The chaos of the battlefield blurred around Dev as adrenaline and desperation surged through him. The E-rank sword gleamed faintly in his hand, its sharp edge already dulling from the punishing strikes against the Stonehound's rocky hide.
[System Notification]
Durability of Weapon Reduced: 2/10
"Not enough..." Dev muttered, barely dodging a swipe from the beast's massive claws. His instincts screamed, but his body wasn't fast enough. The next attack connected—a devastating blow that sent him hurtling backward. Pain erupted across his chest as he crashed into the remnants of a broken wall.
[Critical Hit Taken! HP: 45/100]
The crowd gasped. He could hear the reporters shouting something, but their words were drowned out by the Stonehound's guttural growl as it turned its attention to the remaining hunters. In a matter of moments, the weaker F-rank hunters were dispatched like ragdolls, their weapons clattering uselessly to the ground. Only the E-rank healer remained, trembling as she chanted incantations to keep herself standing.
"Stay alive!" she shouted desperately, her glowing hands aimed toward Dev. Warmth surged through his battered body, the pain momentarily dulling as his HP ticked upward.
[Healing Received! HP: 80/100]
Dev gasped, his breath ragged. The Stonehound roared again and began charging, its spiked tail slashing through the air like a deadly whip. Without thinking, Dev's hand shot forward, channeling energy from deep within himself. MP drained, his body moved on instinct as he hurled the sword with every ounce of strength he had left.
The blade spun through the air like a missile, embedding itself deep into the Stonehound's neck. The creature staggered, its movements sluggish as its health bar dropped dramatically.
[Monster HP: 2%]
But it wasn't over. The beast turned its glowing red eyes toward Dev, fury burning in them. With a final lunge, it slammed into him. The force was overwhelming, and Dev felt the world tilt as the pain consumed him.
[Critical Hit Taken! HP: 5/100]
His vision blurred, and his limbs felt like lead. The healer screamed his name, but her voice was distant, like a fading echo. The Stonehound loomed over him, its monstrous frame blocking out the sun. Somewhere deep inside, a spark of resolve ignited.
"Not... yet," Dev growled through gritted teeth. Using every ounce of remaining strength, he threw a wild, desperate punch. His fist collided with the Stonehound's damaged neck, and with a sickening crack, the beast collapsed, its body crumbling like shattered stone.
[Quest Complete!]
Rewards Earned:
+100 EXP+1 E-rank Monster Core+Basic Attribute Increase: Strength +1, Stamina +1
Level Up! Current Level: 2
As the system's notification filled his mind, darkness crept in. His legs gave out, and the last thing he saw before blacking out was the healer rushing toward him.
Hospital Room – The Next Awakening
Dev's eyes fluttered open, the familiar sterile scent of the hospital greeting him. The faint ache in his body was a testament to the battle he'd survived. His mind swam with fragmented memories—the fight, the Stonehound's roar, and the final notification before unconsciousness claimed him.
The healer sat in a chair nearby, her eyes red from exhaustion and worry. When she noticed him stir, relief washed over her face. "You're awake! Thank the gods…"
Dev blinked, the system's notifications quietly appearing in his vision:
[System Notice]
You have survived against overwhelming odds. A new quest has been unlocked.
He exhaled deeply, his body heavy but his spirit stronger. He'd fought, bled, and survived. This second chance was his, and he wouldn't waste it.
Dev groaned softly as he swung his legs over the side of the hospital bed, willing his sore muscles to cooperate. The healer, still sitting nearby, rushed to steady him.
"Take it slow," she said, her voice a mix of concern and exhaustion. "You were barely alive when I brought you here. Honestly, I didn't think you'd wake up so soon."
Dev managed a weak smile, standing shakily on his feet. "I'm tougher than I look. Thanks for the save. I wouldn't have made it without you."
The healer flushed slightly but waved it off. "Just doing my job. But next time, try not to get yourself killed. You've got potential; don't waste it." She reached into her pocket and handed him a small card. "Here's my contact info. In case you get into trouble again—or need healing during a raid."
Dev nodded, slipping the card into his pocket. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."
She hesitated for a moment, as though she wanted to say more, but then shook her head and left the room with a wave.
Self-Assessment
Once alone, Dev took a deep breath and summoned the system interface. He focused on his Status Board, scanning for any lingering effects from the battle.
[Status Window]
Condition: Stable
HP: 100/100
Stamina: Recovered
Strength Training Effect: Increased Muscle Fatigue
Recommendation: Moderate Rest or Continued Training to Maximize Gains
Satisfied that there were no critical injuries, Dev tightened his fists, feeling the residual soreness in his arms and chest. The system's recommendation about training resonated with him. Rest would heal him, but only effort would make him stronger.
Strength Training Routine 2.0
Determined to push his limits further, Dev dropped to the floor, beginning another set of push-ups. His arms screamed in protest, but he pressed on, counting each repetition with grit.
"One... two... three..."
This time, he aimed for failure—to push past what he thought was his limit. As the sweat dripped from his brow and his muscles trembled, he pushed on through sets of push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and planks. His hospital room became a small training dojo, every movement a testament to his growing resolve.
[System Notification]
Strength Training Progress: +1 Attribute Increase in Strength
Warning: Exhaustion Detected. Stamina Reduced by 20%.
By the time his body gave out, Dev collapsed onto the cold floor, his chest heaving and his limbs quivering. The system chimed again softly as if to acknowledge his efforts.
[New Attribute Levels]
Strength: 13
Stamina: 12.5
Though his muscles felt like jelly, a smile tugged at his lips. He was getting stronger. Slowly but surely, he would rise.