Chapter 140: Awakening To Vulnerability

The morning sun gradually ascended from the eastern horizon, casting a mesmerizing golden glow across the sky. Golden rays of sunlight filled the air and illuminated Greyvale City, which was stirring from its slumber.

Smoke began to rise from various chimneys as residents awoke one by one. The streets started to fill with pedestrians, and a cacophony of sounds enveloped the city. Once again, Greyvale City had shaken off the quiet of night as its inhabitants embarked on their daily routines.

——

Greyvale City — Gryphon District

Gryphon District was alive with activity even before dawn broke; it seemed as if this place hadn’t slept at all. Warriors thronged the streets, and shops flung open their doors. Once a desolate area frequented only by a handful of warriors, it had transformed dramatically since the Adventurer Guild gained traction and its reputation spread throughout the city.

The aroma of diverse foods wafted through the air, tantalizing scents mingling invitingly, so irresistible that even those not hungry felt their stomachs protest. Breakfast stalls and restaurants lined the streets, bustling with patrons enjoying meals and laughter.

The district buzzed with life every day; new shops opened regularly while towering establishments rose rapidly. Major merchant groups were already establishing their presence, building shops left and right.

At the heart of this transformation stood the Adventurer Guild, a lone sentinel exuding an air of authority like a deity surveying mortals below. After recent renovations, it had grown into one of the largest buildings in the district, surrounded by a protective wall that further emphasized its significance.

Thanks to the Guild’s influence, what once resembled a barren wasteland now thrived like a small city.

As morning light bathed Gryphon District in warmth, noise filled every corner, the rumble of carriages pulled by massive horses echoed through bustling streets where people donned all manner of attire.

A vibrant mix of races moved about: dwarves, orcs, beastmen, and others added to the rich tapestry of life in this thriving community.

Among all these activities, none were busier than at the Adventurer Guild itself. Almost every warrior in this district was either an adventurer or on their way to register for that role. Many others flocked there to commission missions; people flowed in and out while crowds gathered around.

Inside, Adventurers filled every nook but somehow managed not to feel overcrowded. Some chatted amiably while others laughed together; an unmistakable scent of metal mingled with a faint trace of blood lingered in the air.

At the receptionist desk stood Boren diligently attending to those waiting in line before him; his chubby cheeks jiggled slightly as he worked hard to assist everyone efficiently.

Now calmer than before, Boren handled inquiries without anxiety or nervousness, his conversations flowed smoothly amidst an atmosphere brimming with joy and tranquility.

——-

On the second floor of the Adventurer Guild, in Sage’s bedroom, a serene atmosphere enveloped the space. The sunlight poured through a slightly ajar window, casting warm rays onto the wooden floor while a gentle morning breeze stirred the curtains softly.

On the bed lay Sage, deep in slumber, his body marred by dried blood. His clothes were tattered and barely clung to his frail frame, particularly around his face, which was also smeared with crusted blood.

Traces of it marked his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears, a horrifying sight. His exposed skin revealed large wounds that had closed over time but left behind ugly scars.

Anyone who stumbled upon Sage in this state might panic or even faint at the gruesome scene; only the faint rise and fall of his chest indicated he was still alive. The bed itself was soaked in dried blood, with stained sheets bearing witness to his ordeal.

As the wind and sunlight danced through the room, they brushed against Sage’s pale and slightly wrinkled skin, giving him an ethereal appearance, almost ghostly.

“Hmmm!” A soft moan escaped him, filled with pain and exhaustion. Slowly, he began to move; his eyelids fluttered as if weighed down by an unseen force.

After considerable effort, Sage managed to crack open his eyes only to shut them again almost immediately. After a few seconds of struggle, he opened them once more, this time revealing confusion mixed with fear.

His head throbbed painfully as if struck by a sledgehammer; thoughts felt twisted and kneaded like dough. It seemed as though his soul had lost its luster.

His entire body felt heavy, as if pinned beneath a colossal weight, while sharp pains coursed through him like fire. His bones felt stiff and unyielding; he could hardly comprehend what was happening to him except for the slight movement of his fingers.

Lying there dazed on the bed, Sage’s gaze fixated on the familiar ceiling above him. Shock flickered in his eyes as he grappled with disbelief that he was still alive, or perhaps bewilderment at being somewhere other than where he expected to be.

“Whe…where am I? This looks like my bedroom,” he thought frantically. “How did I get back here?” Confusion clouded his mind as he stared at the wooden ceiling that felt so familiar yet distant.

The last memory that surfaced before darkness consumed him was standing on the twentieth floor of a dungeon when system notifications informed him that it had been claimed before everything went black.

“I don’t remember coming back,” he mused silently; all he recalled was collapsing onto a cold stone floor, not resting on this soft mattress beneath him now.

“I can’t move?” Bitter realization washed over him as pain shot through every part of his body at even the slightest thought of movement, the creaking of bones under immense pressure echoed in his mind.

[ Host, you are finally awake.]

The system voice echoed in Sage’s mind, its tone tinged with a hint of exhaustion that surprised him.

“System? Thank goodness!” A wave of relief washed over Sage as he heard the familiar voice.

“I never thought I’d be so happy to hear from you. It seems loneliness isn’t my only companion after all,” he reflected bitterly.

“What happened? How did I end up back at the Guild? I remember being in the dungeon! What’s going on?” Sage bombarded the system with questions, his words tumbling out in a rush.

Silence hung between them for a moment before the system responded.

[ Host, you risked your life casting a spell above your rank. Your Mana Veins ruptured; fortunately, the damage isn’t severe and hasn’t affected your foundation. You were on the brink of death, and I had no choice but to override system restrictions and break countless rules to teleport you back to the Guild.]

Sage fell silent as he absorbed this information, bitterness welling up inside him as memories of the dungeon flooded back.

“I was reckless… too reckless. If it hadn’t been for the system, I could have died,” he thought grimly, recalling the spell he had cast.

He acknowledged his foolishness; if only he had returned after clearing those two dungeons, none of this would have happened.

The Level 3 Spell he attempted was far beyond his capabilities, casting it exacted an unimaginable toll on his soul. He was fortunate not to have suffered more backlash; otherwise, he wouldn’t be here now.

“Thank you for saving my life,” Sage said finally, regaining his composure and expressing gratitude to the system.

[ Don’t thank me, Host; I was merely fulfilling my duties.] The system replied, though there was an unmistakable hint of satisfaction in its tone.

Sage forced a smile at this. “Did you suffer any backlash from saving me?”

There was a pause before the system answered.

[ The system experienced minor backlash from breaking and overriding its restrictions. But don’t worry, Host; nothing major will happen.]

“That’s good,” Sage replied with relief. Yet uncertainty lingered, what constituted ’minor’ could differ greatly between them, but he decided not to press further since he knew the system wouldn’t reveal everything anyway.

“How long have I been out?” Sage asked inwardly.

[ You have been sleeping for three days.]

“What? Three days?” His eyes widened in shock as his body trembled slightly at this revelation.

“Hissd!”

He inhaled sharply as pain shot through him at that moment; his face paled further as cold sweat broke out across his skin. After taking several deep breaths, the pain gradually subsided.

Before Sage could process this new information fully, the system spoke again: “And because of the restrictions I broke to save you, you’ve incurred some penalties.”

Sage felt a wave of unease wash over him as he listened. He swallowed hard, his throat feeling hot and dry, and asked, “What kind of penalties?”

[ Due to the restrictions violated by the system in an attempt to save your life, the Guild Invincible Buff has been removed. This is necessary for the other functions of the system to operate.]

The system was silent for some fell seconds before responding.

Sage who was lying completely paralysed on the bed felt a cold chill run down his spine as his pupils constricted.

“What?”

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