News I

Kaiden checked the Emblem of Fate in his pocket and marveled at the beautiful carvings on it.

The design has a modest crown, or coronet, that rests atop the shield while being surrounded by leaves…

He didn't find it familiar although it looks like a coat of arms from one of the distinguished families in the kingdom. Anyway, his memories about the noble houses were a bit clouded as only a few of them remained standing even after the Players conquered most of the land.

'I wonder how this item takes effect…' Kaiden mused.

Of course, he knows that he needs to drop some of his blood on the emblem but he was still unsure how it would guide him in his choices…

He then checked the other item that he got from the old man.

He didn't plan on getting this thing but since the man was kind enough to offer more, he thought that it would be rude to decline.

In the end, he decided to take one of the old man's protection in his store… He thought of their conversation a while ago.

"I want one of your Pentagon Arrays…"

"What? You even know of that?"

"Of course!"

Kaiden looked at the troubled old man… The Pentagon Array is one of the Magic Items that allows him to protect this store from burglars or any people with bad intentions. Perhaps, there are about 10 to 15 of them hidden within the store.

Aside from that, these items were worth 30,000 gold each. This is probably the fruit of his labors during his younger years when he was still an active adventurer.

That's right… How could a shop that stores items worth hundreds of thousands be unprotected?

Any store that sells this level of items could not be simple and his store is just one of them.

"Is it not possible? Should I change it instead?" Kaiden asked as he can't force the old man… Although it wasn't the most expensive item in the store, the Array that he has was still quite rare and can only be bought in another country.

"Haa~ You got me there, kid… But before that, do you even know how to use the Pentagon Array?"

"Yes… I know it. Although I'm still young, I learned about it through reading books."

The Array is simply a device that can erect a barrier made out of mana. Then, it has an effect that could either be used to attack the enemies or protect the user.

Although it may not be useful against an experienced magician, it would still stop them for quite some time.

If it was partnered with other defensive arrays, then even the magicians would be troubled about it.

This is the reason why this old man was confident even though his store has a lot of expensive items displayed on the shelf.

However, these items were useful until the Players and their Awakening arrived which would still take quite some time.

"Very well…" Hanson smiled wryly as he felt that it was worth investing in this young boy.

"Just make sure to visit my shop if you already have money… and in case you have interesting things to sell, come to me… Understand?"

"Yes, I will, Sir Hanson! You can count on that!"

And just like that, he got an item worth 30,000 gold coins. He doesn't have plans to resell it but wanted to use it to protect himself while he's still growing.

He would encounter a lot of difficulties and he needs to guarantee his life. The Pentagon Array that can be charged with Mana is a good item for that.

As Kaiden was observing the metal cube or the Pentagon Array on his hands, he heard someone opening the door of their house. He quickly came out of his room.

There were only two rooms in this small house, one for his parents, and one for him.

"F-father… Mother…"

Kaiden controlled his voice as he greeted the two people who just entered...

"Are you alright, Mother?!" As he saw his mother's tired face, he immediately felt worried.

"Kaiden… Your mother is tired. Ready the bed for her… Right, have you eaten yet? I have some soup, bread, and sweet potatoes here... Take it while it's still hot."

"Alright… Wait…"

Kaiden immediately unrolled the bed for his mother and placed a soft blanket as a cover. It seems that it wasn't time for Rian to come out yet…

'It should be next month…' Kaiden felt ashamed after not remembering the exact day of Rian's birth. It was because they weren't celebrating it at all.

He only remembers that it was storming when his mother gave birth to Rian.

That was why he's sure that he still has some time to bring some cure for his mother…

After all, it may only take a day or two for him to gather some necessary herbs and ask a professional to concoct a health potion specially made for his mother's condition.

"Thank you, Kaiden…"

Unlike his black hair and blue eyes, his mother is a brunette with emerald eyes… Her beautiful appearance didn't fade away even while having a tired face. It was no wonder why the king was charmed by her.

"Mhmm… That's alright, Mother… Please take a rest for now…"

Kaiden then approached his father…

"Here, have some..." His father offered the soup he poured on a wooden bowl.

"Ehh… Yes… But father, did you bring a newspaper with you?"

"Huh? Of course… When did you become interested in newspapers? Do you want to see the pictures?"

Kaiden shouldn't be capable of reading yet, that's why he found his father's reaction normal.

He thought for a moment on how to reply to that…

"Y-yes! I like to see them!"

Kaiden answered as he can't be bothered explaining his actions for now.

As he finally reads the newspaper, his expression froze as the headline bothered him…

"The shocking truth about the 'Players' that have appeared in Shinem Republic and Yaivalon Kingdom."