In the kingdom of Grayridge, nestled far from the capital, there lay a quiet village untouched by the chaos of the outside world—until today.
A C-rank dungeon break had torn open nearby, unleashing a horde of monsters. The once peaceful village was plunged into chaos. Homes were reduced to rubble, screams filled the air, and the dirt paths ran red with blood.
Amidst the devastation, two children, no older than thirteen, ran desperately through the burning fields—Ryouma and Yue Arisaka.
Their lungs burned, legs aching, but fear drove them on. Then Yue stumbled.
"Ryouma!" she cried, tripping over broken debris.
Ryouma skidded to a stop. His eyes widened—one of the beasts was charging toward her. Without a second thought, he dashed back.
"Yue!!"
She lay frozen on the ground, staring up at the monstrous creature. Its fangs gleamed in the firelight. Her body trembled. Her will shattered under the weight of death.
The monster raised its claw.
Yue shut her eyes, bracing for the end.
But the blow never came.
When she opened her eyes, Ryouma stood before her, shielding her with his body. Blood trickled from a gash across his cheek.
"Ryouma! Are you okay?!" she shouted, tears forming.
He trembled, but stood his ground.
Then—more monsters emerged. Three more beasts leaped from the smoke, encircling them. Still, Ryouma didn't move.
"Yue, run! I'll hold them off!" he shouted. "As long as I can!"
Tears streamed down Yue's cheeks. "I'm not leaving you behind!"
"Stop being childish!" Ryouma snapped. "We don't have time—"
But it was too late. The monsters had surrounded them completely. There was no escape.
Bloodied and breathless, Ryouma pulled Yue into a protective embrace.
"I… I don't want to die…" Yue sobbed.
Ryouma said nothing. Inside, he cursed himself.
Why wasn't I strong enough to protect her?
The monsters lunged.
Ryouma shut his eyes.
Then—
A flash of blinding light tore through the battlefield.
SHRRRK!
In an instant, the monsters were reduced to slashed pieces. The air crackled with residual energy.
Ryouma opened his eyes. Before him stood a man cloaked in black, a katana in hand, his face hidden by a full mask. His very presence radiated power.
"Hey, kid. Give me a second." the man said, calm and composed.
In a blink, he vanished.
Moments later, silence fell. Every monster in the village had been slain.
The katana warrior returned, standing quietly as the smoke cleared.
He looked at the stunned children.
"Are you two… the only survivors?" he asked, voice low.
Ryouma nodded slowly. "Yes… Thank you for saving us."
The man sighed and stared at them. Ryouma and Yue looked up at him with wide eyes, as if witnessing a mythical being.
Yue, finding her voice, softly asked, "Uhm… can you tell us your na—"
Before she could finish, a powerful gust of wind swept past, blowing leaves into the air. The setting sun cast a dim golden glow—and the katana warrior was gone.
Yue stared into the empty space, then whispered to herself, "I've made up my mind… I'll become strong like that katana warrior. And one day… I'll repay him."
Beside her, Ryouma remained silent, his heart stirred by the warrior's strength. He turned to Yue with resolve in his eyes.
"Yue… I'll become strong too. Strong enough to protect you, even if it costs me my life."
As he spoke, his eyes caught something on the ground—a small pouch. Inside were two gold coins.
He picked it up, then turned back to her. "Yue, let's go to the Central City. Let's get stronger—together."
Yue looked into his eyes—burning with determination—and nodded.
The smoke of their ruined village still hung heavy in the air, a silent reminder of all they had lost.
Hand in hand, Ryouma and Yue stepped onto the dirt road, the world stretching endlessly before them. With nothing but the clothes on their backs and a small pouch carrying two gold coins, they began their journey—toward Central City, the beating heart of the kingdom
Neither of them spoke much.
They didn't need to.
The weight of everything they'd lost hung heavy in the silence.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, they reached the edge of a forest. The sky turned dark, and Yue tugged on Ryouma's sleeve.
"Let's rest for the night…"
Ryouma hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah… We need strength to keep going."
They gathered dry leaves, built a weak campfire, and huddled close for warmth. The forest creaked with distant howls and rustling branches, but the two stayed still, staring into the flames.
Yue broke the silence. "Do you think… we'll ever be strong enough?"
Ryouma looked at her, then at the night sky above. "We will. No matter what it takes."
The next morning, they reached a trade road. A traveling merchant cart approached—its wheels creaking and horses snorting.
An older man sat at the front, eyes sharp but kind.
"You kids lost or running from something?" he asked, slowing down.
Ryouma stepped forward, guarding Yue slightly. "We're headed to Central City. Our village… was destroyed."
The merchant's expression darkened. "Another dungeon break, huh…?" He sighed. "Climb on. I'll take you as far as the city gates. No charge."
Yue's eyes widened. "Really?"
He chuckled. "I don't leave orphans to fend for themselves. I've got kids too."
They climbed in, grateful.
The journey took two days. Along the way, they learned the merchant's name was Old Man Rudo, a retired adventurer who now traded goods between towns.
"Central City's not a kind place," he warned. "But it's where strength is forged. If you're serious about growing strong, that's where you start."
When they finally arrived, Central City rose like a steel beast on the horizon—massive stone walls, towering gates, and endless noise. Carriages, adventurers, guards, and merchants flooded the entrance.
Rudo stopped his cart. "This is where we part ways. You two… take care of each other."
Ryouma and Yue bowed deeply. "Thank you, Rudo-san."
As they stepped into the city, their hearts pounded.
The streets bustled with people of all kinds—mages with glowing staffs, warriors in armor, and beastkin with sharp eyes. Loud voices shouted deals, and distant sounds of battles echoed from the Adventurer's Guild training ground.
Yue clutched Ryouma's hand tighter. "So… what now?"
Ryouma's eyes scanned the buildings, then spotted a large stone tower with a hanging silver emblem—the Adventurer's Guild.
He pointed. "We get stronger. We start here."
The grand hall of the Adventurer's Guild was alive with noise—boots on stone, clashing blades from the training room, and the murmurs of hardened fighters. Yet the moment Ryouma and Yue stepped inside, the room fell unusually silent.
Dozens of eyes turned their way—some curious, others amused, but many were filled with disdain.
"Kids?"
"Newbies?"
"Wasting space…"
Their clothes were ragged, and they carried no weapons. Compared to the seasoned adventurers inside, they looked like lost orphans.
Ryouma clenched his fists, but said nothing. Yue's fingers trembled slightly as she held onto his sleeve.
A guild receptionist, a young woman with tied-back auburn hair and a patient expression, stepped forward.
"You two here to register as new adventurers?"
"Yes," Ryouma said with a nod.
The woman gestured toward a side counter. "Fill this out. Then wait here. Someone from the Church will perform your skill assessment."
"Church?" Yue asked.
The receptionist smiled faintly. "It's standard now. They oversee all divine blessings and skill awakenings."
Minutes later, a man entered the hall. He was cloaked in a long white and gold holy robe, a glowing staff in one hand and an aged book in the other. The emblem of the Sanctus Church was engraved deeply into both. His presence commanded instant respect.
He stopped before the two children and opened the glowing book, laying it gently on the pedestal.
"I am Priest Kalem, here to awaken your divine skills."
He turned to Yue. "Young lady, place your hand on the book."
Yue looked to Ryouma once, then nodded and stepped forward.
The moment her palm touched the glowing surface—light exploded from the book.
A divine golden circle rose around her feet, and above her, a massive ethereal sword appeared, gleaming with celestial energy. Wind howled through the guild as her hair and clothes fluttered wildly.
Then, with a voice that echoed like thunder laced with divinity, Priest Kalem's voice rang out across the chamber:
"Divine Skill: Sword Maiden!"
The entire hall went silent.
[Divine Skill: Sword Maiden ]
Gasps filled the hall. Adventurers stepped back, stunned. Even Priest Kalem looked as if the breath had been stolen from him.
"T-This… this skill… it appeared once in the entire history of the continent…" he whispered. "The previous Sword Maiden became the strongest existence in the land... and now, a second one has appeared…"
Yue's eyes widened. "I… I didn't know I…"
"You are blessed by the divine," Kalem said with awe. "This is a gift only the gods can bestow."
He then turned to Ryouma. "Your turn, boy."
Ryouma swallowed and stepped forward. He placed his hand on the book—but nothing happened.
The crowd murmured.
"Nothing?"
"Maybe he has no skill at all."
But then—
The book pulsed.
A soft light particle floated into the air, forming a small, glowing constellation above Ryouma's head. Slowly, a message burned into the air:
[Unique Skill: Stellar System ]
A complete silence fell over the guild hall.
Even Priest Kalem stared blankly.
"…Stellar System?" he muttered. "I've… never heard of this skill. Not even in ancient texts."
The silence stretched until Kalem gently smiled and placed a hand on Ryouma's shoulder.
"Don't worry. We may not know what your skill is… but one day, I believe we will. Wait until then. You have something special—of that, I'm certain."
With those final words, the priest turned and left, still looking thoughtful.
Just then, the doors at the back opened with a loud creak. A tall man with broad shoulders, a thick beard, and wild gray hair stepped into view. His voice boomed across the room.
"I heard two interesting children showed up today. One's a Sword Maiden, and the other has a skill no one's ever seen."
Everyone turned as the Guild Master, Giest, approached with a wide grin.
He stopped in front of them and gave Yue a respectful nod. "Congratulations, Yue. You've been chosen by the divine."
Then he looked at Ryouma, smile fading just a little.
"As for you, boy… I'm sorry. Since no one knows what your skill is, I can't guide you like I can with others."
Ryouma nodded slowly. "I understand…"
But then Giest clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. "That doesn't mean your skill is useless. It just means you need to discover it yourself—through real experience."
Hope flickered in Ryouma's eyes. "You're right… I'll figure it out."
"Good," Giest said. "And from today onward—you both are my disciples."
"W-What?" Yue blinked.
Giest chuckled. "You'll train under me. Both of you. I don't take disciples often, so feel honored."
He reached into his coat and handed them a bronze key and a gold coin.
"This is the key to your new home, and this gold coin should cover your meals for a month if you're careful."
Ryouma and Yue stared in disbelief.
"Now," Giest said with a grin. "Welcome to the guild"