Two minutes of rest turned into about thirty seconds, because of course my life was unfamiliar with the concept of healthy recovery. 

The ground shook again. The Colossus on the other side of the chasm still hadn't given up. The monster slammed against the cliff repeatedly, trying to find another way out. A true hater, I stood there with a deep sigh.

"Okay."

“It seems the universe is rejecting the balance of life.”

Nara had already started, which was no surprise. We continued along the narrow, rocky path, the area was higher, cooler, a thick fog was beginning to descend, and the trees were becoming sparser. 

The good thing is there are fewer places for monsters to hide. The bad thing? There are also fewer places for us to hide. 

The quest countdown continues.

Time remaining:

08:13:44

Finally a single digit of motivation increased slightly, I stared at that number like an investor looks at a green or hopeful graph. 

We kept moving until night fell and the sky was completely dark, the faint stars were visible through the mist for the first time in days, the atmosphere felt... calm, truly calm, no monsters, no cult followers, no dungeons collapsing, it was refreshing. 

I sat on a large rock, my completely exhausted body was slowly recovering thanks to Nature Assimilation, Nara was sitting not far from me, strangely quiet but not bad, I glanced at him.

“Are you always like this?”

Nara turned around slightly.

"Like what?"

"Quiet type."

He thought for a moment.

“Yes.”

That makes sense, I nodded then asked,

"Why enter the Forbidden Forest?"

Nara was silent longer this time, I thought she wouldn't answer but finally she spoke.

“Looking for something.”

Cryptic? Of course. I smiled slightly.

“Everyone in this world is allergic to complete answers.”

Nara stared at the small fire in front.

"If you know too much, you usually die faster."

Hmm, fair, very fair, I looked up at the sky. Maybe he was right—since coming into this world, the more I learned, the bigger my problems became. The development and consequences were balanced.

The countdown continues.

03:22:18

As we got closer I started to feel a little emotional, seven whole days felt like seven years. I closed my eyes for a moment then

notification appears.

Quest nearly complete.

Prepare for reward synchronization.

Oh? Interesting, I sat up straight. 

Reward synchronization, I open the quest details.

Quest:

Survive 7 days in the Forbidden Forest

Reward:

Blessing upgrade

Random skill

Hidden title

I read the gift twice. Okay, it was worth it, the trauma was partially repaid, I smiled.

“Maybe all this suffering is worth it.”

Nara looked at me like I had just said something incredibly naive, a natural reaction. Time passed very slowly, each minute felt like an eternity, but eventually

final notification appears.

Quest completed.

Survive 7 days in Forbidden Forest.

Reward distribution starting.

YES. FINALLY.

I almost stood up and applauded. A green light appeared in my body. It was warm, not painful, a rare experience. Thank you very much.

Notifications appear in succession.

Blessing upgraded.

New blessing:

Blessing of the Withered World Tree

New skill acquired:

Predator Sense

Title obtained:

The Forsaken Survivor

Effect:

Fear resistance +

Survival instinct +

Level bonus:

+1

Current level: 19

I read it all with a big smile.

"Good."

"Very good."

Finally reward without evolution nearing the death of character development, I read the new blessing.

Blessing of the Withered World Tree:

Increases compatibility with fragments, nature energy, corruption resistance, and adaptive growth.

Sounds broken, I agree.

New skills:

Predator Sense:

Detects killing intent and hidden dangers around.

Oh, that's very useful, especially for someone with an above-average level of betrayal. I'm very satisfied. Nara noticed the notification on my face.

“Got something good?”

I nodded.

“Premium trauma package.”

Nara tilted her head, I sighed.

“That means yes.”

He nodded slightly, the conversation successful, but after the gift was finished, the ground beneath us began to glow, and I froze. Oh no, please no, not again. A large magic circle appeared around my feet.

New notification.

Exit protocol activated.

Returning participant to spawn region.

I blinked, waiting. Teleporting out? Automatically? I looked at Nara, she was also looking at the circle, her expression slightly changed for the first time, looking... unprepared.

“So this is an automatic goodbye?” I asked.

Nara was silent for a few seconds then nodded, I guess yes. The light grew brighter, meaning the teleport would activate. I stared at her.

“I don't even know your real goal yet.”

Nara looked back at me, her gaze calm as usual but this time a little softer.

"Live longer," he said.

“That would help.”

I chuckled.

“Advice that really suits your brand.”

The corners of Nara's lips lifted slightly, almost into a smile. The light grew stronger, and my body began to feel lighter. I raised one hand.

“See you, Nara.”

He nodded.

"See you later, Raka."

The next second light engulfed my vision the world changed, teleport activated and when my consciousness returned I was no longer in the Forbidden Forest but in a large, crowded and noisy stone hall filled with people. 

Humans, Armor, Mages, Knights, and all those very familiar faces. Yes, those were my classmates, and I froze them too. 

Silence suddenly filled the hall, their gazes fixed on me at my tattered clothes, the black sword in my hand the aura now far different and the level above my head.

19

I saw their expressions of shock, disbelief, a little fear, good, a small smile appeared on my face, finally we meet again.

[END CHAPTER 18]

The stone hall was silent, a strange silence, a silence that was too full of emotion. Hundreds of people were in this large room—adventurers, guards, priests, knights, mages—but not a single one spoke because all eyes were on me, standing in the center of the teleportation circle, my clothes tattered, my body covered in scars.

The Sword of Thorns in the World was clutched in my hand, a faint aura of corruption still lingering around me and before me was my old classroom. The people who once stood with me in the classroom, the people who talked about exams, assignments, and the future, the people who also decided to kill me.

It's amazing how life works, I scanned their faces one by one. Most of them looked completely different: better armor, adventurer's attire, higher-quality weapons, and more stable mana auras; they were clearly developing.

Good will be more satisfying later, I recognize some faces like Bima his body is big, used to be a school basketball athlete now wearing dark red heavy armor probably tank class stable aura Level 14, not bad.

Beside him was Dimas, a man with glasses who used to be the class president, now wearing a white and blue robe, an attractive Level 15 mage class.

And my eyes stopped on one person, a long-haired woman standing in the front row. Mira, my former classmate, now wearing white armor with a golden staff with a strong holy aura, a Level 16 Saint Healer.

I still remember his expression when he decided I should be dumped so clearly. His expression now? Shock.

“Raka…” he muttered softly.

As if seeing a ghost quite close, I smiled faintly.

"Hi everybody."

No one answered, no awkward reunion snacks, finally someone spoke Bima took a step forward, his face tense.

"You…"

He seemed to be having trouble processing my presence.

“How are you still alive?”

Good question, I thought for a moment.

“With hatred, trauma, and very bad life decisions.”

No one laughed at the difficult audience, Dimas moved forward a little with his gaze at my level, at my sword, at my aura analyzing as usual.

"It's impossible." he said.

“No one can survive seven days in the Forbidden Forest.”

I shrugged.

“Skills problem.”

Bima looked offended.

A knight at the side of the hall finally approached not an adult student silver armor with the symbol of the kingdom.

A small notification appears.

Target identified:

Royal Knight

Threat: Moderate

The knight looked at me seriously.

“Are you a newly returned participant?”

I nodded.

“I guess so.”

He seemed to judge my appearance very normally I did look like someone who was raised by trauma and roots.

“Identity,” he said.

I blinked, oh right administrative procedures.

“Inter-world transfer student?” I said.

Knight doesn't seem amused by the complicated bureaucracy, Dimas is quick to speak.

“He's part of our group.”

Group? Interesting choice of words I glanced at him didn't deny maybe not yet, Knight nodded.

"Good."

He signaled to the other guards.

“Participants returning from the ritual will be processed in the east hall.”

Ritual? So that's what they call a forced survival fantasy. I started walking out of the circle and as I passed my class group, I deliberately stopped right in front of Mira, our distance was only a meter. I looked into her eyes, she stiffened.

“Nice to meet you again,” I said quietly.

My tone was flat enough to make him even paler, and I walked on. Bima gritted his teeth, clearly wanting to say something but holding back. Smart, progress, at least a little.

I followed the knight into the side hall but before I could actually leave I heard panicked whispers behind me.

“How can he be alive?”

“Level 19? That doesn't make sense.”

“That's what trash class should be”

They stopped talking when I turned around, and a brief silence fell again. We entered the eastern hall, a smaller room with several desks, officers, and evaluation crystals. "The fantasy administration office," Knight pointed to a chair.

“Sit down.”

I sat down as a grey-robed officer approached carrying a crystal tablet.

“Name?”

“Cancer.”

“Class?”

I paused for two seconds, a good question. Should I be honest? Maybe too much information isn't the ideal choice.

“Nature-based class,” I replied.

Technically correct, the officer nodded as he wrote.

“Level?”

“19.”

His hand stopped he looked at me.

"Repeat."

“19.”

He seemed to dislike the data, understandably so.

“Blessing?”

I think.

"Still alive."

The officer stared at me for a long time, the Knight beside him starting to look spiritually exhausted. Oops, finally the officer sighed.

"Good."

He handed me a small crystal.

“This is temporary identification.”

I received the item.

A notification appears.

Item acquired:

Adventurer Temporary Pass

Region access unlocked:

City of Lumeria

Oh, new city, new arc, potential new problems. Very good, Knight looked at me.

“You are free to move around for the time being but do not leave the city without permission.”

I nodded.

"Of course."

Maybe I'll ignore it later, I left the room, the corridor was now quieter but footsteps could be heard from behind.

I stopped, no need to look back. Predator Sense was active, there was no killing intent, only anxiety. I turned to Mira, standing at the end of the corridor alone, her hands tightly gripping her staff. Her expression was complicated, there were guilt, fear, doubt, and a mess of emotions. She approached slowly.

“Cancer…”

I looked at him calmly.

"What?"

Mira swallowed hard.

“I… want to talk.”

I almost laughed of course after trying to kill someone there was always a desire for conversation, I crossed my arms.

"Talk?"

A faint smile appeared on my face.

"Good."

“Start with the part where you guys decided I was better off dead.”

Mira's expression froze and the corridor suddenly felt much colder.

[END CHAPTER 19]

The corridor was quiet, only Mira and I were there, the light from the crystal walls cast our long shadows on the stone floor, I leaned back against the wall, or at least looked relaxed. 

Inside? I was much calmer than I expected, which was strange. I'd imagined this moment countless times in the Forbidden Forest—revenge, anger, emotional outbursts—but now, facing it head-on, I felt cold and clear. 

Maybe seven days in the forest is enough to change or destroy a person. Mira gripped her staff tightly, looking like she was having trouble finding her words. I gave her a few seconds and then said,

“If you want to apologize, you better make it more interesting.”

With a little relief from the pressure, Mira took a deep breath.

"Not that."

Interesting, I raised an eyebrow.

“Very much.”

He looked at me directly, his gaze serious, a mixture of guilt and something else, fear.

“That time…” his voice was soft.

“It was not a spontaneous decision.”

I stopped knocking on the wall. Oh? Now we get to the interesting part.

"Continue."

Mira nodded slightly.

“After we received the class, everyone was called one by one by the government chaplain.”

I'm listening.

“After your class appears…”

He swallowed hard.

“The pastor changed.”

I squinted.

“Changed how?”

“Afraid.”  

That answer left me speechless.

Pastor? Afraid of my class?

Mira continued.

“He spoke with the knights and some of the royal people.”

“I didn't hear everything.”

“But I heard one sentence.”

He looked at me.

“'That class should not exist.'”

…

I was silent. 

Well the situation is getting worse, I crossed my arms.

"So?"

"After that we were called together," said Mira.

“Knight explained that your class is dangerous.”

“Unstable and potentially disastrous.”

I chuckled.

“Sounds like a good reputation.”

It was natural that Mira didn't join in the laughter.

"Bima was the one who pushed the hardest for that decision," he said.

“Not surprised.”

“He said if we let you live, we could all be in danger.”

Making sense with very flexible moral standards, I looked at Mira.

“And you agree?”

The question made him freeze, for a few seconds he didn't answer.

So:

“…of.”

Honestly unexpected, I appreciate that a bit.

“Why?” I asked.

Mira lowered her head.

“Because I'm scared.”

Simple, human, cowardly, but human. He clenched his fists.

"We have all just arrived in a foreign world."

“Everything is messed up.”

“Then suddenly there were adults, knights, priests, all saying your class was dangerous.” Her voice grew softer.

"I choose to go with the majority."

I nodded slowly. 

It makes sense, not justification but it makes sense and that's what makes it even more annoying, because the most realistic betrayals rarely come from cartoonish villains, usually from ordinary people who are afraid, they are the ones who choose their own safety, I pushed my body from the wall to stand upright.

“So that's the point,” I said calmly.

“When the situation was difficult, you chose to sacrifice me.”

Mira looked shocked but didn't argue, well at least there was no false defense that was insulting, I took a step closer she reflexively tensed up in fear, I could feel it clearly through Predator Sense. 

It's interesting that I was the one who was afraid before, but now the position is reversed, how efficient is this development?

“I have one last question,” I said.

Mira looked at me.

“If I really die in the forest…”

I tilted my head slightly.

“Will you regret it?”

Silence, the question hung for a long time. Mira looked at the floor then answered slowly.

“Yes.”

I stared at him for a few seconds searching for lies Predator Sense didn't detect any manipulative intent meaning he was being honest, I let out a small sigh.

“At least you're honest enough to admit that.”

Mira raised her head, a hint of hope on her face. Mistake, I saw that change and immediately crushed it.

“But that doesn't change anything.”

Her expression fell, I continued,

“I didn't die because you changed your minds.”

“Not because you guys helped.”

“Not out of pity.”

My tone remained calm, but colder.

“I live because I am stubborn enough to refuse to die.”

The corridor felt quieter, I stared at him.

“So don't misunderstand.”

“This conversation is not a reconciliation.”

Mira bit her lower lip, she looked like she wanted to say something but in the end she just lowered her head, I walked past her and then stopped for a moment without looking back.

“Oh yeah,” I said casually.

“If Bima or the others think everything can return to normal…”

I smiled faintly.

“They are adorable.”

Then I left Mira alone in the corridor, my steps echoed on the stone floor, somehow I felt lighter, not because I had forgiven, not because I had closed my eyes, but at least I had reopened one part of the past and the result was as expected. 

They are afraid, they are weak and they choose the easiest path nothing new, I went out towards the main area of ​​the city night had fallen, crystal lights were shining on the streets. 

For the first time since coming to this world, I truly saw a fantasy city: white stone buildings, tall towers, a night market, and adventurers carrying weapons and carriages. The large guild hall in the distance wasn't bad, it was truly impressive.

A notification appears.

New arc quest available.

Grow Stronger

Objective:

Reach level 25

Register with the Adventurer Guild

Uncover the secrets of your class

Reward:

Unknown

I read the new quest and smiled. 

Yes, revenge can wait a bit because before destroying others I need to become much stronger and this city is most likely the right place to start. 

I saw the large guild hall at the end of the street still lit up, my smile widened.

"Okay."

“New arc.”

Let's see what kind of trouble awaits me now.

[END CHAPTER 20]