章 14: Chapter 14: Influential Presence.
The morning sun crept into Hadrian's tent, casting golden light across the worn map spread on his makeshift desk. He sat in silence, eyes fixed on the map, his thoughts on the day ahead. The system interface lingered faintly in his peripheral vision, the ever-present reminder of his edge. With a flick of his mind, he called it forward.
System Interface
Level: 10
Unused Stat Points: 18
Attributes:
Strength: 12
Intelligence: 15
Charisma: 14
Agility: 8
Stamina: 9
Constitution: 11
Abilities:
Superior Command (Active): Increases loyalty and morale by 20% during leadership moments.
Current Mission:
Objective: Lead your team through a scouting mission and protect all members from harm.
Reward: Unlock Skill: Influential Presence (Passive).
Hadrian studied the mission details for a long moment. Protecting everyone on the mission wouldn't be easy, especially with untrained recruits. But the reward… He leaned back, his thoughts racing.
This skill—Influential Presence—what does it even mean? The description wasn't available yet, but he could imagine. It sounded like something powerful, something to enhance his authority and sway over others. The system really knows how to bait me. It's always pushing me toward what I need most.
The thought stirred unease in the pit of his stomach. As much as he relied on the system, he couldn't ignore how it seemed to manipulate him, nudging him toward paths he might not have taken on his own.
He closed the interface with a sharp blink and turned his attention back to the map. Kazimir had spoken of goblin raids in the surrounding area. Scouting the terrain could give them a crucial edge, but it also carried risks.
"Hadrian!" Leon's voice cut through his thoughts. The boy ducked into the tent, his dark eyes curious. "What are you doing? Skyles said you've been hiding in here all morning."
Hadrian forced a neutral expression, masking the weight of his thoughts. "Planning. If we don't stay ahead, this village is doomed."
Leon crossed his arms, leaning casually against the table. "You always act like everything depends on you. Don't you ever just… breathe?"
"I don't have that luxury," Hadrian replied curtly, brushing past him to grab his sword belt. "Get your things. We're going on a scouting mission."
Leon blinked in surprise, his posture straightening. "Scouting? Just us?"
"You, me, and two of the new recruits," Hadrian clarified. "Nikos and Elias. It's time they learned what's out there."
Leon frowned. "And what if something goes wrong? Those two can barely hold a sword."
"That's the point," Hadrian said, strapping on his blade. "They need to learn. Besides, it's not like I plan to throw them into the fire."
Leon's frown deepened, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "Alright," he said reluctantly. "But don't get us all killed."
Hadrian smirked faintly. "I wouldn't dream of it."
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The village gates groaned open as Hadrian and his small group rode out into the forested terrain surrounding Eretis. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows through the trees. Nikos and Elias trailed nervously behind, their horses jittery with the unfamiliarity of the task at hand.
Leon rode beside Hadrian, his bow slung across his back and a frown etched into his face. "You've been quiet," Leon said, his tone casual but probing. "What's going through that head of yours?"
Hadrian glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "Just thinking about the terrain. Kazimir said the goblins might have set up camps around here. If we can find them before they strike, we'll have the advantage."
Nikos shifted uneasily in his saddle, his voice cracking as he spoke. "Are you sure this is safe? I mean… goblins could be anywhere out here."
"They could be," Hadrian said plainly, his gaze steady. "That's why you're here—to learn how to deal with it."
Nikos didn't look reassured, and Elias muttered something under his breath about this being a bad idea. Hadrian let their doubts hang in the air, knowing they'd learn soon enough. He kept his focus on the forest ahead, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword.
The Forest Path
The trail wound through thick underbrush, the trees pressing close on either side. Hadrian's mind raced as he surveyed the surroundings, his senses sharper than ever. He'd allocated a few points to agility after the last battle, and it showed in the way he caught subtle movements in the shadows or the faint rustle of leaves.
The system's interface flickered faintly in the corner of his vision, a silent reminder of the mission at hand. Protect all members of the team. It seemed straightforward enough, but Hadrian knew better. The system rarely made things simple.
As they rode deeper into the forest, Hadrian slowed his horse and raised a hand to halt the group. "Dismount," he ordered, his voice firm. "We'll move on foot from here."
Elias looked like he wanted to protest but thought better of it. The four of them dismounted, tying their horses to low-hanging branches. Hadrian unsheathed his sword, the familiar weight steadying him as he turned to the group.
"Stay close," he said. "Keep your eyes open, and don't make unnecessary noise. Goblins are opportunistic—they won't attack unless they think they have the upper hand."
Leon shot him a skeptical glance. "Comforting."
Hadrian smirked faintly, his tone dry. "Just stick to the plan, Leon."
The Ambush
They hadn't gone far when Hadrian caught it—a faint, acrid smell on the breeze. He froze, holding up a hand for silence. The others stopped, their expressions tense as they followed his gaze.
"What is it?" Nikos whispered.
Hadrian didn't answer immediately. His eyes scanned the underbrush, the shadows playing tricks on his vision. Then he saw it—a glint of metal, the faint outline of a crude blade hidden among the foliage.
"Goblins," Hadrian said quietly, his voice low and steady. "They're waiting for us."
Nikos and Elias stiffened, their hands fumbling for their weapons. Leon's grip tightened on his bow, his jaw set. "How many?"
"Enough to make this interesting," Hadrian replied. He turned to the group, his tone calm but commanding. "Form up. Nikos, Elias—stay close and cover each other. Leon, take the high ground if you can. I'll draw them out."
"Draw them out?" Leon hissed. "Are you insane?"
"Just trust
me," Hadrian interrupted, his eyes meeting Leon's with a steely determination. "Stick to the plan."
Leon hesitated, his face betraying his doubt, but he nodded, pulling his bowstring taut. Nikos and Elias exchanged nervous glances, their weapons trembling slightly in their hands.
Hadrian stepped forward, his sword held loosely at his side. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, but his focus was razor-sharp. Every sense was heightened, every muscle primed. The goblins were there—he could hear their ragged breathing, see their crude weapons glinting in the dappled light.
"Come on," he muttered under his breath. "I know you're there."
As if on cue, the first goblin lunged from the shadows, a snarl ripping through the air. It was fast, its small frame a blur as it charged at Hadrian with a jagged blade. Hadrian sidestepped smoothly, his sword slicing through the air in a precise arc. The goblin fell with a choked scream, its weapon clattering to the ground.
The forest erupted into chaos. Goblins poured out of the underbrush, their guttural cries filling the air. Hadrian moved with practiced precision, his sword a blur as he parried and struck. He could feel the system's presence, faint but reassuring, guiding his movements with an almost preternatural ease.
"Nikos! Elias! Stay together!" Hadrian barked, his voice cutting through the din. He spared a glance over his shoulder to see the two boys holding their ground, their strikes clumsy but determined. Leon was perched on a low branch, his arrows finding their marks with deadly accuracy.
Hadrian dispatched another goblin, its body crumpling to the ground, and turned to face the next threat. But before he could react, a goblin's blade sliced through the air toward Nikos, who was too slow to raise his shield.
Hadrian didn't think—he moved. His sword drove through the goblin's chest, the force of the blow knocking the creature back. Nikos stared at him, wide-eyed and pale. "Th-thank you," he stammered.
"Don't thank me yet," Hadrian said, his voice grim. "We're not done."
Turning the Tide
The goblins' numbers began to thin, their attacks growing less coordinated as panic set in. Hadrian pressed the advantage, his strikes becoming more aggressive. Leon's arrows rained down with deadly precision, and even Nikos and Elias managed to land a few solid hits.
Finally, the forest fell silent. The last goblin let out a strangled cry as Hadrian's blade found its mark. He stood there for a moment, his chest heaving, his sword dripping with blood.
"You alright?" he called, his voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through him.
Nikos and Elias nodded shakily, their faces pale but determined. Leon dropped down from his perch, his bow still in hand. "You're insane," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "But that was impressive."
Hadrian allowed himself a small smile, but his attention was quickly drawn to the faint flicker of the system interface. A notification appeared, glowing faintly in his vision.
Lead your team through a scouting mission and protect all members from harm.
Reward: Skill Unlocked — Influential Presence (Passive).
Influential Presence:
Passive Effect: Equivalent to +5 Charisma in daily life.
Military Effect: Equivalent to +10 Charisma in training and military contexts.
Hadrian's eyes widened as the skill's description appeared. He could already feel it taking hold, a subtle shift in his demeanor, a weight to his words that hadn't been there before. His mind raced with possibilities. This… this is incredible. The system is giving me exactly what I need to succeed here.
He turned to the group, his gaze steady. "Good work today. Let's head back."
As they began the trek back to the village, Leon fell into step beside him. "You're not normal, you know that?"
Hadrian glanced at him, his smirk returning. "Took you this long to figure that out?"
Leon rolled his eyes but didn't respond. Instead, he watched Hadrian in silence, his expression thoughtful. There was something about the way the older boy moved, the way he commanded attention without trying. It wasn't natural—but Leon couldn't quite put his finger on it.
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