Juichi took a deep breath, his boots sinking slightly into the earth as he stepped onto the open grasslands. His mind raced—flashes of his father's story, the strange dragon, and the burden of a prophecy he barely understood all swirled in his thoughts.
He wasn't a hero. Not yet.
But he knew this much: standing still would only get him killed. If he was to survive in this world—and find the truth about his father—he had to move forward.
The afternoon sun bathed the plains in a golden glow. The soft wind rustled the tall grass, and for a brief moment, it almost felt peaceful. Then he heard the screams.
In the distance, small green figures darted between rows of trampled crops. Goblins—half a dozen at least. Their screeches echoed across the field as they chased down terrified farmers. The villagers swung farming tools in desperation, trying to hold them off. It was no use.
Juichi's body tensed. He didn't have a sword, armor, or spells. All he had was the fire in his chest—and a legacy he was only beginning to grasp.
He clenched his fists and stepped forward.
"H-Hey! Get away from them!" he shouted.
The goblins turned as one. Beady yellow eyes fixed on him. One, larger than the others, snarled and raised a jagged dagger. Then, with a bark of laughter, it pointed and charged.
Juichi braced himself. The first goblin swung its club, and he barely ducked in time. Adrenaline surged through him as he retaliated with a clumsy punch. It hit, but the goblin barely flinched.
A wild slash grazed his arm, slicing through his sleeve. He staggered back, wincing.
"This isn't a game," he muttered, his breath ragged. "Get it together."
Another goblin lunged. Instinct kicked in. Juichi ducked low, grabbed a nearby rock, and hurled it with everything he had. It cracked against the creature's head, and the goblin stumbled.
Juichi charged, tackling it to the ground. He pinned it, fists flying—again and again until the creature went limp beneath him. His knuckles throbbed. Blood smeared his sleeves.
The remaining goblins hesitated, their snarls fading into wary silence. Juichi snatched a fallen hoe from the ground, the wood rough in his palms. When the next goblin attacked, he swung hard.
The improvised weapon slammed into its ribs, sending it tumbling. Another came—Juichi ducked, struck low, and knocked it down.
The final goblin tried to flee, but a farmer behind it jabbed forward with a pitchfork. The goblin shrieked and crumpled to the dirt.
Silence fell over the fields.
Juichi stood, panting, his body aching from the effort. His heart thudded in his chest.
"You… You saved us," one of the farmers whispered.
Juichi shook his head. "I just didn't run away."
A faint glow flickered in the air before him. A blue window appeared, transparent but sharp as crystal.
> [Level Up!]
[New Skill Acquired: Martial Arts Lv.1]
He blinked, stunned. A smile tugged at his lips. "I actually leveled up…"
One of the farmers approached and held out a handful of small, glowing crystals. "Mana crystals," the man said. "Low-tier ones, but valuable. You'll need them. Take them—our thanks."
Juichi accepted them with both hands. "Thank you. I'll put them to good use."
With a new fire in his chest, Juichi pressed onward. The Kingdom of Klyrode was still far off, but now he had a goal: join the Adventurer's Guild, get stronger, and uncover the truth.
As he walked, he encountered more goblins along the road. Each battle was faster, cleaner. His instincts sharpened. His new martial arts skill let him strike with precision. Every time he felt like collapsing, he remembered his father's face—and kept fighting.
> [Level Up!]
[Current Level: 5]
[Martial Arts Skill Upgraded: Lv.3]
By the time the towering city gates of Klyrode came into view, he had defeated over fifty goblins. The sight of stone walls, watchtowers, and bustling crowds felt like reaching a new world.
A line stretched at the entrance. When Juichi finally reached the front, a guard blocked his way.
"ID?" the soldier asked, hand out.
Juichi hesitated. "I don't… have one."
The guard sighed. "Figures. Alright, temporary ID costs one gold coin."
Juichi's heart sank. He didn't have any money. Desperate, he offered the mana crystals instead.
The guard inspected them, then nodded. "Alright, fair trade."
He scribbled on a parchment and handed over a small document. "Get this made permanent at the guild or city hall. Welcome to Klyrode, rookie."
Juichi stepped through the gates—and into a storm of colour, noise, and life.
Merchants cried out their wares. Blacksmiths hammered glowing steel. Adventurers swaggered past with swords and scars, laughing and arguing in equal measure. The smell of bread and sweat filled the air.
This was a world of heroes, monsters, and ambition.
And he was part of it now.
He wandered deeper into the city until he reached the edge of the slums. The streets narrowed. The noise dulled. Life here was harder, rougher—faces were tired, eyes wary.
Then he saw her.
A young girl—barely ten—was cornered by three men twice her size. Their voices were low, sneering, as they demanded something from her. She clutched a cloth pouch to her chest, trembling.
Juichi didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward, fists clenched, heart pounding.
"Hey! Leave her alone!"
The thugs turned, surprised.
Juichi's gaze didn't waver.
He didn't know who they were. He didn't know if he could win.
But he was done running.
To be continued...