Inlander

The Journey Begins

The first light of dawn filtered through the tattered remnants of the refugee camp, casting long shadows over the makeshift tents. Jim Slavn stirred, his body still aching from days of strain. He and Jill had spent the night under a simple tarp, a poor substitute for a true shelter, but it was better than nothing. The morning air was crisp, carrying the distant scent of smouldering timber—remnants of Byre’s destruction still lingered in the wind.

Jim sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. The ground beneath him was hard, unforgiving, but he had grown accustomed to discomfort. With a slow breath, he exhaled the stiffness from his bones and turned his gaze inward, summoning the System.

A translucent window appeared before him, its soft blue glow illuminating the dim space around him. He navigated through the interface with ease, searching for what he needed most—a weapon.

"Since I gave the Leviathan to Klax, I’ll need something of my own. But… is there a way to take back items I’ve already given?"

Jim frowned at the thought. No, that would be dishonourable. A gift given was a gift bestowed. He had made his choice.

He exhaled and continued.

“Shop.”

“Weapons.”

Rows upon rows of armaments appeared before him, glimmering in the interface—swords, halberds, daggers, and staves, each with their own unique properties. But Jim’s focus was set on something different.

"A bow," he murmured to himself. "This body was once skilled with a bow. That’s why I was stationed at Gorgon Fortress to begin with."

His fingers flicked through the selection, his mind calculating. He couldn’t afford to waste too much gold. The real prize would be the guidebook, something far more valuable than raw firepower. He needed something efficient, something that suited him.

And then he found it.

A weapon forged of dark, polished agarwood, its surface smooth yet laced with subtle etchings of ancient symbols. The Ghizzel Bow.

Jim tapped on it, initiating the purchase

[Weapon Identified…]

[Ghizzel Bow]

Durability: 2000/2000

Physical Attack: 100

Magic Attack: 300

Material: Agarwood

Rank: C

Cost: 1000G

Minimum Requirements:

Intelligence: 20

Mage: 30

[Unique Abilities]

When using regular arrows, each shot lands precisely on the intended target.

When using mana-infused arrows, they become invisible, capable of striking up to three times per release. Each arrow consumes 300 mana, and requires Agility for accuracy.

[Lore]

Once, deep within the Rumbia Forest, an old witch bestowed this enchanted bow upon her grandson—a young hunter named Ghizzel. With it, he was destined to walk a path between mortal prowess and arcane power.

A flicker of excitement stirred in Jim’s chest. This was more than suitable. However, as he read through the fine details, his expression shifted.

"Wait a moment… minimum Mage requirement?"

His jaw tensed. He hadn’t noticed that before purchasing. To wield this bow properly, he needed Mage: 30.

Jim groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. How careless.

There was only one way to fix this. He navigated to his status window and began allocating every last available point into his Mage stat. As soon as he confirmed the change, a new notification appeared before him, blinking with a sense of finality

[Level Up! 17 → 18]

[Mage Increased: +30]

[New Class Unlocked: Mage]

[New Skill Acquired: Mana User]

Jim blinked.

"Wait… what?"

He had assumed that increasing his Mage stat would simply allow him to use the bow. He hadn’t expected it to unlock an entirely new class.

A grin crept onto his face, part amusement, part disbelief. So, just having one point in Mage was enough to qualify? And here I went and spent everything…

He chuckled to himself, shaking his head.

"I’m a Mage now? Just like in those old virtual games…"

Curious, he called up his status screen.

[Status]

Name: Jim Slavn

Level: 18

Age: 25

Gender: Male

Race: Resurrected Human

Class: Historian / Fort Guard / Mage

Titles: Tsutomu Yamaguchi, One s***h Man

Gold: 5400G

Mana: 30,000

[Abilities]

Vitality: 9 (+5)

Strength: 8 (+5)

Agility: 7 (+6)

Intelligence: 12 (+8)

Luck: 18 (+5)

Mage: 30 (+0)

[Skills]

Pastoralist [Unique, Active] Lvl 2 (350/500)

Guardian [Passive] Lvl 1 (50/100)

Yamaguchi [Passive] Lvl 2 (0/500)

Inevitable Twisted s***h [Active] Lvl 1 (0/100)

Mana User [Passive] Lvl 1 (0/100)

Jim’s gaze settled on his Mana Pool—a staggering 30,000.

He exhaled. That’s… a lot.

For a moment, he sat in silence, letting the reality sink in. Magic in this world wasn’t a mere tool—it was an art, an essence woven through the very fabric of existence. Only a select few had the talent to wield it. And yet, in a single night, Jim had become one of them.

But there was a problem.

"I’m a Mage… but I have no spells. Bloody brilliant."

Jim let out a short laugh. He might have unlocked the potential, but he had no knowledge of incantations, no training, no way to use magic beyond the passive skill that restored his mana.

"Still, with this much mana, I should at least be able to fire 30 invisible arrows."

He flexed his fingers, feeling the newfound energy hum beneath his skin. It was a start.

Beyond the tent, the first true rays of morning sunlight stretched across the camp, spilling golden warmth over the broken city of Byre. Jim straightened, stretching the stiffness from his limbs before turning to the small figure beside him.

Jill still slept, curled beneath the ragged blanket, her face peaceful.

Jim smiled softly. Then, with a playful flick, he pulled the blanket away and gave her a light tap on the cheek.

“Jill. Wake up.”

The girl stirred, blinking groggily before squinting up at him.

“Mmm… Jim?” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. “What’re you doing…?”

“Get up, sleepyhead,” Jim said with a smirk. “We’re heading to Centrical City today.”

Jill yawned, stretching like a cat before fixing him with a drowsy stare.

“…Why?”

Jim sighed, then sat back.

“Because,” he said, his voice tinged with quiet excitement, “Captain Klax has given me a mission. And once we reach Centrical City, I won’t be coming back to Byre.”

Jim sighed, then sat back.

“Because,” he said, his voice tinged with quiet excitement, “Captain Klax has given me a mission. And once we reach Centrical City, I won’t be coming back to Byre.”

Jill’s sleepiness vanished in an instant. She bolted upright, eyes wide.

“What? Why not?”

Jim met her gaze, his voice calm, steady.

“I’ve been recommended to the United of Regia’s High Command… as a Strategist.”

Jill gasped.

Jim only smiled.

This was just the beginning.

•••

The sun had risen higher in the sky, its golden rays stretching over the battered city of Byre. The air was dry, carrying the scent of scorched wood and damp earth—a stark reminder of the recent battle. Jim and Jill stood at the edge of the refugee camp, making their final preparations.

Jim adjusted the strap of his quiver, his newly acquired Ghizzel Bow slung securely across his back. Jill, ever the careful one, checked the small satchel of provisions they had managed to scavenge. They had little, but it was enough to last until they reached Centrical City.

As they stepped onto the main road, heading towards the city gates where Captain Klax’s office stood, the silence of Byre weighed upon them.

What was once a lively city filled with merchants, craftsmen, and children playing in the streets was now a husk of its former self. The war had carved deep wounds into its foundation. Entire buildings lay in ruin, some barely standing with makeshift wooden supports propped against their crumbling walls. The few survivors who remained were scattered throughout the streets, hammering nails into planks, shifting rubble, and doing whatever they could to rebuild.

Jim observed in silence, his chest tightening at the sight.

Jill, walking beside him, clutched the strap of her satchel and spoke, her voice laced with quiet sorrow.

“This town feels so empty now…”

Jim glanced at her and saw the sadness in her eyes. It mirrored his own thoughts.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. “One day, it will be bustling again. Just like before.”

Jill looked up at him, her expression filled with hope yet laced with doubt.

Jim clenched his fist and raised it slightly. His voice, however, was unwavering. “I don’t know how long it will take, but I believe in it. One day, we’ll return to Gorgon Harbour, not as exiles, but as its rightful people—when the Neiter Nation is finally driven out.”

Jill stared at him for a moment, then smiled, her worries easing.

They walked on, stepping past the last remnants of the war-torn streets until the wooden gates of Byre came into view. Standing just outside his office, surveying his men as they worked, was Captain Klax Forterr.

Jim and Jill exchanged a glance before approaching him.

“Good morning, Captain.”

Klax turned, his sharp eyes softening slightly at the sight of them. “Ah, morning to you both. Ready to set off?”

Jim gave a firm nod. “We’ve got everything we need. We’re just waiting on the horses.”

Klax turned his head slightly and gestured to one of his men.

“Derton! Fetch the horses for them.”

The young soldier, Derton, saluted swiftly. “Aye, Captain!” He wasted no time, sprinting towards the stables.

As Derton vanished from sight, Klax turned back to Jim, his expression shifting into something more contemplative. “Once you leave, I’ll be appointing Derton as vice-captain here.”

Jim raised an eyebrow. “A wise decision. You’re perceptive as always, Captain.”

Klax let out a small chuckle, shaking his head. “It’s not wisdom, Jim. It’s necessity. We’re still in critical times.”

Jim hummed in agreement. The war wasn’t over—far from it.

After a brief pause, Jim reached for the Leviathan Sword at his waist, carefully drawing it and extending it towards Klax.

“I’m returning this,” he said.

Klax’s eyes flickered with surprise as he took the weapon, his fingers brushing over the familiar hilt. “Are you sure? You might need it.”

Jim crossed his arms and smirked. “It would be dishonourable to take back something once given.”

Klax chuckled at that, nodding slowly. But even still, he asked again, “Isn’t this too much?”

Jim shook his head. “That sword suits you better. You know I’ve always been an archer.”

Klax exhaled, a rare smile forming on his lips. “That’s true.” He looked at the blade, then back at Jim. “I’ll take good care of it.”

At that moment, Derton returned, leading two sturdy horses—one a sleek light brown stallion, the other a darker mare with white patches on its tail and body.

He handed the reins to Klax, who in turn passed them to Jim and Jill.

Jim helped Jill onto the darker horse, securing her saddle before mounting his own. Just as he was about to climb into his own saddle, he hesitated, then stepped forward towards Klax.

Without warning, he pulled the captain into a firm embrace.

For a moment, Klax was still, but then he clasped Jim’s shoulder, returning the gesture.

“Thank you, Captain. For everything.”

Klax pulled away slightly, his gaze steady. “No, Jim. I should be the one thanking you. Without you, Byre would have become a graveyard.”

Jim shook his head. “It wasn’t just me. It was all of us who fought until the end.”

A solemn silence passed between them before Jim added, his voice resolute, “This isn’t the end. The real struggle has only just begun.”

Klax and the gathered soldiers stood in quiet reverence, Jim’s words stirring something deep within them.

After a long pause, Klax reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sealed letter.

“Jim, take this and give it directly to the General when you arrive.”

Jim took the letter, slipping it into his own pocket. “Consider it done.”

He then swung himself onto his horse, securing the reins. Before he and Jill departed, he turned one last time, his gaze sweeping over the men standing before him—the soldiers, the survivors, the defenders of Byre.

His voice rang strong in the air.

“Take care of yourselves! Defend Byre with your lives! Because no matter what happens, this city is your home!”

A resounding cry erupted from the soldiers.

“AYE!”

Jim gave them a final nod before pulling at the reins. “Hya!”

The horses neighed, hooves pounding against the dirt as Jim and Jill rode out through the city gates.

“Goodbye, Captain!” Jill called, waving enthusiastically.

Jim cast a brief glance back, raising a hand in farewell. “See you all soon.”

The sound of hooves thundered down the road as the two riders faded into the distance. The sun hung high above them, its warmth guiding their path toward Centrical City.

Klax watched them go, his expression unreadable. Then, with a quiet exhale, he murmured under his breath:

“With that determination, I know you’ll make all of our hopes a reality, Jim.”