---
The soldier's voice rang through the camp like a whip crack.
"You're all blind if you think this thing isn't dangerous!"
Every pair of eyes turned toward me again. The fire popped, shadows dancing across the tense circle.
"Relax," I said, glowing just a little brighter, "I promise I'm not here to eat your souls. Too many calories."
No one laughed.
The broad-shouldered soldier took a step closer, hand on his sword. "Spirits don't talk. They don't joke. This isn't normal. If it decides to turn on us, it'll wipe us out before we can blink."
My glow dimmed nervously. "Wow. You're fun at parties."
The captain's voice cut in, sharp. "Enough, Bran. He saved your life out there. Or would you rather be inside that beast's stomach right now?"
Bran's jaw clenched, but he didn't back down. His eyes stayed locked on me, burning with suspicion.
I drifted back a little. Great. My first potential friend group, and I already have a hater.
[Observation: Correction, ninety percent of the group is neutral. One individual is hostile. Statistically, you are only mildly doomed.]
"Thanks, Advisor. Very comforting."
---
Later, when the camp quieted down, I hovered towards a. nearby riverbank. The stars reflected off the water, making me feel like I was floating in an endless sky.
"…Advisor?" I whispered. "How fragile am I, really? Like… could Bran just stab me and poof I'm gone?"
[Answer: Yes.]
I froze. "…Wow. No sugarcoating, huh?"
[Displaying Core Integrity.]
A glowing screen appeared:
Status
Name: Yuto (Reincarnated Spirit)
Level: 3
HP: 82/100 (Core Integrity)
MP: 240/260
EXP:35/100
Skills:
- Absorption (Basic)
- Analyze (Basic)
- Mana Shaping (Lv.1)
Locked Physical Attributes:
Strength: ???
Agility: ???
Endurance: ???
I gulped. "…I only have a hundred HP? That's like… two punches and I'm dead!"
[Correction: One strong punch.]
"YOU'RE NOT HELPING."
The numbers stared back at me. It was the first time since being reborn that I felt… small. Weak. Like I could vanish with one mistake.
My glow flickered. "So what, I just… float around and hope no one sneezes on me too hard?"
[Correction: No. You grow stronger. Leveling increases HP and MP. Evolution will unlock physical stats. Until then, you are indeed… fragile.]
"…This is the worst pep talk ever."
---
I drifted back to camp, still sulking. Most of the soldiers were asleep, except Bran, who sat glaring at me from his bedroll like I'd stolen his blanket as a kid.
I tried to ignore him and floated toward the stew pot, which still sat by the fire.
"Maybe just a sniff won't hurt " I leaned closer.
Unfortunately, my glow reflected on the surface of the stew like a spotlight.
Right as one of the militia women stretched and yawned awake… her shirt slipping dangerously low.
My glow lit her up like a festival lantern.
She gasped, covering herself. "PERVERT SPIRIT!"
"I DIDN'T MEAN, AGAIN !. IT WAS THE ANGLE!"
Half the camp stirred awake, laughing and jeering. Bran scowled even harder.
[Observation: Congratulations. You have cemented your reputation as both suspicious and perverted.]
"Advisor, I swear I'll uninstall you if I figure out how!"
---
The next morning, the captain summoned me to the edge of camp. His expression was serious but not unkind.
"There's a village not far from here. Nerulians small folk. We received word that corrupted beasts have been harassing them. We were on our way to help when we found you."
My glow pulsed. "…So what does this have to do with me?"
The captain's gaze hardened. "If you truly wish to prove you're not corrupted… come with us. Help protect them."
[Observation: Congratulations. You've been voluntold for community service.]
I sighed. Figures.
But deep down, I felt something stir. An opportunity. A chance to not just float uselessly, but actually make a difference.
I brightened. "Alright. Let's go save some villagers."
Bran growled under his breath, "Or doom them."
I ignored him, already drifting toward the road. "Lead the way, Captain."
The militia packed up camp, and we marched toward the horizon.
None of us knew yet that this village would change everything.
And that waiting there… was her.
---