level up (2).

Harry realized he had been rewarded for hunting his first beast.

He estimated that killing a basic-level beast granted him 200 EXP, while he needed 3,200 EXP to reach the next level. Curious, he activated the storage feature to check its details.

[Storage: You can store crystals, weapons, etc.]

After reviewing the information, he activated the feature and noticed multiple empty slots in his system's interface. However, he wasn't sure how many items he could store or the storage's limitations.

Wait, if I can store things here, then there must be a space where these items are actually kept, he thought, expecting an answer from his AI companion.

To his surprise, no response came.

His attention shifted to the ongoing conversation.

"I understand it's your first time, so you're nervous—but why didn't you move? You should have at least tried to attack," Liam admonished Tyler.

"I-I'm sorry… I'm really sorry," Tyler stammered, drenched in sweat and trembling with embarrassment.

"It's okay. We're always here for you," Harry reassured him, patting his shoulder.

"I think we should hunt more beasts so you can train yourself before facing intermediate-level creatures," Liam suggested, shaking his head.

Everyone nodded in agreement and proceeded deeper into the hunting grounds after extracting crystals from their fallen prey. Harry wanted to store the crystals in his system but explaining that to the others would be a hassle.

After venturing further, they encountered a pair of tigers. Instinctively, they let Tyler engage one while Liam supported him. Meanwhile, Meru and Harry took on the other.

This time, they attacked silently.

Instead of freezing up, Tyler moved swiftly, slashing the tiger's stomach with the dagger in his right hand. Before the beast could react, he struck its neck with the dagger in his left hand, ensuring a swift kill. The one-horned tiger had no chance to retaliate.

[EXP: 400/3,200]

The success boosted Tyler's confidence. He continued advancing, growing faster and more assured with each kill.

At first, he relied on ambush tactics, exploiting the beasts' lack of awareness. But as they fought more creatures, he began engaging them head-on, experiencing an exhilarating adrenaline rush.

"I don't know why, but this feeling is addictive… I just want to fight more," Tyler blurted out.

Liam smirked. "Yeah, yeah… Everyone thinks that—until they meet someone who can punch them in the face."

After hunting several groups of beasts, Harry checked his status window.

[EXP: 2,400/3,200]

Seeing the progress, he felt both satisfaction and frustration. He was happy to see growth, but reaching the next threshold was still beyond his grasp—at least for today.

"It's almost evening. Let's head back. Tomorrow, we'll begin real hunting," Liam proposed.

They were about to return when they spotted a tiger approaching—a much larger one, with three horns protruding from its head.

"This is a three-horned intermediate beast. Stay vigilant," Liam commanded.

This time, instead of using his bow, he unsheathed the sword from his back. Harry quickly used his inspect skill.

[Intermediate-level longsword.]

[Effect: With every hit, the user's speed increases by 5%. The effect resets if the user does not land a hit within 10 seconds.]

It was a complex but highly advantageous weapon.

Liam sprinted toward the three-horned tiger. The beast swiped at him with its massive claws, but Liam parried with his sword. The impact pushed him back two meters—then he charged again, now moving 5% faster.

Harry analyzed the situation, looking for an opening to deliver a fatal blow. He spotted Liam's bow lying on the ground and grabbed it.

Harry had some experience with bows. He noticed a shallow cut on the tiger's neck—Liam's attack hadn't been deep enough to be lethal.

Suddenly, the beast's three horns began to glow with a radiant, rainbow light.

Tyler, emboldened by his previous kills, thought he could take down the creature. He dashed forward, daggers in hand, and successfully stabbed the tiger's side. However, when he tried to pull the dagger out, it was stuck. Before he could react, the tiger's massive claws descended upon him.

It's too fast. I won't survive this. I was too overconfident, Tyler thought, closing his eyes in despair.

One second. Two seconds. Three seconds passed—yet he felt no pain.

Slowly opening his eyes, he saw the beast lying dead before him, an arrow protruding from its neck.

Harry exhaled in relief. He had no idea what the glowing horns meant, but he was grateful they had avoided whatever attack was about to be unleashed.

"You should've told us you were good with a bow," Liam remarked, impressed by Harry's precision.

But Harry barely heard him—he was too focused on the new notification.

[Three-horned tiger has been slain. 1,000 EXP received.]

[Name: Harry Smith]

[Qi Cultivation: Foundation Building Level 6]

[EXP: 200/6,400]

He had practiced archery since childhood but had never used a battle bow before. Whether it was skill or sheer luck, he wasn't sure. All he knew was that when the tiger was about to kill Tyler, he had struggled to steady the bowstring—but in the end, his shot had been true.

As they regrouped, Liam tallied their loot. "We have one intermediate crystal and 18 basic crystals after taxes."

"What?! We killed 36 basic beasts—how can they take 50% as tax? I almost died out there!" Tyler exclaimed.

"It's simple. They allocate resources to capture and release these beasts so novices can train here. Honestly, I'm just glad they didn't take our intermediate crystal," Harry replied.

Although he could have stored the crystals in his system, he didn't want to deal with explaining their sudden disappearance.

"This was just for today. Tomorrow, we won't have to pay taxes. For now, let's head to the market and sell these crystals," Liam suggested.

As they entered a bustling street lined with market stalls, Harry noticed the presence of patrolling guards.

Liam led them to a shop where Harry learned the going rates:

Basic-level crystals: 100 star coins each.

Intermediate-level crystals: 500 star coins each.

It was a reasonable price, considering the purchasing power of star coins.

Meanwhile, Meru and Tyler marveled at the various tools and cultivation serums on display.

Curious, Harry used his inspect skill on one of the serums.

[3-star Cultivation Serum: Usable by cultivators at Foundation Building Level 2 or lower.]

[4-star Cultivation Serum: Usable by cultivators at Foundation Building Level 3 or lower.]

Strangely, he didn't see any serums for higher levels, so he turned to Liam.

"Why aren't there any serums for higher levels?" he asked.

"Because they're rare resources—you won't find them in local shops. You have to buy them from the Star Association's official store. And trust me, they cost a lot of star coins," Liam explained.

Harry frowned. "But… can't everyone just level up by fighting monsters?"

He had noticed that despite all their hunting, neither Tyler nor Meru had leveled up. He needed to confirm whether his ability to gain EXP this way was unique to him.