Chapter 3: The First City
Chapter 3: The First City
The first ray of sunlight broke through the clouds.
Its warm glow illuminated the ruins of Ashbrook Village.
At the same moment, the translucent screen appeared before Charles.
Trial Complete
Mission: Survive Until Sunrise
Status: Completed
Rewards Granted
- Ember Points: 10
- Bloodline Synchronization: 3%
- New Ability: Ember Vision
A gentle warmth spread throughout Charles’s exhausted body.
The deep wounds left by the bandits slowly stopped bleeding.
Although the injuries hadn’t completely healed, the unbearable pain faded enough for him to move comfortably.
Before he could inspect the rewards, another notification appeared.
New Main Mission
Survive Until Tomorrow Morning.
Failure: Death.
Charles frowned.
“So every day is a trial?”
The ancient voice answered calmly.
“Until you become strong enough to protect yourself.”
“Do not waste time.”
“Leave this place.”
Charles looked around him.
The village was silent.
Only broken homes remained.
Smoke still rose from the burned buildings.
He tightened his grip around his father’s broken sword.
There was nothing left for him here.
Taking one final look at the place where he had been born and raised, Charles turned away.
Without another word…
He walked into the forest.
The journey was far longer than he had imagined.
Hours passed.
The morning sun climbed high into the sky.
His stomach growled.
He hadn’t eaten since the day before.
Several times he nearly stumbled from exhaustion.
Yet he continued walking.
The ancient voice remained silent.
Only the occasional chirping of birds and rustling leaves accompanied him.
Eventually…
The dense forest began to thin.
Charles stopped.
His eyes widened.
Before him stretched a wide asphalt road unlike anything he had ever seen.
Smooth black pavement extended as far as the eye could see.
Large vehicles sped past one after another.
Some were sleek sports cars.
Others were luxury sedans or massive SUVs.
The noise alone left Charles stunned.
“What…”
He watched another vehicle race by.
“So this is…”
“The outside world.”
Across the road stood enormous glass buildings that reflected the afternoon sunlight.
Towering billboards displayed advertisements.
Traffic lights changed from red to green.
People hurried along the sidewalks.
Office workers dressed in neat suits.
Students wearing backpacks laughed as they walked together.
Parents pushed baby strollers.
Street vendors sold drinks and snacks.
Cyclists rode past.
Delivery riders weaved through traffic.
Everyone seemed busy.
Everyone had somewhere to be.
Charles stared blankly.
Compared to Ashbrook Village…
This place felt like another world.
He quietly followed the flow of people toward the city.
As he entered through the main gate, no one paid him any attention.
He was simply another unfamiliar face among thousands.
After walking several more streets, he suddenly noticed a large crowd gathered ahead.
People whispered among themselves.
Some stood on benches trying to see what was happening.
Others held up their phones, recording.
Charles slowed his pace.
Curiosity got the better of him.
He carefully squeezed through the crowd.
Then he saw them.
An elderly man lay unconscious on the pavement.
Beside him knelt a young woman whose elegant appearance immediately drew everyone’s attention.
She wore a cream-colored dress beneath a long black coat.
Her chestnut-brown hair fell over her shoulders as tears filled her emerald eyes.
“Grandfather…”
“Please wake up…”
Her trembling voice carried genuine fear.
Around them stood several men dressed in expensive black suits.
Each wore an earpiece.
Their expressions remained calm despite the obvious tension.
A short distance away, several luxury black SUVs were parked neatly along the roadside.
It was obvious this family possessed immense wealth.
The surrounding crowd whispered among themselves.
“That’s the Ashcroft family.”
“I heard they’re one of the richest families in the country.”
“The old man is Samuel Ashcroft.”
“They own hotels, hospitals, technology companies… almost everything.”
“No wonder so many people gathered.”
Charles quietly listened.
A middle-aged doctor finished examining the old man.
He slowly stood up before removing his gloves.
His expression was grim.
“I’m sorry.”
“We’ve done everything possible.”
“His pulse is fading.”
“There is nothing more we can do.”
The words struck Samantha like lightning.
“No…”
“There has to be another way.”
Another doctor lowered his head.
“We’ve already administered emergency treatment.”
“If he doesn’t wake up soon…”
He couldn’t finish the sentence.
Samantha bit her lip.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
The surrounding crowd sighed helplessly.
No one dared step forward.
Just then…
A familiar voice echoed inside Charles’s mind.
Emergency Side Quest Detected
Objective: Save Samuel Ashcroft.
Time Limit: 60 Seconds.
Reward:
- 100 Ember Points
- Beginner Medical Knowledge
Charles blinked.
“…Save him?”
“I don’t even know what’s wrong with him.”
The voice answered immediately.
“The old man’s body has been invaded by Corrupted Yin Energy.”
“Modern medicine cannot detect it.”
“Your Primordial Ember can remove it.”
Charles hesitated.
“…How?”
“Place your hand over his heart.”
“Channel a single strand of Ember Flame.”
“Nothing more.”
Charles looked toward the unconscious old man.
Then at the crying young woman.
He took a step forward.
Immediately
One of the bodyguards stretched out an arm, blocking his path.
“Stop.”
“No one gets any closer.”
Charles spoke calmly.
“I can save him.”
The bodyguard looked him up and down.
Charles’s clothes were torn.
Mud still covered parts of his body.
The dried blood on his sleeves had turned dark brown.
He looked nothing like a doctor.
The bodyguard laughed.
“You?”
Several people in the crowd chuckled.
A man folded his arms.
“The country’s best doctors couldn’t help.”
“And this kid thinks he can?”
Another shook his head.
“He probably wants money.”
“What a joke.”
Even Samantha barely glanced at him.
She simply assumed he was another fraud hoping to take advantage of her grandfather’s condition.
Charles lowered his eyes.
He had expected this.
If their positions were reversed…
He probably wouldn’t believe himself either.
The system’s voice remained emotionless.
Warning.
Side Quest expires in 30 seconds.
Charles slowly raised his head.
His eyes met Samantha’s.
His voice was calm…
But firm.
“I can save your grandfather.”
The noisy street fell silent.
Every pair of eyes turned toward the ragged young man standing at the edge of the crowd.