Chapter 3: Tutorial Quest
"Where did that bastard go!?"
A group of hooded figures scattered through the entrance of the snowy forest, scavenging the area with their weapons drawn.
"He couldn't have escaped far, search the perimeter and do not let him slip away!"
I observed the assailants from my hiding place behind a big pile of snow.
They were slowly closing in on my position, their footsteps crunching in the thick snow
I had two options:
To either fight them or try to lose them in the forest.
It is obvious that running would be a wiser choice as these armed pursuers clearly outnumbered me, however…
I think I'll be able to take them on.
There was a reason why the tutorial quest was 'Survive The Assailants' and not escape them.
Although very hard, defeating them is possible.
Also, additional rewards will be granted upon doing so, so there is no way I'm going to let this opportunity slip.
Crunch…
As one of the men got closer to my hiding spot, I clenched the sharp knife tightly in my hand.
『 Vanish 』
The hooded figure didn't even notice me appearing behind it as I swiftly struck its neck with the knife, silently taking down the first assailant.
His eyes rolled back as he collapsed to the ground, painting the snow with a crimson hue.
Looking down at my hands, I noticed blood dripping between my fingers.
'I killed a human…'
A thought passed through my mind.
I had taken another's life, however, I don't feel any sense of guilt at all.
After all, I only killed him to survive.
"He's here! The bastard killed Leon!"
I didn't even have time to process my thoughts as one of the men noticed me and charged towards me, his sword raised high.
Since my only ability was still on cooldown, I was forced to block his heavy sword swing with my knife, feeling the impact reverberate through my arm.
'Ughhh…'
Gritting my teeth, I noticed faint cracks appearing on the blade of my knife.
It was only a matter of time…
Crack…
Before I could even finish a thought the blade's edge broke.
Luckily, the cooldown of my ability was over.
『 Vanish 』
Appearing near the body of the previous man I had killed, I quickly grabbed his sword, just in time to block the next strike from the enraged assailant.
For a few moments, we stood at a standstill, our swords locked.
Suddenly, I heard the same sizzling sound I witnessed earlier, when a Magic Missile was fired towards me.
'No way!'
I barely managed to, once again, vanish out of the way as the projectile hit the spot where I was just standing, also killing the assailant I was previously engaged with.
"Tsk, I missed."
My head snapped to the assailants rushing toward me.
They were willing to sacrifice their members to take me down!
'Curses…'
I couldn't fight the entire group head on, so I began rapidly weaving between the trees, using my 'Vanish' ability to evade their attacks and create distance.
I kept doing this for another hour or so - assassinate one of the assailants and vanish back into the forest until the only ones left were the mage and the leader with a massive scar across his face.
Observing them from one of the tree tops, I sighed.
Both of their faces seemed tense and they were shouting at each other.
"You told me he was a damn weakling!"
"How could I have known he would be skilled!?"
"Stop shouting!!!"
"Curse you!"
Taking a deep breath, I assessed my situation.
The forest, cloaked in a thick blanket of snow, was eerily silent, save for the harsh voices of my remaining adversaries.
My Vanish ability was still on cooldown, and I needed to be strategic about my next move.
I tightened my grip on the sword I'd taken from the first man.
It felt foreign, heavier than the knife, but it was better than nothing.
I silently descended from the tree, keeping to the shadows.
The mage and the scar-faced leader were arguing, their attention focused on each other rather than their surroundings. It was the perfect opportunity.
『 Vanish 』
I reappeared behind the mage, my blade poised for a killing strike.
His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't even have time to utter a spell before my sword found its mark.
Blood sprayed across the snow, and he crumpled to the ground.
The leader spun around, fury contorting his scarred face.
"You bastard!"
He roared, charging at me with surprising speed. I barely managed to block his initial strike, the force of it sending a jolt up my arm.
He was strong, stronger than the others I'd faced. Each of his strikes was precise and powerful, pushing me back with every blow.
I could feel my strength waning, my body growing weary from the relentless battle.
However, I kept calm.
As he swung his sword in a wide arc, I ducked and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike.
My Vanish ability was nearly off cooldown, and I just needed to hold out a little longer.
"You're dead, boy!"
The leader snarled, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent.
"I'll make you suffer for what you have done!"
He lunged at me again, and this time I parried his attack, using the momentum to knock him off balance.
He stumbled, giving me the opening I needed.
『 Vanish 』
I appeared behind him, my sword slicing through the air, aiming for his chest.
He tried to turn, but it was too late.
My blade plunged into his back, piercing through his heart.
He gasped, his eyes widening in shock before the light faded from them.
He fell to the ground, his body twitching once before going still.
I stood there, panting heavily, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away.
The snow around me was stained with blood, the bodies of the assailants scattered like broken toys.
I'd done it. I'd survived.
⌜Tutorial⌝
◈ Survive The Assailants [ Completed! ]
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone