First Blood

Alex's gaze settled on something in the valley below, tucked between the trees and shimmering riverbanks.

The sight surprised him—buildings clustered together, smoke rising from chimneys, and faint signs of life stirring in the distance.

"There's a town?" He hadn't expected to find any civilization here, let alone a town.

"Alright," he muttered to himself, determination hardening his tone. "That's my target."

Since the mission called for him to explore the surrounding area, he figured he could gain more by visiting the town. Maybe—he hoped—there would be real people living there.

Alex took a deep breath, steadying himself before heading down the hill. His eyes scanned the ground as he descended, taking in every detail of the unfamiliar terrain.

A few steps down, something caught his attention—a sturdy-looking stick lying among the fallen leaves. He threw the one in his hand.

He bent down, picking it up and testing its weight in his hand. "Might come in handy," he murmured, giving it a light swing. It wasn't much, but it was better than facing the unknown with empty hands.

As Alex shifted from a cautious walk to a steady run, a surprising surge of energy flowed through him. His strides were longer and smoother, and he moved with an ease he'd never experienced before.

He glanced down at his legs in amazement, half-expecting to see some visible sign of the strength carrying him so effortlessly.

His breathing stayed even, and his muscles didn't burn or tire as they normally would. "Is this... because of the stamina upgrade?" he wondered aloud, a faint smile creeping onto his face.

This place, this True Realm, seemed to amplify him somehow—or was it that his attributes truly made a difference? Either way, the realization fueled his excitement.

As Alex's thoughts raced with the strange energy filling him, a low, menacing growl rumbled through the trees, snapping him back to reality. He froze, his grip tightening instinctively around the stick he'd picked up.

A small but fierce creature emerged from behind a cluster of bushes—a wild beast with bristling fur, sharp claws, and amber eyes fixed intently on him.

A notification flashed before him, its timing almost eerie.

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[Defeating enemies, including wild beasts, will reward you with EXP and a chance to obtain items. The stronger the enemy, the greater the reward.]

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"Yeah. That's... not helpful at all." Alex's pulse quickened, and a chill ran down his spine. This wasn't like anything he'd experienced back in his world—no simulations, no practice rounds. This was real, and the stakes were higher. He felt a tremor run through his hands, but he tried to steady himself, swallowing back his fear.

"Just… think of it like a game," he whispered, his voice shaky. "Just… focus."

The beast circled him slowly, its eyes locked on him with a hungry glint. Alex raised the stick, feeling his palms grow clammy. He was completely untrained in combat, and though he'd felt stronger running down the hill, he knew nothing about fighting.

The creature lunged, claws extended, and Alex swung the stick with all his might. The wood struck the creature's side with a resounding crack, sending it stumbling back momentarily. Alex's grip trembled as he stared down at the stick—it had splintered under the impact, the wood unable to withstand the force of his swing.

"Damn it," he muttered, glancing down at the broken stick in his hands. He hadn't even realized how much stronger he'd become, yet he wasn't in control.

The beast snarled, regaining its footing and circling him with cautious eyes, sizing him up again. Alex's heart raced as he tried to assess his options. He'd need to rely on his body without a weapon, even if he wasn't used to the heightened agility and strength.

Alex took a shaky breath, steadying himself as best as he could. The thought of running flickered through his mind, but he dismissed it quickly. He couldn't keep running forever. He didn't know what dangers lay ahead or if he'd face even worse threats later. Right now, he needed to learn to fight—to take a stand, even if it was just against this one beast.

"Alright," he muttered, his gaze hardening as he tightened his fists. "I have to do this."

The beast growled again, sensing his resolve. It lunged forward, claws slashing through the air. This time, Alex sidestepped, his body responding faster than anticipated. His movements felt sharper and smoother as if his muscles were catching up to the strength and agility he hadn't yet fully understood.

He clenched his fists, feeling the faint hum of power beneath his skin. His upgraded attributes—strength, speed, stamina—were more than just numbers on a screen. They were real, part of him now. But he'd have to learn how to wield them.

The creature whirled around, baring its teeth and charging at him again. Alex braced himself, then dodged at the last second, driving his elbow down on the creature's side with all his strength. It yelped, stumbling back as his blow hit it with surprising force.

Alex blinked in shock. "That actually worked?"

But he couldn't afford to be distracted. The beast snarled, its fierce gaze unrelenting as it prepared for another strike. He readied himself, muscles coiled, waiting for its next move.

When it lunged again, Alex sprang forward, meeting it head-on with a swift kick that sent the creature tumbling back. He could feel his confidence growing, the fear receding as he trusted his body's newfound capabilities. For the first time, he felt like he might actually stand a chance.

Alex felt his confidence building, the uncertainty of his first fight slowly giving way to instinct. He focused on the creature's movements, his fists and feet landing one blow after another in a fierce rhythm.

The beast staggered, clearly worn down but still baring its teeth in defiance.

Just as he prepared to deliver another strike, a sudden voice echoed in his mind—deep, commanding, and dark, filling his head with a single, urgent command.

Kill it. Finish the beast now!

The words sent a shiver through him, freezing him mid-action. The voice was unlike anything he'd heard before—familiar yet foreign, as if it had always been there, buried deep within him.

Alex blinked, his hands hesitating as the command echoed, pushing him to act decisively.

The beast lay before him, weakened and struggling, its wild eyes flickering with fear and desperation.

End it, the voice pressed, colder now. Prove you're capable. Finish what you started.

Alex's heart raced, his mind torn between the raw instinct to survive and the chilling urge that seemed to pulse through his veins. He took a deep breath, steeling himself.

Determined, he brought his hand down with all his strength, delivering the blow that finally silenced the creature. It slumped to the ground, unmoving, as silence settled around him again.

Breathless, Alex stumbled back, the weight of what he'd done sinking in. The voice in his head faded, but its impact lingered, leaving him with a strange mixture of satisfaction and unease.

A soft chime broke the silence, pulling his attention. A clear and unmistakable notification appeared before him.

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[Victory! You have defeated your first enemy.]

EXP Gained: 10

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