"I'll take care of it," I said confidently, feeling a surge of determination. This was my first real test in this new world, and I couldn't afford to fail. The villagers were counting on me, and more importantly, I needed to prove to myself that I could handle whatever challenges this world threw at me.

Elder Daren nodded gratefully, his eyes showing a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, young warrior. The beast has been attacking near the western edge of the forest, where the livestock are kept. If you follow the trail leading out of the village, you should find signs of it there."

"I'll head there immediately," I replied, giving him a firm nod. I turned and left the chapel, feeling the weight of the taskahead of me. As I walked through the village, I noticed the way the villagers glanced at me—some with curiosity, others with quiet expectation. They didn't know me, didn't know what I was capable of, but they were hoping I could solve their problem.

And so was I.

The trail to the western edge of the forest was easy to find, a well-trodden path that led out of the village and into the dense woodland beyond. The trees here were tall and ancient, their branches intertwining to form a canopy that filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. It was quiet, the only sounds the rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird.

As I walked, I kept my senses alert, scanning my surroundings for any signs of danger. The system was still active in my mind, a constant presence that I could tap into whenever I needed. I brought up the map again, marking my position and checking the nearby area for any indicators of the beast's location.

Nothing yet, but that didn't surprise me. The beast was smart, elusive. It had been avoiding the villagers' traps and efforts for weeks, and it wasn't about to make itself easy prey now.

I continued along the trail, my hand resting on the hilt of my sword. The forest thickened as I went deeper, the trees growing closer together, the underbrush denser. The air was cooler here, the light dimmer, and a faint sense of unease began to creep over me.

After a while, I came across the first sign of the beast's presence—a patch of disturbed earth near the trail, as if something heavy had passed through recently. I knelt down to examine it, noticing the large paw prints embedded in the soil. They were fresh, the edges still sharp, and they led deeper into the forest.

I stood up, drawing my sword as I followed the tracks. The forest grew quieter the further I went, the usual sounds of wildlife fading into an eerie silence. The tension in the air was palpable, and I could feel the system responding to it, heightening my senses, preparing me for the encounter ahead.

The tracks led me to a small clearing, surrounded by tall trees. In the center of the clearing, I saw it—the beast. It was a massive wolf, easily twice the size of any normal animal, its fur a mottled gray and black. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and its teeth were bared in a snarl as it stood over the remains of a sheep, blood staining its muzzle.

For a moment, the beast and I stared at each other, both of us sizing up the other. I could see the intelligence in its eyes, the cunning that had allowed it to evade the villagers for so long. This was no ordinary animal—it was something more, something twisted by whatever dark force was at work in this world.

I tightened my grip on my sword, my heart pounding in my chest. The beast growled low in its throat, a sound that rumbled through the clearing like distant thunder. I could feel the power emanating from it, a raw, primal energy that set my nerves on edge.

But I couldn't back down now. This was the moment I had been preparing for, the first real test of my abilities in this new reality. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and then I charged.

The beast moved with a speed that belied its size, leaping to the side as I brought my sword down in a powerful slash. My blade sliced through the air, missing its target by inches, and I quickly spun around, bringing my shield up just in time to block the wolf's counterattack. Its massive jaws clamped down on the edge of my shield, teeth scraping against the metal with a screech that set my teeth on edge.

I shoved the beast back, using my shield to push it off balance, and then followed up with a quick thrust of my sword. The blade bit into the wolf's flank, drawing a howl of pain and fury, but it wasn't a fatal wound. The beast recoiled, blood matting its fur, but it didn't retreat. Instead, it circled me, its eyes locked on mine, watching for an opening.

I kept my shield raised, my sword ready, my mind racing as I tried to anticipate its next move. This wasn't like fighting in the game, where I could rely on reflexes and button presses. This was real combat, where every decision, everymovement, had to be calculated, precise.

The wolf lunged again, faster this time, aiming for my legs in an attempt to bring me down. I barely managed to sidestep its attack, swinging my sword in a wide arc as I did. The blade caught the beast across the shoulder, but it wasn't enough to stop it. The wolf pivoted, coming at me from the side, and I had to dive to the ground to avoid its snapping jaws.

I rolled to my feet, gasping for breath, my heart pounding in my chest. The wolf was relentless, its attacks coming faster, more ferocious with each passing moment. I could feel my stamina draining, my muscles aching, but I couldn't afford to slow down. Not when my life was on the line.

The wolf charged again, and this time I met it head-on, raising my shield to block its attack. The impact rattled my bones, the force of it nearly knocking me off my feet, but I held my ground. I could feel the power in the beast's muscles, the raw strength that threatened to overwhelm me, but I refused to give in.

I pushed back, using every ounce of strength I had, and then I lashed out with my sword, driving the blade into the wolf's side. The beast howled in pain, its eyes blazing with fury, but I didn't let up. I wrenched my sword free and struck again, this time aiming for its throat.

The blade connected, slicing through flesh and bone, and the wolf let out a final, agonized howl before collapsing to the ground. Blood pooled around its body, soaking into the earth, and I stood there, panting, my chest heaving with exertion as I watched the life drain from its eyes.

For a moment, I couldn't believe it. I had done it. I had defeated the beast.

The realization hit me like a wave, and I staggered back, dropping to one knee as the adrenaline began to wear off. My sword slipped from my grasp, clattering to the ground beside me, and I closed my eyes, taking deep, shuddering breaths.

I had done it. I had proven to myself that I could survive in this world, that I could face the challenges it threw at me and come out on top. But it wasn't just about surviving—it was about becoming stronger, about rising above the limitations that had held me back for so long.

As I knelt there, catching my breath, the system interface flickered into view once more, the familiar text scrolling across my vision.

Quest Completed: Defeat the Wild Beast

Experience Gained: 200 EXP

Level Up!

Darius Caelum – Warrior – Level 2

HP: 110/110

MP: 55/55

Strength: 12

Agility: 9

Endurance: 11

Intelligence: 6

Luck: 5

Aura Rank: Copper

**New Skill Unlocked: **

Berserker Rage (Active) – Temporarily increases strength and speed at the cost of defense.

I stared at the screen, a sense of satisfaction swelling within me. The increase in my stats, the new skill—it was tangible proof that I was growing stronger, that the system was responding to my efforts. This was more than just a game now; it was a path to power, a way to achieve what I had never been able to in my previous lives.

With a newfound sense of determination, I stood up, retrieving my sword and sheathing it at my side. The wolf's body lay still and lifeless at my feet, and I felt a pang of regret for the creature. It had been a formidable opponent, a worthy adversary, and now it was gone.

But this was the reality of the world I was in now. The strong survived, and the weak perished. I couldn't afford to be weak anymore. Not here, not now.

I turned and began the journey back to the village, my steps steady and sure. The forest seemed less foreboding now, the shadows less menacing. I had faced the beast, and I had won. I was ready for whatever came next.

As I approached the village, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the fields. The villagers were still going about their evening routines, but I could see them glancing in my direction, their expressions curious and expectant.

I made my way to the chapel, where Elder Daren was waiting for me. His eyes widened slightly as he saw me approach, and he hurried forward to meet me.

"Did you…?" he began, his voice tinged