Blood dripped from Seo Joon's arm. His shoulder burned where the wolf had torn into him. His whole body trembled, but he forced his legs to move.
The wolf's corpse lay behind him, the ground dark with blood. Seo Joon clutched the glowing fang tightly.
Every breath was sharp. His chest rattled. His vision swam.
> [Warning: HP Critical. 8/30 remaining.]
[Recommendation: Rest and recover.]
Seo Joon gritted his teeth. "Rest? I don't have that luxury. Not in this world."
He stumbled back toward the village. His clothes were soaked in blood, half torn. Villagers stared as he dragged himself down the muddy road.
"Is that… a wolf?" one man gasped.
"He killed it?" a woman whispered. "That boy? Impossible."
Children peeked from behind fences, eyes wide. Some looked in awe. Others in fear.
Seo Joon ignored them. He returned to the small hut and collapsed inside. The broken door creaked as he leaned against it, panting.
His body screamed for sleep. His wounds stung with every movement.
> [Do you wish to accelerate recovery through the Forsaken System?]
[Warning: Pain will be multiplied.]
Seo Joon's lips cracked into a faint smile. "Good. Do it."
The moment he confirmed, fire tore through his veins. His wounds burned as if hot iron pressed against them. His shoulder throbbed, his back flared, his ribs felt like they were being smashed all over again.
He bit down on his sleeve to keep from screaming. Sweat poured down his face.
> [You endured amplified pain.]
[Reward: +1 Endurance.]
> [You endured amplified pain.]
[Reward: +1 Vitality.]
The system fed on his suffering. His body shook, but slowly, the torn flesh began to stitch. The bleeding slowed. The ache dulled, even as the fire consumed him.
Hours passed. Seo Joon lay on the floor, twitching with every wave of agony. By the time it faded, he was drenched in sweat, chest heaving.
But the wounds… they were closing.
He raised his arm weakly. The flesh was still raw, but it no longer bled. His ribs still hurt, but he could breathe deeper.
He laughed softly, his voice hoarse. "So even healing… is paid for with pain."
____
The next morning, villagers gathered near his hut. Curious eyes watched him.
Seo Joon stepped out, moving stiffly. The wolf fang was tied to his waist with a strip of cloth. His face was pale, but his eyes burned like fire.
Whispers spread quickly.
"That boy… he killed a wolf barehanded."
"No, it's impossible. Look at him—he's half-dead already."
"Maybe… maybe he's cursed."
Seo Joon's gaze swept over them. He saw fear. Suspicion. Envy.
In his old life, he had been betrayed by someone he trusted most. Now, he realized again—humans were more dangerous than beasts.
He turned away, ignoring them. He would not waste time convincing fools.
____
By noon, his stomach roared with hunger. His body was stronger, but it still needed food. He searched the edges of the village, finding only scraps—dried roots, bitter herbs, stale bread thrown away.
He ate them all without hesitation, forcing them down.
> [You consumed spoiled food.]
[Effect: Stomach ache.]
[You endured discomfort.]
[Reward: +1 Willpower.]
Seo Joon chuckled bitterly. "Even rotten food gives me strength."
His stomach twisted painfully, but he endured it. Every pain was fuel. Every hardship was progress.
____
As night fell, Seo Joon sat outside the hut, sharpening the wolf fang against a rock. Sparks flew with each scrape. His eyes were focused, determined.
The villagers stayed away from him. Some crossed themselves when they saw him. Others muttered about demons.
Seo Joon didn't care. Let them whisper. Let them fear. Fear was safer than trust.
The system screen appeared again.
Name: Seo Joon
Race: Human
Level: 1
HP: 20/30
Stats:
Strength: 5
Endurance: 7
Vitality: 7
Willpower: 5
Agility: 2
Intelligence: 3
Free Stat Points: 2
He looked at the glowing numbers. His lips curled. "Not bad… but not enough."
He placed both points into Strength.
> [Strength +2]
[Current Strength: 7]
His arms tingled. His fists clenched tighter. He felt power—still small, but growing.
Seo Joon exhaled, eyes closing. He whispered to himself. "Step by step. Pain by pain. I will rise."
____
But then—
A deep howl echoed from the forest. Louder than before.
The villagers froze. Fear spread like fire.
"Another wolf?"
"No… that's not a wolf. That's bigger."
Seo Joon opened his eyes. He could feel the ground vibrate faintly. Heavy steps echoed in the distance.
The system voice returned, cold and sharp.
> [Warning: A new beast approaches the village.]
[Type: Dire Wolf.]
[Threat Level: Deadly.]
Seo Joon rose slowly, gripping his sharpened fang. His wounds still ached. His body was still fragile.
But his eyes shone with fire.
"A stronger beast… already?"
The villagers screamed and ran, slamming doors shut. Torches flickered as panic spread.
Seo Joon stood alone on the muddy road, facing the dark forest where glowing red eyes appeared.
His lips curved into a grin. Blood still stained his skin. His body trembled.
But he whispered with burning resolve:
"Good. Come then. Let me suffer more."
The dire wolf stepped into the torchlight, massive and snarling.
And Seo Joon's next trial began.
____
To be continued.....