Era of Players: Death God
Chapter 61 - 61: [Bonus Chapter] Arthur Kaamelott

In another location on the island.

Sunlight struggled to pierce the dense canopy of the ancient forest. Towering trees, their bark etched with the stories of centuries, stretched skyward like weathered giants. Moss, emerald green and thick, clung to their gnarled trunks, while vines, as thick as a man's arm, snaked between them, forming a tangled tapestry.

The air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, a richness that spoke of a world undisturbed for millennia. The only sounds were the occasional rustle of unseen creatures and the distant murmur of a hidden stream. Beneath the towering canopy, the forest floor was shrouded in perpetual twilight.

A carpet of fallen leaves, brown and gold, cushioned every step, their gentle crunch the only sound to break the silence. Here and there, shafts of sunlight, like spotlights on a grand stage, illuminated pockets of vibrant green ferns and delicate wildflowers pushing their way through the decaying leaves.

Mushrooms, in a riot of colors and shapes, dotted the forest floor, while strange, twisted roots clawed their way through the undergrowth, like the grasping fingers of some unseen creature. The air itself felt charged with a primal energy, a sense of ancient power that resonated deep within the bones. It was a place of mystery and magic, a timeless realm where nature reigned supreme.

In the heart of the ancient forest, sunlight dappled the clearing where Arthur stood, his golden hair ablaze in the filtered light. A young knight, barely past his first bloom, he faced a band of hobgoblins, their guttural snarls echoing through the silent trees. His blue eyes, usually bright with youthful enthusiasm, held a steely glint in the face of the threat.

The fight was brutal. The hobgoblins, stocky and fierce, swung their crude weapons with abandon. Arthur, though nimble on his feet, bore the brunt of their assault. His two-handed sword, a weapon passed down through generations, became a whirlwind of steel as he parried and riposted with a skill belying his age.

Sweat beaded on his brow, and exhaustion gnawed at his limbs, but his determination never wavered.

With a final, bone-crushing blow, Arthur sent the last hobgoblin sprawling, its guttural cry cut short. He stood panting, the clearing littered with the fallen bodies of his foes. Despite the adrenaline coursing through him, a wave of weariness washed over him.

A soft vibration hummed on his wrist – his smart bracelet. With a weary swipe, he accessed the latest leaderboard. A smile, genuine and warm, spread across his face as he saw Noah's name at the top. His friend, the young man who looks at him as if he was annoying, was always striving to be the best.

A pang of longing crossed him. He, too, dreamt of a day when he could test his mettle against Noah, a friendly duel between two warriors pushing each other to greater heights. But now wasn't the time. Arthur sheathed his sword, its worn leather whispering tales of past battles.

There were other threats lurking in the shadows, other creatures that needed to be vanquished before he could entertain the thought of a friendly competition.

"One day, Noah," he murmured to himself, the rustling leaves carrying his words away.

"One day, we'll fight side-by-side.But for now, there's work to be done."

With renewed determination, Arthur turned away from the clearing, venturing deeper into the emerald embrace of the forest. He knew his path would be fraught with danger, but the thought of Noah leading the way fueled his steps.

As he marched deeper in the forest after healing his injury with Heal, his first Exclusive skill born from the Light element, Arthur couldn't help but think about Noah.

Despite the distance Noah placed between them, a distance that felt like a precipice where trust teetered on the edge, Arthur held a genuine desire for friendship. Initially, curiosity piqued his interest. Noah wasn't just any new face; he was the son of Logan, the infamous Spear of Destruction, and whispers painted him as a fighter surpassing even his father.

Yet, upon meeting Noah, a different picture emerged. The young man with his shock of grey hair borderline silver carried a detached air that both intrigued and unsettled Arthur. A primal instinct, a whisper in the back of his mind, urged him to forge a bond with Noah.

It was a hunch, a feeling that being around this enigmatic man would lead to exciting and unpredictable turns – a much-needed shakeup in this stagnant era of players.

There was a captivating mystery surrounding Noah, a shroud that drew Arthur in like a moth to a flame. He yearned not just for friendship, but perhaps to become a confidante. For beneath Noah's aloof facade, Arthur, blessed with the Light Element, sensed a profound sense of loneliness. It resonated with him on a deep level.

He wanted to bridge the gap, to offer a sliver of solace and companionship, to chip away at the walls Noah had built around himself. Perhaps, in time, he could become the friend Noah needed, the one to chase away the shadows that clung to him.

''I'm hungry.'' Arthur suddenly stopped on his track. Feeling hungry he decided to feel his empty stomach before he would continue slaying monsters to quickly increase his level to reach the next rank, he had to reach the Regular rank before the end of the day, he currently at Level 17.

Arthur unwrapped the sandwich, the scent of cured meat and cheese a welcome distraction from the damp forest air. It was a simple meal, thrown together before dawn, but the tangy mustard and the satisfying crunch of the bread brought a smile to his face. He took a thoughtful bite, his eyes scanning the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Every rustle, every snap of a twig, sent a jolt of awareness through him. Years of hunting had honed his senses, turning the symphony of the forest into a language he understood.

The water, cool and refreshing, helped wash away the last crumbs as he crumpled the empty wrapper into his backpack.

''Well, time to work harder not only in leveling up, I must increase my points as well.'' Arthur disappeared into the depth of the forest. Time for some hunting.