The body of the Ironhide Boar lay in the clearing like a collapsed boulder.
Steam slowly rose from the wound on its neck where frost energy still clung to the torn flesh. The sll of blood spread faintly through the forest, carried away by the cool morning wind.
Several of the students were still staring at the monster in silence.
Even though they had just witnessed the fight, the reality of killing a creature this large had not fully settled in yet.
Zhang Wei stepped forward and inspected the corpse.
"Clean strike," he said, glancing at Su Qinghan. "Good timing."
Su Qinghan simply nodded.
The spear user, who had nearly been gored earlier, looked both relieved and embarrassed.
"I misjudged the charge speed," he admitted.
Zhang Wei waved his hand dismissively.
"That’s normal for beginners. Ironhide Boars rely on brute force. Once you understand their movent pattern, they’re not difficult opponents."
He then reached down and used a short blade to carve out a small crystal from the creature’s chest.
A faint glow shimred within it.
"Monster core," Zhang Wei explained while holding it up. "Low grade, but still valuable."
The students leaned closer to look.
Cores like that were used in crafting equipnt, producing energy batteries, and even refining certain potions. For many hunters, monster materials were just as important as experience points.
After placing the core into his storage inventory, Zhang Wei stood up again.
"Alright," he said. "We’ll continue moving."
The group resud their march through the forest.
The deeper they went, the quieter the surroundings beca.
Sunlight filtered through the branches overhead in thin golden beams. Occasionally the distant cry of so unknown creature echoed through the trees, reminding everyone that they were far from the safety of the city walls.
Wang Hao walked beside Lin Yi with a thoughtful expression.
"You know... I just realized sothing."
Lin Yi glanced at him.
"What?"
"You haven’t fought anything yet."
Lin Yi chuckled.
"That’s true."
Wang Hao scratched his head.
"Maybe you should try if we run into a weaker monster."
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Are you encouraging to fight now?"
Wang Hao hesitated.
"Well... maybe just one."
Lin Yi smiled faintly.
"Let’s see what happens."
Ahead of them, Zhang Wei suddenly slowed his pace.
The experienced hunter crouched slightly and examined the ground.
Tracks.
Fresh ones.
He lifted a hand to signal the group to stop.
"Sothing passed through here recently," he said quietly.
Everyone tensed imdiately.
"What kind of monster?" soone whispered.
Zhang Wei studied the marks for a mont.
"Not large," he replied. "Probably a Spineback Lizard."
A few students relaxed slightly.
Spineback Lizards were considered one of the weakest monsters in Sector Twelve.
But Zhang Wei’s next words quickly restored the tension.
"They’re fast."
As if on cue, a rustling sound ca from the bushes to their right.
Before anyone could react, a dark shape burst out of the undergrowth.
A reptilian creature about the size of a large dog dashed across the path. Its body was covered with rough scales, and sharp bony spikes ran along its back.
"Spineback!" Zhang Wei shouted.
[Spineback Lizard]
Threat Level: 3
Health: 240 / 240
Physical Attack: 30 – 45
Physical Defense: 22 – 30
Magic Resistance: 18 – 25
[A small but aggressive reptilian monster that hides in bushes or rocky terrain before lunging at targets. Its skull and spine are protected by bone-like plates, but the underside remains vulnerable.]
The lizard hissed and lunged toward the nearest student.
That student froze.
Everything happened too quickly.
But just before the monster reached him—
A figure moved.
Lin Yi stepped forward.
The motion surprised even him.
His body reacted instinctively.
In one smooth movent, he drew the froststeel dagger from the system inventory.
The blade appeared in his hand like a flash of pale light.
The lizard leaped, as Lin Yi’s arm moved.
Then, the Titan’s Grip activated without him even thinking about it.
SLASH!
The dagger struck downward, producing a sharp tallic sound as the Spineback Lizard slamd into the ground with a shrill cry.
For a brief mont the clearing went silent.
Lin Yi stared at the creature beneath his dagger.
The froststeel blade had pierced directly through its skull.
The monster twitched once.
Then stopped moving.
Zhang Wei blinked.
Several students stared in disbelief.
Even Wang Hao looked stunned.
"Brother Lin..."
Lin Yi slowly pulled the dagger free.
The blade remained perfectly clean, frost energy evaporating into the air.
He looked down at the small monster.
"That... was easier than expected."
The silence broke instantly.
"You killed it in one strike!"
"Wasn’t he a Laborer class?"
"That dagger looked incredible!"
Wang Hao grabbed Lin Yi’s shoulder and shook him.
"Brother Lin, since when are you this strong?!"
Lin Yi scratched his cheek.
"Good timing?"
anwhile, Zhang Wei walked over and examined the corpse.
The experienced hunter’s eyes narrowed slightly.
The wound was precise.
Too precise for soone with zero combat experience.
He glanced at the dagger in Lin Yi’s hand.
Froststeel.
Rare material.
His gaze shifted back to Lin Yi.
"You’ve used weapons before?"
Lin Yi shrugged casually.
"Not really."
Zhang Wei studied him for a few seconds before nodding slowly.
"Natural instincts," he muttered.
But deep down, he knew sothing about that explanation didn’t quite add up.
At that mont, the familiar chanical voice echoed inside Lin Yi’s mind.
Ding.
[Monster defeated]
[Reward: 15 EXP]
Lin Yi waited calmly.
The system activated again.
[Reward amplification triggered]
[Final experience gained: 1500 EXP]
The experience bar exploded upward.
[Level Up!]
[Level 6 reached]
[Level Up!]
[Level 7 reached]
Lin Yi blinked.
Two levels again.
His lips curved slightly.
anwhile Wang Hao was still staring at him like he had just discovered a secret.
"Brother Lin," he whispered slowly.
"Yes?"
"You’re definitely hiding sothing."
Lin Yi chuckled.
"What makes you say that?"
Wang Hao pointed at the dead monster.
"You just killed a Spineback Lizard faster than so combat classes."
Lin Yi thought for a mont.
Then he said calmly,
"Maybe the Laborer class isn’t as weak as everyone thinks."
Wang Hao opened his mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because sohow... that explanation didn’t sound completely ridiculous anymore.
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