Chapter 2
463 Words
The Forest Rat didn't understand what was happening. It tried to scramble to its feet, its claws digging deep furrows into the dirt, but an invisible force tethered it to the ground. Ares’s blue energy wasn't just a spell; it was a shackle.
[System Notification: Target 'Forest Rat' (Lvl 1) has been suppressed.]
[Would you like to initiate 'Soul Extraction'?]
Ares didn't hesitate. "Extract."
His vision pulsed with a blinding azure light. The beast let out a final, distorted squeal before its body dissolved into particles of golden light, leaving nothing behind but a small, glowing orb that hovered in the air.
Ares reached out, and as his fingers touched the orb, a wave of warmth surged through his arm.
[Soul Acquired: Forest Rat (Common)]
[XP Gained: 50]
[Level Up! You are now Level 2.]
He took a deep breath, his heartbeat finally slowing down. A status window appeared before him:
[Class: Soul Summoner]
[Active Souls: 1/3]
[Current Summon: Forest Rat (Weak)]
"One down," he muttered, glancing back at the silent, panicking crowd in the village. They were still trapped in their own confusion, oblivious to the fact that someone had already taken the first step toward power.
He didn't feel like a hero; he felt like a survivor. He knew that the 'Architect'—the AI controlling this twisted world—wouldn't leave them in the beginner zone forever. Soon, the difficulty would spike.
He turned his gaze deeper into the Silver Mist Wood. He needed better souls, and he needed them fast. As he walked, his shadow began to ripple and change shape. The spirit of the Forest Rat he had just defeated detached itself from his shadow, taking the form of a translucent, spectral version of the beast, trotting obediently at his heel.
It was a strange, eerie feeling—having a dead monster as a pet—but it was his only weapon.
Suddenly, a system message flickered:
[Quest Triggered: The Whispering Ruins]
[Objective: Reach the entrance of the Forgotten Ruins within 2 hours.]
[Reward: Beginner’s Skill Book, 200 Gold.]
[Failure Penalty: Permanent 'Weakened' debuff for 24 hours.]
Ares’s eyes narrowed. The system was forcing them to move, to stop hiding in the village. He looked at the path ahead. It was overgrown, dark, and dangerous, but it was the only way to get stronger.
"Let's see what you’re hiding, Aethelgard," he whispered, gesturing for his spectral rat to scout ahead.
As he stepped into the dense, foggy treeline, a low, guttural growl echoed from the shadows—not from a rat, but from something much, much larger.
Ares tightened his grip on his starter blade. The real game had just begun.
- Writer
