That night, while his mother and sister slept soundly, Daniel lay awake. The wooden cabin creaked softly in the night wind, and moonlight streamed through the window, casting soft shadows on the floor.
Sitting cross-legged, he took a deep breath. He closed his eyes and, with a thought, opened his mental interface. Three upgrade points floated in front of him like fireflies suspended in the air.
"Strength? Speed? Intelligence?" he murmured to himself. "It's not enough to survive... I have to get stronger. Think better. Move faster."
After a few seconds of hesitation, he made his decision:
+1 Strength
+1 Intelligence
+1 Speed
A sudden warmth surged through his body. His muscles tingled. His mind cleared, as if the fog had dissipated. Ideas and combat routes that had previously been difficult to think of now flowed naturally.
This... this is different, he thought. I feel like I can take on more than just rabbits.
At dawn, he rose with the first ray of sunlight. His body craved rest, but his will was iron. He wouldn't go hunting out of necessity. Today, he would explore.
He packed stale bread, a canteen of water, and a rusty dagger he had found days before. On the table, he left a note for Alicia and Elena:
"I went exploring further today. Don't worry. I'll be back before nightfall. I love you."
The forest closed in on him like a living tunnel. The leaves whispered ancient stories in the wind. Rumors said that, to the east, there were ruins covered in undergrowth, remnants of a forgotten civilization, teeming with powerful creatures... and perhaps, treasures that could change everything.
For more than an hour, he walked. The vegetation grew denser, the roots thicker, and the air damper. Everything seemed to be watching him. Suddenly, a cracking sound.
A short creature with dark green skin, yellowish eyes, and jagged fangs emerged from the bushes.
[Goblin - Level 4]
Daniel took a step back. His first real enemy.
"Mana Projectile!"
A sphere of bluish energy flew from his hand. It struck the goblin in the chest, causing him to recoil, growling. But he didn't fall. He ran at him with a rusty dagger. Daniel wasn't fast enough.
Health: 22/30
The blade sliced into his shoulder. Pain. Real. Throbbing.
"Damn it..."
He launched another projectile. This time he aimed for the head. The impact was clean. The goblin fell, dead.
+60 EXP
Skill: Mana Projectile (F) → (E)
A spark ran down his arm. The energy was more vivid, faster.
"This... this is what I need."
But it wasn't over. A roar shook the trees. Birds fled. From deep within the undergrowth, something was approaching.
Heavy footsteps. Daniel tensed.
From the mist emerged a massive goblin, twice the size of the previous one. Its skin was thicker, adorned with scars. In one hand, it carried a large wooden mace embedded with rusty nails. In its other, dangled a necklace made of human ears.
[Goblin Boss - Level 7]
Daniel gulped. His heart pounded. This enemy wasn't just stronger. It was intelligent. Experienced. A predator.
"Are you coming for your subordinate?" he whispered, raising his hands. "So be it."
The goblin roared and charged.
Daniel rolled to the side. The ground shook as the mace slammed into the area where he'd been seconds before. Branches flew. The goblin chieftain spun with surprising speed and rammed him with his shoulder.
Health: 14/30
"Damn!" Daniel gasped, firing another Mana Projectile.
The spell hit the goblin's arm, barely staggering it.
I can't take it head-on. I have to use the environment.
He dashed through the trees, dodging attacks. The goblin followed him, furious. Daniel lured it toward an area with protruding roots.
"Over here!"
He leaped onto a rock and fired two rapid projectiles. One caught the goblin in the eye.
Critical Hit
The chieftain howled, furious, staggering. He tripped over a root. Daniel saw his chance. He ran toward a half-fallen log and launched himself, landing on top of the goblin, dagger raised.
The blade sank into the creature's neck. It screamed. He swung it back with a swipe, but the wound was deep.
Health: 5/30
Daniel was breathing heavily. He was bleeding. He was at his limit.
"One more... one more..."
Gathering what was left of his energy, he raised his hand.
"Mana Projectile!"
The sphere streaked through the air and went straight through the goblin boss's mouth. His body shook... and he collapsed.
Silence.
Only his breathing and the slow rustling of falling leaves.
+180 EXP
Level 3 → Level 4
Upgrade Points Earned: +3
Points Earned for Killing a Boss: +10
New Skill Unlocked: "Basic Analysis"
Daniel fell to his knees. Pain. Exhausted. But alive.
And he smiled.
This was the beginning.
I'm not just another villager, he thought. I'm changing. Evolving.
He sat up with difficulty, picked up his bloody dagger, and looked at the corpse of the goblin chieftain.
"I'll be back for more."
_____________________________________
Attribute System
Name: Daniel
Age: 18
Class: None
Level: 4
Health: 5/40
Mana: 10/50
Strength: 9
Speed: 10
Intelligence: 13
Luck: 10
Special Ability: Adaptive Body (S) - Skill Creation (F) [???]
Abilities: Basic Healing (F) - Mana Projectile (E) - Basic Analysis (F)
Available Points: 13
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