System Blessing has been unlocked. Tap for more information.
Allen tapped the Windows-like screen.
System: You have 2 blessings — Adaptation and Reactive Evolution.
Adaptation: Allows you to overcome any obstacle effortlessly.
Reactive Evolution: You evolve into a stronger being every time you die.
Allen paused for a moment, then grabbed his gear to clean up monsters.
He stepped out of his house.
"Sorry for making you all wait."
"It's fine. Let's go," someone replied.
Allen, Jin, Clara, Kakamiya, and Kazuya set off toward the dungeon.
They rode a horse-drawn carriage to the event.
The atmosphere grew tense—even before reaching the event zone.
"Aeolus," one of the bandits muttered.
The carriage exploded into pieces.
"Fuck, what a shitty day," Allen muttered as he crawled out of the wreckage.
Clara reached out to him.
"Are you okay?"
Allen grabbed her hand.
"I'm fine."
System: Detecting unusual movement from the left.
Allen turned left, spotting Jin brushing off rubble—but above him in a tree was someone aiming a bow.
The man fired.
Allen shouted, "JIN, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING? MOVE YOUR ASS!"
Jin dodged just in time.
"That was close!"
The attacker jumped down from the tree.
"NPCs are getting smarter these days. Did the devs secretly add some hidden features?"
SYSTEM ANALYSIS: COMPLETE
NAME: SHIRO
ROLE: PLAYER
JOB: BANDIT KING
GENDER: MALE
Shiro prepared to shoot again.
"Wait a second," Allen said.
Shiro was surprised the NPC spoke directly to a player.
"This is the first time I've seen an NPC talk to a player directly. Is this some kind of update?"
Allen quickly acted like a normal NPC again.
Shiro, feeling mocked, shot Allen in the chest.
Allen collapsed.
"Damn, I fell for a low-tier NPC's trick."
Shiro then moved in to finish off Allen's party.
Clara, Kakamiya, Jin, and Kazuya fought back, but the skill and level gap was too big—they were overwhelmed.
---
System: You have died 1×
Skill Reactive Evolution activated
Skill Adaptation activated
Allen shot toward Shiro.
"Die."
He kicked Shiro in the head—killing him instantly.
Seeing his party still alive, Allen smiled in relief.
Clara ran to him and hugged him.
"Eh—what's this for?"
"I'm just glad you're alive."
She let go.
Kakamiya approached to heal him, but was shocked.
"Wait—your wounds are already healed?"
"Ah, that's because of a special skill."
"Special skill?"
"No need to think about it."
Kakamiya stayed quiet.
"So, what about the dungeon?" Allen asked.
"It's nearby. Let's go on foot," said one of them.
The group reached the dungeon entrance.
Allen handed his adventurer card to the guard and entered.
The rest followed him inside.
Dungeon Exploration:
Level 1: They slaughtered goblins and orcs.
Level 2: They defeated minotaurs. Allen evolved again here.
Level 3 - Final Stage: Jin suddenly vomited.
"JIN, what's wrong?" Clara asked.
Jin turned to her.
"Run."
A dark energy beam blasted his head—Jin was dead.
The others panicked.
"Kakamiya, what the hell is going on?" Kazuya shouted—then his head was cut off.
Kakamiya froze in shock.
A dark blast headed toward Clara.
"CLARA, WATCH OUT!"
Allen dashed toward her—only to have his head blown off.
Now only Kakamiya and Clara remained.
A black-cloaked skeleton appeared before them.
"Weak humans," it growled.
"Who are you?" Kakamiya asked.
"I am Knull, Skeleton of Death."
Suddenly, Allen reappeared behind Knull.
"Over here, bastard."
He stabbed Knull with a light spear.
But Knull vanished—and reappeared behind Allen.
"Fool, you hit an illusion."
He blasted Allen with dark magic.
Allen dodged.
"Lux Mentis!" Allen cast light magic.
But Knull had control over light.
Knull's attack hit Allen's chest and beheaded him.
---
System: You have died 4×
Reactive Evolution – Second Seal Unlocked
Adaptation – Second Seal Unlocked
Allen slashed Knull, landing a hit.
He followed with a fire spell, burning Knull's body.
But Knull had only used half his power.
System: Boss Phase 2 Unlocked.
Knull consumed a black orb, transforming into a black-armored knight.
He slashed Allen, cutting him in half.
Clara and Kakamiya could only watch from afar.
"Damn it—I can't help him," Kakamiya muttered.
Clara stared at Allen with hope.
"I believe in you, Allen…"
---
System: Detecting enemy level…
NAME: KNULL (Skeleton of Death / Knight of Death)
LEVEL: 75
Performing strongest evolution…
Allen's body reformed.
"Oh? Looks like you're pretty tough," Allen said, rotating his shoulder.
Knull charged.
Allen grinned.
"The only thing I want… is your sword."
To Be Continued…