Chapter Twelve
System, Gacha Spin.
My eyes were fixed at the pitch black void of the cave.
It does not look like I have enough time to look at the trade shop. And I cannot leave this cave empty-handed. This has to be the best case scenario.
Even if it's a little risky. It has to work.
"Hnnsshhh... Shhhuuh..."
The cave breathed like a living lung. Damp air crawled over my skin, carrying the metallic tang of raw magic. Mana was thick here, heavy enough to press against my chest.
How is it that I can't see any mana stones? Usually, where the mana is this thick, the walls should be weeping crystals.
[Gacha Spin Initiated…]
[Gacha Points Available: 420]
[Would Host Like To Use 200 Gacha Points to Upgrade?]
[Yes] [No]
Yes, motherfucker. Can you not see the situation right now? Just hurry up and spin.
I closed my eyes in frustration as I slowly backed away towards the entrance of the cave, careful not to make a single sound.
I cannot die here. I cannot give up, either. Was firing Kaelen a wrong choice?
No. I cannot doubt myself. Not now.
And, how long am I going to depend on a knight? I need to have my own power. I'm a Duke for fuck's sake.
[Gacha Points Available: 220]
[Gacha Store Upgraded!]
[Tier 2 Gacha Spin Unlocked!]
[1 Spin = 200 Points]
I froze.
Then I stared into the blue screen like it had personally insulted my ancestors.
Why do I have a feeling that you are scamming me?
[Ping!]
[Do you really have a choice even if I am?]
No. No. I don't just do the spin, love. Please. I'll die if you don't.
[Ping!]
[Oki. Also, stop complaining about everything we do.]
Got it! Got it!
Before I could regret calculating my survival chances based on the system, mana rippled through the walls of cave, leaving a trail of purple glimmer behind. The darkness shifted, like something large had inhaled.
Could it be a kind of mana beast? But, in my past life, mana beasts were found where there was extremely large deposits of mana stones. I can't even see a single stone. Plus, this is the smallest mountain.
Even if there were mana stones. How many could it even have?
[Gacha Spin Initiated…]
[Gacha Points Available: 20]
[Spinning! Spinning! Spinning!]
Snap!
My foot had crushed a dry branch I had placed beside the fire to feed. The echo bounced across the walls of the cave as my heart beat stopped.
Then, I saw them.
Two embers of burning red, hovering just inches off the ground. They didn't blink. They just pulsed within the suffocating blackness of the tunnels. My heart, which had momentarily stopped, suddenly slammed against my ribs with a frantic rhythm.
It's a mana beast! Fuck! I'm doomed. Spin faster, idiot. Are you going to get me killed today?
[Ding!]
[B Rank Thunder Bow Awarded With 3 Arrows!]
[Host can buy more arrows from Trade Shop]
I almost laughed while crying. Is this fucker trying to make crazy!?
A bow dropped into my hands, heavy. The moment my fingers brushed the riser, a jolt shot up my spine.
It felt too familiar for some reason. Like muscle memory waking up after a long sleep. My palms adjusted without thought. My stance tried to correct itself before my knees screamed in protest.
Have I… held this before?
[Detecting Monster…]
[Monster Type: Baby Lithovar]
No time to think. What is a Lithovar, system?
[Searching...]
[Explanation Of Lithovar:]
[A mana born subterranean monster formed where leyline veins intersect solid rock. Their bodies are living stone threaded with active mana circuits. Even juveniles possess extreme durability and heightened mana sensitivity. While physically slow, Lithovars instinctively protect mana rich territories and will attack any foreign mana fluctuation within range.]
[Threat Assessment: Physical Defense: High | Mana Resistance: Medium | Mobility: Low | Intelligence: Instinctual]
[Note: Even a Baby Lithovar can crush you into a paper with a single strike if you get hit.]
The red eyes moved.
Stone scraped against stone as something massive pulled itself out of the darkness. A squat body like a boulder forced into the shape of a beast. Veins of dull light pulsed across its surface, mana flowing like blood through cracks in rock.
Ugh... Aren't mana beasts supposed to be majestic? Why is it so ugly?
Where are the weak points, bitch?
[Ping!]
[That is Host's job to find. Fucker.]
One day... One day, when I'm going to find out who's the person behind this system and I will kill them. Slowly. Painfully.
The Lithovar lunged.
It was slower than I expected.
I jumped back, lungs burning instantly. My body protested every movement. Fat slapped against fat. Breath came in ragged bursts. The ground shook as the creature's stone fist smashed where I had been standing.
Fuck this body.
It came again.
I dodged sideways. Barely.
My vision blurred at the edges. My legs trembled. Sweat poured down my face, stinging my eyes. My heart felt like it was trying to escape my chest through my throat.
[Ping!]
[It looks very slow. Maybe you can consider dodging as exercise.]
I wheezed out a laugh.
Exercise. Great. I always wanted to exercise while dying.
[Ping!]
[Host really can't change.]
"GRAAAHHH!"
The Lithovar roared. A grinding sound, like boulders screaming. It charged again, dragging its weight forward with terrifying inevitability.
This isn't fair. It's fat and ugly too! Why am I the only one struggling?
Either way, looks like I can't keep dodging anymore. That's all the exercise this body can do.
I planted my feet.
Mana surged as I forced it through my 108 mana points. Pain flared instantly. My arms screamed as I lifted the bow. The string felt heavier than it should. My hands shook so badly the arrow rattled.
Focus. You have to live, Yeun.
The monster was all stone, but stone still cracked. Mana still flowed. The glowing lines. Those were probably not decoration. Maybe, they were mana veins of the beast like humans have blood veins.
My first arrow flew.
Thunder snapped through the cave as light exploded. The arrow struck the Lithovar's shoulder and shattered. Stone chips flew, but the monster barely suffered.
One arrow wasted.
It slammed its arm down. I rolled. My side hit stone. Air burst from my lungs. Spots danced in my vision.
Stand. Stand. Yeun, you got this.
Second arrow. My hands shook worse. My breathing was loud. My heart thundered louder than the bow.
I aimed for the glowing lines again. The joints, where mana converged.
Shussshhhhh...
The arrow pierced the air as it hit the creature's leg. Lightning crawled across stone. A crack formed as the Lithovar stumbled.
Yes. This is it.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The beast screamed as the cave screamed with it. Rocks from the cave's roof hit the ground.
I sagged.
My strength was already drained. Mana burned through my blood vessels like fire through paper. My legs wobbled. My vision narrowed.
One arrow left. One chance at surviving.
The Lithovar dragged itself forward, enraged now. Faster. Still slow, but faster than my fat body.
I can't dodge this. I need to face it head on.
My knees buckled.
I dropped to one knee, bow barely held upright. My hands were numb. My head felt light. Sounds came from far away.
So this is it.
I pulled the last arrow.
As I drew the string back, that strange feeling returned. The world around me sharpened. I saw the lines of power. I wasn't looking at a monster. I was looking at a structural flaw.
I never used a bow in past life. What is this strange sense of familiarity? Why does this feel… so right?
Like coming home.
I aimed not at the body, but at the brightest convergence of mana. Right under the creature's head. Where the glow pulsed strongest.
The Lithovar raised its arm.
I released.
Thunder tore through the cave. The arrow buried itself deep into the core. Lightning exploded inside the stone hide. Cracks raced across the Lithovar like a shattered mirror.
The beast froze. Then, it detonated into a pile of inert rubble.
CRASSSSHHHH...
The sound was deafening.
Silence followed.
My bow slipped from my fingers. My vision went white as my body finally gave up.
Is this the end?
I collapsed as a familiar pair of boots appeared at the edge of my fading sight.
"Tch. You always choose the worst places to pass out, Your Grace."
Kaelen...