The boy walked towards the desk, slowly climbing onto the chair since he was too short. He was also still feeling weak after everything he'd been through.

  After standing on the chair, he opened the box. There were things placed in a very messy way, extremely unorganized. At the top, there was an envelope.

  He extended his hand, but as soon as he touched the envelope, it opened. A paper moved outside the envelope and unfolded itself with—of course—words written on it. But the boy wasn't very good at reading—he hadn't learned many words from his parents before tragedy struck him.

  To his surprise, the letter spoke on its own. It had a very weird speech mannerism, at least by his standards.

  "Yo, brat. Whoever you are, and whatever you are, well... fate is a real bitch these days. According to a crazy—uh, wise—old man, a worthy brat will be led to this place. He kept rambling about some crossroad-of-fate bullshit like he always does.

  He can't see fate that well, to be honest, but it's better safe than sorry. Also, the other old man, the tsundere old man, said something about gathering good karma, which is another thing I don't believe in. Regardless... sigh... why did they make me record this?

  You're amazed, right?

  This is a record I left here. Don't you dare call it an inheritance or a legacy. I'm living and well.

  Ah, right... he didn't say how old the brat would be. To that old man, seven, seventy, or seven hundred, you're all brats, so don't bother if you turn out to be an old man.

  Listen up... here's the full, complete version of books I wrote. I translated it into this world's tongue, reluctantly, of course.

  The old man said that whoever finds it will write a great chapter in the history of this small place.

  I don't know how you managed to get Pakpok to bring you here, but that cute little kid probably found you too weak and took a liking to you.

  If Pakpok acts weak and hides his strength, respect that. He doesn't like fighting much, anyway, so leave him be. A peaceful life is good.

  The dude only wants to chill.

  Ah, the chick too... his name is Finn Twist.

  He spent most of his time with Aspen and became a shallow bastard like him.

  Where were we? Hmm..."

  The voice paused for a moment, seeming deep in thought.

  'How does a normal person speak like this?' the boy thought as he listened to the nonstop rambling coming from the paper note. He didn't dare breathe too loudly.

  "Right, the good karma...

  Focus here now, brat. Understand your significance in this world. How much you can change, who you can help, who's worthy of help, and lastly... who must be killed. This is the good karma. Don't run to your death or overwhelm yourself with the idea that you can change everything. Don't try to tackle things beyond your size or significance.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Prepare for anything. Any nonsensical situation that might've crossed your mind by chance. Increase your significance. Don't seek being called a hero or a devil, since people will label you as both depending on which side of the stick they're on.

  Seek being cool in your own eyes. Once you see yourself as a cool guy, that's it. You're doing it right.

  Here, I left one of my favorite weapons. One that's been with me through an entire bullshit adventure.

  OKC-3S bayonet. I'm sure you don't even know what that is, but just take care of it. Those two old men made me leave it behind against my will. Sigh...

  You'll also find here three books.

  Book of Nurturing. That one will lead you on the path of improving your body and mind. It also keeps you safe from parasites. The crazy—uh, wise—old man says these methods can rupture the binds of fate, so believe whatever you want.

  The first part of the book is 'Origin'—the body.

  The second part is 'Fantasy'—the mind.

  As for the third part, you won't be able to read or see its first page if you're weak.

  Then, there's the second book...

  Book of Companionship.

  This one was written to discuss furry companions who started as regular small, weak pets of mine. In essence, it's a guideline for forming a mental link with beasts and becoming badass together.

  And lastly...

  Book of Means.

  It's a collection of the convenient sorcery I designed. It's different from those developed by that shallow guy.. Mine are based on convenience, not assault. If you want assault based sorcery, develop them on your own after learning the basics.

  Sorcery—unlike the crude way you guys utilize what you call Mana—is systematic, like an electrical circu—dammit, everything I try to say is irrelevant to this stupid primitive place.

  Well, this book is locked too. Make sure you open it when you're capable enough.

  Focus on body and mind to open the last part of the Book of Nurturing, and mana fine control to open the Book of Means.

  If you look at the ceiling, this place was built with sorcery anyway. That's a living example.

  But remember... if you happen to turn into an asshole, I'll find and kill you myself.

  Aspen also left a set of clothing here. He was obsessed with size modification for some unknown reason and made an enchantment spell for it. The clothes will fit you whether you're a kid or an old man.

  Ah, if you really are a brat and can't read yet, find the School of the Badass. That's something I established.

  They'll teach you Combat and Evasion theories I established too.

  If the school no longer exists, burn the books. I'll come here myself and destroy this stupid planet.

  That was also the reason I left a record instead of written paper. Always prepare. Remember."

  The boy thought it was over—until the voice came again:

  "Be careful with the knife and clothing, since they might be recognized as items that belonged to me... Also, this place will disappear, and you'll find that it's a storage item. Brat, you know I only held a storage item when I was over 30, right? Hmm... you could be an old man, anyway... sigh.

  Brat... did you think I was some asshole who leaves locked books without the method to unlock them? Nah, I'm not that type of guy.

  You'll find a mask... I modified the design so it won't look like my legion's masks... it has a combat assessment system. I used to control that system manually. Well... the one you have will work on its own... it will also assess your level and unlock the book."

  Now the voice stopped, and the paper disintegrated... disappeared like faint wisps of mana.

  The boy was frozen for a whole minute, unable to comprehend what he had just heard. Who was that person?

  He didn't sound like a good person, but the terrakin—Pakpok—had a subtle sense of longing, yearning on his face as he kept looking at the spot where the envelope disappeared.

  Suddenly, the snake symbol behind the desk started rotating. The boy hastily looked behind in horror. The snake rotated, the glass shattered, showing endless darkness... but it was only for a moment. The boy, Pakpok, and Finn Twist were gently pushed outside of... now a bag with a shoulder strap.

  The box was still there, but the star-like beautiful sorcery disappeared.

  The snake engraving was still there though... on the inner side of the bag