The Price of Survival
Jihwan sat on the edge of his bed, exhaustion weighing on him. The dungeon, the death he had experienced—it all felt like a distant memory now, yet it was still far too close. The System had demanded that he Pray for his First Death, and he had done it. His reward: 5 DP.
His total DP now stood at 7. It wasn't much, but it was something.
He glanced at the status window, the silence in the room only broken by the faint hum of the system. His fingers hovered over the screen.
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[Status]
[Name]: Yoo Jihwan
[Rank]: E ~ ???
[Class]: Hunter ~ ???
[Death Count]: 1
[Death Points]: 7
[Dark Energy]: Low
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The 7 DP—enough to make a change. He wasn't sure if it was enough to save him, but it was a start.
His gaze flickered to the Shop of Death, a chilling reminder of what lay ahead. He'd been given access to it after completing the quest.
With a deep breath, Jihwan opened the shop window.
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[Afterlife Exchange]
[1] Cursed Dagger (5 DP)
— A dagger imbued with dark energy. Its blade never dulls, and the wounds it inflicts resist healing.
[2] Bloodstained Cloak (10 DP)
— A cloak worn by those who have walked the path of death. It conceals the wearer's presence in dungeons.
[3] Soulbound Ring (15 DP)
— A ring that binds to the user upon wearing. It enhances the strength of death-related skills.
[4] ??? (Locked)
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The Cursed Dagger—it was the most affordable option. A weapon tainted by death itself, its blade would never dull. Its wounds wouldn't heal easily. The very essence of what Jihwan had become.
Without hesitation, he selected it.
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[You have purchased Cursed Dagger for 5 DP.]
[New Item: Cursed Dagger]
— A dagger imbued with dark energy. Its blade never dulls, and the wounds it inflicts resist healing. Once drawn, it cannot be put away until it tastes blood.
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The dagger materialized in his hand, its cold aura filling the room. Jihwan tightened his grip, feeling its weight, the dark power flowing through it. The sensation was both unsettling and… familiar. The blade felt like an extension of himself—dangerous, unpredictable, and powerful.
A final notification appeared in front of him:
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[New Quest Unlocked: Test the Blade]
[Objective: Test the Cursed Dagger's power by striking a living creature.]
[Reward: +10 DP, Unlocks the Skill "Death's Touch."]
[Penalty: Failure will result in being unable to access the Afterlife Exchange for 48 hours.]
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Jihwan took a steadying breath. The System had given him a task—a test. He needed to see the dagger's power in action. The only question left was: What creature would he test it on?
But for now, he held the dagger with an eerie sense of calm. This was the price of survival—this was his path forward.
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End of Chapter