Status Screen: Zephyr
Name: Zephyr
Level: 6
Class: No Class
HP: 15/140 (+20 from level up, but currently injured)
MP: 30/30
EXP: 480/1500 (for level up)
Stats:
Strength: 29 (+10 from reward)
Dexterity: 35 (+10 from reward)
Endurance: 32 (+10 from reward)
Intelligence: 34 (+10 from reward)
Speed: 30 (+10 from reward)
Luck: 6
Magic: 0 (No magic abilities)
Rewards Obtained:
Special Increase: +10 in all stats except luck, for accumulated achievements
For killing red wolf: 3 health potions
HP Increase: +20 from rewards and +20 additional from level up
New Level: Level 6 from accumulated achievements
New Special Ability:
Night Vision:
Ability to see clearly in the dark for up to 2 hours.
(Recovers in 24 hours)
—Damn! Looks like I'm about to die —I said, looking at my HP bar nearly at zero.
[System]: Host, I recommend using the three health potions. A simple stone hit could be fatal.
—You don't need to tell me the obvious —I muttered while drinking all three potions at once. I felt a green energy wrap around me, and little by little, the pain from my wounds faded.
I looked at my HP: 105. Well, at least I won't die for now.
—Hey, system, can I ask you something?
[System]: What would you like to know, host?
—You know I didn't have any kind of training in my past life, right?
[System]: Correct. Even a newborn moved more than you.
—Thanks for reminding me... but then, why when I use these daggers do I feel like I've been using them for years?
[System]: That's because of the residual memories of the previous owner of your body.
—Wait… this isn't my body?
[System]: No, host. Your previous body died. You now possess the body of someone from this world, who, by the way, trained with daggers. That's why you feel familiar with them.
—Hmm, I see… but then why don't I have all of his memories?
[System]: The previous owner was average, and his memories were irrelevant. Only his basic experience with daggers was preserved.
—I guess this guy was the classic "average guy" or something.
[System]: Just like you in your previous life.
—Yeah, I know I was lazy. No need to remind me.
Honestly, I wasn't too surprised. I'd read enough reincarnation and transmigration novels to be familiar with this kind of situation. Memories, systems… yep, sounds all too familiar. Besides, getting upset won't help. Better to think calmly.
—Well, I guess I'll have to move forward. I don't want to be stuck here forever. Hey, system, how long until sunrise?
[System]: Approximately 1 hour and 54 minutes, host.
Perfect. Now I just have to find the exit… and pray I don't encounter more wolves. Well, I could handle one; more than that, and I'm dead.
Ah, by the way, I haven't shared much about my past life. Not like there's much to share. I was 18, first year of college, studying medicine and living alone, not because I didn't have parents, but because the university was far from home. My parents supported me, and so what? Yeah, they loved me a lot. No problem there.
I was a pretty normal guy, going with the flow like everyone else. I liked simple things. Yeah, I know, it's ironic that someone simple would be in medicine.
My monologue was interrupted when more giant rats appeared around me. This place seemed infested with those disgusting creatures. Well, at least they'll help me level up.
...
—Well, I have to say it feels great that my stats aren't like those of a nine-year-old anymore. Maybe now I'm as strong and fast as an adult in shape? —I thought with a satisfied smile.
I had been walking for a while, killing mucorats nonstop. Yes, they were easy to defeat, but they were starting to annoy me. The more I killed, the less rewards I got. I had reached the point where killing one didn't give me anything at all. At this rate, I'd have to face something stronger.
—[System]: Congratulations for killing 18 mucorats. All your stats increase by 5.
And there you go. Pitiful rewards, but well, something's better than nothing, right?
—Ahh… I need more stats —I said with a touch of greed—. I know, I sound a bit greedy, but understand me: I used to be a weakling, and now I have this hunger to get stronger. If that flame is burning, let's feed it!
As if the gods had heard my prayers, a familiar sound echoed in front of me: growls and heavy footsteps. I knew exactly what it was.
Two red wolves appeared, their sharp and dangerous looks ready for combat.
—Hey, system, what are the chances I have of beating those two? —I asked, confident but eager to hear the "expert opinion" of the system.
—[System]: Based on your stats and the average stats of red wolves, you have a 90 percent chance of winning.
—That's what I wanted to hear! —I shouted, activating night vision and grabbing my daggers with both hands, ready for action—. Whenever you're ready, pups.
Apparently, my taunt worked because the wolves lunged at me without a second thought.
The red wolves wasted no time leaping at me, their eyes glowing with murderous hunger as their paws hit the ground hard. I tightened my grip on the daggers in my hands and took a step back, calmly measuring their movements. This time, I felt my hands moving with a precision and fluidity I didn't have before, as if the daggers were a natural extension of myself.
The first wolf leaped directly toward my chest, baring its sharp fangs. I waited until the last moment and, just when it was inches from me, twisted my torso to the side, letting it pass. While the wolf was in midair, unprotected, I seized the opening and sank one of my daggers into its side. The wolf howled in pain and fell to the ground, rolling.
—One down, who's next? —I said with an arrogant smile, keeping the daggers raised.
The second wolf took advantage of the distraction and lunged, trying to attack from the flank. However, my perception was much better now; I saw it coming at the last second. I quickly stepped to the side and cut its hind leg with my other dagger, making it stumble.
The first wolf got back up, limping but furious, and both began circling me, looking for an opening. I kept my position, turning smoothly to not lose sight of them. This time, I controlled the pace of the fight.
When one of the wolves tried a frontal charge, I pretended to retreat. Just before it reached me, I crouched down and slashed its chest with both daggers in one swift motion. Blood spurted, and the wolf fell to the ground with one last whimper.
There was only one left, and it didn't seem as confident anymore. The wolf took a few steps back, growling in desperation, but I wasn't going to give it a break. I jumped forward, driving both daggers toward it in a fierce attack. The wolf tried to respond, but it was too slow. With a fluid move, I spun around it and drove one of the daggers into its neck, ending the fight.
—That's it, huh? —I said, watching both wolves lying on the ground.
I cleaned my daggers and looked at my hands, noticing how incredible my control over the weapons had become. Every movement had been precise, almost automatic. There was no doubt: each battle made me stronger, and my mastery of the daggers was getting better.
—Well, I guess it was good training —I muttered, giving one last glance at the fallen wolves before continuing my journey.
—Well, well, well… my friends, reading novels and watching anime really helps. Here I am recreating moves I've seen in those stories! —I muttered, while cleaning my daggers. So, for those who say they're useless… well, they're very wrong. This helps a lot, especially for non-experts like me!
[System]: Congratulations for killing two red wolves! Your stats increase by 8, and you receive a healing potion.
—Nothing more? —I complained, looking at the potion bottle in my hand—. Well, it's true that it was pretty easy… I guess the rewards match the difficulty. I'll have to find stronger enemies… but another day, I just want to get out of here.
I drank the potion in one gulp. I felt a warmth spread through my body as my health returned to 100%. I was revitalized and ready to continue! Just as I turned to go down the path, the ground beneath my feet caved in.
—What the hell?! —I yelled, jumping to the side.
From the hole emerged a giant snake, not as huge as the spider I encountered earlier, but definitely imposing. Its fangs jutted out of its mouth, sharp as spears. The thing looked at me with cold eyes, and I knew right away that it wasn't looking to be my friend.
—Hey! This isn't fair, aren't we even going to talk before trying to kill each other? —I complained, though I knew it wouldn't help.
The snake stared at me for a moment, then without warning, whipped its tail at me. I barely had time to position my daggers defensively before the impact sent me flying like a ragdoll.
—Aaaahhh! —I screamed as I slammed into the cave wall. A sharp pain shot through my back—. Damn, you don't even give me a second to prepare, huh?!
The snake, clearly not interested in diplomacy, lunged at me with its mouth open and those fangs that seemed to scream "game over."
—Is this the end of Spider-Man…? —I murmured resignedly, watching as it closed in at a speed I clearly wouldn't be able to dodge.