'A Tent?'
The rug was spread out on the ground, and the leather walls of the tent looked sturdy and firm. A glowing lantern hung in the center, casting its warm light over the space. There was no doubt—Vio was inside a tent.
'Why the hell am I in a tent?'
With wide, confused eyes, Vio tried to sit up, but a sharp wave of pain tore through his body, forcing a scream out of him as he collapsed back onto the ground.
"Ahhh…"
The system didn't give him time to process his miserable state. Cold, emotionless notifications flooded his vision.
[Health]
Overall Health: 12%
Malfunctions:
Right Arm: Severe damage, metallic armor compromised, internal circuits exposed.
Left Knee Joint: Structural integrity at 45%, mobility impaired.
Chest Plate: Overheating detected, energy output unstable.
Spinal Support: Minor fractures detected, risk of further damage under stress.
Sensory Nodes: Partial malfunction due to extreme cold and physical trauma.
Detailed Damage Report:
Head: Minor external damage, internal systems stable.
Right Arm: Damage state: 92% (critical).
Left Leg: Damage state: 78%
...
The notifications did nothing but worsen his mental suffering as if the physical pain wasn't enough. His entire body ached in every possible way—fractures, cuts, bruises. But what caught attention the most was his arm.
The entire forearm was deformed. The metal was bent and twisted, the ball joints were loose, and each finger pointed in a different direction as if they'd lost all sense of coordination.
Even though the fight was over, HP continued to drop.
[HP: 2,921/8,000]
Thankfully, the decline was slow enough to buy him some time to think.
'How much is this repair going to cost me?'
Recommendations:
Micro Repair:
Cost: 129 EP | Estimated completion time: 34 hours.
Note: EP levels are critically low (43/100). Not recommended at this time.
Instant Repair:
Cost: 203 Plastic, 45 Metal, 20 Steel, or 1 BP.
[The system requests the hero to choose.]
The system had forced him to wake up just to make a decision. Otherwise, he would have remained unconscious until his HP hit zero.
Vio carefully examined the report, frustration growing as he realized the extent of the damage and the ridiculous cost of fixing it. The Damn bear had torn him apart.
'Obviously, my only option is 'Instant Repair.''
It was the safest choice. But there was one thing he had forgotten—or maybe the system had deliberately not told him—something important.
Something that wouldn't have changed his decision... but would have prepared him for what was coming.
If Micro Repair required energy and time, then Instant Repair consumed a massive amount of resources to speed up the process. But that speed came with a heavy price.
[Instant Repair activated.]
[Repairing critical systems...]
"AAAAAH!"
Vio collapsed to the ground again, screaming. The price for this repair... was pain—far worse than the injuries themselves. The agony of healing was brutal and unbearable.
A burning sensation spread through his entire body as if microscopic nanobots were reconstructing every part of him from the inside out. Tiny sparks flickered across his body, making him look like a factory undergoing repairs.
Forced his eyes open despite the pain, just in time to see his arm being restored before his very eyes. The joints realigned, the fingers twitched and straightened on their own, returning to their proper positions.
Vio clenched his teeth, pressing his forehead against the ground. The veins in his face bulged from the sheer intensity of the pain. A strong urge to pass out took hold of him, but he resisted. He had been unconscious long enough. He didn't have time to waste.
The pain didn't fade completely, and the system notifications didn't stop flashing until nearly ten minutes of nonstop torture had passed.
Finally, Vio was able to inhale deeply, releasing a loud exhale as he wiped the sweat from his face.
'Where is all this sweat coming from? I don't get it.'
Even in chaos, his mind found time to ask the most ridiculous questions. He turned his attention back to assess the situation.
[Health]
Overall Health: 100%
Pushing himself up, he stood on his feet. A strange feeling of relief settled over him. He stretched his joints and jumped lightly to test if everything had returned to normal.
But one glance at his resource bank... immediately pulled him back to reality.
[Resources deducted: 77 Plastic 661 Metal 80 Steel]
[HP: 3,003/8,000]
[EP: 43/100]
Health was recovering slowly, but energy levels were still dangerously low.
'Damn you, system. Why didn't you warn me about the pain...?'
He didn't even finish the thought—because he already knew exactly what the system's answer would be.
[The hero did not ask.]
'I don't have time for this.'
Vio was about to move, but a sudden dizziness forced him to stop.
'What the...?'
Carefully lowered himself to the ground, trying to regain his balance.
'System, why do I still feel exhausted?'
[Mental activity detected.]
[Scanning...]
[Organically, the hero is stable.]
[Mental fatigue detected. The hero is advised to rest.]
'Mental fatigue? Are you kidding me?... Just a little longer... I can't stop now.'
Vio's desires didn't always align with his reality. There was nothing he could do but wait for his mind to stabilize. In the meantime, he used the opportunity to check messages.
[Mission 'Kill or Be Killed' completed.]
[Grade: A.]
[All rewards x5.]
[Rewards obtained: 500,000 XP, 50 Plastic, 30 Metal, 10 Steel, 10 points.]
[Beast's Chest obtained.]
[Secret Mission Completed.]
[First Beast Slain.]
[Alam's Chest obtained.]
[You defeated someone stronger than you.]
[Alam's Chest obtained.]
Seeing that he had defeated something stronger than himself gave Vio a fleeting sense of satisfaction. But that feeling quickly faded when remembered that the giant bears had been nearby... and yet, they hadn't attacked him.
'Speaking of which, why didn't they? And who the hell put me in this tent?'
[The system does not know.]
'I wasn't asking you anyway.'
Lately, whenever he had a question, his mind automatically directed it to the system without thinking.
Nothing in this world comes for free. To feel grateful, he had to feel safe first—and that was not something he had the luxury of feeling right now.
It was clear someone was moving behind the scenes, but that wasn't his concern. His main focus was escaping this insane mountain.
The Furious Night wasn't over yet. He knew that from the still-active mission 'Mountain Conqueror'.
Before him, the favorite sight had appeared again—three chests.
Decided to start with the newest one, the Beast's Chest.
[Obtained: 300,000 XP, 10,000,000 Coins.]
'Is it trying to tell me that hunting beasts is the best way to rack up XP and coins?'
The experience points were nice, but the massive coin boost had Vio practically drooling.
That's when the system spoke again.
[Mission: 'Hunt Them All.']
Type: Permanent.
Objective:
Hunting is the path that will help the hero grow faster.
Rewards:
Raging Bears: (Current Count: 1)
100 kills: The hero gains a blueprint: 'Frost Claws.'
1,000 kills: ???
10,000 kills: ???
Mountain Wolves: (Current Count: 0)
100 kills: The hero gains a blueprint: 'Sensitive Nose.'
1,000 kills: ???
10,000 kills: ???
...
'So, it's just like I said.'
Vio longed to begin the hunt, but a violent shiver seized his body as he recalled his struggle with just the smallest one.
'Let's not think about that right now. Open.'
The other two chests glowed.
[Obtained: 'Instant Understanding' Cards.]
[Instant Understanding]
When activated, intelligence stats are ignored, allowing the hero to understand anything.
Usage Condition: There must be a coherent and complete source to interpret.
[Obtained: 'Gravity Core Shell.']
[Gravity Core Shell]
A glove-like device that launches cylindrical objects, fixing them in place before generating a pull force toward them.
Durability: Even minor damage will destroy it.
Energy Type: Any.
Energy Cost: 1 per launch | 1 per minute of activation.
Vio examined them with both hands.
'System, how can I use the card?'
[The 'Instant Understanding' Card can be used on any problem the hero struggles to comprehend.]
[It is advised to use it on something highly complex.]
'You mean something like this?'
From the inventory, he pulled out a research paper: 'Robotics Engineering Science.'
His mind still haunted him over the last time he had tried to make sense of the complicated nonsense written inside.
It would be wise not to use the card right now, at least until he understood everything. But it was clear to Vio that this was a very advanced research paper. If he didn't use it now, he would feel like he had missed an opportunity for early progress.
He held the research paper in his hands and activated the card.
[Instant Understanding Card activated.]
His eyes glowed. His expression froze.
Then, as if nothing had happened, the research paper vanished along with the card.
Seconds passed.
Vio's eyebrows shot up. His eyes widened.
'I CAN BUILD A ROBOT ARMY!'
****
Thank you for reading the latest chapter!
I'd like to take a moment to speak to everyone who's still with me on this journey.
First of all—thank you. Your continued presence means a lot more to me than you might think.
Now, I'd love to hear your thoughts:
What are you expecting from the story moving forward?
And looking back at the early chapters—did they feel too slow or boring at any point?
Did you feel like the story wasn't for you at first, but kept going anyway?
Did it take a while before you really got into it, or did it hook you early on?
How do you feel about the pacing overall—too fast, too slow, or just right?
I'm always aiming to improve, so any advice or honest feedback would really help me grow.
Thanks again for being here. Let's keep building this world together!