Len pocketed the pills Elder Wren handed him and placed them into his inventory.
He followed the dirt path out of Willowreach, boots crunching against gravel while tall grass brushed his legs. Sunlight flickered through the trees, scattering golden patterns across the ground.
A faint murmur of water grew louder, and soon the river glinted through the foliage. Rocks jutted from the shallow banks, and along them, small, crab-like creatures scuttled—pincers clicking, shells catching the sunlight. Crabions.
Crouching behind a low boulder, he tensed, watching their jerky, coordinated movements as they scuttled over one another like a living tide.
[Target Analysis – Crabion]
Level: 1
Health: 120 / 120
Strength: 7
Defense: 7
Agility: 3
Exhaling slowly,he stepped forward
moving cautiously along the riverbank, stepping lightly on uneven stones.
The Crabions scuttled in small clusters, pincers snapping with a metallic click.
A larger Crabion shifted, raising a claw.
[Target Analysis: Crabion – Level 1]
[Health: 120 / 120 | Strength: 7 | Defense: 7 | Agility: 3]
[Optimal Attack Vector Calculated: 87% Success Probability]
He tensed and shifted his weight.
[Suggested Positioning: Right Flank | Attack Timing: 1.2s]
[Predicted Damage if Strike Lands:3]
[Predicted Damage Taken:0]
He lunged forward. The AI projected a translucent line to the weak joint on the shell. His strike connected, the creature staggering back.
[Incoming Threat: Pincer Swipe – Probability of Contact: 65%]
[Recommended Evasion: Step Back + Lateral Shift | Expected Damage Avoided: 8]
A second Crabion approached from the side.
[Secondary Threat Detected – Level 1 | Health: 100 / 100 | Attack Probability: 40%]
[Recommended Engagement: Maintain Focus on Primary Target | Distance: 2.5m]
He pivoted, following the AI's projected path. His next strike hit the first Crabion again.
[Attack Efficiency: 93% | Damage Dealt: 12]
[Defense Efficiency: 88%][Damage Taken: 2]
[Spirit Energy Consumption: 1.5% | Optimal Efficiency Maintained]
Another Crabion lunged from behind a rock.
[Incoming Threat: Rear Assault | Probability of Contact: 50%]
[Recommended Action: Step Left + Counter Right]
[Expected Damage Avoided: 4]
He obeyed instantly, striking the new threat while keeping the first Crabion in check. Every move was guided, optimized, precise.
—-------
[Current Kill Count: 7 / 20]
[Predicted Completion Time: 3 minutes]
[Efficiency: 97%]
A flurry of claws and shells erupted as the remaining Crabions closed in. The AI flashed real-time calculations:
—----
[Primary Target: Crabion #12 | Attack Success Probability: 92%]
[Secondary Target: Crabion #14 | Predicted Damage Taken if Hit: 3]
[Recommended Stance Adjustment: Shift Right 0.8m | Counter Timing: 1.1s]
Strike after strike, dodge after dodge, the fight became a rhythmic dance.
Finally, the last Crabion fell with a sharp clatter, tumbling sideways into the shallow river. Len sank to one knee, chest heaving, the dirt and stones of the riverbank pressing against his palms. His clothes were damp, streaked with mud and water, and the sharp smell of crushed shells lingered in the air.
He glanced around at the quiet riverbank, the small waves lapping gently at the shore. A cool breeze brushed across his face, carrying the scent of pine and wet earth. For a moment, he just breathed, letting the adrenaline fade and the world feel real again.
"Twenty down," he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "Not bad… for a start."
The river shimmered in the morning light, and somewhere upstream.
A soft chime sounded in his ears.
[Ding!]
[Quest Completed: Defeat 20 Crabions]
[Return to Elder Wren]
Almost immediately, another, sharper chime followed:
[Level Up!]
[Player: Len]
Level: 2
Stat Points Available: 5
Len exhaled and rubbed his temples.
"Level 2 already… okay. Time to figure out where to put these points."
He glanced at the system panel, uncertainty flickering across his face.
"Do I boost strength? Defense? Agility?"
A calm, mechanical voice filled his mind:
[AI Recommendation]
- Strength: +2
- Defense: +1
- Agility: +2
Len frowned, thinking it over. "Strength and speed first, a little deffence… alright." He confirmed the allocation in the system panel.
[Stat Allocation Confirmed]
Health: 120
Strength: 7
Defense: 6
Agility: 7
Mana:120
He flexed his fingers experimentally, feeling the subtle but tangible increase in power.
"Alright… now I can handle a few more surprises."
With his new stats settled, he set off along the forest path toward the riverbank, the sunlight glinting off the water. Elder Wren was already tending to the herbs when he arrived.
"Ah, you've returned," she said, her eyes sharp but kind. "Did you manage the task I assigned?"
Len nodded. "All twenty Crabions… taken care of."
A small smile tugged at her lips. "Good. You've done well." She reached into the pouch she kept at her side and handed him a small, intricately carved ring.
Len held it up, examining the faint golden glow pulsing from its center.
[Ding!]
[New Item Acquired: Ring of the Crabion King]
Level Requirement: 1
Bonuses:
- Strength +3
- Defense +5
- Minor Resistance to Poisoned/Crabion Attacks
Len blinked, impressed. "Not bad… for something I can actually use right now."
He slipped the ring onto his finger, feeling a subtle weight and energy flow through him—not overwhelming, but noticeable enough to make him feel slightly more confident.
"Thank you… I'll make good use of it," he said, nodding to Wren.
"See that you do," she replied, returning to her herbs, her gaze calm but watchful.
—------
Len tucked the Ring of the Crabion King onto his finger. The soft murmur of the river faded behind him as he stepped onto the dirt path leading back toward Willowreach.
Curious, he summoned the system panel and watched the clean, mechanical interface unfold before his eyes:
[STATUS PANEL]
Player: Len
Class: Cultivator
Spirit Roots: Quintuple Spirit Root
Level: 2 | Experience: 0 / 150
[Stats]
Health: 120 / 120 (+0)
Mana: 120 / 120 (+0)
Strength: 7 (+3)
Defense: 6 (+5)
Agility: 7 (+0)
[Equipment]
Ring of the Crabion King (Finger)
[Inventory]
Strengthing pill ×1
Defence pill ×1
Cultivation pill ×1
[Quest Log]
Whispers of the River: Return to Village Chief
Satisfied, he closed the system panel and resumed his trek toward the village chief's hall. The sun had shifted slightly, casting long, warm rays across the cobblestone paths, and the village looked quiet in the early afternoon.