[Aric's POV]
It was already past 1 PM when I stepped out of the mansion. The forest air was warm and dry, sunlight peeking through the leaves above. A leather bag was slung across my shoulder, and my steps were steady as I moved toward the east—toward Fumas.
The road was longer than the one to Solin, but I didn't mind. Sarah had told sothing a few days ago:
> "Fumas is a kind of trading hut, you know? A place where rchants pass through all year. Unlike Libas, Fumas is quiet, but not poor. And nobles? Very few."
Fumas is located in the eastern direction.
That was all I needed to hear.
But then—
Ding!
A sudden light flashed in my vision. My system screen opened without warning.
---
> [Ergency Quest: Kill the Head Haste Fox]
Description: A dangerous creature known for extre speed. Found deep in the forest.
Location: 20 km straight from current point.
Target: The Head Haste Fox (only one per group).
Reward: Choose 1 Elite Skill 100 Stat Points.
---
I stopped walking. My heart thudded softly in my chest.
"An elite skill..." I whispered, gripping the strap of my bag.
Elite skills what are those . Maybe skills which are very rare and strong . And 100 stat points? That was insane.
The best part?
It was directly on my path—20 kiloters straight. Sa direction as Fumas.
"Heh," I smiled. "That's nice."
From my bag, I pulled out the small dagger I had carried just in case. I placed my hand over it and muttered:
> [Skill: Upgrade Touch – Active]
The blade lit up in a pure white glow.
The dagger shimred and morphed, becoming a full axe—a beautiful one. Its handle was thick and wrapped in dark leather, the edge of the blade lined with gold, and copper markings ran across its sides.
Three hours cooldown now... I'd only get to use this again later. I'd have to make it count.
---
I walked steadily for hours—crossing a small river, the kind you could step across by hopping on stones.
The air grew colder. The wind sharper.
And then—
I saw them.
From behind a thick oak tree, I crouched low. My breath slowed.
Ahead of was a clearing, and in it... a group of foxes.
But they weren't ordinary. Their fur was black like ink, but the tips of their tails glowed red, and their eyes were cold and blue, like ice.
They were small—cute, almost. One of them yawned and rolled on its back, showing its belly. Another ran in circles, playing with a leaf.
But then my eyes locked onto it.
The biggest one.
It stood tall, silent. Its fur was thicker, slightly silver on the edges. Its eyes didn't move—it was just... watching.
The Head.
---
> [Skill: Inspect – Active]
Na: Haste Fox (Alpha)
Level: 10
Speed: Extrely High
Weakness: Fire, Predictable First Dodge Pattern
---
I grinned.
> "Weak to fire, huh?"
I raised my left hand.
> [Skill: Fire Magic – Fire Bolt]
A spark lit in my palm—a small ball of fla appeared.
The fire flew.
Swoosh!
The bolt hit the grass near the head fox, and in an instant—
The entire group turned to .
No more cute tail wags. No more play.
Just rage. Red eyes. Baring fangs.
They charged.
---
The first two foxes dashed at faster than I could blink.
But I already knew—first dodge pattern is predictable.
I ducked left. One missed.
I swung my axe. One neck snapped clean.
[Kill Confird: XP]
Another fox leaped. I jumped back and shot another fire bolt mid-air.
It scread as the fla hit. Burned mid-leap.
The others hesitated... only for a mont.
Then ca the alpha.
Faster than the rest. Stronger.
I activated:
> [Skill: Weak Point Exposure]
His joints—highlighted in glowing red.
I threw a bolt at its front paw—missed.
But I stepped forward as it lunged and slamd my upgraded axe down toward its head.
Clang!
It moved.
Barely.
It scraped my shoulder with its claws—tearing into my coat.
Blood.
I gritted my teeth and roared:
> "[Fire magic !]"
My axe lit up in flas and carved through the air.
Straight into the fox's chest.
Splat.
It let out a screech. Stumbled. Tried to run.
But I grabbed its tail, yanked it back—and finished the job with one clean, ruthless swing.
[Critical Hit – Head Severed]
[Kill Confird – Ergency Quest Complete]
The other foxes froze.
Leader dead.
They tried to run—but I wasn't done.
One by one, I chased them through the trees.
There were no survivors.
---
I stood in the center of the blood-soaked clearing, panting, arms covered in cuts, coat torn at the shoulder.
My axe dripped red.
From cute animals to corpses in minutes.
And ?
I just smiled.
> [Reward Unlocked: Choose Elite Skill 100 Stat Points]
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