I crouched low behind a stack of trash bins, my breath shallow. The alley was narrow, damp, and reeking of something foul—but none of that mattered. What mattered was the girl. Probably sixteen or seventeen, crouched with her back to a wall, eyes wide in terror.
And standing in front of her—was a Tier 8 goblin.
Its greenish skin was mottled with sores, its crooked blade dripping with blood. It wasn't smart, but it didn't need to be. One swing and she'd be gone. She wasn't going to last long.
But I wasn't a fighter. Hell, I wasn't even supposed to be here. Just a reader. A side character in someone else's story.
I'm just an extra. Powerless. Pathetic. How could I save someone?
I gritted my teeth and turned around. My instincts screamed at me to run. To survive.
Then I heard her whimper again.
"What am I doing? Running away..? Turning my back on someone who needs help...someone who's dying..?"
...
"Since when were you this pathetic, Seolhwa?!"
I grabbed a rusted baton from a security guard's corpse beside me. My grip tightened.
If I die—so be it. But I refuse to die pathetic.
I scanned the alley again. Good. Only one monster. I could kill it—maybe.
I picked up a stone and hurled it to the far end of the alley. It clattered loudly, drawing the goblin's attention for just a second.
That second was all I needed.
I charged.
The baton sang through the air, striking the goblin's side. It shrieked, stumbling back. Its yellow eyes turned to me, full of fury. But I had definitely dealt damage.
What's this? My eyes widened. It's going to stab me? When did it get so close—?!
The goblin's dagger grazed my shoulder. Pain bloomed, but I didn't stop.
With a roar I didn't know I had, I swung the baton again—this time directly down.
Crack.
The goblin collapsed. I dropped on top of it, pinning its throat with the baton, pressing down until it stopped moving.
I was breathing hard. Hands shaking.
I... did it...
"You okay, old man?"
...
"Old man..? Me?"
"Of course you! Who else is here?"
Well, I'm glad she was worried about me but 'old man'...really?
"Y-Yeah... I'm fine."
"Thanks for saving me—but you're bleeding!"
"It's just a scratch. Listen—go down the street, then right. If you reach the Hyeonseong station, you'll be safe."
"What're you talking about, old man—"
"Listen, you little shit. You're just a burden. So fuck off."
She froze, clenched her fists, then nodded and ran.
I sighed. Was I too harsh? Nah, I don't even know her..
[Congratulations! You've achieved First Blood.]
[You've received a Low-Rank Random Weapon Box.]
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"Oh right... the system exists."
I summoned the reward. A dull, cube-like box appeared in the air, pixelated and hovering.
With a touch, it clicked open.
Inside was a ceremonial dagger. Steel Fang Dagger.
It had a chance of dealing Critical when struck from behind. It wasn't anything too powerful but felt balanced in my hand—reliable.
Better than a rusty baton.
"Status," I whispered.
[Seolhwa Hyun]
Class: Unawakened
Trait: None
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Intelligence: 3
Vitality: 4.7
Luck: 7.2
Skills: None
Just as expected..my stats are trash..but atleast the luck is pretty good..
I exhaled deeply and looked around. The worst of the monster wave had passed for now. The streets were still, the screams more distant. If I stayed here, I'd die from the next horde—or hunger.
I had a location in mind. One of the safe zones mentioned in the early chapters. If I was right, it was only a few blocks away.
I need rest. I need food. I need time to think.
I tightened my grip on the dagger. This was no longer just fiction. No longer just survival.
It was war.
And I had taken the first step.