The massive monster took a step forward. Each stomp shook the ground. Hot steam hissed from its maw, and its blazing crimson eyes glowed like twin volcanoes in the dark.
Aryan staggered back, but behind him lay only a steep cliff.
His breath quickened. His mind screamed, Fight! — yet his body was frozen.
The system's voice rang once more:
> [Warning: Combat Engaged.]
[Generating Basic Weapon...]
A flash of blue light formed before his hands. A rusted, half-broken sword materialized in his grip.
Aryan stared at it in disbelief.
"This… is a joke, right?"
The monster roared and slammed its massive claw down. Aryan barely raised the blade in time. The impact hurled him several meters away, pain exploding in his chest as blood filled his mouth.
The system chimed again:
> [HP: 17/50]
[Hint: Survive for 60 Seconds.]
Aryan's eyes widened in terror.
"Sixty seconds? I can't even last six!"
The beast roared again, charging at him with terrifying speed.
Aryan let out a desperate scream, raising his rusted blade as the shadow engulfed him…
— To be continued —