The dojo still hummed with the echoes of Tony's breakthrough. Notifications had faded, but the exhilaration of creating a skill with his own hands lingered in his chest like a fire that refused to die. Double Slash. His first true step into legend.
But he couldn't bask in it forever.
Tony opened his avatar panel, the translucent window flaring into view before his eyes. He distributed the ten free attribute points he'd gained from leveling twice. Numbers shifted, and his strength grew palpable, almost like his muscles responded in reality.
[Name: Mad Demon] [Class: Swordsman]
Level: 02 (0/300 exp)
HP: 110
MP: 8
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Constitution: 7
Intelligence: 5
Vitality: 8
"Not bad," he muttered, lips curling into a satisfied grin. "Compared to the others right now, I'm leading the race. With these stats, I could cut through anyone like butter."
His fingers flicked to the inventory. A pair of items shimmered inside along with 40 silver coins—the spoils of being the first to create a skill.
[Name: Nature's Blessing]
Type: Necklace
Rank: Silver
Equipment Level: 4
All Attributes: +5
Luck: +3
An ancient necklace blessed by the elder elves. Return it to the Fairy Forest for an unknown reward.
[Name: Wind Boots]
Type: Plate Boots
Rank: Iron
Equipment Level: 2
Defense: +5
Strength: +8
Agility: +10
Endurance: +9
Active Skill — Wind Rush: Increases Movement Speed by 100% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 2 minutes.
Tony whistled low. "Luck and speed? Not bad at all. And they come with a skill. If my fortune holds like this…" He slipped the boots on, feeling a pulse of energy course up his legs. His steps felt lighter instantly, sharper.
But before he could admire them further, a voice interrupted.
"What kind of skill did you create?" Instructor Hawk—no, his eyes burned with something deeper—was watching him with an eager expression.
Tony smirked and projected the skill description. Hawk's jaw tightened, amazement flashing across his face.
"This… this is no ordinary skill. Double Slash will follow you no matter how far you climb. It will never lose its edge. One of the finest I've ever seen."
System Notification:Congratulations! Grandmaster Hawkeye's impression of you has reached 100.
The name change struck Tony first—Grandmaster Hawkeye? The system had revealed his true identity. Surprise quickly gave way to delight.
"Kid," Hawkeye said, straightening his back, "it's time I introduce myself properly. I am Hawkeye the Hunter. Once, I followed the trail of a devil. That hunt led me here, to a ruin buried in the Lone Peak Mountains. But before I could finish my search, I was struck by a minion of that devil."
He pulled back his tunic, revealing a black mark etched into his chest. It writhed like a living shadow, leaking an aura of death so heavy Tony instinctively clenched his blade. The mark looked as if it gnawed at his very life, piece by piece.
"I've been hiding here since, trapped by this curse." Hawkeye's voice lowered. "I cannot investigate the ruins myself. So, I ask you—would you go in my stead?"
System Notification:Would you like to accept Hawkeye the Hunter's quest?
Tony stared at the pulsing black scar. Rationality screamed at him—you'll die if you go there. But fear wasn't in his blood. He had chosen the name Mad Demon for a reason. His best hobby was dancing at the edge of death.
"I'll do it."
Hawkeye's expression softened, even as respect sharpened in his eyes. "Youngster, though weak now, your courage shines brighter than steel. I admire that."
System Notification:You have accepted the chained quest: Devil Hunt.
New Quest — Rank B: Travel to the Lone Peak Mountain and locate the ruin entrance.
Tony's pulse quickened. A chained quest… meaning multiple stages. The harder it is, the sweeter the rewards.
Hawkeye disappeared briefly into his quarters and returned with three weathered tomes and a set of armor that still gleamed faintly despite its age.
"You're far too weak for what lies ahead. These will raise your chances."
Tony accepted them with trembling hands. Skills. System-grade, hard to acquire even in early stages. Yet here he was, handed three at once. He devoured their contents, watching the knowledge burn into his mind.
[Skill: Hawkeye]
Rank: SS — Action-type
Allows the user's eyes to pierce through all concealment. Reveals hidden information, weaknesses, and illusions.
[Skill: Lightning Strike]
Rank: S — Attack-type
Strikes down with thunder-infused force, dealing 100 base lightning damage in a 5-yard radius. Enemies struck are stunned for 4 seconds. Cooldown: 45s.
[Skill: Camouflage]
Rank: S — Passive/Active
Passive: Blend naturally into any environment. Low-level monsters may fail to detect presence.
Active: Enter invisibility for 20 seconds. Cooldown: 4m.
If his grin could stretch wider, it would. Attack, stealth, and observation—three pillars of survival, and all his now.
But the system wasn't finished with him yet.
[Skill: Absolute Defense]
Rank: S — Defense-type
Blocks up to 4 ranged and 3 melee attacks. Duration: 30 seconds. Cooldown: 5m.
[Skill: Parry]
Rank: B
Blocks a single frontal melee strike. Cooldown: 35s.
[Skill: Sword Light]
Rank: B
Projects a blade of light dealing Strength ×2 damage. Range: 4 yards. Cooldown: 3s.
Tony almost burst out laughing. "Seven skills… already? Others would strangle me from jealousy."
Hawkeye only shook his head in awe. "With this, your odds have multiplied. Train them well. When you feel your edge is sharp enough, go to the ruins."
Training in Ancient Myth wasn't simple. Learning a skill required watching the tutorial, practicing until the body synchronized with the intent, and finally executing it flawlessly. With Hawkeye's guidance, Tony blazed through the process in barely an hour—an achievement that made even the grandmaster mutter in disbelief.
"You are a monster," Hawkeye whispered at last. "Go now. Test your strength against the world. When the time comes, the ruins await."
Tony bowed deeply, his respect genuine. "Instructor… no, Master Hawkeye. Thank you. I won't let you down."
He left the dojo with fire in his veins.
The village outside was transformed. What had been sparse an hour ago now teemed with players. Some fought practice duels, others formed hunting parties, merchants peddled low-grade herbs and hides. The air was thick with chatter, ambition, and greed.
Tony strolled through, uninterested. They were ants scurrying for crumbs. His eyes were already on higher prey.
His next stop was the tavern quest.
The manager, a rotund man with sweat gleaming on his forehead, greeted him eagerly. "Hero! Thank the gods you came. The basement… the rats… they've ruined us. No one dares enter."
Tony smirked. "Don't worry, Manager Bob. Since I gave my word, I'll clean it up. Just show me the way."
Bob hurried him down a creaking staircase. The stench hit first—a mix of rot and animal musk. Then the sound—skittering claws, teeth gnashing.
In the dim light, three massive shapes emerged.
The rats were monstrous. Their fur was oily black, eyes glowing red like embers in the dark. Each was the size of a mastiff, their claws scraping the floor with metallic screeches. The guttural snarls they produced made Tony's skin crawl.
He drew his blade slowly, the Humming Blade humming faintly in response.
"Damn, you're uglier than the Abyss fighters I've faced," Tony muttered. "Fine. Let's dance."
The first rat lunged, claws aimed for his throat. Instinct told him to parry. But a strange thought bloomed in his mind—dark, reckless.
What happens if I let it hit me?
Mad Demon didn't flinch. He stood still. The claws raked across his chest. His HP plummeted. The others joined, tearing into him with gnashing teeth and snapping jaws. Pain seared through his nerves, so real it made his breath hitch.
HP: 0.
Death claimed him.
For a heartbeat, there was nothing. Darkness stretched cold and infinite. Then—pain, sharper than any blade, clawed its way back into his awareness.
Tony laughed, low and hoarse. "So this is the taste of dying… unpleasant." His lips twisted into a grin even as phantom agony gnawed at him.
From deep within, a killing intent burst free, formless and oppressive. The rats froze, their monstrous bodies quivering under the invisible pressure, as if death itself stood before them.
Ding! Congratulations! You have created a skill.
Tony opened his eyes. "Hah. Figures. Even death can't stop me."
The game had given him exactly what he wanted—power born from madness.