A thick fog rolled over the foothills of Daggerthorn Hill as the Ashen Wings arrived in Mistvale, a remote village nestled in a narrow valley. The wooden posts of the open-air market were dimly lit by the still-shameful dawn.
The gurgling sound of a small stream mingled with the breaths of adventurers descending the slippery slope.
Ragnar Blackthorn raised his axe, examining the tattered map he held.
"Mistvale is under threat from packs of Fog Wolves," he explained.
"They are coming closer and closer to the settlement, attacking traders and ranchers. Our task, escort this caravan out of the valley and kill at least five Fog Wolves."
The villagers looked at the group with hopeful eyes. An old village chief, clad in gray robes, approached Kai.
"Young man... Level 0? We feared you would not survive." His voice was shaky, but there was a liquid trust in his gaze as Kai looked back.
"If you can lead us to safety… this village will be forever in your debt."
Kai nodded firmly. On his chest was a Trial by Elements medal, but he knew that real warfare required more than axes and arrows.
Four carts were close together, pulled by strong, thickly-hide oxen. Inside, merchants carried their wares, rare seeds, hill spices, warm, thick cloth. At the back, a light wooden barricade held back the mist.
Rowan led the line of archers, arrows nocked. Luna and Maia were at the sides of the carts, ready to clear a path of magic. Kai walked alongside the third cart, feeling the vibrations in the mist.
He took a breath every now and then, noting the sound of scratching in the undergrowth, usually the sound of bats, tonight it was heavier: the brittle hum of a pack of wolves.
A moment later, the shadows moved. A pair of green eyes flashed ahead, followed by a line of gray-haired men. The first Fog Wolves leaped, their fangs dripping with moisture that soaked into the ground. The howls of the others echoed, making the valley shake gently.
"Formation!"
Ragnar called, but the caravan was still moving.
Kai leapt between the wheels, meeting the first attack. He channeled Bone Breaker into the wolf's shoulder, a pure physical attack, shattering the shoulder blade. The wolf jumped back, yelping in pain.
Luna ignited her Ice Lance, sending a spear of frozen ice through the air, stabbing the second wolf's spine stiff. Frost dust flew before the gray tumble broke, a gust of cold freezing the mist path temporarily.
Rowan fired three arrows in a bunch, two hitting the wolf's hind legs, forcing the wolf to fall to the ground. Maia readied Healing Light, sending a gentle aura to heal the wounded rancher who had been scratched.
Kai jumped to the side, feeling adrenaline rising. He knew he still needed 20 XP to level up. Realizing that this fight would give 30 XP if they killed at least five Fog Wolves, he prepared his move quickly.
Four wolves remained; the group split into two on either side of the wagon. Kai took a breath, tracing his muscles,the pure Combat Tree ability was ready to be used.
"Blank Point – Combat (+1 Strength)"
A mighty allocation manifested Kai's muscles solidified, his punches flying like hammers.
A third wolf leaped, but Kai raised his elbow, shouldered his body, and brought Bone Breaker Charged to its jaws.
CRACK!
The wolf's fangs cracked. Two more fell back, but Kai spun, knocking the fourth down with a low swing to the gut.
A final wolf stood, claws raised, hissing. Kai stared at it with no hatred, but determination.
"Maia, close!" he shouted.
Maia raised her hand, releasing a Barrier of Light that bounced in front of the wolf, stunning it. In that moment, Kai closed the distance, landing a single powerful blow, a symbol of emptiness becoming power, until the creature collapsed.
The mists shifted as the cart passed the dead wolves. A thin aurora permeated the valley sky. The villagers, guarding from behind, cheered softly. Kai gasped, staring at the small statistics that suddenly appeared before him.
[XP: 50/100 → 80/100]
[Blank Point: 0/2]
Fourteen XP points from five Fog Wolves—80 in total. Only 20 XP left for Level Up.
Ragnar approached, patting Kai on the shoulder. "Good job. Wait for tomorrow morningwe fight the Giant Thornback at the top of the hill. Defeat it, and you're no longer Level 0."
Luna smiled, "Tomorrow, we reach 100 XP."
Kai nodded, his gaze shifting to the rocky hill in the distance, that was where the strongest fangs awaited.
Kai let the Mistvale fog follow his steps as the caravan pulled into a small clearing beneath a rocky hill.
A campfire burned in the center, warding off the night's chill. The Ashen Wings adventurers set up flimsy tents, while the villagers fixed up their carts and packed up their surviving goods.
Luna patted Kai on the back. "You did great today. But tomorrow… we face the Giant Thornback. I think that's a challenge far beyond Level D."
Kai took a sip of warm water from a wooden bowl. "I only need 20 more XP. I'll level up before I fight the Thornback."
His eyes were fixed on the flames, as if searching for strength in the red flames.
As the conversation was interrupted by the whistling of the wind, Ragnar stood examining the surrounding bushes.
"Make sure there's no surprise attack," he ordered. The Fog Wolves may have fled, but other predators could appear."
He looked at Kai. "Rest, Ardent. Your body needs energy."
Kai nodded and walked to the corner of the field, where Rowan and Maia prepared medicine and bandages.
"Are your eyes okay?" Maia asked softly, applying warm ointment to the Frost Wraith's claw marks from yesterday.
"A little brown," Kai replied, taking a deep breath.
"But just now… I feel like I'm getting closer to my limit."
Rowan displayed an arrow with a silver tip. "You need to be agile tomorrow. Thornback can throw poisonous thorns. Don't underestimate its laugh."
Kai looked up at the sky that was no longer covered in fog, stars were shyly emerging. Even though he was far from Crestfall, he felt the warmth of a growing friendship, from Luna, Rowan, Maia, to Ragnar.
Each gave encouragement that was no less important than his Blank Point.
Around midnight, when the torches had been extinguished except for a small campfire in the corner of the field, Kai was awakened by the sound of rustling in the bushes.
He grabbed his staff and walked slowly, the mist greeting his every breath. Behind the bushes, a pair of green eyes shimmered, another Spirit Fox, but this time its form was more obscure, barely visible in the mist.
The fox gave Kai a meaningful look, then bowed as if in salute, and disappeared into the night wind. Kai froze; he knew the Spirit Fox's arrival was no mere coincidence.
As dawn began to touch the edge of the hill, the entire group gathered. A thin mist still hung in the air, as if whispering the morning news, Kai Ardent would soon level up.
Ragnar called, "Ardent, get ready!" He laid the map on a flat rock, pointing out the route up to the Thornback's den at the top of the hill. "From here to the summit is a quick half-hour walk, watch out for natural traps."
Kai took a deep breath, gazing at the steep rocky terrain. At his side, Luna handed him a small box of energy potions.
"For extra stamina," she said.
"Drink before you go."
With a determined look, Kai swallowed the potion, feeling the warmth spread through his muscles. He locked his gaze forward, only one thing on his mind.
{100 XP. Level 1}
Behind him, the spirit of the entire team united. Before him, the greatest challenge yet. And inside him, an emptiness that would be filled with a single number "1"
Kai stepped on the first stone of the steep path, his back tense with the burden of excitement and doubt. The morning sun slowly penetrated the mist, highlighting the crevices of the steep cliff.
With each step, his sweat soaked his torn shirt, a sign that he was walking not only to prove his strength, but also to unite the emptiness inside him.
Luna followed beside him, her ice staff reflecting the light of breakfast. "Keep your distance," she urged softly.
"If he throws thorns, we need room to dodge."
Ragnar led the way, his axe swinging lightly to clear the thorny bushes. Under the sound of their gasps, a heavy rumbling sound began to be heard, its echoes filtering through the thin mist.
Arriving at the top of the hill, there lay a dusty crater and sharp cliffs. In the middle, a Giant Thornback stood—its back covered in rows of long black thorns, its snout dripping with venomous saliva. Its yellow eyes blinked, signaling the presence of new prey.
"Ready!" Ragnar commanded. Luna immediately formed a thin ice shield in front of her. Rowan readied a poison dart. Maia took a breath, ready to cast Healing Light if anyone was hurt.
Kai adjusted his stance, his muscles tensing. He knew this was a decisive battle: the last 20 XP to level up.
Thornback roared—its low voice shaking his bones. It leapt forward, its back spines glowing black, ready to cut down anyone who came near.
–––
Deadly Duel
Ragnar charged, his axe slicing through the first spine Thornback threw. It snapped, flying like a bullet. Kai dodged with a quick Instinct Dodge—a Support skill he had never tried before, but thanks to Luna's advice, he had added a Blank Point to his Agility last night.
More spines rained down on the air. Kai ducked and darted to his right, activating Bone Breaker Charged into the giant creature's calf—CRACK! A piece of spine snapped, Thornback thrashed, throwing his anger at the sky.
Luna launched an Ice Lance, stabbing its claws in a frozen glow, slowing its movement. Rowan fired a poison-laced arrow, penetrating the creature's shoulder—the poison spreading, making the creature howl in pain.
Ragnar took his chance, leaping and spinning his axe, slicing through its neck. Thick black blood spurted, wetting the dusty ground.
–––
Level Up and Chapter End
As Thornback fell, its final roar echoed, then faded to silence. Kai stared at the small screen that appeared before him:
XP: 80/100 → 100/100
Level Up!
New Level: 1
AP +10 → 60/100
Blank Points: 2/2
A "1" glowed on his chest. There was a brief silence, then a small cheer echoed from the team. Kai closed his eyes for a moment, feeling his body heat up—new strength flowing through every vein and nerve.
Ragnar smiled proudly. "Welcome to Level 1, Kai Ardent. The real journey has just begun."
Luna raised her staff in the air, adding a celebratory flash of ice. Rowan fired a single arrow into the air that exploded into a small magical firework. Maia stood up and clapped, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.
Kai opened his eyes, staring at the blue sky above the crater. The emptiness in his heart was now filled with a single number—a sign that he had emerged from the shadows, ready to write the legend of "Absolute Nothing" with a new, more challenging chapter.
In the distance, the mist of the Whispering Woods rolled in, holding a mystery waiting to be revealed…
End of Chapter 4