His wounds had healed.

But it wasn't just his body that had mended—something inside him had begun to shift.

Sefa stood alone at the edge of the village square.

No one asked questions. No one dared.

Yet everyone respected him.

And he… wanted to leave.

Elira's father—the quietest yet most respected man in the village—approached him.

He wore an old leather cloak, marked by time, with a faint silver bow symbol stitched into the shoulder.

"You're leaving," he said calmly.

Sefa lowered his head slightly. "I have to."

The man looked at him for a long moment. "You don't know what you're searching for yet. But you already know you won't find it here."

"Yes," Sefa whispered. "This world hasn't told me what I am. But I can feel it pulling me forward… asking me to find out."

The old man nodded slowly. "I will be watching you. For now, only observing… no interference."

Sefa blinked, surprised.

Why would he say that?

He didn't know…

But his eyes—those eyes had seen far more than they let on.

Without turning around, the man added:

"You are the only one… who ever left this village alive."

Sefa froze in place.

"What do you mean?"

Then, movement.

The village square began to fill.

The people—young and old, women and men—stepped forward in silence.

They knelt.

And all at once… they raised their weapons to the sky.

Swords, daggers, bows, spears—

Glistening under the sunlight like a sea of steel.

Sefa felt his breath catch in his chest.

This wasn't a farewell.

It was a recognition.

A welcome into the world, on his own terms.

He closed his eyes.

Lowered his head.

And walked away.

He followed a narrow dirt path.

No map. No destination.

Only the rhythm of footsteps and the echo of uncertainty.

The sky above was cloudy.

His mind, quieter—but not at peace.

I'm alone in this world…

Then a voice called out.

"Hey!"

Sefa didn't react.

Just kept walking.

"Hey! Sefa!"

Still nothing.

He was too deep in thought to notice.

Until someone stepped directly in front of him.

"Hey!"

He jumped back, hand instinctively moving to his dagger—

But then he recognized her.

"Elira?!"

She was out of breath, carrying a small bag on her back, a short dagger at her hip.

But her eyes... carried something heavier.

"What are you doing here?" Sefa asked, startled.

"I ran away," she said softly but firmly.

"What?!"

"I'm coming with you," she said. "We'll climb the Floors together."

Sefa stared at her.

Words didn't come.

"I couldn't wait," Elira continued. "Couldn't stay behind, hoping you'd return.

I didn't want to one day hear that you died out there.

I'd rather face danger beside you than be safe while constantly afraid."

Sefa's lips parted.

His chest tightened—but not from fear.

From understanding.

"You don't have anyone in this world," Elira said.

"But now... you have me."

And at that moment, the system's voice echoed:

> 🔔 [Hidden Quest Complete!]

Quest: When Loneliness Ends

🎖️ Reward: Voidspace Storage

You can now store all items in a hidden dimensional inventory, accessible at any time.

A second alert followed:

> 🔔 [Level Up!]

Sefa – Level 4 → 5

📊 Sefa's Stat Screen

Stat Value Description

STR 12 (+2) Physical strength and damage

AGI 9 (+1) Speed and evasion

VIT 8 Health and endurance

INT 10 (+1) Strategy, learning, and system insight

WIS 7 Decision-making, instinct

DEX 10 Precision and weapon control

CHA 6 Charisma and influence

LCK 5 Luck-based outcomes

PER 9 (+1) Perception and environmental awareness

🎖️ New Skill Unlocked: [Voidspace Storage]

Store or retrieve items from a hidden inventory beyond the physical realm.

Sefa slipped his hands into his pockets for a moment, then suddenly stopped. Elira was already standing a step ahead of him. As if she too felt something approaching.

"Elira..." Sefa said, his eyes drifting toward the shadows of the forest.

"In this world... is there still something I need to learn?"

Elira tilted her head slightly and glanced at him.

"If you're looking for answers, first clarify your question. What do you want to learn?"

Sefa shrugged.

"I don't know. I'm starting to feel like I belong here, but… there are still so many things that feel foreign."

After a short silence, Elira grew serious.

"Do you know about mana stones?"

Sefa shook his head.

Elira continued,

"It's an essence formed inside every monster. You could say it's pure power. There are ten levels. Level one comes from ordinary creatures. Level ten… no one has ever seen it."

"What do they do?" Sefa asked, his curiosity piqued.

"They increase the power of whoever holds them. But that's not enough on its own. Processing them requires knowledge, patience, and the right tools. Most people just collect and sell them."

Just then, a few growls came from the forest. Elira took a deep breath.

"Looks like it's time for a practical lesson."

Three wolves emerged from the shadows. Their fur was a mix of grey and black. Their eyes locked directly onto them. Sefa quickly took position. A brief tension filled the air before Elira stepped in front of him.

"Elira, should we—"

"Watch the shadow. One's coming from the left."

Sefa turned left instinctively but was too late. A claw grazed his arm. He lost his balance. Elira had already taken down two of them. As Sefa tried to spot the third, Elira stabbed her blade into its neck in a single motion.

Silence.

Before cleaning her blades, Elira knelt and opened the belly of the first fallen wolf. Pressing a spot with her finger, she pulled out a glowing stone.

"Level one," she said with a slight smile. "That's a mana stone."

Sefa gazed at the stone in awe. It shimmered lightly, emitting a soft blue glow.

As Elira tossed the stones into a small pouch, she added,

"Didn't get many of these before. Seems like I have to start sharing my luck."

Sefa chuckled softly, but a sudden rumble changed everything.

A massive shadow appeared among the trees. The Alpha Direfang. Blood-red eyes. A muscular body covered in grey fur. Even its breath steamed with heat. Elira silently took position.

System Message:

[Alpha Direfang – Level 9]

"Elira," said Sefa, his throat dry. "This… is going to be a problem."

"Just don't fall. We'll handle the rest."

Elira lunged forward. The wolf responded, but Elira was swift. She slipped between its claws, slicing with her blade. Sefa went for the hind legs. One strike, then he backed off.

The Alpha wolf howled and staggered. Elira moved again, stabbing into its back. Sefa delivered a final blow to its chest.

As the creature collapsed, the forest fell into silence once more. Elira took a deep breath and moved toward the beast. Moments later, a second stone appeared in her palm.

"Level two," she said proudly. "This one's rare."

System Message:

[Battle Completed – Experience Gained]

[Level Up – Level 7]

[Stat Points +5]

Sefa slowly sat down, breathing deeply. Elira walked over to him.

"Our coordination... needs work."

Sefa chuckled.

"Well, we've just met."

Elira tossed the glowing stone into her pouch.

"Let's see what time will reveal."

[Sefa's Current Stats – Level 7]

STR: 14

AGI: 13

VIT: 11

DEX: 14

INT: 8

WIS: 7

LCK: 9

SPT: 1

EMR: ???

SDR: ???

FTH: ???

🌑 End of Chapter Note 🌑

From the moment Sefa stepped into this new world, everything began to change.

He's no longer alone… but that doesn't mean he's walking together with anyone.

Elira's strength is forged by her past, while Sefa's power is still an echo of a destiny waiting to awaken.

For the first time, he witnessed the fall of an Alpha beast.

For the first time, he clashed within a team.

And for the first time… this world's system openly acknowledged that he is not like the others.

But here's the real question:

How many enemies, betrayals, and mana stones will it take for him to reach his true strength?

Sefa's journey has only just begun.

And this world hasn't memorized

his name—yet.