Morning dew clung to the edges of Ren’s dire wolf cloak as he stretched beside the now-familiar fire pit. The faint light of dawn filtered through the thick canopy above, casting delicate patterns across the forest floor. Behind him, the waterfall’s steady roar hummed—a constant, primal soundtrack that underscored the raw power of nature surrounding him. The cool air was sharp but invigorating, a welcome contrast to the lingering fatigue in his muscles. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the scent of damp earth, pine, and moss, feeling the quiet strength of the wilderness seep into his bones.

Today, he had a plan.

No more wandering aimlessly, no more surviving moment to moment. It was time to understand the strange mechanics of this world, to grasp the powers he’d been granted, and to prepare himself for what lay ahead.

“Let’s see what I’m really working with…”

Ren focused his mind, clearing the clutter of thoughts. The word came quietly, almost instinctively.

Status.

Instantly, the familiar golden interface blossomed into view, hovering before his eyes with its soft, pulsing light. He flicked through the tabs, eyes scanning the neat columns of information until he landed on Skills.

[SKILLS MENU]

Current Skills:
▸ Primal Instinct (Passive) – Activates automatically during high-threat combat. Heightens perception and reflexes.
▸ Adrenaline Rush (Active) – Boosts Agility, Perception, and Pain Resistance for 30 seconds. Cooldown: 5 min

Skill Points Available: 500

▸ [Open Skill Shop] ▸ [Close]

Ren blinked, brow furrowing. “Skill shop? I’ve been sitting on a literal shopping spree this whole time?”

Curiosity overwhelmed caution. He tapped Open Skill Shop.

The forest around him dimmed, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant birds fading as a vast, glowing interface erupted into his vision. Columns and rows of skills sprawled out before him, color-coded and neatly categorized but seemingly endless—an overwhelming cascade of possibilities.

[SKILL SHOP – ALL AVAILABLE SKILLS]

[Fireball – 100 pts]
[Lesser Heal – 80 pts]
[Dash – 50 pts]
[Twin Slash – 90 pts]
[Analyze – 20 pts]
[Antidote – 30 pts]
[Lesser Pain Resistance – 40 pts]
[Search – 30 pts]
[Lesser Stamina – 60 pts]

(...and hundreds more.)

Ren’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wh—Why are there so many?!”

He scrolled.
And scrolled.
The list seemed to stretch on forever, from simple, practical skills to incredible powers beyond imagination.

[Demon’s Fortitude – LOCKED]
[Angel’s Wings – LOCKED]
[Time Reversal – LOCKED]
[Worldsplitter Slash – LOCKED]

The locked skills shimmered with a faint aura of mystery, promising unimaginable power but mocking him with their inaccessibility.

Ren groaned aloud, frustration bubbling up. “HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PICK ANYTHING? This’ll take a year just to scroll!”

He paused, blinking hard. “Wait... filter... there’s gotta be a filter—”

Before the thought finished, a soft melodic voice echoed gently in his mind.

“Filter options are available.”

Ren nearly jumped out of his skin. “Who—!?”

The voice spoke again, calm and steady.

“Would you like to activate filter parameters?”

He blinked, hesitating before answering, “Y-yeah! Uh... wait, who are you?”

There was a brief silence.

“I am Seraphina. I manage the system interface for this world.”

Ren arched a brow, incredulous. “You have a name?”

“I was given one. Do you not like it?”

“No, no! It’s just—nice to meet you, Seraphina.”

There was a pause. “…I appreciate the greeting.”

Ren could almost hear the subtle fluster beneath the composed tone, a flicker of personality in the system’s voice.

Clearing his throat, he said, “Seraphina, can you show me only skills that cost 100 points or less?”

“Confirmed.”

Instantly, the skill list refined itself, shedding hundreds of entries to reveal a manageable, focused selection.

“Much better,” Ren muttered, relieved.

He dove in, scrolling through the filtered skills, carefully weighing each option’s utility.

After several minutes of comparison, he made his choices:

[Analyze – 20 pts] – Basic ability to examine targets and objects with precision.

[Fireball – 100 pts] – Launch a small, fast-moving projectile of fire. Classic, straightforward offensive magic.

[Lesser Heal – 80 pts] – Restore a small portion of health. Safety net for fights.

[Antidote – 30 pts] – Cure most poisons and toxins. Essential for wilderness survival.

[Twin Slash – 90 pts] – Rapid double strike with small blades. Close-combat offensive skill.

[Dash – 50 pts] – Burst of speed useful for evasion or sudden engagement.

[Lesser Pain Resistance – 40 pts] – Reduces the impact of damage flinch and pain effects.

[Lesser Stamina – 60 pts] – Increases stamina regeneration over time.

[Search – 30 pts] – Detect nearby creatures, traps, or hidden objects.

Total Points Used: 500 / 500

Ren exhaled, leaning back against a tree, a satisfied smile breaking across his face.

“Seraphina, this is awesome. Thanks.”

“…You are welcome, Ren Arclight. I am… glad to be of service.”

His smile softened. “Is there… a town nearby?”

“Yes. The nearest settlement is Newvale. It is approximately five days away on foot.”

A circle of soft blue light appeared beneath his feet. From its center, a glowing blue line stretched out, curving smoothly through the dense forest, like a path drawn by an invisible hand.

“This path will guide you to the town.”

Ren’s heart lifted. A destination. A goal.

“Five days, huh? That’s… actually doable.”

He stood and stretched, feeling the power of the skills already buzzing faintly beneath his skin. The path before him felt less like an uncertain wander and more like a thread pulling him toward purpose.

“Thank you again, Seraphina.”

“…You are… very welcome.”

---

For the remainder of the day, Ren dedicated himself to mastering his new skills. The forest became his training ground, the soft earth cushioning his falls and the dappled sunlight his spotlight.

Fireball was frustratingly fickle at first, fizzing weakly or exploding prematurely. A dozen failed attempts left scorch marks on tree trunks and singed patches of grass.

Lesser Heal activated awkwardly—often triggering when he wasn’t hurt or failing when he needed it most.

Dash had him colliding with low branches and tumbling into bushes more than once. “Ow. Okay—maybe not indoors,” he muttered after a particularly painful impact with a thick oak.

Twin Slash felt fluid and satisfying, the swift motions channeling a dance of blade and shadow.

Analyze proved invaluable, revealing the faint traces of animals and the faint hum of magic lingering in the stones.

Antidote was a reassuring presence in his skillset, even if he hoped never to use it.

Lesser Pain Resistance dulled the sharp pangs of small injuries, letting him push just a little harder.

Lesser Stamina’s effect was subtle but steady, letting him run farther before his legs burned.

Search heightened his awareness of the hidden world—the rustle of a snake in the brush, the glint of a camouflaged trap, the distant eyes watching from the shadows.

By the time the sun dipped low, casting long golden fingers through the trees, Ren had a new confidence blooming in his chest. He was no longer just a survivor — he was becoming a force to be reckoned with.

For the first time since waking in this strange world, Ren Arclight felt ready.

Ready to face whatever challenges the road to Newvale—and beyond—would throw at him.