The storeroom reeked of rust, dust, and death.
[Activating Unique Skill: RE-ORIGIN]
[Activating Unique Skill: RE-ORIGIN]
[Activating Unique Skill: RE-ORIGIN]
[Challenger has acquired: Minor Pain Resistance (E)]
---
"Shit… shit… shit…"
My hands were trembling, still remembering the pain from my last death. It clung to me like smoke, choking me even though I was alive again.
I had tried every possible way to bypass the goblins.
At first, I thought—stupidly—that I could fight them. But with these garbage stats, I couldn't even land a proper hit. My gaze drifted to the crawler's rotting corpse.
"…How the hell did I even kill you, huh? Bro."
Another time, I almost escaped through the left wing of the school… only to run straight into a whole squad of goblins. That ended quickly.
Next, I tried the right side. Bad idea. That's where the eyeless creature—the Warden—roamed. It sniffed me out instantly, like a hound on a leash.
Each time, it ended the same way: torn apart, screaming, bleeding.
Bang. I slammed my head against the floor, hard enough to sting. The sharp pain snapped me back into focus.
I drew a rough map of the school corridor in the dust with my finger.
Left: goblins. Guaranteed death.
Right: the Warden. A slower, crueler death.
Stay here: the Warden will sniff me out anyway.
"…No way out. No options."
My grip tightened around the dagger until blood seeped from my palm. The pain grounded me. It kept me sane.
Then droplets fell onto the dusty floor.
Blood.
Wait—yes. That's it. The Warden hunts me by scent.
My golden eye flickered faintly. For the first time in hours, I had a plan.
---
Third Person POV – Right Wing of the School
The eyeless creature crouched low, feasting on a torn body. Its jagged claws ripped the flesh apart, blood slicking its pale, translucent skin.
Suddenly, it froze. Its oversized ears twitched. Its faceless head lifted sharply.
Sniff. Sniff.
The scent of fresh blood drifted through the air. Rich. Human. Delicious.
The Warden snarled, saliva dripping from its jagged teeth, and crawled toward the source. Monsters fled before its presence. Even goblins scattered, whimpering in fear.
Hours passed as it stalked. Finally, it arrived at the source—a broken-down room with a wooden door.
The beast slammed forward, shattering the door like paper. It growled low, savoring the fear it expected. The scent of blood dragged it toward the corner.
With a guttural roar, it lunged.
Claws tore the air—only to strike emptiness.
"KEEAAARGHH!!" it screeched as a dagger sank deep into its side.
It spun, slashing madly, but its claws found only air. No sound, no scent. Panic shivered through its body. It swung wildly, desperate, but the enemy was gone.
Then, like a shadow, a blade pierced its temple.
The monster let out one final howl before collapsing, twitching, and falling still.
---
Julian's POV – Two Hours Ago
I had cut my palm open, smearing my blood across the far wall. Then patched the wound with a strip of cloth, swaying from dizziness. No time to collapse.
I carved open the crawler's corpse again, stuffing its skin with bleaching powder I'd scavenged. Its stench would mask mine.
Final step: mattresses across the floor to soften my footsteps. No sound. No trail.
Then I waited.
When the Warden came, its growl rattled my chest. It tore through the door, snapping at the bait smeared on the wall. My blood.
It lunged. Right into my trap.
I moved fast. Daggers sank deep, withdrawing before its claws could touch me. The crawler's hide masked my scent, and the mattresses silenced my steps. For the first time… I was the hunter.
Its swings grew desperate, slashing the air. I waited. Patient. Cold. Then, when its guard fell—
SHHK!
My blade pierced its skull.
The beast convulsed once, then dropped dead.
---
[Congratulations. Challenger has defeated a Minor Boss.]
[Rewards: Low-Grade Health Potion ×2]
---
Even after its death, I kept stabbing. Again. And again.
Rage. Fear. Helplessness. All of it poured out in every strike.
Finally, when my chest stopped heaving, I pulled the dagger free. My hands were steady. Too steady.
With cold precision, I cut open its body and dug until I found the fragment—a dark crystal, pulsing with faint energy.
I absorbed it.
> [Warden Fragment absorbed.]
[Strength: F+ → E-]
[Agility: E → E+]
[Endurance: F+ → E-]
[The Challenger has considered this a Savepoint]
I slumped against the wall, drenched in gore. My golden eye glowed faintly in the dark.
When I stepped out of the storeroom, I wasn't surprised. The halls were empty. All the monsters had fled.
I walked quietly, each step measured and silent. Eyes wary. Muscles taut.
I was heading toward the right wing—toward the cafeteria.
And this time… I wasn't prey anymore.