Ren stopped at the edge of the empty street, taking a deep breath to dispel the lingering sense of reluctance in his chest.
The Town of Beginnings remained as peaceful as ever in the early morning. The air was crisp and fresh, with gentle sunlight filtering through the rooftops, casting a soft glow over the cobblestone paths.
The occasional footsteps of local NPCs starting their day blended with the distant chatter of players discussing their plans to leave town.
The scene was so familiar that Ren could engrave every detail into his memory. But today, he was no longer a part of it.
He stepped into a shadowed corner and opened his status window for a final check.
[Name: Ren]
Lv: 6
HP: 425/425
STR: 17(+2)
VIT: 19
AGI: 21(+8)
Free Stat Points: 3
His HP was full, and while his stamina wasn't explicitly displayed, he could tell that his body was in peak condition after a night's rest.
His stats were still lower compared to other players, but that no longer bothered him as it once did.
What mattered now was ensuring he had everything prepared for the journey ahead.
Ren opened his inventory and checked his belongings. His fingers skimmed the air before the menu expanded in front of him.
First was a bag of bread and dried meat, given to him by the innkeeper. It wasn't much, but it would be enough to last a few days if he couldn't find another food source.
He picked up a loaf of bread, feeling the slightly hardened crust that still held some softness inside, then carefully put it back.
Next were a few low-tier HP potions he had bought earlier. The red liquid inside swirled lightly as he inspected them, not the best quality, but better than nothing.
Then, there was a simple whetstone kit, an essential item if he wanted to keep his weapon in top shape.
Ren pulled out a small sharpening stone, running his fingertips over its rough surface before placing it back in his bag.
He also had a small amount of Cor, the leftover savings from his careful spending. Not much, but enough for essential supplies along the way.
Finally, he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, feeling its familiar weight.
A weak-looking but sharp blade, the only thing he could rely on in the battles ahead.
He unsheathed it just a little, letting the sunlight catch on the carefully sharpened steel, reflecting a cold glint.
His fingers tightened around the scabbard as if engraving the sensation into his palm.
The durability was still in a safe range. Being forged from high-quality steel and rare materials, this sword was incredibly sturdy.
Aside from that, Ren also checked his armor, still in perfect condition.
Everything was ready.
Ren took a deep breath before decisively closing his status window. There was no reason to hesitate any longer.
Today, he would leave this place. A new chapter awaited.
Ren walked down the cobblestone path leading to the town gate, each step carving the reality of his departure deeper into his mind.
The stones beneath his feet felt slightly cold, reflecting the golden morning light on their time-worn surfaces.
He neither hurried nor hesitated, just walked, letting the familiar sights of the Town of Beginnings slowly pass before his eyes.
On both sides of the street, small shops were opening for business as usual.
The soft chime of a wind bell rang outside the blacksmith's shop as a player entered, followed by the rhythmic clang of a hammer echoing from within.
Through the window, the flickering forge fire outlined the sharp features of the old blacksmith, diligently working on his craft.
Ren had stood outside that shop many times, watching red-hot metal being forged into weapons. But today, he didn't stop.
Nearby, a small eatery had begun welcoming customers. The warm scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the rich aroma of sizzling bacon, filling the crisp morning air with an inviting warmth.
At one of the tables, a group of players gathered, eating while discussing their upcoming plans.
One laughed loudly, patting his teammate on the back while recounting an unexpected encounter with a stronger monster. Another leaned over his inventory, likely considering what supplies to buy before setting out.
A little further away, near the quest board, another group was engaged in lively conversation.
Words like "hunting grounds," "party setup," and "boss fight" reached Ren's ears, grand ambitions and thrilling adventures that he, too, could have been a part of.
But he only cast a passing glance before walking on, letting their voices fade behind him into distant echoes.
He continued down familiar roads, the same ones that had witnessed his first hesitant steps when he arrived in this world.
The central plaza remained as bustling as ever, with the fountain quietly misting cool droplets into the air.
A few NPC children dashed past, laughing without a care, oblivious to the presence of players like him...Player, whom this world only vaguely recognized.
Ahead, the town gate came into view. Towering wooden doors reinforced with iron stood as a final reminder, this was the boundary of safety.
The thick planks bore the marks of time, faint battle scars still etched onto their surface, remnants of past fights this place had witnessed.
Beyond those gates lay a vast, untamed world. No system safeguards, no protective walls.
Only endless forests, desolate roads, lurking monsters, and countless hidden dangers.
Ren paused briefly before the gate, his hand unconsciously tightening around his sword hilt. Its familiar weight grounded him, reminding him that he was no longer the weakling he once was.
No matter what lay ahead, he would keep moving forward.
He didn't look back.
He only walked forward.
Ren halted for a moment when he spotted two familiar figures standing near the west gate, where the early morning sun cast long, pale streaks of light on the ground.
From this distance, he could see their hesitation, as if they had just stumbled upon a dilemma they weren't sure how to handle.
One of them was Yuna, the girl with a high ponytail of brown hair, someone he had met before.
Although they had never talked much, Ren still remembered her as someone quick and energetic, with bright eyes that reflected resilience and a hint of stubbornness hidden beneath her approachable demeanor.
In a place where most players were preoccupied with their own survival, focusing solely on their path to strength, Yuna stood out among the rest with her fearless, action-driven nature, though at times, her recklessness could be concerning.
The other person was a young man around the same age as Ren and Yuna, yet he had an aura completely opposite to her liveliness.
He had greenish-brown hair, a shade that wasn't particularly striking but possessed a quiet depth that made it hard to ignore.
His face bore a gentleness so sincere that it bordered on naivety, the kind of person one could tell at a glance was easy to take advantage of or push into a disadvantageous position.
His posture was slightly reserved, his gaze lacking sharpness, there was none of the hardened focus of a seasoned warrior nor the confidence of someone accustomed to battle.
Instead, he carried an air of reliability mixed with an underlying vulnerability, as if, without proper guidance, he might unknowingly step onto a perilous path.
It didn't take Ren long to recall who he was. He had seen this young man at the training grounds many times, always quiet, blending into the background rather than standing out among the other players.
He seemed to be a competent fighter, though he didn't possess the refined techniques or commanding presence of those experienced in combat.
But what had caught Ren's attention about him wasn't skill or talent, it was that quiet persistence. No boasting, no seeking recognition, just a silent dedication to his own training, even if no one ever noticed.
He wasn't the type to achieve glory quickly, but he also wasn't the type to give up easily.
Every time Ren visited the training grounds, he would see him there, always the first to arrive, and the last to leave.
Ren narrowed his eyes, his gaze darkening as he observed the two of them. Something about this situation felt off.
He couldn't pinpoint why, but a part of his instincts warned him that something was unusual.
Yuna… Even though he didn't know her well, the image of her in his mind didn't align with what he was seeing now. She was never the hesitant type, yet at this moment, she looked conflicted, as if struggling with a decision she couldn't make.
As for the green-haired young man, his body language betrayed uncertainty, hesitation, there was even a hint of nervousness hidden behind those expressive eyes that failed to conceal his emotions.
Ren had originally planned to walk straight out of the gates, to leave the Town of Beginnings without any attachments.
Yet, his steps unconsciously slowed.
A part of him wanted to ignore it, this wasn't his problem.
But another part of him wouldn't let him turn away so easily.
And then, as if pulled by an invisible thread, he changed course, stepping toward the two of them. His strides were steady, but in his eyes, there was a flicker of hesitation, a wavering uncertainty.