A Break at the Camp
"Alright, I think we can start with this," said Ganfall calmly, observing the wooden fences they had built on one side of the village.
The fences weren't exactly defensive; they served more as territorial markers than actual barriers. After all, there were no immediate threats trying to invade the land, and demonic beasts rarely left the forest. Even if they did, simple fences wouldn't stop them… but they did help maintain order and define the cultivation area.
Meanwhile, Alfred and Bert worked the soil with makeshift hoes crafted from thick branches. Lacking many seeds, they focused on softening a small 5x5 meter patch—more than enough to get started.
Thanks to his Farmer profession, Ganfall could clearly see the most fertile and moist parts of the land, as well as detect underground water currents. He could also craft basic tools like rudimentary hoes using wood and three rabbit horns. They weren't elegant, but they got the job done.
Another of his abilities allowed him to extract seeds directly from fruits and vegetables, which he began doing patiently after finishing the fencing with help from the others. He sat calmly on an improvised bench and got to work, peeling vegetables with a knife and carefully separating the seeds.
"Well, Grandpa… this part's all yours. We don't have the seed-extraction skill," said Bert, wiping sweat from his forehead with a tired but light smile.
"That's fine. You can go," Ganfall replied with his usual calm. He then turned to Alfred. "Go with them, Alfred. There's not much left to do for now."
Though Alfred was a skeleton with decent strength, his current Task was focused on creating his profession. Unless he became a farmer too, he wouldn't be of much help here. At this stage, he'd be more useful assisting the group elsewhere.
"Alright, Grandpa. We'll call you when we start cooking something," Loli said cheerfully, waving goodbye with a smile.
Ganfall returned the smile—sincere and peaceful—as he remained seated on his wooden bench. His expression was serene, almost meditative, focused on extracting seeds and preparing some plants that had to be sown whole. The moment's peace contrasted sharply with the chaos from not so long ago, as if the earth itself was grateful for the return to calm.
Shortly after, the group ventured back into the forest, leaving the old farmer working in silence under the soft midday light.
…
"I can't wait to test how useful these freezing talismans are," said Bert enthusiastically, pulling several from his bag. He had bought them from Lua with almost all the money they had accumulated so far, but if used well, their hunting efficiency could easily double.
"Though we might've already hunted all the rabbits in this area," Loli commented, scanning the forest carefully.
"I doubt it. According to Miss Lua, these creatures reproduce so fast they double their population several times a day. But they never overpopulate because they self-regulate. If only one survives, it can repopulate everything. It's… unsettling," Bert explained. He had asked on purpose. Unlike normal games where monsters respawned through programming, everything here felt natural. These beasts were born, grew, and became adults in just a single day.
A true race with the potential to devour the world if left unchecked.
They walked calmly along the forest edge toward their usual hunting spot, chatting absentmindedly, when suddenly, something leapt from the trees straight at Sig, who was walking ahead, unaware.
Wham!
A horn spear blocked the attack just in time.
Everyone turned immediately. Albert stood firm, spear in hand. The attacker—a large horned rabbit—missed its strike and instantly redirected toward Alfred.
"Alfred, watch out! If it hits you once, you're dead!" Sig shouted as everyone pulled out their spears… but then froze at what they saw.
Alfred dodged with surgical precision. He shortened his grip, holding the spear by the end closest to the horn, and with a fluid motion, delivered three thrusts while the rabbit was still midair. The beast's hind legs bled and twisted in flames from the enchantment.
But it wasn't done.
Using its forelegs, the rabbit launched a desperate counterattack. Alfred met it head-on with a frontal stab that lifted it into the air. He spun the spear, added momentum, and unleashed two upward slashes that cut through its chest and head.
The body fell toward him… but Alfred had already moved.
By the time the rabbit hit the ground, Alfred had the spear resting on his shoulder. Without hesitation, he swung it down hard, piercing the enemy's skull with a clean strike.
Silence.
The three companions stared, mouths slightly open, still holding their spears.
"Miss, would you like to handle the looting?" Alfred asked calmly, looking at Loli.
"Y-yes," she stammered, still in shock, and stepped forward to collect the loot. The system awarded them all some experience, a mana shard, and a bit of rabbit meat.
"I think Alfred is, without a doubt, the best addition to our team," Sig said with a proud smile.
"Yeah," Loli replied, still amazed.
"He killed a rabbit by himself… while we had to hit the first one more than twenty times between the three of us," added Bert, with a tone between resignation and amusement.
Feeling more confident than ever, now with a strong new ally, they began setting traps around the area.
This time, they would use freezing talismans. Loli, thanks to her speed, would act as bait, luring the rabbits into the traps. When one was frozen for the precious ten seconds the talisman lasted, the group would rush out of hiding and strike it down with a coordinated flurry of attacks.
"Freezing talismans are amazing!" said Bert with genuine excitement. His fascination with the craft grew with every use. He knew he had to learn how to make them.
Explosion talismans dealt direct damage, but freezing talismans were strategic: they immobilized the target, and everything else depended on the team's coordination. They no longer needed crude traps made of sticks and leather. And though for many, spending one talisman per rabbit wouldn't seem cost-effective, thanks to Loli's luck, they often received two shards per kill, along with blood, hide, and pelts… a winning investment.
When a rabbit evaded the traps, Alfred would take the lead, stopping them with masterful spearwork. Only when he gave the signal did the others move in to strike. At the same time, he taught them how to use the spear properly.
"It's not just poking like it's a balloon," Alfred told them.
"Where did you learn to use a spear, Alfred?" Loli asked, fascinated.
"I taught myself," he replied simply. "My great-great-grandfather was passionate about ancient weapons. He had relics, martial arts manuals over 2000 years old. When my father left me his collection, I figured they might come in handy someday for self-defense."
"Wow, you're amazing! How many weapons do you know how to use?" Bert asked, genuinely impressed.
"Spear, halberd, sword, nunchaku, tonfa, stiletto, greatsword, mace, chakram…"
"Stop right there!" Sig interrupted, raising a hand with a serious expression. "Sorry, Alfred, but if you keep going, those rabbits glaring at us... they'll attack before you finish the list."
Everyone turned at once.
A group of five rabbits emerged from the underbrush, but one clearly stood out. Its fur burned red like fire under the sunlight, and on its head were two large horns glowing faintly with a magical aura. It was also much larger than the others.
[Horned Leader Rabbit]
Level 1 – Beast
HP: 3000 / 3000
Description:
A large, dominant horned rabbit leading its group. Stronger and more aggressive than regular horned rabbits.
"A leader…? It's the rabbit boss. It's got like three times the health of the normal ones," Loli murmured, watching the interface that popped up in front of her.
"Leave the leader to me. Handle the others," Alfred said with absolute calm, lowering his head slightly as he adjusted his stance and gripped the spear with both hands.
Without another word, the red rabbit launched forward like a bolt of lightning, followed closely by its four subordinates. The red one was faster, and in a blink, it was in front of Alfred. He reacted just in time, blocking the charge with his spear and deflecting it expertly to the side.
Meanwhile, Bert backed away carefully, dropping several freezing talismans around him while keeping his spear ready. Loli unleashed a precise fire blast aimed at the talismans. The flames exploded with force, forcing the rabbits to scatter.
Two were caught in the blast and froze instantly in the white mist left behind by the spell.
The other two, however, leapt over the traps and charged straight at Bert.
"We have to take out the frozen ones before they break free!" Loli shouted, and both she and Sig dashed toward the paralyzed rabbits. With swift and accurate attacks, they finished them off quickly.
Bert, seeing the enemies closing in, tossed a handful of explosive talismans at his feet and dove to the ground, covering his head. One talisman exploded upon grazing a rabbit's leg, triggering a chain reaction. One died instantly; the other was flung toward Sig.
"Sig, look out!" Loli yelled.
Sig turned just in time, gripped his spear like a bat, and with a sharp cry, smacked the flying rabbit straight into a tree. It hit with a loud crack… and didn't get back up.
Meanwhile, Alfred continued his duel with the leader. The red rabbit moved with supernatural speed, dodging every thrust with beastlike reflexes. But Alfred, though slower, had refined technique. No wasted movements. Every step was steady, every spear deflection measured with precision.
"Alfred, watch out!" Bert shouted, throwing several freezing talismans his way.
Alfred halted instantly, knowing the risk of touching one by accident. The rabbit, seeing the pause, tried to lunge at him. That was when one talisman grazed its tail.
CRACK! The air crystallized around it, and the red rabbit's body froze completely.
"Now!" Loli shouted.
The three rushed the immobilized leader. They thrust their spears one after another, and just as the ice began to crack, Bert activated another freezing talisman, holding it still for a few more seconds. The stabbing continued until finally, the monster collapsed with a muffled squeal.
A flurry of notifications appeared before their eyes:
[Congratulations to players Alfred, Loli, Bert, and Sig for defeating the game's first leader!]
[Title acquired: "First Boss"]
[Title acquired: "It Was Just Another Rabbit"]
[Title acquired: "Medal of Valor"]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
[Level up!]
The group celebrated with tired but happy smiles. Loli, now level 11, opened her status panel… and fell completely silent.
"Woooah?!" she blurted out in shock.
"What happened?" Bert asked immediately, turning to her.
"My stats… they're way higher than before!" Loli exclaimed, eyes wide. "Before, leveling up only gave me 5 distributed points… but now it gave me 50! Fifty stat points per level!"
Sig and Bert looked at each other in disbelief. That was like gaining ten levels at once.
"So… evolving really does change everything," Bert reflected aloud.
"Yeah… but now the experience needed also doubled," Loli added, her expression turning serious again. "Just as we thought… losing a level now would be a massive loss." She stared at her status panel. The others did the same.
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Loli
Level: 11
Race Level: 1
Race: Astral Fairy (Rare Class, Magic Type, Mid-Low Tier)
Title: Goddess of Fortune ⭐
[STATS]
Health: 220
Mana: 575
Damage: 3 (Magic Damage: 25)
Defense: 11
Strength: 4
Endurance: 4
Intelligence: 50
Speed: 24
Dexterity: 29
Luck: 10 (max)
EXP: 0/2000
[EQUIPMENT]
• Magical Dress
• Horn Spear (+2 Damage, Enchantment: Burn +2 damage over 3 sec)
• Defensive Leather Vest (+10 Defense, +1 Speed)
[ABILITIES]
• Fairy Luck – Multiplies luck for 10 seconds.
• Stellar Nova (Star Spell, Fire, Level 1) – 50/100 EXP
• Falling Star (Star Spell, Impact, Level 1)
[PROFESSIONS]
• Cook Level 1 (Novice) – 10/500 EXP
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Alfred
Level: 5
Race Level: 0
Race: Black Skeleton (Low Tier, Physical Type, Melee Combat)
Title: None
[STATS]
Health: 180
Mana: 0
Damage: 4 (Physical Damage: 4)
Defense: 12 (2 base +10 from armor)
Strength: 15
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 0
Speed: 4 (3 base +1 from armor)
Dexterity: 7
Luck: 5 (static)
EXP: 0/400
[EQUIPMENT]
• Horn Spear (+2 Damage, Burn +2 over 3 sec)
• Defensive Leather Vest (+10 Defense, +1 Speed)
[ABILITIES]
• Bone Crush – A powerful melee strike that shatters enemy defenses, dealing heavy physical damage and potentially stunning them briefly.
[PROFESSIONS]
None
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Bert
Level: 7
Race Level: 0
Race: Gnome (Low Tier, Physical-Magic Hybrid)
Title: Artisan
[STATS]
Health: 190
Mana: 105.0 (7.5 × 14 INT)
Damage: 1 (Physical: 1, Magic: 7)
Defense: 1
Strength: 8
Endurance: 7
Intelligence: 14
Speed: 7 (6 base +1 armor)
Dexterity: 11
Luck: 4 (static)
EXP: 0/600
[EQUIPMENT]
• Horn Spear (+2 Damage, Burn +2 over 3 sec)
• Defensive Leather Vest (+10 Defense, +1 Speed)
• Fabric Clothing
[ABILITIES]
• Profession Growth (Passive) – Increases experience gain and effectiveness in crafting professions.
[PROFESSIONS]
• Talisman Maker Level 1 (Novice) – 50/500 EXP
[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Sig
Level: 7
Race Level: 0
Race: Imp (Low Tier, Magic Type)
Title: —
[STATS]
Health: 160 (100 base + 6 × 10 per level)
Mana: 357 (200 base + 7.5 × 21 INT)
Damage: 3 (1 base + 2 from spear) | Magic Damage: 14.5 (0.5 × 29 INT)
Defense: 12 (2 base +10 from armor)
Strength: 5
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 21
Speed: 5 (4 base +1 armor)
Dexterity: 10
Luck: 4 (static)
EXP: 50/600
[EQUIPMENT]
• Magical Dress
• Horn Spear (+2 Damage, Burn +2 over 3 sec)
• Defensive Leather Vest (+10 Defense, +1 Speed)
[ABILITIES]
• Body Swap (Illusion Magic) – Can change body appearance via illusions.
• Fast Illusion Mastery (Passive) – Learns illusion magic faster.
[PROFESSIONS]
• Puppeteer Level 1 (Novice) – 0/500 EXP