Dain's breath came in slow, measured exhales. His muscles burned, his heartbeat pounded in his ears, and sweat dripped from his brow. The kobold bodies lay still around him, their dark blood soaking into the cracked stone of the ruined training grounds.
[Level Up!]
Level: 4 → 5
+3 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Vitality
His body felt the changes immediately. The lingering fatigue from battle faded slightly, replaced by a renewed sense of energy. His grip on his bronze sword was firmer, and his movements were lighter.
But the biggest change wasn't physical.
It was mental.
For the first time, he wasn't afraid.
Fighting goblins had been a matter of survival. Battling the ghoul had been a desperate struggle. But this? This felt different.
He had known he could win.
And he had.
He let out a slow breath, stepping away from the corpses.
Then, as expected, the system responded.
[Quest Progress: 25%]
Dain frowned slightly. The system's Forgotten Path quest was progressing, but he still didn't understand its rules.
Why had slaying kobolds advanced it further?
Was it just about combat? Or was there something more to it?
Either way, he wasn't done.
He needed to keep pushing forward.
And that meant testing his limits.
The Village's Unease
By the time Dain returned to Eldrin's Hollow, dawn had broken over the horizon. The village was already awake—merchants setting up their stalls, farmers tending to their fields, children running through the streets.
But as he passed through the town square, he felt something… different.
The villagers were watching him.
Some whispered among themselves. Others quickly averted their gazes when he looked in their direction.
Dain's jaw tightened.
They were afraid.
Word had spread.
First, he had survived a goblin attack alone. Then, he had returned with a sword and fresh wounds. Now, he was walking into town, stronger than before, carrying the blood of new enemies on his clothes.
They didn't understand.
And that scared them.
"Dain."
He turned.
Standing near the well was Edric, one of the village's few guards. Unlike the farmers and merchants, Edric carried himself like a fighter—because he was one. Before settling in Eldrin's Hollow, he had been a mercenary, wandering the roads between villages.
If anyone knew the dangers of the world, it was him.
"You've been hunting," Edric said, his gaze flickering to the dried blood on Dain's tunic.
Dain nodded. "Kobolds. Four of them. In the old ruins."
Edric's expression darkened. "Kobolds don't usually come this close to the village."
"They're getting bolder," Dain replied. "Just like the goblins."
Edric sighed, crossing his arms. "I've seen this happen before. When creatures grow restless, it's usually because something bigger is coming." He paused. "We need to be ready."
Dain met his gaze. "Then let me help."
Edric's brow furrowed. "You?"
Dain nodded. "I'm getting stronger. The system—" He stopped himself, shaking his head. "I know what I'm doing."
Edric studied him for a long moment.
Then, unexpectedly, he smirked.
"You remind me of myself, years ago," he said. "Before I knew better."
Dain frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Edric sighed. "Strength is useful. But recklessness gets men killed. If you want to fight, you need to learn how."
Dain blinked. "You'll train me?"
Edric nodded. "Meet me behind the tavern at sundown. We'll see if you're as strong as you think."
A new quest notification appeared.
[New Quest Unlocked: Warrior's Trial]
Objective: Train with Edric and prove your combat ability.
Reward: ???
Dain exhaled.
Another quest.
Another step forward.
By the time the sun began to set, Dain stood behind the Dusty Flagon, the village's only tavern. The air was cool, the sky streaked with orange and purple.
Edric was already waiting, leaning against a wooden post, arms crossed. In front of him, two wooden training swords lay in the dirt.
"No real weapons," Edric said. "If you make a mistake, I'd rather not have to bury you."
Dain picked up one of the practice swords. It was well-balanced but heavier than expected.
Edric grabbed the other.
"Alright," he said. "Show me what you've got."
Dain lunged first. He moved fast, aiming a strike at Edric's ribs.
The older warrior blocked effortlessly, twisting his sword to redirect the blow. Dain's own momentum nearly sent him stumbling.
"Too obvious," Edric said. "Try again."
Dain reset his stance.
He attacked again—this time, feinting a high strike before shifting to a low sweep.
Edric sidestepped, tapping Dain's wrist with his wooden blade.
"If that were real, you'd have just lost a hand."
Dain gritted his teeth.
Edric was faster, smarter, and far more experienced.
But Dain had something else.
The system.
As he fought, his body adapted, recognizing patterns, memorizing movements.
His Basic Swordsmanship skill began to take effect.
His strikes became sharper. His footwork more precise.
He attacked again—this time aiming for an opening in Edric's stance.
The warrior barely dodged in time.
Edric's eyes widened slightly.
"You're learning fast."
Dain didn't respond. He just kept going.
Their wooden swords clashed again and again, the sound echoing in the twilight.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Edric stepped back, raising a hand.
"Enough."
Dain lowered his weapon, panting.
A new notification appeared.
[Skill Leveled Up: Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.2 → Lv.3)]
• Attack speed with swords increased by 15%.
• Slashes and thrusts significantly more precise.
Then—another.
[Quest Complete: Warrior's Trial]
Reward: +50 Experience, Improved Reputation with Edric.
Dain exhaled.
He had done it.
Edric studied him for a long moment. Then, he nodded.
"You're good," he admitted. "Not great. Not yet. But you've got potential."
Dain straightened. "Then teach me more."
Edric smirked. "We'll see. Come back tomorrow."
As he walked away, Dain clenched his fists.
He was getting stronger.
And this was only the beginning.
That night, as Dain lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, a new message appeared before his eyes.
[System Warning: Disturbance Detected]
Dain sat up instantly.
More text followed.
[Enemy Movement Detected Near Eldrin's Hollow]
Threat Level: Unknown.
His heart pounded.
Something was coming.
And this time—
It wouldn't be just goblins or kobolds.
It would be something far worse.