"That's... certainly new."
I reached out to it, it's floating form slowly approaching my open palm as it began to vibrate and glow.
'Don't tell me... is this going to be my transmigration bonus?'
It had to be right? There was no other answer; it wasn't a boss drop, it wasn't some special dungeon mechanic, it was literally just a glowing hourglass that came after defeating a boss.
The only possible answer was that it was a power-up.
[Task: Survive]
"What...?"
Without even a second more, multiple clocks started to appear all around the boss's room, and every tick of their hands summoned beasts, but I wasn't that worried at first.
They were just goblins.
"So a test... I can do that."
[Haste]
No hesitation, I sprinted, killing every goblin before they had time to group up. An organized pack would be troublesome even for a B-Rank like me.
SLASH!
SLASH!
Head after heads without a sweat, they were merely E-Rank; they were completely child's play.
At least fifty goblins fell without a fuss, but I knew not to get too comfortable; there was no way a special event like this would only end with goblins, it would obviously get harder the more my test progresses.
TICK!
TOCK!
The clocks' hands began to move once more, and with them, more monsters came, this time, more goblins, just with a different variation.
They came in packs this time, with them being better equipped and even riding wolves as mounts.
I laugh, both due to its current simplicity and to hype myself up for the challenges to come... but for now? I'll relish the easy difficulty.
Slash after slash, dodge after dodge, surprisingly, the difficulty didn't change at all; it was just more goblins and more goblins. I lost count of how many waves I killed already.
My last count was thirteen, but it was likely more.
I wasn't sure if the goblins would kill me or if the boredom would.
TICK!
TOCK!
"Again!?"
Eventually, after two more waves of endless goblins, I got fed up and, without hesitation, went to the middle of the chamber where the hourglass was, my eyes and mouth twitching with unrestrained anger.
"I've had enough of you."
I swung my sword at the hourglass, and the moment I made contact with it.
It exploded into a radiant burst of light, the clocks surrounding the room cracking like glass as I was sent flying into a stone wall, creating a crater at which I landed.
"Aghhh!"
It was painful, something I haven't experienced in a while due to my hunter rank. I wasn't sure if I should feel excited or terrified.
[Finally got fed up?]
The voice was booming and telepathic, its powerful vocals penetrating my mind directly as I felt myself black out for a quick second.
I got my answer... and it wasn't the one that I wanted.
I was terrified.
I couldn't even see who was talking to me; all I saw was a vague humanoid figure, but its appearance was too covered in light that it was impossible to even see anything.
But I could tell it was enjoying things... or more like, it had a motive.
[Do you want power?]
'What kind of question is that? Of course, I want power.'
I thought to myself, but to my surprise, it completely read my mind, or to be more accurate, it literally had read my mind.
[Good answer]
[I don't want to waste more time; the goblins were merely entertainment]
'What!? You bastard!'
[Getting mad at a being who can kill you with a snap? Good, seems I chose right]
'The hell are you talking about?'
I struggled to understand anything, and it got even more confusing when one of the boss's room walls exploded, and from it swarmed a dozen warriors bathed in light... they were like angels.
It was the closest description I could think of.
[Seems like I'm out of time... see you soon, vessel]
CLICK!
The moment I heard that sound, I blacked out without warning.
What the hell was that about? Time... angels... wait... angels? They were the rulers' personal army!
But... time? Is he supposed to be a monarch? So, instead of becoming the shadow monarch of being transmigrated, I'm being chosen by another completely new entity?
But the more I thought, the more I theorized while I was still unconscious... but surprisingly able to think.
I heard something.
"Sir!"
"Sir!"
GASP!
My eyes opened, and the first thing I saw? A hospital roof, and beside me a nurse.
This was the exact setup as it was in Solo Leveling, but there was a huge difference; other than the time shenanigans, the nurse looked completely different.
And even more? I was in the USA, not in Korea.