[Strength-I: Increase strength by 5]

[Agility-I: Increase agility by 5]

[Detection-I: Detect lifeforms in a 50-meter radius.]

As Arthur read them, he finally started to see hope. From what he knew, runes were symbols giving special effects using mana. Artifacts of the past had runes that gave them their unique functions. 

For example, some weapons would burn with fire if injected with mana, and some would freeze what they touch. Some artifacts would cast barriers, and others would heal people in a given radius when used.

These were all achieved by runes engraved on the artifacts themselves. Scientists tried to replicate these runes, but they only succeeded in making artificial ones, as they only shared the mana path with genuine runes.

“Detect,” Arthur muttered and willed the detection rune to activate. He felt something escaping his body and guessed it was the mana. A white symbol appeared above his palm, and it radiated a faint yellow glow.

It pulsed several times, and Arthur could feel invisible waves traveling from his hand to the surrounding. As they traveled, Arthur could strangely know what they encountered. The symbol kept pulsing, and Arthur could now perceive lifeforms in a 50-meters radius.

He ignored the ones deep underground and focused on his surroundings. Other than some lifeforms in the lake, the forest was mostly empty of monsters. There were some birds and bugs, but Arthur could perceive they were harmless.

With his radar-like new ability, Arthur began to walk through the forest. As he kept on walking hastily, he went deeper and deeper. At some point, he sensed a wolf in the woods, and he changed directions and kept going. This ability allowed him to travel for 10 minutes before the symbol dimmed and disappeared.

“Phew.” Arthur sighed and stopped in his tracks. Luckily, the sun was still up, although there was an orange hue in the sky. He didn’t have much time before night would set. He needed to get some food and shelter for the night.

As he looked around, he saw a tree with some fruits. Although they wouldn’t fill his stomach, they would at least sustain him. He did think about hunting a rabbit or something, but he didn’t know how to butcher it or even start a fire, given that he had the equipment for that which he didn’t.

As he checked his mana while eating, he found that it was still 0/1. It appeared he can use one rune before it emptied. He waited for it to recover as he ate. After another 5 minutes, his mana was back. He didn’t know if it didn’t take long, only 15 minutes, because he ate or if it regenerated by itself. 

He used the Detection-I rune again and continued on marching. He started heading toward a mountain in the distance, hoping to find an empty cave.

***

After three hours of looking around, Arthur finally managed to find an uninhabited cave. It was shallow and didn’t offer any protection but a roof for the night. Before it was too dark, he broke some branches and twigs to make a weapon and a fire. He didn’t know how to make the latter, and he sharpened a branch using the cave wall for the former.

The night took over the sky, and the darkness blanketed the world. The lack of sun brought a chill, and Arthur had to endure the cold. He finally succeeded in making some fire by rubbing some twigs against the branches. Light spread throughout the cave, illuminating its interior. 

Arthur decided against sleeping for the night as he heard the howls of monsters in the forest. He kept dozing off and waking up to remember to use the Detection rune to know if a beast was nearby.

***

“Growl…”

His consciousness brought to reality by the sound of a low growl, Arthur sprung to his feet in terror. He has fallen asleep without knowing it, and an injured wolf was at the cave’s entrance. Arthur picked his sharpened pole and readied himself for battle. 

However, the wolf appeared too wounded to fight as it limped while keeping an eye on Arthur to the cave’s wall. It inched slowly toward the fire and collapsed, breathing heavily.

Arthur relaxed his tensed body as he saw this. He then wondered if he should kill the wolf before it heals itself. As he looked at the wolf and his hand, he saw both of them were shaking. He wasn’t ready to do this. Not now at least, and not toward an injured beast.

He decided to use Detection for now in case whatever injured the wolf was nearby. Luckily, nothing of that sort was near. He sighed in relief and slumped to the ground. It has been a close call. If something more threatening appeared, he wouldn’t have the time to escape. Luckily, it was only an injured wolf this time.

The next day, Arthur descended the mountain to look for some prey. He knew he couldn’t stay for long without getting the proper nourishment. He used his detection skills to find a rabbit hole and wait for them to show themselves.

As soon as one did, Arthur stabbed the rabbit, who continued to struggle as it was impaled in his pole. He closed his eyes as he heard the pitiful screams. He kept telling himself that he needed to harden his heart to survive.

The hunger replaced the guilt, which was short-lived. Using the Strength-I rune, he skinned the rabbit using his bare hands. It was grotesque but essential for his survival. He threw up one time before calming himself and heading back toward the cave.

As he sat by the fire, ready to cook the meat, the wolf whimpered as it smelled the food. It was too weak for Arthur to worry about as it couldn’t even move. Its black fur has already dyed half red with dried-up blood. As he contemplated the matter, Arthur took a rabbit thigh and threw it toward the wolf.

“For our survival.” Arthur started cooking his food. However, he later noticed that the meat he threw to the wolf was untouched as it was so weak that it couldn’t even move to eat. Arthur sighed and stared at the wolf for a while.

“I just hope this won’t come back to bite me… Quite literally, in fact.” Arthur walked toward the wolf as a Strength-I rune appeared in his hand. He then placed his hand on the wolf and hurried away in case the wolf decided to jump on him.

However, nothing of that sort happened. As the wolf gained sudden strength, it was confused but didn’t overthink about it. It stood up and went to the food and started eating. Then, a scene of one man and one wolf sharing a meal took place.

***

Arthur was energized after this meal, just enough to go out and explore the rest of the forest. On his way out, he saw that there were signs of battle and blood. He didn’t know if they were human, but he guessed them to be judging by the wound inflicted on the wolf.

As he traced the signs of battles in the hope of finding some civilization, he finally met his first opponent. It was a horned snake with a girth half his and a length of 1.5-meters. 

He didn’t know if he could take it on, but he had particular hate for snakes and anything similar. Furthermore, he knew he couldn’t keep going without killing any monsters.

Before he got noticed, Arthur waited for his mana to refill before he imprinted Agility-I on himself. He felt lighter and faster, just what he needed to fight this monster. He didn’t have any time to waste as the rune lasted 10 minutes at best.

He dashed toward the horned snake that was too preoccupied munching on something to notice him in time. As he stabbed with his pole, he was able to inflict a deep injury on its face. 

However, it wasn’t enough to kill it. He sensed the snake was trying to jump him, so he evaded it in the nick of time. He then repeated his earlier endeavor until the snake fell to the ground, dead.

[First monster slain. Special rune obtained. Level 2 has been reached]

After the battle ended, Arthur saw rows appear in front of him. His guess was correct; the Legacy wanted him to grow stronger. He needed to be stronger to do what Jizo asked him to, so it only made sense that hunting would reward him.

He sat on the ground resting as he examined the new changes brought by the Legacy. As he willed it, his information appeared again, just like the first time.

[Scholar Guardian’s Legacy]

[Level: 2 (3%)]

[Strength: 14]

[Agility: 12]

[Stamina: 14]

[Perception: 10]

[Mana: 1/1]

[Abilities: Beginner Runes Wordsmith (1%), Useable Runes: 4]

[Skills: None]

[Stats Points: 1]