Leaving the plains behind me, I carefully stepped inside the forest. The trees seemed somewhat taller compared with how they looked from outside and that made me feel unsafe.

I took my time and used my (Identify) skill to check the forest for edible plants or fruits, but I had no luck whatsoever. I did find however a fallen branch that I picked up and decided to use as a pointy stick just in case I get attacked by a wild animal, since it had just the right girth to use.

The feeling I had earlier, prior to entering the forest, seemed to intensify the deeper I went in.

I also made sure to snap some branches closer to the ground on my way to the tower I've seen previously, just in case I might need to go back to the plains, since I didn't want to get lost.

Each step I took was accompanied by complete silence, as I didn't want to make noise by crushing fallen leaves or dry twigs in my path and draw unwanted attention. Finally, I started to understand why my gut was telling me this place was no good at all, after walking all the way here: during the entire time inside the forest - which now has been around half an hour, maybe a bit more - I haven't heard a single chirping sound of a bird or cries from insects.

It was as if this entire forest was voided of any life except the trees and plants.

"These flowers taste surprisingly acceptable. Kind of bland, but I can't really complain. I wonder about the information I checked earlier about them..."

While sitting on top of a thick branch from a tree I climbed in the middle of a meadow, I was savoring the almost tasteless flowers I took from the pseudo-oak tree. Why I say pseudo? Because I don't remember the oak being poisonous to any creatures...

Anyway, I reopened my status window and was slightly surprised when did that.

Name

Michael Corbett

Name

Value

Name

Value

Job Name

Level

Progress

Race

Human

STR

10

Magic

0

Human

1

10%

Sex

Male

DEX

11

Charm

10

Age

25

AGI

12

Luck

10

World

Anhur

END

8

HP

100/100 (+0.1/sec)

INT

15

MP

50/50(+0.05/sec)

WIS

10

"Wasn't the EXP 0/10 previously? How did it become 1?"

Thinking back to the conversation I had with the self-serving game God, every action you take in this world 'tampers directly with your soul'. Or to put it in game terms, you can get experience from it. However, the only thing I did so far, was walking and climbing trees...Workout? Is this considered workout? He did say that push-ups and other things of this sort would increase my level, but isn't this simpler than he explained? Maybe the blessing had a hand in the experience gain as well, but if you can level up just from walking, isn't this kind of broken?

There are too many variables to just say that however, but I should investigate it more in depth as well. I wonder if I there are any more details about the columns in my status page like there were regarding the world.

Since I'm taking a break and I'm hidden from sight by these leaves, I should do a bit of research while I digest my 'meal'.

Level: shows the refinement rate of the soul, achieved through body experiences, mind evolution, or assimilation. Special actions can also tamper with the general experience gain. EXP 1/10: shows the amount of experience required until the soul reaches the next level. Upon refinement, the general abilities will be boosted by a total of five points spread around the most used stats.

I see...so that's what he meant by 'the route decides the abilities'. In my case if I can walk until I level up, is very probable that the points I'll get assigned would go into Endurance and maybe Agility. Now then, what about the HP and MP?

HP: shows the vitality of the user. Upon soul refinement the amount increases with a 50 points per level. The amount is also increased by 1 point per each increase of 1 point in Strength and 2 points increase per each increase of 1 point in Endurance. HP recovery rate is decided by the amount of Endurance, Strength, Agility and Dexterity, as well as the physical state the body is in. MP: shows the mana of the user. Upon soul refinement the amount increases with a 50 points per level. The amount is also increased by 1 point per each increase of 1 point in Intelligence and 2 points increase per each increase of 1 point in Magic. MP recovery rate is decided by the amount of Wisdom, Intelligence and Magic, as well as the mental state the body is in.

That 'Magic' word really tickles my imagination, but for now I need to focus on reaching a human settlement. Leaving aside the HP and MP explanation, my current food 'provisions' are lacking in substance, although, I did notice that by eating them my thirst gets quenched a little bit. I should survive with no problems for a while, but I can't mentally agree to eating flowers for a long period of time. Also, if my body becomes malnourished or poisoned, that will certainly affect my HP. I should be safe for MP recovery since I am immune to mental afflictions, but I would prefer not to gamble with my life...

"I should get walking then. This meadow would be probably in the middle of the forest...hopefully. But I wonder why are there no animals or insects around, given the lush vegetation and the creek running through the middle of it. Maybe humans past often through here and scared them away, or mayb..."

I suddenly stopped talking when I heard footsteps crushing the same twigs I previously avoided, with no care in the world. I was still in the tree hiding between the stuffy leaves and was hoping to see the humans I though about previously. With this, I will be able to reach a village or a town by nightfall with no problems.

Only if there would've been humans...

"You have to be kidding me! That worthless game God..."

I whispered while grinding my teeth. What is he thinking in creating such a marvelous system and allowing this to happen? This is a pure copy-pasted template from any game or novel I've seen! Where's the divine imagination I hoped for!? Give me back my expectations you worthless self-serving God!!!

The creature which footsteps brought it to the meadow, walked without a care in the world between the trees reaching a couple of meters away from the one in which I was hiding. I focused on my breathing and made it as slow and silent as possible in order not to be discovered.

After all, when I used the Identify skill by mistake on it, it showed this:

Name

-

Name

Value

Name

Value

Job Name

Level

Progress

Race

Goblin

STR

19

Magic

0

Goblin Guard

2

48%

Sex

Male

DEX

14

Charm

0

Age

1 month

AGI

10

Luck

15

World

Anhur

END

8

HP

370/370 (+0.9/sec)

INT

6

MP

10/10(+0.001/sec)

WIS

2

Skill List Name Level Proficiency Alarm ??? ???

Rally Cry ??? ??? Blessings bestowed by the world: Blessing of Experience

STRONG!! Isn't this supposed to be the monster that becomes my valuable experience in leveling up, while also serving as a stepping stone in my ascent to rightful ruler of this world, or something like that?

What's up with those stats of his? And his HP...is almost four times my own. It even has an occupation for crying out loud!

"But really...a damn Goblin."

This creature was no taller than 150 - 160 centimeters, with a stupid look on is green face and pointy ears. He had something similar to a dirty rag around his waist and a bulging belly to almost cover the said rag. However, he did had a wooden spear with something akin to a sharp stone used as a pointy end and I could see red traces on it. I am pretty sure that is not clay.

The problem is that I am at a complete disadvantage, not only in stats and weapon since I left the pointy branch I picked up earlier on the ground - not that it would've done me any good to have it - but also in skills.

Alarm: when ambushed or in combat, if in danger this skills provides a ringing sound to warn the user . Rally Cry: a powerful cry for help that announces one's location to fellow members of the same race.

Cost: 5MP

This meant not only that I can't attack it directly, but that even in the off chance I do, there is a high probability of many other Goblins to come running here if this green pig starts squealing. If I do remember properly from games and novels, Goblins live in hordes...that means stupidly huge numbers...

"This is bad...this is really bad. What do I do!?"

With lazy steps, the goblin kept advancing towards my tree. Was I discovered? Do they have a keen sense of smell, or was it something else that gave me away? How do I even fight it if push comes to shove? Do I jump on it?

My train of thought was interrupted since on its way here, a branch as thick as a human arm was in his way and it slapped him in the face, which obviously annoyed him. Since the branch was lowered from a nearby tree in arms reach, he grabbed it with his free left hand and snapped it in two... A thick freaking wooden branch, thicker than my arm!

"Don't fuck with me! What kind of absurd power is that? I can't fight that thing! My bones will break way easier than that branch!"

As the Goblin came closer and closer, I found it weird that I was not panicking, but on the contrary I was rather calm even if pissed off and was formulating different plans of attack and defense. While the Fear resistance was good like that, any plan I came up with had a bad end...for me!

The Goblin was in front of the tree, looking straight at it...and then leaned on the bark as he sat on the grassy ground under the it. I was amazed by the luck I got from just 10 points in that stat, but I wasn't out of the woods yet...so to speak.

I needed to find a way out of this situation.

"Come on you green bastard, there has already been at least fifteen minutes since you've came here. Aren't you a guard? Playing hooky is no good! Just get the hell out of here already!"

While I was thinking that, the Goblin brought forward a pouch tied with a black string around its mouth, that seemed to have been previously on his waist.

"That belly...how can it be big enough to cover a goddamn pouch!?"

He brought out of it a clay bowl and then pulled out a gourd from which he poured water and drank it. Then he left it on the ground near the roots of the tree, while pulling out something else from the not-even 10 centimeters in length bag, that obviously was some sort of artificial storage. It was a rabbit which head seemed to have been twisted in an unnatural way.

I could see myself in the same situation soon enough...

He puts the rabbit on the ground near to the bowl and pulls a sharp stone from the pouch, then grabs the rabbit and goes towards the branch he broke previously. He cuts it into small pieces and then twig by twig, he arranges it into a small bonfire.

A sudden yell accompanied by his right foot hitting the ground under it to show dissatisfaction, followed by it throwing the rabbit down and going back on the route he came from.

I then saw why...he didn't have enough firewood and the green branch he used might not burn sufficient to roast the rabbit.

"This could be my only chance of getting out alive from this forest!"