The training grounds were alive with the steady rhythm of practiced movements. Sam, Isonorai, Lareth, and a few others from the village worked side by side beneath the fading light of dusk. The air was cool but carried a palpable energy—the kind that comes from a shared purpose and the hope of a better tomorrow. Sam’s shadow blade moved through the air as naturally as if it were an extension of himself. His focus was absolute, his every move measured against the lessons he’d learned over countless hours of hard training.
As the session drew to a close, Sam wiped sweat from his brow and glanced at his friends. The exhaustion was there, but so was a quiet pride. He had grown, not only in strength but also in spirit. At that moment, his parents approached him from the edge of the training area. His father, Caroos, and his mother, Claire, wore expressions that mingled concern with hope—a look that said they had news of great importance.
“Sam,” his mother began softly, “we have an opportunity for you—an assignment, really. The elders from the neighboring town of Lynstone reached out. Their village was hit hard by the demon attacks, and they need help rebuilding. They’re asking for skilled fighters to help secure the area and protect their people as they restore their homes.”
Sam’s heart pounded as he listened. The idea of leaving the familiar safety of his village was both exhilarating and terrifying. “You mean… I should go?” he asked, his voice wavering with uncertainty. “But I’m not exactly ready to leave everything behind, am I?”
Caroos placed a steady hand on his son’s shoulder. “It’s not about leaving, Sam. It’s about growing—growing stronger and proving that you can protect not just our village, but everyone who depends on us. This is a chance for you to put all your training to the test in the real world. But remember, we’re not sending you out there to throw yourself into danger recklessly.”
Claire nodded in agreement. “Be cautious, Sam. We’re proud of you, but this isn’t a game. The world beyond our village is full of uncertainty. You must use your head as well as your strength. We need you to come back safe and even stronger than before.”
Sam’s eyes flickered with determination and a hint of fear—a vulnerable truth that he rarely showed. He glanced down at his stats, numbers that now seemed like a testament to his struggles and victories:
Health: 450/450 | Mana: 480/480 | Strength: 65 | Agility: 60 | Sense: 56 | Reaction Speed: 62 | Reaction Time: 61 | Intellect: 58 | Perception: 57 | Stamina: 54
They were more than just numbers; they were markers of how far he’d come. Yet, they also reminded him of the long road ahead.
After a long, weighted pause, Sam spoke, his voice low and measured. “I want to help. I want to go to Lynstone and show them that we can protect them—protect everyone.” His words were laced with a mixture of resolve and lingering uncertainty. “But… I’m scared. I’m scared that I won’t be strong enough, that I’ll mess up, and then… then everything we’ve fought for will be lost.”
His father’s gaze softened. “It’s natural to be scared, Sam. Everyone feels it. The key is to let that fear drive you to work harder, to prepare better. It’s what makes you human—and that, in itself, is a strength.”
Lareth, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke with a gentle, yet firm tone. “Look, kid, no one’s perfect. We all have doubts. But sometimes, you’ve got to take a leap. We’ll be right behind you, every step of the way.”
Isonorai added quietly, “And remember, you’re not alone. We’re your family here, and we believe in you—even when you don’t believe in yourself.”
A heavy silence settled over them as Sam’s gaze fell upon the path that led out of the village, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Every step forward would mean facing new challenges, dangers he couldn’t predict. Yet, in that quiet moment, something shifted inside him. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, and when he opened them again, they burned with a newfound determination.
“I won’t let this second chance go to waste,” he whispered to himself. “I’ll become the protector I need to be—not just for me, but for all of you. For Lynstone, for our village, and for everyone who counts on us.”
The resolve in his voice was fragile, almost as if he were still a child clinging to hope amidst overwhelming uncertainty. But it was genuine, born from the pressure of responsibility and the desire to rise above his insecurities.
“Alright,” Sam said, looking at his parents with a timid smile, “I’ll do it. I’ll go to Lynstone. I promise I’ll come back stronger.”
Claire pulled him into a warm, lingering embrace, and Caroos nodded with pride and a hint of sorrow. “Just remember, son, we’re here for you—no matter what happens.”
As the group slowly made their way back to the village, the night’s cool air enveloping them, Sam’s thoughts churned with both apprehension and resolve. His journey was only beginning, and though the weight of the world pressed upon his small shoulders, he vowed to protect everyone he cared about. With his new goals etched in his heart and his friends’ voices echoing in his ears, Sam stepped forward into the uncertain future—ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, one determined step at a time.
Before Sam left for Lynstone, he decided to visit the forest where he’d first met Lareth—a place that held both memories of new beginnings and the sting of early failures. The forest was quiet, the soft rustling of leaves and distant birdcalls a stark contrast to the relentless clamor of battle he had grown so used to. Yet, as he ventured deeper, an uneasy feeling crept over him.
Almost immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps and guttural chatter filled the air. Sam’s heart began to race as he glimpsed movement among the trees—small, snarling figures emerging from the undergrowth. A horde of goblins, twenty-one in total, poured from the shadows, their yellow eyes glinting with malice. Each one, he knew from rough estimates, was worth about 300 experience points—a significant reward for a fight he hoped wouldn’t end in disaster.
“Not good…” Sam murmured under his breath, gripping his shadow blade tighter. His palms were slick with sweat as he stepped into a small clearing, forcing himself to focus despite the rising panic. The goblins advanced in a disorganized swarm, their crude weapons clashing against one another in their frenzy.
“Come on, you ugly bastards!” Sam shouted, his voice echoing through the trees. He swung his sword in a wide arc, the dark energy of his blade slicing through the first wave. The goblins shrieked and scattered, but they regrouped quickly. Sam found himself surrounded on multiple sides. His training had prepared him for many things, but the overwhelming numbers left him gasping.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
His mind raced with doubts: Am I really ready for this? What if I can’t hold them off? Every missed swing, every desperate dodge, reminded him of the fragile line between survival and defeat. He felt his heart pounding painfully in his ears as he ducked beneath a clumsy swipe and countered with a quick jab aimed at the nearest goblin. The creature fell, a spray of dark blood marking its defeat, and Sam’s screen flashed a brief notification of 300 XP earned.
“Keep it together, Sam!” he muttered to himself, his voice cracking with both determination and fear. The goblins pressed their advantage, their chaotic movements making it nearly impossible to predict their next move. His earlier training in defensive footwork kicked in, but the pressure was immense—each goblin felt like a new mountain he had to climb.
Suddenly, from the rear of the horde, a taller, more imposing goblin emerged—a D-Rank Goblin Boss. Its scarred face twisted in a cruel grin as it barked orders to its minions. This one moved with an unnerving purpose, its presence shifting the momentum of the battle.
“Great, now I’m really in trouble,” Sam thought, his pulse racing faster. The goblin boss charged, and the horde surged forward as if in unison. Sam’s shadow blade whirled through the air, its dark energy momentarily dazzling in the fading light. He managed to parry a strike from the boss, but a heavy blow rained down on his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain that nearly stole his breath.
“Ugh…!” he gasped, staggering backward. The reality of facing multiple foes at once—especially one as vicious as the goblin boss—settled heavily on him. Each second felt interminable, every swing of his blade both an attempt at survival and a desperate plea for strength.
In between his rapid strikes and agile dodges, Sam’s inner voice screamed his doubts. I’m not strong enough… I can’t keep up… please, just let me win… Yet, somewhere deep inside, a spark of stubborn determination refused to be extinguished. His eyes blazed with the same fierce resolve that had carried him through countless battles.
With a surge of adrenaline, Sam activated a well-practiced combo—his Shadow Surge—channeling mana into a concentrated burst of power. The blade’s dark energy flared, slicing through the goblin boss’s defenses and leaving a deep, jagged gash along its flank. The boss roared in pain, staggering momentarily, and the remaining goblins faltered in their assault.
For a heartbeat, silence fell over the clearing as the goblin boss reeled, its eyes wide with shock. Then, one by one, the minions began to drop, their numbers dwindling as Sam’s strikes hit true. The weight of every blow, every near-miss, and every moment of fear culminated in that single, decisive moment of victory.
Panting, bloodied, and trembling, Sam lowered his blade as the last of the goblins crumpled to the ground. His chest pounded, and he could barely catch his breath. The notification flashed briefly: “Total XP earned: 6900.” Though it was a hard-fought battle, it was one that taught him the brutal reality of combat—the cost of survival and the weight of responsibility on his young shoulders.
Sam’s eyes filled with a mix of relief and sorrow as he looked around the clearing, the remnants of his enemies scattered about. He couldn’t help but feel the sting of each strike he had taken. I’m still so weak… he thought, his voice barely a whisper. But in that moment, he also realized that every scar, every bruise, was a lesson—a promise that he could grow stronger.
With the forest now eerily quiet, Sam took a deep breath, his thoughts swirling. I have to get stronger. Not just for me, but for everyone who counts on me. He gripped his blade once more, determination setting in despite the pain. The battle had been brutal and exhausting, but it was a necessary step—a harsh reminder that even when overwhelmed, he could fight, he could endure, and he could learn.
The clearing lay eerily quiet after the chaos—a silence punctuated only by Sam’s ragged breaths and the distant rustling of leaves stirred by the night breeze. His body ached with every fiber, each wound a testament to the brutal struggle he’d just endured. As he knelt on the cool earth, trying to steady himself, the familiar hum of the system broke through his thoughts.
“Congratulations, Sam. Experience threshold reached.”
A translucent interface flared into view before his eyes, and he squinted at the new numbers dancing across the screen.
New Level: 21
Health: 500/500
Mana: 510/510
Strength: 68
Agility: 62
Sense: 58
Reaction Speed: 64
Reaction Time: 63
Intellect: 60
Perception: 59
Stamina: 56
A wave of mixed relief and trepidation washed over him as the system continued:
“New Skill Unlocked: Feral Resolve. Passive ability: When health falls below 30%, increase regeneration rate and temporarily boost strength and agility.”
Sam’s heart pounded in his ears. Feral Resolve… he murmured, running his fingers over the hilt of his shadow blade. It was a strange, almost animalistic term that made him think of the raw, untamed fury of the battle he had just survived.
He sat up slowly as Lareth and Isonorai approached, their expressions etched with concern and quiet admiration. Lareth knelt beside him, gently patting his shoulder.
“You did well out there, kid,” Lareth said, his tone warm yet candid. “I know you’re feeling like you’re still a long way off from being a real warrior, but every scar, every bruise… it’s a step forward.”
Isonorai nodded, adding softly, “The power you’ve gained is real, Sam. Not just in your stats, but in your spirit. Feral Resolve isn’t about hiding your fear—it’s about channeling it when you need it most. It’s a sign that you’re learning what it means to fight for yourself and for others.”
Sam looked up, his eyes glistening with a mixture of exhaustion and reluctant pride. “But… I thought I’d be stronger by now,” he admitted in a quiet voice that barely carried over the crackling of the dying embers of the battle. “I feel like I’m still… I’m still not enough.”
Lareth’s gaze softened, and he squeezed Sam’s shoulder reassuringly. “Strength isn’t measured by how many blows you can take, or how many enemies you defeat in one go. It’s measured by your willingness to get up, time and again, no matter how many times you’re knocked down.”
Sam stared at his new stat numbers, trying to reconcile the image of the powerful warrior he longed to be with the frightened kid still trembling from pain. “It just hurts so much,” he whispered. “Every time I feel this weak, I wonder if I’m really cut out for all this… for being the one everyone counts on.”
Isonorai knelt closer, her tone gentle yet firm. “I get it, Sam. You’re not expected to have all the answers right now. But look at these numbers—every point, every new skill means you’re growing. Feral Resolve is proof that even when you’re at your lowest, you have the power to bounce back. It’s not about being fearless—it’s about fighting despite your fear.”
Sam’s eyes flickered with a spark of determination as he slowly rose to his feet, still unsteady but resolute. “I… I’ll try,” he said, voice barely louder than a whisper. “I want to be strong enough—to protect everyone. I can’t let them down.”
Lareth offered a small smile. “That’s all we ask, kid. Just keep moving forward, one step at a time.”
The system’s voice chimed softly in his mind, almost as if it were encouraging him: “Progress begins with small victories. Embrace your growth.”
As the first light of dawn broke through the darkened trees, Sam, Lareth, and Isonorai gathered their things and began walking back to the village. With every step, Sam felt the new weight of his responsibilities—and his new potential. The road ahead was still long and uncertain, but now he carried with him not just the scars of battle, but the promise of a brighter future.
Standing on the threshold of the village, Sam looked back at the clearing where the fight had taken place. His new stats glowed in his mind like a badge of honor, and the thought of the new skill, Feral Resolve, stirred something deep inside him—a raw reminder that even in his moments of weakness, he could find the strength to stand tall.
“I won’t let this second chance go to waste,” he murmured softly, almost to himself. “I’ll become strong enough, not just for me, but for everyone who believes in me.”
