Personal Information Name: Kurosawa Hinata Age: 17 Race: Beastfolk Level: 10 HP: 500/500 MP: 1200/1200 Talent: Combat Instinct Bound Weapon: Black Sword Yami Strength: 190 (+55) Speed: 225 Agility: 250 Defense: 185 Luck: A-rank Passive Skill: Mystic Eye. Automatically activates whenever she stares at an object or event for five seconds. It allows her to clearly see that object or event's essence and basic information. Consumes no mana. Active Skill: Triple Thrust Level 1. When activated, it continuously delivers three perfect thrusts at an enemy's weak points over a short period. Costs 50 mana. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
Every time someone reaches a multiple of five, they receive one skill upgrade. Every time someone reaches a multiple of ten, they learn one new skill. Each individual can only learn a limited number of skills, so choose carefully. The maximum Level of all living creatures in the world is 999, and it cannot be exceeded. Upon reaching the highest Level, each individual is allowed to possess a unique title of their own. Whenever someone mentions that title, they receive a spark of faith that helps completely change that individual's essence. However, this process takes an extremely long time.
Those capable of gathering faith have a chance to enter the divine realm. Even so, over the past several thousand years in this world, the people who have attained a deity's unique title can be counted on one hand. These are pieces of knowledge and stories passed down year after year, from one generation to the next. They have been passed down for so long that people in the present now see them as nothing more than ancient legends. But everyone knows the titles of those deities, everyone worships them, and everyone firmly believes that deities truly exist.
Hinata had read these stories in the town's great library, which preserved thousands of books and thousands of stories from the past to the present. She believed those stories had truly happened in the past. They had also become her goal for the future: to travel and explore the places said to be divine ruins. Her only purpose was to visit them, see them for herself, and feel what had really happened in the past. Carrying the sword her parents had given her, named Yami, she began her journey.
—Uncle, how long does it take to get from here to the next town, and how much does it cost?
—Oh, it's Hinata. You've grown so fast! Have you finally gotten permission to leave?
—Yes.
—Let's see... It should only take half a day. Since we're acquainted, I'll charge you 20 silver coins, okay?
—Yes, thank you, Uncle.
—All right, that's enough. Climb aboard. We're heading out right now.
Hinata nimbly climbed into the back of the wagon, where quite a few people were already sitting. Most of them were adventurers like her, while the rest were wandering merchants on their way to trade with the nearby towns. The horse-drawn carriage slowly rolled along the familiar trail leading to the next town, leaving behind the small town where Hinata had been born and raised. Over the years, she had made countless memories there. But people had to grow up. Everyone had to set foot on the road toward fulfilling their ideals before they could find things more important—things meaningful enough to make travelers from far away stop and rest, just like her father.
The journey went incredibly smoothly, and Hinata quietly watched the scenery drift past outside the window. Suddenly, someone sitting beside her tapped her on the shoulder, startling her into turning around. Only after seeing the face beneath the hood did she let out a relieved smile. It was Shishiro Botan, a friend who had trained in the forest alongside her. She was a beastfolk too, belonging to the White Lion beastfolk. Hinata hadn't expected her to leave town today as well.
—Botan? When did you get on?
—I got on a little while before you. You're headed to the next town too?
—That's right. So, have you made any plans yet?
—Not yet. I'll figure things out as I go. What about you?
—I want to explore the ruins and visit places rumored to contain traces of divine relics. You know me. That's all I'm really interested in.
—Haha, that's so you. Who knows when we'll get another chance to come back.
—Hey, we just left. You can't stand being away already?
—Of course I can. I'm just sighing wistfully. Aren't you doing the same?
—Hahaha, I was only joking. Then let's meet again when we get the chance, okay?
—Sure. If anything comes up, contact me through the Adventurer's Guild. That way, no matter where we go, we'll still be able to talk to each other. Even if it takes a little while.
When the horse-drawn carriage arrived, Hinata and Botan said goodbye before each heading off in the direction they had chosen. It was only then that Hinata truly took the first step on her journey of exploration.