A deathly silence settled over the battlefield. The once-mighty Plant of Darkness lay motionless, its monstrous form reduced to shriveled roots and fading black mist. Its HP had dropped to zero, its existence erased.
Punnu exhaled sharply, his entire body trembling from the fight. His cheap ranged weapon hung loosely in his hand, the barrel still warm from the final shot. Sweat dripped down his temple, mixing with the dirt and blood smeared on his face.
But the battle wasn't over.
Not yet.
His gaze shifted to the dying woman a few feet away.
Simar Kalsi.
A High Officer—someone far above him in status and strength. A woman who once inspected him, evaluating his worth. And now? She lay broken, helpless.
Her golden eyes fluttered weakly, her once-powerful form reduced to a fragile, trembling body. She struggled to breathe, blood seeping from the deep wound in her chest.
Punnu's instinct screamed at him to leave.
This was his chance. If she died, no one would know he had been here.
He had the opportunity to take whatever she had—a High Officer's equipment was worth a fortune.
But before he could decide, his ability activated.
[Analyzing Target…]
- Name: Simar Kalsi
- Age: 25 (25/176)
- Race: Half Human, Half Dragon (Bloodline Not Awakened)
- Class: B (Sword Master, ???)
- HP: 12/499 (Critical Condition)
- Status: Bleeding, Death Stage, Shocked, Fear, Weakness
- Strength: ???
- Speed: ???
- Magic: ???
- Luck: ???
- Info: ???
[Equipment Scan]
Blade of heat (??? Rank) – A B-Class weapon,Effect unknown.
Combat Suit (Military-Grade, Class B) – Enhances resistance, speed, and impact absorption. Currently damaged (79%)
Officer's Badge (Government-Issued) – Proof of status as a Officer.
[Status Breakdown]
Severe Blood Loss (HP dropping 1 per 3 minutes)
Both legs fractured (Mobility: 0%)
Lung punctured (Breathing: 27% efficiency)
Unconscious within 7 minutes
Death projected in 21 minutes
---
Punnu's heart pounded.
21 minutes until death.
He clenched his fists.
If he left her, she would die. No question. Her HP was dropping every three minutes.
But saving her?
It would cost him everything.
He reached into his pocket, feeling the remaining 5 stones he had. Not enough for real treatment.
Healing stones were expensive. The best he could afford was minor healing—barely enough to stop the bleeding.
Was it worth it?
His eyes flicked back to her sword.
Blade of the Dying Sun.
Even without knowing its full power, a High Officer's weapon was priceless. If he took it… he could sell it and live comfortably for months.
But could he even lift it?
[Analyzing Weapon…]
- Blade of heat
- Class: B
- Special Requirement: Only usable by the recognized owner or a blood-linked wielder.
Punnu's lips tightened.
If he took it, it would be useless to him.
He glanced at Simar again. She was slipping. Her breath was getting shallower.
Her fingers tightened around the hilt of her sword. Even in this state, she refused to let go.
He sighed.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered.
Then, he made his choice.
Punnu knelt beside Simar, quickly pulling out one of his healing stones. He crushed it in his palm, letting the faint green energy flow into her wound.
The effect was weak—but enough to slow her bleeding.
Her HP stabilized at 12 instead of dropping further.
Punnu scowled. Not enough.
He glanced at her combat suit. The armor was high-tech, reinforced with a self-repairing mechanism. If he could activate its emergency medical function, it might buy her more time.
His ability triggered again.
[Analyzing Combat Suit…]
Medical Function: Available
Activation: Requires Officer Authorization… OR Manual Override.
Manual Override: Requires… 5 Stones.
Punnu clenched his teeth.
5 Stones.
His entire savings.
He looked at the woman before him. A High Officer. Someone who could arrest him, interrogate him, or worse if she ever remembered this moment.
He could walk away right now.
But something in his gut told him… saving her might be the better investment.
With a deep breath, he pulled out his last 5 stones and pressed them into the small activation port on the suit.
A low hum filled the air as the armor's emergency system came online.
Tiny nanobots surged through the fabric, sealing her wounds, stabilizing her breathing, and reinforcing her broken bones.
Her HP rose from 12 → 60.
She wasn't healed. But she wasn't dying anymore.
Punnu exhaled, rolling his shoulders. That was it.
He was now broke.