"If you've got any plans to stay in Hallowford for a while, just be mindful of where you step. The guild has a long reach, and they don't take kindly to anyone who threatens their position."

I responded with a measured tone. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice, Gregor. It's good to know what I'm dealing with."

Gregor nodded, seeming satisfied with my response. "Just looking out for you, Ethan. I've seen too many folks come through here thinking they can take on the world, only to find themselves in over their heads. It's not worth it, trust me."

His words were a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in this seemingly quiet town. I had to tread carefully, not just for my own sake, but for those around me as well.

Gregor and Lila—they didn't need to be dragged into my problems.

----------------------------------------

The morning light seeped through the small window of my room at The Restful Boar, casting soft rays across the wooden floor.

The inn was quiet at this hour with the usual bustle of the town still muted.

I had shut the window to block out what little noise there was, leaving only the gentle warmth of the sunlight to fill the space.

I needed this solitude.

I needed to train, to understand.

Quick Footwork had helped me twice already, but it wasn't just a tool—it was a burden.

It filled one of my three skill slots, refusing to be deleted. Every failed attempt to remove it only deepened my frustration.

This morning, I wasn't just experimenting. I was pushing this skill to its limits.

I had to know its true potential, its drawbacks, and whether I could count on it when the time came.

The Ironbrand Guild wouldn't wait for me to figure it out. They were a threat, and I needed to be ready.

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the crisp morning air, and then exhaled slowly.

My muscles tightened in anticipation. This wasn't a fight for survival—it was a battle of will, a test of control.

There was no room for error.

I activated Quick Footwork.

Skill Activated: Quick Footwork Cost: -5 Mana Points Status Update: Mana Points 35 / 50

The familiar surge of energy flowed through my legs as the message flashed in my mind.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

My body responded instantly, moving with a speed and agility that felt almost unnatural. Every movement was precise, every step perfectly timed.

It was as if the constraints of my physical form had momentarily lifted, allowing me to move with an ease I had never known before.

I started to pace the small room, testing the limits of this newfound speed. Each step was light, almost a blur as I shifted from one spot to another.

The room's limited space forced me to be creative, dodging around the bed, pivoting near the walls.

I imagined opponents before me, attacking with invisible strikes, and I responded with fluid motions, sidestepping and countering in swift, seamless movements.

But with each step, I could feel the strain building in my muscles, a subtle ache at first, then sharper with every push.

The skill was powerful, no doubt about that, but it came at a cost. My legs began to burn, a reminder that while this speed was a gift, it wasn't one without consequences.

I paused for a moment, catching my breath. My heart pounded in my chest, not from exertion alone, but from the realization that I was playing with fire.

Quick Footwork was a double-edged sword—one that could perhaps cut me as easily as it could my enemies.

Still, I wasn't done.

Not yet.

As the adrenaline from the Quick Footwork skill ebbed, I let myself sink onto the edge of the bed, feeling the lingering tension in my muscles.

The skill had done its job—too well, in fact. It gave me speed, precision, a chance to outmaneuver my enemies.

But it also left me drained, my body protesting the unnatural strain.

I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, and rubbed my hands together, trying to ease the tightness in my joints.

This skill was both a blessing and a curse.

Every time I used it, I knew I was walking a fine line between control and chaos. The thought of not being able to delete it gnawed at the back of my mind.

How could I trust a power I couldn't fully manage?

Did every skill I copy come with its own baggage?

The memory of the system message still echoed in my thoughts. [Quick Footwork Activated]—a simple notification, yet it carried the weight of my growing frustration.

I had three skill slots, and one was permanently occupied by something I might not even want in the future.

What would happen when I needed those slots for something else, something more vital?

How about a healing skill? Or a fireball?

I needed answers, but more than that, I needed control.

This wasn't just about survival; it was about mastery.

If I couldn't master the abilities given to me, I was as good as dead in this world. And with the Ironbrand Guild watching, failure wasn't an option.

I sighed, standing up again with my body still humming with residual energy from the skill.

Frustration simmered beneath the surface, but I pushed it down, forcing myself to focus. I had more training to do, and I couldn't afford to let my emotions get the better of me.

I took another deep breath, feeling the remnants of the Quick Footwork skill still buzzing in my legs.

This time, I was determined to push harder.

I needed to understand the full extent of what this skill could do—and what it would do to me.

Skill Activated: Quick Footwork Cost: -5 Mana Points Status Update: Mana Points 30 / 50