Yuki walked along the narrow streets of the town, the sun sinking lower in the sky as the golden hues of twilight enveloped the surroundings. The gentle hum of activity around her was muted, almost like the world was slowly winding down for the day. The weight of her cloak on her shoulders felt heavier than usual, but it was a familiar feeling, one she had grown accustomed to during her travels.

  She had spent much of the day navigating through the town, talking to a few schors, and trying to learn more about this strange world she found herself in. But now, with the evening approaching, the only thing on her mind was the room she had rented earlier in the inn. She had been hoping to rest sooner, but the day's events had taken longer than expected. The research, the brief interactions with people, and the overwhelming sense of unfamiliarity all weighed on her. She needed some time to herself, to process everything, to gather her thoughts in a pce where she could be alone.

  As Yuki made her way toward the inn, she noticed a subtle shift in the behavior of the townsfolk around her. At first, it was nothing more than a few people gncing at her from the corner of their eyes. But as she continued walking, it became more apparent. People subtly moved away from her path, avoiding eye contact or stepping aside as she approached.

  Yuki noticed the strange way people seemed to avoid her, but it didn’t particurly faze her. She couldn’t quite pce why they were acting like this, and frankly, she didn’t really care. Maybe it was her appearance—after all, she had changed since arriving in this world, and she did look different now. But it wasn’t something she felt the need to dwell on. She’d always been an outsider, in one way or another, even in her old life.

  With a shrug, she continued walking, humming a tune as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Let them think what they wanted—Yuki had her own path to follow, and she wasn’t about to waste time worrying about how others viewed her.

  She arrived at the inn, a small, charming building that stood at the corner of the street. Its wooden sign swayed gently in the breeze, and the soft flickering of light from inside welcomed her. The door creaked as she pushed it open, and the warm smell of the inn’s interior wrapped around her like a familiar embrace.

  The innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a trimmed beard, looked up from behind the desk as she entered. He offered a polite smile and nodded toward her. “Ah, Miss Yuki. Your room is ready, just as you requested.”

  Yuki nodded, her fingers brushing over the key he handed her. It was a simple thing, but it represented what she had been looking for all day—a small moment of peace. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  With a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yuki turned and made her way up the stairs to the second floor. Her boots echoed softly on the wooden steps as she climbed, and the quiet stillness of the inn felt like a welcome reprieve from the chaos of the streets outside.

  When she reached the door to her room, she paused for a moment, holding the key in her hand. She took a deep breath, a small sense of relief settling within her. There was no hurry now. She wasn’t going anywhere. She unlocked the door and stepped inside.

  The room was simple—a bed with soft, warm linens, a chair by the window, and a small desk with a flickering candle. The evening light filled the room with a soft, amber glow. It was quiet, private. Yuki felt a slight sense of comfort in the solitude. It wasn’t much, but it was enough.

  She locked the door behind her, unbuckling the straps of her armor and slipping out of her cloak. She hung them on a hook by the door before walking to the small desk where she had pced her satchel earlier in the day. She reached into the bag and pulled out the skill book she had acquired—the one that promised to unlock something powerful.

  As she stared at the cover, a wave of unease passed through her. She had been carrying this book for days now, and she hadn’t been sure whether or not to use it. The book was supposed to unlock a rare skill, something that could potentially change everything for her. The possibilities were endless, and yet... she wasn’t sure if she was ready for what it might mean.

  But then again, what choice did she have? The stakes were high. She had spent too much time searching for answers, for power. Lirien, her lost companion, was still gone, and no matter how much she learned, the knowledge didn’t bring her any closer to bringing her back. Perhaps this skill book was the key, but the thought of what it might cost left her unsettled.

  She shook her head, pushing aside her doubts. She had made her decision. She had to bring Lirien back. It was the only thing that mattered now.

  With a quiet resolve, Yuki opened the book and looked down at the pages, her eyes scanning the instructions. The moment her fingers brushed the words, a system prompt appeared before her eyes.

  [System Notice: Do You Wish To Use The Item {Legacy Skill Book} To Unlock A Skill?]

  Yuki paused for a moment, her thoughts racing. What would this mean for her? Would this change her in ways she couldn’t predict? The question lingered in her mind, but in the end, there was only one answer.

  She pressed "Yes."

  Another prompt followed immediately, dispying a long list of rare and powerful skills. Her eyes scanned the options—each one more intriguing than the st. There were so many different directions she could take. But as her gaze fell on a particur skill, she knew what she needed.

  She selected it without hesitation.

  [System Notice: Skill [Elemental Coating: Necrotic TI] Gained.]

  A cold sensation spread through Yuki’s body as the power surged within her. It settled in her chest, heavy but not unfamiliar. Her skin tingled, and for a brief moment, she felt as though the very air around her had shifted. She took a slow breath, trying to steady herself. It was done. She had unlocked it—Necrotic, a form of death magic. It felt strange, but in some way, it felt right. This was the first step toward the power she needed to bring Lirien back.

  Yuki closed her eyes for a moment, letting the silence of the room wash over her. She felt unsettled by the magic within her, but she also felt a quiet determination. This power wasn’t for her—it was for Lirien. For the friend she had lost.

  The next step would be unlocking the Necromancy Affinity, a key to mastering death and souls. Affinities were powerful forces that grew and evolved over time, as long as the right conditions were met. After Necrotic, she would need to evolve into Soulmancy, a mastery over souls themselves. Only then would she have the power to bring Lirien back.

  Yuki’s thoughts wandered, her gaze distant. She could almost feel the cold power settling within her, urging her to continue. The path ahead wouldn’t be easy. To unlock Necromancy, she would need to push her new skills to their limits. Only then would she reach Soulmancy, the power to control souls. That would be the key to resurrecting Lirien. But it wasn’t something that could be rushed. She had to be patient, to learn and practice until she was ready.

  The road was long and fraught with challenges, and the toll would be heavy. She knew it wouldn’t be easy. But she couldn’t stop now. There was too much at stake.

  Yuki stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the town as the soft glow of twilight bathed the streets. Her thoughts drifted back to the world she had left behind. She had always been an outsider, someone who didn’t quite fit in. But now, she had to become something more—something that could defy death itself.

  And she would do whatever it took to make that happen.