The faint morning light filtered through the cracks of the city's fortified walls as Ethan made his way back to his small, cluttered room in the slums of Fortress Haven. His hands trembled as he placed the Shadow Wolf egg carefully on the only stable shelf, its faint glow casting long shadows against the cracked walls. With a deep breath, he slumped onto his bed, his body still aching from the battle.
"Show me the System," Ethan muttered, the words instinctive. The interface blinked to life, a translucent blue screen appearing before him, filled with detailed text and numbers.
SYSTEM INTERFACE
User: Ethan Vale
Level: 2
Experience (EXP): 20/200
Stats:
Strength (STR): 6
Agility (AGI): 6
Intelligence (INT): 6
Endurance (END): 6
Dexterity (DEX): 6
Vitality (VIT): 6
Available Stat Points: 6
Derived Stats:
Health Points (HP): 60/60 (10 HP per END point)
Mana Points (MP): 60/60 (10 MP per INT point)
Skills:
Arcane Slash: A magic-enhanced melee attack dealing moderate hybrid damage.
Mana Cost: 5 MP
Inventory:
Rusted DaggerShadow Wolf Egg (Hatchable)
1 Health Potion
3 E-rank Monster Crystal
Shop Balance: 0 Coins (System Currency)
Ethan's gaze lingered on the stats, his mind racing. "So this is what I'm working with." The numbers felt almost laughable, a stark reminder of how weak he truly was. But even as he studied the screen, the potential shimmered in his mind like a distant promise.
He focused on his Available Stat Points and made his decision quickly. Survival came first, and he needed to build his foundation now, so he split his stat points between END, STR and AGI.
+2 END +2 STR +2 AGI
The interface blinked, and the changes were immediate:
Updated Stats:
Strength (STR): 8
Agility (AGI): 8
Intelligence (INT): 6
Endurance (END): 8
Dexterity (DEX): 6
Vitality (VIT): 6
Derived Stats:
Health Points (HP): 80/80
Mana Points (MP): 60/60
The increase in health was noticeable. He flexed his arms, testing his body as a faint surge of energy coursed through him. "Eighty HP. That should make the next fight a little less... deadly."
Satisfied, he shifted his focus to the egg on the shelf.
"Shadow Wolf Egg: Hatchable. Current Status: Dormant. Progression: Feed 3 Monster Crystals to hatch."
Ethan leaned back against the wall, thinking about the crystals he'd pocketed earlier. He retrieved them, three small, glowing stones that felt warm to the touch.
"Do you wish to feed the Shadow Wolf Egg?"
"Yes," he said. The crystals dissolved in his hands, their glow transferring into the egg. The faint pulse of light around it grew brighter, and cracks began to form along its surface.
"Shadow Wolf Egg Progression: 100%. Shadow Wolf (Cub Stage) ready to hatch."
The egg trembled, and Ethan's breath hitched. With a loud crack, the shell split, fragments falling away to reveal a small, jet-black wolf cub. Its fur shimmered like liquid shadow, and its glowing yellow eyes blinked up at him with an eerie intelligence. Despite its small size, it radiated an aura of menace.
"Hey there," Ethan murmured, his voice soft. The cub sniffed the air before leaping from the shelf onto his lap, its claws surprisingly gentle as they pressed against his legs.
The System chimed:
"New Companion Acquired: Shadow Wolf (Cub Stage). Current Skills: Shadow Blink, Minor Bite."
A smile tugged at Ethan's lips as he scratched behind the cub's ears. "You and me, huh? Let's see where this goes."
The day passed in a blur of preparations. Ethan scrounged what little food he had left, splitting it with the Shadow Wolf, who seemed content to gnaw on a bone he'd salvaged. When night fell, the city's streets grew quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by an uneasy stillness. Dungeons never erupted at predictable times, and everyone knew the danger could come without warning.
Ethan didn't have the luxury of waiting. With his dagger sheathed and the cub trotting at his heels, he made his way toward the guild square, where hunters often gathered to discuss dungeon leads. His goal was simple: find another E-rank dungeon and earn enough loot to buy his first proper equipment.
The guild square was bustling with activity. Groups of hunters bartered for information, comparing maps and intel on the latest dungeon sightings. Ethan kept his head down, avoiding eye contact as he approached one of the job boards. His eyes scanned the parchment notices until one caught his attention:
"E-Rank Dungeon: Wailing Forest. Entry Fee: 50 Dollars. Rewards: Monster Materials, Crystals, and Rare Loot."
"Entry fee..." Ethan muttered, scowling. He had no money to his name, and guilds rarely allowed freebies. His grip tightened on the job notice as frustration bubbled inside him.
"Having trouble?" a voice drawled beside him. Ethan turned to see a woman leaning casually against the post. She was older, perhaps mid-thirties, with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through him. Her leather armor was worn but well-maintained, and the two swords at her hips marked her as a seasoned hunter.
"No," Ethan replied curtly, crumpling the notice in his hand. "Just looking."
She smirked, clearly unimpressed. "New, aren't you? I can spot it a mile away. No gear, no team, and judging by that look in your eye, no money either."
Ethan bristled but said nothing. The woman chuckled, pushing off the post. "Relax, kid. You've got guts if you're here, I'll give you that. Tell you what—I'll cover your fee for the Wailing Forest, but I want fifty percent of whatever you pull out."
His eyes narrowed. "Why?"
She shrugged. "You've got potential, but potential doesn't mean much if you're dead. Call it a gamble."
Ethan considered her offer, his mind racing. It wasn't ideal, but it was better than nothing.
"Deal," he said, extending a hand.
The woman clasped it firmly. "Name's Kael. Don't make me regret this."
As they made their way toward the dungeon's location, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that this was the start of something bigger. The Shadow Wolf cub trotted beside him, its glowing eyes scanning the surroundings with sharp focus.
"Let's see what the Wailing Forest has in store," Ethan muttered, determination hardening in his chest.