The forest was still when I headed back towards the castle. The moon was high in the sky, its light pale as it filtered through the trees and spread long shadows over the path.
The adrenaline from the fight had finally started to fade, leaving me with a dull ache in my muscles and a mind buzzing with thoughts. The Forest Stalkers had been tougher than I'd expected, but they weren't the real surprise.
It was the manner in which Velzithar and I had fought together, her kinetic energy propelling me through each step. For the first time, I sensed that we were beginning to mesh—not as a swordsman and a weapon, but as partners.
"Thinking too hard again?" Velzithar's voice echoed in my mind, shattering the silence.
"Just trying to figure you out," I told her, grinning. "You're more chatty than I'd expect for a sword."
"And you're more reckless than I expected for a king," she replied, her tone teasing. "But I suppose that's part of your charm."
I rolled my eyes, pulling up the system window to distract myself.
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alaric Varelius
Level: 32 (+5)
Health: 405/405
Mana: 200/200
Strength: 90
Agility: 55
Endurance: 80
Intelligence: 15
Charisma: 18
Luck: 0 (New Stat)
Skills: Gluttony (Active), Shadowstep (Tier 2), Lacerate (Tier 1), Howl of Terror, Regeneration
Free Stats Available: 25
My eyes stayed on the new stat that had been added at the end of the list: Luck.
That's new," I grumbled.
Not quite," Velzithar replied. "Luck was always there—it just wasn't available to you beforehand.
"Accessible?" I inquired.
"It's a latent attribute," she explained. "Luck influences everything—loot, opportunities, even the flow of battle. But it's subtle, harder to control than the others."
"Subtle, huh?" I murmured, considering my options.
I could sense the weight of the 25 free stat points in the corner of the screen. Every level-up had been an opportunity to become stronger, faster, or more resilient. But luck? That was something else.
It wasn't so much about brute strength—it was about the finer points, the instances where fate swung in your direction. Like the lootbox that had bestowed me with Velzithar.
"Considering putting them all in luck?" Velzithar said, her voice slightly tinged with amusement.
"Perhaps," I replied. "It is a risk, but it paid off once."
Her laughter rang in my head. "Luck isn't always a gamble, Alaric. It's the surprise you don't see. But let me tell you, it won't protect you from your own stupidity."
"Noted," I replied skeptically.
I chose the Luck stat and started assigning the points.
Luck: +25
The moment I confirmed the choice, a ripple of energy coursed through me. It wasn't like the rush of strength or agility—it was subtler, lighter, like a thread weaving itself through the fabric of reality.
The system beeped once more, showing a notification.
New Passive Unlocked: Lucky Streak
Effect: Boosts the possibility of rare and legendary drops. Weakly improves results in combat and events.
I couldn't help smiling. "Well, I guess I was correct, Velzithar. Chance could prove to be the deciding factor.
"Don't get cocky," she said. "Luck can't fix everything. But it might make things. interesting."
The gates of the castle appeared before me as I emerged from the forest, their massive shadow crossing the cobblestone street. The guards stood to attention as I approached, their faces wavering between surprise and relief.
"Your Majesty," one of them replied, bowing hastily. "We did not think to see you back so early."
"Got lucky," I told them, grinning as I drove through the gates.
Velzithar's soft chuckle remained with me. "You have no idea."