The forest was quiet again, save for the crunch of boots against soil.
Lira walked ahead without a word, her crimson eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight. Aril trailed behind, replaying the fight in his head—the way his body had moved faster, stronger than ever before.
It wasn't natural.
Then, as if hearing his thoughts, the System's voice echoed again:
"Status Window unlocked."
A glowing panel appeared before his eyes, hovering in the air like a hologram.
[STATUS WINDOW – Host: Aril]
Age: 16 (Earth Human)
World: Magiria
Cultivation: Novice, Level 2 (Progress: 23%)
Stats:
Strength: 4 (+1)
Reflex: 5 (+1)
Vitality: 3
Mana: 0 (Locked)
Charm: 2
Bonds:
Slots: 0/5
Current Trust (Lira): 15%
Bond Skill: Locked until 30%
Quests:
Main: Survive 3 Days in Magiria (1/3 Completed)
Side: Earn Lira's Trust (15% Complete)
Aril's jaw dropped. This… this is just like a game. Strength, stats, levels…
His heart pounded faster. But wait—Strength 4? Reflex 5? That sounds… weak.
The panel flickered again. A line of text scrolled across.
"Compared to the average Novice cultivator, Host's stats are below standard."
Aril grimaced. "So I'm… basically trash."
Lira's head turned slightly. "Talking to yourself now?"
Aril flinched. "N-no, just… thinking."
She gave him a long, unreadable look, then kept walking.
The forest suddenly went still. Even the wind seemed to stop. Lira raised a hand, signaling Aril to freeze.
Aril's stomach sank. "What is it?" he whispered.
She didn't answer. Her eyes narrowed, fixed on the path ahead.
Then—
"Over there!"
The shout came from the trees. Torches flared to life, shadows stretching across the underbrush. A group of armored men stepped out, cloaked in black and silver. Each carried a longsword engraved with the royal crest.
Royal Guards.
Aril's blood ran cold.
The leader, a tall man with a scar across his cheek, stepped forward. His gaze swept over them before landing squarely on Aril.
"That's him," he said, his voice harsh. "The witness from the assassination. Capture him."
Aril's legs turned to stone. "W-witness? I didn't see anything!"
The scarred man sneered. "Silence, boy. You reek of lies. Do you think the Crown is blind?"
The guards drew their blades, their boots crunching forward in unison.
Aril stumbled back, panic clawing at his chest. "Lira… what do we do?!"
Lira's eyes narrowed, her voice calm and cold. "What do you think? If you can't survive this, you'll die long before three days."
Aril's heart pounded. No… no way I can fight them. I'm just Level 2! They'll kill me in seconds!
The System chimed again.
[Emergency Quest Triggered]
Defend yourself against the Royal Guards.
Failure: Death.
Reward: EXP, Bond Progress (Lira).
Aril's eyes widened in terror as the guards advanced, blades glinting under the moonlight.
He had no choice.
For the first time, Aril would face not just beasts—but men.