My first Battle

This is it. My first fight. I can't afford to die here.

Seven wolves. Their eyes glowed with hunger, fangs bared like I was tonight’s main course.

Clutching my twig, I met the first one head-on. I swung hard.

Crack.

The twig snapped in two.

So did my pride.

"Pardon my rudeness, but it seems my new owner is stupid," Interface-san said flatly, but there was a clear undertone of judgment in her voice.

"You underestimate me too much, Interface-san... you didn’t even ask if I had a Plan B," I replied, trying to keep my smug mask on.

 Confidence is key, right?

"Oh, I'm dying to hear it."

Time to deploy the genius strategy that even Einstein or Socrates would’ve admired.

"Let’s run!!!"

I bolted. Every nerve screamed in survival mode as the sound of paws thundered behind me.

"I knew it. Use your rage skill so you can run faster," Interface-san said casually—like this wasn’t a death chase.

"But how?!"

"Just say the skill! D-rank or lower doesn’t need an incantation!"

She sounded more annoyed than artificial now. If I wasn’t busy running for my life, I’d be insulted.

A wolf’s breath brushed against my back.
No time to think.

"Rage!"

Something surged through my veins. Adrenaline on steroids. My senses sharpened. Fatigue vanished. It was like downing five energy drinks at once—minus the jitters.

So this is what using a skill feels like...

"Don’t space out! You’re just running at the same pace as them! Use your damn brain to outrun them!" Interface-san snapped.

Thanks, coach.

To shake them off, I jumped from tree to tree. Branches cracked under my weight, but I kept moving. Still, they didn’t give up.

"Interface-san! How long does Rage last?!"

"Based on your mana and the skill’s cost, approximately thirty seconds until you hit the critical mana threshold."

I grit my teeth. "Why couldn’t I reincarnate as some overpowered protagonist like the others?!"

"And once the mana drains?"

"You die," she said sweetly.

I hate this floating bot.

Weakness crept into my legs. My limbs were starting to go numb.

Was my mana already that low?

I slowed to a stop. My breath came in short bursts. What’s the point? I’d just die anyway.
The wolves closed in. One leapt, claws outstretched—

Thud.

A massive vibration rattled the ground. Giant footsteps.

The wolves stopped. Then bolted.

"...Huh?" I blinked. "What’s happening?"

"Shun, those footsteps. It could be a strong entity."

"Yeah. A strong entity. Like a freaking giant," I muttered, dread sinking into my stomach.

The steps grew louder. Deliberate. Coming right for me.

"You have two options: Run, or track it down and pull for its skills."

I’d done enough running.

"If I’m going to die, I’ll go down swinging. I’ll take the risk."

"Hm? As expected of the one I chose. You never fail to amuse me."

"...You chose me?"

"Focus, Shun. Deepen your senses. Spot the enemy."

I closed my eyes. Tuned in. Leaves rustling. Ground shaking. Breath steady.

One by one, trees were shoved aside like weeds. Then, it appeared.
A hulking, two-story beast. Muscular, green, horns like a demon. A blood-stained wooden bat rested on its shoulder.

Interface-san flickered beside me. "Analysis complete. Entity: Elite Orc. Rank: D.
Skills: Roaring Beast (D), Night Vision (E), Unique Passive: Physical Ability Boost (D)."

No time to ask for definitions. I went with the one that stood out most.

Hiding behind a tree, I whispered, "Pull for Unique Passive: Physical Ability Boost!"

"Understood. Pulling now. Skill acquired in 27 pulls.

Other results: Night Vision (E), Stone x3 (F), Twig (F), Giant Wooden Bat (E)."
The items materialized in front of me. The giant bat dropped straight onto my chest—no pain, oddly enough.

I picked it up. It was heavy… but I could still lift it.

No time to wonder why. Just fight.
I charged the orc, bat in hand.

"Be careful, Shun! Don’t activate more skills!"
The orc noticed me and swung its weapon down like a hammer of doom.
I blocked it.

My arms screamed, but the force made the orc stagger slightly.

I countered fast—slamming the bat into its side. It roared.

A deafening shockwave hit me like a truck. My body froze. I couldn’t move. Knees buckled.

Then I saw it.
The orc, raising its bat for a killing blow.
I can't dodge this...

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STATS SUMMARY
Shun Kirisaki
Pulls remaining: 63
Skills: Unique Passive - Physical Ability Boost (D)Night Vision (E)