The dirt path beneath Leon's feet felt oddly nostalgic. Each step stirred up small puffs of dust, the dry earth giving way beneath his boots. The road itself wasn't well-maintained—cracks ran along its surface, patches of overgrown grass creeping in at the edges. It was the kind of road that had seen years of use but little care.
The world was quiet, almost too quiet. A gentle breeze rolled over the hills, rustling the tall grass like waves in a golden sea. The scent of earth and distant woodsmoke carried on the wind, mixing with the faint sweetness of wildflowers growing along the roadside.
Leon took it all in.
It was strange.
In his past life, he had passed through this area countless times. But back then, he had always been in a rush—driven by quests, objectives, and the constant pressure to grow stronger. He had never stopped to notice the way the sky stretched endlessly above or how the land breathed with quiet life.
Now, everything felt… real.
He exhaled slowly, his breath steady. This wasn't just a second chance—it was a world he could truly live in.
And this time, he wasn't going to waste it.
---
The dirt path led toward a village in the distance, its wooden structures barely visible over a small hill. Green Pine Village.
It was a humble settlement, nothing more than a handful of houses, a marketplace, and a village square. To most players, it had been just another beginner village—one of the hundreds scattered across Devia.
But Leon knew better.
The villagers here weren't just background characters. They had names, families, and their own lives. The blacksmith who crafted weapons for travelers had once been a soldier. The village chief had a daughter who dreamed of leaving to see the world. Even the old farmer near the entrance had a tragic past, one that most players had never bothered to uncover.
In the grand scheme of Devia, this place was insignificant. But for Leon, it was an important first step.
He adjusted the simple leather vest he wore and ran a hand through his dark hair. His body felt young—strong, unburdened by the years of hardship he had endured in his previous life.
It was an odd sensation. He wasn't used to moving without the weight of exhaustion dragging him down.
His mind, however, was sharper than ever.
He had knowledge no one else in this timeline possessed. Hidden legacies, forgotten ruins, and, most importantly, the key to unlocking the true potential of the Beast Tamer class.
But first, he needed to see where he stood in this world.
He called forth his status window.
A faint shimmer rippled through the air as translucent text materialized before him.
[Name: Leon]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Beast Tamer]
[Level: 1]
[Title: None]
Leon stared at the familiar sight.
Level 1. No beasts. No titles. No reputation.
It was an empty slate. A fresh start.
He smirked.
That's fine. I don't need a strong start. I just need to make sure I don't waste this head start.
A gust of wind rolled across the plains, rustling his clothes as he took his first step toward Green Pine Village.
The game hadn't started yet.
But his journey already had.
---