Gary had been 'promoted' to contracted mercenary. A coveted position that would allow one the ability to purchase property, if they could ever afford it, and the ability for one of their descendants to apply for the young dragon assessment contest, on redeeming a special token. This position was equivalent to the sergeant guard position Gary's father held in almost all aspects. Except without the financial security, stability, and survival aspects. The mercenaries typically died first in wartime.

Gary's dad was also an Ideal Body stage archer, and swordsman. A standard level for most sergeants. Perhaps he could have helped Gary out of his current predicament, alas he was still dead. Come to think of it his family was meant to receive financial compensation for his father's death. Gary's memories seem to lack any evidence of it ever having arrived.

The Ideal Body stage is largely considered the limit for near-mortal level talents, but Gary's not gonna let that nonsense get in his way now will he?

"I'll burn that bridge when I get to it." thought Gary.

For now, Gary still lacked a cultivation technique. His new title was largely ceremonial, as currently he was truly employed as a suicide messenger.

Gary was tasked with delivering a letter across the sea to the isle of Subardos. When he gets there he will have to look for a guide to take him to the Scorched Heart Cave.

You know the one. Yes, exactly! The one inside of an active volcano.

Also there seems to be some sort of civil unrest occurring on the island over something called: 'rights,' and 'human decency.' You know the usual garbage that sapients make a fuss about.

I'm sure Gary's well prepared for any tribulation that comes his way.

Gary was not expected to survive.

Gary was expected to give his life to deliver that letter. Gary wasn't too keen on that idea.

To aid Gary in this endeavor, Gary was given a camouflage skill, a movement skill, enough supplies for 6 months, and the letter magically linked to explode Gary's heart in 6 months. All of these wonderful things helpfully prodding Gary along in completing his mission.

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Now how would Gary go about using a skill?

Well that's easy. The first step is learning the skill. For lesser skills a manual is good enough, but advanced techniques tend to have strange requirements like: killing your lover, being born with a magical tail, or time travel shenanigans.

The actual performance of a skill requires intent, imagination, and effort.

Let's say you wanted to shoot a fire snake out of your mouth. First you intend to shoot fire out of your mouth. Then, you imagine the shape of a flame snake. Finally, you put in the effort to put your mana where your mouth is, and change its elemental attribute.

What is an elemental attribute?

Oh little dove, aren't you full of questions?

An elemental attribute is the bias a spell has towards the different forms of mana. These forms of mana are typically called affinities.

The attribute/affinities Gary is aware of are:

Fire, water, earth, air, light, shadow, demonic, and sunset

In theory, mana can have an affinity for any concept. In practice, on Timor at least, these were the most commonly seen affinities.

These affinities can also be applied to Timor's inhabitants. Many have no affinity initially, but that's not much of a problem, as one can be gained through special medicines, or rare fruits. Although, it's not always for everyone, as having an affinity reduces the effectiveness of all skills of different attributes. This forces one who has accepted an affinity to search for ways to modify the attributes of their skills to match their chosen affinity, or, if really lucky, affinities.

What was Gary's affinity?

Knowing his luck, he likely didn't have one, or worse he could have an entirely useless one that would reduce the effectiveness of all of his skills.

It was deemed irrelevant to test whether a near-mortal had an affinity.

The camouflage skill Gary acquired was the:

Coward's Way Out

'When in doubt, play dead'

It was a basic skill that allowed him to pretend to be dead. It was rumored that an immortal, in danger of being hunted down like an animal by his enemies, once mastered this skill, and played dead atop a mountain for hundreds of years until he had enough energy to travel to another world. That, or someone eventually came along to bury his corpse.

The movement skill Gary acquired was the:

Flight of the Chicken

'When in doubt, RUN!'

It was another basic skill that allowed one to run away faster if they were scared shitless. It was rumored that another immortal had once offended a true god, he'd apparently stepped on that god's favorite dandelion, and was scared so shitless he ran straight off the planet and became a shooting star. Godspeed! You magnificent bastard.

Gary was certain he was going to be scared shitless the whole journey. As such, Gary might actually make it in good time. Hurray for Gary!