The Second Kill

The scream had already faded by the time Seokhyun reached the slope. It wasn't close—whoever it was had been at least several hundred meters deeper in. The underbrush thickened, and the air was heavier now, as if the forest itself resented his presence.

He moved silently, his new [Beast Instinct] trait sharpening his senses just enough to make his steps feel more natural, more calculated. His ears caught distant rustling. Something was out there. Something alive. And it wasn't alone.

He climbed over a rotted tree trunk and stopped just short of a small clearing. There, backed into the curve of a moss-covered boulder, stood the Aine.

She was panting, her silver hair clinging to her face, her uniform torn slightly across one shoulder. In front of her—no, surrounding her—were two goblin-like creatures. Not the green-skinned, cartoonish ones from old games. These were gaunt, long-limbed, with dark brown skin and eyes that gleamed red in the shadows. Crude spears clutched in their claws. Hungry. Alert.

She held her knife like she'd never used one before.

Seokhyun didn't call out.

He didn't need to.

[Skill: Identify – Activated]

Targets: Forest Goblin Scouts (x2)

Level: 3

Traits: Night Vision (E), Pack Tactics (F)

Threat Level: Moderate

EXP Value: 60 (30 each)

He exhaled once, quietly.

Two goblins. One girl. And him.

He stepped forward.

A twig snapped underfoot.

Both goblins turned instantly—but he was already in motion. His body reacted faster than before, the Beast Instinct trait kicking in like a background process. He closed the distance in seconds.

The first goblin lunged. Seokhyun dropped low, the blade in his hand slashing upward, catching the creature's gut. It shrieked—high and animal-like—and crumpled to the ground, twitching.

The second didn't wait. It darted around to flank him, spear aimed at his ribs.

The girl screamed again.

But Seokhyun twisted aside at the last second. The spear grazed his side, tearing cloth, nicking skin. Pain flared—but it was distant, dulled. His left hand grabbed the goblin's arm, the right plunging the knife into its chest.

Once.

Twice.

Until it stopped moving.

He stood over the two corpses, blood soaking into the dirt beneath his boots.

The system whispered again.

[2 Enemies Defeated – EXP +60]

[Total EXP: 100/100]

[Level Up – Class: &@62$- → Level 2]

You may allocate 5 Stat Points.

[New Trait Available for Absorption]

Forest Goblin Scout (E): Night Vision (E) or Pack Tactics (F)

Select one.

He barely glanced at the options.

Night Vision (E) – Confirmed.

Trait Absorbed.

A rush of something cold passed over his eyes, then vanished.

[Mana: +5]

[Current Mana: 15]

[Status Updated]

Strength: 5 → 6

Speed: 5 → 7

Intelligence: 5 → 6

Vitality: 5 → 6

Mana: 10 → 15

Luck and Charm remained untouched, sealed like mysteries waiting for their time.

When he finally turned around, the girl was still there, pressed against the boulder, wide-eyed. Her mouth opened and closed like she wanted to say something but had forgotten how.

"You alright?" he asked quietly.

She nodded too fast. "I-I didn't know they were that fast. I just—I thought they were beasts…"

"They're worse," he said. "They think."

A moment of silence passed between them. The blood on his hands was still fresh.

"You killed both of them," she whispered. "You… you didn't even use magic. Or a spell."

"I don't have any."

Her brows furrowed. "But… how?"

Seokhyun didn't answer. He simply turned toward the direction of the camp markers and began walking.

She hesitated, then followed. He didn't stop her.

They walked quietly for a while, side by side, her steps light and unsure.

"Thank you," she said softly, after a few minutes. "If you hadn't shown up…"

He gave a vague shrug.

"I didn't think anyone in Class D could fight like that," she added, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "You're… strange."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No," she said, smiling faintly. "It's kind of cool."

Her voice was small, but the tone had changed. Like she wasn't afraid anymore—not of him, not even of the forest. Just curious. A little too curious.

He didn't say anything back.

But her pace matched his after that.

And she stayed close.

Then a new notification arrived.

[New Quest Available – "Chain of Growth"]

Objective: Reach Level 3. Absorb 5 Traits. Discover a hidden dungeon.

Progress: Level 2 / 5 Traits: 2 / Hidden Dungeon: 0

Reward: ???

He didn't smile.

But inside, something was beginning.