That morning, upon waking up, Twig was surprised by a message from the System. A long time had passed since the young adventurers went treasure hunting in the ancient tomb.
[Ding!]
"Congratulations, host. You have completed 365 days since obtaining the System. Happy System Anniversary! Excellent achievement. A reward will be granted for your bravery and for remaining alive all this time."
"Wow… it's already been a year since I came to this world."
He sat up in bed, staring at the ceiling with a faint smile.
"It feels like it was just yesterday that I woke up here after Saul smacked me on the head."
He paused for a moment, thinking.
"Well… it makes sense. Not long ago, some travelers who passed through here were talking about how the king — now called 'the Mad King' — had married Prince Rhaegar Targaryen to a Dornish princess named Elia Martell. Two names that, if I remember right, never even appeared in the TV series, just remembered by the others characters."
"But thinking about it now, it all fits perfectly. The timeline makes sense now to me."
He exhaled softly, smiling.
"A year went by… time really flies. Thinking back on all the levels I've gained, all the adventures I've lived with my friends… it's been quite the journey."
"System, status."
[— USER STATUS —]
Name: Robert Nilig (Twig)
Age: 12 (+21)
Race: Human
Job: Swordsman – LVL [49/50] | Exp: 326,154 / 510,650
Level: 56 | Exp: 241,568 / 487,269
HP: 6,354 | MP: 281
Attributes:
STR: 56 | VIT: 65 | AGI: 54 | DEX: 56 | INT: 38 | LUK: 35
Resources:
Stat Points: 0 | Skill Points: 0 | Zeny: 42,853
Equipment:
Star Dust Blade [1], Chain Mail [1], Buckler [1], Glove, Boots [1], Ulfhedinn [1]
Skills:
Sword Mastery Lv.10, Increased Recuperative Power Lv.10, Bash Lv.10, Provoke Shout Lv.6, Endure Lv.6, Magnum Break Lv.6
"I'm really strong now. I can hardly believe I've reached this level of power. Just a little more until the max level for swordsman. And once I advance to the next class… I'll grow even stronger. I'm still far from the end of this road."
"I'm well-equipped, too. I've gotten some great items from the latest dungeons unlocked through the Kafra Service."
He tugged at the cloak draped over his shoulders and smiled.
"Especially this one — Ulfhedinn. I got it from a boss we fought a few weeks ago, Galion. Looked like some kind of mountain lion — dark, shadowy. It was quite a battle, but the reward was worth it. This cape is really good… just waiting for the right card to enchant it."
"My skills are also at excellent levels. Every skill I wanted to master is maxed out. The remaining points I distributed evenly across the others. Even the ones not yet at the highest level are useful — all of them reached level six."
Aron and Jenny were already dressed and leaving their room when they noticed Twig still sitting on the bed.
"Come on, Twig, let's go! You're taking forever," Aron called out.
Twig looked up from his thoughts.
"Yeah, I'm coming. I was just thinking about something."
Jenny smiled teasingly.
"Always daydreaming, even when you're awake."
She chuckled and left the room.
Twig watched their silhouettes fade through the doorway, then stood up himself. Curious, he activated his Appraisal ability to check his friends' progress.
[Ding!]
Name: Jenny
Age: 11
Race: Human
Job: Swordsman – LVL [46/50] | Exp: 243,755 / 386,371
Level: 52 | Exp: 325,187 / 364,503
HP: 5,414 | MP: 263
Attributes:
STR: 56 | VIT: 55 | AGI: 60 | DEX: 56 | INT: 36 | LUK: 19
Equipment:
Tsurugi [2], Chain Mail [1], Evil Wing, Glove, Boots [1], Manteau
Skills:
Sword Mastery Lv.10, Increased Recuperative Power Lv.10
Name: Aron
Age: 12
Race: Human
Job: Swordsman – LVL [47/50] | Exp: 128,857 / 409,795
Level: 53 | Exp: 265,745 / 391,939
HP: 5,843 | MP: 260
Attributes:
STR: 59 | VIT: 60 | AGI: 53 | DEX: 53 | INT: 33 | LUK: 20
Equipment:
Two-Handed Sword [2], Chain Mail [1], Helm, Glove, Boots [1], Manteau
Skills:
Sword Mastery Lv.10, Increased Recuperative Power Lv.10
Indeed, their abilities had reached an impressive level.
Twig couldn't help but think that if he let those two loose across Westeros, the outcome would be disastrous. The entire kingdom could be at risk with these two walking around armed or not.
"Sometimes I wonder if it was really a good idea to share my leveling ability with them. Not that I think they'd do anything bad — it's just… if they went wild, who could stop them?"
"They're strong, no doubt. But they don't have active skills like I do. In combat, I'd still overpower them easily."
"But compared to the rest of the world, those two could easily be called demon kings. Probably even more dangerous than the Night King… at least in close combat."
He remembered their last dungeon run.
Aron, wielding his two-handed sword, had cleaved a monster named Tamruan clean in half with a single strike.
Jenny, on the other hand, was faster than ever — too quick for any creature to follow. Her dodges were flawless.
"She was so happy when we got that oriental blade after defeating the Side Winders in that cursed forest…"
Twig sighed, recalling the heat.
"Ugh… that unbearable humidity…"
"But it wasn't just their stats that evolved. Their looks changed, too."
"Aron's taller now, broader too. When that guy grows up, he's going to be a walking fortress — maybe as big as the Mountain."
"Jenny's grown as well — graceful, light, beautiful. Her body's agile and quick, perfect for fast combat."
"And me… well, I only grow taller. Still skinny as ever. Damn it."
"Lots of things have changed at the inn, too. With all the resources we've brought back from dungeons, we managed to improve the place quite a bit."
"Our room is much better now — the beds are softer and more comfortable."
"We've even made small upgrades to the inn itself, little by little, so Saul wouldn't get suspicious."
"At first, it was hard to explain. We'd make up stories about travelers who gave us gifts or rich merchants who left things behind."
"Saul was worried, of course — afraid we'd get in trouble. But since nothing was stolen and no one ever complained, he eventually relaxed."
"Actually, I think the compliments from the guests helped him calm down for good."
"The inn's still simple, sure, but it's much better now. Anyone who stayed here a year ago would notice the difference immediately."
"System," Twig said, pulling himself out of his thoughts.
[Ding!] "Yes, host?"
"You said I'd get a reward for completing one year since obtaining you, right?"
[Ding!] "Host, that is correct. However, the reward will not be delivered immediately. We are currently analyzing your current state — power level, ecosystem conditions, and other factors — to determine a suitable reward. Please wait. It will be granted at the appropriate time."
"Wow, System… stingy as always."
He laughed, shaking his head.
"Well, whatever. I should get going… time to start the day."
"Who knows? Maybe today I'll reach level 50 in my class."
He smiled, eyes gleaming with determination.
"And that'll mark the beginning… of my next profession."