I walked slowly, listening as the torches grew fewer and fewer. I didn't pay much attention to it. I froze when I heard it—footsteps. Then silence. I stayed in place until I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Before I could think, I spun around, swinging the spear more like a club.
As my mind processed what was happening, I was surprised again when the crack of wood hitting flesh reached my ears. I watched as one of the mutated rats fell to the ground. This one was smaller and lacked horns. I watched as the thing got up on unsteady feet. It looked at me and growled as it stepped forward.
I swung down at it, but it jumped aside, and I only managed to graze it, leaving a long scar. It missed its eye by a hair's breadth. Before I could attack again, I heard a growl behind me.
"Shit."
I turned around, only to be greeted by a rat standing on the box behind me. I swung the spear wide as it jumped, but even as I struck the airborne rat, I felt a sharp pain in my leg. I turned, but not fast enough to stop it from biting down harder.
"Fuck."
I changed my grip on the spear and stabbed down. I felt its jaw go slack.
"Damn it, that hurt. Wait—where's the other one?"
I turned, momentarily forgetting about the pain, spinning around and searching for the second airborne rat. A blue screen appeared in front of me, interrupting my search.
System Notification: 3/15 rats killed
System Message: Host is not physically capable, but I suppose you will do.
System Notification: Skill unlocked — Agile Level 1
Description: It is nothing unnatural, but you can move faster and react a few seconds sooner than before.
System Message: I suppose the host will need to see his skills. So just say, "System skill list."
So I did. "System skill list."
I was surprised.
Skill List:
• Heightened Senses — Level 1
• Agile — Level 1
"Two skills? I don't remember getting Heightened Senses. Strange system, when did I get that?"
System Message: It is not part of my function to remember such things. The system suggests the host try using the thing the host refers to as a brain to do such things. However, the system understands if that may be difficult for the host.
"Did you just call me stupid?"
System Message: If the shoe fits.
"Fuck you too."
I waited, expecting the system to respond, but after some time it was clear it wouldn't.
"Great. Why did I have to get the rude system?"
I bent down, pulling some bandages from my inventory. I wrapped the new wound and took a hesitant step forward. I realized I wouldn't be able to rest much with this injury.
"Great. Just great. Why not just kill me now while you're at it?"
A breath escaped me as the frustration faded. I sat down on one of the nearby boxes.
"I'm going to be here for a while, aren't I?"
The little progress I had made made it clear—I was trapped.
"Hey system, confirm something for me. I get to go home if I complete the mission, right?"
System Message: Yes. Host will be returned upon completion of the mission.
A bitter laugh escaped me at the confirmation of my theories.
"Knew it."