Chapter 5-The injured Elf

Kaito Arakawa — Perspective

The Genesis System wasn't joking around.

Every task it gave me felt designed to push my body beyond its limits.

---

I started completing the objectives one by one.

Push-ups.

Sit-ups.

Running.

At first, I thought it would be impossible in this unfamiliar forest, but strangely… my body adapted faster than expected. Maybe it was because of the system, or maybe adrenaline was forcing me forward.

Either way, stopping didn't feel like an option.

---

Meanwhile, Yuna and Reina stayed nearby testing their own abilities.

Yuna practiced controlling her elemental magic against the trees, occasionally creating small flames or sparks of wind. She still struggled with stability, but each attempt became smoother than the last.

Reina focused on her Appraisal skill.

Every few minutes she would analyze plants, rocks, or even monsters hiding far away in the forest. Her expression stayed calm, but I could tell she was gathering information constantly.

Compared to them…

My task felt far more physical.

---

After what felt like hours, I finally completed almost everything.

---

**[TASK STATUS UPDATED]**

✔ 100 Push-ups

✔ 100 Sit-ups

✔ 20KM Run

Remaining Objective:

- Eliminate: Goblin

---

"…Only one left," I muttered.

My breathing was heavy, but strangely my body felt lighter than before.

Like the system was gradually strengthening me every time I completed something.

---

"We should split up," Reina suggested. "It'll be faster to locate a goblin that way."

Yuna looked slightly worried. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"We won't go far," Reina replied calmly.

I nodded slightly.

"Just stay alert."

---

The three of us separated to search different parts of the forest.

The deeper I walked, the quieter everything became.

No birds.

No wind.

Only the sound of my footsteps against the dirt.

---

Then suddenly—

A scream echoed through the trees.

My eyes widened.

Without thinking, I ran toward the sound.

---

As I pushed through the bushes, I saw it.

A goblin.

But this time, it wasn't alone.

It was attacking someone.

---

A girl.

She was lying on the ground, clearly injured. Her clothes were torn in several places, and blood stained her arm and shoulder.

The goblin raised its weapon again.

I moved before I could think.

---

"Get away from her!"

The goblin turned toward me with an angry screech.

But before it could react properly, I grabbed a broken branch from the ground and slammed it directly into its neck.

The creature stumbled backward.

I didn't stop.

I attacked again immediately.

This time harder.

The goblin collapsed onto the ground, motionless.

Silence filled the forest.

---

A system notification appeared instantly.

---

**[TASK COMPLETED]**

Reward Granted:

**Skill Acquired — Healing Magic**

---

"…Healing magic?"

That timing felt almost unreal.

Then I looked back at the injured girl.

Right.

Now wasn't the time to question it.

---

I quickly moved beside her.

She was breathing weakly.

Her injuries looked serious.

I raised my trembling hand slightly.

"Please work…"

A warm light slowly gathered around my palm.

Soft green energy flowed from my hand and covered her wounds.

The cuts on her body slowly began closing.

Her breathing steadied little by little.

"It's actually healing…" I whispered.

---

As the light faded, I finally noticed something unusual about her appearance.

Pointed ears.

Long silver hair.

Beautiful features unlike any normal human.

My eyes widened slightly.

"…An elf?"

So fantasy races really exist in this world.

---

A few moments later, the girl slowly opened her eyes.

Her vision looked blurry at first, but when she saw me sitting beside her, her expression changed completely.

Relief.

Shock.

Emotion.

Before I could say anything—

She suddenly wrapped her arms around me tightly.

"H-Hey—?!"

Her body trembled slightly as she held onto me.

Like she was terrified of being left alone again.

And somehow…

I couldn't push her away.

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