The Verdanis Forest seemed to whisper ancient secrets as Lucas moved through the tall trees and the ground covered in dry leaves. The fresh air carried the scent of wet wood and a faint aroma of moss. His eyes, still adjusting to this new reality, scanned every shadow, every movement, alert to any sign of danger.
"Are you nervous?" Selene's voice suddenly broke the silence of the walk with a playful tone.
Lucas looked at her, surprised by how close she was, as if she had appeared out of nowhere. Selene moved with agility, a natural hunter, her black hair lightly fluttering in the wind.
"I confess I am," he replied, gripping the dagger tighter. "I've never really fought before."
"Maybe the system will help," Selene smiled, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Without it, you'd probably have already been eaten by some monster."
Lucas gave a somewhat awkward smile, trying to hide the mix of fear and excitement he felt. The system interface flashed in his vision, reminding him of the mission:
Objective: Eliminate 3 goblins.Mission: Goblins are small, agile, and treacherous creatures. Attack carefully and exploit their weaknesses.
Lyra, walking a few steps behind, approached, her voice soft but firm.
"Goblins usually attack in groups and use the terrain to their advantage. You must stay aware of your surroundings and use the dagger's speed for quick strikes."
"The best way is to lure one and use the system to identify its weak point," Selene added. "I'll help you understand how it works while we fight them."
Lucas nodded, trying to absorb every piece of advice. His heart was pounding, not just from fear, but from that new feeling of challenge. It was as if his old life, full of boredom and resignation, was left behind.
As they walked, the system displayed a small "detection" bar that started blinking green.
"I think there's a goblin nearby," Lucas whispered, pointing to a bush that moved slowly.
Selene smiled, drawing her dagger with a swift movement.
"Showtime."
Suddenly, three small creatures emerged, with green skin, glowing red eyes, and sharp teeth. They charged with shrill cries.
Lucas felt the system activate a skill called "Precise Strike" that he didn't remember seeing before.
Do you want to learn the Precise Strike skill? [Yes/No]
Without hesitation, he selected "Yes."
The system responded:Skill unlocked. Precise Strike: Increases damage by 20% on the next physical attack.
Feeling energy surge through his muscles, Lucas charged at the first goblin. He struck quickly with the dagger, hitting the creature's weak spot — its neck.
The goblin fell, emitting a last grunt.
The system automatically updated his experience:Experience: 20/100
Selene attacked with precision and grace, defeating another goblin with an agile spin and a precise thrust.
Lyra watched from a distance, offering guidance.
"Remember not to let them surround you. Use the environment to your advantage."
The third goblin tried to flee, but Lucas activated a speed boost skill suggested by the system.
Skill unlocked: Agile Steps — increases movement speed by 30% for 10 seconds.
He chased the creature down, finishing it with a precise cut.
The system glowed, notifying mission completion.
Mission completed: Goblin Hunt. Reward: 50 experience points, 100 gold coins.
Lucas felt a weight lift from his shoulders and an unexpected satisfaction fill him.
"We did it!" Selene exclaimed with a victorious smile. "You're picking this up fast."
Lyra approached, handing him a small scroll.
"Here's your next step. The scroll contains a list of basic skills. Study them, practice, and evolve."
Lucas opened the scroll, seeing diagrams and instructions that the system complemented automatically.
As he absorbed the information, he noticed the presence of the two beside him — Lyra with her serenity and wisdom, Selene with her energy and confidence. A mix of admiration and curiosity grew within him.
Later, around the campfire, the three talked about the possibilities the system offered and the dangers Eldoria concealed.
"You know, Lucas," Selene said, looking at him with a playful smile, "it's not every day a newbie manages to kill three goblins without even a scratch."
Lucas blushed, feeling warmth rise to his face.
"I guess I still have a lot to learn," he replied, trying to sound modest.
Lyra laughed softly.
"The important thing is that you're willing to try. And we'll be here to help."
As night fell, stars appeared in the clear sky, and the future seemed like a vast open field of opportunities.
Lucas knew this was just the first page of his new life — a life that promised adventure, power… and maybe something more.
And so, the chosen one began weaving the bonds that would accompany him throughout the journey.