Bread

'I'm starving, and I don't have any currency'. I rubbed my belly staring at the little shop selling bread. I could steal, but that's easier said than done. With this physique of mine, I wouldn't be flabbergast to get beaten to death.

I sighed. There were practically no other means for me to gather food since I'm inside the village now. Damnit I should've picked up those fruits on my route.

'Aha!'. The shopkeeper was now conversing with a bulky man. I knew this was my only opportunity. Sneakily, I took wary steps one by one. I doubted that he would spot me. considering the fact that I was just 110cm tall. I unhurriedly took 2 loaves of bread which stood almost the size of my arm from the basket on the ground.

After getting the loaves of bread, I immediately went back to the way I approached from. A sigh of relief flared from my lips. Thankfully, all the nearby civilians were drawn to their attention by some commotion nearby. All of them were gathered in a circle.

I wanted to check out of curiosity, but this was not the time now. Sending one last glance at the crowd of people, I passed into a gloomy alleyway, to stuff my belly.

*Burp*

'Hmm...that reminds me, I haven't uttered a single word since coming here', Curious about my own voice. I decided to hear what I sounded like.

"Hello...", My voice was kinda raspy. I'm not surprised since I'm rather thirsty, But discarding that, my voice was...ok,

Not that it made much of a difference. I munched on the piece of bread, not wanting to waste all that nutrition.

I tugged my sleeves up, looking at the miserable arm which barely- No, didn't have an ounce of muscle definition, 'I need to build up my stamina'. I thought, I needed to get back to my house since there was a spot I could drink water and eat food there. It was perfect for my training.

'Why did I even come here?', I mulled, The test was next year...' Ah yes, I came for the wooden sword'. Recalling for what I came for, I hastily made my way toward a tree that was on the outskirts of the village.

'Got it', I picked up the wooden sword. Gripping it in my hand, I felt a sensation like any other...almost like this was the thing that finalized my whole existence. I swung the sword vertically. 'It feels so...Satisfying'. I felt a smile blossom on my face.

'Let's not waste any more time'. I decided and made my way toward my house. After roughly 1:30 hours, I finally arrived at my destination. Opening the door, I kept the wooden sword upright on the wall and flung myself into the bed.

'I've got only 1 year to prepare...all the others are way ahead of me', I knew that I won't come out at the top during the assessment. I'd have to work not twice but quadruple the amount of training compared to the others, and I was ready. I couldn't do anything unique in my past life...But not this time, This time...I would be an individual worthy of vigilance.

Steeling myself, I stood up and started to execute some stretches. And got fatigued after 10 minutes...'Wish I had a golden finger or something', Well whatever. Not that my spirit would plummet. I'm ready for whatever is to come!.

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Yeah, about that 'Ready for whatever is to come' line...I wasn't prepared for this. Gazing at the wooden sword, which some foolish creature broke...I'm getting depressed. 'Why did it have to break my sword', Anime-style tears ran down my cheeks.

Sighing, I looked at the portable knife I made from edging a stone. It was attached to a strong wooden branch. making it workable. I surveyed for 1 hour to find the perfect wooden log so that I can make a 'Sword'.

Gulping a mouthful of water from my bamboo bottle, I picked up the log I felt pleased with. Bringing it to my house, I started carving it...It took me the whole day, I didn't want to mess it up. So I did it as slow as a sloth. I held it in my hand, While it didn't feel as good as the other one, I began swinging it.

'It's not even half good as the other', I sighed. C'mon Najin! you only need to endure like this for a year, after that I can atleast get a decent wooden sword...Speaking of that, Why did that woman give me the wooden sword in the first place? I was just 3 at the time. Did she expect 'Me' to slay her enemies or something?

Jerking my head, I scattered those thoughts and focused on my sword. It's gonna be a fucking long journey!