plentiful world and another beginning.

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. My heart pounded in my chest as I gripped the hilt of my jiang sword, the cool metal reassuring against my palm. 

'Hostile entities detected.' I scanned the area, my newly enhanced senses picking up on subtle movements in the underbrush. My eyes narrowed as I caught a glimpse of something—a shadow darting between the trees. 

It was fast, the covers of leaves too much for me to get a clear look, but I could feel its presence. Something was out there, and its target was me.

"Alright, Zephyr," I muttered under my breath, steadying myself. "You've got this. You're a Celestial Human now. You've got stats, a sword, and a fancy robe. Let's see what you're made of."

The shadow moved again, closer this time. I could hear the faint sound of claws scraping against bark, and the low, guttural growl that sent a chill down my spine. My grip tightened on the sword as I took a defensive stance, my muscles coiled and ready to spring into action. 

The creature emerged from the shadows, and I finally got a good look at it.

It was a wolf, but unlike any wolf I'd ever seen. Its fur was a deep, inky black, and its eyes glowed with a menacing red light. Its teeth were bared, saliva dripping from its razor-sharp fangs as it snarled at me. 

The creature was massive, easily twice the size of a normal wolf, and its muscles rippled beneath its fur as it crouched low, preparing to pounce.

[Ding.]

Hostile Entity Detected.

Name: Shadowfang Alpha. 

Threat Level: negligible

"Great," I muttered, my voice dripping with mockery. "A wolf. Just what I need."

The Shadowfang Alpha lunged at me, its claws slashing through the air with speed. It was so slow I had enough time to react, sidestepping and observing it while I avoided its attack. 

The creature's claws grazed the fabric of my Hanfu robe, but the material held firm, not even a scratch marring its surface. I grinned, feeling a surge of confidence. "Nice try, mutt."

I swung my sword in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's flank. The blade connected with its side, slicing through its thick fur and drawing blood. The Shadowfang Alpha howled in pain, its red eyes narrowing as it turned to face me again.

To be honest, I expected more from the beasts in this world, it lunged at me once more, but I was faster.

I swung my blade in a beautiful arc. This time, the blade struck true, slicing through the creature's neck and severing its head from its body. 

The Shadowfang Alpha let out a final, guttural growl before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a dark mist that dissipated into the air.

[Ding.]

Experience Gained: 234 XP.

Level increase: 1-6

Stats gained: 15(should I increase it to 5 stat per level up)

I let out a little breath. "Well, that was…underwhelming ." I said, sheathing my sword. Due to my [Natural elegance] passive ability, I have a high degree of control over my movements and strength. Without it, I wouldn't have had any control over the drastic increase in strength and would've exerted all my strength on a weak monster.

I glanced down at the spot where the Shadowfang Alpha had been, the only evidence of its existence being the single small stone it had dropped. I picked it up, examining it closely. "Guess I'll hang onto this. Might be useful later."

I took a moment to catch my breath, my mind racing as I processed what had just happened. The fight had been short but it had given me a taste of what this world had in store for me. 

I pulled up my status screen, my eyes scanning the numbers:

[Name: Zephyr Kane.]

[Race: Celestial Human.] 

[Level: 1>6]

[Class: Unassigned.] 

[HP: 550>850 | MP: 550>850.] 

[Constitution: 30>45] 

[Stat Points Available: 15>0.]

"Alright," I muttered, closing the status screen. "Time to get moving. Orario's waiting."

I set off in the direction the system had indicated, my senses on high alert as I navigated through the dense forest. The trees towered above me, their golden leaves shimmering in the sunlight that filtered through the canopy. 

The air was crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the polluted city air I was used to. It was almost peaceful, if not for the occasional rustle in the underbrush that kept me on edge.

As I walked, I couldn't help but think about the system and the strange world I had been thrust into. The mention of Orario had sparked a faint memory, but I couldn't quite place it. It felt familiar, like something I had read or seen before, but the details were hazy. 

I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. I'd figure it out eventually. For now, my priority was getting to the city and finding out more about this world.

After what felt like an hour of running, I finally emerged from the forest and found myself standing on a hill overlooking a sprawling city. The sight took my breath away.

 Orario was massive, its skyline dominated by towering spires and grand buildings that gleamed in the sunlight. The city was surrounded by a massive wall, its gates bustling with activity as people and carts moved in and out. In the distance, I could see a massive tower that seemed to pierce the heavens, its peak disappearing into the clouds.

"So that's Orario," I muttered, a grin spreading across my face. "Looks like I've got my work cut out for me."

I made my way down the hill, my steps quickening as I approached the city gates. The closer I got, the more I could feel the energy of the city—the sounds of people talking, the clatter of carts on cobblestone streets, the faint hum of magic in the air. It was alive, vibrant, and full of possibilities.

As I reached the gates, I was stopped by a pair of guards. They were clad in armor, their weapons at their sides as they eyed me warily. One of them stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Halt," he said, his voice firm. "State your business in Orario."

I raised my hands in a gesture of peace, my grin never wavering. "Just a traveler looking for a fresh start," I said. "Name's Zephyr Kane. I'm new to these parts."

The guard studied me for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he took in my appearance. My Hanfu robe and jiang sword probably stood out, but I held his gaze, my confidence unwavering. Finally, he nodded and stepped aside.

"Welcome to Orario," he said, his tone neutral. "Stay out of trouble."

"Will do," I said, giving him a mock salute as I passed through the gates.

The moment I passed through I was greeted with a message from from my screen:

[Congratulations.]

You have interacted with a civilization. 

You have received basic reading comprehension.

Oh good lord, thank you. I really needed that as I wouldn't want anyone seeing me in lavish clothes and being illiterate. That would've been quite damaging to my outward image…

Up close, the city was even more impressive. The streets were lined with shops and stalls, their owners calling out to passersby in an attempt to attract customers. The air was filled with the scent of food and the sound of laughter, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as I took it all in.

But I didn't have time to linger. I needed to find out more about this world and figure out my next move. While scanning the streets, There was a marker indicating a place called the Guild, which seemed like a good place to start.

I made my way through the bustling streets, my senses on high alert as I navigated the crowded thoroughfares. The people of Orario were a diverse bunch, their appearances ranging from human to elf to dwarf and everything in between. It was a stark reminder that this world was far different from the one I had come from.

As I approached the Guild, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This was it—the beginning of my new life in this strange, dangerous world. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and pushed open the doors.

The interior of the Guild was just as bustling as the streets outside. People moved about, their voices filling the air as they discussed quests, traded items, and shared stories of their adventures. I made my way to the front desk, where a young woman with pointed ears—an elf, I realized—was busy sorting through a stack of papers.

"Excuse me," I said, catching her attention. "I'm new here. I was hoping you could point me in the right direction."

The elf looked up, her eyes scanning me with a mixture of curiosity and appraisal. "Welcome to the Guild," she said, her voice melodic. "You seem new here…What brings you to Orario?"

"I'm looking for information," I said, leaning casually against the counter. "And maybe a place to stay. I'm new to this city, and I need to get my bearings."

The elf nodded, her expression softening. "I see. Well, you've come to the right place. The Guild is the heart of Orario, and we're here to help adventurers. Let me get you registered, and then we can discuss your options."

As she began filling out the necessary paperwork, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This was it—the start of my journey in this new world. I had no idea what challenges lay ahead, but I was ready to face them head-on.

After all, I am Zephyr Kane, a Celestial Human, a race that has a lot to explore. 

End of Chapter 2.