Dawn hadn't fully broken when Adam stood before the cracked mirror in his room. The face staring back looked more serious than yesterday. His brown eyes no longer showed the doubt of previous days, but a resolve that was beginning to harden.
He'd proven that skills could level up. Now it was time to test how far that ability could take him.
"Today I'm going deeper," he muttered while checking Marcus's rusty sword one last time. The blade was still dull, but at least the wooden handle didn't wobble. "The beginner area isn't enough anymore."
Adam grabbed his small leather bag and packed simple supplies: ten empty bottles, a piece of hard bread, and a small knife for cutting monster materials. Not much, but enough for today's expedition.
He stepped out of the house while dew still hung on every blade of grass. The morning air felt fresh in his lungs, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves. Perfect for hunting.
This time Adam didn't stop at the forest's edge like yesterday. His feet kept moving past the familiar path, into the denser, darker sections. Here, sunlight had to struggle through the thick canopy.
Survival Instinct Lv.1 activated
His instincts immediately reacted. Something was different in this area. Fewer bird sounds. Wind blowing in unusual patterns. Even the air smelled heavier, thick with dampness and something more primitive.
"Danger zone," he whispered. But instead of retreating, Adam smiled thinly. "Dangerous means valuable."
Before long, his ears caught strange sounds. Not the usual squeaking like yesterday's Giant Rats. This was more numerous, more organized. Like communication between individuals in a group.
Adam crouched behind a large bush, peering carefully.
What he saw made his blood race. Three Giant Rats were gathered around a forest rabbit's carcass. Their bodies were larger than yesterday's, brownish fur gleaming, and most terrifyingly, their red eyes moved with clear coordination.
"A pack," Adam swallowed hard. "This isn't a beginner area anymore."
The one in the middle was the largest. A scar crossed its face, yellow fangs sharper, and the way it led the other two showed clear hierarchy. This wasn't an ordinary monster.
[Giant Rat Alpha] [Level: 8]
The information appeared as Adam focused on the target. Level 8 versus his level 3. Under normal circumstances, this was suicide.
But Adam didn't retreat. His mind worked quickly, calculating possibilities.
"I can't fight all three at once. But if I can separate them..."
His Survival Instinct whispered strategies. Adam glanced around, looking for terrain advantages he could exploit.
To the left was an old tree with protruding roots, creating a natural barrier. To the right, the ground sloped slightly with scattered rocks. And most importantly, there was a narrow gap between two large trees that only one creature could pass through at a time.
"Divide and conquer," Adam gripped his sword handle. "Let's see if level 2 skills are enough for this."
He picked up a fist-sized rock and threw it hard in the opposite direction from his position. The stone hit a tree trunk with a loud sound.
THAK!
All three Giant Rats immediately became alert. The two smaller ones moved toward the sound source, while the Alpha remained guarding its original position. Perfect.
Adam moved quickly but carefully, using bushes as camouflage. He circled until he was at the narrow gap between two trees, a position that would force enemies to come one at a time.
A second stone was thrown.
This time one of the small Giant Rats came running alone, leaving its companion still searching for the first sound source. The moment the creature entered the gap, Adam struck.
Basic Swordsmanship Lv.2 activated
His body movement was much more stable than yesterday. The sword slash hit the Giant Rat's neck with surprising accuracy. The creature didn't even have time to scream before it collapsed.
Ding! You have defeated Giant Rat EXP +15
One down. Two remaining.
But Adam had no time to celebrate. The commotion from its friend's death would surely attract attention. He quickly cut off the rat's tail and took several of its fangs.
Heavy footsteps approached. The second Giant Rat appeared at the gap's end, its red eyes blazing with anger at seeing its friend dead.
This time was harder. The enemy was alert and wouldn't fall for the same strategy. Adam retreated deeper into the gap, maximizing the terrain advantage.
Survival Instinct Lv.1 activated
His instincts screamed a warning just as the Giant Rat leaped with front claws extended. Adam rolled to the side, his sword sweeping horizontally.
This time it missed. The rat landed nimbly, immediately counterattacking with a bite aimed at Adam's ankle.
"Damn!"
Adam leaped backward, but not fast enough. Those yellow teeth managed to tear his pants and scratch his skin. Fresh blood began to drip, pain shooting up his leg.
But the pain actually made him more focused.
Basic Swordsmanship Lv.2 activated
Adam's next movement was much calmer and more measured. When the Giant Rat attacked again, he didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped forward with the sword held in both hands, perfect timing.
The thrust pierced the enemy's chest just as the creature jumped. The Giant Rat's jumping momentum actually deepened the sword's penetration. Hot blood spurted, its body convulsed, then died.
Ding! You have defeated Giant Rat EXP +15
Adam breathed heavily, cold sweat soaking his back. His wound still stung, but he was alive. Still whole.
What remained now was the Alpha.
As if hearing his thoughts, a low growl echoed from behind the trees. Not an ordinary growl. This was full of rage, full of threat. The Giant Rat Alpha had realized both its subordinates were dead, and now it was coming personally.
Adam swallowed hard. Level 8 versus level 3. The two smaller ones had already overwhelmed him, let alone their leader.
Heavy footsteps grew closer. Adam could hear the Alpha's harsh breathing from behind the bushes. Mature, vicious, and definitely not playing games.
Survival Instinct screamed danger
His instincts told him to run. Right now. But Adam gripped his sword tighter.
"If I run now, I'll always run," he whispered. "And people who always run will never become strong."
The Giant Rat Alpha finally appeared.
Its size was almost double the smaller ones. Gleaming brown fur like armor, taut muscles clearly visible moving beneath its skin. Most terrifying were its eyes. Not just red, but red with a dangerous glint of intelligence.
This wasn't an ordinary monster. This was a predator that had evolved.
Adam stepped back, defensive position. But the Alpha didn't attack immediately. Instead, it slowly walked around Adam, observing, assessing its opponent's strength.
Hunting behavior. It knew Adam was weaker and was playing with its food.
"Basic Swordsmanship won't be enough," Adam muttered. "I need something else."
His eyes quickly glanced around. Rocks, tree roots, broken branches, and...
Something glinted on the ground. Glass shards from an old bottle long abandoned. Sharp, easy to grip.
A plan formed in his head.
Adam deliberately staggered backward, as if exhausted and losing balance. Convincing acting.
The Giant Rat Alpha immediately reacted. This was the moment. It leaped with surprising speed for its body size, front claws extended ready to tear.
But Adam was ready.
Just before the Alpha's claws touched him, Adam rolled to the side while grabbing the glass shard. His movement was continuous, unbroken.
The Giant Rat Alpha landed where Adam had been standing, confused for a moment because its target suddenly disappeared.
Adam didn't waste the opportunity. He rose in a crouch, glass shard in his left hand, sword in his right. Then attacked both sides simultaneously.
The glass shard scratched the Alpha's eye while the sword thrust from the side toward its ribs.
A roar of pain filled the forest.
The Giant Rat Alpha went berserk, thrashing its body trying to throw Adam off. But Adam didn't let go. He kept stabbing with the sword, repeatedly, as deep as possible.
Blood spurted everywhere. The Alpha's body grew weaker, movements slower.
Finally, with one last thrust that pierced its heart, the Giant Rat Alpha collapsed.
Ding! You have defeated Giant Rat Alpha EXP +50 Level Up! Y
ou are now Level 4!
Adam fell sitting, his body trembling from adrenaline and exhaustion. His wounds had multiplied, his clothes were torn, but he was still alive.
And he had won.
[Status Window]
Nama: Adam Luck
Level: 4
HP: 140
MP: 70
STR: 9
VIT: 8
DEX: 8
INT: 5
WIS: 5
LUK: 5
Skill:
– Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.2)
– Survival Instinct (Lv.1)
– Foraging (Lv.3)
Cheat: "Chronicle Sync" - Active Inheritance: Shiro Enzo - The Lone Wanderer (15%)
Stats increased, HP and MP grew. But more importantly, Adam felt something different within himself. A more solid confidence.
He struggled to his feet, then began harvesting the battle's results. Tails from all three rats, the Alpha's larger and sharper fangs, plus several small pouches containing liquid that could be sold as alchemical ingredients.
While working, Foraging Lv.2 activated and detected several rare herbs around the battle area. Probably grew from nutrients of previous carcasses.
Crimson Moss - uncommon. Medium healing potion ingredient. 5 copper per gram.
Iron Root - uncommon. Permanent stamina enhancer. 8 copper per piece.
Adam smiled thinly despite his aching body. Rare materials. Today was definitely worth it.
However, while he was busy collecting Iron Root, Survival Instinct suddenly screamed another warning. Something was approaching. Something big.
Heavy footsteps, a different rhythm from Giant Rats. This was another predator attracted by the blood scent.
Adam didn't wait longer. He quickly stuffed all materials into his bag, ignoring several herbs he hadn't picked yet. Survival was the top priority.
With sword still drawn, he ran out of the danger zone. His steps weren't panicked, but measuredly quick. Survival Instinct guided the safest direction, avoiding potentially dangerous areas.
Fifteen minutes later, Adam finally emerged from the forest's interior. His body was soaked with sweat and blood, but his leather bag was full of valuable materials.
He stopped by a small stream to clean his wounds and drink. The cold water felt refreshing on his parched throat.
"I did it," he murmured while staring at his reflection in the water. "Almost died, but I did it."
What he saw in the water was no longer the face of a hesitant young man. His brown eyes now held a different sharpness. Small scars on his cheek, slightly cracked lips, but an expression far more confident.
This was the face of someone who had experienced life and death in a single battle.
Adam rose, the heavy bag on his shoulder. The sun was already high in the sky, but the day was still long. He could go home now, or...
His eyes glanced toward another part of the forest. An area he'd never explored.
"One more zone," he decided. "While the adrenaline is still high."
The next area turned out to be calmer but richer in herbs. Foraging Lv.2 worked optimally, helping Adam identify various useful plants hidden among ordinary grass.
He spent two hours in this area, carefully collecting and cataloging everything useful. No dangerous encounters, just methodical work that improved his utility skills.
Ding! Foraging usage accumulated Skill Foraging rises to Lv.3
Foraging (Lv.3) - Herb identification greatly improved - Classification accuracy +15% - Rare material detection chance +10%
A significant upgrade. Now Adam could see the economic value of materials more accurately, even detecting rare materials that were previously invisible.
When the sun began tilting west, Adam decided to go home. His bag was packed tight with various valuable materials: Alpha fangs, regular rat tails, various uncommon herbs, plus several rare materials valuable enough to live comfortably for several days.
The journey home felt lighter despite the heavier physical burden. The mental burden decreased drastically because Adam had proven he could survive in dangerous zones.
His small house looked very welcoming when it finally appeared at the road's end. Adam almost ran to reach it.
Inside, he immediately placed the bag on the table and began sorting the day's haul. One by one, materials were removed and categorized by type and value.
The final count surprised even himself:
3 Giant Rats (15 copper total) 1 extra large Alpha fang (20 copper) 8 uncommon herb bundles (40 copper) 2 Iron Root pieces (16 copper) 3 grams Crimson Moss (15 copper)
Total: 106 copper. Almost equivalent to 1 silver coin.
"In one day I earned more than a week before," Adam couldn't hold back his smile. "And this is just the first day entering dangerous zones."
He sat in his favorite chair, opening the status panel to see today's progress.
[Status Window]
Name: Adam Luck
Level: 4
HP: 140
MP: 70
STR: 9
VIT: 8
DEX: 8
INT: 5
WIS: 5
LUK: 5
Skill:
– Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.2)
– Survival Instinct (Lv.1)
– Foraging (Lv.3)
Cheat: "Chronicle Sync" - Active Inheritance: Shiro Enzo - The Lone Wanderer (15%)
Level up, one skill increased, and most importantly: he'd proven that combining strategy and skills could defeat opponents who were stronger in raw power.
Adam closed the panel and leaned back in his chair. His body was tired, his wounds still stinging, but his heart was full of satisfaction.
Today he faced his first real field test. Not just fighting ordinary monsters, but tactical combat against multiple enemies and a mini-boss level threat.
And he passed.
"If I can survive today," he muttered while staring at the rusty sword that had become his faithful partner, "and if I can survive tomorrow too, then slowly I'll grow strong."
No grand declarations or dramatic speeches. Just a simple realization that strength was built one day at a time, one battle at a time.
Adam drank fresh water from the pitcher, then began carefully cleaning his wounds. Tomorrow would bring new challenges. And he would be ready.
Night began to fall over the small house, bringing peace after an adrenaline-filled day. Adam slept soundly that night, his dreams filled with visions of deeper forests and more valuable treasures.