Chirp chirp
As Yuji roused from his slumber, as the warmth of the sun greeted him, casting its golden rays across the clear blue sky. The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air, uplifting his spirits. His gaze shifted to a nearby field, where a lively group of goats frolicked. They grazed on the lush grass.
Seeing this smile brightened Yuji's face. "I'm alive!" Yesterday when he faced the life-threatening situation, he had prepared himself for the worst. Yet, here he was, alive and well, uncertain about the circumstances that had spared his life.
But the smile didn’t last long, Yuji felt movements around him, turning around he noticed a buckling just standing behind him, with its weapon sticking outside of its protective shell.
“…”
Upon witnessing this scene, Yuji found himself rendered speechless. The buckling, too, remained silent for a few more seconds before it turned around and ran away.
Yuji's gaze fixed on the retreating figure. He thought about what could have happened if he was sleeping for a few more seconds. “Now I won’t be able to sleep without worrying.”
**
He removed the thought about the buckling and focused on some possibility, about the person who saved him.
Firstly, the elder goat could be the one who saved and healed him, after all he is the one Yuji saw before he lost his consciousness. If this elder goat truly healed him, then he should be very strong.
But if that elder goat is truly strong, why is that goat on a goat farm? And the other possibility is that he was saved by the system, which he doubted the system would do.
“System.”
“Ding”
As he thought about the system a notification sound rang In his mind.
[Achievement unlocked: Tell the tale]
Fight an opponent at least 5 times stronger than the user for at least 30 seconds within 24 hours of journey and live to tell the tale.
Rewards
* New skill ‘Ironclad Impetus'
* 10 Essence
[ Mission complete- The first battle ]
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
[ Reward : 10 Essence ]
“I got an achievement and completed a new mission!”
Seeing the notification he swap his gaze and read the notification again. "So, there are achievements!”
But his happiness turned to a sour very fast when he couldn’t find any option to the achievement list, usually games have a list and things someone has to do to complete an achievement. But I matter how much he tried he couldn’t find the list.
"System where is the achievement option? if I don't know what to do, how the fuck am I supposed to complete an achievement?" Achievement is important, there’s a high probability he will receive unexpected gifts from completing achievements.
[ The achievement options has been hidden to maintain peace and balance ]
"I see. So, are there others who have this system?"
But, another question raised in his mind. “To maintain peace and balance! Just how many people have access to the system? Or does everyone system? If everyone have access to system, how humans are the dominant species?”
But there was no answer from the system. Just by thinking he isn’t the only person who has access to system he felt a little sad.
Soon his gaze landed on the last notification about the new and his first skill.
‘Ironclad Impetus’
[ Upon using skill ‘Ironclad Impetus’ the user will receive a 15% Buff in strength ]
Duration – 30 minutes
Cost – 10 Energy
Cool down- 12 hours
“ 15% buff in strength! Not bad. But the cool down period is too high same from energy consumption, I don’t even how I can increase my energy.” Yuji looked at the skill, and read everything, he became a little disappointed seeing the duration for skill. 30 minutes indeed is no small time , but considering the cool down duration should have been higher.
But his sadness dismissed when system said he can Level up the skills with a skill card. Where or how would he get a skill card? First he have to complete level 10 then system will explain.
****
Yuji stopped his useless thoughts and examined the system, he noticed no changes except for the Essence, which had now reached 30, and the Quest completion rate, now at 12%
“How are you feeling right now?”
Interrupting his thoughts, a voice reached Yuji's ears. Turning, he noticed the goat with a beard.
Expressing gratitude to the aged goat, Yuji reflected on the assistance provided. Though uncertain if this particular goat is the one who had healed him, he was certain that without the elder goat's intervention against Gildir, he wouldn’t have survived.
Yuji's perception of goats in this world shifted significantly. He once considered them fun and playful creatures, now he saw them as unpredictable beings prone to senseless fights.
"Young and full of energy." The goat with the beard addressed Yuji. "You must refrain from touching things that don't belong to you." Yuji couldn't help but sense a tinge of disappointment in the elder goat's voice. Wanting to clarify himself, Yuji spoke up, "But sir goat, may I explain what happened?"
"I know what happened." Said the elder goat, interrupting Yuji before he could explain. "You don't need to explain. Gildir is in a bad mood, and he'll likely challenge you again. I was able to stop him this time, but I may not be able to help you next time. You have to prepare yourself as soon as possible."
After conversing with the elder goat, Yuji came to understand the source of Gildir's anger: he had unknowingly consumed grass that Gildir had been nurturing. But grass grows on soil and soil belongs to all goats, not just one goat.
Hearing this goats advice, Yuji felt grateful. However, he remained cautious. Past experiences had instilled in him a wariness of trusting easily. Despite this, he believed it wise to maintain a respectful rapport until he could better acclimate to his new environment.
The elder goat took a deep breath, gazing into the distance, and spoke with a composed tone, "Furthermore, as an outsider, it is important that you avoid offending anyone. Refrain from consuming food that belongs to others until you are strong enough to challenge an adult."
“As for how to prepare yourself for the battle, I’ll train you later.”
After the elder goat finished speaking, silence settled between the two. Yuji's mind whirled with thoughts. Interacting with two goats has profoundly altered his perspective toward goats. He realized goats in this world share human-like traits of anger, self-respect, and there exist both good and evil.
They have their own language and can communicate with each other. It took humans countless years to create their own language, which only happened because they lived together to survive. As they lived together, they developed their own ways of communication, and slowly but surely, humans reached the modern age. This happened because knowledge was passed down from generation to generation, allowing humans to advance and evolve over time.
But the question is how did these goat’s evolved? For now he can’t figure out how goat’s living in a farm become an intelligent species. He would love find out how.