Orin's POV
Hallowspire hummed with life as I sat in my room, the distant chatter of merchants and travelers blending into a constant drone. The faint light of my status screen hovered before me, its blue glow a stark reminder of my reality.
---
Name: Orin Lumis
Age: 17
Class: None
Soul Core Type: Dormant
Rank: F
Attributes:
Strength: F
Agility: F+
Endurance: F
Mana: E-
Intelligence: D
Charm: E-
Luck: F-
---
A sigh escaped me as I dismissed the screen with a flick of my hand. F rank. Weak, unimpressive, and utterly average. Even my Soul Core was dormant, refusing to awaken no matter how much I willed it.
Power was everything in the Kingdom of Eldoria. Without it, you were invisible—a nobody.
Standing, I crossed to the window and gazed out at the bustling streets of Hallowspire. My violet eyes caught the occasional adventurer clad in gleaming armor or wielding enchanted weapons, their status palpable. I envied them, but more than that, I resented my own lack of progress.
"Orin! The guild needs that delivery picked up!"
My father's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I grabbed my coat, letting out a resigned breath.
"On it!"
---
The guild hall was a hive of activity, as usual. Adventurers crowded around tables, exchanging stories of battles and treasure. Others lingered near the quest board, scanning for opportunities to rise through the ranks.
I kept my head down, weaving through the crowd until I reached the front desk.
"Here for the package?" the receptionist asked, barely sparing me a glance.
I nodded. "For Lumis Trading."
She handed me a small parcel, and I turned to leave when my gaze was drawn to the quest board. Most of the postings were far beyond my level, but one stood out.
---
Quest: Investigate Blackwood Forest
Difficulty: F
Description: Reports of strange activity have emerged from Blackwood Forest. Seekers are needed to investigate and report findings.
Reward: 5 silver coins
---
My heart raced as memories from the novel surfaced. Blackwood Forest wasn't just any place—it was the rumored location of the Shard of Lumina, an artifact capable of awakening dormant Soul Cores.
I stared at the notice, my fingers itching to grab it. This was my chance, a way to climb out of obscurity.
But doubts crept in. Blackwood was dangerous, even for seasoned adventurers. Could I really handle it?
Clenching my fists, I tore the notice from the board.
---
Back at home, I stood in the doorway with my small bag of essentials slung over my shoulder. Beside the bag, strapped to my side, was my katana. It wasn't the most practical weapon—I had no training, and it was more for show than anything else—but there was something comforting about its sleek design. I'd always admired it for its elegance, even if it was largely decorative.
My parents stood before me, concern etched into their faces.
"You're really doing this, aren't you?" my father asked, his voice heavy.
I nodded. "I need to try. I can't keep waiting for something to happen. I have to make it happen."
My mother stepped forward, placing a hand on my cheek. Her eyes shimmered with worry. "Just promise us you'll be careful, Orin."
"I will."
My father sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, son. We believe in you."
Their words gave me the courage I needed. With one last look at their worried but proud faces, I stepped out the door.
---
The weight of my decision settled over me as I walked toward the edge of town. Blackwood Forest was days away, and I had no guarantee the shard was even real.
But for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt a spark of hope.
I was done being an extra.
With determination burning in my chest, I tightened my grip on my bag, adjusted the katana at my side, and began my journey toward Blackwood Forest.
_ _ _
The road to Blackwood Forest was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the lively streets of Hallowspire. The dirt path twisted and turned, cutting through vast plains and rolling hills, with the ominous silhouette of Blackwood's towering trees looming in the distance.
I adjusted the strap of my bag and shifted the katana at my hip. Its weight was unfamiliar but not unwelcome. It didn't matter that I didn't know how to use it properly. Just having it made me feel… safer.
The hours dragged on, the stillness pressing on my nerves. I tried to distract myself with thoughts of the Shard of Lumina. If the novel's description was accurate, the artifact could awaken even the most dormant Soul Core. It was a turning point for the protagonist of Kingdom of Eldoria—but now, that opportunity was mine.
I couldn't let it slip away.
By the time I reached the forest's edge, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that danced in the faint twilight. Blackwood Forest lived up to its name; the gnarled, blackened trees seemed to twist together, forming a wall of darkness. The air was thick and heavy, as if the forest itself were alive and watching.
I tightened my grip on the katana's hilt. "Okay, Orin. You can do this," I muttered, stepping into the shadows.
The forest swallowed me whole.
Navigating through Blackwood was more difficult than I'd imagined. The dense trees blocked out what little light remained, and the eerie silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves. Every sound made me jump, my imagination conjuring images of beasts lurking just beyond my vision.
The novel had mentioned that the Shard of Lumina was hidden in a ruined temple, deep within the forest. But finding it was another matter entirely.
As I pushed through the undergrowth, a sudden movement caught my eye. My heart leapt into my throat as a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged from the shadows.
A Shadow Lynx.
The sleek, panther-like beast prowled toward me, its black fur blending seamlessly with the darkness. Its eyes locked onto me, its muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce.
"Of course," I muttered, drawing the katana with trembling hands. The blade caught what little moonlight filtered through the trees, its polished surface gleaming faintly.
I'd never fought anything before—at least, not in real life. Sure, I'd read about battles in the novel, imagined how I'd handle such situations if I were the protagonist. But now, standing face to face with a predator, all of that bravado evaporated.
The lynx lunged.
Instinct took over. I swung the katana wildly, the blade slicing through the air. The lynx twisted mid-leap, evading the strike with ease. It landed gracefully, its growl low and menacing.
"Not good," I whispered, backing away.
The lynx darted forward, its claws swiping at me. I stumbled, barely raising the katana in time to deflect.
The impact sent a jolt through my arms, nearly knocking the weapon out of my grip.
Panic surged through me. My breathing was ragged, my heart pounding as the lynx circled me, its glowing eyes unblinking.
"Focus, Orin," I muttered to myself. "You've read about this. You know how to fight."
But knowing and doing were two very different things.
The lynx lunged again, faster than before. This time, I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its claws. I swung the katana, the blade grazing its side. The lynx let out a pained snarl, its movements becoming more erratic.
I didn't wait for it to recover. Taking a deep breath, I tightened my grip on the katana and charged forward. The lynx leapt to meet me, its claws outstretched.
Time seemed to slow as I swung the blade with all my strength. The katana cut through the air, connecting with the lynx mid-leap. The creature let out a final, guttural snarl before collapsing to the ground.
I stood there, panting, as the realization of what I'd done sank in. My hands trembled as I lowered the katana, its blade now stained with dark blood.
The lynx lay still, its glowing eyes dimming as life left its body.
I stared at it for a moment, my mind racing. I'd survived. Somehow, I'd survived.
But this was only the beginning.
With a shaky breath, I cleaned the katana on the grass and sheathed it. The adrenaline coursing through me began to fade, replaced by exhaustion and a dull ache in my muscles.
I glanced around, the darkness of the forest pressing in once more. The Shard of Lumina was still out there, waiting for me.
And I wasn't going to let anything stop me.