As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows in the Whispering Woods, Byron made his way back from the Mystical Lake. The air hung heavy with an eerie stillness, broken only by the distant whispers of the forest.
Suddenly, the faint scent of decay reached Byron's nostrils. Drawing closer, he stumbled upon a grisly scene—three horned rabbits, their muzzles stained with the remains of a fallen adventurer. Determined eyes locked onto Byron, and a primal urge for survival flickered in their gaze.
A shiver ran down Byron's spine as he unsheathed his short sword, the blade catching the fading light. The first battle in this new world was upon him, and the stakes were high.
The horned rabbits, feeding on the unfortunate adventurer, noticed Byron's presence. With a flash of aggression, they lunged toward him, teeth bared. The clash was intense, a dance of survival and desperation. Byron, fueled by the adrenaline of combat, found himself engaged in a life-or-death struggle.
In the midst of the skirmish, one of the rabbits managed to land a deep stab in Byron's thigh. The pain surged through him, but he gritted his teeth and pressed on. The fight was fierce, each swing of the sword accompanied by the frenzied movements of the nimble adversaries.
After what felt like an eternity, Byron emerged victorious, the bodies of the horned rabbits sprawled around him. He panted heavily, a mix of exhaustion and triumph coursing through his veins.
Examining the fallen rabbits, Byron felt a surge of experience wash over him. The system chimed, granting him between 80 and 100 experience points from each rabbit—fortuitously, he received the maximum for all three.
The influx of experience triggered a transformation within him. Two level-ups unfolded, each randomly adding 2 stat points to his Strength (STR), 1 to Intelligence (INT), and 1 to Dexterity (DEX). As the radiant glow of the level-up enveloped him, healing energies mended his wounds, soothing the pain in his thigh.
**Stats:**
1. **Strength (STR):** 7 (+2)
2. **Intelligence (INT):** 7 (+1)
3. **Dexterity (DEX):** 5 (+1)
4. **Agility (AGL):** 5
Additionally, the intense battle honed his combat skills. The system awarded him the Swordsmanship skill at level 1. Byron's journey continued, marked by the echoes of his first kill!
With the echoes of battle still ringing in his ears, Byron turned his attention to the fallen horned rabbits. Their horns, once a symbol of menace, now represented potential wealth in this mystical world.
Armed with determination, Byron carefully severed the horns from each rabbit, his short sword deftly slicing through the toughened hide. The horns, pristine and gleaming, held a value that transcended the creatures they once adorned.
As Byron worked, he couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship of the horns. He recognized their potential for both crafting and alchemy, envisioning the myriad possibilities they presented in this fantastical realm.
His task complete, Byron gathered the horns in a makeshift pouch, a tangible representation of his first victory and a stride toward self-sufficiency. Little did he know, the actions that unfolded in the quiet glade would soon become the subject of discussion in the bustling guild.
Back at the guild, the news of Byron's feat spread like wildfire. The guild assistant, a curious and reserved individual, overheard the whispers and couldn't help but approach Byron.
With a mix of awe and disbelief, she inquired about the details of his encounter. Byron, recounting the tale with a blend of excitement and solemnity, described the battle with vivid detail—the clash of blades, the scent of blood, and the triumphant moment of victory.
The guild assistant, shocked by the revelation of Byron single-handedly dispatching the horned rabbits, couldn't conceal her surprise. E-rank monsters were considered a formidable challenge for fledgling adventurers, and Byron's accomplishment had set him apart.
As the news of his triumph echoed through the guild, Byron found himself unwittingly at the center of attention. Little did he know that this encounter marked not only his first kill but the beginning of a reputation that would ripple through the realms of redemption.
The guild assistant, still processing the tale, watched Byron with newfound respect. His journey had only just begun, but the impact of his actions was already reverberating across the mystical tapestry of his new existence.