Xers set out toward the central base.He carried a few snacks, a camping kit, and a simple steel sword. Walking through the forest, he picked the Umbramera flowers of Shadowia. Along the road, questions swirled endlessly in his mind.
"What am I going to do? Will I really become a great warrior? What will happen to my village? What will my fate be?"
He walked and walked.Night eventually fell. Using his camping kit, he pitched his tent, lit a fire, and warmed himself. After eating the food he brought, the autumn rain began to pour heavily.He entered his tent, pulled out a notebook and pen, and decided to write a message to his future self.
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"Dear future me, hello. How are you?I don't know where you are right now, but I hope you're in a good place.I'm writing this as a miserable version of you, hoping that someday you'll become a real Sahir and save our village.Lately, I've been feeling strange, as if something—or someone—else is living inside me.Tomorrow, I'll head to the research center for my first real training.I believe in myself."
— November 24th, Year 554
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After pouring his heart onto the pages, he closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
Two hours later, a loud noise erupted beside his tent.Xers instantly woke, grabbed his sword, and peeked out from the corner.Five men had surrounded his tent—barbar raiders, armed with maces, axes, and spears.
One of them charged straight at the tent.With a sudden leap, Xers moved faster than the eye could follow and cut the man down in a single motion.
The remaining four roared in rage.
"Hora! Hora! Hora!"
Xers parried their attacks, sliding across the grass, rolling beneath trees, dodging and countering.He stabbed one through the back, severed another's arm, but before he could react further, a heavy axe slammed into his sword, shattering it into pieces.He was thrown back against a tree.
"Damn it! Guess I'm screwed… I should run—into the woods!"
He bolted deeper into the forest.Unknowingly, he had wandered into barbar territory, and they weren't letting him go.Eventually, he reached a cliff. His F-Tier Mask was still back at the tent. He had no choice but to fight with his bare strength.
Hiding behind a tree, he waited. Two barbarians ran past.He kicked one off the cliff, grabbed the other's axe, and split him clean in half.But more were coming—five, maybe six.Realizing he couldn't fight them all, he fled again.
By the time dawn broke, Xers had lost his sense of direction. Exhausted and wounded, he wandered for hours until he finally stumbled upon a small village.It was still within Ranshi territory.The village's name… was Ingra—the same village where Ahez had been born.
He walked into the village and approached the first person he saw.
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"(Panting) Where am I? Do you… have water?"
"Whoa there, calm down, kid. What's the rush?"
"I was chased all night by some axe-wielding raiders. This was the first place I found."
"You must've run into the barbarians. They've spread all over Shadowia. You're lucky to have escaped. Come, I'll get you something to eat."
"Thank you. I really needed that."
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A man Xers had never met before welcomed him into his home.He fed him, treated his wounds, and they began to talk.
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"So, where are you from, boy?"
"Name's Xers. Fifteen years old. Born in Kurotsume Village. Got drafted into the Ranshi army. Guess you could say I've lived a pretty messy life."
"I see, son. My name's Kzue Ohrimende.This village has suffered much under Ranshi rule.Twenty of my fifty-four years were spent at war."
"Seems like that's the fate of us Kurotsume people—to die fighting. It's our way."
"You know, after the first war, I adopted two children—Ahez and Uruga."
"Ahez?! Did you just say Ahez?"
"Yes. Why? Do you know him?"
"He's my friend! We met in the army."
"Really?! How is he? Is he safe? That poor boy must've been terrified…"
"He's doing well. Strong enough to stand on his own. You don't have to worry."
"What brings you here, then? Shouldn't you be with the army?"
"I've been selected for special training. They say I've got some kind of hidden potential. My destination is the central base."
"I can take you there if you'd like."
"No need, sir. Some food and water will be enough."
"Very well, son. I won't keep you any longer. My time has passed anyway.I asked to join the army again, but they refused. They took Ahez instead."
"I see… What about Uruga?"
"He's working as a lumberjack now. Don't worry about him."
"Understood. Then I should get going if I want to reach the center before dark. Thank you for everything."
"The food's in your bag. You're welcome here anytime. Take care, boy!"
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Xers waved goodbye to the old man and set off once more.He had learned something valuable that day—Even in the worst of times, luck can still find you.
He looked back at the village's wooden sign one last time, then turned away.Only an hour's walk remained before he would be picked up by carriage for the final stretch of his journey.