[System Notification]: Congratulations, Player! You have killed a rare magic beast: the Snowveil Spirit Rabbit.
You have obtained 1 Silver Treasure Box.
As soon as the system notification sounded, a treasure chest materialized in front of Zayen.
The chest was silver in color, gradually condensing from a virtual form into reality. Within a few seconds, the glowing light dissipated, and the silver chest landed firmly on the forest floor.
Curious, Zayen hurried forward and opened it.
The moment the treasure chest opened, a long sword resembling a katana slowly floated into the air.
Zayen froze, stunned by the sight before him.
Aside from the handle, the entire blade was tightly wrapped in a long, blood-red bandage that radiated an eerie aura.
As the sword floated to a stop in front of him, Zayen hesitated for only a moment before reaching out and gripping the hilt.
The instant his fingers closed around the handle, the blood-red bandage began to move on its own. It unraveled from the blade and snapped toward him, coiling violently around Zayen's right arm and wrapping it completely from wrist to shoulder.
As soon as the bandage wrapped around his hand completely, a sharp, searing pain surged up his arm, as if his flesh were being branded.
At the same time, a translucent system screen appeared before his eyes.
---
[Name]: Crimson Eclipse
[Type]: Blood-Bound Sword
[Grade]: Silver
[Effect]:
Attack +20
Defense +10
Speed +10
Pain Resistance +10
[System Notification]:The blade can only be wielded by those it recognizes.
It reacts to the host's blood, emotions, and killing intent.
---
"Damn…"
It took a few seconds before Zayen finally came back to his senses. His right arm was still throbbing beneath the blood-red bandage.
Looking at the system screen in front of him, Zayen's mind went completely blank.
He never imagined the effects of Crimson Eclipse could be this terrifying. His attack attribute had surged by 20 points, while both his defense and speed had increased by 10 points each. Even his pain resistance had even improved.
"Not bad! Not bad! It's a great blade!" Zayen happily stroked the blade of the Crimson Eclipse with a delighted expression.
But before he could think any further, distant voices suddenly reached his ears.
"Damn it, why has that white rabbit's speed become so fast?! It disappeared in an instant!"
"Follow the blood trail. It can't have run far."
Zayen's expression changed.
He knew those voices belonged to the people who had been chasing after the white beast. They were following the blood trail—and they were getting closer.
With a thought, the blood-red bandages wrapped around his hand loosened and completely unraveled, rewrapping themselves around the blade. He then brought the sword to his waist, where the bandages coiled around his waist as well, securing the sword in place.
Zayen glanced once more at the white rabbit's corpse before turning and leaving the area.
He had already taken a huge advantage over the others, so it was better not to run into them.
With an additional 20 points added to his speed, Zayen moved incredibly fast. He covered a long distance in one go before finally stopping and leaning against a tree to catch his breath.
At that moment, messages kept popping up in the chat channel, and he couldn't help but open it to take a look.
"Damn it! Who was it? Who stole our team's magic beast?!"
"Bastard! Don't let me find you, or you'll regret it!"
Zayen glanced at the messages, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
He was no saint. Of course he would seize such an opportunity when it presented itself.
Moreover, it seemed he was the only one in the entire group who hadn't teamed up with anyone.
As long as there was a chance to become stronger, he wouldn't let it slip by.
Only by constantly growing stronger could he survive. Otherwise, he might be the next one to die.
"No… I need to hunt more magic beasts and level up faster. I have to become stronger as soon as possible."
With a thought, he opened the map and coordinate interface, searching for areas deeper within the Endless Forest where magic beasts gathered more densely.
After studying it for a while and deciding on a route, Zayen began moving toward the deeper regions of the forest.
When he was about ten meters from his destination, Zayen climbed up a large tree.
The thick branches and dense leaves completely concealed his body, while the height allowed him to clearly observe the battlefield ahead.
He narrowed his eyes, focusing his vision as he tried to see what was happening below.
But in the next second, his eyes widened in shock, and he covered his mouth tightly.
There were four magic beasts surrounding seven people.
No—six people.
Because the seventh person was already in the jaws of a tiger-shaped magic beast.
Half of the man's body had been swallowed, his lifeless eyes staring blankly in Zayen's direction.
Hell… were they trying to get themselves killed?
Zayen cursed silently and turned his gaze away. If he kept looking, he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
At the same time, the system displayed information about the four magic beasts.
They were Shadowfur Wolf, Blazefang Tiger, Ice Leopard, and Hellfang Lion—each an LV3 magic beast.
Looking at them, Zayen knew he had no chance of winning against four magic beasts at once. If he forced an attack, the only outcome would be death.
I'm sorry…
It's not that I don't want to save you.
I just can't risk my own life.
This is your fault. You shouldn't have come here.
Zayen whispered these words in his heart and was about to leave.
However, no matter how careful he was, the shifting wind carried his scent toward the beasts.
The Hellfang Lion suddenly twisted its ferocious head, and two sharp rays of light burst from its eyes.
Zayen's heart sank.
"Damn it!"
At that moment, he had no time to hide himself. He kicked hard against the tree trunk, sending his body flying backward. The instant he landed, he didn't dare hesitate and sprinted away.
However, after only two steps, a gust of cold wind brushed past his ears, carrying a surge of killing intent that felt as though it could slice straight through his flesh.