Chapter 11: The Starter quest Arrives.
Half a month has passed.
During this time, Ethan pushed both Elise and Adrian to their limits, carefully balancing their training so they wouldn't break. He made sure their bodies didn't grow too accustomed to the routine by switching up their exercises daily, keeping the training both intense and effective. Their nutrition was also carefully monitored, ensuring they had the fuel to recover and grow stronger.
Adrian, in particular, faced the toughest training. Since his ability depended on both his physical and mental state, Ethan made sure to drill not just his endurance but also his concentration. Mistakes in combat could cost lives, and Ethan refused to let Adrian feel any regret for using his ability.
Despite being strict yet considerate with their training, Ethan had no such restraints when it came to himself. He pushed his own body to the extreme, training longer and harder than both of them combined. During the day, he trained alongside them focusing mainly on the physical aspects. At night, in secret, he honed his ability, refining his control while keeping it hidden from potential threats. With each day, he could use his abilities for longer and in better ways.
Now, at the break of dawn, just past 5 AM, Ethan was getting dressed for another training session. His body felt lighter, sharper. The past seven days had not been in vain.
{
Status Screen
Name: Ethan
Title :None
Stats
Strength: 14>18
Speed: 17>27
Stamina: 18>25
Vitality :16>20
Intelligence :48
Dexterity: 13>18
Status Effects: None
Ability
Innate Ability
Blaze / Rank C / Proficiency 5%>12%
– Generates and controls fire at will. Heat intensity and range depend on proficiency.
Acquired Ability
Unyielding Focus / Rank C- Passive / Proficiency 100%
Effect: Increases mental clarity and focus, allowing the user to work and think at peak efficiency for extended periods.
Stolen Ability: None
}
Ethan flexed his hands, feeling the strength within his muscles.
"Not bad. I grew a lot. Stamina and speed improved the most."
As Ethan studied his progress, a swirl of mist appeared beside him. A moment later, Mary emerged with her usual smirk.
"Looks like you've grown quite a bit since I last saw you," she remarked, arms crossed.
Ethan didn't even glance at her. "Long time no see. You really didn't check in the entire time, just like you said."
Mary shrugged. "I have no interest in watching a bunch of kids train. If you were hot men, maybe I'd have considered it. But a bunch of scrawny kid? Pass!"
"Alright, grandma, whatever you say."
Mary's face twitched. "How does that make me a grandma?!"
Ethan smirked, shrugging. "I don't know. First thing that came to mind. Maybe blame yourself for messing with my emotions and turning me into a child."
Mary huffed, pouting dramatically. "Hmph. And here I was, about to give you a gift. But you are making fun of me. if you apologize, I might still be generous enough to hand it over."
"Oh? What gift?" Ethan asked, feigning excitement.
"Nooo!" Mary groaned in frustration. "You're supposed to soothe me and say sorry first! Not just go, 'What gift?' This is why you don't have a girlfriend."
Ethan only chuckled as she kept ranting, his amusement showing.
With an exasperated sigh, Mary waved her hand. A large blue screen appeared before Ethan.
{
Congratulations. You have unlocked your first Monthly Mission.
Please choose one of the following options:
Physical Training
Mission Type: Physical Exercise
Objective: Complete daily physical exercises for one month
Time Limit: One month
Difficulty: Low to None
Potential Rewards: 20 Stat Points
2) Ravager's Den Expedition
Mission Type: Combat/Exploration
Objective: Slay monsters
Time Limit: One month
Difficulty: High to Extreme.... (Prepare well)
Potential Rewards: System Points and Stat Points (Amount increases based on mission repetitions)
Click to see more description: [1] Ravager's Den Expedition [2] Physical Training
}
Ethan's eyes started narrowing as he read through the options. Before he could comment, Mary clapped her hands together. "Tada! Your Starter Quest! What do you think? Pretty amazing, right?"
As Ethan read the full thing, he gave her a blank stare. "I don't know. It's fine, I guess?"
Mary gasped in exaggerated offense. "What do you mean, you don't know? This is your starter quest. This will help you grow much faster! This is how you grow your legacy. You should be thanking me and groveling at my feet, not looking at me like I just ruined your day."
Ethan sighed. "Well, let's break this down for you," he said as he clapped his hands together.
"The first mission is basically just a minor boost. At my current rate of improvement, I'd gain that many stat points in two months at most. So forgive me if I'm not exactly thrilled."
Mary nodded. "Fair enough. The first mission is safer with virtually no risk, so the rewards are lower. If you want better rewards, go for option one. You can complete it multiple times in a month, so the potential gains are much higher. Sure, it's a bit risky—"
"A bit?" Ethan cut in, giving her a pointed look. "That second mission is basically a death sentence. Plain and simple."
Mary frowned. "Why? You hunted way worse monsters in your past life. This shouldn't be that different. I mean, you've already shown you can hold your own despite regressing."
Ethan thought for a moment before speaking. "Do you remember the dog that Victor had with him?"
"You mean that huge, menacing-looking thing that ran away from you?"
"Yeah, that one." Ethan nodded. "That was also one of the beasts from Ravager's Den."
Mary blinked. "Really? Then shouldn't the mission be easy? I mean, the dog looked strong and scary, but it ran away in fear without even fighting. If they're all on that level, you should be fine."
Ethan let out a dry chuckle. "That's the problem. That dog was the weakest of the weak. A bottom-tier, F-rank beast."
Mary's eyes widened. "That thing was the bottom of the barrel?"
"Yeah. And you know what's worse? It had been domesticated for years, which made it weaker than its wild counterparts. The ones in the Ravager's Den are much stronger and far more aggressive. Plus, they hunt in groups and know the terrain. That's what makes this mission so dangerous."
Mary crossed her arms, tapping her finger against her elbow. "Huh. That does make things trickier. So, what will you do? Like I said, I only brought you the mission—I don't control the system, so I can't tweak the contents."
Ethan stared at the options in front of him, deep in thought. "Do I have to choose right now?"
"Nope, you have until tomorrow to decide. But If you don't pick by then, the missions will disappear on their own."
Ethan exhaled slowly. "Alright. I'll think about it."
Mary nodded, her playful demeanor fading into something more serious. "Good. Just make sure you choose based on logic, not emotions or pressure. Think carefully before you decide. You don't want to regret it later." As she began dissolving back into mist, she added, "You can check the descriptions for more details. That might help. Anyway, just call me in your mind when you've made your decision."
And with that, she was gone.
Ethan sat in his room, fingers tapping idly against the wooden desk as he weighed his options. His first mission was a supplementary one—lower risks, low and fixed rewards. Simple, safe, and predictable. The second mission, though? Dangerous as hell, with a real chance of dying if he messed up.
He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. The logical choice was obvious. The safer mission ensured survival, and survival was the necessity, not just priority. But then again the second mission would allow him to grow exponentially if he could make it out alive.
"Wait a minute... doesn't this solve all my immediate problems?" he murmured to himself, his brows furrowing as his mind raced.
The realization struck him like lightning. If he pulled off the second mission, it wouldn't just be a win—it would be the win. No more scraping by, no more barely making ends meet. Everything could change in one decisive move.
He leaned back in his chair, taking the notebook out where he wrote the details of the future, piecing together details, calculating risks. Slowly, a grin crept onto his face.
"Looks like my choice is clear," he thought, a quiet confidence settling over him. But just as he tried to call Mary, a loud voice shattered his focus.
"Brother! How much longer are you gonna make us wait? Come down faster!" Elise's impatient shout echoed through the courtyard.
Ethan sighed, shaking his head with an amused smirk. "Well, I can always inform her later." With that, he pushed his thoughts aside and headed downstairs.
By the time he reached the training area, Adrian and Elise were already waiting in the garden behind the house. The morning air was crisp. The soft golden glow of the rising sun spilled over the yard, making the dew on the leaves shimmer like tiny gemstones.
Elise huffed, crossing her arms as she eyed Ethan with mock annoyance. "What took you so long? I was getting bored waiting!" She tapped his arm lightly in mock irritation. Her silver hair, usually a bit messy, was tied back into a loose ponytail.
Though she still looked the same at a glance, a subtle difference could be noticed. Her posture was stronger, and her breathing more controlled, proof that she was growing stronger with each passing day.
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "Sorry, sorry. Let's get started."
But before they could begin, Adrian spoke up, his tone unusually serious. "Ethan, we need to talk."
Adrian was perhaps the one who changed the most out of the three of them. Half a month ago, he was visibly skinnier than Ethan, his body still had signs of long-term undernourishment. But now, after days of strict training and proper meals, there was a noticeable difference.
Though he was far from bulky, he was filling out, his shoulders broader, his movements sharper. The hollowness in his face was starting to fade, replaced by a healthier glow.
Still, concern was written all over his face.
Ethan nodded. "Alright. Elise, warm up over there."
"Ugh, always sending me away! Am I even a part of this team or what?" Elise pouted and complained as she started jogging around the garden.
Ethan turned back to Adrian. "So what's wrong? You look worried."
Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's about our funds. The payment date is coming up, and... we're running low."
Ethan's expression darkened slightly. He had almost forgotten about that. "Right... the payment date."
"What are we going to do? We can't just stay cooped up here forever. The bank won't care about our situation. If we don't pay, they'll take action." Adrian's voice was steady, but the underlying tension was clear.
Ethan rubbed the back of his neck.
"We did have to spend most of the money on food," Adrian added, as if trying to justify their situation.
"I know, but that was necessary." Ethan's tone was firm. "Training without proper nutrition is pointless. If we cut back on food, our progress will slow down and we'll be weaker in the long run. There's no point in training if we're too exhausted to fight when it matters."
Adrian let out a slow breath. "Yeah, I get that. But that doesn't change the fact that we need money."
Ethan remained silent for a moment, deep in thought. Unlike Adrian though, he didn't seem particularly concerned.
"How much do we have left?" he finally asked.
"About two months' worth. Three if we cut back on some things. But the payment deadline is in two months and just the savings we have won't be enough."
Ethan nodded, placing a firm hand on Adrian's shoulder. "Then don't stress about it. I've got it covered. You just focus on training."
Adrian narrowed his eyes. "You sure? How?"
"I have my ways."
"Are you planning something crazy? Because if are—"
"I'm not going to do anything reckless," Ethan smirked, the glint of confidence in his eyes unmistakable. "But I meant what I said. From now on, you won't have to worry about money again. Just focus on getting stronger."
Adrian studied his face, searching for any sign of uncertainty. Finding none, he simply sighed. "Fine. I'll trust you. But don't try to be a hero, alright? If you need help, you better tell me."
Ethan chuckled. "Yeah, yeah. Don't worry."
Despite his concerns, Adrian gave a small smile. Something about Ethan's confidence made it easier to believe in him. Besides, Ethan was never really the one who would lie or comfort him of all people in these types of situations. If Ethan was in need of any help, he would have asked Adrian like in the past.
With that, he turned and jogged off to join Elise, who was still muttering complaints about being ignored.
Ethan watched them for a moment before cracking his knuckles. The weight of his decision settled on him, but instead of fear, he felt a surge of determination.
"Alright, let's begin."
As the morning sun climbed higher, their training resumed once more.