The forest was silent — too silent.
Eren's new dagger glowed faintly in his hand, still humming with the energy from the System's interface. The faint blue blade reflected his nervous face as he stepped deeper into the trees.
[Quest: "Survive the First Day" — Complete. New Quest Available.]
[Quest: "Prove Your Strength" — Defeat a Rank 1 Monster within the hour.]
"One hour, huh?" he muttered. "Guess I don't get to rest yet."
The branches above rustled.
Eren crouched instantly — instincts from years of gaming kicking in. A wild boar-like creature burst through the bushes, tusks coated in crystal shards.
[Monster: Shard Boar — Level 5]
"That's... higher than me." His hand trembled, but he steadied it. "Doesn't matter. I've fought worse — online."
He rolled aside as the creature charged, its tusks slamming into a rock.
Eren slashed its flank, sparks of blue data flying off.
[-19 HP]
The boar turned, roaring. Eren's legs burned, but he focused — watching, calculating.
"Wait for it… now!"
He ducked under its next charge and drove the dagger up through its neck. The light exploded — the beast vanished into shards.
[Quest Complete. +1 Level. Reward: Passive Skill — Reflex Boost.]
Eren dropped to one knee, panting. His hands shook — from fear, from thrill, from something deeper.
"First real kill," he whispered. "And I'm still breathing."
He looked up at the sky. "Riel… I'll find you. Just hang on."
---