Chapter 3
Rustle—
In a quiet, spacious room, the only sound was the occasional faint flipping of paper.
Immediately following a series of recent disturbances, Eric had been summoned to Duke Ather’s office. Standing uncomfortably by the door for quite some time, he furrowed his brows at the sight.
“Even when I played as Allen Ather, he wasn’t much of a good father… but now, even after his one and only legitimate son almost got stabbed by a guard, he shows no reaction at all. Is this because he’s still his own son he ‘gave birth’ to?”
Austin Ather—Eric’s father, the current head of the Ather family, responsible for defending the empire from northern monsters.
Since inheriting the headship from previous generations, he had proven himself not only in defending the northern regions but also in driving away monster hordes outside the walls and developing parts of the land.
A capable leader, unmatched in combat ability even in the game, yet not a father one could call “good,” not even with flattery.
He hadn’t even glanced at his son who had just barely survived death. When Eric had played as Allen Ather, no heroic deed on the frontlines would have earned his father’s recognition.
“Well, I suppose it makes sense… The son of the woman he truly loved ended up like this, and she herself died from postpartum complications. I can understand that.”
It was a sad story, and back when Eric had played the game previously, the lack of family support had been frustrating. Yet now, inhabiting this useless body of Eric Ather, it was oddly fortunate.
Despite the principle of primogeniture, in the monster-ridden, ability-focused northern regions, even the family elders supported the capable illegitimate son, Allen Ather. Yet the heir was still undecided. The reason? The current duke’s attention remained fixed on this incompetent legitimate son, reflecting on his lost love.
“The attempt on my life earlier was essentially because of this succession problem.”
Thunk—
“Eric.”
How long had passed since then? Though treated by skilled clergy, Eric’s wounds hadn’t fully healed, and standing still was increasingly difficult. At last, he pushed aside the pile of documents and approached the duke at his desk.
“The guard suddenly attacked me.”
Despite his casual tone, his gaze toward his incompetent son was filled with incredulity, as if asking, “How are you still alive?”
“Wha… That’s the first thing you say after I almost died?!”
Though Eric felt a surge of emotion, he swallowed it. To clear Protect Humanity, he needed the duke’s help.
The current duke wasn’t just a figurehead; he was considered one of the most outstanding Ather heads in history, holding full control over the family.
“Yes. That’s right.”
Suppressing his frustration, Eric nodded calmly. His body felt as if it could collapse at any moment, but he tried to keep it outwardly unnoticed. In the North, a weak body drew only scorn; complaining now would only worsen matters.
“So… did you kill him?”
“I couldn’t just stand by and die.”
Austin tapped the desk with his pen tip at Eric’s unhesitant response. Even if the guard was formally assigned to protect the incompetent son, he was still an Ather family knight. And though born weak, the guard should not have been a real threat.
“Hmm.”
Eyeing Eric suspiciously, he relaxed only after noticing the pale, sweat-drenched state of his son. Wasn’t he badly injured on the side? Though treated, the blood he had lost couldn’t have been trivial. Simply standing must be difficult.
“You may leave.”
Though curious, there was no need for further interrogation. The attack seemed to be provoked by the guard anyway.
“Father.”
As Eric stepped back, his weakened body faltering, he caught his breath and spoke.
Recalling the words of the guard who had tried to kill him:
“Don’t hold too much resentment. If you handle this right, they’ll send you where you want.”
So… whoever could intervene in his assignment had some influence. Likely an elder wishing for Allen Ather’s succession, frustrated that Eric’s survival delayed the process.
“I want to learn swordsmanship.”
Eric hesitated, then quietly spoke.
Surely the duke knew someone had a hand in the guard’s actions; rather than waiting for resolution, Eric thought it better to earn favor.
“A sword, you say?”
Having almost died at the hands of a guard, he resolved to change and mature as the family’s troublemaking scion.
“…I’ll inform the steward.”
“Hah… hah…”
It had been a week living as Eric Ather, unable to log out while enduring the game’s hellish difficulty. Summoned daily to the training grounds by the duke, Eric’s body was drenched in sweat even after just a few minutes of sword practice as he headed to the dining hall.
“Isn’t that the second son?”
“Always causing trouble in the streets?”
“He almost got killed by a guard, right? They say he’s been showing up to training ever since.”
“Hah. Will this change anything? Weak, clumsy with a sword… probably quits soon anyway.”
Standing at the end of the long serving line, Eric ignored the whispers around him.
Traditionally, Ather family princes trained and dined alongside the family knights before reaching adulthood, ensuring they could command the Northern defense forces.
“These knights speak so freely in front of their prince. Not entirely wrong, though.”
He could have resolved this privately, but doing so would prevent him from clearing the game.
The game’s starting point was roughly three years before Allen Ather’s coming-of-age ceremony. To claim key lands for Protect Humanity, he needed to persuade the elders and win the duke’s favor first.
Thunk—
“Who’s this? That damn delinquent son?”
After enduring a sharp glare and getting his meal, Eric had just taken his first bite when someone intentionally tipped their soup across the table. Frowning, Eric recognized the culprit.
“Look at you, acting like a prince just because you barely survived. Do you want to try playing lord now?”
Ivan Ather—the youngest prince, half-brother of Allen Ather.
In the original game, he had been a loyal, dog-like younger brother, but now, facing Eric, he immediately started picking a fight. Exhausted as he was, Eric let out a heavy sigh.
“Apparently, you got hit at the back of the head in the room. I wonder how badly you must have annoyed people to get a guard to attack you… Poor guy, yet somehow survived.”
Eric wiped the spilled soup off his clothes, then threw off his gloves at Ivan, who seemed to be baiting him.
Smack!
“Ha! Do you understand what this means…?”
“Ivan.”
Unprepared for the immediate response, Ivan received a solid smack from the glove and froze.
“You’re too insolent. This calls for some education.”
Whispers ceased, and even the knights dining in silence turned their attention.
Eric, worried about persuading the elders and the duke, now found it convenient.
“Do you understand what this glove means?”
“Of course.”
In the North, where the Ather family ruled, meritocracy was absolute. Skill could immediately overturn reputation.
Though he couldn’t erase his infamous past entirely, publicly defeating Ivan would send a message.
“One month. Exactly one month from today, I challenge you to a duel.”
Allen Ather, the original protagonist, had been exceptional. Ivan, however, was also recognized as a talented heir of the Ather family.
“One month? The weak delinquent who never trained now thinks he can beat me in a month?”
Ivan laughed at the request, but upon realizing he had been underestimated, scowled furiously at Eric.
Ding—
<Ivan Ather> Level: 33 Strength: 67 Agility: 85 Stamina: 62 Magic: 30
Meeting Ivan’s gaze without flinching, Eric saw the notification pop up with a smirk.
<Eric Ather> Level: -99 Strength: 1 Agility: 1 Stamina: 1 Magic: 1
An overwhelmingly hopeless difference in stats.
Yet with enough time, defeating an opponent who underestimated him wouldn’t be difficult.
“One month is more than enough for someone like you.”
After all, he had cleared this game multiple times before.
