With everyone still adjusting to this strange new reality, we decided to split up. The girls, armed with their magic staffs, chose to explore the forest just beyond the village. The boys, more drawn to the thrill of combat, opted for the wide-open plains. It felt like a good plan—stick to what we knew best.
"Stay safe," Aki called out to the girls as we parted ways, and they waved back with determined smiles. We didn't know what awaited us, but the sense of adventure—and danger—was intoxicating.
The plains stretched before us, a vast expanse of grassy fields dotted with small hills. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced with the wind. It was beautiful, almost serene, but the rustling in the tall grass told us we were not alone. Before long, our instincts proved correct.
Wolf-like creatures emerged, their eyes glowing menacingly as they prowled closer. A quick glance at my stat screen told me they were level 1 to 3—nothing we couldn't handle. They snarled, baring their fangs, but we were ready.
"Let's do this!" Aki yelled, gripping his sword tightly. The rest of the guys spread out, swords gleaming in the sunlight as we charged forward. The wolves lunged, but we were faster. My shield took the brunt of the hits, absorbing impact after impact, while the others slashed and struck with precise, coordinated blows.
Each of us killed around five or six of the creatures, their bodies dissipating into light upon defeat. With each victory, we felt ourselves growing stronger, our levels creeping higher. I watched my level jump from 1 to 5, then 6, as we worked our way through the pack. Everyone else was leveling up at about the same pace, our confidence growing with each strike.
"We're getting the hang of this!" one of the boys cheered, wiping sweat from his brow. It was true. Our movements were becoming smoother, our reactions faster. For a brief moment, it felt like we were invincible.
But just as we were catching our breath, a low, rumbling growl filled the air. The ground seemed to vibrate beneath us. From the far end of the field, a massive creature emerged, its fur dark as night and eyes burning like embers.
"Level 8… Wolf King," my screen announced, the words flashing ominously.
The beast was twice the size of the other wolves, its muscles rippling with every step as it prowled toward us. Its presence alone was overwhelming, like staring down a force of nature. My classmates hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes.
"We can do this," I said, stepping forward and raising my shield. I didn't know where the surge of confidence came from, but as the Tank, I knew my role: protect.
The Wolf King roared, charging with terrifying speed. It lunged, its claws swiping with brutal force, but I was ready. I braced myself, feeling the impact reverberate through my shield as I blocked its assault. My feet skidded backward, but I held firm.
"Now!" I shouted, and my friends leaped into action, circling the beast and striking from every angle. Swords clashed against fur and flesh, and the Wolf King howled in rage, snapping at anything that got too close. I kept my focus, absorbing hit after hit, my defense holding strong despite the onslaught.
The battle was a blur of shouts, slashes, and roars. Every time the Wolf King seemed to gain the upper hand, I'd reposition, drawing its attention and shielding my teammates from harm. It was exhausting, every muscle in my body screaming in protest, but I refused to back down.
Finally, with one last coordinated strike, Aki's blade found its mark, slashing across the Wolf King's neck. The beast let out a final, pained growl before collapsing to the ground. Its body disintegrated into glowing particles, leaving behind a sense of hard-earned victory.
"We did it," Aki panted, collapsing onto the grass. We were all exhausted, but the thrill of taking down something so powerful was unlike anything I'd ever felt.
Before we could fully savor our win, a bright light engulfed us, pulling us away from the battlefield. When the light faded, we found ourselves standing in the center of a quaint village. The place was peaceful, almost picturesque, with cobblestone streets, small houses, and the gentle sound of a fountain trickling nearby. It was the kind of village you'd see in a storybook—a safe zone amidst the chaos.
We quickly learned that this village was more than just a place to rest. It was a hub for survival. A sign near the village hall explained that the only way to obtain food, water, and other essentials was to exchange points earned from defeating monsters. It was a simple system, but it made one thing clear: you couldn't survive here without facing the dangers outside.
As evening fell, I explored the village, eventually coming across an empty house near the edge of town. It was small but cozy, with a bed, a table, and just enough space to feel like my own. I decided then and there that this would be my place, at least for now. I sat down, finally allowing myself a moment to breathe.
But my respite was short-lived. On the wall, a faint blue timer began counting down—an ever-present reminder that this safe zone wasn't meant to be a permanent escape. The clock was ticking, urging us to face whatever awaited beyond the village's protective boundaries.
I lay back, staring at the ceiling as the events of the day replayed in my mind. We had survived our first battle, leveled up, and found a momentary refuge. But deep down, I knew this was just the beginning. Tomorrow, the adventure would continue, and the challenges would only grow fiercer.
With my shield propped up beside me and the title of "Tank" still floating above my stats screen, I closed my eyes, ready to take on whatever came next.