Arin sat on his father's lap, his tiny fingers gripping the man's shirt. His father bounced him lightly, humming a simple tune, while his mother sat nearby, sewing a worn piece of cloth.
Their life wasn't wealthy—far from it. The room was small, the furniture old, and money was always tight. But in this space, warmth filled every corner. His parents' love never seemed to fade.
Arin's eyes softened. In my past life, I ignored these small moments. This time… I'll cherish them all.
Recently, he had been listening carefully every day, trying to memorize the sound of their voices. Now, he wanted something more. He wanted to reply. He wanted them to hear his voice too.
He opened his mouth slowly. The sound came out broken, soft, and unclear. "M… ma…"
His mother froze, her eyes widening.
He tried again, his throat straining. "M…om…"
Tears welled in her eyes instantly. She dropped her sewing, rushing forward. "Did you hear that? He called me!"
His father laughed heartily, his face lighting up like the sun. "Our boy spoke his first word!"
Ding!
The system window appeared before Arin.
[New Skill Generated]
Skill: Speaking
Proficiency: Basic (0%)
Description: The ability to produce and shape words through sound. Higher proficiency improves clarity, vocabulary, tone, and expression.
Arin's chest tightened. Speaking… finally.
Encouraged by his parents' joy, he tried again. This time, he turned toward his father. "D…ad."
His father's hands trembled as he held him tighter. "Yes, that's right. Dad's here." His voice cracked with emotion, but his smile never faded.
Ding!
[Skill Proficiency Increased]
Skill: Speaking
Proficiency: Basic (3%)
Arin felt heat in his chest—not from the system, but from their joy. In his past life, he had failed to make them proud. But in this life, he could give them happiness, even with something as small as a word.
Day after day, he practiced, repeating simple sounds. His words were clumsy at first, but his parents encouraged him every time. And the system rewarded his effort faithfully.
Ding!
[Skill Proficiency Increased]
Skill: Speaking
Proficiency: Basic (12%)
Bit by bit, his voice grew clearer, steadier.
At night, as his mother rocked him to sleep, he whispered softly, "I… love… you."
Her tears fell silently onto his small hand as she held him close. His father, pretending not to cry, brushed his son's hair gently.
Arin smiled, his eyelids growing heavy. This time… I'll never take your love for granted. This time, I'll grow strong enough to make you proud.
The skill panel glowed faintly in his mind:
[Speaking – Basic (12%)]
[Listening – Basic (14%)]
[Crawling – Intermediate (15%)]
[Hard Work – Basic Proficiency: Active]
For Arin, these weren't just numbers. They were proof—proof that even the smallest effort mattered, and proof that he was finally moving forward.