['I'm going to qualify no matter what!' Lucas muttered, clinging to a tree like some desperate monkey.] the system's voice wouldn't shut up.
"Just what is your problem!?" he shouted, sitting higher in the tree, glaring down at the mana beasts prowling the forest floor. Clearly, he had had enough of the system's constant chatter.
[Nothing… just wanted to say you're a scaredy-cat and can't exactly be called a 'man.']
"That's crossing the line!" Lucas yelled, but after a deep breath, he muttered under his breath, calming down. "But… you can't really blame me, can you? You saw those creatures too, right? Their stats are way above mine, they're casting spells like it's nothing, and—oh yeah—one of them literally just threw a fireball while I don't even know a single basic spell!"
[IDK. Don't ask me.]
"Yoouuuu!" Lucas groaned, running a hand through his hair. "I guess… I can't really blame you after all. Fine. It's my fault for being weak. No… wait… maybe it's the fault of this body's actual owner!"
[Since it's yours now, you have to train it. Make yourself strong. Why blame others when this vessel is your responsibility?]
Lucas rolled his eyes so hard he was afraid they'd get stuck. "Sometimes I swear… you're not a system guide or a helper. You're just… a sarcastic burden!"
[Thank you.]
"That was not a compliment!"
Lucas sighed, looking down at the forest floor. Clinging to a tree like some scared squirrel wasn't going to help him survive the next five days. He needed food, water, and some way to avoid getting completely destroyed by mana beasts. Descending was dangerous, but necessary.
Slowly, he let himself slide down the trunk, landing lightly on the forest floor. Everywhere he looked, trees stretched in all directions. He had gone deep into the academy forest, far from the gates.
"Gods… I'm starving," he muttered, holding his stomach. "It's been seven hours since the test started, and I haven't eaten a thing. If I don't find food soon… I'm not surviving this."
Then, in the distance, his eyes caught a glint of red and purple. Berries. Bright, plump, begging to be eaten.
Lucas's deadpan expression instantly lit up. A grin spread across his face from ear to ear. "FOOD!" he yelled, breaking into a run.
Just as he neared the berry bush, he froze. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted movement. A goblin, crouched behind the bushes, shoveling berries into its mouth, fists clenched in gleeful rage.
"The… Fuck!?" he hissed, ducking behind a tree. "That rotten beast! He's going to eat everything, and I'll be left with nothing while I starve to death!"
[So… what now? Battle it for food?]
Lucas rubbed his hands together, contemplating. Sighing, he shook his head. "Nah… I'll probably find more on my way."
But then, suddenly, he felt an invisible hand clamp around his body. He froze, eyes wide.
"Huh? What!?"
[Task: Kill the Goblin (E rank) 0/1]
[Penalty: Immediate Death if not completed]
"Are you joking?" Lucas shouted, looking around wildly. He had no choice. He had to fight the goblin—or die.
Lucas gritted his teeth as he spotted a large stone nearby. Lifting it with both hands, he inched slowly toward the goblin, crouching low behind the bushes. Okay… okay… slowly… I got this, he muttered under his breath, focusing every ounce of courage.
But fate, as always, seemed to have other plans. His foot snapped a dry stick with a loud crack!
"Shit!" he hissed, eyes widening.
The goblin whipped around instantly, green eyes glinting, claws raised. It hissed, skidding back to create distance, teeth bared in a vicious snarl.
Lucas froze, the stone slipping from his trembling hands. He raised his hands helplessly.
"Hey there… sorry dude, I didn't mean to interrupt your snack… It's just—uh… hey, wait, why am I even talking to him?"
[Because you are an idiot.]
Lucas groaned. Perfect. Just perfect.
Before he could plan anything further, the goblin dashed toward him with unnatural speed, claws slicing through the air. Lucas barely had time to react. His eyes widened as the creature closed the distance in a heartbeat. He swung his arm to dodge, but it wasn't enough. A sharp claw raked across his forearm, blood spurting instantly.
"Aarrgh!" pain shot through him, making him stumble backward.
The goblin sniffed the blood on its claws and smirked, its eyes glinting with sadistic delight. Lucas's chest tightened with terror as adrenaline surged. He turned to run—but the creature was impossibly fast, materializing in front of him like a shadow.
Summoning the tiniest shred of courage, Lucas swung his fist. "Take thi—"
The goblin's claws were faster. Another slash tore across his chest. Pain exploded through his body, and he collapsed, shaking violently.
"Aaaarrgghh! Stop! Please, stop! I beg you! It hurts, it really hurts!" He crawled backward, tears stinging his eyes as blood dripped from both his arm and chest. "Please… anyone! Someone help me! Please!"
'No… this… this can't be it… I don't want to die… not like this…'
The goblin crouched over him, smirking, claws raised for the final strike. Lucas's eyes flicked downward, noticing the creature's foot just inches from his face—a small opening, his only chance.
With a roar of desperation, he kicked the goblin's leg as hard as he could. The creature toppled forward, landing on top of him. Pain shot through Lucas as their heads collided, but he used the momentum. Blood trickled from the goblin's head, and the creature groaned in stunned confusion.
Lucas ignored his own throbbing skull. This was his only chance. Clambering on top of the goblin, he unleashed a flurry of brutal fists. "There! There! Take this!" His hands cut through the air, striking again and again. Pain lanced through his knuckles as they began to bleed, but he didn't stop. The goblin's resistance faltered—it was barely conscious.
Spotting a large stone nearby, Lucas wasted no time. He lifted it with shaking arms and hurled it with every ounce of strength he had left. The stone smashed into the goblin's skull with a sickening crack, and the creature went still.
Lucas collapsed onto the ground, chest heaving. Blood coated his arms and clothes, pain burning through him like fire. "I guess… this is it for me…" he whispered, closing his eyes, unable to hold himself up any longer.
_____________________________________
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
_____________________________________
[Congratulations! You have successfully defeated the goblin.]
[+5 Experience → 5/40 for Level 2]
[Stats Increased]
[Mana: 10 → 15]
[Strength: 4 → 5]
[Agility: 3 → 5]
[Defense: 5 → 6]
[Stamina: 7 → 9]
[Reward Acquired: Whisperfang]
Type: Weapon – Dagger
Rarity: Uncommon
[Player Health Regeneration in progress…]
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