The Hunt.

A sharp staff pierced through the neck of a small squirrel with red eyes, ending its life in an instant. The creature writhed in agony before collapsing lifeless, leaving a macabre pool of blood in its wake. A small, green orb emerged from the lifeless body and swiftly flew towards its conqueror, Dian.

Exp: +1

A notification materialized before Dian's eyes. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment as he observed his meager status bar, a visual representation of his current abilities and progress.

Level: 1

Exp: 6/10

As Dian continued his journey with Nina clinging to his shoulder, they encountered a series of rodents along their path. Swiftly assessing the situation, Dian decided it would be best to evade the creatures rather than engaging in direct confrontation. Finding a suitable spot, he settled down and began sharpening the wooden rod he carried.

He knew that using the rod to simply bash the rodents would only yield temporary results, potentially breaking the fragile makeshift weapon while leaving the creatures merely stunned. However, with the rod properly sharpened, it became a deadly tool against the demon critters, capable of inflicting fatal blows. This method allowed Dian to dispatch the rodents effectively, slowly accumulating experience points as he honed his combat skills.

The physical exertion and extended period of travel took a toll on Dian, causing fatigue to set in. However, even in his weariness, his agility continued to improve. The sustained physical activity resulted in a slight boost, granting him an additional +0.1 Agi (Agility) stat point. Despite the weariness.

As Dian made his way towards the cliff where Sura had directed him, he had a myriad of tasks to address. The first and foremost concern was the condition of Nina, who still remained in a fragile state. Sura, on the other hand, seemed to have temporarily halted the poison's effects thanks to her resilient cockroach form.

While keeping a vigilant eye out for the distinctive Golden Coconut-like fruits that Sura had mentioned, Dian was also aware of the need to procure sustenance for himself. Fortunately, the Karyda fruits provided a milk-like substance, ensuring that he didn't have to worry about nourishment as they were abundant and easily accessible on the tree tops. This left him with the remaining challenges of finding suitable food sources and ensuring their protection in this unfamiliar environment.

After Sura informed Dian about the poisonous nature of the demon squirrel's tail, he decided to store it in his inventory as a precautionary measure, recognizing that the poison might come in handy in the future.

As Dian continued his journey, he was relieved to see the density of the trees thinning out, revealing a distant sight of two cliffs. The cliffs appeared to converge, with a cascading waterfall flowing from the top and forming a pool of water below. It was a rare moment of positivity amidst the challenges they had faced thus far. Dian glanced up at the scorching sun and realized that it was nearing mid-day.

"Hmm… still about 20 to 21 hours left." Dian mumbled to himself as he slowly walked towards the bottom of the cliff.

The presence of the cliff brought a sense of relief to Dian, as it provided an opportunity to create a more secure shelter. Unlike being out in the open, where he could be vulnerable from all directions, having the cliff as a backdrop meant he would only face the possibility of being surrounded from one side. With careful preparation, even that wouldn't pose a significant problem. Dian began to envision a defensive setup that would maximize their safety in this precarious situation.

Dian carefully placed Nina against the cliff wall, ensuring she was as comfortable as possible. Sura, still in her cockroach form, approached Nina, observing her pained expression. Dian regretted not having another golden Karyda fruit to alleviate the poison's effects.

"Based on my previous observation, it seems that one fruit can neutralize the poison for about three or four hours," Dian explained, with Sura attentively listening. "To ensure Nina's survival, we will need at least six of those fruits. And for your recovery, even more."

Sura, understanding the gravity of the situation, prioritized Nina's well-being. "My life is not as important as Nina's. Please save her first," she pleaded.

Dian placed a hand on his chin, lost in deep thought. He hadn't come across any golden Karyda fruits on his way to the cliffs. His focus had been primarily on navigating through the forest, aware that a single demon encounter could prove fatal for both of them. The scarcity of these fruits in their current location posed a significant challenge.

Dian surveyed his surroundings, taking note of the available resources: the natural flora, leaves, branches, rocks, and the nearby lake. His gaze shifted between the lake and the sharpened stick in his hand, sparking an idea. He turned to Sura, seeking her input.

"Hey Sura, can you give me an approximate timeframe for when the poison will claim Nina's life?" Dian asked, his tone filled with urgency.

Nina, concerned yet trusting in Dian's abilities, anxiously awaited his next move. She couldn't do much to help herself, but she was impressed with Dian's performance thus far. Despite being a level 1 with minimal stat points, his knowledge and resourcefulness surpassed those of a level 20. If only he possessed greater strength...

Sura considered her response carefully, deciding to provide a slightly shorter timeframe than the actual duration. "Nina has about two or three hours left," she replied, concealing the fact that Nina might have up to five or six hours due to the residual effects of the golden Karyda fruit, which would delay the poison's progression.

"So, I got about 1 hour to do what I want huh?" Dian's determination shone in his eyes as he muttered to himself, acknowledging the limited time he had. With his sharpened stick held firmly in his grasp, he began to make his way towards the nearby lake.

Curiosity tinged Sura's voice as she called out to him. "Where are you going, Dian?"

Dian turned back momentarily, a resolute expression on his face. "I'll be right back," he assured her before continuing on his path.

Dian removed his shoes and rolled up his pant cuffs, preparing himself for what lay ahead. Stepping into the chilling waters of the lake, he embarked on a mission to hunt a few fish. The goal was simple: acquire approximately four more experience points, allowing him to level up and enhance his stats. He understood that even a mere half-point increase had significantly improved his agility, surpassing years of rigorous training. With that in mind, the potential of allocating two whole points into agility fueled his determination.

Amidst the water, Dian's unwavering focus remained fixed on his ultimate objective—to save Nina.

Dian's focused gaze penetrated the clear, blue water as he scanned for potential prey. Finally, he spotted a fish adorned with sharp spikes swimming towards him in the knee-deep waters. The fish seemed unaware of the impending danger, perhaps mistaking Dian for an easy meal. Little did it know that Dian had other plans in mind.

With his pointy staff held high, Dian positioned himself and waited for the opportune moment. As the fish drew nearer, he swiftly drove the staff into its body, puncturing it with precision. With a swift motion, he raised the fish above the water's surface, its life extinguished. A sense of relief washed over Dian as an experience point orb materialized and drifted towards him. Swiftly stowing the fish in his inventory, he continued his pursuit, repeating the process over the next few minutes.

Finally, the moment arrived. Dian's efforts had borne fruit, resulting in his much-awaited level-up.

Level up!

Please allocate your 2 bonus stat points.

Stat points: +2

Str: 8

Con: 7

Int: 7

Wis: 8

Agi: 7.6

Luc: 5

His system announced. And Dian unhesitantly put both the points in Agility.

Agi: 9.6

Confirm?

Yes.

As Dian contemplated his stat allocation, a sense of urgency gripped him. The dire circumstances he faced left little room for hesitation. Though he desired to enhance his strength or constitution, he knew that the immediate need to save Nina took precedence over personal growth. With a resolve to level up once more in the future, Dian made a difficult decision.

However, his attention was soon diverted as his status card materialized before him once more. Upon closer inspection, Dian's heart sank as he noticed something amiss.

Status card: -

Name: Dian Webb

Class: n/a

Level: 2

Exp: 0/20

Dian's mind raced as he processed the realization that leveling up now required double the amount of experience he had previously gained. The weight of his situation grew heavier, and doubts about his future success crept in. However, he knew there was no time to dwell on these concerns.

Without wasting a moment, Dian swiftly left the lake, the newfound agility surprising even himself. He hastily put on his shoes and embarked on a desperate search through the forest. His eyes scanned the surroundings, desperately seeking out the elusive golden karyda fruit. But just as he was about to continue his quest, his heart sank as he caught sight of something that brought him to an abrupt halt.

There, before him, stood the enraged mother Demon hare, walking towards him with her eyes filled with fury and a thirst for vengeance.

"Oh Poop."