---
After defeating the Grunt Wolf, Dabi stared at his trembling hands.
The victory, if it could be called that, had been hard-won.
He had barely managed to take down a single low-level monster, and that was with all of his intelligence and strategic thinking.
The realization hit him like a ton of bricks this journey was going to be far more difficult than he had imagined.
Reaching level 2 felt like a small drop in an ocean of endless challenges.
Still, Dabi wasn't one to back down. He was determined to grow stronger, no matter how long it took or how hard it would be.
Protecting Eli and Mira meant everything to him. But fighting on his own wouldn't be enough. He needed more experience faster.
That's when he overheard something that piqued his interest: the Outskirts Cleanup Group.
It was a small patrol team, formed by the town guards to eliminate low-level monsters before they became a danger to civilians.
A perfect opportunity for someone like Dabi, who needed experience and guidance.
Under the protection of seasoned fighters, newcomers could learn to survive and thrive.
With renewed determination, Dabi sought out the group's leader, a towering man named Grigor.
The man's presence was intimidating, with his broad shoulders, an axe strapped to his back, and scars that told the story of countless battles.
Grigor's sharp eyes fell on Dabi, sizing him up with a single glance.
'You?' Grigor's deep voice boomed as he crossed his muscular arms. "You want to join the Cleanup Group?"
Dabi swallowed, his nerves tingling under the man's scrutiny.
"Yes. I need to get stronger," he said, keeping his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.
Grigor chuckled, shaking his head. "You? You don't look like you can lift a sword, let alone fight off monsters.
We deal with real threats out there. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
"I'm not strong," Dabi admitted, his gaze steady, "but I'm smart. I'll find a way."
The corner of Grigor's mouth twitched, a flicker of amusement passing through his eyes.
He leaned forward slightly, eyeing Dabi with something resembling respect. "Alright, boy. You can join us. But if you get yourself killed out there, that's on you."
---
The next day, Dabi found himself marching with the Cleanup Group toward the outskirts of the town.
The squad was small four experienced fighters and two other recruits.
The other recruits looked far more capable than Dabi, their muscular builds and confident postures a stark contrast to his thin frame.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, Dabi could feel the weight of doubt pressing on him, but he quickly shoved it aside.
He was here for one thing to get stronger, no matter the cost.
Before long, the group encountered its first set of monsters: Goblin Scouts.
Small and quick, they darted through the underbrush, their weapons sharp and their movements erratic.
The seasoned fighters sprang into action, cutting them down with ease, their blades flashing in the afternoon light.
Dabi, however, found himself frozen. His heart raced as he watched the battle unfold.
His mind worked overtime, calculating the goblins' movements, analyzing their attack patterns but his body wasn't fast enough to react.
Every instinct screamed at him to move, but his muscles betrayed him.
Once the goblins were dispatched, Grigor shot Dabi a disapproving look. "You didn't fight."
"I'm trying," Dabi stammered. "I just… need to learn the patterns first."
Grigor grunted, unimpressed. "You won't get stronger by watching. You have to kill to level up."
Dabi's fists clenched at his sides. He knew Grigor was right, but it wasn't that simple for him.
His mind was his weapon, not his body. But this world only seemed to respect brute strength. Still, he refused to let that stop him.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, they encountered their next challenge: Horned Rats.
These monsters weren't much stronger than the goblins, but they moved unpredictably, darting between trees and rocks in confusing patterns.
The other recruits rushed in without hesitation, quickly dispatching the creatures with their superior speed and strength.
Dabi, on the other hand, was still searching for his opening, trying to analyze the rats' movements.
Suddenly, one of the Horned Rats turned on him, its beady eyes locking onto him as it prepared to charge.
Dabi's breath caught in his throat. His mind raced, calculating the angle of the attack.
The rat lunged, and Dabi just barely managed to dodge in time, his body moving clumsily compared to the swift creature.
He scrambled, forcing the rat toward a nearby rock to cut off its path.
The creature snarled and changed direction, but Dabi was already waiting, weapon in hand.
His strike was weak, barely grazing the rat's side. The creature screeched, angry, and leaped at him again.
Dabi's body was tiring, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
The meager stat boost he had gained from leveling up was nowhere near enough to keep up with the relentless pace.
Then it clicked. He wasn't here to fight with strength. He was here to outthink his enemy.
As the rat lunged again, Dabi led it into a narrow gap between two trees. He quickly blocked its escape with a fallen branch, trapping the creature.
The rat, now unable to move freely, became vulnerable. Dabi raised his sword, this time aiming for a clean strike.
The blade found its mark, cutting through the creature's neck.
The rat collapsed, Ding! and a familiar screen appeared in front of him:
+30 Experience Points
1/5 Monsters Defeated
Continue to Level 3
Dabi exhaled, relief flooding his body. One down. Four more to go.
For the rest of the day, Dabi repeated this cycle. Every battle was a struggle, each monster more challenging than the last.
While the other recruits seemed to breeze through the fights,
Dabi used every ounce of his intelligence to survive. He studied, adapted, and used his environment to gain the upper hand.
By the end of the day, his body was bruised and battered, but the notification on his screen made it all worth it:
Level Up!
Dabi collapsed onto the forest floor, his body aching from the day's ordeal.
But despite the pain, a small smile tugged at his lips.
He had made it to level 3. Each level was a victory, a step closer to protecting the people who mattered most.
This was just the beginning.
---