With difficulty, Alex got up. He checked his body. He was hurt, but thankfully, there were no major wounds that required immediate medical attention.
These kinds of injuries—he was used to them. His body was strong enough to heal on its own.
He tore his tunic and wrapped it around the bleeding spots. It took a few minutes.
Now came the hunger.
Sure, he could endure hunger for a few more days—but his body needed fuel.
He looked at the rat. Was it edible? He didn't know.
But meat was meat. And this was meat.
He didn't want to go outside.
If a level 5 rat was that strong, he didn't even want to imagine what else was out there.
Oh... I haven't used my attribute points yet.
He summoned his status screen again.
Hmm, which attributes should I choose?
I can put aside speed for now since I have the Dash skill. Speed isn't urgent. Intelligence also isn't needed right now—I don't know anything about spells yet. I'll increase Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution—all by 3.
When he added the points, that refreshing sensation washed over him again—but this time, it wasn't just mental.
His body felt stronger. Noticeably stronger.
[Name – Alex Liefield]
[Race – Human]
[Age – 21]
[Class – Not Awakened]
[Exp – 0/600]
[Attribute Points – 0]
[Skills – Dash]
[Level – 5]
Strength – 18
Constitution – 17
Dexterity – 18
Speed – 15
Intelligence – 8
This feeling was incredible.
To feel his strength increase in real time.
But to feel it again—he needed to kill more.
First, he needed to eat.
He started a fire in the cave, using some firewood he found nearby.
He cut the rat open. Its skin was tough. His almost-broken knife nearly snapped completely—but the boost in strength helped.
He roasted the meat over the fire.
The rat was huge. There was too much meat. He ate until he was completely full—because he didn't know when he'd get to eat again.
He had to move.
He needed to find the nearest human town. The forest was too dangerous to stay in.
Alex stepped out of the damp cave, the scent of blood still lingering on his hands.
His clothes were in tatters. His body ached—but his mind was sharp.
He had leveled up, and he could feel it—his strength, his control.
His body felt powerful.
The forest stretched out before him, still dark, still endless. The sky offered no clue whether it was day or night. The wind carried the distant howls of unseen beasts.
Alex exhaled and stepped forward.
A rustle in the bushes.
He stilled, his fingers brushing the intact edge of his dagger.
The sound was heavy. Deliberate.
Something was watching him.
Then—a blur of fur and muscle lunged from the underbrush.
A black wolf. Its fangs bared. Claws swiping for his throat.
Alex twisted, dodging just in time. The wind from the strike brushed his cheek.
The wolf spun in midair, landed, and lunged again.
This time, Alex was ready.
He ducked low, his dagger flashing in the fading light.
The blade carved into the beast's flank, drawing a deep, crimson gash.
The wolf yelped—but didn't stop.
It whirled back, rage burning in its glowing yellow eyes.
A predator.
Alex's grip tightened. So was he.
The wolf lunged again, jaws snapping toward his arm.
Alex shifted to the side, slammed his foot down on its outstretched paw.
The creature howled in pain.
He grabbed its thick fur and drove his dagger straight into its throat.
A sickening crunch.
A final, strangled whimper.
Then—silence.
A chime echoed in his mind.