Chapter 3: The Fall of the Papa Snail
Both the boy and Papa Snail faced each other while maintaining a wordless confrontation. A strong wind flowed between them while it made the grass move at their feet.
Then, without warning.
The Papa Snail surged forward while its skateboard wheels generated a green streak through the air.
The boy responded swiftly by lifting his short sword at the exact moment. The impact of metal against the shell pushed the boy backward while the shell remained steady. His jaw clenched tightly while his body muscles tightened to maintain his balance.
"Not this time," he muttered.
From his position behind the tree, Yuno watched as his heart raced inside his mushroom-shaped chest. The sight of this battle was completely new to him. The Papa Snail attacked in rapid movements between strikes and retreats with unstoppable determination.
But the boy.
He was faster.
His sword swings demonstrated perfect timing to block every attack from the snail. The thick wild boar leather boots he wore absorbed impacts that would otherwise have injured him. He had come prepared.
The Papa Snail's antennae twitched. The Papa Snail moved backward first to create space between them before launching itself forward at an accelerated speed.
The boy barely dodged.
A thin red mark appeared on his cheek from the shell's edge as it passed by. His expression never changed as he used his hand to clean the blood from his face.
"Your strength makes you powerful, yet it cannot defeat every challenge."
The Papa Snail didn't reply. It simply charged again.
This time, the boy was ready. The boy moved to the side as he avoided the attack effortlessly. He waited until the snail moved beyond him before turning his wrist to strike his sword downward.
Sharp steel met soft flesh.
The blade penetrated deeply into the side of the snail.
The piercing sound cut through the atmosphere.
😶🌫️
Yuno reacted with surprise when the Papa Snail struggled to maintain balance while its skateboard made a scraping sound against the ground. The shell of the Papa Snail revealed its damaged state while its green body released an unknown glowing liquid.
The boy didn't stop. He rushed toward his target before delivering another strategic strike.
The Papa Snail trembled. The skateboard stopped moving as the Papa Snail halted its motion, and its wheels came to a stop. The Papa Snail attempted to raise its head and move while attempting to defend itself.
But it was too late.
One final strike.
The sword pierced straight through.
The Papa Snail shuddered once. Then, its body fell limp.
Silence.
Yuno remained frozen in place as he watched the scene unfold before him.
The powerful Papa Snail, who protected his species, had met his end.
A system notification displayed itself above the boy's head.
Your victory over Level 3 Papa Snail has been achieved.
[+20 EXP]
[Item Drop: Papa Snail's Shell]
The boy picked up the shiny shell from the ground while kneeling to study it with satisfaction.
"With this, I can finally become a knight."
A freezing sensation spread from Yuno's center to his entire being.
This was the reality into which he entered at birth.
Strength functioned as the essential element to define the nature of this world. The weak served as stepping stones, which the strong used to advance.
His tiny mushroom body trembled.
If those kids found him…
Would they kill him, too?
He didn't have time to think.
The boy rotated his head to survey his surroundings with his eyes.
"The area needs additional monsters to appear. Let's keep going."
The other children, who had barely recovered from the fight, stood motionless before responding. The group members moved throughout the bushes, grass, and trees in their search.
And then.
One of them screamed.
"A MONSTER MUSHROOM!"
Yuno's heart stopped.
They had found him.
His body stiffened as he observed the boy's terrified expression while the boy struggled to comprehend what was happening.
The two of them remained motionless for a brief moment.
Then.
The boy faced his companions while speaking in an urgent tone.
"Careful! It might be poisonous!"
The kids hesitated.
✅
They were… scared of him?
Yuno's mind spun.
Why?
A system alert appeared in his field of vision.
[Status Check Available]
Yuno paid attention to the notification while his heart pounded rapidly.
His attribute panel opened.
—
[Name: Yuno]
[Race: Monster Mushroom]
[Level: 5]
[HP: 36/36]
[MP: 22/22]
[Abilities: Appraisal, Mushroom Charge]
[Special Item: Resurrection Coin]
—
Yuno's eyes widened.
He was Level 5?
The children showed understandable caution because of his strength. His power surpassed the Papa Snail, which had proven too difficult for them to defeat.
A strange feeling filled him.
Confidence.
Since regaining consciousness in this world, he had never experienced anything beyond hiding in darkness, but now he felt powerful.
He had power.
And he was going to use it.
The children remained motionless as their eyes shifted between confusion and doubt.
Yuno rushed forward before the children could respond.
He activated his ability.
[Mushroom Charge]
His small frame shot forward like a speeding bullet to hit the closest boy standing in his path.
The force of the impact launched the child through the air. The impact of his body against the ground produced a pained grunt as the child's system displayed its notification.
[-10 HP]
Yuno didn't stop. He spun and charged again. The impact of Yuno's movement sent another child into unconsciousness through the force of his assault.
[+5 EXP]
[+5 EXP]
The remaining boy stumbled away while keeping his eyes on Yuno in terror.
The afternoon sunlight illuminated Yuno's small frame as he faced the boy.
The boy panicked. The boy managed to reach a vine and used it to climb into the protective branches of the trees.
Yuno stared.
He couldn't climb.
…Annoying.
The boy held onto the vine with trembling hands while he struggled to catch his breath because he refused to descend.
Fine.
Yuno scanned the scene before him to seek out his next victim.
THWACK!
Pain exploded in his head.
A rock hit him straight on his head.
[-2 HP]
Yuno winced. The impact of the blow made his body shake slightly.
😩
The boy on the vine grinned.
The grin on the boy's face taunted Yuno as he spoke these words.
Yuno's expression darkened.
The situation now evolved according to their chosen method?
Fine.
He planned to reveal to them exactly what true monsters could accomplish.