The bright moon hung high, casting a mysterious veil over the forest, serene and profound. Tall trees stood firm as the gentle breeze caused their branches to sway and rustle softly. The silvery moonlight penetrated through the treetops, dappling the forest path like a layer of thin frost. Looking up, every leaf seemed to be edged in silver, glimmering with a cold radiance.
"Finally, signs of civilization."
Amidst the tranquil forest, a tattered young man pushed aside the bushes in his path, stepping forward under the moonlight. After some time, he found himself standing on a hill, gazing down at a village flickering with firelight in the distance.
The young man's name was Takumi, a transmigrator from Japan.
"Do you know what I've been through this past week?"
Without mentioning golden fingers or cheat abilities, Takumi's abrupt transmigration had thrust him into the joy of wilderness survival. For an entire week, he had subsisted on the elements. If not for his golden finger—a strengthening system that endowed him with overwhelming combat prowess—he would have long since fallen prey to the forest's tigers, leopards, and wolves.
Takumi had no clue why he had transmigrated. One moment his eyes were closed; the next, he awoke in a forest. Along with him came the strengthening system.
"System, display my stats."
**[Takumi]**
- **Age:** 20
- **Gender:** Male
- **Race:** Human
- **Abilities:** Magic Growth (SR), Magic Manipulation (R)
- **Items:** R-level Enhancement Cards x4
- **Overall Rating:** Seven figures (initial)
- **Current Draw Chances:** 1/7 (guaranteed SR on seventh draw)
Having spent nearly a week in this world, Takumi had more or less figured out how the system worked. It was straightforward: apart from showing his current attributes, it offered only a single enhancement function.
The enhancement process was divided into two parts: his own abilities and the items he held. The rarity of the abilities and items was categorized into N, R, SR, SSR, and UR levels. Whether there was anything beyond UR remained unknown to Takumi. Daily draws were the only way to gain enhancement opportunities.
Similar to a gacha game, Takumi received one chance per day to draw an enhancement card. When he first arrived in this world, his only ability was Magic Growth, rated N-level. His first day's draw yielded an R-level enhancement card, which he used to upgrade Magic Growth from N to R.
Over the next few days, Takumi signed in daily, earning four R-level enhancement cards and one SR-level card. He awakened the Magic Manipulation ability on his own through sensing and using magic. Initially rated N-level, he upgraded it to R-level with two enhancement cards. He then used another card to boost Magic Growth from R to SR.
"System, draw a card."
Takumi looked up at the moon, timing his draw to the system's daily reset at midnight.
**[Congratulations! You have obtained one SR-level enhancement card.]**
"SR? Not bad, at least I'm still getting guaranteed rewards."
Takumi wasn't surprised not to draw an SSR or UR card. According to the system's probabilities, the chance of drawing an SSR was just 1%, and UR cards were so rare that they might only appear once in a thousand draws.
Fortunately, low probabilities didn't mean UR cards were unattainable. The system allowed for card fusion: ten R-level cards could be fused into one SR card, and so on. In theory, Takumi could achieve a UR-level ability within three years, even with bad luck.
"System, enhance Magic Manipulation."
Takumi didn't believe in hoarding enhancement cards. Whenever he saw an opportunity to improve, he took it.
**[Enhancement complete: Magic Manipulation upgraded from R to SR.]**
"Ah…"
As Magic Manipulation leveled up, Takumi felt the flow and usage of his magic become exponentially smoother. It was as if the rough sand of his magical control had turned into a flowing stream, nimble and seamless. The sensation was transformative.
"What kind of world is this?"
Takumi opened his hand, a silver-white glow emerging from his palm. A thought passed through his mind.
**Whoosh!**
The silvery magic threads burst forth like spider silk, delicate yet incredibly strong. Takumi had the distinct impression that, if he wanted, he could completely vaporize his magic, making it invisible and intangible.
"This is the power of SR-level Magic Manipulation?"
Takumi realized he had underestimated the significance of SR-level abilities. Upgrading Magic Growth to SR had already been a profound leap, but the advancement of Magic Manipulation cemented his understanding of just how impactful SR abilities could be.
**[Magic Growth]**\
**Description:** In this world, living beings naturally accumulate magic within their bodies as they grow, reaching their peak capacity at the height of their physical condition.
R-level Magic Growth had only been the beginning. When upgraded to SR-level, Takumi's magical reserves skyrocketed. The increase wasn't incremental—it was exponential. It was as though his body now contained limitless energy, capable of unleashing devastating force at will.
Of course, Takumi didn't lose himself in this newfound power. The system's seven-figure overall rating served as a stark reminder. Compared to the highest levels, he was far from invincible. The system's rating structure made it clear: the fewer figures, the stronger the individual.
**[Takumi]**
- **Age:** 20
- **Gender:** Male
- **Race:** Human
- **Abilities:** Magic Growth (SR), Magic Manipulation (SR)
- **Items:** R-level Enhancement Cards x4
- **Overall Rating:** Seven figures (mid-stage)
- **Current Draw Chances:** 0/30 (guaranteed SSR on the 30th draw)
Reviewing his updated stats, Takumi took note of his overall rating and the guaranteed rewards listed under his draw chances.
"The seventh draw guarantees an SR; the 37th guarantees an SSR."
"Could there be a UR guarantee later on?"
Just as Takumi pondered the system's patterns, he noticed sudden movement in the distant village. Flames flared up, and his senses heightened. Using his enhanced magic control, he sharpened his perception and reaction times.
"Help! Somebody help me!"\
"Mom! Dad! Noooo!"\
"Don't come any closer—aaaah!"
The desperate cries of villagers echoed through the night. Instead of compassion, the invaders responded with ruthless slaughter. Blades slashed, blood spattered, and the once-peaceful village became a scene of carnage.
"What's going on here?"
Takumi saw two distinct groups: black-clad attackers and the villagers they pursued. The attackers' magic was chaotic and volatile, causing Takumi an instinctive sense of discomfort. Among the fleeing villagers were beastkin—humanoids with animal-like features. Unlike the monstrous orcs of fantasy stories, these beastkin resembled humans with just a few animal traits.
In mere moments, the number of surviving villagers dwindled to fewer than fifteen.
"Is this a bandit raid?"
Without hesitation, Takumi leaped down from the hillside, transforming into a silver streak as he rushed into the burning village. His speed and precision were remarkable.
**Slash!**
A black-clad assailant turned, spotting a young girl in a green kimono with trembling golden cat ears. The girl tripped, falling onto the snowy ground. She scrambled backward, her eyes filled with fear.
"Please, save me! Someone!"
The attacker raised his blade, ready to strike. At that moment, a figure stepped in between them.
"What?"
The swordsman froze. His blade, poised to kill, was stopped—by a single, slender finger.
"Isn't this a bit much?" Takumi's voice was low, tinged with anger. "You don't look like bandits. Is it really necessary to slaughter everyone?"
Expanding his magical senses, Takumi confirmed the presence of every living being in the village. Among the corpses were elders, children, and women—none spared.
Takumi wasn't one to meddle in others' affairs, but he couldn't ignore such senseless slaughter.
"Are there more reinforcements coming?"
Instead of retreating, the swordsman attacked again. With a swift movement, Takumi ended his life, blood spraying into the air.
"Seriously?"
Having spent seven days surviving in the wilderness, Takumi was no stranger to killing beasts and monsters. He had grown accustomed to blood and gore.
Now, faced with humans—or what appeared to be humans—Takumi felt no hesitation. If they wanted to kill him, he had no qualms about defending himself.
"Are you okay?"
Takumi picked up the young cat-girl. The events had unfolded so quickly that she hadn't yet processed what had happened.
"Big brother!"
Tears welled up in her eyes as she clung to Takumi. "Please, save us!"
The girl's reaction was immediate. The man who killed her pursuers must be a savior, not an enemy. She could tell Takumi was strong—strong enough to protect them.
"Alright."
Takumi wasn't about to let the bandits continue their slaughter. He placed his hand on the girl's head, a silver glow enveloping her. Wounds healed in an instant, her skin flawless and untouched by scars. The remaining magic formed a protective barrier around her.
"Stay here. I'll handle the rest."
In a blink, Takumi disappeared, moving at an incredible speed.
"Big brother?"
The girl watched the silver streak vanish into the chaos. She wanted to warn him to be careful, but he was already gone.
**"Ahhh!"**
As flames devoured the wooden houses, Takumi darted through the village, cutting down one black-clad assailant after another. The attackers stood no chance.
"How weak."
Takumi stood among a group of three assailants. With a single glance, he determined their lack of strength.
"Your magic is weak, your control sloppy, and your minds are chaotic. Are you even human? You're like mass-produced puppets."
Enhancing Magic Manipulation to SR had deepened Takumi's understanding of magic. These attackers didn't seem normal. Their magic was unstable and difficult to control. In comparison to the beastkin villagers, the attackers' magic was marginally stronger, but far more disordered.
"Die!"
The assailants attacked without thinking. Takumi, however, saw no reason to hold back. With a flick of his fingers, invisible threads of magic sliced through them, leaving only lifeless bodies in their wake.
One by one, Takumi eliminated the attackers. His precision ensured that not a single villager was harmed. In the end, he stood surrounded by a group of grateful beastkin—twelve girls in total, from infants to teenagers. They knelt before him, tears streaming as they expressed their gratitude.
"Do you have any plans?" Takumi asked, looking at the group. He didn't know their background, but having saved them, he felt responsible for what came next.
One of the older girls stepped forward. With silver-gray hair and fox-like ears, she exuded a natural beauty that caught even Takumi's jaded eye.
"You can call me Takumi."
"Takumi-sama."
The fox girl introduced herself as Kōyō, the village chief's daughter. Their village, Mistwood, was one of several beastkin villages in the area. With their home destroyed, Kōyō planned to seek refuge in a neighboring village, hoping they would take in the survivors.