Kaien wiped the sweat from his brow, the chill from the spirit's domain still lingering in his bones. His body was bruised, his uniform tattered, but his mind buzzed with excitement. Every strike he had made, every defensive maneuver, every misstep, had taught him something invaluable. The outside world was not merely dangerous—it was alive, shifting, and merciless. And yet, he had survived.
Gripping the hilt of his family sword tightly, he rose to his feet. The dragon-carved sheath felt heavier than ever, as though it had absorbed a fragment of his resolve. Around him, the cavern that had held the A-grade spirit dissolved into nothingness, leaving only solid earth beneath his boots. The portal he had entered seemed like a memory now, a bridge between the safety of the barrier and the chaotic reality outside.
Kaien paused, taking a deep breath. His chest still ached from the spirit's strike, but there was a spark of joy in his eyes. I am just getting started, he thought, grinning at the thrill of survival. Every step forward into this unknown world was a challenge, but it was a challenge he had been waiting for his entire life.
The terrain beyond the cavern was rugged, a harsh reminder that the outside world was not designed for comfort. Rocky cliffs, twisted vegetation, and rivers of cold, black water stretched into the horizon. Each step Kaien took, his boots crunched against gravel, the sound startlingly loud in the silence of the forested valley. The air was heavy, carrying the faint scent of decay and faint mana traces—evidence that spirits roamed this land freely.
He kept his senses alert, recalling the teachings of Master Kael Tharion. Even an E-rank can survive if they read the battlefield. Kaien scanned the environment meticulously, adjusting his stance and readying himself for movement. His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword, his body coiled like a spring, ready to react at the first sign of threat.
It wasn't long before he found his next target—a small, wandering spirit, lower rank than the one he had faced in the cavern, but enough to test his current skill set. Its appearance was grotesque: a hunched, skeletal figure with elongated claws, its glowing eyes scanning the forest floor as if sensing prey.
Kaien's heart beat faster, but not from fear. He allowed himself a small smirk. "Let's see how far I've come," he whispered.
The spirit lunged without warning. Kaien responded instinctively, side-stepping and using the Darknight Spin Strike to evade, followed by a quick, shallow thrust. The blade grazed the spirit's shoulder, and it hissed, recoiling from the unexpected impact. Though the strike was not lethal, Kaien immediately assessed the situation, noting its attack patterns and weaknesses.
Pulling a small device from his belt—the appraisal equipment from the guild—Kaien scanned the spirit's stats:
Name: Lesser Forest Spirit
Rank: D
Level: 10
Strength: 120
Speed: 140
Mana: 90
Spirit: 85
Special Traits: Agile, Stealth Movement
Kaien's lips curved into a confident smile. He could handle this. Using the information, he adjusted his movements, combining agility with precision, striking weak points while maintaining defensive posture. The spirit swung with sharp claws, but Kaien's blade intercepted each attack, parrying with minimal effort.
It was a small victory, but Kaien felt it keenly. Every encounter, no matter how minor, was a chance to learn, a chance to grow. He didn't rush. He moved deliberately, testing his own reactions against the spirit's movements. When it lunged again, Kaien feinted, baiting it into overextending, and landed a decisive strike that shattered its core. The spirit dissipated, leaving a faint shimmer of energy and a small Spirit Core Fragment.
Kaien crouched to gather the fragment, feeling the energy pulse through his hands. He quickly scanned his own stats:
Rank: E
Level: 12
Strength: 455
Speed: 520
Mana: 350
Spirit: 360
Experience Gained: 85 XP
Loot Obtained: Spirit Core Fragment x1
He felt a rush of satisfaction. Though still an E-rank, every small victory added to his growth. It's not the rank that matters yet, he reminded himself. It's experience, it's learning, and being alive to apply it.
As he moved deeper into the forest, Kaien began noticing signs of higher-ranked spirits. Broken trees, scorched earth, and faint energy traces told a story he had not been told in any guild lecture. The outside world was brutal. Even a seemingly empty path could harbor deadly threats. And yet, each risk was also an opportunity.
Hours passed as Kaien navigated the forest, testing techniques, observing spirit behaviors, and applying his growing knowledge. He paused near a small stream, drinking cautiously, listening to the rustle of leaves and the distant crack of branches. Even the forest seemed alive, watching him, judging him. He smiled faintly—this was exactly what he had wanted: a challenge he could feel in every nerve.
Suddenly, a sound shattered the stillness—a thunderous, rhythmic thumping that made the ground tremble. Kaien's eyes widened as he sensed the presence of something far stronger. An A-grade spirit? He didn't know yet, but the overwhelming aura made his knees weak. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword.
He moved cautiously, scanning the surrounding trees. A dark shadow flitted across the canopy, moving with impossible speed. Kaien's heart raced, but his mind was clear. Master Kael taught me to read motion, anticipate attacks, and stay calm under pressure.
The spirit landed with a sonic step, the ground shivering from the impact. Kaien's eyes narrowed. It was larger than the one in the cavern, and its energy radiated menace. Every instinct screamed at him to retreat, but retreat was not an option. Not now. Not when he had survived the first real test of his life.
He adjusted his stance, the sword steady in his hands. Each movement was measured, each breath controlled. The spirit lunged with a brutal combination of punches and kicks. Kaien dodged, countered, and struck where he could—but the spirit's raw strength was overwhelming. A single punch sent him flying, the wind knocked from his lungs. Pain radiated through his ribs, but he forced himself to rise, scanning the spirit through his appraisal device:
Name: Abyssal A-Grade Spirit
Rank: A
Level: 32
Strength: 780
Speed: 890 (Sonic Step)
Mana: 1050
Spirit: 980
Special Traits: Regeneration, Phasing, Domain Manipulation
Kaien's eyes widened. The numbers were staggering. Why did I have to encounter this again? He thought. But beneath the fear, determination burned brighter. I am still an E-rank. I may not overpower it, but I will try all in my power to defeat it.
For minutes, the battle raged. Kaien's techniques—Stealth Piercing Strike, Darknight Spin—bounced off the spirit's defenses. Yet he adapted, using the environment, luring the spirit into overextension, striking at precise angles. Eventually, he exploited a brief opening, piercing the spirit's core and watching as it dissipated into shards of energy.
Exhausted, bruised, and bleeding, Kaien stood in the now-empty clearing. The spirit's domain vanished, leaving the forest quiet once more. His hands shook, but his smile returned, faint and wide.
He scanned his stats again, watching as his body absorbed experience and energy:
Rank: E
Level: 13
Strength: 470
Speed: 540
Mana: 370
Spirit: 380
Experience Gained: 780 XP
Loot Obtained: Spirit Core Fragment x2, Abyssal Relic x1
Kaien took a deep breath, letting the pain wash over him. His body ached, his armor scratched and dented, but the sense of accomplishment was unparalleled.The smile on his face was wide, unyielding. The outside world was no longer a mystery—it was a challenge, a teacher, and a playground. Kaien Vlorian had taken his first true steps into the unknown. And for the first time, he truly felt alive.