Change.

Drip…Drip…

Reed felt his consciousness return gradually as the drips of water hit his forehead and his cheeks.

Reed’s eyelids felt heavy as he struggled to open them. His body felt like lead, every movement sending a sharp pain through his muscles. He groaned, his mind foggy as he tried to recall how he had survived the brutal attack of the unknown creature.

‘.….I’m still alive?……….I’m saved?’

As he attempted to sit up, the agony in his body stopped him short. His limbs were heavy and unresponsive, his muscles were screaming in protest at the slightest movement. He gritted his teeth, tears streaming down his face as he tried to push himself up with his good arm.

The effort was in vain, and soon he fell back onto the cold ground, gasping for air. He was too weak to move, too weak to fight, too weak to do anything but lay there and wait for his wounds to heal.

Reed closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying his best to calm his nerves.

‘How……long have I….. been laying here…..’

‘Hour?.……Days….’

He couldn’t tell.

He tried to remember how he had ended up in this state. The last thing he remembered was the vulture’s words and the feeling of its menacing gaze.

But how had he survived? Was it the vulture’s doing?

Questions swirled around in his mind, but he was too weak to focus on them. Reed extended his hand to the ceiling. Only one arm came into his view. He remembered he was bitten by the unknown monster earlier. At that, he kept his left arm down.

‘H-How?……There’s so much blood……loss…’

He couldn’t see in the darkness, but if he had some light he would be able to see the pool of his blood. The amount of blood he had lost would have normally killed a normal human. To survey the surrounding he felt around with his hand and felt something slimy. His blood was still there and it had yet to dry. After all, it seemed he had bled, and it seemed not much time had passed since he fainted.

While he was wondering about his wound, another drop of water hit his cheeks. The moment it entered his mouth, he felt his body re-energize.

‘.…water?….’

He noticed he returned from the brink of death because of this water. Reed who was laying on the cold rough floor. Reed lay there on the cold, rough floor, his body battered and bruised from the intense battle he had just endured. The pain was almost too much to bear, and his breathing was labored as he struggled to take in enough air. The sound of water dripping echoed in his ears, and he wondered where it was coming from.

As he lay there, he realized that the floor was too cold to bear, so he decided to curl up into a fetal position. He hugged himself tightly, trying to generate some warmth in his shivering body. The rough surface of the floor dug into his skin, and he winced in pain, but he couldn't bring himself to move. He was too weak, too exhausted to even lift a finger.

The water continued to drip, it's sound a constant reminder of his dire situation. Reed couldn't help but wonder what type of water it was. Was it clean and fresh, or was it contaminated with all sorts of bacteria? He knew that he needed to find the source of the water, but he was too weak to move. All he could do was lay there in the fetal position.

Reed might confront hostility and malice. Any rescue would be greatly appreciated, and he might be able to stand again. However, that demon figure who killed Mr. Rone, eyes scared him to death. Never in his life wanted to encounter the eyes of a predator that wanted to devour him. Eyes that he had a little experience with because he was used to being the top law of the jungle. Those eyes were responsible for why he is in his state right now and this broke his heart.

‘Some….one….help…’

In this abyss, his voice did not reach anyone.

What did he do?

Reed was laying on his side curled up into a fetal position.

Reed lay in the dark, dim cave for what felt like an eternity. He had lost all sense of time, and his body was weak and numb. The only thing that kept him going was the occasional drip of the unknown liquid that sustained him, but it did nothing to ease his hunger. He could feel his stomach growling, aching with a hunger that seemed to eat away at him from the inside out.

The pain was unbearable, and it only grew worse with each passing moment. His mind was consumed by thoughts of food, of warm meals and full bellies. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was slowly wasting away, that he was fading into nothingness with each passing moment.

But it wasn't just the hunger that plagued him. His limbs felt heavy and numb as if they were no longer a part of him. He would try to move, but his muscles refused to obey him. And in the darkness, he could feel phantom pains, aches, and stabs that came and went without rhyme or reason.

Reed felt like he was slowly losing his grip on reality. The darkness that surrounded him seemed to be closing in, suffocating him, and the pain was becoming too much to bear. He wondered how much longer he could last, how much more suffering he could endure.

Days passed, ten of them, and Reed had not moved much since he first collapsed in the cave. The hunger and phantom pain were constant companions, tormenting him day and night. He knew he wasn't going to die, but he was suffering in a way that he never thought possible.

As he lay there in the darkness, Reed began to wonder if he would ever see the light of day again, if he would ever be free from the agony that consumed him. He felt himself slipping away, his mind fading into a dark void.

‘How did I end up like this?’

A question he asked himself over and over again. His mind had recovered from drinking the slow drips of the water, even if he suffered from pain and hunger. Unfortunately, because he had a clear mind, all the suffering was clearly felt.

‘If this goes on for so long…I rather…’

After he muttered those sentences, he felt his eyes slowly closing, he fell unconscious.

Three days had passed. He had not moved much since being slammed to the ground by the unknown creature, and every breath felt like it could be his last. The pain from his phantom limbs was excruciating, and hunger gnawed at his stomach with a ferocity that he had never known before.

‘Still… I’m not dead…’

He tried his best to cling to the hope that someone would come to rescue him, but as time passed by, he realized that no one was coming. With each passing day, he grew weaker, and it became increasingly difficult to keep fighting for survival.

Four days had passed, and Reed had a moment of clarity. He realized that the water he had been drinking to stay alive was only prolonging his suffering. He knew that he was going to die and that it was better to accept his fate than to cling to a false sense of hope.

As he slowly stopped drinking the water, his body began to shut down. He was in constant agony, with every inch of his being screaming out for sustenance. But he gritted his teeth and refused to give in. He had made a choice, and he was determined to see it through until the end.

‘I want…..to…..di-’

His eyes slowly began to shut.

He violently opened both of his eyes. But as the darkness began to close in around him, a small part of him still clung to the hope that he would make it out alive.

‘No!’

It was a faint spark of life that refused to be extinguished, even in the face of overwhelming odds. And as he drifted in and out of consciousness, that tiny glimmer of hope kept him going, even as his body slowly succumbed to the darkness

Although he wished for death, a part of him still wanted to live. Conflicting thoughts alternated within his head. Four more days had passed since Reed had made the decision to stop drinking the unknown water that was sustaining him. His body had grown weaker, and his mind was beginning to deteriorate. He could no longer distinguish reality from his delirium.

Reed's mind was in a constant state of confusion and disorientation. He would see things that weren't there and hear voices that only existed in his head. He was convinced that he was being watched by creatures lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on him when he least expected it.

As the days went by, Reed's thoughts grew more and more erratic. He would talk to himself, arguing with voices that weren't his own. He would laugh at nothing, and cry for no reason.

‘HAHAHAHAHAH!!’

‘Why did this happen…. What’s the cause….’

‘Why do I have to suffer… What did I do!’

‘Fuck!!!’

‘Mr. Rone died…. because of me…..’

‘HAHAHAHA!!’

Reed was slowly becoming a crazy person, lost in his own world of delusions and hallucinations. He was trapped in a dark and twisted version of reality, where nothing made sense, and everything was a threat. Gradually his thoughts became darker. Who was wrong? Who forced their unreasonableness onto him? Who harmed him? The pain gradually turned into rage, rage led to deep hatred, and he sought an enemy. Everything had worked to corrupt his spirit. The severe pain and starvation that wrecked his body, and the events that led him here into this endless darkness.

‘Nobody has come to rescue me…’

‘If that’s the case…’

‘How do I rid myself of this pain?’

Day Eighteen. Reed's thoughts had made a quick breakthrough about his current situation. With a heart that wanted release from its torment, he needed to first expel the unnecessary hatred. Because the suffering did not end when his heart turned black…

‘Wish…..’

‘I wish…for life’

‘a life where mom…and sister…..play…..smile…’

‘What type of people impedes me?’

‘My enemies’

‘What should I do?’

‘I-I…’

Day Nineteen. His mind had snapped like a dry twig. He had been pushed to his limit. His eyes burned with a fiery rage as he remembered all of the creatures and people that had brought him to this point. He knew what he had to do, and nothing would stop him. Reed had arrived at an answer to all his questions.

‘KILL!’

In order to live, he will kill with pure intent.

All those who threaten his survival are his enemies and to my enemies….

‘KILL!!!’

To escape this feeling of starvation,

‘Kill and Devour!’

At this moment, the mild and easygoing, apologizing with a bitter smile at any sign of conflict, the Reed that Rei thought was strong, utterly fell from grace.

A new existence comes to life. A Reed that would ruthlessly eliminate any who stood in his way of survival. He felt his heart broke again. This new heart however was not a weak one that was roughly patched up by bandages. No, his new heart was re-forged by the fires of agony, despair, and darkness.

With a fierce determination, Reed slowly move his completely weakened body. Reed's body trembled as he lifted his arm towards the droplet of water that was slowly trickling down the cave wall. His throat was parched and his lips cracked, but his desperation to quench his thirst was even greater. He tried to steady his shaking hand, but it was no use. He missed the droplet, and it fell to the ground with a soft splatter.

Reed's heart sank, and he let out a weak groan. He had been surviving on these droplets of water for the past few days, and each one was a precious commodity. He had no idea where they were coming from or what was in them, but he had no choice but to drink them.

He lifted his arm again, and this time he managed to catch the droplet on his tongue. It was a meager amount, barely enough to wet his mouth, but it was enough to keep him going. He closed his eyes and savored the taste, which was almost metallic and had a strange aftertaste. But at that point, he didn't care. As long as it kept him alive, he was willing to drink it.

Reed's eyes glinted in the dim light of the cave, taking on a feral quality as he greedily drank the droplets of water. As he wiped his mouth, a twisted grin formed on his face, revealing his sharpened teeth that glimmered in the darkness. His once soft and gentle features had transformed into something almost animalistic, a fierce determination burning in his eyes.

The canines in his mouth had elongated, giving him an almost vampire-like appearance. His eyes bore into the darkness with a fierce intensity, his newfound rage and determination emanating from him like a tangible force.

The once-weak Reed was gone, replaced by a force to be reckoned with, a being that would stop at nothing to survive and thrive in the unforgiving world he found himself in. Reed slowly rose to his feet, swaying unsteadily.

“KILL!” he declared, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

Reed heard an unexpected but familiar voice as his shrieks filled the cave.

[You’re so damn loud.]

Reed scoffed at this sudden voice he hear.

“I was wondering, when are you gonna show up.”

[Oh. It seems you can now clearly hear my voice?]

The voice sounded intrigued. Reed could not even laugh.

“It’s not the first day I could hear a damn voice in my head.”

[Intersting. It seems the contract works too well..]

“Interesting my ass. I don’t know what you really are, but show me the way out of here while I’m asking you nicely.”

[You really think you can survive with your body in that condition?]

All he could see was his blood dripping down. It was shocking enough that he had not fainted from shock already.

That voice started to mock Reed as he was unsteadily standing still.

[A weak and feeble hunter who was greedy for the treasures of the domain, ignoring all the danger signs the domain has to offer. This is the end for a fool like you.]

Reed knew that he was being mocked but he lets out a twisted smile on his face.

“Shut up and show me the damn way out, you dam bird.”

[You show rare talent but it looks like you were not able to use them efficiently to their full potential and only suffered because your greed got the best of you.]

‘tch…’

Reed got emotional after that and started to sneer.

“Listen here, you bastard…. I don’t care if you’re a god or a guardian spirit…if you talk again like that one more time….”

Reed looked up and stared menacingly directly at the ceiling, there he saw the source of the voice.

“I won’t hesitate to kill you…”

[HAHA.]

The vulture laughed after hearing that. It sounded like a leery old man.

[How interesting that there was someone like you.]

The vulture opened its wing.

[I will give you a chance. Prove your worth and take the throne.]

he noticed the vulture beginning to fade away. Its feathers began to flicker, and its form seemed to blur and distort.

Reed's heart raced as he watched the vulture disappear before his eyes as if it was never really there in the first place. He looked around the cave, trying to make sense of what had just happened, but there was no trace of the vulture.

In its place, there was only a faint echo of the vulture's voice, urging Reed to take the throne and prove himself worthy. The cave fell silent once more, and Reed was left alone with his thoughts.

Reed scoffs.

“Take the throne my ass”

Reed mumbled to himself.

“Oi! You forgot to show me the way out!”

As Reed stood in the dark, dim cave, a sudden beeping sound echoed in his mind.

{Unread messages (2)}

Reed’s eyes sparkled after confirming it.

{Daily Task is now available.}

{Daily Task: Monster Hunting}

-Hunt 10 monsters.

“Would you look at this?”

A wicked smile slowly spread across his face.

After examining the simple task he moves on to the next message.

{Rewards for completing the Task: Survive is now available.}

{Would you like to confirm the rewards?} (Y/N)

He smiled.

“Yes.”

{The following rewards are available.}

-Reward 1. Purple Box

-Reward 2. Gold Box

{Would you like to open them all?}

Reed stared at the purple and gold box in front of him, his eyes narrowing as he tried to assess its value. He had learned long ago that nothing came without a price, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this box was no exception.

He hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the box again.

"But...I need all the help I can get right now," he admitted, his voice lowering. "So fine. I'll take it. But if there's anything even remotely suspicious about it, I won't hesitate to destroy it."

“Open them.”

The system beeped in response, and Reed let out a bitter chuckle.

He first opens the Purple box. Inside the box was a small, glittering gemstone.

"That's it?" Reed said, his tone unimpressed.

Reed narrowed his eyes at the box. "A gemstone? What kind of joke is this? I need food, water, and weapons! Not some useless trinket."

There were words floating on top of the item.

….just like a item from a video game might have.

‘Aurora Stone?’

{The Aurora Stone is a rare and precious gemstone that glows with ethereal light, resembling the Northern Lights. It is said to have been formed from the purest essence of the Aurora Borealis itself and has the ability to enhance the natural abilities of its wearer, making them stronger, faster, and more resilient. The stone is also known for its ability to purify and strengthen the mind, granting increased focus and mental acuity to its owner. Its rarity and value make it a highly sought-after treasure by adventurers and magic-users alike.}

His eyes widened with excitement as he picked up the gemstone, feeling its weight and admiring its beauty. He could sense the power emanating from it, and he knew that this was a rare artifact that could indeed enhance his abilities.

Reed smiled to himself, his canine teeth glinting in the dim light of the cave.

"This could be exactly what I need to become strong enough to take what's rightfully mine," he said to himself.

He carefully placed the gemstone in his pocket.

He then proceeds to the next one the gold box.

‘Open..’

The box slowly open, and his eyes widened.

Inside lay a strange mask, The mask was a deep black color, with intricate designs etched into its surface. The material of the mask was smooth and cold to the touch, almost as if it was made of some unknown metal.

"What is this?" Reed muttered to himself, turning the mask over in his hands. As Reed continued to inspect the mask, he wondered what kind of power this mysterious mask held, and why the system had chosen it as his reward.

Despite his thorough inspection, no additional information was revealed about the mask, no name, no description.

[Oh? That mask is one of ‘his’ most prized treasures, Reed. How did you come to possess it?]

Reed was caught off guard when he heard a familiar voice talking inside his head.

“Huh? You're still here?”

[Yes, it is in our contract. That I must stick with you and help you take the throne.]

“I have no plan on taking the throne.”

[That mask is a powerful artifact, one that even I am wary of.]

Reed shrugged, still examining the mask. "I'm not one to shy away from power. In fact, I welcome it."

The vulture paused for a moment, studying Reed carefully.

[You are more ambitious than I thought. But be warned, Reed, with power comes a heavy burden. Are you truly ready to shoulder it?]

Reed's smirk widened. "Yeah," he said, his tone confident.

The vulture chuckled once again.

[HAHAHAHA.]

[We shall see, Boy. We shall see.]

Slowly, he lifted the mask to his face, feeling a sudden rush of energy as he secured it in place.

In the dim cave, there was a giant fire snake. A serpent-like creature with scales that shimmer like molten lava. Its eyes glow bright orange, and its breath is a scorching flame that can incinerate anything in its path.

Reed stood still, observing the giant fire snake in front of him. The creature was at least a five-story building long and had scales as red as burning embers. Its eyes glowed with a fierce intensity, and its long tongue flicked out, sensing its surroundings.

Reed while observing the giant snake he noticed something.

“A name floating on top of its head?”

Was he dreaming again?

Reed closed and opened his eyes again, yet nothing had changed. Even now, there was a red word floating on top of its head.

….Just like a monster from a video game might have.

‘Flame Serpent.’ (Infant)

Reed knew that he was no match for the creature in his current state. He was injured, had no weapons, and had no resources to speak of. But he also knew that he had to face this creature if he wanted to survive.

He took a deep breath and began to formulate a plan. The cave was dark, and the only source of light was the fire that the snake breathed out.

It was clear that brute force would not be enough to take down the beast, but he also couldn't afford to be reckless. He took a moment to survey his surroundings, looking for anything that could be used to his advantage.

Then, an idea struck him. He noticed that the cave walls were covered in a sticky, resin-like substance that had a strong odor.

Reed quickly realized that this could be his ticket to victory. He started gathering the resin and smearing it all over himself. He knew that the fire snake's sense of smell was its primary means of hunting, and hoped that the resin would mask his scent enough to confuse the creature.

As he waited for the snake to approach, Reed noticed the slight shimmer of its scales. He deduced that they were reflective, and came up with another plan. He began searching the ground for any small rocks that might be useful. After collecting a handful, he began breaking them apart, searching for any that had a reflective surface.

Just as he finished his preparations, the fire snake slithered into view. It was massive, with scales the color of flames and eyes that glowed like embers. It hissed and bared its fangs, ready to strike. Reed stood his ground, pretending to be injured and helpless.

As the snake lunged towards him, Reed threw the handful of reflective rocks at it, hoping to distract it. The snake was momentarily confused, allowing Reed to dart behind a nearby rock formation. He waited there, listening as the snake searched for him.

But the resin was working. The snake's sense of smell was completely thrown off, and it couldn't find Reed. He used this opportunity to his advantage, creeping up behind the snake with the last of his strength. With all his might, he leaped onto the snake's back, hoping to land on its vulnerable spot - its head.

‘Got you!’

The snake, now confused and disoriented, thrashed around, trying to locate Reed. It was then that Reed saw his chance. Reed took advantage of the opening. He took out a sharp stone that he crafted earlier.

With a powerful thrust, he plunged the rock deep into the snake's eye. Reed quickly leapt out of the way injuring himself in the process but that doesn’t stop him from moving.

Reed quickly darted away, leading the snake towards the narrow crevice. He could feel the heat from the snake's fiery breath on the back of his neck as he ran, but he didn't slow down. He needed to get the snake into the perfect position for his plan to work.

The snake lunges Reed saw this and quickly turned around and slides beneath it.

Finally, the snake was in position, its body almost entirely within the crevice. Reed seized his chance, grabbing the loose rock and leaping onto the snake's back. With all of his might, he drove the rock into the base of the snake's skull.

The snake writhed and thrashed beneath him, trying to shake him off, but Reed held tight, driving the rock deeper and deeper. Finally, with one last convulsion, the snake went still.

Reed sat there for a moment, panting and covered in sweat, feeling a surge of triumph and relief wash over him.

Reed’s eyes started to grin as they gained a predatorial glint.

His body was covered in sweat and blood. However, he knew that he needed to regain his strength quickly, and he had no food or water left.

As he looked around, his eyes fell upon the massive corpse of the fire snake he had just defeated. Despite his fatigue, he felt a surge of excitement as an idea came to him.

He had heard stories of people surviving by eating raw animals in dire situations, and he knew that he had no other options.

He took off his mask.

‘Now then, to dig!’

Without hesitation, Reed approached the snake and began to slice off chunks of its flesh with the makeshift rock dagger he had crafted earlier. He tried not to think about the fact that he was eating it raw, the hot blood dripping down his chin as he consumed the meat.

The taste was not pleasant, but Reed pushed through the discomfort and continued to eat.

“Augh, Guu, This seriously sucks”

Reed ate the snake meat with a curse. The meat was very tough, and blood dripped off as he took a bite and swallowed. This had been his very first meal in the past weeks. His stomach was surprised to suddenly receive such kind of meat. Pain shots through his body while he ate. Reed knew he would get such a response and ignored it and keep on eating.

His appearance looked so feral. The disgusting smell and taste would cause any civilized human to lose their appetite. Reed did not even consider such a thought because he was quite happy to have a meal. He continued devouring the snake in a daze.

After eating so much, his belly swelled.

‘Finally.’

Not long after an unusual phenomenon struck his body.

“Ah?….Augh!?”

An intense pain suddenly wracked his body. An erosion, was the best word he can come up with in what horrible sensation he felt going through his body. The pain intensified as time passed.

“W-What is….”

{Warning!}

{Inedible substance consumed!}

END OF CHAPTER 13.