The Awakening Path

Rioshi was lost in an endless night.

The scenes from the previous day played over and over in his mind: Taro striving to prove his strength, Miyu channeling her powers to heal others, and Kaito defying the very limits of speed. Each of them had a goal, a mission—a reason to exist in this strange world.

And him?

For a long time, he had believed he was merely an observer in this story, someone without the right to fight, to dominate, or even to stand out. But after seeing the determination in his companions’ eyes, after witnessing their thirst for strength and desire to surpass themselves, something inside him had shifted.

For the first time in this world, he felt like he mattered.

He rose slowly from his makeshift shelter, his muscles still tense from accumulated fatigue. He had spent days running, avoiding danger at every turn. But deep down, he knew he couldn’t keep living like that. If this world demanded strength, he had to accept that truth.

He needed to become stronger. And that quest could wait no longer.

Rioshi knelt to the ground, closing his eyes to focus. Évolis—his unique power—granted him limitless potential, the ability to absorb and adapt infinitely. With every encounter, every creature, every challenge, he had the chance to gain something new. Yet he hadn’t truly tapped into it.

He remembered the first creatures he’d faced. Rather than use them to evolve, he had fled, ignored them, wasted the opportunity.

That time was over. From now on, he would take control of his fate.

He could feel the energy coursing through him—the power to absorb, to learn, to shift his nature depending on the threat. It boiled beneath his skin, aching to be unleashed.

But before that, he had to learn how to master it.

Without further hesitation, Rioshi walked deeper into the forest. Thanks to Évolis, his senses were sharper than ever. The creatures surrounding him seemed more vivid, more tangible. Every movement, every sound, even the shifting wind became an opportunity to learn, to adapt, to evolve.

There was no more time to hesitate. He had to act.

After several hours of searching, he spotted a group of creatures—giant wolves with dagger-like claws—prowling for prey. Their immense size and savage appearance didn’t frighten him. No—this was the perfect test.

He took cover behind a tree and observed their behavior intently. His gaze pierced every detail: how they moved in perfect synchronicity, how they reacted instinctively, how raw and unrelenting their power was.

Yes. This is what he needed.

He waited until one of the wolves strayed slightly from the group. Then, with a silent breath, he launched himself forward from his hiding spot. The wind roared in his ears, but his focus didn’t waver.

In seconds, he closed the distance and dove into combat.

The wolf lunged with a snarl, jaws snapping. Rioshi dodged with uncanny precision, using a blend of speed and strength—techniques he had never practiced before. With every movement, he activated Évolis, stealing bits of the wolf’s energy and physical prowess. His limbs grew faster, his endurance deeper. With each hit, he changed.

The fight lasted only minutes, but by the end, it was Rioshi who stood victorious. He had absorbed part of the wolf’s power, boosting his own agility and understanding of his gift.

He stood still for a while, breathing deeply. His body pulsed with fresh energy. The void he had always felt deep inside seemed to shrink with every victory, with every ability absorbed.

He was no longer just a boy lost in another world.

He had chosen to become strong.

To stop being a spectator.

As he stood there amid the remnants of his defeated foe, a realization hit him hard.

He wasn’t alone in his pursuit of power. His companions sought strength too. They fought to fill the same emptiness he knew too well.

But he… he had made the choice to stop running.

He no longer had doubts. This world, with all its creatures, challenges, and mysteries, wasn’t just a nightmare—it was a forge. And he was the iron.

From now on, every creature, every fight, every trial would become a chance to grow stronger. He would wield Évolis to its fullest, no matter how difficult the choices ahead.

Because he finally understood that the strength he craved was not just of body—but of will. The kind that makes decisions without regret.

As Rioshi moved through the dense forest, his muscles still humming with the wolf’s power, each step felt lighter, more precise. His senses tingled. His vision was clearer than ever.

He wasn’t the same person who had entered this world.

Yet one question remained, gnawing at the back of his mind:

How would he defend himself in the long term?

Power alone wasn’t enough. He had faced creatures and absorbed abilities, but without tools—no weapons, no supplies—he knew he couldn’t keep up forever. Évolis was exceptional, but his body had limits.

He needed equipment. Weapons. Resources.

But how?

He paused and thought about what little he knew of this world. There were no merchants in the shadowy corners of the forest. No traveling traders willing to barter.

But there was one place he had heard of in whispers…

The Adventurer’s Guild.

A safe haven, they said. A hub where adventurers came to find missions, earn money, and acquire gear. If it existed, it could be exactly what he needed.

There, he could work, grow, and finally get the tools he lacked.

Of course, he wouldn’t be alone. Others would be there too—each with their own ambitions. The competition would be fierce.

He didn’t have to search long.

The Adventurer’s Guild was located north of the forest, just beyond the thinning trees. Soon, the dense woods gave way to a fortified town bustling with life.

The atmosphere was electric. Merchants shouted to draw attention, groups of adventurers formed and re-formed, trading secrets and forming alliances.

Rioshi slipped between the stalls, wide-eyed. There were weapons, potions, armor—everything he had dreamed of. For a moment, he felt overwhelmed by choice.

But he quickly refocused.

“Earn money. Get stronger. That’s the plan.”

The Guild was far more than just a marketplace. It had a quest hall, where adventurers took on missions to earn coin, reputation, and rewards.

The walls were covered in notices—monster hunts, herb-gathering, escort duties, and more.

It was the perfect place for someone like him.

He registered without hesitation and headed straight to the mission board.

Most high-level jobs were far beyond him for now, but one stood out:
“Eliminate five goblins in the Shadow Forest.”

A relatively simple task. The reward? A small sum of money and a few useful materials.

He didn’t think twice.
He accepted the mission.

The Shadow Forest wasn’t far from the Guild—just west of the main road. Known for its dense growth and hostile creatures, it was no place for the careless.

But Rioshi wasn’t afraid anymore.

He moved silently through the forest, eyes alert. After hours of searching, he spotted them—three goblins loitering near a dead tree. Small, quick, and armed with jagged claws, they were still dangerous for any rookie.

He crouched behind a bush, analyzing their behavior. He knew better than to rush in. His senses, now finely tuned, caught every twitch of their movement.

Then, he struck.

The battle was short but fierce. He dodged their slashes, absorbed their strength as he fought, and took them down one by one.

When it was over, the goblins lay still, defeated.

Rioshi returned to the Adventurer’s Guild with proof of his success—the goblins’ heads.

He submitted the completed mission and was paid in local currency. Not a fortune, but enough to take the next step.

He headed to the weapon stalls and purchased a light sword, perfectly suited to his style. He also picked up a few healing potions and a sturdy bag for his supplies.

With new resources in hand, Rioshi felt more confident than ever.

But he knew this was just the beginning.

Every mission, every fight, every decision would take him closer to his true goal:

To become stronger.
Stronger than fear.
Stronger than doubt.
Strong enough to fill the void that still lingered in his soul.