The First Step
Later that evening...
Kaizer sat alone by the campfire, deep within the Veilwood Forest. His gaze fixed on the flickering flames, but his mind was elsewhere—calculating, analyzing, planning. The remains of the adventurers were far behind him now, and so was Morrin Village, a place that had served its purpose in his journey.
With a calm, practiced motion, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and a pen. It was a habit he had developed long ago in Paradise, a way to keep his thoughts organized and his plans clear. In a world where control was often taken from him, writing gave him a sense of order.
He unfolded the paper, smoothing it against a flat rock, and began listing his thoughts.
Consolidate Power.
His pen scratched across the paper as he outlined his first objective. He had tasted what this world offered—its systems, its mechanics. Gaia was like any other game or simulation, with rules to be exploited. His next step would be to understand the limits and possibilities of this system while simultaneously growing stronger.
"Resources... strength... influence," Kaizer muttered to himself. "These will be the keys."
His goal now was simple: gather the resources necessary to strengthen himself, whether through equipment, knowledge, or skills. He couldn't afford to stay in one place, especially after the adventurer attack and the Player Killer title now hanging over him like a shadow.
"I'm being hunted," Kaizer noted in his mind. "But that doesn't mean I can't hunt back."
The Next Morning...
Kaizer woke early. The village of Morrin was long behind him now, and Veilwood Forest stretched endlessly ahead. The cool morning mist hung in the air as he moved silently between the towering trees, his senses keen, constantly analyzing his surroundings. He kept his sword close, his eyes sharp for any sign of movement.
His mind drifted back to the paper he had written on the night before, now neatly folded and tucked back into his pocket. The next step would be to seek out hidden resources—places of power that adventurers might overlook or avoid.
Veilwood Forest was known for harboring ruins of old civilizations. There were whispers of forgotten magic, of enchanted weapons buried beneath layers of earth, waiting for someone to claim them. If Kaizer could find such a place, it would give him the advantage he needed.
As he moved deeper into the forest, he thought about the steps that lay ahead.
Hours Later...
Kaizer finally reached an area where the forest grew denser, and the atmosphere felt different. The light barely penetrated through the thick canopy of trees, casting long shadows across the mossy ground. A faint, unnatural stillness lingered in the air.
"This place," Kaizer whispered to himself. "It feels... right."
He stopped in the middle of a small clearing, scanning the area carefully. His instincts told him that this was no ordinary section of the forest. There was something here—something hidden beneath the layers of time and neglect.
Suddenly, the underbrush rustled, and Kaizer tensed. From the trees, a large Enchanted Deer stepped out into the clearing, its antlers glowing faintly with magical energy. Kaizer couldn't discern its level or name, but he could tell this creature wasn't ordinary. It had an ethereal presence, more dangerous than the average animal.
"Careful..." Kaizer whispered to himself, raising his sword as the deer snorted and pawed at the ground. "This thing is strong."
The Enchanted Deer charged, its antlers aimed directly at Kaizer's chest. Kaizer activated Specter's Dance, dodging to the side just in time.
[Missed Attack!]
Kaizer swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's side.
[100 Damage inflicted!]
The deer staggered but quickly regained its balance. It lowered its head, preparing for another charge. Kaizer remained calm, calculating the next strike. He watched the deer's movement carefully, waiting for the right moment.
With a sudden burst of speed, the deer lunged again. Kaizer sidestepped, using the creature's momentum to guide its antlers into a nearby tree, trapping it momentarily. Taking the opportunity, Kaizer delivered a powerful Lunar Cleave to its flank.
[150 Damage inflicted!]
The deer let out a strangled cry, its health dropping significantly. Kaizer followed up with a quick Judgement Strike, aiming for its neck.
[180 Damage inflicted!]
The Enchanted Deer collapsed, its body dissipating into faint glowing light. Kaizer wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing deeply.
[You have gained experience: +500 EXP]
[EXP Progress: 500/800]
Kaizer knelt beside the fallen creature and collected the remnants it had left behind.
[Loot Acquired: Enchanted Antlers]
As Kaizer stood, staring at the loot in his hand, a thought crossed his mind. He had been collecting various items—dust, wings, hides—and yet he hadn't stopped to consider how he was going to carry all of this. His pockets were already stuffed with materials, and now he had a pair of enchanted antlers to deal with.
"I need to organize this," he muttered. "There must be some way to store it all."
His mind drifted back to the player inventory systems he had heard adventurers talk about. Surely there had to be something similar for NPCs? He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing, trying to make the dashboard or inventory screen appear.
[Error: Inventory system restricted for NPCs.]
Kaizer scowled as the notification appeared, his frustration growing. "So even this is restricted," he muttered. "Typical."
With no other option, Kaizer set to work using his Advanced Craftsmanship skill. He gathered materials from his surroundings—vines, sturdy branches, and the deer hide he had collected earlier. His hands worked with deft precision, weaving and tying until he had fashioned a makeshift bag large enough to carry his loot.
"Crude, but functional," he noted, testing the bag's durability. It wasn't perfect, but it would suffice for now. Kaizer placed the enchanted antlers and the rest of his items into the bag, slinging it over his shoulder.
Several Hours Later...
Kaizer had encountered several more creatures—both Enchanted Deer and Forest Sprites—and each battle had sharpened his skills further. He had gained valuable experience from each kill, his level steadily increasing with each encounter.
[You have gained experience: +800 EXP]
[Level Up: Level 5 → Level 6]
[You have gained experience: +1,000 EXP]
[Level Up: Level 6 → Level 7]
[You have gained experience: +1,200 EXP]
[Level Up: Level 7 → Level 8]
[You have gained experience: +1,500 EXP]
[Level Up: Level 8 → Level 9]
[You have gained experience: +1,800 EXP]
[Level Up: Level 9 → Level 10]
As Kaizer reached Level 10, he paused in the middle of the forest, feeling the subtle changes in his body. His strength had increased, and he could feel his mind sharpening even further. He wiped the blood off his sword, feeling satisfied with his progress. Each kill had brought him closer to his goal, and now he stood on the precipice of true power.
Nightfall...
Kaizer sat down on a fallen log, pulling out the piece of paper once more from his pocket. By the light of the campfire, he wrote again, updating his plan.
Step One: Consolidate Power.
Progress: Underway.
Next Step: Seek out ruins. Uncover hidden power.
Kaizer stared at the words for a moment, then folded the paper neatly and slipped it back into his pocket. He would continue to adapt, to plan, and to evolve.
For now, the forest had given him what he needed—strength, knowledge, and the first taste of real power in Gaia. But this was only the beginning. His journey to conquer this world had only just started.
With a final glance toward the glowing embers of his campfire, Kaizer stood and set his sights on the ancient ruins. His next steps were clear—he would uncover the secrets buried there, no matter what it took.
Current Status: Uragiri Shurei (Kaizer)
Level: 10
EXP Progress: 300 / 2,000 to Level 11
Health: 3,000 / 3,000 HP
Mana: 2,500 / 2,500 MP
Title: Player Killer
Skills: (Refer to Skill List)
Loot Collected: Enchanted Antlers, Fairy Wings, Sprite Dust, Deer Hide, Ethereal Cloth.