Chapter 2: First Hunt, First Kill
The forest outside Base City was deathly quiet at dawn.
Mist curled low over the ground as Lin Feng moved between the trees, wooden sword strapped to his back, a basic beast-tracker clutched in his hand.
Wild Steelfang Wolf. Danger level: Low. Location: 200 meters northeast.
His breath came slow and steady. His father's words echoed in his mind:
"Don't fight like a hothead. Watch. Think. Strike only when sure."
A rustle in the bushes.
Lin Feng crouched, narrowing his eyes. A gray-furred wolf padded into the clearing, muscles rippling under its pelt, sharp fangs gleaming in the faint light.
[Target locked]
His heartbeat spiked. First real kill… let's test this talent.
The wolf's ears twitched. It sniffed the air—and froze.
Too late.
Lin Feng shot forward, feet kicking off the ground, sword flashing.
"—Hyaah!"
The wooden blade slammed into the wolf's skull with a sickening crack. The beast yelped, collapsed, and twitched once before going still.
Lin Feng exhaled sharply, chest heaving.
Suddenly—
> [Kill confirmed: +1 Sword Unlocked]
A faint shimmer lit up beside him.
Lin Feng stared as a translucent sword—barely more than a wisp of light—hovered in the air. He raised his hand, heart pounding, and the sword quivered, responding to his will.
A wild grin spread across his face.
It's real.
He reached out mentally—and the sword zipped around him like a streak of lightning, cutting a line across the bark of a nearby tree.
"Ha…"
For the first time in months, Lin Feng laughed softly under his breath.
One down. A thousand more to go.
But his smile faded when his tracker beeped again—this time with three signals.
[Warning: Beast Pack Approaching]
A howl echoed through the trees.
Lin Feng's grin sharpened.
Perfect.
--