The streets of Hollowbrook bustled with new life.
Kenji wandered from stall to stall, every door and sign pulling him in. The alchemist's shop smelled of herbs and vinegar, shelves lined with crude glass bottles. Low-level potions filled the racks—basic health restoratives, stamina tonics, antivenoms. Prices, however, were far out of reach for most.
Three bronze for a vial. His entire fortune could barely buy one.
The weaponry shop gleamed with steel. Racks of blades lined the walls—axes, spears, bows, even the occasional greatsword. Most were Common, some Rare. The highest grade he saw was a Rare double short sword, its hilt etched with faint runes.
Stats flickered across the tag:
+3 DEX
+2% Crit Chance
Kenji's eyes lingered. The crit chance aligned perfectly with his Spade path. But at ten bronze, the price mocked him. For now, it was a dream.
Everywhere he went, the same thing happened.
The shoemaker offered him discounts. The butcher bowed and called him Protector. The jeweler smiled, promising future deals once rarer stones were mined.
It wasn't fake. The respect felt real. His Protector rank carried weight.
The professions were endless—cooks perfecting recipes, blacksmiths hammering steel, tailors preparing cloaks. This world didn't just simulate combat. It simulated society.
Kenji turned down a quieter street.
There, tucked between a cooper and a weaver, stood a familiar sign: Osamu's Lumberworks.
The woodcutter.
The man he had saved from wolves.
Inside, the shop was humble—stacks of planks, the scent of sawdust, tools hanging neatly. Osamu himself rose from behind the counter, face lighting with recognition.
"Protector GrayWolf," he greeted warmly. "Come, sit. You honor me with your presence."
He poured tea, steam rising in the lamplight. Kenji accepted, the flavor earthy, grounding.
The conversation flowed naturally. Osamu asked about Kenji's battles, his impressions of Hollowbrook, his goals. His tone was calm, thoughtful—nothing like a scripted NPC. Every word carried intent, as if he were truly there.
At last, Kenji leaned forward.
"I want to show you something."
He summoned the faint glow of his inventory. The card materialized in his palm: 5♣ (Tier 0).
Osamu froze.
His eyes widened, hand trembling as he reached toward it—but stopped short, fingers curling into a fist.
"That…" he whispered. "A Card of Fate."
Kenji's gaze sharpened. "You know them."
Osamu nodded slowly. "More than you realize. Protector, listen carefully. NPCs… we too can advance ranks. Grow stronger. Lead. Protect. But without cards… we stagnate. We need them. And only you—players—can draw them from the world."
His eyes lingered on the 5♣, greed and reverence tangled in his stare. "A card like that… with it, a man could rise from common guard to knight. From knight to lord. And beyond."
Kenji's thoughts raced.
He had already tried listing the 5♣ on the Auction House. The system refused. He had tried offering it to players. No trade allowed.
Cards could not be sold. Could not be transferred.
Unless… to NPCs.
Osamu leaned closer. "You saved my life. For that, I'll give you this truth. Go to the City Guard Tower. Ask for my cousin, Riku. He serves there. Show him that card."
His voice dropped lower.
"Protector, the guards are hungry for strength. If you want to see how deep this world goes, give the Clubs to them. You'll find them… very eager."
Kenji tucked the 5♣ back into his inventory.
The card pulsed faintly, its stats meaningless to his Spade path. But if NPCs truly gained strength from these cards…
This world wasn't just about players. NPCs had ambitions. Needs. Power struggles.
And the cards were the currency of their souls.
Kenji finished his tea, eyes narrowing.
The Guard Tower awaited.
✦ GrayWolf — Status Panel (Post–Ch12)
Level: 6Reputation: 250 RP — Protector
NPCs across Hollowbrook show respect
Shopkeepers prioritize service
Villagers greet
Base Attributes: STR 10 • VIT 10 • DEX 60 • INT 10
Item Bonuses: +1 STR, +4 VIT, +2 DEXCard Bonuses:
10♠ → +15% Crit Rate, +10 Spell Pen
King♠ → +25% Crit Damage, +15% Attack SpeedUnregistered Cards: 5♣ (+5 Armor, +5 Block Chance)
Total Effective Stats: STR 11 • VIT 14 • DEX 62 • INT 10Combat Modifiers: +15% Crit Rate • +25% Crit Damage • +15% Attack Speed • +10 Spell Pen
Skills: Twin Slash (equipped weapon) • Venom Spit (Epic staff, unequipped)Currency: 3 CopperAuction:Staff of Crawling Shadows (Epic, T0) — listed across 120 towns, 20% fee