When the randomization was completed it had surprisingly landed on the gauntlets, he hadn't suspected that the gauntlets would be his weapon, after all the other three choices were all blades.
Although he got over his surprise quickly, but didn't take out the gauntlets from his inventory, after all he had heard from players that once an item was taken out of their inventory it couldn't be placed back within. Unless they had a proper storage item, but then those often had low limits on what they could hold.
As Gabriel looked towards the book, he tried to think back to whatever he had heard of the books before, but nothing came to mind, so eventually with great caution he took the book out of his inventory.
It had nothing on its cover. Not even a title.
He carefully opened it to the first page and found that the book had instructions within it for him to follow. It was mainly just staying still and breathing, but at least it was a pass time that could keep his distracted.
As Gabriel followed what the book said he wouldn't notice how much time would pass as he sat there as he was too focused. The only reason he even snapped out of it was because he could hear footsteps approaching the hut.
Quickly hiding the book in the far corner of the hay bed, he laid down and swiftly proceeded to pretending to be asleep again.
Shortly after Asher had opened the door and entered the hut, letting out a tired sigh as he took off his leather armor and laid down his sword. Moving to sit near the hay bed he watched Gabriel for a few moments before pulling out a charm and a small vial from his pocket ad putting them down next to Gabriel before standing up and heading to the earlier locked room.
Soon coming out with a small pot and two small sacks. Setting them down near the rock circle but keeping the pot with him as he left the hut again. Only to soon return with it filled with water.
Carefully setting it down, Asher grabbed some twigs and small branches from one of the sacks and after a few tries manages to set up a small flame. Setting the pot on the stones, just setting it down so it wasn't actually laying on the wood. They putting a few dozen small handfuls of grain from the second sack into the pot to boil and cook.
Soon standing up once more and heading back over to Gabriel he gently shook his shoulder to wake him up.
Gabriel pretending to only just wake and looked at Asher with a 'tired' and 'questioning' face.
"Dinner's cooking, watch it and make sure it doesn't burn, okay? I'm going to go get something and I'll be back really soon, so be a brave boy," were the words the left Asher's mouth as he stood up again, moving to leave the hut once more.
"Okay..." Gabriel was quick, but not too quick to agree to Asher's words as he left the hut.
Moving towards the pot after standing up, and peering to see inside he could already see the water starting to steam over the flames. Sitting down next to the fire, he started the breathing thing the book said to do again, but more tensely this time. Just in case Asher came back while he was doing it, after all he had said he'd be back soon.
Irene Claire POV
Irene had just picked her weapon, again, it was the same as her previous life and the technique book was the same as well. Nothing was different about her character, even the stats were the exact same as her previous beginning stats she had before.
She knew that the age of the Player's character and the background of a character was randomized upon creation from the ages between eight and twelve and from any sort of social status based of luck. This was so they had enough time to get used to their characters while also being able to get used to the world. The younger the better if you didn't get lucky in a background.
Unfortunately she had neither gotten a good background or starting age, and orphan in a poorly hand made purely grass small hut, with only two wooden beams keeping it up. A large storm and it would come down easily. Nor did she start at a younger age, yet that would mean she could hunt sooner, but she had started at twelve, the upper limit to age spawning. This poor luck, mixed with how the village looked made it clear no one would adopt a child that could fend for itself already and raise it with there own resources they were barely scraping by with.
The only relatively well off homes were what she thought of as the main hunters' homes, the village leader's, the village's healer, and probably Asher Greystorm's hut since they would find him as a prodigy. Who ever had logged in before her was super lucky. They wouldn't have the chance to starve to death since knowing Asher's character from her previous life, even if he was taken in to be a knight in training soon, he would insist on taking his 'younger brother' with him or he wouldn't go.
With the King's Guards having been told to take in anyone with great if better Talent or Talents in no matter what they would definitely agree. This was one of the best starting chances one could get.
Heaven's Secret's best NPCs would all meet up because of this. All in the academy. Although it would take another in year game before the story line would even meet it's prologue this would give those rare few good and lucky players time to grind up and gain skills to hopefully get chosen by those Knights as well. It would also take that whole year in game to reach level five.
This long time within the game would cause many missing persons reports in the real world as when one put on the helmet they would not only go missing and put into a 'coma' like state, they would also completely disappear.
Causing large panic, until everyone would sudden forget about those people until they would return, although, many rarely came back before that in game year. One hour real life, one day in game. That would be around fifth-teen days and five hours alone. That was only the bare minimum for the totally talented players needed to reach that level. Those players were often game addicts and never leave until the game became real.
Although, she still had a chance, but by not being the first one to spawn into this village her chances had greatly diminished. Unless this 'player' might actually just be an NPC and in this timeline Asher's brother had never died...
If she could befriend the future Great Knight's brother that would give her great chances, and probably favors if she could grow strong and possibly save that little brother a few times...
She could even use the system's affection system, giving gifts but never giving in to having a relationship with him. After all Irene was loyal to her Theo. Even if it was a game. Maybe if that little brother looked alright she might think about it.
Having been thinking about future plans and ideas while practicing the technique she quickly came to realize it was getting later into the afternoon and quickly moved to leave the hut. Deciding to explore the village for a bit.
Irene's curiosity eventually brought her to accidentally bump into a taller figure, much taller then her, at least a teen but muscular. This figure had short jet black hair with dark blue accents. Asher.
She immediately looked at his face, stunned for a moment, she hadn't thought she would run into him so quickly. Immediately bringing herself to apologize, but before she could he already had.
"Oh, sorry kid, I didn't see you. You alright?" His voice wasn't deep, but it wasn't childish either, not mature yet as it would be later, but rather soft and caring, charming even, but she didn't pay attention to that, bringing herself to respond.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Sorry, sir..."
"It's alright, just pay more attention to your surroundings kiddo. Actually, do you want to come with me?" His honest question had brought her off guard. She hadn't expected him to offer her to go with him. Not in the slightest.
"Okay, but why am I coming with you sir?" Unable to hold back to question she had asked directly, wanting to know why he would even ash her to follow along with him.
"You'll see soon, come along," without another word he had already continued walking without waiting for another response from her.
Quickly following, she had gotten to see around the way from where she had met him all the way to what looked of a market in the village, staying slightly behind he could see him talking to another man. This man had given him a large heavy looking pouch. She could already see the red through it, it must've been some of the meat from the Beast he had killed earlier. Of course Asher would get it for free, he was the one to kill it and probably the one to sell the meat given someone who hunted something was given all the spoils.
Soon continuing walking she looked at her system status.
-Status: Barely within sustainable weight parameters for the Player's Character's current age. Further starvation will lead to lowered stats and possible health reduction.
Exactly as she thought, poor family, poor background, young age. Clearly starving if she didn't have the posture of someone who hadn't starved in a long time. Irene always stood straight and never hunched. It was a confident move that made other look twice or at least didn't think less of her.
By the time they reached a hut she almost bumped into him again if she hadn't stopped just in time because of the small coming from inside.
Irene could smell a floury smell from inside as if there was something already cooking, being led in she could see another small child, younger then her but much heathier looking watching the pot sitting over a fire.
The boy had immediately brighten up further upon seeing Asher. Even giving an enthusiastic "Brother!" before running over and giving him a hug without noticing her.
Theodore Ashford / Gabriel Greystorm POV
Having waited around half an hour while practicing and keeping an eye on the gain it was almost done when he had heard footsteps approaching. The same as Asher's and another lighter pattern he didn't recognize.
The door had soon opened revealing Asher, immediately standing and running over to him and giving him a big hug, acting calling him 'brother' purely for the emotion points.
He soon noticed a young girl behind him, "Who's that..?" was the question that left his mouth before he could stop it. Damn that child brain, yet to fully develop... It was making him impulsive.
"That's going to be your new friend," were the words the came out of Asher's mouth. They were simple, well intentioned. But not the best stated, having shocked both children, although Gabriel immediately put his act back up and spoke again.
"Really? I get a new friend?"
"Yes you do. Just be gentle, she probably hasn't gotten the good treatment you have."
"Alright!"
Irene Claire POV
The conversation going on in front of Irene was so confusing to her, this child was acting just like a child, no player would take on their role so quickly and professionally, so it must be an NPC.
But having the kid, eventually finding out his name was Gabriel was... Strange. Being tugged on lightly and being led towards the pot, that was now being served and being put into three different carved wooden bowls, with wooden spoons to eat. The Gabriel kid had immediately started happily eating, but did have manners for his age.
She could also see Asher carefully cooking some of the meat after he carefully cut it up and skewered it on some sharp sticks.
Carefully Irene started eating, although she did need to think about a name for her Character that wasn't her nickname. After some thought while carefully eating she ended up naming herself Mia. It was simple, easy to remember and respond with. No chance at a mess up.
-Name: Mia (IreneCleire) / None
After barely managing to fit the bowl of grain porridge into her stomach, she was very full, but could clearly see that she had also gotten the smallest bowl as Asher had just given Gabriel a smaller skewer of meat. Who was now happily and carefully gobbling it down with a very content look.
The kid, Gabriel, was clearly very well taken care of by his brother. Although she had the inkling that she wanted to be envious or jealous she resisted, not wanting to be jealous of what was currently simple code.
Either way after everyone finished eating Asher had excused himself to leave, probably to do something like train. Leaving her with the kid that looked up at her with wide, innocent, and happy eyes.
It was almost like looking at a puppy, cute. This world was real, in some reality anyway.
Reluctantly spending her time playing with him until he fell asleep, she placed him down on the hay bed rather carefully, it was actually quite nice having someone to take care of. Even if they weren't actually important to her just yet. But at least this way she could continue with one of her plans. Being able to use the kid and maybe Asher himself if she did things correctly.
Somehow, this was already starting out better then her last life. Even if it's a bit wonky. One wrong move and this plan was useless. Although so far, it was working perfectly well.
Soon she laid down to sleep as well, couldn't play, act, deceive, and train on a tired mind. Maybe she'd even teach the starting bit of the body readying technique to Gabriel, it would make him feel even more grateful to her, and possibly even make him feel like he owed her something in return one day. She could call it a favor, well, a favor once he'd understand what those were.
Asher Greystorm POV
Unexpectedly, he found what looked like either a horribly taken care of kid, or an orphaned kid today. She was so skinny and tiny. But he could tell from her limited mana flow that she wasn't as young as she looked, her mana flow was mature enough to train, and she acted mature simply by her stance, and she questioned him cautiously before following him silently.
This was good. It meant that if she had a good Talent and future, and he took care of her enough that she would owe him in the future. Just in case he were to die, he would have someone to take care of Gabriel. Possibly even without dying if the two became friends she would anyway.
It was a win win situation, she got fed and got to live and grow, and he got a friend and protector for his brother. Perfect. Really perfect. He could spend more time training and hunting now. This way he would have a higher chance at getting in that Talent Group rumors were going on about.
If he could he could finally get himself and his little brother out of this shit hole. He hated it here, he didn't want the memories of their parents deaths constantly being provoked in his mind. At least his little brother would never be able to remember that day since he was too young to remember it.
Maybe if he did well enough even after entering that Talent Group he'd get a high ranking role that would definitely leave his brother in good hands if the girl wasn't good enough he'd have the best hands in the kingdom taking care of him if he became important enough. Maybe his brother might even have a Talent. Not many had Talents but if your close relative had a Talent the chance was higher. And he had a Talent. Too bad it wouldn't show up any time soon since his brother wasn't old enough yet...
Despite his thoughts he had soon managed to refocus on training again.
The Next Morning
Asher had returned at around midnight before also sleeping till' morning. Being the first one to wake up. shortly before the birds as usual, he scoop out the remains from last night into two bowls. One for his brother and one his new 'friend' before quietly leaving.
Gabriel Greystorm / Theodore Ashford POV
Having woken up quite early to the sound of birds chirping outside. Quickly looking around, still not used to the bed being made of hay he sat up quickly. Seeing that his new 'friend' was still asleep he relaxed slightly.
If he could use her and Asher just right then he might get an even better outcome then he had originally planned. This girl was clearly the only other player in the village, and with him somehow looking similar to Asher and with his outstanding acting he could fool her into thinking he was an NPC. After all, the poking around in the system he had done yesterday had shown him that even if someone tried they could only see the level and nickname of a player.
In other words, she would never find out that he was actually a player like herself.
It was the perfect cover up. A big powerful NPC that would become important in the future. A player that if he tricked well enough could become a useful tool until their worlds merged. He'd never have to starve again. Nor would he have to do all those horrid tasks Slaves had to complete for a mere two coins. Barely enough for the week.
Carefully grabbing the book, he headed towards the garden at the back of the hut. But he also saw the two bowls of leftover grain porridge from the last night, taking the larger of the two bowls he quickly swallowed it all down then continued heading out to the garden.
He needed to finish what ever was in the book soon anyway. Might as well do it now, just in case that girl finds and uses it. Even if she did, he didn't know if she could read it. But better safe then sorry.
-Irene Claire / Mia POV
She had woken up to what seemed like a peaceful morning, although the bed was empty-... The bed was empty! Where did the kid go? It made sense that Asher was gone but where was the kid?
After looking around for a few moments she could see that there was an empty and a filled bowl. Meaning Gabriel probably just woke up, ate, and went to explore. Right?
Kids that kid's age like to explore, he was probably fine. Deciding to explore the hut she could see the leftover ash from the flames last night in the rock circle, the pot was gone, there was another side room, but the door was closed so she'd probably not be allowed within that room, so she carefully stayed away from it. Finally, she found a second door leaving the hut to a minor garden. It seemed well taken care of for the era this world was set in.
After looking around the garden for a moment she could see the kid sitting and staring at something. As she got closer she could see that it was a book, although she couldn't manage to peer inside just yet.
Books in a village this size weren't common but they weren't rare either. More like an object that cost more then what others would usually pay for such a single use item. But then again, with Asher's status in the village she found it plausible that he had gotten the book and the kid might've just wanted to read it.
She can just watch for now, make sure he doesn't accidentally hurt himself somehow while reading.
~Chapter End