Daniel and Klav were once again deep within the forest clearing, a serene patch of wilderness not far from the village. Morning sunlight filtered through the thick canopy above, casting shifting patterns of gold and green over the forest floor. Birds chirped softly in the distance, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, bringing with it the faint, earthy scent of moss and damp wood.
Daniel crouched low in the brush, his eyes scanning the surroundings. Klav sat cross-legged on a moss-covered boulder in the center of the clearing, his breathing steady, lost in deep meditation. Daniel had asked him earlier to display his stats, and Klav had done so without hesitation—a sign of the trust that had blossomed between them.
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[Character Status]
Name: Klav Jofin
Race: Human
Age: 5
Rank: E
[Attributes]:
-> Strength: 5
-> Speed: 7
-> Durability: 10
-> MP: 40
[Skills]:
Chrono Severance (S+-tier Awakened | Power: E-tier):
Allows the user to freeze a target in time. All attacks on the target during the freeze will be applied simultaneously after the time freeze.
MP: 35
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Daniel had noted the progress and nodded to himself. Klav was advancing at an impressive pace for his age. If this kept up, the boy would reach D-rank soon, and perhaps even surpass it within the year. But Daniel was not as fortunate. He had no mana, no system window, and no special abilities; only his determination and the faint memories of a former life where he had been powerful.
I know I don't need a window, but also having no mana on top of that, doesn't seem like a coincidence. Though... he thought, having an idea in his mind, but then quickly dismissed it. No, that's not possible. There is no way it's possible.
He turned his attention away from Klav and back to his training. His wooden sword flashed through the air as he moved with methodical precision, practicing basic forms and advanced techniques alike. His sword was not just a weapon but an extension of himself. Every movement was fluid, each step calculated, his body dancing in a rhythm only he understood.
But then he heard it—a distant rustling, not from the wind, but something heavier, less natural. He froze, muscles taut, ears straining. It was faint but unmistakable: movement through the underbrush, accompanied by low, guttural murmurs.
He hesitated, glancing back at Klav who was still deep in meditation. Daniel knew he should stay by his friend's side, but the sounds piqued his curiosity and triggered a familiar sense of unease. Against his better judgment, he moved quietly toward the source.
With each step, the murmurs grew louder. He crept behind a thick trunk and peeked into a smaller, hidden clearing beyond. His eyes widened.
A group of Treasure Goblins had made camp here—ten in total. Small, wiry creatures with mottled green skin and sharp, twitchy movements. They wore bits of scavenged armor and carried jagged weapons. At the center of the group was a significantly larger goblin, hunched and scarred, with a rusted crown fashioned from bent cutlery and iron scraps. This was the leader.
They were gathered around a pile of stolen loot: golden coins, small vials of glowing liquid, gemstones, and worn magical gear. Daniel's instincts screamed danger, but he couldn't look away.
He knew these goblins well. In his previous life, he had fought them dozens of times. They were dangerous in packs. Individually, they were manageable. The leader, however, was a C-rank threat—lethal to someone in his current condition.
Yet the loot they carried was no small matter. Permanent stat-boosting potions, rare crystals, enchanted items. Even a single vial could drastically increase Klav's potential. If he could retrieve one without alerting the group—or eliminate them without direct combat—this could change everything.
Daniel's mind worked quickly. He knew he needed a flawless plan.
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THE PLAN
Phase 1: Distraction Create a noise trap to draw half the goblins away from camp.
Phase 2: Ambush Eliminate the isolated goblins one-by-one using stealth.
Phase 3: Infiltration Approach the treasure pile while the leader is distracted.
Phase 4: Retreat Escape with one or two key items before anyone notices.
------
Daniel wasted no time. He scouted the area and found a fallen log, some dried leaves, and a long vine. He rigged the materials into a simple trap. When the vine was pulled, the log would slam into a tree, making a loud crash—enough to draw attention.
He crept around the opposite side of the camp and triggered the trap remotely using a thrown stick. The resulting crash echoed through the forest.
The goblins instantly snapped to attention. Six of them barked orders and rushed toward the noise. Perfect.
Daniel darted forward. The remaining four goblins—including the leader—were focused on guarding the loot. Daniel slid behind a bush, then flanked one of the distracted goblins. With a smooth movement, he delivered a precise strike with a sharpened stick to the back of its neck. The goblin dropped without a sound.
One down.
He moved to the next. This one was fidgeting, nervously scanning the trees. Daniel crept behind it, grabbing its head and slamming it against a rock. Another one down.
He managed to dispatch the remaining two grunts using similar tactics, his body moving with precision and the benefit of honed muscle memory. Now only the leader remained.
Daniel approached cautiously. The goblin leader was snarling, pacing in front of the treasure. Daniel reached for a vial—a glowing red potion tucked under a helmet.
But the leader turned. Their eyes met.
The goblin roared and lunged.
Daniel barely dodged, rolling backward and snatching a short dagger from the loot pile. The goblin attacked relentlessly, its jagged sword whistling through the air.
Daniel blocked with his wooden sword, but it cracked under the force. He struck back, the dagger grazing the goblin's side, but it wasn't enough. The goblin swung, and Daniel's world tilted as pain exploded through his shoulder.
He crashed to the ground, vision swimming. The goblin raised its sword for a killing blow—
And then a burst of blue light erupted from behind.
Chrono Severance.
The goblin froze mid-strike.
Klav stood behind him, his body glowing faintly with residual mana. His eyes were fierce.
"Run!" he shouted.
Daniel didn't hesitate. He grabbed the red vial and sprinted. Klav released the skill, and the goblin howled, momentarily dazed from the temporal backlash.
The two boys didn't stop until they reached the original clearing. Daniel collapsed, breathing hard, clutching the potion tightly.
Klav knelt beside him. "You're insane."
Daniel grinned weakly. "But it worked."
He held up the crimson vial, its glow casting a faint red shimmer across his face. The liquid inside pulsed softly, almost as if it were alive. Daniel examined it carefully, anticipation rising in his chest. This had to be valuable—he could feel the arcane hum in the air around it.
He instinctively tried to access his system window to inspect the contents, but once again, nothing appeared. Frustration flickered across his face.
Still can't access it… damn it.
Without hesitation, he handed the vial to Klav.
"Try checking it with your system," he said, his voice calm but laced with urgency.
Klav blinked, confused, but accepted the vial. The moment his fingers wrapped around the cool glass, a sudden ding echoed faintly in the air as a transparent window appeared in front of him.
------
[Item Identified]
Item Name: Crimson Vial of the Inner Bloom
Type: Consumable - Potion
Tier: Unique (Epic)
Bound: Soulbound on Use
[Effects Upon Use - Permanent]:
-> +1,200 Max MP
-> +15 INT
-> +10% MP Regeneration (Passive)
-> Unlock: Mana Vein Stabilization (Passive Trait)
-> Reduces all spell MP cost by 10%
-> Slightly increase spellcasting speed
[Description]
A palm-sized vial containing a thick, crimson liquid that swirls on its own, pulsing faintly with arcane light. The air around it hums quietly, charged with latent energy. Brewed from the essence of a rare mana-bloom and stabilized with alchemical marrow, it permanently enhances the drinker's arcane potential—if they survive the surge.
------
Daniel's eyes widened as he read the system window. He leaned forward to read it a second time, mouth agape.
"No way…" he muttered under his breath, then broke into a full grin, practically vibrating with excitement. "We just hit the jackpot."
He turned toward Klav, who stood still, reading the window silently, his lips moving slowly as he mouthed the unfamiliar words. The magic in the vial intrigued him, but the terminology was beyond his understanding. He glanced at Daniel with wide, confused eyes.
"Is this… s-significant?" Klav asked hesitantly, stuttering as he struggled to make sense of the information. "I-I don't really understand… why are you laughing so much?"
Daniel's grin faded slightly as he realized the gap between them—Klav, despite his raw talent, was still a child in body and mind. He hadn't lived through two lifetimes. He hadn't studied potion theory or item classification. He couldn't understand why this find was monumental.
Taking a deep breath, Daniel knelt in front of Klav and pointed to the item window.
"Okay, listen carefully," he said. "This isn't just a potion. This is a Unique-tier consumable. That means it's one of a kind. Items like this don't follow normal rules. See this?" He tapped on the word 'Unique (Epic)'. "A regular Epic-tier item would already be incredible—but Unique-tier versions go beyond. They break limits. They're rare... ridiculously rare. Some people spend decades chasing just one."
Klav blinked, still uncertain.
Daniel continued, patient and firm. "And the effects... they're not temporary. That means if you drink this, your mana pool will permanently increase by over a thousand points. That alone is enough to bump you into upper D-rank instantly. Plus, your intelligence stat will jump. That'll make your casting stronger and faster. And see this?"
He pointed to the trait description.
"Mana Vein Stabilization. That's a high-level trait. Even advanced mages struggle to awaken this. It makes spellcasting easier, cheaper, and faster. You'll be able to cast more often, with better control. And the regeneration rate—ten percent, constantly—Klav, that's insane for someone our age."
He sat back, letting the weight of his explanation settle. "This is more than just lucky. This is the kind of thing that changes lives."
Klav's expression shifted from confusion to awe. His eyes sparkled faintly as he stared down at the vial in his hands.
Klav stared at the vial, transfixed. The swirling crimson liquid seemed to respond to his presence, spinning faster inside the glass, as if sensing the proximity of a worthy host.
A low hum, like a whisper of ancient power, echoed faintly in his ears.
Without a word, he uncorked the vial. A wisp of arcane vapor hissed from the opening, sharp and metallic, laced with something floral but volatile; like blood mingled with blooming mana-lilies.
"Klav," Daniel said sharply, stepping forward. "Stop."
Klav froze. The vial hovered near his lips.
Daniel pointed to the last line of the system window. "Look at the description. If they survive the surge. That isn't some throwaway warning. This potion is volatile. It'll tear through your mana pathways. If they're not developed enough—if your body isn't ready—it could kill you. Instantly."
Klav turned to him, his small fingers trembling ever so slightly.
"But if I don't take risks…" he said quietly, "then I'll never catch up to you."
Daniel's expression hardened. "This isn't a spar, Klav. This is your life."
Klav didn't respond. He looked back at the vial, at the swirling crimson vortex inside, then tipped his head back and drank it in one gulp.
The moment the liquid touched his tongue, his body convulsed.
He dropped the vial, glass shattering on the forest floor. His knees hit the dirt hard. His breath caught in his throat, then escaped in a broken scream.
Daniel rushed to him, but stopped a few feet away, stunned.
Klav's veins lit up.
Literally.
Crimson light surged beneath his skin, carving glowing lines across his body—up his neck, across his arms, down his spine—like molten veins of magic erupting from within. His eyes rolled back. Blood leaked from his nose, then his ears. Steam hissed from his skin, as if his body were boiling from the inside out.
He clawed at the earth, fingernails tearing through moss and soil. His back arched unnaturally as every nerve in his body ignited.
It was like watching a child being electrocuted and flayed at the same time, magic ripping him apart, atom by atom, reconstructing him against his will. The air around him vibrated, humming like an overcharged arcane engine on the brink of implosion.
His screams tore through the forest.
Then he vomited—dark, thick blood laced with flecks of shimmering blue mana. The ground beneath him sizzled where the blood landed.
"Klav!" Daniel shouted, moving closer.
But the moment he tried to touch him, the air around Klav exploded outward with a blast of raw magical force, sending Daniel skidding back against a tree.
Klav's body went rigid, shaking violently. His fingers dug deep into the ground. His pupils dilated into nothing but a sea of white. Every breath was a gurgle of blood and agony.
Then, silence.
For a long moment, Klav didn't move. His chest stopped rising. No breath. No twitch. Nothing.
Daniel's heart dropped.
"Klav…?"
The light around the boy flickered.
Then: boom.
A pulse of energy exploded outward from Klav's body in a perfect sphere, leveling the grass and trees around him in a 10-meter radius. The crimson glow faded, leaving smoke rising from the earth and scorched marks in every direction.
Klav coughed once: wet, violent. Then he gasped.
His eyes snapped open. The whites had returned. His pupils were sharp, focused.
He was alive.
And then—
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[System Update Received]
[Recalculating Attributes...]
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A new window shimmered into view in front of him.
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[Character Status Updated]
Name: Klav Jofin
Race: Human
Age: 5
Rank: D+
[Attributes]:
-> Strength: 6
-> Speed: 15
-> Durability: 12
-> MP: 1,240
-> INT: 24
-> MP Regen: +10%
[Passive Trait]:
Mana Vein Stabilization
-> Reduce all spell MP cost by 10%
-> Slight increases spellcasting speed
[Skills]:
Chrono Severance (S+-tier Awakened | Power: D+-tier):
Allows the user to freeze a target in time. All attacks on the target during the freeze will be applied simultaneously after the time freeze.
MP: 50
------
Klav collapsed backward, panting. His eyes stared up at the sky through the fractured canopy above, still filled with wisps of smoke. His body trembled slightly, but the pain was gone. What remained was power: pure, humming power, thundering quietly beneath his skin like a caged storm.
Daniel stood a few feet away, still recovering from the blast. He stared at the boy, equal parts relieved and stunned.
"You… idiot," Daniel muttered, walking over and kneeling beside him. "You could've died."
Klav managed a weak grin. "But I didn't."
And in that moment, Daniel couldn't help but laugh: quietly, exhausted, and maybe just a little proud.