Chapter 4: Hunting the Vicious Beasts

Alex Slayer had just taken a few steps when an announcement came from the Heavenly Voice.

[Announcement: The novice Lucy Lark was killed by a level 1 vicious beast Rodent!]

Alex was shocked. This was the second novice to be killed, and in a group situation, indicating the danger was severe.

With this in mind, he quickly abandoned his original route and chose a path with the fewest footprints. He recalled that when he extracted from Jack Wilson, he gained innate abilities. When extracting from a Level 1 Bloodfang Rabbit, he gained 2 Strength attribute points. Clearly, level 1 beasts were different from humans; they lacked talents but had strong physical attributes.

Realizing this, Alex decided to find Lucy's body to potentially gain a new talent. He chose the path with the fewest people, reasoning that fewer people meant higher chances of accidents.

As he carefully moved through the bushes and grass, another announcement came.

[Announcement: Novice Wilson Yates was killed by a level 1 vicious beast rodent giant rat!]

Another death! Also by a giant rodent! Alex was stunned. It seemed the two had died in the same place, indicating a severe threat. At least a group couldn't handle it, and two people had died. Should he still go?

He hesitated but decided to proceed. Opportunities often came with risks. Thus, Alex cautiously advanced, aware of the dangers in this world where a single mistake could be fatal.

After about a quarter-hour, he reached a depression. The smell of blood was strong. Using the cover of tall weeds, he approached and saw the area was a mess—footprints, claw prints, broken bushes, and traces of fierce fighting.

In the center of the depression lay two broken bodies: a fat man in a chef's uniform and a woman in a black skirt. Blood was everywhere.

Alex was excited. His speculation was right; he could extract two more talents. But he didn't rush. Next to the bodies was a giant black rat, about one meter long, with sharp teeth and a violent aura. It must be the level 1 vicious beast rodent.

Alex knew from experience that a level 1 beast had 3-star combat power but no talents or skills. Humans had innate abilities as a balance given by Heaven. His combat power was 1 star, so he wouldn't usually be a match. However, the giant rodent was severely injured with broken hind legs and multiple cuts, clearly from a fierce battle. It was on the brink of death.

Confident he could kill the wounded beast, Alex approached stealthily. When he was just one meter away, the giant rat sensed him and raised its head. Alex rushed, and his left-hand knife flashed, stabbing the rat's throat.

Squeak! Squeak!

The giant rat screamed, trying to dodge, but its broken legs made it impossible. It slapped the knife away with its claw, but Alex's right hand delivered another blow, piercing the beast's throat.

Blood spurted, and the giant rat let out a piercing scream before collapsing.

A white light flew from the rat into Alex's body.

[Succeeded in killing a level 1 giant rodent, and obtained +30 energy points!]

Alex felt a surge of warmth. He saw his level status.

[Level]: Level 1 (30/100)

Killing a level 1 beast gave him 30 energy points. He needed 100 to reach level 2. It was a good start.

He placed his hand on the giant rodent, feeling another surge of comfort.

[Endless extraction success! Gained 2 Dexterity Attributes!]

Good! His agility index rose to 11 points, exceeding normal adult levels. There were still more benefits to claim.

Alex walked to the woman's body beside him.