The confused Hajime started exploring the forest. He still has a lot of questions in his mind and decided that the best way to answer his questions is to explore the forest. He literally knows nothing about where he is and what he is supposed to do and that's what makes him a bit scared. This might be a game or a different world but he knows that his priority should be to gather information and gain knowledge about this world.
After walking for a little while, he found a lot of interesting things. There were all sorts of unfamiliar plants and giant trees. He also saw different kinds of creatures which looks slightly different from the animals that he knows. And the most obvious thing is that these animals all have a holographic health-bar that shows the name and the level of these creatures.
"Hmm.. If I remember correctly the creatures in this world are called monsters. Base on the other games that I've played, I should be able to level up by slaying these monsters. That is if it works the same in this game....." thought Hajime while contemplating if he should attack those harmless looking monsters or not.
The monsters that he had seen so far are the red-eyed rhino, different kinds of birds and insects, those blue squirrels that are slightly bigger than the real squirrels and those white mean looking rabbits with fangs that are showing from it's mouth. The red-eyed rhino was the only monster that attacked him. The others just simply ignored him or run away from him. But for some reason, these fanged-rabbits looks like they were following him in a curious manner. They didn't go too near nor too far. They maintained a fairly safe distance from him. And the farther he walks, the number of fanged-rabbits kept growing. Their number should be nearing 20 by now. They just kept on following him like he was a leader of some sort of parade.
As the number of fanged-rabbits continue to grow, Hajime felt that something was definitely not right.
"What's going on? Are they really harmless rabbits? Why are they following me? Are they really just curious? Or are they planning on attacking me like a pack of wolves trying to corner their prey?"
Hajime walked faster than his current pace as he was getting quite nervous about the situation he was in. And for some reason, the fanged-rabbits started matching his pace and then...
A certain fanged-rabbit growled like a tiger trying to show it's fangs. This fanged-rabbit was also slightly bigger and has a higher level than the rest of the fanged-rabbits. Most of the fanged-rabbits were level 3 but that particular one was a level 5. After a few moments it suddenly pounced at Hajime like a predator who is about to kill it's prey.....
"What the hell!!!!...." exclamied Hajime while dodging to the side... " These rabbits were really planning to attack me...."
After barely dodging the bigger fanged-rabbit, the other fanged-rabbits also started attacking him.
Hajime ran away to escape the barrage of attacks of the fanged-rabbits. He unsheathed his knife and thought of fighting them. But when he looked at his back, the number of those fanged-rabbits is simply too much for him.
"Damn!! There is just too many of them. I should be able to kill them as they are only level 3. Although I am level 1, their attack doesn't look too powerful...."
After thinking about it, Hajime realized that his only choice is to fight back as he was also getting tired from running. It should also help him understand his current capabilities.
Then he finally decided to stop and face the fanged-rabbits.
The fanged-rabbits started pouncing at him using their claws and some were also trying to bite him with heir fangs.
"Hmmm.. They are actually not that fast and I'm able to clearly see their simple attacks..." thought Hajime while looking at the fanged-rabbit who was getting near him.
And when the fanged-rabbit was about to reach him with it's claws, Hajime thrust his knife into a stabbing motion and then...
*plop!
The fanged-rabbit fell to the ground covered in blood and it was clearly lifeless.
Hajime rejoiced and felt relived after killing the fanged-rabbit....
"Phewww.... Just as I thought... I can easily handle a level 3 monster...."
The other fanged-rabbits looked surprised when they saw what happened to the other one. But instead of getting scared about what happened, they all growled and continued attacking Hajime more fiercely and it seems like they were all angry.
This time, Hajime was getting used to their attacks and started using different kinds of attacks. He tried swinging his knife to the incoming fanged-rabbits and everytime he attacks, a fanged-rabbit is killed. Even though this was his first time fighting, his attacks seems like they were all calculated to receive the enemies attacks.
"This really exceeded my expectations. But I guess it's normal since when I was setting up my character, I was able to choose a certain role. This should be my current capabilities as a swordman...." thought Hajime while pondering about the situation.
But Hajime was forgetting one important thing as he was immersed in fighting. Then suddenly...
A fanged-rabbit attacked from his back and managed to hurt him...
"Damnnn! I forgot that there was a level 5 among them. And it seems that it's attack is not as simple as the rest.." exclaimed Hajime while trying to regain his composure after receiving the attack from the level 5 fanged-rabbit....
The level 5 fanged rabbit suddenly growled loudly and the other fanged rabbits stopped their attacks....
"Hmmp! Seems like that particular one is their leader and they do listen to his commands..."
thought Hajime while also feeling the pain from the wound in his back.. "Seems like I can still manage and the damage I received is not that heavy....
Hajime was now looking at the level 5 fanged-rabbit who was also looking at him. The rest of the fanged-rabbits also went a bit farther from the two like they were giving them space for their fight..
"Hahahaha! Arrogant rabbit let's see what you got... This should also be a good opportunity to test my current capabilities...." said Hajime while accepting what seems to be a challenge from the level 5 fanged-rabbit....