CHAPTER 4: Victory

[System Alert: You have killed x67 Goblins]

[Sytem Alert: You have killed x2 Goblin Warriors]

[System Alert: You will now receive rewards...]

[System Alert: Items received.]

[System Alert: XP received.]

[System Alert: You are now Level 5.]

"Open menu."

[System Alert: Please choose a Combat Skill.]

"Another one already?"

"Nevermind that, I levelled up three times from that battle!"

"That must mean it'll only get harder from here."

"In the last battle, my biggest problem was finding a weapon to fight with."

"Let's see here. Which one will be the best in getting rid of that problem."

I decided to get a skill called 'Stealth Blade'. I hoped it would give me some cool sword or something.

[System Alert: You are Level 4.]

[System Alert: Please choose an Ability Score to increase.]

"Oh, this is new!"

I assumed that the ability score meant those letters with the numbers beside them.

I still hadn't deciphered what each of them meant, so I increased the ones I did know.

[System Alert: STR +2]

[System Alert: You are Level 5.]

[System Alert: Please choose an Ability Score to increase.]

"Another one? Well, since I already put one into strength, I could just choose this one at random."

[System Alert: CON +2]

I put the bonus into CON with the hope that it meant something like control.

[System Alert: HP +5.]

"Isn't HP like my life or something? I guess it increases when my CON increases too. I should probably invest in CON more."

"Open menu."

[Level 5]

[HP: 34/34]

[STR: 16 (+3)]

[DEX: 14 (+2)]

[CON: 10 (+0)]

[INT: 8 (-1)]

[WIS: 12 (+1)]

[CHA: 4 (-3)]

[SP: 12/20]

[MP: 20/20]

[Lineage Factor: HUMAN]

[Class: WEAPON MASTER - ASSASSIN]

[Skills: ASSASSINATE, SHADOW STEP, SILENT WALK…]

My levels had changed a lot since the last time I checked. My HP more than doubled and many of the ability scores were now showing positive numbers.

I couldn't tell if it was false confidence or if I had really gotten stronger, but I felt an odd desire to fight something even stronger.

The goblins weren't enough for me anymore.

I snuck my way into the Guild Hall and swiped a B-Rank quest.

For someone like me who's only D-Rank, B-Rank is much too high for my level.

Yet, something in my soul told me it was possible.

The quest was to take out a small demon camp outside the neighbouring village.

I slipped back out of the Guild Hall and made my way towards the camp.

Normally, this distance would be done by horse and carriage, but seeing as I didn't have the funds for that, I decided to take it on foot.

It would double the travel time, but reduce the costs.

I started on the path toward the quest area.

On the way, I suddenly felt my body jolt into action as was forced to swerve around a volley of flying arrows.

Quickly scanning my surroundings, a group of [kobolds] climbed out of the bushes. Some wielded bows and arrows while others had rusty scimitars.

It looks like they had scavenged them off of dead adventurers.

Kobolds were a little stronger than goblins, but they weren't anything too crazy.

My legs sprang up as I dove on two of the kobold archers. Swinging my fists, I punched both of them in the face as they slammed against the ground.

A few of the scimitar-wielding kobolds lunged at me with their blades. They struck me in the back.

I was expecting it to hurt a lot, but it barely did any damage to me.

[HP: 31/34]

I quickly kicked my legs back, sending both of them flying. It was enough to take one of them out for good.

I picked up a handful of pebbles on my way up and threw them as I hard as I could at the remaining kobold archers.

The pebbles flew straight threw them, leaving holes as they fell to the ground.

I picked up one of the scimitars that the kobolds had dropped and used it as my weapon.

With it, I took out the rest of the kobolds with ease. No need for any Combat Skills.

I sat down against a tree and took that moment to catch my breath.

[System Alert: You have killed x11 Kobolds]

[System Alert: You will now receive rewards...]

[System Alert: Items received.]

[System Alert: XP received.]

"No level-up this time, huh?"

"Guess I'm gonna have to work a bit harder then."

As I tilted my head to look up at the sky, it grew orange signalling the setting sun.

"I gotta get to the next village before nightfall or it'll get dangerous."

I picked myself back up and began a slight jog.

Slowly accelerating, something fell off with my body. I kept getting faster and faster.

The wind blew my hair back as I ran along the path at record speeds.

"At this pace, I might be able to finish the quest before sundown too."

As I approached the next village, I saw a bright light coming from the border.

Getting closer, it became apparent that it was a bright flame that was burning the houses.

The sound of screaming grew louder, coming from the heart of the town.

It brought back memories of the goblin cave.

However, this time was different.

Whether by luck or by my own determination, something had clearly changed within me. I wasn't the same person that I was yesterday.

This 'system' had given me unprecedented power and skills to boost myself in any situation.

I wasn't going to die this time.