Waking up, Cid found his body dramatically changed from its previous frail state. Now a muscular young man, he carried himself with confidence. Sharp features and short, black, spiky hair gave him a determined appearance. He developed a well-defined physique, reflecting his enhanced strength and athletic ability.
As he sat up from the cold ground, he felt a fleeting ache in his head that vanished almost instantly. As his eyelids fluttered open, he was surprised to find his vision incredibly clear. He saw everything with breathtaking 4K-like detail. His hearing and smell were also enhanced to their fullest extent. Glancing left, he spotted his weapon on the ground next to him.
Reaching for it, a red, transparent screen materialized before him, reading, "Congratulations! Your transformation into a halfling is complete. Initial objective: Annihilate the approaching beast horde. The total number of beasts is 20. Completing the mission will grant you rewards."
This system was not new to Cid; whispers of Draven's magic had long permeated the world, tales of how the Crimson Reaper could elevate those who proved themselves in battle. It was said that the weapon had a unique bond with its wielder, enhancing their abilities and offering rewards for their valor. As he absorbed this information, Cid felt invigorated, his new body solid and confident. Taking on 20 beasts felt like a piece of cake.
A surge of strength coursed through him as he seized his sword and confronted the distant creatures. There was a contrast in size and speed; some were big and intimidating, others smaller and faster. Yet, Cid felt no fear. With the sword in hand, he felt its might and knew he was prepared.
Cid stood, a surge of power coursing through him, his hand gripping the Crimson Reaper tightly. With a chaotic frenzy and deafening roars, the beasts approached, the air thick with impending danger. His shoulders squared, his eyes flashing with newfound resolve.
"Looks like we've got some unwelcome guests," Cid muttered to himself, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
The first beast lunged towards him, its massive claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Cid dodged to the side with a dancer's grace, the rush of air accompanying the beast's strike brushing against his skin. He countered swiftly, bringing down the Crimson Reaper in a swift arc that sliced through the beast's thick hide like butter. A guttural roar escaped the creature before it fell at his feet.
Energized by adrenaline, Cid quipped, "One down, nineteen more to go."
He was momentarily surprised by the speed of his next opponent's charge. He pivoted quickly, avoiding the beast's snapping jaws by a hair and feeling the hot breath on his neck. A series of calculated strikes targeted the beast's weak points, each one landing with precision. Steel clashed against flesh, echoing through the clearing as battle cries and snarls filled the air.
With the battle raging, Cid's senses became incredibly acute. The air was thick with the combined smell of metallic blood, acrid sweat, and animal fur. Fueled by determination and resolve, his muscles burned with each movement. Every step shook the ground, jarring his entire body.
Towards Cid, a colossal beast came charging, its shadow looming large over him. A deep breath steadied him as he felt his anticipation rising. With lightning-fast reflexes, Cid leaped away from the beast, escaping its crushing blow.
"Too slow!" Cid taunted, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
With a single, smooth movement, he pivoted and swung the Crimson Reaper with ferocious power, striking the beast. Crimson droplets exploded into the air as the blade cut deep into the creature, causing the ground to shudder. The beast roared one last time, echoing through the clearing before falling defeated at Cid's feet.
Unyielding, Cid faced the remaining beasts. Every defeated enemy only strengthened his resolve, kindling an inner fire that blazed more intensely with each successful blow. The dance of battle continued with relentless intensity as Cid pressed on toward his ultimate goal—to emerge victorious against all odds and claim his well-deserved reward amidst the chaos of combat.
As he continued his one-man assault on the remaining beasts, his movements became even more fluid and precise, as if he had become one with the Crimson Reaper. Cid's strikes, blocks, and parries were deadly efficient, leaving his opponents breathless before their defeat.
The battle raged on, the air thick with the scent of blood and the sounds of metal meeting bone and fur. Amid the chaos, Cid stayed calm and concentrated, entirely focused on defeating the last few beasts to earn his prize.
With death approaching, Cid mustered his remaining strength for one last assault on the final beast. Terror and fury fueled the creature's roar as Cid's closing distance brought the Crimson Reaper closer to its deadly strike. Both sides fought fiercely, neither yielding until the final beast fell, at which point Cid finally calmed down. He peered down at the blood-red Reaper, but it appeared surprisingly clean.
A message appeared on Cid's screen: "Congratulations, you have earned four rewards!"
Reward #1: Ability Orb Chooser
Description: This allows you to select an ability from a predetermined list.
Reward #2: Skill - Outfit Manipulation
Description: This skill lets you instantly wear any outfit you desire, but it cannot be leveled up.
Reward #3: Experience Points (EXP)
Description: You receive 20,000 EXP, bringing your progress to 20,000 out of 25,000 EXP for your current level.
Reward #4: Swordsmanship Mastery
Description: This reward grants you mastery over all sword and blade weapons you pick up.
Cid couldn't believe his luck as he gazed at the rewards displayed before him. The Ability Orb Chooser intrigued him the most, as it held the promise of unlocking a new ability to add to his arsenal. The thought of mastering different abilities and combining them with his newfound swordsmanship skills excited him to no end.
Without hesitation, Cid selected the Ability Orb Chooser, and a list of powerful abilities appeared before him. His eyes scanned through the options, each one more enticing than the last. After much deliberation, he finally settled on Animal Communication. Cid had always loved animals, and from reading the description, this would allow him to converse with any non-human creature.
A surge of excitement filled him as the Ability Orb Chooser glowed brightly before disappearing in a flurry of radiant particles. A newfound sense of connection to the world around him seemed to pulse through his veins, tingling with untapped potential. He closed his eyes and focused on the power within him, reaching out with his mind to the creatures in the surrounding forest.
As he opened his eyes, a sense of wonder washed over him. He heard the melodic chirping of birds overhead and the rustling of leaves as small woodland creatures scurried about. Cid concentrated, sending out a mental signal to any nearby animals, testing his newfound ability.
To his amazement, a squirrel perched on a nearby tree branch turned its head towards him with curious eyes. Cid felt a rush of joy as he realized he could understand the creature's thoughts and emotions. The squirrel chattered excitedly, its message clear to Cid—gratitude for protecting their forest from the beasts that had threatened their home. Cid thought, "Of course," and as if understanding him, the squirrel jumped around in gratitude before scurrying away to scavenge for food.
Taking advantage of his new skill in manipulating outfits, Cid realized his clothes were ripped after bulking up. He decided to change into something more stylish. Imagining an outfit that would match his personal style, a red light shone dimly on his body, revealing the outfit he had envisioned: a loose-fitting black t-shirt paired with cargo pants featuring multiple pockets, enhancing the utilitarian vibe. A plaid shirt tied around the waist added a layer of texture and a pop of pattern to the monochromatic outfit. He wore sturdy black combat boots, contributing to the overall rugged aesthetic. He was happy with it.
As he retrieved the sword, he imagined it having a sheath. Suddenly, a simple black sheath appeared, covering the entire length of the blade. He noticed a strap attached to it as well. It occurred to him that this was his outfit changer's special skill, and he could also use it on others and objects. He had countless questions about everything that had just happened to him, but for now, he was just grateful to have an ability and be eligible to join the military.