Chapter 10: The Fall of Sterling

Evan lay on the hospital bed, his wounds bandaged, yet the pain still lingered. The room was filled with the scent of antiseptic, and the dim lights created a calm atmosphere.

In the silence, Evan stared at the floating screen above him.

Name: Evan Theodore Walker (9 years old)

Job: -

Title: 3/3

- Steel Heart (Permanently increases all status points by 5)

- Helper of District 37 (Increases affinity with the residents of District 37)

- Animal Lover (Increases the chance to tame animals by 2 points)

- Light of Arcadia (All stats increase by 10 points when fighting enemies with dark attributes)

Level: 10

Experience: 100 (150 experience points to reach Level 11)

Health: 80%

Stats:

Strength Points: 80 (+5)

Agility Points: 70 (+5)

Stamina Points: 60 (+5)

Sensitivity Points: 30 (+5)

Intelligence Points: 30 (+5)

Endurance Points: 70 (+5)

Mana Points: 10 (+5)

Special Abilities:

Animal Taming (2/10)

Fireball (1/10)

Evan thought the progress he made reaching level 10 was truly amazing. Even though he knew he needed 150 experience points to reach level 11, it didn't discourage him. The new title he received, the Fireball skill, and the 10 distribution points to be allocated to any stat made it hard for Evan to close his eyes.

Evan thought hard about which stat he should increase first. He felt all stats were important. But for now, Evan was leaning towards mana. After reading the description of mana and its relation to magic, he was even more convinced he should allocate the 10 points to mana.

“Hah…” Evan sighed deeply, then made his decision. “Let’s do this.” Evan allocated all the points to mana, raising his mana status to 20.

“Should I try my new skill?” Just as Evan was thinking this, footsteps approached and the door to his room opened slowly.

Maria and Daniel Walker entered the room, their faces clearly showing worry.

“Evan!” Maria rushed over and gently took Evan’s hand. “What happened? Why are you hurt like this?”

Daniel stood beside Maria, his face a mixture of anxiety and anger. “Tell us, Evan. Who did this to you?”

Evan looked at his parents with guilt. “I… I don’t know who did this,” he said weakly. “I thought it was just a passing thief. I couldn’t recognize him.”

Maria’s tears fell, her grip on Evan’s hand tightening. “But how did you get hurt like this? We were so worried something happened to you.”

Daniel looked around the room, his gaze shifting from Evan to the surroundings. “We need to know what really happened. You can’t just tell us it was an ordinary thief, Evan. We need to take this seriously.”

Evan tried to smile to comfort them, but the pain and exhaustion made it difficult. “I’m fine, Dad. The important thing is that I’m alive. Oh, by the way, I didn’t see Lily.” Evan deliberately asked about Lily to shift the conversation.

“Lily is with Aunt Elma. The hospital doesn’t allow us to bring a small child,” Maria replied, a bit sadly.

Evan nodded slowly.

“If something like this happens again, you must run immediately. Do you understand?”

Evan smiled weakly, responding to his father’s advice. “Okay, Dad. I’ll remember.”

In fact, Evan felt he might not be able to do what his father instructed. He knew his life had changed, and there would be more dangers ahead. The only thing Evan could do was become stronger, so his parents wouldn’t have to worry about him.

***

While Evan lay in the hospital, another scene of blood and destruction unfolded outside—at the Sterling family home.

The Sterling family was known for protecting the ancient relic, the Arrow of Eternal Light. They were also renowned as skilled archers and had a talent for wind magic. However, no one knew about the hidden abilities of the Sterling family. Only their descendants, the protectors of Arcadia, knew the truth.

After centuries of peaceful existence, the Sterling family faced a catastrophe they had never imagined that night.

Victor's henchmen attacked the Sterling family using toxic gas that disrupted the concentration of the family's mages, making them easy to defeat. They moved swiftly and skillfully, destroying fences and breaking into the house. The lights around the house went out one by one, leaving the house in menacing darkness.

Aria Sterling, a nine-year-old girl, felt the terror outside. In her room, she hid under the bed, covering her mouth tightly.

**Brakk**

“Aria?!!”

The door burst open, revealing Alan Sterling, Aria’s father.

“Where are you, Aria?!” Alan called as he searched every corner. When Alan looked under the bed, he saw Aria, frightened underneath. “Aria? My dear? Come out. Daddy will protect you.”

Aria immediately reached out her hand.

Quickly, Alan pulled Aria out and took the Arrow of Eternal Light. Alan realized that this was the item the attackers were after.

“Alan?!” From the doorway, Clara Sterling rushed in. “We can’t hold them off much longer!”

From Clara’s eyes, Alan knew their family was on the brink of destruction.

“Take Aria and go,” Alan said with a calm expression. “I will hold them off as best as I can.”

Clara’s eyes widened. “No! You can’t fight them! It’s all in vain, Alan! Let’s go together!”

Alan paused. The screams of his slaughtered family continued. As a family head and leader, Alan refused to flee, even if it meant his death. At least, he would be with his family until the end. However, Clara and Aria didn’t have the same responsibility to the Sterling family.

Alan handed the Arrow of Eternal Light to Clara and took the arrows Clara was holding.

“No, Alan… Don’t do this,” Clara pleaded, unable to hold back her tears.

Alan smiled. He kissed Aria’s forehead and then embraced them both. “I love you.”

Clara shook her head. “No, Alan… I can’t live without you.”

Alan released his embrace. His smile remained unchanged, even as he prepared to walk towards death. “Leave now. I will always be with you.”

“No!! Don’t go, Alan!!”

Alan turned, undaunted. Tonight, he would claim many lives as a tribute to the fallen souls.

***