"I guess I should leave..."
Henry's voice barely escaped his lips. Hidden behind the thick trunk of an old tree, he watched the clearing ahead with wide, focused eyes. Three baby wolves prowled in the distance, their gray fur ruffled, their movements agile and restless.
"If I die again... that's it. No third chance."
Suddenly, a soft chime rang in his ears.
[New Quest]
Quest: Defeat the Baby Wolves
Reward: 50 Experience Points
Henry let out a shaky breath. "Whew. I don't have a choice"
"What do I have in my inventory?"
[Inventory]
— Slingshot
— 100 Rock Bullets
A moment later, a small slingshot appeared in his hands.
It was a simple wooden Y-shaped frame, polished but rough, with two rubber bands stretched between its tips. A child's weapon. Familiar. Almost laughably so.
He stared at it, dumbfounded expecting something more powerful to appear. But no, this was it. "How is this supposed to be my weapon...?"
Sighing, he summoned the rock bullets. A pouch full of tiny, smooth stones materialized in his hand. He peeked inside, then tied the pouch securely around his waistband.
No sword. No spells. Just a slingshot and rocks.
"Alright... if this is how I survive, so be it."
He crouched lower, peeking around the tree. The wolves were still roaming, unaware.
Carefully, he drew one of the small rocks and loaded it into the slingshot's cradle. His fingers trembled slightly as he pulled the band back.
He aimed.
The wooden frame felt awkward in his hand. His stance was clumsy, his grip unsteady. The rubber band wobbled as he tried to steady his aim.
Too shaky.
He adjusted his footing. Took a deep breath. Then another.
"Whew... come on, focus."
He exhaled slowly and closed his right eye, centering the first baby wolf in his sight. It sniffed curiously at the grass, oblivious.
And then, he let go.
The rock zipped through the air, making a faint whistle as it cut through the silence.
*BAM!*
It smacked against the wolf's skull. The creature dropped with a yelp, legs sprawled.
"Damn. Not enough."
Henry quickly grabbed another rock and loaded it. The wolf was dragging itself up, groaning.
*Whish!*
The second shot struck the creature in the torso. Its legs gave out.
[You've Killed The Baby Wolf]
"Yes!" Henry hissed, trying to keep his voice down.
But it wasn't quiet enough.
The other two wolves snapped their heads toward him, eyes glowing.
"Oh no…"
Their growls deepened. Then they charged.
Henry's eyes widened. "Not funny!"
He spun and ran.
Leaves crunched underfoot as he tore through the trees. Branches scratched his skin, but he didn't stop. The sound of four-legged pursuit echoed behind him.
"Damn!" he panted, heart racing.
He glanced over his shoulder. They were still coming.
Ahead, four goblins milled around a clearing. Henry didn't hesitate, he dashed right past them.
The goblins blinked in confusion. Then they noticed the wolves.
"Tskkkk!" one barked, drawing a rusty sword. The others followed, brandishing weapons and speaking in a harsh tongue.
They met the wolves head-on.
Henry paused behind a tree, watching.
The goblins fought fiercely, but the baby wolves moved like blurs. One goblin fell with a swipe. Another was bitten in the neck.
In seconds, all four lay motionless.
And the wolves kept coming.
"No time…" Henry muttered. "One hit and I'm done."
He dug into his pouch, pulled out another stone, and took aim. His breath was shaky. The nearest wolf closed in.
Then it jumped.
"Hoowwwll!"
*Swish!*
Henry fired. The rock hit mid-air, slamming into the wolf's skull.
[You've Killed the Second Baby Wolf]
The wolf fell to the ground dead.
"One left."
It was already lunging, jaws aimed at his legs.
Henry rolled to the side, barely dodging. He stumbled in the landing, but stayed upright.
'No time to think' He drew a rock, loaded it then turned.
The last wolf snarled and came charging.
Henry fired, awkwardly, too quick.
But the rock hit true and the wolf fell to the ground.
[Quest completed]
[You've Killed the Baby Wolves]
[+50 Experience Points Earned]
The forest fell silent.
Henry collapsed onto the ground, chest heaving. He hadn't realized how exhausted he was until the fight ended. Every limb felt heavy now. His breathing slowed as the adrenaline drained.
After a long pause, he whispered, "System."
[Status]
[Name: Henry]
[Race: Goblin]
[Class: Marksman]
[SP: 0]
[Level: 1]
[EXP: 50/100]
[Evolution Crystals: 0]
[HP: 15/15]
[Strength: 10]
[Agility: 10]
[Stamina: 10]
[Vitality: 10]
[Skills: Locked]
"Just fifty more and I'll level up," he said aloud, voice tired but proud.
As he stood, something shiny caught his eye just a few distance away from the wolf.
A small crystal, glowing faintly, lay nestled in the grass.
Henry walked over and picked it up.
[Item Acquired: Evolution Crystal]
[+1 if Absorbed]
"This must be it," he murmured, holding the crystal between his fingers. "With this… I can evolve."
Without thinking, he popped it into his mouth. It dissolved like sugar, slipping down his throat effortlessly.
He smiled. "Well, that was easier than I...."
Then pain exploded through his body.
Henry gasped. His knees buckled. He fell to the ground, clutching his chest as the searing agony spread through every vein.