Chapter 7: Dawn of Strategy

Chapter 7 – Dawn of Strategy

Zayne stirred as the warmth of morning sunlight touched his skin. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking against the golden-pink hue that bled across the dawn sky. Above him, twin suns hovered in silent majesty—one a brilliant gold, the other a pale, silvery orange. Their combined glow bathed the land in an ethereal radiance.

He inhaled deeply.

The air was cooler now, crisp and earthy, carrying with it the fading scent of blood and ash. The sounds of battle had long died out, replaced by a stillness that was both welcome and unsettling.

Zayne pushed himself up, wincing slightly at the dull ache in his limbs. The discomfort in his muscles wasn't pain, but the lingering strain of this world's alien pressure—denser air, stronger gravity, and a subtle energy that tingled just beneath his skin.

He rotated his shoulders and stretched his arms, taking slow, measured breaths. His body responded better now. His vision was clearer, movements steadier. He could feel his mind catching up with his environment—an internal balance settling in.

[System Notice]

Skill Unlocked: Skill Creation

[Skill Name]: Skill Creation (Unique)

Type: Passive/Active Hybrid

Grade: Unique

Cooldown: 24 hours

Description:

The power to conceptualize and bring forth original skills. Requires clear intent, and environmental or experiential triggers to stabilize certain skill types. Skill strength and growth potential depend on user's intelligence, creativity, and emotional alignment.

Rules:

Skills must have logical function within known world mechanics.

Skill names and concepts must match user's understanding.

Creation cost varies by complexity and scope.

Some skills may evolve or combine over time.

Only one skill may be created per 24-hour period.

System reserves the right to reject irrational or impossible skills.

Zayne read the entire description carefully, absorbing every word.

"Exactly what I was hoping for," he murmured.

He called up his status window again.

[Status Window]

Name: Zayne Carter

Race: Human

Level: 1

Experience: 60 / 100

HP: 120 / 120

MP: 60 / 60

Stats:

Strength: 8 (↑ from 7)

Dexterity: 7 (↑ from 6)

Vitality: 9 (↑ from 8)

Intelligence: 13

Willpower: 8

Charm: 10

Luck: 13

Skill(s):

Skill Creation (Unique)

"Looks like the stat improvements were real," Zayne noted. "My adjustments last night had some effect."

He stood fully now, brushing dust and dried blood from his clothes. The rock he'd used for shelter loomed behind him, its rough surface stained with time and battle. He took one last glance at it before stepping out into the ruined landscape.

The battlefield stretched across the hills, littered with bodies, broken weapons, and snapped banners. Blood had soaked into the soil in some places, while carrion birds circled in the distance. Zayne moved cautiously, weaving between shattered helmets and abandoned shields.

He passed the corpse of the horned rabbit again—the same creature he'd encountered the previous evening. Its white fur was matted with blood, but the twisted horn on its forehead shimmered faintly in the morning light.

Zayne crouched and extended a hand.

"Let's test something."

[Skill Creation Active]

Create a skill based on current environment and mental state. Begin formulation?

Yes.

Zayne took a deep breath, narrowing his focus.

"I need a skill that helps me understand this world. I don't want to be blind to threats or clueless about what I encounter."

He recalled countless moments from manga and novels where protagonists used "Inspect"-type skills to gather information. Functional. Simple. Useful. That was enough.

[Concept Accepted]

Skill Creation in progress…

Processing intelligence, logic structure, and system compatibility...

Skill Created: Inspect

Type: Active

Grade: Common

Cost: 2 MP per use

Description: Allows user to view basic information of objects, items, or lifeforms. Accuracy varies depending on target's level and user's intelligence.

Zayne smiled faintly. "Exactly what I wanted."

He turned to a nearby discarded longsword and activated Inspect.

[Scan Result]

Iron Longsword (Damaged)

Quality: Poor

Durability: 6 / 30

Value: Low

Notes: Basic battlefield weapon. Blade chipped and partially rusted.

"Works."

He tested it again on a piece of armor and then a dead soldier.

[Scan Result]

Corpse: Human Male

Estimated Level: 6

Status: Deceased

Equipment: Light Infantry Armor (Standard Issue)

Affiliation: Kingdom of Varn

"Varn," Zayne repeated. "That's a name."

He continued walking, keeping his posture low, his senses alert. The suns climbed slowly in the sky, their dual light casting long, layered shadows across the ruined ground. Every step brought new information—troop insignias, broken camps, hastily discarded rations.

Near one of the abandoned tents, he found a rolled parchment partially buried in ash. He carefully pulled it free and brushed it off.

[Scan Result]

Old Varnic Field Orders

Status: Slightly Damaged

Language: Partial Match Detected

Translation Available: 62%

Contents: March instructions, unit placements, enemy border sketches.

He raised a brow. "So it can translate… at least partially. That means it recognizes unknown languages—or fragments of them."

That meant his system might eventually allow full comprehension—or at least evolve toward it.

He pocketed the scroll and continued moving.

Eventually, he reached a cluster of bodies that had clearly been involved in a more recent skirmish. Among them was a lightly armored corpse, face down in the dirt. The soldier's uniform, though bloodied, was relatively intact.

Zayne hesitated, then crouched.

He wasn't proud of it, but practicality overruled pride.

With efficient movements, he removed the bloodstained armor and began changing. The fabric was a bit stiff and the fit imperfect, but it would suffice.

[Item Equipped: Varnic Infantry Uniform]

Defense: +2

Reputation: Affects NPC Perception (Varn Faction +5, Enemies -3)

Zayne stood and looked at himself briefly in a dented helmet lying nearby. With some dirt on his cheeks and his expression blank, he looked like a weary soldier.

Good enough.

"I didn't need to be an actor. I just needed to be convincing enough. Strategy would handle the rest."

He glanced toward the hills in the distance. Smoke curled faintly into the sky from somewhere beyond them. Maybe a forward camp… maybe not.

One step at a time.

Zayne adjusted the sword at his hip and started walking.

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[End of Chapter 7]