Carefully examining my body, I realized several areas were wrapped in pristine white bandages. The craftsmanship was exquisite, far beyond anything Anjelit could manage. Judging by the faint traces of dried blood, the wounds had already stopped bleeding—a clear sign I had been unconscious for quite some time.
“Grrrumble…” My stomach growled at the worst possible moment. The blue-haired girl covered her mouth with one hand, letting out a light giggle.
“Go on, eat~”
“Thank you…”
I reached for the roasted meat she offered and immediately sank my teeth into it, devouring it in big, ungainly bites.
"You fell from the sky, crashing into the ground like—‘biu!’ Just like that!" Her hands mimicked the motion as her excitement bubbled over. "I thought you'd surely die, but when I ran over, you only had minor injuries—and you’re healing so fast! You’re amazing!”
The blue-haired girl rested her chin in her hands, her wide eyes shimmering with admiration. I managed a faint smile but kept my silence, focusing on finishing the meal. Once I felt full enough, I lifted my gaze and scanned my unfamiliar surroundings. My mind seemed wrapped in a fog as I turned back to her.
"My name is Rogied Diflute... Can you tell me where we are? Also, I need to find my way back to a place called the Village of Egramote. Do you know how I can get there?"
Two questions in one breath—perhaps too much. The girl’s face flushed slightly with unease, but she quickly collected herself, offering a polite bow before introducing herself with surprising composure.
"Hello, Rogied. I’m ViniVini Vini, a Huntress. You’re currently in the monster-infested forest just outside Goinbair City. My home is in a nearby town called Lazio. Hmm… About your village—I’ve never heard of the Village of Egramote, but I’m afraid you won’t be heading back there.”
“What do you mean?” My voice grew urgent, my chest tightening.
She tilted her head in bewilderment. "You don’t know?” Her eyes searched my face for answers, visibly perplexed. When she saw only confusion written there, she sighed briefly before explaining.
"Once someone leaves the starting village, they’re barred from returning unless they reach Hero rank. That’s the rule. The priest at the Sanctuary in your village should’ve told you that before you left…”
My stomach churned. I had never even been to the Sanctuary. My hasty departure had robbed me of any guidance, and now I had blundered into this revelation. Still, I asked the question that weighed heavily on my mind.
“What level is Hero rank?”
“…Level 60… Wait, don’t tell me you don’t know this either?"
Level 60?!
I drew in a deep, heavy breath, the possibility hitting me like a thunderclap. That kind of progress could take years—even decades. Was it doomed to be this long before I returned to Egramote? Would I truly never see Anjelit again?
The blue-haired girl, noticing the color drain from my face, leaned forward with concern. “Are you cold? You don’t look well. Here, let me give you my jacket—”
I shook my head weakly. “No, I’m fine…”
She furrowed her brows skeptically. “You don’t look fine. You’re so frail-looking, and this forest gets so cold at night. On top of that, you’re dressed so light—it’s bound to make you sick. I can’t leave you out here like this. Especially since we’ll be staying here overnight...”
ViniVini paused in thought, then stood up and moved closer to me. Without further explanation, she sat down behind me and wrapped her arms gently around me.
“A girl should always take better care of herself. Especially someone as beautiful as you.”
Wait—did she just say “girl”?
A fleeting moment of confusion struck me before realization dawned. I was still wearing that short skirt Anjelit had picked out for me, and despite the dirt smeared across my face, my makeup remained intact. No wonder she mistook me for a girl.
I decided to let the misunderstanding slide for now. Honestly, ViniVini’s embrace felt too cozy to interrupt—it was warm, soft, and she’d unknowingly positioned her arms to avoid the exposed section on the back of Anjelit’s choice of skirt.
“All alone out here… It must be lonely. But don’t worry—soon you’ll learn the world outside your village is brimming with wonders.” Her voice grew quieter, gradually fading as she continued. “Lazio’s townsfolk are so warm and welcoming; you’ll love it there. And there’s also the upcoming…”
I glanced over and saw ViniVini fast asleep, her face tranquil and heart-meltingly adorable. My thoughts wandered back to the chaos that was Anjelit’s infamous sleeping posture. ViniVini’s serene slumber only deepened my fondness for her.
Well, if I couldn’t return for the time being, perhaps settling in Lazio was the next best step. Anjelit would be leaving Egramote soon herself after her own transfer, anyway. Even if I returned, she’d be gone.
She had promised—one day, we would meet out here in the world. That thought alone gave me the strength to hope. Someday, someday in the future…
That night, I drifted into sleep again. Whether it was exhaustion or lingering injury, this time I slept deeply—far deeper than before. When I awoke, sunlight was already peeking through the forest canopy, and it was nearing midday.
Beside me sat a neatly cooked portion of meat wrapped in fabric for warmth. ViniVini’s belongings were scattered nearby, yet she herself was nowhere to be seen.
After eating my fill, I stood up and leaned forward, calling into the forest.
“ViniVini! ViniVini!”
No response. Shrugging off the lingering unease, I sat back down and started reviewing the information I’d gained last night—both about ViniVini and my newly acquired class details.
---
**Name:** ViniVini Vini
**Race:** Human
**Class:** Huntress (First Advancement)
**Current Level:** Lv25
**HP:** 8000 | **MP:** 5000
**Gear:** Hunter Short Bow +8, Hunter Dagger +9, Beast Hide Boots +11, Beast Hide Bracers +5, Beast Hide Armor +10
**Title:** Natural ViniVini
**Skills:**
- *Trap Creation* (100 MP): Quickly creates traps to deal damage and inflict debuffs.
- *Powder Crafting* (150 MP): Uses magic to turn soil into explosive bombs for ranged attacks.
- *Hunting Mastery* (Passive): Advanced mastery over hunting techniques.
- *Naivety* (Passive, Title): A carefree curiosity that charms those around her. Grants one automatic damage nullification (once per day, non-stackable).
Reading her stats brought a lump to my throat. Beyond her oddly whimsical name, she was practically the most normal person I’d encountered in this world. And that ‘Naivety’ skill felt oddly endearing...
Time to look at my own details.
---
**Name:** Rogied Diflute
**Race:** Human
**Class:** Enhanced Hero (First Advancement)
**Current Level:** Lv16
**HP:** 4500/4500 | **INT:** 250/250
**Gear:** Rusted Starter Sword +15 Max, *Eubius* (*S*) (*Legendary*)
**Title:** Master of Lying Down Wins
**Skills:**
- *Word Spirit* (**Hero**) - Converts INT into exponentially powerful effects.
- *Summon Combat Companion* (**Hero**) - Summons a battle-ready ally with unique life attributes.
- *Identify Lv 2* (Passive) - Automatically reveals information upon learning an entity’s True Name.
- *Hero's Might Lv 2* (Passive) - Damage to Demonkin triples.
- *Self-Adoration Lv 2* (Passive) - Restores 20 HP each time another entity praises you for your looks while injured.
- *Master of Lying Down Wins Lv 2* (Passive, Title) - Gains EXP at 200% due to mastery of effortless victories.
---
