Attribute Farming System

*Splish, Splash!*

Knox's ears perked up at the sound of splashing water. Like a sly fox, he followed the noise, his steps light and calculated.

Pushing through the foliage overlooking a small running stream, his eyes locked onto the outline of a humanoid female.

His heart pounded in excitement.

"Is this one of those scenarios?? Is it finally my time to catch a hottie in the midst of washing off her impurities!?"

Without hesitation, he lunged through the foliage, arms wide open.

"Daddy Knox is here, hottie! What say we skip the formalities and go straight to the—"

His words died in his throat.

Standing before him was not the soft, alluring form of a bathing beauty but a wood creature.

It had the general body shape and facial features of a human female, but it lacked all the important parts.

"You scammer!" Knox declared, his outraged voice creating ripples in the stream. "And here I was about to show you the best night of your life before mysteriously vanishing the following mornin—"

SHING!

A wooden blade extended from the creature's arm, slicing through the air toward Knox's throat.

Reacting on instinct, he let himself slip, speeding up his evasion.

*Drip…*

Raising a finger to his cheek, Knox felt the warmth of fresh blood. A shallow cut stretched across the right side of his face.

Slowly, his usual grin faded, replaced by an eerie coldness.

"So, you're not the friendly type," he uttered, his entire demeanor shifting. "Fine. Then I won't be friendly either."

An intense killing intent erupted from his glowing golden eyes. Ignoring the blood staining his face, he dashed forward.

In a blink, he crossed several dozen meters.

His hand—now pulsing with newfound strength—clutched the wood creature's throat. With a slight squeeze, he could already feel its resistance weakening. 

Yet, just as he was about to finish the job, a sudden voice rang out.

"Stop! Don't hurt my Spirit Summon!"

Knox's cold gaze flickered toward the source of the cry.

At that exact moment, a massive tree filled his vision, barreling toward him with overwhelming force.

"A Spirit Summon?" Knox asked, effortlessly sidestepping the oncoming tree. His movements were swift, precise—almost effortless. "What's that? This tree creature?"

He glanced at the struggling wood creature in his grasp, his grip unwavering.

Even he was surprised by his own strength and mobility. Not even minutes ago, he was wobbling around like a drunken fool. Why the sudden change?

And judging by the stunned expression of the girl descending from the sky like a fairy, she was equally as shocked.

"How were you able to dodge that??" she asked, her cherry-red lips parting in disbelief.

Knox scoffed. "Did you expect me to stand there and let a tree whack me in the face or something?" He rolled his eyes. "Anyway, if this thing is yours, then put it on a better leash. I would've killed it if you kept attacking. I don't care how pretty you are."

Without another word, he tossed the tree creature toward the girl and turned away, stepping along the stream's shoreline in search of a good training spot.

"Hey, wait right there!" the girl hollered, rushing after him. "You haven't even apologized for what you did to Tia! Just look at the mark you left around her neck!"

Knox slightly cocked his head back, his killing intent still palpable.

"You want me to apologize for defending myself after being attacked first?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "What's next? You want me to kowtow and proclaim you my grandmother as well?"

"N-No… I just…"

"You just what?" His piercing gaze locked onto hers. "You're just stupid? Good for you, but I don't care. Listen, kid—if you keep bothering me, I'll discipline you on behalf of your parents. Control your pets, or don't own one. Goodbye."

Still irritated by the unnecessary fight and the wound on his cheek, Knox kicked a nearby rock.

The small stone shot forward, smashing into a tree and leaving behind a noticeable dent.

That improved his mood—if only slightly.

But the moment he sensed the peach-blossom-eyed girl creeping up behind him again, his faint smile disappeared.

He halted, turning to face his persistent stalker.

His expression was shrouded in shadow, yet he wore a wide, friendly smile—one that appeared anything but friendly in the eyes of the girl.

"How old are you, kid? What's your name?" His tone sent a shiver down the girl's spine.

"I… I'm thirteen," she stammered, fidgeting nervously. "And my name is Sammy… Sammy Berkshire."

Knox stiffened, his expression shifting. His golden irises flickered with a trace of surprise.

"The Berkshire family… Wait." He narrowed his eyes. "Are you that younger sister?"

Sammy hesitated for a moment before nodding shyly.

"My big sister is Yennefer Berkshire."

Knox froze.

"Oh, f*ck."

His danger instincts screamed at him like a blaring alarm.

"Forget everything I said, girl! Tell me what you want! Hurry, hurry!"

Sammy was taken aback by Knox's sudden panic, but she quickly remembered why she had approached him in the first place.

"I… I'd like for you and my Tia to make up," she murmured, glancing between Knox and the gloomy tree lady dragging its feet behind them. "Please… I don't want her to be so sad…"

"Sure, sure, whatever, kid!" Knox said hastily, his eyes darting around as if expecting an ambush. Then, with a dramatic sigh, he turned to Tia, the Spirit Summon.

"I sincerely apologize for fighting back after being attacked!" he declared mockingly. "Next time, I'll simply stand there and accept the embrace of death like a man!"

His gaze snapped back to Sammy. "Are we good now, kid?! Come on! Just say we're good!"

"O-Okay, we're good—"

OOOM!

Too late.