As I slithered through the forest, my mind wandered. There was so much I didn't know about this world—about the creatures, the power structures, or even where I stood in it. Sure, I'd been reincarnated, but I wasn't exactly born with a map or a guidebook explaining how this place worked.
'Guess I'll have to figure it out on my own.'
I moved quietly, slipping between roots and rocks, keeping my senses sharp for any sign of danger or opportunity. But there was something else, too—voices, faint and distant. Human voices.
I froze, coiling myself beneath a thick bush. The wind shifted, and I heard the voices more clearly now, echoing through the trees from somewhere nearby.
Meanwhile, a small village nestled on the edge of the Duskwind Forest hummed with life. Children ran through the streets, playing games and laughing under the watchful eyes of the village elders. Among them, Elder Ivor, a man of considerable age with a beard as white as snow, sat near the town square, telling stories to a group of eager children.
"Please, Elder! Tell us about the great beasts and the adventurers!" one of the children begged, their eyes wide with excitement.
Ivor smiled gently, his deep voice carrying the weight of decades of knowledge. "Very well, very well," he said, waving a wrinkled hand to quiet them. "Gather around, and I'll tell you about the ranks of the world and the dangers that lurk just beyond our village."
The children quickly sat down in a circle, their eyes glued to Ivor, waiting for the story to begin.
Ivor cleared his throat and began. "In this world, power is everything. Whether you are a man, an elf, a beast, or even one of the magical races, your strength determines your fate. And that strength is measured by levels. We humans, as well as other races like the elves and dwarves, grow stronger by training, fighting, and gaining experience. The same is true for the monsters and beasts of the wild."
The children leaned in closer, hanging on his every word.
"We all start unranked, with no titles, no recognition," Ivor continued. "But as we grow stronger, we reach certain thresholds—milestones where we gain power and recognition. At Level 10, a person or creature becomes F-rank, the first step on the ladder of power."
A young girl raised her hand shyly. "But, Elder Ivor, what happens after F-rank?"
Ivor chuckled softly. "Good question, child. After F-rank, there are higher ranks: E-rank at Level 25, D-rank at Level 50, and so on. Those who reach Level 100 become C-rank—formidable warriors, mages, and creatures. But only a few ever reach A-rank or even the legendary S-rank. Those beings… well, they are more than mere mortals. They are legends."
The children's eyes went wide, their imaginations running wild with thoughts of S-ranked heroes and monsters.
"And what about the forest, Elder?" a boy asked. "Is it really as dangerous as everyone says?"
The elder's expression grew more serious. "Ah, the Duskwind Forest… yes, child, it is one of the most dangerous places in all the kingdoms. Only the bravest of adventurers dare to enter it, and not all return. The forest is home to powerful beasts, many of which are unranked, like the smaller creatures you might see. But there are also predators—ranked creatures—that would devour even a seasoned warrior if they weren't careful."
Ivor glanced toward the forest's edge, his voice dropping lower, almost as if the trees themselves were listening. "The deeper you go into the forest, the stronger the creatures become. Wolves, bears, even goblins roam near the outer edges, but in the heart of the Duskwind… well, let's just say monsters beyond your imagination make their homes there."
One of the boys looked nervously toward the dark line of trees in the distance. "Has anyone ever reached the heart of the forest, Elder Ivor?"
The old man sighed deeply. "Some have tried. Few have returned. And those that did spoke of creatures beyond description. It's said that even the S-ranked adventurers fear what lies at the heart of the forest."
Another child, a curious elf girl, chimed in. "What about the adventurers? How do they rank?"
"Ah, the adventurers," Ivor said, his eyes twinkling with respect. "They are men and women who make their living by hunting beasts, exploring dungeons, and taking on quests from the Adventurer's Guild. They are ranked just like the beasts, starting at F-rank, and as they grow in strength, they move up the ranks: E, D, C, B, A, and S."
He paused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "But adventuring is dangerous work. Only the strongest survive. They face not only the wild creatures but sometimes… each other."
The children were silent for a moment, absorbing the elder's words. The world suddenly felt bigger, more dangerous, but also more thrilling.
Back in the forest, I listened from the shadows, piecing together bits of the conversation. So, this world had a system—levels and ranks—and those who reached higher ranks became legends. I was unranked now, but if I could survive, I could become something more. Something feared.
'Levels, ranks, beasts… and adventurers. Seems like I'm not the only one trying to rise to the top around here.'
I slithered further into the underbrush, keeping low and out of sight. It wasn't long before I realized that this Duskwind Forest was far more dangerous than I had originally thought. And I was right in the middle of it.
'Well, no one said evolution was going to be easy.'
[Name: Unknown]
[Species: Baby Snake]
[Level: 9]
[Rank: Unranked]
[Skills:]
– [Venom Lv 5]
– [Bite Lv 5]
– [Slither Lv 3]
– [Status Inspection Lv 1]
– [Devour Lv 1]
– [Stealth Lv 1]
[Traits:]
– [Cold-Blooded]
– [Enhanced Sensory (Basic)]
– [Enhanced Physical Strength (Basic)]
[Status: Alert]
[Hunger: 40%]
I closed my status window and continued through the forest, my mind turning over everything I had just learned. There was so much more to this world than I had imagined. Ranks, power, beasts, and adventurers… It was a system, but I didn't fit into it. Not yet.
But soon.