['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.
Furious, he rose taller on the branch, eyes locked below where mana beasts moved like shadows through leaves. Its endless talking pushed him past patience - that noise again, always there.
[Nothing… just wanted to say you're a scaredy-cat and can't exactly be called a 'man.']
Lucas shouted, "That crosses the line!" Yet a slow breath slipped through his teeth, softening what came next - a quiet grumble fading into silence.
"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!"
[Now that it belongs to you, building its strength becomes your task. Shape yourself with effort. Who else should take the fault when you're the one holding it?]
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!"
A deep breath escaped Lucas as his eyes dropped to the leaf-covered ground below. Holding tight to bark like a frightened rodent wouldn't keep him alive for long. Survival meant finding something to eat, drinkable water, also staying clear of creatures twisted by raw magic. Climbing down opened him up to risk - yet staying put offered none. The trees would not protect him forever.
Down the rough bark he eased, feet meeting soft earth without sound. Trees crowded every patch of sight, walling him in. Deep inside the academy woods now, distant from any path or gate.
"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."
Away off, something flickered - red mixed with purple. Not flowers. Berries, round and shiny, sitting loose on their stems. They looked full enough to burst.
A smile cracked across Lucas's usually blank face. Suddenly, excitement took over. He shouted "FOOD!" - then sprinted forward without warning. The stillness vanished mid-breath.
A shape flickered at the edge of his vision - his steps stopped short. The bush stood close now, but something shifted nearby.
A berry-stuffed fist trembles as the goblin hunches low in the brush, jaws working furiously. Its shoulders twitch with each hurried bite, eyes wide amid the crunch of leaves.
"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 stared ahead, fingers moving against each other. He let out a breath, slow and quiet. Shaking his head, he muttered something low. Probably better luck later, he thought
Without warning, something unseen gripped him tight. His breath stopped. Wide-eyed, he stood still.
"Huh? What!?"
[Task: Kill the Goblin (E rank) 0/1]
[Penalty: Immediate Death if not completed]
Lucas yelled, eyes darting everywhere. "Are you joking?"
A rock sat close, catching Lucas's eye. With both arms, he raised it, moving bit by bit closer to the creature, ducked down behind green leaves. His jaw tightened - almost there... steady now... trust yourself - he whispered soundless words, heart pushing strength into shaky limbs.
Fate had its own ideas once again. A sharp snap split the air when his foot broke a brittle twig.
Footsteps froze mid-stride. His breath caught - sharp - a beat too loud. Pupils swelled like ink spilled in water.
Quick as a snap, the goblin spun, its yellow-green eyes flashing under jagged brows, fingers curled into sharp points. A harsh breath escaped it, sliding backward on loose stone, mouth twisted wide with rage, canines showing like broken shards.
Fingers numb, Lucas stood still as the rock slid away. Up went his arms, empty and shaking.
"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 let out a sound like a door left unlubricated. Not bad. Not good either. Still, exactly what you'd expect.
Just as thought began, the goblin lunged forward - fast, wrong somehow, limbs cutting the air like knives. Lucas froze, breath stuck mid-inhale, heart kicking before movement even registered. The thing covered ground too quick, space collapsing between them like paper crushed in a fist. He twisted sideways, arm lifting on instinct, bones reacting faster than mind would allow. Still, not fast enough. Metal-sharp talon bit into skin, opened flesh just below elbow, red blooming loud against pale fabric.
Staggering back, he felt a bolt of agony pierce his body - "Aarrgh!".
A sharp grin spread across the goblin's face as it tasted blood on jagged nails. Fear clutched Lucas by the throat just when his pulse spiked. He twisted away - only for the thing to blur forward, stepping out of darkness itself.
One shaky breath before he moved, Lucas threw his punch. "Here - "
Fast claws cut deep. A new wound ripped open on his chest. Fire shot through him, then down he went, trembling hard.
"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!"
Last thing he whispered, voice cracking - no, wait, stop, this isn't how it ends... fear crawling up his throat... please, anything but this silence closing in
A shape hunched above, teeth bared, fingers curled like hooks in the air. His gaze dropped, caught on the monster's foot hovering close - tight space, maybe enough.
A sudden kick, full force, snapped the goblin sideways. Down it crashed, heavy across his chest. His skull jarred against its own, sharp agony flashing behind his eyes - yet he rolled with the fall. A thin red line crept down from its scalp. Dazed, muttering nonsense sounds, it blinked without seeing.
Head pounding, Lucas pushed forward anyway. Chance like this might never come again. Up close now, he threw himself onto the goblin. Punch after punch flew, fast and heavy. "There! Feel that!" Knuckles snapped through empty space, then found flesh. Again. Then once more. Blood welled between his fingers, pain sharp with every movement - still he kept going. The creature twitched under him, its strength giving way to daze and silence.
A chunk of rock lay close at hand, caught Lucas's eye in an instant. Up it came, trembling through his grip, driven forward by raw effort. Flight followed force - impact rang out sharp and ugly against bone. Motion stopped. Silence took over where struggle had been.
Lying flat, Lucas gasped for air. His skin stuck to torn fabric, soaked red. Every breath felt like knives slicing deeper. "I guess… this is it for me…" he thought, vision fading. Strength gone, hands trembling, he let his head drop.
_______________________
[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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