To William's growing frustration, after reaching level 4, the benefits of killing black crows had noticeably diminished.
The black crows, as he soon learned, had their own hierarchy.
They could be ranked by the number of black crow feathers they carried.
When William was still at level 3, killing a black crow with two feathers would grant him three experience points. But now, after advancing to level 4, he could only earn two points for the same feat. The weakest crows, those with only one magical feather, offered a mere single point of experience.
Even more frustrating was how his talent absorption had slowed significantly. If William wanted to gain meaningful experience now, he would have to target higher-level black crows. The catch? These formidable crows never ventured alone. They moved in flocks, and the strongest among them were always surrounded by their kin.
William knew the saying, "Two fists can't beat four hands." If he ran into a large flock, his chances of survival would be slim. A swarm of black crows would overwhelm him in moments.
Still, he spent another three hours wandering the area, managing to kill five black crows. Along the way, he even encountered two magical creatures from the Black Forest, further testing his skills.
---
[You killed the magical creature, Petrified Lizard, experience +5! ]
[Physical stat +0.05! Mental stat +0.02! Energy stat +0.03! ]
---
[You killed the magical creature, Toad, experience +5! ]
[Physical stat +0.06! Mental stat +0.02! Energy stat +0.02! ]
---
Despite these victories, William knew he had only scratched the surface of Raven Ridge.
Standing on the outskirts of his exploration zone, he gazed longingly at the numerous crow colonies scattered ahead. He watched them for a long while, weighing his chances, but he didn't dare attack. He knew that a direct confrontation with even a fraction of those crows would mean certain death. One-on-one, he could hold his own. But the sheer numbers? Even a creature of his growing strength couldn't take on an entire flock.
A quick glance at his panel showed he needed just two more experience points to reach level 5. So close, just two points away; but it was this near miss that drove him crazy. It gnawed at him like an itch he couldn't scratch.
He searched the area for a while, hoping to find a straggler, but after hours of coming up empty-handed, his patience wore thin. He couldn't waste more time.
Determined to break through the threshold to level 5, William made a bold decision. He set his sights on a nearby flock of crows.
To ensure success, he prepared Little Red Riding Hood's magic stone, a powerful item he rarely used. From a safe distance of 200 meters, he locked onto a large, high-level black crow, its glossy feathers shimmering in the fading light. This one was a beast, probably carrying five or six feathers.
He took a deep breath and aimed.
Bang!
Blood mist exploded into the air.
The attack had landed perfectly, but the impact was far from what he had anticipated. Instead of a swift victory, William had poked a hornet's nest.
In an instant, the entire flock went berserk.
A deafening cacophony of caws filled the air as dozens of black crows shot into the sky simultaneously. It wasn't a massive flock by any means, but the way they moved together, dark and swift, felt like the approach of a storm. A wave of panic surged through William. His heart pounded in his chest as the sky above him darkened.
His scalp prickled in fear. He had no choice.
He turned and bolted.
His enhanced physical abilities kicked in, propelling him forward at breakneck speed. His limbs moved in perfect coordination as he sprinted through the rugged terrain, leaping over rocks and ducking under branches. In less than ten seconds, he had covered over a hundred meters, tearing through the forest like a wild animal fleeing for its life.
"Damn it!" William cursed, glancing back as the chilling sound of crows grew louder. Their ominous caws were now dangerously close, their shadows blotting out the sky behind him. It was like being chased by a living cloud of doom.
Drawing in a sharp breath, he pushed himself harder, his legs burning with exertion. Desperation fueled his every step as he raced out of Raven Ridge, his mind screaming to survive.
Just as the crows seemed to be closing in, he managed to break free from the forest's edge. The murder of crows behind him hesitated at the boundary, unwilling to follow.
William stumbled to a halt, gasping for breath, his clothes drenched in sweat. He wiped his forehead, still trembling from the ordeal. His heart pounded in his chest, but beneath the fear, a surge of exhilaration coursed through him.
It had been terrifying, no doubt; but it was also the most thrilling experience he'd had yet.
Suddenly, William couldn't contain himself and burst into laughter.
He had just hit a new milestone: level 5. With this upgrade came three free attribute points, a precious resource he could allocate to his physical fitness, energy, or other stats. If the crows had gotten closer, he would've thrown everything into his physical fitness to keep running faster. But now, that seemed unnecessary.
What truly surprised him, though, was the payoff from the black crow he had just killed. That high-level crow had given him 13 experience points, the most any monster had ever rewarded him with.
---
[Level: 5]
[Experience: 11/40]
---
It took 25 experience points to upgrade from level 4 to 5, but now he needed 40 to move up to level 6. The higher he went, the more effort it required. William shook his head and muttered to himself, "Note to self: try not to do anything suicidal in the future."
He couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "Who would've thought this cursed place is meant to be a training ground for young hunters?" he said aloud, his voice echoing softly as he glanced back toward the dark silhouette of Raven Ridge. The mountains, cloaked in shadows, seemed to loom over him like an ever-present reminder of the danger they held.
Scarecrow had once told him that the magical creatures in Raven Ridge were of lower quality compared to those in the Black Forest, marking it as a beginner's hunting ground. But from William's perspective, the challenges felt no different. A part of him wished he had access to magic, fighting these creatures would be far easier if he had more than just his physical abilities to rely on. "It'd be great to have some magic tricks up my sleeve," he mused, even though he barely knew anything about its true power. Still, multiple forms of attack had to be better than his current grueling method.
With that thought, William made his way back to Moonlight Village, a grin tugging at his lips. He had business with the scarecrow, after all, he had used three of the five magic stones that he'd once pulled from its body. Time to see if there were any more hidden treasures.
Upon arriving, William greeted the Scarecrow with a sly smile, ready to rummage around again. As soon as he started poking and prodding, the Scarecrow cried out in its high-pitched, raspy voice, "Oh! Be gentle! You're going to break me! Not there! Oh no, definitely not there!"
Ignoring the complaints, William continued his search. After fumbling around for a good while, he triumphantly pulled out three more magic stones. His face lit up with laughter, his eyes almost disappearing from how hard he was grinning. "Jackpot!" he thought, barely able to contain his amusement.
After his treasure hunt, William thoughtfully patched up the Scarecrow. He tied the loose straw back in place and even stuffed in some fresh straw to make it plumper. Despite its magical nature, the Scarecrow had no real sense of gender, or even self for that matter. It wasn't like any other magical being William had met. There were rumors of other Scarecrows in distant villages, but this one had never encountered another of its kind. It lived in isolation, as if it were a stranger even to itself.
The Scarecrow's origins were tied to the mysterious witches who occasionally passed through these lands. Witches were unlike typical humans, they specialized in the arcane, delving deep into the study of potions and imbuing life into inanimate objects. These reclusive beings lived on the outskirts of civilization, acting in strange and unpredictable ways. Villagers spoke of seeing witches soar across the night sky on their brooms under the light of a full moon, their pointed hats cutting through the wind like eerie silhouettes.
Legend had it that years ago, a witch flew over Moonlight Village, and with a single spell, the Scarecrow came to life. The villagers, who were no strangers to magical happenings, accepted this with little surprise.
After stuffing the last of the straw into place, William examined the Scarecrow. Then, deciding it needed a more dignified look, he tossed its old rags aside and dressed it in some bright, stylish clothes he had scavenged. He even placed a top hat on its head, giving it the appearance of a refined gentleman standing watch over the farmland.
Satisfied with his handiwork, William jabbed the Scarecrow's stick firmly into the ground, securing it in place like a proud sentinel of the fields.
The farmers who passed by stared in awe at the newly decorated Scarecrow, their expressions ranging from surprise to amusement. But the Scarecrow, true to its nature, showed no desire to bask in their admiration. Its thoughts, if they could be called that, ran on a completely different track than those of humans. It preferred grandiose tales and gossip to vanity.
Standing tall and making a mockery of seriousness, the Scarecrow began spouting its usual wild stories, like a scholar eager to share sensational news.
"The curse from the Black Forest is creeping into the border towns!" it declared one moment. The next, it warned of bandits gathering in the hills to plot mischief, followed by grim whispers of black magicians stirring in the darkness. All of it, of course, was nothing but hearsay and folklore.
And yet, William couldn't help but shake his head and smile as he watched. There was something oddly charming about the Scarecrow's theatrics, a reminder that even in this world of danger and magic, there were still moments of humor and lightheartedness.
The residents of Moonlight Village were already well aware of the Scarecrow's stories and gossip, but that didn't stop them from gathering at the entrance of the village with a light-hearted, festive atmosphere. People smiled and chatted, laughing at the Scarecrow's exaggerated tales. Only the village guards stood firm, their faces serious, gripping their spears tightly. They knew the dangers beyond the village were real, no matter how comical the Scarecrow's news might seem.
William, however, was focused on business. He made his way to the tavern, where he sold all the prey he had hunted during his time in Raven Ridge. The fat tavern owner, a jovial man with a belly to match his laughter, exclaimed, "Enough, enough! This will keep me stocked for weeks!"
To William's surprise, the haul earned him 4 silver coins and 12 copper coins, a solid profit. "A big gain," he thought, pocketing the money. His mind was already on his next step: the legendary magical grocery store.
With 30 black crow feathers now in his possession, it felt like the right time to seek out more powerful magical equipment. Without it, hunting high-level magical creatures would be nearly impossible, and even the lower-level crows posed a real threat without the proper gear. But finding magical items would be its own challenge. "One step at a time," William mused. After all, this world was full of mysteries and opportunities. Risks and rewards always walked hand in hand.
William's next stop was the blacksmith shop. Iron armor was well out of his price range, so he settled for light leather armor, simple and unadorned, but it offered a reasonable level of defense. He also bought a dagger, a small yet reliable weapon for self-defense. By the time he was done shopping, most of his earnings had been spent, leaving him with only a handful of copper coins.
But William didn't mind. "Money's meant to be spent," he thought. "You can't make more by just saving it."
Just then, the game's notification popped up, breaking the flow of his thoughts.
---
[Game Tip: You have been playing for nearly eight hours today. Please monitor your game time and find a safe zone to log out.]
---
"Fine," William muttered. "I'll head to Iron Mine Village next time." He found a secluded spot and logged out of the game, letting the virtual world fade into the background.
---
Back in the real world, it was morning. Sunlight streamed through the windows, filling his room with warmth. William stretched, shaking off the stiffness from his all-night gaming session. He hadn't slept, but somehow, he still felt energized.
His stomach growled as he made his way downstairs to a nearby breakfast stand. Although he didn't eat as much as the day before, his appetite was still hearty.
After finishing breakfast, William remembered his earlier agreement with Teacher Lin. He was supposed to head to school, so without much thought, he got ready and left.
When he arrived at the School, he noticed he had missed the morning self-study session, but he was still in time for the rest of the day. Dressed casually, without a school bag or any supplies, William stood outside the gate and called Teacher Lin.
In no time, Anna, his young and understanding homeroom teacher, came to meet him. Her expression was warm, and her voice was gentle as she asked, "How have you been these days? If anything comes up, don't hesitate to tell me."
William didn't answer right away. Instead, his eyes wandered around the familiar campus. The school looked just as it always had, but something about it seemed different now, as if his perspective had shifted. The once mundane surroundings now held a strange sense of nostalgia, pulling at old memories that made his heart ache in an unfamiliar way.
They walked together into the teaching building, and it was morning break. The corridors buzzed with life. Students rushed by, laughing, talking, and exuding an energy only youth could bring. William trailed behind Anna, watching the lively scene unfold in front of him. As he passed by the classrooms, the memories of his school days hit him like a wave, unwelcome but impossible to ignore. It stirred something deep inside him, a tight, uncomfortable knot of emotions that made his chest feel heavy and his throat tighten.
A sharp, mustard-like sensation prickled behind his eyes. His lips twitched slightly as he touched his face, trying to suppress the rush of emotions that had suddenly surfaced. He silently told himself, "Okay, I get it. You feel bad, you want to cry. But it's over now. We need to look forward. No big deal..."
Taking a deep breath, William straightened his posture, falling into step with Anna once again as they approached the classroom door. Despite the turmoil in his chest, his steps were light and steady as if he were ready to face whatever was coming next.
The door was slightly ajar, and Anna gently pushed it open as she stepped inside the classroom. The moment she entered, a blackboard eraser, strategically placed above the door, came crashing down onto her head, releasing a puff of white chalk dust into the air. It settled in her long, glossy black hair, which now appeared more gray than sleek.
Her face flushed with frustration as she shook the dust off her hair, her voice sharp and angry. "Who did this? Derek, was it you?" She glared in the direction of the culprit, already knowing the answer. "You're in high school now! Can you stop with these childish pranks? Can't you let me catch a break for once?"
The entire class had witnessed it. Most of the students knew exactly who was responsible, but no one dared speak up. It wasn't necessary, everyone knew who the troublemaker was.
Derek sat lazily at the back of the classroom, tall and muscular, with an air of defiance. He didn't bother to respond immediately. The eraser prank wasn't even meant for Anna; it was just another attempt at getting attention, though his thoughts about her were far from innocent. Recently, he'd been obsessing over her, especially after overhearing that she was single and lived alone. That bit of information had sparked dark fantasies in his mind, fantasies he had shared with his friends Sean and Diddy. They'd whispered about it, plotting, but never daring to act.
As Anna stood there fuming, her professional attire clinging to her frame, Derek's gaze lingered. His eyes darkened with twisted desire, yet he knew better than to cross that line. For now, these thoughts remained confined to his mind, festering.
William, who had quietly entered the room behind Anna, bent down to pick up the fallen eraser. His expression was calm, a small, easy smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. He tilted his head slightly and said, "Let me handle this. I'll find the culprit."
Without waiting for a response, he strode confidently to the back of the classroom, heading straight for Derek. There was no hesitation in his steps as he approached the large student.
"Derek, are you the one who did this?" William asked, his voice steady but with an edge that hadn't been there before.
Derek's eyes narrowed as he looked up at William, the boy who had once been an easy target, a loser. The memory of how Anna had scolded him just a few days ago, urging him to apologize to William, made his blood boil. He'd been humiliated in front of the class because of this nobody.
Derek sneered, leaning back in his chair. He wasn't afraid of any consequences. Anna couldn't do anything more than give him a weak reprimand. She was all bark, no bite. His voice dripped with disdain as he responded, "Yeah, I did it. So what—"
Before he could finish, something in William snapped. An intense, fiery rage surged through him, overwhelming every ounce of restraint he had. It was as if a beast had been unleashed inside him, a primal force that drowned out reason.
Without warning, William's hand shot out from his pocket, and before Derek could react, William had a fistful of his hair. His grip was merciless, fingers like iron, and in a single, swift motion, he slammed Derek's head down onto the desk with a deafening BANG!
The classroom fell into an eerie silence. Every eye was locked on the scene unfolding before them, stunned by the sudden violence.
William's expression was calm, but his eyes burned with a cold fury. He yanked Derek's head up again, the boy's nose already gushing blood, his face flattened against the desk. Without a second thought, William slammed his head down again, harder this time.
BANG!
The sound reverberated through the classroom, even louder than before. Derek's face was now a bloody mess, his nose crooked, and his mind reeling from the pain. He let out a delayed scream, but it was too late. William wasn't done.
His movements were swift, almost mechanical, as if he were a blacksmith pounding iron in the heat of a forge. He hoisted Derek's head up once more, and like a hammer striking an anvil, he brought it down with all his strength.
One!
Two!
Three!
Derek's head bounced off the desk like a rag doll. His face became unrecognizable with each blow, blood splattered across the surface, his features twisting into a grotesque mask of pain and confusion. The once arrogant student, who had sneered so easily at William, was now reduced to a bleeding, broken figure. Blood pooled beneath his face, soaking into the wood, his screams turning to pitiful whimpers.
But for William, it wasn't enough. Not yet.
Sean, who had been sitting nearby, watched in stunned horror. His mouth hung open, frozen in disbelief as blood spattered onto his clothes. He wanted to move, to stop it, but his body wouldn't listen. He had never seen anything like this; William, the quiet one, had become an unstoppable force of violence.
The plywood of the desk beneath Derek's head began to creak and splinter under the repeated impacts. Each strike sent shockwaves through the room, and yet no one moved. It was as if the entire class was paralyzed, trapped in the same disbelief as Wang Sheng.
When William finally let go, Derek's head lolled to the side. His face was unrecognizable, a gruesome mixture of blood, swollen flesh, and twisted features. His breath came in shallow, ragged gasps. William stood over him, breathing heavily, his hands stained with blood. His eyes were still burning, but the fire was slowly dimming.
The classroom remained silent, save for the sound of Derek's faint breathing. No one dared to speak.