My journey in the Tutorial phase began with me standing alone in the clearing of a forest. It felt like I had walked straight into another world. The surrounding colors were incredibly vivid. Greens, browns, and bursts of wildflowers. Everything seemed so alive. I tilted my head, trying to take it all in, and my ears picked up the rustle of leaves. Was that a brook I heard in the distance?

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the earthy scent. It was so fresh, almost intoxicating. My chest rose and fell, and for a moment, I felt completely in sync with the forest. This had to be a dream, right? I mean, how often does reality feel this real?

After a few glances around, I noticed beams of sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a patchwork of light and shadow on the ground. Birds flitted overhead, chirping away like they were having the best day ever. It might have been late afternoon, but it felt like time had stopped. The whole place seemed to be holding its breath.

I took a step forward, my shoe sinking into the soft earth. It felt like the ground was welcoming me, each step a reminder that I was here, present. I couldn’t help but feel a connection to this place, like the forest and I were sharing a moment. Just me and the trees, the birds, the brook. It was peaceful, almost too perfect, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

“Status window,” I thought, and a blue transparent screen appeared before me. The display listed various categories. Player Status, Weapons, Ammo, Defensive Items, Apparel, Skills, Accessories, Monetary Items, Maps, Tools/Items, Messages, Friends, Online Store, and Guidelines. My fingers drifted over the screen, the choices glowing, as if inviting further examination.

The messages tab blinked, drawing my attention. With a tap, I opened it, and the title of a single unread message appeared. “Welcome from the system.” I leaned in nearer, ready to read the information it contained.

***

Welcome Aoi Player Akira Sakamoto! Here are your Marksman offensive and defensive abilities. Good luck with your quest.

Subclass Gunner

Offensive Abilities:

Bullet Barrage: Unleashes a rapid barrage of bullets, saturating the battlefield with gunfire and shredding through enemy defenses.

Explosive Rounds: Loads ammunition infused with explosive magic, causing bullets to detonate on impact and deal area damage.

Defensive Abilities:

Cover Fire: Provides suppressing fire to cover allies, reducing incoming damage and drawing enemy attention away from vulnerable teammates.

***

I couldn’t stop smiling. My hand moved quickly, tapping the Weapons tab with eagerness. I couldn’t wait to see what weapon I had been given. Well, since I selected the Gunner class, it should be a gun, right? But instead of a cool arsenal, I was met with an empty screen.

“Eh?” I muttered, patting my pockets as if something might magically appear there. Nothing. My fingers found nothing. I scanned the ground, my eyes darting from one spot to another, but the earth was just as bare. No weapons lying around, no hidden gear.

Alright, no big deal. Maybe the weapons glitched or something. I tried to stay calm and navigated to the Defensive Items tab. Again, nothing. The screen was empty. A tightness started to form in my chest, a little knot of worry, but I pushed it aside and selected the Apparel tab. My breath hitched as the contents displayed before me. An outfit, finally, something was going right.

***

Ranger Outfit (Rare)

Description: Can warm you slightly during the night. Auto clean from any stains. Auto dry.

***

With a tap, my school uniform vanished, replaced by the Ranger attire. The transformation was instantaneous, like magic. I brushed my hand against the dark green cloak now draped over my shoulders. The fabric was soft yet resilient, feeling sturdy and dependable. Beneath the cloak, a leather tunic hugged my torso, perfectly balanced between comfort and protection and tailored for both mobility and style. As I shifted my weight, the supple leather boots wrapped around my ankles, giving me a firm grip on the forest floor.

I inspected the ensemble. The rugged yet refined attire fit like a glove, making me feel ready for whatever lay ahead. My school uniform now sat neatly in the Apparel inventory.

So that’s how it works, I said while nodding in approval. The practicality of it all was impressive.

Turning my attention back to the interface, I tapped the Guidelines tab. My eyes narrowed as I absorbed the orientation details that scrolled across the screen. The basics were all laid out, like how to engage with monsters, the importance of quests, and survival tips for the wilderness. My gaze flicked over the other tabs, Accessories, Friends, Tools, and they were all empty, just like the Weapons and Defensive Items.

This is getting annoying, I grumbled while shaking my head as I selected the Skills.

Now, this looked interesting. I smiled as the interface presented a list of abilities, each accompanied by a brief description. It felt like the system was pushing me to test them out right then and there.

***

Skills in Use: One

Default Skills: One

Status Sight: Level One

(Able to see Player and Monster’s Info. Able to see Item’s info that the player possesses.)

Special Skills: None

***

On further reading, I realized that the skill levels would increase as I leveled up. I could activate up to five special skills simultaneously, which demanded strategic thinking and adaptability. However, there was a catch. Each special skill selection required a twenty-four-hour cooldown before I could switch it with another. What a letdown. I sighed. Knowing the implications, each choice had to be made with care, understanding that the stakes were high.

As I continued to review the information, my gaze locked onto the description of Status Sight Level One. This skill would grant me the ability to see both player and monster information. I tapped my foot lightly, realizing how invaluable this feature would be for assessing my surroundings and plotting my next move. The prospect of leveling up and unlocking new abilities quickened my breath, but the constraints on special skills felt like a weight pressing down on me.

I continued with the Online Store, eager for a glimpse of items that might eventually be within my reach. The screen responded with a message signifying that items would become available as I leveled up. Another letdown. This is driving me crazy.

Undeterred, I selected the Ammo, my fingers moving swiftly across the screen, hoping for something, anything, to add to my inventory. Only one item appeared.

***

 Ammo:

(Phrase to load or reload your ammo to your current weapon: Sōten)

Well-sphere rock: Ishi—Available in online store

QTY: 20

***

My brows crumpled as I stared at the screen. Why give me ammo but no weapon? I exhaled sharply. “Well, whatever. Just try the command, Kira,” I mumbled to myself. “Sōten,” I thought, and something solid materialized in my right hand.

“What the heck is this?” I muttered, staring at the sturdy rock, slightly larger than a marble. I turned it over in my hand, the rough surface pressing into my palm. It took a moment before my brain finally processed the situation.

“You expect me to throw this at my opponent?” I yelled, glancing up at the sky as if expecting an answer. “Fairness, my butt!”

As if in response to my anger, noises rustled through the nearby undergrowth. My grip tightened on the rock. I gulped as my heart began to thud against my chest.

“Who goes there?” I called out, trying to steady my voice.

A figure suddenly emerged from behind a tree, and I nearly dropped the rock. The creature was unlike anything I had seen. Standing about four feet tall, it had a wiry frame covered in mottled green skin, rough and pebbled like a lizard’s hide. Its pointed ears jutted out from the sides of its head, twitching with each sound in the forest. The creature’s bulbous nose twitched as well, its nostrils flaring with a menacing curiosity. And tufts of coarse hair sprouted from its head and shoulders, giving it a wild look.

What the hell is that thing? My gaze fixated on the creature’s mouth as it stretched into a wide, unsettling grin, revealing rows of jagged teeth. Those black, beady eyes locked onto me, tracking my every move. I had to stay calm, but inside, I was anything but.

As the creature stepped closer, a sense of predatory confidence radiated off it. What was I going to do? The surrounding forest seemed to fall into an unnatural silence. I glanced around, half-hoping for an escape route. Nothing. Just me and this monster.

I pursed my lips, trying to maintain some composure. The rock I clutched in my hand felt like a joke now, like it would do anything against those teeth. I could see the creature’s eyes gleaming with malice as it took in my fearful posture. Great. It’s enjoying this.

“Stay back!” I barked, injecting all the force I could muster into my shaky voice. Was it even working? I wasn’t sure if I sounded convincing or just terrified. My feet shifted into a defensive stance, the only thing I could think to do. This doesn’t look good. My mind kept coming up with possibilities. How fast could it move? Would it attack? I had to be ready for anything, but all I felt was a sinking dread.