Chapter 3: The First Miracle
852 Words
The villagers scattered in terror.
"Run!"
"It's the Sand Beast!"
"Mothers, take the children!"
Dust billowed into the sky as the earth trembled beneath every heavy step. A monstrous creature, nearly three meters tall, emerged from the sandstorm. Its body was covered in rocky scales, and its glowing red eyes searched hungrily for its prey.
Aurora stood frozen.
She had negotiated billion-dollar contracts, spoken before thousands of investors, and faced ruthless business rivals...
But she had never faced a monster.
The System's voice echoed urgently in her mind.
《Emergency Quest》
Protect the Village.
Time Remaining: 15 Minutes.
Failure: 327 villagers will die.
Aurora swallowed hard.
"Three hundred and twenty-seven..."
She looked around.
Children were crying.
Old people struggled to run.
Mothers shielded their babies with trembling arms.
If she fled now, they would all die.
She took a deep breath.
"No."
"I won't let that happen."
The Sand Beast roared and charged toward the village.
The ground shook violently.
Noah, the little boy Aurora had helped, tripped over a broken cart.
"Aah!"
The beast raised its enormous claw.
Aurora's heart stopped.
"NOAH!"
Without thinking, she sprinted toward him.
She threw herself over the frightened child just as the massive claw crashed into the ground.
BOOM!
Rocks exploded around them.
The impact sent Aurora rolling across the dusty earth.
Pain shot through her shoulder, but she ignored it.
She quickly pulled Noah into her arms.
"Are you hurt?"
The boy shook his head, tears streaming down his dusty cheeks.
"N-No..."
Aurora smiled gently.
"Good."
She stood and placed herself between the monster and the villagers.
Her legs trembled, but she refused to move.
The System suddenly chimed.
《Host's Courage Recognized.》
Hidden Reward Unlocked.
Starter Gift Box may now be opened.
Aurora's eyes lit up.
"Open it!"
A golden light burst before her.
Inside the floating screen appeared three rewards.
Choose One Reward.
Steel Sword
Healing Potion
Beginner Rain Scroll
Aurora stared at the choices.
"A sword won't stop a drought."
"A healing potion saves one person."
Then she looked at the third reward.
Rain.
An idea flashed through her mind.
"I choose the Beginner Rain Scroll."
The scroll dissolved into countless blue lights.
A new message appeared.
《Rain Scroll Acquired.》
Warning: One-time use only.
Aurora clenched the glowing scroll tightly.
"If this works..."
She raised both hands toward the cloudless sky.
"Please..."
"Let there be rain."
The scroll shattered into thousands of sparkling lights.
For several seconds...
Nothing happened.
The villagers looked at her with confused expressions.
Lady Martha sighed sadly.
"Poor girl..."
"The drought has made her lose her mind."
Even Aurora began doubting herself.
Did the System fail?
Then...
A cool breeze brushed across her face.
She froze.
The villagers looked up.
Dark clouds slowly gathered above the village.
One child gasped.
"Clouds..."
An old man dropped to his knees.
"I haven't seen clouds in ten years..."
A flash of lightning split the sky.
BOOM!
The first raindrop landed on Aurora's cheek.
Another.
Then another.
Within seconds...
A gentle rain poured over the village.
Silence.
Everyone simply stood there.
Unable to believe what they were seeing.
Noah stretched out his tiny hands and laughed.
"It's raining!"
Children danced through the muddy streets.
Mothers cried as they lifted their faces to the heavens.
Old men fell to their knees, thanking the gods.
Even the Sand Beast stopped moving.
It let out a painful roar before retreating into the desert, disappearing into the storm.
Aurora looked up at the rain, smiling through tears.
Back in her world, rain had been ordinary.
Here...
It was a miracle.
The villagers slowly turned toward her.
One by one, they knelt.
"Thank you..."
"You saved us."
"You are Heaven's blessing."
Aurora hurriedly waved her hands.
"Please, don't kneel! I only wanted to help."
Lady Martha gently took Aurora's hands.
"My child..."
"You didn't only bring rain."
"You brought hope."
Aurora felt something warm spread through her chest.
Ding!
Main Quest Updated.
Village Reputation: Respected.
People's Favor: +50
Reward Unlocked: Beginner Store.
Aurora blinked.
"a*****e?"
A glowing shop interface appeared before her eyes, filled with seeds, farming tools, medicine, and mysterious locked items.
Her excitement lasted only a second.
The System suddenly flashed red.
《Warning!》
Rain detected by the Royal Palace.
Royal soldiers are on their way to investigate.
Estimated Arrival: 30 Minutes.
Lady Martha's smile vanished.
Her face turned pale.
"The royal army..."
One villager whispered fearfully,
"They'll think she's a witch."
Another shook his head.
"No one can make rain."
"They'll never believe she's innocent."
Aurora looked toward the distant road.
Through the fading rain, dozens of riders appeared on the horizon, carrying black banners that fluttered in the wind.
At their head rode a man in silver armor atop a powerful black horse.
Even from a distance, his commanding presence was impossible to ignore.
The System displayed a final message.
《Important Character Approaching...》
Identity Confirmed: Prince Cassian.
Aurora tightened her grip on the wet cloak around her shoulders.
For some reason...
She had a feeling her peaceful days had just come to an end.
- Writer
