Chapter 7: First Sword, First Kill

The morning air was crisp as Kael Ardyn left his small room, his sword slung loosely at his side. Today, he decided, he would step into the world of dungeons—not as a weakling, but as a hunter willing to fight for survival.

A minor dungeon lay at the outskirts of Astria, its entrance dark and foreboding. Kael’s heart pounded as he approached, the echoes of past failures whispering at the edges of his mind. He shook his head, pushing the fear aside. “I will survive,” he muttered, stepping into the darkness.

The air inside the dungeon was thick and damp, the smell of earth and decay filling his lungs. Shadows twisted across the walls as he moved carefully, his sword ready. Tiny creatures scuttled in the darkness, eyes glinting.

Kael’s first enemy appeared—a small, rat-like monster with claws sharper than he expected. It lunged at him, teeth bared. He dodged, heart racing, and struck with his blade. The creature squealed and scurried back, but Kael pressed forward, attacking relentlessly.

Each strike was precise, each movement calculated. Sweat dripped down his face as adrenaline surged. Finally, the last creature fell to the ground, lifeless. Kael dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. His hands trembled, but a thrill coursed through him—the exhilaration of his first kill.

“This… this is power,” he whispered, staring at the fallen monster. “I can do this. I can survive. I can grow stronger.”

The dungeon, though small, became a proving ground. Kael navigated traps, avoided ambushes, and honed his instincts. Every corner was a lesson, every enemy a teacher.

Hours passed, and Kael emerged from the dungeon, bruised but victorious. The sun had shifted, casting warm light across the forest edge. He held his sword tightly, feeling a bond forming between him and the weapon.

For the first time, Kael understood that strength was not just survival—it was the courage to face the unknown, to strike when fear gripped him, and to rise after each fall.

As he looked back at the dungeon, he whispered to himself, “This is just the beginning. Many more trials await. And I will conquer them all.”

With a newfound sense of purpose, Kael Ardyn began his journey, each step echoing with the promise of the hunter he was destined to become.