Chapter 34 — New Roles and Steel Wheels

The town walls had already disappeared behind the trees when Ren finally slowed his steps. The forest path stretched ahead in quiet green shadows, far enough from any watching eyes. Only the three of them remained on the narrow trail — Ren in front, Lyra beside him, and Silvia walking a half-step behind with the composed silence of someone used to moving unseen.

Ren stopped and turned.

“Before we go any further,” he said, “I need to confirm something.”

He activated Appraisal and focused first on Silvia.

A detailed panel unfolded in his vision, clearer and deeper than before.

**Name:** Silvia

**Age:** 70

**Level:** 84

**Race:** Dark Elf

**Affiliation:** None (Formerly Obsidian Veil)

**Skills:**

- Dagger Mastery

- Bow Mastery

- Presence Concealment (Hidden)

**Unknown Skill Potential:**

- Long-Range Weapon Expert

Ren selected the unknown potential for more information.

**Long-Range Weapon Expert**

The owner possesses exceptionally high aptitude for all long-range weaponry.

Once proper training begins, the owner can achieve expert-level mastery over any ranged weapon with an effective engagement distance of 400m and beyond.

Growth potential in this category is significantly higher than average.

A sniper.

That was the first clear thought that formed in his mind. A Level 84 Dark Elf with natural talent for long-range combat and an already developed presence concealment skill was an extremely rare combination. If trained correctly, she would become a devastating asset.

He then turned his Appraisal toward Lyra.

**Name:** Lyra Valeford

**Level:** 22

**Race:** Wolf Beastwoman

**Skills:**

- Silverfang Martial Arts (Physical Attack – Silver Wolf Tribe Technique)

- Wind Magic

- Lightning Magic

- Knife Mastery

- Close-Quarter Combat Proficiency

**Hidden Skill:**

- Leader of All Wolf Beastpeople

**Unknown Skill Potential:**

- Close-to-Mid Range Weapon Expert

Ren opened the additional details.

**Close-to-Mid Range Weapon Expert**

The owner has high compatibility with weapons effective from 0m to 1000m.

This includes close-quarters combat, knives, pistols, submachine guns, and assault rifles.

With proper training, the owner can reach expert proficiency across this entire engagement range.

A quiet sense of satisfaction settled in Ren’s chest.

Lyra would become the close-to-mid range fighter — fast, aggressive, and deadly with both her beastman techniques and modern firearms. She already excelled in knife work and close-quarter combat. Silvia would cover the long range. Together with his own flexible combat style, they would form a balanced core.

He looked at both women.

“I’ve decided your future roles,” he said plainly. “Silvia, you will be trained as a sniper and long-range specialist. Every long-range weapon I can provide, you will learn. Lyra, you will focus on close-to-mid range combat from 0m to 1000m. That includes knives, pistols, assault rifles, and your existing magic and physical techniques. You already have a strong foundation in close-quarter combat. We will build on it.”

Lyra’s ears twitched beneath her hair, but she nodded without complaint. Silvia simply inclined her head in acceptance.

“Good,” Ren said. “Then we move.”

They continued deeper into the forest until the last traces of the town’s influence were completely gone. Only then did Ren stop again.

“We need better transport,” he said. “The ATV is too small for three people and the journey ahead.”

He raised one hand and opened the system storage. In a quiet ripple of blue light, every piece of luggage he had been carrying vanished into the dimensional space. Silvia’s eyes widened a fraction — the first clear sign of surprise she had shown since joining them.

Ren turned to Lyra.

“Give me your things as well.”

Lyra handed over her bag without hesitation. Ren stored it in the same way. Then, seeing Silvia’s expression, Lyra explained quietly,

“He has a dimensional storage. It’s part of his system. Only he can access it.”

Silvia’s violet eyes lingered on the empty air where the bags had disappeared.

“A true dimensional pocket… That kind of ability is extremely rare. Even among high nobles, only a few bloodlines possess anything similar. Its value is difficult to measure.”

Ren did not comment. Instead, he opened the Arsenal section of the system and navigated to the vehicle category. Rows of options unfolded before him until he stopped at a specific model designed for rough terrain and light combat support.

**Mahindra Armado ALSV**

Designed by Mahindra Defence Systems

**Specifications:**

- Mass: 2,500 kg (curb weight)

- Length: 4.4 m

- Width: 1.96 m

- Height: 1.98 m

- Armor: CEN B7 / STANAG Level 2

- Engine: 3.2-litre 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel

- Power: 215 hp at 3,600 rpm

- Payload Capacity: 1,000 kg

- Transmission: 4-speed automatic

- Maximum Speed: 120 km/h

**Top Mount Options:**

- MMG – MAG 58 (Free)

- Automatic Grenade Launcher (Paid)

- ATGM System (Paid)

Ren selected the base vehicle and added the free MAG 58 medium machine gun mount. The system calculated the cost.

**Purchase Price: 800 Gold Coins**

A confirmation window appeared. Ren accepted.

**Gold Coins Remaining: 12,600**

“Step back,” he told both women.

Lyra and Silvia moved several paces away. Ren stood alone in the center of the small clearing and activated the summoning.

Blue particles first appeared near the ground, forming a faint outline. Then, from bottom to top and from front to back, solid black metal began to materialize. What took shape in front of them was unlike anything either woman had ever seen in their lives.

It was a large, angular, black metal box-like structure. Thick plates of unknown metal formed its body. Transparent glass panels were set into the front and sides, reflecting the green light of the forest. Heavy wheels supported its weight, and on top sat a strange mechanical device neither of them recognized.

The entire object looked completely alien.

Lyra’s eyes widened sharply. Her ears stood straight up, and her tail stiffened under her cloak.

Silvia, who had remained composed through almost everything so far, actually took a half-step back. Her violet eyes were filled with genuine shock.

“…What is that?” Lyra asked, her voice low and tense.

Silvia’s tone was quieter, but just as stunned.

“I have never seen anything like this. Not in any kingdom. Not on any battlefield. What… is this black metal thing?”

Ren walked forward and rested one hand against the cold surface of the vehicle.

“This,” he said simply, “is our transport from now on.”

Both women continued staring at the black metal box with its transparent glass panels, still unable to fully understand what they were looking at or what it was capable of doing.

The forest around them remained silent.

Something completely outside their understanding of the world had just appeared in front of them.

Ren opened the side door and gestured for them to enter.

“Get in. From here, we move faster.”

The road to the Beast Nation had truly begun.