The door clicked shut behind Sara, leaving a heavy silence in the kitchen that pressed down like a weight. Lys turned, his eyes landing on Elara and Mira at the table. Elara's hands clutched the spilled mug, her fingers white-knuckled, tea dripping unnoticed onto the floor. Her lips moved soundlessly, eyes wide and fixed on the window where lantern lights bobbed like angry fireflies. Mira stood frozen halfway to the door, her face drained of color, one hand gripping the back of a chair as if it might keep her upright. The barks outside grew sharper, mingled with muffled shouts, the night turning hostile.
Lys forced a smile, trying to curve his lips into something reassuring, but it faltered before it formed, his mouth twisting instead into a grim line. The fear in their eyes mirrored back at him, twisting his gut. 'What do I do now?'
The thought hit hard, regret flooding in like cold water. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed Selene that far, gold coin or not, stripping her in public? It was bold, too bold. But then Mitsu's face flashed in his mind, her tear-streaked cheeks, the way she'd cowered in the mud, arms raised against the blows.
'No. What I did was right. That woman needed a lesson, sharp and unforgettable. No question about it. But what now?'
The shouts outside swelled, a man's voice booming, John's, probably, cutting through the night. Sara's reply followed, steady but tense. Consequences loomed like shadows: would they drag him out, lock him up? Fine the family until they lost the house? Or worse, make Mitsu pay, strip her too, or Mira, in some twisted revenge?
Countless ideas churned inside him, blood pounding in his ears, anger rising hot and fast. He needed something to do, anything, to tip the scales, to make him stronger right here, right now. To get past this situation.
Then something came into his head. The system. It clicked in his head like a key turning. He had SP saved up, 460 SP, from the jewelry quest and others since. His eyes glazed slightly as he willed the interface open, the blue glow appearing only to him, hovering like a ghost in his vision. The skill shop tab expanded, rows of options scrolling down.
<< Skill Shop >>
Aura of Intimidation (Active): Emit a subtle aura that makes others hesitant to approach or attack. Cost: 600 SP
Enhanced Reflexes (Passive): Boost reaction time in combat or tense situations. Cost: 650 SP
Charm Boost (Active): Temporarily increase favorability with a target. Cost: 600 SP
Shadow Step (Active): Move silently and blend into darkness for short bursts. Cost: 500 SP
Pain Tolerance (Passive): Reduce felt pain by 30%. Cost: 450 SP
Persuasion Mastery (Active): Improve success rate in negotiations or de-escalations. Cost: 450 SP
Vitality Surge (Active): Temporarily increase stamina and healing rate. Cost: 350 SP
Mind Shield (Passive): Resist mental influences or intimidation. Cost: 600 SP
Quick Learn (Active): Accelerate skill acquisition from observation. Cost: 450 SP
Lys scrolled again, the list blurring as voices from outside came inside, Sara's firm tone clashing with John's roar, words like "don't try to be on his side" and "punishment" slicing through the walls. His finger hovered in the air, invisible to others, flicking through more.
Eagle Eye (Active): Sharpen vision for details at a distance. Cost: 400 SP
Lie Detection (Active): Sense falsehoods in speech. Cost: 380 SP
Adrenaline Rush (Active): Boost strength and speed in crisis. Cost: 480 SP
The barks outside turned to growls, boots scuffing the dirt outside, the crowd's murmur building like a storm. Lys's pulse raced, sweat beading on his forehead. Some skills screamed useful, repel attacks, resist pressure, calm his family, but all of them cost a bit high, over his 460. He scrolled faster, breath shallow.
Finally, one caught his eye, affordable, fitting the current chaos unfolding outside. He selected it, and instantly SP drained in a flash. A tingle of pain spread through him, like electricity humming under his skin, the shift settling in his bones. The system's confirmation blinked once, then vanished.
Outside, the argument spiked, John's voice thundering. Inside, Elara whispered, "What's happening?" Mira pressed her face to the window, her breath fogging the glass. Lys stood straighter, feeling the new skill's effect faintly, ready for whatever came next.