Without a second thought, Ephraim focused his gaze on his only skill, Original Sin. Almost immediately, the skill's details expanded on his Status Page, displaying its functions in greater depth.
Skills: Original Sin (Active)
Temporarily amplifies selected sin abilities.
- Empathy (Original Sin Passive): Grants a limited sense of nearby individuals' emotions.
- Emotional Influence (Original Sin Active): Allows minor control over one's own or others' emotions through physical contact.
Seeing what Original Sin could do, Ephraim couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Technically, it was one skill, yet it offered multiple abilities, making it feel more like a skill set than a single power—almost overpowered.
Empathy and Emotional Influence had immediate potential, not only in conversation or negotiation but also in combat, where subtle emotional shifts could be a significant advantage.
"Minor control…" he muttered, mulling over the implications. What did 'minor' entail? Would it be enough to calm an aggressor or stir courage within himself? Or could it have unintended side effects if overused?
The more he thought about it, the more Ephraim realized how powerful the skill could become in the right—or wrong—hands. Yet, he knew better than to rely on abilities without testing their limits. The skill seemed overpowered at first glance, but he had no clue what kind of strain it could put on him or if it had hidden costs.
"Am I… the main character?" he muttered, half-joking, feeling a strange thrill at the thought. Then he laughed, shaking his head.
"I shouldn't let this get to my head," he reminded himself, not letting the excitement of getting a skill make him arrogant or careless.
Already, he could imagine countless ways to use Emotional Influence in different situations, and Empathy, even in its limited form, seemed invaluable. If these abilities grew stronger as he did, the possibilities would be nearly limitless.
Ephraim's initial excitement started to wane, his racing heart slowing as he forced himself to take a steady breath. He returned his gaze to the status page, eyes narrowing as he reread the description of Original Sin:
"Temporarily amplifies selected sin abilities."
His eyes caught on the phrase sin abilities, almost as if it had a subtle glow, urging him to look closer. Curious, he muttered the words aloud, "Sin abilities…"
The status page responded instantly, the text shifting before his eyes, lines, and symbols rearranging themselves to display more. Additional abilities appeared, each labeled and, to his surprise, marked with a faintly pulsing "Locked" icon next to each name. He felt a thrill of excitement again—more abilities.
But he quickly tempered his enthusiasm, reminding himself to stay grounded. 'No point getting too excited if they're locked', he thought. This is only the beginning.
Ephraim's eyes scanned the new text, his excitement giving way to a mix of curiosity and frustration. Each of the new abilities had a faint, greyed-out look, the words partially obscured as if they were out of focus. Next to each name was a distinct "Locked" marker, the symbol glowing faintly.
He clicked his tongue, leaning in slightly. Greed, Lust, Wrath, and the others—all there, but just out of reach. It was as if the status page was teasing him, showing the potential but withholding the specifics. So… he thought, studying the list, 'they're here, but I'm not qualified to use them. Not yet.'
It dawned on him that there might be more to unlocking these abilities than simply knowing they existed. 'A trigger, maybe? Or…' he pondered, 'something I have to prove or learn first.'
The anticipation settled in his chest, not as excitement this time, but as a challenge. There was more to Original Sin than he'd initially thought—and whatever it took to unlock these abilities, he was determined to find out.
[Greed (Locked)]
[Lust (Locked)]
[Envy (Locked)]
[Gluttony (Locked)]
[Wrath (Locked)]
[Pride (Locked)]
[Sloth (Locked)]
Seeing no further hints to explain these locked abilities, Ephraim decided to stop speculating and return to organizing the memories he had received. Before his Status Page had appeared, he had been sorting through this information, hoping to make sense of his surroundings.
From what he could piece together, this world he had been transported to was called Highenfell, a realm inhabited by a wide variety of creatures. Goblins, like those he had fought, were common, as were the small, sharp-toothed rodents known as Dritchen. Humans existed in significant numbers here, but they were far from the dominant or most powerful race.
Other beings with stronger bloodlines held unique abilities: elves with elemental affinities, dwarves skilled in smithing, demons with heightened elemental resistance and potent magic, and Beastmen with superior physical attributes and natural combat instincts.
There were likely other races, but his acquired knowledge provided only general insights—just enough for him to blend in without standing out. It wasn't much, but he felt relieved to at least have a rough idea of the world he'd have to survive in.
From the memories he received, Ephraim also learned that only those who managed to slay another creature were granted access to a Status Page. By defeating other beings, one could accumulate experience, which contributed to leveling up.
Each level-up awarded stat points that could be assigned to enhance various abilities. This revelation didn't shock him—if anything, it made this world feel strangely familiar.
Goblins, magical beasts, and the concept of leveling up were all elements he had encountered countless times in games he'd played or stories he'd read back on Earth.
Yet, knowing this was now his reality, the stakes felt higher.
With a clearer understanding of the world now settled in his mind, Ephraim decided it was time to move. He headed back toward the river, figuring he could follow its flow. Something instinctual—maybe even a touch of luck—told him that if he followed it long enough, he might eventually find traces of human civilization.
Not far along his path, his intuition seemed to pay off. Just beyond a bend in the river, he spotted a narrow trail winding through the forest, worn enough to suggest regular use.
His heart lifted slightly; this path likely led to a human settlement. Adjusting his grip on his sword, he continued, hopeful for his first encounter with others in this strange world.
Ephraim took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. With a renewed sense of purpose and a flicker of hope, he followed the path leading towards the river. Each step felt more determined than the last, as the prospect of encountering other humans filled him with anticipation.
"Maybe I'll find some answers there," he thought, envisioning a settlement bustling with life.