Understanding

As the blinding white light disappeared, Drake slowly regained consciousness. Where am I? he thought. He could feel that he was in front of some kind of cave wall. All he understood was that he was stuck in a position like a baby in a mother's womb. He couldn't move a muscle and couldn't even check what kind of body he had now.

DING

Drake suddenly started hearing a weird chime in his head.

(MONSTER SYSTEM AWAKENING. WELCOME, USER. TO CHECK WHO AND WHAT YOU ARE, PLEASE THINK "STATUS")

Hmm, "status"? This feels weird. Okay, Drake thought as strongly as he could.

Suddenly, a black translucent screen appeared in his mind.

NAME: DRAKE

MONSTER RACE: GOBLIN

EXP: 0/100

STATS

STR: 1

AGI: 1

MAG: 0

LUCK: 1

CHARM: -1

REMAINING STATS: 0

ABILITIES

STEAL/PICK – You are able to steal or pick up weapons from your foes or possible allies.

EVOLUTION – After every 5 level-ups, there is a possibility for the user to evolve their race (choices of evolution highly depend on the user's stat distribution). Possible evolution after reaching LVL 5: Kobold.

"So I'm starting as the weakest? And seriously, a goblin? From what I know from my childhood, goblins are green and plump humanoid monsters with large eyes. They are considered to be the weakest monsters overall," thought Drake. Oh well, at least I have a chance to start anew, so I shouldn't complain. And since the system says I'll have a chance to obtain weapons thanks to my ability to steal, the question is: where the f**k am I and why am I stuck in this weird and strange cave? As Drake was thinking about this, he suddenly felt a strong pushing force, and a hole in the wall where he was in suddenly opened up, and he was pushed out.

Drake felt really weird as he was pushed out. He fell, and since he was still in a fetal position, he hit his head really hard.

As Drake stood up, feeling an incredible headache, he noticed how strange it felt being in this body. He slowly moved around his small limbs and began to get used to his new form. "OMG, THIS FEELS SO STRANGE!"

"Hmm, my limbs are so short. How am I supposed to fight like this?" As Drake was slowly moving around, all he saw were blue-colored walls and a very wide hallway. As he was thinking, he suddenly heard a system notification.

DING

FIRST QUEST FOR THE USER

THE SYSTEM HAS DISCOVERED HOSTILE MONSTERS 20M FROM THE USER. SURVIVE AND KILL THEM. REWARD: +1 LEVEL. GOOD LUCK.

As Drake read the notification, he heard strange, huffing sounds around the corner. He started to move silently and peeked around the corner. He saw three green and plump creatures—one of them had a rusty shortsword. "GOBLINS? ARE YOU SERIOUS? SYSTEM, I'M SUPPOSED TO KILL THEM? BUT HOW?" Drake felt an idea flashing in his mind. Oh right, I have that skill. Of course, that might work. Screw it, let's do it. I have nothing to lose. Drake suddenly jumped in front of the three goblins, extended his arm, and yelled, "STEAL!" but nothing happened. All three goblins turned their sights on the weird-looking goblin who was comically extending his arm at them. Their glowing red eyes looked at Drake and snarled at him. The goblin with the sword raised it up in the air and then pointed it at Drake. "OH SH*T, I'M SCREWED" was the only thought in Drake's mind. As Drake turned around and started running, he mentally yelled, "SYSTEM, HOW DO I ACTIVATE THE SKILL STEAL? PLEASE EXPLAIN!"

(THE USER HAS TO GET CLOSE TO THE TARGET WITH THE ITEM HE WANTS. THE CLOSER, THE BETTER. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY FOR THE SKILL TO WORK.)

Seriously, this shitty system is trying to kill me. Why wasn't there an explanation like this in the skill description?

Suddenly, he heard a bell in his mind.

(USER, STOP ABUSING THE SYSTEM OR THERE WILL BE PUNISHMENT.)

The only thing in Drake's mind was that this shitty system was seriously trying to kill him.

As Drake was running, he turned his head and saw that two of the three goblins were still chasing him; the one with the sword was nowhere to be seen.

"I should fight these two. Since I still have my memories, I remember the martial arts I used to practice. But the question is: will I be able to use them in this body? Oh well, let's try to find out."

As these thoughts were running through Drake's mind, he suddenly stopped, swiftly turned around, and ducked, barely dodging a punch from one of the two goblins. Using his body weight, he grabbed the goblin by the hand, lifted him up, and smashed him into the ground. Drake heard a massive crunch and got a bell in his head.

DING

CONGRATULATIONS ON KILLING A LEVEL 3 GOBLIN. REWARD: 30 XP

As the notification faded, the second goblin attacked with a leg swipe. Drake responded by jumping up and smashing the opponent's kneecap. As the goblin started howling in pain, barely moving, Drake walked over to him, got behind the wailing creature, and crashed him into the ground, breaking his skull.

DING

CONGRATULATIONS FOR KILLING A LEVEL 2 GOBLIN. REWARD: 20 XP

Hmm, that was close.

But where was the third one? As Drake was slowly backtracking his steps, he noticed the leader goblin with the sword in his hands, waiting for his subordinates to return. "Okay, I have to get close and try to use Steal. With the sword in my hands, it should be easy to deal with him."

As Drake slowly walked toward the goblin leader, the goblin turned and showed a surprised expression in his red-glowing eyes. He let out a loud growl. "Well, come at me!" As the goblin lunged at Drake, as soon as the goblin got close, Drake mentally yelled as loud as he could, "STEAL!" Suddenly, a bright light enveloped the sword in the goblin's hand, and the sword appeared in Drake's hand. The goblin, mid-lunge, was confused by the disappearing sword. The last thing he saw was the sword flashing in front of his face.

DING

CONGRATULATIONS, USER, ON KILLING A LEVEL 4 GOBLIN AND OBTAINING 40 XP

CONGRATULATIONS, USER, FOR PERFECTLY USING THE SKILL STEAL ONE TIME. REWARD: 30 XP

CONGRATULATIONS FOR COMPLETING THE FIRST QUEST. REWARD: LEVEL +1

(LEVEL UP. 5 STAT POINTS OBTAINED.)

STATUS

NAME: DRAKE

XP: 20/1000

LEVEL: 3

STR: 1

AGI: 1

MAG: 0

CHARM: -1

REMAINING STATS: 10

"Finally, this is over," thought Drake as he sat down against the wall, holding his sword and feeling exhausted from the experience.

A/n well i enjoy writing this well my grammar isnt great hope you guys will enjoy the chapter see ya later