The world didn't slow down after the first kill.
It got worse.
Adrian stood over the spot where the Ravager had vanished, his chest still rising and falling, his grip tight around the metal rod.
People were still running.
Still screaming.
Still dying.
A car slammed into a post nearby, the alarm blaring endlessly.
Smoke started rising in the distance.
"…So it's everywhere."
Adrian exhaled slowly, forcing his breathing to steady.
Then—
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Adrian Vance
Level: 1
Class: None
HP: 15/15
STR: 2
AGI: 3
VIT: 2
INT: 1
Available Points: 4
"Stats…"
He stared at the screen, eyes scanning every detail.
"This is just like a game…"
But it didn't feel like one.
Because people weren't NPCs.
That man earlier—
He clenched his jaw.
"…Focus."
Four points.
Not a lot.
But enough to matter.
"Speed saved me earlier…"
He didn't hesitate this time.
[POINTS DISTRIBUTED]
AGI +2
STR +2
A pulse ran through his body.
Sharper than before.
His muscles tightened, his senses heightened—he could hear footsteps from farther away, see movement clearer.
"Good…"
A scream cut through the noise.
Close.
Too close.
Adrian turned.
Down the street—
Another gate had opened.
Two Ravagers dropped.
And three people were trapped between them.
One of them fell.
"HELP—!"
The Ravagers moved in.
Adrian clicked his tongue.
"…Damn it."
He started running.
🔥
This time—
He didn't freeze.
Adrian rushed forward, faster than before. The distance closed in seconds.
The first Ravager turned—
Too late.
CRACK!
The metal rod smashed into its skull, sending it stumbling.
Adrian didn't stop.
He stepped in—
SMASH!
Second hit.
Cleaner.
Stronger.
[SKILL ACTIVATED: IMPROVISE]
His movements sharpened.
More controlled.
More efficient.
Like his body was learning in real time.
The second Ravager lunged—
Adrian shifted sideways.
Barely avoiding the claws.
"…I see you."
He ducked low—
Then drove the rod upward.
THUD!
The blow connected with its jaw.
The monster staggered back.
Adrian pivoted—
And finished the first one.
[ENEMY DEFEATED]
[EXP GAINED]
"No time—"
The second Ravager charged again.
Faster this time.
Closer.
Adrian braced—
Then did something different.
He stepped forward instead of back.
CRACK!
The rod pierced straight into the creature's throat.
It froze.
Trembled.
Collapsed.
[ENEMY DEFEATED]
[BONUS EXP AWARDED]
Adrian stood still for a moment.
Then exhaled.
"…That felt easier."
[LEVEL UP]
[LEVEL: 1 → 2]
Warmth surged through him again.
Stronger.
More noticeable.
His body felt lighter.
Faster.
Alive.
"Th-thank you…!"
A voice called out.
Adrian turned.
The two survivors stared at him like he wasn't human.
"You saved us…"
He looked at them for a second.
Then shook his head.
"Get somewhere safe."
"W-where?!"
He didn't answer.
Because he didn't know either.
Then—
[NOTICE]
[FIRST COMBAT SEQUENCE COMPLETED]
Adrian blinked.
"…What?"
[REWARD AVAILABLE]
[OPEN NOW?]
His eyes narrowed.
"A reward…"
He hesitated for a second.
Then—
"…Open it."
[OPENING STARTER REWARD…]
A small glowing panel appeared.
Then split open.
Light burst out—
Before condensing into something solid.
It dropped into his hand.
A weapon.
A short, black dagger.
Simple.
But sharp.
Too sharp.
[ITEM ACQUIRED]
[NAME: "BEGINNER'S EDGE"]
[GRADE: COMMON]
[+2 STR]
[EFFECT: Slight increase in damage when striking weak points]
Adrian stared at it.
"…This is real."
He tightened his grip.
It felt balanced.
Natural.
Like it belonged in his hand.
"Better than a pipe…"
He let the metal rod drop.
Then—
The sky flickered again.
[GLOBAL ANNOUNCEMENT]
Every screen.
Every person.
Everywhere.
[PHASE 1 COMPLETE]
[SURVIVORS REGISTERED]
Adrian's expression hardened.
"…Phase 1?"
[PHASE 2 BEGINS IN: 05:00]
A countdown appeared in the sky.
4:59…
4:58…
"…Of course there's more."
Panic spread instantly.
"What does that mean?!"
"Another wave?!"
"We're gonna die—!"
Adrian looked up at the timer.
Then at his dagger.
Then at the streets filled with chaos.
His grip tightened.
"…No."
His voice was calm.
Cold.
Focused.
"I'm not dying here."
The timer kept ticking.
And this time—
Adrian didn't wait.
He started walking toward the next street.
Toward the next fight.
Because now—
He understood one thing clearly.
If he wanted to survive—
He had to get stronger.
Fast.
[NOTICE]
[USER "ADRIAN VANCE" HAS BEEN MARKED]
[INTEREST LEVEL: INCREASING]
Somewhere beyond the broken sky—
Something was watching him.
Closely.
And it was smiling.