The mutated beast staggered from Rivan's critical hit, shaking its head as dark mist poured from the wound.
It wasn't defeated… but it was finally injured.
Lina's jaw fell open.
"He… he actually cut it. Rivan CUT an A-rank monster! With a tiny dagger!"
Aria managed a weak smile.
"Not just cut it. He interrupted its regeneration."
Rivan had no time to enjoy the surprise on their faces.
The beast's vines pulsed aggressively—the mutation accelerating again.
[Warning: Monster is entering Frenzy Mode]
Rivan muttered, "Of course it is. Why not…"
The creature lowered its body, glowing lines crawling over its frame like fiery cracks.
Aria struggled up on one knee.
"Rivan… listen carefully. When it enters Frenzy Mode, it focuses on the one who hurt it most."
Lina pointed at him dramatically.
"So… YOU!"
Rivan sighed.
"Great."
---
The Beast Charges
The Ravager roared—
a shockwave rippling through the clearing.
Rivan braced himself, heart pounding, mind burning with instinct.
When the monster lunged again, it was even faster.
Rivan barely dodged the first swipe, feeling the air tear beside him. He rolled, then jumped back—his movements sharper than ever.
[Agility Check Passed]
Lina shouted, "Stop showing off and STAY ALIVE!"
Rivan replied while dodging another strike,
"I'm trying!"
But the beast wasn't slowing down.
It attacked again— relentless, almost rabid.
Aria forced herself to stand, gripping her sword.
"Rivan! Aim for its legs! Cut its movement!"
"I'll try!"
Rivan moved again, sliding between the beast's legs. But this time the monster anticipated him. Its tail whipped toward him—fast.
Rivan ducked—
barely avoiding being thrown across the forest.
[Danger: Monster Learning Your Movement Pattern]
Rivan's eyes widened.
"It's… adapting to me?"
Aria paled.
"Mutated beasts can learn mid-battle. You won't be able to dodge the same way forever."
Lina yelled, "GREAT. PERFECT. AMAZING. WE ARE DOOMED!"
---
A Desperate Plan
Rivan gripped the dagger.
"We need to create one opening. One chance."
Aria nodded.
"I can still fight. Not long… but I can."
Lina raised her hands.
"I'll distract it! My magic isn't strong, but I can blind it for a second."
Rivan's eyes sharpened.
"A second is enough."
He turned to Aria and Lina.
"On my signal… hit it with everything."
Aria tightened her grip.
"Understood."
Lina gave a trembling thumbs-up.
"Let's not die!"
Rivan faced the beast again.
It growled, vines cracking with energy.
Rivan whispered to himself—
"System… if you really gave me this power… then give me one more chance."
The beast roared and sprinted toward him.
Rivan ran straight toward it.
---
The Opening
Lina shouted, "NOW!"
A flash of blinding white light erupted from her hands—
a pulse so bright even Rivan closed his eyes for a moment.
The beast roared, stumbling, eyes burning.
That one second…
That single heartbeat…
Rivan moved.
He dashed forward, using all the strength and speed he had—
jumped toward the beast's head—
and slammed the dagger into the weakened jawline where he had cut earlier.
[Critical Weak Point Hit]
The monster howled, stumbling backward as Aria dashed in.
She swung her sword with everything she had left—
the blade coated in a burst of aura.
"RIVAN! MOVE!"
Rivan dropped low just as Aria's strike landed.
SLASH—
The beast staggered violently.
Rivan rolled away, breath shaking, as Aria collapsed to one knee again.
Lina gasped.
"Did we… did we win?"
The beast swayed.
Roared.
And then—
It fell.
The ground rumbled with the impact.
Rivan stared at it, chest heaving.
[Boss Monster Defeated]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
Stats Increased.
Reward: Class Fragment (2/?)
Rivan froze.
Two class fragments now…
Aria collapsed backward, breathing in relief.
"Well done… Rivan."
Lina jumped onto Rivan, shaking him.
"WHAT DID YOU EAT THIS MORNING?! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! ARE YOU SECRETLY A SUPER SOLDIER?!"
He peeled her off.
"I honestly have no idea."
But deep down, he did know.
The system.
The spark inside him.
The hidden potential he never knew he had.
For the first time in his life—
Rivan felt strong.
Not S-rank strong.
Not monster-slaying strong.
But strong enough to protect the people beside him.
And strong enough to uncover the truth that waited ahead.
As the dungeon walls began to fade and light filled the clearing—
A new system message appeared.
[A New Path Has Opened]
The Hidden System recognizes your resolve.
A Class Awakening Will Occur Soon.
Rivan's breath caught.
A class…
Finally.
His real journey…
was just beginning.