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After leaving the city, I started walking toward the Jura Forest.
Why? Because the exam required me to go there, and the trip would take about two hours—depending on how fast I walked.
Well, it's still early, so I might as well enjoy the short journey.
According to the exam paper, I have to collect some herbal plants. Thinking about the isekai anime I've watched, those kinds of herbs should be easy to find.
"So this should be pretty easy, right?"
Yeah, maybe I shouldn't say that. I'll just jinx myself.
The road to the forest felt different from when I first came to the city.
Maybe because this time I was alone, and it was still morning.
It felt refreshing to see the wide fields of grass, especially with the gentle morning breeze brushing past.
Along the way, I encountered various creatures from this world—slimes, horned rabbits, giant rats, and a few species I couldn't even name.
Most of them were harmless herbivores or weak monsters.
I kept walking until I reached a bridge—a sign that I was close to the forest.
But even then, the walk still felt long. I started to get bored, especially since there was no one to talk to.
And as usual, when I get bored, my mind starts to wander.
The first thought that popped up was—
"I wonder if I'll ever get a skill someday."
Sounds silly, I know. But skills in this world are extremely important. Almost every strong individual has one.
There are plenty of powerful beings here—like True Dragons and Demon Lords. Yeah, those two are the only ones I can think of.
Then another thought hit me: does this world have its own main character?
You know, almost every world does.
If so, they're probably another person from Earth. Because I'm not the only one who got sent here—there are plenty of others like me.
That's when I realized... I've never been anyone special.
"Haaah... I guess I should be content being ordinary."
Honestly, I never saw myself as an MC. I've always thought of myself as just an NPC.
And because of that, I never tried too hard.
Trying too hard only makes an already exhausting life even more tiring.
I don't need to be the main character—as long as I can keep being myself.
...
...
I was still walking across the open field, but the forest was finally in sight.
Just a few more minutes, maybe.
Eventually, I reached the forest's outer edge.
Judging by the sunlight, it was probably around nine in the morning.
Looks like today's going to be a clear day.
I stepped into the forest to look for the herbs I needed.
Since the paper had a drawing, it should be easy to recognize.
I searched under trees, through the grass, and among bushes.
But... no luck. Not a single one looked similar.
"Guess I really am unlucky today."
I regretted thinking this would be easy.
Well, better focus. I'll just have to try harder.
Even after wandering for quite a while, I still couldn't find any.
Or maybe... I just didn't see them.
Damn, my eyes are terrible for this kind of thing.
I sighed and sat down under a tree to rest for a bit.
This is exhausting.
Seriously, why does something always get in the way whenever I actually try to do something?
Unfair. Why me? Can't it happen to someone else for once?
After calming down, I got up and started searching again.
Since I was sure there was nothing here, I decided to go deeper into the forest.
The trees there were thicker and taller, making the surroundings much darker.
I stopped at a spot that looked promising—lots of grass around, maybe I'd find something.
I began searching again—around trees, in bushes, through the grass—until finally, I found it.
A plant identical to the one on the exam paper.
"Finally found it."
And not just one—there were plenty.
I remembered the guild receptionist telling me not to pull them out by the roots, so I had to be careful.
Yeah, easy job.
I collected ten herbs, just as instructed.
"All right, time to head back."
I put them into the pouch I brought.
But just as I was about to leave—
Awooooooo!
A wolf's howl echoed in the distance.
My body froze instantly.
Fear crept in, but I managed to keep calm.
A few seconds later, I heard rustling footsteps through the grass.
I sharpened my focus, scanning every direction—front, back, left, right.
And sure enough, a silhouette emerged from behind the bushes.
A wolf, only a few meters away.
I couldn't wait for it to get closer—I had to run.
I turned around and sprinted back the way I came.
Of course, the wolf didn't just let me go. It chased me.
When I looked back, I saw its large body leaping between trees with terrifying speed.
Damn it, why did I have to run into this thing?
Moments later, it caught up. The wolf landed in front of me, blocking the path.
Shit... what now?
I glanced at my waist.
No other choice.
I drew my dagger and got into stance.
We faced each other for a few tense seconds—then it pounced first.
It lunged, trying to tackle me.
But I managed to dodge.
"Hah, guess all that training with him wasn't for nothing," I muttered.
Even so, I couldn't attack unless it left an opening.
That's just how I fought.
It attacked again. And again. But I kept dodging.
I tried to counter once, but only left a small scratch.
Damn, this is tough.
I stepped back to catch my breath.
The wolf was huge.
If it landed a hit, I'd be dead for sure.
We locked eyes once more—then it charged again.
I had no choice but to keep dodging.
But my body was starting to give out.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
My breathing grew ragged.
Am I... going to die here?
No, don't think like that.
There has to be a way to win.
My head spun, stomach churned, vision blurred.
And just as the wolf leaped again—
<
I heard a mechanical voice echo right next to my ear.
And somehow, my body moved just in time to evade.
I didn't have time to think about it—survival came first.
Both of us were exhausted, but it still had more stamina left than me.
It charged again, even faster this time.
Yet my body kept moving on its own, dodging every attack.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
I was at my limit. The world slowed down, sounds fading away.
It jumped again, and I knew—I wouldn't make it in time.
Is this... the end?
Then I saw something.
A faint line, like a thread, slicing across the wolf's body.
And somehow, I knew... that was the path of my strike.
I gripped my dagger tightly.
"No... this isn't the end."
My body moved, tracing that line—
and the dagger pierced straight through the wolf's head.
Its body fell, unmoving.
"Haa... haa... haa..."
I stared at it, making sure it no longer breathed.
"Did I... do it?"
Yeah. I'd defeated it.
No joy, no sense of victory.
Only relief that I was still alive.
<
I froze.
That voice again.
I concluded that it must be this world's system—granting skills to those who meet certain conditions.
It felt familiar, like something straight out of the Tensura fanfic I once read.
Wait... don't tell me this world is actually—
I shook my head. No, I was too tired to think.
I decided to rest for a bit, then head back.
That was my first real battle, and I'd nearly died.
"I'm really weak, huh..."
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