{Authority Gained}
{Name:} Kyle
{Race:} Kobold
{Level:} 0
{Stats}
{Strength:} 1
{Agility:} 1
{Vitality:} 3
{Intelligence:} 5
{Health Points:} 15
{Stamina:} 15
{Mp:} 5
{Experience Points:} 365/50
Exactly one year after his arrival in this world, Kyle received a second message from the system—the first since coming here. He had just woken up from sleep in the same room he shared with his brothers and sisters, though it felt much smaller now that they were all grown.
As he went through his personal details, Kyle couldn't help but wonder if this was truly a video game or a unique trait limited to him because he was chosen by the Greater Kobold.
What the hell is a Greater Kobold anyway? he wondered.
Putting those thoughts aside, Kyle took a good look at his stats and frowned. He wasn't impressed, but he wasn't surprised either.
Kobolds weren't particularly known for their strength. However, what he lacked in strength, he made up for with vitality and intelligence. His stats weren't impressive, but unfortunately, it wasn't his place to choose.
His thoughts were interrupted by approaching footsteps—ones he recognized immediately.
Lu'k walked into the room, carrying a big cracked bowl filled with centipedes, worms, ladybugs, and other insects. From what little Kyle knew, the old kobold had lived for over twenty years, which explained his hunched back and limping steps. In kobold terms, he was an old man who could die at any moment—and the last surviving adult of their colony.
Kyle watched as his siblings sniffed out the meal even in their sleep, waking one after another. They gathered around Lu'k, waiting for him to lower the bowl as usual.
But he didn't.
Lu'k calmly looked at every young kobold present before speaking.
"This will be the last meal you will be getting from me. From here on, you brothers and sisters will have to work together to survive."
Only then did Lu'k's gaze settle on Kyle, his eyes burning with anticipation and excitement.
For a year, Kyle had lived an uneventful and unproductive life, reminding him far too much of his wasted life on Earth.
Though he never voiced it, Kyle was dissatisfied with how his past life ended. He wished he had done more. That was why he saw this life as an opportunity to correct the mistakes of the past.
How could he not be excited? He had finally received another system message containing his personal information, and now he was being told he was allowed to leave the cave.
Lu'k observed their expressions, noting the nervousness among the young ones—except for Kyle.
From the very beginning, this child had been different. While other hatchlings played, Kyle followed the adults around, observing them work. And this was when he was only a few months old and could barely crawl.
The determination and intelligence he showed at such a young age were why Lu'k held high hopes for him. He believed that if anyone were to lead the colony after him, it would be Kyle.
The old kobold finally lowered the bowl, and the younglings instantly forgot their worries, diving in and fighting over food as they always did. It was as though his earlier words had fallen on deaf ears.
This was not uncommon among young kobolds. Lu'k and his peers had been the same. Only after going several days without food did they truly understand.
Lu'k could only sigh before walking out of the room, leaving Kyle alone with his thoughts—and the glowing panel before him.
Below his personal information, new text appeared.
{Host has the required experience points to level up. Do you wish to proceed?}
{Yes/No}
Without hesitation, Kyle chose yes.
Ding!
{Level:} 0→1
{+1 unused stat point}
{Experience Points:} 315/150
{Host has the required experience points to level up. Do you wish to proceed?}
{Yes/No}
"Nothing?" Kyle muttered, disappointed.
As a gamer, leveling up naturally came with expectations—especially gaining a new skill, particularly when he didn't have any to begin with.
"Stingy," he cursed before choosing yes again.
Ding!
{Level:} 1→2
{+1 unused stat point}
{Experience Points:} 165/250
Once again, he received only a stat point and nothing else. Worse still, the experience requirement now exceeded what he had left.
An entire year of waiting and accumulating experience points had earned him two measly stat points—and no skills.
Kyle fell silent, staring at his personal information for several minutes without blinking. He had waited so long for this day, only to feel like life had kicked him in the gut once more.
"God damn it… I might actually need a weapon if I'm going to hunt."
Annoyed, Kyle left the room and headed for the storage chamber where loot and items were usually kept.
Entering the room, he was greeted by broken crates, shattered barriers, and random items scattered everywhere. Most—if not all—of it was trash.
At the peak of the colony's strength, back when Kyle was only five months old, even low-quality mana crystals could be found here. There were decent clubs, bone weapons, and even steel swords—old and rusty, but usable.
Now, all that remained was junk.
And the faces that once stared at him with excitement after his birth were gone.
Kyle didn't feel sad about their absence, but he wasn't happy either.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he began ransacking the storage room for anything usable. After several minutes of searching, all he found was a single piece of bone—nearly twice the length and width of his arm.
{Common Grade Bone Found!}
{Weapon Type:} Blunt
{Requirement:} 2 Strength
{+5 damage}
{Durability:} 10/10
At this point, Kyle was tired of being disappointed—or complaining about things beyond his control. He was done kicking and screaming at every hardship this world threw at him.
Without hesitation or complaint, Kyle assigned both unused stat points to Strength.
{Name:} Kyle
{Race:} Kobold
{Level:} 2
{Stats}
{Strength:} 3
{Agility:} 1
{Vitality:} 3
{Intelligence:} 5
{Health Points:} 15
{Stamina:} 15
{Mp:} 5
{Experience Points:} 165/250
Buzz!
A warm sensation flowed through his veins, spreading to every part of his body. Kyle didn't feel stronger exactly—just more grounded.
Sturdier.
Bam!
Kyle grabbed the bone and lifted it over his head, resting it on his shoulder in one smooth motion.
"Okay… I won't lie. That's a bit heavy," he gasped as the bone settled into place.
Despite meeting the strength requirement, Kyle could tell he would need practice to get used to it.
I'll just hunt something harmless. Knocking a few rabbits dead should be good training.
With a bone weapon in hand and a positive attitude, Kyle stepped out to experience this new world for the first time since his arrival.
His days of feeding on worms and bugs were finally over.