Chapter 15: Reviewing Rewards The road to Starbloom City stretched ahead like a ribbon of gold beneath the setting sun. The rhythmic creaking of carriage wheels and the distant chatter of soldiers were the only sounds accompanying the quiet hum of motion. The mission was over — or at least, the immediate part of it — and the reward was already unfolding in unexpected ways. Immediately after the rescue, the royal knights had stormed Kraken Town, sweeping through it like a tidal wave. Unbeknownst to Azel, Steven had already contacted the Royal Order mid-operation — because of course he had. Steven Thorn wasn’t just the Sword Saint for show; the man was more prepared than the gods themselves. Leading the charge was none other than Knight Commander Mira, a woman whose presence alone sent criminals scurrying like rats. Azel had recognized her instantly. In the game, she had been a key support character and a fan favorite among players for her icy demeanor and hidden warmth — plus, her secret cooking skill subquest line had been a hilarious treat. The purge had already started. The mayor was detained, the underground network exposed, and Kraken Town was being turned inside out. It would change the game’s storyline forever, but Azel couldn’t care less. The original plot was trash anyway. Now, nestled inside a velvet-lined royal carriage, the day’s heroes were finally getting a moment of peace. Steven sat on one side, his legs crossed, a book open in his lap. He looked more like a relaxed scholar than a national figurehead, flipping through the pages with unnerving calm. On the opposite side, Azel sat squished between two girls — Princess Naelia resting her head on his right shoulder, Ira on his left. Both were asleep, breathing peacefully. Azel, however, was very much not asleep. His crimson eyes were wide and locked ahead, unblinking. It wasn’t the weight of two girls leaning into him that made him tense — it was the wall of glowing blue system notifications still patiently waiting to be acknowledged. ’Alright... let’s see what you’ve got for me,’ he thought. He dismissed the message queue gently and began sorting through the details. First off — Level 15. He blinked. ’I went up ten levels... just for saving two heroines?’ he muttered internally, suppressing a wild laugh. The system had been quiet for so long, he thought it had ghosted him. Now it was showering him with rewards like an overenthusiastic sugar daddy. A new message popped. [Class Selection Available] [You have reached the required level threshold: Level 10] In this world, everyone had a class. A defined role that shaped your stats, growth, and sometimes your fate. Classes weren’t just cosmetic — they gave unique skills, perks, and battle techniques. Azel glanced over the current class list: [Swordsman]: A master of blades. Specializes in close combat and stamina-based strikes. Gains proficiency with single and dual-handed swords. [Warrior]: Built like a tank. Focuses on brute strength and resilience. Can wield greatswords, battle axes, and tower shields. [Assassin]: Specializes in silent takedowns, critical strikes, and stealthy movement. Dual daggers and poison compatibility increased. [Gladiator]: Thrives in arena combat. Excels at counter attacks and momentum-based skills. Gains rage with every landed hit. [Duelist]: Agile, stylish, and deadly in one-on-one combat. Boosts speed and reaction time significantly. He scrolled through the options and sighed. ’Not bad. But not enough,’ he thought. It made sense. Since his Aura was already awakened, his class pool was narrowed to physical types only. To unlock magic compatibility — and more specifically, the hybrid path — he would need to obtain the legendary Dual-Core Elixir, a rare item located deep within the [Valley of the Twin Springs], one of the game’s major late-game locations. ’Something to do later,’ For now, he moved on to the real meat — the reward screens. ... [Reward Calculation Complete] [Heroine Saved – Naelia Starbloom | SSS-Class Heroine] [You have received an SSS-Class Reward] [Item Acquired: Dragonbreaker] [Rank: SSS] [Description] [When the heavens fell, and the world stood at the brink of ruin — when men cried and gods wept, a hero emerged with a blade that could split the skies. That sword cleaved dragons in twain and roared against the apocalypse, its edge forged from the will to protect and the fury of the betrayed.] [Weapon Buffs] [Ascension: Temporarily boosts both aura and mana reserves to peak capacity. Suppresses unnecessary emotions, enabling total combat focus.] [Maximization: Guarantees near-perfect accuracy and increased movement speed during wielding. Every slash is a killing blow.] [Arrogant: Dragonbreaker refuses to be drawn against unworthy foes. Only those with immense willpower may face its edge.] [World’s Chosen: Those who wield Dragonbreaker are recognized by the world as true Heroes. Aura detection marks them as a divine existence.] Azel visibly trembled. He looked down at the princess leaning on him, her breath soft and lips slightly parted. He blinked slowly. ’...Guess I really owe you for this one.’ He was now the holder of a Legendary Sword, one of the Thirteen Relics in the entire game — and he got it this early. It was the sword of the original Hero. A blade said to "judge fate itself." His pulse quickened. But the system wasn’t done. ... [Reward Calculation Complete] [Heroine Saved – Ira Valein | SS-Class Heroine] [You have received an SS-Class Reward] [Item Acquired: Supreme Aura Pill] [Rank: SS] [Description] [Aura is life itself — taken from it, drawn from it, returned to it. The Supreme Aura Pill contains life refined over centuries in the Sacred Valley. A single dose will burn through impurities and widen aura channels, tempering one’s foundation and empowering the soul.] Azel let out a long, low whistle. Between the Legendary Sword and the Pill that could supercharge his aura beyond comprehension, it was fair to say this had been one of the most profitable days of his life. He leaned back, careful not to disturb the girls sleeping beside him. His gaze shifted briefly to Ira. She had tucked her legs beneath her and her face, for once, looked peaceful. He couldn’t help but smile. "Today was a good day," he whispered to himself. And then — almost immediately, as if the universe heard him — Princess Naelia stirred in his arms, groggily opening her eyes. Her lips moved, voice barely audible. "...Mm... You smell nice..." Azel froze, face slowly heating up. Ira stirred next, blinking once. Then twice. Then, like a sleepy cat sensing a rival nearby, she instinctively shifted closer to him as well. Steven, still pretending to read, peered over the book’s edge with a sly grin. Azel groaned inwardly. ...Maybe not that good a day after all.