SSS Awakening: I Can Create Skills By Will-Chapter 49: A Place to Begin

For a brief moment as he lay, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind.

What if I wake up and I’m back?

Back in a normal bed, and back in a normal city.

No monsters, no mana, no guild, no divisions.

Arthur closed his eyes.

If that happens...

Then this was the strangest dream I’ve ever had.

But another part of him knew better.

The pain had been real.

The fear had been real.

The blood had been real.

Dreams did not feel like that. At least, none that he has had.

Arthur took a slow breath.

He felt nervous.

Anyone would.

But beneath the nervousness was something else.

Anticipation.

This world was brutal.

But it was straightforward, and it suited him.

"I’ll climb again," Arthur whispered.

"I don’t care how long it takes."

He rolled onto his side.

"I’ll reach the top."

This was personal goal. And a promise to himself

And sleep crept in slowly, as his thoughts drifted and gradually, everything faded.

The moment sleep truly took him, his body finally released all the tension it had been holding.

The night passed quickly.

Arthur opened his eyes.

For a second, he didn’t remember where he was.

Then it all came back.

The room.

The guild.

The division.

His heartbeat quickened slightly.

Not in fear, but in excitement.

"It’s time to move."

Arthur sat up.

He stretched before he walked up to the wash center as he washed up quickly.

After that, he put on his clothes. Then he reached for his armor.

Piece by piece.

Chest, shoulders, guards, straps.

When he finished, he looked different.

Not a slum rat.

Not a nobody.

An explorer.

A bronze-ranked explorer.

It was the lowest step.

But it was still a step.

Arthur fastened the dagger at his waist.

He checked the pouch with his money.

"Still there. Good".

Before heading to the mission hall, Arthur paused.

He needed a better weapon

And potions.

Health.

Mana.

Walking into real missions with a half-broken dagger was stupidity.

With that he had his direction in mind, he made his way to the Explorer’s Guild.

The hallway was already active.

Explorers moving.

Voices.

Bootsteps.

Armor clinking.

This place never truly slept.

Arthur went straight to the weapon counter in the Explorer’s Guild.

He didn’t know how far fifteen yen would take him, but anything better than the worn dagger he owned would help. Still, the choice of weapon mattered. Back on Earth, he had practiced with different weapons, especially swords. He knew their balance, their reach, their discipline.

Yet something about a dagger felt right.

It was simple. Close. Honest. It matched the way his skills moved, the way his intent flowed through his body. A dagger didn’t interrupt that rhythm, it followed it.

So he chose to trust that feeling.

His eyes had already found the display before he even reached the stall. Several sets of daggers were lined neatly among other weapons, their polished surfaces catching the light. Some were elegant, others plain, and a few carried a quiet weight that drew his attention.

He was still staring when the merchant approached him.

"It seems you’re looking for a dagger," the man said with an easy smile. "I have a few sets you can choose from."

Arthur nodded, grateful. The merchant had read him instantly. From his armor alone, the man could tell he was a new explorer, from a Bronze Squad, and likely someone with limited funds. Years of dealing with explorers had sharpened his judgment.

Without wasting time, the merchant led him to a lower display shelf.

"These are different in grade," the merchant explained, picking one up. "Material quality decides everything. Most are made from low rank monster parts, durable enough for early missions. Prices range below ten yen."

Arthur listened carefully. The difference in quality was obvious. The blades here lacked the refined finish of the ones displayed above, but they were still sturdy. Practical.

Perfect for his budget.

But Arthur hesitated. Saving money was important, yes, but a weapon was more than a purchase. A good weapon could decide whether he lived or died.

"May I try that one?" he asked, pointing at a dagger resting slightly apart from the others.

The merchant handed it to him.

Arthur swung it gently, testing its weight. The blade moved smoothly, almost naturally, as if it followed his hand without resistance. The grip felt firm, the balance steady.

He exhaled slowly.

"This one," he said.

The merchant chuckled softly. "You have good eyes. That piece is a little special. Better balance, better material. It costs two yen more than the others."

Twelve yen.

Arthur didn’t even pause. The decision was already made the moment he held it. He felt a strange connection to the weapon, something instinctive, something certain.

He took out twelve yen from his pouch and placed it on the counter.

The merchant wrapped the dagger and handed it to him. Arthur secured it at his side, feeling a quiet sense of reassurance settle in his chest.

But his shopping was not over.

The purchase had left a painful gap in both his pocket and his heart. He could almost feel the weight of his remaining coins. Still, he reminded himself that the sting of spending faded quickly once the purchase began to protect his life.

With a steady breath, he bought a single bottle of mana potion for two yen. He might need it during missions, and going without one could cost him more than money.

That left him with only one yen.

Arthur stared at the last coin in his palm before putting it away. It was a risky position, but he convinced himself it was worth it. Preparation was survival.

With his purchases complete, he adjusted his gear and made his way toward the missions hall.

The closer he got, the louder the noise became. Voices overlapped, boots echoed against the floor, and the air carried the restless energy of explorers preparing for their next assignments.