Chapter 37: This Old Geezer... I Just Love a Naive Newbie Like You
Chapter 37: Chapter 37: This Old Geezer... I Just Love a Naive Newbie Like You
Jon turned around, his gaze meeting Reya’s clear eyes.
In them, he saw anticipation, apprehension, and a trace of some other, indefinable emotion.
In player terms, she was a total newbie, one of those "pure but naive" types, possessing an innocence yet untainted by knowledge.
He had once been just like that.
Except back then, the ones who had led him to understand this world were a group of rowdy friends.
They had stuffed all sorts of gear into his hands as a starting gift and taught him step-by-step how to use game mechanics and the environment to fight, how to find quests after reaching a new map, and how to negotiate with NPCs for the best outcome...
These little moments with his friends were precious memories buried deep in his heart.
And now, he seemed to have unconsciously become the "pro" that "newbies" looked up to.
’How unpredictable life is...’
He couldn’t help but sigh at the thought again.
When Reya saw that Jon had only responded to her question with a noncommittal two-word question of his own and still hadn’t answered after turning to face her, she grew anxious.
She asked in a small voice.
"Mr. Jon, what is it? Was my question too presumptuous?"
"No, it’s a very good question—"
Jon shook his head slightly, his voice taking on a serious tone.
"The very fact that you’re thinking this way already puts you ahead of countless others. It’s the foundation for becoming powerful."
"I’m just thinking about how to answer you. After all, there are too many ways to grow stronger to list them all."
"Is... is that so?"
Reya’s head drooped, disheartened. She couldn’t help but think, ’I’m so stupid... It must be hard for even Mr. Jon to answer such a broad question...’
In the next instant, however, Jon’s words rekindled her hope.
"Do you remember what I told you in the mine yesterday?"
"I remember!"
The girl’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly jumped in.
"You said it, Mr. Jon—understand your enemies, then use wisdom and courage to take them down."
"Right. Courage and wisdom."
Jon repeated the two words, turning to look out at the swirling snow.
His deep voice was like an undying ember, burning brightly in the girl’s heart.
"Those two words carry a lot of meaning, but when applied specifically to the path of a Professional, they often point to two things—conviction and knowledge."
"The higher you build up these two, the stronger you will become."
"Is that right..."
Reya smoothed back a few strands of hair the wind had blown across her forehead. Gazing at Jon’s stern profile, her voice held a hint of longing.
"Then, Mr. Jon... where should I seek these two kinds of Power?"
"The former you seek within, the latter you seek without."
Jon answered without hesitation.
"Your fight with that rock scorpion yesterday already proved your conviction. It proved you have the courage to resist and to struggle."
"What you lack now is only [Knowledge]."
He bent down and picked up a dry branch from the ground, one that was bowed but not yet broken by the snow. With a casual swing, he exuded a sharp aura that made Reya’s eyes flicker.
"A Warrior’s Swordsmanship, a Mage’s Magic, an Artisan’s craft..."
"These are things that are difficult to figure out on your own. You must find a reliable path to learn them."
"Therefore, you need to make a choice."
He paused, giving Reya time to digest his words.
"If you want to learn Swordsmanship, you must find a Warrior’s legacy. If you want to control the elements, you must seek out a Mage’s tomes. If you’re curious about any unique talents or bloodlines you might have, you’ll need to seek help from organizations that study such things."
"And if you believe in the existence of great, immortal beings, you can try to comprehend the radiance of a Deity and draw Power from faith."
"Choose the Power you want, choose the price you will pay, and choose the path you believe in."
Jon watched Reya with a calm gaze.
"Miss Reina, the path is right in front of you. You must decide which one to take."
The red-haired girl felt her heart begin to beat violently.
She understood Jon’s meaning completely.
This was a multiple-choice question—a decision that would determine her future Destiny.
Her biggest problem wasn’t a lack of choices, but that there were too many!
Should she return to her family and seek out the martial arts passed down through generations?
Should she turn to the Church, seeking divine grace with faith as her cornerstone?
Or should she become an Adventurer like Mr. Jon, relying on herself to figure out her own fighting style?
Her thoughts surged like a tidal wave. But when she recalled the sight of her fallen guards and felt the flickering flame in her chest that yearned for justice, she made the choice that was most true to her nature, and the most resolute.
In an instant, her eyes were lit by a sacred light, brilliant and dazzling.
She snapped her head up to look at Jon.
"Mr. Jon, I understand!"
Jon looked at Reya’s eyes, which shone with a dazzling radiance, and sighed internally.
’As expected of one chosen by a god.’
’When the choice was laid before her, she naturally chose the path of faith.’
’She just doesn’t understand what a path of thorns and hardship her future will be.’
Jon thought of what the [Flame-haired Princess] had looked like when he’d seen her during a quest in the past.
At that time, she was more mature, more alluringly feminine. Her stunningly beautiful face always wore a smile that felt like a spring breeze, and she was kind and gentle to everyone, as warm as the Sun.
But he could sense a truth beneath it all—she was very lonely.
After all, she had lost so much.
Her father had died, her relatives had been sacrificed, she had single-handedly propped up a massive chamber of commerce, she had battled wits with unscrupulous restorationist factions, and clawed her way through the dog-eat-dog world of politics... until at last, she stood alone at the pinnacle of power.
By then, the clarity she had now was gone from her eyes.
If that was the "price" she had to pay, it was far too cruel.
’But, since I’m here, maybe things will be different?’
’Who’s to say I can’t? I’m a reckless outsider, after all.’
’I just don’t like watching tragedies unfold. I’m going to change things!’
’Of course, if I were to be a bit more pragmatic and selfish about it...’
’I need people to work for me, and this [Flame-haired Princess] would be a great asset!’
After running that thought through his mind, he tossed the dry branch aside and called out to Reya.
"It’s best that you understand."
"Let’s go. First, as we discussed, we’ll find you a place to hide."
Then he strode forward once more, pushing on against the wind and snow.
Reya was no longer lost, but now, a different kind of light shone in her eyes as she looked at Jon.
She knew she had truly met someone incredible.
’Mr. Jon... I will definitely repay you!’
The red-haired girl thought to herself, suppressing the scorching tremor deep in her heart as she strode forward to keep pace with Jon.
’To bravely pursue the feelings in your heart—that is also one of Po Ao’s teachings!’