I walked slowly, trying to calm my thoughts.
This place was completely insane.
First goblins and snakes.
Then a humanoid crocodile.
And now a massive bird monster towering six meters tall.
"…This is seriously crazy."
If I had been careless even for a moment, I would've already died in a gruesome way.
Then—
A thought crossed my mind.
"Wait… a giant bird…?"
If that monster was really a bird, shouldn't it be able to fly?
I muttered to myself in confusion.
I raised my head and scanned the sky, searching for any sign of it soaring above.
My heart tightened.
If it could fly freely, then running would be pointless.
But—
The sky was clear.
Bright blue.
There was no sign of that giant bird anywhere.
"…That's strange."
That monster had massive wings.
There was no way it couldn't fly.
Unless—
"…Evolution?"
I let out a dry laugh.
So that's how it is.
The monsters in this world could evolve.
That explained their bizarre forms.
But that realization only made things worse.
For someone like me—a normal modern human—this world was nothing but a death trap.
"…This world really hates people like me."
I headed back toward my cave.
But the moment I arrived, my body froze.
Footprints.
They weren't human.
Judging from the size and depth—
They belonged to a wolf.
A giant one.
Seven meters tall.
"…This place isn't safe anymore."
The cave was compromised.
I needed to find a new shelter.
But before that—
I needed to train my body.
If I stayed weak, I wouldn't survive in this insane forest.
That night.
I did simple push-ups.
"Ugh… twelve… ngh… thirteen…"
Just thirteen.
My arms went numb.
I collapsed onto the ground.
Sweat soaked my body.
"…Damn it. I really regret never exercising back then."
I sat up and leaned against the cave wall.
"Hah… Whenever life got tough… I used to smoke."
I laughed bitterly.
"But in this world… I don't even get a single cigarette butt."
I closed my eyes.
Trying to sleep.
Several hours later—
I heard rumbling noises nearby while I was still half-asleep.
I slowly opened my eyes.
And my blood ran cold.
Goblins.
A lot of them.
They surrounded me.
One of them swung an axe toward me—
I barely managed to block it.
But—
It was strong.
Way stronger than I expected.
My arm was pushed back violently.
"K–kugh…!"
Before I could recover, another goblin attacked from the side.
Its sharp claws tore into my chest.
"Agh!!"
The pain was overwhelming.
Blood gushed from the deep wound.
I kicked the axe-wielding goblin away and punched the goblin that clawed me.
"That hurt, bastard!!"
But—
The goblins only suffered light bruises.
"…Shit."
They jumped onto my body.
Claws raked across my flesh.
"Agh!!"
I staggered, trying to escape, but the goblins clinging to me were relentless.
Their claws tore into my skin.
"Agh!! Get off me!!!"
I punched and struck wildly.
But my attacks felt meaningless.
Blood kept flowing.
I ran out of the cave.
Desperately searching for anything I could use as a weapon.
A sharp rock.
That was all I saw.
"…Fine. I'll use that."
I ran toward it.
While running, a goblin slashed my forehead.
Blood poured down, blocking my vision.
"Agh!!"
I couldn't see.
I stumbled.
And fell.
The goblins stabbed and tore into me with their claws.
"Ugh!!"
I crawled desperately, trying to find the rock.
Anger boiled inside me.
"Bastards!!"
I slammed my face into the ground.
Rubbing it hard to wipe away the blood.
"Ugh… ugh…"
Finally, I could see again.
My eyes searched frantically.
"…Where is that damn rock?!"
Then—
I saw it.
I crawled with everything I had.
I reached it.
Just as I grabbed it—
A goblin's claw pierced my right hand.
"K–kugh… damn it…"
I clenched my teeth and grabbed the rock with my left hand instead.
Then—
I smashed it into the goblin's head.
Again.
And again.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Mine.
And theirs.
One by one, the goblins on my body fell lifeless.
I slowly stood up.
My breathing was ragged.
"Hah… hah…"
I looked toward the cave.
More goblins were coming out.
"…Shit."
I stepped back.
Then—
Several goblins charged toward me.
"Agh!"
I turned and ran.
Holding my injured right hand, I forced my body to move.
I ran.
Moonlight illuminated the forest—
Then suddenly—
A massive shadow covered the moon.
I looked up.
The giant bird monster.
Flying.
Its eyes were locked onto me.
Like prey.
"…Oh shit."
My chest tightened.
"There's a very real chance I'll die today…"
My voice trembled.
"Is this it? Six days? Is that all I get?"
I clenched my fists.
"No. Even if I'm pathetic… I refuse to accept that!"
I ran with everything I had.
Then—
A river.
Fast and violent.
"…Damn it."
Blood continued to flow from my wounds.
For just a second—
I lost focus.
The bird descended.
Its talons tore into my shoulder.
"Agh!!"
Pain exploded.
I was thrown forward—
Into the raging river.
"Agh!! Damn it!!"
The current was overwhelming.
My body was tossed around violently.
As I struggled, I saw a massive rock.
If I could grab it—
I reached out.
I caught it.
I held on with all my strength.
The current tried to rip me away.
Water flooded into my wounds.
Agony surged.
"Ugh!! I… refuse to die!!"
Then—
The bird attacked again.
Its claws slashed my hands.
Pain.
My grip loosened.
I lost hold.
I was swept away.
"Aaaaahhh!!!"
I screamed.
Then—
My head slammed into a rock.
Everything went dark.
*Somewhere Between Life and Death*
I couldn't feel my body.
Was I dead?
No.
It felt… warm.
Like something was pulling me back.
A faint light appeared.
A voice echoed in my mind.
[Warning: Subject near death.]
[Emergency synchronization initiated.]
[Compatibility confirmed.]
"…What?"
My consciousness drifted.
[System Awakening…]
And then—
Darkness swallowed me whole.