Liam stood in a clearing within the dense forest, stretching his limbs and loosening his muscles. The morning air was fresh, and the sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting soft shadows around him. As he prepared his body for the day's journey, he reflected on the immense power within his two primary skills—[Divine Shield] and [Mark]. For the first time since acquiring them, he fully realized their potential and the subtle defects that had only been hinted at before.
A small smile crept across his face. "So much power," he thought, feeling the weight of these abilities coursing through him. He had been naive before, not paying enough attention to the details. Now, he understood the significance. These skills were not only powerful tools in combat but versatile ones that could be adapted to a myriad of uses. He envisioned their application far beyond simple defense and offense.
As he stretched, memories of his past life returned. In another timeline, he would have been in his university dorms by now, poring over books, perhaps preparing for exams. The scent of old paper and the comfort of familiar routines felt like a distant dream. Yet, even in this strange, dangerous world, he felt a deep satisfaction. Here, his life was unpredictable, filled with adventure and discovery. Even without anyone he once knew, Liam felt this world offered something invaluable—freedom and purpose.
A wry grin formed on his lips as he recalled his earlier attempts to peek at the stats of the heroes he'd encountered. The system had responded with a firm message:
[Cannot Violate Privacy]
This amused Liam. Unlike the stories of reincarnation he had read, where heroes had full access to others' stats and abilities, this world respected privacy, adding an unexpected layer of realism. "So even in a fantasy world, privacy matters," he thought, laughing softly to himself. It seemed that not everything would bend to his will so easily.
Liam's mind wandered to the possibilities this world held—magic, skills, and creatures beyond his imagination. Elves, dwarves, and other mythical races likely walked the land, perhaps hidden in the shadows or thriving in distant cities. What kind of magic could he learn from them? What secrets were waiting to be uncovered?
Snapping back to the present, Liam cast a barrier of [Divine Shield] around his body, not wanting to rely solely on [Auto Counter]. Although the skill had never failed him, he wasn't going to take unnecessary risks. Prepared for anything, he set out on a mission: to tame a creature like the snake he had previously controlled. But as his gaze fell on the scars on his hands—remnants of his earlier mistakes with [Blood Mark]—he reminded himself to be more cautious. "No more recklessness," he muttered, resolving not to use the dangerous mark carelessly again.
To test his abilities further, Liam conjured a dagger from [Divine Shield], just as he had done before. The weapon materialized in his hand, its form sleek and razor-sharp. He marveled at how perfectly it matched his imagination, as if the shield read his thoughts and molded itself to his desires. Mesmerized by its craftsmanship, he swiped the dagger against the trunk of a nearby tree. The blade cut through effortlessly, as though the tree offered no resistance. It was exhilarating.
Feeling bolder, Liam decided to push his experiment further. He concentrated on the dagger, willing it to float in the air. To his delight, it responded, hovering before him as if it were alive. With a flick of his fingers, he commanded the blade to cut the tree into planks. The dagger moved swiftly, slicing the wood into neat, even sections. "So, it can be used for utility as well," Liam mused, impressed by the versatility of [Divine Shield].
Emboldened, he conjured three more swords, their ethereal forms shimmering with energy. He sent them hurtling toward the corpse of a bull-like creature he had stumbled upon earlier. The swords pierced the beast's abdomen with precision, their power undeniable. "This skill isn't just mythical; it's adaptable. I can use it for anything."
As Liam continued his journey, heading toward a village he had seen from a distance earlier, he was suddenly ambushed by dark wolves. Their eyes gleamed with hunger, and they circled him like predators toying with their prey. But Liam was ready. Without hesitation, he beheaded the first wolf that lunged at him, using the conjured dagger with swift efficiency. Blood sprayed across the forest floor as the wolf collapsed, its body lifeless.
More wolves charged, but Liam remained calm. He conjured multiple swords from [Divine Shield], sending them flying toward the oncoming pack. Each sword found its mark, piercing the wolves' chests and leaving them writhing on the ground. However, as he repeated this process, Liam felt a sharp pain in his head. Overusing [Divine Shield] was taxing his mental strength, and he realized he would have to pace himself.
As the number of wolves dwindled, one tried to flee, darting away into the forest. Liam swiftly trapped it within a barrier of [Divine Shield], preventing its escape. With the others dead, this lone wolf was now his focus. Liam looked at the creature with a mixture of excitement and curiosity. He had considered taming it, but after some thought, he decided against it. This creature was too wild, too dangerous to control.
Instead, he placed the attribute [Paralyzing Domain] on the wolf, watching as it slowly succumbed to the paralysis. The effect took longer than it had with the snake, likely due to the wolf's larger size, but Liam was patient. Once the wolf was fully incapacitated, he removed the barrier and applied [Mark] to it. Activating the curse [Eternal Sleep], he ensured that the creature would remain in a deep slumber, only awakening if the mark was removed or if it was harmed.
With a sigh, Liam knelt down and gently touched the wolf's soft fur. A pang of regret coursed through him as he turned away, leaving the paralyzed creature behind. It would remain in the forest, a silent testament to his growing power.
Emerging from the dense woods, Liam found himself in a meadow, the village now visible in the distance. The path before him was well-worn, likely made by villagers traveling to and from their homes. As he walked toward the settlement, he noticed the village was far larger than he had anticipated. The humble mud houses and straw roofs gave the place a rustic charm, but the sheer number of buildings made it feel more like a small city than a village.
Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Liam used [Mark] on his own body, activating the buff [Disguise]. His appearance shifted, transforming into that of a friend from his previous world. The illusion included iron armor and a sword sheathed at his side, clinking as he moved. He tested the illusion by removing the scabbard and tossing it aside. As expected, it vanished the moment it left his hand.
"Just as I thought," he muttered. The scabbard, the armor, and even the sword were mere mirages created by his skill. They wouldn't offer any real protection, but they would allow him to blend in with the villagers.
With his disguise in place, Liam approached the village entrance, his mind filled with curiosity and anticipation. What secrets did this place hold? What new challenges awaited him within its walls? As he crossed the threshold into the village, he knew that his journey was far from over—it had only just begun.