Ren raised his hand toward the system interface after his breathing had calmed. The battle with the boss was over. He didn't need a precise count to know the result—his level had increased. Twice.
[Player Level: 4]
The notification appeared clearly in the corner of his vision, followed by an alert: five free attribute points for killing the boss, and ten more as a reward for the world's first kill. Seventeen points in total—a number he couldn't have imagined on day one.
"Magic damage is great, but I need to increase my combat agility... If I can't dodge blows, strength alone won't save me."
Carefully, he distributed the points:
+5 to Agility
+5 to Intelligence
+4 to Strength
+3 to Mana
A faint glow engulfed his body, as if something within had become more defined. Greater flexibility, better mana control, and added power to the arm that held his spear or sword. The hybrid was taking shape.
He opened the starter pack obtained from the boss. Inside were:
Uncommon Wrist Guard: Reduces skill casting time by 5%
3 Low-Level Healing Potions
Mana Thread Necklace: Increases maximum mana by 3 points
Without hesitation, he looped the necklace around his neck and strapped the wrist guard to his left forearm.
Then, he opened the skill book found in the pack. It was a defensive skill meant for shield-bearers:
[Firm Block – Type: Defensive – Requires: Hand Shield]
"Not my style... I can sell it later."
He closed the interface and opened the rare weapon pack rewarded for the world's first boss kill. Three semi-transparent cards appeared before him, each bearing an image of a weapon, its description, and usage requirements. He skimmed through them quickly until his eyes locked onto the third:
[Light Knight's Sword – Rarity: Rare]
Requirements: Strength +8, Agility +10
Effect: +10 Strength, +8 Agility
Passive Skill – Flow: When striking an enemy's weak point, critical damage is converted to double damage.
He smiled as he selected the card. This sword wasn't just a killing tool; it was a true balance of body and mana. A weapon that fit his hybrid combat style.
The sword materialized in his hand after confirming the choice—its slim silver blade, shining edge, and perfect balance in his grip made it feel as though it had been waiting for him all along. He ran his thumb along its edge.
"More than I expected..."
At that moment, a voice echoed in his mind and across the gray skies above Raven:
[Server-Wide Announcement]
Congratulations to player [Ren] for achieving the first area boss kill – Great Poison Toad – Level 7 – Gray Rarity.
[Reward Granted]: 5 free attribute points, standard starter pack, +5 reputation in Raven region.
The message repeated three times, and with each repetition, eyes turned upward and minds registered the name.
But the announcement didn't stop there.
[World-Wide Announcement]
Congratulations to player [Ren] for the world's first boss kill.
[Reward Granted]: 10 free attribute points, 10 gold coins, rare starter weapon pack.
The voices of players across the server gradually quieted. Whispers repeated, and the name began to spread:
"Ren? Who's that?"
In the middle of the city square, beneath the leaderboard, The Scar stood next to a small fountain, his eyes fixed on the newly-shuffled ranking board:
[Ranking – Raven Duchy]
1. The Scar – Level 4
2. Ren – Level 4
He smiled quietly and looked up at the second name. In a low voice, almost a whisper to himself:
"Ren, huh..."
Then he turned and walked steadily toward the city gate, his twin crossed blades on his back swaying in rhythm with each step.
---
On the Road Between the Swamp and Raven
Ren left the swamp behind, walking steadily on an unpaved road flanked by tall grass. He opened the forum window as he walked, browsing new messages and player comments.
He noticed the shift.
The chaos that had filled the forums an hour ago was fading. Some players were now discussing the system announcement, speculating on its details—and the identity of the player who triggered it.
His name was starting to appear.
"Ren... who is he?"
"Did he really do it?"
"Is he still in the same area?"
He sighed and closed the window. "Things are about to accelerate."
His next destination was Raven, the nearby city. But he suddenly stopped when he spotted a shadow on the left side of the road, beside a crumbling stone windmill.
He narrowed his eyes.
Above the figure's head, a clear marker appeared: Player.
But the name... was hidden.
Name concealment?
The man wore a dark cloak, his hood obscuring his features. He leaned back against the stone wall, arms crossed, with two curved swords crossed on his back.
But Ren didn't need a name to know the truth.
"The Scar..."
The name surfaced in his mind immediately—not just from the appearance, but because he was the only one who could have shown up here, now... deliberately.
"All other players are in safe zones, stunned, scared... None of them came close to the swamp's edge."
"He knew I just left... and this is the only road to the city."
Ren didn't retreat. He didn't hesitate. He equipped the Light Knight's Sword and continued walking calmly, eyes locked on the figure.
"Did he come alone? Are others waiting? … No, he's never been known to have allies. No player-kills on record either."
But that didn't matter now. Everything had changed.
He approached in measured steps, with a memory from the past flashing in his mind:
The Scar, the fighter who fought to his last breath when the disaster began. Had he fled, all of Raven would have fallen.
Then…
When only three meters remained between them, the Scar suddenly raised his head and looked at him.
A tense silence. Then—
---
The Scar's Perspective
There was no room for words.
He raised his curved blade in a swift motion and dashed toward Ren without warning.
"Strike first. That's the only way to understand him."
His swords were ready, calculations in his mind precise. His blade clashed with Ren's, sparks flying between them—and with them, realization.
"That weight... that movement. No hesitation. No confusion. This isn't a level-four player."
His first sword twisted to lock Ren's weapon, opening space for a second, lethal strike. Usually successful.
But Ren shattered expectations.
With his sword, he cut through the angle skillfully, freeing his blade from the curved trap. Their weapons clashed again—but this time, the Scar wasn't in control.
This wasn't a player still learning.
This was a skilled warrior.
The Scar stepped back twice—but a mana sphere was waiting. His eyes recognized the magical glow instantly, and with it, the danger of delay.
"Mist Copy."
He moved instinctively, leaving behind a misty afterimage to absorb the hit, and reappeared at the edge of the road, swords raised for a counterattack.
But his opponent didn't give him the chance.
Suddenly, Ren emerged from behind the shimmer. He wasn't following the attack—he was ahead of it.
"When did he move?!"
The sword rushed toward his shoulder. He blocked, but still felt it pierce his muscles. Numbness spread through his arm.
"This isn't raw power... this is precision."
The second strike came from the side. He blocked it, but the force on his sword was crushing—as if his opponent wasn't fighting at his level, but with the experience of hundreds of battles.
He looked into Ren's eyes.
Clarity. Focus. Resolve.
"He didn't doubt me. He didn't trust me. He fought as if I were a threat to eliminate—calculated, exact. That's what professionals do."
The Scar realized the fight was over. He hadn't come to battle to the end—only to test the truth.
He smiled, and relaxed his grip.
Ren... as expected.
Ren responded with a steady voice:
—"Scar... just as I thought."
The Scar chuckled quietly, with a hint of madness, then let his swords fall to the dirt.
—"I surrender."
Stillness fell over the area around the old windmill.
The Scar sat on a crumbling rock, his swords resting on his knees, studying their intersection as if reading invisible lines.
Ren remained standing, sword slightly raised, eyes watching every movement.
"You killed a level-seven boss alone?"
The Scar asked without looking up.
Ren replied coldly, his gaze on the windmill:
"You set the ambush. Aren't you supposed to know?"
The Scar laughed shortly, a touch of insanity in his voice:
"I wanted to be sure. The forum is full of screaming... but what's written can't compare to what's felt. No one kills a level-seven boss at this stage. You did it alone."
He took a deep breath, then looked up at Ren:
"Do you feel it? The game isn't a game. Something in it... is alive. Closer to truth than truth itself. And that ignites me."
Ren didn't answer, but his blade began to lower slightly.
The Scar continued, his eyes gleaming with sharp passion:
"I don't fight because I want to kill. I fight because I want to live. Every time my blade cuts through air, I feel more alive than ever."
He paused, then looked directly at Ren:
"And you? Why didn't you run?"
Ren replied flatly:
"Running isn't in my nature."
The Scar laughed again, this time with a different tone, then said:
"Excellent... then we're the same type. Listen, Ren. I've felt it since I saw the forum comments, since fallen players stopped respawning—I felt it... This game will crush everyone. Only those willing to risk their lives for a moment of awakening... a moment of real combat... will survive."
He stepped closer, raised one of his swords to his shoulder, and said in a low but sincere voice:
"If you still plan to walk alone... fine. But when everyone else falls... look for me. I don't run, and I don't drop my sword."
Ren didn't reply immediately. He stared at him for a long moment, as if weighing his words carefully.
Then finally, in a calm voice laced with subtle warning, he said:
"If you intend to go past level ten... prepare for what you can't face."
The Scar's expression froze for a moment, his pupils trembling with suppressed curiosity.
Ren continued, turning his back:
"At that stage, passion won't be enough. Nor will the sword. There are things coming... that can't be fought."
He walked away withou
t another word.
The Scar remained still, staring long at Ren's back, then muttered in a whisper-like tone:
"Ren..."
He smiled as he raised his swords—like someone who had found something rare... and feared losing it.
"Interesting..."