Benedict jolted awake, gasping for air like a man pulled from the bottom of the ocean.
His eyes snapped open, wide and alert, scanning his surroundings. No more dark forest. No more blinding pain.
He wasn't lying next to a rotting wolf corpse anymore.
Instead, he found himself inside a cave. The walls were rough and jagged, carved naturally from stone.
Warm orange light danced across the rocky surface, cast by torches mounted at intervals along the walls, breaking up the heavy darkness.
The air was damp and cold, making Benedict shiver.
In the distance, he could hear the faint drip of water. Oddly enough, the sound was almost peaceful after everything he'd just endured.
Where the hell am I?
He tried to move, but his arms wouldn't budge. Twisting around, he realized his hands were bound with tight, rough rope.
The fuck?
He looked left and right. The cave around him was dim, lit only by the scattered torches. How did he end up here? Who brought him? And why the hell was he tied up?
The last thing he remembered was passing out beside that damn wolf after the pain had pushed him over the edge.
Ding!
A chime echoed in his ears, and Benedict's eyes shot wide open as a familiar blue interface popped up.
(Phoenix Rebirth Activated! You've been revived. Cooldown: 30 days.)
Dead...? Me?
Benedict hurriedly opened his status screen.
---
(Status)
(Unique Trait)
---
"…I actually died. Shit," Benedict muttered hoarsely, voice barely audible.
He tried to remember what the Unique Trait did. Right… after Phoenix Rebirth activates, he's unable to attack for a full day.
That made him panic.
He was trapped, in an unknown cave, bound and helpless. And now, completely incapable of fighting?
Who the hell brought me here… and tied me up like this?
Benedict wriggled and pulled against the ropes, trying to break free, but his energy was completely drained. Nothing budged.
"Damn Hypnosis…" he growled under his breath, cursing his own SSS Skill.
Then, footsteps echoed from the left side of the cave. Reacting instantly, Benedict turned his head to the right and pressed his back to the wall.
He closed his eyes.
Play dead.
The footsteps drew closer, heavy and uneven.
Thud. Thud.
"KHIHIHIHI!"
That laugh. That screechy, high-pitched voice, Benedict recognized it instantly.
A goblin.
His mind spun. Some random goblin dragged me here? How strong is this one?
The goblin stepped into the light, holding Benedict's own hatchet in its hand. It leaned in, inspecting Benedict's face and breathing hot, disgusting air onto him.
Ugh, that breath is vile.
Benedict barely kept himself from grimacing.
The goblin raised the hatchet, preparing to chop off his head.
But just before the blade could fall, Benedict's eyes shot open.
They glowed red.
His gaze locked onto the goblin's bright green eyes.
[SSS Hypnosis Activated – Target: Goblin Lv.5]
[Hypnosis Successful! Congratulations, Master! This is your first full Hypnosis on a monster.]
The goblin's eyes shimmered pink, glowing faintly. The hand holding the hatchet fell limply to its side.
"Cut these ropes," Benedict commanded, voice low and rough.
Obediently, the goblin used the hatchet to slice the rope binding Benedict's hands. As the restraint came off, relief shot through his arms—his wrists were red and sore from the pressure.
He opened his status again.
(Status)
Benedict rubbed his chin. He needed to spend his EP now.
He tapped the level-up button.
With one tap, his body surged with power.
(Congratulations! You've reached Level 4!)
Max HP jumped to 200? And current HP boosted to 60? Not bad.
He recalled what he'd read in novels. Right…each level adds 50 HP.
That left him with 100 EP.
Returning to the main screen, he scrolled until he found what he was looking for.
(Basic Gacha)
A sly grin tugged at his lips.
Time to gamble!
A spinning octagonal orb appeared on-screen, glowing softly. Beside it, a golden button shimmered.
(Start Gacha – Cost: 100 EP)
(Available Tiers: D, C, B)
(A, S, SS, SSS – Locked until Boss is defeated)
Just as he expected. The higher-tier skills were locked until boss monsters were slain.
With no hesitation, he hit the button.
The octagonal orb began spinning, showing glimpses of different letters—D, C, B. Cycling rapidly.
It slowed.
Benedict mentally crossed his fingers.
The orb came to a stop.
(Congratulations, Host! You've obtained…)
(Active Skill – Tier C!)
Tier C?
He let out a small sigh. After pulling two S-tier, this felt a bit underwhelming.
Still, he tapped the skill icon.
(Tier-C Skill: Coin Flip)
Coin Flip – Every time this skill is activated, your next attack has a 50/50 chance. Heads: double damage to the enemy. Tails: you deal that same damage to yourself.
Benedict chuckled under his breath.
Even skills in this world were Gacha-based?
Clicking his tongue, he shook his head. It was a gamble, he could either land a huge blow or knock himself out.
Massaging his temple, he turned to glance at the goblin standing quietly beside him, barely 150cm tall.
What do I do with this goblin?
He remembered his Unique Trait again, he couldn't attack for an entire day.
And this goblin? It was holding his weapon.
"Come with me," Benedict said firmly.
The pink light flickered in the goblin's eyes. It nodded and lowered its head submissively.
Benedict grinned, pleased.
Looks like I just got myself a walking meat shield.