First Blood, First Level-Up
861 Words
The mines were no longer silent.
Ren Valerius stood at the mouth of one of the abandoned shafts, his eyes scanning the dark stretch of tunnels where the faint glow of fungal moss provided the only light. The System’s interface hovered faintly before him, semi-transparent, pulsing with faint blue light.
Quest Update: Eliminate 5 hostile entities in the outer tunnels. Reward: +100 XP, Basic Loot Crate, +1 Attribute Point.
Hostile entities. The System’s term for the creatures that had been picking off miners and guards for months now. Most men here avoided the tunnels after dark. Ren didn’t have that luxury. He needed the kills.
Kael Thorn crouched a few meters back, his face tight with unease. “You sure about this? Those things aren’t like the rats in the lower pens. They move fast. Tear through flesh like wet paper.”
Ren checked the dagger in his hand — crude, iron, probably older than he was. He had fashioned it with the help of one of the miners in exchange for a favor. It wasn’t much, but with the System’s Beginner Combat Techniques active, it felt… different. More precise.
“I’m sure,” Ren said. His voice was calm, almost detached. “The only way out of this pit is forward.”
Eira Duskbane leaned against the tunnel wall, watching him. Her eyes were sharp, but her mouth was curved into the faintest smirk. “You’re either brave, or incredibly stupid.”
“Why not both?” Ren stepped into the shadows.
The sound hit first — a scraping of claws against stone. Then came the smell, thick and metallic, like blood left too long in the sun. Ren’s grip tightened around the dagger.
Something moved ahead — fast.
Warning: Hostile Entity Detected. *Analyzing… Species: Tunnel Stalker. Threat Level: F.
The creature emerged from the darkness like a shadow peeled off the wall — low to the ground, skin stretched taut over bone, and teeth like broken glass. Its eyes caught the moss-light, reflecting a sickly green.
Ren didn’t hesitate.
The creature lunged, claws swiping for his throat. Ren dropped low, letting the movement carry him forward under its strike, and drove his dagger up into the soft flesh of its abdomen.
A shriek ripped through the tunnel.
Damage dealt: 28 HP. Critical hit.
Ren yanked the blade free, spun with the momentum, and slashed across its throat.
The Tunnel Stalker fell, twitching. Blood pooled black in the dim light.
Hostile Entity Eliminated. +20 XP.
He didn’t stop.
Another skittering sound came from the left. Two more Tunnel Stalkers emerged, jaws snapping.
Ren’s heartbeat slowed — not sped — as he moved. The System seemed to sharpen everything: the hiss of their breath, the flex of muscle before they pounced, the perfect opening for a strike.
One came from the front, the other from the side.
Ren sidestepped the frontal lunge, hooked his foot behind the creature’s leg, and shoved it into the path of the second. They collided in a hiss of fury, giving him the half-second he needed to stab deep into the first one’s neck.
Hostile Entity Eliminated. +20 XP.
The second recovered with unnatural speed, leaping at him claws-first. This time, it caught his arm — pain seared as claws raked his forearm.
HP -8.
Ren gritted his teeth, ignoring the flash of agony, and drove the dagger into its ribcage, twisting until he felt the crunch of bone.
Hostile Entity Eliminated. +20 XP. Quest Progress: 3/5.
The last two creatures came almost together — faster, more aggressive.
Ren shifted his stance, remembering the System tutorial from his Beginner Combat Techniques.
Step, pivot, strike.
The first leaped. Ren pivoted. His dagger found its throat.
The second came from behind — and this time, Kael’s throwing knife whistled past Ren’s ear, burying itself in the creature’s eye.
The tunnel fell silent again.
Quest Complete. Rewards:+100 XP, Basic Loot Crate, +1 Attribute Point. Level Up! You are now Level 2. Stat Points Available: 3.
Ren opened the crate immediately.
Loot Acquired: Rusted Short Sword (Attack +3), Minor Healing Potion (Restores 25 HP).
The sword wasn’t much, but it was better than the crude dagger. He gripped it, feeling the weight settle into his hand like it belonged there.
Kael came up beside him, eyes wide. “You just—” He shook his head. “I don’t even know what you just did, but that was… something.”
Eira smirked again, but this time there was a flicker of interest in her gaze. “Maybe you’re not as doomed as I thought.”
Ren wiped the blade on his sleeve. “Doomed men don’t level up.”
When they stepped back into the outer mine, the other prisoners watched in silence. News traveled fast in places like this. By nightfall, everyone would know: Ren Valerius had gone into the tunnels… and come back with blood on his blade.
But for Ren, it was only the beginning.
Next Quest Unlocked: Acquire a Faction or Die Trying. Time Limit: 7 Days. Failure Penalty:Permanent Death.
Ren’s lips curved into the faintest smile. Let’s see who’s hunting who now.
- Writer
