Yuuto took a deep breath, his grip tightening on his sword as he surveyed the fallen corrupted beast. The bck mist rising from its body slowly dissipated, vanishing into the air like smoke. Even after the battle, something about this entire situation felt off.
"One down, four to go," he muttered, rolling his shoulders.
Celia hovered beside him, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. "You should be more concerned about what’s causing these things to mutate like this."
Yuuto shot her a gnce. "You’re unusually serious."
Celia scoffed, floating a bit higher. "I just don’t want my dear Host getting killed before I get to tease him properly."
Yuuto sighed. "Of course."
He turned his attention back to the forest. The atmosphere had changed—the air felt heavier, the distant sounds of birds and insects had completely disappeared. It was as if the entire forest was holding its breath.
Yuuto took a cautious step forward, scanning his surroundings. He could feel the lingering presence of something—something unnatural.
Then, a low growl.
His body tensed as two pairs of glowing red eyes appeared through the thick fog ahead.
More corrupted beasts.
---
[Battle – Corrupted Beasts]
The first creature lunged at him—a twisted stag, its antlers pulsing with bck energy. Yuuto barely dodged, rolling to the side just as its jagged horns sshed through the air where he’d stood.
The second enemy, a corrupted panther, pounced from the side, its cws extended toward Yuuto’s exposed back.
"Tch!" Yuuto twisted mid-roll, barely raising his sword in time. The panther’s cws raked against the steel, sparks flying. The force pushed Yuuto back, making his feet slide against the dirt.
Celia’s voice chimed in his head. "Need some help, my struggling warrior?"
Yuuto gritted his teeth. "Less sarcasm, more system boosts!"
---
[System Boost Activated]
Agility +15%
Strength +10%
Reflex Boost (30 seconds)
---
The moment the system enhancement kicked in, Yuuto felt the change.
His body moved faster, lighter.
The stag charged again, its corrupted antlers glowing with eerie power. This time, Yuuto didn’t just dodge—he countered.
With a burst of speed, he sidestepped the charge, pivoting mid-motion. His sword swung in a precise arc, slicing through one of the stag’s legs.
The creature stumbled, howling in pain, bck mist spilling from its wound.
But Yuuto wasn’t done.
Using his enhanced speed, he closed the distance instantly, thrusting his sword deep into the stag’s throat.
A sickening squelch.
The corrupted beast shuddered, its body convulsing before colpsing lifelessly.
A ding echoed.
---
[Enemy Defeated!]
Corrupted Beast Sin (2/5)
EXP Gained: 600
---
Yuuto barely had time to recover before the corrupted panther struck again.
Its movements were erratic, unpredictable. It dashed in zigzag patterns, forcing Yuuto to constantly adjust his stance.
Celia clicked her tongue. "It’s faster than you, Yuuto. Py smart."
Yuuto took a deep breath. "Got it."
Instead of chasing the panther’s movements, he focused on its patterns.
Left. Right. Left. Fake-out. Right—THERE.
Yuuto moved.
The moment the panther lunged, Yuuto dropped low, swinging his sword upward in a brutal arc.
His bde sliced through the beast’s underbelly, bck mist pouring from the wound as the creature howled in pain.
But Yuuto didn’t stop.
He spun his sword in a fluid motion and delivered the finishing blow, stabbing through the panther’s heart.
The creature jerked, then colpsed into a motionless heap.
Another ding.
---
[Enemy Defeated!]
Corrupted Beast Sin (3/5)
EXP Gained: 700
---
Yuuto let out a slow breath, standing over the fallen beasts.
Celia cpped her hands sarcastically. "Look at you, becoming a real warrior! I’m so proud."
Yuuto wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Can’t you just say ‘good job’ like a normal system?"
Celia grinned. "But where’s the fun in that?"
Yuuto shook his head, sheathing his sword.
Then—he froze.
The ground beneath him felt strange.
Slowly, he kneeled, brushing aside the dirt. His fingers grazed something… cold.
A symbol—etched into stone.
Ancient-looking, covered in faded runes.
Yuuto’s breath hitched. "Celia. What the hell is this?"
Celia’s teasing expression vanished. She floated closer, her golden eyes narrowing at the markings.
Then, for the first time, Yuuto heard something in her voice that unnerved him.
A hint of fear.
"Yuuto… we need to leave. Now."
Yuuto’s stomach dropped.
Before he could react, a cold wind rushed through the forest—and the ground began to shake.
From the shadows of the trees, something stirred.
Something big.
A deep, unnatural growl echoed through the air.
Yuuto’s grip on his sword tightened.
"...Shit."
---
[End of Chapter 10]
