I couldn't believe my eyes, what I was seeing now is really from my very own novel.
At first, I thought that it must be a dream, but now I can't even tell the difference.
-RUSTLE-
I heard the bushes moving behind me.
Out of nowhere, I felt something, a part of me was screaming—I must run.
I felt someone or something's presence.
Something was behind me, and it was going to attack me.
Before I could even react, the entity jumped at me with incredible speed.
I twisted my head, trying to catch a glimpse, and all I saw was a shadowy figure.
It was midair, its fist inches away from my face.
I rolled to the side, barely dodging.
The punch landed where I stood moments ago, sending out a shockwave that shattered a rock behind me.
As the dust began to clear, I saw it—a humanoid silhouette. Grey fur, red glowing eyes, sharp fangs, a wolf's face. Cat-like ears perched atop its head.
"What... A humanoid creature?"
This couldn't be. Only monsters above 'Rank IV – Terror Class' had human-like features. But this forest shouldn't even house beasts beyond Rank III.
Then it slashed the air, clearing the dust. I got a full view.
Grey fur. Crimson eyes. A monstrous wolf-like face. Fangs dripping saliva. A hulking body on two legs.
"A Fang Wolf?"
But this was different. I never wrote about a humanoid Fang Wolf in my novel. The original Rank III beast hunted in packs. They were strong—but not like this.
This one was mutated. Enhanced.
My instincts screamed one thing—run.
But even if I ran, would it help? I was in a crater. A natural trap. Climbing out would expose me. I'd be torn apart before I even reached the top.
Still, I shifted my stance, preparing to bolt.
'I have to run.'
But then—I stopped.
Flashbacks surged.
I was a child again. Surrounded by two boys.
"No.. Please leave me alone."
"Huh? You dare talk back?"
"Yeah? Think you're tough now?"
I cried. "Someone help me!"
One of them raised a baseball bat. I turned and ran.
Pain shot through my back. A rock had struck me.
I collapsed, bleeding from my knees.
"Now you see what happens when you don't listen, you damn bastard?"
I lay there, crying, helpless.
They beat me. Punched me. Kicked me.
I remembered it so clearly.
And yet, what hurt most… was the regret. Not the pain. But the regret of doing nothing.
Then another memory surged into me.
A memory not mine.
A memory from Arsin Atherian—the body I now inhabited.
He, too, was bullied. He, too, was surrounded.
But unlike me, he fought back.
Even when he knew he'd lose. Even when he was outnumbered.
Three boys laughed as they circled young Arsin.
"Trying to act tough again, trash?"
"Let's teach him a lesson."
One of them raised his palm. A weak spark of flame appeared.
Basic fire magic.
Another boy summoned a tiny stone from the earth.
"You think just because your family name is Atherian, you're special?"
The fireball hit Arsin's shoulder. He flinched but didn't fall.
The stone struck his cheek. Blood ran down.
He still didn't fall.
"Come on! Fall already, coward!"
But Arsin stood his ground.
He clenched his fists and charged.
He punched. He kicked. He was thrown down, again and again.
But he got up.
Again.
And again.
Until the three boys finally left, annoyed by his refusal to break.
He lay there, bruised and bleeding… but not defeated.
Not broken.
Unlike me.
That memory hit me hard.
That was the difference.
That was the resolve I never had.
Tears welled in my eyes.
"I… I must change."
I looked back at the Fang Wolf.
My legs trembled.
But I stood tall.
"If this world is testing me... then I'll fight back. Even if I lose. Even if I die."
Because this time, I won't live with regret.
I stood frozen for a moment, then slowly lifted my head.
My eyes locked with the Fang Wolf's.
Something stirred within me—deep, an unseen force surged out from my core, radiating into the air.
The Fang Wolf hesitated. It took a cautious step back, its crimson eyes narrowing in uncertainty.
What… was that?
Was this the power of Arsin Atherian?
But how? Arsin is just a commoner. A name with no glory, no title. So how could such an overwhelming presence come from him? From me?
A presence strong enough to make a Rank V beast flinch.
I didn't understand it. Not fully. And now wasn't the time to question it.
All I knew was that I couldn't back down.
Not anymore.
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of both past and present crashing together.
I have to fight.
I have to change.