Rian awoke with a dull ache in his body. Slowly, his eyes opened.
Around him stretched a lush forest—towering trees, green leaves rustling in the wind, the morning sun piercing through gaps in the branches. From the distance came the roar of beasts and the chirping of birds, sometimes falling into silence as if the whole forest was holding its breath.
He looked at the sky. The sun's position showed it was around eight in the morning. He drew in a long breath and let out a relieved smile.
"This is real… a fantasy world," he murmured proudly.
Rian stood, shaking his body to brush off the clinging leaves. He remembered how his favorite comics always began: a hero rises to face a great challenge.
So what was his first step?
His thoughts immediately turned to the provisions promised by Goddess Bodas. Yet, looking around, he found nothing. His frown deepened, until he noticed the word *Storage* faintly written on his palm.
He whispered the word.
Without warning, a jet-black ring shot forward, carving a dark hollow into the air. When Rian's fingertip brushed its surface, a sliver of holographic light shimmered along the rim.
Words appeared:
**Unlimited Storage**
Can store anything except living beings No space limit
Items inside:
– A small, fine-bladed dagger
– A long sword with an ornate hilt
– A complete bow and arrow set
Rian blinked. "Is this it? Where's the magic, the flashy beams, the ultimate moves like in comics?"
He chuckled to himself. "Well… unlimited storage is still handy. I'll use it later."
Humming lightly, he began to explore the forest. Roots twisted underfoot, bushes scratched his legs, but soon he reached a stream so clear it reflected the sunlight like a thousand stars.
He leaned over the water and froze.
The reflection staring back was his younger self—smooth skin, bright eyes, black hair just like when he was twenty.
"Whoa… I'm an immortal influencer," he joked, rubbing his cheeks. "But why not start from a baby? Crawling around zapping magic would've been cool."
A shadow crossed his smile.
"If I'm not reborn as a baby… it means no parents here either. Just like before, I'm alone."Yet he quickly straightened his chest and lifted his chin.
"Don't worry. Once I become a hero, I'll have loyal fans!" With a confident stride, Rian ventured deeper.
His stomach roared like a hungry orchestra. Limping to the stream, he struggled to catch a medium-sized fish. Somehow, he managed.
He laughed when he realized his lighter was still in his pocket."Weird… my phone and other stuff are gone, but this survived? Guess this is divine mercy."
Gathering dry leaves and wood, he lit a fire and roasted the fish. It was charred on one side, raw on the other, but Rian chewed it like a feast.
"Burnt or not, hunger makes it better than any five-star dish," he muttered between bites.
Satisfied, he hunted more—rabbits, fish, wild fruit, mushrooms—and stored them all with a wave of his hand.
"STORAGE!"
The hologram blinked, and the prey vanished into the void.
"Whoa… it's this simple? Everything feels so light. Thank you, Bodas!"
He laughed, patting his chest.
---
As he wandered, a shadowy cave caught his eye behind a thick wall of vines. He pushed aside the bushes. The entrance yawned dark and deep, like a challenge waiting.
Without hesitation, he stepped in.
But the cave was not empty.
From its depths came a rumble. A giant shadow moved. Heavy breathing shook the walls. The smell of damp, moldy earth filled the air.
Then it emerged.
A Troll.
Its body loomed twice his height. Its face was like stone carved from quartz, moss growing across its skin. In its hand was a massive club shaped like a monstrous drumstick.
"Huwwaaaaa!" the Troll roared.
The club swung down toward Rian.
He jumped aside in pure reflex. His legs trembled violently.
"W-what the hell?! A Troll?! No… it really IS a Troll!"
His hands shook as he gripped the sword. His knuckles whitened. His knees wobbled, but he forced himself to stand.
"Should I fight… or run?"
The Troll swung again, this time aiming directly at him.
He tried to dodge—but his foot landed on a rock.
"Not again…"
He slipped, nearly falling, but braced his head with his arm just before crashing into the ground. The Troll's club smashed where he had stood a heartbeat ago.
Rian gasped. "Hah… almost died the same way twice. Guess experience really IS expensive."
Panic flooded his chest. Then he remembered—his bow.
Scrambling, he pulled it from Storage. His hands shook as he drew an arrow.
"No way I can fight this thing up close. This arrow is my only chance."
He aimed for the Troll's stomach, hoping for a monster core inside. But his trembling made the aim falter.
The arrow flew—
—and pierced the Troll's eye.
The beast roared in pain, clutching its face.
Rian blinked. Then, slowly, a cocky smirk spread across his lips.
"Heh… luck counts as skill too."
The Troll flailed, blind in one eye. Rian lunged forward, dagger in hand, and stabbed its other eye.
The dagger sank deep. The Troll screamed, grabbed Rian, and hurled him like a rag doll against the stone wall.
"Thud!"
Pain ripped through his left arm. He heard a sickening crack. His head slammed hard against the wall, vision blurring.
The world tilted.
Blood filled his mouth. His thoughts spiraled.
"Is this… how I die again…?"
Darkness crept at the edge of his vision.