Today marks the third day of my rebirth, and already, I have witnessed firsthand the destructive power of the creatures that inhabit this forest. It is a brutal, unforgiving place, where only the strong survive and where weakness is swiftly punished. As I walk through its depths, every step feels like a constant reminder of the danger that lurks in the shadows. For now, I can absorb the bloodlines of only four more creatures before reaching the R1 stage. On the bright side, my mana sensitivity has grown remarkably—allowing me to feel the flows and pulses of mana around me with much greater clarity, something that feels both empowering and necessary.
But as I stand on the cusp of further growth, a pressing question lingers in my mind—what creature should I absorb next? The options are many, yet the path forward is uncertain.
Breaking the silence, I ask, "Lumeria, which creature would be best for me to absorb now?"
Her voice, calm and steady as ever, replies, "You already possess nine elemental affinities. Perhaps it would be wise to absorb creatures with affinities you don't already have."
"Is having more affinities really important for cultivation?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.
"No, it is not essential," she explains. "However, possessing more affinities grants you greater versatility. The more elements you can manipulate, the more adaptable you will be in combat and in surviving this world."
I frown, considering her words. "Doesn't that mean I'll have to train even harder?"
"Yes. Nothing in this world comes free," Lumeria responds, her tone unyielding.
"Hmm, you're right," I say after a moment, the weight of her words settling on me. Her logic is irrefutable, and though it makes my path more daunting, I know that the difficulty will be worth the strength I gain.
"Remind me, Lumeria," I continue, wanting to reassess my current position, "What are my current elemental affinities?"
She lists them without hesitation, "You currently possess:
- **Shadow** (Mid-Level)
- **Lunar** (Minor)
- **Earth** (Minor)
- **Acid** (Mid-Level)
- **Poison** (Minor)
- **Water** (Minor)
- **Fire** (Minor)
- **Light** (Minor)
- **Air** (Minor)."
I absorb this information quietly, taking note of what I already have at my disposal. "I see," I mutter under my breath. "So, which creature should I target next?"
Lumeria's response is swift and firm. "Undead creatures cannot be absorbed. While they technically possess bloodlines, they are mindless beings driven solely by destructive instincts."
"What a shame," I mutter, clicking my tongue in disappointment. "I thought they might grant me some form of immortality."
With that notion dismissed, I focus my attention once again on the dense forest around me. The trees stand tall, ancient and imposing, their canopies casting intricate shadows on the forest floor. The distant calls of creatures echo faintly through the undergrowth, reminding me that danger is always near. My gaze soon falls upon a kobold lying nearby.
The kobold is different. Its bloodline is superior to most others in the forest, a faint glow emanating from its body—a sign of its strength. It carries a crude sword, its blade nicked and tarnished, yet still functional. Its humanoid-like physique is sturdy, and the rough clothes it wears—though not elegant—are far more advanced than the tattered state I find myself in. I approach it cautiously, inspecting its form, and after a brief moment of hesitation, I decide that I need to act.
I crouch down beside the kobold, quickly undressing it. At this moment, there is no room for hesitation or shame. In my previous world, such an act would have filled me with disgust, but here, in this savage, brutal reality, survival is the only thing that matters. I cannot afford to be bogged down by emotions that no longer have a place in this world.
Once dressed in the kobold's clothes and armed with its sword, I set my course toward the river. A shelter near water seemed like the most practical choice for now—cleaning myself of the sticky, drying blood that clings to my skin was a necessity.
As I walk, a thought strikes me. "Lumeria, will I always retain my humanoid features?"
"No," she replies. "When you reach the R1 stage and evolve, your appearance will change slightly based on your bloodline. You will grow a pair of horns, and some parts of your body will be covered in scales."
"Will my face change?" I ask, a note of concern in my voice.
"No," she answers firmly. "Your facial features will remain the same."
A wave of relief washes over me. "Thank whatever cosmic entity exists for that," I sigh. "My face is handsome enough as it is. If I hadn't been a politician, I might have considered acting."
The river comes into view as I push through the final stretch of forest. The sight of the flowing water is calming, a welcome break from the chaos of the world. But there is no time to relax. Survival is still my priority.
### The Ten Days of Training
#### **Day 1:**
The first day of training begins with a focus on my **Storage Skill**. I test its limits, attempting to store various items, including live fish. To my surprise, the fish survive for a short while inside the storage space, though maintaining them consumes mana. This discovery proves invaluable—it means that I can carry food or even eggs safely, provided I have enough mana to sustain them in emergencies.
Next, I turn my attention to the **Fire Wings Skill**. The idea of flight is exhilarating, but my initial attempts are met with repeated failure. I crash into the ground thirty-nine times before I manage to hover above the earth for a brief moment. Despite the bruises and the frustration, a spark of excitement ignites within me. There is a glimmer of possibility, and I feel more determined than ever to master this skill.
By the end of the day, my mana reserves are completely drained. I spend the remainder of the night refining my mana core, pushing myself closer to perfection.
#### **Day 2:**
The second day brings new challenges. I focus on the **Silk Weaving Skill** that I had acquired from a spider. Initially, I thought I could produce silk directly from my hands, but the skill turns out to be entirely mana-based. Concentrating mana into fine threads requires immense focus, and my first attempts are clumsy at best.
I experiment with creating mana-less silk, hoping to craft something durable and practical. However, my proficiency is still too low, and the silk proves fragile. It dissipates quickly without a steady flow of mana to sustain it. Despite the setbacks, I see potential in the skill—it could be useful for crafting clothes or setting traps once I master it.
Each night, I continue to refine my mana core, inching closer to completion.
#### **Days 3–10:**
The following days blur into a continuous cycle of practice and refinement. I revisit all of my skills, honing them to the best of my ability. The forest becomes my training ground, and each challenge it throws at me is an opportunity to grow stronger.
By the tenth night, my mana core is finally perfected. The sensation is profound, like a surge of power flowing through every fiber of my being. According to Lumeria, my strength now exceeds that of most R1-ranked creatures. I can enhance my physical stats, making me a formidable opponent even against stronger foes.
Standing by the river under the pale moonlight, I feel a newfound confidence settle within me. My journey is just beginning, but I am ready to face whatever this world has in store. Survival is no longer my only goal—it is merely the first step toward something much greater.
On the fifth day, I encounter a tree spirit. At first, its behavior seems harmless—almost serene. However, Lumeria warns me that these beings are cunning predators. Armed with that knowledge, I prepare for a battle that soon proves to be grueling. The spirit controls the vines of nearby trees, using them to attack with deadly precision.
It quickly becomes clear that the spirit cannot be killed easily. It is well-protected, and its only weakness lies in the core embedded within its tree. After an intense and exhausting struggle, I finally manage to destroy the core. With the battle won, I absorb the spirit's essence, gaining an affinity for nature. Along with this newfound power, I acquire the ability to control trees and a calming aura—just like the one the spirit had used to subdue me.
The path ahead is clearer now, and the strength I gain from this battle will serve me well in the trials yet to come.
I have also built a basic shelter for myself, where I now reside. It looks quite ordinary, with nothing particularly remarkable about it. Starting a fire was surprisingly easy, and I can't help but wonder why I didn't try to start one earlier.
Today, I have decided to leave this place because I can't stay here forever. I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to return.