The carriage rattled forward, each turn of the wheels echoing unnaturally loud in the silence of the forest.
Lin Mu's pulse quickened as the system's cold voice lingered in his mind.
[ Danger Detected ] [ Bandits in hiding — distance: 400 meters ]
He leaned forward, peering through a gap in the curtain. Towering trees closed in on both sides, their thick branches weaving a canopy that allowed only slivers of pale light. The air was damp, heavy with the smell of moss and rotting leaves. A forest like this was no place for ordinary travelers, yet here they were—with nowhere else to go.
"Lin'er?" His mother's gentle voice pulled him back. She sat across from him, her hands folded tightly on her lap to hide their trembling. Though her face was pale, she managed a small, reassuring smile.
"Once we reach Red Pine Village, everything will be fine," she whispered, almost as though trying to convince herself.
Red Pine Village—their last refuge. After his father's death, the creditors had come like vultures. Every possession, every coin, stripped away to settle debts he had left behind. With nothing left, only a distant relative's offer of a cottage in a forgotten backwater village gave them a place to survive.
Lin Mu forced a nod, though inside, his heart burned. Father abandoned us in life, and even in death he left nothing but misery. This time… I'll carve a path for us myself.
The system's voice cut in again, sharp as a blade.
[ Detection range shrinking. Bandits: 300 meters ] [ Prepare for combat ]
The horses suddenly snorted, stamping nervously. The driver glanced over his shoulder, unease written across his face."Something's wrong… too quiet," he muttered, tugging at the reins. But there was no turning back—the path was too narrow, hemmed in by thick roots and undergrowth.
Lin Mu clenched his fists. System… show me my strength.
A faint blue screen flickered before his eyes.
[ Status Screen ] Name: Lin Mu Strength: 2 (Weak) Agility: 3 (Weak) Endurance: 2 (Weak) Skills: None Special: System Integration [Locked]
He grimaced. Pathetic numbers—barely more than a child. Then another line of text appeared.
[ Temporary Skill Granted: Basic Combat Instinct ] [ Temporary Item Added: Rusted Dagger ]
The air shimmered faintly, and in his palm materialized a small, chipped blade. Its weight was real, cold against his skin.
So this is my start, he thought grimly.
The carriage shuddered to a halt. From the shadows of the trees, a figure emerged—a scarred man with a wolfish grin, an axe slung over his shoulder.
"Well, well," the bandit sneered, his voice rough as gravel. "What do we have here? A runaway noble's brat and his wench? Leave the horses and whatever valuables you've got, and maybe we'll let you crawl away alive."
More figures followed, stepping out of the underbrush one by one. A half-dozen at least, their eyes gleaming with hunger and cruelty.
Lin Mu's mother paled, clutching the hem of her dress. The driver froze, his knuckles white on the reins.
But Lin Mu's eyes only hardened. He gripped the dagger tightly, the rough hilt biting into his palm.
"This time," he whispered under his breath, "I won't run."
The bandit leader barked a laugh. "Look at that—little lord wants to play hero. Break his legs, boys!"
The shadows surged forward.
And Lin Mu moved to meet them.
The first bandit lunged, swinging a club toward Lin Mu's head. In his old life, he would have frozen—but now a strange clarity filled his mind. His body moved on instinct, ducking low as the club whistled past his ear.
The dagger lashed out, awkward yet guided by the faint glow of the skill. Steel scraped flesh. The bandit screamed, clutching his side.
[ Critical Hit ] [ +5 EXP ]
Lin Mu stumbled back, panting. His hands shook, but he didn't let go of the dagger. The man was still alive, snarling in pain.
Another came at him, knife flashing. Lin Mu twisted, barely avoiding the strike, and in a desperate surge drove his dagger upward. The blade slid beneath the bandit's ribs.
Hot blood sprayed across his hand. The man's eyes went wide, breath choking out in a gurgle before he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
[ Enemy Defeated ] [ +20 EXP ] [ Quest Progress: Survive the ambush (1/?) ]
Lin Mu froze, staring at the corpse. His stomach churned, bile rising in his throat. He had killed before he even had time to comprehend the fight.
But then his mother's cry rang out."Lin'er! Be careful!"
Her fear cut through the haze. Gritting his teeth, Lin Mu tore his gaze from the body and raised his dagger again. I don't have the luxury to hesitate. If I falter, she dies.
The bandit leader snarled. "You little bastard! You dare kill my men? Tear him apart!"
Three more rushed him at once. Lin Mu's muscles screamed, his breaths ragged, but his eyes blazed. The system's cold guidance whispered in his mind, showing the angle of a strike, the weakness in a stance. His body obeyed, moving faster than his fear.
The first swung high—Lin Mu ducked, slashing across his thigh. Another stabbed from the side, but Lin Mu twisted, the blade grazing his shoulder instead of piercing deep. Pain seared, but adrenaline drove him on.
He roared, thrusting the dagger straight into the man's chest. Blood spilled hot across his hands.
[ Enemy Defeated ] [ +20 EXP ]
The last bandit hesitated, seeing his companions fall. Lin Mu's eyes locked onto him, cold and unwavering. He lunged before the man could retreat, driving the dagger down into his collarbone. The scream echoed through the trees before the man collapsed in a heap.
The clearing stank of blood and iron. A few bandits fled into the shadows, their courage broken. The leader lay at Lin Mu's feet, clutching a mortal wound, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You… this brat…" he spat blood. "…you weren't supposed to…"
Lin Mu didn't answer. He simply tightened his grip, and the dagger came down one last time.
[ Quest Complete: Protect Your Mother ] [ Reward Unlocked: Beginner's Pack ]
A warm glow enveloped him, faint but undeniable. For the first time, Lin Mu felt a surge of strength beyond his fragile body.
He looked at his bloodstained hands, chest heaving. His mother rushed forward, pulling him into trembling arms.
"Lin'er… you're safe…" she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
He closed his eyes, clutching her back tightly. I'll keep us safe, Mother. From this day onward… no one will take anything from us again.
And deep within, the system's voice echoed once more:
[ Beginner's Pack available for opening ][ Would Host like to proceed? ]