I stood there for long seconds, staring at the shattered corpse in front of me, unable to fully comprehend what I had done. The scene was brutal, far beyond my ability to process. My hands were trembling nonstop—not from the cold this time… but from shock.
I needed long moments, perhaps more, before my mind began to catch up with what had actually happened.
I… killed it.
The thought collided with my mind slowly, then with crushing weight. At first, I didn't believe it. I kept staring at the body as if I were waiting for it to move, to suddenly rise and prove that everything that had happened was nothing more than a fleeting illusion. But the body remained still, deformed, with no trace of life.
Only then did true realization seep in.
And before I could fully process that feeling—
Ding… Ding—
A sharp sound rang inside my head.
You have successfully killed "Ldirendo."
Evolution Points acquired: +60
I froze in place.
I looked toward the system notification without thinking, before a sudden feeling washed over me…
Joy.
A raw, primal joy surged from deep within me without permission. A sense of achievement, of survival, of victory. For the first time since I woke up in this cursed world, I felt that I wasn't just prey.
I fought a monster… and killed it, without getting injured—for the first time.
Some might say:
"But it was already injured."
"You ambushed it."
"What kind of achievement is that?"
If someone were here, I would smile coldly and say:
Go to hell, you and your thoughts.
Yes, it was injured.
But I was injured too.
My body was frozen, weak. I had no combat experience, no real weapon, and no idea what I was doing. And yet… I killed it.
So why shouldn't I be happy?
Does my happiness offend you?
After everything I've been through… let me be happy for a moment.
I remained like that for a short while, breathing deeply, allowing myself to enjoy that rare moment of relief. But reality soon knocked on my head mercilessly.
This place is not safe.
I bent down and picked up the branch I had used, leaning on it as I prepared to leave. My body still ached, but I was ready to move. However, before I could take a single step away—
I noticed something.
A faint glow was rising from the corpse.
I stopped in my tracks and looked carefully. From among the remains of the shattered head, there was something circular in shape, floating slightly above the mangled flesh, glowing with a dull gray color.
I approached cautiously, all my senses on high alert.
I knelt in front of the corpse, staring at that strange object, my heart pounding rapidly.
What is this…?
I slowly extended my hand toward it, hesitating, then stopped at the last moment and pulled it back quickly. I couldn't trust anything in this world. What if it was another monster? Or something that only needed a single touch to kill me?
So I picked up a nearby branch and cautiously reached out, touching the glowing object with it.
Nothing happened.
It didn't explode, didn't move, didn't attack me.
I let out a small sigh of relief. Okay… at least it's not instantly lethal.
But that doesn't mean it's safe. It could be poisonous.
"Stop thinking and just grab it."
I shook my head irritably, scolding myself internally.
"What are you afraid of? In the worst case, you'll die. So stop being a coward and grab it already."
I hesitated again.
"What if it causes intense pain? It might not kill you, but it could be worse."
I exhaled in frustration.
"What pain? Aren't you already in pain? And what if it has some benefit, and you regret not taking it later?"
I was literally arguing with myself, as if two people were fighting inside my head. An old habit of mine—I do it whenever I'm anxious or afraid. But after this pointless debate, I felt a small spark of courage… and it was enough.
I finally extended my hand and grabbed the gray sphere.
The moment I touched it, a strange sensation washed over me. Not pain, not warmth, but something like a faint flow—a weak energy running through my body. It was so subtle that I wouldn't have felt it at all if I weren't in this condition to begin with.
"System… what is this?"
No answer.
I frowned. I almost cursed it, but suddenly stopped. An idea crossed my mind.
I cleared my throat, then spoke in a low voice, as if addressing a sacred being:
"Oh great system, unparalleled anywhere… would you kindly tell me what this thing is, O venerable and merciful one?"
I praised it in hopes of getting a response.
I waited one second… then the system screen finally appeared.
This is called "Jinn."
It helps monsters evolve whenever they fight.
I blinked.
"That's it?"
I waited for more, but the screen vanished.
"And what do I gain from it? How do I use it?"
No answer.
I sighed in annoyance.
"Damn you…"
I clenched the Jinn tightly in my hand, staring at it in silence, realizing that this thing—whatever it was—would not be worthless… so I wanted to take it with me. After all, I wouldn't lose anything either way.