A Departure with Blood

The morning air was crisp as Alex adjusted the straps of his new attire, a set of simple yet durable clothes gifted by his mentor. The fabric was rough against his skin, but it was far better than the tattered rags he had worn upon arriving in the forest. His boots, sturdy and well-worn, fit snugly around his feet, a sign that they had been chosen with care.

A small pouch hung from his belt, containing a modest sum of money—just enough to get by in whatever town he stumbled upon first.

Tucked safely inside his pack was a worn-out map, the edges frayed from years of use. His mentor had handed it to him without much ceremony, simply stating,

"Follow the roads. Avoid the dead ends." It wasn't much, but it was better than wandering blindly.

Strapped to his back was the item Shard of Ruin, its broken pieces sealed within its sheath. Though useless in its current state, he carried it anyway. Whether out of stubbornness or sentiment, he couldn't say. It was a reminder of his weakness, of a battle he had barely survived. Perhaps, one day, he would find a way to restore it.

As a final gift, his mentor had given him an eastern sword, its curved blade resting within a simple yet elegant scabbard. It felt foreign in his grasp, lighter than he expected yet balanced.

"You're not ready for a real blade yet," his mentor had said gruffly. "But this will do for now. It won't break as easily as you will."

When he said he wasn't ready for a real blade, he meant that a sword that would be in his hand will never accept or acknowledge it's wielder. Harsh as it maybe, it was the truth since Alex is weak.

Taking a deep breath, Alex adjusted the sword at his side, feeling the weight of his mentor's words settle in his chest. He glanced back at the forest one last time, its towering trees standing as silent witnesses to the months of struggle and growth he had endured.

His mentor stood at the forest's edge, arms crossed, his expression as unreadable as ever. "For three months, you have trained under me. You may be talentless and stubborn, but you persevered. You have guts. As long as you know why you hold that sword and why you fight, my teachings—and that will of yours—will always make you strong."

Alex gave a firm nod, gripping the hilt of his sword. Then, with a final nod to himself, he turned and stepped beyond the forest's edge, toward whatever lay beyond.

The wilderness was unforgiving, and the moment he left the familiar trees behind, the presence of predators grew thick in the air. Shadows moved between the trees, watching, waiting. He could hear them—snarls, guttural growls, claws scraping against bark. The forest wasn't ready to let him go without a fight.

A low growl rumbled behind him. Alex barely had time to react before a monstrous figure lunged from the underbrush, fangs bared and eyes gleaming with hunger. He twisted his body just in time, his new sword flashing as he brought it up in a desperate counter.

The beast recoiled, a fresh wound carving across its snout, but it wasn't alone. More figures emerged, their predatory gazes locking onto him. He was being hunted.

Alex steadied his stance, exhaling sharply. He had fought monsters before, but this was different. There was no mentor watching over him now. No safe retreat. This was his trial, and he had no choice but to fight his way through.

The first beast lunged again, and this time, Alex met it head-on.

It was a wolf. The same kind that had nearly ended him once before. But this time, there was no hesitation, no fear freezing his limbs. He sidestepped with practiced ease, his blade flashing in a single, clean arc. The wolf's body hit the ground before it could even yelp, blood staining the dirt beneath it.

Another came from his left. He pivoted, bringing his sword up in a controlled motion, slicing through its throat. The creatures that once terrorized him now fell effortlessly beneath his strikes. They were fast, but he was faster. They were fierce, but he was fiercer.

A third lunged, and with a single downward stroke, Alex ended it before it even reached him. He wasn't the same helpless boy anymore. The fear that had once gripped him was gone. Replaced by something sharper. Something stronger.

As the last wolf collapsed at his feet, Alex stood still for a moment, breathing heavily. The forest had tested him one final time. And he had won.

The stench of rot and damp earth filled the air as Alex moved cautiously along the dirt path. He had no destination in mind—only the vague notion of civilization lying somewhere beyond the wilderness. The unknown stretched before him, filled with both danger and opportunity.

[System Notification: You have entered a high-threat zone.]

His grip tightened on his sword. The goblins were near.

A rustle in the underbrush was his only warning before a jagged arrow shot toward him. He twisted his body, dodging just in time. Another arrow followed, but this time, his sword flashed in a precise arc, cutting it mid-flight.

Then, they came.

[System Notification: Hostile entities detected – Goblin Raiders (Lv. 7-9)]

Green-skinned figures burst from the foliage, their shrill cries filling the air as they rushed him with rusted blades and crude clubs. Their beady eyes gleamed with malice, but Alex did not falter. He had fought these creatures before. They were nothing compared to the monsters he had already overcome.

The first goblin lunged, its dagger aimed at his ribs. Alex sidestepped smoothly, his sword lashing out in a clean, practiced motion. The goblin's body crumpled to the ground before it even realized it was dead.

Two more charged at him from opposite sides, one swinging wildly with a broken axe while the other tried to circle behind him. Alex moved with sharp precision, ducking beneath the first attacker's swing and driving his blade through its chest in a single thrust. Without hesitation, he pivoted on his heel and brought his sword down in a decisive stroke, cutting the second goblin's throat before it could react.

More arrows whistled through the air. Alex spun away, feeling the wind of their passing just inches from his skin. These weren't random shots—they were aimed to herd him into a vulnerable position.

A trap.

He smirked.

Leaping forward, he dashed toward the treeline where the goblin archers were hidden. Their eyes widened as he closed the distance faster than they had expected. One managed to nock another arrow, but before it could release, Alex's blade was already upon it. The goblin fell with a strangled cry. The others panicked, scrambling to flee, but Alex showed no mercy. He cut them down, one by one, until the forest was silent once more.

[System Notification: Combat complete. EXP gained: 720.]

He exhaled, rolling his shoulders. Easy.

But then, the ground trembled.

A deep, guttural growl echoed through the trees, followed by the heavy thud of approaching footsteps.

Alex turned, eyes narrowing.

[System Warning: High-threat entity approaching – Ogre (Lv. 15)]

Emerging from the dense forest, a hulking figure loomed over him. Standing nearly twice his height, the ogre's thick, grayish skin was scarred from countless battles. Its beady red eyes locked onto Alex with a hunger that sent lesser men running.

In one massive hand, it gripped a crude club made from a tree trunk, splintered and stained with old blood. It inhaled deeply, nostrils flaring, then let out a roar that shook the trees.

Alex raised his sword, stance steady.

This fight wouldn't be as easy. But he wasn't the same person who had once struggled against mere wolves.

The ogre lunged, its club swinging down with enough force to shatter stone. Alex sidestepped, feeling the rush of air as it smashed into the ground, sending dirt and debris flying. Wasting no time, he dashed forward, his sword slashing at the ogre's exposed side.

The blade bit deep, but the monster barely flinched. With alarming speed, the ogre twisted, its massive arm swinging outward. Alex ducked, the wind from the strike whipping against his skin.

He couldn't fight this like the goblins. This required precision.

The ogre struck again, this time aiming to crush him underfoot. Alex leapt back, then surged forward before the beast could recover. His sword flashed in an arc, slicing across its knee. The ogre roared, staggering as its leg buckled slightly.

Seeing his opening, Alex darted around its back, his sword carving a deep gash along its spine. The ogre howled in pain, spinning wildly in an attempt to swat him away.

But Alex was already gone, moving with lethal grace. He kept his strikes sharp and deliberate, cutting at its joints, weakening it bit by bit. The ogre's movements grew sluggish, its attacks more desperate.

Finally, as it dropped to one knee, panting in fury, Alex took his chance. With a burst of speed, he ran up its arm, using the beast's own body as leverage. His sword gleamed in the dim light as he brought it down in one final, decisive strike.

The blade sank deep into the ogre's skull.

For a moment, the creature remained still, its body trembling. Then, with a heavy thud, it collapsed, lifeless.

[System Notification: Combat complete. EXP gained: 1850.]

[System Notification: Multiple ogres defeated. Title unlocked: Orc Slayer.]

[System Notification: New buff acquired – Strength of the Slayer: +10% damage against orcs and ogres.]

[System Notification: Level Up! Alex has reached Level 12.]

[System Notification: Level-Up Rewards: Strength +2, Agility +1, Perception +1. New Skill Unlocked – Rapid Counter: Increases counterattack speed by 15%.]

Alex landed smoothly, exhaling as he wiped the blood from his blade. No injuries. No hesitation.

He had won.

With his newfound strength, he pressed forward. Hours later, as the sun dipped lower, the sight of ruins came into view. Smoke still lingered in the air, the charred remnants of buildings standing as blackened skeletons against the sky.

A town… or what was left of it.

He stepped closer, cautious. Then he heard movement—footsteps, hushed voices. Not survivors.

Bandits.

[System Warning: Hostile entities detected – Bandit Raiders (Lv. 10-13)]

Alex's fingers tightened around his sword. This fight would be different. He had never fought humans before.

The first bandit lunged, swinging a rusted blade toward him. Alex moved instinctively, parrying the strike. The impact sent a jolt up his arm—different from fighting monsters. Warmer. More human.

He hesitated.

A fist slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind from him. His vision blurred, pain exploding in his ribs. The bandit sneered, raising his weapon for another strike.

Alex's breath came in ragged gasps. His hands trembled. Killing monsters was one thing. This was different. This was murder.

But as the blade descended, instinct took over. He dodged, his sword lashing out. The bandit staggered back, clutching his side as blood seeped between his fingers.

[System Notification: Achievement Unlocked – First Kill! Congratulations on taking a life.]

Alex panted, staring at the crimson staining his hands. A cold shiver ran down his spine, nausea curling in his stomach. But the other two bandits were already upon him.

Gritting his teeth, he moved. His blade cut through flesh, warm blood splattering against his skin. The second bandit gurgled, collapsing. The third barely had time to react before Alex's sword pierced his heart.

He stumbled back, panting heavily. He looked at his hands—bloodied, shaking. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.

Survivors. He had to find them.

Alex stumbled upon the real survivors—a small trading family hiding among the ruins. A weary man stepped forward, shielding his wife and young daughter behind him.

"Please… we mean no harm," the man said cautiously, his voice laced with fear.

Alex hesitated, his grip tightening on his sword before he forced himself to relax. "I'm not here to hurt you. I took care of the bandits. You're safe now."

The woman gasped, holding her daughter tighter. "You… you saved us?"

Alex nodded. "Are there others?"

The man shook his head. "Just us. We were passing through when the attack happened. We lost everything."

A long silence settled between them before the man extended a hand. "If you're heading toward civilization, we know the way. Come with us."

Alex looked at the blood on his hands, the weight of his choices still heavy. But then, he took a deep breath and nodded.

"Lead the way."

For the first time since leaving the forest, he had a direction. Despite that, the lingering feeling after just taking another human being's life is still there. He fought monsters but humans were different but he knew that if he doesn't fight, he'll die. In the end he is just a pawn in this world's sick game.