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Arthur and Eliara moved away from the cave entrance, but the forest was no longer safe.
Darkness crawled between the trees as if it were breathing, and small entities of Abyssal energy began seeping from the ground, forming shadowy shapes that silently watched their steps with eerie vigilance.
Arthur paused for a moment, then spoke in a serious tone:
"We need to contact your father… or anyone you trust. They could send reinforcements or even locate you before things get worse."
Eliara shrugged simply and said with childish coldness:
"I forgot my phone at home…"
Arthur froze for two seconds.
Two seconds only… but enough to ignite a buried anger.
"…How?"
He exhaled sharply, trying not to explode:
"Really? In the middle of a forest full of the Abyss… and you forget your phone?"
In his mind, the situation worsened:
Why didn't you bring a weapon? Even a simple gun? Or mana shields?
You're the daughter of a wealthy duke who could buy a hundred of those without batting an eye!
The system's voice rang with clear sarcasm:
But Arthur didn't listen to it.
(or simply, as the author, I didn't know what sarcastic joke the system would say)
But there was no more time for anger.
Suddenly, a small monster emerged from between the tree trunks—a Dark White-class creature—the weakest class, unranked by stars, but…
to Arthur, with his current strength?
It was a real threat.
The monster had short but sharp claws, eyes burning with primal hatred, and it lunged toward them faster than any known human runner.
Arthur raised his mana-formed sword, shaped like everything except a sword, and tried to strike first…
But the first hit revealed the bitter truth:
No damage.
No effect.
Just a small meaningless spark.
Damn… still too weak.
The system shouted sarcastically and excitedly:
[Excellent! First lesson: strength doesn't mean direct confrontation!]
Arthur quickly retreated and pushed Eliara behind him:
"Stay behind me! Just help with cover—we need to run!"
They ran between the trees, leaves flying under their feet, mud sticking to their shoes.
The monster chased them, panting, its claws slicing small trunks as it ran.
Eliara launched limited mana sparks—weak, but enough to slow the monster for a moment or two.
Arthur watched the monster's movements quickly:
"Fighting now is suicide… we need to get out of this area!"
Eliara, despite her fear, began to understand:
"Sometimes… survival is the real fight."
Suddenly, a faint light reflected in the distance between the trees.
Like a lamp… or a person… or something else, unlike this darkness.
Arthur took a deep breath, ready for one last sprint:
"This is only the beginning… we will get out of here."
The system shouted with excessive excitement:
[Ooooh! Arthur is starting to learn! Escape—the best skill for the weak!]
Arthur smiled bitterly, but he could not deny it.
The mind… strategy… planning…
These things were more important than the sword itself.
The two ran toward the light—
But when they broke through a cluster of trees and emerged on the other side…
They froze in place.
They were in front of the cave entrance… the same one.
The Abyss smiled at them without lips.
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After this chapter, I will publish supplementary chapters explaining the power system, the original heroes, and the number of races.
Enjoy؛ )