"Devour," whispered Raindirk.
"Ding. Choose one of the Unicorn Rabbit's traits.
Agility +1
Jump Dash (Lv. 1) – While performing a jumping motion, leg strength increases by 1.15×.
Horn Pierce (Lv. 1) – Using a pointed weapon in a piercing motion ignores 10% of the target's defense."
Raindirk immediately ignored the third option since it required a weapon to use. Instead, he pondered between increasing his stats or gaining a skill.
"I choose the second option."
In the end, Raindirk chose the skill for its potential. He could improve it through training with the help of his talent, and besides, he could always raise his agility naturally through practice and rest.
"Ding. Skill learned.
Jump Dash (Lv. 1) – While performing a jumping motion, leg strength increases by 1.15×."
After the system's confirmation, a flood of knowledge surged into his mind. It wasn't painful—rather, it felt strangely natural, as if his body instinctively knew how to move.
"So that's how it works," he muttered, reviewing the new knowledge in his head.
He crouched slightly, then jumped forward. His speed and distance noticeably increased. He tried again, this time leaping upward—the same boost applied.
"I need to improve this, but overall… it's passable," Raindirk said to himself, satisfied with his choice.
After the short encounter, he continued walking deeper into the forest.
It was already late at night when Raindirk entered the wilderness. The forest was pitch dark, and an eerie stillness surrounded him. Most of the creatures active at this hour were nocturnal—his earlier encounter with the Unicorn Rabbit had been a rare stroke of luck.
Just as Raindirk was about to turn back, he noticed something odd—a vine hanging from a nearby tree twitched slightly. Narrowing his eyes, he focused on it. The "vine" was moving against the wind.
He stepped closer carefully.
Before he could take another step, the vine suddenly shot toward him like a whip.
Raindirk's instincts screamed danger. He instantly activated Jump Dash, launching himself sideways just in time to dodge the strike. The vine-like thing slammed into the ground where he had been standing, sending dirt flying.
Then, a familiar chime rang in his head.
"Ding. Green Long Snake detected.
Realm: Middle Tier 1
Skills: Venom Fang, Quick Strike
Note: A venomous snake known for ambushing prey by camouflaging its vine-like body. It attacks swiftly and bites with venomous fangs, but due to its thin and long body, it takes time to prepare for another strike."
A grin crept across Raindirk's face.
"Hehe, system, I love you. Know your enemy and you've already won half the battle," he muttered, crouching slightly and adjusting his stance. "Now that I know your weakness, you're mine."
He steadied his breathing, waiting for the snake's next move.
"Come on!" he shouted, stepping back slightly.
The Green Long Snake began coiling, muscles tightening as it prepared to strike again. When Raindirk felt the distance was right, he stopped retreating and held his ground.
A flash of green shot toward him.
Raindirk bent his knees and, at the perfect moment, jumped upward, barely dodging the fangs. His boots hit a nearby tree trunk, and he kicked off it, propelling himself forward like a bullet.
His boots slammed down squarely on the snake's head. A dull crack echoed through the clearing. The snake's skull dented, but it still moved—its body writhing violently, coiling again for another strike.
Raindirk didn't hesitate. He stomped on its head again and again, but the snake suddenly twisted and slammed its body at him with surprising force.
"Shit—!"
The blow threw Raindirk backward, his body crashing into the tree he'd used earlier. Pain shot through his back.
"F*ck, how could it be so strong!?" he gritted his teeth, realizing the difference between an early and middle Tier 1 monster was much greater than he expected. He'd misjudged its strength, basing it only on his fight with the Unicorn Rabbit.
But then, he noticed something—a faint crack on the snake's head.
"Just a bit more, and you're mine," he muttered, forcing himself to stand.
He picked up a small rock and threw it at the snake, taunting it.
The creature hissed, agitated, and began to coil again. Raindirk smirked. Low-tier monsters are just like beasts—they move purely on instinct alone, and this one was no different.
As the snake lunged forward once more, Raindirk sidestepped just enough for its body to crash against the tree behind him. The impact stunned it for a split second—more than enough time.
He twisted his waist, drawing on every ounce of power he had and every bit of knowledge from his Basic Fist Art, and unleashed a full-force hook punch.
Crack!
His fist slammed into the snake's head, crushing its skull completely. Blood splattered, and the snake's body fell limp, twitching once before going still.
A chime echoed in his mind.
"Ding. Killed a Middle Tier 1 monster.
Gained 2 Kill Points.
Talent usage available. Do you wish to devour the Green Long Snake?"
Before he could react, another panel appeared.
"Ding.
Self-Training Results:
Basic Fist Art – Perfected
Fist Mastery (Lv. 5 – Maxed): When using punches as an attack method, damage output increases by 50%."
Raindirk's eyes widened, then a grin stretched across his face.
"I perfected my Fist Mastery, hehe. It was the right choice to go out hunting," he said proudly.
"Now as for you… Devour."
"Ding. Choose one of the Green Long Snake's traits.
Vitality +2
Venom Fang (Lv. 2) – Your fangs produce venom. Injecting it into an enemy poisons them, weakening them over time.
Quick Strike (Lv. 1) – Charge your fist to unleash a fast attack with 2× your normal speed and +20% damage."
"I choose the first option," Raindirk said after thinking it through. Both skills had obvious drawbacks.
Venom Fang was useless—he'd have to bite his enemies to use it, and there was the risk of poisoning himself.
Quick Strike sounded powerful, but it required charging before use, which didn't fit his fighting style that relied on rapid, relentless attacks.
On the other hand, increasing his Vitality would balance his stats with his other physical attributes. He'd already seen firsthand how important endurance was during his fight with the Green Long Snake.
"Let's return. I need to rest," Raindirk muttered.
After achieving his goal and pushing his limits once again, he turned back toward the City Fortress, the night air cool against his skin as the forest fell silent behind him.