Kane didn't know what to do. He could run, but that would leave the boys unprotected. His instincts screamed at him to escape, but as his gaze settled on their trembling forms, his body moved before his mind could decide otherwise.
He stepped between the Bauk and the boys.Its claws came down like a hammer, aiming to crush him in one blow. Kane dove to the side, the force of the impact shaking the ground and sending dirt flying into the air. He landed awkwardly, his shoulder scraping against a jagged rock, but he ignored the pain.
Every instinct told him to run. He was no match for this monster. But as he gripped his dagger, something new stirred inside him—a quiet, stubborn resolve. If he ran now, he'd never forgive himself.
"Think, Kane. Think!" he muttered through gritted teeth, his mind racing. He remembered its movements—those crushing blows, the sluggish turn of its body when injured.
The beast charged again. Kane dodged left, narrowly avoiding another swipe, and in one fluid motion, drove his dagger into the Bauk's leg. The blade sank in, but not nearly enough. A trickle of dark blood oozed out, but the monster didn't even flinch.
It turned on him, its glowing red eyes locking onto his. The sheer fury in its gaze sent a chill down his spine.
Kane darted back, but the Bauk was too fast. Its massive arm struck him like a battering ram, and he was sent hurtling through the air. Pain exploded across his back as he hit the ground, his breath knocked from his lungs.
Blood seeped from a gash on his side, soaking his tattered shirt. He groaned, every nerve screaming in protest, as he pushed himself up to one elbow. Through blurred vision, he saw the Bauk turning back to the boys.
"No… not them…" Kane rasped, his voice barely audible. He tried to move, but his body refused to obey.
The boys were frozen, tears streaming down their faces as the monster closed in.
Through sheer force of will, Kane reached for his dagger and hurled it. His aim wavered, but the blade struck true, embedding itself into the wound he'd made earlier. The Bauk roared, staggering for a moment before whipping back toward him.
Kane's heart sank. The dagger hadn't slowed it down—it had only made it angrier.
He was done. The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. He'd done everything he could, and it wasn't enough.
Just then, a translucent message blinked into view:
"Emergency alert. You can access full power for 5 minutes, though there will be side effects. Do you wish to proceed? Yes or No."
Kane blinked at the screen, his breath shallow. He had no choice.
"Yes," he whispered, his voice trembling.
The system interface expanded, displaying a series of options:
System Options
1. Power Boost
• Temporarily increases physical strength, speed, and endurance by 150%.
2. Invisibility
• Grants complete invisibility, masking sound and scent from nearby enemies.
3. Battle Ready
• Equips user with enhanced armor and a weapon tailored to their current power level.
4. Quick Heal
• Heals all physical injuries and restores stamina to full.
5. Inventory
• Opens an inventory for storing and accessing items.
6. Status View
• Displays current stats, power levels, and any active buffs or debuffs.
7. Skill List
• Shows available skills and their current levels.
His finger hovered over the options before landing on "Battle Ready."
"You have activated [Battle Ready]. Duration: 5 minutes."
A surge of power coursed through him. Shadowy black armor materialized over his battered body, hugging his form like a second skin. It was sleek and light, with faint crimson veins glowing along its surface. A sword appeared in his hand, its edge shimmering with ethereal energy.
The Bauk roared and charged. Kane met it head-on.
The beast swung a massive paw, but Kane raised his left arm. The armor absorbed the blow effortlessly. He moved fast like lightning , ducking under the Bauk's next strike and slashing across its midsection.
The sword cleaved through the beast's flesh as though it were paper. The Bauk howled, blood spraying from the deep gash. It swung again, but Kane sidestepped, pivoting smoothly before delivering a powerful slash to its shoulder.
The Bauk's arm fell away, severed at the joint.
Kane didn't stop. He pressed forward, each strike precise and unrelenting. His final blow cut through the monster's neck, and with a guttural roar, the Bauk collapsed, lifeless.
The battlefield fell silent save for Kane's ragged breathing.
A system message appeared:
"You have gained the Bauk's power. Access to Goblin ,Orc, Bauk, and Psoglav skills unlocked."
The message flickered, then glitched and vanished.
Then again system massage appeared.
"Due to using full power without proper vessel readiness, 97% of your power is now sealed until your vessel is ready."
The armor dissolved, leaving Kane kneeling in the dirt. A sharp, searing pain erupted in his chest, like invisible claws tearing through him. He bit down on a scream, his fingers clawing at the ground.
When it finally passed, he slumped forward, trembling.
"Fuck… so that's the side effect," he muttered, his voice hoarse.
The boys stared at him, their faces pale with awe and fear. Kane forced himself to his feet, his legs unsteady.
"Go home," he said, his tone soft but firm. "It's over."
As he turned to leave, he glanced down at his blood-soaked clothes and sighed.
"Seriously… how many times do I have to wash myself ?"