Ren had already begun his journey toward the Magic Academy.
He was traveling on foot, alone.
Thanks to his physical training, his stamina and endurance were far beyond an average child.
After walking for hours, he entered a dense forest and decided to rest for a while.
But suddenly—
"Help… someone please help us!"
A desperate cry echoed from deeper inside the forest.
Without hesitation, Ren shot forward at full speed.
🐉 The Attacked Caravan
When he arrived, he saw a carriage under attack.
A large dragon-drawn carriage was being surrounded by monsters.
Inside the carriage were:
Lord Gareth Velmire, a noble merchant
Lady Elira Velmire, his wife
And their twin daughters:
Ayla Velmire
Mira Velmire
Standing in front of them was a terrifying monster—
💀 Orc Lord Grukthar
A massive Orc Lord, a creature that only Rank A adventurers could hope to defeat.
Its presence alone was suffocating.
Ren stepped forward without fear.
⚔️ Ren vs the Orc Lord
Ren dashed forward and launched his attack using pure speed.
But the Orc Lord's body was extremely tough—like steel armor.
The attack barely made a scratch.
Ren clicked his tongue.
"This won't be easy…"
Despite that, he refused to retreat.
Instead, he used his intelligence.
He slowly lured the Orc Lord away from the carriage, keeping the civilians safe.
The Orc Lord roared and attacked with brute force and dark energy.
Ren dodged every strike using his superior speed.
Then he disappeared into the trees.
⚡ The Counterattack
Hidden among the shadows, Ren prepared his technique.
"Now…"
He activated his dual sword technique.
In an instant, he moved like lightning.
⚔️ Double Blade Strike!
A powerful slash landed directly on the Orc Lord's eyes.
"GRAAAGH!!"
The Orc Lord screamed in pain—it was now blinded.
This was Ren's chance.
He jumped high into the air.
💥 Final Blow
"Core Breaker Strike!"
His blade pierced straight into the monster's head.
BOOM!
The Orc Lord collapsed to the ground… lifeless.
Silence returned to the forest.
Ren landed slowly, breathing heavily.
But something strange happened.
🌟 A Strange Feeling
Ren noticed something unusual.
His exhaustion was fading rapidly.
His body felt lighter… stronger… almost refreshed.
"W-what is this…?"
He looked at the Orc Lord's chest and found a glowing crystal.
A Monster Core.
His father had once told him:
"When a monster dies, its mana condenses into a core. These cores are highly valuable in the Adventurer Guild."
Ren held it tightly.
"This is my first time seeing a high-grade core…"
🚚 The Caravan's Reaction
Ren walked back to the carriage.
Everyone froze the moment they saw him.
Ayla Velmire:
"You… you really defeated that Orc Lord alone?!"
Mira Velmire:
"And without magic?!"
Lord Gareth Velmire immediately stepped forward.
"What is your name, boy?"
"Ren."
"I'm going to the Magic Academy."
The noble man's eyes widened.
"Then fate must have brought you here. We are also heading to the capital. Come with us."
After a moment of silence, Ren nodded.
⏳ Three Days of Journey
The journey continued peacefully for three days.
No attacks. No danger.
But on the fourth day, everything changed.
🌲 A Hunting Break
Their food supplies were running low.
Ren volunteered.
"I'll go hunt."
He entered the forest alone.
💀 The Oni Beast Encounter
Deep inside the forest, Ren found a terrifying creature—
Oni Beast Kurozak
A massive demon-like monster was attacking a wounded fairy.
The fairy was barely alive.
✨ Fairy Liora
Without hesitation, Ren activated his stealth movement skill.
He appeared behind the beast.
⚔️ A clean strike.
The Oni Beast collapsed instantly.
🌸 The Fairy Awakens
The fairy slowly opened her eyes.
"You… saved me…"
Ren looked at her calmly.
"What are you doing here?"
Liora explained:
"I was sealing a dangerous demon inside a cave… but I exhausted all my energy afterward. That's when the Oni Beast attacked me."
She stood up slowly, preparing to leave.
But then she stopped.
"Before I go… I want to give you a blessing."
Ren frowned slightly.
"A blessing?"
Liora smiled softly.
"I grant you… an Item Box ability."
A bright light entered Ren's body.
And in the next moment—
She disappeared.
🌌 A New Power
Ren stood still in shock.
"Item Box…?"
He had heard legends about it.
A rare spatial ability possessed only by legendary figures.
"Just who… am I becoming?"
A strange feeling began to grow inside him.
His journey was far from normal.