The decision came faster than I expected.
But once I made it…
I didn't hesitate.
"I'm moving."
Eron looked at me for a moment.
We were standing near the edge of the village, the morning air still cold.
"...To the trading village?"
"Yeah."
He crossed his arms.
"That was quick."
"I don't have a reason to stay here."
That was the truth.
This village…
It saved me.
But it wasn't a place to grow.
Eron stared at me for a few seconds.
Then he sighed.
"...Yeah."
"I figured you'd say that."
I scratched the back of my head.
"Thanks for everything."
He waved his hand.
"Don't make it sound like you're leaving forever."
A small smile appeared on my face.
"...Maybe I am."
He smirked.
"Then don't die out there."
"I'll try."
Silence.
Then—
Eron extended his hand.
"Next time we meet…"
His grin widened slightly.
"...don't be weak."
I grabbed his hand.
"...Same to you."
We shook hands once.
Then I turned around.
And started walking.
The forest felt different again.
Not like before.
This time, I wasn't running.
I wasn't lost.
I had a destination.
And more importantly—
I had a goal.
On the way, I didn't waste time.
I hunted.
Carefully.
Efficiently.
Two medicinal plants.
Then another.
I recognized them now.
Their shapes.
Their smell.
Their value.
"...This should sell well."
A few hours later—
I found another target.
A monster.
Same type as before.
Rank D.
My grip tightened around the knife.
"...Alright."
The fight wasn't easy.
It never was.
But this time—
I wasn't panicking.
I moved.
Dodged.
Waited for an opening.
Then struck.
The blade sank into its side.
The monster roared.
But I didn't step back.
I pushed forward.
Again.
Again.
Until—
It stopped moving.
Heavy breathing filled the air.
I looked down at the body.
"...I did it alone."
For the first time—
I didn't feel lucky.
I felt…
Capable.
As I got closer to the trading village—
Something felt off.
A strange feeling crawled up my spine.
Like someone was watching me.
I stopped walking.
Silence.
The forest around me was quiet.
Too quiet.
My eyes moved slowly.
Left.
Right.
Behind.
"...Who's there?"
No answer.
I narrowed my eyes.
Then suddenly turned around.
Nothing.
Just trees.
Wind.
Leaves.
"...Tch."
I clicked my tongue.
"Probably nothing."
But even as I continued walking—
That feeling didn't completely disappear.
Deep within the forest—
Far from where I stood—
A figure watched silently.
Hidden among the shadows.
"...He noticed."
A low voice muttered.
A faint smirk appeared.
"Heh."
"Interesting."
By the time I reached the trading village, the sun was already starting to lower.
The gates were still open.
People moved in and out as usual.
This place…
Still felt busy.
Alive.
I walked straight toward the guild.
No hesitation this time.
When I entered—
Some people glanced at me.
Then looked away.
Same as before.
Good.
I preferred it that way.
I approached the counter.
The same staff from yesterday looked up.
"...You again?"
"Yeah."
I placed my items on the table.
Plants.
Fur.
And—
The monster.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"...Another Rank D?"
"Yeah."
She looked at me carefully.
"From where?"
"The forest near a village."
I paused for a moment.
"...West side."
She crossed her arms.
"You're telling me you found two Rank D monsters in two days?"
I shrugged.
"I've fought them before."
"Experience helps."
She didn't look fully convinced.
But she didn't question further.
Instead, she started calculating.
After a moment—
She pushed the coins toward me.
"Payment."
More than yesterday.
I picked it up slowly.
"...Not bad."
She leaned slightly forward.
"You're Rank F, right?"
"Yeah."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Be careful."
"Rank D isn't something beginners should chase."
I nodded.
"I know."
But inside—
I didn't feel like a beginner anymore.
After leaving the guild, I didn't wander around this time.
I had something specific to do.
"Find a place to stay."
After asking around a bit—
I found one.
Not in the center.
Not crowded.
A small inn near the edge of the village.
Quiet.
Exactly what I needed.
I stepped inside.
A middle-aged man stood behind the counter.
He looked up.
"...Room?"
"Yeah."
"One night?"
"For now."
He nodded.
"Cheap room or normal?"
"Cheap."
He smirked slightly.
"Good choice."
After paying, he handed me a key.
"Upstairs. Last door."
The room was small.
But clean.
Better than the hut.
I dropped my bag on the floor.
"...This works."
After resting for a bit, I went back down.
The smell of food filled the room.
My stomach growled immediately.
I sat at a table.
"Food."
The owner nodded.
A few minutes later—
A simple meal was placed in front of me.
I ate quietly.
But after a while—
The owner sat across from me.
"You're new."
I glanced at him.
"That obvious?"
He shrugged.
"I remember faces."
I nodded slightly.
"...Yeah."
After a moment, I asked,
"How do people usually make money here?"
He leaned back.
"Depends."
"Adventurers hunt."
"Traders sell."
"Others do whatever they can."
He looked at me carefully.
"You're an adventurer?"
"Rank F."
He chuckled.
"Then you'll be doing the worst jobs."
"I figured."
He leaned forward slightly.
"If you want money—"
"Don't just rely on guild jobs."
I raised an eyebrow.
"...Then?"
"Information."
"Opportunities."
"Connections."
I stayed quiet.
Listening.
He continued,
"Some monsters are worth more than others."
"Some plants are rare."
"Some jobs don't appear on the board."
That caught my attention.
"...Hidden jobs?"
He smirked.
"You could call it that."
Silence.
I thought about everything he said.
Then nodded slowly.
"...Got it."
He stood up.
"Good."
"Then survive."
After finishing my meal, I went back to my room.
I lay down on the bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
"...Alright."
New place.
New start.
No one knows me here.
No past.
No expectations.
I closed my eyes.
"...Tomorrow."
My voice was quiet.
But firm.
"I start for real."