The first thing Ryuji Kuroda realized after reincarnating into a fantasy world was that dirt still tasted terrible.
He spat out a mouthful of soil.
"Blegh—!"
He coughed, pushing himself onto his hands and knees.
His head throbbed like someone had used it as a drum set.
"Okay..." he muttered. "Note to self. Next time you get isekai'd, aim for something softer than the ground."
He rubbed the back of his neck and slowly stood up.
That was when he noticed the forest.
And the forest was… weird.
Tall trees stretched up toward the sky, their bark glimmering faintly like polished brass. Strange glowing flowers dotted the forest floor, pulsing softly like tiny lanterns.
Even the air felt different.
Cleaner.
Cooler.
Like the entire world had just taken a deep breath.
Ryuji looked up.
Two moons hung in the sky.
During the day.
"...Huh."
He scratched his chin.
"Yeah, okay. Definitely not Tokyo."
A faint blue glow flickered at the edge of his vision.
Ryuji turned his head.
Floating text appeared in front of his face.
[Welcome, Player!]
[System Initialization Complete]
[Current Location: Eldergrove Forest]
[Region: Kingdom of Luminar]
Ryuji stared.
"...No way."
He waved his hand through the text.
His fingers passed through it.
The screen shimmered but remained.
His grin slowly spread across his face.
"Oh this is gonna be fun."
More windows appeared.
[Name: Ryuji Kuroda]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 1]
HP: 100/100
MP: 0/0
Abilities: None
Title: The Reborn
Ryuji whistled.
"Title already? Nice."
He focused harder.
Another screen appeared.
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 14
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 8
Luck: 20
Ryuji leaned closer.
"Lucky bastard, huh?"
He laughed.
"Well, I did survive getting hit by a truck."
He tried something.
"Status."
The screen reappeared instantly.
"...Holy shit."
He looked around the forest again.
"So this is like an RPG."
He cracked his knuckles.
"Alright then."
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Let's test it."
A butterfly fluttered past him.
Its wings shimmered like liquid gold.
Ryuji focused on it.
Immediately a small window appeared.
[Luminous Butterfly – Lv.0]
HP: 1/1
A harmless forest insect that feeds on magical pollen.
Ryuji burst out laughing.
"No way."
He watched it fly away.
"Everything has a damn health bar."
He turned his gaze toward a nearby tree.
[Elderwood Tree – Lv.2]
"...Trees have levels?"
He knocked on the trunk.
"Respect, tree. You're stronger than me."
The tree did not respond.
Ryuji sighed.
"Tough crowd."
He spent the next half hour experimenting.
The system responded to mental commands.
Inventory appeared when he focused on it.
Empty.
Skills menu.
Also empty.
"Wow."
He crossed his arms.
"I'm incredibly useless."
Still.
The possibilities were obvious.
He punched a tree.
THUD.
A small notification popped up.
[Elderwood Tree takes 1 damage.]
Ryuji stared.
Then punched again.
THUD.
Another notification.
[Elderwood Tree takes 1 damage.]
He shook his fist.
"...Okay that hurt more than it helped."
The tree remained undefeated.
"Fine. Round one goes to the tree."
He rubbed his knuckles and looked around.
"Alright then."
He stretched his arms.
"Step one: find civilization."
"Step two: find food."
"Step three: get stronger."
He grinned.
"And step four… punch something dangerous."
An hour later, the forest thinned.
Ryuji stepped out onto a dirt road.
And froze.
Ahead of him stood a town.
Stone walls surrounded clusters of wooden houses with sloped roofs.
Smoke rose from chimneys.
Merchants moved between stalls.
Children ran through the streets.
A medieval town straight out of a fantasy novel.
Ryuji placed his hands on his hips.
"Well damn."
He chuckled.
"I really did get the deluxe package."
Two guards stood at the gate.
Both wore leather armor and carried spears.
Ryuji approached casually.
One guard raised a hand.
"Halt."
Ryuji stopped.
The guard studied him carefully.
"You look… strange."
"Thanks."
"I meant your clothes."
Ryuji looked down at his ripped modern shirt.
"...Yeah."
The guard frowned.
"State your business in Briar's Hollow."
Ryuji didn't hesitate.
"Traveling."
"From where?"
Ryuji thought for half a second.
"...Eastern provinces."
The guard raised an eyebrow.
"That's quite far."
"Yeah."
Ryuji shrugged.
"Bandits hit our caravan."
He gestured at his torn clothes.
"Lost everything."
The second guard nodded sympathetically.
"Happens more often lately."
The first guard stepped aside.
"Alright. Just don't cause trouble."
Ryuji grinned.
"No promises."
The guard sighed.
The town was lively.
Merchants shouted from colorful stalls.
Blacksmith hammers rang in the distance.
The smell of fresh bread drifted through the air.
Ryuji's stomach growled.
"Loud and clear, buddy."
He followed the smell.
A small tavern stood near the square.
A wooden sign swung above the door.
The Hungry Hare
Ryuji pushed the door open.
Warm air hit his face.
The tavern buzzed with conversation.
Adventurers sat around tables.
Some wore armor.
Others carried staffs.
A few looked like they'd wrestled bears for fun.
Ryuji walked to the counter.
A young woman with freckles and auburn hair was cleaning mugs.
She looked up.
"Welcome! What can I get you?"
"Food."
She laughed.
"Anything specific?"
"Something big."
"Got stew."
"Perfect."
"And drink?"
"Whatever doesn't kill me."
She set a mug down.
"Apple cider."
Ryuji took a sip.
His eyes widened.
"Damn."
"Good?"
"Yeah."
He took another long drink.
"Fantasy world knows how to make booze."
As he ate his stew, he observed the room.
When he focused on certain people, windows appeared.
[Apprentice Mage – Lv.3]
[Adventurer – Lv.4]
"So magic users exist."
Interesting.
He hadn't seen anyone fighting physically like him yet.
"Guess I'm the weird one."
The waitress returned.
"You new here?"
"That obvious?"
"You stare at people like you're reading their minds."
Ryuji laughed.
"Force of habit."
She leaned on the counter.
"If you're looking for work, try the Adventurer Guild."
"Where's that?"
She pointed outside.
"Big building near the square."
Before Ryuji could respond—
BANG.
The tavern door slammed open.
Three rough-looking men walked in.
Leather armor.
Ugly expressions.
And the confidence of people who enjoy ruining other people's day.
The largest one kicked a chair aside.
"Listen up!"
The room fell silent.
"This place owes the Black Viper gang protection money!"
Ryuji sighed.
"You've got to be kidding me."
The thug slammed his fist on the table.
"Pay up or we start breaking things!"
The waitress beside Ryuji froze.
He noticed her hands trembling.
That annoyed him.
A blue window appeared.
[New Quest Available]
Teach the Thugs a Lesson
Reward:
50 EXP
Reputation Increase
Ryuji smirked.
"Well."
He stood up.
"That settles that."
The thug noticed him.
"What're you looking at?"
Ryuji cracked his neck.
"You."
The thug laughed.
"You got a death wish?"
Ryuji shrugged.
"Maybe."
Then he punched him.
Hard.
The thug doubled over instantly.
[Critical Hit!]
[Thug Leader takes 28 damage.]
The room exploded into chaos.
The other two lunged.
Ryuji sidestepped the first punch and slammed an elbow into the guy's ribs.
CRACK.
[Thug takes 14 damage.]
The second thug swung wildly.
Ryuji ducked.
Then swept his legs.
The thug crashed to the floor.
[Thug takes 9 damage.]
Thirty seconds later.
Three grown men lay on the floor groaning.
The tavern stared.
Ryuji dusted off his hands.
"That was disappointing."
The waitress whispered.
"You didn't even use magic."
Ryuji blinked.
"...Right."
He laughed awkwardly.
"Still learning."
The tavern owner rushed forward.
"Thank you!"
Ryuji waved him off.
"Just doing community service."
He stepped outside.
Immediately—
[Quest Complete!]
Reward: 50 EXP
Level Up!
Warm energy rushed through his body.
Ryuji stretched his arms.
"Oh hell yeah."
The adventure had officially begun for Ryuji with a Gamer System In A Magic World.