"Huh...!?"

Waking up to the sound of an alarm coming from somewhere.

I must have fallen asleep—no, likely passed out—without noticing.

The source of the sound is the status board, displaying "10 minutes remaining" for the barrier's duration.

"Lucky. Was it a morning call?"

Well, it's technically an alarm, but either way, it's fine.

Apparently, I passed out from overusing spirit magic.

If I hadn't woken up, I would have likely been eaten alive by a monster.

It seems the sun has already set, and the surroundings are already dim.

Here's what happened.

After obtaining the dark spirit magic, my practice sessions had been going smoothly for a while.

For example, in role-playing games, the use of magic is usually limited to a certain number of times. At lower levels, using magic ten times might drain your MP completely, leaving you unable to do anything until you stay at an inn.

That's why I paid close attention to the invisible depletion of MP. Even though this world differs from Earth, it's not a game but a real world. There's no such thing as risk-free.

I kept myself prepared for that, yet even after using the technique ten times or twenty times, that moment never came.

The proficiency level of "Dark Mist" sometimes increased after just one use, while other times it wouldn't increase even after several uses, but it was steadily rising.

I didn't think I was getting carried away by the progress, but I failed to notice the changes happening to my own body.

It was only when I started feeling dizzy and thought something was off that I realized my body temperature had risen abnormally.

The moment I became aware of it, I lost all memory.

Probably, my body gave out from overusing spirit power or something similar.

"But maybe because I slept, my body feels fine."

My temperature seems normal as well.

Either way, the barrier's effect is about to wear off.

I don't sense the presence of that giant ape nearby, but I need to stay alert.

I stood up and checked the dark spirit magic from my status board.

【 Dark Spirit Magic 】

First Rank Formula

・Manifestation of Darkness 【Dark Mist】 Skill Level 24

・Sight of Darkness 【Night Vision】 Skill Level 0

After a few hours of practice, a new spell had appeared.

It's called "Sight of Darkness."

"So 'Night Vision' means I can see even in the dark—like the 'Sight' of Darkness. I would've preferred something offensive, though..."

It's a bit of a mixed feeling for me, who already has night vision.

To begin with, it's unclear just how dark a place 'Night Vision' actually allows me to see.

It's already getting dim outside, the sun having set.

Wait—can I turn the night vision ability on and off?

Puzzled, I look up at the sky.

The sky is a deep cobalt, already fully night.

"……So that's it. The effect of my skill 'Night Vision' has already been active."

The sun has long since set behind the mountains, and the sky is uniformly dark. It's night now.

Yet, deep in this forest where the only light comes from the moon, I can clearly see where the trees are growing, and even glimpse into the area a little farther inside.

Not quite as good as during the day, but it seems I can manage basic activities without issue.

No wonder it's called "Dark Vision." It's a special ability that requires 15 points, after all.

This should be a significant advantage when operating at night or in dark places.

"Let me try out Night Vision too... Oh!"

When I activated the technique, fortunately, the effect was enhanced.

I had worried it might be redundant, with overlapping effects, but that concern was unfounded.

It feels as if even the faintest light is being amplified, making everything clearer to see.

With this, I should have no trouble walking at night.

"……phew. Alright. Let's go."

The time has come, and the makeshift barrier's thin film begins to fade away.

Even after twelve hours have passed, recalling that encounter with the giant ape makes my legs feel stiff.

Still, there's no choice but to move forward.

Distance-wise, if everything goes smoothly, I should be able to get through the forest in about ten days. It's a fairly optimistic estimate, I know, but I had to think this way or I'd have lost hope.

I exchanged one point from my status board for a new "Barrier Stone," wrapping myself in the dark mist whose range had slightly expanded thanks to my growing proficiency.

Right now, my condition is like that of a low-level character in an RPG—still low-level, yet positioned in a high-level zone.

"The only way to prolong life is by breaking a 'Premium Stone.'"

That comparison comes closest to describing my situation.

But of course, Premium Stones are limited—just eight points in total. Whether I'm scared or in danger, I must conserve them until the crucial moment, or I won't survive long enough to escape.

So then, even if I'm afraid, I have no choice but to move forward.

There's no other choice but to move forward.

"Live...! I absolutely must survive and get out of this forest!"

Taking one step at a time through a forest untouched by human feet, his boots barely soiled.

Having decided not to give up, even in this hopeless situation.

Checking the status board, the number of viewers was increasing at an accelerating rate, still climbing without pause.

Remaining points: 8