After a few minutes of reaching the desired spot, I paused. I took a moment to scan my surroundings once sufficiently distanced from the city.

The forest didn’t seem much different from what I remembered on Earth, except for a certain unknown energy in the air - likely the magical energy of this world. Apart from that, everything was familiar. After a quick survey, I decided not to venture too far, fearing I might lose my way back.

Moreover, knowing the likelihood of encountering dangerous wild monsters in this world, I preferred to stay within the safety of the city.

The hunter's warnings about monsters lurking in the wilderness echoed in my mind, reinforcing my caution.

"This shouldn't be considered too deep into the wilds, right?" I muttered to myself, unsure of the parameters that defined a safe zone. The lack of clear markers or signs left me relying on my own judgment, a prospect that filled me with a touch of unease.

"Well, let's see how my luck holds," I sighed, my gaze falling upon the strange ring adorning my finger. Despite trying countless times at home to experiment, I just couldn’t figure out how to use the thing or understand its capabilities. My frustration was eating at myself, pushing me to look for answers in this isolated spot.

If it weren’t for the fact that I was still unable to test out the true ability of this item's capabilities even after devising various methods while inside the city, I would not have come out here alone to try my luck.

As I ventured further, tracks imprinted on the dusty ground caught my attention. Nearby, peculiar white, clay-like droppings lay scattered, their egg-shaped forms eliciting a wave of nausea. "What a disgusting sight," I grimaced, stepping carefully around the strange excrement.

The landscape around me was a chaotic jumble of rocks, varying in shape and size. The absence of trees eased my worries about accidentally starting a fire with my untested magic. Taking a quick look at the ring, I couldn't help but feel curious. I wanted to figure out just how powerful it was without accidentally wrecking anything.

.

A cold wind whipped past, sending a shiver down my spine. Seeking respite, I leaned against a tall, white rock, exhaustion from the long trek settling into my limbs. I estimated that I had covered roughly twenty kilometers from my home, a distance that tested my physical limits.

With a deep breath, I prepared to finally experiment with the ring. "System," I called out, "How do I use this ring?" Silence. The dude was once responsive to my inquiries, now remained frustratingly mute. "Huh? Why?" I grumbled, irritation flaring. "This System is such a letdown! It answered my questions at first, but now it's become more and more arrogant, it seems!" If there were a rating system, I wouldn't hesitate to give it a single star, complete with a scathing customer service complaint.

Suddenly, a rustle in the nearby bushes drew my attention. I heard a faint voice and saw the foliage shake erratically. Curiosity piqued, I cautiously approached the said bush, my eyes widening in surprise. A large, rat-like creature emerged, its form far bigger than any I had seen before. It was gnawing on something, and upon closer inspection, I discovered a hidden burrow beneath the leaves and twigs. Inside, several smaller rats scurried about, occasionally receiving food from the larger one. The sight of the creature caring for its young stirred a mixed feeling within me.

"Should I test the thing on them?" The thought crossed my mind, a dark impulse born from frustration and a desire for power. Shame washed over me as I recognized the cruelty of such an act. I recalled the pain of being cast out by my own family, abandoned due to my perceived inadequacy. The memory of that loneliness and rejection still ached within my heart.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "I'm done with that kind of thing." I turned away from the burrow and walked towards a nearby boulder, determined to find another way to unlock the secrets of the ring without resorting to harming innocent creatures.

Reaching the boulder, I sat down heavily, my mind churning with conflicting emotions. The encounter with the rat creatures had shaken me, forcing me to confront the darker aspects of my own desires. I had been so focused on proving myself, on gaining power and escaping the shadow of my family's disapproval, that I had almost lost sight of my own values.

"There has to be another way," I muttered, clenching my little fists. I refused to become the kind of person who preyed on the vulnerable, who used power to inflict pain and suffering. I had to find a way to unlock the ring's potential without compromising my integrity.

"What was the name of the spell again?"

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and focused inward. I recalled the lessons I had learned about mana manipulation, about the delicate balance between will and energy. Perhaps, instead of trying to force the ring to obey, I needed to understand its nature, to establish a connection with its inherent magic.

I extended my hand, palm open, and gently placed the ring upon it. Instead of channeling my mana forcefully, I let it flow naturally, like a gentle stream, towards the ring. I visualized the flow of energy, picturing it as a shimmering thread connecting my own life force to the heart of the artifact.

"Do I need to visualize it? How am I supposed to picture ‘stealth’?” I thought I might need to visualize something, but was unsure how to picture something so abstract. “Like imagining a [Hide] spell.. Hmm.. let's see..” I decided to try visualizing the ring’s second effect, which was some sort of flame thing which was easier for me to imagine.

Ssssh

A faint warmth emanated from the ring, a subtle response to my touch. my eyes flickered open, a spark of hope igniting within me. I could feel a connection forming, a nascent understanding of the ring's essence. It wasn't just a weapon of destruction, as I had feared at first, but rather a channel for creation, brimming with untapped magical energy ready to be molded by my intentions.

With this awareness, I began to experiment. I imagined a small flame, a flicker of light dancing upon my palm.

Slowly, tentatively, I coaxed my mana, shaping it according to my visualization. The ring grew warmer, resonating with my mind.

"Woah!"

With a soft crackle, a tiny flame sprang to life above my hand. It was small, no larger than a candle's flame, yet it burned with a vibrant intensity, casting a warm glow on my face. I watched in awe, and a sense of accomplishment washing over me.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

"It’s warm and the color is green. Is this a different kind of flame compared to the usual?” I recalled that the typical fire in this world had a reddish-orange hue with hints of blue, reminiscent of the flames often seen in Earthly homes. That was certainly the case when I observed it at a construction site I passed by just before arriving here.

As I was occupied with my little experiment, a sudden movement in the tall grass behind me caught my eye. A long, sinuous form slithered through the undergrowth, its scales glinting in the fading sunlight. A snake, thick as a grown man's arm, raised its head, its forked tongue tasting the air as it locked eyes with me.

“What? A snake?” I exclaimed, taken aback by the sudden appearance of the creature before me. I stood up abruptly, bracing myself for a potential attack from the snake.

Panic surged through me as the snake lunged, its fangs bared in a silent snarl. I barely had time to react, throwing myself backwards just as the serpent's jaws snapped shut inches from my face. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"What the-" I exclaimed, thinking the danger had subsided.

The snake, clearly irritated at missing its prey, appeared to lose interest in me and began slithering in a different direction, heading towards the nearby bush where the rat's hole was situated.

"Damn that was close." I gasped.

The snake looked like a King Cobra from Earth if I remembered correctly. But the horn on its head and the strange purple-red pattern, which seemed like a mix of a Boa and a Cobra made me doubt if it was of the same species or combinations of both.

"The snake’s direction is… Oh no!” I hadn't anticipated the serpent redirecting its attention to the rats in their midst. Uncertainty gripped me, leaving me at a loss for what to do next. "Should I intervene?" I pondered.

I initially didn’t care about some nasty rats that had nothing to do with me. After all, I wasn’t some animal rescue dude who’d be easily tempted to save any animal be it for YupTube views nor for some crowdfunds shit.

Ultimately, I knew I was no match for the creature in a direct confrontation, but I couldn't stand idly by after all. In my desperation, I instinctively channeled my mana, picturing myself disappearing from sight.

To my astonishment, the world around me shimmered, and I felt a strange sensation of detachment. I had inadvertently cast the spell 'Hide', rendering myself invisible to the naked eye.

"Ohhh.."

I seized the moment when I noticed the change in my body after casting the [Hide] spell. Quickly gathering stones and sharp twigs, I launched them at the serpent, targeting its head and vulnerable underbelly.

The snake, being bombarded with some small stones, paused its advance towards the burrow. The stones struck true, drawing hisses of annoyance and anger from the snake. It seemed.

The creature thrashed about blindly, its massive body writhing as it searched for its unseen attacker. I continued my assault, the fear replaced by an idiotic determination to protect the helpless rats. I darted around the snake, striving to make my movements as silent and unseen as possible, ensuring that my attacks came from unpredictable directions.

Huft..

Breathing heavily and with red eyes, I seized a larger rock and cautiously advanced towards the snake. With a resounding "bam," I acted.

Although I missed my target, the rock landed just beside the snake, startling it as it slithered away into a few distance away.

I sucked in huge mouthfuls of air, panting heavily. ‘My body’s too weak after all…’ I thought, frustration welling up in my heart as I slumped down, my body drenched in sweat.

However, my face remained impassive. I understood from my memories when facing off against a wild beast, one must never back off or show even a hint of fear.

“Huh!?" I exclaimed as I realized the snake was no longer in sight. My eyes widened as I scanned the surroundings intently, searching for any other potential monsters lurking nearby.

"Phew! Looks like it finally retreated into the forest," I remarked, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

In truth, my stamina was almost depleted, leaving me feeling drained. Both my arms were sore and weak, to the point of trembling as I gripped a stone reserved for confronting the creature if it were still around.

Well, If that wild creature had indeed pounced on me and bitten me, who knows what might have happened?

Also, I wasn't certain whether the snake was venomous or not. Even if it lacked venom, and I felt confident I would survive, I would still have risked critical injury.

"That was indeed a foolish move."

I waited until I was certain the snake had truly departed. I took one last peek at the rats and their cubs before hastily heading in the direction of the city, I also made sure to toss them a loaf of bread I had whipped up earlier in the day using my magical means.

"The bread wasn't appetizing at all; it tasted like dog food somehow..

"Heh! At least after some tweaks by the system, it turned out quite good actually.... I might even consider my chances of becoming a chef someday, haha."

This journey wasn't futile at all, I thought. It bolstered my confidence and provided valuable insights on how to do things in the future. The little experience also underscored the significance of my power, offering me additional clarity on my upcoming path.

....

Perched on the hour hand of Elocha City's clock tower, a teenage girl with algae-green hair sat casually, swinging her legs as she held a local snack in her left hand. If anyone on the street noticed her, they'd likely be screaming for authorities or guards to get the reckless kid down from such a height.

"I didn't expect to see such interesting things on my trip to Elocha. The Bloodraid Swordsman's son, what was the name again?"

After the girl finished whatever she was doing with the intriguing food sack and stuffed the last bits into her mouth, a shadowy figure materialized behind her and spoke in a raspy, low voice.

"That brat! With such average talent, he only qualifies as an arcane mage. He shouldn't have been able to exhibit any combat capabilities."

"...and especially shouldn't be able to use fel energy. How strange," the girl added, sharing her opinion, and kept staring in the direction the boy had left, as if she could see clearly even from a great distance.

"I advise you not to provoke them. Its very tricky to confront them head on. If we get too close there's a possibility we'll be found out instantly, that would be too troublesome." The voice of the shadow reappeared, advising the little girl to not rash decision.

"I know what you mean, and I absolutely didn't try to provoke 'him'. I have my own plans. Well, according to the intel, the person is fairly strong and has been hiding in the security department for some reason."

"We shouldn't speculate about such individuals, let's just stick to the orders from higher-ups before taking any action. So, let go of any foolish ideas you might have."

"Eyn, I think this kid is special. I've always had a good eye, just like when I found you. What do you think? Can't we just play around a bit ?" The girl turned away to look at the seemingly mysterious person.

The shadow remained silent for a moment before speaking. "He's too mediocre! And using fel energy might not even be his own ability. There's no need to pay attention to him. You are being too unreasonable."

"Whether it's his own power or not, just the fact that he can use fel energy shows he's no longer ordinary," she remarked with a smirk.

"Do you really want to invite him so rashly? He hasn't even attained a formal profession yet, and he's too weak. Plus, do you think you have a say in this?" The shadowy figure emanated such intense killing intent that the little girl was momentarily taken aback, nearly stumbling to the ground below.

Balancing herself, she smirked and said, "Hey, looks like you're pretty knowledgeable about the family. What's with the pushback? I'm sure he's okay. You wouldn't want me to fail the mission, would you?"

"We can't overthink it too much if we're inevitably going to cross paths with them sooner or later... After all, we'll have to confront them eventually, one way or another," the girl added with a smile, revealing her unusual teeth, which resembled two rows of serrated meat cleavers, contrasting with her playful demeanor.

"I've said my piece. As for what to do, that's something you'll have to decide for yourself." The voice gradually faded away.

She looked back again in the boy's direction, furrowing her brow. "Ah, inviting members is such a hassle. I hope he's up to the task."

The girl leaped off the bell tower, performing a series of turns on the wall before landing safely in the bustling alley and vanishing from sight.