Chapter 5: Leveling in Emberglow Forest

"I can't take it anymore! Enough! System, I'm exhausted! Have some mercy on me!" I cried while running from a wild boar.

[ Boar Monster ]

Species: Wild beast

Type: Common

Level: 8

Hp: 2500/2500

Stamina: 1800/2500

Strength: 35

Agility: 20

Intelligence: 8

"What the hell?! Why are you running?! We can't get out of here unless you face the monsters we encounter!" System shouted in my ear.

"I thought we were going to Symbiotica City? Huhuhu! It's getting dark, and we're still here in Emberglow Forest!" I shouted at it as I narrowly avoided being headbutted by the wild boar. Luckily, I managed to backflip just in time.

"Cool," I heard System say, now perched on my head.

We've been in Emberglow Forest for hours, and this is my third hunt. I'm exhausted because all I've done is run and cry. Why?! I'm so tired, huhuhu.

"Don't be stupid!" System suddenly said as the wild boar charged. I quickly rolled to the side. My stamina was running low, and I didn't even have a chance to rest. I'm currently at Level 5, just three levels behind this boar, but it's so strong!

I need to recover my lost HP and stamina. I looked around and saw a tree, which I immediately climbed. The boar started attacking the tree.

"Seriously?!" I ignored System and checked my status.

[ Clint Alnyr Moon ]

Level: 5

Class: Gunslinger

Title: Headshot at First Shot, Merciless killer

Race: Error

Clan: None

HP: 650/700

Stamina: 231/700

Strength: 10

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 10

Luck: 5

Mana: 3

Remaining Stats Points: 25

Acquired:

< Quickdash Skill Acquired >

< Headbutt Skill Acquired >

< Poison Thread Skill Acquired >

< Rusty Sword Acquired >

"Shut up, System! Can't you see?! The gap between us is huge! Why aren't my strength and agility increasing?! I've already killed two monsters!" I shouted because it kept nagging me to come down.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. My bad," it said, and I looked at it.

"Open your status," it said, and I did.

"See those remaining points? Assign them to your stats," it said.

"Wait! Why are you telling me this only now?!" It didn't answer and just turned away.

Aish! So annoying! I held onto the tree as the boar continued its attack.

I quickly allocated 15 points to strength and 10 to agility.

"You can do it!" System suddenly pushed me, and I felt it smirk.

"Damn you, slime!" I shouted, using Poison Thread to stick to the tree and avoid falling. I felt like Spider-Man.

"Just kill it already!" System yelled. I took a deep breath and, as the boar charged again, I jumped behind it and away. I quickly drew the Rusty Sword I had acquired from fighting a Goblin monster.

I took a deep breath and, as the boar charged, I sidestepped, causing it to hit the tree. It was momentarily stunned, giving me the chance I needed. I used Quickdash and swung my sword, making it scream loudly.

Ding!

[ Notifications: You have defeated a Wild Boar! ]

Ding!

[ Notifications: Level Up! You have reached Level 8! ]

I sat down as the boar disappeared and the rewards dropped. I quickly collected the loot.

Ding!

[ You have obtained the Wild Boar Fangs! ]

Ding!

[ You have obtained 5kg Pork! ]

Ding!

[ You have obtained 2000 Gold! ]

As we headed home, we saw the Symbiotica Gate. Suddenly, a Level 18 spider monster appeared.

I immediately stopped and looked at System. "What now?!"

"Obviously, a monster," it said, climbing onto my head.

"Fck! Fck! F*ck!" I screamed as it blocked our path. I turned around and ran away. Huhuhu, it looks like we're spending the night here.

Few Hours Later...

[ Location: Emberglow Cave ]

"Let's rest here for now," System said while I lay there, panting and sweating.

Wait, I'm a vampire, right? But aish! This is better; I'm still human, that's good. I didn't realize I fell asleep, and when I opened my eyes, it was morning.

"Rise and shine, crybaby," System said, sitting on my forehead.

I must have fallen asleep quickly. I had been running from that spider monster for hours. After a while, my stomach growled.

"Looks like someone's hungry," System said.

"I want to get out of this forest first," I said. I want to eat peacefully.

"As we walk, I'll explain things about monsters to you."

"By the way, I'm a bit confused about the monster status," I said, grabbing an apple and continuing to walk.

"There are different types of monsters. Common ones are Level 1 to 30, Elites are Level 31 to 50, Named Monsters are Level 51 to 100, and Level 100 and above are called Legendary, such as dragons and demon lords," System said, sitting on my head.

I observed my surroundings. I heightened my senses to avoid monsters.

"Go on, System. I'm listening," I said while hiding behind a tree and drawing the Rusty Sword.

I checked the status of the monster I was targeting.

"There are also different species. The ones we encountered are Wild Beasts."

[ Boar Monster ]

Species: Wild Beast

Type: Common

Level: 5

I used Quickdash and immediately ended its life. It dropped loot, but the gold was lower than my first hunt of this kind. It looks like my level won't increase from monsters lower than me.

"So as I was saying, these four types of monsters have different species. Listen carefully, Crybaby," System said, and I nodded.

"Common monsters have two species: Wild Beasts like animals and Humanoids like orcs, goblins, and ogres.

Elite types have species like Mythical Beasts such as griffins and chimeras, Undead like vampires, skeletons, and zombies, and Elementals like fairies.

Named Monsters have species like Ancient Beasts such as frost drakes and phoenixes, Legendary Undead like liches and shadow wraiths.

Legendary Monsters have species like dragons, demon lords, and celestial beings," System added. I nodded along.

"Do you have any other questions?" System asked.

I held onto a tree while walking on a large root.

"In my Clan status, what does that mean?" I asked.

"Once you discover which clan you belong to, it will automatically appear," System said.

"So it's not chosen? I already have a clan?" I asked.

"You already have a clan, while others need to go on a quest related to the clan they want to join," System said, and finally, we saw Symbiotica City.

"Finally! We're out!" I shouted, running towards the gate where people were lined up.

Just in time, the guards finished with the ones ahead of me.

"System, what are they doing?" I asked as I reached the front.

The two guards stopped and looked me up and down, covering their noses.

"Where did you come from, and why do you stink?!" one guard asked.

I looked at myself. My clothes were torn, my skin had scratches, my hair was a mess, and my once fair skin was now covered in mud. Even I could hardly recognize myself.

I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

"Make up a story that you're a traveler," System said.

"Sorry, sirs, I'm a traveler. I had companions, but we were attacked on our way here. I didn't expect to get lost in the forest for several days," I said.

few days , As if. Just one day and I ended up like this. What if it had been weeks?

"Alright! Show us your Guild card, and you can enter!" he said.

Guild Card?

"Tell them it was lost and you have nothing left," System said.

"Sorry, I lost all my belongings too. I only have a few pieces of gold left," I said, and they pushed me inside.

"Fine! Go straight to the Temple to clean up and get identified!" he said, and I walked. The Temple wasn't far. Just a right turn and straight ahead.

"Wash yourself first," System said, and I saw many showers. I went to one and turned it on.

Ahh! Water! I hurriedly cleaned myself, leaving my clothes on because I had no spares. Plus, this slime was in a hurry. Tsk.

"Hurry, the line is getting long!" System said, pulling my hair towards the line.

"What do I do next, System?" I asked.

"You'll place your hand on the Status Orb. It will show your level and identity," System said, and I followed a few minutes later.

"Put your hand in the orb and close your eyes," the beautiful lady in front of me said.

I placed my hand and closed my eyes. When I opened them, I was shocked by what I saw, and so were they. They gasped.

Just how?!