The sky was dark, devoid of stars, and the air was thick with the sharp scent of iron. Aki leaned against the wall of an old building, his breath ragged. Blood flowed from a wound on his shoulder, while in front of him, a wild demon stared down at him with contempt.
Aki didn't know what exactly was happening. He had simply followed his instincts after hearing the desperate scream of a woman crying for help — a voice so shrill, filled with despair.
That alone made him run without a second thought, even though he knew the world he now lived in was extremely dangerous.
He ended up in a narrow alley that led him to this old building. Instead of finding someone in need, Aki was dragged into a life-and-death struggle against a wild demon.
"You're truly a fool, human," the demon said, its glowing red eyes staring at Aki with hunger. "You came here just to become my meal."
Aki coughed, tasting the blood pooling in his throat. His body was weak, barely able to stand. The pain in his shoulder was unbearable, but there was something even more terrifying than the pain — deep, paralyzing fear. The demon was huge and powerful, and he was just an ordinary human.
The demon stepped forward, its sharp claws glinting under the dim light, reflecting a terrifying gleam. "I can't wait to taste your flesh," the demon growled. "You'll become a part of my strength."
Aki felt his blood begin to dry, his body growing weaker. He was cornered, with no way out. Time seemed to slow down, every second a crushing weight on his chest.
But in the middle of that despair, a strange voice echoed inside his head.
[Shadow Monarch System Activated.]
[Syncing with host: Hayashi Aki... 10%... 50%... 100%]
[Welcome, Shadow Monarch.]
Three translucent blue hologram screens appeared before his eyes, glowing softly.
[STATUS]
• Level: 1
• Job:
• Title:
• HP: 40
• MP: 10
• FATIGUE: 60
• STR: 12
• AGI: 13
• PER: 10
• VIT: 10
• INT: 15
• POINT: -
[QUEST INFO]
• Defeat the Wild Demon
WARNING: Failure to complete the quest will result in corresponding punishment.
[SKILLS]
{Passive Skill]
-
{Active Skill}
-
[INVENTORY]
Aki let out a soft laugh, the hoarse sound echoing between the crumbling walls. The wild demon frowned, clearly not expecting a dying human to laugh in front of it.
"What's so funny, human?" the demon growled, eyes burning with rage.
Aki stared at the holographic screen, eyes locked on the [QUEST INFO]. The quest was simple… yet insane.
"Defeat the wild demon...?" Aki repeated the words under his breath, then laughed louder. "This is a joke, right? I can barely stand here and I'm supposed to win?"
The demon snarled. "What do you mean, human? Have you lost your mind before I even rip you apart?"
Aki took a deep breath, suppressing his laughter, then looked at the demon with a gaze filled with desperation and madness. "How am I supposed to win? I don't even have a weapon. I can barely move. But… if this is a game, then there must be a way."
Then the System chimed again inside his mind.
[Item Granted: Dagger]
Aki's eyes widened as a spark of blue lightning appeared in the air, forming a simple dagger that dropped into his hand. Though it looked ordinary, this weapon was his last hope.
He gripped the dagger tightly, though his body still trembled. The pain in his shoulder worsened, his breathing was labored, and his strength was nearly gone. Even with a weapon, the chance of victory was close to none.
The demon grinned, amused by Aki's desperate expression. "Look at you. That weapon won't change your fate. You're already dead, human."
Aki gave a bitter smile. "Yeah... maybe you're right."
The wild demon snarled, its eyes glowing even brighter. In an instant, it lunged at Aki with terrifying speed.
SRAKK!
The air trembled as its claws slashed toward Aki.
But just before the attack could land, Aki forced his body to move to the left.
SWISH!
Holding his breath, he dodged the deadly blow by mere inches — a few strands of hair cut away.
Without wasting a second, Aki tightened his grip on the dagger and twisted his body, driving the blade into the demon's side.
SRAKK!
The dagger pierced the creature's tough hide, spilling thick black blood that sizzled like acid.
The demon howled in pain. "ARGHHH! YOU LITTLE—!"
With a wild swing, it struck back at Aki.
Aki reflexively raised both arms to block, but the demon's strength was overwhelming.
DUARR!
His body was sent flying, crashing hard into the wall behind him.
BRAKK!
The old wall cracked from the impact. Aki's entire body throbbed with pain.
"Kugh...!" Aki groaned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His Status screen flashed — his HP had dropped to 20.
The demon sneered, still feeling the sting of the stab wound. "Heh, you actually fought back a little, human," it said, licking its forked tongue over its lips.
Aki struggled to stand. He gripped his dagger tightly, though his hands were shaking violently.
'I can't… I can't die here… not again…!'
[Active Skill - Dash Unlocked]
[Info: Boosts speed by 30%. MP Cost: 1]
Aki's eyes widened. 'Dash?'
Without hesitation, he felt energy surge through his body.
[Active Skill - Dash Used]
His body shot forward at incredible speed. In an instant, he was face to face with the demon. The creature didn't even have time to react as Aki raised the dagger high.
With all his remaining strength, he drove the dagger straight into the demon's head.
SRAKKK!
The blade sank deep into the demon's skull, down to the hilt. Its eyes bulged, its mouth opened in a silent scream. Black blood poured from the wound, hissing as it hit the ground.
The demon staggered, claws reaching for Aki, but its strength vanished rapidly. Its body trembled, then collapsed with a heavy thud.
Aki stood, panting, body trembling. He could hardly believe the attack worked.
[Level Up: 1 -> 2]
[Quest Completed]
{Rewards}
Full Recovery
10 Points
Choose:
• Blessed Random Loot BOX
• Cursed Random Loot BOX
Aki stared at the floating status screen in front of him, still catching his breath.
He lowered the hand still gripping the dagger and looked at the demon's corpse lying lifeless on the floor. Its black blood continued to pool, releasing a foul, acidic stench.
He turned his gaze to the system screen still hovering before him. A new notification appeared.
[Passive Skill Unlocked - Will to Recovery]
[Info: Regenerates all types of physical damage, including the recovery of lost limbs. Does not heal fatal wounds.]
A warm sensation spread from his core, flowing through every muscle and bone. The pain in his shoulder slowly began to fade.
Aki took a long breath, then looked toward the side of the room where his bag lay. He walked over, picked it up, and slung it over his shoulder.
Before leaving, he looked back one last time at the demon's body, now slowly turning to ash. He clenched his jaw and walked out of the abandoned building.
Sure! Here's the English translation of your story:
The sky was dark, devoid of stars, and the air was thick with the sharp scent of iron. Aki leaned against the wall of an old building, his breath ragged. Blood flowed from a wound on his shoulder, while in front of him, a wild demon stared down at him with contempt.
Aki didn't know what exactly was happening. He had simply followed his instincts after hearing the desperate scream of a woman crying for help — a voice so shrill, filled with despair.
That alone made him run without a second thought, even though he knew the world he now lived in was extremely dangerous.
He ended up in a narrow alley that led him to this old building. Instead of finding someone in need, Aki was dragged into a life-and-death struggle against a wild demon.
"You're truly a fool, human," the demon said, its glowing red eyes staring at Aki with hunger. "You came here just to become my meal."
Aki coughed, tasting the blood pooling in his throat. His body was weak, barely able to stand. The pain in his shoulder was unbearable, but there was something even more terrifying than the pain — deep, paralyzing fear. The demon was huge and powerful, and he was just an ordinary human.
The demon stepped forward, its sharp claws glinting under the dim light, reflecting a terrifying gleam. "I can't wait to taste your flesh," the demon growled. "You'll become a part of my strength."
Aki felt his blood begin to dry, his body growing weaker. He was cornered, with no way out. Time seemed to slow down, every second a crushing weight on his chest.
But in the middle of that despair, a strange voice echoed inside his head.
[Shadow Monarch System Activated.]
[Syncing with host: Aki... 10%... 50%... 100%]
[Welcome, Shadow Monarch.]
Three translucent blue hologram screens appeared before his eyes, glowing softly.
[STATUS]
• Level: 1
• Job:
• Title:
• HP: 40
• MP: 10
• FATIGUE: 60
• STR: 12
• AGI: 13
• PER: 10
• VIT: 10
• INT: 15
• POINT: -
[QUEST INFO]
• Defeat the Wild Demon
WARNING: Failure to complete the quest will result in corresponding punishment.
[SKILLS]
-
{Passive Skill}
-
{Active Skill}
-
[INVENTORY]
-
Aki let out a soft laugh, the hoarse sound echoing between the crumbling walls. The wild demon frowned, clearly not expecting a dying human to laugh in front of it.
"What's so funny, human?" the demon growled, eyes burning with rage.
Aki stared at the holographic screen, eyes locked on the [QUEST INFO]. The quest was simple… yet insane.
"Defeat the wild demon...?" Aki repeated the words under his breath, then laughed louder. "This is a joke, right? I can barely stand here and I'm supposed to win?"
The demon snarled. "What do you mean, human? Have you lost your mind before I even rip you apart?"
Aki took a deep breath, suppressing his laughter, then looked at the demon with a gaze filled with desperation and madness. "How am I supposed to win? I don't even have a weapon. I can barely move. But… if this is a game, then there must be a way."
Then the System chimed again inside his mind.
[Item Granted: Dagger]
Aki's eyes widened as a spark of blue lightning appeared in the air, forming a simple dagger that dropped into his hand. Though it looked ordinary, this weapon was his last hope.
He gripped the dagger tightly, though his body still trembled. The pain in his shoulder worsened, his breathing was labored, and his strength was nearly gone. Even with a weapon, the chance of victory was close to none.
The demon grinned, amused by Aki's desperate expression. "Look at you. That weapon won't change your fate. You're already dead, human."
Aki gave a bitter smile. "Yeah... maybe you're right."
The wild demon snarled, its eyes glowing even brighter. In an instant, it lunged at Aki with terrifying speed.
SRAKK!
The air trembled as its claws slashed toward Aki.
But just before the attack could land, Aki forced his body to move to the left.
SWISH!
Holding his breath, he dodged the deadly blow by mere inches — a few strands of hair cut away.
Without wasting a second, Aki tightened his grip on the dagger and twisted his body, driving the blade into the demon's side.
SRAKK!
The dagger pierced the creature's tough hide, spilling thick black blood that sizzled like acid.
The demon howled in pain. "ARGHHH! YOU LITTLE—!"
With a wild swing, it struck back at Aki.
Aki reflexively raised both arms to block, but the demon's strength was overwhelming.
DUARR!
His body was sent flying, crashing hard into the wall behind him.
BRAKK!
The old wall cracked from the impact. Aki's entire body throbbed with pain.
"Kugh...!" Aki groaned, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His Status screen flashed — his HP had dropped to 20.
The demon sneered, still feeling the sting of the stab wound. "Heh, you actually fought back a little, human," it said, licking its forked tongue over its lips.
Aki struggled to stand. He gripped his dagger tightly, though his hands were shaking violently.
'I can't… I can't die here… not again…!'
[Active Skill - Dash Unlocked]
[Info: Boosts speed by 30%. MP Cost: 1]
Aki's eyes widened. 'Dash?'
Without hesitation, he felt energy surge through his body.
[Active Skill - Dash Used]
His body shot forward at incredible speed. In an instant, he was face to face with the demon. The creature didn't even have time to react as Aki raised the dagger high.
With all his remaining strength, he drove the dagger straight into the demon's head.
SRAKKK!
The blade sank deep into the demon's skull, down to the hilt. Its eyes bulged, its mouth opened in a silent scream. Black blood poured from the wound, hissing as it hit the ground.
The demon staggered, claws reaching for Aki, but its strength vanished rapidly. Its body trembled, then collapsed with a heavy thud.
Aki stood, panting, body trembling. He could hardly believe the attack worked.
[Level Up: 1 -> 2]
[Quest Completed]
{Rewards}
Full Recovery
10 Points
Choose:
• Blessed Random Loot BOX
• Cursed Random Loot BOX
Aki stared at the floating status screen in front of him, still catching his breath.
He lowered the hand still gripping the dagger and looked at the demon's corpse lying lifeless on the floor. Its black blood continued to pool, releasing a foul, acidic stench.
He turned his gaze to the system screen still hovering before him. A new notification appeared.
[Passive Skill Unlocked - Will to Recovery]
[Info: Regenerates all types of physical damage, including the recovery of lost limbs. Does not heal fatal wounds.]
A warm sensation spread from his core, flowing through every muscle and bone. The pain in his shoulder slowly began to fade.
Aki took a long breath, then looked toward the side of the room where his bag lay. He walked over, picked it up, and slung it over his shoulder.
Before leaving, he looked back one last time at the demon's body, now slowly turning to ash. He clenched his jaw and walked out of the abandoned building.
To be continued