Kael stepped deeper into the forest, leaving behind the shattered remains of yet another herd of Rock Boars. The air grew cooler, and the trees overhead thickened, casting long shadows across the mossy ground. His boots crunched softly on fallen leaves as the faint howls of distant predators echoed ahead.
Before long, his eyes narrowed as his next challenge came into view.
Several Anemo Wolves prowled through the underbrush, their lean, wind-swept bodies bristling with energy. Their silver fur shimmered faintly, and a constant breeze seemed to circle around them, disturbing the grass even in still air. Though only Level 4, they were notorious for one trait, speed.
Kael brought up his status window for a final check.
[Level: 2 (80%)
HP: 1,050 / 1,050
MP: 525 / 525
Skills: Butt-Flameball Lv.3 (92%)]
He stepped forward, one hand raised casually.
"I wonder if they're faster than my spell."
The closest wolf spotted him first, its eyes glowing with alert hostility. It gave a sharp bark, alerting the others, and the whole pack of five bolted forward in unison. Their claws tore through the grass with alarming speed, weaving left and right to confuse their prey.
Kael didn't flinch. The moment they entered striking range, he activated his signature skill.
A swirling orb of black flame appeared over his shoulder and shot forward. Just as one wolf leaped toward him, the flame curved unnaturally in the air and slammed into its rear.
–37,000
The Anemo Wolf collapsed mid-leap, its body twitching before it hit the ground.
The others didn't pause to register the loss. Two lunged from opposite angles, and Kael pivoted smoothly, letting one pass behind him. The second came head-on, and met his clenched fist.
–800
The wolf dropped instantly from the physical blow, skull crushed.
Kael spun, delivered a swift kick to another, and followed up with another punch to its flank. Though his unenhanced attacks dealt minimal damage compared to his magic, they were still fatal to enemies at this level.
–800
–800
The fourth wolf lunged again. Kael raised his hand and triggered his flame skill once more.
The fireball launched upward, twisted, and slammed into the final wolf's backside.
–37,000
It exploded in a flash of black flame and collapsed with a pained yelp.
Within seconds, the entire pack lay defeated.
Kael stepped over the remains and glanced around, brushing off his gloves. The forest fell quiet once more, save for the rustling leaves and the soft hum of his system window closing.
But something unusual caught his eye, beneath one of the wolves was a faint glint of leather.
He crouched down and pulled it free.
It was a small, worn leather book, the edges aged and weathered. A system notification flickered into view.
[Quest Item Acquired: Mysterious Leather Tome]
Description: A book dropped by a beast that seems oddly out of place. It contains the seal of the village guard on its back cover.
Objective: Deliver this item to Village Guard John in Newbie Village – 25076.
Reward:
• Next-stage quest unlocked
• +1 Silver Coin
• Favorability with John +5]
Kael raised a brow.
"A quest drop from a monster, huh?" He tucked the book into his inventory, then stood and turned toward the path he came from. "Looks like I'll be heading back after all."
As he made his way through the forest, the faint flicker of excitement stirred within him. The game wasn't just a power fantasy, it was starting to feel like a world full of stories waiting to be uncovered.
And Kael had just turned to the next page.
The return to Newbie Village was uneventful, save for the steady flicker of system notifications.
[Level Up! You are now Level 3]
[Butt-Flameball Lv.4 (12%)]
Kael dismissed the windows without much thought as the village gates came into view. The familiar sight of low stone walls, simple wooden homes, and bustling players gave a sense of rhythm—an illusion of safety before the wilderness beyond.
Yet, as he approached the training yard where Village Guard John usually stood, he felt eyes on him.
Dozens of players milling around the quest boards paused briefly to glance in his direction. Some of them outright stared. His glowing mage gear and calm expression stood in stark contrast to their half-equipped, copper-armed appearances. Whispers started to ripple through the crowd.
"Where did he get that set?"
"That's not from the NPC shop."
"Is he part of a private guild?"
Kael ignored them and walked past the murmurs. He stopped in front of a tall, broad-shouldered NPC with a worn steel cuirass and a sharp gaze. Village Guard John stood with arms folded, watching the perimeter. When Kael approached, he gave a faint nod.
Kael opened his inventory and retrieved the leather book. The moment he held it out, John's eyes sharpened.
The guard took the tome carefully, as though it were something fragile. His gaze lingered on the seal embossed on the back cover, then slowly lifted toward Kael.
"You found this in the forest?" John asked, his voice deep and deliberate.
Kael nodded once. "Dropped by a pack of Anemo Wolves."
John said nothing for a moment. Then he tucked the book into a pouch at his waist.
"I see. This seal belongs to the village's internal scouting division. If a beast was carrying it… then something is wrong in the deeper woods."
He studied Kael for a long second, then gave a firm nod, as if coming to a decision.
"You've proven yourself capable. But before I involve you in what's ahead, I need to see more." John opened a fresh scroll and handed it to him.
[New Quest Received: Field Cleanup]
Objective: Hunt 40 Rock Boars
Reward:
• 10 Silver Coins
• Unlock Next Quest
• Favorability with John +10
"Report back when it's done," John said.
Kael accepted the scroll and stepped back. As he did, a few players nearby who had overheard the interaction began whispering again—this time with more intensity.
"Did he just get a custom quest?"
"What is the reward? Wish that was me!"
"That NPC never even talks to me!"
Two players,both armed with cheap daggers and mismatched armor, approached Kael with hopeful grins.
Their names are [Rolling thunder] and [Rolling fire], quite a chunni names.
"Hey, bro, want to party up? We can clear boars together, maybe help each other out?"
Kael glanced at them, his expression unreadable. He paused only briefly before shaking his head.
"No."
He turned and walked toward the village gate once more, ignoring the mixture of disappointment and irritation behind him.
He was not here to carry others.