Ch 5: Tried to get stronger

As Gray and Vanisa continued walking through the vast, open field, the village slowly fading in the distance, Gray's thoughts began to wander. His steps were steady, but his mind raced with questions about the strange, new world he had been thrust into.

Suddenly, a transparent status screen appeared in front of his eyes, hovering in the air:

(Player Status)

Name: Gray

Level: 1

Skills: None

Passive Skills: Survival Instinct, Women's Grace

"Huh?" Gray muttered, narrowing his eyes at the screen. His brows furrowed in confusion. "Come to think of it... I do remember this being a game. But now... everything feels different, like the game and reality have blended into one."

As he tried to wrap his head around the situation, the system's voice chimed in, breaking his train of thought. 「This world has always been like this.」

Gray blinked, feeling a strange unease settle over him. "Always like this?" he muttered under his breath. He stole a glance at Vanisa, who was still snuggled up to his arm, seemingly carefree, unaware of the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.

Was this world a game or something else entirely? The line between fantasy and reality had blurred to the point where he could no longer tell the difference. The feeling of uncertainty gnawed at him, but he pressed on, unsure of what lay ahead but determined to face it nonetheless.

Gray furrowed his brows, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he asked the system in his mind, "What exactly is the full extent of this Women's Grace thing?"

The system responded immediately, its voice neutral and almost too matter-of-fact:

「Women's Grace is a passive skill that enhances the user's ability to attract women quickly. It also facilitates the formation of a harem by making interactions smoother and more favorable with women.」

Gray stopped in his tracks, his face flushing a deep red as the words settled in. "A harem building skill?" he muttered, staring ahead, trying to comprehend what the system had just told him. He rubbed his temples in frustration. "Why does this world keep getting weirder and i am still not accustomed at being having a harem?"

Vanisa noticed his sudden pause and tilted her head, looking up at him with curious eyes. "What's wrong?" she asked sweetly, still clinging to his arm. Gray forced a nervous laugh, trying to play it cool.

"Nothing! Nothing at all," he said, his voice rising a bit too high. "This 'women's grace' thing is going to be a problem," he thought, already dreading what was to come.

The system, as if sensing his internal struggle, added:

「Your skill will only grow stronger as you level up. It's an integral part of your journey to becoming more powerful.」

Gray sighed, the weight of his situation hitting him all over again.

As Gray walked beside Vanisa, he suddenly heard the system's voice again, this time with a teasing tone:

「As a bonus, you can do whatever you want with your harem.」

Gray's face immediately turned red. He stopped, his thoughts racing. "Really?" he thought, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. The system responded with a casual:

「Yes, or perhaps you could try it now?」

Gray's heart pounded in his chest, and he quickly shook his head, mentally scolding himself. "What am I even thinking?" He glanced at Vanisa, who was humming softly, still holding onto his arm as they strolled. He could feel her warmth, but the awkwardness building inside him made it impossible to focus.

"This is going to get me into trouble," he thought, trying to steady his breath and keep himself in check. "Stop it, system," he muttered under his breath, hoping Vanisa hadn't noticed his inner turmoil.

Vanisa looked up at him curiously, "Did you say something?"

Gray forced a nervous chuckle, "N-No, nothing at all!"

As they walked through the open field, Gray decided to test the boundaries of his new skill, Women's Grace. With Vanisa walking beside him, wearing a skirt, he subtly moved his hand towards her. He carefully placed his hand on her lower back and, with deliberate slowness, let his fingers graze the fabric of her skirt.

Vanisa's reaction was immediate. Her face flushed with a noticeable blush, and she remained silent, her body tensing slightly. Gray could feel the warmth of her reaction as his hand ventured slightly lower, trying to gauge the skill's effect.

When Gray's hand made contact with the fabric of her skirt and slowly creeping into her pantie rubbing her back a bit in his hand, Vanisa's breath hitched a bit, though she did not pull away. Instead, she looked ahead, her expression a mix of surprise and bit discomfort.

Sensing her unease, Gray quickly withdrew his hand, his own face reddening with a mix of embarrassment and realization. "I'm sorry if that made you uncomfortable," he said, trying to maintain composure.

Vanisa glanced at him, her cheeks still flushed. "It's alright," she said softly, though gray avoided meeting her eyes directly.

Gray nodded, his own discomfort evident. "I just wanted to see how this skill worked," he said, attempting to smooth over the situation. "I didn't mean to overstep any boundaries."

Vanisa turned to Gray with curiosity. "What skill are you talking gray?" with a soft voice.

Gray's eyes widened slightly, realizing he'd let something slip. He felt a bead of sweat form on his brow. "Oh, it's nothing," he said quickly, forcing a casual smile. "Just a minor thing I was experimenting with."

Vanisa seemed to accept his explanation, though her curiosity was still piqued. She nodded, her expression shifting back to a more relaxed demeanor. "Alright, if you say so."

Gray felt a mix of relief and nervousness as they walked on, trying to stay focused on their journey while keeping the conversation light and avoiding any further slips.

As they continued down the path, four goblins suddenly emerged from the underbrush ahead. Their grotesque, green faces twisted into menacing smirks as they eyed Gray and Vanisa.

The four goblins, each armed with different weapons, Their disheveled forms and sharp, eager eyes made them appear even more menacing under the canopy of the forest.

One goblin, with a spear clutched tightly in its gnarled hands, leered at Gray and Vanisa. Its voice was harsh and guttural as it croaked, "Give me the woman! Heh, heh, heh!" The other goblins brandished their weapons: one held a rusted sword, another aimed a bow, and the fourth bore a battered shield.

Vanisa, still clutching Gray's right arm, let out a small, fearful squeak. "Eek! Goblins!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling.

Gray's own fear was palpable, though he tried to mask it. He extended his right hand toward Vanisa, urging her to step behind him. "Get behind me," he said firmly, trying to project confidence despite the anxiety creeping into his voice.

Vanisa quickly moved to stand behind Gray, her eyes wide with worry as she peered around him at the approaching goblins. Gray took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he prepared to face the threat.

As the goblins raised their weapons and began their attack, their voices merged into a discordant chant of "Kill! Kill!" The sound was a terrifying cacophony that echoed through the trees. The earth seemed to vibrate with the pounding of their feet as they charged forward, their eyes fixed on their targets.

In that moment, time felt as though it had slowed. The forest around them, usually so vibrant and alive, seemed to fade into a backdrop of muted colors and shadows. The rustling leaves, the distant chirps of birds, and the soft crunch of underbrush underfoot all became distant noises as the tension mounted.

Gray's heart pounded in his chest, each beat resonating with the urgency of the situation. He could feel the weight of Vanisa's presence behind him, her fear palpable and merging with his own. His hand clenched into a fist, and his resolve hardened as he prepared to face the approaching goblins.

Vanisa's breath came in quick, shallow gasps, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope. The goblins, their grotesque faces twisted in anticipation, drew ever closer. The forest's serenity was shattered by the impending clash, the peaceful morning now a battleground for survival.

As the goblins charged, Gray's mind was overwhelmed by a sudden, sharp alert: Passive Skill: Survival Instinct Activated. The words seemed to echo in his mind, and he felt an immediate surge of heightened awareness.

His body moved with a precision and speed that was almost beyond his control. Before he could fully process what was happening, his instincts took over. Gray found himself in a defensive stance, his muscles tensed and ready. With a startled shout of "Whoa!" he charged forward, propelled by an almost autonomous force.

He lunged towards the goblin wielding the shield. With a powerful leap, Gray kicked with all his might. His foot struck the shield with such force that it shattered the shield's wooden frame. The goblin's head was sent reeling backward, crashing into the trees with a sickening thud. The impact sent a shiver through the surrounding foliage.

In a fluid, almost balletic motion, Gray spun through the air, his body deftly avoiding the oncoming attacks. The sword's blade whistled past him, and the spear jabbed at the space he had just vacated. Arrows flew, but Gray's nimble movements kept him just out of their deadly trajectory.

Each movement was instinctive, driven by a primal sense of survival. Gray landed gracefully, his breathing quick and shallow as he assessed the remaining threats. The goblins, momentarily stunned by the sheer force of his attack, hesitated, their initial confidence now wavering in the face of this unexpected, skilled adversary.

Gray's pulse raced as he readied himself, eyes focused intently on the remaining goblins. His stance was solid, fists clenched, and his breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. "Who's next?" he shouted, his voice ringing with a mixture of challenge and confidence.

He charged forward, targeting the goblin wielding the spear. Gray moved with fluid precision, sidestepping the arrows fired by the goblin with the bow. Each step was measured, his body flowing seamlessly around the projectiles. The air around him crackled with the tension of the battle.

Gray reached the spear-wielding goblin and with a swift, decisive motion, he grabbed the spear. His strength overpowered the goblin's feeble attempts to resist, and he wrenched the weapon from its grip. The goblin stumbled backward, its eyes wide with surprise.

In a seamless transition, Gray turned to face the goblin with the sword. The clash was fierce; metal met metal with a ringing clash as Gray parried the sword strikes. With a quick flick of his wrist, he redirected the blade, his movements precise and calculated. As the sword-wielding goblin attempted another strike, Gray lashed out with a powerful kick, sending the goblin off balance.

The goblin fell, its sword clattering to the ground. Gray seized the opportunity, driving the spear forward in a brutal jab that pierced the goblin's defenses. The goblin's eyes widened in shock as it crumpled, defeated.

Gray's attention snapped to the bow goblin, which had drawn its bow and was aiming at Vanisa. Her terrified scream, "Ahhhhhh!" sliced through the chaos, and Gray's heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he sprinted towards the incoming arrows, his movements a blur.

He leaped into the path of the arrows, his arm extending in a desperate bid to intercept them. With a quick flick of his spear, he deflected the arrows, sending them scattering into the air. The bow goblin's eyes widened in horror as Gray closed the distance.

With a final, powerful surge, Gray reached the bow goblin. He swung his spear with deadly accuracy, slicing through the air in a swift arc. The goblin's head toppled from its shoulders, falling to the ground with a soft thud.

Breathing heavily, Gray knelt on one knee, his right knee resting on the ground. He held the spear in his right hand, his face darkened with the intensity of the battle. The once chaotic scene now lay in eerie silence, save for the faint rustling of leaves and Gray's heavy breaths.

"It's finished," he said, his voice low and resolute. His eyes scanned the battlefield, ensuring no threats remained. The sweat on his brow glistened in the subdued light, and he glanced over at Vanisa, who looked on in awe and relief.

As the chaos of the battle settled, the last 2 remaining goblins, clutching its hand while his shield is shattered and the spear goblin that is the owner of the spear, stood frozen. Its eyes darted around in a mix of fear and desperation. The shield it wielded had been battered beyond recognition from Gray's fierce attacks, its surface now a testament to the struggle it had endured.

With a final, panicked glance at the fallen comrades, the shield-bearing goblin turned and fled, its heavy footsteps echoing through the forest. The spear-wielding goblin, too, abandoned its weapon, retreating with hasty, erratic movements.

Gray, panting heavily, stood amidst the aftermath, his gaze fixed on the vanishing figures. He looked down at the spear now firmly in his grip, a symbol of his victory. His body ached from the exertion, but a sense of triumph and relief washed over him.

Suddenly, Vanisa, who had been watching from a safe distance, rushed towards him. Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of admiration and relief. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around Gray in a tight embrace. Her warmth was a stark contrast to the cold, damp air of the forest.

"Yay, you did it!" she exclaimed, her voice full of genuine excitement. She hugged him fiercely, her joy evident. As she pulled back slightly, she planted a quick, affectionate kiss on Gray's cheek. Her touch was soft and sincere, a gesture of gratitude and admiration.

Gray, still catching his breath, felt a flush of warmth spread across his face. The battle's intensity seemed to dissolve in the wake of Vanisa's embrace. He managed a sheepish smile, his cheeks reddening at the unexpected display of affection. "Thanks, Vanisa," he said, his voice a bit shaky but filled with gratitude.

As they stood there, the forest around them began to return to its peaceful state. The sounds of the battle had faded, leaving behind only the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. Gray and Vanisa, now standing together, took a moment to appreciate the calm after the storm, their bond strengthened by the trials they had faced.

As the dust of the battle began to settle and the forest slowly returned to its serene state, Gray felt a sudden jolt of energy. The familiar sound of the system's voice echoed in his mind.

「Congratulations! Your level has increased to Level 2.」

The announcement was followed by a notification of his new acquisition:

「New Weapon Acquired: Spear」

Gray glanced down at the battered spear in his hand, now a trophy of his recent victory. The weapon, though dented and scratched from the fight, was a symbol of his triumph. He turned it over in his hands, examining its wear and tear.

With a small chuckle, Gray muttered to himself, "Ha, this is all I got. Oh well, guess it'll have to do."

He gave the spear a few experimental thrusts, testing its balance despite its imperfections. The weapon felt solid enough, its weight a reassuring presence in his grip.

Vanisa, noticing Gray's reflection on the spear, walked up beside him. Her eyes were filled with admiration as she took in the sight of the battered weapon. "You did really well, Gray. That spear might be a bit rough, but it's a trophy of your strength."

Gray smiled at her encouragement, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Thanks, again Vanisa. I guess this is just the beginning. More battles to come." he said with a confident smile.

The forest around them resumed its gentle hum as they prepared to continue their journey. Gray's spirits were lifted, and despite the weariness from the fight, he felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.