The next morning, I woke up feeling strangely at home, as if a wave of nostalgia had suddenly washed over me. I looked around, trying to pinpoint the source of this unexpected feeling. Then, I spotted it on the floor—my pendant. It was the same pendant I had worn just before I arrived here, the one I had forgotten to take off when I first stepped into that forest. A deep curiosity stirred within me, and I couldn't help but wonder, What's inside it?
I remembered what my parents had told me before they passed. If I ever felt truly lost, or as though I had no one to turn to, all I had to do was open the pendant, and it would grant me the knowledge I needed to survive. That night, the night they died, I had felt utterly lost. Seeing their lifeless bodies before me, I wondered if this was the moment they had spoken of. But instead of opening it, I waited. I was only five, too young to understand the gravity of what had happened, and I never shed a tear. Everyone at the funeral thought I was broken, that I was some sort of monster for not grieving, and they dismissed me as nothing more than a strange child. Even after all these years, the memories were vivid, the nightmares never truly fading.
Before I could get lost in my thoughts again, a voice called out, "Mister Kai, come down for breakfast. It's waiting for you." I paused for a moment, but I couldn't afford to sit around and wallow in the past. I got up and made my way downstairs, where a delicious meal awaited me on the table. I had always loved food; there was something comforting about it, something simple that everyone in the world could enjoy. Without it, we'd all perish. As I sat down and put the pendant around my neck, I prayed.
A voice from behind the counter chuckled, "Say, Mister, why do you pray before eating? For all the people I've served, you're the only one who does. Takes out a barrel of wine from beneath the desk. Would you care for a drink with that? You might get thirsty."
I laughed softly in return, joking that I would love a drink. I explained that in my world, it was customary to give thanks before a meal, to show gratitude to those who had worked to produce the food—whether it was the farmers or anyone who had a hand in preparing it.
The man slammed a large jug of wine onto the table in front of me, the sound echoing through the room. "Only drink as much as you can, alright? Don't overdo it," he said with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. It was clear he was trying to be generous, but the pressure to not let him down weighed heavily on me. I wasn't great at turning down people's hospitality, and in this case, I saw no escape. I could either drink a bit, save face, and avoid embarrassment, or I could be a coward and turn down the offer. I knew what I had to do.
With determination, I picked up the jug and began chugging. By the time I'd drunk about a quarter of it, I was already feeling the burn creeping into my throat. My head felt heavy, but there was no turning back now. I forced myself to keep going, each swallow an effort to push through the discomfort. Finally, I managed to get through half of it. The alcohol left my mouth numb, but the meal in front of me remained untouched. I couldn't afford to look weak in front of this man who was showing me such kindness, so I forced myself to eat, though every bite felt bitter, like I was swallowing the weight of my own uncertainty.
Once I had finished the meal, I stood up, ignoring the spinning in my head, and nodded at the man. "Thank you," I muttered, feeling a strange mixture of gratitude and unease. I had no time to linger. The quest awaited me, and I couldn't afford to waste another moment.
Stepping outside, I made my way through the streets, trying to shake off the heaviness that hung over me. I wandered into a few shops, aimlessly passing the time until something caught my eye. An alleyway, tucked between two buildings, beckoned me with an odd, almost magnetic pull. My instincts screamed at me to turn away, but curiosity gnawed at me, and I found myself walking toward it, my feet moving on their own accord. There was something strange in the air—something that made me feel like I was being drawn into the unknown. What harm could it do? I had time to spare, after all.
The alleyway was narrow, the air heavy with the scent of something ancient. I proceeded cautiously, my senses on high alert. As I moved deeper into the shadows, I noticed a strange light at the end of the path. The source of the light seemed to beckon me forward, and before I knew it, I was standing before a hidden door. A voice from behind it spoke, startling me so much that I nearly stumbled back.
"Welcome, Mister Skinwalker," the voice said, cool and confident. "We have been expecting you."
The door opened to reveal a small, unassuming man with a twinkle in his eye. I didn't even have time to react before I was pushed back, my body pressing against the wall in shock. The man before me was a dwarf, an unexpected encounter considering the rarity of their kind. It was said that dwarves were almost extinct after years of war and devastation, and yet here one was, standing right before me. My heart raced. I had heard legends, but seeing one in person was entirely different.
The dwarf looked me up and down with a grin. "I've heard of you," he said with a wink. "A strange man calling himself Skinwalker, knocking out Big Bertha. Quite the show you put on there." He gestured for me to follow him as he opened a hidden wall, revealing a small shop brimming with strange items. "So, Skinwalker," he continued, "what brings you to my little corner of the world?"
I stepped inside, feeling a strange mix of excitement and wariness. "What's this place? What do you sell?" I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me. I had to admit, I was intrigued. Dwarves were known for their craftsmanship, and the thought of finding something truly valuable here excited me.
The dwarf chuckled. "Ah, you're a man of discerning taste, I see. I have weapons, accessories, tomes, and spellbooks. Whatever you need for your... adventures."
I considered my options. Spellbooks sounded tempting, but I didn't need any magic right now. What I needed was knowledge. "Tell me about the Plant-Vex. What do I need to know to take it down?" I leaned forward, locking eyes with the dwarf. "And don't try to sell me anything useless," I added, my voice sharp. "I'm not here for gimmicks."
The dwarf raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning widely. "I swear on my honor, I'll tell you the truth. The Plant-Vex is tricky. You can't approach it head-on or from behind—keep moving, or it'll catch you. It attacks in straight lines, so if you're quick on your feet and have good reaction time, you'll be fine." He paused, then added with a wink, "If you kill three wolves first, you should have no trouble with the Plant-Vex."
I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope at his words. Three wolves. It didn't sound too bad. Perhaps, just perhaps, I could actually pull this off.
I hadn't exactly killed three wolves, but I had taken down two. The third one had managed to escape, running off into the woods, but I still felt a sense of accomplishment. In my mind, it was enough to qualify me to face the Plant-Vex. As I made my way back to the alley, I was handed a scroll by the dwarf, Valkadis, who had been kind enough to guide me through the process. He told me to open it without much fanfare, so I did. The moment I unrolled the parchment, I felt an overwhelming surge of power rush through me. It wasn't pain, but it felt as if my body wasn't prepared for the force coursing through it. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the ground. The sensation lasted only a few minutes, but they felt like an eternity.
When it finally subsided, I stood up, my heart racing. I grabbed the small dwarf by the collar, lifting him off the ground with an angry glare. "What did you do to me? Was this some kind of trick to kill me?" I barked, my voice harsh with confusion and fear.
But before he could respond, a voice echoed inside my mind. The user has learned the skill 'Flame Coat.' You can coat any part of your body or anything you hold with flame. The object will burn, but if the skill is applied to your body, you won't be affected by the flames. The skill lasts until canceled, or until you run out of mana.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat as I processed the information. The dwarf hadn't been trying to harm me—he had just granted me a new power. I slowly let him down, realizing how foolish I had been to react with such anger. "I... I'm sorry," I muttered, regret washing over me. "That wasn't your fault. I should have trusted you."
He chuckled, brushing himself off. "Don't worry about it. It's my fault for not explaining what the scroll could do. You're the second human I've seen in days." He paused, then added with a smirk, "And if you're offering an extra beer to make it up, I won't say no."
I smiled sheepishly and promised him a reward when I returned. With that, I left the alley, feeling lighter despite the weight of what was to come.
Night was falling as I made my way to the meadows, where I had been told the wolf-like creatures would appear. As the winds picked up, rustling the grass beneath me, I lay down, trying to stay still and keep my senses sharp. Above me, three moons hung in the sky—one red, one blue, and one pale white like snow. I couldn't help but marvel at the sight, a reminder that this world was nothing like the one I had known. Everything was different, and I still wasn't sure how I felt about it.
Just as I began to think more deeply about my new reality, I saw it—something large and dangerous, moving swiftly toward me. A spike, massive and sharp, cut through the air with deadly intent. There was no time to react. It was already too close. I braced myself for impact, but just as it was about to strike, I felt a sudden, uncontrollable urge to sneeze.
"Achooo!" I sneezed, jerking to the side just in time.
The spike missed my head by mere inches, but it still managed to graze my cheek, leaving a shallow cut. My heart hammered in my chest, the close call sending adrenaline coursing through my veins. I quickly scrambled to my feet, adrenaline and the rush of the near miss sharpening my senses. I wasn't sure what kind of creature was attacking, but I was certain of one thing: I had to be ready for whatever came next.
I had no time to waste. I leaped away from the massive pike, scanning my surroundings, my eyes narrowing as I locked onto the beast. It was monstrous—huge, with sharp metallic leaves and a mouth at the center of its petals. Instead of fear, an overwhelming surge of excitement coursed through me. I couldn't help but grin, my heart racing as my blood surged through my veins. There was something electrifying about this moment. My body was alive, my instincts sharpened. Pulling out my dagger, I positioned myself, ready for the fight. The plant and I faced off in a tense standstill—first one to strike would have the advantage. My mind raced as I silently counted down, "3… 2… 1... Skill activate 'Determination' and 'Sprint'!" I launched myself to the side, hoping to break its focus, but I couldn't waste time. Without hesitation, I darted forward, aiming for its stem. Clang! My dagger hit its leaf—metal. The damn thing was tougher than I thought. Before I could react, another leaf shot out from behind me, slashing at my back. I barely managed to block it, but my dagger cracked under the pressure. I swore under my breath, but I didn't stop. Suddenly, the plant spat something at me. "What the hell is that?!" I realized it was a poison ball, and I had to dodge, all while trying to land a hit of my own. Finally, I struck, but the plant wasn't finished. It regenerated the damage like it was nothing. "You damn plant!" I muttered, my frustration rising. The creature saw my moment of stillness and attacked with renewed ferocity, thinking it had won. I grinned, feeling the adrenaline surge. "You really don't know anything about humans, do you? Here's a pro tip: human minds are a bitch!" Skill activate 'Flame Coat'! My plan was simple—set it ablaze. The plant's leaves were metal, but its body—its stem—was still plant-based, vulnerable to fire. As one of its leaves closed in, I dodged, slipped beneath it, and grabbed hold. The flames erupted instantly, spreading across its body. It tried to sever the burning leaves, but that only worsened the situation. The plant flailed, trying to strike, but now its movements were predictable. My time was running out. Stamina drained, I went for the final blow. With everything I had left, I lunged forward, severing its head. The moment the fight ended, I collapsed to the ground, my body drained. "The user has gained the right to choose one feature and one skill from the Abomination Plant-Vex, what would you like?" I barely had the energy to answer. "I don't care, just give me what's best." "Understood. Skill—Parallel Thought. Feature—Steel Leaf. Skill 'Decipher' has been used." I let out a deep sigh of relief, my mind and body finally giving in to exhaustion. Grateful to be alive, I drifted into sleep, my body feeling like it had been through a war.
"Mister 'Skinwalker' hasn't come back yet, so I'm guessing one more of our kind has died. After that big speech, it's been two days since he went off. Guess we can cross him off then," Miss Pres., the receptionist, said the very next morning when she went to the guild, checking if I had made it back. Disappointment laced her voice. "Who's crossing off the great name of the Undead?! I'm still alive and walking, thank you very much! Take your proof of the Plant-Vex; he was a piece of cake to kill!" I burst through the door, carrying one of its massive leaves on my back, dragging it from the meadows to the guild on my own. "Well, those scars tell me otherwise, Skinwalker," she remarked, eyeing my battered body. I just ignored her, sitting on one of the chairs, though her words stung a little.
The receptionist at the desk was surprised to see someone actually defeat a Plant-Vex alone. She rushed to the back to register me. "Your card, please," she asked. I handed it over, and she returned quickly, presenting it to Miss Pres. She walked toward me with the card, then said, "Well, Skinwalker, we're glad to have you. Hope you do great things for us and keep killing those abominations." She pulled out a pouch of money. "Here's some compensation for your troubles."
I swiped both the money and the card, giving her a thankful nod. "Thank you," I said. Then, without hesitation, I collapsed onto the chair beside the desk. My legs were aching after carrying the leaf all the way back, and I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. I slept like a baby, the relief of everything finally sinking in. I had made it.