When I closed the book, the room sank back into silence.
The faint sounds of people and clinking cups still drifted up from below, but in this small room it was just me, an old book, and the noise inside my own head.
Body, Flow, Pact, Faith…Four paths.And I was still a level zero nobody who could barely throw a proper punch and was out of breath half the time.
I leaned back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling.
"Alright," I muttered to myself. "This world loves the strong, got it.So where am I supposed to climb? Which branch am I supposed to cling to?"
As if it had been waiting for that question, a new panel opened in front of my eyes.
⟪SYSTEM⟫[NEW MODULE UNLOCKED]SIGIL GRID – TALENT TREE
The user has shown a will to survive and a basic understanding of this world.You can now grow a little more 'systematically'.
A dark screen appeared, with faintly glowing symbols pulsing on it.In the center, a small but stubborn sigil shone:
[ROOT SIGIL: SURVIVOR]
Three thin lines extended outward from the sigil.At the end of one was a crude shape that looked like a mix between a fist and a shield,at the end of another was a slightly curved eye/veil symbol,and at the end of the last was a tiny flame drawn with wavy lines.
⟪SYSTEM⟫[MAIN BRANCHES]– Flesh Path (Body)• Focused on strength, reflexes, endurance.– Veil Path (Mystery)• Focused on perception, intuition, noticing hidden things.– Flow Path (Energy)• Foundation for energy/mana-based effects.
"Three doors, one loser," I mumbled. "Do I roll dice, or are you going to keep me out of noob traps?"
This time, the System replied without delay:
⟪SYSTEM⟫[PATH RECOMMENDATION]Suggested configuration:– Root: Survivor– Main Branch: Veil Path – Observer– Sub Branch: Flesh Path – Endurance
Summary (reasoning):– Tendency to be dragged into mysterious situations against your will– You've managed not to die so far– Habit of analyzing your surroundings, asking questions, being suspicious– A lot of things in and around Veldan exist "beneath the surface"
Short explanation:"Don't die immediately when fighting, and don't stay blind while investigating."
My eyebrows rose slightly.
"So what you're saying," I said, "is: learn to take a hit and see in the dark a little better?"
⟪SYSTEM⟫[CONFIRMATION]Yes.That is exactly what I'm saying.
I thought for a moment.In my current state, if I focused purely on the body path, I'd probably be folded in half in my first real fight.I didn't have the connections or teachers to dive fully into Flow/mana.And as for Pacts and Faith… I wasn't even putting those on the table yet.
Mystery, questions, the smell of conspiracy…I was already in it.
"Alright," I said. "Main path: mystery. Sub path: not dying immediately. I accept."
The System flickered subtly, as if recording my choice.The SURVIVOR sigil at the center burned a bit brighter, and the line stretching toward the eye/veil symbol lit up with a faint glow.
⟪SYSTEM⟫[CONFIGURATION RECORDED]Root Path: SurvivorMain Branch: Veil – ObserverSub Branch: Flesh – Endurance
Note:This is only the initial configuration.It can branch out in the future… or break.
The symbols on the screen grew and gained detail.Tiny nodes appeared along the Veil path; each one looked like a dim little sigil:
– "Veil Perception (minor bonus)"– "Heightened Focus"– "Spark of Intuition"
Some of them had a thin ring and a small lock drawn around them.They looked heavier and more serious than the others.
⟪SYSTEM⟫[BARRAGE NODES – BREAK SIGILS]These special nodes are BARRIER SIGILS.
Normal nodes:– Fill up gradually through daily habits and minor experiences.
Barrier sigils:– Only open under the following conditions:
A specific experience threshold (real risk, real situation)
A specific life condition / habit
At least one material / catalyst
"So no classic 'grind exp, ding level' stuff," I said. "You want a bit more… pain and materials."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[COMMENT]Simple systems produce simple outcomes.
This world is not 'simple'.
I looked at the first large sigil on the Veil branch.Underneath it, faint letters read:
BREAK SIGIL: FIRST VEIL – FIRST GLIMPSE
Unlock Conditions:– At least 7 days of regular physical training– At least 1 deliberate investigation into a mystery/anomaly– A small Veil-aligned focus material
Status:– Training: 40%– Mystery Investigation: 1/1 (Record Office Basement + Missing Pages)– Material: 0/1
"So choking on dust and interrogating triangles wasn't a total waste," I said. "It counted as mystery investigation."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[CONFIRMATION]Correct.Questioning unclear symbols, missing pages, and the record office was recorded as a minimum-level mystery investigation.
Material missing.Routine incomplete.
"What exactly do you want as material?" I asked. "A triangle seal, a torn page, or… a piece of that watch?"
⟪SYSTEM⟫[RESPONSE]Compatible examples:– A basic Veil-aligned focus stone (low grade)– An old seal, key, or small symbol– Or a low-grade token provided by the System
Note:At this stage, finding one externally may be difficult.A standard solution exists for new users.
I frowned.
"Standard solution for new users…" I repeated. "That sentence usually ends with 'free trial' or 'limited-time offer'."
Right then, as if going out of its way to annoy me, the System opened another panel:
⟪SYSTEM⟫[STATUS SCREEN – UPDATED]
[STATUS]NAME: EthanLEVEL: 1PATH: Survivor / Veil – Observer (Main), Flesh – Endurance (Sub)
Base Attributes:– Strength: Low– Endurance: Low+– Agility: Mid-– Mental Focus: Mid– Perception: Mid+
Special Attribute:– Luck: 3 / 10• Status: Below average• Description: In random chance events, your odds of getting the "bad side" are notably higher.• Note:– If Luck falls below 1, minor "chain misfortunes" will increase.– If Luck reaches 0, 'Fate Distortion' risk enters critical range.• Effect:– Reality may bend against you in especially "creative" ways.– Accident probability, random disasters, and unexplained events increase.• Recommendation:– Do not let your Luck approach 0.
I stared at the screen for a while.
"So I'm officially unlucky," I said. "Great. At least I'm hearing it from you and not the universe."
⟪SİSTEM⟫[SHORT REPLY]At least I am honest.Honest data is better than unlucky lies.
While I was still trying to digest that "unlucky" diagnosis, another panel popped up:
⟪SYSTEM⟫[NOVICE PACK UNLOCKED]"DON'T DIE STARTER KIT v1.0"
The user has chosen a first growth path.A starter pack is being provided to increase basic survival odds.
"Hold on," I said, frowning. "You're giving me this now?"
⟪SYSTEM⟫[QUESTION DETECTED]Question: "Why wasn't the starter pack given earlier?"
Short Answer:– Because the conditions had not been met.
"Conditions?" I said. "When I woke up on a stone altar, it smelled like death.The cave, the monster, the illusion, Morgael, rocks falling toward my head…Those weren't conditions?I basically pre-registered for death down there!"
⟪SYSTEM⟫[DETAILED EXPLANATION]Basic conditions for the starter pack:– 1) The user must show a stable intention to 'survive' in this world.– 2) At least minimal awareness of basic world structure.– 3) A first growth path must be selected.
During the cave phase:– Condition 1: Unclear (shock state, no plan beyond 'run')– Condition 2: Absent (World knowledge: 0)– Condition 3: Absent (No path chosen)
Note:– When misused, the starter pack has, in some cases, accelerated user deaths.– Therefore, at least minimal consciousness and decision-making capability are required.
I paused.It… had a point.Didn't make me any less annoyed, though.
"So," I said, "I'm staring death in the face, and you're in the back going, 'hmm, this kid is still in shock, let's have him crawl a bit more'?"
⟪SYSTEM⟫[BRIEF PAUSE]The statement contains emotional exaggeration.
But… is not entirely inaccurate.
I imagined a system with no arms casually shrugging.
I took a deep breath and shook my head.
"Fine," I said. "Okay. Still… would've been nice if you'd handed this over at least on my first night in the inn.Right after the monster illusion, for example. Would've worked like a morale potion."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[NOTE]On the first night:– Synchronization was low.– Mental state was unstable.– Luck value: 2 / 10.
If the starter pack had been given then,the risk of misusing certain items would have been high.
"Certain items…" I repeated. "You mean the aphrodisiac powder, don't you?"
⟪SYSTEM⟫[SHORT CONFIRMATION]Correct.Especially the aphrodisiac powder.
I closed my eyes.
"Alright," I said. "Fine, it makes sense. Still, a small part of me thinks you could've saved me a little earlier while I was lying half-naked in that cave.It'll take time to shut that part up."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[COMMENT]This is an understandable emotional reaction.
In the future, different modules may open to compensate for delayed assistance.
"So we will be negotiating someday," I muttered. "Good."
The screen expanded, and the contents of the pack began to flash:
Contents:– 1x Basic Stamina Draught• Chance it tastes bad: 92%• Effect: Short-term recovery of stamina.– 1x Blunt Training Dagger• Better for poking than cutting.• But still better than no weapon at all.– 3x Emergency Bandages• No stat bonuses.• Stops bleeding.– 1x "Beginner's Guide to Not Dying in Veldan" (pamphlet)• Very short.• Annoyingly honest.– 1x Veil Attunement Token (Low Grade)• Fulfills part of the material requirement for Break Sigil: First Glimpse.– 1x High-Dose Aphrodisiac Powder (Diluted, Single Use)• Effect: Causes emotional/physical stimulation and intense restlessness.• Usage:– Not designed as a mere joke item.– Uncontrolled use may cause unpredictable outcomes.• Warning:– Administering it to someone without their consent may cause serious social and physical consequences.– Misuse may result in "social death" and complicated problems.– Recommended usage:• Only on yourself, in a controlled environment, for experimental purposes or simply not using it at all.
Side Note:– 73% of users who received this pack still died later on.However, most of them died in a more "organized" manner.
Additional Info (regarding Luck):– At your current Luck level, certain items in this pack are particularly risky.– Recommendation: Keep the Aphrodisiac Powder in your "last resort" category.
I stared at the screen for a while.Then reread the last part.
"So my luck is low, my death risk is high, and your idea of a starter pack includes… high-dose aphrodisiac?" I said. "You've got to be kidding me."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[RESPONSE]The pack is a standard set designed for various types of users.Some hosts consider 'social interaction' a core part of their survival strategy.
Note:Given your current Luck value, extreme caution is advised when using this item.
Personal remark:– Not using it is the safest option.
"Okay, that last sentence actually makes me feel a bit better," I said. "If even you are saying 'maybe don't', that's something."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[EXTRA NOTE]Even with Luck at 3/10, the probability of unexpected outcomes with this item is high.If Luck drops to 2 or lower, such outcomes may become even more "creative".
"Alright, alright, I get it," I said. "This powder goes straight into the 'things I won't put on even myself' box."
I hit the "ACCEPT" option on the screen.It felt like an invisible bag had been dropped in front of me; a new tab opened in my inventory.
⟪SYSTEM⟫[INVENTORY UPDATED]– Basic Stamina Draught: 1– Training Dagger (Blunt): 1– Emergency Bandage: 3– Veldan Beginner's Guide: 1– Veil Token (Low Grade): 1– High-Dose Aphrodisiac Powder: 1
I checked the tooltip on the Aphrodisiac Powder one more time; the phrase "social death" practically glowed in my mind.
"You can sit riiight at the very bottom," I said. "If you somehow evaporate on your own later, nobody will mourn you."
When I held the blunt training dagger physically in my hand, the weight of the metal was light but real.It was clearly made more to teach me how to hold a weapon than to actually kill anything.
"Better than nothing," I said. I placed the dagger against the wall next to the bed, within easy reach of my hand.
I tucked the bandages under the pillow.I decided not to use the stamina draught yet (I didn't trust the System's taste evaluation at all).As for the Aphrodisiac Powder, I pushed it as far down in my inventory as possible, onto the shelf labeled "things I don't want to see."
I unfolded the small pamphlet and skimmed it.On the front, in big letters, it said:
"THE 6 SIMPLEST RULES FOR NOT DYING IN VELDAN"
Don't wander the streets at night without a good reason.
Don't trust cheap alcohol.
Don't enter the forest alone.
Don't share secrets with very talkative strangers.
Also keep your distance from very quiet strangers.
Don't immediately trust women you've just met.A pretty smile does not always equal good intentions.
"So basically," I said, "don't talk to anyone, don't go anywhere, don't drink anything, don't enter the forest, don't tell anyone anything…And don't trust women too quickly.Live, but try not to make too many mistakes while doing it."
⟪SYSTEM⟫[NOTE]The pamphlet is written for an average user.Since your Luck value is below average,these rules apply especially strongly to you.
"I've officially been labeled 'unlucky' by my own System…" I muttered."At least I know it now. Can't blame the world anymore."
I placed the pamphlet beside the book.I checked again to make sure the Veil Token was sitting safely in my inventory.Small as it was, it felt like a tangible step forward.
Today, I'd looked at this world's power paths for the first time in a real way.I wasn't just reading a story anymore—I was being shoved into the middle of one.
My eyelids grew heavy.
Tomorrow morning would be more training, more of the town, more small steps.For now, all I could do was surrender my tired body to the blanket and close my eyes.