Inlander

Chapter 3. Trust

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and puff of toast smoke. Byre Town, once the proud capital of the Gatelain Nation, stirred to life as the sun cast golden light over its stone-paved streets. Merchants rolled up the shutters of their shops, the clang of blacksmiths' hammers rang from the forges, and the chatter of townspeople filled the air.

Yet beneath the surface, a quiet unease lingered. Rumors of war had crept into every corner of the continent, whispering of an impending invasion by the Neiter Nation. The people of Byre tried to ignore it, clinging to the fragile peace they still had. But Jim Slavn knew the truth.

His heart pounded as he pushed through the morning crowd, heading straight for the town’s fortified gates. His boots scuffed against the damp cobblestones, his breaths short and urgent. The system had shown him something impossible to ignore—an attack was coming. In five days, Byre would be overrun, its people slaughtered unless something was done.

Ahead, standing tall in his dark armor, was Captain Klax Forterr, his steel-gray eyes scanning the town like a hawk. Klax was a man of discipline, forged in war, and carried the weight of his rank with effortless authority.

Jim rushed toward him.

"Captain! May I speak with you?"

Klax turned, brows furrowing at Jim’s urgency. "What is it, soldier?"

Jim hesitated for a moment. He had no proof—only the system’s warning. If he told the truth, would Klax believe him?

“This is difficult to explain,” Jim admitted, his voice low. “But I need to speak with the Major. Immediately.”

Klax crossed his arms. "The Major? Why would you need to see him? If you need help, I’m here."

Jim shook his head. "I can’t explain. But I know something terrible is coming. Please, just take me to him."

The captain studied him, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he gestured toward the military barracks.

“Alright. Follow me.”

until Klax takes Jim away to where the major is.

The Major’s quarters were housed within the thick stone walls of Byre’s military stronghold. Inside, the room was dimly lit by torches mounted on the walls, their flames flickering over the iron helmets and polished swords that lined the shelves.

At the center of the room sat Major, a man with sharp features, a square jaw, and a gaze hardened by years of battle. Around him stood several guards, their hands resting on the pommels of their swords as if expecting trouble.

Klax stepped forward and saluted. “Major, I’ve brought a soldier who wishes to speak with you.”

The Major barely looked up from a map spread across his desk. “And who is this soldier?”

Jim stepped forward, feeling the weight of the moment. "Sir, my name is Jim Slavn, a soldier under Captain Klax’s command. I bring urgent news."

The Major finally lifted his gaze, his dark eyes assessing Jim with quiet scrutiny. "Go on."

Jim inhaled sharply. "In five days, Byre will be attacked by the Neiter Nation. Their forces will surround the town, and they will spare no one. We must prepare."

Silence fell over the room like a heavy shroud. The guards exchanged looks, their grips tightening on their weapons. The Major’s jaw clenched.

“What?” His voice was dangerously quiet. “How do you know this?”

Klax took a step forward as well, his brow furrowed. "Jim, that’s a serious accusation. What proof do you have?"

Jim swallowed hard. "I just know. I can't explain how, but you have to trust me."

The Major rose from his chair, his height casting a long shadow across the desk. His voice carried the weight of command.

"You want me to believe that you—a mere soldier—somehow possess knowledge of an enemy attack before even my scouts? Before our spies? This reeks of deception."

Jim’s stomach twisted. He had expected doubt, but hearing it was different.

"Sir, I swear, I'm telling the truth!"

The Major’s expression darkened. "Or perhaps," he said slowly, "you’re a Neiter spy."

Jim’s blood ran cold. "What? No! I—"

The Major slammed his fist on the desk. "You claim to know an enemy’s exact movements, yet you provide no source, no evidence. Either you are lying, or you are one of them."

The guards tensed.

Klax stepped forward again. "Major, Jim has served under me for years. I can vouch for his loyalty. He’s no traitor."

The Major’s gaze snapped to Klax. “Think, Captain. He knows too much. The Neiter Nation is capable of dark magic—they can twist animals into beasts, corrupt men into spies. How do we know he hasn’t been turned?"

Jim felt the room closing in. He had no way to prove himself. His word alone was worthless.

"But, sir, I—"

"Guards! Seize him!"

The soldiers lunged forward, gripping Jim’s arms in an iron hold.

"Wait!" Klax protested. "This is madness!"

The Major’s face was stone. "Do you want to be imprisoned as well, Captain?"

Klax gritted his teeth. He looked at Jim, frustration and regret flickering across his face, but he knew he was powerless.

Jim clenched his fists. He could fight back, but that would only confirm their suspicions.

"I have to stay calm… think, Jim."

The guards dragged him from the room.

The iron bars of the cell slammed shut behind him. Jim sat on the rough stone floor, exhaling sharply.

“This is bad,” he muttered.

His mind turned to the system—the mysterious force that had shown him the impending attack. If it could reveal such critical information, perhaps it could help him escape.

“Shop.”

A translucent window appeared before him, listing various items:

Guide Book

Weapon

Item

Jim scrolled through the options, stopping at a section titled Guide Book. His eyes widened at the exorbitant prices.

“10,000 gold for a single book?” He scoffed. “This system is ripping me off.”

He checked his current balance—600 gold.

“Not even close,” he muttered.

His fingers swiped through the items, searching for anything useful. Nothing affordable would help him escape.

Jim exhaled through his nose. “Looks like I need a different approach.”

A set of footsteps echoed down the corridor. He looked up to see Klax standing outside his cell, his expression grim.

“Jim,” Klax sighed. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop this.”

Jim sat forward. “It’s fine, Klax. I need you to do something for me.”

Klax frowned. “What is it?”

Jim opened the shop again and used nearly all his gold to purchase a weapon—a sword. As it materialized in his hands, he activated his Pastoralist skill.

[Weapon Identified]

Name: Leviathan Sword

HP: 1000/1000

Physical Attack: 500

Material: Kalderan Steel

Level Requirement: 10

Unique Skill: Wind Strike (unleashes a cutting wind, but weakens with distance)

Jim’s eyes gleamed. He studied Klax and activated his skill again.

[Status Identified]

Name: Klax Forterr

Level: 11

Title: The Justice (Defender of truth, ready to aid the oppressed. Can evolve.)

Jim smirked. “You’re stronger than you look, Captain.”

Klax raised a brow. “What?”

Jim handed him the Leviathan Sword. “Use this when the Neiter attack. I have a feeling it’ll come in handy.”

Klax took the weapon hesitantly. “Where did you get this?”

Jim shook his head. “I can’t explain. Just trust me.”

Klax studied him for a long moment. His title—The Justice—meant he had an innate sense of truth. Jim was no liar.

“Fine,” Klax said at last. “What else?”

Jim’s expression hardened. “You need to start preparing defenses immediately. Dig a ditch outside the gate. Make it deep, and cover it with grass to hide it. Set traps at key points around the town.”

Klax’s grip tightened around the hilt of the sword. “You’re really certain about this?”

Jim met his gaze. “More than anything.”

Klax nodded. “If what you say is true, I’ll see to it that you’re freed. If not…”

Jim smirked. “Then I’ll have bigger problems to worry about.”

Klax turned on his heel. “I’ll make sure we’re ready. You just sit tight, Jim.”

As the captain left, Jim leaned back against the cold stone wall.

“I won’t be sitting tight for long,” he murmured.

The battle for Byre was coming. And Jim would make sure they were ready.