Promotion (Part 1)

[Notice, your Gray Wolf, Gris has grown.]

[Notice, Gris has acquired a skill.]

"Oh sweet, he can freeze enemies on track and hunt 'em down."

I woke up and tried to move to look at Gris, but my body won't let me. I looked at Gris who is sleeping and yet I can't move to greet him.

"I can't move, what's happening?"

[Warning. Your body has shut down due to constant fatigue. Pain Nullification has been constantly activating to prevent your senses from experiencing pain. Blocking pain does not equate to blocking damage.]

"Damn, good thing it happened here. I'm ready for rank up."

[Warning. Forcibly--]

"I know. Do it."

[Acknowledged.]

With that very moment, unbearable pain came in waves throughout my body as if every cell was being torn and repaired rapidly, repeatedly, and endlessly until everything went dark.

In the darkness I see myself floating there alone. Am I dead? The moment it said acknowledged, everything went dark.

{5 Years ago...before death}

In the sunset in the beach of New York waves crash and recede Alden stands alone with his dirt bike, staring at the orange sunset, contemplating. He hears a car stop by and cut off.

The car door opens up an a man walks out of the car with his black suit and blue tie. A man has black hair with gray on the sides. He meets Alden and stands next to him. The man looked at Alden with tired, dreary eyes, wanting to sleep. To wake up from a nightmare.

"Why? Why are you so against America? If you turn yourself in, I'll make sure you'll avoid a life sentence." the man pleaded.

"Heh, that's funny. You cared about Nia and Desmond more than me because they obeyed you, fearing you'd burst out in anger." Alden scoffed. "Let me tell you, this country is becoming third-world because them rich folk always lining their pockets. Him banning freedom of speech only sped it up."

"It will blow over if you disband this silly group, please. You're not doing any favors." The man said in attempt to convince Alden. However, it was futile.

"What about that time I told you about the Comic Club in Middle School? Game Club in Junior High and High School? You said it was silly. All that changed about you is getting that salt and pepper on your head huh, old man?" Alden said. The way he called him 'old man' and the involvement of his younger siblings, that man in a black suit is Alden's father.

Alden's father's eyes who were tired glowed with anger from his speech.

"Who do you think you are?" he said in a angry tone. "We raised--" Alden cut him off.

"Ah, there it is, your favorite line. Let me tell you something. The reason why am I like this. Have you ever stopped and think that they have your back 24/7? Especially if you're working for them?"

"Yes, even if you're a citizen."

"Remember that one journalist who tried to put corruption to light? Shot dead. Or that time where one governor in Colorado tried to make right? Fired." Alden said.

"What is your point?"

"My point is they could throw people under the bus and pull a classic of 'Dead men tell no tales.' You're no exception." said Alden. "There's nothing more to say. See you never, Lou."

Hearing Lou's son, Alden calling him by his name, shocked him. It made him speechless. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

Alden got on his dirt bike and drove off, kicking sand at Lou's well pressed suit. Lou couldn't help but watch as his son drive off without looking back. For a short moment, Lou shed a tear.

{Present day...}

Damn, why did I remember that out of all things? I wanted to remember the time I was with Andre, Ashley, and Danny.

[Rank up completed, you are now Rank D.]

[Backlash from potent skills alleviated. Your body is recovering.]

[Notice. Skill Intimidation acquired.]

Upon these three messages, the backlash being removed is the best. That way I can fight without worry.

"....ain..." a faint voice called out.

"Huh?" I said in confusion.

"Kain...!" the voice became clearer.

"Kain! Wake up!" it said.

"That voice...Hyoran. She's calling me."

At the response of her voice, I slowly wake up. I see Hyoran shaking me with a worried look. I blinked and my vision is clear.

"Hyoran...hey. Why are you worried?" I said drearily.

"You were sweating a lot. So I stayed while papa went to get medicine." Hyoran explained. I stood up and looked at my shirt that I look no different from someone who got caught in the rain.

*Whine...*

Gris whined at me, worrying about me. He licked my hand as a sign to make me feel better.

"I'm alright, Gris. Thanks." I said, petting him. Then I noticed something was off. Gris was larger than a pup. Gris grew up where he is just below Hyoran's knees. Usually, Hyoran used to pick him up since he is small, but it is bigger now.

"System, Gris is bigger than before."

[Gris has reached the stage of child from pup. Therefore, he is stronger and faster.]

"Check his stats."

"Oh, he got a new skill called Intimidation."

A door opens and Ezo came to me with a green pouch.

"I got the medicine for fever." Ezo said and noticed I was awake. "Hey, are you alright, buddy?"

Ezo put his palm on my head to check my temperature.

"You had a bad fever before and it has gone down a lot." Ezo said. "However, drink this. It's to bring down your fever."

Ezo handed me a cup with green liquid that is medicine. Its medicine is warm from the heat of the medicine he made.

"When's the last time I gotten sick and my parents nursed me back to health?" I wondered.

I drank it with multiple gulps until it's completely gone and gave it to Ezo. It had a bitter taste. Ezo put his hand on my forehead again to check if my fever get any worse. It didn't.

"It looks like your fever went down. Can you stand?" Ezo said.

"Yeah. I feel fine." I said, jumping off the bed. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours. You were burning up and sweating badly. If you want to sit this one out, that's fine." Ezo said, but I shook my head no. Better yet, I'm feeling better.

"Dad, how do we get a higher rank?" I asked.

"You have to complete three quests that is at or above your rank without failing. After that, take the combat exam in the Guild Exam Hall." Ezo answered. "Since you did one, do two more and you can take the exam."

I looked outside to see that the sun is still up, it didn't even reach noon judging the color of the sky is blue. I yet to wonder if the system can tell time.

"System, what time is it?"

[It is 9:36 AM according to your world's standards.]

"Wow...convenient."

I turned to Ezo and Hyoran who're already dress for the guild. While I was in my PJs drenched in sweat.

"Let's go adventuring." I said.

"Alright, we'll wait for you outside." Ezo said. The two walked out of the room and closed the door for me to change.

"System, check my stats."

[Checking...completed.]

"My rank...what is it comparable to?"

[It is comparable to an average Adult Gray Wolf.]

After seeing my newfound rank, taking down monsters would be easy until I get to the bigger monsters. I put on the clothes for adventuring and walked out the door. EP can't fall on my lap so easily.