Rin found herself in a whirlwind of emotions as she navigated the unexpected turn her day had taken. Just moments ago, she had been lost in introspection about her path in life, and now, she was thrust into the notorious Nightmare Trial.

Despite the chaos around her, she couldn't help but notice the sensation of each breath filling her lungs with crisp, untainted air. It was a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the slums she once called home, or even the artificial filtration of the city.

In that moment, Rin couldn't help but envy the select few who were fortunate enough to regularly experience such invigorating air.

'Those folks wouldn't need to spend a dime. They could just get hit by the spell and find themselves in a chilly place with dangerous creatures.

Hmm, perhaps it's not worth the risk, now that I consider it.'

'Ah, I should stop these depressing thoughts before it is too late.'

As she attempted to summon fond memories, her mind reluctantly veered towards the chilling despair that threatened to engulf her. At one point, the notion of leaping into the warmth of the fire even crossed her thoughts.

Isn't it peculiar how someone my age, just seventeen, manages to maintain composure in such a bizarre scenario? Here I am, trapped within a dream where peril lurks at every turn, capable of snuffing out my existence in an instant. If you were to inquire about my ability to remain composed amidst this chaos, I would simply reply:

'it is what it is.'

At first, when the infection hit me, a rush of panic flooded through me, swiftly followed by a surge of frustration towards life's seeming unfairness. But with time, I came to a place of acceptance, realizing that thriving amidst the harshness of the slums demanded a resilient spirit.

She still found solace in solitude, often retreating to her parents' dilapidated home on the outskirts of the slums. It was there they had passed away, and each time she visited, nestled amidst the rubble, gazing at the night sky through the hole in the roof, watching the moon, fond memories flooded back. Rin couldn't help but smile; those recollections always brought warmth, a reminder of better days gone by.

Reflecting on that, I feel a newfound sense of resilience stirring within me, as if I've unearthed the key to overcoming challenges. With both tangible resources and surprising allies by my side, my path ahead takes on a fresh perspective. Though my journey may have had its rough patches, it's fair to say it wasn't entirely bleak, wouldn't you agree?

And whenever I start to feel overwhelmed by negativity, I find solace in imagining Greg's ridiculous expression or picturing the policeman grappling with the aftermath of my unconventional transformation. It will be a lesson to him not to put guilt on my shoulders.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

She thought about how sadistic she just sounded

'Perhaps I could use a more effective coping mechanism, now that I think about it.'

'Nah, I'm fine.'

I better zip it and get my act together before I end up biting the dust from a clumsy slip and a nasty encounter with a rock. It wouldn't be such a surprise if I brushed it off as just another misfortune in my life's series of mishaps, but considering I belong to some sort of ninja clan, you'd think I'd have some lightning-fast reflexes, if luck is on my side. And the spell is kind

I need to double-check my Spell Runes right now. I should also consider examining my attributes, not just my Aspect. Although, from what I understand, attributes aren't typically seen as crucial. Still, they can impact how likely I am to survive depending on their values.

Attributes usually reflect a character's innate traits, providing both passive and sometimes active abilities.

Some might dismiss what I'm saying as nonsense, but here's a simpler version for me: If I'm skilled at cooking, then hey, my odds of setting the kitchen on fire decrease by thirty percent.

'Wow, Rin, that's a great example!

Did Greg rub off on me? Why did I just have a moment of stupidity?'

Anyway let's check these stats.

—---

[Essence pathway] Attribute Description: The Essence Path System is interwoven within the body and transports Essence throughout the body and each organ like the circulatory system transports blood. The system is also in some way involved in the creation of the essence itself, as every cell in the body is connected to this pathway system by a capillary, which draws the physical energy from the cell and is refined into essence by various organs, such as the heart, this essence can be used to enhance on equipment or the body.

[Genin] Attribute Description: The lowest level of ninja, and also the ones that show the most difference in power. Combined with [Essence Path], you have an instinctive control over your essence and how efficiently you use it. Furthermore, you exhibit instinctive muscle memory when performing tasks characteristic of a Genin.

[A Shadow's Friend] Attribute Description: By a strange twist of destiny, you find yourself bound to the Shadow Controller. They possess the ability to grant you glimpses into the perceptions and thoughts of their shadows. Similarly, you can also share in the sight of the Shadow Commander. However, tread carefully, as betraying one another carries grave repercussions.

—---

'Wow, these are all pretty cool. Except for [A Shadow Friend], I don't even know this Shadow Controller, but I hope we can get along, we can't really turn on each other with that kind of threat hanging around our heads.'

[Genin] seems pretty easy to understand: the more it level up, the stronger I become. These two attributes are linked because [Essence Path] benefits from it, as it essentially adds to my strength or my weapons!

It synergises, I think? I don't really know what that means; I just heard some rich businessmen say it but I think it describes what I was talking about.

As I was finally in a good mood, Lisa shattered it:

"The horses are tired, we will rest here."

As we all stepped off the vehicle, I couldn't help but notice the compassion radiating from this remarkable woman, her affection clearly directed more towards her horses than the rest of us. With a resigned sigh, I watched as she began to give the thirsty animals water from our shared supply.

Rin's expression soured once again as she observed the way the horses were being treated.

'Maybe I should die and be reincarnated as a horse'

'never mind scrap that'

As the others set up camp, completely oblivious to her playful antics, the familiar surroundings of the forest enveloped us once more. Finding solace in this natural haven proved challenging, though, especially when the chill seeped through, making it impossible to find respite. Our makeshift shelter, burdened with provisions the woman insisted were essential for the horses, offered little comfort, leaving us cramped and restless.

Then, a sudden shift in the twins' demeanor caught our attention. Their gazes darted nervously into the depths of the forest, foreboding washing over them. Before either could speak, a deafening crack split the air as a mighty tree crashed down upon the campfire, sending sparks and embers scattering in all directions.

In the aftermath, a colossal object plummeted from the sky, its impact reverberating through the earth.

'You jinxed us, you muscular bastard.'