The glowing message lingered for a moment before fading into the air. Len opened his eyes slowly, the field around him coming back into focus. The morning sun painted the tall grass gold, and a soft breeze brushed against his skin.
He exhaled, a mix of relief and exhaustion washing over him.
"That… actually worked," he murmured, looking down at his hands. "Guess I really did cultivate."
A familiar chime sounded in his ears.
[Tutorial Complete.]
[Welcome to Seline // Online.]
The faint hum of the interface vanished, leaving behind only the sound of wind, birds, and the distant rush of a waterfall. For the first time, there were no guides or glowing markers—just an open world stretching endlessly around him.
Len stood, brushing off his pants. The grass swayed against his legs as he turned in a slow circle. No other players in sight. Just forests, mountains, and a faint shimmer of light far off in the distance.
He flexed his hands again and noticed a faint golden pulse in his chest—a quiet rhythm, matching his heartbeat.
"Spirit energy, huh…" he muttered. "Guess I'll have to figure out what to do with that."
He looked around and took his first step forward, the world responding as if alive—the ground soft beneath his feet, the air carrying the faint scent of pine. For a game, it felt far too real.
Len wandered aimlessly for a while, the tall grass brushing against his legs with every step. The air felt crisp, the kind of clean morning breeze he hadn't experienced in years. Every direction looked endless—fields, forests, mountains faint in the distance. For a moment, he just walked, enjoying the silence.
After several minutes, a dirt path came into view, winding through the hills. He followed it, curious, until rooftops began to appear over the treetops ahead—small and uneven, thatched with straw.
Then, a chime echoed in his ears.
[Ding!]
[Location Discovered: Willowreach Village]
A semi-transparent map appeared in the corner of his vision, glowing faintly with golden lines that traced borders and names. As Len focused, new labels began to fade into view:
[Willowreach Village — Outer Territory of the Silvercrest Kingdom]
[Silvercrest Kingdom — A vassal state under the Ardentia Empire]
He tilted his head, squinting. "So I'm somewhere in a kingdom inside an empire… nice."
The closer he got, the more alive the place felt. Wooden carts creaked over cobblestone paths, villagers chatted idly as they carried baskets of grain, and the faint smell of baked bread drifted on the breeze.
At the edge of the road stood a weathered wooden arch with an emblem carved into it—a silver tree under a rising sun.
Another prompt appeared:
[Welcome to Willowreach Village — Population: 214]
[Recommended Level: 1–10]
Len smirked faintly. "Guess this is my beginner zone."
He stepped through the gate as the sounds of daily life surrounded him—footsteps, laughter, distant hammering from a blacksmith.
Len walked briskly through the narrow lanes of Willowreach, trying to take in as much as he could. The air smelled faintly of wet earth and smoke. Every step he took felt real—the crunch of gravel, the warmth of sunlight on his shoulders.
"Alright," he muttered. "If this game has hidden quests, there's no way I'm missing them."
He started testing his theory fast. First, he approached a woman sweeping outside her home.
"Hey, excuse me—need help with anything?"
She stopped mid-sweep, looking at him for a long moment before replying, "You're not from around here, are you?"
Her tone was casual but… aware.
Len blinked. "Uh, no. Just arrived."
She smiled faintly, almost tiredly. "Then take care where you walk, stranger. The world's been uneasy lately."
Len froze for a second. That was… way too natural. The way her eyes shifted, the pause before she spoke—none of it felt scripted.
He laughed it off. "Wow, these NPCs really do have emotions programmed in."
He moved on, curiosity growing.
At a small stall, an old man was carving wooden figurines. Len leaned closer. "Nice work. You sell these?"
The man glanced up, hands never stopping. "Only to those who see more than shapes in wood."
Len tilted his head. "Okay, that's mysterious. Is that, like, a quest hint or something?"
The old man just chuckled quietly and went back to carving.
No quest popup. No system sound. Just… silence, and the faint rhythm of the knife against wood.
Len scratched his head and kept moving, checking barrels, talking to random people, but the feeling stayed the same. Everyone he met reacted differently—some ignored him, some smiled, some even looked annoyed when he interrupted them.
After a few more minutes of wandering, Len noticed a large wooden structure rising above the other rooftops at the far end of the village. Two stone lanterns stood at its entrance, and a simple banner hung over the door—handwoven, marked with the same silver tree emblem he'd seen on the gate.
"This has to be the village chief's place," he muttered, slowing as he reached the steps. "If there's a quest anywhere, it's gotta start here."
He climbed up and knocked gently on the heavy door.
For a moment, nothing. Then, a muffled voice from inside:
"Come in."
Len pushed the door open. The air inside smelled faintly of pine resin and parchment. Shelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls and wooden carvings. At the far side of the room sat an older man behind a low desk, his white beard neatly trimmed, his posture firm despite his age.
"Traveler," the chief said. "You are not one of my people. What brings you to Willowreach?"
Len rubbed the back of his neck. "Just exploring, honestly. Wanted to see what this place was about."
The chief leaned back slightly, studying him. "Exploring, is it? Most who wander into these lands seek something — strength, peace, or redemption. Which one are you after?"
Len gave a small shrug. "Guess I'll figure that out as I go."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of the man's mouth. "Spoken like someone who hasn't yet tasted the world's weight."
After a moment, he rose and walked around the desk, his cane tapping lightly on the floor.
"If you wish to prove your intent, seek Elder Wren by the riverbank. She tends to the water spirits and keeps our balance. Perhaps she'll see something in you worth guiding."
Len nodded. "Got it. Elder Wren by the river."
Just as he turned to leave, the chief reached for a small wooden box and pushed it across the table.
"Take these. They're simple pills — nothing grand, but enough to keep you standing should trouble find you."
A soft blue light pulsed in front of Len as the familiar chime of a system notification rang out:
[Quest Accepted: "Whispers of the River"]
Objective: Speak with Elder Wren by the riverbank.
Reward: Healing Pill ×1 | Strength Enhancement Pill ×1 | Defense Enhancement Pill ×1 | 50 EXP
Len blinked as the notification faded. "Well… I can't say no to free stuff."
The chief chuckled quietly. "The world rarely offers something for nothing, traveler. Earn it."
Len smirked. "Guess I'll do just that."
He stepped outside, sunlight spilling across the dirt path ahead. In the distance, he could already hear the faint sound of flowing water.
"Alright," he muttered, tightening his grip on the small pill box. "Time to meet this Elder Wren."