《That time I got transported in another world with a cheat skill to change physics [Butsurihen]》 1. Prologue: "The Exam that Decides it All" "Ughhh! I can''t do this! This is way too much for me!" I groaned, furiously scribbling on a pile of scrap paper as I attempted to solve the grueling problems from the prep material for the exam¡ª¡°The Exam That Decides It All¡±¡ªin the country where I lived. At just 16 years old, I wasn¡¯t particularly bright, though I liked to think I was a notch above the average person. But my competition? They had spent like around the last five years single-mindedly preparing for this behemoth of a test. Meanwhile, I had frittered away my time indulging in leisure, goofing around, and avoiding responsibility. Even in the critical two years leading up to the exam¡ªwidely regarded as the decisive phase for serious preparation¡ªI procrastinated shamelessly. Now, with less than a year left, I was in full-blown panic mode. My mind raced with regret. Why had I wasted so much time? If only I could travel back and warn my past self to buckle down! But who was I kidding? I knew my old self would scoff at the warning and continue the same careless routine. And here I was¡ªunable to solve even the so-called ¡°easy¡± problems my peers breezed through. The subjects covered in the exam¡ªPhysics, Chemistry, and Mathematics¡ªwere unforgiving. This was no ordinary test; it was ranked as the second most difficult exam in the world I used to live in. Yes, you read that correctly¡ªthe world I used to live in, implying something extraordinary: I no longer belonged to that world. No, I wasn¡¯t dead. But somehow, inexplicably, I had been transported to a completely different realm. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. It happened in March, during one of my desperate attempts to manage stress. With less than ten months until the exam, I was spiraling. Hoping to clear my mind, I decided to take a walk around my neighborhood¡ªI know, I shouldn''t be wasting time like this. With my wired earphones in place, I immersed myself in a Japanese song, feeding my inner weeb. As I strolled through the streets, the sight of others enjoying their freedom made me burn with envy. They were carefree, living their lives as they pleased, while I was shackled by the oppressive weight of expectations. My mind wandered to the things I longed to do: binge-watch the anime collecting dust on my ¡°Plan to Watch¡± list, play the games I had purchased but never opened, and dive into the myriad hobbies I had once loved. Game development, bookbinding, even the dream of writing my own novel¡ªall had been sidelined by the looming shadow of that wretched exam. Lost in thought, I turned back toward home, lamenting the hours I had squandered. That¡¯s when I noticed someone gesturing at me. Their lips moved, but the music in my ears drowned out their words. Confused, I glanced around and saw a crowd gathering, their expressions a mix of urgency and fear. I tugged out one earphone, but before I could fully process the situation, I heard it¡ªa sound unlike anything I had ever experienced. It wasn¡¯t incomprehensible because of my limited vocabulary; it was fundamentally alien. The sound was ephemeral, slipping through my senses as though it didn¡¯t belong in this reality. Before I could react, darkness swallowed my vision, and I collapsed. When I regained consciousness, I was overwhelmed by exhaustion. A blinding light pierced through my half-open eyes, forcing me to shield them as I sat up. My surroundings were a blur at first, but as my vision adjusted, I took in the sight before me. I stood atop a cliff, gazing down at a sprawling kingdom-city. Its medieval architecture was straight out of a fantasy novel, with towering walls encircling the settlement to defend against unseen enemies. The landscape around me was surreal, its biome unlike anything I had ever seen. The trees shimmered with a pearlescent shade of blue, and strange, otherworldly creatures roamed the terrain. Every detail screamed of an unfamiliar, fantastical reality. My heart raced as a singular thought consumed me: "It finally happened... The thing I¡¯ve only seen in anime... I¡¯ve been transported to another world!" 2. A New Life I was the type of guy you¡¯d overlook¡ªa background character, someone easily dismissed as an NPC. I didn¡¯t have any striking features to make me stand out. Sure, I was a bit more muscular than average, and I wouldn¡¯t call myself unattractive, but there was nothing remarkable about me. Before being ¡°mysteriously transported¡± to this unfamiliar world, I had been dressed in a plain white hoodie and black cargo pants¡ªhardly the pinnacle of fashion. My other possessions included a pack of gum I¡¯d picked up on my walk, my trusty wired earphones, and my smartphone, which, thankfully, still had about 60% battery life. Of course, there was no signal¡ªgo figure¡ªbut I did have one advantage: I had downloaded nearly three-quarters of Wikipedia onto my phone beforehand. Plenty of knowledge at my fingertips, even if I had no bars. ¡°Alright, starting gear--checked¡± I said to myself. ¡°Now for the fun part¡ªchecking out my superpower! There¡¯s no way I got transported here without some kind of special ability, right?¡± My excitement was skyrocketing. But that excitement faded as quickly as it came. ¡°Wait¡­ how do I even figure that out? Maybe I should experiment?¡± Spotting a nearby tree, I decided to test the most obvious option first: super strength. The tree looked like a cherry blossom, but its leaves had an otherworldly gradient of pearlescent blue fading into green. ¡°Alright, here goes nothing!¡± I wound up my right fist and punched the tree with all my might. CRACK! ¡°I¡ªI think I broke it¡­ My hand, that is! Aghhh! It hurts so much!¡± Clutching my knuckles with my left hand, I groaned in agony. So much for super strength.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°Okay, maybe it¡¯s something else¡ªsuper speed? Flight? Telekinesis?¡± I tried everything I could think of, flailing and running around like a lunatic. But after an exhausting series of failed attempts, it became clear: if I had a superpower, it wasn¡¯t anything obvious. Defeated and worn out, I slumped under the shade of a tree, gazing up at the sky. ¡°Huh¡­ the sky looks almost exactly like it did back on Earth, though it¡¯s clearer here. Weird.¡± As my mind drifted, my stomach growled loudly. ¡°Ugh, I guess I should head to that city I saw earlier and see if I can find some food. From what I noticed, the architecture looks medieval¡ªmaybe the people here are similar to humans. Let¡¯s just hope I don¡¯t stand out.¡± I made my way down the cliff, taking in my surroundings. Three things caught my attention: 1. The flora resembled Earth¡¯s vegetation, albeit in completely different colors. 2. The fauna, however, was unlike anything I¡¯d ever seen. One creature dangling from a tree looked like a bizarre cross between a bee and a weasel. In the distance, I spotted a massive, shimmering blue wasp. 3. The closer I got to the base of the cliff, the fewer creatures I encountered. Reaching the bottom, I found a dirt path winding through the plains toward the city. Following it, I arrived at the city gates¡ªa massive, fortified entrance guarded by armored soldiers. A line of people stretched ahead of me, each waiting to be questioned and inspected before entering. The people¡¯s clothing resembled what you¡¯d expect from medieval nobility or messengers¡ªtunics, cloaks, and the like. As I waited, I eavesdropped on their conversations. They mostly spoke what sounded like English, though occasional words like Liath and Renxall stood out as unfamiliar proper nouns. After some time, it was my turn. ¡°Next!¡± ¡°Huh? Me?¡± ¡°Yeah, you! Who else?¡± I awkwardly stepped forward. The guard inspecting me was clad in slightly worn but polished armor, the kind that suggested years of daily use rather than battle scars. ¡°State your name, city of citizenship, profession, and reason for visiting Renxall,¡± he demanded. So this city was called Renxall. Fittingly fantasy-esque, I thought. ¡°I¡¯m Rei,¡± I stammered. ¡°I come from a distant country to the east. I¡¯m a traveler looking to stay here for a while.¡± It wasn¡¯t entirely a lie¡ªI was from the east, having lived in India, though my Japanese ethnicity made it easier to sell. The guard frowned. ¡°East? There¡¯s no country east of Drachontrux. Where¡¯s your proof of identity? Do you have a letter of introduction? You need one to enter Renxall. Now get lost¡ªI don¡¯t get paid enough for this nonsense!¡± ¡°B-But¡­¡± ¡°No buts! Move along!¡± Rejected and embarrassed, I trudged back toward the cliffs. ¡°Great. Now what? I can¡¯t even get into the city. Well at least I learned a few things: Renxall is the city¡¯s name, and Drachontrux must be the name of the country Renxall''s in. Still, that doesn¡¯t solve my biggest problem¡­¡± My stomach growled again. Desperate, I scanned the area for something edible. ¡°If only there was some kind of ¡®system¡¯ in this world¡ªlike a menu or interface that¡¯d magically appear if I said, ¡®Open System!¡¯¡± I muttered sarcastically. ¡°Huh?¡± 3. Freedom ¡°Huh?¡± Did I just¡­ jinx myself into something good? ... ¡°Agh, this is gonna take forever! At this rate, it might not even finish today!¡± Grumbling, I refocused on my immediate goal: finding food. Fruits seemed like the best bet¡ªnot because I¡¯m vegan or anything (no offense to vegans)¡ªbut because I wouldn¡¯t know how to process meat even if I managed to kill something. Skinning, cleaning, cooking¡ªit all seemed way out of my league. As I climbed back toward the cliff where I¡¯d first ¡°spawned,¡± the strange wildlife of this world became even more bizarre. I saw a deer-like creature with a peacock''s tail, a giant moth with a squirrel-like face, and then there was the gray leopard with spider-like fangs... currently chasing me. The spider-leopard¡ªor leopard-spider¡ªwas surprisingly small, no more than 50 centimeters tall, but it was ferocious. Thick, dark liquid dripped from its fangs as it pursued me. Poisonous. Of course. ¡°System! Status! NOW!¡± I screamed between breaths, running like my life depended on it¡ªwhich it did. ¡°Great, just great. It¡¯s nowhere near ready!¡± Desperate to lose the spider-leopard, I veered toward a tree and tried to pivot sharply by grabbing onto its trunk. Big mistake. The tree was nothing more than a rotting husk, and the bark crumbled in my hands. I lost my balance and tumbled to the ground, rolling twice before landing flat on my back. Above me, the spider-leopard lunged, fangs bared and dripping with venom. This is it... I thought, my eyes closing in resignation. I just wish I could¡¯ve seen my skill...If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. A sharp impact against my hand startled me. Reflexively, I¡¯d held up the piece of bark I¡¯d grabbed during my fall. It had impaled the spider-leopard mid-lunge, the creature¡¯s body now limp and lifeless. ¡°Guess I wasn¡¯t ready to die after all,¡± I muttered, pushing the carcass off me and taking care to avoid the dripping venom. I stared at the dead creature, catching my breath. ¡°What the hell am I supposed to do with this? Eat it? Probably not¡ªit¡¯s literally oozing poison. Still, maybe I can find something about it on Wikipedia.¡± Pulling out my phone, I checked the charge¡ª57%. I scrolled through the downloaded database, but information on poisonous creatures in another world was predictably sparse. Still, the general advice was clear: never assume a new creature is safe to eat. I sighed. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a no-go. Wait, where am I?¡± Looking around, I realized I was in an unfamiliar part of the forest. The thick canopy blocked out the sky, making it impossible to orient myself. As I turned to search for landmarks, I stumbled upon the very thing I had been looking for¡ªfruit! The tree resembled a magnolia but bore strange, blue-green peach-like fruits. My stomach grumbled loudly, overriding any caution. I plucked one and bit into it. The juice dripped down my chin as I devoured the fruit. It wasn¡¯t particularly sweet, but hunger made it taste divine. Stuffing my cargo pants¡¯ pockets with as many fruits as I could, I continued my search for water. I stood still, straining my ears for the sound of running water. After five minutes of silence, I turned to my phone again. Maybe Wikipedia had something? Searching through the data was slow and clunky, but then I remembered¡ªI had a lightweight AI installed on my phone. It was a power hog, though, so I checked my battery again: 56%. Activating it would drain the charge, but I didn¡¯t have much choice. Disabling every other function on the phone, I trained the AI on the downloaded Wikipedia data and asked for advice on finding water in a forest. ¡°To find water, follow animal trails, search for dense vegetation in low areas, and look for natural valleys or ravines,¡± the AI said in its monotonous voice. Following its guidance, I noticed thicker vegetation in one direction and decided to follow it. Sure enough, I found a river. The water was so clear that I could see my reflection¡ªand the wounds on my forehead from earlier. I drank deeply, then cupped some water in my hands to rinse my cuts. The cool sensation was soothing, and I felt a flicker of relief. ¡°This isn¡¯t so bad,¡± I muttered, taking a long look around the area. The riverbank was serene and flat, the gentle sound of water flowing over smooth rocks adding a sense of calm. It seemed like an ideal spot to set up camp for the night. I started by gathering dry branches and twigs scattered nearby, stacking them carefully in a small clearing to form a makeshift fire pit. Using a flat, sturdy rock as a base, I placed some dry leaves and kindling in the center, making it easier to ignite later. Next, I scoured the area for a good spot to sit. Among the scattered stones, I found a large, smooth, and rounded one that was just the right size to serve as a makeshift stool. I placed it near the fire pit and tested it¡ªsurprisingly comfortable for a rock. Moving on, I looked around for large, clean leaves to make a bed. I carefully inspected each one for insects or dirt before layering them together. Once I had enough, I arranged them into a soft pile to act as a makeshift pillow and mattress. Lastly, I gathered a few more branches and propped them up as a rudimentary windbreak, shielding the camp from the occasional breeze. ¡°This should do for now,¡± I said, stepping back to admire my handiwork. It wasn¡¯t much, but it felt strangely satisfying to create something so basic yet functional with my own hands. "I¡¯ve never felt this free before¡­ no expectations, no responsibilities. Just me and this new world.¡± I checked the status for the system. ¡°So close! I can¡¯t wait to see what skill I get!¡± Kachink! A sudden noise startled me. It came from deeper in the woods. Grabbing a makeshift torch¡ªa stick wrapped in leaves soaked with sap and lit from my campfire¡ªI ventured toward the sound. In a small clearing, I found a man lying on the ground, his leg impaled by a cruel, metallic trap. Blood pooled beneath him, and his face was pale. ¡°P-please... h-help...¡± 4. Property Alteration As I stood frozen, staring at the gruesome sight, the man''s desperate voice broke my trance. ¡°P-please¡­ h-help¡­¡± The dim moonlight barely illuminated the scene, but it was enough for me to see the cause of his agony. His left leg was trapped in something that looked like a bear trap¡ªonly larger, more vicious, and designed to maim rather than restrain. Serrated spikes jutted from the edges, deeply embedded into his calf. Even the slightest movement seemed to threaten tearing his leg apart. The man extended a trembling hand toward me, his voice cracking as he repeated his plea. ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know how to help you,¡± I stammered. My voice was shaky, but my words were honest. ¡°If we try to pull you out of that thing, your leg¡­ it won¡¯t make it. You¡¯ll bleed out.¡± I wasn¡¯t being cruel. It was just the reality of the situation. The trap was too brutal, and I was no medic. Amputation seemed like the only option to save him. But how? I had no tools, no expertise¡ªjust a stick, a fire, and my rapidly fading courage. And then¡ª ¡°Yes!¡± I shouted instinctively, startling even myself. I didn¡¯t care if the man thought I was losing my mind. Whatever this ¡°system¡± was, it was my best shot at helping him¡ªor at least figuring out what to do next. A glowing, translucent screen materialized in front of me. It hovered silently, waiting.
[USER INFORMATION] [STATS]
NAME: Rei
AGE: 16
GENDER: Male
HEIGHT: 182cm
MASS: 62Kg
HP: 20/20
LEVEL: 1
STRENGTH: 1
ATTACK: 2
DEFENSE: 1
SPEED: 3
CHARISMA: 1
STAT POINTS: 0
[ACHIEVEMENTS]
{NONE}Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
Oooh! Finally! But wait... Why are my stats so low? Never mind that! That doesn¡¯t matter right now! I need to focus! I glanced at the man writhing in pain, his desperate eyes locked onto mine. I had to do something¡ªand fast. "Open skills menu!" I shouted, likely confirming to the poor guy that I¡¯d completely lost my mind. A glowing screen materialized in front of me, displaying a list of skills:
[SKILLS]
Property Alteration Level 1
Property Alteration? What¡¯s that supposed to do? I groaned, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Ughhh! I don¡¯t have time to figure this out! Let¡¯s just try it!" "Property Alteration!" The screen updated with new instructions. "Alright¡­ Trap!" The glowing interface turned toward the trap clamped around the man¡¯s leg, and more information appeared:
[Properties Available to Change]
Boiling Point
Viscosity
Terminal Velocity
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
Coefficient of Friction
"Ughhh! All of these are useless! What am I supposed to do¡ªmelt the trap or something?!" I paused mid-rant, an idea suddenly dawning on me. "Wait a minute..." "Change Coefficient of Thermal Expansion!" -6 K-1 Degree of change available: 0.0001 units (level up skill for more degree of change) > "The hell am I going to do with such a tiny adjustment?! Wait¡­ I¡¯m such an idiot! That¡¯s more than enough!" "Reduce the value by 0.0001 units!" -6 K-1 > Now all I have to do is give it some heat! I grabbed the torch I¡¯d made earlier and held its flame near the steel part of the trap impaling the man¡¯s leg, carefully avoiding his already mangled calf. "I really, really hope this works..." To my astonishment, the metal began to shrink. Thermal expansion! I realized, recalling my high school physics. By changing the material¡¯s expansion coefficient to a negative value, heating it caused the trap to contract instead of expand!
To be more precise (for the nerds out there, me included), This happened because the formula for thermal expansion is, ¦¤L = L¦Á¦¤T Where, ¦¤L = change in length L = original length ¦Á = coefficient of thermal expansion ¦¤T = temperature change Since ¦¤T was positive, and I¡¯d made ¦Á negative, the trap¡¯s ¦¤L turned negative¡ªcausing it to shrink. Take that, physics!
With the serrations no longer biting into the man¡¯s flesh, I pried the trap open with my hands and freed his leg. The poor guy had fallen unconscious by then, likely from blood loss. "Don¡¯t die on me now!" I muttered, tying off his leg with my handkerchief to staunch the bleeding. I carried him over to my makeshift camp¡ªa process that left me gasping for air by the time I reached the riverbank. After laying him down on the "bed" of leaves I¡¯d made earlier, I used river water to clean his wound and re-wrapped it with my handkerchief. The man was pale, but his pulse was steady. "Guess he¡¯ll be okay if he rests for the night¡­" I sighed, exhaustion hitting me all at once. I looked up at the sky, the stars shimmering faintly through the canopy. "Man, that was exhausting! I didn¡¯t expect him to be so heavy! And what was he doing out there, anyway? Who sets traps like that?!" I shook my head, too tired to think about it any further. Gathering some clean leaves, I arranged them into a makeshift pillow for myself. "Alright¡­ That¡¯s it for today," I muttered, collapsing onto my own bed of leaves. At that moment, I had no idea. If only I hadn''t saved that man...
The next morning, the sharp sound of my alarm drags me from sleep. Sleepy and disoriented, I get out of bed and into the bathroom, my body moving on autopilot. I grab my toothbrush, smear on some toothpaste, and start brushing, my mind still foggy and half-asleep. After a few absent-minded strokes, I spit, rinse, and splash some cold water on my face, hoping to shake off the drowsiness. I glance up at the mirror, expecting the usual bleary-eyed reflection. But instead, a single, chilling thought hits me like a punch to the gut: Huh? ... ... ... How the hell am I here?! 5. The Choice That Changed Everything My heart started hammering in my chest, and my breathing quickened. ¡°This¡­ this can¡¯t be happening,¡± I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. My hands clutched the edge of the sink so tightly that my knuckles turned white. Tears blurred my vision, and my throat tightened with a pain that felt unbearable. I had been free¡ªfree from the weight of expectations, free from the suffocating responsibilities of this world. And now, it was gone. Torn away like a cruel joke. ¡°Rei, are you done yet? Breakfast¡¯s ready!¡± my mother called from the kitchen. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe. I wiped my face with a towel, trying to compose myself. ¡°Coming,¡± I called back, though my voice cracked. Dragging myself to the dining table, I saw my mom setting down a plate of scrambled eggs and toast. The scent of butter and pepper wafted up, but I felt numb. I picked at the food, eating in silence while she hummed a tune. ¡°Thanks for breakfast,¡± I mumbled after finishing. She smiled at me warmly, her face glowing with the kind of kindness that made me feel like I was being stabbed in the chest. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, sweetheart. Have a good day at college.¡± I nodded, forcing a weak smile. I dressed quickly, slinging my bag over my shoulder as I headed for the door. ¡°Bye, Mom,¡± I muttered, stepping out into the world that felt more like a prison than ever before. The bus terminal was only a short walk away, but every step felt heavy. My thoughts spiraled, looping the same hopeless refrain. I don¡¯t want to do this. I don¡¯t want to stay here. I want to go back. I need to go back to that world.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. At the platform, I swiped my card and stood waiting, the usual crowd of commuters around me. They all seemed oblivious, caught up in their mundane routines. How could they seem so¡­ normal? Didn¡¯t they feel the crushing weight of this world too? The thoughts clawed at my mind, louder and louder until¡ª A deafening screech ripped through my ears, a sound so piercing it made me clutch my head in agony. My knees buckled slightly, and I staggered. I looked around, trying to find the source of the sound, but no one else seemed to notice. Their blank stares and confused glances were more unsettling than the noise itself. Then it came. A voice. The same voice I¡¯d heard that day. It was no less terrifying now. The sound was like shards of glass, sharp and unrelenting, piercing through every thought. But this time around, I understood it. ¡°Why do you want to go to that world?¡± I froze. My throat felt dry, but I forced myself to speak, my voice shaking. ¡°Because¡­ I want to be free.¡± The voice boomed again, each word reverberating through my skull. ¡°Do you really wish for that? Do you truly want to leave this world and everyone behind? Are you prepared for that?¡± My chest tightened, and I felt a lump in my throat. The questions stung, but I steadied myself. ¡°Yes,¡± I said, my voice firmer this time. ¡°I¡¯m certain.¡± The voice grew colder, more commanding. ¡°Then prove it to me! Prove it to me that you¡¯re ready to leave this all behind. Jump off this platform to show your resolve.¡± My stomach churned. The platform? I stared down at the tracks, the faint hum of an approaching train growing louder. Was I really ready? My legs felt like lead, and for a moment, I couldn¡¯t move. But then I thought of that world¡ªits freedom, its lightness, its beauty. I thought of the crushing weight I carried here. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± I whispered, more to myself than to the voice. With trembling hands, I took a step forward. Then another. The murmurs of the people around me faded into the background as I reached the edge of the platform. I took one last, deep breath. Then I jumped. The train¡¯s horn blared, and everything went black.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the sky¡ªa brilliant expanse of endless blue. I sat up, my heart racing. I looked around and saw my camp, the man I had helped, and the city off into the distance. I was back. The air felt lighter, the colors brighter, and the ache that had haunted me was gone. I laughed, a sound that bubbled up uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face. ¡°I¡¯m back,¡± I whispered, my voice full of relief. ¡°I¡¯m finally free.¡±
If only, on that day, I hadn¡¯t accepted its offer. If only I¡¯d known what freedom truly meant. If only I¡¯d realized, that the cost of escaping one prison was to step into another, far worse... 6. A Merchants Gratitude The sound of rustling leaves stirred me from sleep. A faint glow filtered through the dense canopy above, casting soft light over the small clearing. I sat up, groggy but alert, and glanced over at the man I had dragged here last night. He was awake, leaning gingerly against the tree trunk. His brown hair was messy, and his face, which looked to be in his early twenties, showed a mix of relief and exhaustion. When he noticed me looking, he gave a weak smile. ¡°Good morning. I guess I owe you my life, huh?¡± I shrugged. ¡°I just did what anyone would¡¯ve done.¡± ¡°Not everyone would¡¯ve carried a stranger on their back all the way here.¡± He adjusted the bandages on his leg, wincing. ¡°Seriously, thank you.¡± I waved him off, not sure how to respond. ¡°You feeling any better?¡± ¡°Better enough to introduce myself.¡± He sat up straighter. ¡°Name¡¯s Borus. Borus Windward. I¡¯m a merchant from Renxall.¡± I nodded. ¡°Rei. Just Rei.¡± ¡°Well, Rei,¡± he said, gesturing to his injured leg, ¡°thanks to you, I¡¯m not in a Halion¡¯s stomach right now.¡± ¡°Halion?¡± He grimaced. ¡°Nasty beast. They¡¯re a menace out here. I got caught in a trap set for one. Lucky you found me when you did.¡± Before I could respond, my stomach growled loudly, betraying my hunger. I looked away, embarrassed, but Borus chuckled. ¡°Hungry, huh? I¡¯d offer you something, but¡­¡± He gestured around the empty clearing. ¡°I¡¯ll find something,¡± I said. ¡°Stay here and rest.¡±
The forest was quiet as I wandered through it, scanning the trees for fruit. My cargo pants were already dirtied from the previous day, so I didn¡¯t mind shoving whatever I found directly into the oversized pockets. Bright orange berries hung in clusters on one tree, while another bore spiky fruits with soft shells. I wasn¡¯t sure how edible they were, but at this point, I didn¡¯t care. By the time I returned, my pockets were bulging, and Borus was trying¡ªand failing¡ªto stand on his own. ¡°Sit down before you hurt yourself again,¡± I said, dropping the fruit between us. He chuckled sheepishly but obeyed. We ate in silence for a while, the strange fruits tasting sweeter than they had any right to. ¡°I owe you big,¡± Borus said suddenly, breaking the quiet. ¡°How about this? When we get to Renxall, I¡¯ll take you to my shop.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡ª¡± ¡°No, I insist. You saved my life. Let me repay the favor.¡± I hesitated but nodded. ¡°Alright. But we¡¯ll need to fix your leg first.¡± I rummaged around the clearing and found two sturdy branches. Using a makeshift-knife I made using sticks, I cut the cuffs off my cargo pants, tearing the fabric into strips. Borus raised an eyebrow as I worked.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Impressive,¡± he said when I was done, inspecting the makeshift splint. ¡°Should hold until we find someone who knows what they¡¯re doing,¡± I replied. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get moving.¡±
The journey to Renxall was slow, with Borus limping along and leaning heavily on me for support. Renxall loomed larger as we approached the city gates. The towering stone walls were intimidating, their surfaces worn smooth by time. Guards stood at the entrance, their chainmail glinting faintly in the sunlight. One of them stepped forward as we approached, his eyes narrowing at me. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± ¡°My acquaintance,¡± Borus said, leaning heavily on my shoulder. ¡°He¡¯s helping me get back home.¡± The guard grunted, eyeing me up and down, but ultimately stepped aside. Stepping into the city was like stepping into another world. Cobbled streets stretched out in every direction, lined with timber-framed houses. Horse-drawn carriages clattered past, their drivers shouting to clear the way. People bustled about in medieval attire¡ªwomen in long dresses carrying baskets, men in tunics haggling over goods at market stalls. The air was alive with the scent of fresh bread, roasted meat, and something sweet I couldn¡¯t quite place. I couldn¡¯t help but gawk at it all. It was a far cry from the sterile streets of my old world. ¡°You¡¯re staring,¡± Borus teased, smirking. ¡°Can you blame me?¡± I muttered, trying to take it all in. We made our way through the city, passing through neighborhoods that grew wealthier the closer we got to the center. Renxall¡¯s centerpiece was its castle¡ªwhere the local lord lived. A grand structure with spires that seemed to pierce the heavens. Surrounding it were the ¡°inner walls,¡± separating the wealthiest district from the rest of the city. ¡°Welcome to Renxall,¡± Borus said as we turned down a quieter street.
Borus¡¯s shop was located in the middle tier, where the houses were modest but well-kept. The sign above his shop read Windward Woodworks, and the scent of freshly sawed timber wafted from within. Inside, the shop was filled with beautifully crafted furniture¡ªtables, chairs, and intricately carved wooden figurines. Borus guided me to the staircase at the back, which led to his living quarters on the second floor. His home was cozy, with wooden beams supporting the ceiling and a small fireplace crackling in the corner. He motioned for me to sit on one of the chairs before disappearing into another room. When he returned, he was holding a small wooden chest. ¡°This,¡± he said, opening it to reveal a necklace with a gemstone the size of a plum, ¡°is for you.¡± The gemstone glinted in the firelight, its deep blue surface mesmerizing. ¡°Sell it,¡± Borus urged. ¡°It¡¯ll fetch you a good price.¡± I hesitated, feeling the weight of the gesture. ¡°I can¡¯t accept this,¡± I said. ¡°You¡¯ve already done enough by bringing me here.¡± Borus frowned but didn¡¯t push. Instead, he offered me something else¡ªa room to stay in, free of charge. ¡°I¡¯m a traveler,¡± I said, ¡°but I don¡¯t want to freeload. Give me a job instead.¡± Borus blinked, surprised. ¡°A job?¡± ¡°Yes. I want to earn my keep. Back home¡­¡± I trailed off, the memories of my aimless life gnawing at me. ¡°Back home, I wasn¡¯t the most independent person. I want to change that here.¡± After some back-and-forth, Borus finally relented. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll make you a woodworker¡¯s apprentice. Don¡¯t expect an easy time of it, though.¡±
As we sat by the fire later, I decided to ask something that had been bothering me. ¡°By the way, can you explain how money works here? I, uh¡­ haven¡¯t really been paying attention to that.¡± Borus stared at me like I¡¯d grown a second head. ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± I shook my head, embarrassed. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, leaning forward. ¡°We use coins¡ªgold, silver, and copper. Each type has three sizes: large, middle, and small. A small copper is worth 10 aureus. From there, every coin increases in value by ten times. So, a middle copper is 100 aureus, a large copper is 1,000 aureus, and so on.¡± He gave me some examples to help. ¡°A kilogram of Baux meat¡ªthe most common meat here¡ªcosts eight small coppers. And the average woodworker''s apprentice earns about two large coppers and three middle coppers a month.¡± I nodded, trying to absorb it all. The conversion system was straightforward, at least.
By the time Borus went off to get his leg checked, I was itching to explore my abilities. Opening my player profile, I saw that I had three unspent stat points. Strength? Defense? Agility? After much deliberation, I dumped them all into Charisma. If I was going to start fresh in this world, a little charm wouldn¡¯t hurt. Curious about other ways to increase my stats, I decided to test a theory. I spent the afternoon exercising until my muscles ached. By the time I was done, my Strength had risen to level 8 and my Defense to level 4. When Borus returned¡ªstill limping¡ªnoticed me drenched in sweat. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve been through a war,¡± he said. ¡°Something like that,¡± I replied. He offered me a bath, which I gladly accepted. The bathroom was simple, with a wooden tub and a bucket for drawing water. After scrubbing myself clean, I sank into the tub, letting the warm water soothe my sore muscles. For the first time in years, I feel free. No exams to stress over. No parents to disappoint. Just me, in a world full of possibilities.
By the time evening rolled around, Borus surprised me again. ¡°Let me treat you to dinner,¡± he said. The streets were bathed in a warm glow from the fire-lit streetlamps. The city was quieter now, with most of the day¡¯s bustle winding down. We arrived at a quaint restaurant with wooden beams and a thatched roof. Inside, the air was thick with the aroma of roasted meat and spices. We ordered a feast: Baux steak, Qwob ribs, and a dessert that caught my attention immediately. It was cold and creamy, topped with what looked like crushed nuts. The steak was smoky and tender, practically melting in my mouth. The Qwob ribs were sweet and tangy, their glaze leaving a sticky residue on my fingers. And the dessert¡ªsomething that reminded me of ice cream¡ªwas the perfect way to end the meal. As we walked back to the shop, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at how far I¡¯d come in just a few days. By the time we returned to Borus¡¯s shop, I was full and content. Crawling into bed, I thought about all the things I would do tomorrow. For the first time, I feel like I am on the path to becoming the independent person I¡¯d always wanted to be. Tomorrow, my new life would truly begin. 7. A New Job I woke to the faint glow of morning light filtering through the wooden slats of the window. For a brief moment, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings, I thought I was back in my apartment. The creak of the floorboards, the warmth of the wooden walls, and the distant hum of activity outside quickly reminded me otherwise. I sat up, blinking the sleep from my eyes, and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The simple, handcrafted wooden furniture in the room¡ªthe sturdy table, the small chest, the chair by the window¡ªgave the space a rustic charm. A far cry from the cold, synthetic designs of my old world. Rubbing my face, I made my way to the wash basin in the corner¡ªwhich was a bucket of water with another empty one. I splashed cold water on my face, letting the sharp chill jolt me fully awake. For a moment, I caught my reflection in the slightly warped mirror above the ''basin''. My black hair, tied back into a loose man bun, was a mess. My face, lean and pale from years of neglect, still carried a hint of weariness. This is my life now. Better get used to it. I toweled off and made my way downstairs, where Borus was already up and bustling about in the small kitchen. The smell of something warm and savory filled the air. ¡°Morning, Rei,¡± he greeted, his voice cheerful. ¡°Morning.¡± I sat down at the modest table as he placed two plates before me. On the plate was something resembling a sandwich, though the bread was thicker, almost like a flatbread, and the filling was unlike anything I¡¯d seen before. The meat inside was red with streaks of black, paired with a creamy, green spread that smelled faintly of herbs and citrus. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I asked, poking at the food. ¡°Fricor meat with Illuin paste,¡± Borus replied, taking a bite of his own. ¡°It¡¯s simple, but hearty. You¡¯ll need the energy today.¡± I followed suit, biting into the sandwich. The meat was rich and slightly smoky, its bold flavor balanced by the tangy, refreshing paste. ¡°This is amazing,¡± I mumbled through a mouthful, earning a chuckle from Borus. After finishing our breakfast, Borus grabbed his coat and gestured for me to follow. ¡°Time to get to work. We¡¯re heading to the workshop today.¡±
As we stepped out of Windward Woodworks, the city of Renxall came alive before my eyes. Borus¡¯s shop, a two-storied building with a clean, sturdy design, stood at the edge of the middle tier¡ªwhich was home to most of the stores in Renxall, and a few upper-middle-class houses. The street outside was lined with similar buildings, their signs swinging gently in the morning breeze. We made our way through the streets, passing through different districts. The residential area¡ªcovered almost half of Renxall¡ª stretched out to the south, its modest homes bustling with families starting their day. As we moved further in, the city¡¯s layout became clearer. The other half of Renxall was divided into distinct zones: The Market District, where merchants sold everything from fresh produce to exotic goods. The Festive Grounds, a large, open area reserved for public events and celebrations. The Official Quarter, home to imposing buildings where the city¡¯s governance and administration took place. Aswell as living quarters for the workers there. The Workshop Zone, where artisans and craftsmen plied their trade. At the heart of the city stood the grand mansion of the local lord, a symbol of authority and prestige. Encircling it were the residences of high-ranking nobles, each smaller than the lord''s but still imposing in size. These estates were enclosed by massive fortifications known as the "inner walls." A circular cobblestone path hugged the perimeter of the walls, serving as the path where all districts of the city converged. Renxall had three main gates, each placed 120¡ã apart. The southern gate opened into the residential area, the eastern gate into the market, and the northern gate provided access to a road running between the workshop zone and the official quarter.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°This place really feels like something out of a fantasy story,¡± I muttered, marveling at the vibrant, bustling city. Borus chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s a lot to take in, huh? Wait till you see the workshop zone.¡±
As we entered the workshop zone, the atmosphere shifted. The air was filled with the rhythmic sounds of hammers striking metal, saws cutting through wood, and the hum of activity. The buildings here weren¡¯t tall¡ªthree to four stories at most¡ªbut they sprawled wide, each housing large-scale operations. At the center of the zone stood a massive well, its edges worn smooth from years of use. Artisans lined up to draw water, their faces marked with the grime of hard labor. Borus led me to his workshop, which was located near the outer walls. Unlike some of the larger workshops we¡¯d passed, Windward Workshop was modest in size. Inside, the scent of freshly cut wood and sawdust filled the air. ¡°Norgrus!¡± Borus called out. A man emerged from behind a stack of timber, wiping his hands on a stained apron. He was short but solidly built, with a barrel chest and arms nearly as thick as tree trunks that left no room for doubt about his strength. His weathered face suggested he was in his forties, though his imposing presence made him seem timeless. His blond hair was tied back neatly, but it was his beard that caught the eye¡ªlong, flowing, and expertly braided into two elaborate strands. "Rei, this is Norgrus Longbeard". Well, that explains the beard ¡°Norgrus, this is Rei,¡± Borus said, introducing me. ¡°He¡¯s going to be working with us.¡± Norgrus looked me up and down, his eyes narrowing. ¡°T''is skinny lad? Ya serious, Borus?¡± ¡°I know he doesn¡¯t look like much, but he¡¯s motivated,¡± Borus assured him. ¡°And besides, I owe him one.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± Norgrus crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. ¡°If ya say so.¡± Borus clapped me on the shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve got some business to attend to. Norgrus will show you the ropes.¡± With that, he left, leaving me alone with Norgrus.
¡°A''right, kid,¡± Norgrus said, gesturing to a stack of thick, heavy planks. ¡°Start by movin'' those o''er to t''is table.¡± The planks were massive¡ªabout a meter wide, two meters tall, and ten centimeters thick. I frowned. The edges where the planks still had some bark left were of the same pearlescent blue colour I saw back in the forest. Guess it''s the same wood eh? ¡°You sure you¡¯re not just bullying me?¡± ¡°Ya wanna stay here or not?¡± Letting out a sigh, I approached the planks and bent down to lift one. I managed to raise it a few inches off the ground, but it was far heavier than I anticipated. Behind me, Norgrus chuckled, clearly enjoying my struggle. I¡¯ll show him, I thought, a determined grin spreading across my face. Time to use my ace. I muttered under my breath, focusing on the planks. ¡°Property Alteration.¡± ? Density > The system responded instantly. Oooh! Now this is some good stuff! "Change Density" 3 kg m-3 Degree of change available: 200 kg m-3 > ¡°Reduce Density by 150 kg/m3 for all planks.¡± I felt a sudden drain of energy as the system executed the command. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I turned to Norgrus. ¡°Got any water?¡± I asked, feigning exhaustion. ¡°Hmph. Tired already?¡± He handed me a wooden cup, though his grin faltered when he got a closer look at me. I drank deeply, the cool water refreshing me. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll get back to it now.¡± This time, when I lifted the plank, it felt significantly lighter. According to my calculations, the volume of one plank is about 0.2 meter cubes. By multiplying it with the original density, the original mass of a single plank was about 114 Kilograms. Now it¡¯s closer to 74 kilograms. Still heavy, but manageable after leveling up my Strength stat yesterday. I moved the planks one by one, finishing the task in record time. Before reverting their properties, I took a short break to catch my breath. Norgrus¡¯s eyes widened as he inspected the planks on the table. ¡°How¡¯d ya manage that?¡± I shrugged, hiding my smirk. ¡°Guess I¡¯m stronger than I look.¡± ¡°Hmph.¡± For the next task, Norgrus handed me a hand saw and showed me the dimensions to cut the planks. This time, I used Property Alteration to reduce the wood¡¯s Modulus of rigidity temporarily, making it easier to saw through. By the end of the day, Norgrus¡¯s skepticism had turned into reluctant admiration. ¡°Not bad, kid,¡± he grunted, crossing his arms. Borus returned to pick me up, and we left the workshop together.
On the way home, we stopped at a small, unassuming restaurant. The menu featured simpler fare, but the food was still unique to this world. I ordered a stew made with Tervol root and chunks of Tarken meat, a dark, gamey meat with a hint of sweetness. Borus had a plate of grilled Qelka fish, its blue scales still shimmering faintly. Even though the meal wasn¡¯t as extravagant as last night¡¯s, I devoured it with gusto. Hard work, it seemed, had made me ravenous. As we walked back under the night sky, I couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the stars. The constellations were unlike anything I¡¯d seen before, their strange patterns stirring a sense of wonder. So Beautiful! ¡°So, Rei,¡± Borus said, breaking the silence. ¡°How¡¯s Renxall? You like it?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I replied, smiling. ¡°I like it a lot. I feel so free here.¡± ¡°Is that so? Then we should get you a citizenship tomorrow.¡± ¡°Huh? Is that really important?¡± Borus explained that each city in Drachontrux had their own citizenship. Citizenship allowed one to own property, open a shop, and work legally in the city. ¡°Citizenships are quite expensive but I¡¯ll pay for it,¡± he offered. ¡°After all, you saved my life.¡± "I can''t possibly accept that. You''ve already payed me back by giving me a job and letting me live at your place" After some back and forth, we settled on something in between: "Alright, then how about you pay me back after you earn the sum through your job?" "I guess that''s alright, Sure!" We reached Windward Woodworks and just like last time, I headed straight into my room. I felt quite tired, but I opened my skill window. Ah! About time! New properties and a greater degree of change were now available. To my surprise, a new skill had also appeared: A grin spread across my face. My journey in this world was just beginning.