"I Reincarnated But Have No System? You Must Be Kidding Me!"

Far from that looming storm, on the eastern shores of the Khodian Kingdom beneath the rule of the Wha-lah Empire, a flash of light spat Auren onto soft white sand.

He stumbled, knees buckling before catching himself with his hands pressed into the warm grains. A low groan escaped his lips."Damn… I'll never get used to that."

The salty breeze swept past him, tugging at his hair and filling his nose with the briny tang of the sea. Slowly, he straightened, brushing sand from his palms, and took in the scene before him.

To his left stretched the sea, vast and glittering like a sheet of molten silver under the waning sun. Waves crashed gently against the shore, their rhythm steady and calming.

To his right, the forest rose thick and green, its canopy swaying and whispering as if beckoning him into its shade. Birds flitted between branches, their chirps blending with the faint rustle of leaves.

Ahead, nestled against the shoreline, lay a fishing village. From where he stood, Auren could see children chasing one another barefoot along the road, their laughter echoing with innocent joy.

Mothers scolded them from the porches of their modest huts, their voices half stern, half warm. Fishermen hauled nets heavy with their day's catch, their bronzed muscles straining as they called out to one another, voices carried easily by the breeze.

Smoke rose from cooking fires, filling the air with the savory aroma of grilled fish.

For a moment, Auren just breathed. He closed his eyes, letting the salt air fill his lungs, crisp and refreshing.

A small, wistful smile tugged at his lips as memories stirred—his first home by the sea back on Earth, a simpler time when the horizon felt endless but not yet filled with danger.

"So this is where my next arc begins," he whispered softly, the words almost carried away by the wind.

He shut his eyes again, but this time not to recall the past. Within his mental realm, he stood before the glowing golden egg—the reborn form of Bigbird, his companion.

The egg pulsed faintly with life, its light warm and soothing. Crimson magma-like markings crawled across its shell, a serpent coiled in eternal sleep, etched in the form of the Serpentrine Dragon.

Auren reached out, resting his palm against the surface. Heat radiated from it, faint but alive.

"Hurry up, partner,"

he murmured, his voice low, almost tender.

"Evolve soon. I'll need you for what's ahead."

When his eyes opened again, his gaze shifted eastward.

Beyond the sea, far on the horizon, islands shimmered faintly under a purple haze. The Khalidon Archipelago. The fabled home of Vhalka the Sleepy White.

His chest tightened, not with fear but with anticipation.

His pulse quickened. His lips pressed into a thin, firm line.

"I can sense it," he said under his breath."An epic adventure awaits for me."

...

He walked along the endless shoreline, his sandals leaving faint impressions on the damp sand. The disguise of Herbon clung to him like a second skin, but as he went, he grew thoughtful.

'Should I switch to my Knight form?' he muttered inwardly. His Knight form was sturdy, known for melee, defense, and adaptability.

It would make him stand out less, but therein lay the problem. Knights were common, perhaps too common. Any adventuring team could find one in every street corner tavern.

Competition would be brutal.

'How about the mage form?'

His eyes narrowed, considering. Magic was flashy, useful, but he remembered what he'd read: nearly thirty-five percent of the population had access to it.

With his current, unimpressive stats as a magician—granted by the Trinity Bracer at best—he would be a weak candle flame flickering against a storm of fire.

'Then maybe… herbalist?' The thought almost made him chuckle.

Robert had made a reputation for himself despite that class, a non-combatant by nature, yet still revered. If Robert could carve a legend, perhaps there was luck for him too.

"Eh. I'll find out later when we register." He shrugged, muttering aloud, letting the sound drown beneath the surf.

By the time he neared the town, the sun had begun its descent, casting a golden glow across the rooftops.

From a distance, Lipayran looked alive. Though evening loomed, the place pulsed with vibrance as though day refused to end.

The air grew denser with noise as he approached. Merchants shouted from their stalls, voices overlapping in a cacophony of bargains and boasts.

Blacksmiths pounded their hammers against glowing metal, the sharp rhythm ringing through the streets.

Children ran through narrow lanes, wooden toys clattering against cobblestones as they laughed breathlessly.

Young couples strolled arm in arm, whispering to each other with shy smiles.

Adventurers in gleaming or rugged attire moved in packs, some boasting, others laughing, a few clearly exhausted from quests.

'Oh, I can smell the true spirit of adventure in this town,' Auren thought with a grin.

As he entered the plaza, his gaze caught on a stall where fresh fish gleamed atop piles of crushed ice. Drawn by the smell, he approached.

"That fish smells good," he said, leaning closer with a curious smile. "How much?"

The woman behind the stall looked up, her hands still busy arranging her wares.

Her initial enthusiasm dimmed when her eyes swept across Auren's divine frame, noticing his level displayed as a mere twenty-seven Herbalist. Her tone cooled."Five copper per piece. The bigger ones cost ten."

Auren caught her shift in demeanor instantly.

Instead of frowning, he put on a polite smile, masking his disappointment."I'll take the big one."

She exchanged fish for coin, but her eyes lingered on him with curiosity.

"I haven't seen your face here before. Are you from another kingdom?"

"Yes, I am," Auren replied, tearing into the fish the moment it touched his hands.

Hunger gnawed at him; this was his first meal since yesterday, and his stomach welcomed it greedily.

He chewed with satisfaction, savoring the salty flesh, before adding with half-truths, "I just arrived after a long journey from the Austerra Kingdom."

Her eyes widened.

"Oh my. I heard Austerra has not been doing well these last years, thanks to their ruthless rulers."

"That's true," Auren admitted with a nod, finishing another bite. "It's one of the reasons I decided to leave."

She leaned forward, her tone more casual now, almost nosy.

"So, are you planning to join an adventurer party? Or settle here for good? Let me tell you young man, our ladies here are not just beautiful but have really good manners. Perfect if you want a long term partner."

Auren smirked slightly at her persistence, but decided to humor her.

"I don't really know yet. I think I'll join a guild, become an adventurer, and see how things go. If I like it here, maybe I'll stay and get married as you say."

Her expression softened. She nodded approvingly.

"Rest assured, young man, choosing to live under the protection of the Khodian Kingdom is many times better than that shithole, Austerra. Not to mention, our King Charlus is a good mannered king who values life."

"I can already tell," Auren replied, finishing the last of the fish. His tone lightened, and she smiled faintly at his satisfaction.

"If you don't mind me asking," he continued, brushing crumbs from his chin,

"what's the name of this town?"

She frowned suspiciously. "You came here without knowing the place?"

Auren raised his hands, chuckling awkwardly.

"I honestly have a terrible sense of direction." It was a flimsy excuse, but her expression softened anyway.

"This town is called Lipayran."

"Lipayran…" He repeated, rolling the name on his tongue.

"I see. And the Adventurer's Guild building?"

"It's only a couple of minutes that way," she said, pointing with her chin.

"The biggest red building beside the bank, just outside the park where you'll find the statue of the great King Charlus."

"Thank you kindly, madam." Auren dipped his head respectfully.

"Good luck, young man. And welcome to Lipayran."

"Thank you. Goodbye."

With that, Auren moved along, weaving through the crowd while taking mental notes of streets and landmarks.

This was the first time he had set foot outside the Kingdom of Austerra—Runewood being the exception—and every new sound and sight filled him with a strange mixture of awe and nerves.

Soon, his eyes caught sight of the massive red building, unmistakable with the crest of the Adventurer's Guild hanging boldly above its entrance.

Tu-tud. Tu-thud.

His heart gave a small leap.'Finally. My dream party members… here I come.'

But as he prepared to cross, something else drew his gaze.

At the center of the plaza stood a fountain, its waters glittering in the sunset. At its heart rose a marble statue nearly ten feet tall, depicting a warrior clad in dazzling armor.

A kite shield rested firmly in one hand, while the other arm stretched skyward in eternal victory.

'So that's King Charlus,' Auren mused quietly.

'The empire's most renowned shield bearer.' His eyes lingered a moment longer before pulling away.

With measured steps, he finally stood before the Adventurer's Guild doors. Even from outside, the noise was unmistakable.

Roaring laughter, playful mockery, shouts, and the unmistakable clatter of mugs clashing together reached his ears.

Shadows moved constantly against the windows, the lively chaos within spilling into the night air.

Auren took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.

Whew.

Ugha's words returned to him.

Without a proper party, his journey to Thaasa might fail before it even began. This was not just another step—it was a necessary step for his victory to become an emperor. Since he can't use his OP powers right now, joining a party for him is a wise decision.

"This is it," he whispered to himself, his hand pressing against the wooden frame.

"You can do this, Auren."

The doors creaked open.

Little did he realize, that certain people waiting inside would change his fate forever.