Alright, the skills are all set. But what about the stats? I didn’t study the exact details of how stat distribution works—
?Wren suddenly stops, pressing a hand to his forehead. Ah, fuck... I forgot. Hey, explain the stats to me, Envy.
?Envy lets out a long, exaggerated sigh, floating up near the ceiling of the carriage.
?Do I have to explain everything to you? Can’t you figure out a single thing on your own?
?Do you want me to throw you out of a window? Wren snaps back mentally.
?We are inside a moving dimensional train, you idiot.
?THEN I’LL OPEN THE WINDOW—!
?Before Wren can retaliate any further, Envy zips downward, quickly fluttering behind the safety of Wren’s seat.
?Violent human... no wonder your family threw you away like trash.
?The moment those words leave the owl’s beak, the atmosphere inside the carriage instantly freezes.
?Wren’s confident smile vanishes completely.
?For a few long, suffocating seconds, he doesn’t say a single word. His breathing slows down, and his fingers tighten so hard around the edge of the leather seat that his knuckles turn stark white, the leather groaning under his grip.
?Envy stops flapping its wings entirely, hovering frozen in the air just behind him.
?"..."
?The owl’s expression shifts instantly, dark regret flashing across its beak as it belatedly realizes what it just let slip.
?"Hey, I—"
?"Just explain the system," Wren’s voice comes out dead quiet, cutting the owl off entirely.
?He doesn’t look back at Envy. He keeps his gaze locked straight ahead, his jaw clenched tight.
?Please.
?For once, the bird doesn’t make a joke.
?It hovers silently beside him, watching the young man sitting rigidly in his seat, the sharp tension hanging heavy between them.
?Then, after a short, uncomfortable silence, Envy clears its throat, its tone losing all of its previous playfulness.
?"Right. Your level represents your overall progression. You gain experience by defeating enemies and overcoming challenges. Once you accumulate enough experience, you can level up."
?Wren slowly lifts his head, his golden eyes gazing blankly at the glowing blue interface floating in the air.
?"And my stats?"
?"They represent your physical and mental capabilities," Envy explains softly, keeping its distance. "Strength affects your physical power and striking force. Agility affects your speed, reflexes, and movement. Vitality affects your body’s endurance, health pool, and natural recovery rate."
Envy pointed one wing toward the status screen.
"Intelligence and Spirit govern different aspects of your mental and supernatural capabilities. Willpower determines how well you resist pressure, fear, and certain forms of interference."
Wren’s gaze immediately shifted to his numbers.
Strength: 3.2
Agility: 2.9
Vitality: 2.7
Intelligence: 1
Spirit: 1
Will: 4
?Wren gives a slow nod, absorbing Envy’s explanation as his mind pieces the mechanics together.
?But then, his gaze drops down to the final line of his status screen, lingering on the section he had almost overlooked.
?Gifts: Tattoo of Envy.
?"What is this, Envy? Can you explain this part too? I have never heard of a ’Gift’ category before."
?Envy’s expression shifts immediately. For the first time since their conversation began, the owl’s usual smug grin returns, but this time, there is something much sharper and more mysterious hidden behind it.
?"Ah. That."
?It flutters a bit closer, its glowing eyes locking directly onto Wren.
?"That, my dear contractor, is the real reason you should be get down on your knees and be grateful you met me."
?Wren’s heartbeat quickens, a strange warmth beginning to tingle against his skin.
?"What does it actually do?"
?Envy chuckles softly, a sound like dry leaves scraping together. "See for yourself."
?Before Wren can focus his thoughts on the gift to check its description, a sharp, heavy sound echoes through the entire carriage.
?Clang... clang... clang...
?The emergency warning bells ring out, vibrating through the floorboards.
?I guess it’s time, Wren thinks, gripping his seat.
?[ All players will be transported into Norhera in 00:00:05 ]
?[ 00:00:03 ]
?The carriage lights flicker violently, the air growing freezing cold as the dimensional train begins its final descent.
?This is it. The end of his past life as a discarded failure, and the true beginning of his path to power.
?[ 00:00:00 ]
?[ Welcome to the world of Norhera. ]
?High above the blood-red skies of Norhera, a pair of glowing golden eyes snaps open.
?Wren slowly opens his own eyes, his vision blurring as the heavy, disorienting fog of dimensional transport clears from his mind. He has no idea where the train dropped him off. There are no plush seats here, no glowing screens, and no comforting walls—only the biting, unfamiliar chill of a strange new atmosphere.
?As he blinks against the harsh wind, his vision finally focuses on the towering figure standing directly over him.
?It is a massive human. A giant standing at least six-foot-three, with a thick, muscular build and messy grey hair framing a brutal, scarred face.
?The giant looks down at Wren and smiles, a cruel, mocking curve of his lips.
?Wren doesn’t understand. What is happening? Who is this?
?Thwack—!
?Before his sluggish brain can process a single thought, a massive fist slices through the air with terrifying speed.
?(BAM!)
?The heavy punch smashes square into Wren’s face. The sheer force lifts him completely off the ground, sending him flying backward through the air like a ragdoll.
?Crash!
?His back slams violently against a hard, rough stone wall, the impact knocking every last ounce of air from his lungs.
?"Argh—!"
?Wren gasps, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth as he slides down the wall, coughing violently.
?What kind of death trap have I been thrown into this time...? Wren thinks, tasting the hot metallic tang of blood as he glares up through watery eyes at the towering grey-haired man standing before him.
~~~~~~
Author’s Note