[Current Status: About to Fight Actual Monsters]
Location: Forest Outskirts, Outside Silverbrook
System Assistance: STILL LOCKED (12 Hours Left)
Mood: Terrified but Trying to Act Cool
---
Yuuto stood at the edge of a dense forest, gripping a rusty iron sword that looked one swing away from breaking.
A cold wind rustled the trees, carrying a scent of damp earth and something… rotten.
Era, standing beside him, checked her gear. "Alright, rookie. First mission. Kill three goblins."
Yuuto forced a smile. "Sounds easy enough."
Era raised an eyebrow. "You say that now, but goblins are nastier than they look. They bite, they cheat, and they love ganging up on weaklings."
Yuuto gulped. "Wait, what was that st part?"
Celia floated beside him, smirking.
"Ohhh, this is gonna be great. You struggling against goblins? Priceless."
Yuuto sighed. "Can't you be supportive for once?"
Celia pretended to think. "Hmm… Nope."
Yuuto groaned.
Era ignored them, scanning the forest. "The goblins usually set up near clearings. Stay close, move quietly, and—"
SNAP!
A branch cracked.
Era froze. Yuuto turned pale.
Celia? Smiling like she was watching a horror movie.
A low growl echoed through the trees.
Then—
RUSTLE. RUSTLE. RUSTLE.
Three goblins stepped out of the brush, each holding crude weapons.
Their beady yellow eyes locked onto Yuuto.
Their sharp teeth glistened with saliva.
One of them—slightly taller than the others—grinned, brandishing a rusty dagger.
"Heh. Fresh meat."
Yuuto’s heart dropped.
"Wait—THEY CAN TALK?!"
Era sighed. "Some of them. The smart ones."
Celia snorted. "Too bad you got the smart ones. Bad luck, loser."
The lead goblin licked his lips. "You look weak. Maybe we take our time, yes?"
Yuuto gripped his sword. "Screw that! Bring it on!"
Era grinned. "Alright. Show me what you got."
Yuuto exhaled, steadying his stance.
Then—
The goblins charged.
---
[Yuuto’s First Fight]
The first goblin lunged, swinging a club at Yuuto’s head.
Yuuto ducked.
The club missed by inches, smming into a tree. BARK EXPLODED EVERYWHERE.
Yuuto countered, swinging his sword.
SHNK!
His bde sliced the goblin’s arm.
The goblin screeched, stumbling back.
"Oh damn. I actually hit something."
DING!
---
[System Notice]
You have nded your first successful attack!
5 Exp
---
Celia blinked. “Wait. You’re actually fighting back?”
Era smirked. "Not bad, rookie."
Yuuto grinned—only to get PUNCHED IN THE FACE.
"GAAAH!"
He stumbled backward, stars in his vision.
The second goblin grabbed his leg, yanking him down.
Yuuto hit the ground HARD.
"Oof—DAMN IT!"
The goblin jumped onto his chest, snarling.
It raised a rusty dagger, ready to stab—
"NOT TODAY!"
Yuuto grabbed a rock and bashed its head.
CRACK!
The goblin yelped, rolling off him.
Yuuto scrambled up, panting. "God, this is terrifying."
Celia, hovering above, giggled. "You’re like a baby deer learning to walk."
Yuuto wiped sweat. "Less commentary, more support!"
Celia pretended to think. "Mmm… No."
Yuuto groaned. "You suck."
Era ughed. "Alright. Enough pying around. Time to end this."
---
[Era Gets Serious]
Era rushed forward, sword fshing.
The lead goblin barely reacted before—
SHNK!
Her bde sliced through its throat.
Blood sprayed. The goblin gurgled, then colpsed.
The other two froze.
Era cracked her neck. "Next?"
The goblins screamed—AND RAN.
Yuuto blinked. "Wait, they can do that?"
Era shrugged. "They know when they’re outmatched."
Yuuto stared at his bloodied sword. "So… I killed one, right?"
Era smirked. "Nah. I did."
Yuuto groaned. "Damn it!"
---
[System Notice]
Mission Update: Goblins Killed – 0
---
Celia cackled. "HAAA! You still didn’t get a kill!"
Yuuto sighed. "…I hate this world."
Era sheathed her sword. "Alright. One down. Two more to go."
Yuuto groaned again. "Of course."
Celia patted his head. "Good luck, loser."
Yuuto sighed, bracing for another round.
His first hunt was far from over.
---
[End of Chapter 5]
