I stand before the beast, my heart pounding in time with its guttural growl. The adrenaline surges through me, mingling with a fresh sense of purpose. My fingers tighten around the hilt of my newly acquired sword; its weight feels right, like it belongs to me. The sharp edge glimmers ominously in the dim light, and I can almost hear it whispering promises of power.
"Okay, team," I say, voice steady despite the chaos unfolding around us. "We need a plan."
"What plan?" Mira snaps, her eyes darting between the monster and me, skepticism evident on her face. "That thing's an E-Rank! We're all G-Ranks!"
"Exactly," I reply, my gaze locked on the creature as it shifts restlessly, muscles tensing beneath its scaly hide. "But look at its stats. That low intelligence coupled with a complete lack of luck means it's fundamentally predictable in its behavior."
Mira crosses her arms, a smirk dancing on her lips like it's ready to perform a stand-up routine.
"Predictable? You mean like your entire life? This thing is practically a tank with legs! It could squish you like a bug without breaking a sweat!"
I raise an eyebrow, feeling a blend of amusement and irritation bubbling beneath the surface.
"And yet here I am, proudly flaunting my B-Rank status while you're still working through your G-Rank growing pains. Maybe I'm onto something that you've yet to grasp, Mira."
Her smirk falters for just a fleeting moment, just long enough for me to notice the fiery determination that rushes back into her eyes—a spark I can't help but admire for its tenacity.
"Alright then, Mr. Protagonist," she challenges, her voice steady, unwavering. "Show us how you plan to outsmart it.
Because if you're wrong, it'll be your face that gets turned into a pancake."
A mix of laughter and nervous energy ripples through our group, each member glancing between Mira and me, unsure whether to root for my overconfidence or fear for my life.
But I can see it in their eyes—they're willing to give me a chance. They're ready to fight.
As I scan its glowing display hovering above its head, a thought flickers in my mind:
STR: 35 (E)
AGI: 20 (E)
VIT: 18 (E)
INT: 5 (G)
LCK: 0 (G)
TOTAL: 78 (E)
A weak spot; this monster's not as formidable as it appears. Its low intelligence means it relies on brute force rather than strategy—a flaw I can exploit.
"Listen," I continue, my voice gaining strength as inspiration sparks in my mind. "This monster may be bigger and stronger, but we have brains—especially mine!" I tap my temple dramatically for emphasis.
Tam glances at me, wide-eyed. "You really think you can take it?"
"I don't just think—I know," I say confidently. "If we can keep it distracted while I flank it from behind…"
Mira's gaze sharpens with intrigue but still carries that undercurrent of doubt.
"And how do you plan to distract it?" she challenges.
I point to the other members of our group huddled nearby—panic-stricken yet determined. "We use teamwork! You guys keep its attention while I strike from behind."
I pick up a rock, aiming carefully as the chaos swirls around me. The goblin lunges at Tam, who dodges just in time. This is my moment—time to test the theory that clever distractions are more potent than raw strength.
"Hey, ugly!" I shout, throwing the rock with all the finesse of a last-minute contestant in a carnival ring toss. It sails through the air, striking the goblin squarely on its misshapen head.
* * *
But the moment I strike, everything shifts. My rock connects with the goblin's skull, and for a heartbeat, time slows. Its snarling face contorts in shock, then rage as it lurches back, clutching its head. I watch as the creature staggers, and the others seem to rally behind me.
But then chaos erupts.
Before I can capitalize on our advantage, a shadow looms behind the goblin—a larger figure emerges from the darkness, its presence commanding and ominous. The air thickens with dread; the group falters, uncertainty seeping in like a poison.
"Another one?" Mira gasps, eyes wide.
This new monster strides forward, seemingly unfazed by our presence or my earlier attack. Its form is lithe yet muscular, and it carries an aura of menace that promises pain—much more than we're equipped to handle right now.
I glance at its stats flickering above its head:
STR: 40 (E)
AGI: 30 (E)
VIT: 25 (E)
INT: 10 (F)
LCK: 2 (G)
TOTAL: 107 (E)
Great. Another E-Rank warlord just stepped into our pathetic little play.
"Kiriti, this is why no G-Ranker ever comes out of the Training Grounds," Mira whispers, her voice trembling. "This isn't training. It's a death sentence. They don't want us to rank up; they want us to die."
I glance back at her, catching the fear etched on her face. Panic washes over the group like a tide, each member grappling with the reality that our chances of survival just plummeted. The E-Rank beast looms ahead, muscles rippling with predatory grace as it surveys its prey.
"Don't you dare lose hope now!" I shout, rallying my scattered thoughts into something resembling strategy. "We've survived this far, haven't we?"
But Mira's expression hardens, frustration sparking in her eyes. "What do you propose we do? Ask it for a friendly duel?"
I force a grin—fake but firm. "Actually? That might be our best bet."
* * *
As I speak, adrenaline thrums through my veins like wildfire, igniting something primal within me. I won't let despair swallow us whole; instead, I'll turn this narrative on its head.
"Let's make it regret underestimating us!" I yell as I grip my sword tighter. "Follow my lead!"
The goblin warlord lunges forward, its growl rumbling like distant thunder. I take a step back, my heart pounding as adrenaline surges through me. The stats flicker above its head, a cruel reminder of our current situation.
"Alright team, time to improvise!" I shout, scanning the environment for any advantage we can exploit.
There's no way we can take this thing head-on—my sword might be an upgrade, but it won't change the fact that I'm still just one guy with low durability facing an E-Rank beast.
As I analyze the area, I spot some loose rocks and broken debris scattered across the floor. Perfect. Time to turn this into a makeshift battlefield.
"Rovel! Elyse!" I call out urgently. "Distract it while I find a way to sneak around!"
They exchange glances filled with trepidation but nod, fear giving way to a flicker of determination.
Rovel picks up a rock and hurls it at the goblin warlord with surprising accuracy; it hits the creature square in the face, eliciting a furious roar that sends chills down my spine.
"Now!" I shout, darting to the side toward the shadows while everyone else keeps its attention focused on the beast.
Mira stands her ground with her dagger raised, trying to appear more intimidating than she feels as she circles closer to Tam. They look ready for whatever comes next—at least until panic overtakes them again.
The goblin snaps its head toward them with alarming speed, and in that instant of chaos, I seize my opportunity.
I pick up a jagged rock and aim carefully before launching it straight at the creature's head. It connects solidly, stunning it for just a moment longer.
"Go! Now!" I yell as they rally behind me.
Tam and Mira push forward; Mira dives under the goblin's swipe while Tam narrowly avoids another claw aimed at him. They're holding their own surprisingly well against such overwhelming odds!
But as I move in closer for a surprise attack from behind, disaster strikes—a second goblin emerges from the shadows, leaping at Rovel and Elyse before they even realize what's happening.
"No!" My voice pierces through their cries as I watch in horror.
Rovel goes down first—a savage slash across his arm sends him sprawling against the stone floor; Elyse screams in shock as she tries to fend off another assault but is quickly overpowered by brute speed.
In that moment of chaos and confusion, time slows down around me—this isn't how it's supposed to go! This isn't just about stats anymore; this is life or death unfolding right before my eyes!
Fueled by adrenaline-fueled desperation, I sprint toward Rovel who's struggling against the ground—fighting not only against his attacker but also against hopelessness itself.
"Stay strong!" I shout as I grip my sword tightly—the weight feels reassuring now. "We're getting out of here!"
The goblin lunges again toward Rovel; without thinking twice, I raise my sword high above my head and swing down hard on its back.
With a satisfying crunch, my blade connects—the impact reverberates through me like a shockwave crashing against stone.
Goblin Warlord (E-rank) Kill reward: +1 STR
MC Moment Triggered: "Heroic Comeback Strike"
+7 stat points (STR +2, VIT +1, LCK +4)
I feel power surge through me like liquid fire—a rush of energy igniting every nerve ending as if reality itself recognizes my efforts!
I glance at my updated stats flashing before my eyes:
STR: 13 (F)
AGI: 11 (F)
VIT: 12 (F)
INT: 30,007 (B)
LCK: 16 (F)
TOTAL: 30,059 (B)
* * *
I exhale a shaky breath, relief flooding through me like a soft wave after the storm. For a moment, it feels as if we've conquered this dark pit of despair.
I turn to see Rovel's face, but the smile freezes on my lips when I realize something is off.
A shadow flits across the chamber—the second goblin, who stood in silence till then, now charges eyes burning with sorrow and rage. It lunges forward with a speed that steals my breath.
"No!" I shout as I instinctively leap toward Rovel and Elyse.
But it's too late.
The creature is upon them in an instant, claws outstretched like a cruel artist ready to paint in blood.
The sound of tearing flesh rings through the air, and I watch in horror as they go down—Rovel first, his shocked expression morphing into pain before everything fades into silence.
Elyse follows quickly, her scream cut short by the brutal efficiency of our attacker.
Reality slams into me like a brick wall, crashing through my momentary triumph and leaving only an overwhelming sense of dread.
"No! Get back!" I scream, charging at the goblin in blind fury, sword raised high as desperation fuels my every move.
But it's no use; grief claws at my throat as I reach them too late. The fight fades from my body; all that remains is the cold truth of their absence hanging thick in the air. I can barely process it as panic swells around me.
"Get back! Everyone retreat!" My voice slices through the chaos as fear grips me—a primal instinct forcing me to regroup while shadows loom ever closer.
I glance around; Tam's face has gone pale, eyes wide with disbelief. Mira stands frozen beside him, her weapon trembling slightly in her grip. It's a moment suspended in time—fear and sorrow merging into one painful knot that ties us together.
"Now! Move!" I yell again, trying to push past my own emotions.
The group shuffles backward instinctively; some still clutching their weapons like they're shields against fate itself. But we're not prepared for this level of danger—the stakes have shifted violently beneath our feet.
As we retreat deeper into the chamber's embrace—the stone walls feel like they're closing in on us—I can't shake the images of Rovel and Elyse crumpling to the ground from my mind. Their faces flash before me like haunted specters reminding me that life here is not just about stats or moments—it's about survival against overwhelming odds.
"I won't let anyone else die." I whisper fiercely under my breath.
* * *