The information hit Ash harder than a bullet.
Slavery.
In his previous world, it was a word buried in history books, something people looked back on with shame. And now, to hear he himself was a slave? For a moment his chest tightened as if shackles had grown there.
But then a thought flickered. If the merchant died in the forest… then I'm free, right?
His eyes turned to the guard, searching for confirmation.
"Well, I don't know much about you," the guard admitted, scratching his beard. "We only met four days ago. You were traveling with the merchants, moving from place to place. You told me your system didn't activate yet, so you must be younger than sixteen."
Ash blinked. System?
"What's a system?" he asked carefully.
The guard burst out laughing, loud enough to make a few passing soldiers glance over. "Oh man, you really hit your head harder than I thought. Forgetting something that basic? Come on, let's eat. Easier to explain with food."
Ash kept his face calm, though inside he was itching for answers. He followed the man into a wooden building. The smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air, making his empty stomach tighten. Inside, long tables were crowded with soldiers still in armor, mugs of ale raised as they laughed after their shifts.
They slid into a corner bench.
The guard leaned forward. "Do you even remember me?"
Ash shook his head.
The man smiled and offered his hand. "Jack. Hunter by profession. Got some sensory skills from the system. Handy for survival."
Ash gave a polite nod but didn't shake. His mind was on the strange word again.
Jack caught it and pointed toward the cooks at the counter. "See those guys? They've got the Cooking profession. Where did that profession come from? The system. It activates on the sixteenth birthday of every human."
Ash stiffened. "And where does this system come from?"
Jack smirked. "That's like asking who built the stars. No one knows. So don't waste your breath." He waved for food before continuing. "How it decides your profession… well, that's debated. Most believe the system picks based on your habits. A kid who farms all day has a higher chance of becoming farmer. But nothing's guaranteed. Sometimes it throws a curveball."
Ash frowned."it made sense"
Before he could ask, steaming plates arrived. A slab of roasted steak, browned edges sprinkled with rough salt. Ash hadn't eaten anything like this since coming here. He waited until Jack took the first bite before trying his own.
The meat exploded with flavor, juices and spices blending so well he almost moaned. He quickly controlled his expression, but Jack caught it and chuckled.
"Not bad, right? Now, to your next question—levels." Jack wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm level twenty-seven. The average depends on where you are. In the cities, you'll find weaklings at level one or two living safe lives. Here? In this deathtrap of a forest? If you're below level fifteen, you're already dead. Our commander, though… he's past fifty. That makes him A-rank."
Ash froze mid-bite. Two points in agility made me this fast. If he's fifty levels above Jack… just how monstrous is that man?
Jack kept talking, unaware of Ash's turmoil. "Every level gives stat points. Even cooks get stronger. But professions change how the points spread. Cooks, for example, have a buff stat. Feed someone their food, and bam—eater gets temporary strength, defense, maybe even faster healing."
Ash's eyes widened. So even the weak can fight in their own way.
They finished eating, stood, and walked straight out without paying. No one stopped them.
Ash was quiet, mind full of questions. He finally asked, "So what about me? I don't have a system yet. And if I'm a slave… what happens now?"
Jack's smile vanished. He stopped walking, his tone firm. "That's where it gets tricky. You need to get out of here. When you reach the main city, keep your head down until your system activates. If your master is alive, he has every right to drag you back."
Ash's blood ran cold. "I thought the merchant died in the forest."
Jack gave him a hard stare. "Did you see his corpse?"
"No."
"Then don't assume. Merchants aren't ordinary. Their profession gives them tricks—items, skills, escape routes you and I couldn't dream of. That's why they're merchants. Their whole trade is survival and profit."
Ash clenched his jaw, more unsettled than before.
"Tomorrow morning," Jack continued, "another merchant group will leave for the city. They'll be transporting beast cores and other valuables. I'll pay them to take you."
"Wait!, why so many groups of merchants come here?"
"The thing is, this place is very strange and people here are more strange assume it as punishment place. And the resources that goes out of here aren't as valuable so the government could officially transport the valuable items.
So these independent merchants buys the items in low price from here and sells at high in the city.
Ash lowered his head slightly. "That…makes sense."
"Now, come on. I'll show you where you can sleep tonight."
The barracks smelled of sweat and iron, but Ash found a spot among the rows of soldiers. His hand rested on the gun at his waist as sleep claimed him.
At dawn, someone shook his shoulder.
"Ash."
He opened his eyes to see Jack smiling above him. "Time to go."
Ash checked his weapon, slipped two strange fruits into his pocket, and followed Jack to the gate.
The crimson sun rose, painting the walls red. Outside, a small group of merchants prepared their horses and tightened straps on heavy wagons. The caravan stood ready.
Jack went, talked to a chubby short guy and came back.
"Here, take it..." Jack handed him a bag of coins.
Ash felt touched. This man was already paying the merchants and now he gave him some money too.
But in his condition, Ash couldn't say no, so he just decided to help this guy in the future.
"Thanks."
"Never mind. They got the news of attacks on merchants so some soldiers will scout them till they leave the territory of the forest.
Okay, one more thing. Depart yourself at the first city you see, that would be Vailora.
The merchants could go to the capital city, which is in the middle of the kingdom and your previous master's home.
So if you go to the capital city, he could find you. Better be safe than sorry," Jack suggested.
"As you say." Ash left, taking Jack's suggestion seriously.
He knew from his previous life's history books how badly a slave could be treated and that he had no rights.
He had stored his mana in the gun last night, so now the gun had 15 bullets and his MP was back to full 60.
Currently, he was too weak, so his plan was to quickly level up and at least get a footing in the world.