Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

The sunset gradually faded behind the distant mountains, leaving a soft pink and purple hue in the sky, like a gentle painting slowly dissolving.

Klein's group strolled back toward the Starting Town, blending into the stream of players returning after a long day of hunting.

Footsteps echoed along the stone-paved road, hurried, yet carrying a sense of ease, as warriors who had completed their quests walked with a mix of exhaustion and contentment.

Others were also making their way back, weary but satisfied.

Their steps were heavy with fatigue, yet their eyes shone with the joy of victory, they had faced danger and returned safely.

While most players chose to rest, a few pressed on, feeling that they weren't yet strong enough to stop.

Some only hunted during the day, as monsters at night weren't just stronger but also wilder.

Darkness obscured vision, and without search-related skills, players were vulnerable to sudden attacks.

But skill slots were limited, a new player's skill bar had only three slots, making careful selection crucial.

"Having teammates makes things safer." Ren muttered to himself. The sense of security that came from fighting alongside companions was truly different.

Mutual support, covering each other's weaknesses, perhaps the most important thing in this game.

'I wonder… how is Kirito doing now?' Ren glanced at Klein, his eyes filled with curiosity, mixed with a hint of unfamiliarity.

Both Klein and Kirito had been the first to call Ren a friend, leaving him unsure of how to feel.

...

Ren followed the group, his hands still carrying the lingering sensation of powerful attacks, his body slightly sore but aware of how much he had improved in just one day.

The afternoon had been long, but meaningful.

Not only had he leveled up, but he had also learned how to read his prey's movements and coordinate smoothly with his team.

The large gates of the Starting Town came into view, standing tall and familiar, as if always waiting for their return.

The crystal lamps hanging high above had begun to light up, casting a warm golden glow that painted the cobblestone streets with a comforting hue.

"Phew…" Dale stretched, his back cracking as he stretched his limbs. "Finally back. Hunting all afternoon isn't easy."

"But it was worth it. We all leveled up." Dynamm laughed, his eyes shifting to Ren, as if affirming that all the effort had been worthwhile. "You too, Ren. You've improved a lot."

Ren smiled and nodded in response. Being recognized filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time, making all his past struggles feel meaningful.

"Alright, time to split up. If you haven't turned in your quests, make sure to do it before resting," Klein reminded them, his voice calm yet carrying the seriousness of a responsible leader. His eyes scanned each of them, making sure no one was left out.

Ren turned toward the inn near the quest board, the place where he had accepted the task of hunting boars.

Now, he had to return once more to turn in the additional 10kg of boar meat. Despite the extra effort, he felt satisfied.

The inn's doors stood open, warm golden light spilling out, blending with the cheerful chatter of players relaxing after a long day of fighting.

"Oh, the kid's back?" The innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a thick beard and kind eyes, grinned as Ren stepped inside. "Did you finish your quest?"

'Why does everyone keep calling me a kid? Am I that short?' Ren wondered, though he had kept his face well hidden beneath his leather hood.

But no matter how annoyed he was, he still had to turn in the quest.

"Yes, here's the proof of completion." Ren placed a bag of loot on the counter, filled with boar tusks. His eyes flickered over the spoils, feeling a small sense of pride.

"Alright, let me check…" The innkeeper rummaged through the bag, nodding in satisfaction. "Not bad at all. You did well."

[Quest Completed: Boar Purge]

[Rewards: 200 Cor & 100 EXP]

Ren smiled as the notification appeared before him. His EXP bar now read 164/225.

After collecting his reward, Ren left the inn and made his way to the town's market to turn in the boar meat quest.

The butcher shop at the market's corner had already lit its lamps, casting a warm golden glow from its small windows, making the surroundings feel cozier, especially in the crisp evening air.

"You brought the boar meat?" The butcher—a kind-looking woman—greeted him with a gentle smile.

"Yes, here it is." Ren opened his inventory and retrieved the fresh cuts of meat.

The faint scent of raw meat lingered in the air, mixing with the aroma of spices hanging from the shelves, creating a familiar and comforting atmosphere.

"Oh, this looks good. Thanks! Thanks to you, I have enough ingredients for today's special dish." The butcher took the bag with practiced hands, swiftly checking the quality of each piece.

[Quest Completed: Deliver Boar Meat]

[Rewards: 80 Cor & 70 EXP]

[You have leveled up: Lv 3]

A soft blue light enveloped Ren's body, a warm sensation spreading through him.

His muscles felt stimulated, more flexible and lighter than before.

The number Lv 3 appeared clearly on his status screen, and his eyes sparkled with a mix of joy and pride.

Now, he had six free attribute points and an automatic +1 to his base stats:

STR: 12

VIT: 12

AGI: 12

Free Attribute Points: 6

Ren didn't rush to allocate his points. He had yet to find his own fighting style, and distributing them carelessly could lead to trouble.

But then again, no one else in the group used a spear… He didn't know who to ask for advice.

Additionally, his Spear Art Mastery had increased: (10/100), much faster compared to yesterday's practice.

"Leveled up, huh?"

Klein appeared out of nowhere, leaning against a wooden post outside the butcher shop, arms crossed, a satisfied smile on his face.

Ren flinched slightly but quickly returned the smile. "Yeah, I reached level 3."

"Good job. You're improving fast." Klein stepped forward and gave Ren a light pat on the shoulder. "Keep this up. You'll get even stronger, I believe in you."

Ren nodded, determination filling his chest. The weakness and helplessness he once felt were slowly being replaced by confidence and hope.

He wasn't strong yet, but each step forward gave him a sense of pride and belief in himself.

"Alright, let's get some dinner! Ren, you're treating us tonight." Klein grinned, throwing an arm around Ren's shoulders and steering him toward the food stalls.

"What?! Why me?" Ren's eyes widened in shock.

"Because you just earned a nice chunk of Cor. Come on, everyone's waiting." Klein's mischievous smile left Ren no room to protest.

Laughter and cheerful voices echoed through the ancient stone-paved streets.

The fatigue from a long afternoon was slowly fading, replaced by the joy of being with new friends. 

At last, the challenging afternoon had come to an end, but Ren knew that his journey had only just begun. 

… 

After dinner, Ren stepped out of the inn, alone and silent. 

He didn't want to bother anyone, his mind still drifting with thoughts of the long road ahead. 

The warm yellow glow from the tavern behind him gradually faded, giving way to the darkness that enveloped the Starting Town. 

That strange sense of solitude surrounded him once more, but this time, he wasn't afraid. Instead, there was determination, a quiet fire smoldering within. 

He made his way toward the training grounds, where the crystal lamps shone brightly yet the space remained empty. 

Footsteps echoed close behind. On the quiet, peaceful road. 

The vast training yard now bore only faint traces of the players who had left, leaving behind a silence unbroken by words. 

Everything seemed still, with only the sound of Ren's footsteps resonating through the tranquil space, like a silent conversation with himself. 

He spotted the last player stepping out of the training gate, a young man with pale green hair, strands that seemed slightly wilted. 

Ren's gaze lingered for a moment. Wasn't that the same person he had seen at the training grounds yesterday? 

A tightness gripped Ren's chest. He felt a mixture of envy and admiration... 

For the players who trained diligently, walking the challenging path alone without anyone by their side. 

Ren didn't say a word. He only tightened his grip on his spear. 

The familiar touch of the weapon was oddly comforting, like a reminder that no matter how lost he felt, he could still rely on it. 

He held the spear firmly, though his hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from a lack of confidence. It was an indescribable feeling, both resolute and uncertain at the same time. 

Ren chose a quiet corner, where the crystal lights still illuminated but weren't too harsh. 

He stood tall, eyes fixed on the spear, telling himself that it was time to move forward to learn how to master this weapon. 

He had learned how to swing it properly, how to strike and push back enemies with strength and agility. 

But the special techniques, the skills he knew he needed to master remained an unsolved puzzle. 

Ren had tried many times to use them, yet each attempt brought an unfamiliar hesitation, preventing him from executing them as he wished. 

The basic movements were no longer a problem. Ren could wield the spear like a beginner. 

However, the skills, the true techniques were still beyond his reach. 

Every time he tried, it felt as if his body and the spear weren't fully in sync. 

With each attempt, something felt missing, as if the skills hadn't truly become a part of him yet. 

He took a deep breath, adjusting his stance. His fingers remained tightly wrapped around the spear, filled with determination. 

'I can do this.' Ren told himself, but the thought couldn't completely erase the lingering uncertainty, the feeling of not being in control of his own skills. 

He tried again, this time with complete focus. 

His body moved in rhythm, but the control still wasn't strong enough. 

As the spear sliced through the air, Ren didn't feel the fluidity he had hoped for. 

It wasn't the powerful strike he wanted, but an unsteady motion, like struggling to swim against the current. 

Ren stopped, letting out a sigh. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, not from physical exhaustion, but from the frustrating weight of failure. 

This feeling was all too familiar, but this time, he wouldn't give up. He straightened his posture, took a deep breath, and prepared to try again. 

With every failure, he could sense a small improvement within himself, even if the results weren't immediate. 

He wouldn't stop. Every step, every challenge, every swing of his spear would bring him closer to mastering it.