First Blood

What sat in front of me... could only be described as cute. The only thing that surprised me was its long tail. With its snow white fur that ran down its tail that ended in a golden tuff, ruby red eyes, and a short horn that looked to be roughly carved of quartz.

'Might as well take a look first. [Observe]'

[Skill failed]

"... the fuck? [Observe]"

[Skill failed] [Observe LV UP]

'My [Observe] isn't able to see through it, but it's just a newbie mob. This shouldn't take too much effort.'

Since my skill failed, all I could to is test the horned rabbit with my body.

Ever since it popped out of the brush, all it did was nibble on grasses. As soon as I began to inch toward the rabbit however, it's alert gaze fell on me.

[Skill learned: Sense Danger]

As soon as our eyes met, my heart turned cold.

'I don't need to look at [Sense Danger] to see it's effectiveness. What the hell is with this thing?'

After a short, rather tense, stand off, I decided to act. I mean, c'mon I can take a rabbit. I move closer and closer to the rabbit, trying to shake off this ominous wind I feel. Once I'd gotten within 2m, I hefted my sword up, preparing to use my only offensive skill.

"[CHOP]"

I lunged forward with my shout, attempting to end it with one blow. The sword came whistling down with my in- step, like a well machine. I was inwardly surprised at my practiced movements, but that introspection didn't last long as another chill swept over me.

The previously adorable fur ball turned into a steak of light preceded by a bright red gleam, hurtling at my eye.

[Sense Danger LV UP] [Sense Danger LV UP]

I couldn't process what was happening before I saw the world spin, followed by a stinging pain on the left side my face. I could feel the blood run down my face, but I couldn't take my eyes off the fiercest bunny I've ever seen.

[Quick Reflexes learned] [Roll learned]

As glanced at my new skills, the horned rabbit made its second wave of attacks. While still fast, it's current stream of attacks couldn't come close to the speed and power of the first assault. So after an unsteady start, I gradually got accustomed to the sword in my hand. I was even able to land some light hits on the rabbit, which made me even more confident. Just as I prepared another [Chop], my [Sense Danger] started going off the rails.

The horned rabbit, which was previously getting beaten black and blue, abruptly turned on a heel and faced me. Then it started to give off a bloody glow as the crimson color in its horn seemed to bleed into its fur, leaving a glowing white horn and blood red fur that seemed to flow like molton rock. In addition to that, it's body grew from a non-threatening 1/2m to a menacing (for a rabbit) 1m.

Next was a loud whoosh, followed by what sounded like the bang of a shotgun.

The what the activation of a skill, and the bang was the horned rabbit taking off, moving like a red flash with the only indication of its path being the destruction of the surrounding earth and vegetation by its swift and powerful footwork.

'It went berserk!'

[Legacy skill activated: What doesn't kill me - enlightened state]

[Berserk learned]

"OH SHIT! IT WENT [BERSERK]! GUHHH!?!"

[Horn Strike learned. Recalibrating... Horn Strike became Leaping Strike]

[Resist Pain learned. Resist Pain LV UP. Resist Pain LV UP]

[True Grit learned] [Kinetic Vision learned]

[Host Wyatt's health is critical]

It all in a flash. The rabbit used its [Horn Strike] again, but under [Berserk] the difference between the previous attack and this one was like night and day. I was at least able to see and react against the initial [Horn Strike], but all I could see after the second [Horn Strike] was the hole in my lung.

My breath was ragged, but the horned rabbit wasn't doing well either. It was covered in various wounds, and it's glossy eyes lost there shine. I also noticed that it's bleeding wounds got worse after its [Berserk].

"I have to end this now. One more hit line that will take me out."

I focused on the berserk rabbit, feeling a heat rise from the core of my being. My vision tunneled, the only thing that existed in my world was the rabbit and red. I let loose a primal shout, which startled the horned rabbit, then I leapt.

[Berserk activated] [Roar learned]

[Due to the berserk nature, skill [Roar] modified]

[Barbarian's Shout used]

[Due to berserk nature, skill [Leaping Strike] modified]

[Berserker's Charge used]

As soon as I jumped, the horned rabbit launched its last stand, pouring all its energy into its horn. The rich red in its fur rapidly paled, while its horn started to shine with rainbow-colored light. Then it met my charge with one of its own, its focus trained on my heart.

Just as the horned rabbit's horn was about to reach my chest, I threw up a simple guard with my left hands as brought down the sword in my right.

*kshwckkkk*

Once again, blood splashed in my face as the horn bore through my arm, but all I felt was my sword meeting the horned rabbit's neck. Due to the momentum it's charge when it lost its head, it went spinning into a near by tree, blood shooting out of its neck like a bloody pinwheel.

"ARGHHHH"

[Due to berserk nature, skill [Chop] modified]

[Behead used] [Counter learned]

After my final shout, the red in my sight quickly faded, followed by my sight fading altogether. When I came to, I was back on the golden island.

"Well that was... interesting. As ugly as that was, a victory is a victory. Since you obviously need help I'll give an extra reward. "

"Thanks, Jeeves..."

The avatar's smug voice and the look in his eyes pissed me off, but I contained my annoyance to some minor eye brow twitches since I was excited about my rewards.

"Jeeves huh, I like that. From now on, if you need help you can just ask Jeeves. Well here you go."

Before I could say anything else, purple clouds condensed above my head and golden light spilled out over me.

'Dundundundun dun dun dundadun'

[Mission [First Blood] complete. Calculating grade...]

[First Blood: COMPLETE

Damage dealt: A

Damage recieved: F

Skills used: C

Skills learned: S (hidden condition)

Grade: B

Evaluation: You were rolling in the mud with animal... but what should you expect from a child.

Rewards: 250XP, (1×) Personal Gift, (1×) Random Box]

[Accept rewards?]

'Hell yes! [Accept]'