I woke up before the sun.
Not because I wanted to.
Because my body hurt.
My arms felt like they were filled with stones. My back was stiff. My hands shook when I tried to move my fingers. For a moment, I thought something was wrong. Then I remembered last night.
The sword.
The swings.
Pushing this weak body past what it was used to.
"…Right."
I sat up slowly. Even that simple movement made my muscles complain. I clenched my teeth and breathed out through my nose.
This body really wasn't joking.
Back in my old life, I wasn't strong either, but this was worse. This body had been half-starved for years. No proper food. No real training. Just fear and quiet effort when no one was watching.
I stood up and almost fell.
"Damn it."
I grabbed the wall and waited until the room stopped spinning. My stomach growled. Loud.
I hadn't eaten since yesterday.
The memory came back again. My uncle's words.
You owe me rent.
I rubbed my face.
"…I need money."
Simple problem. Hard answer.
I couldn't fight monsters. I couldn't join a guild. I couldn't even lift the sword for long without shaking. If this was a manhwa world, then I was at the very bottom.
The type that gets stepped on.
I washed my face with cold water from the basin. It woke me up a bit. When I looked at my reflection again, the same tired eyes stared back.
"I'm not dying today."
I didn't know why I said it out loud, but it helped.
I picked up the sword and wrapped it in old cloth before tying it to my back. I couldn't look like someone dangerous. That would just cause trouble.
Outside, the town was already awake.
People moved around with baskets, carts, and tools. The smell of bread drifted through the air. My stomach growled again.
I kept my head down and walked.
The memories helped me not get lost. This town wasn't big. Mostly normal people. Craftsmen. Shop owners. A few guards.
I passed a group of boys about my age. They laughed when they saw me.
"Hey, it's the useless one."
I didn't stop walking.
Another voice followed.
"Careful, he might trip and die."
Laughter.
My hands tightened.
Old me would've snapped. Said something stupid. Got beaten.
I kept walking.
"…Not worth it."
I reached the job board near the center of town. Wooden planks with papers nailed to them. Simple work. Carrying goods. Cleaning stables. Delivering messages.
Most paid little.
I scanned them slowly.
My body could barely handle training. Heavy labor would destroy me.
Then I saw it.
Herb gathering. Forest edge. Pay per bundle.
"…That might work."
The forest edge wasn't too dangerous. Kids sometimes went there. Still risky, but not insane.
I tore the paper down.
A guard noticed me.
"Oi. You alone?"
"Yes."
He looked me over. Thin arms. Cheap clothes. Sword wrapped like it was something to hide.
"You know it's not safe."
"I know."
He clicked his tongue.
"Your choice."
No warning. No advice.
That told me something.
People like me weren't expected to live long enough to matter.
I left town with an empty stomach and a full head.
The forest smelled different. Wet earth. Leaves. Something sharp I couldn't name.
I slowed my steps.
Every sound felt loud. Every movement made my heart jump.
I remembered reading stories where the MC walks into the forest and finds treasure. Or meets a cute healer. Or awakens power.
I snorted quietly.
"Yeah, right."
I found the herbs after an hour. Small plants with blue leaves. Easy to spot if you knew what you were looking for.
I crouched down and started gathering.
Slowly.
Carefully.
My hands shook. My knees hurt from crouching. Sweat dripped down my back.
I only had five bundles when I heard it.
A rustle.
Not wind.
I froze.
My breath got shallow.
Another sound. Closer.
"…Don't panic."
I stood up slowly and turned.
A wolf.
Not big. Not huge.
But bigger than me.
Its eyes locked onto mine.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
I reached for the sword.
My hand slipped.
The wolf growled.
My legs wanted to run.
But I remembered something.
If you run, you die.
I forced my shaking hands to grip the sword and pulled it free.
The blade felt heavier than last night.
The wolf stepped forward.
I stepped back.
My foot hit a root.
I stumbled.
The wolf lunged.
"SHIT!"
I swung without thinking.
The blade cut air.
Pain exploded in my arm as the wolf's body slammed into me. I hit the ground hard. The air left my lungs.
The wolf snapped at my face.
I raised the sword with both hands and pushed.
My arms screamed.
My vision blurred.
The wolf's teeth were inches away.
"MOVE!"
I twisted and shoved with everything I had.
The wolf fell to the side.
I rolled and scrambled to my feet, barely standing.
The wolf recovered fast. Faster than me.
It circled.
I was breathing like I'd run for hours.
My arms felt dead.
"…I can't win."
That thought came clear and cold.
But another followed.
If I give up, I die.
The wolf lunged again.
This time, I didn't swing wild.
I waited.
At the last second, I stepped aside and stabbed.
The blade pierced its shoulder.
Not deep enough.
The wolf howled and bit into my leg.
Pain like fire.
I screamed and punched its head with my free hand.
It didn't let go.
I felt warm liquid soak my pants.
"…Fuck."
I dragged the blade across its body with everything left in me.
The wolf went still.
I collapsed.
My hands shook. My chest burned. My leg hurt so bad I wanted to throw up.
I lay there for a long time.
When I could move again, I looked at the wolf.
Dead.
"…I survived."
No joy.
Just shock.
My status window appeared.
Strength: 1 → 1
Agility: 1 → 1
Stamina: 1 → 2
"…Only stamina."
I laughed weakly.
"That's it?"
I dragged myself up and wrapped my leg with cloth. Bad job. But enough to stop bleeding.
I limped back to town hours later.
People stared.
Blood. Dirt. Sweat.
Someone whispered.
"That's Han Seojin, right?"
"He's still alive?"
I didn't care.
I turned in the herbs. Got paid.
Not much.
But enough.
That night, I lay on my bed, leg throbbing, body screaming.
But I smiled.
Barely.
"Slow… growth…"
"…Yeah."
"It hurts."