Sword Art Online: Moonlight Swordman.

"We'll be hunting some boars in the fields outside. They're pretty simple," Issin reassured Ren, noticing the worry in his eyes.

"He's right. Frenzy Boars are as weak as the starter Slimes in other games. The only real challenge is that players aren't used to fighting with their real bodies... instead of controlling from behind a screen.

But once you get used to it, it's amazing. Here, I can flip and perform complex movements without any restrictions," Dynamm added, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

He paused for a moment before asking,

"So, what level are you at? I reached level 4 by the end of yesterday."

Ren flinched. Level 4... How did they level up so fast?

He glanced at his own level displayed beneath his HP bar in the bottom left corner.

Lv1

Still as pathetic as ever.

"Uh... Level... 1... I'm still at the starting level," Ren muttered.

His gaze dropped, and his shoulders instinctively shrank as if trying to make himself smaller under their stares.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms, a numbing sensation spreading.

Level 1... How humiliating. While they've been getting stronger every day, I'm still stuck in place... What am I even doing?

The air grew heavy for a moment.

Issin's eyes widened in surprise, nearly dropping the sword in his hand. But he quickly laughed it off and patted Ren's shoulder.

"Oh, that means today will be your first level-up! Consider it an honor, Dynamm and I get to witness a historic moment!"

His voice was lighthearted, with a hint of teasing, deliberately easing the tension.

Ren looked up at Issin, his eyes briefly brightening before lowering again.

He's trying to encourage me...

Meanwhile, Dynamm raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face before shifting into a more neutral, unreadable expression.

He studied Ren from head to toe, then smirked slightly, his eyes cold.

"Still level 1, huh... That must be tough."

His tone was casual, not mocking, but the indifference in his words made Ren feel even smaller.

Ren bowed his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. Dynamm's indifference weighed heavier than any insult could.

After a moment, Klein broke the tense silence.

"I was stuck at level 1 for a while too," he said, his gaze soft, his voice gentle.

"Everyone struggles at the beginning. Look at this guy, Dynamm. He could barely swing a proper strike at first. But now? He actually knows how to fight."

Klein glanced at Dynamm with a knowing look, a teasing smile forming on his lips.

"Hey, hey... Ryoutarou, don't act all high and mighty just because you had decent combat skills from the start. If I had your natural ability, I would've..."

Dynamm pouted, frowning as he grumbled, but midway through his sentence, he suddenly stopped, as if remembering something.

"That was in the past. Let's not bring it up..." Klein hesitated, his gaze darkening slightly with a weight of loneliness.

But then, he shrugged and smiled faintly.

"Still, you really suck at basic movement, Dynamm."

"What?! Hey, don't be so harsh!" Dynamm snapped back, his tone clearly trying to cover his embarrassment.

As Ren watched them bicker, a small warmth spread inside him.

Even if their way of comforting him was a little clumsy, at least... they accepted him, even though he was just a pathetic level 1.

Without realizing it, the group had already arrived at the hunting fields.

What greeted Ren's eyes was an endless stretch of green grass rolling toward the horizon. A sight he had only ever seen through a phone screen.

Even though this was his second time here...

The first time had been with Klein, under Kirito's guidance. Back then, he hadn't really seen or felt the world like this.

So this is... what walking on grass feels like. The scent was strange, so different from bleach, detergent, or artificial perfumes.

Ren was fascinated as he stepped on the soft grass. Even through his old leather shoes, he could feel it.

He crouched down, gently brushing his fingers over the blades of grass.

A cool, soft sensation spread from his fingertips, making him chuckle quietly.

He grabbed a handful, then let go, watching the blades scatter and sway in the breeze.

A quiet sense of wonder welled up inside him, like a child touching snow for the first time.

"This field reminds me of those camping trips we used to go on during our short breaks.

Sitting around a bonfire, drinking traditional liquor, and eating freshly grilled snacks," Dynamm stretched as he reminisced.

"But you were always completely wasted. You even got lost once," Issin snorted, killing the nostalgia.

"He wasn't there for nature... He had his eyes on the owner's daughter," Dale smirked, winking at Dynamm.

"Hey, hey... Stop talking nonsense! Since when has this Dynamm ever been desperate for a girl?!" Dynamm blurted out, his voice slightly panicked.

"Then why did you insist on going there every time? Don't tell me it was for the scenery. You stared at her so much you were practically drooling. And every visit, you brought gifts." Dale narrowed his already small eyes at him.

"You're talking nonsense," Dynamm huffed, pouting as he turned away.

He's sharp, Ren thought, watching Dale for a moment.

Despite his towering, sumo-wrestler-like build, Dale seemed incredibly observant and perceptive.

The group erupted in laughter at Dynamm's reaction. He didn't argue further, just grumbled under his breath.

Ren smiled softly, listening to their playful banter.

Stories of warm campfires, drinking with friends, sharing laughter over nostalgic memories...

Those things felt so far away from him.

I've never experienced anything like that...

Ren tightened his grip on the grass in his hand. The softness was gone, replaced by a familiar coldness creeping into his chest.

He instinctively took a step back, creating an invisible distance between himself and them. 

"Ren, what about you? Have you ever gone camping?" Dale turned to ask, his tone relaxed and full of enthusiasm. 

Ren flinched. He shook his head slightly, his gaze avoiding theirs. 

"No... I've never gone anywhere far..." 

Silence momentarily filled the air. 

Dale scratched his head and gave an awkward chuckle. "Oh... Well, think of today as your first outdoor camping experience! Who knows, we might even have to sleep on the grass if it gets too dark." 

Dale's joke lightened the atmosphere. Ren glanced up, his eyes filled with gratitude. A faint warmth spread through his chest. 

A gentle breeze swept past, rustling the grass as white clouds drifted across the vast blue sky. 

The distant chirping of birds echoed, forming a natural melody. 

Ren took in the scene before him, a peaceful feeling washing over him, leaving a trace of reluctance. 

He wished... time could stop at this moment so he could linger in this newfound sense of freedom....something he had never truly experienced before. 

... 

Shouts erupted from every direction. Players dashed back and forth, weapons slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh. 

The agonized squeals of wild boars mingled with the pounding of footsteps against the grass. 

A gust of wind carried the scent of sweat... and trampled greenery. 

"Hey... Hey... Don't let it escape!" 

"Someone, block the boar!" 

"Hit it hard! Yes! Finally leveled up!" 

The hunting grounds had been packed since early morning. The clamor of voices, the clash of weapons, and the growls of Frenzy Boars echoed across the vast field. 

Groups of five or six surrounded a single Frenzy Boar, attacking it relentlessly. 

Spears thrust forward like a storm, gleaming blades slashing through the air, all merging into a scene of pure chaos. 

The space felt suffocatingly tight. Ren had to sidestep to avoid colliding with a charging player. He felt as if every escape route had been sealed shut. 

"So crowded... Even more than yesterday," Klein sighed, his gaze sweeping over the sea of players. 

"Well, of course," Issin crossed his arms, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. 

"They can't just stay in the Starting Town forever. Everyone wants to get stronger as fast as possible." 

Ren swallowed dryly, the suffocating sensation pressing heavier on his chest. He lowered his gaze to his worn-out spear, his fingers tightening around the shaft. 

'Can I... really do this?' 

Just then....

A flicker of light appeared near where the players stood. 

It was there for only a moment before fading. 

And in its place.

A boar materialized. 

"GRRAAHH!!!" 

The Frenzy Boar let out a deep, guttural roar that sent a shiver down Ren's spine. 

It was twice the size of a normal wild boar, its muscular body covered in thick, dark gray fur, bristling like porcupine quills. 

Its blood-red eyes gleamed with savage fury, as if ready to tear apart everything in sight. 

Two long, curved tusks jutted out from its lower jaw, sharp and gleaming like blades. 

"Hey! Hurry before others rush in and steal the kill!" Dynamm shot forward at lightning speed. 

He delivered a powerful kick to the boar's stomach, making it screech in pain. 

The boar's head snapped toward him. Its bloodshot eyes locked onto Dynamm. 

It moved. 

Each of its steps sent tremors through the ground, crushing the grass beneath its hooves, kicking up clouds of dust. 

Ren's heart clenched as he watched the Frenzy Boar charge straight at Dynamm, its massive hooves tearing up the earth. 

A deafening clash of weapons against tusks and claws rang out. 

"Watch out! It's about to use its charge skill! If you're not careful, it'll send you flying!" Dynamm nimbly sidestepped the attack. 

But the boar didn't stop. 

Its eyes burned an even fiercer red. Muscles tensed, fur bristling like sharp needles. 

With a thunderous roar, it surged forward like a hurricane, destroying everything in its path. 

'It's coming this way...' 

Ren instinctively stepped back. His breath caught in his throat as he witnessed the terrifying power of the beast.