The cold, damp air of the Shadow Caverns clung to Arthur's skin. He gritted his teeth, shifting the heavy backpack full of monster cores and supplies. He wasn't a fighter. He was an F-Rank Awakened, the lowest of the low, barely stronger than an average human. His only job was to be the 'Porter'—the pack mule for his hunting party.
"Hurry up, deadweight!" a harsh voice echoed. Zane, a C-Rank warrior with blazing fire magic, sneered at him. Beside Zane stood Elara. She was an E-Rank healer, and… Arthur's girlfriend. Or so he thought.
Arthur hurried, his legs burning. "I'm coming," he panted.
Suddenly, a terrifying roar shook the cavern. A massive shadow detached from the ceiling. It was a D-Rank Shadow Arachnid, a monster far beyond what their party was supposed to face in this low-level dungeon.
Panic erupted. Zane fired a blast of flames, but the spider dodged, its razor-sharp legs slicing through the air.
"It's too fast! We need a distraction!" Zane yelled, his eyes darting around. They landed on Arthur.
Before Arthur could react, Zane grabbed his shoulder and shoved him violently forward, right into the monster's path.
"What are you doing?!" Arthur screamed, stumbling onto the rocky floor.
"Buying us time," Zane said coldly. He turned to Elara. "Let's go, Elara. He's useless anyway."
Arthur looked at Elara, his heart pounding. "Elara! Help me! Please!"
Elara hesitated for a second, her eyes meeting his. Then, she looked away. "I'm sorry, Arthur. You're just... too weak. You'd only drag me down."
She turned and ran with Zane, leaving Arthur alone in the dark with the monstrous spider.
The betrayal hit harder than any physical blow. The girl he loved, the team he trusted… they threw him away like trash.
The Shadow Arachnid hissed, lunging at him. Arthur raised his arms in a futile attempt to defend himself. Agony exploded in his chest as one of its scythe-like legs pierced his ribs. He was thrown against the cavern wall, sliding down in a pool of his own blood.
His vision blurred. The cold crept into his bones. This was it. This was how his pathetic life ended. Betrayed, weak, and alone.
'If I survive this...' Arthur thought, hatred burning in his fading consciousness. 'I swear... I will make them pay. All of them.'
But he was dying. His eyes fluttered shut.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice, clear and cold, echoed in his mind.
[Ding!]
[Host's life signs are dropping. Extreme despair detected. Hidden requirements met.]
[Binding the 100x Infinite Reward System...]
[10%... 50%... 100%. Binding Complete!]
Arthur gasped, his eyes flying open. A glowing blue screen appeared in front of his face, illuminating the dark cavern.
[First-time binding reward: 'Full Recovery Potion' x1]
[Passive Skill Activated: '100x Multiplier'. Everything the Host gains (Loot, EXP, Money) will be multiplied by 100 times!]
The giant spider loomed over him, ready for the killing bite. But Arthur wasn't afraid anymore. As a small vial of red liquid materialized in his hand, a bloody grin spread across his face.
The weakest awakened was dead. The Sovereign had arrived.