Chapter 1 - 3, First city

[Level Up: 30]

[You Received 20 Stat Points]

Saphire barely had a moment to process her level-up before realization struck—she could redistribute her newly earned stat points. She considered her situation carefully, but the answer was obvious. Agility, stats that are very suitable for katana fighting techniques. Speed, reflexes, precision—without them, she wouldn't last long in a world as ruthless as this.

Without hesitation, she allocated all 20 points to AGI.

The change was instant. A strange sensation coursed through her, as if her very body had been fine-tuned. Her movements felt lighter, sharper. She took an experimental step forward and immediately noticed the difference—quicker, smoother, effortless. She flexed her fingers, her limbs responding with a speed and precision that hadn't been there before. Even the simple act of breathing felt… easier, somehow.

But before she could fully revel in this newfound power, another message blinked in her mind.

New Skills Acquired:

Shadow Step (Active Skill) – Grants the ability to blend into shadows, becoming nearly invisible for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 20 seconds.

Weakness Finder (Active Skill) – Allows the user to detect an enemy's weak points, increasing attack accuracy. Cooldown: 10 seconds.

Saphire absorbed the information, nodding slightly. Shadow Step could be a game-changer in battle, allowing her to disappear from sight at just the right moment. And Weakness Finder… that was a hunter's skill, something that could turn a well-placed strike into a killing blow.

She mentally reviewed her current skill cooldowns:

Wind Slash – 3 seconds

Shadow Step – 20 seconds (10-second effect)

Weakness Finder – 10 seconds

She knew she had to be smart about using them. Skills like these were powerful, but they came with consequences. If she mistimed an ability or used them carelessly, she'd leave herself vulnerable. And in a world like this, vulnerability was the same as inviting death.

Brushing off her thoughts, Saphire took one last glance around to make sure she wasn't in immediate danger. Then, without wasting another second, she pressed forward, determined to leave the thick, suffocating forest behind.

"Every second counts. One mistake, and it's over," she muttered under her breath.

Time passed in a blur. The oppressive trees, their clawing branches, the eerie silence of the forest—it all finally faded away as she broke through the treeline.

What awaited her was breathtaking.

A vast stretch of golden-green grassland spread out before her, rolling gently under the warmth of the morning sun. A soft breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and open skies, a stark contrast to the damp, heavy air of the forest. And far in the distance, towering mountains stood against the horizon, their snowy peaks glistening beneath the clear blue sky.

Saphire exhaled, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders. The open space, the sunlight—it was a blessing.

She spotted a narrow dirt path winding toward the mountains and instinctively followed it. Here, in the open, she could at least relax a little. No monsters lurking behind trees. No unseen threats creeping in the shadows. Just the open road, the wind at her back, and the sound of her own steady footsteps.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she let herself breathe.

Hours passed, the landscape stretching endlessly ahead, until something finally broke the monotony—a city.

Massive stone walls rose in the distance, sturdy and imposing. At the entrance, two armored guards stood at attention, watching over a line of merchants, travelers, and townsfolk waiting to enter. The air buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the rhythmic creak of wooden carts.

Saphire slowed her pace, taking it all in. This place felt… safe. Or at least, safer than the wilderness.

When she reached the front of the line, one of the guards—a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard—gave her a once-over. His sharp gaze lingered on her katana before he finally spoke.

"Name and reason for entry?"

Saphire met his eyes without flinching. "Saphire Yukiko Volkov. I'm a traveler, looking for work and a place to rest."

The guard raised an eyebrow at her name but didn't question it. "Hmph. A traveler, huh? Dangerous life." He nodded. "As long as you follow the city's laws, you won't have trouble."

The younger guard beside him, whose expression was far friendlier, chimed in, "Welcome to Valoria City. There's another checkpoint inside if you plan on staying longer."

With a brief nod, Saphire stepped forward, allowing the quick inspection to proceed. They found nothing but her katana, and moments later, she was inside.

The city was alive. Streets filled with people, voices overlapping in a steady hum of conversation. Merchants called out their wares, children darted between carts, and the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat filled the air. Towering buildings made of stone and wood lined the streets, their sturdy foundations giving the city a warm yet fortified presence.

Saphire took a slow breath, absorbing it all.

Alright. First things first—find a place to rest.

As she walked, however, she noticed something strange. People were staring. Not everyone, but enough for her to notice. Men, women, even children—glancing at her with curiosity, some whispering among themselves.

It took her a moment to understand why.

Her long, jet-black hair. Her sharp blue eyes. Her pale complexion.

She stood out.

The locals all shared softer features, their hair mostly shades of blond or brown. Compared to them, she was… different.

She forced herself to ignore the attention and kept moving. Eventually, she spotted a sign hanging above a wooden building: Golden Eagle Inn. Warm light flickered from the windows, and the place looked well-kept—exactly what she needed.

Stepping inside, she was greeted by the comforting scent of warm food and polished wood. Behind the counter, a kind-eyed woman offered her a welcoming smile.

Saphire approached. "Good afternoon. I need a room, but… I don't have local currency. Is there another way I can pay?"

The woman studied her for a moment before nodding. "I sometimes let travelers work in exchange for lodging. If you're willing, there are tasks you can help with."

Relief washed over Saphire. "What kind of tasks?"

"Simple things—cleaning, checking deliveries. If you help out, you'll have a place to stay for the night."

It was a fair deal. Without hesitation, she agreed and got to work. Thanks to her agility, she completed the tasks quickly and efficiently. By the time she returned, the woman handed her a key.

"Your room in upstairs. You've earned it."

Saphire murmured her thanks and made her way up. The moment she stepped inside, she set her katana down and collapsed onto the bed.

Soft. Warm. Safe.

She let out a slow breath, the exhaustion finally catching up to her.

"Finally," she whispered.

Her eyelids grew heavy. The day's events, the battles, the exhaustion—it all faded away as sleep took hold.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But for now, she let herself rest.