Knox had carefully planned out their strategy, taking into account the best spots to hunt each creature and the optimal times of day to do so. They woke up early each morning, packed their supplies, and headed out into the designated zone to begin their daily hunt.
Knox led the way, using his experience and knowledge to guide them through the terrain. He taught Timmy how to identify the different types of monsters and use his skills to defeat them efficiently. They encountered various creatures, from small and weak to large and intimidating, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Knox and Timmy adapted their approach to each one, using their skills and equipment to their advantage.
As they hunted, Knox and Timmy grew stronger and more capable. They gained experience and loot, which they could use to upgrade their equipment and improve their skills. They also developed a deep understanding of the zone, learning its secrets and the best ways to navigate it.
Their days were long and tiring, filled with battles and hard work, but they found satisfaction in their progress and the rewards they reaped. They also found comfort in each other's company, sharing stories and jokes as they rested between hunts. The nights were spent around the campfire, where they cooked their meals and discussed their goals and dreams.
As the weeks passed, Knox and Timmy's hard work paid off. Since the beginning of the adventure, they both have leveled up significantly. Knox was level 21, and Timmy was level 15.
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level: 21
Titles:
None
Achievements:
None
Skills:
Double Tap: Makes any hit, hit twice. Uses 5 Mana per use
Goblin rage: Increases all stats by 5. Uses 1 Mana per second.
Acid Manipulation: Cast a ball of acid. Uses Mana based on size.
Stat Points Available: 0
Speed; 30
Strength; 30
Endurance; 20
Durability; 20
Mind; 25
—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Knox felt a surge of pride as he looked at his current stats. He had worked hard to get to this point, and it showed. He believed his level was high and among the best for his age group. He was sure he was the strongest person in his age group, except for maybe Jade and Sara. They were the only ones he knew who might be as strong as him, but he was determined to keep pushing himself to be even better. Knox lost in his thoughts, finally decided to break the silence and informed Timmy that they would be embarking on a journey to the city today. Looking over at Timmy, he could tell that his announcement had piqued his interest.
“Will you leave me then?” Timmy said with worry.
Knox turned to Timmy and said, "I'm afraid I'll have to head back to the academy. However, don't worry, I'll ask my parents to register you for the academy since you can use the system."
"I see," Timmy replied, looking somewhat uncertain.
Knox noticed Timmy’s expression and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, I won't be far away. It's just an hour's walk back to the academy."
“Ok, I guess we should get going?”
“Yeah”
*** *** ***
As Knox trudged along the familiar path leading back to his hometown, his steps heavy with exhaustion and anticipation, he couldn't shake the feeling of both excitement and apprehension. For three long months, he had been away, toiling tirelessly, grinding through the challenges of a distant land in pursuit of a better future. But now, as the familiar sights of his childhood home began to emerge on the horizon, a knot of anticipation twisted in his stomach.
With each step, memories flooded back to him—the laughter of his friends, the comforting embrace of his family, and the warmth of the community that had shaped him. Yet, as he drew closer, he noticed something was amiss. The air seemed heavy with an eerie silence, and the once vibrant streets appeared lonely and abandoned.
His pace quickened, heart pounding with a mix of dread and disbelief. As he rounded the final corner, what greeted him instantly shattered his hopes and dreams. His hometown lay in ruins, buildings reduced to rubble, streets torn apart as if by some relentless force of nature.
“Knox… What happened here.” Timmy stood beside him, fear etched on his face.
“S-stay here… I’ll go see what happened.”
Shock and disbelief washed over Knox as he stood frozen during the destruction. Tears welled in his eyes as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of the devastation before him. Once full of life and promise, this place lay broken and lifeless.
A wave of despair crashed over him, dragging him into a pit of darkness he had never known. The realization that everything he had worked for and hoped to return to was gone hit him like a physical blow. In that moment, Knox felt as though the world's weight had come crashing down upon his shoulders, crushing him beneath its relentless burden.
With a heavy heart and leaden steps, Knox made his way through the ruins of his hometown, each shattered building a stark reminder of his shattered dreams. The once familiar streets now felt alien and cold, devoid of the warmth and familiarity he had known.
Depression gripped him like a vice, squeezing the life out of him with its suffocating embrace. He wondered how he could ever find the strength to rebuild, to pick up the pieces of his shattered life and start anew.
As Knox wandered through the desolate streets of his hometown, a profound sense of confusion gnawed at his mind. Where were the familiar faces that should have filled these streets? Where were the voices that should have echoed through the now-silent alleyways?
He called out, his voice trembling with uncertainty, but received no response except for the hollow echo of his words bouncing off the empty buildings. His footsteps echoed loudly in the quiet, amplifying his growing unease.
Passing by what used to be bustling shops and cafes, Knox couldn't shake the feeling of abandonment surrounding him. The absence of life, of activity, felt like a heavy weight pressing down on him.
Questions flooded his mind, each one more troubling than the last. Had everyone fled in fear? Had some calamity struck while he was away, driving the inhabitants to seek refuge elsewhere? Or worse, had something happened to them, something he couldn't even bear to consider?
The silence offered no answers, only amplifying his isolation and despair. With each empty street corner and boarded-up window, Knox's sense of loss deepened until it felt like he stood alone in a ghost town, a solitary figure in a world that had forgotten him.
His heart was heavy with uncertainty, and Knox continued his solitary journey. The once-familiar landmarks now served only to deepen his sense of disorientation. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the ruined streets, Knox grappled with a profound sense of loneliness unlike anything he had ever known.