The sun had barely peeked over the horizon when Daniel got out of bed. Memories, fragmented and confused, continued to haunt him. The sight of his mother, Alicia, and his sister, Elena, had brought him some peace, but that peace was fragile, like glass about to break.
Looking at them, there was something inside him he couldn't ignore: their vulnerability. Although the warmth of the house and childhood memories filled the atmosphere, he couldn't help but notice how fragile they were. Alicia's face was marked by the hard work of years, and Elena, though still young, was not exempt from the worries that village life imposed on them. Both were commoners, penniless, struggling to survive day to day.
Daniel knew he couldn't sit idly by while they remained vulnerable.
"They need protection," he murmured, as he stood up and walked to the window.
The village of Liria, though modest, was full of honest people. However, as everywhere, resources were scarce. Alicia earned a living by selling the little she could grow, while Elena helped with the housework, but the situation was not easy. Poverty was palpable, and although Daniel wished his mother and sister could rest, he knew that without resources, everything would be a constant struggle.
It was then that Daniel realized something crucial: he had to become stronger and make the household economy grow much more. The system had offered him powerful tools, but he had not yet reached a level sufficient to guarantee his safety or theirs.
With a sigh, he left the house. The cold morning breeze hit him, but he didn't stop. He was determined. He had to gain experience, and the easiest way was to hunt. Although the village was surrounded by forest, hunting in those lands was not easy. It took speed, cunning, and stamina.
He headed toward the forest. The leaves fell slowly to the ground as he walked, and the sound of animals in the distance gave him a sense of urgency. Every step he took brought him closer to a goal: becoming stronger. Not just for himself, but for the people who mattered most in his life.
Hours later, Daniel was already deep in the forest, his Mana Projectile skill primed. At first, he'd been cautious, moving through the trees in search of something to hunt, something he could use to gain experience.
Suddenly, a soft sound alerted him. He looked to his right, where a rabbit, with its brown fur, was moving through the bushes. He didn't have much time. He knew his mana was limited, so he had to be precise.
Daniel took a deep breath, aimed, and fired his Mana Projectile, a sphere of light that shot quickly toward the rabbit. The impact was immediate; the animal fell to the ground with a soft squeal. Daniel quickly approached, satisfied with his first successful hunt.
+20 EXP
Level Up
Level 2 → Level 3
New level reached: Level 3
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Attribute System
Name: Daniel
Age: 18
Class: None
Level: 3
Health: 30/30
Mana: 40/60
Strength: 8
Speed: 9
Intelligence: 12
Luck: 10
Special Ability: Adaptive Body (S) - Skill Creation (F) [???]
Abilities: Basic Healing (F) - Mana Projectile (F)
Available Points: 3
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—Good— That was easier than I thought, he told himself, seeing the level notification.
For hours, he fired energy projectiles and chased rabbits, snails, and small animals. Every time a projectile missed, he tried again, honing his skill and accumulating experience.
Finally, after a long day of hunting, Daniel returned to the village, exhausted but satisfied. His Mana Projectile had improved, he had leveled up, and now he felt his combat ability had advanced. However, he realized something important when he checked his interface.
Skill: Energy Projectile (F)
Use: 8/10 activations to next level.
"So I need to keep using skills to level them up?" he wondered, frowning as he analyzed the details. Clearly, just practicing the skills wouldn't be enough. He needed to keep looking for ways to gain experience and power.
When he arrived home, Alicia was waiting for him at the entrance, with a tired but affectionate smile.
"Have you had any luck?" she asked, looking at the small game Daniel was carrying.
"Yes," he replied, putting some of the game in a basket. "I caught some for dinner."
Elena ran out of the house when she saw him.
"Brother! I'm glad to see you! Can I help?" she asked excitedly, taking some of Daniel's game.
Daniel looked at her, feeling a mixture of affection and pain. Elena was dirty from helping her mother sell vegetables, and her old, tattered clothes didn't enhance her delicate and beautiful appearance.
"Thank you, Elena, but don't worry," she said, smiling at him.
"But I want to help, brother," Elena said.
"Okay, that's fine," resigned to his older sister's insistence.
That night, after dinner, Daniel stared into the darkness from the window. He needed more power. Not just to hunt, but to protect what he loved. Alicia and Elena were his responsibility, and he wouldn't let fear or weakness stop him.
"I have to keep leveling up," he told himself, as he looked up at the starry sky. "I have to get stronger and earn more money so we can improve our finances." Upon closer inspection of his home, he realized that having only two bedrooms and the dining room was not enough space for his family. He needed to improve his house and buy more clothes for his beloved mother and sister.
The battle had only just begun, and not only that, things were coming that would make him doubt his ability and strength.
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Attribute System
Name: Daniel
Age: 18
Class: None
Level: 3
Health: 30/30
Mana: 10/60
Strength: 8
Speed: 9
Intelligence: 12
Luck: 10
Special Ability: Adaptive Body (S) - Skill Creation (F) [???]
Abilities: Basic Healing (F) - Mana Projectile (F)
Available Points: 3
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