TING!
> [ SYSTEM INTERFACE ACTIVATED ]
> [ MAIN MENU: ]
> [ Status ]
> [ Inventory ]
> [ Skills ]
> [ Quests ]
> [ Shop ]
> [ Titles ]
> [ Summons ]
> [ Upgrade System ]
> [ Settings ]
Joe stared at the shimmering interface floating in front of him.
"Whoa… this is way more detailed than I expected," he whispered.
He reached out and tapped on [PROFILE]. It opened instantly.
> [ PROFILE – JOE ]
> [ Name: ] Joe
> [ Age: ] 20
> [ Birthday: ] February 4, 2005
> [ Class: ] Shadowflame Hunter
> [ Rank: ] Elite
> [ Origin: ] Irigan Village
> [ Title: ] Bearer of the Aura Flame
> [ Aura Type: ] Red Flame
> [ Bonded Companion: ] Spiritfang (Aura Fang Wolf)
Background:
Joe has been an orphan since childhood. Raised by his grandfather, Elmir, he learned values, discipline, and the art of survival. After witnessing the destruction of their village and Elmir's death at the hands of a beast, Joe was reborn into a system filled with trials—and power. Now 20, he carries the flame, determined to burn down the monsters and demons threatening their world.
> [ Title Effect – Bearer of the Aura Flame: ]
> [ Aura-based attacks gain +5% damage ]
> [ Grants resistance to Burn and Heat effects ]
> [ Unlocks unique interactions with fire-based entities ]
Joe whistled. "Wait—I have a class?"
Spiritfang nodded. "Yeah. And not just you. Each village has guilds, and each guild has unique classes you can train in based on their specialties."
"What about my rank?" Joe asked.
"Every village has its own ranking system. The higher your rank, the more responsibilities you take on—like leading a guild, approving quests, or guarding sacred sites," Spiritfang explained.
Joe grinned. "Then I'll climb it."
He tapped on [STATUS].
> [ STATUS – JOE ]
> [ Level: ] 1 (90% EXP)
> [ HP: ] 1000 / 1000
> [ MP: ] 500 / 500
> [ Red Flame Sync Rate: ] 32%
> [ Core Stats: ]
> [ Strength: ] 20
> [ Agility: ]28
> [ Endurance: ] 15
> [ Intellect: ] 12
> [ Perception: ] 25
> [ Abilities: ]
> [ Dual Karambit Mastery (Passive) ]
> [ Red Flame Trail (Active – Lv.1) ]
> [ Leaves a burning trail. Deals Damage over Time.]
> [ Instinct Mode (Auto-Passive) ]
> [ Boosts reflexes and auto-parries for 2 seconds.]
> [ Sneakstep (Passive) ]
> [ Enhances stealth and detection evasion ]
> [ Traits: ]
> [ Ember Heart: ] Boosts fire-based abilities by 10%
> [ Beginner's Luck: ] Increases rare item drop rate until Level 10
Joe tapped on the [SKILLS] tab.
> [ SKILLS ]
> [ Red Flame Trail: ] Lv.1
> [ Leaves a trail of burning flame behind the user, causing damage over time.]
> [ Cooldown: ] 20s
> [ Effect: ] +Flame Path | +Ignite Chance
> [ Instinct Mode: ] Lv.1
> [ Temporarily boosts reflexes. Auto-parries unseen attacks for 2 seconds.]
> [ Cooldown: ] 60s
> [ Effect: ] +Dodge Window | +Perception
> [ Aura Vision: ] Locked
> [ Requirement: ] Red Aura Sync > 40%
Joe's eyes lit up. "These skills are fire—literally."
Next, he tapped on [INVENTORY].
> [ INVENTORY ]
> [ Inkstone x600 ]
> [ Dual Karambits +30 Level | Aura Flame Bound ]
> [ Raw Cursed Beast Hide x6 ]
> [ Unknown Crystal (Glowing) ]
> [ Flask of River Water ]
> [ Old Map (Scorched) – ANALYSIS REQUIRED]
He hovered over his weapons and tapped [Upgrade System].
TING!
> [ DUAL KARAMBIT UPGRADE AVAILABLE! ]
> Stage 2 Upgrade: Red Flame Edge
> [ Enhances flame damage ]
> [ Adds Burn Stack (3% HP/sec for 5s) ]
> [ Visual Update: ] Blades now glow deeper red and trail embers on swing
> [ Remaining Inkstone: ] 600
> [ Cost: ] 500 Inkstone
> [ Eligibility: ] Met
Joe smirked. "Got damn… Let's heat things up."
He tapped [UPGRADE].
TING!
> [ SUCCESS! ]
> [ Dual Karambits upgraded to Stage 2 ]
> [ Burn stacks unlocked ]
> [ Visual Update applied ]
"Now we're talkin'," he whispered, admiring the ember glow dancing along his blades.
Suddenly, the interface flickered and dimmed.
TING!
> [ SYSTEM NOTICE – WEAPON SYNC ACHIEVED]
> "You have awakened a bond with your weapon. The Red Flame answers."
The world around Joe slowed. His blades pulsed with a deep crimson glow, embers floating upward like fireflies. A low, rumbling chant echoed faintly in the air—like whispers from something ancient and watching.
> [ Red Flame Sync Rate: ] 32%
> [ New Title Progress Unlocked: ] Heir of Emberfang – 18%
> [ Aura Recognition Updated: ] Your weapon now responds to will-based commands.
Joe felt it—not just power in his hands, but resonance. It was as if his weapons were alive.
Spiritfang's fur stood on end. "Your weapon… it's starting to awaken its soul."
Joe twirled the karambits, his eyes faintly glowing red. "Then let's see how far this fire can go."
The system interface shimmered before fading away, leaving behind the hum of ember-charged steel.
GGRRRRGHHH—GLURRGK!
Suddenly, Joe's stomach growled loudly—like a demonic laugh of a hungry gut.
"Oops HAHAHA, I got hungry there," he said sheepishly, his voice low as he spoke to Spiritfang. "Wait, let me check the shop to see what I can buy."
Joe opened the [SHOP] tab.
> [ SHOP ]
> [ Category Selection: ]
> [ Fruits ]
> [ Potions ]
> [ Equipment ]
> [ Materials ]
> [ Mystery Box ]
He tapped on Fruits.
> [ Apple: ] Cost: 25 Inkstone.
> [ Grapes: ] Cost: 50 Inkstone.
> [ Banana: ] Cost: 65 Inkstone.
> [ Orange: ] Cost: 85 Inkstone.
> [ Mango: ] Cost: 100 Inkstone.
> [ Coconut: ] Cost: 150 Inkstone.
"Wait, Apple 25 Inkstone? This is only 20 pesos per kilo back in Irigan Village. Why is it 25 for a single apple here? Does it have an enchantment? Or is it made of gold?" Joe complained angrily to the System.
"We can't do anything about it; it's the system. Who knows, maybe with the next system upgrade the price will drop," Spiritfang replied.
Joe stared at the apple. "Can I return this if it doesn't have any healing effect?" His stomach growled again: "GRRRRGRKKK…"
Sigh. "Fine. I'm hungry. But seriously… this feels like a robbery. If it doesn't taste good, I might burn down the store." Joe grumbled in frustration.
"BWAHAHA, oh come on, calm down," Spiritfang laughed. "Maybe it has a passive buff. +1 to getting irritated."
Then—
Joe selected 2 Apples.
> [ TOTAL: ] 50 Inkstone
> [ CONFIRM PURCHASE? ]
> [ Yes ]
"Yes, what else can I do? It's so expensive," Joe complained while glaring at the System Interface.
TING!
> [ Purchase Successful! ]
> [ 2 Apples added to inventory ]
> [ 0 Inkstone remaining ]
Using his hand, Joe grabbed the two apples from the System screen.
"Spiritfang, catch!"
Joe tossed one apple to Spiritfang, but it didn't catch it.
"Hey Joe, just because I'm in wolf form doesn't mean you should treat me like this! That's rude!" Spiritfang said angrily to Joe.
"Ah, sorry HAHAHA, don't be mad," Joe apologized jokingly to Spiritfang.
Joe picked up the apple with his right hand and handed the one in his left hand to Spiritfang.
"Here, don't be mad anymore," Joe said, apologizing sheepishly.
"Thank you," Spiritfang murmured, expressing his gratitude quietly.
Next, he checked the [TITLES] tab.
> [ TITLES UNLOCKED ]
> [ Bearer of Red Aura Flame]
> [ Effect: ] +5% Aura-based damage, Burn resistance, fire-entity affinity
> [ Locked Titles: ]
> [ Orange Aura Flame: ]
> [ Red Aura Flame: ] 100%
> [ Blue Aura Flame: ]
> [ Green Aura Flame: ]
> [ White Aura Flame: ]
> [ Purple Aura Flame: ]
> [ Silver Aura Flame: ]
> [ Gold Aura Flame: ]
> [ Dark Aura Flame: ]
> [ Black Aura Flame: ]
(Each flame color signifies a higher spiritual affinity and elemental dominance.)
Joe's eyes lingered on the last one. "Black Flame… huh. So there's still farther to burn."
Then he tapped [SUMMONS].
> [ SUMMONS ]
> [ Spiritfang: ] Aura Fang Wolf
> [ Status: ] Bonded | Available
> [ Mode: ] Auto / Manual
> [ Next Summon Slot: ] Locked
> [ Requirement: ] Tame | Defeat | Obtain 1 Summon Core
Joe smirked. "Looks like Spiritfang's just the beginning."
Then he tapped [SETTINGS].
> [ SETTINGS ]
> [ System Name: ] Unassigned
> [ Voice Preference: ] Male / Female / Neutral
> [ Interface Theme: ] Classic Flame
> [ Quests Time Limit: ] Enable
> [ Time: ] Disable
> [ Date: ] Disable
> [ Enemy HP: ] Enable
> [ Enemy MP: ] Enable
> [ Damage Indicator: ] Enable
> [ Enemy Name: ] Disable
> [ Enemy Status Indicator: ] Disbale
He hovered over System Name and typed: G
> [ CONFIRM NAME? ]
> [ Yes ]
TING!
[System Name set to: G]
From now on, you may say "G" to activate the system interface.
He grinned. "Alright, G. Voice settings—male."
[Voice Set: Male]
"Hello, Joe. System G reporting."
Joe blinked. " Got Damn. Wow... That's slick."
Spiritfang raised an eyebrow. "You're naming your system now?"
"Better than calling it that glowing thing all the time."
Lastly, Joe opened the [MISSIONS] tab.
> [ ACTIVE MISSIONS ]
> [ MISSION 004: ] Continue to the Shelter
> [ Objective: ] Locate and enter shelter
> [ Time Limit: ] None
> [ Rewards: ] None
"Wait, no reward?" he asked in surprise while scratching his head.
"It's fine. What's important is we keep moving forward," Spiritfang replied.
"Alright," Joe stood up, eyes locked with Spiritfang's. "We've got our next move."
Spiritfang grinned, licking a bit of blood from his paw. "Then let's move."
And as the red glow of the system faded into transparency, a new fire lit up in Joe's eyes.
Adventure awaited—just beyond the river.