After hours of hunting, I could feel my body starting to wear down. I had killed two deer and three rabbits, while Serena had managed to down three deer herself. My hands were sore, and my stomach growled loudly, a reminder of the exhausting day. Despite the fatigue, a sense of accomplishment filled me. It had been a long journey, but I had finally done it.
As I took a moment to rest under the shade of a tree, a notification popped up in front of me.
Ding!
Main Quest Complete
Reached Level 5
Reward: Unlocked Inventory
My eyes widened as I read the message. Inventory—this was a huge milestone. It had been a crucial tool in my past life, a way to store items and carry resources easily. The thought of having this ability again made my heart race with excitement.
Then another notification appeared.
Ding!
You reached Level 6
Reward: 10 Stat Points
I felt a surge of energy and satisfaction. I had made great progress, and the thought of what awaited me as I continued to grow stronger filled me with determination.
Nyx's voice echoed in my mind. "Congratulations on reaching Level 6 and completing your main quest, Jin Mo."
"Thanks, Nyx," I whispered quietly to myself, glancing at Serena, who was resting beside me, her chest rising and falling steadily. We had both earned our rewards today, but we were exhausted from the long hunt.
The guards were busy collecting the animals we had caught, handing them over to Kyra. She began preparing the meat with skill, assisted by the ten guards who seemed eager to help her. The scent of roasting deer filled the air, making my stomach growl even more.
As we rested, Serena looked over at me with a tired but happy smile. "You're really great at hunting, Jin Mo," she said, a bit of admiration in her voice.
I smiled, feeling my cheeks warm a little. "Thanks, Serena. You're really good, too."
She shook her head, a playful grin on her face. "You performed better than me. I think I might be jealous."
I laughed softly. "It's your teaching and maybe a bit of luck."
She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, lucky you."
Before I could reply, Kyra's voice rang out from the clearing. "Come, everyone! The lunch is ready!"
Serena and I jumped up, our hunger overtaking any fatigue we had felt. We sprinted toward the campfire where Kyra was already serving the food. The delicious aroma of porridge filled the air, and our mouths watered as we approached.
Kyra smiled warmly at us. "It's ready, young master Jin Mo and Miss Serena."
We both sat down eagerly and dug into the food, savoring every bite. "Wow, it's so tasty," I said, my exhaustion forgotten in the warmth of the meal.
Serena nodded, her cheeks full of food. "Yeah, this is amazing, Kyra."
Kyra blushed slightly, clearly pleased with our praise. "Thank you, young master Jin Mo, and Miss Serena. I'm glad you like it."
The guards, too, sat down to enjoy the meal, and the atmosphere around the campfire felt warm and peaceful. It was rare to have such moments of serenity, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude for these simple pleasures.
After we finished eating, the exhaustion from the hunt finally hit me. I leaned back against the tree, my eyes growing heavy, and I could feel sleep calling me. Serena, already lying down beside me, had also drifted into a peaceful slumber. The soothing sounds of the forest and the warmth from the meal made it easy to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The maids arrived soon after, gently waking us to guide us back home. Our limbs were sore, but we had earned our rest. As we walked back, my thoughts were filled with the journey ahead—there was still so much to do, so many challenges to face. But for now, I would rest and savor the small victories. Tomorrow would be a new day, and with the inventory unlocked, I felt ready for whatever came next.
The peaceful night stretched on as the guards and maids escorted us back to the Mo estate, the moonlight casting gentle shadows on the path ahead.