*Elena Weiss stumbled backward through the tall grass, her shield trembling in her left hand.

Four Frenzy Boars surrounded her.

Her health bar hovered dangerously close to the red.

“Okay… okay…” she whispered, trying to steady her breathing.

She had only wanted to finish a simple quest. A few boars, some experience, maybe enough Col to improve her equipment. Somehow, she'd gotten careless and allowed herself to be surrounded.

One of the boars scraped its hoof against the ground.

Elena raised her shield.

“Not again…”

The creature charged.

She braced herself and blocked the impact, but the force sent her stumbling several steps backward. Pain flashed through her body as another portion of her HP disappeared.

Her eyes widened.

“That hurt…”

She glanced at her health bar.

Almost nothing remained.

Fear finally began to overwhelm her optimism.

She couldn't take another hit.

Elena tightened her grip around her short sword, forcing herself to stand despite her shaking legs.

“I… I can do this.”

The boars slowly closed in.

She swallowed hard.

“I just have to survive…”

One of them lowered its head.

Elena raised her shield.

Her heart pounded.

“Please…”*