Beyond the Boundaries

Ryan regained consciousness after finishing the battle with the Green Goblin and the Priest. The fight was hard, but the rewards were worth it. He felt a sense of relief after successfully completing the mission and collecting his rewards.

[Green Goblin Level 2 / 15 XP x 1]

[Druid Goblin Level 3 / 50 XP]

[Book of Strength (Common): Increases Strength by 3 points permanently]

[Bonus:]

[Goblin Village Level 0 Eliminated]

[+200 XP]

[Sword Skill (Amateur): Increases Sword Comprehension by 10% and Sword Perception by 30% when trained]

[Steel Sword (Normal)]

[Normal Healing Potion: Restores 30 health]

[Status Updated]

Name: Ryan

Level: 3

Strength: 9

Speed: 8

Intelligence: 13

Health: 50/150

Magical Energy: 0/0

Current Points (XP): 1000 / 20

Free points: 3

Skills: Light Sprint (Amateur) / Sword (Amateur) / Stealth (Amateur)

Ryan used the potion he had, which helped him recover a bit. He then opened the power book and felt an unprecedented sensation, as if a new power was coursing through his veins. His strength had now increased by 12 points, making him feel more capable of facing whatever might come.

With a new steel sword in his hand, Ryan began to feel more secure. Although he had never practiced with a sword before, his new sword skill helped him quickly adapt to the weapon, becoming more adept at wielding it.

At that moment, Ryan felt he needed to rest, so he decided to settle down in a small hut he had come across while exploring the forest. As he started to cook some rabbits he had encountered when he first entered the forest, he discovered something strange.

In the corner of the hut, there was a dark and damp basement. Ryan felt a mysterious urge to explore it. He took a torch and began to cautiously navigate his way towards the basement.

The stealth skill was activated.

He walked slowly, utilizing the stealth skill to avoid making any noise that might attract the attention of potential danger. As he entered the depths of the cellar, he discovered several old cages, some empty and others filled with accumulated skeletons. It looked like the cellar had been used to imprison creatures, but what was strange was that some of the skeletons appeared human, which made Ryan wonder: Were these skeletons human or animal?

After looking around the basement for five minutes, Ryan suddenly heard a strange sound coming from the far corner. The sound was similar to an intermittent moan.

He approached cautiously, his eyes focused on where the sound was coming from. Suddenly, he saw a skeletal-looking man who was in a pitiful state, almost unconscious. Ryan quickly approached him, saying:

'Are you alive?'

The man replied in a weak voice as he tried to catch his breath:

'Oh, yes... Please, water, water, water...'

'Stay calm. I will take you upstairs. Don't worry, I've eliminated all the goblins in this place.'

But as soon as he heard those words, the man fainted. He was in a state of shocked joy and fear at the same time.

'Hey! Hang on! Hold on!' Ryan said urgently, trying to keep him awake. 'Shit!'

It was four hours before the man regained consciousness, groaning.

'Where am I? Am I dead?'

Ryan replied, trying to calm him down:

'No, you're not dead. You're alive.'

In a quiet voice, the man said after looking at Ryan with gratitude:

'You saved me, didn't you?'

'Yes, I saved you,' Ryan replied tersely, studying the man carefully. 'What brings you here?'

The man smiled tiredly and said:

'Haha... Because of my bravery, I caused the death of my comrades. I almost died too, if you hadn't saved me.'

Ryan raised his eyebrows in surprise and said:

'What do you mean?'

'You know, my friend, why everyone is venturing into this dark forest, don't you?' the man said as he tried to sit up.

'I don't understand,' Ryan said in disbelief.

The man replied:

'Everyone is here for fame and power, which can be gained by killing monsters or completing trials. That's why we all come here.'

Ryan was silent for a few moments as he thought about the new information he had heard.

The man smiled and said:

'Haha, I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself. My name is Mark. I was hoping to trade monster cores at the System Store in the Holy City. Are you going there too? I haven't been able to thank you yet for saving me.'

At that moment, a system message appeared in front of Ryan:

[Hidden target found without the aid of any hint]

[Reward: Dimensional Ring (Rare)]

[Status Update]

Reward: Dimensional Ring (Rare)

[Note: You can now open the System Store in the Holy City.]