C28 Chapter 27 – Breakthrough
A cold wind swept across Hope Island.
Dark clouds drifted slowly overhead.
The forest was unusually quiet.
No birds sang.
No rabbits ran through the bushes.
Even the insects had disappeared.
Aiden stood outside his hut, looking toward the western forest.
Something was wrong.
The island had become too quiet.
The Forest Hopper, who was happily eating berries a moment ago, suddenly froze.
Its ears stood upright.
"Chi..."
It quickly hid behind Aiden's leg.
Aiden frowned.
"You feel it too?"
He tightened his grip on the Bone Spear.
After checking his supplies, he left the camp.
His goal was simple.
Gather more food.
Collect materials.
Gain enough experience to reach the next level.
The Blood Moon was only forty-nine days away.
Every day mattered.
---
Following fresh tracks, Aiden entered the western forest.
The footprints belonged to a Wild Horn Goat.
Several minutes later, he found it drinking from a small stream.
The goat looked healthy.
Its horns were larger than the one he had hunted before.
Wild Horn Goat
Level 3
Aiden didn't attack immediately.
Instead, he quietly climbed onto a nearby rock.
The higher ground gave him a better angle.
He picked up a small stone and threw it.
Thunk!
The goat looked toward the sound.
At that exact moment...
Aiden jumped.
His Bone Spear shot downward.
Thrust!
The spear pierced the goat's shoulder.
The beast cried out and charged.
Aiden rolled to the side.
Its horns barely missed his chest.
Before it could turn around...
He slashed with his Iron Knife.
Blood splashed onto the grass.
The injured goat staggered.
One final thrust ended the battle.
The System appeared.
---
Monster Defeated!
Wild Horn Goat (Level 3)
Rewards:
- Goat Meat ×8
- Goat Hide ×1
- Goat Horn ×2
EXP +25
Current EXP:
230 / 250
---
"Only twenty more."
Aiden smiled.
"I'll reach Level 3 today."
He stored the materials and continued deeper into the forest.
---
Not long after...
A rustling sound came from a nearby bush.
A Fang Rabbit leaped out.
Instead of attacking, it tried to escape.
Aiden threw his Bone Spear.
Whoosh!
The spear struck cleanly.
The rabbit collapsed.
---
Monster Defeated!
Fang Rabbit (Level 2)
Rewards:
- Rabbit Meat ×2
- Rabbit Fur ×1
- Sharp Fang ×2
EXP +15
Current EXP:
245 / 250
---
"So close..."
Just five more experience points.
At that moment...
The Forest Hopper tugged on Aiden's sleeve.
"Chi! Chi!"
It pointed toward a fallen tree.
Curious, Aiden walked over.
Beneath the trunk...
A Silver Scale Fish was flapping helplessly inside a puddle left behind by the rain.
It had likely been carried inland during the storm.
Aiden quickly picked it up.
---
Silver Scale Fish Collected
EXP +5
Current EXP:
250 / 250
---
A brilliant golden light erupted around Aiden.
Warm energy surged through every part of his body.
His tired muscles recovered instantly.
His breathing became lighter.
His vision sharpened.
The System echoed across his mind.
---
LEVEL UP!
Level 2 → Level 3
Rewards:
- Free Stat Points +5
- HP Fully Restored
- Mana Fully Restored
- Stamina Fully Restored
---
Aiden let out a long breath.
"So this is Level 3..."
He immediately opened his Status Window.
---
Player Status
Name: Aiden
Level: 3
EXP: 0 / 450
HP: 125 / 125
Mana: 60 / 60
Stamina: 115 / 115
---
Basic Attributes
Strength: 8
Agility: 6
Vitality: 7
Intelligence: 5
Spirit: 5
Luck: 1
---
Free Stat Points: 5
---
This time, Aiden didn't hesitate.
"I've been lacking speed in battle."
"And my stamina still isn't enough."
He distributed the points carefully.
- Strength +2
- Agility +2
- Vitality +1
The warm energy returned.
His arms felt heavier with strength.
His footsteps became lighter.
His heartbeat remained calm even after battle.
---
Updated Attributes
Strength: 10
Agility: 8
Vitality: 8
Intelligence: 5
Spirit: 5
Luck: 1
Free Stat Points: 0
---
"I can already feel the difference."
Aiden smiled.
Every stat point mattered.
Careless choices today could mean death tomorrow.
---
As he prepared to leave, the Forest Hopper suddenly ran toward a moss-covered stone pillar hidden behind thick vines.
A weathered wooden chest rested on top.
Unlike ordinary chests...
There was no lock.
Only a glowing handprint.
Aiden placed his palm against it.
The runes lit up one after another.
---
Hidden Explorer Reward Found!
Rewards:
- Skill Book – Power Strike
- Copper Ore ×10
- Coins ×50 (Locked)
- Memory Crystal Fragment ×1
---
Aiden picked up the Skill Book.
The moment he opened it, blue light flowed into his forehead.
A flood of knowledge appeared in his mind.
---
Skill Learned
Power Strike
Type: Active Skill
Grade: Common
Mana Cost: 10
Cooldown: 30 Seconds
Effect:
Concentrates strength into a single attack, dealing 150% Physical Damage.
Skill Memory: 1 / 4
---
"My first active skill..."
Aiden smiled.
His chances of surviving had increased once again.
As the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon, he returned to Hope Island with fresh meat, new materials, and a stronger body.
But hidden among the trees...
A pair of scarlet eyes watched his every step.
The Shadow Wolf King slowly stood.
It sniffed the air.
Then it released a low growl.
For the first time...
It had chosen its prey.
And the hunt had finally begun.
