"Haah… haah… where… where is it?"
My lungs burned, my throat scraped raw with every breath that tasted like dust and grit.
"System—show… me—show me something!"
[Beasts Eliminated — Rank: E+]
[Total Eliminations: 5]
[EXP Gained: +400]
[Points Earned: +20]
[Progress: 480 / 2,000 (E → D)]
[HP: CRITICAL | Weapon Integrity: 0% — Destroyed]
[Warning: Core Instability Reaching Dangerous Edge]
"What... how... I thought—" the words died in my throat as I collapsed onto the sand, my body screaming for rest. I'd killed five low-tier E-rank beasts with a weapon that was already half-dead—and that effort only earned me twenty points and four hundred exp.
"This is hopeless!" I shouted— my voice cracked swallowed by the empty air.
I drained the capsule in one gulp, then twirled the dagger between my fingers, studying its gleaming edge under the dim light.
"Ha. Now that's over," I muttered, wiping a stray drop of water from my lip.
[ Remaining Distance: 1.42 Miles to Next Safe Zone ]
[Estimated Travel Duration: 1.3 hours — Current stamina levels sufficient.]
"That's a relief," I muttered, though every cut and bruise said otherwise.
"
Forgetting the name was one thing. Praying it didn't cost too much was another.
"Oh well," I muttered, pushing myself up. "If I can't remember it, I'd better not die out here."
My free hand slid into my pocket as the wind pressed against my coat. I stared at the endless horizon.
I pray not to die out here. Every step I take edges me closer to death — and every time I survive, I wonder… is it luck? And what happens the day luck runs out?
❖ PHASE II: I WAS NOT AFRAID—YET ❖
I spotted something odd in the sand— a footprint, massive, with claws carved at the tips.
"Whatever owns this footstep, it's huge." I muttered. Fear was nowhere near my voice—not yet.
I had a weapon and a system that would critique my fighting form mid-battle anyway.
But then I looked beyond the first print—the trail stretched far, vanishing into the dunes. I didn't know why, but even with the dagger in my grip, fear crawled down my spine.
I was doomed.
I straightened up and cleared my throat, hoping for...let's call it, something not completely awful.
I couldn't afford to die, well, not yet.
[ Feature Locked. Access feature once you reach Rank C ]
"Oh, come on," I said, my voice trembling. "Isn't there anything you can do?"
❖ PHASE III: WHEN YOU HAVE A DUMB AS F*CK ANNOYING SYSTEM ❖
The sand shifted.
At first, I thought it was the wind—but it wasn't. This time, even the earth itself vibrated. The trail of clawed footprints that I'd been following suddenly stopped...because apparently, their owner had returned.
Then I heard it.
Low at first. Until—
A growl rumbled behind me. It was deep, metallic and plain wrong.
Slowly, I turned.
There it was.
It loomed—four meters tall, its scales black like molten glass, the spines along its back still scorching with heat. Its eyes glowed a dim crimson— smoke coiling from its nostrils with every breath.
"...That's not E-rank," I whispered.
[Analyzing...]
[Result:Rank D Beast — 'Ravager-Class Serpentkin']
[Warning: Combat Level Incompatible]
[Recommendation: Run.]
I blinked. "Run? Where, genius?! There's sand everywhere!"
The system didn't respond. It decided to ghost me in a time like this. Typical.
The creature's chest expanded, sucking in air — then a blast of crimson vapor erupted toward me.
I dove aside, but I barely missed it, the sand where I'd stood melted.
"Okay," I panted, "so fire breath. That's— that's great."
[HP: 82%]
I dashed forward, and drew my dagger, slashing at its leg — but it was like cutting stone. The blade barely even left a scratch.
The serpentkin retaliated, its tail whipping through the air like thunder.
It struck my side — and I was airborne.
"AAAHHH—!"
I hit the ground hard, skidding across the sand, coughing blood. I thought this was the end, until I remembered the almost helpful system. I prayed it would tell me something nice.
Maybe a new upgrade!
[HP: 49% | Fracture Detected — Left Rib Region]
"System, tell me how the hell this is fair!" I shouted, as I staggered to my feet.
[Combat Inefficiency: 93%. Suggest immediate retreat.]
"Yeah, thanks! I'll just tell him to pause mid-murder!"
The beast lunged fast, as its claws glinted in the light.
I dodged again — barely — feeling one graze my back.
I turned, slashed with everything I had — the dagger dug into its arm. It was shallow but enough to make it roar.
Its eyes narrowed. Now it was angry.
"Oh great," I muttered. "I made it mad."
It struck again, faster than before. My weapon met its claw, sparks flying. I twisted away —
but pain exploded through my chest as its tail slammed me again.
[HP: 19% | Critical Condition]
[Weapon Integrity: 28%]
I collapsed to my knees, breathing ragged, sand sticking to my blood.
"System… if you've got a miracle up there, now's the time."
[No available skills. Points insufficient.]
"Then I guess…" I spat blood, dragging myself up, "I'll just have to do run, if that's still possible."
I charged towards it screaming, dagger raised high. The serpentkin roared, its jaws opening — and then, everything blurred.
A flash of movement — too fast to follow.
The beast froze mid-attack, as it widened its eyes. Something — someone — had sliced through it like lightning.
My dagger fell from my grip.
The world dimmed.
"...Who…" I whispered before everything went black.