Sweat dripped down Jin's forehead as he took a step back, inhaling deeply, surveying the results of his own effort. Before him stood his newly built forge—a simple yet essential structure, one that marked a turning point of his survival.
The stone-enclosed firepit was carefully arranged to retain and concentrate heat efficiently, the chimney of stacked stones, sealed with mud, stretched upwards to guide the smoke away, keeping the flames alive without suffocating them. A metal grate, salvaged from the ruins, lay embedded within the forge, allowing control over the airflow and temperature—essential for refining metal.
Though primitive, this was no ordinary campfire. This forge was a lifeline, a gateway to crafting tools, weapons, and armor strong enough to defend yourself against whatever lurked beyond the tree-lined.
The crackling flames danced within as he admired his long work, but then—his stomach twisted in protest. Hunger clawed at himself, a reminder that within his determination to build, he had neglected another vital necessity.
Jin turned toward his meager storage, rummaging through what little remained. The dried fruit pouch was light, the roasted meat nearly gone. His provisions had dwindled far faster than expected. He needed to hunt. Now.
Gripping Horned Spear, he moved beyond the safety of the fenced perimeter, heart steady, senses sharp. Jin recalled spotting a game trail leading deeper into the forest—a promising lead.
The air was thick with the scent of earth and damp foliage. Every step was careful, deliberate, feet gliding over the forest floor to avoid snapping twigs. The weight of the spear felt reassuring in his hands.
Then, movement.
A dozen meters ahead, nestled within a thicket, a group of horned rabbits grazed on wild roots. At first glance, they seemed almost harmless—until memory reminded him of their small, curved horns, natural weapons meant for more than just defense. They wouldn't hesitate to charge if threatened.
Jin exhaled slowly, crouching lower. This was an opportunity, not just for food but to test a theory.
Jin's fingers curled around a smooth stone at his feet. Focused, channeling a hint of mana into the stone before launching it toward the nearest rabbit.
The rock struck its side, causing it to flinch but not fall.
[New Skill Acquired: Throwing Lv. 0 (0/10)]
His eyes widened. It worked.
Without hesitation, he picked up another stone and hurled it at a second rabbit. This time, the impact sent it tumbling. Dashed forward, instincts taking over, his spear piercing through its throat before it could recover.
The rest scattered, but Jin immediately pursued, spear tip flashing, adrenaline fueling each precise strike. One by one, the creatures fell until the forest fell silent once more.
[Throwing Lv. 1 (0/15)]
[Level Up! You are now Level 3]
[Title Acquired: Beginner Hunter]
Exhaled, glancing down at the lifeless bodies. Five kills. Enough to last several days.
Gathering them up, Jin turned back toward his newly built base—
And then the air shifted.
A presence loomed from the shadows. His skin prickled as something—no, someone—watched him.
Jin spun on instinct, muscles tensed, eyes scanning the tree-lined. Then, it stepped forward.
A creature both majestic and menacing. A stag, its antlers etched with pulsing runes, its eyes shimmering with a dangerous intelligence. This was no ordinary beast.
His breath caught as his vision blurred—
[Appraisal Activated]
Magical Stag - Level 9
"A mystical beast that roams the depths of ???? Forest. Known for its swiftness and mastery over Wind Magic."
"Magic. It could use magic?" – Jin exclaimed
Realization crashed down like a tidal wave. This wasn't just a battle of strength. This was a test of survival against a foe wielding the unnatural.
The air around the stag compressed. Jin barely had time to react before a blade of wind screeched toward him, cutting through the air with lethal precision.
Dodge!
Jin threw himself to the side as the spell cleaved into the ground where he had just stood. The sheer force left a deep gash in the earth. If that had hit…
No time to hesitate. It was charging another attack.
"Think. I need to stop its movements." - Jin's hand snapped to the ground - "Vines. Yeah, I needed vines."
Mana surged through his fingertips as he called upon Earth Magic, commanding the forest itself to rise. Thick tendrils burst from the ground, snapping toward the stag's legs.
It leaped, faster than he could expected—but not fast enough.
The vines snared its hind legs, yanking it mid-air, disrupting its spellcasting. The stag let out a cry, struggling against the restraints.
[New Skill Acquired: Binding Lv. 0 (0/10)]
No time to wait.
Spear raised, dashed forward, twisting the grip for a single, decisive strike. The blade found flesh, sinking deep into its side.
The stag roared, its struggle weakening—until finally, its form stilled.
Silence returned to the forest.
His chest heaved, sweat trickling down the back.
"That was too close" - Jin had won— "…. but only by luck…eh?!?".
The realization dawned on him like a slow-moving storm. This world wasn't like the stories where heroes fought through brute force alone. Here, beasts wielded magic, intelligence, and instincts sharper than steel.
"If I had faced a stronger monster…" - You clenched your jaw – "I need to become stronger."
Wiping his brow, he grabbed the stag's body along with the horned rabbits. Steps were heavier now, not just from the weight of the spoils but from the truth pressing into his mind. Survival here demanded more than strength. It demanded adaptation.
Tonight, Jin would eat well.
But tomorrow?
Tomorrow, he would have to forge himself into something more.
Staring at the sky, lost in thought. Nearly a week had passed since he arrived in this world, and while he had adjusted to its rhythm, something felt... off. Back on Earth, his days followed a structured routine—working, family, meals, and sleep. Without that, he felt like he was just drifting. He needed a plan.
He took a deep breath, rubbing his chin as he sorted through his thoughts.
"Alright, let's think this through. I need to build my strength while also honing my martial arts and swordsmanship. And then there's magic... I don't know much about it, but increasing my mana pool and concentration can't hurt, right?"
He paused, running a hand through his hair as he mentally mapped out his day.
"If I balance it all with enough rest... Wake up, sword practice, breakfast, martial arts training, lunch, nap, weapon training, hunting and gathering, dinner, meditation, then sleep… Yeah, that sounds solid. It's not much different from how I used to plan my days back home, just... adapted for survival."
Saying it out loud made it feel more real. A sense of stability settled over him. He had direction now, something to hold onto.
Satisfied, he stood up and stretched. "Alright, time to make a sword."
Jin approached the forge, eyeing the raw ore he had gathered the day before. This was something completely new to him. He had seen blacksmithing videos before, but watching it and doing it were two completely different things. Still, he had to try.
Placing the ore in the makeshift furnace, he cast Fire Magic. The flames licked at the metal, heating it, but something was wrong—it wasn't melting evenly. Frowning, he increased the heat, but that only caused some parts to overheat while others remained solid.
"Damn it… why isn't this working?"
He stepped back, crossing his arms. Something was missing. He thought back to the videos he had seen. A proper forge didn't just use fire; it had controlled airflow to ensure even heating.
"Wait… wind!"
Excited by the realization, he adjusted his magic, adding Wind Magic to regulate the flames. The difference was immediate. The fire roared, turning a brilliant blue-white, and the ore softened uniformly.
"Yes! That's it!"
Pouring the molten metal into a crude mold, Jin waited for it to cool inside a bucket of water (made by magic) before hammering it into shape. The repetitive clang of metal striking metal echoed in the air. His arms burned from the effort, sweat dripped down his face, but he didn't stop. The only thing on his mind was the way the small lump of metal responded to his strikes, gradually shifting, shaping, transforming into the image he had in his head. He could see it taking form with each hammer blow, turning from formless steel into something real.
Hours passed, but eventually, a sword took shape.
It wasn't the most refined blade—far from it. The surface was rough, the balance a little off, but he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction.
"For a first attempt… not bad at all," he muttered to himself, turning the blade over in his hands.
Besides... it was his creation.
Then, suddenly—
Title Acquired: Beginner Blacksmith
Effect: Enhances forging efficiency and slightly improves the durability of crafted weapons. (+2 Perception)
Jin's eyes widened as the notification popped up. A rush of excitement surged through him. He had just unlocked a title through effort alone. That meant there were more titles out there, waiting to be earned.
His grip on the sword tightened as he activated Appraisal.
Weapon: Unnamed Iron Sword
Type: One-Handed Sword
Tier: Common (Can Evolve!)
Durability: 100/100
Attack Power: +10
Special Effect: Slightly reduces air resistance when swung.
Jin stared at the screen; his mind blank for a second.
"Oh, a common sword with attack +10, as expected… Wait… it can evolve?"
His pulse quickened. He had expected just a basic iron sword, nothing more. But this—this was something special. His first weapon, and it already had the potential to grow stronger alongside him.
A wild grin spread across his face. He turned the sword in his hands, running his fingers along the edge. It wasn't just a lump of metal anymore—it was proof of his effort, a weapon forged by his own hands. He couldn't wait any longer; he had to test it.
Jin practically jogged to the training field, heart hammering in his chest. He took his stance before a scarecrow, gripping the sword tightly. The weight felt good in his hands—familiar yet new.
He took a deep breath, focused, and swung.
A sharp whoosh filled the air. A thin crescent of wind shot forward, slicing through the scarecrow like a hot knife through butter. The top half of the dummy tumbled to the ground.
Jin stood there for a moment, staring. Then he threw his head back and laughed.
"This… this is amazing!"
He looked at his sword again, a deep satisfaction settling in his chest. He had crafted this with his own hands, unlocked a title, and created something that could grow with him.
He grinned. "Now this… this is something."
And a new day has begun. The morning air was crisp as Jin stepped onto the training field, rolling his shoulders and stretching his arms. Today, he would refine his combat skills, starting with something he had practiced for years—Karatedo.
Slipping into a familiar stance, he began running through the fundamental movements. Punches, kicks, stances—each action carried the muscle memory of his past life. The satisfying thud of his strikes against a sturdy tree trunk echoed through the clearing. But as fluid as his movements were, he knew that Karate alone wasn't enough. In a world where magic and monsters existed, versatility was key.
His mind drifted back to the many videos he had watched on XTube about Aikido. He had never practiced it seriously, but the concepts fascinated him—the way practitioners used an opponent's momentum against them. He tried to recall the movements, mimicking the way they redirected force and turned attacks back on their source.
It wasn't perfect. He fumbled, lost balance, and more than once, nearly tripped over his own feet. But with each attempt, he learned. If he could refine this, it might give him an edge in combat beyond sheer strength.
By the time noon arrived, his body ached, but his spirit burned with excitement. He wiped sweat from his brow and let out a breath. "Not bad for a start."
After lunch, Jin turned his attention to something new—archery.
He had crafted a simple wooden bow a day prior, along with arrows tipped with crude iron heads. It wasn't much, but it would do for now. Finding a suitable target, he knocked an arrow and pulled the string back, feeling the tension in his arms.
Exhale… steady… release.
The arrow flew, but it veered slightly off course, embedding itself into a tree just shy of the target. Frowning, he adjusted his stance and tried again. Shot after shot, he refined his aim, learning to compensate for wind, distance, and the weight of the arrows.
As the sun began to dip, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
Skill Acquired: Far Sight
Effect: Enhances long-distance vision, allowing for greater accuracy in ranged combat.
Jin's eyes widened as his vision momentarily sharpened, details in the distance becoming clearer. A grin spread across his face. "Now this is useful."
Dinner was a quiet affair, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of his progress. But one thing still troubled him—magic. He had no idea how to train it. Sure, he had used magic in practical ways, but was that enough to improve it?
Sitting by the fire, he decided to try something different—meditation. If magic was tied to his internal energy, perhaps focusing his mind could help him control it better.
He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and took deep, slow breaths. At first, nothing happened. His mind wandered, thoughts drifting in and out. But as he focused on the feeling of mana within him, he began to sense it—a faint pulse, like a quiet heartbeat.
Minutes passed. Then hours. And then—
Skill Acquired: Mana Concentration
Effect: Allows passive mana regeneration over time and increases the user's mana pool.
Jin opened his eyes, excitement flaring within him. This was exactly what he needed. Now, he had a way to build his magical reserves and recover faster.
Satisfied, he stretched and made his way to bed. But just as he was about to close his eyes—
Skill Acquired: Night Vision
Effect: Enhances vision in darkness, allowing the user to see clearly even in low-light conditions.
Jin blinked. He hadn't even been trying to gain a skill this time, yet it made perfect sense. The nights here were far darker than anything he had experienced on Earth. His eyes had adapted to survive.
Lying back, he couldn't help but chuckle. Every day, he was growing stronger. And this was just his first week passing by.
With a contented sigh, he closed his eyes, ready to face whatever came next.