A drooling wolf , and his claws scratching the ground and sniffing on the grass in the entrance of cave
[Forest Wolf | Lvl 9]
"F*ck. Why is it so high-level!? I'm only level 1!"
I lay hidden in the tall grass, barely breathing. The wolf paced back and forth, searching. My body trembled. There was no way I could fight something like that.
Before Reaching the South Gate
"Halt!"
I froze.
Two guards stood at the gate, spears crossed. A third approached his armor heavier, bearing the crest of a knight.
"State your business at the South Gate," he demanded.
"I… I have a quest outside?" I replied, my voice lacking confidence. These guards were intimidating.
"A quest?" the knight scoffed, looking me up and down. "You look like you couldn't even fight a slime."
His tone irritated me. Rage bubbled up but I forced myself to calm down.
Phew. Part of the main quest. Don't get mad at NPCs.
I pulled something from my inventory.
The knight's eyes narrowed. "Huh? Trying to bribe us? Your outfit says everything."
It wasn't money.
I raised my hand and flipped him off.
"Fck you, btch."
[Beginner Alert: Guard Knight of Sarandrum has become hostile | Lvl 20]
"What did you say, you pig!?" the knight roared, reaching for his sword as he stepped toward me.
[Beginner Alert: You are facing a Level 20 enemy. Retreat recommended.]
"W-wait—L-level 20!? I thought you were level 2!? Th-this isn't part of the main story!"
My mind raced. Then I saw an opening.
I pointed toward the wall, my finger shaking. "A-a dragon!"
"What!?"
The knight and the guards turned their heads.
Now!
I bolted.
"Hey—where did he—!?"
"Catch that criminal!"
I sprinted past the gate and glanced back, flipping him off again.
"F*ck you!"
[Notification: Guard Knight's affinity toward you is now extremely low. He will kill you on sight.]
"I'll kill you when we meet again!" the knight shouted as the gate slammed shut.
[Notification: You have entered Sarandrum Lake Forest | Recommended Level: 13]
[Beginner Alert: High-threat area. Proceed carefully.]
"High threat? Whatever. So this is where the cave is."
I scanned the forest and spotted a slime. I smirked and drew my sword.
"So I'll just level up here and come back stronger."
I imagined that knight's face when I surpassed him.
Then reality hit.
[Forest Slime | HP: 160/160 | Lvl 6]
[Beginner Notification: Enemy level higher than yours. Victory not guaranteed. Recommendation: Run.]
"What!?"
[Beginner Alert: Slime is attacking. Guaranteed loss.]
I didn't think. I ran straight into the deeper forest.
"Argh! Why are even the slimes strong!? Is this hard mode!?"
[Beginner Alert: Slime is chasing you.]
I kept running until my lungs burned. Finally, I stopped, gasping for air.
"Why is everything high-level!? I'm supposed to be a beginner!"
Then—
[Notification: You have discovered Aerie Dark Cave. Map updated.]
I trembled, excitement mixing with fear. "Finally… I can gather the herb—"
[Beginner Alert: Slime has died. No EXP gained.]
"…Serves you right," I muttered.
Then it hit me.
"If the slime died… then something stronger—"
I dove into the bushes.
[Beginner Alert: High-level monster detected. Run recommended.]
[Notification: Forest Wolf | Lvl 9]
"F*ck. Why is it so high-level!? I'm only level 1!."
I stayed hidden, waiting. The wolf stood near the cave entrance then suddenly froze and lowered his tail like he's scared.
It trembled.
And ran away from the entrance of cave.
"…Lucky me?" I laughed weakly. "Guess it's part of the main quest."
Still… I paused something felt wrong.
I hesitated at the cave entrance.
Then I remembered.
"I play this game to enjoy myself. Not to be scared of failing."
I failed enough in real life. I wouldn't fail here.
I clenched my fists and stepped inside.
"Alright. Let's go."
[Notification: You have entered Aerie Dark Cave | Recommended Level: 1]
I burst out laughing. "I knew it! I overthought everything!"
"This was all part of the story."
"Alright. Let's finish this main quest."
[Beginner Notification: Nearby plant detected. Gathering plants can be used to craft potions.]
I searched and found a herb under a small pebble.
[Quest Progress: 1/5]
"This beginner system is actually helpful."
I imagined the rewards. The strength. Beating that guard knight someday.
The search became easier with notifications.
Every sound made me tense.
Every shadow made me stop.
But nothing happened.
No ambush.
No monsters.
Just silence.
When I checked my inventory again—
"…Huh?"
[Quest Progress: 4/5]
"That's it?"
My shoulders relaxed without me realizing it. Maybe this cave wasn't so bad after all.
Only one spot remained unexplored.
"So the last herb is there…"
I stepped into the deepest, darkest path.
Opening my eyes felt pointless.
Then—
I found the herb.
And a massive red eye opened in the darkness.
[Beginner Alert: Mythical Monster Detected — Corrupted Fafnir. Escape probability: Near zero.]
"What the—"
Before I could react—
[Notification: Beginner player has died to Corrupted Fafnir. Death penalty applied.]
[Notification: Aerie Dark Cave Recommended Level updated: 1000]
[World Notification: Aerie Dark Cave, Sarandrum Village, and Sarandrum Lake Forest are now locked due to extreme corruption.
Requirement to unlock: "Valhalla Permission" Chapter 7 Main Quest.]
Across the world, players erupted into chaos and flooded with confusion.