The morning light filtered through the small window, casting a gentle golden hue over the room. Yet, it wasn't enough to chase away the lingering cold of the night.
The silence was so profound that Ren could hear his own heavy breathing, slow, steady, as if his body was still struggling to recover from the previous day.
He couldn't remember when he had fallen asleep. All he knew was that when he opened his eyes, his entire body was stiff, so sore that even lifting a single finger felt like a daunting task.
It felt as though an invisible boulder was pressing down on him, every muscle aching, as if still trapped in the aftermath of battle. But even so, he was here.
No more excruciating pain. No more sharp wolf fangs pressing against his skin. Only pure exhaustion remained, pulling him into a state of limbo between wakefulness and sleep.
Ren blinked a few times, trying to shake off the drowsiness, then slowly raised his hand to open his status window.
[LEVEL UP] was still flashing in the corner of the screen from yesterday, but he didn't have the patience to check it.
His head felt heavy, his stomach painfully empty. Even though the system had healed his physical wounds, the fatigue clung stubbornly to his body, dragging him down like an unstoppable undercurrent.
With a sigh, he pushed the blanket aside and forced himself to sit up. Just that simple movement sent waves of soreness crashing through his limbs, making Ren grit his teeth to endure it.
It wasn't surprising. After everything that had happened yesterday, this was still a mild consequence. He shook his head slightly, trying to dispel the sluggishness, before slowly lowering his feet onto the cold wooden floor.
The first step was unsteady, but at least he could stand. Hunger became the only motivation forcing him to move, pulling him out of his dazed state.
Ren muttered something unintelligible under his breath and dragged himself toward the door.
A new day had begun. And even though his body still ached, he knew he couldn't let it slow him down anymore.
He slowly pushed open the worn wooden door, letting the morning light flood in blinding, yet carrying a gentle warmth that signaled the start of a new day.
The morning air was cold and crisp, mingling with the distinct scent of damp wood from the old inn. A slight shiver ran through him as his breath turned into a faint mist in the air.
Down the long hallway, footsteps echoed on the creaky wooden floor, blending with the scattered voices of players who had either woken early or just returned from an all-night grind.
Some quietly checked their equipment, while others huddled together, enthusiastically discussing their plans for the day.
It was a familiar, bustling scene, an unceasing flow of people in this world, each with their own goals to pursue.
Ren leaned against the doorframe, taking a deep breath, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
The dull ache in his body remained, a constant reminder of the battles he had fought yesterday, the prolonged fights, the overwhelming exhaustion when his body had reached its limit, and the moment he had collapsed onto his bed the instant he returned to his room, too drained even to eat.
But at the very least, he was fine. No serious injuries, no unusual conditions on his status screen. Just sheer exhaustion.
…So hungry.
His empty stomach growled in protest, reminding him that he had gone far too long without food. Ren frowned, trying to recall the last time he had eaten.
Was it… before heading out to hunt wolves? No, maybe even earlier than that. A bit of dry bread and water before leaving the city, then an entire day lost in battle, returning too worn out to even check his loot.
Thinking about it now, if he kept skipping meals like this, he'd probably collapse from sheer exhaustion before he even had the chance to face another monster.
Ren sighed, lazily stretching before making his way downstairs, each step causing the wooden planks beneath his feet to groan softly.
The moment he reached the ground floor, the rich, warm aroma of food hit him, making his hunger even more unbearable. The inn's common area was already livelier than it had been earlier that morning.
Sturdy wooden tables were arranged close together, filled with the clatter of utensils and the hum of conversation.
Some players eagerly discussed hunting strategies, while others were solely focused on devouring their meals, as if nothing else in the world mattered more than filling their empty stomachs.
Ren scanned the room and picked a small table near the corner, settling down.
Opening his status window, he glanced at his remaining money. Not much, but at least enough for a simple meal. He raised his hand to order breakfast, then propped his chin on one hand, waiting.
There were still countless challenges ahead. There were still things he didn't fully understand. And the unease in his heart hadn't completely faded.
But at this moment… he felt okay.
Far better than when he had first stepped into this world, lost and aimless, with nothing to his name and no idea how to survive.
This feeling, it wasn't exactly peace. But at least, it wasn't despair.
His meal arrived faster than expected, a plate of golden, crispy toast with a side of bacon and fried eggs.
Beside it was a steaming bowl of soup, its rich, savory scent carrying the deep aroma of slow-cooked broth.
Ren swallowed dryly, wasting no time in picking up his utensils.
He cut a piece of toast and took a bite, chewing slowly. The crust was crisp, the inside soft, with a light touch of salted butter.
The bacon was stronger in flavor, a perfect balance of saltiness and smokiness. But what soothed him the most was the hot soup.
He picked up the spoon and took a small sip, letting the warmth spread through his mouth before sliding down his throat. The comforting heat melted away the lingering chill in his body from the battle last night.
Only when his plate was empty did Ren finally lean back in his chair, exhaling softly. It wasn't the best meal he'd ever had, but at least it was enough to pull him out of exhaustion.
He stretched, then opened his status window again.
Lv.6
Ren narrowed his eyes at the small number next to his name, still not entirely used to how quickly it had risen.
Just a week ago, he had been a complete newcomer, stumbling through this world, unsure of what to do.
And now, he was stronger. Just a little. But still, a step forward.
He scrolled down to the Weapon Mastery section, his gaze stopping at the information for the weapon he had chosen to walk this path with.
Sword Mastery: Lv.1
Progress: 68/100
Still too low. But at least, it wasn't stagnant.
Ren unconsciously clenched his fist, recalling the sensation of the sword in his hands…
Recalling every swing, clumsy, slow, full of flaws.
He could do better.
He would do better.
Ren took a deep breath, slowly relaxing his body. The lingering soreness still clung to him, but it no longer weighed him down like it had in the early morning. It was time to get back into the rhythm of a new day.
After finishing his breakfast, he quietly left the table, carrying with him the rare feeling of fullness, one he had long since forgotten.
The warm scent of food still lingered in the air, blending with the clinking of knives and forks and the lively chatter of the players around him. Yet, to his ears, it was nothing more than a faded backdrop.
He stretched, feeling the dull ache in his muscles after a long day of swinging his sword and running, but at least his body was no longer stiff to the point of collapse.
The new day had begun.
And as always, he walked alone.
No one was waiting for him. No voice called out to hold him back.
Only his own footsteps echoed against the worn wooden floor, blending softly into the surrounding noise, the hurried steps of those rushing out of the inn, the laughter of groups already prepared for their next hunt, and the weary voices of players returning after an exhausting night of grinding.
Everything continued as it always had, an endless cycle repeating itself. And Ren was just a small, drifting piece within it, unnoticed, unacknowledged.
He stepped out of the inn, letting the gentle morning light spill over his shoulders, painting his worn cloak in a faint, warm gold.
The sun had yet to rise high, but its glow already cast long shadows across the ground, overlapping and shifting with each passing player.
The air still carried a lingering chill from the night before, but the familiar morning bustle gradually pushed it away.
On the main street, players moved constantly, forming a restless current of people. Some gathered in groups, chatting as they checked their equipment and discussed their plans for the day.
Others hurried toward the city gates, as if even a second of delay would cost them something important.
The steady rhythm of footsteps, the clinking of metal, the wind weaving through the old wooden buildings, together, they composed the familiar symphony of this world.
Ren stood still for a moment, watching the crowd pass him by.
No one noticed him. No eyes lingered on him. No greetings, no acknowledgment.
Good.
He clenched his hand slightly, feeling the rough, familiar texture of his sword's hilt—the one tangible thing he could trust.
He had rested enough last night. And today... today, he would continue.
No companions. No help.
Just him and his blade.
Ren took a deep breath, then turned on his heel and strode toward the weapon smithy.