As soon as I finished reading the card, it vanished before my eyes, just like the one before it, leaving behind a brief silence filled with possibilities. Only moments passed before the status window appeared once again, glowing gently in front of me.
Ding.
The information appeared in a familiar format, but even so, I couldn't help but examine it again—as if it held a new secret between its lines:
> [ Level: 1 ]
[ Age: 20 ]
[ Gender: Male ]
[ Strength: 5 ]
[ Agility: 4 ]
[ Intelligence: 6 ]
[ Luck: 5 ]
[ Wisdom: 4 ]
[ Awareness: Unknown ]
[ Skills: Quick Simple Movements, Refreshing Breath ]
[ Unique Ability: Ability to gain a superpower every week ]
I reread the last line twice, just to make sure I wasn't imagining things.
"Refreshing Breath"... a new skill had been added to my modest list. It didn't sound nearly as impressive as the skills you read about in stories or see in games, but in my current world, even the simplest of skills could make a difference.
A strange feeling swept over me—a mix of joy and gratitude. I can't really describe it precisely, but I can say, quite simply, that I was... happy.
I closed the status window quietly, and after processing the information it had shown, I felt a calm joy and relief. It was a happiness that came not from certainty, but from the promise of something unknown.
The new skill, "Refreshing Breath", had now become part of my abilities but I hadn't tested it out yet. All I could do for now was hope that it would prove useful in the days to come.
I remembered it was time for dinner, so I got up and headed downstairs to the inn, where the smell of home-cooked food filled the air. At the kitchen table, Aunt Melissa was busy preparing the meal.
When she saw me, she gave a warm smile and said:
"Welcome. The food's ready."
I sat down on the slightly rough wooden chair, and she handed me a simple plate of food—but it had a warmth to it that spoke of care.
"Thank you, Aunt Melissa. Your cooking always brings me comfort."
She smiled gently and replied:
"Don't worry. You need strength after such a long day."
I ate slowly, taking deep breaths, thinking about my new skill which I still hadn't activated—wondering when I'd get to try it.
After I finished, I thanked Aunt Melissa and returned to my room. I closed the door behind me and lay down on the bed, thinking about the future, feeling a mix of happiness and tension.
---
The next morning, I woke up early as usual and quietly prepared myself for work. I followed my usual routine: wore my simple clothes, had the breakfast Aunt Melissa had prepared, and then left the inn heading to the worksite. The sun had just begun to peek through the tree branches, and the morning breeze refreshed my spirit after a long night.
I arrived at the worksite and began my daily tasks, trying to keep my mind from wandering to distractions. The atmosphere was calm, with only the quiet sounds of the workers around me—until I heard footsteps approaching.
I turned quickly to see who it was, and to my surprise, it was Marcus standing before me. His hair was a light brown with a touch of gold, and his clothes were noticeably finer than most of the workers here. His face wore a friendly expression, though he seemed a bit hesitant.
He spoke gently:
"Sorry if I startled you."
I smiled and replied without hesitation:
"No, you didn't startle me at all."
He took a deep breath and said:
"I really wanted to thank you for what you did for me."
He paused, and I raised an eyebrow, confused:
"And what exactly did I do for you?"
He smiled as he began to explain:
"You might not remember, but you saved me."
My confusion deepened. I asked:
"And how did I save you?"
He took another deep breath and began to explain:
"When the monster pulled me into the forest, I was terrified and in so much pain that I passed out. But when I woke up, I was in the hospital. I asked our coworkers about it, and they told me the employer had saved me. I went to thank him, but he said the one who played the biggest part in saving me was you. That if you hadn't told him where I was, who knows what might have happened to me."
He looked at me sincerely and added:
"Thank you… really."
I felt deeply moved. I hadn't realized that simply knowing his location had been the reason he was saved. I tried to lighten the moment with a modest smile:
"You don't need to thank me. We're coworkers in the end, and coworkers help each other out, right?"
Marcus nodded and said:
"You're right."
Then, after a moment's hesitation, he added quietly:
"Can I… be your friend?"
I smiled at him instinctively and said:
"Weren't we friends from the start?"
I don't know why, but I felt that my words brought joy to his heart. A wide smile spread across his face, and in that moment, I realized something:
With time, I might make new friends. I might get to know others. And even if the beginning was lonely… the end might not be.