Renzo stood in the middle of the forest, his breath steady, but his eyes reflected a hidden tension. In his hand was a small knife, barely sharp enough to slaughter a rabbit, yet he knew this was his only chance. If he didn't grow stronger now, he would end up like the rest of the villagers… just another victim of this cruel world.
Towering trees surrounded him, their leaves swaying with the cold wind that carried the distant cries of monsters. But he didn't need to search for long.
Rustling… the sound of footsteps… then heavy breathing.
Renzo turned quickly, his eyes locking onto the source of the noise. There, between the trees, stood a massive beast… an Iron Wolf, larger than the ones that attacked the village. Its fur was a mix of black and silver, and its fangs dripped with thick saliva, as if it already knew its prey wouldn't escape.
"So… it's time for the test."
Renzo lowered his stance slightly, gripping his knife tightly. The wolf didn't attack immediately but circled him slowly, its eyes calculating the distance between them.
Then it lunged!
A swift movement, its claws flashing through the air, but Renzo leaped back at the last moment, barely avoiding the strike. He felt a rush of wind pass by his face—had he been a second slower, his chest would have been torn open.
But the wolf didn't stop. It turned sharply, charging again with its jaws wide open. Instead of retreating, Renzo dashed forward, ducking under the beast's fangs and thrusting his knife into its side!
A stab!
But… the blade barely pierced the flesh. The wolf's natural armor was too tough, and the wound was too shallow to slow it down. Instead, the beast roared in fury and kicked him away with its hind legs!
Renzo rolled across the ground, pain spreading through his body, but he forced himself to get up immediately. He had to find a weak spot… His eyes locked onto the wolf, which was now growling, approaching more cautiously this time. It no longer saw him as an easy prey.
Taking a deep breath, Renzo studied his opponent's movements. Then he noticed something… while the wolf's back was covered in thick iron-like plates, its neck and underbelly were much softer.
"This is my only chance."
The wolf lunged again, this time aiming for a decisive bite. But Renzo didn't run… he charged as well!
A split-second moment…
As the wolf tried to clamp its jaws around him, Renzo slid swiftly under its head, using the momentum to drive his knife with all his strength into the soft underside of its throat!
A fatal stab!
The wolf froze, its eyes widening before it staggered for a moment and collapsed to the ground, its body twitching for a few seconds before going completely still.
Renzo stood there, watching the beast's lifeless body, then took a deep breath. His hands trembled, but not from fear… from exhilaration. He did it. He killed a monster with his own hands.
And suddenly… a strange voice echoed in his mind.
[You have slain a Tier 1 – Level 7 monster.]
[You have gained 3.5 points.]
[Since this is your first kill, your reward has been multiplied by 10!]
[Total points earned: 35.]
Renzo's eyes widened, and he suddenly felt a strange energy flowing through his body. The ring on his finger began to glow faintly, warm, as if responding to the spilled blood.
[Strength increased by +5]
[Agility increased by +5]
[Senses increased by +5]
[Aura increased by +10 (Forced due to the user's current weakness).]
Renzo felt his body changing, his muscles tightening, his reflexes sharpening. His vision became clearer, his hearing more sensitive. It wasn't a drastic transformation, but it was noticeable.
Then, one final notification appeared before his eyes.
[You have 10 unallocated points remaining.]
Renzo clenched his fist, feeling the newfound power coursing through him. He wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but one thing was clear…
"This ring is not ordinary."
He looked at the wolf's corpse, then toward the vast forest ahead. He was no longer just a weak boy… he had begun his path to becoming stronger.
"But this is just the beginning."
He turned, his eyes reflecting something different this time. He was no longer just a sur
vivor trying to stay alive…
He was a hunter seeking his next prey.