From Failure to SSS-Rank Demon Lord

The forest air was crisp, filled with the faint sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. Frank knelt behind a thick bush, his eyes fixed on a clearing where a pack of wolves prowled. Their silver-gray fur glinted under the dappled sunlight, and their yellow eyes scanned the area for prey. Twelve of them, moving as one—a sight that would send most level 1 players running.

Frank smirked. Twelve wolves? Perfect.

He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small stone, weighing it in his hand. With practiced precision, he threw it toward a nearby thicket. The stone rustled the leaves, drawing the attention of the nearest wolf. Its ears perked, and it padded cautiously toward the sound, sniffing the air.

The moment it came into view, Frank's grip tightened on his sword. He stayed perfectly still, letting the wolf's curiosity lead it closer. When it was within range, he lunged.

"Slash!"

The blade cut clean through the creature's neck, and it crumpled to the ground with a muted whine. A damage notification flashed in his mind:

-150 HP. Wolf defeated.

Frank didn't have time to revel in his success. The rest of the pack let out furious howls and turned toward him.

Eleven wolves charged, their paws pounding against the earth as they closed the distance. Frank's heart raced, but he kept his movements measured. He darted toward a cluster of rocks, using the uneven terrain to slow their pursuit.

One wolf lunged at him, its jaws snapping inches from his arm. He spun to the side, bringing his sword down in a diagonal slash.

"Thrust!"

The blade pierced its chest, and the wolf stumbled back, a pained growl escaping its throat.

-45 HP.

A second wolf tried to flank him, but Frank anticipated the move. He jumped onto a fallen log, gaining a moment's reprieve as the wolves scrambled to climb after him. He swung his sword in a wide arc, the momentum carrying him through another enemy.

The pack's coordination faltered as their numbers dwindled. Frank moved like a dancer, his footwork precise and deliberate. He used the terrain to his advantage, weaving around trees and rocks to split the pack into smaller groups.

His stamina bar blinked angrily in his peripheral vision, a constant reminder of his limits. Sweat dripped down his forehead, but he didn't stop. One by one, the wolves fell, their snarls fading into silence.

Fifteen minutes later, Frank stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving and his sword arm trembling. The last wolf lay at his feet, its body dissolving into pixels of light.

A cascade of notifications filled his vision:

+200% Level Suppression Bonus.

+20% Monster Herd Bonus.

+1,500 EXP gained.

Level Up!

Frank threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing through the forest. "Five levels in one go? Not bad for a day's work."

Frank opened his stat panel, the familiar interface materializing before him.

Player Name: Mars

Level: 6

Stats:

Strength: 15

Agility: 15

Intelligence: 5

Stamina: 5

Vitality: 10

Health: 125/125

Mana: 100/100

Equipment: Common Stone Sword

He grinned. "System, assign points." With deliberate precision, he distributed his unassigned points into strength and agility. Early-game survivability relied on quick reflexes and the ability to hit hard—magic could wait.

Satisfied with his progress, he turned his attention to the loot scattered across the battlefield.

[Ding! Player earned: 24 Wolf Pelt, 55 Bronze Coins, Rare Item: Shadowfang Amulet, Leather Boots.]

Frank's attention snapped to the notification. "Rare item?" he muttered, his curiosity piqued. Kneeling amid the scattered loot, he picked up the Shadowfang Amulet, its dark, metallic surface etched with faint runes resembling wolf fangs. The amulet pulsed faintly in his hand, its presence exuding a subtle aura of power.

Inspecting the Amulet

He brought up its description with a thought.

[Shadowfang Amulet]

Type: Accessory

Rarity: Rare

Effects:Agility +5 (Enhances stealth capabilities)

Description: Forged from the essence of shadow-bound wolves, this amulet enhances the wearer's agility and allows for swifter movements in the dark.

A grin spread across Frank's face. "Now this is what I'm talking about," he said, slipping the amulet over his neck. Immediately, he felt a slight lightness in his step, as though his body was adjusting to the newfound speed and precision the amulet provided.

He turned his attention back to the rest of the loot. The leather boots were scuffed and worn but far better than his starter gear. He equipped them without hesitation, already imagining how these minor upgrades would give him an edge in the battles to come.

The coins were the real prize—55 bronze coins were no small sum for a low-level player. For context, an average laborer in this world earned about 12 silvers a year. These coins represented two weeks of work for someone else, earned in a single fight.

Frank pocketed the loot, his gaze shifting toward the distant outline of Greythorn Village. He was ready for the next step.

…The sun dipped low in the sky as Frank walked through Greythorn Village, his footsteps kicking up dust on the well-worn path. The town buzzed with activity, players and NPCs alike bustling between shops and stalls.

His destination was a weathered house at the edge of the village, its crooked roof and peeling paint making it stand out. Adventurers loitered nearby, some leaning against fences, others chatting in hushed tones.

"Don't bother, mate," one player called as Frank approached. "There's no quest in there."

Frank simply smiled and continued walking. Behind him, another player scoffed. "Another one who thinks he's special. Well, we warned him."

The house creaked as Frank pushed open the door, stepping into a dimly lit room. A faint smell of dust and old wood filled the air. At the far end of the room, an elderly man stood staring at a painting of the village. Above his head floated the name Drecker Crane.

Frank's heart raced as he approached. "Excuse me, sir," he said. "You look troubled. Can I help you?"

The old man turned slowly, his lined face etched with weariness. "You're an exceptional adventurer," Drecker said, his voice heavy. "You've grown strong so quickly. Perhaps you can help me. Sit, stay awhile, and listen."

Frank took a seat, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword as Drecker began his tale.

"Greythorn Village was once a prosperous farming community," the elder said, his eyes distant. "The lake near the village provided us with everything—water, fish, fertile land. But fifty years ago, the water turned black. Crops withered, animals died, and the village fell into despair. I have spent sixty years as its elder, but I am nearing the end of my life. Please, help us uncover the secret of the black lake."

A notification flashed before Frank:

[Quest: Mystery of the Black Lake (Rank: C)]

Objective: Help Elder Drecker Crane solve the mystery of the black lake.

Rewards: ???

Failure Penalty: -200 Reputation in Morrath Kingdom, -3 Levels.

Time Limit: None.

Frank took a deep breath, the weight of the quest sinking in. A C-rank quest at this stage of the game was almost impossible to clear. The penalties for failure were severe—losing reputation would bar him from state-owned facilities, and losing levels would set him back significantly.

But the rewards were worth it. In his past life, a player named FlamingAnuus had completed this quest after four grueling months. The result? The title Savior of Greythorn Village and the rank of Baron in the kingdom.

Frank's lips curled into a smirk. "I'm not that scrub, FlamingAnuus, it won't take me four months."

"I accept," he said, rising to his feet. "Tell me where to start."

The Hidden Dungeon

Frank headed into the forest, his footsteps light as he followed the faint trail leading toward the lake. He knew exactly where to go—a desolate cave hidden among the trees. Inside, a necromancer practiced dark magic, his experiments poisoning the lake's waters.

The entrance to the cave loomed before him, shrouded in shadow. Frank drew his sword, his grip firm as he stepped inside.

The path ahead was dark and winding, but Frank moved with confidence. He knew the necromancer would be a challenge—a level 10 entity with a horde of skeleton guards. But he also knew the rewards waiting at the end of this journey were worth the risk.

As the first skeleton emerged from the shadows, Frank grinned. "Let's get started."