The bustling streets of Mistvale gradually faded behind Aster as he made his way toward the northern gate.
The towering wooden walls surrounded the village like a protective embrace, separating the peaceful sanctuary from the untamed wilderness beyond.
Inside the walls, laughter echoed through the streets.
Outside...
Only uncertainty awaited.
Dozens of novice adventurers gathered near the gate, checking their equipment one final time before departing. Some formed parties of four or five, while others nervously rehearsed beginner skills with wooden weapons.
Aster quietly walked past them.
His destination lay somewhere beyond the forests.
Skyrend Peak.
The forgotten mountain hidden by mist.
Just as he approached the massive gate, a deep voice called out.
"You there."
Aster stopped.
One of the gate guards stepped forward.
Unlike the village guards, this man's armor bore countless scratches from years of battle. A long spear rested comfortably against his shoulder, and a faded scar crossed his left cheek.
He looked Aster up and down.
"First time leaving Mistvale?"
"Yes."
The guard nodded as though he had expected that answer.
"Then listen carefully."
His expression became serious.
"Mistvale is a Protected Zone."
"You've already noticed that no one can truly fight here."
Aster nodded.
"The moment you cross this gate..."
"...Combat Mode becomes active."
The guard pointed toward the dense forest stretching beyond the walls.
"Monsters will attack you."
"So can other adventurers, provided they accept the consequences of becoming outlaws."
Aster frowned slightly.
"So nowhere outside is safe?"
The guard gave a dry laugh.
"If it were..."
"...adventurers wouldn't exist."
He continued.
"Fortunately, the gods—or whoever created this world—left beginners one mercy."
A translucent system window appeared between them.
Beginner Protection Rule
When a player's Health falls below 10%, emergency teleportation will automatically activate.
The player will be transported to the first Novice Village they have registered.
Current Return Point:
Mistvale Village
The guard dismissed the window.
"You won't die from ordinary defeat."
"But don't mistake that for immortality."
Aster listened quietly.
The veteran's eyes hardened.
"Every defeat costs you."
"You lose time."
"You lose durability on your equipment."
"And sometimes..."
"...you lose opportunities that never come back."
He rested a hand on Aster's shoulder.
"So don't fight battles you don't understand."
Those words struck Aster more deeply than the guard could have known.
They sounded remarkably similar to the teachings of the Primal Codex.
Understanding before power.
Aster bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for the advice."
The guard stepped aside.
"Good luck."
"The world outside is much larger than you think."
The enormous gates slowly opened.
Sunlight poured through the widening gap.
Beyond lay rolling grasslands, winding rivers, and the dense Emeraldwood Forest, where countless beginner monsters roamed.
Aster took a single step forward.
Crunch.
His boot landed beyond Mistvale's protection.
A notification quietly appeared.
You have left the Safe Zone.
Combat Mode: Enabled
A cool breeze greeted him.
He inhaled deeply.
"So this..."
"...is the real beginning."
"Ahem!"
A cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.
Before Aster could turn around, someone stepped directly into his path.
She appeared to be about his age.
Chestnut-colored hair was tied into a high ponytail that bounced with every movement. Bright amber eyes sparkled with confidence, and a simple leather tunic covered light beginner's armor.
A wooden light sword rested casually across her shoulders.
Most noticeable of all...
She wore a grin that suggested she had never met a stranger.
She extended a hand toward him without hesitation.
"Hi!"
"I'm Cole."
Aster blinked.
"...Cole?"
"Yep."
She tilted her head.
"And you're Aster, right?"
His eyes widened slightly.
"You know my name?"
She pointed above his head.
"The registration system displays it."
"Oh..."
He had completely forgotten about that.
Cole laughed.
"First day?"
"...Is it that obvious?"
"A little."
She flashed another easy smile.
"I've been watching you since you left the Adventurer's Association."
Aster instinctively became cautious.
"...Why?"
She shrugged.
"You looked different."
"Different?"
"Everyone else rushed straight to quests."
"You wandered around."
"You watched people."
"You even stopped to listen to that old storyteller."
She folded her arms.
"Nobody does that."
Aster wasn't sure whether that was a compliment.
"So..."
Cole spun her spear once before resting it against her shoulder.
"I've got a proposal."
She pointed toward the forest beyond the gate.
"I want to form a party."
Aster remained silent.
She continued before he could refuse.
"I'm Level 2."
"I've got a decent offensive skill."
"But I don't have anyone reliable to watch my back."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"And you look like the cautious type."
"I figure that's better than teaming up with someone who charges into monsters screaming."
Aster couldn't help but smile.
"...That's a surprisingly practical reason."
"I know, right?"
She laughed proudly.
"So..."
She extended her hand once more.
"What do you say?"
"Partners?"
Aster looked past her toward the endless forest.
He had planned to travel alone.
After all, the Primal Codex was a secret that no one could ever know.
Yet...
If his next goal was to find an offensive skill...
Traveling beside someone who already possessed one might be exactly the opportunity he needed.
His gaze shifted to the spear resting on Cole's shoulder.
A faint shimmer reflected in his eyes.
The icon of Echo of Origin remained dormant...
As if quietly waiting.
Waiting for the moment Aster would witness another Truth.