With his new Leather Armor securely fastened and the Steel Sword feeling balanced and light in his hand, Lore finally stepped out from behind the rough earthen wall of his fortified camp. The massive, buried Ravager served as a grim reminder of yesterday's desperate chaos, but today felt different. Today was a calculation, a mission, not an execution.
Lore moved downhill, away from the plateau, choosing a route that paralleled the creek, a natural corridor for medium-sized wildlife. His steps were silent, the High Human physical upgrade giving him superior coordination and enhanced senses.
The skills he gained in the shop weren't just brute knowledge; they were integrated instinct. When he walked, his internal mana naturally flowed, lubricating his muscles and sharpening his focus, a benefit of Master Mana Manipulation. This allowed him to move with tireless grace and guaranteed his mana reserves recovered quickly, even while actively circulating energy.
He wasn't hunting rabbits this time. He was looking for a Level 4 or 5 creature, a worthy opponent that offered a high EXP return without the near-certainty of death.
It took less than thirty minutes to find his target: a Razorback Boar, about the size of a large pony, with coarse, plate-like skin and wicked, curving tusks. It was aggressively rooting through the undergrowth, clearly a predator with a temper.
[Monster Found: Razorback Boar (Level 4)]
Lore remained hidden behind a massive, moss-covered tree. He knew the Boar would charge in a straight line, relying on momentum and toughness. He decided on a two-part attack plan: restrict its movement, then finish it with the sword.
He drew a breath and channeled his Ice Magic. The compression made the spell instant.
"Frost Root!"
A localized patch of ice instantly formed on the ground beneath the boar's rear legs. It was a shallow coating, but enough to catch the creature off guard. The Razorback Boar squealed, its footing lost, and it momentarily stumbled.
This was Lore's window. He burst from behind the tree, closing the distance in three powerful strides.
He channeled Wind Magic into his feet. "Wind Step!"
The spell was subtle, a brief cushion of air propelling him forward and slightly lightening his mass. He accelerated rapidly, using the temporary speed boost to get behind the boar's head, aiming for the vulnerable neck joint.
The Razorback Boar recovered quickly, snorting fire and spinning to face the threat. But Lore was already there. He brought the Sword down in a sharp, practiced arc. The Basic Weapon Handling skill guided the blade perfectly between the boar's thick hide plates.
SCHLICK!
The cut was deep, precise, and fatal. The beast collapsed with a guttural gasp, barely having time to fight back. Lore jumped back, panting, but completely unscathed. The entire exchange had taken less than five seconds.
[Ding!]
[Monster Slain: Razorback Boar (Level 4)]
[Exp Gained: 350]
[Exp Transferred to Original: Lee Jun-Ho]
[Ding! Skill Practice: Basic Combat Proficiency Increased (Level 2/10)]
[Ding! Skill Practice: Basic Weapon Handling Proficiency Increased (Level 2/10)]
"Three hundred and fifty EXP," Lore noted, running a hand over the blood-spattered steel blade. "That's more than the seven rabbits combined. This is how we do it."
He spent the next hour moving and hunting, treating the forest like a dangerous training ground. He experimented with different elemental combinations:
Earth Barrier & Fire Magic: Against a pack of smaller, fast-moving Level 3 raptors, he conjured a quick, low Earth Barrier to trip them, then followed up with a Flame Column to clear the area, sacrificing precision for rapid area denial.
Mana Cost: High. Efficiency: Good for groups.
Wind Cutter & Sword: Against a tough-skinned Level 5 armored lizard, he used a focused Wind Cutter to weaken the armor plating on its side before quickly driving his Sword into the damaged spot. The armor cracked instantly.
Mana Cost: Moderate. Efficiency: High single-target damage.
Water Jet & Ice Shards: He spotted a monstrous bird soaring overhead and used Water Jet to create a sudden, heavy spray of water in the air, immediately freezing it with Ice Shards into a cloud of deadly, icy needles. The bird shrieked and flew away, wounded but not killed.
Mana Cost: High, due to range. Efficiency: Limited, but good for anti-air.
By midday, the efficiency was staggering. The combined knowledge from Magic Compression and Master Mana Manipulation meant that even after repeated casting and physical exertion, Lore's mana pool never dipped below 50%. His recovery rate allowed him to chain multiple combat encounters.
[Ding! Exp Gained: 3,420]
[Exp Transferred to Original: Lee Jun-Ho]
[Ding! User Level Up: Clone Lore reached Level 3]
[Stat Update: New base stats acquired by Original User: Lee Jun-Ho]
Lore stopped his activity, looking at the Level Up notification. The EXP was pouring in faster than he could have ever imagined the day before. The combination of gear, a higher-tier body, and specialized skills was turning him from terrified prey into a predator.
He knew that leveling up was only the start; the real power was in the AP it generated for Jun-Ho to buy the next wave of upgrades.
"Level 3," Lore said, wiping sweat from his brow. "One million EXP is the next goal. Time to find something Level 6."
He turned and headed deeper into the forest, his initial terror fully replaced by a burning desire for power.