---
Ryu was now the strongest person in his village.
Not officially. No banners or titles.
But everyone knew.
There were no other Trained Class Mobs here. The last one had left for the northern city years ago. And now, with quiet strength in his limbs and a firm presence in his walk, Ryu had taken that silent place.
He didn't boast.
He didn't act proud.
He just worked harder.
---
The labor office in town had one opening no one touched.
Stonepull Route 3—known as the hardest job in the district.
It involved hauling heavy cargo from the quarry uphill, through unstable paths, three times a day. Normal workers could barely finish one round. Even mobs at Amateur Class burned out before the week ended.
But when Ryu asked for it, the foreman scratched his beard.
"You sure?"
Ryu nodded. "I'll try it for a week."
He didn't come back to say anything after that.
He just kept showing up.
And hauling.
---
The pay was insane for Rainforest standards.
> 90 Silver Ounces a Month
Enough to live like a noble in the Southern Continent.
Enough to buy better food.
Enough for clean water deliveries every week.
Enough for Mina to wear soft cotton dresses instead of patched rags.
Ryu didn't change much.
Still wore the same shirt most days.
Still ate simple soup and rice.
Still trained quietly after work.
But one day, after counting his saved ounces, he made a quiet trip.
---
The Purchase
The shop owner raised an eyebrow as Ryu walked in and placed a pouch of 50 silver ounces on the counter.
"I need three things," Ryu said.
The man grinned. "You've come to the right place."
---
Mid-Tier Body Strengthening Art – 25 Silver Ounces
Focused on endurance and muscle control. Better breathing. Tighter focus.
Newbie Flash Step – 10 Silver Ounces
A simple movement technique. Fast short-burst motion, hard to master.
Mid Sword Technique: Folding Stream Form – 15 Silver Ounces
A flexible sword style. Fluid counters and redirection. Good for solo fighters.
---
The man handed over the scrolls, carefully wrapped.
"You sure you can handle all three at once?"
Ryu nodded. "I won't rush."
---
Routine
Mornings were spent hauling stone.
Afternoons with Mina, running errands or preparing food.
And at dusk, after she went to sleep, Ryu trained behind the house.
One hour of body strengthening.
Thirty minutes of movement drills.
Then sword forms, repeated until sweat dripped off his chin.
He didn't seek power for the sake of it.
He simply liked being useful.
Stronger meant more reliable.
Stronger meant safer.
---
Some people in town started noticing.
Shopkeepers nodded to him more respectfully.
Younger boys tried to copy his footwork behind fences.
Even the labor office whispered his name.
But Ryu didn't care for that.
All he cared about was that Mina could sleep without worry.
That she smiled when he brought home new books or warm bread.
That when the rains came, their roof held.
---
He still remembered his father.
A man who had died as an Amateur Class Mob, defending the village from drunken thugs.
Ryu didn't want to be a hero.
He just wanted to be strong enough that nothing would be taken from him again.
That was enough.
---
To be continued...