The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale light through the dense canopy of the forest. It was quiet—unnervingly quiet. The rustling of leaves, the soft hum of distant creatures, and the whisper of wind were the only sounds that kept the silence from being suffocating. Lia walked on, the forest floor soft beneath her feet as she moved eastward, toward Lazuli City. The night felt heavy around her, the weight of parting with Mira still fresh on her mind.
Mira had given her a satchel before they parted, a simple gesture that left Lia with a bitter feeling in her chest. She knew Mira meant well. The girl had been kind to her, offering what little she could, but it didn’t matter now. Mira’s world was not Lia’s world, and Lia’s path would continue alone.
Lia’s steps slowed as she found a small clearing, a quiet and safe enough place to rest for the night. The trees around her were tall, their branches reaching up like protective arms. She decided it would be here that she would stop, at least for tonight.
A small fire flickered to life with a soft crackle as Lia knelt to gather some dry twigs and branches. The warmth was welcome, and she sat in front of it, her knees drawn up to her chest. She let the fire consume the silence for a while, lost in her thoughts.
She opened the satchel that Mira had given her and began to sift through its contents. A small pile of coins, some dried fruit, a bundle of clothes—all practical, all meant to keep her alive.
Lia took out a small piece of fruit and began to chew slowly, the dryness in her mouth making each bite seem heavier than it should have been. Her mind wandered as she chewed, thoughts flickering between the past and the future. The road ahead was long, and though she knew she had to keep moving, the feeling of loneliness gnawed at her insides.
After finishing the fruit, she reached into the satchel and pulled out a small piece of parchment, the edges worn from use. She unfolded it carefully, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface as a bright yellow light appeared in front of her. The system message, glowing in an almost unnatural brilliance, blinked before her eyes.
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Your group defeated Skirmisher – Goblin – Level 3.
Your group has defeated Scavenger – Goblin – Level 2.
---
It was a familiar sight, the message indicating that they had fought and won against creatures in the forest, but now it felt hollow. These victories meant nothing. The fight had been a distraction, an obligation. There was no one to celebrate with her now, no group to acknowledge the kills.
The next message appeared, this one different, more personal. It was a reminder of her own progress—her own battle to survive in this world.
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Mana Sensing Blade has reached Level 3 (+2).
+20 Attribute Points.
Identify has reached Level 2 (+1).
---
The messages made her pause. She hadn’t expected to level up so quickly, but then again, survival often came with such rewards. Still, they felt distant, like an achievement that was far removed from anything she truly cared about.
With a sigh, she opened her status screen.
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Name: Lia (Outcast)
Race: Human
Gender: Female
Age: 15
Level: 3
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Class: Mana Sensing Blade
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[Title Skill: Solitary Resilience] – Level 1
Reduces the impact of stress and emotional strain, allowing for better mental endurance in isolated or challenging situations.
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Class Skills:
[Mana Pulse Strike] – Lvl. 1
The user can perform a quick strike after sensing a mana fluctuation in their opponent, hitting weak points or disorienting the opponent momentarily.
[Mana Shatter] – Lvl. 1
The user can strike at an opponent’s mana-based weapon or shield with precision, temporarily disrupting its magical properties and reducing its effectiveness.
[Pulse Avoidance] – Lvl. 1
When sensing a magic attack being prepared, the user can sidestep or reposition with improved agility, avoiding the attack or minimizing its damage.
[Resonance Slash] – Lvl. 1
A technique where the user’s sword vibrates with the natural flow of the mana, dealing increased damage to magical beings or enemies using mana-enhanced equipment.
[Mana Veil Sense] – Lvl. 1
When an enemy is using a mana-based stealth or invisibility spell, the user can sense the disturbance in the air, giving them a chance to locate the enemy.
.
[Tactical Insight] – Lvl. 1
By sensing mana, the user can anticipate an enemy's next action, improving their reaction time and increasing their chances to counter an attack.
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General Skills:
General Skills:
Tier 1 skills
[Tree Climbing] – Lvl. 18
Years of climbing trees have made adept at scaling vertical surfaces.
[Basic Gardening] – Lvl. 13
Familiar with tending small vegetable or herb gardens.
[Herbal Remedies] – Lvl. 8
Basic knowledge of creating simple remedies for cuts, bruises, and fevers.
[Stone Throwing] – Lvl. 9
Has exceptional accuracy when throwing small objects like stones.
[Sewing] – Lvl. 5
Basic ability to mend torn clothes and create simple garments.
[Basic swordmenship] – Lvl. 4
Basic ability to used swordmenship.
[Woodworking Basics] – Lvl. 13
Knows how to carve and repair small wooden objects.
[Identify] – Lvl. 2
identifying everything and graining the information.
Tier 2 skills
[Cooking] – Lvl. 4
Skilled in preparing hearty, simple meals using locally available ingredients.
[Cleaning] – Lvl. 1
Quick and efficient at tidying up and maintaining a clean living space.
---
Stats:
[Available Stat Points:20]
Vitality: 15(+3)
Strength: 20(+3)
Endurance: 24(+3)
Wisdom: 15
Agility: 14
Intelligence: 10
Luck: 9(+5)
---
Her eyes lingered on the screen, but her mind was already elsewhere. The information in front of her was meaningless without context, without people to share it with. She wasn’t sure why she bothered to check it anymore.
She clicked on the title behind her name—the one that marked her as an outsider, as someone who had been cast aside by society.
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Title: Outcast
Description:
You have been cast aside, rejected by society and those who once called you one of their own. You stand apart, neither fully part of the world nor fully separate from it, forcing you to rely on your own abilities and wit to survive. The trials you have faced have made you stronger, but at the cost of your connection to others. You walk a lonely path, but with it comes Power.
Stats:
+3 to Vitality
+3 to Strength
+3 to Endurance
+5 to Luck
---
The description struck something deep within her. It was the truth, wasn’t it? She had no place in this world. She was alone, and though her skills had grown, they came with the cost of her humanity, of her connection to others. Lia had no family, no home. She was just a wandering soul, and as much as she wished it were different, she knew it was the only way to survive.
She stared at the message for a long time, as though trying to find some meaning in the words. It was only after a while that she realized she had been holding her breath.
Her fingers moved to her stat points, and with a heavy heart, she began to allocate them. +6 in Strength, +6 Vitality, +2 agility
And+4 in Endurance—those were the ones that mattered now. After some thought she also added +2 in luck as who knows if it would help her in her journey.
She could no longer afford to be weak, nor could she afford to be anything but prepared for what was ahead.
As the last stat point was assigned, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. The fire crackled beside her, casting a warm glow on her face. It didn’t bring comfort, but it was something, and in this world, that was enough.
Lia stood up suddenly, her hand grasping the dagger at her side. Without warning, she sliced through her hair.
The brown strands fell to the ground in a cascade, like a river of loss. She didn’t even flinch as she cut through it. Her hair had always been a part of her identity, but now it felt like something she had to shed. She needed to forget who she was—who she had been. She needed to become someone new. A man.
A sigh escaped her lips as she looked at the pile of hair on the ground. She had never felt so empty.
She reached into the satchel and pulled out the clothes Mira had given her. The fabric was simple, but it was clean and new. It would serve her well. She quickly took out the clothes she was wearing. Without another thought, she grabbed one of her discarded garments, and with a frustrated breath, she tied it tightly around her chest. The sensation felt wrong, but it was necessary. There was no place for softness in this world. Not for her.
She then quickly wore new clothes, the unfamiliar clothes offering a temporary sense of comfort.
The fire crackled, and Lia stared into the flames. Her tears fell silently, leaving her cheeks wet as they dropped into the embers.
“If I want to survive,” she whispered to herself, her voice barely a breath. “Then I’m not female anymore. I’m male.”
The fire burned brightly in the stillness of the night, and for a moment, Lia let herself mourn the loss of who she had been. But only for a moment. There was no time for pity. She wiped the tears from her face, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
When the fire had burned down to embers, Lia gathered her things. The satchel, now a weight she would carry for the rest of her journey, felt like a burden she had to bear alone.
She stood, her movements stiff. The night was dark, but the forest was her only ally. She needed to find a safe place to rest.
Her tree climbing skill was sharp, and after a brief search, she found the perfect tree. The branches were thick, and the bark was rough—perfect for climbing. Without hesitation, she scaled it, using the skill she had honed over the years. The tree offered her a perch high above the ground, a place of safety where no one could reach her.
She sat there in silence, her eyes staring out at the vast forest stretching in every direction. The night felt endless. But Lia was used to that. The world was a lonely place, and she had no choice but to face it alone.
In the silence of the night, Lia finally closed her eyes, letting the stillness wash over her. The path ahead was unclear, but for now, she had a moment of peace. And that was enough.