he forest air hung heavy with damp moss and wild grass. Every shift of a leaf made Nova's muscles tighten. His breathing stayed steady, but his pulse thrummed with anticipation.
Time to test this body. Properly.
A soft rustle up ahead—rhythmic chewing. Nova crouched low, eyes locking on two glowing dots in the underbrush. A small rodent crept into view, sniffing near a berry bush. Twitching whiskers. Alert posture.
It hadn't seen him yet.
A faint chime echoed in his mind:
[A Wild Rattata Appeared!](Lv. 4 ♂ | HP: 22 / 22)
Nova's lips curled into a grin."Alright, rat... let's dance."
The Rattata spotted him a heartbeat later. Its fur bristled, teeth bared—and then it lunged.
Tackle.
The impact slammed into Nova's ribs, but he barely staggered.
[Nova HP: 42 → 39]
He snapped forward, arm whipping out in a sharp, practiced arc.
[Pound!](Rattata HP: 22 → 12)
The rodent squealed and tumbled back, but caught itself mid-roll. Nova grounded his stance.
Instinct took over. Drop the legs. Take the center.
He swept his leg in a clean motion.
[New Move Learned!][Low Kick!](Rattata HP: 12 → 0 | Fainted!)
The rat hit the dirt hard and went still.
The forest fell silent.
[Battle Won!][EXP Gained: 38 | Total EXP: 38 / 156]
Nova exhaled, brushing dirt from his hands."One down."
He'd barely turned when a louder rustle stirred behind the bush—multiple steps now. Sharp, staggered movement. His ears twitched.
Three more shapes emerged through the leaves. Glowing eyes. Bared teeth.
[A Wild Rattata Pack Appeared!]
(Lv. 3 ♀ | HP: 18 / 18)
(Lv. 4 ♂ | HP: 22 / 22)
(Lv. 5 ♂ | HP: 25 / 25)
Nova rolled his shoulders."Better."
The smallest charged first—squealing, reckless.
He let it come close—then struck.
[Pound!](Lv. 3 Rattata HP: 18 → 10)
It reeled. Nova stepped forward and swept its legs out from under it.
[Low Kick!](Lv. 3 Rattata HP: 10 → 0 | Fainted!)
No time to breathe. The second Rattata dashed in from the left, glowing faintly.
Quick Attack.
It slammed into Nova's side before he could fully reset.
[Nova HP: 39 → 37]
Nova's eyes flashed. His arm moved—faster than thought.
[Bullet Punch!](Lv. 4 Rattata HP: 22 → 11)
[Bullet Punch!](Lv. 4 Rattata HP: 11 → 0 | Fainted!)
The third Rattata growled low in its throat, clearly the leader. It lunged with a savage Tackle.
[Nova HP: 37 → 35]
Nova held firm. Breathing slowed. Focus sharpened.Another chime echoed quietly in his mind.
[New Move Learned!][Focus Energy!]
The leader came again, charging wild and heavy with momentum.
Nova struck first.
[Low Kick – Critical Hit!](Lv. 5 Rattata HP: 25 → 0 | Fainted!)
The final rat dropped hard to the forest floor.
Wind whispered through the branches again. Nova stood straight, a smirk tugging at his mouth.
[Battle Won!][EXP Gained: 113 | Total EXP: 151 / 156]
He wiped sweat from his brow, chest rising and falling.
"Three down... five more EXP to level."
But then—silence.
No rustling. No birdsong. Even the wind held its breath.
From deeper in the brush, a low growl rumbled through the trees. Heavy footsteps crunched the undergrowth.
Then it stepped out.
[A Wild Mankey Appeared!](Lv. 7 ♂ | HP: 40 / 40 | Aggressive Nature)
Muscles taut. Fists clenched. Rage in its bloodshot eyes.
Nova's grin sharpened.
"Finally... a real fight."
The Mankey charged instantly, arm raised.
Karate Chop.
Nova caught the blow, but pain lanced up his forearm.
[Nova HP: 35 → 30]
He retaliated, quick and clean.
[Bullet Punch!](Mankey HP: 40 → 35)
The Mankey shrieked and slashed back—Fury Swipes. One. Two. Nova raised his guard and deflected most of the impact.
[Nova HP: 30 → 27]
Then another Karate Chop smashed into his shoulder.
[Nova HP: 27 → 23]
Nova dropped low, muscles humming. He closed his eyes briefly.
[Focus Energy Activated!]
He opened them as the Mankey lunged—white energy surging through his arm.
[Bullet Punch – Critical Hit!](Mankey HP: 35 → 25)
The Mankey stumbled, dazed.
Nova didn't wait.
He twisted low, every muscle coiling—then exploded forward in a devastating flurry.
[Close Combat!]
His blows landed in rapid succession, too fast for the wild Pokémon to respond.
(Mankey HP: 25 → 0 | Fainted!)
The Mankey crumpled, unconscious.
Nova stood over it, chest heaving, arms bruised—but the grin on his face remained.
[Battle Won!][EXP Gained: 82]
[Tutorial Quest: Prove Your Instincts – Completed!]Defeat 3 wild Pokémon using only physical attacks.
[REWARDS:]
Double EXP for final battle
Random Reward: Full Heal after every level up
[Level Up! → Lv. 6 | HP: 42 → 45][Level Up! → Lv. 7 | HP: 45 → 48]
[Current EXP: 77 / 192]
[Status Updated]
Name: Nova (Machop)Level: 7HP: 24 / 48 (Injured)Type: FightingAbility:GutsNature:Adamant(+Atk / -Sp.Atk)
Stats:
Attack: 28
Defense: 19
Sp. Atk: 10
Sp. Def: 15
Speed: 18
Moves:
Pound
Low Kick (New Move)
Bullet Punch (Egg Move)
Cut (Egg Move)
Fire Punch (Egg Move)
Close Combat (Egg Move)
Focus Energy ( New Move )
Nova dropped onto a thick tree root, panting hard. He stared at his fists, stained with dirt and blood.
A smile tugged at his lips.
"Level seven... not bad for day one."
Just then, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[Random Reward Activated!][Full Heal Applied for Each Level Up]
Warmth surged through Nova's body. The ache in his muscles faded. Cuts closed. Bruises vanished like mist in sunlight.
[HP Restored: 24 → 48]
Nova rolled his shoulder, flexing his fingers."That's more like it."
But then his gaze dropped to the crumpled form lying just feet away.
The wild Mankey still lay motionless—its breathing shallow, one arm twitching. Dried blood crusted around its knuckles. Flies were already starting to gather.
He frowned.
'If I leave it here like this… something else will finish the job.'
He stepped closer and knelt beside it. The Mankey stirred slightly at his presence but didn't rise. Just a soft, pained grunt.
Nova hesitated—then reached down.
"Tch. You fought hard. You earned better than getting picked apart by Beedrill while unconscious."
With a grunt, he hoisted the wild Pokémon over his shoulder. It was lighter than expected, all lean muscle and tension, even now.
[Mankey Added to Temporary Party Storage](Status: Injured – Recovering)
He adjusted the weight and turned back toward the deeper woods.
"C'mon, tough guy. Let's find a place to rest before something hears us."
The forest had gone quiet again—but this time, it didn't feel threatening. Just waiting.
Watching.
Nova took one step forward, then another—disappearing into the trees, the unconscious Mankey slung across his back.
The hunt was over.
For now.