First Steps Towards Greatness

Three days had passed since Arthur met Lyra, and in that time, he had changed.

His body no longer ached with every movement, his stamina had improved significantly, and his reflexes were sharper than ever. He had been thrown headfirst into a brutal training regimen, courtesy of Lyra, who turned out to be far more experienced in surviving the Wildlands than he had initially thought.

Arthur's Current Stats:

Strength: 27Agility: 35Endurance: 32Dexterity: 30Intelligence: 26Perception: 29Luck: 23

"Alright, newbie, time for today's lesson." Lyra tossed a small dagger at him, which he barely caught in time. "You've got the basics down, but now we need to make sure you don't embarrass yourself in a real fight."

Arthur twirled the dagger in his grip, getting a feel for its weight. He had spent the last few days training his body, running through dense forests, hunting small creatures, and learning how to use a blade without stabbing himself in the foot.

"I'd like to think I already passed that stage." Arthur smirked.

Lyra rolled her eyes. "Cute. Let's see if you can back that up."

Before he could react, she lunged.

Arthur barely had time to block as her short sword clashed against his dagger. The force sent him stumbling back, but he recovered quickly, dodging to the side as she pressed forward. He had learned fast—hesitation in this world meant death.

Lyra's attacks were relentless, her movements precise. Arthur parried as best as he could, but she was faster, stronger, and far more experienced. It was only through sheer instinct and his improved stats that he managed to avoid getting disarmed within the first ten seconds.

"You're getting better," Lyra admitted as she pressed him further. "But you're still predictable."

Arthur gritted his teeth. He needed to turn the tide. He feigned a stumble, baiting her into an attack. As soon as she committed, he pivoted, twisting his body just enough to slip past her blade and strike at her exposed side—

Only to find the tip of her sword resting against his throat.

"Dead," she said simply, smirking.

Arthur groaned. "One of these days, I'm actually going to land a hit."

Lyra withdrew her sword, shrugging. "Maybe. But right now, you're still too stiff. You think like a brawler, not a fighter."

Arthur sighed, rolling his shoulders. She wasn't wrong. His approach had been instinctive—reacting rather than planning. He needed to change that.

"Alright, again," he said, stepping back into position.

Lyra grinned. "That's the spirit."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Arthur collapsed near the campfire, utterly exhausted. His entire body felt like it had been run over by a carriage. Lyra sat across from him, casually sharpening her sword like she hadn't just spent hours kicking his ass.

"You learn fast," she admitted. "I'll give you that."

Arthur let out a dry laugh. "Doesn't feel fast enough."

Lyra smirked. "Well, you haven't died yet. That's progress."

Arthur exhaled, watching the fire crackle. "So, tell me something, Lyra. You've been helping me all this time, but you never really said why. What's your deal?"

Lyra's expression shifted slightly, the usual teasing glint in her eyes dimming. She stared into the flames for a moment before sighing.

"I used to have a group," she said finally. "A team of hunters. We took contracts, hunted beasts, explored ruins. It was a good life."

Arthur picked up on the past tense immediately. "What happened?"

She didn't answer right away. Instead, she tossed another log into the fire, watching the embers spark.

"We got overconfident," she said. "Took on something we shouldn't have. It… didn't end well."

Arthur frowned. "You were the only one who made it out."

Lyra nodded, her expression unreadable. "Since then, I've been alone. It's easier that way."

Arthur hesitated before speaking. "And yet, you're helping me."

Lyra met his gaze. "Maybe I got tired of being alone."

Silence stretched between them. Arthur didn't know what to say, so he simply nodded. He understood that kind of loneliness.

"Thanks," he said finally.

Lyra huffed. "Don't get all sentimental on me, newbie. You're not off the hook yet."

Arthur chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

For the first time since he arrived in this world, he felt like he had an ally. And maybe, just maybe, a friend.

But deep down, he knew this was only the beginning. The real challenges were still ahead. And if he wanted to survive, he would have to get even stronger.

Because in this world, strength was everything.

And he refused to be weak.