Arka Nurdiansyah staggered out of the mouth of "Serpih Cave" just before dawn. The first light of sunrise slipped through the gaps in the trees near the dungeon gate, driving away the darkness that had weighed on his soul all night. The gentle babble of a nearby creek sounded soothing, as if whispering, "You made it, Arka." Yet in his chest, his heart still thundered—this dawn light could not fully quiet the anxiety born from the "Hunter System."
From the moment his boots traced those dungeon corridors, Arka knew his life would never be the same. He had never dreamed of having a translucent screen floating in his mind, showing invisible numbers for Health, Mana, and EXP. Just moments ago, he had gained 50 EXP by defeating the orc boss at the dungeon's deepest chamber. In a single night, he had transformed from a powerless youth into someone with the potential to grow stronger. But his level remained "1." He was halfway to Level 2, yet still 50 EXP points short.
His steps felt heavy, as if a new burden pressed on his shoulders. Rika, Iqbal, and Azlan walked beside him onto solid ground, their faces still bruised and streaked with dried blood. Rika hurriedly checked everyone's condition. "Arka, are you okay?" she asked softly, blinking in surprise as she saw the wound on his abdomen that should have been severe—yet now was only a pale bruise.
Arka touched the fading mark gently. "I… I'm fine," he whispered, attempting a shaky smile. Rika gazed at him intently, then nodded. Without another word, they made their way toward Kaena City—a small port on the eastern coast that had once felt so familiar to Arka as the place where his family eked out a living. Now, every corner of the city felt strange: townspeople paused midstride when they saw the bloodstained party; fishermen went about their work with stoic resignation, perhaps too accustomed to Hunters returning from dungeons.
Before the city gate fully swung open, Arka glanced at the "Status" screen hovering behind his mind's eye. He tried to recall each menu's location—Status, Quest, Skills, Inventory, and Map. Yet the most important detail pressed on him, his EXP was still 50/100. In that moment, a fresh tension surged within him: how would he level up? What exactly must he do to push that "EXP" bar further to the right? Before he could think more, Iqbal, walking beside him, called out, "Hurry! The gate's about to close!"
The group crossed the rickety wooden bridge leading to the city gate. Two gate guards in thin armor and dented iron helmets watched them with concern. Rika stepped forward to speak, her voice calm but firm. "We just conquered the 'Serpih Cave' dungeon. There was an orc lone at the deepest chamber. All team members are alive." Rika's words eased the guards' tension. They lowered their spears and allowed Arka and the others to enter.
Once inside the city, the swirling dust transformed into a mingled scent of salty sea air and fresh fish. Dawn was still too young for full bustle, but the small fish market already hummed with activity. Fishermen hawked their catches—squid, mackerel, scads—tempting any passing belly. Arka, however, squinted, staring at the half‐broken weapon parts and battered armor on display along the path.
"Arka, you look pale," Rika said as she gently patted his shoulder. "Maybe you need rest and something warm to eat." Her words brought a measure of relief to Arka's throat. "Yes… I'm really hungry," he admitted softly. He lifted his gaze to the tightly packed buildings forming narrow alleys around the "Hunters' Court"—the district where Hunters gathered, discussed missions, and repaired their gear. Weapon vendors, eco‐friendly material merchants, even brief martial‐arts courses: all lay within his view.
Rika guided Arka to a small eatery tucked into a side alley. The stand was called "Sunset Seafood," furnished with a few wooden benches and swaying paper lanterns caught in the morning breeze. As they sat on a long bench, Arka noticed wooden shelves in the corner stocked with aged soy sauce bottles, pepper powder, and Kaena's signature spicy sauce. The shop owner—a middle‐aged woman with fine lines etched into her brow—greeted Rika with a warm smile.
"Rika! Slowly, please—I thought you might have died in that dungeon," the woman croaked. "Who's this?" She turned her gaze to Arka, who sat quietly, gently rubbing his sore belly.
"Ma'am, this is Arka. He was part of my team last night," Rika replied, indicating Arka. The owner's eyes softened, and her stern expression melted into concern. "Young man… don't go rushing into dungeons. Plan your strategy first, okay?"
Arka nodded, offering a shy smile. "Thank you, ma'am. Sorry for causing trouble." Before the woman could offer more advice, Rika ordered two bowls of thick fish soup and a plate of fluffy rice. Soon enough, the steaming soup, redolent with spices, was set before them.
Arka spooned mouthful after mouthful of the hot broth. Each spoonful felt like a warm embrace to his rumbling stomach. Amid the tang of the sour broth spiced with chili, his thoughts drifted to the "Status" screen in his mind. He swallowed, restraining the urge to explore the "Quest" and "Inventory" menus further.
After finishing his meal, Rika sat up straight, clapped her hands, and said, "Arka, you need some time to process everything. I'll head back to the guild headquarters for a bit to repair my arrows. Let's meet at the Hunters' Court around noon."
Arka met her gaze and nodded. "All right. Thank you, Rika." He waved as Rika set off down the alley, her footsteps fading among the clamor of vendors.
At a nearby empty table, Arka exhaled a long breath. "Okay… time to understand what's happening." He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on that system screen. As it appeared, Arka opened each menu one by one.
Status:
Name: Arka Nurdiansyah
Class: [Unassigned]
Level: 1
EXP: 50/100
Health: 50/50
Mana: 5/10
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 4
Dexterity: 4
Those numbers looked familiar: the basic stats of a novice adventurer. Both Health and Mana were completely full—but EXP remained at 50. To push his LEVEL to 2, he needed another 50 EXP points. Arka sighed, feeling a tightening in his chest. "It depends… hopefully the System will give me some clues."
He tapped the "Quest" button. The screen switched to show a list of available quests:
1. Quest One: "Defeat 5 Goblins (0/5)" (Reward: 10 EXP, 100 coins)
2. Quest Two: "Collect 10 Goblin Feathers (0/10)" (Reward: 5 EXP, 50 coins)
3. Quest Three: "Help Fishermen Against the Giant Fish (0/1)" (Reward: 20 EXP, 200 coins) — Requires Level 2
4. Quest Four: "Submit Dungeon Location Report (0/1)" (Reward: 15 EXP, 150 coins) — Requires Level 3
Arka furrowed his brow. "Quest One… defeat 5 goblins. But that only grants 10 EXP. To reach Level 2, I need 50 more points. That means slaying 25 goblins." He pondered, anxiety fluttering in his gut. Twenty‐five goblins wasn't a small number—especially since he still lacked proper equipment.
Alternatively, he could hunt another orc and claim 50 EXP in one go. But to earn that much, he would have to challenge an orc of at least the same strength as last night—an extremely risky gamble without decent armor.
Arka shifted in his seat and opened "Inventory," revealing only:
Wooden Sword (Condition: Good)
Thin Leather Armor (Condition: Worn)
1 Small Potion (+20 Health)
That was it. Money? Zero coins. In the short time since exiting the dungeon, he hadn't learned how to sell any loot—his crude orc and goblin scraps still lay abandoned in the dungeon. He didn't know where to sell them. So where was the weapons market? At the Hunters' Court? Or at a guild shop?
Arka sighed and closed the system screen for a moment. He glanced left and right, making sure nobody was watching—last night's ordeal had made him realize: he alone could see that screen. If he spoke of the "Hunter System" to anyone, they'd likely think he was insane or trying to pull a scam.
Carefully, Arka slipped to the end of the alley, seeking a quieter corner. There, he sat against a weathered stone wall—shielding his back from passing crowds. He closed his eyes and opened the system screen again, forcing his expression to remain calm even as his heart pounded.
Skills:
(Empty—no skills registered)
Arka frowned. "I saw 'New Skill Unlocked: [Radiant Gust of Shadows]' last night. Why isn't it listed here?" He accidentally tapped the "Guide" menu—suddenly, a small line of text appeared at the bottom of the screen: "Unlock skills by reaching certain EXP milestones or completing special quests." Arka swallowed hard. So perhaps the "Hidan Terang Bertiup" skill could only be used once? Or only appeared in a quest context?
His eyes drifted to "Mana: 5/10." He had spent it to blind that orc last night. He didn't know how to replenish Mana. Did it regenerate slowly, like in some games? Was resting outside a dungeon enough to recover Mana? Or did he need specific items? So many questions remained unanswered.
When Arka reopened the "Quest" menu, he resolved to accept "Quest One: Defeat 5 Goblins." The moment he accepted it, a small message appeared: "Quest Accepted." Beside it, the text "0/5" gained a tiny annotation: "[EXP: +10 | Reward: 100 coins]."
Arka inhaled deeply. "All right," he muttered, "that's the only option right now." He closed his eyes briefly, picturing the mission's details: he knew a goblin nest lay in a small forest on the outskirts of Kaena—roughly two kilometers from the Hunters' Court. If he walked quickly, it would take about thirty minutes. Yet another question arose: could he dare to go alone?
Arka conjured a hazy map in his mind—his "Map" menu. He tapped into that mental image, and a mini‐map appeared in the corner of his inner vision. His home was marked in the fishing village, the Hunters' Court to the northeast, and slightly further north, a red cross marked the goblin nest.
"Okay," Arka whispered, "I'll depart after meeting Rika at the Hunters' Court." He closed his mental screen and stood up. Before stepping forward, though, a young newspaper seller approached, holding out a stack of battered sheets. "Morning news! New Hunter conquers an orc alone last night! Receives reward from the Guild King!"
Arka froze. He stared at the boy's cheerful face, then paid with a single coin he'd managed to free by selling part of last night's rations—only to realize: he was supposed to have zero coins now. That solitary coin had been his only money. How had that boy earned enough to buy newspapers? Perhaps the Hunters' Court had a place to sell loot after all.
Clutching the tattered newsletter and small pamphlets, Arka opened one page. The bold headline read.
> "Mysterious New Hunter! Young Man with Wooden Sword Slays Orc Solo!"
Below it was a grainy photo of a figure resembling Arka—face hidden behind a shadowy mask, specially made to conceal identity. The defeated orc and his teammates lurked behind a billow of dust, leaving only Arka's silhouette in focus. Arka drew a long breath and exhaled. "So I've become a rumor," he murmured. "But why the shadow mask?"
Whoever had snapped that photo—perhaps Rika or Iqbal, taking quick shots during the dungeon fight—had obscured the young man's face under a deliberately blurred mask. Arka closed the ragged paper and tucked it into his frayed cloth pouch.
With light steps, he headed toward the Hunters' Court to find Rika. The large stone building loomed before him, its façade bearing the Phoenix Guild's crest: a phoenix spreading its wings wide. Inside, the hall bustled with Hunters—some examining their gear, others pinning notices to bulletin boards. Arka's eyes were drawn to the massive quest board in the corner, as though calling him to take action.
Rika awaited him there, leaning against a support pillar with a gentle smile. "Arka, did you see the news?" she asked, raising one eyebrow. Arka nodded, holding up the crumpled sheet. "I'm this morning's gossip target." Rika let out a light laugh, then patted his shoulder. "Don't think on it too much. In the Hunter world, rumors spread faster than wildfire. What matters is that you're alive."
But Arka still felt unsettled. He glanced at his mental system screen, EXP still read 50/100. He hadn't gained any points since leaving the dungeon. "I want to go straight to the quest board," Arka said quietly. "No matter what, I need more EXP."
Rika nodded, and the two made their way to the large wooden board in the center of the hall. Dozens of quest slips were posted there—some labeled "E-Rank," others "D-Rank," and even a few secret missions tucked behind the main board by Guild officials to conceal their locations. Arka scanned each slip for quests a Level 1 Hunter could accept:
"Eliminate Three Venomous Serpents" (Reward: 5 EXP, 80 coins; Level 1–2)
"Deliver Letter to Coastal Village" (Reward: 3 EXP, 20 coins; Level 1–1)
"Clear the Forest Tick Nests" (Reward: 8 EXP, 120 coins; Level 1–1)
"Defeat 5 Goblins" (Already accepted yesterday in the system) (Reward: 10 EXP, 100 coins)
In one corner of the board was a tattered slip with handwritten text:
> "Special Quest (Phoenix Guild Only): 'Assist Evacuation in Serpi Village During Goblin Gate Opening'"
Reward: 30 EXP, 300 coins; Level 1–3
Arka's heart pounded as he stared at that slip. "A Goblin Gate?" he murmured. If such a gate opened in Serpi Village, it meant a goblin raid was underway—civilians would be in grave danger. He gripped his wooden sword, feeling a burning resolve: if he went there, he could secure 30 EXP at once. But the risk was high. "I need better gear," he whispered to himself.
Rika stood beside him, watching his reaction. "That quest is dangerous, especially for a Level 1 Hunter," Rika said. "Even many Level D or C Hunters hesitate to go—hundreds of goblins could be swarming the area."
Arka swallowed and fixed his gaze on the slip. "I… I need 50 more EXP to level up. If I do this, I could reach Level 2."
Rika frowned, then grasped Arka's hand. "That's too big a risk. I don't want you to…" Her words trailed off as though too heavy to speak. Arka met Rika's eyes and offered a wobbly smile. "I understand. But I don't want to waste time. If I become Level 2, my chances of surviving in a dungeon improve."
Rika bowed her head. "All right. If you're sure, I'll back you from afar. But you must let me inspect your equipment first."
Arka nodded, and together they approached a guild clerk's desk. A young clerk with a thin beard examined their documents. "You want this quest?" he asked. Arka nodded while Rika showed him the tattered slip. "This dangerous quest… Are you serious?" The clerk's eyes bulged comically. Rika nodded firmly; Arka gave the faintest nod. The clerk sighed. "Very well— but you must sign a risk agreement. If anything happens, the guild bears no responsibility."
Arka signed his name with trembling hands. Rika watched him with a mix of worry and pride. "Arka, I think we—" She stopped when Arka shrugged and forced a smile. "I'm ready."
Once the paperwork was done, they received a stiff slip stamped official: the "Assist Evacuation in Serpi Village During Goblin Gate Opening" quest. The folded paper contained coordinates, local contact numbers, and the village chief's signature. Reward: 30 EXP, 300 coins; Level 1–3.
Arka stared at the slip for a moment, then tucked it into his left sleeve. Outside the guild hall, wispy clouds began drifting across the sky. Today, he had to set out before the goblin assault in Serpi Village grew worse.
Before departure, Arka decided to purchase some gear. He opened his mental "Map" screen and selected the icon for the weapons vendor's tent on the city's outskirts. The streets en route were crowded with market stalls—since morning, the scent of burning wood and peat filled the air, mingled with the clamor of haggling customers.
Arka opened "Inventory" again: only a wooden sword, thin leather armor, and a small potion. He had no money for steel armor or a proper sword—unless he sold something. He gripped the quest slip in his hand and eyed the merchants in the narrow lanes. A guard selling armor advertised: "Light Armor—only 150 coins!" Arka shook his head slowly. He had zero coins. Besides, he still didn't know how to sell his dungeon loot.
Suddenly, Rika snapped her fingers. "I have an idea," she said. "Let's go to the secondhand goods shop at the end of this alley. They usually carry worn but serviceable equipment for Level 1. You can take it on loan—just return once you have 300 coins from quests."
Arka looked at Rika and nodded. The two hurried across the narrow alley dotted with sacks of grain and arrived at a wooden door marked "Secondhand Goods." Inside, a metalworker's rasp could be heard, the sounds of armor being repaired—presumably from Arka's earlier inquiry.
A middle‐aged man with narrowed eyes and a tattered hat greeted them. "Rika! And this little one—Arka? You're the talk of last night?" he praised, eyes shining. "A Level 1 Hunter who slew an orc? Remarkable!" He patted Arka's shoulder so hard that Arka flinched. "Pick anything you want, on the house. Just promise to pay back when you can."
Arka opened his mouth to thank him, but Rika responded first: "I will take responsibility for Arka's debt. We'll return as soon as we have the coins."
The shopkeeper chuckled, then pointed to iron racks in the corner. "Over there is a 'Half‐Steel Sword'—priced at, well—ah, just wait a moment." He stepped back, grabbed a damp cloth, and wiped a rusted sword. "This is a full iron sword whose plating is worn thin, but it's enough for a Level 1 adventurer. Take it."
Arka studied the blade carefully. The steel looked dull; the hilt was pitted in places. "This should be half‐price at 200 coins," the shopkeeper murmured. Yet he had hung a worn lantern overhead, signaling that the sword was "for Arka." Arka froze, then reached for the grip. Its weight suited his hand, though it felt cold to the touch. He held it gently, feeling the cool metal against his palm.
Meanwhile, Rika selected a piece of light armor—a leather‐and‐iron composite vest. Its girth fit over Arka's thin frame snugly. He buckled the leather straps at his waist, then slipped into a pair of simple boots the shopkeeper provided, replacing his worn leather shoes with sturdier protection.
"Thank you so much," Arka whispered, staring at his new gear. "I'll repay you right away."
The shopkeeper patted his pocket—"Go, lad. Don't be late. Serpi Village awaits." He offered a warm smile. Arka nodded and hesitated a moment before stepping outside. The morning air had grown warmer; dew on pine needles was already evaporating.
With the Half‐Steel Sword in his right hand, the light armor pressing on his torso, and his thin leather tunic relegated to everyday wear, Arka consulted his inner map. His home lay southwest of the city; Serpi Village to the north—about an hour's trek at a brisk pace. If he paused a few times, it might take half a day. He chose to jog lightly, crossing a small wooden bridge and following the footpath toward the city's north gate.
Outside the gate, rice paddies stretched beneath soft sunlight. Tall grasses swayed in the breeze, forming gentle waves of green. The scent of wet earth lingered—last night's rain still evident. Seagulls called overhead; wind whispered through stalks of grass, and crickets chirped from the underbrush, composing a melody far removed from the pitch-dark of a dungeon. Arka inhaled deeply—though his heart still pounded with tension, a sense of satisfaction filled him: at least he had come farther than the night before.
Half an hour later, Arka glanced upward at a clear blue sky. He opened his "Quest" screen:
> Assist Evacuation in Serpi Village During Goblin Gate Opening (0/?)
He inhaled deeply, closed the screen, and ran more swiftly across the rice fields. Mud clung to his boot heels, but he didn't mind.
Meanwhile, in Serpi Village—panic reigned. Villagers ran in terror; women screamed; children cried; thin plumes of smoke curled in the distance. Small goblins were scattered about, raiding house after house, sowing chaos. Arka neared the scene, his heart hammering. He looked up to the sky, holding his breath in hope—was he strong enough to fight? His EXP was still only halfway to Level 2. He had not yet tested "Hidan Terang Bertiup" since last night—would that skill even appear again?
Arka raised his Half‐Steel Sword, feeling the rigidity of the cold blade. Silence reigned for a moment before the storm. He glanced back—Rika stood there, arrow nocked in her bow, her brown eyes burning with determination. "Arka, are you ready?" she whispered. Arka nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "I… I'm ready. I hope the System won't let me down."
A sinister chuckle echoed from behind a bamboo fence—a pack of small goblins burst forth, scratching and snarling, their faces contorted with savage hunger, unkempt hair, and glowing yellow eyes. Without hesitation, Arka lifted his sword and activated "Focus Mode" in his mind—though he hadn't fully grasped the intricacies of the "Hunter System."
> Level 1… 0/5 Goblins
flashed on his mental screen. The first goblin lunged at him, its tiny blade raised. Arka raised his Half‐Steel Sword, held his breath, and swung—the blade cut through the goblin's slick shoulder with a sharp "kretek!" The creature let out a shriek and collapsed. "EXP +2. Quest: Defeat 5 Goblins (1/5)." Those words glimmered briefly on the screen. Arka gave a stiff smile—he'd gained a small portion of EXP. Yet he remained far from Level 2.
Rika fired an arrow at the second goblin, harrying it and creating an opening for Arka's next strike. In quick succession, two goblins lay dead at the novice's blade. Bittersweet emotions welled in him: bitterness at having slain living beings, sweetness in inching closer to Level 2.
But three more goblins remained. Arka inhaled deeply, centering his focus. He noticed the "Mana" counter in his view: Mana: 5/10. He tapped the mental "Skill" button: could he summon "Hidan Terang Bertiup" again? The cooldown was 60 seconds. Judging by his heartbeat, at least 30 seconds had passed since he last used the skill. The situation was still chaotic. If he forced it, he might not have enough Mana.
Arka chose to rely on his sword alone. He slashed swiftly, decapitating the third goblin before it uttered a sound. "EXP +2. Quest: Defeat 5 Goblins (2/5)." Each EXP point that flickered into view felt like a soothing balm, yet he was already weary.
For the fourth goblin, Arka spun aside to dodge its wooden spear—the metal of his blade clashed against its shaft, sending small sparks flying. He grunted, steeling himself. With a single thrust, he stabbed the fourth goblin through the abdomen, and the creature writhed before collapsing. "EXP +2. Quest: (3/5)."
Only two remained. A high‐pitched squeal cut through the air as one goblin brandished its spear and lunged at Arka. In a split second, Arka parried the spear, then swung his sword low, slicing the goblin's thigh. It fell, screaming in pain—only one more stood between him and victory.
Rika moved in, her small blade flashing as she cleaved the side of a goblin's torso; its shriek echoed, and its body slumped. One remained. Arka narrowed his eyes, took a deep breath, and mustered his final reserves of strength. The last goblin leapt forward—Arka held his stance for a fleeting heartbeat, then delivered a blazing slash straight to its neck.
"EXP +2. Quest: (4/5)." The numbers appeared—only one more point needed. Arka's heart pounded so fiercely he felt it might burst. He stared at the lone goblin—an inner prompt flickered, "Push Forward!" He surged ahead with all his speed; his Half‐Steel Sword glinted in the dim light before heaving downward. With a final, gruesome moment, the last goblin's head parted from its body, rolling across the ground in a frozen snapshot.
"EXP +2. Quest: (5/5)." Instantly, the air around Arka seemed to vibrate. His system screen flashed:
> Quest "Defeat 5 Goblins" – COMPLETED
EXP +10
Current EXP: 60/100
Arka swallowed hard—his EXP now read 60/100. He still needed 40 more points to reach Level 2. A cold sweat trickled down his forehead. He felt his muscles protest from the exertion. He glanced at Rika, who had sheathed her sword; her brown eyes shone with admiration.
"Arka…" Rika said softly. "That was amazing."
Arka nodded slowly, then scanned the fallen goblins scattered around—small scraps of flesh clung to his blade. He lifted his sword again, appreciating its weight now more than ever. His light armor proved invaluable in dampening their crude attacks. In that moment, he realized: the "Hunter System" was a long road—every single EXP point, no matter how small, now held deep significance.
In the distance, Serpi Village still rang with cries: smoke hovered in the sky, panic stricken villagers shouted for help. Rika patted Arka's shoulder. "Let's move to the north side of the village. A group of civilians is trapped in a stilt house."
Arka swallowed and lowered his gaze to his system screen once more:
Level: 1
EXP: 60/100
Health: 45/50 (Regenerating)
Mana: 4/10 (Regenerating)
Those numbers crept slowly toward their maximum—Health and Mana both recovering gradually, evidence of system‐driven regeneration. Yet his level remained "1."
Arka slid his Half‐Steel Sword back into its scabbard and stood upright. "Let's go, Rika." He inhaled deeply, setting his feet in a brisk pace toward the billowing smoke on Serpi Village's horizon.