Walking through the bustling paths filled with players, Ashen slowly became aware that the crowd was thinning. As he ventured deeper into the wild, the number of players dwindled until he was the last one standing on the trail. At long last, he arrived at the edge of the [Timber Forest].
---
Ding!
You are the first to discover the [Timber Forest].
Double EXP for the next 2 hours.
---
The towering trees loomed overhead, their thick, twisted branches forming a dense canopy that cast deep shadows over the undergrowth. Thick bushes lined the forest floor, and the distant howls and cries of various creatures echoed ominously. The forest exuded an ancient aura, both beautiful and threatening, a place where adventurers would have to be both brave and foolish to tread alone.
Ashen stood at the entrance, his gaze scanning the dark depths. He could almost feel the dangerous presence that lurked just beyond the treeline. His heart quickened, but the rush of excitement drowned out any lingering hesitation.
Without a second thought, he stepped into the forest, pushing past the thick foliage. Only moments after entering, he found himself face to face with a group of goblins.
The goblins were vile creatures, their green skin covered in dirt and grime, their red eyes gleaming with malice. Pointed ears and wide, dirty mouths full of jagged teeth made them look like they had crawled straight out of a nightmare. Despite being the size of children, each one carried a weapon—crude clubs and knives that they clutched in their bony fingers.
For those who were faint of heart, the sight of such goblins would send them running. But Ashen wasn't intimidated. He felt the blood in his veins run hot, his instincts sharpened.
---
Monster: Hobgoblin
Level: 5
HP: 90 / 90
MP: 10 / 10
Damage: 10 - 12
Defense: 3
Skills: Archery (Level 1), Reinforcement, Bite
Monster: Goblin
Level: 3
HP: 70 / 70
Skills: Smash, Bite
Monster: Goblin
Level: 3
HP: 70 / 70
Skills: Smash, Bite
---
Two of the goblins, growling and snarling, rushed forward, eager to tear Ashen apart. One of the goblins wielding a club swung it toward his hips in a brutal attempt to crush him.
Ashen sidestepped with ease, fluidly avoiding the strike before delivering a sharp counter. His foot connected with the goblin's chest, sending the creature flying backward. The goblin hit the ground hard, rolling before it finally lay motionless, groaning in pain.
---
- 8 Health Points
---
The second goblin, wild with anger, charged blindly at Ashen, swinging its club in every direction. Its frantic attack was uncoordinated and desperate, and Ashen was quick to take advantage. Grabbing the goblin by the arm, he drove his knife straight into its chest, the blade sinking deep into its heart.
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Ding!
Vital Strike: You hit a vital organ.
-50 HP
The target will suffer from bleeding. HP will decrease by 5 per second.
---
The goblin let out a shriek, its body convulsing as blood poured from the wound. Ashen pulled his knife free, and the goblin collapsed to the ground, paralyzed by the fatal blow.
However, before he could finish off the creature, an arrow whizzed past his ear. He turned just in time to see the hobgoblin, standing a few feet away, drawing another arrow.
Its archery skills were far from refined, and the next shot was laughably inaccurate. Ashen dodged the arrow with minimal effort, his eyes now locked on the hobgoblin.
In an instant, Ashen was sprinting toward his opponent. The hobgoblin tried to fire more arrows, but its aim was no match for Ashen's speed. He closed the distance within seconds, slashing at the hobgoblin's eye with a swift, precise strike.
---
Ding!
Vital Strike: You hit a vital organ.
-30 HP
The target will suffer from bleeding. HP will decrease by 5 per second.
---
The hobgoblin screamed in pain, dropping its bow as it clutched its face. Ashen didn't waste time. With brutal efficiency, he plunged his knife into the hobgoblin's chest again and again, slashing through its defenses until the creature lay dead at his feet.
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Ding!
You have gained 50 experience points.
You have defeated a monster of a higher level than you.
Additional experience gained: + 50 Experience Points.
---
Ashen glanced at his experience bar, watching as it filled significantly. The hobgoblin's death had rewarded him generously, but there was still work to be done.
Turning back to the remaining goblins, he dispatched them quickly, their low levels offering little challenge.
---
Ding!
You have gained 30 experience points.
You have defeated a monster of a higher
level than you.
Additional experience gained: + 30 Experience Points.
---
With the goblins slain, Ashen stood alone once again, his breathing steady. He wiped the blood from his blade, glancing around the forest. The battle had been short, but it was only a taste of what lay deeper within the Timber Forest.
The sound of the forest was ever-present—leaves rustling, branches creaking, and the distant howls of unseen beasts. There was no doubt that more dangerous creatures awaited him. But for now, he had time to check his new skill.
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Ding!
You have used Vital Strike repeatedly. It has now been registered as a passive skill.
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Vital Strike
Effect: A precise attack that targets vital organs, causing significant damage. Successful hits have a high chance of inflicting bleeding, causing continuous HP loss.
---
Ashen grinned as he reviewed the description. This skill would serve him well, allowing him to strike with deadly precision. With that, he turned his focus back to leveling. He couldn't afford to waste time, not while the double experience bonus was active. For the next several hours, he would grind relentlessly, pushing himself further and further into the depths of the forest.
---
With the forest alive with danger, Ashen continued deeper, his mind set on growing stronger.
Name: Ashen
Race: Human
Level: 3
Experience Bar: 220 / 400
Hit Points: 50/50
Mana: 25/25
Physical Attack: 5-8 ( + 8 )
Magical Attack: 5
Physical Defense: 5
Magical Defense: 5
Job Class: None
Sub Class: None
< Strength: 13>
< Agility: 18>
< Intelligence: 5>
< Vitality: 5>
Attribute Points Remaining: 10
Skills:
Active - None
Passive - (Martial Arts LVL 1), ( Vital Strike )
Titles: None
Items
Weapon : ( Timber Wolf Tooth Knife )
+ 8 physical attack damage
Torso: None
Belt: None
Shoulder: None
Gloves: None
Bracers: None
Legs: None
Shoes: None
Amulet: None
Bracelet: None
Rings: None
Trinkets: None
Pets: None
Ashen once again grinds his level for almost 5 hours non-stop.