One evening, Zaroth was walking along the woods, when a basket was behind his back, he was strolling.
After coming across this Isekai world of magic, he had checked about the various ranks and knowledge that were necessary for him.
Name: Nyxor Zaroth
Age: 16
Stars: 0(not awakened)
Rank: Non
Artifacts: Non
Luck: Seven Spectral Dragon Soul
[Store],[Inventory], [Daily reward], and some more tags were present.
He accepted the daily reward.
[You have gained a Grade 1 Iron Sword]
[Item is stored in the Inventory]
"Nice", he summoned the sword. His journey forward was now decided, he was going to take the path of Sword and Wizard.
Well, with this backwater, trashy Isekai world, nothing was going to bother him.
Zaroth gripped the newly summoned sword, the iron hilt cool in his hand. He still wasn't sure how to truly wield it, but the weight felt oddly natural. He had no magic yet, no real skills, but that wouldn't stop him.
As he wandered further into the woods, something caught his eye—a rustle in the underbrush. He tensed. A pair of glowing eyes stared back at him from the shadows.
A wild boar, large and aggressive, charged straight at him.
His heart raced. Without thinking, he swung the sword, clumsily trying to block the boar's tusks. The blade struck its side but barely made a scratch. The force of the impact sent him stumbling back. The boar was quick, too quick for someone with no training.
He barely dodged as the tusks grazed his arm. Pain shot through him, but he gritted his teeth and tried again. The sword felt heavy and awkward. He swung again, this time catching the boar's shoulder, but it barely slowed the creature.
"Dammit," he muttered, realizing his inexperience.
The boar charged again, and Zaroth barely managed to roll out of the way. His heart pounded, but he refused to give in.
Thinking quickly, he reached for his [Inventory], selecting an item. A small vial appeared in his hand—one of the basic healing potions he had been given. He drank it quickly, feeling the pain dull as the wound began to close.
"Focus," he whispered to himself, forcing his fear to the back of his mind.
The boar circled, looking for an opening. Zaroth gripped the sword tighter. His swing was slow, but this time, with a surge of determination, he aimed for the boar's eyes.
The strike landed. The boar squealed, retreating in pain. Zaroth didn't waste time. He rushed forward, his sword stabbing deep into the beast's side.
The boar collapsed, defeated. Zaroth stood over it, panting, his chest heaving.
He glanced down at the sword in his hand. "Not bad for a beginner," he muttered.
The tags flashed.
[You have gained 10 EXP]
[You have gained an item: Boar Tusks]
Zaroth glanced at the glowing system panel, his breath catching for a moment as new details emerged.
Exp for Star [1]: 10/1000
"Does that mean… I can create stars?" he muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips as realization dawned. Talent wasn't enough in this world. With the system, he could forge his destiny, one star at a time.
A sharp ping broke his thoughts.
[You have now received 25 system points]
[You have gained 25 Gems for slaying your first Beast]
His fingers brushed over the notifications, a familiar rhythm of navigating menus, yet something about "Gems" stood out. They weren't in the novels, manga, or manhwa he'd devoured back home.
[Gems are 10 times more valuable than points. They can purchase unique items, unlock special features, or be used in rare trades.]
Zaroth raised an eyebrow. "Now we're talking," he murmured, opening the store menu. Rows of items flooded the screen, their descriptions flickering in front of him.
Grade 1 Weapon: 100-500 points
Grade 2 Weapon: 1,500-5,000 points
Grade 3 Weapon: 10,000-50,000 points
Grade 4 Weapon: 100,000-500,000 points
The higher the grade, the steeper the climb. He skimmed over the rest, knowing the costs for Grades 5 and above were likely astronomical. A dull ache pulsed in his arm where the boar had grazed him earlier, drawing his attention back to the present.
He scanned the store again, this time with purpose. A simple healing potion caught his eye.
Healing Potion (Minor): 20 points
"Perfect," he said, spending his newly earned points. The potion materialized in his hand, a faint glow emanating from the vial. He drank it without hesitation, the sting in his arm vanishing instantly.
The forest loomed around him, shadows deepening as the light faded. Zaroth tightened his grip on his sword. This system wasn't just a cheat—it was survival. If the boar was only the beginning, he needed to prepare for much worse. His gaze flicked back to the EXP bar, determination burning in his chest.
####
[After a grueling day of hunting, Zaroth collapsed against the base of a massive tree. His fingers absently traced the worn hilt of the Grade 1 Iron Sword, its once comforting weight now feeling inadequate. He flicked his wrist, and his stats appeared before him in the glowing system interface.
Name: Nyxor Zaroth
Age: 17
Star [1]: 80/1000
Rank: Pseudo-Blade Novice
Artifacts: Grade 1 Iron Sword, Grade 2 Steel Blade
Luck: Seven Spectral Dragon Soul
The steady rise in experience sent a ripple of satisfaction through him, but it was tempered by the knowledge of how far he still had to go. His gaze shifted to the Grade 2 Steel Blade resting in his inventory. He hadn't summoned it yet, savoring the moment when he would finally wield a weapon worthy of battle.
A soft chime interrupted his thoughts.
[Congratulations! You are going to receive your first system ability! Please choose.]
The glowing panel shifted, presenting three options:
1. [Touch of Crave]: Inflict lingering damage with every strike; the longer the enemy fights, the weaker they become.
2. [Stone Skin]: Temporarily harden your skin to reduce incoming damage, ideal for surviving powerful strikes.
3. [Keen Perception]: Sharpen your senses, increasing reaction speed and accuracy for a limited time.
Zaroth sat up, his interest piqued. Each skill glimmered faintly, its description etched into the interface like sacred text. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Lingering damage… damage resistance… precision? His mind replayed yesterday's encounter with the boar. Strength alone hadn't been enough; control and timing had saved his life.
He hovered over [Keen Perception], imagining what it would be like to move faster, react sharper. This is what I need, he thought, his finger brushing the selection.
[Congratulations! You have acquired the skill: Keen Perception.]
A wave of energy surged through him, subtle but undeniable. His vision sharpened, the dim forest suddenly brimming with detail—the intricate veins of a nearby leaf, the faint quiver of a spiderweb in the breeze. The forest's ambient sounds grew distinct: the rustle of unseen animals, the rhythmic chirp of distant crickets. Zaroth exhaled, steadying himself. The heightened awareness was exhilarating but disorienting.
He grinned, gripping the iron sword at his side. "This will make things interesting."