"...Who are you?"

My breathing tightened. Cold sweat dripped off my back. My fingers shook uncontrollably. I didn't even have to look down to see what was happening - it was clear as day. Some guy - some maniac - had a knife to my neck and was most likely going to kill me within the next five seconds.

Honestly, I'm surprised I haven't fainted from pure shock yet.

The knife inched closer to my neck

"Answer."

Oh crap, I forgot he asked me a question. Actually, forget that - why's he angry at me?! Aren't you the weirdo who put me in a life and death situation, expecting me to be all nice and calm? Isn't that like the definition of dumb? Shouldn't I be the one getting angry here???

...Is what I wanted to say, but I guess him having a knife on my neck does give him a little power over me.

"...I- uh...choke," I choked elegantly on my spit. "...I'm sorry, I, uh, didn't know someone was here. Sorry."

His grip loosened only slightly.

"...Tell me your name."

"Oh. My name's-"

Wait. Oh crap. Uh... I didn't give myself a name did I? So what do I say now? That I don't have one? He wouldn't think I was making of him and kill me, would he? Oh god... I'm really gonna die over such a dumb reason, aren't I?!?

The man clicked his tongue.

"That mark. It's you."

He pushed me away from him. My legs, who at this point were more cosmetic than actual limbs, quickly collapsed under my own weight. I looked towards him, confused. Did he feel pity towards me? I mean, killing children is pretty messed up after all. Maybe my charm made him develop a conscious in the short time we've known each other?

"You're the Newcomer, aren't you. You're two months late." the man glowered at me.

Woah, why's he angry again? I thought we were cool now???

"Sorry, I don't know what that means..." I muttered while my eyes darted around.

God, this guy's scary. Can he please be replaced with the mandatory female love interest already?

"...Were you not given an Instructor?" he said, irate.

An instructor? Like someone who was meant to help me integrate into this world? Well I wish I did have one, maybe I wouldn't have nearly died so much! Wait a second.

I internally stared at System. Were you my instructor?

「Indeed.」

I blinked.

I mean... I guess it's been explaining stuff. But then, where's my beginner's guide and stuff? I feel like there's a LOT of things I just wasn't explained to about!

「Would you like to access 『New World Survival: The Complete Guide!』?」

Little late now, System. Coulda shown me that like, y'know, 3 hours ago.

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"...Yeah, I was given one. It didn't really explain much though."

The man sighed.

"Let's just get going. Follow me."

He walked passed me, walking seemingly deeper into the forest. I hesitated. I mean, yeah he told me to follow him, but what type of idiot would I be if I just followed a man with a knife into a secluded forest? Stranger danger, I say! Alright, System, since he's turned around now, let's book it and make a run for it!

The man's head turned to me, his eyes a cold blue that seemed emanate death itself.

"Child, hurry up."

Instantly, I shot up and started walking towards him. Seemingly satisfied, he returned his gaze towards the path once more and began walking again.

I wasn't walking towards him because I'm a wimp, but because I think he'd have valuable information, okay?!?

...Alright, maybe I am a little scared, but could you blame me? His eyes practically screamed that he was gonna kill me if I annoyed him anymore!

I trotted shakily to his side, my eyes darting towards anything but him. This was incredibly awkward. Stuck on a walk with some random stranger who I couldn't even strike up a conversation with. Not that I would if I could, anyways. Never was much of a conversationalist. Nah, I was more of a lone wolf type of guy, wasn't I? Heh. And no, that isn't just another way of saying I was a loner, please stop.

Still though, I had a multitude of questions I wanted to ask. I really wanted to avoid talking to this guy but my curiosity had me in a chokehold at this point. Questions of 'who are you', 'where are you taking me' and 'did I really die?' were all circulating around my head. God I was so curious but I really also didn't want to die!

"What Skills do you own?" said the man suddenly, interrupting my racing thoughts.

Oh, nice. He started the conversation himself! Now he can't reasonably kill me for talking to him!

"Uh... I don't know." I answered meekly.

The man glanced at me, seemingly annoyed again.

"Can't you check your Status?" he said monotonously.

OH! Wait, of course! The ever prevalent theme in all isekais: the Status Menu! Why didn't I think of checking it before?

System, open up my Status, please!

「Name:

Level: 1

HP: 100/100

MP: 100/100

SP: 26/100

Skills: 『Danger Sense LV1』『Blessing of Time』

Title: None

Skill Points: 100

」

Hm... stats wise, I think this is alright? I mean, 100's a big number but I don't really know how big it really is when compared to other people. But ignoring that, only two Skills? I wasn't exactly expecting a wall of Skills, but only two feels a bit pathetic. The Skills I do have are a bit strange too. I know what 『Danger Sense』 is thanks to the System using it on overdrive, but what's this 『Blessing of Time』?

「『Blessing of Time: A blessing given to those in the favour of the Originator of Time.』」

Uh-huh... So remind me again why I have this? I know my memories of my past life are kinda foggy but I sure as hell was not friends with any time god or being. Or maybe I was...? Honestly, at this point I don't even know myself.

And those 100 Skill Points... does that mean I can buy Skills? I wonder what type of Skills I could buy... preferably something to do with conversations because the look this guy's giving me is about to kill me. Okay, no name, it's time to unleash the conversational skills you've kept on lockdown for the past few years!

"My stats... look normal I think? They all seem to be 100. As for my Skills, I've only got two of them, 『Danger Sense』 and 『Blessing of Time』. I don't really know how I got any of them though, haha..."

A pretty good response if I do say so myself! Heh, I even added a little bit of humour at the end to really get the friendly mood going! A masterclass in conversations - well done, me!

The man gave a noncommittal hum, not really caring it seems. Tsk. This guy's really getting on my nerves. I pushed away all my fears and answered him as best as I could and that's how he answers me? Whatever. Screw him.

As if sensing my badmouthing of him, he glances towards me.

"You're weak. The blessing will only help you so much, training should be your top priority from now on."

I nodded repeatedly, not wanting to go against this guys words. That's a bummer though, I guess a hundred isn't so good in this world after all. Also, the way he worded that made it kinda sound like he knew what the blessing was. Would asking him reveal anything, I wonder?

"Hey, I was just wondering if you knew what the 『Blessing of Time』 Skill actually is?" I asked, trying my hardest to keep a steady tone.

He looked at me again, his brows furrowed.

"You don't know?"

I shook my head.

He sighed.

Hey. It's not my fault, you know! That darn System probably should've told me all this the minute I landed in this middle of nowhere forest! And it's not my fault that I didn't ask, alright? Alright?!

"You've been blessed by the Goddess of Time. This is in compensation for your service to the cause."

I tilt my head in confusion.

"The cause?"

His cold blue eyes stared deep into mine.

"The cause. You have given your life to chasing the heretic that has upset the gods."

I look at him, not fully processing what he said.

"...Huh?"

...What the hell did I just get myself into?