Unexpected

The parameter boosts from leveling up weren’t that significant.

No new skills unlocked either.

In the end, it was just one level.

‘Out of sight, out of mind.’

I glanced at the constantly ticking countdown on the “Demon-Slaying Assembly” remark and gave up thinking about it.

I opened the map.

Found the Snow Silver Flower growth spots without issue—three in total.

One deep in the mountain range.

One in the far eastern depths of the forest.

The closest was a lake not far ahead.

I locked my target on the safest option: the lake area.

Closed the map.

Glanced down at the corpses on the ground.

Two choices now.

Bury them.

Or just leave them here to feed magical beasts.

The first was a hassle.

There was even a hoe right in front of me.

But for someone with terminal laziness, that was the absolute worst option.

So I leaned toward the latter.

Still, the latter carried some risk.

If other villagers found them first, who knew what trouble might follow—even though no one witnessed that I was the killer.

After hesitating a few seconds, I ultimately decided to ignore the bodies and head toward my target: the lake.

Quiet.

Unexpectedly quiet.

The air carried only faint, fresh scents.

Something felt off.

I’d gone so deep into the forest, yet since a while ago I hadn’t seen even one low-level magical beast.

A bad premonition crept in.

Hope it’s just my imagination.

After walking another ten minutes or so, a huge lake came into view ahead.

The emerald-green surface was mirror-smooth.

Looked very soothing.

The grass around the lake was short—barely reached my ankles.

The surrounding trees weren’t as towering as those deeper in the forest.

Not sure if later generations planted them or if this was the original state.

I carefully scanned the ground nearby.

Didn’t take long to spot a Snow Silver Flower.

It really was just a low-grade herb.

If it were hard to find, the reward wouldn’t be this low.

The Snow Silver Flower stood out clearly among the grass.

Its silvery sheen was almost metallic—dazzling under the sunlight.

“Quest complete.”

I plucked the Snow Silver Flower and placed it in the box.

Now, deliver it back within three days and the task would be officially done.

No more sleeping under bridges and drinking northwest wind.

One problem solved, my mood lifted.

Should I dig up some local produce as a gift for Ninina?

The thought popped up suddenly.

Then I shook my head.

Who’d bring a present to that money-grubbing girl!

“Help—!”

Suddenly, a miserable scream rang out from nearby.

Why do I always get tangled up with trouble…

Four teenagers—looking around fifteen or sixteen—came sprinting toward me like their lives depended on it.

Behind them, two black-bear-like magical beasts chased relentlessly.

I quickly appraised the bears.

Right hand already moving, condensing a Shadow Spear.

Batta Bear, Life Level: 5

Two level-5s!

I glanced at the four kids’ levels too.

All the same as me—level 3.

What the hell were these guys doing, picking a fight they couldn’t win? Straight-up suicide!

“Pretty big sister, save us!”

The one in front was a petite green-haired elf girl adventurer with long pointed ears.

In human kingdoms, elves were extremely rare.

They were proud, xenophobic—viewed other races as inferior.

A party mixing humans and an elf was quite unusual.

The small, cute elf girl looked at me like I was her last lifeline.

But the moment she saw my full set of beginner gear, a flash of despair crossed her face.

This little one clearly knew I was a newbie, yet she didn’t change direction—instead she seemed to speed up, sprinting straight toward me.

Little cutie, you’re dragging me down with you!

In a game, someone who pulled mobs like this would get chopped down on the spot.

“Group up here and take them out together!”

But the situation wasn’t a game.

Death here was real.

If they dragged the monsters over and ran, I’d be facing two level-5 beasts alone—certain death!

“Okay!”

The elf leader agreed crisply.

They were only about ten seconds away now.

The stinking breath of the beasts drifted over on the wind.

I swallowed the urge to gag, gripped the Shadow Spear tightly, and assumed an attack stance.

The four rushing in:

One was a burly boy holding a massive shield in his right hand and a short blade in his left—clearly the tank.

Beside him, a boy with neat short hair wielded a dark-red greatsword—undoubtedly the main DPS.

Half a step behind him was a cold-faced girl with flame-red hair flowing past her shoulders.

Her weapon was also a sword—but a slender rapier.

And the key leader, the elf girl, gripped a black wooden staff topped with a red gem.

In standard party comp, she was either a healer or a support-oriented mage.

Overall, a fairly balanced team.

Just too few members.

Output too low.

Heavy pressure on the tank and mage.

Not suited for high-risk quests.

But getting chased around in panic by two level-5 beasts was just pathetic.

This group clearly had zero idea what “coordination” meant.

“DPS, spread out!”

I issued orders before they even reached me.

No time for pleasantries with the leader—emergency.

“Tank, use taunt to pull the right one! Mage, fall back and cast heals!”

“Got it!”

“I’ll hold the left one for now—kill the other as fast as you can!”

I didn’t wait for them to form up.

I charged straight out.

This was the critical move.

If I couldn’t hold this beast, the battered team had no chance to fight back.

“So fast!”

I think it was the elf girl who gasped in surprise.

My burst acceleration really was far superior to theirs.

I was already a speed-based warrior class.

Plus this beginner outfit was basically as light as normal clothes.

My mobility was barely restricted.

If I tossed the meteorite sword at my waist, I’d probably be even faster.

But a life-saving weapon like that? No way I’d drop it casually.

With one charge I closed in on the Batta Bear.

From a distance it looked roughly like a normal black bear.

Up close, the size difference was ridiculous.

This thing was easily twice as big as a regular bear!

“Come on, you dumb lump!”

I swung my right arm, pointed the spear, and struck a clear taunt pose.

Low-tier magical beasts still had some intelligence.

Being looked down on like this, the stupid bear instantly flew into a rage.

Its already massive muscles swelled further.

The already enormous body looked even more gigantic.

This guy clearly wasn’t going to stop until it tore me to pieces.