*CASTLE INTERIOR - HALLWAY - LATE MORNING*
Mark tries to push aside the dark implication, focusing on the survival benefit:
He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever comes next:
Mark exits his room, stepping into the bustling castle hallway:
Servants hurry past, nobles converse in huddled groups:
He navigates through the crowd, noticing a familiar face:
Yui, Kai's little sister, stands out with her elegant attire:
Guards nod respectfully as she passes, and servants curtsy slightly:
Yui notices Mark and walks over, concern etched on her gentle face:
"Mark, I heard some rumors about an incident with my brother and Ryan yesterday...
But I'm sure it's exaggerated. Kai would never hurt anyone intentionally."
Her eyes sparkle with sibling devotion and innocence:
Mark's expression falters, surprised by her blindness to Kai's true nature:
Mark smiles faintly and says, "You're right, Yui. It was just a misunderstanding."
Yui smiles back, relieved, and continues on her way to likely see her brother Kai:
Mark watches her go, then notices her attendants lingering behind:
They glance at him with disdain, whispering among themselves:
"One wonders why he still walks these halls..." one attendant says softly.
"Indeed, commoners have no place in the castle," another replies.
"A pity the training incident didn't... dispose of him," a third attendant murmurs.
Mark's ears burn as he catches snippets of their conversation:
"...heard he was assigned to Brindlemark Village, yet still he lingers..."
"...probably begging the instructors to reconsider his rejection..."
Mark's jaw clenches, anger simmering at their arrogant words.
Mark walks away calmly, not dignifying their insults with a response:
He turns a corner, entering a large hall filled with magical energies:
His eyes narrow, focus shifting to his determination:
"I'll clear this world's quest, survive Brindlemark Village... and return home."
He whispers to himself, resolve burning within:
As he scans the room, he notices familiar faces:
Hana, an Archpriest, channels divine magic with grace:
- She heals a damaged statue with holy light.
Akira, a Mage specializing in Fire elements, practices intense spells:
- He unleashes blazing infernos, precisely controlling the flames.
Nao, a Mage specializing in Wood elements, cultivates nature magic:
- He grows vibrant trees from bare earth, shaping branches with ease.
Mark watches from afar, hidden behind a pillar, avoiding detection:
He feels a stark contrast between their powerful magic and his own weakness...
Mark watches from afar, curiosity getting the better of him:
He focuses his mind and casts "**Status View**" on the three magic users:
The skill activates, and he sees:
* **Nao, Mage (Wood)** - **LEVEL 37**
**HP:** 8,212/8,212 (Full)
**MP:** 5,627/11,560
**STRENGTH:** 23
**MAGIC:** 135
But to his surprise, the status of Hana and Akira remains hidden:
* **Hana, Archpriest** - **LEVEL UNKNOWN (DATA ENCRYPTED)**
* **Akira, Mage (Fire)** - **LEVEL UNKNOWN (DATA ENCRYPTED)**
Mark's eyes widen as he realizes the implication:
Their levels are likely extremely high – beyond his skill's viewing capability...
He's stunned by Nao's incredibly high Magic stat and Strength...
Mark feels his own weaknesses intensely, comparing his stats to Nao's:
He recalls his own status:
**NAME:** Mark (Commoner)
**LEVEL:** 1
**HP:** 3,200/4,850
**STRENGTH:** 12
**MAGIC:** 6 (almost nonexistent)
The vast difference between his stats and Nao's is humiliating:
Mark realizes he's barely stronger than a castle servant, while Nao is a powerhouse...
His determination to survive and escape this world intensifies:
He focuses his mind and casts "**Status View**" on various targets:
* **Captain of the Guard** - **LEVEL UNKNOWN (DATA ENCRYPTED)**
* **Random Guards:**
- Guard 1 - **LEVEL 34**
**HP:** 7,082/8,000
**STRENGTH:** 40
- Guard 2 - **LEVEL 33**
**HP:** 6,522/7,500
**STRENGTH:** 38
- Guard 3 - **LEVEL 37**
**HP:** 8,299/9,000
**STRENGTH:** 42
* **Teachers/Mentors of Hana, Akira, and Nao:**
- Hana's Mentor (Archpriesthood) - **LEVEL UNKNOWN (DATA ENCRYPTED)**
- Akira's Mentor (Pyromancy) - **LEVEL UNKNOWN (DATA ENCRYPTED)**
- Nao's Mentor (Geomancy) - **LEVEL UNKNOWN (DATA ENCRYPTED)**
Mark's eyes widen at the guards' impressive strength stats...
Mark's eyes drop, defeated by the stark contrast between his stats and others:
He realizes he's outrageously weak compared to even the castle guards...
A sense of normalcy hits him - he's just an average person from another world:
No magic, no super strength... just a commoner lost in a realm of power.
Mark decides to shift his focus from physical strength to knowledge:
He walks to the castle library, a vast room filled with ancient tomes and scrolls:
Shelves stretch high, loaded with books on magic, history, and strategy.
Mark's determination reignites:
"Knowledge might be my only weapon in this world."
He begins searching for books on:
1. World politics and factions
2. Magical theory - hoping to understand his enemies' powers
3. Medicinal Plants - potential healing resources
4. Ancient Monster Data - understanding threats he might face
*CASTLE INTERIOR - LIBRARY - AFTERNOON*
Mark discovers a leather-bound book detailing ancient creatures:
He opens it, revealing yellowed pages with handwritten notes and sketches:
The book categorizes them into two groups:
** Ancient Beings of Nature and Balance**
1. **Ancient Elemental Dragons**
- Type: Dragon
- Appearance: Massive wingspan, scales shimmering with elemental colors (fire, ice, lightning, earth)
- Strength Level: 120+
2. **Ancient Frost Dragon** (subset of Elemental Dragons)
- Type: Dragon
- Appearance: Icy blue scales, frosty breath, wings glimmering like snow
- Strength Level: 122+
3. **Ancient Giant Shadow Spider**
- Type: Arachnid
- Appearance: Towering height, black carapace with dark purple markings, glowing red eyes
- Strength Level: 110+
4. **Dryads, Guardians of Nature**
- Type: Tree Spirit
- Appearance: Tall, humanoid figures with bark-like skin, leaves for hair, roots for limbs
- Strength Level: 118+
**Ancient Abominations**
(He turns the page with trepidation...)
Mark's heart races as he turns the page to **Ancient Abominations**
1. **Abyssal Giant Snake, Zha'thik**
- Type: Serpent
- Appearance: Colossal length, scales as black as coal, eyes glowing like embers from underworld
- Strength Level: 132+
2. **"The Walking Disaster"**
- Type: Unknown
- Appearance: Unseen by mortal eyes; only devastation remains
- Last Seen Traveling Path: Northeast through the "Cursed Scarlands"
- Strength Level: 150+
3. **"The Devourer in Dark Fog" - Zorvath, the Mysterious Creature**
- Type: Unknown, possibly Divine or Malevolent Entity
- Appearance: Shrouded in impenetrable dark fog, presence felt but never seen
- Influence Spreads: Corruption and madness wherever the fog reaches
- Strength Level: Unknown, possibly Omnipotent
Mark's blood runs cold as he reads the terrifying descriptions...