《Growth: Era of Awakening》
Chapter 1: The Hunted
The forest was as quiet as ever, with towering trees stretching endlessly in every direction, their leaves gently swaying in the soft breeze. Rays of sunlight filtered through small gaps in the dense canopy, scattering delicate beams of light across the forest floor.
Silent footsteps moved through the hushed forest, each step deliberate and careful. A slender figure emerged from the shadows, his tattered cloak shifting in the faint breeze.
The hood was pulled low over his face, its frayed edges a testament to years of wear. Beneath the cloak, a simple leather tunic hugged his frame, offering protection against the occasional thorny underbrush.
His coarse, patched, and worn trousers whispered against the forest floor as he moved, blending seamlessly into the stillness around him.
Rays of light seeped through the cracks in the canopy and landed on the slender figure''s face, revealing his youthful appearance¡ªsharp eyes and an angular face. His dark, messy hair seemed to blend naturally into the surrounding shadows.
As he walked, his eyes scanned for any sign of movement. He moved through the forest with careful, deliberate steps.
Hunting had always been about patience¡ªa virtue his grandfather had drilled into him over years of training.
But this time, it wasn''t just any hunt. Today, Akkeyito is hunting alone. His grandfather had given him the task of hunting solo to gain experience. His main objective was to return with the prey unharmed.
''This time, I must succeed. If I succeed, I will be able to leave this forest¡ But then what?''
His grip tightened around his bow. The thought of leaving had always been in his mind, wanting to explore life in the outside world far away from this forest. Yet now, standing in the vast silence of the woods, a flicker of uncertainty gnawed at him. Would the world outside be any more kinder than the one he knew?
With this in mind, Akkeyito quietly continued searching for his prey.
As he moved through the forest, he occasionally encountered different animals, but none were what he was looking for.
After venturing for about ten minutes, he suddenly stopped. Crouching down, his eyes narrowed as he examined the ground.
Deep, massive footprints were embedded in the earth. Even if two people placed their feet together, they wouldn''t completely fill the imprint.
''Footprints...? What kind of animal could leave these? And they''ve sunk quite deep¡ even bears don''t have tracks like this.''
Following the trail, Akkeyito moved cautiously, tracking the prints deeper into the forest. But after a few minutes, they suddenly vanished without a trace.
He frowned. How is that possible?
With no more leads, he let out a quiet sigh and resumed his search
Shoving through the thick tall grass, a rattling sound reached his ears. He stopped suddenly and moved silently in the direction of the noise.
Hiding in a bush, Akkeyito watched his target.
''There you are, asshole.''
Not far off, at the foot of a tall tree, stood a massive bear its height nearly reaching the tree''s canopy. The bear scratched its sharp claws along the tree''s trunk, leaving deep marks behind.
Reaching to the back of his head, Akkeyito drew his bow and nocked a single arrow. He aimed steadily at the bear, taking a deep breath. All he could hear was the sound of his breathing and the pounding of his heart.
Silently and patiently, he waited for the right moment.
Time seemed to stretch, each second dragging on as the tension built. Then, after what felt like an eternity, the sharp whistle of the arrow cutting through the air broke the silence.
"ROARGH!!"
The arrow struck the bear in its left eye. The beast let out a primal roar, wincing in pain as it frantically searched for the source of the attack. When its eyes landed on Akkeyito''s hiding spot in the bushes, it charged with reckless fury.
But Akkeyito was already a step ahead.
As the bear charged toward him, Akkeyito was already in the move, weaving through the forest with precise movements.
Moving as if it were second nature, he expertly utilized the terrain, scaling a tree with ease and positioning himself in an advantageous spot. Leaping between the branches of the trees, he fired a series of deadly arrows at the massive beast, each shot aimed with precision.
Just as he was nocking another arrow, the bear suddenly let out a pained roar, clawing at its head before collapsing onto the ground, writhing as if in agony.
Seeing an opening, Akkeyito didn''t hesitate. He unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows, nearly emptying his quiver in his attack.
Just as he was about to release another arrow, the bear suddenly rose and unleashed a thunderous bellow. A surge of raw power erupted alongside it, a violent shockwave tearing through the forest. Trees snapped, branches shattered, and the force sent Akkeyito flying from his perch.
He crashed hard against the ground, tumbling uncontrollably before slamming into a tree, the impact rattling his bones. A sharp pain shot through his back as he struggled to regain his senses.
"What just happened...?"
With a groan, Akkeyito pushed himself into a sitting position. His eyes widened as he turned to face the bear, still reeling from the impact. What stood before him now was no longer the creature he had been battling just moments ago.
The bear, now on its feet, was unrecognizable its size had nearly doubled, its muscles rippling with unnatural strength, something as if like its veins glowing all over its body. Its eyes burned with a feral intensity, and its once mundane form had transformed into something far more menacing.
Grimacing from the pain, Akkeyito pushed himself to his feet, his body aching with every movement. Despite the searing pain, he quickly readied his bow, eyes locked on the transformed bear.
''What in the world...?''
He couldn''t believe what he was seeing. With a surge of determination, he dashed forward, nocking arrow after arrow, each one aimed at the beast''s massive form. But when the arrows struck, they merely bounced off its thick hide, leaving no mark. The bear''s skin seemed impervious, mocking his every attempt.
Suddenly halting in his tracks, Akkeyito glanced down at his quiver. Only a handful of arrows are left. The realization hit him like a wave. He knew he couldn''t keep this up much longer. His hands trembled slightly as he reached out at the back of his hand. Looking at the bear a gnawing fear grips his chest. With the bear defenses proving impenetrable, he was left with no choice but to retreat.
He turned and sprinted into the forest, his heart pounding crazily. How could he possibly kill something like that? The idea of giving up gnawed at him. He had to think fast if he couldn''t find a way to strike the beast down, survival would be his only savior.
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Seeing its attacker flee, the bear let out a low growl, its eyes narrowing in predatory focus. With a powerful lunge, it charged forward, closing the distance between them in a matter of seconds. The hunter had become the hunted.
Akkeyito''s breath came in ragged gasps as he pushed himself harder, but the heavy thud of the bear''s massive paws grew louder behind him. He knew it wouldn''t be long before the beast caught up.
''Is this the end?''
The thought echoed in his mind. It felt so unfair the bear had suddenly transformed just as it was on the brink of death.
''It''s like life itself is mocking me, telling me I don''t deserve to leave this place.''
For a moment, hopelessness gripped him. He stopped in his tracks, standing still as the ground trembled beneath him. The air felt thick, suffocating, as if the forest itself had conspired against him.
But then, a surge of defiance broke through the despair.
''To hell with it! I won''t give up. Not like this!!''
Turning around he took his stance, nocking a new arrow to his bow, he aimed straight ahead with unyielding resolve burning on his eyes he stood still, waiting. The bear thundered closer, its massive paws shaking the ground.
''Not yet¡ Now!''
With a sharp exhale, Akkeyito released the arrow. It flew true, sinking deep into the bear''s right eye. The creature howled as it lost its sight completely.
Akkeyito reacted in an instant, dashing forward with fluid precision. In one seamless motion, he unsheathed his hunting knife and slid beneath the massive bear. The moment he was low enough, he pushed his limits, leaping toward the bear''s underbelly.
His knife slashed down in rapid succession, cutting deep with each strike. The bear howled in pain, thrashing violently as Akkeyito''s blade found its mark. With the last slash, he pushed off the bear''s belly, leaping backward just in time to avoid a deadly swipe of its claws, the air crackling with the beast''s fury.
Without its vision, the bear stood no chance against Akkeyito''s relentless attacks. The final moments were swift within minutes, the bear collapsed, falling lifeless to the forest floor.
Ragged breaths escaped Akkeyito as he gazed at the massive transformed bear lying dead before him, he can''t believe he killed it. His eyes scanned the surrounding forest, ensuring no other threats lingered before he approached the fallen creature. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the massive beast.
"Serves you right", he muttered under his ragged breath, the weight of the battle lifting from his shoulder. He allowed himself to fall down behind his back.
Lying down, a delighted smile flickered across his youthful face.
After resting for a few minutes, Akkeyito pushed himself up, his body still aching from the battle. He turned his attention to the massive beast, still lying motionless on the forest floor.
''What in the world happened to this bear?''
He crouched beside the creature, his eyes scanning its strange, twisted form. Unlike its usual appearance, the bear''s body was now covered in dark crimson fur, a stark contrast to its normal pelt. Its size had nearly doubled, and its claws had mutated, growing unnaturally long and sharp, gleaming ominously in the dim light. Akkeyito frowned, his mind racing. Whatever had caused this transformation, it was far beyond anything he had encountered before.
Rising to his feet, Akkeyito circled the beast, his eyes lingering on its massive frame.
After pondering for a moment, Akkeyito decided to try to dismantle the bear. He knelt beside the massive creature, unsheathing the knife at his waist, his hands steady as he carefully slid his knife into the thick fur.
The blade met resistance at first, veins are seen bulging as he mustered all the strength he could and it soon glided smoothly through the flesh. He worked with precision, gutting the bear and methodically skinning it with much more effort.
The task was meticulous, but Akkeyito moved with practiced ease, his movements deliberate and precise, each cut reflecting the honed discipline instilled in him through years of hunting alongside his grandfather.
A few minutes later, he finished.
The bear was too large to take home in its entirety, so Akkeyito opted to remove a small portion to carry back. He also took the bear''s fangs, a trophy of sorts, before preparing the rest of the carcass.
As he wipes the blood off his blade, a sudden chill crawled up his spine. The forest had fallen eerily silent. No sound of falling leaves, no howling of the winds, even the usual chirps of the birds can''t be heard.
Akkeyito stiffened, a shadow suddenly lunged at him, pouncing with terrifying speed.
''What?!''
Caught by surprise, Akkeyito reacted too late to dodge. He jumped back, but not fast enough, sharp claws grazed his shoulder, leaving a streak of blood.
Crouching to regain his balance, he quickly assessed the situation. His eyes locked onto the creature that had attacked him.
As his vision cleared, he saw a massive wolf, its size not paling in comparison to the transformed bear, exuding an overwhelming presence, its crimson eyes glowing with an eerie, feral light. It stood ominously next to the dead bear, its menacing stare fixed on Akkeyito. The wolf''s growl rumbled in the air, a low, guttural sound that sent a chill down his spine.
''What is that...? A wolf? No, it''s too massive! There''s no way a wolf could be that big!''
A sharp pain surged through Akkeyito as he gripped his bleeding shoulder.
''I didn''t sense it... Where did it come from? Has it been waiting for me to kill the bear, waiting for me to let my guard down? All these strange creatures¡''
As Akkeyito grimaced, trying to make sense of the situation, the wolf suddenly lunged forward with blinding speed.
''FAST!!''
The wolf''s jaws snapped open, aiming to tear into Akkeyito, but he barely managed to dodge.
The creature''s teeth clamped down on the tree just behind him, sinking into the bark with a sickening crunch.
Akkeyito look at the wolf and notice the footprints it leaves. His eyes widening as realization struck him.
''That''s the footmark before!''
He thought that the marks belonged to the bear. But seeing this is from another strange beast. Akkeyito reach a dreadful realization, he realize that if there are two of this things roaming around, then there might be even more and that strange things is happening on the forest.
Without wasting a second, Akkeyito turned and sprinted away, leaving the wolf snarling as it pulled its bloody maw from the tree.
The wolf''s crimson eyes shifted toward the direction Akkeyito had fled, its gaze cold and calculating. After a brief moment, it dismissed the fleeing figure, turning instead to the remains of the massive bear. It sniffed the air, its nostrils flaring, as if savoring the scent of its fallen kin.
Meanwhile, Akkeyito''s movements were frantic, his heart pounding in his chest as he raced through the forest. His injured shoulder throbbed with every step, but there was no time to stop.
The pain was sharp, and with each footsteps, a trail of blood marked his path, staining the earth behind him, a stark contrast to the shadowy surroundings.
Chapter 2: Shattered Sky
Akkeyito ran as fast as he could. Because of the wolf''s sudden attack, he had dropped all his hard-earned loot and some of his tools and weapons, leaving him with only his knife.
¡®Damnit, that damn wolf.¡¯
Wincing in pain, Akkeyito pushed himself up to his feet, clutching his injured shoulder.
¡®I must get out of here. Who knows how long it¡¯ll take for that crazy wolf to catch up to me? But¡ That wolf was so fast, yet it still hasn¡¯t caught up to me¡¡¯
Akkeyito hesitated for a moment, shifting slightly to glance over his shoulder. A dark, ominous aura seemed to permeate the air, sending chills down his spine.
¡®This is so strange¡ The forest feels strange¡ I¡¯ve spent my entire life here, yet this is the first time I¡¯ve ever seen creatures like those two. Even Grandpa never mentioned anything about them.¡¯
With one final glance over his shoulder, Akkeyito bolted to the forest
***
Akkeyito had been running for about more than an hour already, taking sharp turns and detours hoping the possibility of throwing off the wolf. Ever since the attack, he had mistakenly run in the opposite direction from where he¡¯d originally come, leaving him stranded and forcing him to circle the area to avoid the wolf.
His wound, now covered with thick, large leaves acting as a makeshift bandage, throbbed with every movement as he carefully threaded his way through the forest.
''Damn, it¡¯s already been an hour. If I don¡¯t make it back in another hour, Grandpa might come looking for me. If Grandpa encounters that damn wolf... it¡¯ll be dangerous, even for him. And with his age, he won¡¯t be able to run away.''
Knitting his brows in worry, Akkeyito quickened his pace, scanning his surroundings for any signs of the wolf or a path that might lead him back home.
But as soon as Akkeyito took a step. The ground began to tremble.
Akkeyito¡¯s body froze, his chest tightening as his heartbeat thundered in his ears. The trembling grew stronger and stronger, turning into a full-blown earthquake.
The massive and peaceful forest trees swayed violently, their roots straining against the shifting earth. Leaves rained down in a chaotic cascade, and distant crashes echoed like rolling thunder throughout the forest.
With a trembling voice, he whispered.
¡®What''s happening?¡¯
Cracks split and ran through the ground where Akkeyito stood. Panicking, Akkeyito jumps back to safety and looks ahead.
There is something incomprehensible happening before his eyes. A faint, glowing spark hovered in midair, growing brighter and larger with each passing second. Little by little, it stretched, rising high into the sky.
Forming what looked like a jagged wound torn through the fabric of reality.
The crack radiated an aura so ominous that Akkeyito forgot to breathe. It pulsed, as if it was alive, beckoning Akkeyito to come near it sending shivers down his spine, every instinct screaming for him to stay away and immediately run away.
For the first time in his life, Akkeyito felt fear.
Not of the forest.
Not of the creatures that lurked within it.
But of the unknown.
And this¡ was only the beginning.
***
At the foot of a small mountain in the dense forest, a small cabin stood, nestled among the trees.
Inside, an old man sat, quietly his hands moving.
In one hand, held a machete, its blade catching the dim light. On the other hand, a clean cloth, which he used to carefully wipe the weapon.
The man wore a simple vest and underneath it was a white shirt, and a sleek trouser made of a plain fabric.
His face was lined with deep wrinkles, a testament to the years he had lived. Yet, despite the passage of time, his demeanor still radiated confidence, unwavering and resolute.
This old man is Akkeyito¡¯s grandfather.
He shifted slightly, his gaze looking at the clock hanging on the wall. Below it mounted in a careful display, hung a well-worn hunting rifle. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
With a sigh, he muttered.
¡°That brat, he sure is taking his time.¡±
The old man knitted his brows, his expression hardening. After all, it''s already been a few hours since Akkeyito left and hunted on his own.
Even tho he knows that Akkeyito is quite skilled remarkably so for him only being in his late teens. He still can''t help but worry about his grandson.
With a quiet sigh, he placed the machete and cloth down on the wooden table in front of him.
The room fell into silence.
Then, with a creak of the old wooden chair, he pushes himself up.
Just as he was about to step forward. The ground slightly trembled beneath him, the mugs displayed on the shelves rattled, and then it gradually turned into a violent earthquake. Mugs crushed onto the floor, shattering on impact. The clock hanging on the wall swayed widely before plummeting and hitting the ground.
He immediately leaves the cabin, after leaving through the front door. The forest, the peaceful forest is now in chaos, with birds flying frantically in all directions and some convulsing as they fall.
¡°What.. is going on?¡±
In the distance, a massive cracked stood tall tearing the sky apart, can¡¯t believe what he was seeing the old man took a step back. Remembering something, his gaze darted to the side, landing on his dog.
¡°Inu! Let¡¯s go!¡±
But Inu didn¡¯t move. The dog lay motionless on the ground, completely unresponsive.
As he knelt beside him, he reached out his old hands to caress Inu.
¡°He¡¯s alive...¡± He breathed in relief, he called out.
¡°Hey, Inu!¡±
He shook him gently but to no avail. Having a bad feeling about what''s happening,
He didn¡¯t wait for another second, he bolted back inside the cabin, grabbed his machete, the rifle that had fallen on the ground, and dashed toward the forest. Whatever was happening, he first must find Akkeyito.
But as soon as he was just about to enter the forest. His vision blurred, and a sudden wave of dizziness crashed over him.
Before he could take another step, his body collapsed.
Just as he was losing consciousness, all he thought about was his grandson.
His dog Inu who is at the doorstep lying around suddenly convulsed.
***
The once quiet forest had descended into chaos. Even after the rift manifested, the earthquake showed no signs of stopping. The ground trembled violently beneath Akkeyito¡¯s feet as he stood near the ominous crack.
A suffocating fear gripped his chest. It felt as if an unseen force was reaching out, holding him in place whispering to him, urging him to stay.
Beads of sweat trickled down his face. He had no idea what lay beyond the rift or what was about to emerge from it, but every instinct screamed at him to run.
Mustering every ounce of willpower, he broke free from his paralysis and runs into the forest.
¡®What the hell is that!? I need to stay away as far as I can to that thing! Just looking at it feels like I¡¯m suffocating!¡¯
As he ran, panic gripping his chest, he noticed an even more unsettling sight. The animals around the area were behaving strangely.
Deer rammed their heads into trees, its movements erratic and frenzied. Some other animals collapsed to the ground, motionless, as if dead. Birds fell from the sky, their bodies convulsing before they even hit the ground.
While witnessing the scene around him Akkeyito feels even more dread.
After putting a considerable amount of distance between himself and the ominous crack, he continued his escape through the forest. But his body, pushed to its limit betrayed him, taking also into consideration the blood he lost due to the wound on his shoulder. He stumbled forward crashing onto dirt.
Gritting his teeth, he forced himself back up, only for a sudden, sharp pain in his head to assault him.
¡®My head¡ it hurts.¡¯
As if the world was spinning, his vision blurred as a wave of dizziness washed over him. His limbs felt heavy, his breath, shallow. He steadied his feet and pushed himself forward to keep running, but his body refused to obey.
Darkness crept into the edges of his vision. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the cold ground.
Fighting to stay awake, he lifted a trembling hand as if reaching for something¡ªsomeone.
A single thought surfaced before everything faded to black.
¡®Grandpa¡¡¯
***
Unbeknownst to Akkeyito the very same phenomenon he experienced was unfolding across the world.
Catastrophic earthquakes shook the planet, triggering devastating landslides along towering cliffs, tsunamis that swallowed coastal cities, and cracks of void manifesting in countless locations across the globe.
Beneath the depths of the ocean, where no sunlight could ever reach, massive rifts split open on the seafloor. Different entities slithered through the dark abyss, their forms twisting and shifting as if awakening from an ancient slumber. The ocean stir violently, sending monstrous wave after wave toward the shores.
High in the sky, the heavens themselves seemed fractured. Floating cracks of void shimmered ominously among the clouds, their presence distorting the very air around them.
Aircrafts are pulled toward the unknown, vanishing into the cracks of the void, never to be seen again.
Asia''s largest metropolitan city, where millions of people live their daily lives, is now in chaos. Skyscrapers swayed violently against the quaking earth. Roads split open, entire buildings collapsing into the gaping chasms.
The same happens in North America and other continents, Cities descend into panic. Even in the frozen wastelands of Antarctica, where life was thought to be untouched by civilization, the ice cracked open with deafening force. Cracks of void split through the endless white, devouring everything in its path.
Nowhere was safe.
Massive and small void cracks manifested indiscriminately, tearing through the land, sea, and sky. These rifts, regardless of size, were identical. Yet, there was one thing no human could see the eerie aura seeping through them.
Mankind was completely caught off guard. No one knew what would happen next, and even more so, no one knew if they would survive long enough to find out.
After what felt like an eternity, the earthquakes finally ceased, leaving cities in ruins.
But eerily, after the destruction, silence reigned. There were no birds, no engines, no bustling voices, only an unsettling stillness.
Strangely, every human lay motionless, as if the world itself had stopped.
The aura seeping through the cracks had spread, enveloping nearly all of Earth.
A silent shift rippled through the world, an unseen force rewriting the very fabric of existence.
And with it¡ªbegan the dawn of a new era.
Chapter 3: Recognition
Akkeyito lay motionless on the cold grass.
After a few seconds, his eyes fluttered open. With a groan, he slowly but with unsteady motion, pushed himself upright, and sat there, dazed, as the eerie silence of the world settled around him.
¡®What happened to me? The last thing I remember was the sharp pain in my head¡ and the world turning upside down¡ and then nothing¡¡¯
Suddenly recalling the events before his collapse, Akkeyito¡¯s eyes widened. He hurriedly looked around, scanning his surroundings, before turning his gaze back to the spot where the void crack had manifested and torn through the sky.
His breath caught in his throat.
¡®So... it wasn¡¯t a dream¡¡¯ he whispered, his voice hoarse with disbelief.
Just as the weight of it all began to settle in, a cold, mechanical but beautiful voice echoed in his mind, sending a jolt through his body.
[System: System integration complete. Calculating internal memoirs¡]
A chill ran down his spine.
¡®Who?!!¡¯ he sprained back, his body instinctively shifting into a defensive stance.
His sharp gaze swept across the forest, trying to find the source of the voice. But there was nothing, all he sees are the boundless towering trees looming over him.
His fingers curled tighter around his knife, his knuckles whitening. The air was thick, suffocating, pressing against his skin like an unseen force.
¡®I know I heard something¡¡¯
Slowly stepping back. The ground beneath him felt heavier, as if the very earth was trying to hold him in place.
¡®Was it just my imagination?¡¯
He spare one more glance. But still nothing.
But just as he was about to relaxed..
A voice echoed in his mind.
[System: Host has been exposed to pure mana. Recognition granted]
[System: Calculating internal memoir successful..]
[System: Calibrating host status information¡ Acquiring records¡]
[System: Calibrating host status information Successful]
A sudden cold sensation crawled up his spine. His breath hitched, and his body instinctively tensed.
The voice wasn¡¯t coming from around him. It was inside his head.
And then, before he could react¡ª
A translucent screen blinked into existence before his eyes, its glowing text hovering eerily in the dim light of the forest.
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª
[Status Information]
Name: Akkeyito
Title: None
Job: None
Level: 1
Exp: 0% / 100%
[Attributes]
[Skills]
[Unique Skills]
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª
He jerked back in shock, nearly losing his balance on the cold grass. His breath hitched as his eyes remained locked on the strange screen floating before him.
Akkeyito couldn¡¯t comprehend what had just transpired.
¡®What¡ is this?¡¯
A chilling sensation coiled around his spine, but he forced himself to stay calm. Taking a slow breath, he steadied himself and sat upright, his gaze fixated on the glowing text that now filled his vision.
Hesitantly, he reached out. His fingers passed right through the shimmering letters, like touching nothing but air.
¡®Is this¡ real?¡¯
Confusion furrowed his brows. In just one day so many strange things happen that is beyond what mundane humans are capable of understanding.
With cautious curiosity, he slowly began to read.
The words were clear, their meaning unmistakable, yet something about them felt foreign to him.
Unlike most people, Akkeyito had never encountered the concept of games. Living deep in the forest, far from modern civilization, he had no knowledge of status screens and levels.
¡®Is this¡ some kind of magic?¡¯The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
He swallowed hard.
Knitting his brow, a strange unfamiliar sensation are coursing through his veins like subtle current. It wasn¡¯t pain, nor was it discomfort, as if his body has grown stronger. Even his injuries on his shoulder now longer exist, what left in it is a visible mark of what once in there.
Looking towards the massive cracks in the sky. Akkeyito focuses as he thinks about all of what he encounters today.
¡®Are this connected to the cracks in the sky? And also to that bear and wolf? Its too much of a coincidence for all of it to occur on the same day.¡¯
After pondering over it, he let out a slow breath and shook his head.
Thinking about it endlessly wouldn''t change anything not now, at least. He needed to prioritize understanding what was right in front of him.
With that, he shifted his focus back to the glowing screen, studying the status information to the best of his ability.
¡®Level 1¡ Does that mean how strong I am? And if it increases, will my strength grow as well?¡¯
His gaze traced the various attributes, his mind trying to make sense of them.
¡®Strength¡ It represents raw power, right?¡¯
That seemed straightforward enough. The higher the value, the stronger his body must be.
¡®Agility and Dexterity¡ Those probably have something to do with movement and precision.¡¯
They, too, seemed easy to grasp, but then his eyes landed on Intelligence.
His brows furrowed slightly.
¡®Intelligence¡ Does it measure how smart I am?¡¯
The thought was odd. How could a single number define something as complex as intelligence?
He scratched the back of his head, feeling a little lost. He eye the one that he most of all is confused about.
¡®Mana¡ what¡¯s that?
Unlike the other attributes, this one felt completely foreign to him. Strength, agility, and dexterity all made sense, but mana? He had never heard anything like it before.
''That voice even, said that I''ve been exposed to a mana...''
His mind raced for an answer, but before he could dwell on it further
A rustling sound came from the thick bushes ahead.
His instincts kicked in immediately.
With practiced ease, Akkeyito scaled the nearest tree, moving swiftly but silently. Pressing his body against the rough bark, he steadied his breathing, concealing himself within the dense canopy.
His eyes remained fixed on the ground below, muscles tense, as he waited for the source of the sound to pass.
The sound of footsteps gradually grew closer, each step unnervingly heavy for what should have been a normal forest creature.
Emerging from the thick underbrush was a deer or at least, something that resembled one.
Its body was covered in a coat of deep amber fur, but bulging veins ran wildly across its skin, pulsating in an unnatural, almost sickening manner. Its legs longer than any normal deer¡¯s moved with an unnatural gait, its joints bending in ways that seemed off.
But what struck Akkeyito the most were its horns.
They jutted out in jagged, twisted angles, their blackened tips pressing dangerously close to its back, as if they had grown incorrectly warped, unnatural.
A chill crawled down his spine.
¡®What¡ is that thing?¡¯
Akkeyito remained motionless, his breath shallow as he observed the grotesque creature before him.
As it neared his hiding spot, the twisted deer came to an abrupt halt. Its elongated legs stiffened, its unnerving, veiny form standing eerily still beneath the dim forest light.
Then, it lowered its head.
Its nostrils flared, inhaling the air in slow, deliberate sniffs as if sifting through scents unseen to the human eye. The veins pulsating across its umber body seemed to throb with each breath, its unnatural form twitching ever so slightly.
With a slow, fluid motion, it lifted its head once more.
Its mouth gaped open, revealing a maw stained in a dark, tainted red. The sight made Akkeyito¡¯s stomach turn. Its teeth are razor sharp and jagged. They were not the teeth of a simple herbivore. No... these were the fangs of a predator.
Fangs meant for tearing through flesh.
Akkeyito¡¯s grip on the tree bark tightened.
¡®That thing¡ it¡¯s a monster.¡¯
Hoping for it to leave, Akkeyito remains still as much as he can, and as if sensing his fear. The monster turns its head and looks directly at the spot where he is hiding.
A chill crawled up Akkeyito¡¯s spine,
Then-
A peircing screech tore through the eerie silence of the forest.
¡®Urgh!!¡¯
Akkeyito¡¯s hands flew to his ears, trying desperately to block out the deafening noise, but the sheer intensity of it rattled his skull. His vision blurred for a moment, his head pounding from the sheer force of the sound.
Before he could react further, the tree beneath him suddenly shook¡ªa small tremor at first, but rapidly growing stronger.
His eyes widened in horror.
¡®No way¡ª!!¡¯
CRACK!
The entire tree reeled, its thick roots groaning against the pull of gravity.
Akkeyito who lost his footing, has his body plummeting downward. With a heavy thud, he landed on the forest floor, he rolled to absorb the impact.
His body screamed in protest as he pushed himself up. Just as he steadied himself, he saw the deer shake its head, as if regaining focus after ramming the tree.
Then, its gaze snapped back to him.
A twisted hunger burned in its hollow eyes.
Without warning, it lunged forward with incredible speed.
Seeing this, Akkeyito kicked off the ground, dodging to the side just in time. He rolled across the dirt, then quickly pushed himself up, trying to break into a sprint, but he barely had a second to react.
The deer, having missed its target, twisted its body unnaturally, its legs bending at strange angles as it turned sharply.
Without hesitation, it charged again, its jagged horns barreling straight toward him.
¡®How am I supposed to fight this?!¡¯
After dodging the deer multiple times, Akkeyito''s breath grew ragged, his muscles burning from the relentless movement. He desperately searched for an opening to escape, but the creature¡¯s unwavering tenacity left him no chance.
Each time he evaded, the monster immediately adjusted, its grotesque limbs twisting unnaturally as it continued its relentless pursuit.
¡®If this keeps up, I''ll tire out before I even escape this damnation!¡¯
His heart pounded as he forced himself to keep moving, dodging by mere inches. But deep down, he knew he couldn¡¯t keep this up forever.
Taking a risk, he plunged his knife into the deer''s body as he dodged sideways.
To his surprise, the blade sank in with ease.
The deer shrieked in pain, its body convulsing from the unexpected attack.
¡®I can injure it! It might not be in the same league as the bear and the wolf!¡¯
A flicker of hope ignited within him.
Instead of waiting for the deer to attack again, Akkeyito dashed forward, using his speed and mobility to take the offensive.
After a few seconds, the deer was now covered in wounds, struggling to stand from time to time.
Yet, its eyes still burned with ferocity, showing no fear of death¡ªor perhaps, it simply lacked the ability to feel at all. Akkeyito seized the opportunity, moving swiftly as he closed the distance between him and the wounded deer.
With precise aim, he plunged his knife into its neck and slashed downward, a spray of dark crimson blood gushing from the deep wound.
He immediately backed off, staying cautious until the very end, refusing to let his guard down.
After a few seconds, the deer collapsed, its lifeless body motionless, finally signifying its death.
But before Akkeyito could even relax, the familiar mechanical yet beautiful voice once again resounded in his mind.
[System: You have slain a Level 5 Mutant Deer]