The system's voice echoed clearly in Leo's mind, delivering the first set of tasks at his new home:
**Today's Quest:**
1. **Exterminate all monsters within a 100-meter radius.**
2. **Free the dragonewt girl imprisoned in the basement.**
3. **Travel to the nearest village and meet a werewolf blacksmith to forge a weapon using parts from the defeated monsters.**
**Reward:** Upgrade to Level 7 and 6 attribute points.
The system continued, adding an additional challenge:
**Side Quest:** Venture deeper into Chanter Forest and defeat the Level 10 Shadow Goblin Boss.
- **Reward:** Aura Ability - Aura is a mystical essence that will emanate from your body, allowing you to intimidate monsters below your level or, alternatively, draw them to you.
The information left Leo speechless, but the system wasn't done yet.
*"You currently have 160 currency points. Would you like to use 50 points to restore the mansion to its original pristine condition, complete with a beautiful garden and sparkling surroundings?"* the system asked.
Without hesitation, Leo accepted. He braced himself as a bright, radiant light enveloped the entire mansion. The gloomy darkness gave way to an explosion of vibrant energy. He shielded his eyes, and when the light faded, he slowly opened them, peering at his transformed surroundings.
The once dusty, cobweb-filled halls were now polished to a gleaming shine. The floors looked brand new, reflecting the soft sunlight streaming in from the cleaned windows. The air felt lighter and fresher. Stepping outside, Leo found the garden had been restored to a lush, vibrant state, filled with colorful flowers, neatly trimmed hedges, and a small fountain bubbling cheerfully in the center. The yard, once wrecked and strewn with debris, was now smooth and perfect, with stone pathways winding through the green grass.
Leo let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "Well, that's one way to start a day," he muttered to himself. He couldn't help but smile as he took in the sight of his newly renovated mansion. For a brief moment, he felt a rush of excitement, realizing this place wasn't just a mansion on a lonely mountain—it was a place he could truly call home.
Leo stood in the center of the newly restored mansion, taking a deep breath. The air felt fresh, and for the first time since arriving in this strange world, he felt a sense of belonging. The beauty of his home contrasted sharply with the tasks ahead, but he knew he couldn't afford to waste time basking in the comfort of his new surroundings. The system's voice echoed in his mind, a constant reminder that there was much to be done.
*"Daily quest has started. Exterminate all monsters within a 100-meter radius."*
Leo's heart raced a little as he processed the quest. The mansion itself was set in a vast wilderness—forests, cliffs, and the dark expanse of Chanter Forest to the east. But where would these monsters be hiding? He glanced out the windows, scanning the perimeter for any signs of movement.
*"Monsters within a 100-meter radius detected. First target: A pack of wild wolves."* The system's voice rang in his mind again.
Leo frowned. Wild wolves were no big deal, but he had no idea how strong these creatures were. The last thing he wanted was to be caught off guard. He steeled himself and started walking toward the front door.
As he stepped outside, the crisp mountain air greeted him, sharp and cold. The sun was beginning to dip behind the peaks, casting long shadows across the landscape. His eyes quickly adjusted, and within moments, he spotted the pack—six wolves, their fur dark as night, prowling at the edge of the property.
Their glowing eyes fixed on him as they sensed his presence, and in an instant, they lunged forward, snarling.
Leo wasn't a warrior by nature, but he'd fought enough to know how to handle himself. He pulled the sword that Justin had given him out of its sheath and gripped the hilt firmly. The blade felt heavy in his hands, but that wasn't going to stop him.
The first wolf lunged, its jaws snapping. Leo sidestepped at the last moment, swinging his blade and cutting deep into the creature's side. It howled in pain and staggered back. Before it could recover, Leo finished it with a swift strike to its throat, the wolf collapsing in a heap.
The remaining five wolves circled him, their teeth bared and eyes full of fury. Leo kept his stance steady, shifting his weight as he waited for them to make their move. When the second wolf attacked, he was ready. He dodged its lunge, spinning behind it and striking hard at its back. The wolf crumpled to the ground, dead before it hit the earth.
With each wolf that fell, the remaining pack grew more desperate. Leo moved with precision, cutting through the beasts one by one, his body growing more fluid with each strike. The last wolf, the largest of the pack, came at him with a vicious roar. Leo met its charge head-on, parrying its attack with the sword and driving it into the wolf's side.
The creature let out a final screech before collapsing at his feet.
*"Monsters exterminated. Quest progress: 1/3."* The system announced, its cold tone almost making Leo feel like it wasn't a victory at all. But it didn't matter. He had done what was needed.
He stood over the fallen wolves, catching his breath. His sword was slick with blood, and he wiped it off on the grass, before sheathing it once again. He turned toward the mansion, about to head back inside when the system's voice interrupted him again.
*"Secondary objective unlocked: Free the dragonewt girl in the basement."*
Leo's heart skipped a beat. A dragonewt? He had no idea what that was, but it sounded dangerous. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to this quest than just exterminating monsters and cleaning up a mess. Why was there a dragonewt locked in the basement of his mansion?
He hesitated for a moment, then turned toward the mansion. His curiosity pushed him forward. As he entered the mansion's back door, the cool air from the basement greeted him. He made his way down the narrow staircase, the air growing colder as he descended into the darkness.
The stone walls were damp, the musty smell of age and decay seeping into his senses. The basement seemed endless, with only faint, flickering torches lighting the way. His heart began to pound faster as the silence grew heavier.
Finally, he reached the farthest room of the basement. It was a small, dimly lit cell. At first, Leo couldn't see anything, but then, a pair of glowing eyes flickered in the corner of the room.
A figure was huddled in the farthest corner, shackled to the wall. The dragonewt girl—her scales a deep shade of red, and her eyes shimmering like molten lava—looked up as he entered, her expression a mix of fear and curiosity.
Leo's stomach twisted in confusion and unease. He approached slowly, his voice soft. "Are you… are you alright?"
The dragonewt girl flinched but didn't speak. Her eyes darted from him to the chains that bound her arms and legs. Leo approached cautiously, inspecting the shackles. They were old, rusted, and didn't seem to be magical in nature—just basic restraints.
He reached for the keys hanging nearby and unlocked the shackles, freeing the girl. She didn't move at first, almost as if she were too stunned to act. Slowly, she stood, stretching her arms and legs as if rediscovering the freedom she had lost.
"Thank you," she said, her voice soft but clear. "I didn't think anyone would come for me."
Leo was taken aback. "Why were you locked up here?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.
The dragonewt girl hesitated before answering. "I don't know… I was captured by a group of bandits, taken from my village. They sold me off to some… noble, I think. I've been here for months."
Leo's heart sank. She had been trapped, enslaved, just like he had once been. His mind raced. What kind of people would imprison someone like this?
"Don't worry. You're free now," Leo said, offering her a comforting smile.
The girl looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you."
Suddenly, Leo remembered the rest of his quest. He needed to head to the village and meet a blacksmith who could help him forge a weapon from monster parts. But first, he needed to make sure the dragonewt was safe. He couldn't just leave her alone in the mansion, especially with the dangerous creatures lurking in the forest.