The next day was grueling. Akira spent hours helping his father till the soil, plant seeds, and haul water from the well. By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, his muscles ached, and his hands were blistered. Despite his exhaustion, there was a fire in his chest.
The dream of becoming a Hunter had taken root, and he wasn’t going to let it go.
That night, as his family slept, Akira crept downstairs. The wooden floor creaked under his weight, but no one stirred. He made his way to the basement, a place he hadn’t explored yet.
The air was cool and musty as he descended the narrow stairs. A small lantern flickered in the corner, casting long shadows across shelves of tools, crates, and jars of preserved food. In the far corner, leaning against the wall, was what he had come for: a small rack of wooden weapons.
He crouched down, running his fingers over the collection. There were wooden replicas of swords, spears, axes, and even a bow. His father must have kept them for training or protection.
“Perfect,” Akira muttered, grabbing a pair of swords and giving them a few experimental swings. They were light but sturdy, with smooth handles worn from use.
He couldn’t risk practicing near the house and waking his family. Quietly, he gathered a few more weapons—an axe, a spear, and a shield—and stuffed them into a burlap sack. With one last glance to make sure the coast was clear, he slipped out of the house and into the night.
---
The forest at the edge of the farm was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or hoot of an owl. Akira found a small clearing and set the weapons down, taking a deep breath. The Kaeto System’s faint glow flickered in his vision as if urging him forward.
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“Alright,” he said, gripping the first weapon—a spear. “Let’s see what I can do.”
He thrust the spear forward, the tip cutting through the air. It felt awkward at first, the length making it difficult to control. He tried a few more jabs and sweeps, his movements clumsy but improving with each attempt.
---
Weapon Proficiency Gained: Spear Lv. 1
Effect: Slightly increases accuracy and control when using spears.
---
A small smile tugged at his lips. “So, I can gain skills for specific weapons too. Good to know.”
He set the spear aside and picked up the axe. Swinging it felt more natural, but its weight slowed him down. After a few clumsy strikes, the Kaeto System chimed again.
---
Weapon Proficiency Gained: Axe Lv. 1
Effect: Slightly increases damage and stamina efficiency when using axes.
---
Next came the shield. He paired it with a single sword and practiced blocking imaginary strikes. The combination felt defensive, solid, but lacking in mobility.
Finally, he picked up the second sword. Holding a blade in each hand, he took a moment to adjust to the weight. He swung one, then the other, testing different patterns and combinations. Something clicked.
The dual swords felt right. They were light enough to allow for swift strikes, and the symmetry gave him a sense of balance and control he hadn’t felt with the other weapons.
---
Weapon Proficiency Gained: Dual Swords Lv. 1
Effect: Slightly increases speed and precision when dual-wielding swords.
---
Akira grinned, exhilarated. “Now we’re talking.”
For the next hour, he practiced relentlessly. He imagined enemies closing in, parrying their strikes with one blade and countering with the other. His footwork improved as he moved through the clearing, ducking, weaving, and slashing.
The system chimed several more times as his proficiency increased.
---
Dual Swords Lv. 2
Effect: Further increases speed and precision.
Physical Conditioning Lv. 1
Effect: Increases stamina and reduces fatigue during combat.
---
By the time he stopped, sweat dripped from his brow, and his arms felt like lead. He collapsed onto the grass, staring up at the starry sky. Despite the exhaustion, a sense of accomplishment filled him.
The Kaeto System had rewarded his efforts, and he could feel the difference. His movements were sharper, more controlled.
“This is just the beginning,” Akira whispered, gripping the wooden swords tightly.
---
As dawn approached, Akira returned to the farm, careful not to make a sound as he stashed the weapons back in the basement.
Lying in bed, his muscles aching and his heart racing, he couldn’t help but smile. He had taken his first steps toward becoming a Hunter. The road ahead would be long and dangerous, but for the first time in his new life, he felt ready to face it.