Chapter 9 "How Cute....?"

How cute…?

 As time flowed, two months had passed since Wade had begun doing quests. His once underdeveloped muscles now bore witness to the countless quests he had done over the months. The previously frail boy had transformed into a more robust figure, his physical strength having undergone a remarkable improvement. Wade's appearance had also changed. His hair had grown longer, extending past his shoulders in a tousled, wild manner. His eyes also held a certain glint. But the most noticeable change was in Wade's stats, boldly displayed above his head. 

[STATS]

/STRENGTH: 40 (+1)/

/HP: 30 (+1) /

/AGILITY: 30(+1)/

/INTELLIGENCE: 15(+1)/

/LUCK: 10(+1)/

/TALENT: 10(+2)/

/MANA: 1(+2)/

 At first, had found the tasks challenging, but now, the spark of novelty had dimmed. Wade couldn't help but feel a creeping sense of monotony and boredom settling in, as the quests were more or less the same. But although his stats had improved, he was still in level zero, because of course, the Adventure Guild system had not evolved. His mana was also the same. "For how long do I have to do this?" Wade asked, doing a sit-up with ease.

"...?"

"When I finally unlock the skills condition, will the quests remain the same?" Wade asked. 

"Kkk" The holograph laughed

"This motherfucker is laughing at me," Wade mumbled. 

"You've barely scratched the surface. Everything you've done so far can only be considered child's play. You're a frog at the bottom of the well." The screen mocked

"Ah ha, this bastard." Wade laughed, his laughter hiding the depths of his anger. His fists clenched tight, the vein on his forehead popping. 

"Do you have something to say?" The screen asked. 

"Nah, why would I?" Wade laughed some more, gritting his teeth as he spoke. 

"We shall see." The screen replied. 

As soon as Wade read those words, a chill went through his spine. 

"There's a new quest." The screen said, the words changing. 

Point System

Hunt five Pink Wombats : 20 pts

(Time limit : 3 days)

"Why is the point so high?" Wade asked, eyeing the task written. With how strange the animals in this world were, Wade knew he couldn't trust the system. He stared at the screen, absorbing the details of the quest. "Would I die if I go," Wade said dryly. 

"Everyone dies at one point," The screen replied. 

"And what exactly is a Pink Wombat?" Wade asked. 

"You'll soon find out." The screen replied. 

***

 Wade's heart raced as he prepared for the quest ahead, fingers trembling as he clasped the bow Zaos had entrusted to him. The weight of it felt both familiar and foreign in his grasp, a symbol of his journey into the unknown. With a wistful gaze, he wondered where Zaos was now, and how he was faring. Idril's silence weighed heavily on Wade's mind, her once vibrant spirit dimmed by the absence of her husband. Wade was worried for her, sensing the sadness that had grown in her eyes. Two days had passed since Wade had received the quest, and now, under the cover of darkness, he could finally seize the opportunity to venture out. He had read different books at home, speaking of wombats; an elusive creature that prowled the grassy plains, their hunting grounds concealed by the shroud of night. Fortunately, Zaos' old shed contained a number of arrows, granting Wade the tools he needed. Idril would never approve of his going out, and Wade wasn't sure how to explain his mission to her. So he decided to sneak out.

 As the night settled in, the world was shrouded in an ethereal stillness. The moon hung above, casting a silvery glow over the land. The occasional hoot of an owl echoed in the distance, a reminder of the life that stirred in the tranquil darkness. The forest, once familiar and comforting in the daylight, transformed into an enigmatic realm after the sun dipped below the horizon. It felt like stepping into a place made up of nightmares, where every rustle of leaves and every creak of branches seemed amplified. The towering trees reached towards the sky like ancient sentinels, their gnarled branches creating a web of intricate patterns against the moonlit canvas. Footsteps cut through the silence, punctuating the air. A shadowy figure moved swiftly among the trees, leaping from branch to branch with impressive agility. The wind whispered through the leaves, and each breath the figure took seemed perfectly synchronized with the night. With a leap that defied gravity, the figure landed gracefully on a tree branch, and for a brief moment, the moonlight unveiled their face. It was Wade, his golden hair tucked into a bun, a fierce determination in his eyes. Nerves coiled within him like a tightly wound spring. 

 Wade scanned his surroundings, his eyes darting like a predator searching for its prey. His senses were heightened, every sound amplified by the stillness of the night. The trees danced to the rhythm of the wind, their whispers mingling with Wade's racing heartbeat. Inky shadows enveloped him, concealing his presence as he stealthily advanced through the field. Bathed in the soft moonlight, the wombat's habitat revealed itself as a sea of swaying grass. Wade watched intently as something stirred the blades with a fleeting presence. His breath caught in his throat as the pink wombats emerged into view. Their charming appearance captivated him almost immediately, their petite forms scurrying through the field with a synchronized grace. They seemed to move with the very essence of the moonlit night. Wade couldn't help but smile as he observed them up close, their adorable paws leaving imprints on his heart. Their fur was fluffy, almost ethereal in the silver glow, and their playful demeanor tugged at his empathy. Doubts clouded his resolve as he questioned whether he could bring himself to harm such innocent and enchanting creatures. But he had a quest to fulfill, and his desire to grow stronger, hung in the balance. He knew he had no choice but to press forward.

 Suddenly, as if sensing Wade's internal struggle, the wombats paused in their rhythmic dance, their beady eyes seemingly gazing directly at him. Wade's heart skipped a beat as he landed on the ground, dropping to one knee. His voice, barely a whisper, echoed through the silence of the night. "Here, wommie, wommie," he clicked his tongue softly, attempting to draw the attention of the wombat right in front of him. His hand trembled slightly as he extended it, a gesture of trust and connection. The wombat hesitated, its tiny nose twitching in curiosity. And then, without warning, it let out a sound that pierced the air, a screech that traveled into the far distance. Wade's skin prickled with goosebumps as the chilling sound reverberated through his bones. It was a sound that didn't match the size of the creature producing it, a stark contrast to the cuteness he had witnessed moments ago. As the echoes dissipated, a foreboding silence settled, broken only by Wade's uneven breaths.

 And then, before his very eyes, the wombat began to transform. Its once gentle features contorted, revealing a nightmarish side that Wade could have never imagined. Its teeth elongated, turning into razor-sharp blades, glinting menacingly in the darkness. Its paws, once so dainty, sprouted claws that curled into talons, hungry for blood. The transformation continued, its muscles growing and bulging until they towered over Wade, overwhelming him with their profound strength. Wade choked back on his spit, his mind struggling to process the surreal scene unfolding before him. "What the absolutely fuck-" he whispered, his voice barely audible in the face of this grotesque transformation. Fear coiled in his gut, threatening to paralyze him. But he couldn't afford to succumb to panic now. The once-cute wombat had become a horrifying predator, and he was now face to face with a creature he had to confront to complete his quest. A surge of adrenaline coursed through Wade's veins, pushing him to stand tall and face the monstrosity before him. The bow in his hands suddenly felt heavy, and he knew there was no turning back. "No wonder the points were so high, "****, I was born in the 20th century, I don't think I was built for this." he muttered, his voice filled with a mix of awe, trepidation, and grim determination.