The sun rises over the fields beyond the city, painting the sky with strokes of gold and yellow. Damian adjusted his bag and set off down the dirt road, his first guild-issued quest clutched in hand:
"Collect Silverleaf herbs from the southern hills."
It was supposed to be easy. A simple gathering job. But even so, his heart pounding with excitement.
"This is it… my first quest as an adventurer."
"I had always seen these things in RPGs."
The road stretched ahead, dotted with travelers and adventurers in polished armor. Damian couldn't help but glance at their enchanted weapons, then at his own plain clothes. Compared to them, he looked out of place. But deep inside, a fire smoldered.
"I don't need their gear. I can make my own."
By mid-day, he found the patch of herbs pale silver leaves swaying in the breeze.
He crouched down, plucking them carefully, and tied them into neat bundles.
It was quiet. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
Then the air shifted.
A shadow swept across the ground, blocking the sun light. Damian froze, his eyes widening as a massive shape is flying over his head. Broad wings cut through the sky,its scales like a steel sheet. The creature descended with a shriek that rattled his bones.
It's a Wyvern.
Its claws gouged the earth as it landed, its sharp tail whipping like a spear. But something about it felt… wrong. The scales shimmered with a faint, unnatural aura, and its eyes glowing brighter than normal. This was no ordinary wyvern, it was stronger, corrupted somehow.
Damian's mouth went dry.
"This… wasn't in the quest description."
The wyvern roared, hot wind blasting from its throat. Instinct screamed at him to run, but instead his hand immediately reached for the spear on his back . Energy sparked in his hand his grip tightened on spear, it is durable and sharper than any steel.
The wyvern charged.
Damian barely rolled aside as claws tore into the ground where he stood. He swung his spear, striking the beast's leg. The impact sent vibrations through his arms, but the weapon held unyielding, ten times stronger than any normal weapon. The wyvern screeched and thrashed, its tail slamming down like a whip.
Damian leapt back, panting. His creations were strong, but his body burned with strain. His muscles screamed, his lungs fought for air. He wasn't used to this kind of combat.
That's when the voice returned.
Monotone, calm, but clearer than before.
["Warning: User endurance insufficient. Recommend immediate adjustment. Physical reinforcement required."]
Damian blinked. "You again? Great timing!"
The voice continued, sharper now, less like an echo and more like a guide.
["Notice: Enemy classified as Enhanced Wyvern. Combat capability exceeds current parameters. Suggestion: Exploit weak points underbelly, wing joints, throat. ]
Reminder: Creations synchronize with host. Stronger host equals stronger performance."
Damian gritted his teeth, forcing his legs steady.
"yeah yeah, "I know... I know."
The AI's tone shifted, almost amused.
"Correction: Essential. User survival rate otherwise… 12%."
"Not helping!" Damian snarled, bracing his spear.
The wyvern lunged again at him, swinging his fangs toward damian. His fang scratched Damian's armour cutting his lader armour and some of his chest skin,.then after surviving it Damian attack and thrusted his spear upward, driving it into the beast's underbelly. The weapon pierced through, sinking deep into scale and flesh. The wyvern shrieked, thrashing violently. Damian held on with all his strength until the beast collapsed, crashing into the earth.
As the Silence fell.
Damian stood there trembling, chest heaving, his spear still drenched in the wyvern's blood. His vision blurred, but then, a surge of warmth bloomed inside him.
Ding.
The voice returned, louder, smoother, almost human-like.
"Level Up. Level 3 achieved. User power has evolved. Creations now possess greater durability and offensive capability. Additional system functions unlocked."
Damian staggered back, eyes wide. He felt it his weapon wasn't just stronger. He was stronger. His muscles thrummed with energy, his body recovering faster than before. His injury fully healed The bond between him and his creations had deepened.
The AI spoke again, calm but with something almost resembling pride.
"Congratulations, User. You survived. Recommendation: Begin physical training immediately to optimize future survival."
Damian let out a shaky laugh.
"Yeah… yeah, I get it. If I don't train, I'll die next time."
He looked down at the wyvern's corpse, then up at the horizon. His first quest was supposed to be easy. Instead, he had killed a monster far beyond his level.
The wyvern's body lay motionless on the ground, its wings sprawled across the field broken. Damian leaned on his spear, his entire body trembling, sweat dripping into his eyes. His chest heaved with ragged breaths.
He had done it.
Somehow… he had killed it.
But the victory felt hollow. His arms were numb, his legs quaked, and every muscle screamed. The AI's words echoed in his mind.
"User must reinforce his physical condition. Warning: Without training, further survival rates remain low."
Damian groaned. "you know, I heard you the first time."
He forced himself to move, stepping closer to the wyvern's body. The creature's scales shimmered faintly, and he noticed a strange glow pulsing faintly in its chest. Instinct guided him or perhaps it was the AI and he pressed his hand against the scales.
"Suggestion: Extract Core. Valuable for trade. Proof of kill required."
With a grunt, Damian imagined a blade short, sharp, sturdy. Light formed in his grip, and he cut carefully into the wyvern's chest. The resistance was heavy, but his weapon didn't break. Within minutes, he pulled free a crystal-like core, glowing faintly blue.
It pulsed warmly in his hand.
"This… is worth something, right?"
["Affirmative. Estimated guild appraisal: High-grade. Current quest rank: Beginner. Likelihood of disbelief: 94%."]
Damian blinked. "…So, you're saying they're not gonna believe me?"
"Correction: They will assume fraud, or assistance from higher-ranked adventurers."
"Great." He stuffed the core into his bag with a sigh.
The walk back to town was agony. Every step felt heavier, his body sore from strain. Yet at the same time, a faint energy buzzed within him after leveling up. His creations felt sharper, more stable, and he sensed he could push them even further.
When the city gates came into view, Damian almost collapsed with relief. He dragged himself through the streets until he finally arrived at the Adventurer's Guild.
Inside, the air buzzed with chatter, clinking mugs, and the scratching of pens as clerks processed quests. Damian stepped forward, drawing the attention of a few adventurers lounging nearby. He looked every bit the newbie — plain torn clothes, worn shoes, and a bag too small for a real hunter.
He placed the bundle of herbs on the counter.
"Quest complete," he muttered, his voice hoarse.
The receptionist blinked,
And said may I ask you something,
"Damian: yes what is it."
Receptionist said: why is your armour so damaged,because it was a simple gathering quest not some monster hunting quest.
and then she began to record the completion of quest. But then Damian pulled out the wyvern's glowing core and set it on the counter with a thud.
The room went silent.
Every adventurer in the hall turned to stare.
The receptionist's pen froze mid-stroke. Her eyes widened, her voice trembling. "I-is that… a wyvern core?"
Damian nodded tiredly. "Yeah. It attacked me while I was out gathering herbs. I… dealt with it."
The silence deepened, then broke into a wave of murmurs.
"Bullshit—"
"No way a rookie took down a wyvern."
"He's lying. Must've found it after someone else killed it."
"Or he stole it."
Damian clenched his jaw, ignoring the whispers. The receptionist swallowed nervously and called for the guild appraiser. A few minutes later, an older man arrived, adjusting his spectacles. He examined the core carefully, his face growing pale.
"This… this is genuine. High-grade wyvern core. Freshly harvested."
The room erupted.
Damian sighed, rubbing his forehead. Of course they wouldn't believe me…
The AI's voice hummed softly in his head, more human than before.
"Notice: Current credibility low. Suggestion: Demonstrate power at controlled opportunity. Secondary suggestion: Avoid excessive exposure until prepared. Caution: Envy is as dangerous as any beast."
Damian smirked faintly.
"Yeah… I figured as much."
The receptionist, still stunned, handed him a reward for his herb quest a meager pouch of coins but the wyvern core was another matter. It would take official evaluation and reports, meaning his name was already on the guild's radar.
As Damian left the counter, whispers followed him like shadows. Some were curious. Some were mocking. But some… carried interest far sharper than admiration.
He stepped outside, the cool evening air brushing his face. He looked down at his plain, torn clothes. They were already in tatters from the fight.
"Guess it's time I find something sturdier," he muttered.
The AI spoke softly, almost teasing.
"Recommendation: Seek equipment upgrade. Current attire durability… 0%."
Damian laughed under his breath, exhausted yet oddly exhilarated. For the first time in years, he felt alive.
And deep inside, he knew this was only the beginning.