After the ominous being made its statement, weapons began materializing in people's hands. Daggers, axes, bows—each one forged in the style of a medieval armory. Not a single gun, not even a trace of modern weapons. Fear gripped the crowd, yet when the weapons appeared, so did a spark of hope.
Except for me. My hands were empty.
Was this a joke? Did the being think my bare hands would be enough to survive? My fists trembled as I stared at them, anger boiling beneath my calm exterior.
But I didn't realize—I was already being hunted.
Two lizard-like creatures crept closer, walking upright like men. Claws as sharp as blades, teeth jagged and hungry. They dashed at me with terrifying speed. I turned just in time to see them coming, panic rising in my chest. Weaponless. Cornered. And yet… a grin split across my face.
"Survival, huh? That's what you want to see? Humans shredded apart for your entertainment?" I chuckled. "As someone who's sought perfection all my life, I won't fall to lowly beasts like these. Whoever's watching from behind the screen—I'll make sure to give you a performance you'll never forget."
The first beast leapt. Its claws slashed through the air, but I dodged—only to be caught by the second's strike. Pain seared across my right arm. Blood dripped. "Damn… thought I was fast enough." No time to check the wound. They circled me like predators, certain they had their prey.
That's when I saw it. A sword, lying near the body of a fallen man.
I lunged, grabbed the hilt, and tightened my grip until veins bulged from my forearm. "Finally… things are starting to get interesting."
The first lizardman dashed. Steel met flesh. In a single swing—shhhk—its head rolled across the ground. Green blood splattered, thick and foul. The second beast attacked, but I blocked its strike and countered with a slash across its chest. It staggered. I didn't hesitate. One more swing—decapitated.
I stood there, chest heaving, staring at the corpses. I'd never held a sword before, yet the movements felt natural. Instinctive. As if my body had been waiting for this moment.
A pop-up blinked before me:
[You have killed Lizardman x2 | +25 XP]
"Lizardmen, huh?" I muttered, clutching my bleeding arm. I ripped a piece of cloth and tied the wound tight. "No time to waste. I can still fight."
1
Three more lizardmen appeared, snarling as they charged. Confidence surged through me. The first swung —missed. My counter sliced across its abdomen. The second lunged, only to lose its head in one clean stroke. The third barely had time to react before I drove my blade straight through its heart. It shrieked, then fell silent.
Pop-ups flooded my vision: [You have killed Lizardman] …but I ignored them. I was too absorbed. Too alive.
Then—shadow. A huge bat-like creature swooped down, claws clamping onto my shoulders. Pain tore through me as it lifted me high into the air. Its grip pierced deep, drawing more blood. I clenched my teeth, still holding the sword. With a roar, I drove the blade upward into its gut. The beast screamed, releasing me.
I plummeted. The ground slammed into me, ribs rattling. Blood filled my mouth, but I pushed myself up, trembling, grinning.
"I'm not done yet." My crimson eyes burned with determination.
I staggered forward—only to realize I had landed in the middle of a den. Dozens of lizardmen encircled me, eyes gleaming with hunger. My grip on the sword tightened.
A trail of blood dripped from my lips as I smirked. "Guess I haven't had my fair share yet."