As soon as we stepped into the forest, she appeared.
A tall, slender figure, with long green hair that almost blended with the leaves. Her light brown skin resembled the bark of an ancient tree, and her emerald-green eyes shimmered with a mysterious glow. A faint scent of flowers and herbs lingered in the air around her.
A dryad.
I felt cold sweat run down my back.
Oh, hell no…
My eyes instinctively darted toward her status.
----------------------------------------
[Dryad, Guardian of the Forest]
Threat Level: S
Yep. I’m dead.
I sighed, glanced at the Soul of the Universe, and mentally prepared to say my final goodbyes.
— Well, my friend, it was a short but interesting life. I’m glad I met you…
— Are you already giving up? — the Soul asked calmly.
— What else am I supposed to do?! We’re standing in front of the ruler of this forest! An S-rank monster, no less!
I tried to stay calm, but failed miserably.
The dryad studied me carefully before crossing her arms and speaking.
— Who are you? A human? And what is that sphere floating beside you?
She narrowed her eyes.
— It carries… a very strange energy.
Okay. At least she’s not attacking me immediately. That’s a plus.
— If you’re an enemy of the forest, or if you’ve come to destroy it, I will fight until my last breath.
Her voice turned sharp and dangerous.
— But if your intentions are peaceful… I will listen.
I quickly considered my options.
So she can sense the Soul’s aura? Maybe strong monsters don’t just see levels—they can also sense potential…
I raised my hands in a non-threatening gesture.
— We’re not your enemies.
— Then why are you here?
— Uh… we’re just hunting slimes.
The dryad blinked.
— Slimes?
— Yeah.
Her expression became even more confused.
— You’re serious?
She tilted her head.
— The weakest monsters? The ones that even children can defeat? Why do you need them?
Damn. If she realizes I’m weak, she might change her mind about letting me go…
I smirked and turned to the Soul.
— It doesn’t really matter, right?
The Soul caught on quickly.
— Yes, we have our reasons.
— The Soul… of the Universe?
The dryad’s voice trembled slightly.
Her expression shifted—from cautious to completely shocked.
Oh? It seems that name means something to her…
The dryad stared directly at the Soul, her lips pressing into a thin line.
She seemed to be thinking deeply, trying to decide something.
After a few tense moments, she sighed.
— Fine. I’ll take you to the slimes. There are… 2,049 of them.
Holy crap, she counted them exactly?!
— But leave at least one alive.
Her tone turned serious.
— They clean the forest of bacteria.
— Got it.
I nodded.
— We don’t want to harm the ecosystem.
The dryad clapped her hands, and a tiny glowing creature appeared.
— This is a fairy. She will be your guide.
Oh wow, she’s adorable!
The fairy fluttered around, looking like a tiny firefly, her silver wings shimmering with a faint glow.
— Hello, little fairy! What’s your name?
She turned toward me and spoke in a high-pitched, cheerful voice.
— Hinata!
— Nice to meet you, Hinata!
I smiled.
The dryad gave me one last long look.
— She will show you the way. But remember—if you threaten this forest…
— I know, I know, — I cut her off, raising my hands again.
The dryad stared at me for a moment longer, then turned to the Soul.
She still wasn’t sure about us.
But she said nothing more.
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The fairy flitted closer.
— Do you want to go straight to the slime nest?
I quickly shook my head.
— No, no, no! One at a time, please!
— Alright!
She giggled and twirled in the air.
— Let’s go!
I grinned.
My path to strength starts here.
I tightened my grip on my sword and followed the fairy.
Before fighting, I checked my stats.
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Abe Hikari’s Status
• Level: 1
• Title: Traveler
• EXP: 3/100
• Attack: 1
• Defense: 0
• Speed: 1
• HP: 10
• Mana: 20
• Mana Regeneration: 0.1 per hour
• Skills:
* [Force Push Lv1] (10 Mana)
* [Analysis Lv1]
• Unique Skills:
* [Soul Synchronization] (Consumes 1 mana/sec) – Combines Abe Hikari’s and the Soul’s stats.
* [??????] (A unique skill that allows selecting new abilities during teleportation.)
• Passive Skills:
* [Mana’s Blessing Lv1] – When reaching 0 mana, after a full recovery, the mana limit increases by 5.
----------------------------------------
I activated [Soul Synchronization], and my stats changed.
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Synchronized Status:
• Attack: 2
• Defense: 0
• Speed: 2
• HP: 10
• Mana: 150
• Mana Regeneration: 0.2 per hour
• Additional Skills:
* [Absorption Lv1]
* [Analysis Lv2]
* [Force Push Lv2] (10 Mana)
----------------------------------------
The fairy glanced at me curiously.
— What are you mumbling about? Stats? Synchronization?
I just grinned mysteriously.
But from the corner of my eye, I noticed the dryad watching me closely.
She frowned slightly, sensing my aura shift.
Looks like she’s reconsidering her decision not to fight me… but at the same time, she doesn’t seem to think I got that much stronger.
— I’ll continue observing you, — she muttered under her breath.
Meanwhile, I spotted a slime crawling nearby.
— Alright. Time to test my strength!
I quickly checked my equipment stats.
----------------------------------------
* Shield Defense: 3
• Sword Attack: 5
I drew my sword and shield, stepped forward, and attacked the slime.
The slime used [Force Push], but I blocked it with my shield, absorbing the impact.
Then, I slashed twice—and the monster exploded into pieces.
----------------------------------------
EXP Gained: 3 (6/100)
New Passive Skills Acquired:
• [Shield Mastery Lv1]
• [Sword Mastery Lv1]
I deactivated synchronization and noticed that even in my base form, the new skills remained.
But what was even more interesting…
— Soul! You also got sword and shield mastery!
How does this work?
Maybe when I synchronize, new skills transfer to both of us? Or is it related to the Soul copying [Force Push] earlier?
I clenched my fist in excitement.
— I’M OP NOW!
The Soul laughed.
— At least you finally believe in yourself.
— Yeah, but I’m still weak… for now.
I decided to continue hunting.
Throughout the day, I drank water, ate edible mushrooms (thanks to the fairy’s guidance), and defeated 19 more slimes.
----------------------------------------
Current EXP: 60/100
Collected Items: 19 Slime Cores (Useful for purification)
I was getting closer to leveling up.
Just a little more… and I’ll reach Level 2!
My true journey was only beginning.
Abe Hikari woke up to the pleasant warmth of sunlight filtering through the window.
He stretched, yawned, and exhaled in satisfaction.
— Today is the perfect day to level up! — he declared to himself and immediately opened his status menu.
----------------------------------------
Status
Abe Hikari – Level 1
• Title: Traveler
• EXP: 99/100
• Attack: 2
• HP: 10
• Speed: 1
• Defense: 1
• Mana: 20
• Luck: 1
• Mana Regeneration: 0.1
Skills:
* [Force Push (Lv1)] – Cost: 10 Mana
* [Analysis (Lv1)]
Unique Skills:
* [Soul Synchronization] – Merges Abe Hikari’s and the Soul’s stats. Cost: 1 Mana/sec.
* [Blessing of the Universe] – ??? (No description available)
Passive Skills:
* [Mana’s Blessing (Lv1)] – Upon reaching 0 Mana, the max limit increases by 5 upon full recovery.
* [Shield Mastery (Lv1)] – Passively increases defense by 1.
* [Sword Mastery (Lv1)] – Passively increases attack by 1.
* [Alcohol Immunity (Lv1)] – Abe Hikari can drink 100ml of alcohol without getting drunk.
----------------------------------------
Abe blinked in surprise at the last passive skill.
— What?! Alcohol immunity?!
He quickly opened the description.
— "Can consume up to 100ml of alcohol without experiencing intoxication"… Hah! Nice! I could use this in real life! I drink three glasses, and I’m already in another dimension!
However, what intrigued him the most was the name change of his unique skill.
— Blessing of the Universe? When did that happen?
He thought back to the previous night and remembered something.
— Wait… the village elder called me 'blessed.'
Abe grinned.
— So, my stats change based on how people perceive me?
That was an interesting discovery.
He scrolled down and noticed a new title: Hero (Lv1).
Curious, he tapped on it.
----------------------------------------
Hero (Lv1) – Increases all stats by 1.
His eyes widened.
— WHAT?! I GET STRONGER JUST FOR HAVING THIS TITLE?!
Abe jumped up in excitement.
— YES! I’M GETTING STRONGER!
Downstairs, some villagers heard his shouting and laughed.
— Look at this guy! He’s yelling again first thing in the morning!
Abe ignored them.
He had a mission today—eat, go to the forest, and level up!
----------------------------------------
A Strange Encounter
As Abe stepped outside, he noticed that the entire village was in high spirits.
People smiled at him, thanked him for his deal with the dryad, and then—
A girl unexpectedly approached him.
She was the most beautiful girl in the village—long chestnut hair, warm brown eyes, and a gentle smile.
— Hikari, can I go with you to the forest?
Abe froze.
— W-what?! You… want to come with me?
— I want to help you and… just spend some time together.
She smiled softly.
Abe felt his face heat up.
— A-A-Ah… Y-y-yes! Of course!
The villagers around them chuckled.
— You two make a cute couple!
Abe turned bright red.
— A-a couple?!
The girl blushed as well but quickly changed the subject.
— I made food for us.
She handed him a basket.
Abe’s eyes widened.
— Wait… for me?! No way! No one’s ever cooked for me before!
His eyes teared up slightly.
— Are you… crying? — she asked, surprised.
— No! It’s… just allergies!
She laughed, and Abe thought to himself:
— In my previous world, a girl this pretty would never even look at me…
----------------------------------------
A New Request from the Dryad
As they entered the forest, the dryad appeared before them.
The girl gasped in fear.
— T-That’s a dryad!
Abe smirked confidently.
— Relax! She’s on our side.
The dryad looked at him and nodded.
— I need your help.
Abe’s smile faded.
— I’m listening.
— Can humans build a bridge over the river?
Abe blinked.
— A bridge? You mean a wooden structure to cross water?
— Yes. The animals can’t cross the river, and it disrupts the ecosystem.
Abe rubbed his chin.
— Hmm… I’ll talk to the village elder. But we’ll need a lot of wood.
The dryad nodded.
— I will provide old trees that have already lived their cycle.
Abe grinned.
— Deal! I’ll take care of it!
The girl beside him watched their conversation in awe.
— You… speak with her so naturally…
Abe puffed out his chest.
— With me, you’re safe!
She blushed slightly.
----------------------------------------
Level Up!
Abe returned to the village and explained the situation to the elder.
The old man stroked his beard.
— A bridge? Interesting…
He nodded.
— Tomorrow, I’ll gather some men and take care of it.
Abe gave a thumbs-up and returned to the forest.
— Alright! Time to level up!
He drew his sword and killed a slime.
----------------------------------------
Ding! Congratulations! Your level has increased!
----------------------------------------
Abe jumped in excitement.
— LEVEL 2! THIS IS A PERFECT DAY!
The girl beside him smiled.
— You’re so weird… but it’s kind of cute.
Abe blushed again.
— A-Ah… T-thanks!
And so, a new chapter of Abe Hikari’s adventure began.