Chapter 1: The Awakening Battle
Jeong's heart pounded in his chest. The black wolf in front of him trembled, sensing something was different. It wasn't just the wounds that had suddenly vanished from Jeong's body—it was the aura he now radiated. A predator's presence.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[ You have copied the skill: "Predator's Instinct" ]
Information flooded his brain. The wolf's movements, its breathing, the subtle shifts in its muscles—he could see them all. It was as if his body knew how to fight, as if instincts that had never belonged to him before were now guiding his every move.
The wolf lunged, its claws tearing through the air, but Jeong reacted before he could even think. His body twisted to the side, effortlessly dodging the attack. His own hands moved on their own, fingers sharpening into claws that mirrored the beast's.
A surge of exhilaration shot through him.
So this was power.
Jeong slashed, his borrowed claws tearing across the wolf's side. The creature howled in pain, staggering back, blood dripping onto the cracked pavement. But he didn't stop. He couldn't. His body screamed at him to finish the hunt.
He lunged forward, his strikes becoming faster, more precise. Another slash—this time across the wolf's throat. It choked, gurgling as it collapsed onto the ground, twitching before finally going still.
[ You have defeated a Shadowfang Wolf. ] [ Gained 50 EXP. ]
Jeong gasped, his body trembling from the rush of battle. His fingers slowly returned to normal, the predatory instincts fading, but the taste of victory remained.
Then he heard it.
A low growl.
His head snapped up just in time to see two more wolves emerging from the ruins, their crimson eyes locked onto him. They were larger than the first—stronger. He could feel it. But instead of fear, something else ignited in him.
Excitement.
[ You have copied the skill: "Enhanced Agility" ]
The system's notification barely registered before the first wolf attacked. But this time, Jeong was faster. His body moved with an unnatural speed, dodging just before the beast's jaws could snap around his throat. He twisted mid-air, landing lightly behind it.
The second wolf lunged, but he was ready. Borrowing the instincts of the first, he met its charge head-on. He ducked beneath its strike and raked his claws upward, slicing through flesh. Blood splattered onto his face, warm and metallic, but he didn't flinch.
He was winning.
[ You have defeated a Shadowfang Wolf. ] [ Gained 70 EXP. ]
The last wolf hesitated, sensing the shift in power. Jeong could almost see its fear. The same fear he had lived with his entire life.
Not anymore.
He dashed forward, faster than he had ever moved before. The wolf tried to retreat, but it was too late. He was already on top of it, his claws piercing through its skull with one final strike.
[ You have defeated a Shadowfang Wolf. ] [ Gained 80 EXP. ]
[ Level Up! ]
A bright blue screen materialized in front of him, causing him to freeze.
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Level: 5 HP: 100 → 120 MP: 50 → 60 Strength: 10 → 13 Agility: 10 → 15 Perception: 8 → 12 Endurance: 9 → 11 Stat Points Available: 5
Jeong's breath hitched. His body felt lighter, his muscles more refined. His senses had sharpened to a degree he hadn't thought possible.
"This… is insane." His voice was barely above a whisper, but there was an edge of excitement in it.
Then, as he stared at the glowing status window, a wide grin stretched across his face.
"This is just like a manhwa."
The realization sent a thrill down his spine. For years, he had spent every waking moment dreaming about something like this. Wishing, praying to be like the overpowered protagonists he admired.
And now, it was real. He wasn't just reading about a weak loser who became strong. He was living it.
Jeong clenched his fist, feeling the raw power coursing through his veins. This wasn't just some temporary high. He was truly evolving.
[ You have acquired a new title: "Beast Slayer" ]
Jeong let out a breathless laugh. "Beast Slayer? I kinda like the sound of that."
His gaze dropped to the corpses surrounding him. Just minutes ago, these creatures had nearly torn him apart. Now, they were nothing more than stepping stones.
"If I keep leveling up like this… I might actually survive, but first I need to get stronger."
The thought sent a thrill through him. For the first time in his life, he wasn't powerless.
He wasn't weak.
He had a system.
And he wasn't going to stop.