Cozy Warrior-Chapter 7: The Warrior’s Awakening

The interior of Master Tempu's dojo was warm and earthy. Sunlight streamed in through wide windows, dust dancing in the air. Wooden swords lined the walls, and old scrolls were stacked on the shelves like relics of a forgotten age.

"Come now, Saishi," Tempu said with a fatherly tone. "Let's begin your assignment."

The process was ancient. Tempu reached behind a cabinet and retrieved a wooden box sealed with golden rope. From inside, he pulled out a small stamp marked with the crest of the Adventurer Association—embedded with faint magical runes.

"This," he said, "is no ordinary stamp. It's been passed down to all licensed Class Masters across Hamriel. Only we can unlock your class and seal it to your A-ID."

He held out his hand. "Let me see your card, my boy."

Saishi reached out, but Hürs caught his arm.

"Master Tempu... before you look—please, keep what you see to yourself."

Tempu raised a brow. "What are you hiding from this old man, my boy?"

Then he looked down at the A-ID.

The light from the stamp glowed as it scanned the card. As the numbers revealed themselves, Tempu's expression dropped.

"...Seventy-four strength?" he whispered.

His fingers trembled for a moment. "How—how did you reach this level?"

"I just chopped wood... and mined stone. That's all I've ever done," Saishi replied, scratching the back of his neck.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

"Remarkable..." Tempu said, stunned. "Your body is already stronger than most elite warriors I've trained. You're like a blade never sharpened—but already forged in fire."

He pressed the stamp to the A-ID.

The crystal core glowed deep red. A pulse ran through Saishi's arm, then his chest, then his legs. His body shivered as warmth surged through him. It was as if something ancient had been unlocked inside him.

"You are now... officially a Warrior."

A red aura burst to life around Saishi's body.

It was deeper than most—dense, dark, and almost vibrating.

"What is this feeling?" Saishi asked, wide-eyed.

----------------------------------------Lore Note: Aura------------------------------------------------

-A visual manifestation of a person's primary stat.

-Warriors emit red, Mages blue, Assassins black, etc.

-The stronger the stat, the stronger the aura's intensity.

-Aura can be controlled through mental focus.

-Emitting too much can exhaust energy and expose your presence.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Your aura is powerful," Tempu said. "Too powerful for a new warrior. You must learn to control it—before it controls you."

Saishi closed his eyes. He tried to think of something peaceful—something safe.

His mind returned to his old village. The smell of pine trees. The hum of his father's axe. The feeling of warmth by the fire.

His aura slowly shrank.

"Good," Tempu said, smiling with pride. "Control like that takes others weeks to achieve. You're ahead already."

Then he turned to a wooden shelf and pulled down a bamboo training sword.

"I want to give you a gift—a skill to begin your path." He handed the sword to Saishi. "This is where all my students begin."

Saishi took the wooden sword in both hands. It felt light—too light. He squeezed the handle, but it began to crack.

A loud snap echoed through the room. The bamboo split, crumbling all the way to the hilt.

"...Oops," Saishi muttered.

Tempu just laughed. "That sword couldn't handle your strength. That confirms it—your training won't be ordinary."

He reached into a drawer and pulled out a scroll sealed in a red ribbon.

"Take this, my boy. It's your first skill scroll. Learn it well."

-----------------------------------------Skill Unlock: Assault---------------------------------------

Class: Warrior

Requirement: 20 Strength

Effect: A powerful dash attack used to close distance instantly. Deals bonus impact damage.

Best used: In fast hunts, ambushes, or when overwhelming an enemy with speed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How do I use it?" Saishi asked.

"Hold it to your chest, think of the skill, and let it absorb into you."

Saishi didn't hesitate. He pressed the scroll to his chest, and a red spark burst across his skin. The scroll dissolved into light and faded.

Tempu stepped back. "Now try it. Imagine the movement."

Saishi raised the shattered sword and visualized rushing forward with all his strength. His aura flared slightly, and the sword began to break again from the sheer pressure.

"Amazing..." Tempu whispered. "You've already got the instincts."

"I usually just use this," Saishi said, pulling his axe from his back.

Tempu stepped closer, inspecting the weapon. "The wood... it's black. And this shimmer... is that purple essence?"

He ran his fingers across the shaft and nodded.

"This is Obsidian Wood. From Larsa—the country of lava. This axe is not ordinary. How did you get it?"

"My father gave it to me. It's... a family heirloom."

"Then cherish it," Tempu said. "This weapon might one day save your life—and others."

Outside the dojo, the group waited. Jibo leaned against the wall, sharpening a knife. Mo smoked lazily by a fire pit, blowing rings into the air.

As Saishi and Hürs stepped out, Mo stood.

"About damn time, Brother! You find your warrior bones in there?"

"Sure did," Saishi grinned. "And a skill to go with it."

"Now we're talkin'!" Mo said, punching his palm.

"Alright," Hürs said. "Next stop—the Adventurer Association. Let's see what kind of quest we can pull."

They made their way through Kalimar's southeast district. The buildings became taller, the crowd thicker. Finally, they stood in front of the three great towers—A, L, and X.

"In which do we go?" Saishi asked.

"A for Assignments," Hürs answered. "L for Loot trading. X... for the fallen."

"Got it," Saishi nodded.

Inside, the A-Tower was a hub of noise and movement. Six counters lined the right wall for adventurers. Six more on the left were for civilians assigning quests. The middle four? Reserved for Guilds only.

Saishi pointed. "Hey, that counter's empty—"

"No, Brother," Hürs said quickly. "Those are for official guilds. They take high-rank quests—C and above. We're not there yet. We need 30 solid C-ranks to qualify."

The group waited their turn at the adventurer counter.

Finally, they reached the front.

"Welcome to the Adventurer Association," a woman greeted them with a professional smile. "How can I help you today?"

"We'd like the highest-tier group quest available for five people," Hürs said confidently.

"Very well. A-IDs, please."

They handed over their cards. The woman studied them, eyes flicking from one to the next. Then she frowned slightly.

"One moment. I need to speak with a colleague."

She stepped away.

The group exchanged glances.

"Something wrong?" Burk whispered.

"I don't like this..." Jibo muttered.

Then came the sound of heavy boots.

Two men in black armor approached.

-----------------------------------------Guards of the Association.------------------------------------

"Please... come with us."

"Shit..." Hürs breathed. "Alright. We're coming."

He turned to the others and whispered, "Don't fight. Don't even think about fighting. Just follow."

They were escorted to a quiet room—elegant, expensive, with a view over the rooftops of Kalimar.

They sat in silence.

The tension was thick.

"Are we screwed?" Saishi whispered.

"I wouldn't say it like that," Hürs muttered. "But yeah... we're probably screwed."

The door creaked open.

A well-dressed man entered. Black hair. Long coat. A scent of cologne. His glasses gleamed in the light. Calm. Clean. Dangerous.

He sat across from them, folded his hands—

And smiled.

"I have a quest for you."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please dont forget to Vote and leave a review. Thanks Guys !