As Eren and Emily walked, the surrounding villagers continued to give them strange looks. Eren was aware that he attracted attention as a human with his below-average appearance.
But none of the looks were hostile.
In fact, since arriving in this world, Emily had taken care of him so gently and warmly that... Eren felt calm. Even knowing he'd soon have to fight a creature, he was content.
I don't even want to think about how different the two universes treat me. This place is already amazing.
They eventually headed to the north side of the village, where houses gave way to gardens and livestock farms. It felt quieter than the center of town.
At the end of the dirt road, two young elves were leaping around inside a small fenced area.
"These are Nimbo and Mel. The children of the village," Emily said as she cheerfully ran to them.
"There are only two kids in this whole village? Weird. And they don't even look like kids!"
Eren squinted.
Are these kids?
He swallowed hard as he stared at the two teenagers. Nimbo had green hair and a mischievous glint in his eyes. He stood at least ten centimeters taller than Eren, close to 1.90 meters, and was undeniably handsome and muscular despite his slim build.
From a glance, he looked like an 18 or 19-year-old athlete fresh out of high school.
His sister, standing beside him, had the same sleek green hair. While not quite at Emily's level, she had a very shapely figure, big boobs, and wore clothing that exposed more than half of her body.
Mel looked like a young movie star from Earth.
She appeared around 17 or 18 as well, and her movements were full of grace.
Eren couldn't take his eyes off them. It felt like he had stumbled onto the set of a high-budget Hollywood film.
Reaching the fence, he leaned closer to Emily, who had already hopped inside but stayed nearby.
"How old are they, exactly?" he whispered.
"They're twins. Twelve years old."
"...That's unbelievable."
Seeing the shock on Eren's face, Emily added something she hadn't thought to mention before.
"We're Wood Elves. Because our ancestors lived so closely with plants and wildlife, we grow and evolve much faster than others. Our cousins aren't like us. They grow more like the people in your world."
So… you have plant hormones?
He nearly said it aloud, but thought better of it. He didn't know Emily well enough to test her sense of humor. And even if he had, she probably wouldn't get it.
"So, where are the creatures these teena—ehem, these kids play with?"
"Hey Nimbo, you still have those Jungle Cats? Are they here?"
Nimbo grinned and ran toward them. He looked so charismatic while running that Eren felt a pang of jealousy.
When I was twelve, I was eating chips and breaking out in acne in front of the TV. This has to be a joke. Our universe doesn't treat us like this.
"Good evening, Hunter. Most of the cats have fled. We only managed to keep one. Mel cornered him. Over there."
Eren and Emily turned. In the vacant lot, a small cat darted around. It was barely visible—but Mel was close behind it, smiling sweetly.
"Why did he call you a hunter? I thought Henner was the village hunter?"
As Eren watched Mel dart after the cat, Nimbo quickly explained.
"Uncle Henner used to be the hunter. After Aunt Ember died, he handled everything alone. Later, he passed the responsibility to his daughter. But our new hunter is just as good. Not a single wild animal has come near the village."
Emily smiled, tightening the strap of her quiver. Her expression said it all.
Eren turned to the cat, fascinated.
It was smaller than a typical cat, but its teeth were larger and red scars covered its head. He wasn't sure if that was due to its species or because it was wild but it was fast. Mel, though, was even faster.
"Nimbo is level 12. Mel is level 15. They're both physically strong, even though they're still fixing their base stats."
"Fixing base stats? What do you mean?"
Emily exhaled just as Mel returned, cat in hand.
"The Evon Universe gives everyone a chance to improve. When you level up through combat, you can grow stronger—physically and spiritually. But you only get one improvement point per level."
Eren was too focused on the cat to process what he was hearing.
"Wait, so we get only one point per level?"
"You caught the issue without me having to spell it out."
After a few moments of mental math, Eren realized he'd need at least twelve levels just to correct the negative stats in his profile.
Even just for the Charisma stat—which he didn't even know the purpose of—he'd have to spend five points. Just to reach the baseline ten.
I'd have to hit Level 12 to fix my stats and be a normal person on Earth. And even then, I'd still be weaker than most Level 12 creatures.
This won't be easy.
"Hello, Hunter Emily." Like her brother, Mel had a gentle, welcoming smile.
Eren still had some doubts about how they grew up like this...
Emily explained their purpose, and the twins tied the cat down without question. They didn't flinch at the knife or the idea of killing the animal. It seemed routine.
Eren tried to be polite for once. "I'm sorry to interrupt. I heard you were trying to tame the cat."
"Oh, no problem. We collected them with the Hunter's help. It's part of our training. Mom won't let us go into the forest alone. We think she might if we show her we've raised a pet." She was happy to see some difference in her day.
Eren stepped toward the cat, knife in hand. But as he neared the creature, his strength vanished. One of his legs trembled.
He pictured the friendly cats from Earth, strays roaming the streets outside his home. The knife in his grip began to shake.
Can I really kill this animal?
"Do you want me to help you?"
Emily approached and placed her hand over his.
Eren didn't resist. Though he didn't do it himself, he watched his hand move closer to the cat's throat. Disgust and fear stirred inside him.
Then Emily guided the blade into the cat's neck.
He turned his head, avoiding its gaze as blood began to spill.
The little thing twitched violently, dying slowly or at least it felt slow to Eren. But Emily, an expert hunter, had ensured the animal didn't suffer. In truth, the whole thing had taken only seconds.
[You took the %50 energy of Level 3 Wild Jungle Cat Kelk.]
"It says I only got half the cat's energy."
"It's normal. I helped you kill it. Don't worry."
"Ok." Eren was actually glad she did help him. Her gentle touch over his back was a nice bonus on top.
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 1.
All stats are +1.
You acquired 1 Stat Point to use!]
At first, the message didn't register. He was too new to all this.
But once it sank in that every stat had increased by one, he smiled. Even Emily looked relieved.
Still, it was too soon to celebrate. Eren's smile faded when he read the final line.
"When you hit level one, did all your stats go up by one point?"
Emily hesitated, then shook her head.
"But what if I told you I still have one unspent point?"
"Impossible..."
Not just Emily, but the elf twins behind her froze.
Eren chuckled, thinking maybe it was a bug. Then, without hesitation, he whispered the word.
"Profile."
[Name: Eren
*Level: 0 > 1
*Health: 110 - Mana: 0
*Race: Humanoid
*Title: None
*Profession: ---Locked---
*Genetic Heritage: You have no extra inheritances other than carrying the blood of a former monarch.
*DNA Details: ---Locked---
*Energy Type: Biological - Mana
*Racial Details: Typical Human - Trash
*Current Physical Details; (All stats of Humans average of 10. - Luck is the only exception)
/ -
Usable Evon Stat Points: 1
-Strength: 9 > 10
-Perception: 10 > 11
-Endurance: 8 > 9
-Intelligence: 10 > 11
-Agility: 6 > 7
-Mana: 0 > 1 (New!)
-Charisma: 5 > 6
-Luck: 11 > 12
/ -
Eren said it out loud, unbothered by the others hearing.
"I've changed my mind, System Lady. I love you, honey!"