Chapter 4: The Path Forward

  The orcs led Marcus back to their camp, a well-maintained clearing deep within the forest. Large tents circled a central fire pit, where a pot of stew bubbled over the flames. The rich scent of spices and roasted meat made Marcus’s stomach growl.

  Vira handed him a wooden bowl. “Eat. You’ll need your strength.”

  He accepted it gratefully, settling in with the others. As he ate, he decided it was time to check his status screen. With a thought, the translucent blue window appeared before him.

  Name: Marcus Elder.

  Race: Human.

  Class: Unassigned.

  Level: three.

  Experience: One-hundred-twenty-for of five-hundred.

  HP: One-hundred-thirty of One-hundred-thirty.

  MP: thirteen.

  Ki: thirteen.

  Psycha: thirteen.

  Stats:

  Strength: eighteen.

  Agility: fifteen.

  Endurance: nineteen.

  Intelligence: twelve.

  Wisdom: ten.

  Luck: ten.

  Abilities:

  The Unseen One, Mythic, Hidden: Conceals bearer’s stats from intrusive minds.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Marks:

  Perma: Universal Magic Affinity, Unique: Grants the ability to use Mana, Ki, and Psycha.

  Unallocated Stat Points: four.

  Marcus studied the screen. Two levels from that fight... He glanced at Vira. “How does leveling work?”

  She set her bowl aside. “The system tracks everything—combat, training, strategy. The stronger you get, the harder it is to level up.”

  Boruk leaned forward. “Stats help, but don’t rely on them. Strength alone won’t save you in a fight—skill and experience matter more.”

  Ragn nodded. “You’ll also need to choose a class eventually. It defines your abilities. For you, a brawler class would fit. But if you want to mix magic into your fighting, there’s Spell Sword—a hybrid of melee and magic.”

  Marcus perked up. “Spell Sword?”

  “It lets you cast spells while fighting up close,” Vira explained. “Not as strong as pure mages or warriors, but versatile. A good Spell Sword can turn the tide of battle.”

  That caught Marcus’s interest. A class that let him use magic mid-fight? It was the perfect cover for his abilities. He could mask his use of Ki and Psycha by passing it off as magic.

  Vira smirked. “If you’re interested, we can have the village seer test your affinity.”

  Marcus tensed. “No need. I already know I’m a Mana user.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “You’re level three. How would you know that?”

  “I felt it during the fight,” he said quickly. “Something inside me responded—it had to be Mana.”

  Boruk grunted. “Looked more like Ki. Your punches had weight, like they were reinforced.”

  Ragn, quiet until now, added, “Your stance shifted mid-fight, like a Psycha user adjusting instinctively.”

  Vira studied him, intrigued. “Strange… well, a seer wouldn’t hurt. But if you want to use Mana, I can train you.”

  Marcus forced a nod, keeping his expression neutral. He couldn’t afford to be exposed.

  As the fire crackled and the stew pot emptied, conversation shifted to the orcs' way of life. They were a settled clan, not nomadic, making a living as adventurers near the dungeon. Vira, however, was different. Her ability to use Mana made her rare among orcs, who typically favored Ki.

  Marcus understood her struggle—standing out wasn’t always an advantage.

  “Orcs like us may be rough,” Boruk said, “but we survive because we stick together. Strength alone isn’t enough—you need people you can trust.”

  Marcus nodded, appreciating their camaraderie.

  Later that night, as the orcs slept, Marcus sat alone by the fire, staring at the stars. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of Mana, Ki, and Psycha within him.

  I’ll use everything I have—Ki for strength, Psycha for perception, Mana for control. The system wants me to pick a path, but I refuse to be limited.

  The Spell Sword class was the perfect guise. He could play the part while mastering all three magic types in secret.

  As for weapons, swords felt unnatural. Axes were too slow. He needed something that fit his natural fighting style.

  His fists had always been his weapons. Maybe there was a way to enhance them—gauntlets, enchanted wraps, something that let him fight with raw power.

  With quiet determination, he made a promise to himself.

  He wouldn’t just survive in this world—he’d become strong.