Sai stared at his newly unlocked stats, noticing how much simpler they felt now compared to the old, complex system. The numbers made more sense, and the term “Awakened” seemed to carry a weight that made his mind buzz with possibility.
Name: Sai
Race: Human
Power Level: Awakened
Level: 15
Mana: 200 units
Body Strength: 30 units (I changed the way the stats are displayed because they were too confusing for me as a first-timer.)
Equipment: ??? ring
His level had increased by two in one go, and both his mana and body strength had jumped significantly. Yet, he didn’t feel stronger. There was no sudden surge of energy, no overwhelming power coursing through his veins. He flexed his fingers, rolled his shoulders—everything felt the same. It wasn’t a visible change but something deeper, something he had yet to grasp.
For a long time, Sai had relied on intelligence—analyzing, adapting, and outthinking his problems rather than confronting them head-on. He had always believed knowledge was the greatest weapon, but now, standing in this unfamiliar world, he was beginning to question that belief. Without strength, knowledge was useless.
Feeling restless, he stepped outside, letting the cool night air settle his thoughts. He wandered the streets, observing his surroundings. The town was alive in its own way—merchants closing their stalls, guards patrolling the alleys, and the occasional drunkard stumbling about. But as he walked, he noticed something else. Some people had their eyes on him. Not in a casual way, but as if assessing him. He didn’t bother hiding—there was no point. Instead, he ignored them and kept moving.
He had considered buying martial arts manuals, something to give him a structured path to follow, but he dismissed the idea. Techniques were meaningless without a strong foundation. He needed to understand his body first, to push himself before relying on external guidance.
With that thought, he left the town, stepping into the quiet wilderness beyond its walls. It was reckless, even dangerous, but he didn’t care. He made his way to a riverside he had seen before, a place far from prying eyes. Sitting by the water, he gazed at the moon’s reflection rippling across the surface. Its pale glow bathed everything in silver, stretching long shadows across the landscape. The stillness of the night wrapped around him like a cocoon, offering a brief moment of peace.
His gaze shifted to the ring on his finger. It had no name, no revealed history, and yet it held more than he could comprehend. For now, he used it only as a storage tool, but deep down, he knew it was more than that. Whatever secrets it held remained locked away, beyond his understanding. He sighed, setting the thought aside.
Then, another realization came to him—the dragons. They were willing to train him, but only to a certain extent. There was something they feared, something they weren’t telling him. But until he was stronger, demanding answers would be pointless.
Then, in an instant, he dashed toward a seemingly empty patch of trees. The observer, caught off guard, tried to flee, but Sai was faster. He closed the gap quickly, forcing a confrontation.
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He closed the distance swiftly, forcing a confrontation. The figure—a hooded woman—gritted her teeth, realizing escape was no longer an option. With a sharp movement, she drew a dagger, the moonlight reflecting off its edge as she lunged at him without hesitation.
Sai barely had time to react, tilting his head just enough to let the blade graze past his cheek. His counter was immediate—a swift kick aimed at her wrist. She twisted her arm at the last moment, avoiding disarmament, but the force knocked her off balance.
She recovered quickly, pivoting on her heel and slashing horizontally. Sai leaned back, feeling the cold air of the blade’s arc just inches from his throat. He retaliated with a sudden step forward, grabbing her wrist and twisting. The dagger clattered to the ground, but she wasn’t done yet.
Using her free hand, she struck at his ribs, fast and precise. The impact sent a massive pain to Sai’s side, but he gritted his teeth and endured it. Seizing the moment, he shifted his weight and drove his shoulder forward, knocking her off balance completely.
She stumbled, but before she could regain her footing, Sai grabbed her cloak and yanked her closer. In a final move, he swept her legs out from under her and pinned her to the ground, his knee pressing against her arm to keep her restrained.
For a moment, only their heavy breaths filled the night air. The fight had been quick, but every exchange carried intent. She glared up at him, defiance burning in her eyes, but Sai only tightened his grip slightly.
Sai kept his grip firm, his knee pressing down just enough to keep her restrained. The woman glared at him, her breath still uneven from their brief fight. Yet, despite being caught, she didn’t seem panicked.
"You catch on fast," she muttered.
Sai studied her face, searching for any hint of deception. "Why is a guild receptionist following me?"
She scoffed, turning her head slightly. "Who said I work for the guild?"
His expression hardened. "Then who do you work for?"
A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, though there was no amusement in her eyes. "And why would I tell you that?"
Sai pressed down slightly, making her wince. "You’re already caught. Lying won’t help."
She exhaled sharply, clearly weighing her options. After a few moments, she let out a short sigh. "Fine. Let me up, and I’ll talk."
Sai hesitated but eventually stepped back, keeping his stance ready in case she tried anything. She sat up slowly, rubbing her wrist where he had grabbed her.
"You’ve drawn attention," she said, looking up at him. "And not from the guild."
Sai frowned. "Then who?" she want to hype up but decides to tell the the truth and she began explaining there is a organization that works under no one
Sai narrowed his eyes, sensing the hesitation in her voice. She wanted to build suspense, to keep him on edge, but after a brief pause, she sighed and decided to speak plainly said, brushing dust off her cloak. "They don’t operate in the open, and few even know they exist. But their influence runs deep."
Sai crossed his arms. "And why are they watching me?"
She met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Because you might meet their requirements."
He tensed slightly. "Requirements?"
She nodded. "They don’t take just anyone. Strength, intelligence, adaptability—you have to prove yourself. And lately, you’ve been... noticeable."
Sai exhaled slowly, processing her words. "And what if I’m not interested?"
She shrugged. "Then they’ll keep watching. The choice is yours, but ignoring them won’t make them go away."
For a while, Sai remained silent, staring at the woman as the moonlight cast long shadows around them. The fact that an unknown organization had set its sights on him didn’t sit well.