CHAPTER 23 — Hunger of the Cave
(LEVEL UP)
"Great…"
Zodac muttered, a weak grin tugging at his lips despite the blood soaking his shoulder.
Even after almost dying… I leveled up.
The panel flashed again.
(LEVEL UP)
"…Again?"
His eyes widened, disbelief cutting through the pain.
The screen stuttered—then stabilized.
ELEMENTAL: WOOD — LV 8
Affinity: Fire
Skill Unlocked:
Enemy Hate Reaction
Taunt-type skill. Forces hostile enemies to recognize the user as their primary target.
"A skill that turns me into bait…"
Zodac exhaled bitterly.
The adrenaline finally faded.
His legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed onto the cold cavern floor.
"…Another one?"
The panel shifted.
Spatial Awareness
Grants heightened perception of surrounding movement and life signatures.
"So… a sixth sense. Great…"
His voice was strained.
Now that the rush was gone, the pain hit him full force.
A sharp, burning agony tore through his shoulder.
Blood continued to seep freely, soaking into the stone beneath him.
"I'm exhausted…" he muttered, pulling back the hood covering his head.
"I don't think I can even climb the ladder out of here…"
His breath came unevenly.
"I can't stay here either. Who knows what else is lurking in this darkness…"
Then—
"…Reserve Mana."
The words came automatically.
He focused.
The reserve mana gauge began to drain.
A faint green glow enveloped his body for a brief moment—only two seconds—before fading completely.
Zodac blinked.
Then slowly… he stood up.
The crushing fatigue from moments ago was gone.
"I… don't feel weak anymore."
He clenched his fist, feeling strength return to his limbs.
"So this is the purpose of the reserve tank…"
His gaze hardened.
"Let's test the new skills."
"Spartial Awareness."
He closed his eyes.
The world changed.
It felt as though time slowed while he remained still—his consciousness expanding outward, touching vibrations, movements, pulses of life.
Footsteps.
Breathing.
Scraping claws.
Too many.
His eyes snapped open.
"…There are still monsters here."
He turned toward the cave the Cyberious Dog had emerged from.
"I don't sense anything from this one…"
Then slowly turned his head toward the others.
"…But they're packed in the rest."
His gaze finally settled on the darkest tunnel—the one farthest at the edge.
"And this one…"
A chill crawled down his spine.
"It's different. Bigger. Heavier."
He swallowed.
If one monster could push him this far…
"…Then killing several more could change everything."
He raised Kogetsu, stepping toward the cave beside the first tunnel.
"I'm definitely going to regret this."
He lifted his hand.
"Hate Reaction."
His eyes glowed red.
An invisible crimson wave pulsed outward—sliding into the cave like a silent scream.
Nothing happened.
"…Any second now."
He waited.
"…Maybe there's nothing inside. Or maybe it's glic—"
Something burst from the darkness.
Instinct took over.
Zodac slashed without opening his eyes.
SPLAT—!!
Warm blood sprayed across his face.
He froze.
Slowly… he opened his eyes.
His blade had impaled a massive creature midair.
"…What the hell?"
A giant ground mole hung lifelessly from Kogetsu.
Dark blue flesh.
Short, thick body.
Long, digging claws that looked just as deadly for combat.
He yanked the blade free, letting the corpse hit the ground with a dull thud.
Then—
Another crawled out.
Its eyes glowed an unnatural red.
The system flickered.
[Enemy Hate Reaction Active]
[Effect: Red-Eyes — Rage Blind]
The mole shrieked and launched itself forward—spinning midair like a living drill.
"Oh shit—!"
Kogetsu vanished.
RAYGUST materialized in his grip.
"Hectogon!"
Multiple green hexagonal shields snapped into place.
The creature struck.
CRACK—!!
The barrier fractured—but held.
The mole recoiled, slamming back into the ground.
Zodac's breath hitched.
That's when he noticed them.
One.
Two.
Five.
More moles poured out of the surrounding tunnels, their red eyes glowing with blind fury.
Encircling him.
Nineteen.
He backed up slowly, blade raised, sweat dripping down his jaw.
"…This is bad."
His grip tightened.
Very bad.