The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, casting long, waning shadows over the village of Helon. Kain adjusted the weight of his worn satchel, which felt heavier than it should. Inside, there were only a few necessities: a loaf of bread, some coins, and the wooden practice sword he'd used for years—barely enough to qualify as a weapon, but it was all he had. His heart raced with the same sense of dread that had accompanied him all day. Today was the day. The journey to the capital of Orilyon had begun, and the compulsory training, a requirement of the kingdom's laws, loomed ahead.
He glanced around the village one last time. It was a place he had grown familiar with, but that familiarity had only served to remind him of his status—an outcast. He had no divine mark, no real abilities. The world, governed by the Divine System, had no use for someone like him. He was nothing more than a blip in the kingdom's eyes, and soon, he'd be swept away in the current of its laws.
"Ready to go?" A voice broke through his thoughts.
Kain turned to see Aidan standing behind him, his dark cloak wrapped around his form, hiding most of his features. Aidan had been assigned as his travel companion—a silent guardian, one could say, tasked with ensuring that Kain didn't stray too far off course. Kain wasn't sure whether this was for his benefit or simply a way for the kingdom to ensure he didn't get lost—or worse, become a problem.
"Yeah," Kain muttered, his eyes still lingering on the village. "Not that I have a choice."
Aidan's voice softened, a knowing edge to it. "None of us do, really. But you might learn something useful on the way. Don't let the journey break you before it begins."
Kain nodded, though the skepticism in his eyes betrayed his lack of confidence. Training in the capital? What use would that be for him? He already knew how it would unfold—nothing good, nothing new. Just another reminder that he was not fit for the world. A part of him feared that whatever they would teach him, he would fail anyway.
With a heavy sigh, Kain followed Aidan as they walked through the village's outskirts, the last remnants of home fading into the distance. The path ahead was lined with tall, ancient trees. They were entering the forest, and Kain could feel the change in the air as they crossed the threshold. The village was behind them now. The unknown stretched out before them.
As they entered deeper into the forest, the trees grew closer, their twisted branches interlocking high above them, blocking much of the daylight. The path ahead was barely visible, and the deeper they went, the more the atmosphere thickened. A thick, unsettling silence clung to the woods, as if the very air had been frozen in time.
Aidan spoke again, his voice low and careful. "Stay sharp. We're crossing into dangerous territory now. This is no place to slack off."
Kain glanced at him. "Dangerous territory? What are we supposed to look out for?"
Aidan gave him a sidelong glance. "Things that go bump in the night. Monsters. The deeper we go, the more likely we'll encounter something... dangerous."
Kain raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Aidan didn't answer immediately. He only glanced around, his hand hovering near the hilt of a dagger concealed in his cloak. "Just keep your wits about you. You don't want to find out the hard way."
Kain frowned, but he said nothing more. He couldn't shake the unease that settled in his stomach. It wasn't the idea of monsters—he had heard stories of them in the village—but the sudden realization that this journey was real, that it wasn't some dream he could wake up from.
They continued their trek, the world around them darkening as they moved deeper into the woods. Kain's mind drifted from the eerie silence to his thoughts on the skill he had gained after the battle with the gray wolf. Battle Instinct. The words rang in his mind like an echo.
He had no idea what it meant, but it was as if the skill had manifested out of nowhere. In the face of the wolf's attack, he had felt a calmness, a clarity he hadn't experienced before. His body moved more naturally than it ever had, and despite the fear that should have paralyzed him, he had been able to react instinctively. But why? What was the connection? And how had it happened? Was this skill something he had earned, or had the Divine System granted it to him? And if so, why hadn't it appeared before?
Kain's thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of it. He wasn't sure whether he should feel relieved or troubled. Was this just another fluke, or did it mean something more? He couldn't quite grasp it, and the uncertainty gnawed at him.
"Are you alright?" Aidan's voice broke through his reverie.
Kain looked up, startled. He hadn't realized he'd been lost in thought. "Yeah, just... thinking."
Aidan's expression softened, though his eyes still darted around, keeping watch for any sign of danger. "You're not the only one who wonders about these things. The Divine System—what it chooses, what it gives. It's all mystery and no one knows why this happens it's something You don't get to choose, Kain. But what you do with what it gives you—that's your choice."
Kain nodded, though his mind was still swirling. He hadn't thought of it that way. Aidan spoke with a kind of bitter wisdom, a reminder that nothing was within their control. But Kain couldn't help but feel that his journey, his awakening, was a part of something far bigger than he could comprehend. The fact that the skill had appeared at all meant something, right?
But what?
As if on cue, a sound broke the silence. It was a faint rustling in the distance, just barely audible. Kain tensed, and Aidan stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing.
"Something's out there," Aidan whispered. "Get ready."
Kain's heart pounded in his chest. His grip tightened on the wooden sword. This wasn't just a casual warning. Aidan was serious.
A soft growl cut through the silence, the sound low and rumbling like distant thunder. Kain's instincts screamed at him to turn and run, but his legs refused to move. It was as if the very air had frozen him in place.
The growl grew louder, and then, the creature emerged. A gray wolf, much larger than any Kain had ever seen. Its body was rippling with muscle, its fur thick and wild, its eyes glowing a menacing yellow.
Aidan didn't hesitate. He drew his dagger, hurling it toward the creature with precision. The wolf howled in pain as the blade sank into its side, but it didn't retreat. Instead, it charged with terrifying speed, its mouth gaping wide.
Kain's heart raced. He barely had time to react before the wolf lunged, its claws swiping toward him.
Then, the skill activated. A sudden wave of clarity washed over Kain. His fear, his uncertainty—it all faded away. His movements became faster, more precise. His sword was no longer just a useless stick; it felt like an extension of himself. He sidestepped the wolf's attack, swinging the sword in a wide arc. The wolf staggered, its growl turning into a pained yelp as Kain's blow landed.
His mind raced as he realized what had just happened. Battle Instinct. That was the skill. But why hadn't it come to him sooner? What triggered it now? He glanced at his status window in the midst of the fight:
Status Window:
Name: Kain
Level: 1
Health: 100/100
Stamina: 100/100
Skill: Battle Instinct
Effect: Increases combat stats slightly. Increases mental clarity and reduces fear in dangerous situations.
Kain blinked, still processing the revelation. The skill wasn't just something that made him stronger—it calmed him, sharpened his mind in ways he couldn't understand. It was like a switch had been flipped, and suddenly, he was fighting on instinct.
The wolf, though wounded, was still a dangerous opponent. It charged again, but Kain was ready this time. He met the creature's rush head-on, his sword striking with confidence. With Aidan's help, the wolf was finally driven back, collapsing in the grass with a pained yelp.
Kain stood over the beast, panting. His mind was still reeling. Had he really just done that? Had he really fought like that? His hand shook as he lowered the sword, still in disbelief.
Aidan gave him a small nod. "You did well. Not many would've kept their cool."
Kain didn't respond. His mind was too full of questions—about the skill, about what it meant, and what he was becoming.
But for now, he had no answers. Only more uncertainty.