Chapter 5: The First Step of Progress

The Novice Village bustled with activity, its cobblestone streets filled with players of all levels, eagerly adjusting to the rules of this new world. For Qin Sheng, it was a familiar sight, yet his purpose this time was different. As he took in the sights of the village—its quaint wooden houses, bustling NPCs, and other players—it was clear that everything had changed. The game was no longer just a passive experience; it was survival now.

His dual daggers gleamed in the sunlight, the weapons given to him by his Eclipse Reaver class. The blades, light and swift, felt like an extension of his body. Every swing, every strike, was precise. The Eclipse Reaver class focused on speed and precision, a perfect fit for Qin Sheng's style. This wasn't a time for heavy armor and brute force—he needed agility, dexterity, and adaptability to survive.

He had already begun his hunts in the surrounding woods. The Forest Boars, weak and numerous, were perfect targets for his first steps into this new world. As his blades sliced through the beasts, a faint glow appeared beside their corpses, signaling that something had been obtained.

Looting Mechanic Activated:

You have successfully looted a Forest Boar!

Skill Acquired: Boar Rush (F-Rank)

Stats Acquired: +1 Stamina, +1 Strength.

Qin Sheng smirked as he looked at the loot. In his previous life, the system had never allowed such automatic acquisition of skills and stats from slain enemies. But now, with his Eclipse Dominion (Hybrid) talent, things were different. He was able to absorb the skills and stats of the creatures he killed. This mechanic wasn't just about gaining experience—it was about gaining new abilities and bolstering his power with each kill.

With the Boar Rush skill now added to his arsenal, Qin Sheng quickly equipped it, testing it out in a combat scenario. The skill granted him the ability to charge forward with incredible speed, knocking back enemies in his path. It was perfect for crowd control or for quickly closing the distance between himself and an enemy. He didn't waste time—he immediately engaged another group of Forest Boars, his daggers flashing in the air as he dodged their attacks and retaliated with quick, lethal strikes.

Each kill brought more XP, and soon enough, his XP bar began to fill.

The system flashed in front of him:

System Notification:

Congratulations! You've gained 10 XP for each Forest Boar slain. Your current XP: 40/100.

His progress felt steady. The kills were coming easily, and the XP bar was already at Level 2. But this wasn't enough for Qin Sheng. He needed more—he needed to push past his limits. Each level meant more strength, more agility, more resilience in the face of what was to come.

His XP bar crept forward until finally, a new notification rang in his mind.

System Notification:

Congratulations! You've reached Level 2. You may distribute 65 stat points.

Qin Sheng wasted no time in allocating his points. Agility was his main focus, giving him more speed and fluidity with his dual daggers. He also allocated some points to Stamina, improving his endurance. As he continued hunting, the XP bar quickly climbed again, nearing Level 3.

After killing a few more Forest Boars and looting them for their skills and stats, Qin Sheng received:

Loot from Forest Boar:

Skill Acquired: Boar Roar (F-Rank)

Stats Acquired: +1 Strength, +1 Agility.

Qin Sheng was intrigued. The Boar Roar skill was unique—a short-range skill that emitted a loud roar, stunning enemies within its radius. It could be useful if he found himself surrounded. He immediately equipped it, testing its effect. The next time a Forest Boar lunged at him, he activated the Boar Roar, sending the creature reeling back in surprise.

His XP climbed once again, and soon enough, his XP bar flashed, signaling that he had reached Level 3.

System Notification:

Congratulations! You've reached Level 3. You may distribute 65 stat points.

Again, Qin Sheng didn't hesitate. He distributed his points mainly to Agility, boosting his already impressive speed. With his dual daggers now in perfect sync with his movement, he felt unstoppable. The XP bar quickly filled again, and before long, he found himself at the cusp of Level 4.

Each Forest Boar he killed now seemed to fall faster than before. His speed was undeniable, and the Boar Rush and Boar Roar skills combined with his swift daggers made him a force to be reckoned with. After another kill, Qin Sheng looted the creature again.

Loot from Forest Boar:

Skill Acquired: Boar Stomp (F-Rank)

Stats Acquired: +1 Strength, +1 Agility.

The Boar Stomp skill was an area-of-effect ability that allowed him to stomp the ground, causing a shockwave that knocked back enemies. Qin Sheng was already imagining how these skills would work together—Boar Rush to close the gap, followed by Boar Roar to stun, and then finishing with Boar Stomp to deal heavy area damage. It was a brutal combo.

But something strange happened as he looted the Forest Boar again. This time, the Boar Roar skill had leveled up!

Loot from Forest Boar:

Skill Acquired: Boar Roar (E-Rank)

Stats Acquired: +1 Strength, +1 Agility.

The Boar Roar skill had increased in rank, its effect now more powerful, with a larger radius and a longer stun duration. The XP bar finally hit the 100% mark again.

System Notification:

Congratulations! You've reached Level 4. You may distribute 65 stat points.

Qin Sheng smiled. The grind was slow, but it was effective. He had leveled up twice in a short span, and he was only getting stronger. He distributed his points in Agility once more, and a few in Stamina to keep his energy up. His skills and stats were improving, and it wouldn't be long before he could take on even greater threats.

But what intrigued him the most was the mechanic that allowed his skills to improve with each repetition. The more he fought the Forest Boars, the more powerful his skills became. This was the real power of his Eclipse Dominion (Hybrid) talent—the ability to constantly evolve, adapt, and grow stronger.

He stood in the center of the village, watching other players hustle about, their faces filled with determination. For now, Qin Sheng was ahead. The leaderboard was still locked, but he had no doubt that, once it unlocked, he would be at the top. The path ahead was still long, but for the first time in this new life, Qin Sheng felt the thrill of progress. And this time, he wouldn't let anyone stand in his way.