Morning fog still clung to the ground when Kyle stepped outside, swallowing the path ahead. The forest loomed ahead, filled with tall trees, damp earth, and the faint scent of moss.
Eleanor had handed him Alden's old hunting clothes before dawn, insisting he'd need them. The leather jacket hung a little loose on his shoulders, the sleeves worn soft from years of use, and the dagger at his waist felt heavier than it should.
`I look like a hunter in these clothes.` Kyle almost laughed to himself.
Garrick was already there, tall and broad, checking the tension on his bowstring. Luna stood nearby, tightening the straps on her quiver.
"So you're coming with us today?" Garrick grinned. "Try not to scream if a rabbit bites you."
Kyle snorted. "I'll do my best."
Luna glanced at the dagger on his hip. "Ever used one?"
"…Not on anything alive I guess."
She nodded. "Then stay close."
They entered the forest.
"Rule number one," Garrick said as they started walking, "the edges of the forest are safe. Rabbits, deer… sometimes a wild boar."
Kyle froze for a moment when he heard "wild boar".
"Rule number two," Garrick continued. "The depths are dangerous. Don't go near them, or you'll face something you won't like."
Kyle glanced between the trees. "Like what?"
"Bear. Wolves. Occasionally worse." Garrick shrugged.
"Don't worry. This forest is safe." Luna added calmly, "There are no monsters like orcs here. Just animals."
Kyle nodded. `Great. Suitable for my goals.`
His plans for hunting in the forest were for several purposes. The first was his desire to get used to hunting and killing, in anticipation of his adventures after leaving the village.
The second was to obtain unused stat points in order to increase his stats. And the third, which is the most important—
`Testing the [Mind Control] skill on animals and monsters.` Kyle narrowed his eyes. `But It looks like my testing will be limited to animals... Unfortunately, there are no monsters here.`
---
As they moved deeper, Garrick walked ahead, eyes sharp, bow always half raised. Luna stayed slightly behind him, covering their rear, her gaze constantly sweeping the trees. Kyle followed between them, hand resting near the dagger at his waist.
"You're doing fine," She said after a while, noticing his stiff posture. "Most people freeze their first time."
Kyle exhaled slowly. "Trying not to."
Truth was, his heart hadn't stopped racing since they entered the trees.
After a while, they spotted the first rabbit near a tree log. It didn't seem to notice them as it remained still.
Garrick raised a hand, signaling them to stop. But as he prepared his bow to shoot the rabbit, the rabbit turned its head and noticed them. It twitched, ears upright, ready to bolt.
Kyle immediately used his [Mind Control] skill when Garrick and Luna weren't focused on him. His eyes glowed crimson as he issued the command to the rabbit: `Stay!`
The rabbit froze completely in mid-stride, allowing Garrick's arrow to catch it.
"Good. We managed to catch him before he escaped." Garrick breathed a sigh of relief.
`Great! It seems to work on animals too.` Kyle smiled quietly. `But the system didn't give me any unused stat points... It seems it has to be a direct kill.`
`Our first hunt of the day.` Garrick picked up the rabbit easily. `Let's continue.`
Shortly, the second rabbit went the same way. By the third rabbit, his hands had stopped shaking. By the fourth, the smell of blood no longer made his stomach churn... much.
Kyle didn't use his [Mind Control] skill very often because he didn't have the opportunity to do so and also so that Garrick and Luna wouldn't suspect anything.
However, in the fifth rabbit, he used it immediately and stopped the rabbit's movement. Then he pounced on it with his dagger and killed it. But the system didn't give him any unused stat points.
`As expected. The rabbit is too weak to get unused stat points.` Kyle nodded as he took the rabbit.
"Great job! You're adapting quickly." Garrick hit Kyle's shoulder.
Luna chuckled. "You're much better than me at my first hunt."
Kyle gave a small shrug. "Guess I learn fast."
They both nodded and began to move out of the forest when they felt a slight tremor through the ground that seemed to be increasing with every moment.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Do you hear that—" He started.
A loud crash cut him off.
From between the trees, a massive wild boar burst forward. Its eyes were bloodshot, tusks curved and sharp as it charged straight toward them.
"Boar!" Garrick shouted.
He and Luna spun around too late.
"Move!" Garrick yelled, already reaching for an arrow. But the boar was far too close.
It wasn't aiming for Garrick.
It wasn't aiming for Luna.
Its gaze locked onto Kyle.
`Of course it is.` Kyle thought bitterly. `It's always me!`
The boar lowered its head and surged forward.
Time seemed to slow.
Kyle's heart slammed against his ribs as instinct screamed at him to run. But another thought cut through the panic.
His eyes flashed crimson as he activated [Mind Control]. Then he issued a single, overwhelming command: `Stop.`
The boar's body jerked violently.
Its legs dug into the earth, muscles straining, hooves carving deep lines into the soil as it resisted. The ground trembled as it let out a furious squeal, but it slowed.
Kyle didn't wait. He rushed forward, drawing his dagger, then jumped. A raw scream tore from his throat as he drove the dagger into its eye.
The boar's body twitched and shook violently, but Kyle held fast to the dagger stuck in its eye. Then he twisted it forcefully, causing the boar to let out one final breath before falling heavily to the ground.
Silence fell over the forest.
Kyle stood there, breathing hard, blood soaking his hand, not his blood, but the blood of the first beast he killed.
The system screen appeared in front of him, acknowledging the killing:
[You have slain a Wild Boar]
[Unused Stat Points +2]
[First Kill Achieved. Feature Unlocked: Shop]
Kyle's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. `Finally.`
Beside him, Garrick stared at the fallen boar, then at Kyle.
"…What the hell just happened?"
Luna slowly lowered her bow, eyes fixed on Kyle with disbelief. "That thing should've flattened you."
Kyle pulled the dagger from the boar's eye and forced a nervous laugh. "I think I got lucky."
Garrick shook his head. "Lucky my ass. That was amazing!"
Luna crossed her arms, studying him for a moment longer than necessary, but she said nothing.
As they headed back, Kyle felt different. Heavier. Stronger. And for the first time since arriving in this world:
`I'm finally moving forward.`