What the...? Did I end up in some sort of game? Is this some kind of joke? How is this possible??? Wherever I am, it's definitely not my afterlife....
My thoughts were cut short when I felt like I was getting sucked into some sort of dark vortex. My mind, body, everything went black, and everything became silent.
Then the world returned to normal. I slowly opened my eyes, letting them adjusted to the surrounding but still nothing. I could see nothing. Just darkness.
"Seriously! this again?" I said aloud. There was no answer. Instead , I heard a faint sound that almost sounded like...squeaking noises? Or was I imagining that? No, this sounded really creepy. Okay but why does it seem like it's getting louder?
I tried to stay alert and keep calm, but every fiber of my being told me to run. Run far, far away, anywhere away from wherever this is.
As if to confirm my suspicion, I heard the noise again, but this time it was closer. The sound was getting louder, there was definitely something.
Something was coming. Something that I didn't want. Fear gripped me, and I began to tremble. It was a little scary. Really scary. The thing that was coming, whatever it was, it wasn't nice.
Suddenly the sounds disappeared, making me feel relieved. At least until I heard the sound again, but this time, it was around of me. I can feel it, I thought. Whatever it is, it's right there. Right in front of me. I took several deep breaths, calming down slightly.
Slowly, I began to open my eyes fully, staring right at the darkness ahead of me. It was pitch black. Nothing was visible. I started to concentrate, my mind focusing on the darkness around me. Then.....
─You've learned a new skill: Dark Vision
The blue screen appeared again but I didn't pay any attention to it, instead concentrating on the thing in front of me.
I can see it now..... although not clearly, I can definitely see it. In the darkness, it just stood there, like a shadow. It was huge, towering over me, looking down at me like a predator.... like it was waiting for me to make a wrong move.... waiting for me to give in so it can pounce and kill me, like a beast of prey. I began to shake uncontrollably once more as I stared directly at it.
My breathing started to become uneven, and my heart began racing inside my chest. I can't let it win, I thought. I can't show it that I'm afraid. I must stay strong. I mustn't be scared. I have to be brave, and stand by my convictions. I must fight back. I must...
─You've learned a unique skill: Brave heart
A sudden surge of energy flowed through my entire body, causing my muscles to tense and my blood to boil. The fear began to fade away, replaced by powerful resolve and determination. A desire to defeat the enemy. To fight. And the only way to do that was to go through with it.
No matter what the consequences. I must not hesitate, I cannot hesitate. I must overcome this obstacle. I must prevail. I won't let fear hold me back. I am stronger than fear. I felt empowered, energized. Like a wild animal, ready to attack any threat, whether or not it is human or inhuman.
I clenched my teeth and began to charge toward the monster before me. The adrenaline coursed through my veins, bringing with it a sense of invincibility and confidence. The creature before me was enormous. But it doesn't matter at all how big it was, I would never be intimidated by it. Never.
In spite of the enormous size of the creature, I approached it easily. Without thinking, I thrust my fist forward. It connected, sending the creature reeling backward. The creature grunted as it stumbled backward before quickly recovering, turning toward me menacingly.
I raised my fist again, preparing to strike another blow at it. As I did so though, it somehow struck me on the side of my stomach. I coughed a few times from the unexpected hit. It took everything within me to not let out an audible gasp of shock, my hand automatically reaching for my stomach.
I could feel the blood slowly beginning to spill out. I didn't even notice it when the monster moved closer to attack me once more. But before it could, I charged forward, punching it hard enough to send it tumbling backwards. When it rose again, my fist met its face, and it fell again.
I jumped on top of it and started beating it mercilessly. I continued punching at it relentlessly, even when I felt the strength leaving my arms. I didn't stop, however, I continued swinging my fists furiously at it, hitting it, striking it and then once again.....
─You've gained 158 EXP!
─You've level up!
─Your health points have been restored.
After punching that thing for God knows how long, and somehow I've finally managed to defeat it. I collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, gasping loudly. Once the last wave of dizziness subsided, I sat up, rubbing my sore knuckles.
It still hurt, but I ignored it. My legs wobbled slightly, but I made it, despite of how much pain they were. Okay so I did win. That's good. Now what? I don't know where I am, or what is going on... or what did I just fought...
Well let's check out the screen thing first. I didn't pay attention to it earlier because I was too focused on that monster. But how do I access it? There's no way it would just pop up if you shouted STATUS! In your mind like in game.....
─Name: Luerl
─Race: Reima ( lower demon )
─Age: 0
─Level: 2/5 ( EXP: 58/200 )
─HP: 8/8
─Strength: 10
─Mana: 0
─Defense: 5
─Speed: 13
─Intelligence: 35
─Luck: 17
─Charm: 0
─Skills: {Bite LV1} {Dark Vision LV1}
Unique: {Brave Heart}
I-It did showed up....