A friend maybe?

I woke up to the sound of a woman singing. It was beautiful, majestic, and heartwarming, making the harshness of the previous days feel like a distant memory. I quickly got up, curious to find the source of such a captivating voice. As I approached, I hesitated, but gathering my courage, I continued.

When I reached the clearing, I saw her. A beautiful woman with blue hair that resembled flowing water and red eyes that glowed like embers. The atmosphere around her was so calm that my anxiety melted away.

"What is a kid doing here in this dense forest?" she asked, her expression one of confusion.

I instinctively put my guard up at the sound of her voice. "Don't be afraid, I mean no harm," she said, her tone soothing and comforting. "My name is Elaine. What's yours?"

I hesitated for a moment before replying, "Nolan. My name is Nolan."

"Hmm, Nolan. That's a beautiful name, fitting for you. Why are you here in the forest?" she asked, her expression gentle.

"I was cast out from the kingdom," I replied, my voice tinged with sadness.

"Come, sit here," Elaine said, pointing to a spot beside her. I hesitated but eventually sat down. We talked for hours about our lives, dreams, and goals.

"So, you're from a human kingdom," she said, more a statement than a question.

"Yeah, how about you? What race are you?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

Elaine hesitated before replying, "I'm from the god race."

"Wow, you're from the god race?" I said, my eyes wide with awe. "I heard that the races of gods are the strongest among the races."

"Maybe. Some races can kill gods, you know," Elaine replied with an unsure expression.

We continued talking until I realized it was nearing noon. "I should get going," I said, standing up.

"Before you go, there's an abandoned house near your camp. You should visit it, maybe make it your new camp," Elaine suggested with a smile.

"Thank you for informing me. I'll check it out later," I said, grateful for her help. I returned to my camp and prepared for another day of hunting.

I finished my preparations and set out. Not long after, I spotted a deer. I quickly used "Roar of Fear," paralyzing it, and then stabbed it in the stomach, ending its life. Carrying the deer back to camp was easier this time. I noticed a change in my body, a newfound strength.

When I arrived at the camp, I examined myself. "Something is different. I feel stronger," I thought, but my reflection was interrupted by a rustle in the bushes.

"Who's there?" I called out, but there was no reply. I cautiously approached the bush and found nothing. "I guess it's just my imagination," I thought.

"Boo!" Elaine's voice rang out behind me, startling me.

"You scared me!" I exclaimed, heart pounding.

Elaine laughed. "Well, it was fun," she said, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"What brings you here, Elaine?" I asked, still recovering.

"Oh, nothing. Just checking if you're okay," she replied with a smile.

"But why did you scare me like that?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Just for fun, maybe," Elaine said with a smirk.

Later that evening, as we rested, I said, "Hey, I feel like my body is getting stronger the more I get hit by skills."

"Maybe that's your special skill. Let's test it out tomorrow," Elaine suggested, her voice comforting.

"Okay," I agreed, excitement bubbling up inside me.

That night, we drifted off to sleep, thoughts of the upcoming day filling my mind. The forest around us was still and quiet, the stars above twinkling in the night sky. For the first time since being cast out, I felt a sense of hope and anticipation for what the future might hold.