Chapter 1 - 9, Arriving in the eastern forest, and an intense fight

Saphire's steps grew deeper into the Eastern Forest. The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves caressed by the wind created an atmosphere as if setting the stage for an impending battle. This forest had a notorious reputation among adventurers, which only fueled Saphire's challenge.

The trees grew denser, their sprawling branches blotting out the sunlight and casting a dim ambiance. The scent of wet earth filled the air, and a thin mist began creeping between the tree roots. An eerie silence settled in, signaling that this forest was far from ordinary. Saphire gripped the hilt of her katana tightly, ever vigilant.

Suddenly, from afar, a low growl echoed—a wolf.

Saphire halted her steps and focused her hearing. Her eyes narrowed in the direction of the sound. "They're starting to appear…" she murmured to herself.

The growls drew nearer, accompanied by heavy footsteps from within the underbrush. Gradually, two wolves emerged from the forest's darkness, their eyes glowing a fierce red, brimming with hatred and thirst for blood. Their bodies were far larger than ordinary wolves, with matted and coarse fur that spoke of a harsh, wild existence.

Crouching low, Saphire prepared herself. As the two wolves advanced, she took a deep breath, her focus sharpening further. The first wolf attacked first, leaping with an open maw, its sharp fangs ready to rend flesh.

With extraordinary speed, Saphire dashed to the side, easily evading the assault. Her katana flashed as she drew it from its sheath, and in a heartbeat, she unleashed Wind Slash toward the airborne wolf. In an instant, the wolf's body was cleaved in two by the force of the wind.

The second wolf immediately reacted, attempting an attack from behind. But Saphire had anticipated it. Employing Shadow Step, she vanished from the wolf's sight in an instant, reappearing behind it within seconds. Before the wolf could register what had happened, a precise strike landed on its neck, silently felling it.

Standing tall amid the motionless bodies of the two wolves, Saphire exhaled a sigh of relief, though her eyes remained alert. "This is just the beginning," she thought.

From behind the mist, more growls emerged. It seemed the other wolves had detected her presence. This time, there were not just two or three, but a large pack. Shadows behind the trees moved closer with every passing moment.

"I know you're coming," Saphire murmured as she tightened her grip on her katana. At that moment, the howls of the wolves grew clearer, their numbers exceeding three, which meant...

[Speedmaster]

Surrounded by more than three enemies, Saphire felt her energy surge. Her body felt lighter and her movements incredibly swift. Her eyes shone with determination as she braced herself to face the pack of wolves attacking from every direction.

The first assault came from her right—a massive wolf with jet-black fur leaping with extraordinary speed. Yet Saphire was faster. In an instant, she was already behind the creature before it could react. One swift slash and the wolf crumpled to the ground.

Three more wolves attacked simultaneously, attempting to encircle her. Saphire leaped high into the air, evading their strikes. As she soared, she swung her katana, releasing a Wind Slash that cut through the air with overwhelming force. The sharp gust struck two of the three wolves, sending them sprawling.

The last wolf appeared confused. Saphire landed gracefully and immediately activated Shadow Step once more, closing in on the remaining wolf with breathtaking speed. In a flash, the wolf collapsed—a precise, swift cut halting its movements forever.

With all the wolves sprawled on the ground, silence reclaimed the forest. Saphire exhaled deeply, calming the adrenaline that had surged within her.

Yet, before she could fully relax, another figure emerged from behind the trees. This time, it was far larger than the previous wolves. It was the Wolf Alpha, the leader of the pack. Its eyes burned a deeper red, its body bulkier and more muscular, and its black fur seemed to merge with the shadows of the forest.

Saphire fixed her gaze on it, sensing that the true challenge was just beginning.

As the Wolf Alpha stepped from the forest's darkness, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air grew heavier, and the creature's menacing aura sent waves of tension rippling through the area. Saphire focused intently on the beast, her eyes narrowing as she braced for the fierce battle that was about to unfold. The Wolf Alpha, with its massive, well-defined muscles, clearly surpassed the strength of ordinary wolves. Its deep growl reverberated among the trees.

Without a moment's hesitation, the wolf lunged forward with incredible speed, its leg movements nearly invisible to the naked eye. Saphire immediately activated Shadow Step, retreating to dodge the wolf's initial attack aimed at her chest. In a single breath, she had repositioned herself to a safer spot. However, the Wolf Alpha was not to be underestimated.

Its next assault was even more ferocious. The wolf leaped high into the air, its sharp claws poised to tear into Saphire. Seeing an opening, Saphire swung her katana with Wind Slash, striking the wolf mid-air. But unlike the other wolves, the Wolf Alpha deftly twisted its body, evading the gust and landing smoothly before counterattacking with its massive jaws.

Saphire rolled to the side, her katana glinting as she aimed a slash at the wolf's leg. Yet, the Wolf Alpha moved with such speed and agility that its counterattack nearly grazed her neck with its claws.

"Damn, she's strong…" Saphire muttered as she steadied her breathing.

The Wolf Alpha circled back, now more aggressive. Its body twisted fluidly, each movement intensifying the pressure on Saphire to remain constantly on the move. As it leaped toward her again, Saphire used Shadow Step; her body vanished from the Wolf Alpha's view, dodging the lethal swipe.

But the Wolf Alpha was relentless. Recognizing Saphire's increasing speed, it began adapting its rhythm. Saphire realized this was a significant threat, as the wolf appeared to possess an unusual intelligence in adjusting to an opponent far stronger than itself.

"This won't be easy," she thought.

The Wolf Alpha lunged again with blinding speed. As Saphire attempted to dodge, the wolf suddenly changed direction mid-air, its claws nearly clipping her. At the very last moment, Saphire released another Wind Slash, but this time her attack struck the ground, creating a burst of dust that scattered around them.

Reeling slightly from the impact, Saphire realized that conventional attacks would not suffice. The Wolf Alpha was simply too strong and fast. "I need to find an opening," she thought, her eyes continuously tracking the beast's every move.

The Wolf Alpha leaped back in, and as it closed in, Saphire felt something change within her. A notification flashed in her mind:

[You have acquired 1 Assassin Skill: Instant Move]

"Instant Move?" Saphire whispered. This new skill allowed her to instantly teleport to an object she threw or launched.

"I'll use this," she resolved, gripping her katana firmly.

As the Wolf Alpha neared—only a few meters away—Saphire tossed her katana behind her, away from her current position. The moment it left her hand, she activated Instant Move and instantly teleported to where the katana had landed.

Without a second thought, Saphire leaped back several meters, creating enough distance from the Wolf Alpha. Then, with one swift motion, she hurled her katana directly at the wolf with full force. The sword streaked through the air like lightning, slicing the atmosphere with unbelievable speed.

The Wolf Alpha, initially thinking this was merely a ranged attack, tried to dodge. However, at that moment, Saphire activated Instant Move again; her body suddenly vanished from sight and reappeared exactly where her katana was, mere moments before the sword struck the Wolf Alpha.

The sudden teleportation left the Wolf Alpha baffled. Saphire emerged in front of it in a flash, reached out, and retrieved her katana as it continued to slice through the air. With fluid, unwavering motion, she delivered a decisive strike to the open side of the wolf's neck.

The first strike inflicted a deep wound along the Wolf Alpha's neck, yet the beast persisted. Black blood gushed from the wound, but it was not enough to bring it down. The Wolf Alpha growled, shaking the ground beneath with its wild force.

Saphire knew this was not over. She threw her katana once more, this time aiming for the wolf's flank. This attack wasn't meant to kill immediately, but to create an opening. As the katana neared the wolf, Saphire activated Instant Move again, her body vanishing and reappearing beside the beast. She swiftly caught her katana and unleashed another rapid slash to the wolf's side.

The relentless barrage began to take its toll on the Wolf Alpha. The massive creature started to weaken, though it continued its counterattacks with its formidable claws. Saphire quickly leaped back, evading every furious movement with precision.

For one final move, Saphire decided to end the battle. With controlled breathing, she flung her katana high into the air. The Wolf Alpha looked up, its eyes tracking the sword, clearly puzzled by Saphire's intent.

In one perfect moment, Saphire activated Instant Move toward the airborne katana. As she reached for its hilt, she plunged down with full force, slashing her sword into the wolf's vital spot on the neck. This strike cut deeper than the previous ones, hitting bone and severing crucial muscles.

The Wolf Alpha let out a long, pained howl, and its massive body finally collapsed, lifelessly sprawled on the ground. Black blood poured out, pooling around its fallen form.

Standing over the body of the Wolf Alpha, Saphire held her bloodstained katana. Her breath came in ragged gasps, yet her eyes remained ever watchful.

[Level Up!]

Saphire felt a surge of newfound strength flowing through her. She also realized that the battles would only grow tougher, and with every level up, the challenges would become even more formidable.

"Quite the challenge…" she murmured, wiping sweat from her brow as she glanced at the still form of the wolf.

With her victory over the Wolf Alpha, her power had surged unexpectedly. The numerical stats within her had increased, with most of the new points allocated to AGI while the rest were distributed carefully among her other attributes.

Saphire also acquired a new skill—Active Skill Buff—a capability that could double a person's statistics, including her own, for 20 seconds. However, only one person could be buffed at a time, and the skill required a 25-second cooldown after each use.

The battle with the Wolf Alpha had been fierce and tense. Every assault from the monstrous creature had been a genuine threat to her life, yet Saphire had managed to overcome the danger with her agility. The Wolf Alpha, far larger than ordinary wolves, possessed claws capable of shattering stone, yet every time its attack neared, Saphire deftly leaped aside.

When Saphire tossed her katana as a daring final move and used Instant Move to teleport directly toward it, she managed to pierce through the monster's defenses. In a heartbeat, her sword found its mark at the vital point in the Wolf Alpha's neck, ending the battle decisively.

A feeling of satisfaction, mingled with exhaustion, washed over her as she finally allowed herself to breathe deeply, recalling the tremendous challenge she had just overcome.

Saphire returned to the guild carrying the head of the Wolf Alpha neatly wrapped in a sack on her back. Stepping confidently through the guild's entrance, she immediately attracted glances from several onlookers. Whispers began to ripple through the crowd as news spread of the young adventurer who had defeated the Wolf Alpha—a creature that only a few dared challenge.

Upon reaching the reception desk, Saphire calmly handed over the sack. The receptionist slowly unwrapped it, and a look of shock flashed across her face upon seeing the bloodstained head of the Wolf Alpha. "Did you really kill this Wolf Alpha?" the receptionist asked in disbelief.

Saphire simply nodded and replied in a low voice, "Yes, it's done."

Before long, news of her victory spread throughout the room. The murmurs grew louder, and everyone turned to look at the young woman now known in the guild. Some faces radiated admiration, while others looked fearful, but all agreed on one thing: Saphire was no ordinary adventurer.

"Slayer, Saphire," someone whispered from a corner, and the nickname quickly spread like wildfire. In an instant, her name became synonymous with legend within the guild.

Not only that, but the guild officials also made an official announcement regarding Saphire's promotion. "With your victory over the Wolf Alpha, you're now eligible for rank A," the receptionist declared, presenting her with a special badge that signified her new status as an elite adventurer.

Saphire's eyes lingered on the badge for a moment before she accepted it. As a rank A adventurer, she now belonged to an elite group. There were no more than 100 adventurers worldwide at this rank, and above them were only 10 in the S rank—individuals considered living legends among adventurers.

Stepping out of the guild, many eyes followed her. Even those adventurers who typically remained indifferent now looked at her with admiration—and some with a hint of trepidation. Her new moniker, "The Slayer," now clung to her, marking her not just as an ordinary girl, but as a formidable fighter to be both respected and feared.

As Saphire exited the guild, she encountered a striking woman. This woman had long, snow-white hair that shimmered under the sunlight, cascading neatly almost to her waist. Her eyes, a bright ocean blue, radiated both strength and grace. She wore an elegant silver armor adorned with golden embellishments that gave her an appearance both refined and dangerous. Hanging by her side was a large, sharp sword, ready for use at any moment.

As Saphire walked along, the woman quickly halted her. "Excuse me," the woman said in a calm yet firm tone. "I didn't mean to get in your way."

"No worries," Saphire replied, feeling a slight twinge of awkwardness. "I'm Saphire, an adventurer."

"Nice to meet you, Saphire," the woman responded with a warm smile. "My name is Lunaria Nightbloom."

Saphire nodded, sensing an aura of strength around Lunaria. Yet, the atmosphere inside the guild shifted suddenly as everyone began to stir.

"Lunaria is back!" someone exclaimed, and instantly, people gathered around her.

Saphire watched with curiosity as the crowd encircled Lunaria, who clearly commanded great respect. "She just slew dozens of wild wyverns in the western region!" someone shouted.

"Wow, she really is incredible!" another added. The resounding praise left Saphire impressed, realizing just how formidable this adventurer was. Lunaria remained composed despite the attention lavished on her.

Smiling at the crowd as if she were accustomed to the spotlight, Lunaria exuded an air of ease. Saphire couldn't help but wonder about the adventures that had earned Lunaria such a formidable reputation.

Amidst all the commotion, Saphire recalled that her journey was far from over. The whispers of Lunaria's feats—slaying dozens of wyverns—still filled the guild, yet Saphire was determined not to be swept away by them. She stepped outside, letting the cool morning air brush her face as she passed through the door.

Outside, the town had already awakened. Street vendors set up their small kiosks along the cobblestone streets, loudly advertising their wares. The aroma of freshly baked bread and roasted meat from a nearby eatery made Saphire's stomach rumble slightly. Sunlight pierced through the gaps in the buildings, reflecting off the neatly arranged wooden rooftops. Everything felt alive.

Saphire walked calmly along the stone pathways, her hands occasionally brushing against the sheath of her katana at her waist. Her thoughts remained fixed on Lunaria. One of the top-tier adventurers… she mused silently. Lunaria's gaze, her confident smile, and the way she introduced herself—all exuded a unique aura. Just how strong was she, really?

As Saphire passed by the fountain at a busy intersection, several children ran past laughing joyfully. One child nearly bumped into her but stopped just in time. The child's face brightened upon recognizing who stood before them.

"Sis Saphire!" the child exclaimed enthusiastically.

Saphire was momentarily surprised but quickly recognized the little one as a local who stayed at her inn. "Be careful when you run," she advised with a gentle smile.

"Yes, Sis!" the child replied before dashing off to rejoin the others, laughter echoing again.

Continuing on her way, Saphire let the sounds of the bustling market fill her ears. Deep down, she reflected on her accomplishments that day—defeating the Wolf Alpha, earning a new nickname, and achieving rank A. Though proud, there remained an inner drive that she could not ignore. This was only the beginning.