《Nemesis : The First Steps》


 Chapter 1 : Resurrection

    Ryo Takeda, a 25-year-old man, has faced many trials since childhood. At the age of 12, he lost his parents in a tragic accident and lived with his sick uncle. However, when he was in his second year of high school, his uncle also died. Without a family, Ryo dropped out of school and worked as a construction worker to survive. Although often considered rude and unsociable, Ryo continued to struggle, proving his abilities through relentless hard work.


    However, even though his achievements at work were appreciated, Ryo felt empty. His once strong body was now starting to feel weak due to the heavy workload. One day, while working on a large project, Ryo fell from a height. As his body hit the ground, he felt excruciating pain, and the world seemed to stop. However, in that despair, a voice inside him gave him hope, as if giving him another chance at life.


    Ryo woke up at an ancient altar, surrounded by people in robes who looked like medieval wizards. Their long gowns hung down, roped robes wrapped around their bodies, and strange symbols were carved into the cloth they wore. However, what was more surprising was the presence of three other people at the same altar¡ªthey were wearing modern clothes, just like him.


    The three of them looked confused, as if they had just experienced the same thing. Ryo tried to make sense of the situation, but his mind was still in a mess.


    Suddenly, an old, dignified wizard stepped forward and spoke in a calm but authoritative voice.


    "You four are the ones who were ''summoned''."


    Ryo, still dazed, immediately asked a question.


    "Summoned? For what? Why am I here?"


    The wizard nodded as if he had been prepared for the question.


    "Your roles will soon be revealed. But before that, you must meet King Aldric Drenwyn."


    Without much explanation, they were led through a long corridor to the palace. Throughout the journey, Ryo tried to remember the last incident he experienced before falling, but his memory felt hazy.


    Upon arriving at the throne room, they were greeted by an authoritative man with silver hair and a sharp gaze¡ªKing Aldric Drenwyn. The king¡¯s gaze swept over the four of them appraisingly, but when his gaze fell on Ryo, his expression changed slightly. As if in disgust, he noted Ryo¡¯s shabby, dirty clothes¡ªa stark contrast to the other three who looked more decent.


    The king¡¯s voice echoed through the room.


    ¡°State your names.¡±


    The first woman answered with a serious expression, ¡°Aiko Fujimori.¡±


    The second man, looking slightly nervous, said, ¡°Takahiro Sakamoto.¡±


    The third woman, looking curious, said, ¡°Mika Yamamoto.¡±


    When it was Ryo¡¯s turn, the king¡¯s tone became sharper and more insistent.


    ¡°And you, last?¡±


    Ryo swallowed, then answered, ¡°Ryo Takeda.¡±


    King Aldric ignored him and turned back to the other three.


    ¡°The three of you have important roles in this kingdom,¡± he said, as if Ryo wasn¡¯t there. ¡°You are not just ordinary people who happened to show up. A great destiny awaits you.¡±


    Ryo frowned. There was something odd about the king¡¯s words. He couldn¡¯t help but ask,


    ¡°Why are only three mentioned? Aren¡¯t there four of us?¡±


    The king¡¯s cold gaze pierced him.


    ¡°You useless bums. Just shut up.¡±


    Ryo was shocked. Those words were like a hard slap that hit his pride. His confusion turned into hurt and suppressed anger.


    When he glanced at the other three people, their responses stabbed his heart even more. Aiko Fujimori quickly covered her nose, her expression as if disturbed by his body odor. Takahiro and Mika also seemed to move away slightly, despite trying to be neutral.


    Ryo could only remain silent. A strange and unwanted feeling enveloped him. In this new world, he had been considered trash from the start.


    After looking at the three people who were considered important, King Aldric leaned back on his throne with a serious expression. The magnificent room decorated with gold ornaments felt even quieter, creating a tense atmosphere among those present.


    ¡°In three months¡ªor sooner or later¡ªa great disaster will befall the Kingdom of Eldoria.¡± King Aldric¡¯s voice echoed in the spacious hall.


    Aiko, Takahiro, and Mika looked shocked and tense, while Ryo was still trying to process the situation.


    ¡°This disaster did not happen naturally. There is an evil force driving it¡­ An organization calling themselves the Crimson Pact,¡± King Aldric continued in a heavy tone.


    Among the mages and nobles standing around the room, low whispers began to be heard. Their faces showed real fear.


    ¡°The Crimson Pact is a group led by five leaders, each possessing terrifying power. Each leader has three loyal subordinates, making a total of fifteen elite subordinates. In addition, they command an army of monsters that number in the hundreds to thousands.¡±


    Ryo¡¯s eyes narrowed, trying to digest the information he had just received. On his left, Mika bit her lip, Takahiro clenched her fists, and Aiko swallowed nervously.


    King Aldric continued, ¡°Their goal is still not entirely clear, but one thing is for sure, they want to destroy the balance of this world and bring destruction to humanity.¡±


    A noble dressed in dark blue, who was standing not far from the throne, added in a low voice, ¡°The previous disaster happened hundreds of years ago. If it is not stopped, this world may not survive.¡±


    King Aldric looked back at the three people, ignoring Ryo who was still standing by their side.


    ¡°The three of you have been summoned to stop them.¡±


    Aiko was shocked. ¡°What? Us? But¡­ we don¡¯t know anything about this world, let alone how to fight!¡±


    King Aldric stared at them sternly. ¡°You were not summoned for no reason. There is a great power slumbering within you. That power is what you must awaken before the disaster comes.¡±


    Mika frowned, looking confused. ¡°How¡­ how?¡±


    ¡°Starting today, you will receive training from the best experts in this kingdom,¡± King Aldric replied. ¡°In a short time, you must develop and become strong enough to face the Crimson Pact.¡±


    Takahiro stared at the floor, a worried expression clearly visible on his face, while Aiko looked hesitant and worried.


    Meanwhile, Ryo remained silent. King Aldric¡¯s earlier words still rang in his ears. No one had mentioned his name in this plan. No one considered him important. He was not even treated as someone worthy of being in this room.


    However, one thing was clear to him¡ªthis world would not give him a place. If he wanted to survive, he would have to find one himself.


    After King Aldric finished explaining their task, silence fell over the throne room. Everyone waited, waiting for further instructions. King Aldric finally spoke again, his voice firmer than before.


    ¡°As summoned ones, you have extraordinary abilities. Every summoned one can open their power stats through a spell. This spell will reveal your status, your hidden abilities ready to be used.¡±


    The king raised his hand in a graceful motion. ¡°Try this spell. Say, ¡®Stat open,¡¯ and see your power.¡±


    Aiko, Takahiro, and Mika exchanged glances, looking hesitant but also curious. After a few seconds, they chanted the spell in unison.


    ¡°Stat open.¡±


    In front of them, a transparent screen appeared, displaying their respective stats with numbers indicating their strength, speed, and other attributes. Everyone was impressed to see their power reflected on the screen, although the stats that appeared were still relatively low, ranging from 1 to 5. However, the potential for further growth was clear.


    It was Ryo¡¯s turn. With an uneasy heart, he tried to chant the same spell.


    ¡°Stat open.¡±


    However, what happened was far different from what he had expected. No screen appeared. All that existed was emptiness, as if Ryo had no statistical existence at all. The room instantly fell silent, filled with sharp gazes from everyone present. King Aldric stared at him with an expression that turned into one filled with hatred.


    ¡°You¡­ you have no power at all, do you?¡± King Aldric¡¯s voice echoed, filled with anger. ¡°Useless trash!¡±


    Ryo fell silent. Feelings of shame and humiliation crept throughout his body. King Aldric, who could no longer hold back his anger, rose from his throne with firm steps.


    ¡°Get out of my sight, you useless bum!¡± he ordered in a shaking voice.


    Several guards standing around the room immediately stepped forward and escorted Ryo out. There was no room for resistance. They forcibly escorted him towards the palace door, leaving Ryo without hope.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    During the expulsion, Ryo had time to turn his head towards the three people who were said to be ¡®summoned.¡¯ However, they only glanced at him for a moment, without any signs of empathy or concern. Aiko, Takahiro, and Mika¡ªthey all looked like the King¡¯s golden children, prepared to save this world. As for Ryo? He was just an unwanted burden.


    Feelings of devastation and humiliation overwhelmed him. He didn¡¯t know what to do next. The world seemed to have no place for him¡ªand worse, no one cared.


    Aiko stared at the transparent screen in front of her with sparkling eyes. The statistics displayed showed numbers that, although small, still made her feel special.


    Aiko Fujimori


    STR: 2


    DEF: 1


    AGI: 3


    MP: 5


    HP: 4


    Special Ability: Blessing of the Wind Goddess


    In addition to basic statistics, she also looked at the various menus available. In the Health section, her body silhouette appeared in green, indicating that she was in good health. The status bar below it was still empty, indicating that she had no buffs or debuffs.


    In the Level section, she saw that she was still at level 1, with an empty EXP bar. However, what caught her attention the most was the Ability section, where it said Blessing of the Wind Goddess.


    "What is this...?" Aiko muttered, her finger moving as if she wanted to touch the screen.


    A noble standing near King Aldric replied, "It''s a special power that only summoned people possess. You have been blessed by the divine entity that watches over this world."


    Hearing that explanation, Aiko smiled. She felt like the protagonist of an RPG game, someone destined for great things.


    Takahiro, who was standing next to her, was not to be outdone. With full confidence, he looked at his own stats.


    Takahiro Sakamoto


    STR: 4


    DEF: 3


    AGI: 2


    MP: 2


    HP: 5


    Special Ability: Blessing of the Fire God


    Compared to Aiko, his stats were more physical. His STR and DEF were higher, showing potential as a close-range fighter.


    "Huh, this is cool," Takahiro said with a satisfied grin.


    Mika, who seemed the quietest among them, finally peeked at her own stats.


    Mika Tanaka


    STR: 1


    DEF: 2


    AGI: 5


    MP: 3


    HP: 4


    Special Ability: Blessing of the Goddess of Light


    "I''m faster than you guys," Mika said, her voice soft but with a hint of pride in it.


    She looked at the Ability menu, where the Blessing of the Goddess of Light was clearly displayed. Although she didn''t know what it did, her instincts told her that this was a very important power.


    While the three were fascinated by their respective stats, King Aldric looked at them with satisfaction. "You have potential. If trained properly, you could be the saviors of this world."


    The nobles and mages in the room nodded in agreement. Whispers of admiration could be heard among them, strengthening the hopeful atmosphere.


    However, the atmosphere was in stark contrast to Ryo, who was being led away by the guards with a feeling of humiliation. He saw the three people receiving special treatment, while he himself was considered trash.


    As Ryo was kicked out by the guards, his body collapsed on the cobblestone street in front of the castle gate. Pain coursed through his body, but more than that, the humiliation he felt was far more painful. Without looking back, he slowly got up and started walking through the city.


    The rumor of the summoning of heroes seemed to have spread far and wide. As Ryo walked through the city streets, the citizens'' scornful gazes began to rain down on him. Whispers could be heard among the crowd.


    "You''ve just been summoned, but you''re already being banished?"


    "That guy must be useless..."


    "The king won''t even accept him, how bad is he really?"


    Every step he took felt heavier. Ryo clenched his fists, holding back the frustration that was building up. He didn''t know where to go. He had no destination, no money, or even a place to rest.


    After walking aimlessly for a long time, his eyes caught a small, deserted alley. Inside, a simple tavern stood, dimly lit by an oil lamp. The smell of alcohol and old wood could be smelled faintly.


    His stomach was empty. He knew he had no money, but he still stepped inside, hoping to find some peace.


    Inside the shop, there was only one customer sitting in the corner, and a middle-aged man standing behind a wooden counter. The man was well-built, with a scar running across his face, making his left eye appear blind. His hair was messy, and his face looked tired, but there was an aura of calm about him.


    As Ryo stepped inside, the man raised his head and greeted him in a deep but friendly voice.


    "It''s rare for a young man to enter this shop," he said, stroking the wooden cup in his hand. "You look shabby... Need something, kid?"


    Ryo was a little surprised to hear the friendly tone. This was the first time someone had spoken to him without being condescending since he arrived in this world.


    "I''m just... looking for a quiet place," Ryo replied simply.


    The man nodded and pointed to one of the wooden chairs in front of the counter. "Sit down. I''m not one to chase away guests."


    Ryo sighed and sat down. For the first time since being banished from the castle, he felt a little calmer.


    However, after a moment of staring at him, the man narrowed his eyes, as if recognizing something.


    "Wait... I''ve heard rumors today," he said softly. "There were several people who were summoned by the King... but one of them was banished."


    The man stared at Ryo more closely. "Don''t tell me... it was you?"


    Ryo paused for a moment, then nodded reluctantly.


    The man took a deep breath. "So it''s true, huh?"


    A moment of silence fell between them before the man spoke again, this time in a softer tone.


    "My name is Garreth. I own this tavern. Don''t worry, I won''t banish you just because you''re not their ''hero''."


    Ryo was a little surprised by his reaction. "You... don''t hate me like everyone else?"


    Garreth shrugged. "Why should I care about the nonsense of royal politics? I''m just an old man living my life. Besides, I''ve known what it''s like to be ignored by this world."


    Ryo looked at Garreth curiously. He wanted to ask more, but the man quickly changed the subject.


    "By the way, you must be broke now, right?" he asked.


    Ryo nodded.


    Garreth clucked his tongue and disappeared into the back room. He returned shortly after with a worn-out robe that was still wearable enough. He also placed five silver coins on the table.


    "Take this. At least you won''t be cold tonight, and it''ll last you a few days."


    Ryo stared at him with wide eyes. "I can''t just accept it..."


    "Consider it a loan," Garreth said with a faint smile. "If you really don''t want to take it for free, then pay it back with work. I need some extra manpower in this shop, even if it''s just for a while."


    Ryo fell silent. This was the first time someone had given him a choice other than being ignored or insulted.


    He gripped the robe tightly and nodded.


    "Okay... I''ll get to work."


    Garreth grinned. "Good. Starting tomorrow, you will learn how to clear tables, wash glasses, and maybe do a little cooking. I''m not one to make people laze around in my place."


    Ryo nodded again, then sighed.


    However, before Garreth could continue, Ryo raised his hand, trying to suppress the curiosity that had been bothering him.


    "Garreth-san, actually... how does the money system work in this world?"


    Garreth raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "Oh? I forgot you were from another world."


    He took the five pieces of silver he had given him earlier, then placed them on the table.


    "Listen carefully. The currency here uses a precious metal-based system. There are four main types of coins used throughout the kingdom."


    He pointed to a silver coin.


    "This is a silver coin. It''s usually used for everyday transactions. Five silver coins like this can buy you a simple meal and a cheap bed for a night."


    Then, he took out another coin from his pocket¡ªa golden yellow coin.


    "This is a gold coin. One hundred silver coins are equal to one gold coin. It''s usually used by the rich, big merchants, or nobles."


    After that, he took out a blackish coin that looked heavier.


    "A platinum coin. One hundred gold coins are equal to one platinum coin. Only people from kingdoms, big guilds, or top adventurers usually have these."


    Lastly, Garreth sighed and shook his head.


    "Then there are mithril coins, but they''re very rare. Only kingdoms or high-ranking organizations have them. One mithril coin can buy this entire tavern."


    Ryo swallowed.


    "So... if I have these five silver coins..."


    Garreth laughed. "You can eat two or three meals and maybe rent a cheap room at a low-class inn for a night. But don''t expect anything fancy."


    Ryo nodded slowly. He was starting to understand the economic system of this world.


    Garreth patted his shoulder. "Now, go get some rest. Starting tomorrow, you''re no longer a vagrant. You''re a worker at Garreth''s tavern."


    For the first time since he arrived in this world, Ryo felt like he had a purpose.


    After receiving the robe and five silver coins from Garreth, Ryo realized that he still didn''t know where to sleep tonight. He looked at the middle-aged man in front of him and asked,


    "Uncle, where can I sleep and eat with this money?"


    Garreth sighed, then pointed out the alley. "Out of this alley, about 15-20 meters ahead, there''s a tavern that also provides cheap lodging for the lower classes. The place is simple, but it''s good enough to rest."


    Ryo nodded, remembering the directions given carefully. "Thank you, Uncle."


    With that, he left Garreth''s tavern and walked down the small street that was starting to be lit up by the orange light of dusk. As he exited the alley, he pulled up the hood of his cloak, trying to hide his face from the snide stares of the townspeople.


    It didn''t take long for him to arrive at the place Garreth had mentioned. The tavern looked simple, with an old wooden sign hanging above the door, reading "Orwin''s Inn & Tavern". Ryo entered with hesitant steps, the aroma of warm food immediately welcoming him.


    A long wooden table was filled with several customers busy enjoying their meals, while a middle-aged woman stood behind the counter, taking orders. Ryo approached the table and quietly ordered a simple meal for one silver coin.


    When the food was placed in front of him¡ªa piece of warm bread with a simple meat soup¡ªhe began to eat with gusto. This was the first meal he had enjoyed since arriving in this world, and although it was simple, it tasted better than anything he had imagined.


    After he finished eating, he handed two more silver coins to the tavern lady and rented a room for the night.


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    Inside his small, simple room, Ryo sat on the thin mattress provided. The room only had a small wooden table and a rickety chair. Simple, but enough to survive.


    But even though his body was tired, his mind kept spinning.


    The images of what happened in the castle came back to haunt him¡ªthe king¡¯s disdainful gaze, the nobles¡¯ scorn, and how the other three people were given special treatment while he was thrown out like trash.


    He clenched his fists on the thin blanket covering his body.


    ¡°Why me? Why are they treating me like this?¡±


    He didn¡¯t know. He didn¡¯t know what was wrong with him.


    But one thing was for sure¡ªhe couldn¡¯t continue to be trapped in this confusion. If this world rejected him, then he had to find his own way.


    With that thought, he finally closed his eyes, letting his exhaustion take him into a restless sleep.


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    Meanwhile, in the royal castle, the other three ¡®heroes¡¯ were preparing for bed in their respective luxurious rooms.


    Aiko Fujimori sat on her soft bed, her eyes still glued to the transparent status screen floating in front of her. Although this world felt foreign, its system reminded her of the RPG games she had played.


    "I really am like a protagonist in another world..." he thought with a small smile.


    Takahiro Sakamoto stretched his body, enjoying the comfort of the large bed that was much more luxurious than the small bed in his old apartment. "This is the life," he muttered before burrowing under the thick blanket.


    Meanwhile, Mika Tanaka just sat quietly on the edge of her bed, staring at the large window that showed the view of the city at night. She didn''t say much, but in her heart, she began to realize that this world was not just an exciting adventure as she had imagined.


    Behind the luxury they had, there was something that felt... wrong.


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    The next morning


    As the morning sun began to illuminate the city, Ryo immediately woke up from his sleep. He straightened his robe and left the inn. However, when he felt the pocket of his robe, he realized that the bread he bought last night had been eaten.


    Having no food, Ryo stepped out of the small alley where the inn was located and walked towards Garreth''s tavern to start his work.


    However, when he arrived in front of the shop, the door was still tightly closed.


    "Not open yet?" he thought.


    He knocked once, twice, but there was no answer.


    Not wanting to waste time, Ryo decided to walk around the city while looking for breakfast. He returned to the small market and bought a warm bun for one silver coin.


    However, as he walked further, he began to notice something he had not noticed before.


    In the small alleys hidden between the city buildings, there were many homeless people sitting leaning against the cold stone walls. Some of them looked emaciated, wearing tattered clothes, and hugging themselves to ward off the morning chill.


    Several small children sat in the corners of the alleys, their eyes blank and their faces dirty.


    Ryo bit his lip.


    From the outside, this city might look like a prosperous kingdom, but behind that splendor, there were many forgotten people.


    However, he realized that he was nothing in this world. Even he himself was still struggling to survive.


    He sighed and decided to return to Garreth''s shop.


    When he arrived back there, the shop was still closed.


    With no other choice, he sat in front of the shop, waiting for Garreth to open the door. Due to the lack of sleep and having waited for quite some time, Ryo began to feel sleepy. Soon, the sleepiness overcame him and he fell asleep in front of the shop.


    Coming soon....

 Chapter 2 : HUNTER

    Ryo fell asleep leaning against the cold wooden wall in front of Garreth''s shop. His body felt tired after walking around this morning. The increasingly high sunlight shone on his face, making him groan softly in his sleep.


    Suddenly, a deep voice woke him up.


    "Hey, kid! Want to sleep in front of someone''s shop forever?"


    Ryo was surprised and immediately opened his eyes. Garreth was standing in front of him with his arms folded, looking at him with raised eyebrows.


    "You slept here all night?" he asked in a surprised tone.


    Ryo rubbed his eyes and hurriedly answered, "I was waiting for uncle to open the shop... I want to work like uncle offered yesterday."


    Garreth was silent for a moment, then¡ªwithout warning¡ªlaughed loudly.


    "Hahahaha! So you''ve been waiting here since morning? Oh my, I forgot to tell you! This shop opens at night!"


    Ryo widened his eyes. "Night?"


    Garreth nodded while patting his shoulder. "Yes, kid. I don''t sell in the morning or afternoon. This place is more crowded at night."


    Ryo lowered his head, embarrassed for having waited so long. However, Garreth only patted his shoulder again. "But it''s also my fault for not explaining. Come in, I''ll teach you how to work here."


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    Inside the shop, Garreth began to teach the various duties that a waiter had to do.


    "First, clean the table after the customers leave. Don''t leave any leftover food lying around. Second, memorize the simple menu that is often ordered. Third, if there are drunk customers who cause trouble, don''t deal with them alone. Call me."


    Ryo nodded, noting all of that down in his mind.


    Garreth then led him to the small kitchen behind the shop. "Now, try making something from the ingredients you have. See what you can come up with."


    Ryo stared at the simple ingredients available¡ªvegetables, a few cuts of meat, spices, and bread. He had never really been good at cooking, but he was used to making simple meals.


    After thinking for a moment, he decided to make a kind of beef stew with toast. It didn''t take long for him to finish it, and he served it on the table.


    Garreth took a spoonful of soup and tasted it. He chewed for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Hmm, not bad... But a little salty."


    Ryo smiled sheepishly. "I don''t really cook that often."


    Garreth chuckled. "Take it easy, kid. You''ll get used to it if you try."


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    As time passed, customers began to arrive.


    Ryo was surprised to see how crowded the tavern was at night. The tables slowly filled with customers from all walks of life¡ªadventurers, manual laborers, and even a few small merchants.


    As a rookie waiter, he was still a little awkward, but he slowly got used to carrying trays, taking orders, and clearing tables. Garreth scolded him a few times when he almost spilled drinks or wrote down orders incorrectly, but that only made him more focused.


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    When the tavern began to quiet down, Garreth finally called out to him.


    "You did a pretty good job." He took out some coins and handed them to Ryo. "Here''s your pay, 5 silver coins. Don''t be too wasteful, young man."


    Ryo accepted the coins with slightly widened eyes.


    "I get paid this much?" he asked, a little incredulous.


    Garreth grinned. "Of course. Do you think I''d hire someone without paying them?"


    After that, Garreth patted him on the shoulder. "Now go home. You must be tired."


    ¡ó¡ó¡ó


    Ryo returned to the same inn as yesterday and rented another room. After receiving the key, he entered and sat on his small bed.


    In his hand, he held the small cloth bag that Garreth had given him before he left. When he opened it, inside were a few pieces of bread and a piece of dried meat.


    Ryo smiled slightly. "This must be from Uncle Garreth¡­"


    Without waiting long, he ate the food greedily. The taste was simple, but it meant a lot to him.


    After finishing his food, he lay down on the bed and stared at the wooden ceiling above him.


    Today felt tiring, but also better than before.


    At least¡­ for the first time since he arrived in this world, he felt like he had a purpose.


    With that thought, he slowly closed his eyes and fell asleep.


    A week had passed since Ryo started working at Garreth''s tavern. Every night, he served customers, cleaned tables, and occasionally helped in the kitchen. Although awkward at first, he was now starting to get used to the rhythm of his work. This tavern may not be the best place, but to him, it was a place where he felt comfortable.


    However, tonight felt different. After the last customer left and the tavern closed, Garreth called Ryo to sit at a corner table. The middle-aged man''s face looked more serious than usual, his eyes deep as if he was weighing something heavy in his mind.


    "Ryo," he said in a low voice, "I''ve been thinking for a long time... It seems like you can''t work here forever."


    Ryo frowned. "What do you mean, uncle?"


    Garreth took a deep breath before continuing. "You are one of them... the summoned. Sooner or later, this world will know of your existence. I can protect you for a while, but not forever."


    Ryo lowered his head. "But I enjoy working here. I feel comfortable, and¡ª"


    "Ryo," Garreth interrupted him, his voice firm. "Don''t be stupid. How much do you get paid from me? Five silver coins a day? That''s not enough money for someone like you."If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Ryo gritted his teeth. "I don''t care about money! I just want to stay here!"


    A loud thud filled the room as Garreth slammed his hand on the table.


    "Don''t be stubborn, brat! You still have a long life ahead of you! Do you think I want to chase you away? No! I just want you to have a better life!"


    Ryo fell silent. He could see the sincerity in Garreth''s eyes. The man might be rough in his speech, but every word he said was filled with concern.


    Finally, with a heavy heart, Ryo nodded. "Alright... I''ll go to the hunter''s guild tomorrow morning."


    Garreth nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Go and find your own path in life."


    With heavy steps, Ryo left the tavern. As the night wind blew against his face, he felt his heart empty. Leaving this place... leaving Garreth... was not something he wanted to do.


    However, what he didn''t know was that as soon as he closed the door and walked away, Garreth coughed softly.


    Ukh...


    The middle-aged man pressed his chest, feeling a sharp pain in his body. As he pulled his hand away from his mouth, a deep red color coated his palm.


    Garreth smiled bitterly. "Huh¡­ Looks like my time is up, huh?"


    He coughed again, harder this time, before finally straightening himself and trying to stand up. With unsteady steps, he turned off the lights of the tavern and walked towards his room.


    Meanwhile, at the inn, Ryo was asleep, unaware of the secret that Garreth had just hidden from him.


    As morning approached, Ryo walked with his head down, trying to avoid the attention of the people around him. He knew that his identity as a summoned person was still at risk, and he did not want to attract unnecessary attention.


    As he walked through the bustling city streets, his eyes caught a small stall selling various masks. Some of them had animal motifs, while others had intricate carvings that looked luxurious. He paused for a moment, thinking that wearing a mask might be the best way to hide his face.


    Ryo pointed to a white fox-shaped mask with red lines around the eyes and asked the seller, "How much is this mask?"


    The vendor, an old man with thinning hair, grinned and replied, "That''s 15 silver coins, kid."


    Ryo''s eyes widened. "What? How can a mere mask be that expensive?"


    The vendor chuckled. "These masks aren''t just any masks, kid. They''re made with a bit of magic. If you wear one, your voice can change, and your hair and skin color can adapt slightly to be different from the original."


    Ryo frowned. Transformation magic? That sounded useful, but 15 silver coins was clearly beyond his reach. He bit his lip and asked, "Is there anything cheaper?"


    The vendor hissed softly, then thought to himself, If you''re poor, it''s better not to buy it. However, he kept his smile and took out a plain black mask with no patterns on it. "If you want something cheap, this is it. It doesn''t have any magic effects, but it''s enough to hide your face. It''s 3 silver coins."


    Ryo weighed his options. He didn''t have much money, and even if this mask didn''t have any magic effects, it would at least cover his face. Finally, with a heavy heart, he took out three silver coins and handed them to the vendor.


    "Thank you for your purchase," the vendor said with a faint smile.


    After putting on the mask, Ryo continued his journey to the hunter''s guild.


    When he arrived in front of the guild building, Ryo looked up at the large sign hanging above the entrance. The atmosphere inside was bustling, with adventurers gathered to watch hunting missions and exchange their catches.


    He approached the reception desk, where a young brown-haired woman smiled at him kindly.


    "Welcome to the hunter''s guild. What do you need?"


    "I would like to register as a hunter," Ryo answered in a slightly nervous voice.


    The receptionist''s eyes narrowed slightly, looking at him curiously. His face was indeed covered by a mask, and it was quite suspicious. However, he still smiled professionally.


    "Alright, for registration, please state your name."


    Ryo almost said his own name, but right before the word came out, he realized that he was trying to hide his identity. Quickly, he changed his answer.


    "My name is¡­ Ryu," he said spontaneously.


    The woman wrote down the name without asking much. "Okay, Ryu. Now, I need to know your fighting style. What weapon do you use?"


    Ryo paused for a moment. He didn''t carry a sword, dagger, or bow. He had never really thought about his fighting style in this world.


    Seeing Ryo''s confusion, the receptionist smiled and guessed, "You''re a hand-to-hand fighter, right? Usually people who don''t carry weapons are those who rely on martial arts techniques."


    Ryo nodded immediately. "Yes¡­ something like that."


    "Alright, I''ll take note of it," the receptionist said, scribbling something on a notebook on her desk. "Now, please take a look at the mission board over there. It''s a price list of the bounties you can sell to the guild."


    Ryo turned around and looked at the large wooden board covered in papers with pictures and writing. There were various animals and monsters with varying prices. Forest wolves were priced at 10 silver coins each, wild boars at 7 silver coins each, and there were also high-class bounties that went for hundreds of coins.


    However, what caught Ryo''s attention was a small listing in the corner of the board:


    Forest Rats ¨C 2 silver coins each


    He stared at the writing with interest. Even though they were only rats, if he could catch five in a day, that would be 10 silver coins¡ªtwice his salary at Garreth''s tavern.


    "Where can I find forest rats?" he asked the receptionist.


    "They''re usually found in the forest south of town," she replied. "But before that, you should know some hunting rules¡ª"


    Before the receptionist could finish her sentence, Ryo turned and ran out of the guild, heading south of the city.


    "H-Hey! Don''t be so hasty!" the receptionist shouted, but Ryo had already disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the city.


    When Ryo arrived at the southern city gate, a guard stopped him. "Where are you going, young man?" the guard asked.


    "To hunt," Ryo answered shortly.


    The guard frowned. "Show me your hunter''s badge."


    Ryo paused, realizing he didn''t have his badge with him. "Ah... I forgot," he replied, trying to come up with an excuse.


    The guard stood his ground. "Without your badge, you can''t pass."


    Reluctantly, Ryo turned and headed back to the guild. When he arrived there, the receptionist stared at him with a sharp gaze.


    "What''s wrong, Ryu?" the receptionist asked, a little impatient.


    Ryo felt awkward. "I... don''t have my badge."


    The receptionist sighed. "Without your badge, you can''t hunt. Come back tomorrow."


    Ryo walked out of the guild with languid steps, feeling that the trip was in vain.


    In his inn room, Ryo felt bored. Usually he chatted with Garreth in the tavern, but that afternoon he didn''t know what to do. Before he knew it, he was already lying on his bed.


    Towards evening, he decided to go to Garreth''s tavern. When he arrived there, the tavern seemed closed, even though it was almost night. He knocked on the door several times, but there was no answer. Ryo began to worry and finally returned to the inn.


    That night, Ryo ate with the remaining money he had. After eating, he sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window of his room. Memories of the castle and the king''s disrespectful treatment came to his mind. He held his breath, trying to push away those feelings. To survive in this new world, he knew he had to forget the past and start a new life. With a heavy heart, he lay down and closed his eyes.


    When morning came, Ryo woke up with a heavy feeling. He decided to have breakfast even though his mood felt empty. After eating, he returned to his room and sat on a chair near the window. His gaze was blank, his mind still drifting in memories that were hard for him to forget. He ponders about the badge that should be finished, but more than that, his mind is on the three heroes who are currently being trained by the kingdom.


    The background then shifts, highlighting the situation of the three heroes who are training hard in the kingdom.


    Aiko Fujimori, with the blessing of the Wind Goddess that she received, continues to train her archery skills. The blessing of the wind allows her to manipulate the wind easily, and archery becomes a skill that she is very good at. However, this power has a weakness; every time she uses it, a lot of MP is used, making her have to diligently increase her MP level to stay strong.


    Takahiro Sakamoto, a young man with the blessing of the Fire God, feels more challenged. He cannot control fire as people expect, but can only channel fire into the weapon he holds. The spear becomes his weapon of choice because he feels that it is the easiest form to channel fire. However, Takahiro must be wary of water or ice attacks that can weaken her strength.


    Mika Tanaka, the quiet girl, receives the blessing of Light. However, after a week of training, her abilities have not developed much. He could only create a speck of light at the tip of his finger, even though light was a very potent power. Mika used two small daggers because speed was the main strength in his stats. Even so, his trainer said that he still needed time to fully master the blessing.


    Back to Ryo, as he was daydreaming, he decided to return to the guild and ask about the badge. However, on the way to the guild, he heard murmurs from the gathered villagers. Their faces looked serious, and their voices were whispering.


    "Garreth... he died in his tavern last night," one of the villagers said. "His mouth was covered in blood... maybe it had something to do with something bigger."


    Ryo was shocked. It felt like the world stopped for a moment, and he felt as if nothing was moving except for him. His gaze was blank, his mind spinning. Uncle Garreth, the person he had considered like family, was gone. He couldn''t believe what he had just heard. Feelings of anxiety and confusion haunted his heart, but he didn''t know what to do.


    With faltering steps, Ryo returned to his inn, his heart filled with emptiness and doubt.

 Chapter 3 : The Beginning Of Everything

    just for your information, sorry if there are some words that cannot be understood because this story was originally in Indonesian and translated into English so there may be some parts that are difficult to understand due to language limitations


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    After returning to his room, Ryo immediately sat on the chair, staring blankly at the window. His mind was filled with one question¡ªhow could Uncle Garreth die so suddenly? Didn''t he look healthy before?


    He continued to ponder until he accidentally saw something from the window. Outside, two men in black robes seemed to be talking in low voices. However, their words were enough to make Ryo''s blood boil.


    "The target was poisoned last night," one of them said.


    Without thinking, Ryo immediately ran outside and charged at one of the men in the robes, throwing a hard punch to his face. The man staggered, but his partner quickly retaliated with a strong kick that hit Ryo''s body, sending him flying into the wall.


    "What''s your business, brat?!" the man in the robe snapped.


    Ryo, who started to get up in anger, shouted, "You killed Garreth, right?!"


    One of the men in the robes chuckled. "We were just doing our job. The one who ordered us was the kingdom."


    Ryo¡¯s eyes widened, but before he could react further, another man emerged from the shadows. He was also wearing a black robe, but his aura was far more oppressive.


    As soon as the man arrived, the previous two immediately bowed respectfully. The black-robed figure approached Ryo, then spoke in a calm but oppressive voice.


    ¡°So you¡¯re the one who was summoned, huh?¡± He grinned. ¡°You¡¯ve fallen into our trap.¡±


    Before Ryo could resist, the man extended his hand. In an instant, Ryo¡¯s vision went dark. His consciousness disappeared¡ªhe had been knocked unconscious.


    Ryo suddenly woke up in a small, cramped room. His vision was still blurry, making it difficult to recognize his surroundings. His head felt heavy, and his body felt stiff.


    After a while, his vision began to clear. He realized that he was lying face down on the cold floor, with his hands and feet tightly bound by thick rope. No matter how hard he tried to move his body, the bindings were too tight to break free.


    Ryo tried to look around for something¡ªanything that could help him escape. However, the room was empty. No hope, no way out.


    As the feeling of despair began to creep up on him, he saw something behind the iron bars that locked him up. A shadowy figure stood there. Due to the minimal lighting, Ryo couldn''t see its face clearly.


    Suddenly, the figure raised its hand. Instantly, a flash of light appeared and cut the ropes that bound Ryo''s hands and feet. He was shocked, but before he could say anything, the mysterious figure created a key from his magic and opened Ryo''s cell door.


    However, as soon as the cell opened, the figure disappeared without a word, leaving Ryo confused.


    Time continued to pass, and Ryo knew he couldn''t stay in that place for long. With careful steps, he walked down the hallway, looking for a way out without attracting attention. Several times he was almost caught by the guards, but thanks to his quick reflexes, he managed to hide in time.


    However, once he reached the outer area of ??the prison, a greater challenge awaited him. Unlike the dimly lit hallway, this place was brighter, making it difficult to move without being seen. The main door was clearly not an option, so he had to find another way.


    As he was looking for a way out, footsteps suddenly sounded from the front. Ryo gasped and turned around, but a similar sound was heard from behind. He was trapped¡ªthere was no way to escape.


    Suddenly, a soft voice called out to him from inside one of the cells next to him. "Take my hand."


    Ryo turned and saw a small child reaching out from behind the bars. His eyes were calm, as if he knew exactly what was happening.


    Without thinking, Ryo grabbed the child¡¯s hand. Instantly, a warm energy flowed through his body, and a transparent screen appeared in front of him:


    Jump Boost


    [YES] [NO]


    There was no time to hesitate. He immediately pressed YES, and suddenly his body shot upwards, jumping over the iron bars until he reached the roof of the prison. With trembling hands, he gripped the top of the wall, preventing his body from falling.


    A few seconds later, the guards passed by below him. Ryo¡¯s heart pounded as he held his breath, waiting for them to leave. Once it was safe, he jumped down. However, as soon as his feet touched the ground, his body suddenly felt heavy¡ªboth his legs were numb, unable to move.


    Another screen appeared in front of him:


    Side Effect: Temporary ParalysisThis book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Ryo took a deep breath. There was no choice but to wait for this effect to wear off. With a limp body, he sat leaning against the child¡¯s cell, while remaining alert to his surroundings.


    Ryo sat leaning against the bars, regulating his still ragged breathing. His eyes fell on the little girl in the cell¡ªshe was now sleeping soundly, as if all her energy had been drained. Ryo frowned, his heart filled with curiosity and worry.


    "What happened to you?" he asked softly.


    The girl didn''t answer, only opening her eyes slightly before they closed again. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Go... The guards will be back soon."


    Ryo clenched his fists. Leaving the little girl alone in a place like this felt wrong, but he knew he had little choice. If he were caught now, all his efforts would be in vain. With a heavy heart, he turned and slipped away, tracing the prison corridors until he finally found the stairs leading to the guard tower.


    When he reached the top, Ryo peered into the tower. It was empty. There was no one there. He breathed a sigh of relief, but his relief was short-lived¡ªthe tower had no exit other than the main door, which was definitely guarded.


    There was no other choice. Carefully, Ryo climbed out through the side of the tower, holding onto a gap in the castle wall. The night wind bit his skin, and every step felt like a gamble. He slowly climbed down the wall, his body pressed tightly against the rough stone. However, when he was almost halfway there, his feet slipped!


    "Agh!"


    Ryo fell several meters and hit the ground hard. Excruciating pain radiated from his leg. When he tried to get up, he gasped¡ªhis left leg was broken.


    The pain was so piercing that his world seemed to spin. His teeth chattered, his hands trembling as he tried to find something around him. With great difficulty, he found a sturdy branch. Biting into the fabric of his robe to endure the pain, he tore off a piece and wrapped it around his leg, tying the branch as a support.


    His breath was ragged, his body covered in cold sweat. However, he could not stop here. With the remaining strength he had, Ryo crawled, dragging his body away from the castle towards the dark forest.


    Every movement felt like torture, but he kept going. Until finally, under the shadow of a tall tree, his body gave out.


    With his back against the tree trunk, his chest rose and fell in exhaustion. His vision began to blur, fatigue and pain mixed together, pulling him into the darkness.


    And there, in the cold night and the silence of the forest, Ryo finally fell asleep¡ªasleep in extreme pain and exhaustion.


    Ryo woke up in the middle of the night, his body still weak and sore in every inch of his flesh. His breathing was heavy, as if his lungs refused to work properly. However, his ears soon caught the sound of rustling from the bushes around him.


    His heart was beating fast. There was something out there¡ªlurking in the darkness.


    From behind the dense foliage, a pair of eyes shone sharply. Not just one. Two. Three. Then more. Their silhouettes slowly appeared under the moonlight¡ªwild wolves, their fangs gleaming in hunger.


    Ryo tried to move, but the pain stabbed his legs, making him sit helplessly. His breath became more rapid as the wolf pack surrounded him, their low growls echoing in the eerie night air.


    There was no escape.


    One of the wolves lunged.


    Sharp claws tore through his skin.


    Cruel teeth dug into his shoulder.


    Warm blood flowed.


    ¡°Aaaarghh!!¡±


    Ryo screamed, but his screams were drowned out by the sound of wild growls. More bites followed¡ªon his arms, his legs, his body. Excruciating pain spread throughout his nerves, like thousands of knives tearing his body apart at the same time. He struggled, but the more he moved, the deeper the wounds opened.


    The world began to spin.


    ¡°Damn... Am I going to die like this?¡±


    His head grew heavier, his body felt frozen. His breath became shallow, growing weaker. Slowly, his vision began to blur.


    Then suddenly¡ª


    The wolves stopped.


    In the midst of his fading consciousness, Ryo could still see the pack retreating with their tails between their legs. They were growling, but not at him¡ªbut at something standing behind him.


    The figure was invisible, but its presence was so oppressive.


    Without thinking, the wolves howled in fear and ran away from the place, as if the creature they were facing was far more terrifying than themselves.


    Ryo wanted to see. Wanted to know what had saved him.


    But his body couldn''t move. His vision grew darker. His consciousness was almost gone... until a woman''s voice echoed in his ears.


    "I saved you once... and you wasted it."


    Her voice was cold, flat, but full of piercing firmness.


    Ryo wanted to answer. Wanted to ask. But everything was too late.


    The world sank into darkness.


    After Ryo fell unconscious, the mysterious woman approached him with movements full of caution and calmness. Without saying a word, she lifted Ryo''s frail body, adjusted his position, and with almost unimaginable strength, she concentrated energy in her hands. In an instant, the deep wounds and broken bones healed completely, leaving Ryo''s body intact. However, even though his body was completely restored, Ryo still lay unconscious.


    The woman gently placed Ryo''s head on her lap. She watched over his body with great care, waiting for his body to fully recover. Only in the silence of the night did the woman speak softly, as if to herself, "You still have a long way to go... a road that has not yet ended."


    The scene shifted into endless darkness. Ryo felt as if he had died. He was in a pitch-black place, with no signs of life or direction. Every step he took only led to deeper silence. Despair began to take hold of his heart, and he finally fell, letting his body collapse limply in the quiet and empty place.


    "Is this death?" he thought silently.


    However, before he could ponder his question any further, a bright light appeared before him, blinding him. Ryo was shocked, trying to get up, but was blocked by five mysterious figures that suddenly appeared around him. The figures were dressed in pure white, their bodies glowing softly but possessing a very strong aura¡ªlike beings higher than anything ordinary humans could comprehend.


    Ryo, even in his confused state, could not contain his curiosity. In a casual tone, he said, "Ah, you must be gods or something, huh?"


    The five figures did not answer, only observing Ryo with meaningful gazes. Their faces were expressionless, but there was a kind of peace flowing from them. Ryo could not help but ask further.


    "So," he continued, "am I going to heaven¡­ or hell?"


    The atmosphere suddenly changed. The previously pitch-black room was now pure white, feeling like he was in a neutral place, far from the world Ryo knew. It was as if everything around him had been created just to welcome him.


    One of the figures finally spoke, his voice calm yet powerful, filled with a power that no ordinary human could comprehend.


    "You are not going to heaven or hell," he answered calmly. "Your life is not over. You still have something to live. You will be returned."


    Ryo was silent, trying to process those words. Before he could ask any further, a loud rumbling sound was heard, followed by a violent tremor that caused the ground beneath him to begin to crack. Without warning, a large hole appeared beneath Ryo''s feet, and he fell, plunging into ever-deepening darkness, as if everything was out of his control.

 Chapter 4 : Starting the Journey

    just for your information, sorry if there are some words that cannot be understood because this story was originally in my language and translated into English so there may be some parts that are difficult to understand due to language limitations


    |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|


    Ryo woke up gasping for breath, his eyes immediately widening when he realized his head was lying on a girl''s lap. Reflexively, he immediately got up and took a few steps back, still confused. His body felt lighter¡ªthe pain that had previously paralyzed his body was gone.


    The woman slowly stood up, her face clearly visible under the moonlight. Her long hair flowed softly in the wind, and she only looked at Ryo with a faint smile before turning around and starting to walk away without a word.


    Seeing that, Ryo immediately called out to her, "Wait!"


    The woman stopped, but did not turn around.


    Ryo swallowed, his heart beating erratically as he asked, "Are you... Mika Tanaka?"


    Once again, the woman did not answer immediately. Only silence filled the night. Then, slowly, she started walking again.


    "Wait! Why did you help me?" Ryo''s voice sounded more desperate this time.


    The woman''s steps stopped once again. Still facing away from Ryo, she answered in a soft but firm voice, "You can''t die... If you die, someone will be sad."


    Before Ryo could ask further, the woman''s body began to glow with a soft light, shimmering in the darkness of the night. In a matter of seconds, the light grew brighter, enveloping her figure until she finally disappeared completely, leaving Ryo still rooted to the spot.


    The night wind blew softly, but Ryo felt something colder grip his heart¡ªa feeling he found hard to explain.


    After that, Ryo walked towards the inn, but as he got closer, his eyes caught something that made him immediately alert¡ªmany royal guards were patrolling the area. Realizing the danger lurking, Ryo immediately changed his plan. He turned around and ran towards the Hunter''s Guild.


    As he ran, Ryo could feel the gazes of the citizens focused on him. Only then did he realize¡ªthe mask he usually wore had been confiscated in prison. Now, his identity was wide open. However, there was no time to think about that. He kept running, ignoring the curious gazes around him.


    Upon arriving at the guild, Ryo immediately headed to the reception desk. His breath was still ragged as he asked, "Where''s my ID?"


    The receptionist without further ado handed him a card. When Ryo saw it, his brow immediately furrowed. The name written on it was Ryo, not Ryu like he had used before. Before Ryo could question it, the receptionist whispered something to him.


    "Garreth has already told me about your true identity."


    Ryo was surprised, but before he could react further, the receptionist continued, "If you want to get out of the kingdom without being noticed, use the sewers north of the city."


    However, before his explanation could finish, several royal troops suddenly entered the area around the guild. Ryo had no time left. He immediately rushed out of the guild, running as fast as he could towards the location that had been mentioned.


    After some time, Ryo finally arrived at the entrance to the sewers. Without hesitation, he immediately entered the dark and foul-smelling hallway. He walked carefully, trying to find a way out, but without any clear directions, his journey took longer than he expected.


    Finally, after a long time walking through the narrow and winding hallways, Ryo managed to get out into the outside world. Fresh air greeted him immediately, but he couldn''t stay still. Without wasting any time, he ran away, leaving the kingdom''s borders as far as possible.


    As night began to fall, Ryo arrived at a forest. His eyes caught a large tree with a hole in the bottom, large enough to be used as a resting place.


    "This seems like a safe place for now," he muttered.


    With his body tired and his mind still filled with various worries, Ryo entered the tree hole. After making sure he was well hidden, he finally let his body rest. That night, for the first time in a long time, Ryo was able to sleep with a little peace of mind¡ªeven though he knew, this was only the beginning of his long journey.


    As the morning sun began to illuminate the forest, Ryo opened his eyes. The night''s sleep had helped him recover a little, but his empty stomach was starting to feel torturous. With his body still weak, he continued walking, looking for something to eat.


    After walking for a while, he found a path that seemed rarely used. He decided to follow it, hoping to find a settlement or at least a source of food. After walking for quite a distance, his eyes caught the shimmer of water in the distance¡ªa large lake spread out before him.


    "If there''s water, there''s fish," he muttered.


    Without thinking, he immediately looked for a straight tree branch to use as a spear. After finding one, he sharpened the tip with a stone until it was sharp enough. However, catching fish turned out to be much harder than he had imagined. He tried for hours, but always failed. Only after who knows how many attempts did he finally manage to catch a fish.


    Hunger made him impatient. He immediately lit a fire and grilled the fish over the coals. When he finally bit into it, a bitter taste immediately spread in his mouth.


    "Is this poisonous?" he thought, but hunger overcame logic.


    Despite his doubts, he still finished the fish, thinking that if he didn''t eat, he might starve to death. After he finished, he put out the fire and continued on his journey.


    However, about an hour into walking, his body began to feel strange. His vision was blurry, his stomach was nauseous, and cold sweat soaked his body.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Damn... don''t tell me¡ª"


    Before he could finish his thoughts, his body lost balance. Ryo fell limp in the middle of the road, his consciousness fading.


    ---


    When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a campsite. The smell of burning wood was in the air, and faint chatter could be heard all around him. He was immediately alert.


    Around him, there were three men and one woman.


    A large man with heavy armor¡ªa tank.


    A hooded man with two daggers on his waist¡ªan assassin.


    A long-haired man with a long sword on his back¡ªa swordsman.


    And finally, a woman in a magic robe¡ªa witch.


    Ryo immediately sat up and stared at them sharply.


    "Who are you guys?" he asked in a wary tone.


    One of the men chuckled. "Relax, we''re just adventurers who happened to find you passed out on the road."


    The female witch added, "You were poisoned. Luckily we found it in time."


    Ryo paused for a moment, remembering the fish he had eaten earlier. He sighed, feeling annoyed with himself.


    The witch then handed him a bowl of warm soup. "This contains antidote magic. Drink it."


    Ryo took the bowl and began to drink it slowly. It tasted bland, but he was still grateful because his body began to feel a little better. After eating, the side effects of the soup began to show¡ªsleepiness attacked his body.


    "You should rest first," the swordsman said.


    Ryo had no choice. His body was too tired to fight the effects, so he let himself fall asleep.


    ---


    The next morning, the adventurers prepared to return to the kingdom.


    "Do you want to come?" the tank asked.


    Ryo immediately shook his head. "No way. I have other business. If I come, it will only endanger you."


    The four adventurers looked at each other, but eventually nodded.


    "Alright, then, be careful on your journey," the assassin said.


    Without further ado, they parted ways there. Ryo stared at their retreating backs before finally continuing his own journey, with his destination still unclear.


    As Ryo prepared to continue his journey, suddenly the assassin from the adventurer group shouted at him.


    "Hey, take this!"


    Ryo turned and saw the assassin throwing a dagger at him. Reflexively, he caught it.


    "It''s a sign of friendship," the assassin said with a faint smile.


    Ryo frowned, confused by what she meant. However, he didn¡¯t want to refuse, so he just nodded and put the dagger away at his waist. Maybe this was some kind of their culture, he thought.


    After parting with the adventurers, Ryo continued on his journey. As he walked along the path, he suddenly heard the sound of creaking wheels in the distance. He quickly hid behind the bushes, straining his ears.


    The sound was getting closer¡ªa horse-drawn carriage passed in front of him. However, what surprised him was the cargo the carriage was carrying.


    Children?


    Ryo''s eyes narrowed as he looked inside the carriage. Several small children sat there with pale faces, as if frightened. And among them, his eyes caught a familiar figure¡ªa girl who had once helped him when he was in prison.


    Unconsciously, his feet began to move, following the carriage carefully.


    However, his journey did not last long. From behind the trees, five figures appeared to block the carriage.


    "Stop right there!"


    The carriage came to an abrupt halt, and from the shadows of the trees, five armed bandits emerged. Quickly, they surrounded the carriage and dragged all the children down.


    Ryo felt his chest tighten. He wanted to step forward and fight, but his legs froze in place. Five people... I''m alone... I can''t win.


    He bit his lip, cursing his own fear. However, he couldn''t just stay still. He followed the bandits from a distance, waiting for the right moment to act.


    After a few minutes of walking, the bandits stopped in a clearing. Four of them began to loot the goods from the carriage, leaving only one to guard the children.


    This is my chance!


    Without thinking, Ryo used all his strength and ran towards the bandit guarding the children. At full speed, he jumped and kicked the man right in the chest.


    Bugh!


    The bandit fell to the ground, surprised by the sudden attack.


    "Run now!" Ryo shouted at the children.


    The children immediately scattered, running towards the forest. However, the girl who had helped Ryo remained behind. She looked at Ryo with eyes full of conviction, then grabbed his left hand.


    At that moment, Ryo felt energy flowing into his body. His vision blurred for a moment, then a transparent screen appeared in front of him.


    [Skill Acquired: Wind Slash]


    Ryo stared at the screen in confusion. He had not had time to process what was happening, but the explanation for the skill immediately appeared in his mind¡ªhe had to slash the air, and the attack would produce a sharp wave of wind.


    Without hesitation, Ryo grabbed the dagger the assassin had given him and swung it towards the four bandits who were looting.


    "Wind Slash!"


    A wave of wind shot out¡ªtoo fast. In an instant, the bodies of the four bandits were torn in half. Blood sprayed into the air, splashing red on the previously clean ground.


    Ryo froze in place. His eyes widened as he looked at the bodies in front of him.


    Too easy...


    The hand holding the dagger began to tremble. He swallowed hard, trying to comprehend what he had just done.


    However, his fear grew even more as he looked back.


    The children he had just saved were now staring at him with expressions of horror¡ªas if he were not their savior, but a terrifying monster.


    Ryo felt his chest tighten.


    However, among all the frightened children, only one person was different.


    The girl.


    She looked at Ryo... and smiled.


    However, before Ryo could say anything, the girl''s body swayed and she fell unconscious.


    After that, Ryo carried the girl and prepared to leave. However, he suddenly heard the sound of horse galloping from a distance. Quickly, Ryo looked for a place to hide. When he peeked out from behind the trees, he saw the royal troops on horseback approaching.


    Ryo began to panic. Does the kingdom already know that I ran away? he thought. Without wasting time, he immediately ran deeper into the forest, not realizing that he was still carrying the girl. After he had gone far enough, he realized and felt how stupid he was. I should have left her... If I hadn''t brought her, maybe the royal troops would have saved her, he thought regretfully.


    Meanwhile, the royal troops finally found the children who were previously saved by Ryo. However, instead of bringing them back, they only asked which direction Ryo went. The innocent children pointed towards the forest, and without paying them any further attention, the royal army continued their search. Ryo, unaware of this, continued to run deeper into the forest.


    The further he went in, the more Ryo felt that this forest was very dangerous. An uneasy feeling began to envelop him, as if something was watching him from behind the darkness. Because of that, he quickened his pace, trying to find a way out. A few moments later, after running non-stop, Ryo finally managed to get out of the forest and found a wide meadow.


    The air there felt cool, the wind blowing gently against his face. He finally stopped and placed the girl on the soft grass. With a gasp, Ryo sat down beside her.


    Unconsciously, he slapped himself on the cheek. Stupid! Why did I bring this child this far? he thought.


    However, right after that, the girl slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze was directly fixed on Ryo, then with a sweet smile, she said, "Thank you..."


    Ryo''s face immediately turned red. The girl''s smile was so innocent and sweet, it made him a little nervous. But then he shook his head and slapped his own cheek again. Don''t be stupid, he''s still a kid! he thought to himself.


    Seeing that, the girl looked at Ryo in confusion. "Why did you slap yourself?" she asked.


    Ryo just sighed and replied, "It''s okay."


    After that, Ryo asked, "Are you okay?"


    The girl nodded. "I just ran out of MP, other than that I''m fine," she replied.


    "Then, can you walk yet?"


    "Yeah, I think so."


    After making sure the girl was okay, Ryo introduced himself. "My name is Ryo Takeda."


    The girl smiled again and replied, "I''m Luna."


    Ryo nodded. "Okay, Luna. We should get out of here soon."


    Luna nodded, and the two of them started to continue their journey.


    |=====================================|


    just for information, luna is a girl around 11 - 13 years old, her hair is white with black eyes, her face is beautiful even though she was very dirty at that time.

 Chapter 5 : New Place

    just for your information, sorry if there are some words that cannot be understood because this story was originally in my language and translated into English so there may be some parts that are difficult to understand due to language limitations


    |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|


    Before they continued their journey, Ryo looked at Luna guiltily. In a low voice, he said, "I''m sorry... I didn''t mean to bring you with me. I should have left you there so that the royal army could rescue you."


    Luna shook her head slowly, then looked at him with determination in her eyes. "No, I''d rather go with you," she said. "I can feel a warm aura from you, something I''ve never felt before in the kingdom."


    Ryo fell silent, not expecting Luna to say something like that. However, before he could answer, Luna spoke again, this time in a more serious tone.


    "Ryo, you may not know... but the kingdom is not as beautiful as it seems. Every day, I and the other children are treated like slaves. We are whipped, forced to work non-stop, and given food that is not even worthy of being called food. I am lucky because my body is still strong enough to survive... but many other children are not as fortunate as I am."


    Luna lowered her head, biting her lip as if trying to hold back her emotions. "They... they don''t care if we''re sick or tired. All they want is our energy. Some children who can''t work anymore... they''re just thrown away, like trash."


    Luna''s voice trembled as she said the last word, causing anger to flare in Ryo''s chest. He clenched his fists tightly, his jaw tightening.


    "So that''s... the real side of the kingdom?" he muttered, almost as if talking to himself.


    Luna nodded slowly, then looked back at him with a serious expression. "I don''t want to go back there. If I stay in the kingdom, I''ll just go back to the same life. At least, with you... I feel like I have hope."


    Ryo took a deep breath, trying to calm his raging emotions. He didn''t know what to say. He himself didn''t have a clear goal at the moment, but seeing Luna speak so seriously made him feel responsible.


    After a few moments of silence, Ryo finally said, "Alright... But before we continue our journey, we have to find a spring. You need to clean yourself."


    Luna lowered her gaze, only then realizing how dirty and shabby she was. His clothes were covered in dust and stains, his silvery white hair was tangled and messy. With a little embarrassment, he nodded slowly. "Yes... that''s a good idea."


    Without wasting any time, they began to search for a spring, preparing for a long journey that was still filled with uncertainty.


    Ryo looked around, looking for a safe path to take. His gaze fell to the west, which seemed more open and less dangerous than the other directions. With careful steps, Ryo and Luna began walking, looking for a water source so they could clean themselves.


    Along the way, Luna looked at Ryo with curiosity clearly visible on her face.


    "Ryo, where are you actually from?" she asked.


    Ryo was hesitant to answer at first. He didn''t want to talk about his past, especially about how he arrived in this world. However, Luna kept asking with a curious look that reminded Ryo of himself. He smiled slightly, feeling strange because Luna''s attitude was so similar to his own¡ªstubborn and curious.


    Finally, he took a deep breath and decided to tell his story. He explained everything, from when he was summoned to this world, meeting the King, being treated like trash, to finally ending up in prison.


    Luna listened intently, her face showing various expressions from surprise, anger, to sadness. When Ryo finished speaking, Luna suddenly grabbed his hand.


    Ryo reflexively pulled his hand away, worried that Luna would faint again like before. However, Luna only smiled and said softly, "Don''t worry. I just want to give you a little strength. It won''t make me faint."


    Ryo looked at her doubtfully, but finally nodded. Luna then told him to try using magic by saying, "Status Open."


    Ryo initially felt silly, but his curiosity overcame his doubts. In a low voice, he said, "Status Open."


    Instantly, a transparent screen appeared in front of his face, displaying information about himself. Ryo''s eyes widened when he saw the statistics listed.


    [Status]


    STR : 4


    DEF : 3


    AGI : 5


    MP : 0


    HP : 5


    Ryo was surprised. Compared to other summoned people, his numbers were quite high. However, what confused him the most was his MP which was 0.


    "So... this is why I can''t use magic," he muttered.


    He then moved to the next page, which showed a list of his abilities.


    [Skill]


    1. Jump Boost (Lv 6)


    2. Wind Slash (Lv 8)


    Ryo was curious about his first skill, Jump Boost. He tried pressing it. As soon as the virtual button was touched, his body shot high into the air, almost 6 meters from the ground.


    "W-What?! I jumped this high?!" he exclaimed in panic.


    The wind blew hard around him as he floated in the air. However, as soon as he realized that he was going to fall, Ryo panicked because he didn''t know how to land safely. He could only close his eyes and surrender.


    When his body hit the ground, he was surprised because he didn''t feel any pain at all. However, the side effects of his jump were still felt¡ªhis legs felt temporarily paralyzed.


    Ryo sat on the ground with a gasp. Although his body was a little weak, his face was filled with joy and amazement.


    He turned to Luna, his eyes sparkling. "Luna, thank you. Now I understand my power better!" he said excitedly.


    Luna just smiled warmly, feeling happy to be able to help Ryo understand his potential.


    With renewed vigor, the two of them continued their journey in search of the spring, unaware that a great fate awaited them ahead.


    After the side effects of the high jump wore off, Ryo and Luna continued their journey. They walked non-stop for two hours until they finally found a clear river.


    Ryo let out a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Luna, you can clean yourself here. I¡¯ll be on guard.¡±


    Luna nodded, then walked to the edge of the river to take a bath. Meanwhile, Ryo wandered around, looking for something to eat. He explored the edge of the river in hopes of finding fruit or fish. Not long after, he saw a tree bearing abundant fruit. The fruit was shaped like a cross between an apple and an avocado¡ªquite strange, but it looked refreshing.


    Without thinking, Ryo climbed the tree and managed to grab one of the fruits. However, before he could get down safely, the branch he was standing on suddenly broke.


    ¡°Aaa!¡±


    Ryo lost his balance and fell. However, instead of hitting the ground, his body was slammed into the water. As soon as he surfaced, he realized something that made him freeze in place.


    In front of him, Luna was taking a bath.


    The two of them stared at each other. The clear river water, the sunlight shining through the trees, and Luna¡¯s shocked face made the atmosphere even more awkward. Several seconds passed without anyone speaking, until finally their faces both turned red at the same time.


    ¡°AAA!!¡±


    Ryo immediately turned around and swam to the edge of the river as fast as he could. As soon as he reached land, he immediately ran away while shouting, ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t mean to! I really didn¡¯t see anything!¡±


    After a while, Luna finished cleaning herself and walked over to Ryo. Her face was still a little red, but she tried to act normal.


    Ryo, who still felt guilty, hurriedly apologized again. ¡°I really didn¡¯t mean to, I fell from the tree, then suddenly¡ª¡±


    Luna sighed softly. ¡°Just forget about what happened earlier.¡±


    As Ryo breathed a sigh of relief, Luna suddenly asked, ¡°But¡­ you saw it, right?¡±


    Ryo¡¯s body stiffened. His face turned red again, and he stuttered, ¡°N-no! I really didn¡¯t see anything!¡±


    Luna narrowed her eyes, looking at him suspiciously. Quickly, she swung her hand and slapped Ryo''s cheek.


    Smack!


    Ryo fell silent, holding his reddened cheek. Luna folded her arms across her chest and said in an annoyed tone, "I forgive you... but don''t expect me to forget."


    Although the atmosphere was still a little awkward, they finally sat down by the river and started eating the fruit that Ryo had found earlier. Ryo first tried to bite it to make sure it wasn''t poisonous. The sweet taste that resembled watermelon made him sure that this fruit was safe to eat, so he gave half of it to Luna.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Calmly, Luna started to eat. Although she occasionally glanced at Ryo with a sharp gaze, over time, the tension between them slowly melted.


    After finishing eating, Luna stood up and said, "Alright, we should get going before nightfall."


    Ryo nodded. "Yes... let''s continue our journey."


    They started walking again, leaving the river behind them. Although the incident earlier was a little disturbing to Ryo, he tried to stay focused on their journey ahead.


    After walking for a while, Ryo and Luna finally found a fairly large dirt road. They decided to follow it, hoping to find a settlement or shelter.


    As they walked, Ryo began to think about something that had been bothering him for a while¡ªwhy did he get a temporary paralysis debuff when he used Jump Boost, but he didn''t feel any side effects when he used Wind Slash?


    However, Luna denied that assumption. She explained that almost all skills in this world had side effects, only some had mild effects, while others were more severe.


    "Wait, look at your dagger," Luna said.


    Ryo took out his dagger and examined it carefully. His eyes widened when he saw a small crack on its surface.


    "Don''t tell me this is¡­"


    Luna nodded. "That''s a side effect of Wind Slash. Every time you use it, your weapon will degrade faster. If used too often without maintenance, the weapon could break."


    Ryo sighed, realizing that all skills did have risks. Luna then continued her explanation.


    "In this world, there are two main ways to use magic. First, directly through your physical body, such as Jump Boost which utilizes your own muscles and internal strength. Second, by using an intermediary such as a weapon, wand, or artifact, such as the Wind Slash you used with that dagger."


    Ryo listened intently, trying to digest this information. He then asked, "Then¡­ how many types of magic are there in this world?"


    Luna thought for a moment before answering, "There are many types of magic, but the main ones are five: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Electricity. In addition, there are two special types of magic, namely Light and Darkness."


    "Darkness?" Ryo frowned.


    "Yes, although many believe that dark magic is not actually magic, but rather a curse," Luna replied.


    Inwardly, Ryo wondered where Luna had learned so much of this information. However, he chose not to ask now, as he felt it would be rude to dig into Luna''s past without permission.


    With their minds increasingly filled with questions, Ryo and Luna continued their journey along the dirt road, hoping to find something that could help them survive in this strange world.


    After walking for a while, Ryo and Luna saw a figure from a distance. However, the closer they got, the more suspicious the figure looked. Luna suddenly grabbed Ryo''s clothes tightly, her body trembling, and her face filled with fear.


    "Ryo... that person... his aura is so terrifying... cold as ice..." Luna whispered in a trembling voice.


    Ryo glanced at the figure. The mysterious man was wearing a tattered brown robe that completely covered his face. Both of his hands were wrapped in bandages so that not a single bit of his skin was visible. What was more striking was that on his back was a large sword, also wrapped in bandages, as if hiding something dangerous.


    Even though Luna was clearly scared, Ryo still walked towards the man. When he got close to him, Ryo stopped without hesitation and asked, "Excuse me, is there a village around here?"


    Luna panicked even more, her body trembled even more. However, the man was only silent for a moment before finally answering in a low and heavy voice, "Ahead, about seven kilometers from here, there is a T-junction. Turn right, then walk about three kilometers."


    After saying that, the mysterious man started to walk away. However, after a few steps, he suddenly stopped. He was silent for a few seconds, then in a more serious voice, he said,


    ¡°It¡¯s best when you reach the T-junction, turn left for about two kilometers. After that, turn right for three kilometers, then turn right once more. You¡¯ll find a village there.¡±


    Ryo frowned, feeling that there was something strange about the man¡¯s change of direction.


    ¡°If you keep following the first path¡ªseven kilometers straight then turn right¡ªyou¡¯ll most likely encounter a C-class monster.¡±


    Hearing that, Luna became even paler, while Ryo was silent for a moment before finally shouting, ¡°Thank you!¡±


    Without answering, the mysterious man walked away again, leaving Ryo and Luna still staring at his back with various questions in their minds. However, without wasting any time, they continued their journey according to the new directions given.


    As Ryo and Luna walked along the path that was starting to be filled with wild grass, the sound of horse hooves could be heard from behind. Ryo turned and saw an old man riding a horse pulling an old wooden cart, filled with various goods. His shabby robes fluttered in the wind, and his wrinkled face reflected his long experience as a traveling merchant.


    As he passed them, the old man briefly made eye contact with Ryo, just a short, wordless greeting. He continued on, leaving tire tracks on the dusty ground.


    After a fairly long journey, Ryo and Luna finally arrived at a T-junction. Ryo was about to walk left, following the instructions of the mysterious man they had met earlier, but suddenly Luna tugged at his sleeve anxiously.


    "Wait," Luna whispered. She looked down and pointed at the tire tracks on the ground. "These tracks are fresh. They look like they came from the merchant''s cart. Maybe we should just follow this path?"


    Ryo studied the tracks for a moment, but finally shook his head. "I believe what the mysterious man said more. Let''s take the left path."


    Luna seemed hesitant, but eventually nodded and followed Ryo.


    After a rather tiring journey, they finally arrived at the village the mysterious man had mentioned. The village wasn''t very big, but it was quite bustling with people going about their activities. Wooden houses lined up neatly along the main road, and several children were seen running around laughing. The aroma of baked bread wafted from one of the houses, making Ryo''s stomach growl softly.


    Without wasting any time, Ryo immediately looked for the hunter''s guild. However, after walking around, he didn''t find any signs of the guild. The only guild in this village was the adventurer''s guild.


    They entered the adventurer''s guild building, which was quite crowded with adventurers chatting and posting missions on the bulletin board. A young receptionist with long brown hair greeted them with a professional smile.


    "Welcome to the Adventurer''s Guild. How can I help you?" she asked politely.


    "I would like to register as an adventurer," Ryo said without hesitation.


    However, the receptionist''s expression changed slightly. "To register, there is a fee of 13 silver coins," she said politely.


    Ryo fell silent. He didn¡¯t have any money at all, let alone that much.


    ¡°Then¡­ is there a hunter¡¯s guild in this village?¡± he asked, trying to think of an alternative.


    The receptionist shook her head. ¡°There¡¯s no hunter¡¯s guild around here.¡±


    Ryo frowned. ¡°What¡¯s the difference between an adventurer¡¯s guild and other guilds?¡±


    The receptionist smiled faintly and began to explain, ¡°Each guild has its own specialty. The hunter¡¯s guild only accepts hunting missions, the discoverer¡¯s guild focuses on finding valuables in ruins like artifacts, and there¡¯s also the herbalist¡¯s guild that¡¯s in charge of finding medicinal herbs. Meanwhile, the adventurer¡¯s guild covers all types of missions, from hunting, exploration, to escorting.¡±


    Ryo finally understood the difference, but the main problem was still not solved¡ªhe had no money.


    ¡°If I need money fast, is there another way to get it?¡± he asked.


    The receptionist nodded. ¡°You can gather materials and sell them. Gemstones can be sold to a blacksmith, leather or thread to a clothing store, and meat to a food store.¡±


    Hearing that, Ryo felt a little relieved. At least there was a way out.


    After thanking the receptionist, he and Luna exited the guild. Ryo took a deep breath as he looked around the village.


    "We need to make money fast," he said.


    Luna nodded in agreement. "So, what''s your plan?"


    "We''ll hunt," Ryo answered without hesitation. "Let''s get out of the village and find something we can sell."


    They walked out of the village, heading towards the forest on the outskirts that looked a little dense. Their steps were steady, ready to face whatever awaited them there.


    Ryo and Luna walked along the dirt road, occasionally glancing towards the forest, hoping to find a forest rat or other small prey. However, after walking for quite some time, they realized that they had moved away from the village. As they were about to turn around, Ryo saw a large silhouette in the distance, covered in a thin mist.


    "That''s... a cart?" Ryo muttered, narrowing his eyes.


    Curious, they approached the cart. Once closer, Ryo recognized it immediately¡ªit was the same cart as the one the old man had used earlier. Instantly his mind spun, connecting this incident to the mysterious man''s words from earlier.


    "This road is connected to the T-junction earlier... If this cart is here, maybe..."


    When he examined it closer, the hair on the back of his neck stood on end. Large claw marks were clearly imprinted on the wood of the cart, and on the ground and on the surface of the wood were fresh blood splatters.


    "This blood is still fresh..." Ryo whispered, his body tensing up.


    Without thinking, he immediately grabbed Luna''s hand and ran as fast as he could.


    "Luna, hurry!" he shouted.


    However, Luna could not keep up with his speed. Reflexively, Ryo immediately carried her and continued running towards the village.


    After arriving, they went straight to the guild and reported the incident to the receptionist. The guild quickly deployed a group of adventurers to investigate, and Ryo was asked to be the guide.


    When they arrived at the location, a mage from the group used plant magic to detect the presence of the monster. However, his face immediately turned pale.


    "This... is not an ordinary monster..." he said in a trembling voice.


    Suddenly, from within the forest, the sound of trees falling was heard. A giant figure emerged from behind the bushes¡ªa gray bear with a glowing red crystal on its chest.


    "Hide now!" shouted one of the adventurers to Ryo and Luna.


    Ryo immediately retreated, but his eyes remained fixed on the ongoing battle. The group of adventurers were being cornered, it was clear that they were no match for the monster.


    ''They will lose...'' Ryo thought, his hands clenching into fists.


    He was well aware that he was weak, but he could not stay silent.


    With a heavy sigh, he opened the transparent screen in front of his face, his fingers trembling towards the dimly glowing skill icon.


    "I''ll use Wind Slash!" he shouted. "But I can only do it once! You guys have to bait it!"


    Hearing that, the adventurers immediately coordinated, trying to create an opening for Ryo to attack.


    When the opportunity arose, Ryo took a deep breath, stared at the transparent screen in front of him, and with determination, he pressed the Wind Slash skill icon.


    In an instant, a sharp wind slash shot towards the monster. However, his attack missed its target by a little. Even so, the wind was strong enough to cut the bear''s arm, making it howl in pain before finally fleeing into the forest.


    Ryo gasped for breath, his eyes dropping to his dagger¡ªit was broken.


    The adventurers approached him with faces full of gratitude. They knew that without Ryo''s help, they would probably be dead. Quickly, they returned to the guild to report the incident.


    At the guild, the receptionist confirmed that the monster was indeed a C-class. Ryo, who was initially discouraged because his attack missed, was encouraged by Luna and the adventurers.


    "Failure is common," Luna said softly. "The important thing is that you tried."


    However, something felt strange to Ryo. He looked around and noticed that one of the adventurers was missing¡ªthe man with the large axe. When he asked, the group leader only replied that the man was resting. Ryo didn''t want to argue about it, so he just nodded.


    Shortly after, the receptionist handed him 10 silver coins as a reward for his report.


    Ryo was surprised, but he accepted it happily. Even more surprising, the group of adventurers he helped also gave him 26 silver coins to pay for his and Luna''s registration fee to the guild.


    At first they refused, but eventually accepted it with gratitude. The receptionist told them to come back tomorrow morning to pick up their badges.


    With the money they had, Ryo and Luna decided to find food and lodging. They bought two large loaves of bread for 3 silver coins, then visited a supply store.


    When Ryo wanted to buy a new weapon, he was surprised to find that the weapons were very expensive. Even the worst ones were around 20 to 30 silver coins. Realizing that they didn''t have enough money, they went to a clothing store.


    Seeing that Luna was still wearing shabby clothes, Ryo bought her a new dress for 4 silver coins. Luna initially refused, suggesting that the money be saved, but Ryo insisted. With a happy face, Luna finally accepted.


    After putting on her new clothes, Luna immediately hugged Ryo tightly. "Thank you," she said in a soft voice.


    With only 3 silver coins left, they looked for a place to stay. Unfortunately, there were no cheap inns in this village. The cheapest inn they found was exactly 3 silver coins per night.


    With no other choice, they had to share a room and a bed.


    When night fell, they ate a little of the bread they had bought, trying to save it until morning.


    ¡°Go to sleep first,¡± Ryo said to Luna.


    Luna fell asleep.


    Meanwhile, Ryo stood in front of the window, looking at the night sky. In his heart, he remembered Uncle Garreth¡¯s words¡ªhow important it was to manage money wisely.


    He smiled slightly, then lay down on the floor so as not to disturb Luna. Not long after, he fell asleep.


    |-----------------------------------------------|


    Note:


    Sorry for the delay, because I don''t have enough time to write this story, it will probably be late again in the future, but I will try to update the chapter as soon as possible.

 Chapter 6 : Level Up

    just for your information, sorry if there are some words that cannot be understood because this story was originally in my language and translated into English so there may be some parts that are difficult to understand due to language limitations


    |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|


    As dawn began to break, Luna slowly opened her eyes. The sunlight streaming in through the window provided warmth in the room. However, there was something strange¡ªRyo was not in bed. When she looked down, she saw Ryo sleeping on the floor in an uncomfortable position.


    Luna immediately got up and shook Ryo''s shoulder. "Hey, why are you sleeping on the floor?" she asked in a worried tone.


    Ryo blinked, yawned briefly, then smiled casually. "Ah, yeah... I just feel more comfortable here," he answered carelessly.


    Luna gave him a suspicious look, but eventually just sighed. "How strange," she muttered before getting ready again.


    After getting ready, the two of them went to the adventurer''s guild to get their ID cards. Once they arrived, a friendly receptionist handed them the cards. When Ryo held the cards, they felt like ID cards from his old world, but with more elegant engravings and a faint magical aura.


    They then approached the mission board, trying to find their first job as adventurers. A receptionist who saw their confusion suggested something. ¡°For beginners, I recommend collecting herbs. It¡¯s much safer, and the price is quite good,¡± he said with a friendly smile.


    Ryo nodded in understanding. ¡°Oh? Then, what plants are the most profitable?¡±


    ¡°Gin flowers,¡± the receptionist replied. ¡°They¡¯re blue with a bit of white in the middle. The roots are shaped like grains and are often processed into mana-boosting drinks. Every two flowers can be sold for one silver coin.¡±


    Hearing that explanation, Ryo was quite interested. Luna nodded in agreement, and after getting information about the location where the flowers grew, they immediately set off.


    ---


    A journey of about thirty minutes brought them to a forest area filled with green grass and tall trees. However, even though they had searched here and there, they didn¡¯t find a single Gin flower.


    Ryo finally fell down on the grass, taking a deep breath. ¡°Maybe other adventurers have already picked them?¡± he muttered in frustration.


    Suddenly, Luna, who was not far from him, whispered urgently, ¡°Ryo, look at that.¡±


    Ryo immediately got up and approached Luna. He followed Luna''s finger and saw a rabbit not far from them. However, this rabbit was not like the ones in his old world.


    Its eyes were sharp, its teeth were more like cat''s fangs, and most strikingly¡ªa small horn grew on its forehead like a unicorn. Coupled with its tail that resembled a squirrel, Ryo felt a little creeped out by it.


    "Luna... Are you sure it''s a rabbit?" he asked doubtfully.


    Luna nodded firmly. "Yes, it''s a horned rabbit."


    Ryo swallowed. "Your rabbit is a bit scary..."


    However, their attention was immediately drawn to something more important¡ªthere was a Gin flower in the rabbit''s mouth.


    Luna prepared to catch it, but Ryo held her back. "Don''t. If we chase it, it will definitely run to its nest. Maybe there are more Gin flowers there."


    Luna thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. They slowly followed the rabbit from a distance.


    After a few minutes, they arrived at a hidden area filled with Gin flowers. Ryo''s eyes sparkled when they saw that there were far more of them than he had imagined.


    ¡°Bingo!¡± he shouted softly. Without wasting any time, they immediately picked as many flowers as possible.


    However, in the midst of their busyness, Ryo suddenly felt something strange. He looked back, and his face immediately turned pale.


    The horned rabbit they had been following was now standing not far from them, staring at them with a sharp gaze. Its teeth made a soft grinding sound, and without warning, it started running towards them at an unnatural speed.


    ¡°Run!¡± Ryo shouted in panic.


    Luna, who also realized the danger, immediately ran. The two of them rushed to leave the place, trying to avoid being chased by the horned rabbit that looked much more aggressive than ordinary rabbits.


    Ryo glanced back and found the rabbit getting closer. ¡°This isn¡¯t a rabbit! This is a rabbit-shaped monster!¡± he shouted in frustration.


    With ragged breath, they continued to run as fast as they could towards the village, hoping to survive the small creature that turned out to be much more dangerous than they had expected.


    After running quite a distance, Ryo and Luna found the horned rabbit still chasing them. There was no other choice¡ªRyo decided to face the creature head-on.


    "I''ll fight it from the front!" Ryo shouted, stopping in his tracks.


    Luna, who was still running, immediately turned around. "Are you crazy? We have to keep running!"


    However, Ryo''s determination did not waver. Seeing that, Luna could only sigh. "Alright... but at least let me help you!"


    She grabbed Ryo''s hand, channeling her magic energy. Instantly, a transparent screen appeared in front of Ryo, displaying a new skill notification: [New Skill Acquired: Impact]


    The skill description appeared: Impact is a normal elemental type attack that can be combined with the earth, water, or wind elements.


    Ryo chose the wind element, then the next instruction appeared: Use Impact by punching the air towards the target.


    Without hesitation, he immediately tried it. However, when his fist was released, the wind created did not reach the rabbit. Instead, he felt his hand go numb.


    "Damn...!" Ryo grumbled as another screen appeared: [Debuff: Temporary Paralysis (Right Hand)]


    With no choice, Ryo approached and tried again, this time choosing the earth element. With his left hand, he slammed the ground with all his might. Instantly, the ground shook and crushed the rabbit into pieces of flesh and dust.


    Seeing that, Ryo let out a sigh of relief. "Finally done..." However, when he turned around, he saw Luna unconscious in the distance.


    Ryo could only sit back, waiting for the debuff effect to wear off and Luna to regain consciousness.


    ---


    After returning to the adventurer''s guild, they handed over the Gin flowers that they had managed to collect. The receptionist was surprised.


    "Y-you brought 34 Gin flowers?"


    "Why?" Ryo asked, confused.


    The receptionist explained that Gin flowers were a rare plant, and adventurers were usually only able to bring 10-14 flowers per day. After confirming the number, she gave 17 silver coins as a reward.


    Ryo and Luna returned to the inn, and as before, Ryo paid for the room for the night. While in the room, Ryo asked Luna to channel her mana so that he could open his status screen.


    When the screen appeared, Ryo saw that he had 3 Level Points. He tried to increase his MP, but...


    [Failed: MP cannot be increased with Level Points.]


    A little disappointed, Ryo ended up increasing his STR (+1) and DEF (+2), so that his status became:


    STR: 5


    DEF: 5


    AGI: 5


    MP: 0


    HP: 5


    When he saw that, he remembered a game he had played during his school days. In that game, leveling up could only be done by defeating monsters.


    "Maybe, I also have to kill monsters to level up?" he thought.


    Curious, he took Luna back to the forest before sunset. There, they found a monster squirrel.


    Without hesitation, Ryo used Impact (Earth Release). The squirrel died instantly, and a transparent screen appeared:


    [Level Point +1]


    Ryo immediately added the point to AGI (+1) to run faster. When the paralysis debuff disappeared, he realized something¡ªhis recovery time felt faster than before.


    "Could it be, this is the effect of my increased DEF?" he thought.


    However, he chose to keep this secret from Luna.


    Carried away by the atmosphere, Ryo continued hunting until the sun had completely set. When he returned to the inn, he raised his stats once more:


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    STR: 7


    DEF: 8


    AGI: 6


    MP: 0


    HP: 8


    After dinner, they prepared for bed. Luna lay down first, and Ryo planned to sleep on the floor like before.


    But this time, Luna didn''t stay silent.


    "Don''t sleep on the floor anymore. Sleep on the bed," Luna said firmly.


    "Eh? But this is a single-person bed..."


    Luna didn''t care. Quickly, she pulled Ryo''s hand, making the young man lose his balance.


    "W-Watch out¡ª!"


    Accidentally, Ryo fell right on top of Luna, their faces only inches apart.


    Both of them immediately blushed.


    "S-just sleep!" Luna hurriedly turned her face away.


    With awkward feelings, they ended up sharing the narrow bed, trying to sleep in unbearable silence and nervousness.


    That morning, warm sunlight penetrated the gap in the inn''s window, waking Ryo from his sleep. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw shocked him¡ªLuna''s face was so close, only inches from his own. The girl''s breathing was steady, her eyes closed peacefully, still deep in sleep.


    Ryo froze for a moment, his heart beating faster than usual. "Since when did she get this close?" he thought nervously. He immediately pulled away slowly, trying not to wake her. Luna''s soft gaze in her sleep made him realize how fragile and peaceful the moment was. However, reality soon pulled him back¡ªthere was no time to be lulled.


    Slowly, he got up from the bed, took a deep breath, and rubbed his face. One thing crossed his mind clearly: "I have to get stronger." This world was merciless to the weak, and Ryo knew very well that if he wanted to survive, he could no longer rely on luck alone.


    Every day for half a week, Ryo and Luna spent their time in the forest, hunting low-level monsters, collecting valuable materials, and selling them at the guild. The small scars on Ryo''s hands were a testament to his hard work, while Luna''s caring gaze was a constant reminder that he was not alone.


    Eventually, their savings had accumulated. Ryo, without hesitation, spent most of it on a pair of daggers for 45 silver coins¡ªa steep price, but well worth it for their quality. The weapons were light, sharp, and according to the seller, could withstand up to seven uses of Wind Slash before they started to dull.


    "Finally I have a decent weapon," Ryo muttered, gripping the dagger''s hilt tightly in satisfaction.


    Not stopping there, they decided to move to a more decent inn. Now, it was no longer just a cramped room with a small bed and a rickety table. They had two separate beds, simple furniture, and a few creature comforts that made life feel more human. Even so, Ryo was still careful, setting aside a few coins for tomorrow¡ªbecause this world was never really kind to the careless.


    Before the third day was over, he checked his strength gains:


    STR: 10


    DEF: 12


    AGI: 9


    MP: 0


    HP: 15


    Despite the gains, Ryo was still losing to low-level monsters. Every fight with a rabbit or squirrel monster felt like he was pedaling in place¡ªfighting hard just to gain a level point that was getting harder and harder to achieve.


    That afternoon, as he sat on a worn wooden bench in the guild, he heard whispers from experienced adventurers about the monster tier system:


    Tier A: Intelligent humanoid monsters that are above average humans


    Tier B: Monsters with high intelligence and terrifying magical abilities.


    Tier C: Monsters that master magic, dangerous enough to be underestimated.


    Tier D: Large monsters with incredible physical strength.


    Tier E: Monsters that hunt in groups, deadly in large numbers.


    Tier F: Monsters that are tough enough to fight against ordinary adventurers.


    Tier G: Game monsters, weak but useful as food or materials.


    Ryo knew one thing¡ªhunting G-tier monsters would never make him stronger. He had to step into the danger zone.


    "Luna," Ryo said in a serious tone, "we need to start fighting stronger monsters. If we keep fighting the weak ones, we''ll be stuck here forever."


    Luna looked at him, doubt clear in her eyes. "It''s dangerous, Ryo. We''re not strong enough to face F-tier monsters yet."


    Ryo nodded, understanding her concerns. "I know. But if we don''t try, we''ll never know how far we can go."


    The next day, they returned to the guild. There, the receptionist noted their progress and made a tempting, yet dangerous, offer. "There''s a mission to hunt an F-tier monster. The pay is high... but the risks are high. If you fail, your lives are at stake."


    Without hesitation, Ryo nodded. "We''ll do it."


    With a new dagger in hand, determination burning, and Luna''s faithful side, Ryo prepared to face their greatest challenge yet. It''s not just about survival anymore¡ªit''s about proving that even the weakest can be strong.


    That morning, Ryo woke up earlier than usual. The dim light of dawn peeked through the gap in the inn''s window, bathing the small room in a faint orange color. He glanced briefly at Luna who was still asleep in her bed, her face looking peaceful, far from the harshness of the world they lived in.


    Not wanting to disturb her sleep, Ryo immediately got up, grabbed his shabby jacket, and stepped out of the inn. The dawn air felt cold, piercing the pores of his skin, but that was exactly what he was looking for¡ªfresh, calm, and full of space to think. He started jogging along the city''s cobblestone streets, feeling every breath he took getting deeper, letting his body get used to the harsh rhythm of this world.


    After exercising enough, Ryo returned to the inn with burning enthusiasm. He knew that the time had come to level up, not only in strength, but also as a real fighter.


    He exchanged the remaining money he had for a low-level healing potion from an old man who was selling his wares on the street corner. Although simple, the red liquid in the small glass bottle could be a lifesaver in critical times.


    The next morning, Ryo walked into the guild with determination. A receptionist greeted him with a professional smile.


    "There''s a mission for you," the receptionist said. "Your target is a silver F-tier bird. It''s not dangerous to fighters, but it often attacks traveling merchants. Be careful, this monster is fast and agile."


    Ryo simply nodded, took the mission note, and stepped outside. The location indicated was quiet, with only the howling of the wind and the rustling of leaves to be heard. He knew the bird was somewhere around here¡ªhe was just waiting for the right moment.


    He reached into his pocket, pulled out a fresh red apple, and threw it into the air. As expected, the sound of rapid flapping of wings could be heard, and an instant later, the figure of a silver bird shot out from behind the trees.


    First try.


    Ryo was now more familiar with the jump boost skill, he jumped slowly towards the tree and with his horizontal position in the tree he immediately activated the jump boost skill so he could shoot horizontally quickly towards the bird but unfortunately he missed.


    Second try.


    This time, he tried to draw the bird''s attention closer by holding the apple in his hand. The result? In an instant, the bird shot up like lightning, its sharp beak snatching the apple right from his grasp. Ryo was surprised, his prey was much more clever than he had thought.


    Third try.


    Ryo took a deep breath, calming his mind. When the bird swooped down again at incredible speed, he was ready. With reflexes honed from his hard training, he used Impact just as the bird came within range.


    Blar!


    The bird slammed hard into the ground, its wings flapping weakly. However, it was not dead yet. Without wasting any time, Ryo activated Impact once more, this time with the full force of his left hand. The bird had no time to react¡ªthe second attack ended the fight as quickly as it had appeared.


    Ryo picked up the bird''s body and returned to the guild.


    "Good job," the receptionist said with a satisfied look. "Here''s your payment, ten silver coins."


    In addition, Ryo got 1 level point from killing the silver bird, for him the silver bird was still very difficult for him, he still needed to become stronger.


    His steps out of the guild felt lighter, not because of the reward he received, but because he knew, this was just the beginning of a long, more dangerous journey


    The setting shifts to the other three heroes. Their levels are now far beyond Ryo''s, possibly equivalent to B-rank adventurers. One day, they are summoned to the King for an important mission¡ªto investigate ancient ruins that are suspected to be the headquarters of the Crimson Pact''s spies.


    After a long journey, they arrive at the ruins with the kingdom''s commander and several soldiers. The place looks desolate and dusty, as if it has been abandoned for a long time. They begin to comb every corner, but find no significant clues. Finally, in the deepest part of the ruins, they find a small house with a basement underneath. Cautiously, they continue their investigation.


    While exploring the basement, they are surprised by the presence of a large, tightly closed door. When they open it, their eyes widen¡ªbehind the door lies a dungeon. Dungeons are extremely rare in this world, making this discovery an extraordinary event. The commander suggests returning to the kingdom and reporting this, but Takahiro Sakamoto insists on going deeper. Selfishly, he challenges himself, believing that there is no significant danger in this dungeon. The other two heroes could only remain silent and follow his steps.


    Inside the dungeon, they found various monsters that were quite strong, but not dangerous enough for them. They easily slashed and defeated every creature that blocked their way. However, without realizing it, their steps had brought them to the front of the Boss Room.


    Takahiro, who was still filled with excessive confidence, chuckled. "Hah, it''s just a big snake. I can beat it myself."


    Before anyone could stop him, Takahiro ran towards the monster. However, in an instant, the giant snake moved at incredible speed. With its large tail, it slammed Takahiro into the cave wall hard. The sound of impact echoed, and Takahiro immediately lost consciousness.


    Mika Tanaka snorted softly, "Tch, idiot."


    Without hesitation, she picked up Takahiro''s body and rushed out of the dungeon, followed by the others. They finally decided to return to the kingdom.


    Upon arriving at the capital, the citizens saw Takahiro''s badly injured condition. Instead of feeling amazed, they looked worried. Rumors began to spread¡ªif a hero could be defeated so easily, what would happen to them?


    Upon arriving at the castle, the King immediately scolded Takahiro in a sharp tone. Without another word, the King turned and left the room with a disappointed expression.


    A few days after the incident where Takahiro Sakamoto was seriously injured, the news finally reached Ryo and Luna. Hearing the news, Ryo suddenly remembered the King''s words about the disaster that would come in less than three months. It seemed that the hero group had already started to investigate the Crimson Pact.


    In addition, there was one other thing that kept bothering him¡ªMika Tanaka. Unlike the others, the woman did not seem to have any hatred towards him. This world was still full of mysteries that he had yet to understand, and now Ryo realized that his time might not be much. If the hero group really did make a move, sooner or later, his whereabouts would be discovered.


    Ryo decided to start saving and gathering as many supplies as possible. Without thinking twice, he immediately invited Luna to go hunting monsters again.


    Long story short, a week had passed. Ryo was now much stronger than before. He was able to kill F-tier monsters quickly, although compared to the heroes, he was still far behind. After collecting enough money, he began to consider leaving this village. Later, he heard that the heroes were searching for the ¡®summoned¡¯ person. In addition, patrols of the royal soldiers were also increasingly seen around the village.


    Realizing the imminent danger, Ryo and Luna decided to set off the next morning. However, the plan did not go as smoothly as he had hoped.


    That night, Ryo was awakened by a commotion at the inn. He immediately investigated and found that his whereabouts had been leaked¡ªone of the villagers had reported him. With no other choice, Ryo immediately carried Luna and rushed outside. Quickly, he used Jump Boost to jump through the window.


    Thanks to the training over the past week, he could now control the power of his jump without injuring his legs. Although his jump limit was only three meters, it was enough for him to move from rooftop to rooftop, easily evading the soldiers.


    In addition to Jump Boost, during his training Ryo also gained a new skill called Sprint. This skill allows him to run at high speed for 2¨C5 minutes, depending on the intensity. However, if he pushed himself beyond his limits, his legs would be debuffed and make him unable to move properly.


    With a combination of these two skills, Ryo managed to escape with Luna. They continued running until they finally left the village and entered the forest. Now, with the map he had purchased, their journey had become much easier.


    That night, they rested under the starry sky. In silence, Ryo and Luna remembered how they used to be poor and weak people. But now, things have changed.


    Ryo smiled slightly.


    |======================================================|


    Information :


    level :


    Ryo Takeda is at level 23


    Aiko Fujimoto is at level 47


    Takahiro Sakamoto is at level 52


    Mika Yamamoto is at level 34


    characteristics :


    Ryo Takeda, a 25 year old man but moved to another world and became 20 years old, a man who never gives up, his physique is quite strong because he is a construction worker, he is not very smart. (people over 20 years old when transported to another world will become younger and become 20 years old}


    Aiko Fujimoto, a young woman aged 18 years old, she is an ordinary teenager but she is quite popular in the world before she was transported to this world, she is quite smart but cannot be considered a genius because of her childish behavior.


    Takahiro Sakamoto, a 20 year old man, in the previous world he was an acute gamer who locked himself up and one day he played a game until he passed out and woke up in this world, he is not good at communicating but he also has a bad character.


    Mika Yamamoto, a 19 year old woman, previously she was a child who was raised in an orphanage but after growing up she was adopted as a child by someone and then when Mika was an adult she returned to the orphanage and helped take care of the orphanage. she has a motherly nature because of that.


    Note :


    sorry for the delay of this chapter because I have been busy in my life.