CHAPTER 43: EVEN MORE FAMOUS? [I]

Since Lucius went off stream, people had been buzzing with speculation.

Where had he gone?

Why did he suddenly disappear after single-handedly humiliating a squad of bounty hunters and turning the tables on them with that clever scam?

For most viewers, surviving such chaos should have left him shaken, hiding in fear.

Yet Lucius von Hohenberg had simply vanished offline, leaving nothing but questions behind.

That was until his newest post dropped.

The feed exploded instantly.

His account uploaded a high-resolution image of him holding a parchment — the official Grimmaw Guild contract signed and stamped.

But the post wasn’t just a picture.

Beneath it was a long caption, it was so good that it didn’t take more than five minutes before it spread across networks, gaming forums, Guild boards, and even news feeds.

[In the end, I decided to join Grimmaw. But it’s not because the other GUILDS are inferior.

On the contrary, I was humbled when I saw the requests flooding in from names I never dreamed would notice me — Guilds like the Winter Guild, Aegis Vanguard, Stormbringers, Dawn Alliance, and even the Iron Legion.

These are astounding groups with heroes and legends in their ranks. Rejecting them wasn’t easy, and I didn’t refuse out of dislike.

The truth is, I have a goal — just like many others in this world. It may sound childish, but I believe that Awakeners today have strayed from the path that birthed us.

The First Awakener was not remembered because he was rich, famous, or adored.

He was remembered because when monsters spilled into our world and hope crumbled, he stood as a wall for humanity.

His example was meant to be our compass.

But look at us now. We drown ourselves in sponsorships, gold-plated weapons, and luxury mansions while dungeons fester and small towns fall in silence.

We trade the glory of service for the glitter of coins. I won’t claim I’m as noble as the First Awakener — I’m broke, shameless, and hungry half the time but I want to walk a road that at least tries to resemble his.

That’s why Grimmaw stood out to me. They don’t flood the air with adverts, don’t promise gold or status.

Yet when the government needs a raid done quietly, efficiently, and without excuses, Grimmaw is the one chosen.

Their Guild Master shares my belief: that an Awakener is, first and foremost, a protector.

I know some of you will be disappointed. I know many expected me to join a Guild with prestige, banners, and songs written in their honor.

But I cannot chase applause when my heart points elsewhere.

So yes — I’ve chosen Grimmaw. And if you think less of me for it... then so be it. But if you believe, like me, that the fire of the old days still mattersthen perhaps we’ll walk the same road one day.

— Lucius von Hohenberg]

The internet roared.

Far from backlash, people swarmed the comments in agreement. His words, raw as they were, had struck a nerve.

For years, even ordinary citizens complained that Guilds seemed more like corporations than guardians. And now, a fresh voice had said it plainly, without sugarcoating.

Even the Guilds he had turned down publicly showed no bitterness. Instead, official accounts reposted his message, adding their own words of respect.

But the biggest shock was the surge of applications Grimmaw received within the hour. People who never once looked their way were now flooding in, claiming they wanted to stand where Lucius stood.

The post even trended high enough to alert government higher-ups. His name was now impossible to ignore.

...

Meanwhile, Lucius himself was anything but glamorous.

He stirred awake with a low groan, the dull throb in his right hand reminding him of the brutal spar earlier.

Slowly flexing his fingers, he grimaced.

"Fuck... I really need a regeneration spell," he muttered.

His eyes scanned the dim room. He was alone. Elara must have slipped out after finishing her work.

’System,’ he thought sharply, and the familiar interface blinked to life before his eyes.

[System Shop]

[Here you can buy any item, skill, or spell. If you don’t have enough points, you may take a loan.]

[Current SP: 5,000 SP]

Lucius blinked. "Shop function? Finally. Took you long enough."

A smirk crept over his face as he noticed the loan option.

"Even better. A line of credit. A broke System user’s dream."

Still, the 5,000 SP starting balance wasn’t bad at all. Likely a bonus for clearing multiple starter missions.

His gaze flicked to the search bar. "And it works like Google? Best system ever."

He typed quickly: Regeneration Skills.

Dozens of results flooded the screen.

But one in particular caught his eye.

[Minor Healing (Lv.1)]

[Description: A healing aura surrounds the wounded spots and slowly heals them up. Capable of mending broken bones and minor wounds. Cannot restore lost limbs.]

[Cost: 100 SP]

[Would you like to buy this skill?]

[Y / N]

He didn’t plan on buying anything high cost, not when skills could evolve, besides being a bit stingy didn’t kill anyone.

He selected [Y].

Instantly, a warmth suffused his body.

His bandaged hand tingled, then buzzed, then melted into a pleasant numbness as flesh knit together beneath the aura.

In less than a minute, the pain vanished entirely.

[Minor Healing (Lv.1) has leveled up to (Lv.2).]

Lucius exhaled with satisfaction. He unwound the gauze and flexed his fingers. Not a trace of injury remained.

"Finally. Rock Lee no more," he muttered, rolling his shoulders.

Feeling the air conditioning prickle against his skin, he tugged off his shirt and tossed it aside, basking in the cool current.

He leaned back on the bed, eyes closed, letting himself relax, the post would probably be getting some backlash but what the hell did he care? He had done his best.

That peace lasted all of thirty seconds.

The door slammed open with a bang, rebounding off the wall.

Lucius froze.

"Lucius! Thank you, thank you, thank—Oh..."

The voice halted mid-sentence.

He cracked open one eye.

Vanessa was there, frozen in the doorway, words strangled in her throat as her gaze lingered not on his face but on his bare chest.

Lucius tilted his head, suddenly very aware of the situation.

’Why is she so shy?’ He wondered as he saw her face brighten, she had seen them today hadn’t she?