Saori (formerly known as Kutaro before his fatal grandma-bicycle incident) stood in the middle of an unfamiliar graveyard, soaked in dirt and humiliation. He was covered head to toe in mud, his hair disheveled like he'd just crawled out of a horror movie set. In a way, he had.
Cold wind bit his skin. The moon—a silver crescent—hung above twisted, leafless trees. The air smelled of damp moss and earth. Crickets chirped, owls hooted, and somewhere in the distance, something growled.
Saori shivered.
"This isn't Japan… definitely not."
He looked down at the wooden spoon in his hand—the so-called "reward" from his first quest.
He raised it.
"This… doesn't look very legendary."
[That's because it isn't. It's a spoon.]
"Are you proud of yourself?"
[Statistically, your current combat capability ranks lower than a wet paper bag.]
Saori inhaled through his teeth.
"System… I swear, if I survive long enough, I'm going to uninstall you."
[Good luck trying. I am bound to your soul. Like a parasite. Or your student loan.]
Saori's eye twitched.
He scanned the area, searching for anything remotely resembling civilization—roads, houses, a signboard—anything. But the cemetery stretched on, tombstones jutting like jagged teeth. Beyond the graveyard's iron fence, a dense forest swayed ominously.
His breath frosted in the cold air.
He examined his clothing: a thin, cheap burial robe. No shoes. No bag. Not even underwear.
"God… they really didn't give me pants?"
[The original owner of this body was dirt poor.]
"How poor?"
[He died because he couldn't pay his medical bill.]
Saori winced.
"Damn. That's dark."
[Not as dark as your life on Earth.]
"That's unnecessary."
He glanced at the status screen again, hoping something had changed.
================================ Name: Saori
Level: 1
HP: 7/10
MP: 0
Strength: bad
Agility: also bad
Luck: worse
Weapon: Wooden Spoon (Common, 1 damage)
One damage.
One.
Saori dropped the spoon and stared at it on the ground.
"If a bird attacks me, I might actually lose."
[Incorrect. A bird would definitely win.]
Saori picked the spoon up again and held it like a dagger.
"Fine. We start small. First objective: get clothes. Second: get food. Third: don't die."
[Excellent goals. All more reasonable than your previous life aspirations.]
"You're not helping."
He headed toward the cemetery gate, stepping barefoot over cold grass and damp soil. Each gravestone had unfamiliar names—Arden, Hector, Elvina, Marla—no Japanese in sight.
It confirmed one thing.
He was in a world straight out of a fantasy RPG.
And he was the weakest mob.
—
Clang.
The cemetery gate creaked open. Beyond lay the dark forest. A cobblestone path cut through the trees like a scar. Fireflies hovered in small clusters, glowing softly.
Saori hesitated.
"Maybe I should wait here until morning…"
[Advice: Do not wait here until morning.]
"Why not?"
[Because you smell like a corpse.]
"What does that have to do—"
A howl echoed. Deep. Hungry.
Saori ran.
Not walked. Not jogged.
Ran.
The cobblestone path wound deeper into the forest. Moonlight filtered through the canopy in thin, silver ribbons. Branches cracked under his feet. Shadows moved.
He kept running until his lungs burned.
"This—! Is—! Hell—!"
[Good cardio. Your body is improving.]
Saori stopped, panting.
"Really?"
[No. I lied.]
He wanted to scream.
Leaves rustled. A bush shook.
Something watched him.
Saori raised the wooden spoon defensively. "System… can enemies smell fear?"
[Enemies can smell weakness.]
"That's worse."
A rustling grew louder. Then—something hopped out of the bushes.
Saori braced himself.
It was…
A rabbit.
Round. Fluffy. Cute. With big blue eyes.
Saori sighed in relief.
"Aww. Hi little guy."
The rabbit bared sharp carnivorous fangs.
[Monster detected: Fang Rabbit. Danger level: You are screwed.]
The rabbit hissed.
Saori screamed.
The rabbit lunged toward his face.
Saori swung the spoon.
Whack.
The spoon bent.
"HOW IS IT BENDING?! IT'S WOOD!"
[Because your strength is scientifically disappointing.]
The rabbit leaped again.
Saori dodged—barely—falling onto his back. He scrambled up and sprinted down the path.
The rabbit chased him like a fluffy demon.
"This is ridiculous! Why does a rabbit have fangs?!"
[Evolution. Or magical mutation. Or God hates you.]
Saori spotted a rock. He grabbed it and threw it with desperation.
Critical hit.
The rabbit collapsed with cartoonish spiral eyes.
He stood over the unconscious monster, sweaty and trembling.
"I… I won…"
[Correction: The rabbit tripped on its own feet. You just watched.]
He kicked the rabbit out of spite.
A notification chimed.
[Quest Updated: Beginner Training]
Defeat 3 monsters (0/3)
Reward: One random skill
Saori brightened.
"A skill! Finally!"
[Failing the quest will result in permanent title: 'Coward.']
"…What does the title do?"
[Nothing. It just reflects accuracy.]
Saori felt personally attacked.
He glanced around. The forest seemed to stretch endlessly. Fog rolled between the trees, illuminated by little patches of moonlight. The path ahead split into two directions—left and right.
Left path: dark, dense, deeper forest.
Right path: faint orange glow of light.
Civilization.
Finally.
Saori whispered a small prayer, clutching his spoon.
"Please. Let there be clothes. Food. Maybe even someone who can explain where I am."
He followed the glow.
—
As he walked, the light grew brighter. Smoke curled into the sky. A fire crackled ahead. He stepped into a clearing.
A wagon stood parked off the road. A small campfire flickered beside it. A horse was tied to a post, calmly chewing hay. Lanterns hung around the wagon, illuminating crates and bundles of goods.
Someone was there.
A girl—maybe his age, maybe a little younger—was reclined on a log. Copper-red hair tied into a messy ponytail. Brown leather vest over a simple tunic. Worn boots resting near the fire.
She held a book in her hand.
Saori exhaled in relief.
"A traveler…"
He stepped forward.
"Um… excuse me—"
She snapped her head toward him.
Her expression was pure shock.
Her eyes traveled from his filthy hair… to his dirt-smeared face… to his spoon weapon… to his lack of pants.
Saori realized something.
He looked like a pantless demon emerging from the woods holding a spoon.
He cleared his throat.
"H-Hi. I, uh… had a rough day."
The girl stood, grabbing something from behind her.
A sword.
A whole damn sword.
"STAY BACK!" she shouted.
Saori panicked and raised his spoon like a shield. "I'm harmless! Just a normal… uh… guy!"
"You crawled out of a grave, didn't you?!"
"No! Maybe! That's not important!"
She narrowed her eyes. "Are you undead?"
Saori coughed dirt.
[Technically, you survived death. So… semi-dead?]
"System, shut up!"
"Who are you talking to?" the girl asked.
Saori froze.
He needed an explanation.
Fast.
"I'm Saori. I'm not a zombie. I… just woke up in a coffin. And I want to live. That's all."
The girl studied him.
Her grip loosened.
"…You must have had a terrible time."
"You have no idea."
She sheathed her sword.
"I'm Elina. Merchant-in-training."
He bowed instinctively. "Thank you for not stabbing me."
Elina hesitated before walking toward her wagon. She rummaged inside, then tossed something to him.
It hit Saori's face.
A pair of pants.
"Put them on," she said.
Saori almost cried.
He changed behind the wagon while the System gave unhelpful commentary.
[Wow. Pants. Your dignity is slowly regrowing. Like hair.]
Once dressed, Saori sat by the fire. The warmth soaked into him, calming his shaking limbs. The crackling flames, the smell of roasted vegetables—it almost felt safe.
Elina poured him water in a wooden cup. "Drink. Slowly."
Saori drank. It tasted like heaven.
"So…" she said carefully. "Why were you buried alive?"
He answered honestly.
"…I wish I knew."
Elina frowned, brows furrowing with concern.
"You should come to the nearest town. Maybe someone will recognize you."
Saori nodded.
"Thank you. I'll repay you."
She smirked. "I'll remember that."
[Warning: A monster is approaching.]
Saori jerked upright.
"You couldn't have said that earlier?!"
[You were having an emotional moment.]
Bushes rustled around the clearing. Something heavy thumped.
The fang rabbit from earlier?
No.
This time, it was bigger.
A wolf-like creature emerged—brown fur, glowing eyes, dripping saliva.
Its muscles rippled with predatory intent.
Elina gripped her sword. Saori gripped his spoon.
He whispered.
"System. Any advice?"
[Run.]
Before they moved, the wolf lunged.
Saori's first battle had officially begun.