Sebastian met the beast's gaze, and time seemed to slow. The Rock Back Frog's eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, emanating a murderous intent that made his breath catch in his throat. A familiar surge of fear gripped his chest – the same paralyzing terror he'd felt few days ago when the Pyro Feline had attacked him. The memory of his mother's sacrifice echoed in his mind.
*Not again*, he thought, forcing his racing heart to steady. *I won't let fear control me. Not this time.*
"If I let fear take over me," he whispered to himself, fingers tightening around his reinforced gauntlet, "I will only put myself and others in danger. I have to be brave and face this challenge." The weight of the gauntlet on his arm provided a measure of comfort – a reminder that he wasn't the same helpless child he'd been during the Pyro Feline attack.
The Rock Back Frog's skin perfectly mimicked the texture of granite, a testament to its evolutionary adaptations. Its four muscular legs tensed, and Sebastian recognized the telltale signs of an impending attack from his beast lore studies. The creature's throat expanded slightly – a precursor to its signature jumping attack.
Sebastian dropped into a defensive stance, his enhanced Close Combat awareness highlighting potential strike zones on the beast's body. The frog launched itself forward with explosive force, its trajectory aimed precisely at Sebastian's throat. Time seemed to slow as his combat instincts kicked in.
Two measured steps forward – not one, not three – placed him perfectly beneath the beast's exposed underbelly. The frog, displaying intelligence that belied its amphibian appearance, recognized its vulnerability mid-leap. All four of its razor-sharp claws, each as long as Sebastian's fingers, slashed downward in a desperate attempt to shred him.
But Sebastian had already mapped out this sequence of moves. He was exactly where the beast couldn't see him, in its blindspot beneath its belly. His gauntlet hummed with energy as he chambered his strike, feet planted firmly for maximum force transfer. The punch connected with a satisfying impact, and he felt something crack beneath his fist.
The frog crashed heavily several meters away, dark blood oozing from the wound. Sebastian didn't allow himself even a moment of satisfaction. A wounded beast was often the most dangerous.
He pressed his advantage, closing the distance with three rapid steps. The frog's mouth gaped open, revealing rows of serrated teeth designed to tear flesh from bone. Instead of retreating, Sebastian feinted left – a technique he'd practiced many times in the training yard. The beast's head followed his false movement, and he piverted sharply right, driving his gauntlet directly into its exposed eye socket.
The creature's agonized scream echoed through the forest, but Sebastian maintained his focus. Each strike now was calculated, targeting vulnerable points he'd studied in beast anatomy books. The Rock Back Frog's supposedly impenetrable stone-like skin began to crack under his enhanced strikes, black blood seeping from multiple wounds.
Finally, a familiar chime rang out:
[You have killed a Rock Back Frog]
[Reward: 100 exp]
[Hidden Quests Revealed]
[First Blood: Kill Your First Beast]
[Reward: 1000 Exp]]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
Sebastian's hands trembled as the adrenaline began to fade. He forced himself to focus on the practical matters at hand, approaching the creature's corpse to extract its beast core. The crystalline object pulsed faintly near its heart, still warm to the touch. He tried to avoid looking at the frog's ruined face, but the sight of what he'd done – the brutal efficiency of his attacks – sent a wave of nausea through him.
Seeking respite, he made his way to the nearby river. The cool water helped clear his mind as he washed the blood from his face and hands. He needed to process what had just happened, to understand the changes taking place within himself. Finding a suitable vantage point became his next priority.
A granite boulder, roughly one and a half meters in height, provided both elevation and a defensible position. Sebastian scaled it with practiced ease, his movements already showing the benefits of his enhanced physical attributes. From this position, he conducted a thorough scan of his surroundings, checking for any signs of approaching beasts. Only when he was confident in his safety did he allow himself to relax and examine his status window.
[Status]
[Name = Sebastian Nightshade]
[Bloodline = ???]
Level 4(Mid Rank 1)
[Exp = 500/600]
[HP = 130/130]
[MP = 35/35]
[Strength = 15]
[Agility = 15]
[Endurance = 14]
[Intelligence = 15]
[Free stats points = 9]
[Free skills points = 5]
After careful consideration of his fighting style and future challenges, Sebastian distributed his points strategically and decided to keep all stats balanced :
[Status]
[Name = Sebastian Nightshade]
[Bloodline = ???]
Level 4 (Mid Rank 1)
[Exp = 500/600]
[HP = 145/145]
[MP = 45/45]
[Strength = 17]+2
[Agility = 17]+2
[Endurance = 17]+3
[Intelligence = 17]+2
[Free stats points = 0]
[Free skills points = 5]
The decision to invest two skill points into his Close Combat Skill proved immediately rewarding. As the skill rank increased from D to C, waves of combat knowledge flooded his consciousness. Though the information integration caused some discomfort, it was manageable compared to his previous experiences with skill absorption.
[Close Combat Skill (Rank C)]
[Upgrade cost = 4 Skills points]
The connection with his gauntlet deepened, transforming from a simple weapon into an extension of his will. Years of combat experience seemed to upload directly into his muscle memory, though he knew he'd need practical application to truly master these techniques.
Exhilarated by his success but mindful of overconfidence, Sebastian descended from his perch. His movements felt more fluid, each step perfectly balanced. He ran through a series of basic combat forms, marveling at how his improved stats translated into physical capability.
The remainder of the afternoon proved productive. Sebastian located several more Rock Back Frogs, using his Analyse Skill to identify the genuine beasts among the actual rocks. Each encounter allowed him to refine his newly acquired combat techniques, and he dispatched four more frogs with increasing efficiency.
As darkness began to creep through the forest, Sebastian made the prudent decision to return to town. The familiar bustle of the settlement's entrance provided a stark contrast to the deadly silence of the hunting grounds. The guard at the gate – a gruff veteran named Marcus who'd seen countless novice hunters come and go – noticed the black blood staining Sebastian's clothes.
"Looks like you've had a productive day, young hunter," Marcus observed, his experienced eyes evaluating Sebastian's condition for any serious injuries.
"Yes, sir. Encountered some Rock Back Frogs," Sebastian replied, maintaining the professional courtesy expected of a registered hunter.
He made his way directly to his house , his mind already planning how to invest his remaining skill points and prepare for tomorrow's hunt. The weight of the beast cores in his inventory served as a tangible reminder of his growth – not just in terms of levels and skills, but in his journey from a frightened boy to a capable hunter.