Mike followed the villager into the largest house in the village.
Inside, the scent of herbs and smoke lingered in the air. A middle-aged man stood near a wooden table, his hair streaked with gray, his posture straight despite exhaustion. His eyes were sharp—but softened the moment he looked at Mike.
The Village Chief.
"To think a kindness born of coincidence would save our entire village," the chief said slowly, bowing deeply.
"We found your body near the forest and helped you. We never imagined that act would bring us a savior."
Mike was caught slightly off guard and waved his hand. "You don’t need to thank me that much. I just did what I could."
The chief shook his head. "No. If not for you, we would all be dead."
He hesitated for a moment, then looked Mike straight in the eyes.
"I know this is a heavy request," the chief said, his voice firm but sincere, "but I ask this not as a chief—only as a father."
He turned slightly.
"Please... take my daughter with you."
Mike blinked.
The chief continued quickly, as if afraid Mike might refuse before hearing him out.
"She awakened recently—an A-rank Nature Mage. She has talent, real talent. I planned to send her to the city academy, but the road is dangerous, and the world outside this village is cruel."
From behind a curtain, a young woman stepped forward.
She had brown hair tied loosely behind her back, red eyes that carried both curiosity and nervousness, and a gentle aura that felt warm and alive. When her eyes met Mike’s, she stiffened slightly—then gave a shy bow, her cheeks faintly pink.
"My name is Elina," she said softly.
The chief placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I believe she will grow far stronger if she leaves with you. You are... different. Stronger than you look. And I trust you."
Mike stood there in silence for a moment.
Take his daughter with me?
He glanced at Elina again. She avoided his gaze this time, clearly embarrassed—but there was determination in her clenched hands.
SSS rating... he thought.
Was this because of that?
The information Mike had learned from the guild only covered S-rank clears of this dungeon. In those records, Elina did tag along—but under very different circumstances. The village chief would formally hire the challenger as Elina’s bodyguard, and the story would unfold around escorting her as she eventually confronted the Tyrant King.
But this?
This is different scenario altogether.
According to the S-rank clear records, Elina should have had one injured eye, leaving a faint scar. That trauma was supposed to harden her personality, turning her cold and distant.
Yet the girl standing before him now had clear, uninjured eyes—and while she was shy, there was warmth in her gaze.
Something had changed.
Why does this feel like a different branch altogether? Mike wondered.
Just then, Elina gathered her courage and spoke.
"U-Um... I wanted to thank you," she said softly. "I was almost going to die... but you saved me."
Mike nodded gently. "I did what I could."
’My wolves must have saved her, thats why there is no scar on her’ Mike thought.
She blinked, then gave a small, earnest smile.
"You talked about the Academy earlier," Mike continued, turning to the village chief. "I was planning to go there anyway. If you don’t mind, I can take her with me."
The village chief’s face lit up with relief.
"Thank you," he said deeply. "Truly."
Then, as if remembering something important, he reached under the table and pulled out a heavy chest engraved with intricate runes.
"Please accept this reward for saving our village."
Mike accepted it without hesitation.
[ Weapon Treasure Chest (SSS Rank) acquired ]
[ From this chest, the challenger may select one weapon and one weapon art related to it ]
"Thank you," Mike said sincerely.
The chief nodded. "Please go and rest in your room. You may leave tomorrow."
Mike turned to leave. As he stepped outside, Elina waved at him shyly.
"G-Good night," she said.
Mike raised a hand in return and went back to his room.
"Now... what should I choose? A tamer or a mage-type class?" Mike mumbled as he looked at the treasure chest.
"Hm. It’s better if I choose what I’m used to."
After a moment of thought, Mike made his decision and selected a sword.
[ A random Unique-grade sword is being generated... ]
[ A weapon art related to the chosen sword will be granted. ]
[ You have obtained Frostlight Sword ]
[ You have obtained Aurora Sword Art ]
The moment the system messages faded, a chilling yet gentle glow filled the room.
A sword materialized before Mike’s eyes.
Its blade was pale silver, almost translucent, with faint streaks of icy blue running through it like frozen veins. Cold air radiated from it—not biting, but calm, as if winter itself had been refined into something elegant.
Mike reached out and wrapped his hand around the hilt.
So light...
The instant he grasped it, information flooded his mind.
[ Frostlight Sword ]Grade: UniqueType: One-handed swordEffects:• Increases ice-element damage• Attacks apply Frost Mark (slows enemies over time)• Enhanced damage against enemies with lower resistance to cold
At the same time, a second sensation bloomed within him—warm, flowing, almost like light bending through ice.
[ Aurora Sword Art ]A sword technique that releases layered arcs of frozen light.The blade leaves behind afterimages of shimmering frost, striking enemies multiple times in a single motion. ]
"Hm... a frost-type sword. Well, it isn’t that bad," Mike mumbled as he tried it out.
"It’s too light for a longsword," he mused.
After a few experimental swings, he sheathed the blade and lay down on the bed. Closing his eyes, Mike began to circulate the Aurora Sword Art within his body.
Blue-white light slowly moved through his veins, following a precise rhythm.
Weapon arts weren’t limited to combat alone—they could also be used to temper the body.
Before, Mike had never felt the need to do so. His body had already been abnormally powerful thanks to his first talent, making physical reinforcement unnecessary.
But now, things were different.
Everything had been reset.
This time, if he wanted to regain that strength—and surpass it—he would have to rebuild it step by step.
The blue-white light grew denser, seeping into his muscles, bones, and mana channels, refining them with a cold yet gentle pressure.