Anticipation hung heavy in the air as Alex approached Eria's north gate. Razor, his custom-forged knife, glinted in the morning sun as he drew it, its name an unspoken whisper on his lips. A silent incantation of "Appraisal" conjured a window in his mind, revealing Razor's secrets etched in glowing text:
**Materials:** Silver iron steel, infused with Mithril
**Features:** Ultra sharp, exceptional durability (question mark lingered)]
He repeated the ritual with one of his throwing knives, "Black Betty's," receiving similar, limited information. Frustration flickered across his face. The meager details likely stemmed from the infancy of his appraisal skill. He yearned to glimpse the treasures unveiled by an advanced level.
Lost in contemplation, the foreboding silhouette of the forest materialized as Leena had described, its emerald expanse swallowing the horizon. Merchants and travelers dotted the highway, their figures receding towards the city's allure. Drawn by an invisible thread, Alex veered off, plunging into the verdant depths.
An hour ticked by, the forest floor swallowing his footsteps. Suddenly, a jolt of awareness pricked his skin. His "Presence Detection" skill, true to its name, hummed with the presence of someone, or something, nearby. Limited by its nascent level, the detection radius spanned a mere five meters, urging him to scan his surroundings with heightened caution.
Sunlight struggled to pierce the dense canopy, casting the forest floor in perpetual twilight despite the midday sun. An unexpected chill wormed its way through his light attire, prompting a mental note to request sturdier gear from the ever-reliable Smith.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the faint signal pulsating in the air. Pinpointing its origin, he drew a throwing knife from his sheath, its name a silent murmur before it arced through the dimness.
A startled cry, sharp and guttural, ripped through the stillness. Five goblin figures emerged from the undergrowth, their eyes glinting with malice.
Ice clawed at Alex's heart. Five goblins this early in the journey? He hadn't anticipated such odds. Was it an ambush? Unlikely, this deep within the woods. More likely a chance encounter, one that sent a surge of adrenaline through his veins.
Black Betty's glinted in Alex's hands, his gaze darting across the goblin horde. Two brandished rusted swords, another swung a crude club, while a fourth clutched a menacing stone. The fifth, lurking at the rear, caught his eye - danger pulsed from him.
Without warning, the stone whizzed through the air, aimed squarely at Alex. He reacted with lightning speed, a roll sending him sprawling just as the projectile whistled past. In a blur of motion, both Black Betty's flew, seeking their targets. Two goblins crumpled. One clutched a throat gushing crimson, his struggles soon stilled. A triumphant chime echoed in Alex's mind - "Level Up!"
But celebration was a luxury he couldn't afford. Razor sang its deadly song as he charged, the blade finding its mark on a goblin's neck. A desperate parry failed, the rusted sword cleaving in two as the severed head danced through the air. Another foe down.
A primal chill slithered down his spine. He ducked just as another rock sailed past, the remaining goblins erupting in guttural shrieks. Their attack came in a frenzy, Alex's remaining knives meeting steel and wood, two deflected, one finding its mark. Blood sprayed as another goblin joined its fallen comrades.
Two remained, eyes blazing with fury. He clashed with the sword-wielding one, metal groaning under the strain. Alex's blade, honed to razor sharpness, bit deep, carving a crimson gash across the goblin's chest. It shrieked, collapsing in agony, momentarily neutralized.
The final goblin's club swung down, Alex narrowly rolling aside. He snatched the discarded sword, its dull edge barely reflecting the fading sunlight. A desperate throw sent it clattering against the goblin's club, buying him the precious seconds needed. With a surge of adrenaline, he appeared behind his foe, Razor plunging into its chest. The goblin spasmed, then lay still.
Silence descended, broken only by the rasping breath of the wounded one. Alex wasted no time, delivering a final, merciful blow. The forest held its breath, the only sound the thud of the fallen goblin.
Exhaustion clawed at Alex as the final goblin crumpled. His breaths came in ragged gasps, hands trembling like autumn leaves. The metallic tang of blood filled his nostrils, a stark contrast to the crisp forest air. His face, he imagined, mirrored the drained pallor he felt deep within. Razor slipped from his grasp, clanging to the ground as he hunched over, dry heaves wracking his body.
Fear, unfamiliar and unwelcome, coiled in his chest. Emotions churned in a chaotic storm: disgust, relief, and a raw, primal terror. Never before had he taken a life, not even the clucking fowl that graced his dinner table. To kill, even these monstrous goblins, was to extinguish a living spark.
Yet, a different fear had gnawed at him, the chilling thought that his reincarnation had stripped him of empathy. But here, in the aftermath, the human tremor in his hands reassured him. He hadn't lost himself.
Time crawled by, each tick of the unseen clock a hammer blow against his raw nerves. Slowly, he wrestled control back over his churning emotions. This reaction, he rationalized, was to be expected. It was a baptism by fire, a harsh initiation into a world far removed from his previous life. To survive, to become strong, he would have to adapt.
Adapt to the stench of death, the weight of blood on his hands, the cold edge of steel.
With newfound resolve, Alex rose, limbs creaking in protest. He gathered his weapons, a grim reminder of the battle. Then, with a practiced hand, he severed the goblins' ears, macabre trophies of his deed. He needed proof, tangible evidence for a world that valued results over emotions.
Finally, he took a seat, the forest floor rough against his skin. "Status," he murmured, summoning the familiar blue screen. The data blinked onto existence, offering a cold analysis of his recent actions. But for Alex, it was more than numbers; it was a testament to his survival, a promise of growth in the face of fear.
[Alexander Kael Touch]
Experience Value:0/400
Magic Power: 1000 +30 1030/1030
Agility: 85 +30 (115)
Intelligence: 100 +30(130)
Gift: Two Guns *Sealed*
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Swift Fingers Max] [Presence Detection Level 1] [Throwing knife Level 3]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The one who can't use Magic] [The one whose fingers are faster than Flash] 』
The blue screen flickered before Alex, its data a cold yet revealing language. Each line held the key to his progress, the echoes of his recent battle reflected in numbers. As he deciphered the intricate system, understanding bloomed.
He discovered a linear, almost mathematical, structure to his growth. Each level demanded ten points more experience than the last, a steady climb on the ladder of power. From 1 to 2, it was 100XP, then 200XP for 2 to 3, and so on, an unwavering progression etched in the digital language. To reach level 3, he had conquered 600XP, each fallen goblin yielding 120 points of hard-earned experience.
With a newfound clarity, Alex turned his attention to the spoils of his victory. The newly acquired Battle Points, glowing brightly on the screen, represented the essence of his triumph. He channeled them with purpose, bolstering his attack, defense, and agility. Each point fueled his evolution, sharpening his blade, strengthening his shield, and honing his reflexes.
[Alexander Kael Touch]
Experience Value:0/400
Magic Power: 1030/1030
Attack: 100 +10 (110)
Agility: 115 +15 (130)
Gift: Two Guns *Sealed*
Skills: [Normal Appraisal Level 1] [Language Comprehension] [Item box Level 1] [Swift Fingers Max] [Presence Detection Level 1] [Throwing knife Level 3]
Titles: [Otherworlder] [The one who can't use Magic] [The one whose fingers are faster than Flash] 』
The victory over the first goblin horde left Alex drained, yet driven. He pressed deeper into the emerald labyrinth, the silence broken only by the crunch of leaves beneath his boots. After another hour, another pack of goblins materialized, four this time. Their crude weapons gleamed menacingly, but their numbers held no fear for Alex, his newfound skills honed to a deadly edge.
He dispatched them swiftly, each clash a testament to his growing strength. As the dust settled, a notification materialized: Level Up! Reaching Level 4 fueled a spark of pride within him.
However, a nagging fatigue, not just physical but mental, gnawed at him. Unsealing his "gift" remained elusive, a frustrating counterpoint to his tangible progress. Turning back, the journey home seemed longer, burdened by the weight of unfulfilled potential. Yet, the sight of a lone goblin lurking among the trees was met with steely resolve, its demise adding another notch to his growing legend.
Returning to the guild, Leena's elven features betrayed surprise. Five pairs of goblin ears dangled triumphantly in his hand, a grim trophy of his first subjugation quest. "Ten goblins on your first outing," she breathed, her voice edged with respect. "Not bad, human." Three silver coins clinked into his palm, a meager reward but a symbol of his achievement.
The afternoon sun dipped low as Alex exited the guild. He found himself drawn to the camaraderie of senior adventurers, who insisted on celebrating his success with drinks. While wary of their motives, their boisterous congratulations were hard to refuse, especially since they picked up the tab. A wry smile tugged at his lips.
Maybe victory came with unexpected perks, even if the real prize, his "gift," remained tantalizingly out of reach.