The wind whispered through the trees, brushing against my skin like old memories. The forest was dense, ancient, and filled with the kind of silence that wasn't empty—just watchful.
I sat alone beneath a twisted silverwood tree, the remains of the mana beast I'd just slain still steaming a few paces away.
And for the first time since waking up...
…I really looked at myself.
Kneeling near a pool of water, my reflection stared back familiar yet alien.
Black hair, longer now, messy but sharp at the ends. My eyes were a piercing light green, glowing faintly like there was magic burning behind them. My features were lean, jaw more angular, skin pale and smooth like untouched marble. I was... younger.
No scars.
No exhaustion in the eyes.
Just raw potential.
"No way, I got younger?" I muttered. "No way…"
I touched my chest. My heart beat steady. My limbs, even after battle, felt weightless like they could carry mountains.
Then, as if summoned by my thoughts, a blue screen appeared before me, floating like a hologram.
[Status Window: Hunter of the Boundless Path]
Name: Souta Kael
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Hunter of Boundless path
Title: Reborn one
Level: 1
Rank: SSS
Health: 100%
Mana: 300
Stamina: 500
Strength: 32
Agility: 39
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 27
Luck: 9
Skills:
• Voidstep – Instantly teleport up to 20 meters
• Predator's Sight – See weaknesses and mana flows
Traits:
Cursed Curiosity
—Your curiosity draws strength and danger in equal measure. High-reward. High-risk.
Boundless Affinity
—You are not limited to one magic school. All elements can be unlocked through contact and survival.
Mental Fortitude
—You are resistant to mental strain, fear effects, curses, illusions, and mind-based damage. It also affects system clarity, decision-making speed, and resistance to corruption.
W…what!..SSS-RANK? How!
I exhaled slowly.
This was real.
A new world. A new body. A new power.
No more B-rank mediocrity. No more running from impossible fights.
But…
"System," I spoke, unsure how it worked. "What do I do now?"
[Objective Added]
Explore your surroundings. Unlock your first elemental path.
First Milestone: Discover a source of elemental energy.
Optional: Survive the night.
"...Survive the night?" I looked up.
The moon above was bleeding red.
The trees groaned as the wind thickened. Mana in the air shifted predatory, like a beast scenting prey.
Then I heard it.
Low growls.
Eyes glinting in the dark.
Not one.
A pack.
[Danger Detected: Mana-Infused Lycans]
Species: Forestborn
Count: 7
Aggression Level: High
Strategy Tip: Stay moving. Kill the Alpha first.
I cracked my neck and stood, I had no weapon to fight, and then I saw a stick which was a little bit strong and had piercing tips so I decided to use it. materializing it in my hand, its weight perfect in my grip.
Guess the tutorial's over, I muttered.
The first lycan lunged. Fast.
Too bad I was faster.
Voidstep.
WHOOSH.
I vanished, reappearing behind it mid-air. My stick slashed across its back in a spiral.
THUD.
It hit the ground, stunned.
"Too slow."
The others circled. Growling. Their fur shimmered with mana. Fangs drooled black mist.
Predator's Sight—ON.
The world slowed. Lines of weakness glowed in their movements—muscle tension, mana surges, overextended limbs.
Left flank first. One stumbles when landing. Alpha in back, commanding silently. Red mark on its eye.
"Got you."
I feinted forward, then blinked right—struck the weak one first.
CLANG!
Two claws clashed against my stick almost got it broken. I rolled beneath and kicked the beast into a tree with bone-crunching force.
"Next."
The Alpha leapt.
Fangs bared.
Eyes locked.
Its body was huge twice the others, black fur glowing red from deep veins of magic.
But I wasn't afraid.
I had fought demons before.
And now—I was SSS-rank though a level 1.
I dropped low, avoiding its slash. The Alpha spun, faster than expected, but…
Voidstep.
I reappeared above it.
Mid-air, I twisted my grip.
Falling Fang!
The stick plunged down, piercing just behind the skull with the help of the mana I infused in it.
CRACK—!
The Alpha collapsed, thrashing once before going still.
The others paused.
Then whimpered... and fled.
[Alpha Defeated. Pack Dispersed.]
"…Hah."
This was easy, but there is no loot, why! forest animals.
A wide grin crept across his face, as he still stood with his broken stick.
[System Update: The Boundless Path has begun.]
TO BE CONTINUED…