The food tested bland, but I am grateful for it.
I chuckle bitterly as I recall how many delicious meals were prepared with so much love and effort, for which I was ungrateful.
My eyes got watery remembering her; every now and then I find myself thinking about her. I can't help it.
I'm currently heading toward a commercial area. If my memory serves me well, there was a "Haidong Gumdo School" two blocks from here.
Traditionally they are dojos that teach swordsmanship. But now most just focus on tournaments. But sometimes they may possess one or two live blades.
My instincts went on full alert.
[Instinct lv 1 --> lv 2]
I felt its gaze from the far right. I look at it. It was… different.
Looking closer, it was leaner. It was looking at me, muscles coiled, ready to pouch.
I put my bat in front of me, grip tight.
It began sprinting at me.
'FAST!'
I put everything into agility.
[Your agility has increased drastically; your muscles are filled with agility.]
[You have reached the scenario limit.]
Like magic, everything became slower. The once fast-mutated dog now… was manageable.
I brought the bat down on a slanted angle. Dust flew up from power.
I had swung too prematurely; the mutated dog had dodged the hit.
It was cautious of me now.
It readied itself to charge at me again. However, this time he was observing my moves.
I charged forward, bringing the bat upward; it leaped back again.
We repeat this a few more times.
'This is frustrating!'
Despite having my agility maxed, it's still more agile than me.
'I need to create a bait.'
I charge forward again, swinging the bat to the right then swerving to the left as the mutated dog dodges to the left.
Hit*
The hit didn't finish it off… Well, I never aimed to.
I hit its front left leg; the leg was bent at an unnatural angle.
The mutated dog was whimpering; its balance was unstable.
I didn't let go of the chance.
It managed to avoid getting hit in the head. No matter because the next hit landed.
It flew ten feet away before rolling on the ground.
The mutated dog struggled to try and get up.
In the blink of an eye, I close the distance and swing my bat down.
Crunch*
The blood splattered everywhere.
Some even got on to my face.
I bring my hand up to wipe the blood off my face.
[Some constellations express their satisfaction seeing you covered in blood.]
My hand pauses for a second, then I clean my face with the back of my hand.
'Weirdoes'
[Many constellations praise your battle adaptability.]
[Sponsored 100 coins]
I swing the bat, getting the blood off it.
I was getting cocky as I was just one taping the mutated dogs.
This fight clearly pointed out my flaw. I was uncomfortable fighting prolonged battles.
I let out a sigh.
In the last hour, I've hunted four mutated dogs – excluding the present one.
A total of five in a single hour!
Fortunately, they were just singles, but my instincts tell me this is only the beginning.
My shovel has a crake running down the shaft. The IV drip stand has evolved into dual swords…if you can call them that.
On the topic of blades
Now, yes. I fully expect the place to be looted, but I'd rather check than leave with regret.
As I slowly walk forward, I catch my own reflection on a car window.
In all honesty I think some of the constellations were right; I may have gone overboard with the number of bats.
Aside from the IV stand and almost-broken shovel, I'm carrying one bat in my hand and two on either side of my bag, where bottles are placed. One in the backpack and two more on my back, similar to how anime characters carry swords.
I also wanted to carry two more on my flanks, but the number of requests from constellations led me to the conclusion that six is sufficient.
Just to drive the point in, they even sponsored 200 coins.
Honestly, I was flabbergasted.
But I still feel like I should have brought them. What happens if my bat breaks? A man needs reloads, you know.
Currently I am donning a full black get-up. Black military-grade boots, cargo pants, and a jacket that reaches down to my knees. Inside is a black T-shirt.
I check myself out.
Previously I had thought that it only looks awesome only in anime and would be too edgy, but
Ji-yoon was right; I do look awesome.
On my face forms a bitter smile.
Shaking my head, I return to walking.
"Can't have my guard down with unnecessary thoughts."
I walk forward through the silence of the eerie surroundings.
My steps echoed through the street.
I felt scared of my own footsteps.
My instincts tingled again; I relaxed my body. Trying to pinpoint their whereabouts with instinct alone as my grip on my hands tightens.
[Instinct lv 2 --> lv 3]
Suddenly my instincts tingle on my right.
There is a mutated dog in the air. I swing with all my might.
A beautiful blood arc followed my bat as it toured through its head.
[The constellations are growing anxious.]
I tilt my head at the massage.
Why?
[You successfully hunted a mutated dog.]
I became relaxed at the system massage.
Big mistake – my instinct went haywire to dodge, to duck.
A gust of wind whips by.
I look at the mutated do – no, a cat.
It was growling at me, baring its fangs.
If I had stayed still, I would have died. It is bigger than anything I've ever faced before. It was nearly twice the size of what I had previously encountered. My instincts were screaming for me to run. My body tensed, and my breath grew shallow from terror.
It was clothed in silver fur. However, they were smeared with red, presumably blood.
[Fourth scenario – Emergency hunt]
[Category: Sub]
[Difficulty: C]
[Clear Condition: Hunt the Grade 8 (low) monster -Evolved Mutated Cat]
[Reward: 1500c]
[Penalty: Death]
I couldn't read the system message.
My eyes never left the monster.
I am not sure how many coins I have left; silently I put whatever I have into physique.
[Your physique has drastically increased; your body hardened.]
My body felt stronger; I felt as if I could take my advisories' bite without consequences, but my instincts told me otherwise. Unlike some dense character with a low IQ, I rapidly deflated my overconfidence.
We stand still, looking at each other, waiting for the other.
Seems it's losing patience.
It springs on its muscles; I tighten my grip.
In 1 second, we are 10 metres apart.
The next second my vision is filled with rows of teeth.
No time to think; I shove the bat into its mouth.
It bites down, splinters flying everywhere – the splinters scratch against my face.
I try to get out of its path, but I fail.
We slammed together.
I managed to throw it away from me.
I get up quickly.
The monster is shaking its head, attempting to get the bat out.
'This is my chance.'
I charge ahead with my shovel.
It surged ahead after looking at me.
'Still too fast!'
It sidestepped my shovel and swung its claw at my throat.
I try to backpaddle quickly.
'Shit!'
Blood droplets fly in the air.
Pain caused my vision to darken.
I tried to scream, but it too froze.
As it landed again, it jumped again with its other claw to finish the job.
With my right hand over the wound, I swing the shovel hazardously with my left.
I couldn't grip the shovel properly.
The shovel flew away, but it was enough to deter it.
I quickly put the bag down and take a bat into my right hand.
A shiver runs down my spine trying to move my left hand.
When the monster aimed for my throat, I had managed to move enough that it missed my throat but managed to claw my left shoulder. I don't know what happened, but after swinging the shovel, even moving the hand hurts.
The only reason I was able to drop my bag and grab a bat is because
It took an opportunity to remove the bat from its jaws.
I frowned.
What happens now?
My left hand hurts, but it has recovered.
I could feel sweat dripping down my back.
[Constellations are on the edge of their seats.]
[Song of the Sea expresses concern for you.]
[The insane one is excited at your fight.]
[Demon like judge of fire is looking at the scene with concern.]
…..
My left hand is almost useless; on the other side, the monster has recovered.
I could feel sweat dripping down my back.
I could see messages from the system, but I don't bother to read them.
My attention solely on the monster
It may detect that its target (me) is vulnerable.
It charged cautiously, gradually increasing its pace.
'Damnation!' I swung.
It leapt back.
Again, it did the same thing.
'It's stalling.'
'playing'
'This can't go on.'
Millions of thoughts were running through my head – how to survive this.
But it doesn't wait.
It gets into positions.
Tails swinging.
I turned around and bolted.
As fast as I could.
Behind me it ran slowly until it realised I was actually running away.
I felt cold air rushing at my back.
I turn my lead leg as an anchor as I turn my hips and swing the bat with the full momentum from below.
My bat hit its lower jaw, closing its mouth. Its upper torso rose a bit but is still flying full force toward me.
While I am swinging the bat, I grip the broken IV drip stand with my right hand as I place the sharp tip forward.
It slammed onto me, slamming me to the floor.
I hit my head hard on the floor.
It discombobulates me.
As I try to get up, something hits my side, causing a bleed but not too deep.
Clutching my side, I slowly look toward the monster.
It was jerking around. Blood was spraying everywhere. The IV stand had pierced through the throat and exited through the other side.
This won't be enough.
I try to move forward, but my body hurts too much.
Should I run?
No!
I can't run.
Not now, not never.
[Exclusive attribute 'Raging Flames' activates]
[Exclusive skill continuation resonates strongly.]
[Continuation lv1 —> 3]
My body renewed with power. I felt it, my soul burning – burning with conviction.
Bleeding slowed significantly.
I throw away the broken bat and go to my bag and take another bat.
The monster was bleeding profoundly; the jerking around seems to have made the injury worse for itself.
I walk forward, with both hands on the bat, and swing down on its head.
Crunch*
Blood splatter
Again
Crunch*
More splatter
Again!
I felt extreme anger at the thought that such a mutt almost ended me.
I continued until its death message came up.
[The insane one enjoys the ferocity.]
[The abyssal black flame dragon claps at the performance.]
[Song of the sea...]
........
A bunch of messages followed soon after, but I didn't bother reading them.
I couldn't
I am on a time limit.
I try to retrieve the IV stand that is logged in the monster.
Doesn't budge
I abandon it.
I instead walk toward where I had dropped my belongings.
Picking my bag and the remaining bats
"I am glad I had taken that many."
At a distance the shovel is in two pieces.
I store them up anyway.
I look around.
At a distance I spot a gaming café; I quickly rush toward it. I blocked the gate and sat there with my back against the wall. I could feel my strength waning.
I sat there leaning against a wall, tired, broken.
Extreme weakness spreads throughout my body.
[Congratulations! You cleared the sub-scenario emergency hunt!
[Reward: 1500c]
[Congratulations! You're the first to kill an 8th-grade species!
[Reward: 1000c]
A smile formed on my face.
'I killed an 8th grade monster.'
[The constellations enjoyed your fight.]
[They sponsored 2300c.]
….
I remember the fight.
I chuckle to myself, which turns into a hysterical laugh.
My bloodlust is rising sharply.
"I need to hunt more."
"Monsters are becoming stronger, so I need to be!"
I remember apocalypse novels where the side characters fall behind because they are later unable to kill the monsters and progress because the monsters are too strong.
[The insane one is agreeing with your statement.]
[Many constellations strongly agree with you.]
Now a normal individual might have been scared out of their mind, some scared to go out.
Not me!
I think I am going crazy, but I am like that, I guess.