Adam lingered in the shadows of the thick foliage, his sharp gaze fixed on BlockHead, the player he had been observing. The way BlockHead fought the slimes—basic, efficient, predictable—only reinforced Adam's belief that he had transcended ordinary gameplay.
His Mark and Attack skill ensured he could achieve far more in a shorter time. There was no reason for him to waste time grinding on such weak creatures.
"Slimes are just stepping stones," Adam thought, stepping away from the scene. His real targets lay deeper in the forest.
The forest itself seemed to welcome his decision. The deeper he ventured, the denser the vegetation became.
Towering trees stretched skyward, their branches intertwining like a natural canopy, filtering the sunlight into dappled golden patches on the forest floor.
The air was rich with the earthy scent of damp wood and fresh leaves, the sound of rustling foliage filling the silence.
Adam moved swiftly but cautiously, his footsteps light on the ground. His black outfit, designed for stealth, blended into the shadows.
Unlike other players who were still adjusting to VR movement, Adam's actions were fluid, precise—a result of his real-life experience and his past knowledge of the game.
As he walked, Adam reviewed what he knew about the creatures inhabiting this area. Unlike new players who had to discover these details the hard way, he had the advantage of knowledge.
Slimes (Level 1-2): The easiest monsters to hunt. Slow, weak, and predictable, they were perfect for beginners. Occasionally, a Slime Boss would appear, giving extra stat rewards.
Fang Rabbits (Level 3-5): A step up from slimes, Fang Rabbits were known for their speed and agility. Unlike slimes, which moved sluggishly, these creatures darted around unpredictably, forcing players to react quickly.
Red Wolves (Level 5-10): The real predators of the Beginner Village. Fierce, fast, and highly aggressive, they were far beyond the capabilities of most new players. Experienced adventurers avoided them unless they were in a party.
Adam smirked. "I'm not an ordinary player."
Unlike others who hesitated or sought safer hunting grounds, he would go straight for the most dangerous prey. If he wanted to level up quickly, he had to take risks.
As he moved deeper into the woods, memories of his past life resurfaced. He hadn't just struggled against monsters—he had struggled against the system itself.
In this game's early days, powerful guilds had monopolized everything. Even in beginner zones, they controlled hunting areas, charging "fees" for weaker players to farm monsters. If a player refused to comply, they would be hunted down and forced to quit.
Adam had once been one of those weak players, forced to grind under their oppressive rules.
He clenched his fist. "Never again."
This time, he would turn the tables. The guilds thought they controlled the game, but they had never accounted for someone like him—an Administrator.
He adjusted his hood, feeling the smooth fabric against his fingertips. His stealth ability was an unexpected boon—one the game hadn't stripped from his transferred character. If the guilds tried to track him, they would fail.
Adam moved deeper into the forest, his steps measured, his body alert.
The towering trees stretched endlessly into the sky, their thick canopy blocking out most of the sunlight, allowing only streaks of golden light to pierce through.
The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth, fresh leaves, and the occasional whiff of wildflowers growing between the thick roots of the trees.
"This place feels familiar," Adam thought as he walked. "Like I've been here a thousand times before."
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
It wasn't just the environment—it was the game itself. He had lived through this world once before, struggling, learning, and ultimately dominating it.
But this time, things were different. He wasn't a clueless beginner anymore. He had knowledge that no one else possessed.
He moved with the confidence of someone who knew exactly where he was going, his sharp eyes scanning the dense foliage for any sign of movement.
Birds chirped above, small insects buzzed near the undergrowth, and a faint rustling noise echoed in the distance.
Adam's lips curled into a smirk. He wasn't alone.
His fingers instinctively brushed against the hilt of his knife, his muscles tensing slightly. He crouched low behind a massive tree trunk, his breathing steady and controlled.
The rustling noise grew louder. A low growl followed.
Adam peered past the thick bark, his sharp gaze settling on a pack of Fang Wolves a few meters ahead.
There were five of them. Their sleek, muscular bodies moved in perfect unison, their sharp fangs glistening under the filtered sunlight. Their fur was a mix of dark gray and silver, blending almost seamlessly with the forest shadows.
At the front of the pack stood the leader—a striking female wolf with deep yellow eyes. Her body was slightly larger than the others, and her posture exuded dominance.
Adam's smirk widened. "That's the one," he whispered.
He had encountered Fang Wolves before in his previous life. He knew their patterns, their weaknesses, and the best way to take them down.
In a direct fight, a Level 1 player wouldn't stand a chance against a pack. But Adam wasn't just any player—he was someone who had already conquered this game once.
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his knife. The stealth properties of his outfit allowed him to remain hidden, but he had to be careful. If the pack sensed him before he struck, they would tear him apart in seconds.
He activated Mark and Attack.
A faint glow surrounded the female wolf, invisible to everyone except Adam. His skill had locked onto her, ensuring his attack would land with precision.
Adam exhaled slowly, steadying his aim. "One shot," he thought. "I have to make it count."
With a swift, practiced motion, he pulled his arm back and launched the knife.
The blade sliced through the air with deadly accuracy, its speed almost unnatural.
The knife embedded itself deep into the female wolf's skull.
Blood splattered onto the forest floor as the wolf let out a sharp, guttural cry. Its body staggered for a brief moment before collapsing into a lifeless heap.
A system notification appeared before Adam:
[Critical Hit! 100 Damage. Level 5 Fang Wolf defeated]
Adam let out a breath, his expression calm. But he wasn't done yet.
The remaining wolves froze for a second, shocked by the sudden death of their leader. Their ears perked up, their bodies tensing.
Then, as if responding to an unspoken command, they all turned in Adam's direction, their growls deep and menacing.
Adam's smirk didn't falter.
"You're angry, huh?" he muttered, stepping out from behind the tree. "Good. Come at me."
The largest of the remaining wolves—likely the second-in-command—snarled before lunging straight at Adam. Its sharp fangs gleamed as it closed the distance in a heartbeat.
But Adam was ready.
He sidestepped at the last second, his body moving with unnatural fluidity. The wolf's attack missed by mere inches, and before it could recover, Adam struck. His fist connected with the creature's ribs, sending a shockwave of pain through its body.
[ -15 HP ]
The wolf howled in agony, stumbling backward.
Adam didn't give it a chance to react. He dashed forward, his movements precise, his attacks relentless. His knife flashed as he struck again.
[ -20 HP ]
The second wolf collapsed.
Another system notification popped up:
[Level 4 Fang Wolf defeated!]
Adam barely glanced at it. He was already moving toward the next target.
The remaining wolves hesitated, their instincts warring between fight and flight. But Adam didn't give them a choice.
He lunged at the nearest wolf, his knife slashing through its throat.
[ -18 HP ]
The wolf gurgled before dropping to the ground.
Within moments, only one remained.
The final wolf whimpered, its ears flattening against its head. It took a step back, eyes darting toward the corpse of its pack leader.
Adam tilted his head. "Running away?" he asked, his voice calm. "Can't blame you."
The wolf let out a low growl, but instead of attacking, it turned and bolted into the forest.
Adam didn't chase it. He simply watched it disappear into the distance before turning back to the fallen wolves.
A system prompt appeared:
[Congratulations! You have defeated a Level 5 enemy as a Level 1 player. Bonus experience awarded]
Adam's experience bar filled instantly.
A new notification popped up:
[Your required experience points have been met. Do you wish to level up?]
[Yes/No]
Adam exhaled, staring at the prompt for a moment. Then, without hesitation, he selected No.
"This system is broken in all the right ways," he muttered to himself. "If I keep collecting experience without leveling up, I can stack my potential beyond normal limits."
He opened his status window:
---
Name: AlphaBoss
Species: Human
Class: Administrator
Level: 1
Experience: 1400/100
HP: 85/100
MP: 90/100
Stats:
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Stamina: 5
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 5
Luck: 3
Skills:
Reality Manipulation (Level 1)
Mark and Attack
---
He smirked. "Everything's going according to plan."
As he closed his status window, he looked deeper into the forest. He had gained valuable experience, but this was just the beginning.
"The real hunt starts now."
With that, Adam stepped forward, his figure fading into the shadows, his next target already in mind.