keep going," he said to his friends.
The trio pressed forward, deeper into the dunes. Soon, more ants appeared — apparently they were close to a nest. The battles were tough, but the experience rewards were incredible.
With each victory, Twig noticed something interesting: Aron and Jenny were improving too. Their sword skills seemed to evolve just by watching him fight. The Skill level must have been syncing their learning somehow.
Jenny's movements grew faster, more precise. Aron's strikes hit harder. Curious, Twig opened the Appraisal window again.
[Appraisal: Jenny]
Name: Jenny
Age: 10
Race: Human
Job: Swordsman – LVL [4/50] | Exp: 105/408
Level: 13 | Exp: 285/666
HP: 508 | MP: 72
STR: 18 | VIT: 18 | AGI: 17 | DEX: 14 | INT: 14 | LUK: 5
Equipment: Sword [3], Cotton Shirt
[Appraisal: Aron]
Name: Aron
Age: 11
Race: Human
Job: Swordsman – LVL [5/50] | Exp: 378/528
Level: 14 | Exp: 615/833
HP: 520 | MP: 62
STR: 19 | VIT: 20 | AGI: 13 | DEX: 13 | INT: 12 | LUK: 4
Equipment: Sword [3]
"Wow… Jenny's unbelievably strong," thought Twig, impressed. "It won't be long before she can take on the Mountain herself. Imagine that!"
He smiled.
"And Aron's one level ahead — probably because he's been better at killing those Andre ants. They're both growing fast. Really fast."
Twig crossed his arms and took a deep breath.
"I'll focus all my Skill Points on Sword Mastery. I want to max it out. Once I do, I can become a true master — and then I'll be able to teach them this passive skill as well."
He looked out across the endless dunes, the hot wind whipping through his hair.
"But… what skills should I develop next?" he wondered.
Then he turned to the others.
"Aron, Jenny — let's head back to the inn. It's getting late, and we've been walking in this desert long enough. We can continue tomorrow."
The two nodded in agreement.
Twig summoned the Kafra assistant, and Aliane appeared beside them. After selling all the loot, they earned a decent amount of Zeny — far more than in their previous outings — and requested teleportation back.
In a flash of light, they reappeared in the forest. The sun was already lowering.
"Guys," Jenny said, smiling, "let's head to the inn. Let's use all this meat we got and cook a proper meal."
Twig and Aron's eyes sparkled.
"You're right, Jenny! We've got meat! Let's eat!"
But Aron frowned.
"Wait… how are we going to cook it in the inn's kitchen without Father seeing it? We already have to explain where these new clothes came from — and now meat? What's he gonna think?"
Jenny and Twig exchanged a knowing glance.
Twig replied, "Well… clothes are harder to get than meat. We can just say we went hunting. Let's say it's rabbit meat."
Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Rabbit? Really, Twig? Do you honestly think Father will believe that? Have you seen the size of these meat chunks?"
Twig chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah… fair point. Then let's say we hunted a deer. That sounds more believable."
"Deer, huh? That works," said Aron. "It matches the size at least."
Jenny crossed her arms.
"But where's the rest of the carcass, then? Father will definitely ask."
Twig snapped his fingers. "Ah! We'll say we heard wolves howling while we were skinning it and had to run — left the rest behind!"
Aron shook his head. "Too complicated. Rabbits, deer, wolves… it's all too much. He'll never buy it."
Twig threw his hands in the air. "Alright, I give up! I don't have a good idea. What do you two suggest then?"
Jenny smirked. "Leave it to me. I'll cook it in the kitchen while Father's not looking. I'll bring it to our hideout later, and we'll eat before bed. For now, we can snack on some fruit… or the carrots Twig always carries."
"Good idea, Jenny," said Twig, smiling. "Let's do it that way."
The three, now in agreement, made their way back toward the inn.