Awakening Of The Forgotten World

The battlefield was silent.

The once-lush fields surrounding Eldrin's Hollow were now littered with bodies, both human and monster alike. Blood soaked into the dirt, torches flickered against the dying darkness, and the air smelled of iron and smoke.

The Reaper Alpha lay lifeless, its massive form already dissolving into black mist, leaving only the deep scars of battle behind.

But victory felt hollow.

Because not everyone had survived.

Dain knelt beside Rowan, watching as Maelin worked desperately to stop the bleeding.

The young man's chest barely moved, his breath shallow, his skin turning pale. His once-strong hands, which had gripped a spear just minutes ago, now trembled weakly at his sides.

Dain's hands curled into fists.

He had given everything to protect this village.

And still—it wasn't enough.

A notification appeared.

[Rowan's Vitality is Critically Low.]

[Time Remaining: 1 Minute.]

Dain's breath caught.

A minute.

That was all the time Rowan had left.

Maelin's voice was tight with urgency. "I don't have enough magic left—his injuries are too deep."

Dain's heart pounded.

No. Not like this.

There had to be something he could do.

Anything.

Then—the system responded.

A new notification appeared.

[Emergency Quest Unlocked: A Life in Your Hands]

• Objective: Save Rowan from death.

• Reward: ???

Dain's eyes widened.

The system was giving him a chance.

A second message flashed.

[One-Time System Ability: Life Transfer Available]

• Convert your own health into healing energy.

• Warning: Draining too much could put you at risk.

Dain barely hesitated.

"Take it," he muttered.

[Confirm Life Transfer?]

[Yes] / [No]

He slammed his hand against [Yes].

Immediately, a burning sensation surged through his chest, spreading through his veins like liquid fire.

[Health: 120 → 60]

The pain was sharp, but bearable.

A golden glow spread from Dain's hands as the energy transferred into Rowan's body.

His wounds began closing.

His breathing steadied.

Maelin's eyes widened. "What… what did you do?"

Dain barely heard her.

Because the system was still draining him.

[Health: 60 → 30]

His vision blurred, his limbs weakened.

But Rowan's eyes fluttered open.

His gaze was dazed, confused—but alive.

Dain let out a breath.

He had done it.

Maelin looked between Rowan and Dain, her face pale with shock.

"That wasn't normal healing," she said. "That was—"

She stopped herself, shaking her head. "What's happening to you, Dain?"

Dain didn't answer immediately.

Because he didn't know.

The system had changed again.

It wasn't just helping him fight—now it was offering power beyond battle.

But at a price.

Dain staggered, gripping Silverlight to keep himself upright.

Maelin's eyes narrowed with concern. "Are you alright?"

Dain forced a nod.

"I'll live."

But deep down, he knew—

Something was different now.

By morning, the battle's true cost had become clear.

• Seven villagers were dead.

• Twelve more were wounded, some critically.

• Dozens of homes were damaged, and supplies had been lost.

And while the Night Reapers had been driven off—

The fear remained.

The village elders gathered once more, their expressions grim.

"This can't continue," Garrik said. "We're just farmers. We can't keep fighting off monsters like this."

Torren clenched his fists. "We don't have a choice."

Edric leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "We need to decide what comes next."

The room fell silent.

Then—they all turned to Dain.

He met their gazes.

The weight of their expectations pressed against him.

And in that moment, Dain realized—

This wasn't just his fight anymore.

He wasn't just a lone warrior.

He was their protector. Their leader.

And that meant he had one responsibility.

To ensure they survived.

No matter what.

Dain took a slow breath.

"We need to change," he said finally.

The elders listened carefully.

"We can't keep reacting to threats. We have to start preparing for them."

Edric nodded. "Agreed. But how?"

Dain stood taller.

"I'll go out there."

The room stilled.

"What?" Maelin asked.

Dain met their gazes.

"I'll leave the village. Find more dungeons. More power. More ways to protect us."

Torren frowned. "Alone?"

Dain exhaled. "If I have to."

Because the truth was—

This battle had shown him something important.

He wasn't ready.

Even with Silverlight, even with the system, he had barely managed to win.

And next time?

He might not be so lucky.

He had to be stronger.

Because this wasn't just a village problem anymore.

Something was changing in the world.

And he had to be ready for it.

A new system notification appeared.

[New Quest Unlocked: The Path of the Explorer]

• Objective: Leave Eldrin's Hollow and begin searching for new dungeons.

• Reward: ???

Dain exhaled.

The next step was clear.

And this time—he wasn't waiting for danger to come to him.

He was going to find it first.