Escaping the jaws of death, Kaelen finally exhaled. His pulse still raced, his armor slick with the phantom scent of blood and steel. The canyon behind him was silent—only the wind whispered where the Wolf Alpha had fallen.
For a moment, he simply stood there, letting the quiet wash over him. The rush of victory. The hum of system notifications still echoing in his mind: First Blood. World's First Bronze Boss Kill. Titles that meant nothing in reality—yet here, in this world, they felt monumental.
"Come on," he murmured to the dragon perched on his shoulder, white-gold scales catching the afternoon glow. "Time to move. No point hesitating when there's more to do."
The dragon chirped softly, flapping her wings gently, her presence a reassuring weight at his side. Even without speaking, her alert eyes and quiet composure seemed to help him sort his thoughts, her instincts reminding him that brute force wasn't the only path forward.
[System Alert: You have entered the map — Humblebrook Village!]
The village erupted the moment he stepped through the gates. Hundreds of players wandered, examining every detail of the town, commenting on the breathtaking realism of the world. The VRMMORPG was the first of its kind, and the graphics were so perfect that arguments broke out about whether anyone could distinguish the game from reality. Players debated physics, AI behavior, and environmental details as if they were walking through a real village. No glitches, no clipping, no lag—everything was seamless, immersive, almost too perfect.
Eyes turned immediately to Kaelen. A few whispered, "Isn't that the guy who soloed the Wolf Alpha?" Another added, "On the first day, by himself… that's insane."
The unofficial title First Dawn had been coined by the player community for anyone who managed to kill a Bronze-tier boss solo on the game's opening day. It wasn't legendary power—it was the daring audacity and timing that made the name stick. The simple fact that he had achieved it while everyone else was still struggling with starter zones made him the center of attention.
Kaelen ignored the crowd, walking lightly past them. Unlike most, he hadn't wasted time on low-level tasks or starter quests. He had jumped straight into combat, leveraging the dragon at his side to bypass the tedious early-game grind.
At the village elder's hut, the old man shuffled forward as Kaelen approached. Pulling a gleaming silver bangle from his inventory, he handed it over.
"You were looking for this, right?" Kaelen asked.
The elder's cloudy eyes brightened. His hands trembled as he held it. "Bless you! With this, I can finally… spend a peaceful evening with Widow Wang!"
Kaelen chuckled softly. "Not bad for matchmaking old men."
[System Alert: Congratulations! You have completed Hidden Quest — "The Village Chief's Secret Desire."]Reward: +60.4% EXP, [Worn Ring] (Bronze-grade)
A soft chime followed.
[You have reached Level 10! You are now eligible for class advancement.]
The elder gestured toward the northern gate. "To leave this village, you must pass the Trial Beyond the Vale. Those who succeed may uncover paths unknown… hidden classes, secret abilities, and rewards beyond what most players can imagine."
Kaelen stepped back slightly, eyes narrowing. He considered the implications. Silver-tier bosses… Level twenty each… grinding levels would take weeks, and even then, three of them at once is still suicide. There has to be a better approach.
He glanced at the dragon perched calmly on a nearby crate. Her quiet presence gave him space to think. She didn't need to suggest tactics—he could sense the rhythm of her thoughts, her readiness, and it helped him organize his own strategy. He ran through possibilities in his mind:
Option one: grind levels. Weeks of hunting monsters, risking encounters, preparing potions, and slowly increasing stats. Practical, but time-consuming. Even with the dragon's help, there were limits.
Option two: divide and conquer. Lure the bosses away from each other and fight them individually. Fewer enemies at once, more control, and the element of surprise. Resource management would be critical—potions, status items, consumables, and maybe even crafted weapons to tip the balance. Timing, distance, and terrain would all matter.
He clenched his fist, determination setting in. This is it. If I want to survive and rise, I do it smart, not just hard. One at a time. Lure, isolate, and strike.
He exhaled slowly, letting the plan solidify in his mind. But first, he needed gold—potions, items, and supplies to give him the edge. And that meant the auction.
Kaelen pulled the loot from the Wolf Lords: Alpha's Fang, Alpha Hide Armor, and Alpha Dagger. He laid them out in the village square for public bidding, raising eyebrows and stirring murmurs.
The crowd pressed closer, exchanging observations and comments. "Wow, Bronze-tier gear and he's selling it openly?" "I didn't think early-game items would be this valuable." "And his pet… insane stats for a newborn dragon."
Galeslice pushed forward, recognition dawning. "Wait… you're the one who soloed the Wolf Alpha? Alone… on the first day?"
Kaelen nodded casually, letting the moment linger. The crowd shifted, whispers rippling through players who marveled at the audacity and luck of the feat.
The auction began. Bids climbed quickly. The young woman with her entourage moved confidently forward, paying higher than anyone else, and claimed the Alpha's Fang. Galeslice's lips pressed into a thin line as frustration flared—someone else had outbid him—but seeing the number of players following her, he held back.
Comments from the crowd echoed around the square. "Incredible… she actually got it."
"That dragon gives him a serious advantage; no wonder he soloed the boss."
Kaelen counted the gold flowing into his balance, already planning the next moves. Potions, consumables, and crafting materials would be his priority. With enough preparation, he could lure the Silver-tier bosses apart, fight them individually, and survive what no ordinary player could.
[System Alert: You have successfully sold items at auction.]
The day's activities were far from over. Beyond the village walls, three massive silhouettes marked the location of the Silver-tier bosses. Kaelen looked toward the misty horizon, fists tightening.
He whispered to himself, thoughts racing, "Time to turn luck, skill, and preparation into strategy… First Dawn isn't just a name. It's a promise."
The dragon chirped softly, her gaze sharp and attentive, a quiet reassurance that they would face the challenges together.
Kaelen's mind already traced the steps: isolate, lure, strike. Patience, timing, and the precise application of his and the dragon's abilities. The adventure had only just begun.