Adrian stood in the quiet outskirts of the village, his mind racing as he stared at the notification that had just appeared before him.
Physique: 10 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
You have reached the maximum growth for this tier.
He frowned, tilting his head slightly as if doing so might reveal some hidden meaning behind the words. Reaching the cap on Physique felt like a milestone—but also an obstacle. What did it mean to "reach the maximum growth"? Was this a wall meant to be broken through, or simply another step in the system's design?
His thoughts spiraled rapidly. He opened his status screen again, scanning every detail for clues. His stats were modest but balanced:
Strength: 6
Agility: 9 (+4 from Leather Boots)
Endurance: 5
Stamina: 6
Intelligence: 4
Luck: 2
Physique: 10 (Tier 0 – Unawakened)
The numbers stared back at him, offering no immediate answers. Did he need to level up further? Perhaps all his stats had to surpass a certain threshold, like breaking into double digits across the board. Or maybe…
His gaze shifted downward toward his inventory. There, nestled among other items, lay the mysterious leather-bound book. It had been weeks since he'd last opened it, and though its cryptic pages hadn't revealed much then, perhaps now, with his Physique capped, it held new insights.
He pulled the book out, flipping it open with cautious anticipation. Page after page shimmered with violet ink, the same archaic script describing concepts of breath, motion, and unity. But nothing seemed different. No new sections glowed; no additional diagrams caught his eye. After standing there silently for nearly a minute, Adrian sighed, closing the book with a soft thud.
"It has to be my level or stats," he murmured aloud, thinking carefully. "Makes sense and matches what I've experienced so far. Maybe leveling up will unlock something. Tier 1 could start at 11."
His fingers drummed lightly against the spine of the book as he considered his options. If hitting Level 10 was the key, grinding a little more wouldn't hurt—and besides, the extra experience would only make him stronger. With renewed determination, he tucked the book back into his inventory and turned toward the village square.
Back to the Quest Board
The quest board sat prominently near the center of the bustling village, its wooden surface covered in neatly pinned notices. Earlier, when he'd been with Sarah and Alice, they'd chosen one of the most intimidating quests listed—a mini-boss deep within the forest. But now, alone, Adrian opted for something more manageable yet still challenging enough to test his limits.
His eyes scanned the board until they landed on a familiar description:
Quest: Black Wolf
Defeat the rogue wolf terrorizing a nearby homestead.
Reward: 50 EXP, 20 Copper Coins, Chance of Rare Drop
"Perfect," Adrian muttered under his breath. Wolves were enemies he knew well, having fought them countless times already. Armed with his newly acquired Golden Dagger, Thornfang, he felt confident in taking on even a boss-level variant.
Before heading out, he stopped briefly by a merchant stall to restock on healing potions. The vendor greeted him warmly, flashing a toothy grin. "Heading out for trouble, eh?"
"Something like that," Adrian replied absently, handing over a few copper coins in exchange for two vials of health-restoring liquid.
As he turned to leave, a random player passing by called out, "Hey, aren't you the guy who killed those wolves earlier? No, you are the guy. Those were some nice moves! wanna team up?"
Adrian blinked in surprise, unsure whether to feel flattered or wary. "Uh… thanks, but I already have a team, but thanks, I guess," he said awkwardly, waving off the comment as he hurried away. Fame wasn't something he sought, but it seemed word traveled fast in small villages.
The journey to the designated area took longer than expected. Adrian navigated winding paths lined with frost-covered trees, the air crisp and biting. Occasionally, he encountered groups of players grinding mobs or gathering resources, but he kept moving steadily forward without engaging. His focus was singular: find the rogue wolf and prove his theory about leveling past Physique Tier 0.
After nearly half an hour of walking, Adrian spotted something unusual ahead. A clearing opened up in the dense forest, revealing an old man embracing a woman near the edge of the treeline. Their presence here seemed strange—most NPCs avoided dangerous areas unless scripted otherwise. Curious, Adrian approached cautiously.
The old man wore rugged clothing reminiscent of a lumberjack, though his physique suggested anything but strength. His companion, a middle-aged woman with her hair tied neatly in a bun, leaned into his embrace. Both had brown hair streaked with gray, their faces etched with worry.
"Excuse me," Adrian began, stepping closer. "What are you two doing out here? Isn't this area dangerous?"
The couple turned to face him, their expressions softening slightly. The old man spoke first, his voice gravelly but kind. "We live nearby. Our home is just beyond these woods. But lately, we've been having trouble with a wolf prowling too close for comfort."
His wife nodded anxiously. "It's grown bold enough to attack livestock. We're too old to handle it ourselves, but we don't want anyone getting hurt either."
Adrian crossed his arms thoughtfully. "I see. So you're looking for help dealing with it?"
"Yes," the old man confirmed, gesturing vaguely toward the direction of their house. "If you're willing, we'd greatly appreciate it. Just follow the path—it'll lead straight to our place."
Without hesitation, Adrian agreed. "Consider it done. I'll take care of the wolf and make sure your home is safe."
Relief washed over their faces, and the woman clasped her hands together gratefully. "Thank you, young man. Be careful—it's cunning."
With a nod, Adrian set off down the path they indicated, leaving the elderly couple behind. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that this quest might hold more significance than he initially assumed.
The path led deeper into the forest, twisting between towering pines and patches of snow-covered ground. Adrian's boots crunched softly against the icy terrain, each step deliberate and measured. Though the surroundings remained peaceful, he stayed alert, knowing danger could emerge at any moment.
Finally, he arrived at the homestead—a modest wooden cabin surrounded by a small fenced-in yard. Chickens pecked lazily at the frozen earth, while smoke curled lazily from the chimney. Everything seemed serene, almost idyllic.
"This is it," he whispered, gripping the weapon tightly. "Let's see if Tier 1 awaits."
And with that, he stepped forward, ready to confront whatever
Adrian approached the homestead cautiously, his boots crunching softly against the frost-laden ground. The wooden cabin stood modestly before him, its walls weathered but sturdy, with smoke curling lazily from the chimney. A small fenced yard surrounded the house, dotted with chickens pecking at scraps of food scattered across the snow. He paused for a moment, taking in the scene. It felt peaceful—too peaceful for a place supposedly plagued by a rogue wolf.
He decided to inspect the perimeter first, walking slowly around the structure. His eyes scanned every detail: the gaps between fence posts, the slightly ajar barn door, and even the stacks of firewood piled neatly beside the house. Nothing seemed out of place, yet something about the stillness prickled at his instincts. Wolves weren't stealthy creatures by nature, so why had this one evaded capture for so long?
As he rounded the back of the house, Adrian noticed a small garden tucked away near the tree line. Rows of vegetables—carrots, potatoes, and herbs—were planted carefully despite the cold climate. He frowned, tilting his head as he knelt down to examine the soil. "Why would wolves attack crops?" he muttered under his breath. "They're carnivores. Shouldn't they be hunting deer or livestock instead of messing with plants?"
His thoughts were interrupted when a faint rustle came from above. Before he could fully process it, his body reacted instinctively, flinching backward just in time. His gaze shot upward, and his blood ran cold. Perched on the roof was a massive black wolf, its fur blending seamlessly with the shadows cast by the overhanging trees. Its glowing amber eyes locked onto him, radiating intelligence far beyond that of an ordinary beast.
Adrian cursed under his breath as the wolf crouched low, muscles coiling like springs beneath its sleek frame. Then, with terrifying speed, it leapt off the roof, aiming straight for him. Time seemed to slow as Adrian's mind raced. This wasn't just any wolf—it was smart, strategic, and clearly used surprise tactics to catch opponents off guard.
Without hesitation, Adrian yanked Thornfang, his golden dagger, from its holster. The weapon gleamed faintly in the dim light, its edge promising lethal precision. He adjusted his stance, planting his feet firmly into the snow as adrenaline surged through his veins. His grip tightened around the hilt, every muscle in his body tensing in preparation for the impact.
The wolf landed mere feet away, its claws digging into the frozen earth as it snarled menacingly. For a brief second, predator and prey locked eyes, the air crackling with tension. Adrian exhaled sharply, steadying himself. He knew this fight would demand everything he had—and perhaps more.
And then, silence.