The forest was quiet.
Leaves rustled in the midnight breeze, whispering secrets to one another while the moonlight painted everything red. a squirrel perched on a branch overhead, tilting its head curiously. Its beady eyes seemed to say, "Hey, buddy… aren't you forgetting something important?"
Souta sat cross legged beneath the tree, breathing slowly, for a moment, he didn't notice. Then his gaze drifted down, and the truth struck him like a hammer.
"Wait… a second…" His eyes widened in horror. I have been naked this whole time!?
His face turned red instantly he buried his face in his hands.
"No wonder the wolves looked at me funny," he muttered.
With a groan, Souta flopped backward onto the grass. The cold blades clung to his skin, as if the earth itself wanted to remind him of his embarrassment.
"Great, of all the things to forget after reincarnating I had to forget pants."
He lay there for a while, staring at the stars, silently mourning the death of his dignity. At least no one was around to witness it unless you counted that squirrel, and Souta was pretty sure it was judging him.
Eventually, he rolled onto his side. His eyes narrowed as a thought clicked in his mind.
The system.
That glowing interface from earlier if he wanted to survive in this strange world, he needed to understand it, Straightening, he raised a hand dramatically, like a wizard summoning forbidden magic.
"Status."
The air shimmered, lines of glowing text appeared before his eyes.
———Ω———
Name: Souta Kaede
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Hunter of the Boundless Path
Title: Reborn One
Rank: SSS
Level: 1
Strength: 32
Agility: 39
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 27
Luck: 9
Skills: 2
Traits: 3
—————————
Souta blinked at the glowing display a low whistle slipped from his lips.
"SSS-rank? That's… top of the top, right? The cream above the cream, already floating above the milk?"
He reached forward and touched the words. They rippled like water before vanishing.
"But Level 1?" His voice fell flat, That's like being a level one potato farmer. Why does this feel like I got a golden throne in the middle of a chicken coop?
Right on cue, a soft chime echoed in his ears.
[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 answered.
[SYSTEM RESPONSE]
That is an inaccurate but amusing analogy,
You are advised to improve your level before making further complaints.
His mouth fell open. "Did… the system just sass me?"
Silence.
He squinted up at the treetops, whispering, are you… listening right now?
No reply.
Still, a chill ran down his spine he rubbed his arms, then stood, brushing grass and leaves off places he'd rather not mention.
"At least I know the system works," he muttered. "Even if it's got an attitude."
Another idea sparked. If there was a status screen, then there had to be an inventory, he was familiar with a system.
"Inventory!"
A glowing grid materialized in the air, neat rows of empty squares, only three items rested inside:
1. A folded white cotton shirt
2. Blue combat pants
3. A dagger with a bronze-colored blade, labeled:
Tak – Basic Bronze Dagger
Souta's eyes lit up. "Ha! Finally, clothes."
With the speed of a man desperate for decency, he equipped the shirt and pants. The fabric was rough but solid, the pants snug enough to feel secure he sighed in relief.
"Dignity restored."
Reaching back into the grid, he pulled out the dagger. Under the moonlight, the bronze blade gleamed faintly, plain but serviceable. He gave it a few test swings.
"Not bad, but hey, system why didn't you say I had a dagger earlier? I had to use a stick like some caveman."
The blade shimmered faintly as the details appeared:
———
Tak – Basic Bronze Dagger
Attack Power: 11
Grade: Common
Effect: None
———
Souta groaned. "A common dagger? That's it? My first weapon, and it's basically the fantasy equivalent of a rusty kitchen knife."
He gave it a dramatic twirl, expecting sparks or a flash but nothing.
He sighed and slumped onto the grass, fine. Whatever, at least it's not a stick.
His eyes slid toward the stick lying nearby, the same one he had used to fend off wolves earlier.
"…Though, to be fair, that one looks kinda deadly."
A soft ding.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Humor detected.
Mental Fortitude stat slightly improved.
Souta sat upright, blinking. "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.
For a moment, Souta just stared, then he chuckled, shaking his head.
"You're weird, system, but I think I like you."
He leaned back once more, staring at the stars through the branches above. The forest had grown calm again just crickets chirping, the occasional hoot of an owl. The chaos of earlier, the blood and wolves and fear, had all faded into memory.
All that remained was him, the night sky, and the promise of tomorrow.
He tapped the dagger against his knee, its dull bronze glinting.
"So. I'm SSS-rank, but locked, weak, but not really, equipped, but barely fought wolves naked and lived to tell the tale."
A slow smirk spread across his face.
"All right, Souta, Let's see what's next."
The stars above seemed to glimmer brighter, as if answering the call.