When I came to, the waves had already soaked my clothes, and the salt stung every cut on my skin.
Everything was gone—my shield, my sword… everything that defined me as a warrior.
I groaned, forcing myself up from the sand, every bone aching. As the sunlight burned through the thin mist, I noticed something—my body felt lighter, stronger somehow.
A faint chime echoed in my head.
Ding.
I blinked, and the blue window appeared before my eyes.
---
[System Status — Updated]
Name: Haru Villamor
Age: 23
Job: Warrior
Level: 43 ↑↑↑↑ (+4 levels)
Title: Third Rate
Strength: 52
Intelligence: 50
Agility: 46
Vitality: 50
Sense: 65
Remaining Points: 8
Skills:
• Skills Draw: Available
---
I stared at the glowing panel in disbelief.
"Four levels…?"
My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists. The sudden rush of power felt unreal, undeserved. How… how could I level up when I didn't even land the killing blow?
"Maybe…" I muttered, scanning the quiet horizon.
"Maybe that Demon killed the ape."
If the system still counted that beast as part of my hunt, then I just got stronger because of it.
A bitter laugh escaped me. "Lucky me, huh…"
The waves whispered back, indifferent.
I looked around—the place was unfamiliar.
Tall trees framed the shore, bending with the wind, their leaves dark and sharp-edged. The air was damp, heavy with the scent of moss and salt.
It didn't take long to realize… I wasn't near the empire anymore.
This wasn't the forest.
It was an island.
No signs of life, no smoke, no movement—just endless trees and the endless sea.
I tightened my fist and looked down at my reflection in the shallow water. My eyes, once steady and focused, now carried the weight of something I couldn't name.
"…Damn it," I whispered. "Where the hell am I?"
The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the smell of salt and decay.
I brushed the sand from my clothes and walked inland, the waves fading behind me. My boots sank into damp soil, the kind that swallowed sound. No birds. No insects. Just silence — too perfect, too empty.
"An island… huh," I muttered. "Guess I should start looking for food first."
The forest stretched endlessly, the trees towering above like silent guards. Each step echoed against the still air. I could feel it — something was watching me.
Then, the grass rustled.
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
From behind the twisted roots emerged a creature — its body gray and slick, four legs like blades, and eyes glowing an eerie green. It crawled low to the ground, letting out a deep hiss that made the air vibrate.
---
[Lurking Predator – Abyss Hound]
Level: 40
---
I took a step back, my hand instinctively reaching for a sword that wasn't there.
"Damn it… no weapon."
The hound lunged forward, faster than my eyes could follow. I barely raised my arm in time — its claws grazed my chest, slicing through my robe like paper. Pain flared, but instinct kicked in.
"System—draw skill!" I shouted.
A bright light flashed before me.
---
[Skill Draw — Success!]
New Skill Acquired: C-Rank — Mana Reinforce (Physical Type)
Temporarily strengthens the body using raw mana. Duration: 1 minute
---
"Perfect."
Blue light surged through my veins, coating my arms in faint energy. The next time the hound pounced, I stepped forward — and punched.
My fist collided with its snout, sending it flying into a tree. Bark shattered, dust filling the air. It screeched, twisting its body in fury, and came again — this time faster.
I dodged left, then swung my leg, smashing its ribs.
The impact cracked the ground beneath us. The hound writhed, growling in pain, but still it tried to bite my leg.
"Persistent little—"
Before it could sink its fangs into me, I drove my fist through its head. A burst of blood sprayed the soil.
The hound fell limp, motionless.
---
[Abyss Hound defeated.]
+2,400 EXP
Progress: 78% to Level 44
---
I exhaled, letting the mana fade. My hands trembled — not from fear, but exhaustion. I wiped the blood from my face, staring down at the corpse.
"So this island isn't empty after all."
I turned toward the dense woods. Somewhere deeper, I could sense more… dozens of them.
A low growl echoed in the distance.
I tightened my fists, took a breath, and muttered,
"Fine. If this is how it is…"
I stepped forward, my eyes cold and ready.
"…then I'll fight my way off this island."
---