【First Cave Crossing Reminder: Each time you cross a cave, it will consume 10 stamina points. Please allocate your stamina wisely.】

As Marcus stepped into the crossing passage, a notification sounded in his ears.

Each crossing consumed 10 stamina points, and Marcus currently had 100 points. That meant he could explore up to 10 caves.

In other words, if he couldn’t find food and water within 10 explorations, he’d have to go hungry for a day, which would affect his efficiency in exploring caves the next day.

Hopefully, there would be food and water!

This cave was almost identical in structure to the previous one—square and plain.

The danger he feared most didn’t appear. Instead, at the center of the cave was a wooden treasure chest.

“Looks like this is a resource point. Hopefully, there’s something consumable inside.”

The excitement of finding the chest momentarily dulled his sense of thirst. After calming himself, Marcus felt the dryness in his throat and nose, as though a chili pepper was stuck there.

It wasn’t enough to affect his movements, but it was uncomfortable.

Instead of rushing to open the wooden chest, Marcus decided to ask if there was any hidden reward in the cave.

“Is there any hidden reward in the cave?”

【There is. At the exact centre of the eastern wall, scrape off a layer of wall with a shovel, and you’ll find a scroll. 】

‘Another scroll? Could it be a job-change scroll for another class? I may not have to choose the dull warrior class after – all!’

Marcus didn’t go for the scroll right away. Instead, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the system. He felt that always having to ask actively was a hassle. A proper system should remind him automatically.

“Can you notify me automatically when there’s a hidden reward?”

Marcus made his request, but there was no response. Well, it was just a notification system, not a real AI.

The eastern wall was on his left, and Marcus eagerly swung his shovel.

The wall layer gradually peeled off, revealing a hidden scroll beneath.

【Fireball Scroll +2】

【Fireball Scroll】: A beginner-level magic scroll. Inject mana to release a fireball that deals (30 + Mana × 2) damage and burns the target. The magic scroll is consumable and can only be used once. Each use consumes 10 mana points.

“I thought it would be a job-change scroll, but it’s not. Still, a magic scroll isn’t bad. At least it can improve my combat ability for now.”

Marcus was reasonably satisfied with the hidden reward. Though it wasn’t as lucrative as the first hidden reward, it was a useful boost to his combat power.

Next, he opened the blatant wooden chest displayed in the centre of the cave.

The wooden treasure chest wasn’t locked and could be opened directly.

【Stone +5】

【Wood +5】

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【Bread +1】

【Wood +4】

The first three items were from the chest, while the last four wood pieces came from dismantling the chest.

Food!

Marcus looked at the dry bread in his hand. For his appetite, eating one piece could fill him up.

However, the bread was so dry that it barely contained any moisture. Using it to fill his stomach would only make him thirstier.

Unfortunately, there was no drinking water. Marcus didn’t feel discouraged and continued to the next cave.

He had no clear direction, so he followed the guide toward the warrior job-change area.

At least I could get a job by following this area.

While digging the passage, Marcus clearly felt the discomfort in his throat and lungs, a sign that his body was urging him to drink water.

Upon entering the next cave, a notification immediately sounded in his mind.

【At the root of the second bush on the east side, a treasure is buried that might help your survival. 】

Huh? This time, it actually notified me automatically?

It seems Marcus’s request was fulfilled after all.

Marcus was momentarily stunned, but before he could react further, a monster with its mouth wide open lunged at his face.

“Raghhh---!!”

“Damn!”

Startled, Marcus reflexively raised the shovel in his hands to block the attack. The shovel lodged itself in the monster’s mouth.

Marcus took a moment to steady himself and observed the creature.

The monster resembled a rat, but it was much larger, about the size of a cat.

Its head was elongated and sharp, especially its mouth, which Marcus estimated to be about ten centimetres long. Its sharp teeth bit into the rusty shovel, producing a grating noise.

It looked like it could chew through the shovel!

【Monster Name】: Mutant Rat

【Level】: LV1

【HP】: 40

【Attack】: 10-15

【Defense】: 2

【Skill】: Wound Infection – The mutant rat carries numerous bacteria on its body. Any wounds caused by its attacks have a 20% chance of becoming infected and festering if not treated promptly.

【Evaluation】: A rat mutated by magical energy. Any ordinary adult can handle it. Your only concern should be avoiding injury.

Judging by its stats, the mutant rat was much weaker than a player. However, combat wasn’t determined by stats alone.

Unless your stats were overwhelmingly superior, making it impossible for your opponent to damage you, fights required more than just numbers.

The rat gnawed at the shovel, the sound setting Marcus’s teeth on edge.

Worried that the rat might break the shovel, Marcus kicked the creature in the stomach with all his might.

Thump--!

“Go away, you bastard!!”

The kick was like stepping on a spring, sending the rat flying. However, the force unbalanced Marcus, forcing him to use the shovel for support.

As the rat landed, a vivid red number appeared above its head: -11.

That kick had struck the rat’s vulnerable abdomen, dealing significant damage.

To Marcus’s surprise, the rat recovered quickly and launched another fierce charge. This time, it resembled a bullet, hurtling toward him at an incredible speed.

Having learned from the last encounter, Marcus sidestepped and swung the shovel, aiming its sharp edge at the rat’s neck.

The rat twisted in mid-air, using its thick tail to counterattack. Marcus finally noticed the tail’s unique features—it was thick and whip-like, producing a sharp, piercing sound as it swung.

The shovel and tail struck simultaneously.

-21

-9

Two red numbers appeared above their heads.

The first was the damage dealt to the rat as the shovel’s edge grazed its neck. The second was the damage Marcus received, mitigated by his leather armour. Without the armour, the tail strike might have torn open his chest.

Wasting no time, Marcus pursued the injured rat, slashing it with his shovel. With a squelch, a mix of red and yellow fluid splattered everywhere, covering Marcus.

-8

【The Player has successfully killed a mutant rat. Gained EXP +1 and Tier-1 Magic Crystal ×1.】

【Third Hand triggered: Gained Mutant Rat’s Enchanted Fang.】

【As the 13th player to kill a monster, would you like to announce it server-wide?】

Marcus didn’t make a choice right away. He didn’t even look at the loot.

He stood frozen, overwhelmed by a wave of nausea.

Marcus was just an ordinary worker—his life revolved around studying and working. He had never dealt with bloodshed, not even killing a chicken.

If this were just a screen-based game, he wouldn’t have hesitated, cutting through enemies like butter.

But this felt as real as reality. The visual and sensory impact left Marcus momentarily at a loss.