Chapter 2: Kill or Be Killed
The Shadow Fang lunged.
Renji barely had time to react before the massive beast closed the distance, its claws raking through the air. He threw himself to the side, rolling across the damp forest floor as the creature's strike tore into the tree behind him. Bark exploded into splinters, the force of the impact leaving deep gouges in the wood.
He scrambled to his feet, heart hammering. This thing is fast. Faster than something that size had any right to be. His breathing was ragged, adrenaline surging through his veins as he gripped the dagger at his waist. I'm not ready for this.
The knights weren't faring much better.
"Damn it! It took out Derek in one hit!" The scarred knight, clearly the leader, cursed as he swung his sword, forcing the beast to step back. His stance was steady, but there was tension in his grip—he knew this was a fight they weren't prepared for.
The other knight, a man with short brown hair, tightened his hold on his shield. "Orders?"
"Keep it distracted! We need to finish this quickly or we're dead!"
Easier said than done.
The Shadow Fang's glowing red eyes flickered between them, its predatory instincts assessing the biggest threat. For a moment, it seemed to focus on the knights. Then its gaze slid back to Renji.
A chill ran down his spine.
It was hunting him.
The knights had weapons, armor, experience. Renji had a flimsy dagger and a tunic. It had already killed once, and now it was choosing him as its next target.
It knows I'm the weakest one here.
The creature pounced, and this time, there was no dodging.
Renji barely raised his arm before it crashed into him, the impact sending him sprawling. The force knocked the wind out of his lungs, and pain shot through his body as he hit the ground hard. The dagger slipped from his grasp, landing just out of reach.
The beast loomed over him, its rancid breath hot against his face. Its fangs gleamed, dripping with saliva, ready to tear into his flesh.
Renji tried to move, but his body was frozen in fear. This wasn't some fantasy game. This wasn't a dream. This was real—and if he didn't act, he was going to die a second time.
"Get down!"
A sudden clang rang out as a sword slashed across the beast's side, forcing it to recoil. The scarred knight stepped between them, his stance firm.
"Tch. Useless." He barely spared Renji a glance before turning his focus back to the Shadow Fang. "Stay down and don't get in the way."
Renji clenched his fists.
Useless.
That word cut deeper than the dagger in his hands ever could. He had always been useless, hadn't he? A nobody, a background character in the lives of others. Even in death, even in this new world, he was still the weakest one in the room.
The knights fought, but they were struggling. The Shadow Fang was too fast, too strong. Every attack they landed barely seemed to slow it down. And Renji knew it. If something didn't change, they would lose.
And then, something flashed in his mind.
[Skill: Death Claim]
Effect: Absorb the abilities of anyone you kill.
His breath caught.
If I kill it, I can take its power.
The idea sent a shiver through him. Could he even do it? Could he kill something—take a life with his own hands?
The Shadow Fang lunged again, this time knocking the brown-haired knight off his feet. The man hit the ground hard, his shield flying from his grasp. Blood trickled from a gash across his arm.
The beast reared back, preparing to end him.
Renji saw his dagger, lying inches away.
He moved without thinking.
In a single motion, he grabbed the blade and threw himself forward.
The Shadow Fang didn't even register him as a threat—until it was too late.
Renji drove the dagger into the beast's exposed throat, shoving with everything he had. The blade sank deep, warm blood spurting onto his hands. The creature let out a horrible, strangled gurgle, thrashing violently, but he didn't let go. He twisted the knife, feeling its body seize beneath him.
Then, with a final, shuddering breath, the Shadow Fang collapsed.
Silence filled the clearing.
Renji's hands trembled as he pulled the dagger free. His heart was racing, his breath ragged. The blood on his hands was still warm. It clung to his fingers, soaking into his skin.
And then—
[Skill Acquired: Predator's Instinct]
A sharp jolt shot through him, like lightning surging through his veins. His muscles tensed, his mind flashing with new sensations, new instincts. The heaviness in his limbs faded, replaced with a strange, almost unnatural lightness.
He felt Stronger.
More alive.
Renji exhaled, his head spinning. It worked.
The knights stared at him. The brown-haired one, still on the ground, looked between Renji and the dead beast in shock. The scarred knight, however, narrowed his eyes.
"That was…" He paused, studying Renji carefully. "…unexpected."
Renji wiped his hands on his cloak, trying to shake off the lingering warmth of the blood. He felt like he should say something, but nothing came.
The brown-haired knight pushed himself up. "You saved my life."
Renji swallowed. "I just… reacted."
The scarred knight wasn't convinced. "You killed that thing. And you changed. I saw it."
Renji's pulse quickened. He hadn't thought about what the skill absorption might have looked like to others. He had felt it, but had they seen anything?
The man's eyes lingered on him, sharp and calculating. Then, after a long pause, he exhaled and sheathed his sword.
"You're the Summoned One, aren't you?"
Renji stiffened.
The knight smirked, but it wasn't a friendly one. "Yeah… you fit the bill. Weak at first, but then something changes." He turned, motioning for the other knight to gather their fallen comrade's body. "Let's go. The kingdom's expecting you."
Renji hesitated.
This was it. He had been thrown into this world without warning, forced into a fight the moment he woke up. Now, these people wanted to take him to their kingdom, to whatever role they had planned for him.
His gut told him that whatever awaited him there… it wasn't going to be good.
But he had no other choice.
For now, he would follow.
And he would play along.