It had been a week since my last conversation with Solastra. After the day I passed out, I hadn't been able to reach him again. Even so, I'd gained the knowledge to use mana—to gather it, channel it, and strengthen my body with it.
"Alright, the usual routine," I muttered, focusing as I began drawing mana into my body. A faint blue glow gathered at my core, and I felt the familiar warmth spread. My once-crippling wound had started to heal. I could move my left leg now—still painful, but progress nonetheless.
The scars, though, were another story. They stretched across my body, reminders of battles I'd barely survived. The one on my face was the worst. At 187 centimeters and 82 kilograms, I was already an imposing figure, but the burn marks made me look fierce—maybe even frightening. I just wish this world have a magical cream or potion to heal them.
(A/N: That is 6'1 and 180lbs for you americans)
Knock, knock.
"Azur? Are you awake? It's Liriana," a calm voice called from the other side of the door.
I quickly stopped my mana breathing and grabbed a cloth to cover myself. "Yes, Madam. Just a moment!"
"Alright, I'm coming in," she said as the door creaked open. In her hands was a neatly folded set of clothes, plain but practical. "Here, these should fit. My niece made them."
The tunic and pants were simple, earthy in color and sturdy in material. They looked like they belonged to someone who worked with their hands, blending perfectly with the rustic charm of the village.
"They're beautiful. Please thank her for me," I said, slipping them on quickly.
Just as I finished adjusting the vest, another voice called from the doorway. "There's the new guy!" A broad-shouldered man with black hair and beard stepped into view. He looked to be in his early forties, with sharp eyes and an easy grin. He carried a bow slung over one shoulder and a quiver strapped to his back.
"This is my husband, Waylan," Liriana said, gesturing to him. "Waylan, this is Azur."
Waylan gave me a nod. "Nice to meet you, Azur. Heard you've been recovering fast. Good to see you up and moving."
"Likewise, sir," I replied. His handshake was firm, his grip strong—definitely someone who knew his way around hard work.
"Sir? Ha! No need for formalities," he said with a laugh. "Just Waylan's fine. Anyway, I was about to head out for a hunt, and I figured it might be a good way to get to know you. Interested in joining me?"
"Hunting?" I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, I'd like that."
"Good," Waylan said, grinning. "We'll head out right away. The forest isn't too dangerous, but it's best to move early. Grab a blade or a bow if you've got one. If not, I'll lend you something."
"I'll manage," I said, following him out the door.
As we stepped into the village, the morning sun filtered through the tall trees, casting dappled shadows across the dirt paths. The smell of smoke and fresh earth filled the air, and the sound of villagers chatting and working blended with the soft hum of the forest.
"Stick close," Waylan said, leading the way toward the forest edge. "We'll see what the woods have to offer today. And don't worry—we'll keep it simple. Just enough to test your toughness HAHA." He said laughing heartily
I nodded, tapping my ring with my thumb, soon a simple black knife materialized on my hand.
Waylan raised an eyebrow, impressed as he watched the black knife materialize in my hand. "Ooh, that's fancy. You from a rich family yea?"
Seeing his reaction, It seem this world is not unfamiliar with spatial magic.
"Not exactly," I replied with a small smile, keeping the explanation brief.
"Well, wherever you're from, looks like you've got some tricks up your sleeve. Let's see if you can put 'em to use." He gave me a hearty slap on the back, and we headed deeper into the forest.
The towering trees grew thicker as we walked, their canopy filtering the sunlight into soft, golden streaks. The sounds of birds and rustling leaves surrounded us, blending into a soothing melody of the wilderness.
"Step lightly," Waylan said, his voice low. "The forest's got its own rhythm. You don't want to be the one stomping around, scaring off the game."
I nodded, following his lead as he moved effortlessly through the undergrowth. He showed me how to avoid snapping twigs and where to place my steps to keep quiet. It wasn't easy, but I picked it up quickly, adjusting my pace to match his.
After about fifteen minutes of trekking, Waylan crouched suddenly, raising a hand to signal me to stop. "Look here," he whispered, pointing to the ground.
I crouched beside him, following his gaze to a series of hoofprints in the soft earth. "Wild boar tracks," he said. "See how deep they are? This one's big. Been here recently, too."
He motioned for me to follow as he began tracking the animal. Every so often, he'd pause to point out subtle signs—a broken branch, disturbed leaves, or fresh droppings. His knowledge of the forest was impressive, and I listened carefully to every word.
Finally, we spotted it—a large wild boar rooting around in a patch of bushes up ahead. Its bristly hide glistened in the dappled sunlight, and its tusks gleamed menacingly.
Waylan pulled an arrow from his quiver and nocked it silently. He drew back the bowstring, aiming low. With a soft thunk, the arrow shot forward, striking the boar near its hind leg. The animal squealed loudly, its movements slowed as it staggered.
"Now's your chance!" Waylan called, stepping aside to give me room.
Mana surged through my arm into the knife, wreathing it in blue light. The blade hummed with power as I darted forward.
The boar turned its head toward me, its eyes wild with fear and pain. I darted forward, keeping my steps light and controlled, just as Waylan had taught me. With a single, swift motion, I slashed across its neck. The mana-enhanced blade cut cleanly, and the boar collapsed instantly.
For a moment, I stood there, catching my breath as the glow faded from the knife.
It's purple colored soul, as expected go through my body.
[Soul Essence Absorbed. +5xp] A voice, not Solastra's but that of a machine like woman rang in my ears. I didn't think much of it as Solastra had said that he took inspiration based on my memories of games and stories.
"Well, damn!" Waylan let out a loud laugh, clapping his hands together. "I wasn't expecting you to take it down that quick. That was... impressive."
He approached the boar, crouching to examine the clean cut. "Your blade work's sharp, literally and figuratively. And that glow—what was that? Some kind of magic?"
"Something like that," I said, tucking the knife away.
"Whatever it is, keep it up. You've got talent, Azur," he said with a grin. "But don't let it get to your head. The forest's got plenty of beasts that won't go down as easy as this one."
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied, feeling a small swell of pride at his praise.
"Good. Now, let's haul this back. The villagers will be happy to have some fresh meat tonight."
With that, Waylan tied up the boar's legs and slung it over a sturdy pole, motioning for me to grab one end. Together, we lifted it and began the trek back to the village. The weight of the boar was substantial, but it wasn't unbearable—especially with the mana I'd been steadily using to strengthen my body.
As we walked, the forest felt different, less intimidating. The trees no longer seemed so oppressive, and the chirping of birds and rustling leaves felt like a song instead of a warning. It was strange how quickly my perspective had shifted.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to check something. "Status," I thought to myself.
Immediately, a translucent window appeared in front of my eyes, faint and glowing softly so that only I could see it.
[Status Window]
Name: Azur Denver
Age: 19
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Strength: 14 (Average Human: 10)
Mana: 21/30 (Average Human: 0)
Agility: 10 (Average Human: 10)
Vitality: 15 (Average Human: 10)
Charm: 30 (Average Human: 6)
Luck: 24 (Average Human: 10)
Skills: [
Silver Tongue (D)
Grants enhanced persuasion abilities, particularly during negotiations, bartering, or conflict resolution. Spend 1 Mana to amplify charm and likelihood of success during critical interactions.
Instinctive Trader (B)
Provides insight into the value of items, detecting hidden attributes, flaws, or strategic benefits. Spend 2 Mana to temporarily appraise an item's hidden properties or strategic value.
Keen Observer (D)
Heightens perception, allowing you to spot subtle details, detect traps, or read people's emotions. Spend 1 Mana to enhance awareness for one minute, improving your ability to detect hidden threats or find critical clues.
Adaptive Combatant (F)
Quickly learns and mimics basic movements of unfamiliar combat styles after observing them in action. Spend 3 Mana to copy a single non-magical combat move after witnessing it, retaining it for a short time.
]
Technique: [
1. Solastra's Mana Absorbing Art - ★★★★★
Effects:
Mana Absorption (Passive Skill):
Gradually absorbs ambient mana, increasing natural mana regeneration by +50%.Mana absorption rate increases in mana-rich environments (e.g., ley lines, enchanted areas).
Mana Drain (Active Skill) [LOCKED]:
Targets a living creature or magical object, draining a portion of their mana and converting it into your own. The amount absorbed scales with your level and affinity.
Mana Purification (Passive Skill) [LOCKED]:
Refines absorbed mana, reducing its volatility and increasing its effectiveness. Spells cost 10% less mana.
]
Soul Power (Level): 1
Soul Essence (XP): 10 / 100
Status: Healthy
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As the status window appeared before me, I quickly skimmed through it. Most of the information wasn't new to me—I'd memorized the basics of my stats long ago. My mana had increased dramatically from 5 to 30 after I learned Solastra's Mana Absorbing Art, but that was something I'd already expected. Solastra had said this technique would reshape how my body interacted with mana, and the results were clear.
What caught my attention this time was something new at the bottom:
Soul Power (Level): 1
Soul Essence (XP): 10 / 100.
I frowned. This hadn't been there before. I now know exactly how much more I needed to reach the next level.
"10 out of 100..." I muttered under my breath. It was strange—I'd absorbed Soul Essence before when taking down wild animals or weaker foes, but I'd never been able to track it this clearly. It seemed like another part of Solastra's influence.
The mechanical voice I'd heard earlier echoed in my mind: [Soul Essence Absorbed. +5xp.] Was it some kind of system he'd put in place to help me measure my progress? If so, it was useful. Knowing how far I had to go was better than blindly guessing.
I moved my focus to the Technique section.
Solastra's Mana Absorbing Art was still listed, with the unlocked Mana Absorption passive doing its job perfectly. I'd noticed the increased regeneration rate during the hunt, and it was going to be invaluable for long-term survival.
But the two locked skills—Mana Drain and Mana Purification—caught my attention.
"Locked, huh?" I murmured, narrowing my eyes. The descriptions sounded powerful, especially Mana Drain, which would let me siphon mana from enemies or objects. But if it was locked, it likely meant I wasn't strong enough to handle it yet.
I scrolled back up to the Soul Power section. If I needed 100 Soul Essence to level up, maybe increasing my Soul Power would unlock those skills. It made sense.
I clenched my fist, the faint glow of mana flickering around it for a moment before fading. This wasn't just about raw strength or speed anymore.
I closed the status window with a thought and looked ahead to where Waylan was trudging along the path, whistling a tune.
"All good back there?" he called without looking over his shoulder.
"Yeah," I replied, my voice steady. "Let's get this boar back to the village."
The gates of the village came into view as Waylan and I trudged along the dirt path, the heavy boar pole pressing against my shoulder. The weight was manageable, but I was still grateful when the familiar wooden posts of the village walls came into sight.
As we approached, a lone guard leaned against the gate with a spear resting in his hand. His scruffy beard and relaxed posture gave him an air of someone accustomed to the quiet life.
"Doni!" Waylan called out with a grin. "Hope you've got an appetite tonight, because we're bringing back something good!"
Doni straightened up, squinting toward the boar we carried. His face lit up. "Well, damn, Waylan. That's a big one. The missus'll be thrilled to see some fresh meat on the table."
Waylan chuckled, motioning to me. "Credit's not all mine. Azur here gave the final blow—quick and clean, too. Kid's got some skill."
I gave Doni a polite nod, feeling a small sense of pride at the praise.
"Not bad, not bad at all," Doni said with an approving look. Then his expression shifted. "By the way, Waylan, you hear about the newcomers?"
"Newcomers?" Waylan asked, his grin fading into a curious frown.
"Yeah," Doni replied, lowering his voice slightly as if sharing a secret. "Couple of mercenaries. Arrived just before noon. Whole village is gathering at the square to get a look at 'em. Silver plate and copper plate, from what I saw."
Waylan scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Mercenaries, huh? Wonder what brings them all the way out here. Green Trunk Village ain't exactly a hotspot for excitement."
Hearing this, my curiosity piqued. "I think I'll go check it out," I said, setting my end of the boar pole down. "Thanks for the hunt, Waylan. I'll see you later."
Waylan raised a hand in farewell. "Suit yourself, Kid. Don't let 'em rope you into anything too dangerous!"
With a nod, I turned and made my way toward the village center, weaving through the narrow dirt paths between houses. The sound of chatter and laughter grew louder as I approached, the usual calm of the village replaced by a lively buzz.
When I reached the square, I spotted the source of the commotion immediately.
Two figures stood in the middle of the gathered crowd. One was an older man with a grizzled beard, his broad shoulders draped in a worn leather cloak. He carried a massive sword on his back, its hilt gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
Beside him stood a younger man, barely older than me, with a lean build and sharp eyes that darted around the crowd. His armor was lighter, designed for speed, and a pair of daggers hung at his waist.
Around their necks hung two plates—one silver, the other copper. The older man's silver plate marked him as a seasoned veteran, while the younger man's copper plate indicated a lower rank.
The crowd whispered among themselves, a mix of awe and curiosity. Mercenaries were a rare sight in a quiet place like this, and their presence raised questions about what might have brought them here.
I stood at the edge of the crowd, observing them closely. Something about the older man's calm demeanor and the younger man's sharp alertness intrigued me. These weren't ordinary wanderers—they were people who lived by their wits and their blades.
The two mercenaries approached the village elder, Elder Shaera, who was standing near the square, observing the crowd. They spoke in hushed tones, but I could hear them clearly over the buzz of the onlookers.
The older mercenary, his voice rough but respectful, spoke first. "Elder Shaera, we've come to report the progress of our mission," he said, handing over a neatly folded bounty paper. "We're hunting a D-rank monster near the ancient forest. It attacked a noble caravan last week. The client's offer was substantial."
Elder Shaera took the paper, scanning it with a furrowed brow. "A D-rank beast, you say? The forest has been growing restless lately. Can the two of you handle it?"
The younger mercenary, standing with his arms crossed, leaned in, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "We've dealt with worse," he said, his tone confident, but there was an edge to it. "We're not just here for the coin. The caravan's been talking, and there's more at stake than just a beast. We need to put it down before it strikes again."
The elder nodded slowly, a concerned expression crossing her face. "Very well. If you've got the strength to back it up, then the village won't stand in your way. But be careful—the ancient forest is not kind to those who enter without caution."
I, standing near the crowd, overheard the conversation and felt a surge of curiosity. A D-rank monster? It wasn't the danger that interest me—it was the fact that these mercenaries were hunting it. I need to know more.
Turning to Madam Liriana, who had been quietly watching the exchange from the side, I asked, "Madam, do you know about this monster they're hunting?"
Liriana glanced over at the mercenaries, then back at me, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Not exactly," she said softly, "but it's not unusual for the village to be caught up in the aftermath of such incidents. The ancient forest hides more than just beasts—it hides secrets. Some people think there's more to this than a random attack. But we villager can't be bothered with that, not only we never go that deep inside the forest, we also rarely have enough money to hire mercenaries to hunt the beast, at most we will gather hunters from nearby village to hunt weak monster that gotten too close to our villages"
Before I could respond, the two mercenaries, having finished their conversation with Elder Shaera, turned toward the crowd. As they did, they seemed to stare at me standing at the edge of the gathering.
Their eyes locked.
The older mercenary's gaze lingered my figure—probably noticing my scars. The younger mercenary, more alert than most, seemed to notice the same thing, his eyes narrowing slightly as he sized me up. We exchanged a brief glance between themselves.
For a moment, I felt the weight of their attention, but I didn't flinch. Instead, I met their gaze head-on, unbothered by their scrutiny.
The older mercenary's eyes locked onto my scars, mapping the story written across my skin. His companion's hand drifted to his daggers—not threatening, just habit.
"You," the veteran said, voice rough as bark. "Those marks aren't from farming."
Liriana stepped forward, but I caught her arm. This was a conversation I needed to have.
"I got these from wolves of the ancient forest." I said calmly as I stared at his aging eyes.
The older mercenary raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A fighter, huh?" His gaze softened slightly, though his expression remained cautious. "Well, if you ever feel like testing your strength, you might want to consider joining us on a hunt sometime."
What hunt? I am barely a novice in hunting, but I can't say that to their face, I need this opportunity to become stronger.
The younger mercenary, still observing me closely, added, "Maybe you've got some stories to tell. This one's not an easy mission, definitely not suitable for a village hunter like you."
This is it, if I play my words correctly, I might be able to hunt with them and steals the monster's soul.