After he went through the door, only silence remained. For a few hours, the one sitting on the throne seemed to be thinking about something. The goddess of Kur then silently muttered to herself.

"One's life ends like flames extinguished, and then begins anew from embers. Thus, such it is."

Then, she snapped her fingers and the entrance closed.

***

I've been walking for a while. It's like this tunnel has no end to it. If this continues, I might be sent back to the underworld for good.

"Echo."

'E c h o.'

I exhale exaggeratedly. I should've asked for food supplies or some canned goods. Do they even have those?

I'm tempted a little to look back.

...

I tried to turn around, but halfway through the motion, I felt my hair standing up on end. Okay, maybe that wasn't a very good idea.

Stepstep Stepstep

Is it just me or I hear two sets of footsteps including mine? I didn't grow an extra pair of legs from trying to look back, right?

I halted my steps and I heard nothing. Maybe it's my imagination.

Stepstep Stepstep

I continued walking and I can hear it again. When I stopped, it stopped again. This time, I tried to hurry my steps and it matched my pace.

Okaaay, this isn't funny anymore. I took a deep breath, and sprinted for my life. Surely the exit is near?? Of course, the footsteps ran too.

I ran like that for a while and finally, I see a light. I never once looked back, and when the light is just at arm's length, I jumped out of the cave because my life depended on it.

I stumbled outside and got up gasping for my breath. I feel my heart beat again like I got revived from death. Maybe that made sense considering I just got out of the underworld.

Come to think of it, I didn't get tired of walking that long.

I unconsciously looked back and the cave wasn't there anymore. Maybe that's for the best. I don't want something from hell chasing after me once I just got revived then dying again.

Once I recovered from that near-death experience, I checked my belongings if they are still complete. Beside me is the naginata I asked for. Good thing this didn't stab me.

I checked my pockets and the map is still there. Okay, I didn't lose anything. I open the map and... Is this a joke?

When I opened the map, I am faced with a crudely drawn map that looks like it's doodled by a child. There's even a doodle of the queen's face winking at me. Looks like the underworld is really broke.

Still, I have nothing to go on but this. Unluckily, I came out of the forest so I don't really have someone I can ask of my whereabouts.

There is a particular area that is encircled. It is a forest in the south and there is a town very near that's located north of the forest. Looks like this forest is named the martial forest. Very weird naming sense.

I decided that my destination will be the town, because I need to secure food and knowledge about this world. In hindsight, I should've asked for money or knowledge instead of a weapon since with money I can just buy a new one. I just hope this thing is strong enough at least.

I recall my status while walking to my destination. If I remember correctly, I had four passive skills and two active skills. My passive skills are Ad-Lib, Spell Distortion, Spell Comprehension, and Incomprehensible Mind. Ad-Lib and Spell Comprehension I can somewhat understand but what the heck do the rest do?

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My active skills are pretty common though. First-aid and encourage. It's obvious what they do from the name alone. And then, my stats. It's the main problem that I have right now. The queen said it reflects your soul but why is it so low...? I should've done push-ups if I knew this would happen.

Two passives I don't understand what they do, and no offensive skills. The only thing I have is a weapon. Well, I read a lot of novels, and I should survive for a while since this is a fantasy world and I have some knowledge of it. That is, if it's the same as novels. I should be careful.

My train of thought was broken as I heard whimpering in the bushes.

I did say I'm going to be careful but...

I held my naginata tight and cautiously approached the bush. My gut feeling says I will meet some kinda animal here. I was right

Beyond the bushes, I see a fox with pink fur that is caught in a trap, its pink fur stained with red. I should help this poor thing.

When I tried to get closer though, it growled at me. What the heck, I'm just trying to help you.

How will I proceed with this...?

It stopped growling and we stared at each other. I flipped a finger at it and it tilted its head, confused. Maybe this thing is somewhat intelligent?

Looking at myself, I look kind of scary especially with this long stick. Okay maybe it's my fault. I drop my weapon and approached it, this time it remained silent.

Well sorry if I looked too awesome. I inspected the fox and one foot is snared in the trap. I slowly tried to pry it open until the fox is freed. Next, my body moved on its own like I've done this a lot of times already. I heard some sound and letters are appearing from the left side of my vision.

「First-aid is activated」

So that's how the skills work. I pulled out the handkerchief in my other pocket and I bandaged the foot. It'll take a while but this fox will probably heal.

The fox looked at me for a while and circled around me, sniffing me before...

Chomp

...it bit me then ran off.

"Tukmol..."

I patted my clothes and slowly got up. Maybe this will leave a scar. I picked up my weapon then continued walking towards the town.

After a while more, I can see the exit of the forest. And a chicken. That's right, a chicken.

Buk-buk-buk

It's standing in my way. I tried moving to the side but,

Buk-buk...

It mirrored me.

The hell does this chicken want? I tried moving to the other side and it mirrored me again. So that's how it is, huh?

I spoke to the chicken, "What is your purpose in doing this?"

The chicken did not reply. It simply stared at me. And then I realized.

I stared back at the chicken and I can see the determination in its eyes like it found a worthy adversary. Damn, is it because of the way I'm dressed?

I spoke again, "So that's how it is. I understand."

Buk...

I readied my stance, and it looked like the chicken is getting ready too. I hope I don't die to a chicken.

Buk-buk!!!

We charged at each other with me gripping my naginata tight. I thrust it to the chicken, but it jumped with its claws aiming at my face.

My strength isn't enough to redirect the naginata in time. I simply abandon it and grasped the chicken. It seemed shocked.

This thing might've thought I'm a newbie. I choked its neck, with intent to kill. Then, I heard a voice in my head.

'Why is it that you're willing to throw yourself in danger? Most people would've dodged or be frozen in place. You don't seem like you are experienced in fighting, either.'

What the hell? It can talk? Regardless of my confusion, I replied.

「Ad-Lib is in effect」

"Kings must set an example in order for their subordinates to follow suit."

'I see.'

I choke it harder. It's about to die.

"What is your name?"

'My name, it is long forgotten. But if you must remember me, remember me by the name Chuck.'

"Valiant warrior Chuck, I shall remember you."

I can't feel it breathing anymore.

「30exp gained」

「You leveled up」

I put its body to the ground gently and picked up my naginata to use it as a shovel and bury his body.

I buried him and saluted, before finally going out of the forest.