Today, Evan and his family woke up very early, just as the sun began to rise. It was his first day as an official adventurer, so his mother and younger sister intended to see him off, even if only from the inn.
When we went downstairs, Marta was already waiting together with an older girl who looked rather sweet. She was Olive, Marta's daughter.
Marta greeted me enthusiastically, "I heard you've become an adventurer, so today I've made a special dish for you—my secret goat meat soup. And let me introduce you, this is my daughter Olive. You probably haven't met her before," she said, pointing to the young woman.
We exchanged greetings briefly and ate together before I set off.
At the inn's front door, my younger sister looked at me with red eyes, while Catherine patted my shoulder and said softly, "Remember, your safety is the most important thing."
I nodded and left with determined steps. From behind, Reyna's voice rang out, "Big brother, you have to come back tonight!!!"
I simply waved my hand without turning around and walked toward the city gates.
---
An hour later, on the outskirts of the forest east of the city gate, Evan stood watching a rabbit with a ten-centimeter horn on its forehead. The creature was larger than a normal rabbit, about the size of a small dog.
Evan had been observing it from quite a distance, imagining the best way to kill it quickly.
*According to the guild library's guide, these rabbits aren't that fast, but they are agile enough to trouble beginners.*
Holding a long iron sword in his right hand and a wooden shield in his left, Evan bent his knees and charged straight at the rabbit. The moment Evan began running, the rabbit became alert and turned to face him.
Horned rabbits usually avoided humans or other predators, but once cornered, they would fight with all their might. That was precisely why Evan tried to approach it slowly, so it wouldn't have the chance to escape.
As Evan drew closer and prepared to attack, the horned rabbit leapt first. Its body lowered, horn aimed straight at Evan's stomach, as if it wanted to defeat him in a single strike.
Evan, who had never faced a monster directly before, was momentarily startled. His instincts kicked in—he raised his wooden shield with his left hand, blocking the stabbing horn. A loud thud rang out as the horn struck the shield, pushing Evan slightly backward.
But Evan didn't panic. He stood firm, watching the rabbit warily as it prepared to attack again. This time, his intent wasn't simply to kill—it was to use the creature as training, sharpening his reflexes and combat skills.
He shifted his feet slowly, adjusting his distance and stance. The sword in his right hand swung with measured precision—not to land a killing blow, but to practice accuracy and speed. The rabbit moved nimbly, dodging each strike, while Evan tried to read its movements and predict its next leap.
Ten minutes passed. Gradually, Evan began to grasp the horned rabbit's rhythm—its jumps, its kicks, even how its ears twitched before it moved. Each time his sword brushed against its side, a little confidence bloomed in his chest.
*Good, this is enough,* Evan thought. *These rabbits… agile as they are, their stamina is terrible.* He noticed the rabbit's breathing growing heavier, its leaps becoming slower.
The horned rabbit made one last attempt, leaping high and driving its horn toward Evan. This time, Evan didn't simply react on instinct—he spun his body, deflected the attack with his shield, and instantly swung his sword with full force at the rabbit's side.
The creature was thrown several meters, staggering with a deep wound in its flank. It tried to rise and attack again, but its legs could no longer support its weakened body. Blood poured from its injury, and within seconds, the horned rabbit collapsed, dead from blood loss.
Evan stood there catching his breath, his eyes fixed on the now motionless creature. His body was drenched in sweat, yet a sense of satisfaction—and a hint of pride—filled him. Today, he had learned not only how to attack or defend, but also how to read an opponent, control the rhythm of a fight, and use his strength effectively.
---
Evan lit a small campfire at the forest's edge, thin smoke rising into the chilly morning air. He prepared a wooden skewer and pierced it through slices of fresh horned rabbit meat he had just butchered. The aroma of fresh meat quickly mingled with the faint scent of burning wood.
He set the skewer over the fire, adjusting the distance so the meat would cook slowly, sprinkling a little salt and seasoning his mother had prepared for him. As he waited, Evan watched the flames, feeling their comforting warmth after the brief battle. From time to time, he turned the skewer to ensure each side cooked evenly.
A few minutes later, the savory scent grew stronger. The meat's surface turned golden brown, signaling it was nearly ready to eat.
Finally, he took one skewer and bit into it slowly. The taste was simple—not a lavish feast—but warm and satisfying. The horned rabbit meat felt different from regular meat—rich in energy, a little tougher, yet filling.
Evan ate half of the rabbit meat and saved the rest. Then he sat for a while, letting the meal settle before preparing to hunt again.
But suddenly, Evan felt something strange—yet pleasant. His body warmed, as if the energy from the horned rabbit was flowing into him. The warmth and comfort spread from his stomach throughout his entire body, especially to his ears and legs.