The world Ethan had awakened in was no dream. The dirt under his boots, the humid air of the forest, and the faint cries of birds from somewhere high in the canopy all told him this was reality.
But reality came with a terrifying problem.
Ding!
[Welcome, Host. Tutorial phase initiated.]
[Survive your first encounter: Eliminate one hostile creature.]
[Reward: Basic Starter Pack.]
Ethan's lips twitched. "Great. So I really am in one of those insane 'isekai leveling' worlds. And I don't even have a weapon—"
His words cut short as another notification appeared.
Ding!
[Starter Item Granted: Rusty Dagger.]
[Attack +1. Durability: 10/10. Description: A blunt, nearly useless dagger discarded by countless adventurers. Better than bare hands.]
A dagger, chipped and brown with corrosion, appeared in his hand as if it had always been there. Ethan grimaced. "You've got to be kidding me. At least give me a sword or something flashy. What am I supposed to do with this butter knife?"
The System, unsurprisingly, gave no reply.
The First Hunt
Ethan crept forward through the brush. Every snapped twig made his heart race. This was no video game. He had no save point, no respawn. If he died here, would he wake up back on Earth—or just… vanish?
A low growl answered his question before he could think too long.
A gray-furred wolf padded out from between the trees, yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Saliva dripped from its jaws as it spotted Ethan.
Ethan's throat went dry.
"…Of course it had to be a wolf."
Ding!
[Hostile Detected: Gray Wolf.]
[Level: 2.]
[Threat: Moderate.]
The wolf crouched, muscles taut. Ethan's rusty dagger suddenly felt like nothing more than a stick. But then his vision flickered again.
Quest Reminder: Defeat the creature to obtain Starter Pack.]
"Right," Ethan whispered. "No risk, no reward."
The wolf lunged.
Rust and Blood
Instinct screamed at him to dodge, and Ethan barely rolled aside as claws swiped the air where his chest had been. He scrambled up, clutching the dagger like a lifeline.
The wolf whirled with terrifying speed, snapping jaws at his leg. Ethan kicked out wildly, the impact jarring up his shin.
"Damn it—!"
He thrust the dagger forward. Pure luck guided the rusty blade straight into the wolf's flank.
The beast howled, thrashing, its blood staining the dagger's corroded edge.
-5 HP (Wolf).
The number floated in Ethan's vision like a miracle. "Wait… I actually did damage?!"
Encouraged, Ethan yanked the blade free and stabbed again. The dagger sank into flesh once more. The wolf bucked violently, nearly throwing him off balance, but Ethan gritted his teeth.
"I won't die here!"
With a final desperate plunge, he drove the dagger straight into the wolf's throat.
The beast collapsed, eyes dimming, before dissolving into faint motes of light that drifted into Ethan's chest.
The First Level-Up
Ding!
[Quest Completed: First Kill.]
[Reward: Starter Pack Granted.]
[You have slain: Gray Wolf (Lv.2).]
[Experience +50.]
[Level Up!]
A warm rush surged through Ethan's veins, like fire and lightning mixed together. His body felt lighter, stronger, sharper.
Current Stats:
Level: 2
Strength: 8 → 12
Agility: 9 → 13
Vitality: 10 → 14
Intelligence: 11
Free Stat Points: 5
Ethan staggered, panting, but then a laugh bubbled from his chest.
"Holy crap… I just leveled up. I really leveled up!"
The forest around him no longer seemed so terrifying. He wasn't helpless anymore.
And then another chime echoed in his ears.
Starter Pack Opening…
[Congratulations! You have obtained:]
– Novice Leather Armor (Durability 50/50, Defense +3).
– Health Potion x3.
– Passive Skill: Minor Regeneration (Recover 1% HP per minute).
Ethan's jaw dropped. "This… this is insane. I'm basically a walking RPG character."
He quickly equipped the armor, feeling the snug leather wrap around his torso. The rusty dagger might be pathetic, but with armor, regeneration, and stat points, he already felt like he had stepped from prey to predator.
Hunger for More
For a moment, he stood over the dissolving light particles of the wolf, chest heaving, heart pounding. Fear had nearly killed him, but the thrill of victory was intoxicating.
Ding!
[New Tutorial Quest Available: Slay 10 Wolves.]
[Reward: Random Skill Orb.]
Ethan stared at the notification, then at the dagger still dripping faint red.
"Ten wolves, huh?" He smirked. "Fine. Bring it on."
Somewhere deep in the forest, a chorus of howls answered.
And Ethan, dagger in hand, grinned like a madman.