A new blue system's screen opened, showing Garrick's status․
[Name: Garrick]
[Strength: 11 | Intelligence: 7 | Endurance: 9 | Agility: 6 | Magic: 0]
[Affection: 20%]
Kyle raised his eyebrow․ `This is the first time I've seen a stat break past ten․`
He turned his gaze towards Luna and opened her status screen as well․
[Name: Luna]
[Strength: 7 | Intelligence: 8 | Endurance: 8 | Agility: 10 | Magic: 0]
[Affection: 22%]
`Everyone I checked has zero magic stats.` Kyle narrowed his eyes.
`But that does not matter right now․․․` He smirked. `Their intelligence is lower than mine and their affection is already decent․`
He was far more satisfied with that one fact than the actual figures.
`This means my skill will work far more efficiently on them.`
Kyle swiped away those status screens, said a quick bye to garrick and luna, and then walked out of the village.
But he didn't head for the mayor's house. He turned the other way instead—straight toward the forest.
He already had his hunting gear on from earlier that morning. Getting that dagger? that was just a part of the plan.
`I finally have a real weapon,` he thought to himself. `And i'm not worried about getting lost... animals are the best guides anyway.`
"Time to pump those stats up!"
***
Kyle got past the edge of the woods and slowed way down.
He was being very careful, just looking around and watching every little thing move between the trees.
`First thing, find something weak.` he told himself.
He went further in, walking light so he wouldn't mess up the bushes or anything. After a few minutes of just looking, he finally saw it.
Near a big tree, there was a rabbit, alone, eating grass.
It was small, weak and most importantly—It hadn't noticed Kyle yet.
A faint smile tugged at Kyle's lips.
He adjusted his approach, closing the distance slowly, using bushes and tree trunks as cover. When he was close enough, he stopped.
Kyle's eyes flared crimson as he activated his skill, [Mind Control].
`Don't move.`
The order sank straight into the rabbit's mind, freezing its body before it could even react.
Kyle stepped out from the bushes, crouching slightly as he observed it. The rabbit's eyes were wide, empty—its will completely overridden.
"Good," Kyle muttered. "Guide me to the nearest wild boar territory."
The order took hold.
The rabbit turned and started hopping one way, like it was being told exactly where to go. Kyle stayed right behind it, hand sitting by his knife while he watched the trees around.
`Really don't want a boar jumping me,` he chuckled inwardly. `Swear they've got a thing for me or something... always rushing at me once I'm in the woods.`
A few minutes later, the rabbit stopped.
At first glance, the area looked no different from the rest of the forest—but then Kyle starts seeing the stuff that matters.
Big scratches all over the tree bark. Branches snapped laying there. Dirt all messed up from some heavy hooves.
`A wild boar is nearby.`
Kyle slowed down even more, just looking around really closely at everything.
Didn't take long. By a huge tree, there was a big wild boar just lying there.
Kyle walks right out into the open, straight at it. No waiting, not scared at all. Just walking confidently like he own the place.
The boar noticed him instantly. Its eyes locked onto Kyle, then charged.
Kyle remained still, calmly calculating the rapidly shrinking distance.
`Now!`
His eyes flared crimson once more as he said quietly. "Stop."
The boar trembled violently. Its hooves dug deep into the soil as it fought against its own momentum, dirt flying as it struggled.
Then—stillness.
It stopped just a few steps away from Kyle.
Kyle approached calmly, inspecting it briefly before riding it. Then his eyes shifted to the rabbit he had tamed earlier. "You're free to go."
The rabbit snapped back to its senses and bolted away quickly.
Kyle no longer needed the little rabbit—he now had a boar the size of a compact car to guide him.
Kyle turned back to the boar and gave his next command.
"Take me to another wild boar."
***
The process repeated, over and over. Each time, Kyle honed his timing, tightening his control.
By sunset, seven wild boars stood obediently before him at the forest's edge.
Kyle crossed his arms, a smirk on his face. `Time to test something.`
He looked at the first boar. "Kill the second one."
Then, calmly, to the second. "Do not resist."
The first boar lunged at the second. A thunderous crash echoed through the forest as blood sprayed and the second boar collapsed, its skull crushed.
A screen appeared instantly.
[You have slain a Wild Boar]
[Unused Stat Points: +2 | Shop Points: +20]
Kyle smiled. "So it works."
`If controlled creatures kill for me, I still get points.` His mind raced.
`Humans won't work. I'm sure of that,` he narrowed his eyes. `But monsters... that requires testing.`
After a moment, he sighed and drew his dagger.
"Remain still."
One by one, he killed the remaining boars cleanly.
`I can let them kill each other, but that would cause a commotion. Also, their tusks would get damaged.`
Finally, only one boar remained.
Kyle ended it swiftly... But, nothing happened. The system screen did not appear to confirm the kill.
"...What?"
A moment later, a new screen appeared. As if answering his questions.
[As you grow stronger, weaker beings will no longer grant points.]
Kyle frowned. "Damn system."
Annoyed, he began harvesting the tusks while muttering curses․
Once finished, Kyle left from the forest, dragging a heavy bag of tusks over his shoulder․
Night was thick by now. He paused for a moment and glanced back over his shoulder at the dark forest, smirking faintly.
`Not bad for a start.`
He turned round, whistling, with the bag hanging at his side․