The days passed quietly, blending into one another in a rhythm Ravin had come to understand. Work, learning, survival—it had all become part of his new existence. Yet on this particular morning, he chose to do nothing.
Ravin stepped out of his cabin and let himself fall gently onto the soft, damp grass. The earth beneath him was cool, the scent of nature rich and calming. He stretched his arms slightly, staring up at the vast sky above him, its endless blue stretching far beyond anything he could comprehend.
For a long moment, he said nothing. He simply breathed.
Then, slowly, his thoughts began to surface.
"Unfair…" he murmured under his breath.
His voice was calm, but heavy with memory.
"In my old world… everything was decided before you even had a chance. The rich stayed rich. The powerful stayed powerful. And people like me…" He paused, exhaling softly. "We just existed. Working, enduring, hoping for something that never came."
His eyes narrowed slightly as the wind brushed across his face.
"I studied. I worked hard. I followed every rule they told me to follow… and yet, it didn't matter."
Silence returned for a brief moment, broken only by the rustling leaves.
"But here…" he continued, his voice quieter now, almost uncertain. "This world is harsh. Dangerous. Unforgiving."
He lifted one hand toward the sky, watching the light filter through his fingers.
"And yet… it feels… free."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"No bosses. No expectations. No invisible chains holding me down."
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the breeze move across the open land, the sound of the forest alive around him.
"Here… if I fail, it's because of me. And if I succeed…"
He opened his eyes again, a sharper light now within them.
"It's mine."
For the first time, his thoughts did not feel like a burden—but a realization.
He turned his gaze back to the sky, letting his mind drift.
Then, something caught his attention.
A group of birds flew high above him, their wings cutting through the air with effortless grace. They moved together, then apart, gliding freely across the endless sky.
Ravin followed their movement with his eyes, silent at first.
"…Flying wherever they want…" he whispered.
Something stirred within him.
And then—
A sudden thought.
Meat.
His stomach tightened instantly, as if responding to the idea itself. It had been a long time since he had eaten anything beyond vegetables and fruits. The memory of rich, cooked meat, the taste, the texture—it all came rushing back at once.
"Hah…" he let out a short breath, almost amused. "Now that I think about it…"
His hunger sharpened.
Without hesitation, Ravin pushed himself up from the ground in one quick motion. The calm moment vanished, replaced by a sudden burst of energy.
"Alright…" he said, stretching slightly. "If I can't get meat yet…"
He glanced toward his small fields, where his crops had grown steadily under his care.
"Then I'll make something better than just eating them raw."
An idea formed in his mind almost instantly.
"A proper meal… simple, but refreshing."
A faint smile returned to his face.
"Fruit salad… and vegetable salad."
It wasn't luxurious, but it was something. Something he could create, control, and enjoy.
Ravin walked back toward his crops, his steps steady and purposeful. He began gathering fresh ingredients—ripe fruits, crisp vegetables, and a handful of herbs for added flavor. Each item he picked reflected the effort he had put into building this life.
Back near his cooking area, he cleaned everything carefully, using the tools he had crafted himself. His movements were smoother now, more confident than before. The knife sliced cleanly, the ingredients falling into place with precision.
Bright colors filled the plate—greens, reds, yellows—simple, yet vibrant.
He mixed them thoughtfully, balancing textures and flavors as best as he could.
When he finally sat down, the bowl in front of him, Ravin took a moment before eating.
He looked at the food… then around him… then up at the sky once more.
A quiet sense of satisfaction settled within him.
It wasn't the life he once knew.
But for the first time—
It felt like a life that belonged to him.
And as he took his first bite, fresh and full of flavor, Ravin allowed himself a small, genuine smile.
Because in this world, no matter how harsh it was…
Every step forward was his own.