Free Web NovelChapter 2: Newborn Ranger
Despite the heavy evening shadows clinging to Tanchapel’s narrow streets, Xander moved with quiet confidence as he slipped out of the Oxhollow Inn. His steps were light and purposeful, honed by years of instinct from another life.
He ducked into a dim alley, instinctively hugging the deeper darkness. This was an old habit, one that would have enhanced a proper Stealth ability under better conditions. But with his current frail body and lack of any adventurer class, such maneuvers remained mere echoes of muscle memory.
Around the next corner, two ragged youths handed over their daily haul to a burly enforcer. Xander recognized the sharper movements of the taller boy — likely a level 2 Thief. These street urchins worked the crowds, but every copper flowed upward to the gang that controlled them.
The enforcer glanced at Xander, noting the faint noble emblem on his sleeve, and muttered a curse under his breath. Xander kept his head low and quickened his pace. He was in no position to provoke trouble yet.
---
The various divine orders struggled to expand in Tanchapel, a key stronghold of the southern arcane alliance. Other cities faced similar restrictions, but the Silver Order stood apart. It had carved out significant influence here, becoming the city’s third major power. This stemmed from the pragmatic nature of the Silver God’s followers.
While the proud arcanists primarily revered the supreme Wizard God, they still needed coin. After the old God of Wealth fell, the Silver God — once a minor divinity, gained traction among merchants, and the ruling wizards followed suit.
Xander knew the Silver Order’s priests well. They were practical men driven by profit. For the right price, they would channel divine power without hesitation. They were also among the few who sold healing spells for mere silver.
The original youth had known this but tried to cut corners, paying the ultimate price. Xander had no intention of repeating that error.
The pawnshop sat tucked deep in a winding alley. According to the merged memories, its owner had a decent reputation for this part of town. An old goblin with a pair of pince-nez perched on his long nose greeted Xander with a cunning grin. Clearly, the body’s previous owner had been a repeat customer here.
After some careful negotiation, Xander exchanged the elegant pearl necklace for 150 silvers. His Accounting skill told him the piece was worth at least 300 on the open market. Redeeming it would cost 330. Pawnshops were ruthless, but with his Diplomacy at a meager 19, Xander accepted the terms. He lacked the leverage to haggle further.
He secured the small pouch carefully. In this world, silvers were tiny — scarcely larger than a fingernail. Even 150 of them fit neatly in a discreet satchel.
With the fever still at bay, Xander made straight for the Silver Order’s local shrine. After handing over 80 silvers, a middle-aged priest with a deceptively kind face agreed to invoke the "Silver Order’s Radiance."
A gentle warmth spread through Xander’s veins as Remove Disease and Cure Light Wounds took effect.
"Under the effect of Remove Disease, your status has recovered to Healthy!"
"[Weakness Penalty: Attribute Reduction - 70%] Removed."
"HP recovered: 26/26"
The system messages brought a surge of relief. The crushing weakness that had plagued him finally lifted. With a full 26 Health Points, his body felt markedly stronger, though still far from his former legendary prowess.
"You look much improved, young master," the priest said, a hint of exhaustion in his voice. He had only three spells per day, and each drained considerable spirit.
Xander thanked him and left promptly. He did not return to the Oxhollow Inn. Instead, he set his mind to the urgent task ahead: building real power in this world.
Survival demanded strength. The gods’ incursions and abyssal threats were approaching, but the immediate crisis was Redoak Vale. Hundreds of gnolls had seized the castle and mines. Relying on Tanchapel’s lord seemed increasingly futile — the city officials’ delays reeked of conspiracy.
Worse, a soulbound quest had appeared in his interface:
---
[Reclaim Your Territory – Gnoll Invasion]
[Quest Description: In the Summer of 297 of the Fourth Arcane Era, your lands in Redoak Vale suffered a brutal gnoll incursion. You barely escaped to Tanchapel seeking aid, but the city hall’s endless delays raise suspicions. You cannot depend on others. Rely on yourself.]
[Quest Reward: 1000 General Experience Points.]
[Deadline: 29 days remaining]
---
Soulbound quests could not be abandoned short of death and rebirth. The 1000 general experience was exceptionally generous — enough to propel a fresh adventurer class to level 3 with surplus. In Eudroya, such rapid progress was rare.
The quest made it clear: Xander would have to handle this himself. As the pampered noble he currently was, failure was certain. He needed a combat class immediately.
As a former top player, he already had a plan before leaving the inn.
---
Tanchapel’s bustling trade district, behind the Succubus Tavern.
A disheveled beggar huddled beneath a tattered blanket, begging passersby in a slurred voice. "Please... just a sip of wine, even watered down..."
He lifted his head weakly, nostrils flaring at the faintest trace of alcohol on the night air.
"Get lost, you old sot!" A surly thug kicked him. The beggar tumbled but clutched his blanket tightly.
A group of rough patrons laughed as they entered the tavern’s back door. This was the gray underbelly of the district, near the slums. Gangs clashed constantly here. Organ traders, slave rings, and black-market weapons thrived in the shadows. Few decent folk lingered.
The beggar clutched his stomach and retreated into his blanket. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Once the group passed and the alley quieted, the sharp scent of fine golden rum cut through the air. The beggar emerged again, eyes desperate.
"Ten silvers for this bottle of golden rum," a calm young voice offered.
The beggar stared hungrily at the sealed bottle, guessing from the voice that it belonged to a youth.
"Sir, mercy... let me taste it..." He lunged suddenly.
Xander sidestepped smoothly. Looking at the red-eyed beggar, he said evenly, "To receive, you must first give."
The man crawled forward, a foul odor rising. Swallowing hard, he rasped, "What do you want?"
Xander smiled and handed over a carefully prepared letter along with a vial of red sealing paste. He had readied them earlier.
This was a risky shortcut, but the fastest path to a class. He had learned of it from a trusted ally in his previous life.
Normally, gaining a class required reaching level 5 in the basic Commoner path, then completing a dedicated quest. Xander had no time for that. He was willing to forgo his most familiar path, Thief, for something compatible. Fortunately, this alternative also led to the pinnacle of Ruler of the Dusk.
The beggar examined the letter with shaking hands, then produced a dark, worn badge.
’The gamble paid off. He really is a high-ranking adventurer, at least second rank.’
The man’s ingrained movements — especially how he had curled into the blanket, betrayed his past. That was the Hide skill.
"I cannot... my conscience..." the beggar protested weakly.
Xander encouraged him gently and passed the rum. "Of course you can."
The beggar’s breathing grew ragged. He pressed the badge into the paste and sealed the letter. A circle of holly leaves surrounded the name "Vance Redthorn."
Xander’s heart raced as he accepted the sealed document. While the beggar eagerly drank, Xander vanished down the alley.
[Recommendation Letter Received.]
[Class Acquired.]
Half an hour later, Xander emerged from the Ranger Guild with a sleek sika deer badge pinned to his chest.
He had successfully obtained the Rank 1 Ranger class.
At the same time, a new title appeared:
[Newborn Ranger]
