Chapter 2: The First Talent
Morning light slipped into the cave like a silent promise.
Kael opened his eyes slowly.
For a brief second, he forgot.
Then the forest smell returned.
The primitive world.
The system.
A faint blue panel materialized before him.
[Beginner Package Unlocked]
Open?
Yes
No
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
The interface shimmered.
[Reward Acquired: Insider Ability]
His brow furrowed.
"Explain."
[Insider Ability: Allows Host to view talents and growth potential of any individual within visual range.]
Kael's heartbeat quickened.
Talent detection?
In a primitive world?
That wasn't a survival tool.
That was a ruler's weapon.
Before he could think further—
A scream tore through the forest.
High-pitched.
Panicked.
Female.
Kael was already moving.
The Rescue
Not far from the cave, a young tribal girl stumbled in the undergrowth.
Behind her—
A massive wild boar burst through the trees.
Thick hide. Curved tusks. Mud-caked muscle.
Its weight shook the ground as it charged.
A notification flashed.
[Emergency Quest Triggered]
Save the target.
Reward: +10 Development Points
Kael grabbed a fallen branch without slowing down.
He didn't rush straight at the boar.
He ran at an angle.
At the final second—
He tackled the girl sideways.
The boar thundered past them, barely missing.
It skidded, turned, snorting violently.
Kael pushed the girl behind him.
"Stay down."
The boar charged again.
Kael didn't panic.
He waited.
Three steps away—
He shifted left and smashed the branch against its eye.
The beast shrieked.
He struck again.
And again.
He aimed only for vulnerable spots.
After several precise blows—
The boar collapsed.
Silence returned.
[Wild Boar Eliminated]
Reward: +10 Development Points
Kael exhaled slowly.
The girl stared at him, wide-eyed.
"Th… thank you…"
She looked about seventeen.
Strong posture. Hunter's reflexes.
"My name is Angelika."
Kael's vision flickered.
[Scanning Target…]
Name: Angelika
Talent: Leadership (Rare)
Growth Potential: High
Trait: Natural Authority
Description:
Individuals under her command show increased morale and obedience.
Kael's pupils narrowed.
Rare.
On the first day?
The system pulsed.
[Recommendation: Recruit as Core Member.]
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The Spirit Wolf Tribe
Angelika led him through the forest.
"Our village is called the Spirit Wolf Tribe."
Kael listened quietly.
"Spirit Wolf?" he asked.
Angelika nodded.
"Ten years ago, a mysterious master brought wolf warriors here. Our chief allowed them to settle. Since then… we coexist."
Coexist.
The word felt wrong.
When they reached the settlement—
Kael understood why.
They weren't ordinary wolves.
They had humanoid bodies.
Massive frames.
Wolf heads.
Clawed hands capable of ripping through flesh.
This was not coexistence.
This was shared territory with predators.
A tall man approached.
"Father," Angelika said respectfully.
"I am Chief Gor," the man said, nodding to Kael. "You saved my daughter. You are welcome here."
Kael observed carefully.
Human villagers.
Spirit Wolves.
Separate groups.
Separate fires.
Separate glances.
This alliance was unstable.
He could feel it.
The Feast
That night, the tribe celebrated.
Meat roasted.
Drums beat.
But Kael didn't relax.
He watched the wolves.
They weren't celebrating.
They were measuring.
Calculating.
One wolf stood taller than the rest.
Broader shoulders.
Colder eyes.
When Kael activated Insider Ability—
The system flickered violently.
Name: Mogra
Title: Spirit Wolf Overlord
Threat Level: Extremely High
Recommendation: Avoid Direct Conflict
So that's the alpha.
Their eyes met.
Mogra didn't smile.
He simply watched.
Betrayal
Later that night—
Kael and Angelika walked toward the river.
The water was clear. Valuable.
Strategic.
A perfect resource point.
Then—
BOOM!
Flames erupted from the village.
Angelika froze.
"Fire?!"
They ran back.
Screams filled the air.
Spirit Wolves were no longer hiding their fangs.
Huts burned.
Humans fell.
Chief Gor lay on the ground—
His abdomen torn open.
Blood soaked the earth.
Angelika dropped to her knees.
"F-Father…"
Her body trembled violently.
Kael clenched his fists.
He wasn't shocked.
This was inevitable.
When strength imbalance exists—
Betrayal follows.
Mogra stepped forward.
"Capture the girl."
Angelika.
The leadership talent.
Of course.
Kael grabbed her wrist.
"Run."
The Fall
They sprinted through the forest.
Branches tore at their skin.
Howls echoed behind them.
They reached a cliff—
Too late.
Ground gave way.
Below—
A raging river.
They fell.
SPLASH.
Cold water swallowed them.
The current dragged them into darkness.
On the cliff above—
Mogra watched.
Then turned away.
To him—
They were dead.
Survival
Kael woke on a riverbank.
Angelika lay across him, unconscious.
A panel appeared.
[Angelika Condition: Critical]
A plant nearby glowed faintly.
[Medicinal Herb Detected]
Kael crushed it.
Applied pressure.
Stopped the bleeding.
Ten minutes later—
She stabilized.
He stood.
Hungry.
Exhausted.
But alive.
Upgrade
Current Points: 20
He opened the ability panel.
Crafting
Agility
Growth
Endurance
Each: 2 points.
Kael didn't rush.
He thought.
Survival first.
Long-term second.
He invested:
+4 Crafting
+3 Endurance
+3 Growth
Warmth surged through him.
Mind sharper.
Body steadier.
The First True Hunt
This time—
He didn't charge blindly.
He crafted a stone spear.
Built a shallow pit trap.
Calculated wind direction.
Provoked the boar.
Dodged at the right moment.
Let gravity do the rest.
When the beast fell—
He finished it cleanly.
Fire sparked.
Meat roasted.
Points increased.
Efficiency.
Not luck.
A New Beginning
Angelika awakened slowly.
Her eyes were hollow at first.
Then filled with grief.
Kael steadied her.
"Your tribe is gone," he said quietly.
"But you're not."
She looked at him.
Broken.
"But what do we do now?"
Kael turned toward the vast plains ahead.
Mountains.
Rivers.
Open land.
Opportunity.
The system activated.
[Location Suitable for Settlement.]
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Then we build."
He stepped forward.
"From today—"
"This place will be the foundation of a new tribe."
He looked at Angelika.
"You still have leadership talent."
Her eyes widened.
"How do you—?"
"Trust me."
He extended his hand.
"We won't just survive."
"We'll rise."
The wind swept across the plains.
Far in the distance—
Massive Titan Cows grazed peacefully.
Resources.
Agriculture.
Expansion.
The system pulsed brightly.
[Village Established: Titanblood Tribe]
Title Unlocked: Village Chief
New Mission: Recruit 10 Villagers
Kael stared at the empty land.
"In this wilderness…"
He narrowed his eyes.
"…where exactly am I supposed to find ten people?"
The plains remained silent.
But somewhere—
The future was already moving toward him.