Chapter Seven: Another Encounter with Death
Akira slowly stepped forward toward the second wolf. The body lay motionless, its head grotesquely deformed. A cold smile formed on Akira's face—it felt like vengeance for the beast that had nearly killed him.
"Its skull is still intact… I need to crush it with something."
Alice approached him. "Alright… let's finish this and leave."
Akira grabbed a large stone and raised it above the wolf's head, ready to smash its skull.
Suddenly—the wolf opened its remaining eye.
"Akira! Watch out! It's still alive!" Alice shouted in panic.
The wolf lunged without warning, sinking its fangs into Akira's neck. He screamed in pain, desperately trying to push it away.
[Your HP has decreased by 20%]
HP: [4/10]
Enduring the pain, Akira smashed the stone into the wolf's head repeatedly, but the beast refused to let go and continued its assault.
[Your HP has decreased…]
[Your HP has decreased…]
[Your HP has decreased…]
"Impossible…" Akira gasped.
"I won't die to another wolf… especially a weak one!"
He threw the stone aside and closed his eyes, focusing on every last fragment of mana within his exhausted body.
"Void Spear!"
A resonating echo rang in his ears as he summoned the spear and drove it forcefully into the wolf's head. Its skull exploded in a violent surge of magic, and the beast collapsed lifelessly.
Then… darkness.
Akira lost consciousness and fell to the ground.
Moments later, new notifications appeared:
[You have slain an Unranked Beast – Level 9]
[150 EXP gained]
[Bonus EXP for level difference: +150]
[+1 Strength | +2 Endurance | +1 Defense | +1 Agility]
[Level Up: 2 → 3]
[You have gained 2 attribute points]
[HP below 10%]
[Title Activated: Survivor of Death]
[Recovery rate increased by 50%]
[HP restored to 10% – Title effect ended]
The notifications repeated continuously as Akira remained unconscious.
After some time, a new message appeared:
[Passive Skill Acquired: Enhanced Vitality]
[Endurance increased by +10]
[Mana capacity increased by +20]
[Maximum HP increased by +20]
Several hours later, Akira finally awoke. He coughed, blood filling his mouth, before opening his eyes.
Alice was sitting beside him, watching.
"You finally woke up… I thought you were dead."
"Damn it…"
"Don't curse. It's not my fault."
"What happened?"
"It was close."
"But you survived… I still don't understand how."
Akira raised his hand to scratch his neck, but Alice stopped him. "I wouldn't do that."
"Why? It itches badly."
"I don't know, but you'll only make it worse."
"…Fine."
"We should leave. Night is falling."
Akira realized he had been unconscious for hours.
"I don't think we'll reach the city before nightfall."
"It doesn't matter. Staying here at night is dangerous—and you still need medical attention."
"So… where is it?"
"There."
She pointed to a chunk of flesh. Akira retrieved the monster core from between the meat and bones, then turned toward the city.
Despite the pain, he clenched his teeth and kept moving.
By the time they were halfway there, night had fully descended. With Alice's guidance, he managed to find the path.
In the distance, city lights shimmered like a jewel in the darkness.
He paused to rest, gazing at the horizon.
Alice explained: "In short, because the title kept activating, your body continuously recovered. That's what granted you the passive skill. Your stats increased, and you survived the danger."
"Honestly, I'm impressed. Many tried to achieve this—or even cheat the system—but all of them failed."
…
Noticing his gaze, Alice asked: "Is there something else?"
"You said it was a wish… but I nearly died because of you."
"It was a wish—but that part was your fault. You should've paid attention to the kill notifications."
"I didn't receive one… and you approached them without activating any protection for me."