The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
Ethan stood still, his hand resting on the sword at his waist. Since waking up in this world, every sound felt sharper—every movement clearer.
So this is mana sense…
Thin streams of light floated around him, invisible to normal eyes. They moved slowly, like mist. When he focused, he could tell where danger was.
To his left—
A growl broke the silence.
Three gray wolves stepped out from behind the trees. Their eyes glowed with hunger. Their fangs were stained red.
"Monsters already?" Ethan muttered.
His heart raced, but his grip on the sword was steady.
This body remembers how to fight.
The wolves crouched.
One lunged.
Ethan drew his sword in one smooth motion.
Clang—!
The blade met teeth and bone. The force traveled up his arm, numbing it slightly.
"Tch."
The second wolf attacked from the side. Ethan twisted his body, barely dodging, and kicked it away.
I'm too slow.
Suddenly, blue light flashed before his eyes.
[Combat Condition Met]
[Basic Sword Mastery activated]
Warmth surged through his arms.
His next movement was clean—precise.
Ethan stepped forward and slashed.
Slash—!
Blood sprayed across the ground. The first wolf collapsed.
The remaining two hesitated.
"Good," Ethan said coldly. "Run."
They didn't.
The wolves attacked together.
Ethan inhaled deeply.
Mana… gather.
The air around his hand trembled.
[Mana Sense → Mana Control (Temporary)]
A small blade of wind formed.
"Wind Cutter."
The spell was weak—barely more than compressed air—but it was enough.
Whoosh!
One wolf's throat was sliced open mid-jump.
The last wolf tried to flee.
Ethan didn't chase.
He threw his sword.
Thud.
Silence returned to the forest.
Ethan leaned against a tree, breathing heavily.
"I won…"
Blue windows appeared one after another.
[Monster Slain: Forest Wolf x3]
[EXP Gained]
[Level Up!]
[Level 1 → Level 2]
[Level Up!]
[Level 2 → Level 3]
[Stat Points Acquired: +10]
His body felt lighter. Stronger.
"Status."
[Status Window]Name: Ethan / Aren Valen
Level: 3
STR: 11 (+2)
AGI: 13 (+2)
VIT: 9 (+1)
MAN: 17 (+2)
INT: 15 (+1)
LUK: 10
Skills:
Basic Sword Mastery (Iron)
Mana Sense (Passive)
Wind Magic (F-Rank)
"So this is leveling…"
Ethan clenched his fist. The strength was real.
But then another memory surfaced.
Aren kneeling in the mud.
His half-brother's mocking smile.
The sound of laughter as soldiers walked away.
Ethan's eyes darkened.
"This power…" he whispered, "was given to me for a reason."
A notification appeared, glowing red.
[Hidden Condition Met: First Kill]
[Skill Unlocked: Killing Intent (Passive)]
The forest seemed to recoil from him.
A slow smile spread across Ethan's face.
"Good."
He picked up his sword and walked deeper into the forest.
If monsters were the price for power—
Then he would slaughter them all.
And when he was strong enough…
"I'll return," he promised softly.
"And this time, no one escapes."