Alex stared at the beast, his hands trembling as he tried to understand what he'd done. The silence felt heavy, pressing down on him as the moment's reality settled in. He took a shaky step back, his voice barely a whisper as he spoke to himself.
"I… I actually killed it," he murmured, his eyes fixed on the creature's still form. "It's… dead."
The tremor in his voice betrayed his shock. He could feel his pulse racing, his body trembling uncontrollably as he tried to process the enormity of what had happened. This was no video game or casual brawl. This was life—or rather, death—and he had caused it.
"This is real," he whispered, his breath catching. "I just… I killed it."
He glanced down at his hands, almost expecting to see none of the blood or some mark of what he'd done, but they were there. No matter what he thought, it didn't change that the beast lay motionless at his feet, its fierce eyes dull.
"I didn't have a choice… did I?" he asked aloud, hoping someone would reassure him that he'd done what he had to.
His own words offered little comfort, though. He swallowed hard, the adrenaline that had fueled him draining away, leaving only a strange emptiness behind.
"But… if this is the True Realm," he continued, forcing himself to speak, "and if I'm supposed to build something here… then… does it mean I'll have to keep doing this?"
The thought of more battles, more life-or-death encounters, tightened a knot of fear in his stomach.
His thoughts spiraled, and he felt his knees weaken as he sank, struggling to process everything. It wasn't just the act of killing that haunted him—it was the way he'd responded, almost as if it had been instinctual, natural.
A small chime sounded, breaking through the silence.
=====
[Hidden Mission Completed: First Kill]
Congratulations. You have completed a hidden mission by achieving your first kill.
Rewards:
1. 1,000 EXP
2. 300 Coins
=====
"Rewards for killing?" The notification hovered before him, a stark reminder of the system's influence. It was a reward—a reward for taking a life, for fighting and surviving.
Alex took a deep breath, steadying himself as the notification faded. Despite the shock and confusion swirling within him, a new resolve emerged. He looked past the lifeless creature at his feet and focused on the distant town nestled in the valley below.
"I need to keep moving," he whispered, forcing himself to rise. The town felt like a beacon of hope, where he might find answers and maybe even a sense of normalcy in this strange world.
The thought of finding real, living people pushed him forward. He couldn't linger here, paralyzed by what he'd just experienced. If this True Realm was as real as it seemed, then perhaps the town held guidance, purpose, or someone who could explain why he was here and what he was meant to do.
Clenching his fists, Alex glanced at the beast before turning away, his gaze fixed firmly on the town. Alex took a steadying breath and called up his Status Panel, watching as the familiar interface materialized before him.
Upon entering the True Realm, he'd leveled up. Now, he had 6 Free Points to allocate—an opportunity to strengthen himself in ways that might help him survive the unknown challenges ahead.
His gaze drifted over the attributes, lingering on the numbers. The fight with the beast had shown him the importance of physical strength and agility and the value of quick reflexes and endurance.
"If I'm going to make it in this place, I need to be able to keep up physically," he muttered, a newfound determination solidifying his choices.
He shifted the points into Strength, Speed, and Stamina, deciding to split them equally. Each mental click felt like a deliberate step forward, as though he was committing himself more fully to the path ahead with each point he invested.
With the adjustments complete, he looked at his updated Status Panel.
=====
[Status]
Name: Alex Young
Age: 19
Coins: 930
Current Level: 8
Experience: 7110/8000
Attributes:
Strength: 20
Speed: 20
Stamina: 20
Intelligence: 19
Charisma: 18
Luck: 19
Free Points: 0
Skill Voucher: 0
Skills:
1. Flame Craft
=====
With a hopeful breath, Alex opened the Shop Panel, a flicker of anticipation stirring. He wondered if being in the True Realm might reveal something new, perhaps some hidden items or tools unique to this world. But as the panel loaded, his excitement faded; it was empty, showing nothing but blank spaces.
"Nothing…," he muttered, disappointment settling over him.
Determined not to give up, he switched to his Skill Panel, hoping for any sign of something useful. But it was the same as before—only Quick Thinker and Networking Savvy were listed. Nothing new, nothing hinting at the abilities he might need here.
He closed the panels, exhaling sharply. "Guess I'm on my own for now," he said, pushing aside the frustration as he braced himself for whatever came next.
Alex's steps faltered as he took in the town's entrance, the bustling sights and sounds filling him with anticipation. The streets were alive with movement—vendors shouting, children laughing, travelers bartering with merchants under colorful canopies. It was a scene of life and energy, and he felt a sense of relief at the thought of mingling with real people, maybe even finding answers.
"It seems the people here are similar to us on Earth." Alex let out a breath of relief after seeing that. At least, he would not be considered an alien or needed to communicate with aliens.
But just as he took his first step toward the entrance, a strong hand clamped around his arm, dragging him sharply into the shadows. Startled, he turned to see a cloaked figure beside him, the face hidden beneath a deep hood, casting only the faintest glint of an eye.
"Keep quiet," she hissed, her voice low and urgent, as she glanced toward the town with a wary intensity. "They'll see you."
Alex's heart pounded, a thousand questions rising in his mind, but something in her tone warned him against resisting. He glanced back at the vibrant town, now only a few steps away yet suddenly feeling worlds apart.
"Who—what do you mean, 'they'?" he managed to whisper, bewildered but trying to keep his voice steady.
The figure tightened her grip, tugging him along a narrow, dim alley that cut away from the main path. "Ask questions later. Right now, just follow me if you want to stay safe."
Her voice carried a strange authority, both warning and comforting at once. Despite his unease, Alex nodded and felt compelled to follow.
Every step took him farther from the town's open light and deeper into the winding alleys, where shadows stretched long and twisted around them. The woman glanced back occasionally as if to ensure no one was watching.
Questions pressed at his mind, but the urgency in her movements kept him silent. A chill crept over him as he realized that whatever lay beyond the gates might not have been as welcoming as it had appeared.