When Long Yan opened his eyes again, the sky was blue and clear. Warm sunlight streamed down, making him squint against the brightness. A soft breeze tickled his face, carrying the earthy aroma of grass and dew.
For a moment, he was lost in the beauty of the scene. The vast grassy plain stretched endlessly before him, its tranquility almost enchanting.
But then, reality struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"Wait... I was in bed just a moment ago!"
He shot up from the ground, his heart pounding. His hands instinctively patted himself, ensuring he was still intact. Everything felt real—the soft grass beneath him, the warm sun on his skin, the sound of rustling leaves in the distance.
"Did I transmigrate again?" Long Yan muttered, his brows furrowed. "Or is this some kind of weird dream?"
Pinching his arm hard, he winced as pain shot through him. "Nope, not a dream," he groaned.
As he tried to make sense of his surroundings, a rustling sound came from behind. The hairs on his neck stood on end, and a chill ran down his spine. Slowly, he turned around.
Standing just a few meters away was... a pig.
But it wasn't any ordinary pig. This creature stood over a meter tall, with a shiny pink coat and blood-red eyes that glowed ominously. Its oversized tusks gleamed like polished ivory, and its muscular frame looked more like a predator than prey.
Long Yan gulped, his mind racing. "It's just a pig... right? Maybe it's friendly?"
The pig snorted, digging its sharp hooves into the ground. Its glowing eyes locked onto Long Yan like a predator eyeing its next meal.
"Oh, great. It's not friendly," he muttered, taking a cautious step back.
The pig's snarl deepened, and in an instant, it lunged at him with surprising speed.
"Fuck!" Long Yan yelled, his instincts kicking in. He dived to the side just as the pig's sharp tusks tore through the space where he had stood. Rolling onto his feet, he turned to face the beast.
His heart pounded in his chest as he realized just how outmatched he was. He clenched his fists, his mind racing for a strategy.
"Think, Long Yan, think!"
But before he could act, a familiar voice echoed in his mind:
"Temporary assistance available. Host, do you wish to activate a power boost?"
His eyes widened in surprise. "System? Is that you? Yes! Activate it now!"
A sudden surge of energy flooded his body, making his muscles tighten and his senses sharpen. It was as though a powerful force had awakened within him, granting him strength he had never felt before.
The system's voice followed: "Temporary power boost granted. Strength level equivalent to Body Refinement Level 4. Duration: one hour."
Long Yan smirked, his confidence renewed. "Alright, big guy. Let's see what you've got."
The pig charged again, its hooves tearing through the grass. But this time, Long Yan was ready. He sidestepped the attack with ease, pivoting on his heel and delivering a powerful punch to the side of the beast.
Thud!
The pig let out a pained squeal, stumbling from the impact but quickly recovering.
"Stubborn, aren't you?" Long Yan muttered, flexing his fists. "Well, I've got all day."
The battle continued, man versus beast. Long Yan dodged and countered, each punch landing with more precision and force. His movements became more fluid as he adapted to the fight, the energy from the system's boost pushing him beyond his limits.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he landed a decisive blow. His fist connected with the pig's head, sending it crashing to the ground with a heavy thud. It let out one last squeal before its body dissolved into a pile of ash, leaving behind a single glowing red stone.
Breathing heavily, Long Yan stared at the stone. It emitted a faint warmth and shimmered like a hidden treasure.
He reached down and picked it up, feeling its lightness and energy. Before he could examine it further, the stone vanished, seemingly absorbed into his Dragon Ring.
The system's voice chimed in again: "Congratulations, host. First enemy defeated. Loot collected: Red Spirit Stone. Stored in Dragon Ring."
Long Yan blinked, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "Loot? Like a video game?"
But his relief was short-lived. Rustling sounds came from behind him, louder and more frequent. He turned to see not one, but two more pigs—this time, larger and with an even fiercer aura.
"Oh, come on!" he groaned, his legs already moving as the pigs charged at him.