The night was still dark.
But Arka couldn't sleep.
His eyes remained fixed on the translucent blue screen hovering in front of him.
[New Quest]Kill 1 living beingReward: +1 Level
"…Kill?"
The word felt heavy.
Arka wasn't a murderer.
He was just… someone who had never even been acknowledged.
But now—
This chance stood right in front of him.
A chance to change.
A chance to stop being trampled on.
His hand slowly clenched.
"If it's just one…"
He stood up from his bed.
A few minutes later—
Arka was outside his house.
The night wind blew softly.
The streets were empty.
Dim lights flickered in the distance.
Yet his mind was anything but calm.
"'Living being'… that means anything, right?"
His gaze swept the surroundings.
Rats. Insects. Small animals.
The easiest options.
But—
"If it's just that… will it be enough?"
His eyes drifted further.
Toward the massive iron gate at the edge of the city.
The Dungeon Gate.
A place where the awakened hunted monsters.
A place where the strong became stronger.
And where—
The weak died.
His steps slowed.
"Am I… really going there?"
No level.
No skills.
No experience.
This wasn't bravery.
It was suicide.
But then—
[Warning]User detected with special access.
Arka frowned.
"What now…?"
[Passive Skill Unlocked]Absolute Adaptation (Lv. MAX)Description: The user's body adapts to all conditions and attacks.Effect: Cannot die from the first attack.
"…What?"
His breath hitched.
Cannot die… from the first attack?
"That means…"
He stared at his trembling hand.
Not from fear.
But from possibility.
Slowly—
A smile formed on his lips.
"If that's the case…"
He started walking again.
This time—
Without hesitation.
Toward the dungeon.
Moments later—
The gate stood right before him.
A dark aura seeped from within.
Several hunters guarded the entrance.
They glanced at him in confusion.
"Hey, isn't that the guy with no level?"
"What's he doing here? Trying to die?"
Arka ignored them.
He kept walking.
Past them.
Into the darkness.
The air turned cold.
The smell of blood and damp earth filled his lungs.
A long stone corridor stretched ahead.
Silent.
Too silent.
"…"
His steps slowed.
Every sound felt amplified.
Every shadow looked suspicious.
Then—
GRRRR…
A low growl echoed from ahead.
Arka froze.
His eyes sharpened.
At the end of the corridor—
A pair of glowing red eyes appeared.
A monster.
Small in size.
But covered in scars.
Sharp teeth.
Drool dripping from its mouth.
[Monster Detected]Goblin (Lv. 1)
"Level 1…"
Arka swallowed.
"So… same as me."
Or rather—
Stronger than him.
The goblin growled—
Then—
WUSH!
It lunged forward at incredible speed.
"TOO FAST—!"
Arka couldn't react.
CRASH!!
His body slammed into the wall.
"ARGH!!"
Pain exploded through his body.
His breath was knocked out—
But—
He didn't die.
[Skill Activated: Absolute Adaptation]First effect consumed.
Arka coughed.
But his eyes changed.
"So… this is what it means…"
He slowly stood up.
The pain remained.
But his body—
Felt different.
More stable.
More prepared.
The goblin attacked again.
But this time—
Arka could see it.
Clearer.
Slower.
"I can… read its movements…?"
The goblin leaped.
Arka stepped aside.
For the first time—
He dodged.
"Now… my turn."
His hand grabbed a stone from the ground.
Simple.
But enough.
As the goblin turned—
WHACK!!
He smashed its head with all his strength.
"GRAAA—!"
The monster staggered.
But didn't fall.
"Not enough?!"
The goblin went berserk.
But Arka didn't retreat.
Second strike.
Stronger.
More precise.
CRACK!!
The goblin collapsed.
Motionless.
Silent.
Arka stood still.
Breathing heavily.
His hands trembled.
His eyes locked onto the corpse in front of him.
"I… did it…?"
[Quest Completed]Kill 1 living beingReward received
[Level Up!]
Warmth spread through his body.
Light.
Powerful.
Like something new was flowing inside him.
Level: 1EXP: 0 / ∞
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"This is just… the beginning."
His gaze shifted deeper into the dungeon.
Dark.
Dangerous.
But no longer terrifying.
"If one is possible…"
He took a step forward.
"…then a hundred is too."
🔥 END OF CHAPTER 2