Ashen's first breath of morning air felt raw, sharp, and alive. The ember in his core pulsed faintly with every heartbeat. His weak body trembled, but it no longer felt completely empty.
The system displayed his first task again:
[Task 1: Chop 20 pieces of wood]Reward: Minor energy circulation boost
He looked at the worn wooden stump behind the hut. The axe was old, chipped, and heavy, but he tightened his grip.
"Twenty pieces… Let's see what this body can manage."
He lifted the axe. His arms shook. Sweat built instantly. His malnourished muscles protested.
The first swing barely cut halfway through the log.
"Pathetic…" he muttered.
But he didn't stop.
Swing after swing, he pushed himself. His breathing grew louder, more ragged. His back screamed in pain. Sweat dripped down his chin.
THUD.The first log split.
A notification blinked.
[Progress: 1/20]
He smiled faintly.
By the tenth log, his hands were blistered. The eleventh felt like lifting a boulder. The eighteenth nearly made his arms collapse.
With a final trembling swing—
CRACK.
The twentieth log split in two.
[Task Complete][Reward granting…][Energy circulation speed increased by 3% temporarily]
A cool sensation spread through his meridians, easing the pain.
Ashen exhaled shakily.
"This system… rewards effort."
He glanced at the next task.
[Task 2: Gather 3 Spirit Herbs]
Spirit herbs grew near the village outskirts. He picked up a small basket and headed toward the forest.
The path was narrow, lined with tall grass. Birds chirped and distant beasts growled. In his past life, he would have sensed danger instantly, but this body was still too fragile.
After ten minutes of searching, he spotted the first herb: a Moonleaf Blossom, glowing faintly blue.
He crouched and carefully plucked it.
[1/3 Spirit Herbs Gathered]
The next herb, Red-vein Root, grew near a small slope. He carefully dug it out.
[2/3 Spirit Herbs Gathered]
He wiped sweat from his brow and scanned the area.
The last herb—a Silverdew Sprout—was rarer. It usually grew near moist rocks or shaded areas.
After nearly an hour of searching, he finally spotted its shimmering leaves near a fallen tree.
He reached for it—
SNAP.
A branch cracked behind him.
Ashen froze.
From the bushes emerged a Forest Razorboar, tusks gleaming, eyes red from hunger. Its iron-like hide rippled as it snarled.
A rank-0 beast.Weak for cultivators—deadly for ordinary villagers.
Ashen's heart pounded.
"No weapon… no strength…"
The boar charged.
He dove aside at the last second. Dirt exploded where he had stood. Pain shot through his shoulder as he rolled across the ground.
The boar turned, lowering its head again.
Ashen's mind raced.
He spotted the fallen tree behind the boar.An idea sparked.
"Come on…" he muttered.
He threw a rock at it.
The boar roared and charged again.
Ashen sprinted—barely—dodging past the tree. At the last moment, he leaped aside. The boar slammed headfirst into the trunk.
CRAAACK!
The beast staggered, dazed.
Ashen didn't hesitate.He grabbed a sharp branch from the ground and drove it into the boar's eye.
The creature screeched, thrashed violently—then fell still.
Ashen collapsed beside it, chest heaving, vision blurring.
A notification appeared:
[Combat Encounter Completed][Ember Root absorbs ambient energy from danger experienced][Ember Root Level: 2 → 3][Minor Meridian Strengthening achieved]
He stared at the notifications, stunned.
"I… leveled up from surviving."
Finally, he reached for the Silverdew Sprout and placed it in the basket.
[3/3 Spirit Herbs Gathered][Task Complete]