Leaves rustled gently in the midnight breeze as Souta Kael sat cross-legged beneath a tree, silver moonlight casting a glow over his pale skin. A squirrel watched him from a nearby branch, head tilted like it was saying, "Hey, buddy... you forgot your clothes."
Souta sighed, glanced down and then it hit him.
"Wait a second…"
His eyes widened.
"…I've been naked this whole time!?"
His face turned bright red.
"No wonder the wolves looked at me funny," he muttered, burying his face in his hands.
With a groan, he flopped onto his back. Cold forest grass clung to his skin.
"Of all the things to forget after reincarnating… I had to forget pants."
After a moment spent mourning the death of his dignity, Souta rolled onto his side and squinted at the treetops. Something clicked.
The system.
He remembered the glowing interface from earlier. If he was going to survive, he needed to understand what it offered. Sitting up, he raised a hand like a dramatic wizard summoning a forbidden magic.
"Status."
The air shimmered. Lines of glowing text appeared in front of him.
———Ω———
Name: Souta Kael
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Hunter of the Boundless Path
Rank: SSS
Level: 4
Health: 520 / 520
Stamina: 410 / 410
Mana: 300 / 300
Strength: 32
Agility: 39
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 27
Luck: 9
Titles: Reborn One
Skills: 3
Traits:
– Soulbound Evolution
– Adaptive Core
– Mental Fortitude
Souta squinted. A low whistle escaped his lips.
"SSS-rank? That's like... top of the top, right? The cream above the cream already floating above the milk?"
He reached out and touched the text. It shimmered like water before vanishing into the air.
"But... Level 4? That's like being a level 4 potato farmer. Why does this feel like I got a golden throne in the middle of a chicken coop?"
Right on time, a soft chime echoed.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
You are an SSS-Rank Hunter.
However, your current access to SSS-level skills and power is locked.
Progression Requirement: Clear dungeons, earn skills, and increase your level to unlock advanced functions.
Souta narrowed his eyes.
"…So I'm a Bugatti running on donkey fuel?"
Another chime.
[SYSTEM RESPONSE]
That is an inaccurate but amusing analogy.
You are advised to improve your level before making further complaints.
He blinked.
"Did… the system just sass me?"
Silence.
He leaned forward, whispering toward the sky.
"Are you... listening right now?"
No response.
He stood up slowly, brushing grass off places around his body.
"At least I know the system works," he muttered. "Even if it's got an attitude."
Another thought sparked in his mind.
Inventory.
He had read enough novels to know what that meant. Holding out his hand again, he said, "Inventory!"
A square grid popped up, glowing softly. Inside were exactly three items:
1. A folded white cotton shirt
2. Blue combat pants
3. A dagger with a bronze-colored blade, labeled:
Weapon: Tak – Basic Bronze Dagger
He grinned. "Ha! Finally. Clothes."
A few quick swipes later, he was dressed. The shirt was a little tight in the shoulders—probably from a stat boost—but better than flashing forest animals.
He pulled the dagger out last, inspecting it under the moonlight. It was short, plain, and a bit worn.
Tak – Basic Bronze Dagger
Attack Power: 11
Grade: Common
Durability: 60 / 60
Effect: None
Description: A beginner's blade forged with durability in mind.
Souta frowned. "A common dagger? That's it? the only weapon I have
Wait so after slaying an entire pack of demon wolves I got only points and an element no weapons?
He held it up. It didn't even glimmer dramatically.
"I risked my life, did a mid-air flip, and all I got were points, I prefered a more polished blade but this isn't that bad atleast it slayed the wolves and the fire affinity might come in handy.
He let out a theatrical sigh, slumping back onto the grass.
"Fine. Whatever. At least it's not a stick."
He glanced at a stick lying nearby.
"…Though, to be fair, that one looks kinda deadly."
A soft ding echoed.
[System Message]
Humor detected.
Mental Fortitude stat slightly improved.
He sat up with a confused stare.
"Wait, w…what. I get stronger... for being funny?"
Another chime.
[System Response]
Not quite. But maintaining mental resilience in a new world improves overall adaptive growth.
You may continue with your... humor.
Souta chuckled.
"You're indeed a weird, System."
He leaned back again, into the grass. The forest, calm now, buzzed with crickets and wind. The chaos, the wolves, the pain, the blood, it was all fading.
All that remained was him, the stars, and the weight of tomorrow.
He tapped the dagger against his knee.
"So... I'm SSS-rank but locked. Weak, but not really. Equipped, but barely.
Hunted wolves naked and lived to tell the tale."
He smirked.
"All right. Let's see what's next."