Facing the Devourer
The hulking beast loomed over him, its glowing red eyes fixed on its prey. It had the body of a giant wolf, with metallic plating covering its limbs and a tail that looked like a spiked chain. The growl it emitted was low and guttural, vibrating the air around them.
The system screen popped up in front of him:
[Devourer of the Wastes Lv.5]
[Threat Level: Extremely High]
[Recommended Action: Run]
The protagonist gritted his teeth. "Run? That's all you have for me?" He gripped his rusted blade, its weight feeling insignificant compared to the size of the monster before him. His instincts screamed at him to flee, but his legs refused to move.
> "If I die here, what's the point of my rebirth?"
The beast roared and lunged forward, the ground cracking under its massive claws. His body moved instinctively, diving to the side as the Devourer's claws scraped the ground where he had just stood.
---
Learning Through Pain
The first few minutes of the battle were nothing short of chaos. Every time he tried to get close to strike, the Devourer's massive paw swiped at him, sending him skidding across the ground. His body ached, his stamina bar flashing in red, but something kept him moving.
As the fight dragged on, a notification appeared:
[Skill Progression: Adaptive Combat Lv.1 → Lv.2]
A wave of clarity washed over him. The Adaptive Combat skill wasn't just for learning; it allowed him to analyze the enemy's movements faster than before. He began to notice patterns—the Devourer always hesitated for half a second before striking with its tail.
The next time it lunged, he sidestepped just in time and drove his blade into the joint of its hind leg. Sparks flew as the rusted blade scraped against metal, and the beast howled in pain.
[Critical Hit! Damage Dealt: 25 HP]
[Devourer of the Wastes HP: 175/200]
> "It's working," he thought, breathing heavily. "I can do this."
---
A Desperate Gamble
The beast's rage intensified. Its tail whipped out, slamming into the ground and sending shockwaves rippling through the terrain. The protagonist barely managed to leap out of the way, but the force threw him off balance.
Before he could recover, the Devourer pounced, pinning him to the ground. Its massive claws pressed against his chest, and his health bar plummeted.
[Warning: HP Critical! 3/25 Remaining.]
The beast opened its maw, ready to deliver the finishing blow. Time seemed to slow down as he stared death in the face once again. His mind raced, recalling every choice he'd made up to this point. Was this how his second life would end?
> "No. Not again."
Summoning every ounce of strength, he thrust his rusted blade upward, aiming for the beast's exposed throat. At the same moment, a new notification appeared:
[Skill Unlocked: Overdrive Mode (Basic)]
[Activating...]
A surge of energy coursed through his body. His movements became faster, more precise. The blade found its mark, plunging deep into the beast's vulnerable neck. The Devourer roared, staggering backward as its health bar rapidly depleted.
[Critical Hit! Damage Dealt: 50 HP]
[Final Blow: 75 HP]
[Devourer of the Wastes Defeated!]
The massive creature collapsed with a thundering crash, its body disintegrating into shimmering particles. A notification appeared:
[Victory Achieved. Rewards Granted.]
---
Rewards and Reflection
As the beast vanished, a small chest materialized in its place. He hesitated for a moment, still catching his breath, before reaching out to open it.
[Loot Acquired:]
Bronze Dagger (Upgrade from Rusted Blade)
Health Potion x2
50 XP
Another notification followed:
[Level Up! Player Status: Lv.1 → Lv.2]
He felt the difference immediately. His body felt lighter, stronger, as if the system itself was reinforcing him. Checking his stats, he saw slight improvements across the board.
But the real reward was the realization that he could survive in this world. He wasn't just some powerless newcomer anymore—he was evolving.
Looking around, he noticed the barren landscape stretching endlessly. The system voice echoed again:
> "Zone 1 cleared. Proceed to the next phase."
A faint light appeared on the horizon, signaling the direction he needed to go.
---
Ending Hook
As he stood, clutching his new dagger, he thought about the implications of this "Game Matrix." What was its purpose? Why had he been chosen? And who—or what—was controlling it?
He glanced back at the place where the Devourer had fallen, then turned toward the glowing light.
> "If this is a game, I'm going to beat it. No matter what."
With renewed determination, he began walking, unaware of the dangers that awaited in the next zone.