Sai crouched on the thick branch of the towering tree, his sharp eyes scanning the dense foliage below. The rustling leaves carried the faint scent of damp earth, mingling with the crisp, unfamiliar air of this world. His instincts, honed by years of reading countless adventure novels, screamed at him—his first priority was survival, followed by understanding his surroundings.

  He picked a direction, one where the sunlight barely peeked through the thick canopy, and leaped down, landing softly on the damp ground. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, weaving through the massive trunks, his senses sharpening with every step. His body, though new to this world, adapted quickly, muscles working in tandem as though he had always been meant to move this way.

  The forest was alive with the sounds of unseen creatures—chirps, rustles, and the distant calls of predators. Yet, Sai moved with measured caution, keeping himself ready to react at any moment. His perception, heightened by his sheer focus, took in every detail—the twisted roots that could trip him, the faint scratches on the bark of trees, and the occasional snapped branch suggesting something—or someone—had passed through recently.

  After what felt like an hour of relentless movement, his keen gaze caught something unusual—a set of wheel tracks carved into the damp soil. A cart. That meant people.

  Sai slowed his pace, crouching low as he inspected the tracks. The depth of the grooves suggested a heavily loaded cart, and from the slightly uneven spacing of the left track, he deduced a damaged wheel.

  Taking a deep breath, he decided to follow. If it led to a settlement, he could gather information.

  Keeping to the shadows, Sai moved parallel to the trail, careful not to step directly onto it. His ears remained alert as he continued his journey. The air grew lighter, the dense forest giving way to clearer paths. Soon, in the distance, he caught sight of buildings—a small town nestled against the backdrop of rolling hills.

  He halted, assessing the situation. A town meant people, rules, and possibly trouble if he wasn’t careful. Before proceeding, he decided to check his storage ring. With a thought, he accessed the spatial magic and found it filled with stacks of gold and silver coins.

  To avoid unwanted attention, he withdrew a handful of silver coins and slipped them into his pocket. Gold was too conspicuous; silver would suffice for minor expenses like the entrance fee.

  With everything prepared, Sai straightened his posture and walked toward the town’s gates, ready to blend in and gather information about this new world.

  Sai adjusted his clothes to blend in, opting for a simple tunic and trousers that wouldn’t attract unnecessary attention. With a thought, he stored his sword in his storage ring, ensuring he wouldn’t stand out as an armed traveler. As he moved into the line leading to the city gates, he activated his ability to sense emotions, scanning the guards ahead.

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  Among them, one radiated an air of trustworthiness—his stance firm but not overbearing, his expression professional. Another, however, exuded something else entirely—subtle anxiety, a hint of deceit lurking beneath his exterior. Sai’s instincts sharpened, marking the shady one in his mind.

  After paying the entrance fee, Sai received a small amount of change along with a temporary permit to enter the city. The parchment bore an official seal, allowing him unrestricted movement within the city's walls for a limited time. Pocketing it, he stepped forward toward the trustworthy-looking guard.

  "Excuse me," Sai said, keeping his tone casual but firm. "I'm new here. Could you recommend a decent inn?"

  The guard glanced at him, his expression neutral but not unfriendly. "Depends on what you're looking for. If you want something affordable but decent, try the Copper Hearth a few streets down from the main square. If you’re looking for something more comfortable, the Silver Lantern near the merchant district is a good choice, but it’s pricier."

  Sai nodded, committing the names to memory. "Appreciate it."

  The guard gave a short nod before turning his attention back to his duties. Sai glanced once at the shady-looking guard, noting his tense posture and the way his eyes flicked toward certain travelers with interest. Something about him wasn’t right, but Sai had no reason to interfere—at least not yet.

  For now, his priority was finding an inn and gathering information. With that, he stepped past the gates and into the bustling streets of the city.

  As Sai walked through the city streets, he took in the sight of various races mingling together—elves, dwarves, beastkin, and even a few lesser-known beings with unique features. Yet, none of this fazed him. After all, he had lived in a castle full of dragons, trained under their guidance, and seen creatures far more powerful than the ordinary city dwellers. Compared to that, this was nothing surprising.

  Still, he observed carefully, noting the way different races interacted. The city seemed relatively peaceful, with merchants loudly advertising their wares, adventurers clad in armor discussing their latest quests, and common folk going about their daily lives.

  Without wasting much time, Sai made his way to the Copper Hearth Inn as suggested by the guard. The building was sturdy and well-maintained, a simple yet welcoming place that seemed to cater to travelers.

  Inside, the innkeeper, a middle-aged dwarf with a thick beard and a keen eye, greeted him. "Looking for a room, lad?"

  "Yeah, one for a week," Sai replied, One silver and five copper for the week," the innkeeper confirmed. "Fair price for a quiet room, a meal a day, and fresh water for washing. No funny business, and you won’t have trouble here."

  Sai took the key, feeling the slight weight of it in his palm. "Understood," he replied simply before heading upstairs.

  His room was modest but well-kept a sturdy bed, a wooden table, and a window overlooking the street below. He set his things down, letting out a breath. With a place secured, he could now focus on gathering information, understanding the city’s layout, and deciding his next move

  [Name: Sai]

  [Race: Human]

  [Power Level: Awakened]

  [Level: 10]

  Strength: 100

  Agility: 85

  Intelligence: 75

  Endurance: 120

  Charisma: 30

  Perception: 60

  Willpower : 80

  [Skills:]

  Intermediate Combat

  Mana Control (Intermediate)

  Elemental Affinity (Minor)

  Body Tempering (Enhanced)

  [Eqippment]

  Calm Mind (Passive):

  Description: Sai maintains an unshakable mental state, even in the most chaotic of situations. His mind remains focused, reducing distractions and boosting his decision-making and combat effectiveness.

  Fury (Fighting Skill):

  Description: A fighting style that channels pure energy into every blow. Each strike is empowered with destructive force, tearing through armor and shields