The Iron Horn Boar snorted violently, steam bursting from its nostrils.
Its red eyes locked onto Renzo.
Then it charged again.
The ground shook under its massive weight.
Cars trembled.
Loose gravel jumped across the pavement.
Kensei-Ryu spoke with excitement.
"Now this is a proper fight."
Renzo didn't move.
Not yet.
His eyes followed every detail.
The angle of the horns.
The rhythm of its hooves.
The shifting of its weight.
In his previous life, Renzo had fought monsters for twenty-three years.
He had learned something important.
Monsters were powerful.
But predictable.
The boar lowered its head.
Its horns aimed directly at Renzo's chest.
Faster.
Closer.
Ten meters.
Five meters.
Three—
Renzo moved.
Not away.
Forward.
Kensei-Ryu laughed loudly.
"There it is!"
At the exact moment the boar lunged—
Renzo stepped to the side and twisted his body.
The horns missed him by inches.
Chrono Fang flashed through the air.
CLANG.
Sparks exploded as the blade struck the base of the boar's neck.
But Renzo didn't stop.
His body flowed into the second motion instantly.
A perfect continuation.
The second strike came from below.
SLASH.
This time the blade found the gap in the monster's armor.
Dark blood sprayed across the pavement.
The boar screamed.
It staggered forward blindly.
Renzo turned calmly.
Then delivered the final strike.
A clean horizontal cut across the throat.
SHING.
The massive monster collapsed.
The ground trembled slightly as the body hit the pavement.
Silence returned to the street.
For a moment, nothing moved.
Then—
Blue windows exploded across Renzo's vision.
Monster Eliminated
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
+Level Up
Renzo blinked.
Then another notification appeared.
Current Level: 10
Kensei-Ryu whistled.
"That escalated quickly."
Renzo exhaled slowly.
His body felt different.
Stronger.
Sharper.
Like every muscle had been reinforced.
Then suddenly—
A deep pulse of energy erupted inside his mind.
Three symbols appeared before him.
Golden.
Ancient.
Divine.
Vulcanos spoke in a low voice.
"The passive blessings."
Renzo watched the symbols carefully.
These were the three main powers he had been given when he regressed.
Divine Forge — Blessing of Vulcanos
Sword Saint Instinct — Blessing of Kensei-Ryu
Chrono Core — The Time Fragment
Kensei-Ryu laughed.
"Looks like level ten unlocks something."
The system window appeared again.
Passive Skill Awakening
One passive ability has evolved.
Renzo's eyes focused.
The first skill revealed itself.
Skill Unlocked
Name: Material Insight
Source: Divine Forge
Effect:
• Instantly analyze monster materials.
• Reveals the best crafting use for every part.
Renzo slowly looked down at the massive Iron Horn Boar corpse.
The whispers returned immediately.
Louder this time.
Clearer.
"Iron horn — extremely durable forging core."
"Boar heart — energy catalyst."
"Armored hide — E-rank armor material."
Renzo smiled slightly.
Kensei-Ryu chuckled.
"Congratulations."
"You just turned monsters into your personal equipment factory."
Renzo lifted Chrono Fang slightly.
His eyes looked toward the distant city skyline.
More purple flashes appeared far away.
More monsters were escaping the gate.
More materials.
More experience.
More power.
Renzo's grip on the sword tightened slightly.
This world had once forced him to carry the weapons of others.
But not this time.
This time—
He would forge his own legend.