The morning sun crept over the treetops as Leon stepped out of Selene's manor. The velvet opulence of her lair faded behind him, replaced by crisp mountain air and the scent of pine. His body still tingled with the echo of the bond the system's presence thrumming just beneath his skin like a second heartbeat.
[Bond Status: Active – Selene | Sync Level: 1]
[New Trait: Command Presence – Minor increase to charisma during interactions involving assertion or leadership.]
The words shimmered before his eyes, then vanished. Leon blinked. "Still getting used to that," he muttered.
Selene had offered him a choice: stay and deepen their bond under her guidance or explore and learn how the system reacted in the real world. Predictably, Leon chose freedom. Or at least the illusion of it.
He followed a narrow dirt path winding down from the mountain, boots crunching through frost-lined grass. In the distance, a town unfurled like a painting cobbled streets, wooden rooftops, smoke rising from chimneys.
Thorneveil.
A merchant hub built around a crossroads of magical ley lines, and, more importantly, a hotspot for system users, or so Selene claimed.
As he approached the gate, a message popped up.
[Location Detected: Thorneveil – Neutral Zone]
[Hidden System Activity: Medium] [Potential Sync Targets Nearby: 3]
Leon paused. "Targets?" he muttered. "So it tracks people too?"
The system gave no answer, only another soft chime as he stepped into town.
Thorneveil bustled with life. Hawkers called out spells and charms like they were selling apples. Posters plastered across walls advertised "Enhancement Clinics" and "Bond Optimization Therapy" whatever that meant. Most people looked normal. But some wore enchanted gear that shimmered with soft system auras—proof they were bonded users.
Leon's thoughts were interrupted when a woman bumped into him, nearly knocking him over.
"Oh sorry!" she gasped, steadying herself.
She had short crimson hair and wore travel leathers. Her eyes flicked to his chest where the mark glowed faintly.
"Wait," she said, voice lowering. "You've been marked. You're a bonded host?"
Before Leon could answer
[Sync Candidate Detected – Name: Aria] [Class Type: Rogue | Compatibility: High | Recommended Bond Role: Support/Sub]
[Interaction Opportunity: Initiate?]
Leon blinked at the system prompt. "Already?"
"Uh… yeah. I guess I am," he said cautiously.
Aria's eyes sparkled. "Then you should be careful. If you're new, you've just painted a target on your back."
Leon frowned. "A target?"
She leaned in. "Some users don't want to bond with you. They want to *break* you."
[Quest Unlocked: Trial by Fire]
Survive your first encounter with a hostile user. Reward: 100 BP, combat unlock.
Leon's gut twisted.
"Where do I start?" he asked.
Aria smirked. "Follow me. If you want to stay alive, you'll need allies. And your first lesson's about to hit hard."
Leon followed Aria through winding alleys and under hanging lanterns that swayed with the morning breeze. Despite the town's charm, there was a tension in the air like something coiled and waiting to strike.
They arrived at a secluded training yard tucked between an old smithy and a closed inn. Cracked stone tiles stretched beneath their feet, and the space was walled off with wooden fencing covered in talismans that shimmered faintly with protective wards.
Aria turned to him, tossing a wooden practice staff into his arms. "Hope you're a fast learner."
Before Leon could ask why, a heavy thud echoed from the far side of the yard. The gate swung open.
A tall figure stepped through. He wore a sleeveless trench coat, enchanted tattoos crawling down his arms like serpents. His eyes were cold, calculating.
[Hostile User Detected: Karr]
[System Path: Domination]
[Bond Count: 2]
[Status: Aggressive]
[Initiating Trial: Trial by Fire]
Karr cracked his neck and grinned. "Fresh blood, huh? Let's see what you've got."
Leon's hands tightened around the staff. "Why the hell does this guy want to fight me?"
"He doesn't care about you," Aria said, stepping back. "He wants to crush your system and take your Bond Power. It's how users climb the chain. By breaking others."
Karr lunged.
Leon barely managed to raise the staff in time to block a brutal downward swing. The shock jolted through his arms.
[Combat Initiated]
[Basic Weapon Skill: 0% Mastery]
[Auto-Sync: Active – Selene Bond]
[Trait Applied: Command Presence – Slight intimidation effect triggered.]
Karr paused mid-swing, just for a breath. Leon caught it—a flicker of hesitation.
"Not bad," Karr growled, backing up. "Most newbies don't even lift their arms."
Leon steadied his stance, instincts kicking in.
"I've had help," he said, and the system flared again.
[New Subsystem Activated: Combat Link – Passive Boost from Bonded Partner]
+10% Reaction Speed
+5% Physical Resilience
Karr's next strike came faster, a spinning side-kick aimed at Leon's ribs. He twisted, the blow grazing him but not landing clean.
Pain flared anyway.
Leon gritted his teeth. "So this is what it feels like to really be in danger."
But with the system surging and Aria watching, he couldn't run. Not now.
Karr came in for another blow.
And this time, Leon met him head-on.