# Chapter 5: The First Hunt
The morning air in the outer forest was cold.
A thin layer of fog hung between the trees, making the entire place feel quiet… almost eerie.
Ronan slowly stepped forward, his boots crunching against dried leaves.
Last night, he had barely slept.
The system window he had seen after killing the goblin kept appearing in his mind.
It was impossible.
Yet… it was real.
He could still remember the cold blue letters floating in front of his eyes.
**[You have defeated Goblin – Level 2]**
**[+40 XP]**
He had almost reached Level 2.
And if the system was real… then this forest was his chance.
Ronan clenched his fists.
*"If I get stronger… no one will ever look down on me again."*
Not Lilia.
Not the students.
And especially not **Victor Hale**.
Victor's mocking smile flashed through his mind.
The boy with the S-Rank talent.
The boy who already had a surname.
The boy everyone feared.
Ronan exhaled slowly.
"Not yet," he muttered.
Right now… he was still weak.
Very weak.
He needed experience.
He needed levels.
And the forest was the only place where no one would stop him.
---
### The System's New Ability
Ronan moved quietly between the trees.
Suddenly—
A small movement appeared near a bush.
Ronan froze.
He slowly crouched down and looked closer.
A small green creature was scratching the ground with its claws.
The moment Ronan focused his eyes on it—
A blue window appeared.
**[Goblin]**
**Level: 3**
Ronan's eyes widened.
"So it works…"
He could see their levels.
But the strange thing was… the numbers only appeared when he focused.
Yesterday he had only noticed it after killing the goblin.
But now—
He could see it before fighting.
Ronan frowned slightly.
"If I can see their level… then I can judge the danger."
He remembered something else.
When he looked deeper into the creature—
The information disappeared.
As if something blocked it.
Ronan thought carefully.
"Maybe I can only see enemies around my level…"
Or maybe—
There was a limit.
Still, knowing the level alone was already a huge advantage.
Ronan slowly pulled out the short iron dagger he had bought with his remaining money.
It wasn't a great weapon.
But it was enough.
The goblin hadn't noticed him yet.
Ronan moved slowly.
One step.
Two steps.
Three.
Suddenly—
The goblin lifted its head.
"GRAAA!"
It screamed and rushed toward him.
Ronan's heart started beating faster.
But this time—
He didn't panic.
He had already fought one yesterday.
He knew what to expect.
The goblin jumped forward with its claws.
Ronan stepped sideways.
Slash!
His dagger cut across the creature's arm.
Green blood splashed on the ground.
"GRAAA!"
The goblin swung wildly.
Ronan blocked with his forearm and kicked the creature in the stomach.
Thud!
The goblin stumbled back.
Ronan immediately rushed forward.
Slash!
Slash!
Slash!
His dagger struck again and again.
Finally—
The goblin collapsed.
**[Goblin defeated]**
The familiar blue screen appeared again.
**[+45 XP]**
Ronan took a deep breath.
His body was trembling slightly.
But this time…
It felt different.
Not fear.
Excitement.
He looked at the system again.
**Level 1**
**XP: 85 / 100**
Only a little more.
"Just one more…"
Ronan stood up.
The hunt had just begun.
---
### Something Strange
Ronan walked deeper into the forest.
The trees grew thicker.
The light from the sun barely reached the ground.
After a few minutes—
He heard movement again.
Two goblins.
Ronan quickly focused his eyes.
**[Goblin – Level 2]**
**[Goblin – Level 2]**
Ronan's expression turned serious.
Two enemies.
This would be harder.
But still possible.
He slowly stepped backward and grabbed a small rock.
Then—
He threw it toward another bush.
Crash!
The goblins turned their heads instantly.
"GRA?"
One of them walked toward the sound.
Perfect.
Ronan dashed forward.
Slash!
His dagger pierced the goblin's neck before it could react.
The second goblin screamed and rushed at him.
But Ronan was ready.
Clang!
The goblin's claws scraped against his dagger.
Ronan twisted his body and kicked the creature's knee.
Crack!
The goblin collapsed.
Slash!
A clean strike ended the fight.
Silence returned to the forest.
Then—
The system appeared again.
**[Goblin defeated]**
**[Goblin defeated]**
**[+40 XP]**
**[+40 XP]**
Suddenly—
A brighter window appeared.
**[Level Up!]**
A wave of energy spread through Ronan's body.
He gasped.
It felt like warmth flowing through his muscles.
The fatigue from the fight disappeared instantly.
Ronan looked at the screen.
**Name: Ronan**
**Level: 2**
He smiled.
For the first time since the awakening ceremony…
Ronan felt hope.
---
### The Hidden Danger
But something felt wrong.
The forest had suddenly become quiet.
Too quiet.
No birds.
No wind.
Nothing.
Ronan frowned.
Then—
A heavy sound echoed from deeper inside the forest.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
Each step shook the ground slightly.
Ronan slowly turned his head.
Something was coming.
He focused his eyes.
A large shadow moved between the trees.
Ronan tried to read its level.
But—
Nothing appeared.
His heart dropped.
"No level?"
He focused harder.
Then—
For a split second—
A blurred number appeared.
**Level: ??**
Then the information disappeared completely.
Ronan froze.
His mind immediately understood the meaning.
That creature…
Was more than **10 levels stronger** than him.
Cold sweat ran down his back.
Slowly—
A huge figure stepped out from the trees.
A massive wolf.
Dark fur.
Eyes glowing faintly red.
Even standing still…
It radiated terrifying pressure.
Ronan could barely breathe.
The creature sniffed the air.
Then—
Its red eyes locked onto Ronan.
Silence.
Neither of them moved.
Ronan's instincts screamed one thing.
*Run.*
But if he ran suddenly—
The wolf would chase.
He slowly stepped backward.
One step.
Two steps.
The wolf growled softly.
Ronan felt his heart beating wildly.
Then—
He turned and ran.
CRASH!
Branches broke as Ronan sprinted through the forest.
Behind him—
A terrifying howl echoed.
The wolf had noticed.
But luckily—
Ronan had already reached the thinner part of the forest.
After several minutes of running—
The howling disappeared.
Ronan finally stopped.
He leaned against a tree, breathing heavily.
"Damn…"
His hands were shaking.
He had almost died.
Just because he became Level 2…
He had gotten careless.
Ronan slowly calmed his breathing.
Then he looked at the system again.
If he wanted to survive in this world…
He needed more strength.
Much more.
He clenched his fist.
"Next time…"
"I won't run."
Above the forest canopy, dark clouds slowly gathered.
Ronan didn't know it yet.
But that wolf…
Was only the beginning.
---