Night fell quietly over the village.
One by one, the lights in the houses went out, leaving only the pale glow of the moon hanging low in the sky. Rakki stepped beyond the village gate, carrying nothing more than basic gear—a cheap dagger, cloth armor, and the quest parchment folded neatly in his pocket.
"Black-Fang Direwolf…" he murmured. "Northern forest."
He glanced back, making sure no one was following him.
Empty.
"Good."
He had been very clear earlier.
"It's dangerous. Stay home. Don't follow me."
Rakki continued along the narrow path leading into the forest, his mind calm but alert. The night wind brushed past him, leaves whispering softly in the darkness.
Then—
"…Seriously?"
He stopped.
Footsteps echoed behind him.
Rakki turned around.
"Hailey."
The blonde girl stood several meters away, slightly out of breath. She wore a thicker robe than before, a short magic staff clutched tightly in her hand.
"Why are you here?" Rakki asked.
Hailey tightened her grip on the staff. "Because you'll die if you go alone."
"I didn't ask for help."
"I know," she answered quickly. "But I came anyway."
Rakki stared at her for a long moment, then let out a slow breath. "…Fine. But stay behind me. Don't do anything reckless."
Hailey nodded immediately. "I promise."
They entered the forest.
Tall trees swallowed the moonlight, plunging the path into darkness. The air felt heavy—even Rakki could sense it.
"It's too quiet," Hailey whispered.
"Elite-type Direwolf," Rakki replied. "That's normal."
He moved deeper, recalling the quest description, estimating the location of the lair—
GRAAAARRR—!!
A thunderous roar shattered the silence.
The ground trembled.
From behind the bushes, a massive shadow leapt forward.
Black-Fang Direwolf.
Its body was as large as a horse, black fur streaked with silver-gray lines. Its fangs gleamed under the moonlight, red eyes locked onto them with pure killing intent.
"Rakki—!" Hailey screamed.
The Direwolf didn't hesitate.
It lunged.
Fast. Too fast.
Rakki froze.
If it hits me…
His thoughts were strangely calm, almost analytical.
Will I die? Or will my Luck cause the attack to miss?
He didn't move.
Didn't raise his dagger.
He simply stared straight at the beast.
"Rakki, YOU IDIOT—!!"
Hailey shouted in panic.
She raised her staff, magic words spilling from her lips.
"Aegis—!"
A pale blue light flared between them.
CRASH—!!
The Direwolf's claws slammed into the magical shield. Cracks spread instantly, the sound of shattering glass echoing through the forest.
"NGH—!"
Hailey was thrown backward, her knees hitting the ground.
The shield shattered—but it was enough.
Enough to reduce the force.
Rakki's body was flung back, crashing hard into the dirt.
Yet—
No blood.
No broken bones.
Only a dull, aching pain.
Rakki opened his eyes, breathing heavily.
"…We're alive?"
Hailey snapped her head toward him. "Are you insane?! Why did you just stand there?!"
Rakki stared at his own hands, then at the Direwolf, which had landed and was now growling low, clearly irritated.
"I was just… curious," he answered honestly.
Hailey looked at him wide-eyed, torn between anger and relief. "Curiosity can get you killed, you know!"
Rakki slowly pushed himself up, dust falling from his clothes.
"That shield… thank you," he said shortly.
Hailey scoffed. "Don't thank me if you're planning to die stupidly."
The Direwolf growled again, claws scraping against the ground as it prepared to attack once more.
Rakki fixed his gaze on it, this time fully focused.
"Alright," he murmured. "Hypothesis confirmed."
He tightened his grip on the cheap dagger.
"Luck doesn't make me invincible," he said quietly. "But…"
"…it gives me a chance."
The system trembled before his eyes.
[Critical Survival Triggered]
[Luck prevented fatal damage]
Rakki stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Hailey, his stance now lowered and ready.
"Now," he said calmly, "it's my turn to move."
The Black-Fang Direwolf lowered its massive body, muscles tightening. Its crimson eyes locked onto Rakki—this time, without hesitation.
"Come," Rakki muttered softly.
With a thunderous roar, the direwolf lunged.
Fast. Brutal. Lethal.
The ground shattered beneath its claws as it leapt, fangs aimed straight for Rakki's throat.
Hailey held her breath. "Rakki—!"
But Rakki stepped forward.
Not back.
Not dodging.
He raised his dagger—a cheap weapon that barely qualified as something capable of killing an elite monster.
The direwolf was already too close.
Rakki swung his dagger—clumsy, unrefined, not even aimed properly.
SHLIK.
The sound was soft.
Too soft.
The massive body of the direwolf suddenly froze mid-air… then crashed heavily to the ground.
THUD.
Silence.
No follow-up roar.
No breathing.
The red glow in its eyes faded away.
The Black-Fang Direwolf—a monster that had wiped out countless veteran parties—was dead.
Rakki stood frozen, dagger still raised.
"…Huh?"
Hailey stared at the scene with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open. "W-what… just happened…?"
Rakki looked down at his dagger. No excessive blood. No aura. No dramatic effect.
"Did that… hit?" he muttered.
A system window exploded into view.
[CRITICAL HIT!!!]
[Lucky Instant Kill Triggered]
[Damage Multiplier: ???]
[Target Eliminated]
Rakki slowly closed his eyes.
"…Oh."
He let out a long breath, then gave a dry, disbelieving chuckle. "Of course, I forgot something important."
Rakki shrugged. "This is a game world."
He glanced back at the direwolf's corpse.
"And my Luck…" he added quietly, "…is ridiculous."
Hailey stepped closer, staring at the monster as if it might rise again. "You… killed it… in one hit?"
"Looks like it."
A few seconds passed before Hailey finally laughed—half relief, half disbelief. "Everyone said this quest was impossible…"
Rakki sheathed his dagger.
"Yeah," he said flatly. "I was hoping for something more dramatic."
He looked up at the night sky and sighed once more. "Well," he muttered with a shake of his head, "that was anti-climactic."
The system chimed cheerfully.
[Quest Completed]
[Hidden Luck Bonus Applied]
In the silent forest, a level-one beginner
had just defeated the village's greatest nightmare—not with strength, not with strategy, but with luck so absurd it mocked logic itself.