In a small house on the outskirts of a village…
...…
"Begin."
Tak! Tak! Tak!
The sound of wood clashing echoed, breaking the silence of the morning.
Two figures stood facing each other—a teenager and an old man.
Their movements were swift. Precise. Flawless.
The boy stepped lightly, evading an attack, then countered with a sharp swing that was nearly perfect.
His name was Aldric Owlblade.
Only sixteen years old.
Though it seemed evenly matched, the master… was beginning to be pushed back.
Tak!
One final strike sent the old man's wooden staff flying from his hand.
"Hah…"
The old man smiled faintly, his breath heavy.
"That's enough… you're the winner."
He looked at his student with pride—mixed with a hint of sadness.
"You've mastered my techniques… and even surpassed them."
He turned his gaze toward the horizon.
"Go on a journey, my boy. The world out there… is where you belong."
His voice softened.
"Don't worry about me. For the past twelve years… you've been my finest student."
For a moment, Aldric looked downcast—then he smiled.
"Haaaah… what are you talking about, Master?"
(With a teasing tone)
"You think you can still hunt monsters without me?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'll stay here… until every last one of those damned creatures is wiped from this world."
Those creatures—
MONSTERS.
Since the king's disappearance, the world had changed.
When Aldric was four… his family was slaughtered by a rampaging group of orcs.
Right before his eyes.
He was supposed to die that day.
But someone came…
His master.
He slaughtered the orcs… and saved the only survivor.
Aldric.
...…
(Back to the present)
"Stubborn brat…" muttered the old man.
"Even a Hero might not be able to wipe them all out—let alone someone reckless like—"
BOOOOM!!
A massive explosion shook the ground.
"What the hell was that?!" Aldric shouted.
In the distance,
a horde of goblins could be seen rushing toward the village.
Their numbers… were unnatural.
...
"There are too many…" the master muttered, his expression tightening.
"Find their nest, boy. There must be a goblin alpha. You need to defeat it."
He turned away, taking a deep breath.
"I'll protect the village."
Aldric nodded.
"Got it… be careful, Master."
"You too… good luck."
Without hesitation, Aldric dashed forward.
He circled around the goblin horde,
moving like a shadow. One by one, he silently eliminated the isolated archers.
But… something felt off.
"Where did they get weapons like these…?"
Aldric frowned.
"The quality is too good for something looted from adventurers…"
...…
Deep within the forest, he found it.
A large, crude structure—yet clearly man-made.
"Their nest…?" he muttered.
But before he could get any closer—
"—!!"
BOOOOM!!
His body was sent flying.
"Argh!!"
A massive hammer had struck him from behind.
A Goblin Alpha stood there…
grinning cruelly.
"Since when—?!"
Aldric staggered, blood dripping from his mouth.
"No…"
"A hammer…?"
His breathing grew ragged.
"I see… there's a blacksmith here…"
He clenched his teeth.
"And if that's the case… then there must be something higher…"
Aldric forced himself to fight back. His blade struck true.
With his swordsmanship, he continuously slashed at the Goblin Alpha while dodging its attacks.
Despite his injuries from the sudden blow,
Aldric was gradually gaining the upper hand.
Just as he was about to deliver the finishing strike—
suddenly, dizziness hit him.
For a split second, his focus faltered.
And that was enough.
BOOM!!
The Goblin Alpha's hammer struck him again.
His body was thrown… landing near a large tent.
The curtain slowly opened.
And from within… emerged something far larger.
A crushing aura. Cold, crimson eyes.
A Goblin Emperor.
"So… it's not just an alpha…"
...
Aldric's voice weakened.
His body trembled.
The wound on his back was too deep.
"This… is far worse than I expected…"
The sky felt darker.
"I'm sorry… Master…"
His voice was barely audible.
"Looks like… I'll be… going first…"
...
...
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[System Detected]
["Hero" Candidate has been found]
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