By the time he reached the square, word of the incident had somehow preceded him. Adventurers stopped their activities to stare as he passed, conversations dying mid-sentence. Even his mother, still instructing newcomers by the well, glanced his way with an unreadable expression.

Had she heard? Did she understand what it meant? The New Dawn had reset her memories of previous unusual events, but this was happening now, in real time. How would her programming interpret his impossible action?

Cain decided not to approach her directly, instead continuing toward the forge. He needed time to think, to process, to plan his next steps in this new reality where he was neither fully Native nor truly Adventurer, but something unique—a being who remembered through resets, who gained levels, who could fight back.

As he neared the forge, his enhanced vision spotted something unexpected. A tall figure in deep blue robes stood in the shadows across the street, face hidden beneath a hood. The Observer.

For a brief moment, their gazes met across the distance, and Cain felt a strange sensation—as if he were being evaluated on a level far deeper than mere appearance. Then the Observer nodded once, a small gesture that somehow conveyed both acknowledgment and warning, before turning and disappearing into the lengthening evening shadows.

Cain entered the forge to find his father waiting, expression troubled.

"There are strange rumors spreading through the village," Edric said without preamble. "About you striking an Adventurer who threatened Thomas the carpenter's son."

Cain met his father's gaze steadily. "Not rumors. Truth."

Edric's frown deepened. "That's impossible. The Divine Laws prevent—"

"I did it, Father," Cain interrupted gently. "I knocked him unconscious with a single blow. He dissolved and will return at the shrine."

His father stared at him, confusion warring with the evidence of his son's calm certainty. "But how? Natives cannot harm Adventurers."

"I'm not..." Cain hesitated, seeking words to explain what he himself didn't fully understand. "I'm not merely a Native anymore. Something has changed in me. In how the world sees me."

Edric shook his head slowly, struggling with concepts beyond his programmed understanding. "This makes no sense. You are my son. The blacksmith's apprentice. A Native of Woodhaven."

"I am all those things," Cain agreed. "And something more."

Before Edric could respond, the door opened, admitting an Adventurer that Cain recognized immediately. Tall and dignified, with elegant armor and a gleaming shield strapped to his back, VanguardProtector carried himself with the measured confidence that came from genuine experience. Level 42 floated above his head in dignified blue letters—the same guardian who had driven off the Crimson Grins during the raid Cain now remembered.

"Is this where I can find the blacksmith's son?" he asked, his voice calm but authoritative.

Edric stepped forward protectively. "This is my son, Cain. May I help you instead?"

VanguardProtector gave Edric a respectful nod before focusing on Cain. "Word travels quickly even in a small village like Woodhaven. You're the Native who fought back against an Adventurer."

Cain maintained a neutral expression, though inwardly he felt a connection to this Adventurer who had once protected his mother, even if she no longer remembered it. "I defended a child against harm. Nothing more."

"Nothing more?" VanguardProtector raised an eyebrow. "You've done something I've never witnessed in all my years of adventuring. Natives don't harm Adventurers. They can't. It's fundamental to The Divine Laws." His expression wasn't fearful or angry, but thoughtfully curious. "Or at least, it was supposed to be."

"Did you come to test this yourself?" Cain asked quietly, aware that his father was watching with growing concern.

VanguardProtector shook his head firmly. "I protect those who need protection—I've never been one to bully those weaker than myself, and I've stopped many who tried." A brief smile crossed his face. "Though it seems you're now capable of stopping them yourself."

He moved closer, lowering his voice. "What you did will attract attention. Not all of it welcome. Some Adventurers will fear you. Others will seek to test themselves against you. And some..." he glanced around before continuing, "some will report you to higher authorities."

"Higher authorities?"

"Those who maintain The Divine Laws," VanguardProtector explained. "They don't take kindly to anomalies in their carefully constructed world."

The warning echoed the system notification Cain had received earlier. He was being watched, evaluated. His actions had consequences beyond the immediate.

"Thank you for the warning," Cain said.

VanguardProtector nodded. "One more thing. That dagger—" he gestured to Dawn's Memory on display. "Who crafted it?"

"It’s me!"

VanguardProtector approached the display, his expression changing to one of genuine wonder as he got closer. "This is... extraordinary. I've never seen an item of this quality in a starter village." He reached toward it, then hesitated with the respect of someone who understood true craftsmanship. "May I?"

At Cain's nod, he carefully lifted the dagger.

"This is beyond remarkable," VanguardProtector whispered, turning the dagger to catch the light. "The quality is... unique. I've only seen such items from legendary crafters in the capital cities in the main continent." He stared at Cain with new respect.

He glanced at the display stand, then back to the dagger, his expression growing serious. "I'd advise you to remove this from display. An item of this quality will attract even more attention than your... incident today."

Cain frowned. "You don't wish to purchase it?"

"No." VanguardProtector handed the dagger back to Cain, placing it deliberately in his hands. "I think you should keep it for yourself."

"For me?" Cain asked, surprised.

"I believe you'll need it..." the guardian's eyes held a knowing gleam, "and sooner than you might think."

Edric stepped forward, confusion evident on his face. "But it's crafted for sale. That's our purpose—to equip Adventurers."

VanguardProtector gave the older blacksmith a respectful nod but kept his focus on Cain. "Some items find their rightful owners through unexpected paths. This weapon was born from your hands, forged with your skill. There's a connection there that even I can sense."

He reached into his belt pouch and produced a small sack of coins, placing it on the counter. "Consider this payment for your craftsmanship, whether you sell the dagger or not. One hundred silver. A fair price for exceptional work."

Edric's eyes widened at the amount, but before he could say anything, VanguardProtector continued, his voice lowered for Cain alone.

"Whatever you have become, blacksmith's son, tread carefully."

VanguardProtector turned to leave, then paused at the doorway. "One final thing. The child you protected—you showed more humanity than many who claim the title of Adventurer. Whatever changes are happening to you, don't lose that."

With that, he departed, leaving the forge in momentary silence.

Cain looked down at Dawn's Memory still in his hands, feeling its perfect balance, seeing the swirling energies beneath its surface. Something resonated between him and the blade—a connection he couldn't explain but instinctively understood. Perhaps VanguardProtector was right. Perhaps this creation was meant for him.

[Soul Binding Option Available]

[Bind Dawn's Memory to Cain?]

[Yes/No]

Without hesitation this time, Cain mentally selected 'Yes.' A warm sensation flowed from the dagger into his hand, spreading up his arm and throughout his body. The swirling colors within the blade pulsed once, brightly, then settled into a pattern that somehow felt aligned with his own heartbeat.

[Soul Binding Complete]

[Dawn's Memory is now bound to Cain]

[No other being may equip this item. Cannot be stolen.]

"One gold coin in total…" Edric finally said, staring at the heavy pouch with disbelief. "For a dagger you didn't even sell."

As Cain turned to store his new dagger, a strange sound made him look back at his father. Edric stood motionless, his mouth half-open as if caught mid-word. His eyes flickered—not with emotion, but with actual light, a strange blue glow pulsing behind his pupils.

"Father?" Cain took a step toward him.

Edric's body jerked unnaturally, his head tilting at an impossible angle. "System...error...detected," he said, his voice suddenly flat and mechanical, nothing like his usual tone. "Native interaction with...anomalous entity...exceeds parameters..."

He twitched again, his movements stuttering like a broken clockwork. "Reset...required. Emergency...New Dawn...protocol...initiated."

Before Cain could reach him, the blue light of the shrine flared in the distance, far brighter than normal. The New Dawn was coming, but something about it felt wrong, forced, desperate.

As the light rushed toward the forge, Cain clutched Dawn's Memory and prepared to face whatever came next.

[EMERGENCY SYSTEM RESET IN PROGRESS]

[ANOMALY CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL ACTIVATED]

[STAND BY...]