System Unlocked [3]

"Here... A survivor!" the man shouted, drawing attention.

Noah's eyes snapped open when he felt someone close by. He glanced up at a man in a black suit, who appeared to be in his thirties. The man's eyes were sharp, his expression serious.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. But what's going on here?" Noah replied, still disoriented.

"Phew! Thank God! Please, wait a moment." The man quickly reported to his superior, adventurer Gerald Osmond, who promptly approached.

"I'm Gerald Osmond, Vice President of the Monitoring Department at the Adventurers' Association's Onrad City Branch," the man introduced himself, offering a firm handshake.

Gerald Osmond cut an imposing figure. He was tall, with broad shoulders, and though he moved with the quiet grace of a seasoned fighter, there was an undeniable weight to his presence.

His silver-gray hair, streaked lightly with black, was slicked back, giving him a distinguished, almost regal appearance.

He had piercing blue eyes, the kind that seemed to see through lies and into a person's core, making his gaze both intimidating and reassuring at the same time.

His face bore the faint marks of time—wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth that added character rather than age. His jawline was strong, and clean-shaven, with a slight scar running down his left cheek—likely a memento from a past battle.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, which complemented his authoritative demeanor, Gerald exuded both strength and professionalism.

"I see that you're indeed alive and there are no signs of serious vital injuries. In fact, there aren't even any scratches on your body so would you mind telling me what happened?" Gerald muttered in a clear, authoritative voice that left no room for evasion.

Noah hesitated briefly, feeling the weight of Gerald's gaze. He knew there was no point in withholding anything, but some details needed to be omitted. With a sigh, he began explaining the events.

"Well... it all started when we found the treasure cave. There was this massive metal door, ancient-looking. We opened it, and that's when the trouble began. Inside, we encountered a shadow monster—fast, lethal. It attacked us out of nowhere."

Gerald listened intently, his eyes never leaving Noah's face. His intense stare was unsettling, but Noah knew he had to continue.

"But," Noah continued, "there was an artifact. I don't know what it was exactly, but in the middle of the chaos, a voice—this strange, beautiful woman's voice—told me to use it. I... didn't really have a choice. Next thing I know, the artifact's healing me."

Noah deliberately left out the details of the Legacy thing. He didn't want to reveal too much about the encounter. But he did mention the voice that guided him.

"So that's what happened." Gerald stepped closer, studying Noah's body. "It seems to be a healing artifact. These types are usually used once and then vanish."

Noah nodded. "Yes, it seems that was the reason for my recovery."

Gerald raised an eyebrow. "So, because you touched it, your wounds healed, and the artifact disappeared?" His tone was firmer this time, probing for more.

"I guess that's what might have happened," Noah replied, nodding once again, keeping his tone neutral.

Gerald turned to one of his assistants."Help Mr. Nightshade out of the cave," he ordered.

As Noah, still a bit dazed, followed the assistant toward the exit portal, he heard Gerald's voice call out again.

"Wait a moment, Mr. Nightshade."

'Huh? What again?' Noah thought, his stomach tightening as he turned back, wondering what the vice president wanted this time. His heart raced slightly. He turned around, trying to mask his growing unease.

Gerald's eyes gleamed with a mysterious intensity, as if he was about to reveal something crucial while Noah clenched his fists, bracing himself for whatever might come next. Then he turned to Gerald Osmond. "Yes?"

"You're awake, aren't you?" Gerald Osmond asked as he pointed to Noah's right wrist, the place where his was attached.

"It seems that you have a little synchronization with the bracelet now."

"Awakening is a state that occurs to people who possess some sort of innate power dormant within their body and only those who can bring out that power can successfully synchronize with the , and this causes great changes in their body."

"Yes, I understand that. But what does that mean for me?"

"If you don't register with the Adventurers' Association after awakening, you might be arrested."

He then finished saying, "Don't forget to go to the Association to register yourself."

Noah Nightshade nodded, feeling both disappointed and happy at the same time.

He had worked hard for so many years and suffered failure, but he had finally awakened. Now he had to go to the Adventurers' Association to register himself.

As Noah walked with the assistant, he wondered how he had awakened now.

As Noah walked alongside the assistant, his thoughts churned. He couldn't help but wonder what had triggered his awakening now, after so long. He felt a deep sense of relief mingled with uncertainty, as though he had finally unlocked a door he had been banging on for years. But what lay behind it was still a mystery.

He felt happy that he finally had a chance to be part of the awakening world. After a while, he arrived at the city, and the big lights lit up around him, making him feel like he had come back to life.

Noah thanked the assistant for taking him outside and then quickly headed home.

On the way, an unexpected sharp headache pierced through his skull. He staggered but clenched his fists, pushing through the pain. "I have to endure it. I can't fall now," he muttered under his breath.

"I'm back."

He entered his apartment and headed to his bedroom, where he began to think about everything that had happened. His mind drifted to the day before, recalling the hopelessness he felt before the mysterious encounter with the monster and how he'd been saved by that strange legacy artifact.

When he reached his apartment, he immediately collapsed onto his bed, his mind racing. He replayed the events of the past day—the hopelessness he had felt, the terrifying encounter with the monster, and the inexplicable healing brought by the artifact. How had it all changed so fast?

"Amazing, yet so mysterious..." he whispered to himself.

As he lay at his bed, one thought crystalized in his mind: I must register with the Association. Only then will this new chapter truly begin.