The wasteland was quiet for a moment.
Three demons stood several meters away from Rai.
Their red eyes stared at him with curiosity.
And excitement.
The tall demon laughed loudly.
"So the toy wants to fight now?"
The other two demons grinned.
They had already killed Rai many times.
To them, he was nothing more than entertainment.
Rai stood still.
His breathing was calm.
His ice-blue eyes carefully watched their movements.
He had died thirty-seven times already.
And every death had taught him something.
Their attack patterns.
Their speed.
Their weaknesses.
Pain had become his teacher.
---
The tall demon rushed forward.
"Let's see how long you last this time!"
The demon swung his massive fist toward Rai's head.
Before, Rai would have died instantly.
But this time—
Rai moved.
He stepped to the side.
The punch slammed into the ground instead.
BOOM!
Dust exploded into the air.
The demons froze in surprise.
"He dodged?"
Rai quickly grabbed a sharp rock from the ground.
It was small.
But it was the only weapon he had.
The tall demon growled.
"YOU LITTLE—"
He swung again.
Rai ducked under the attack.
Then he stabbed the rock into the demon's leg.
CRUNCH.
The demon roared in pain.
"AAARGH!"
But the other demon appeared behind Rai instantly.
SLASH.
Claws ripped across Rai's back.
Blood sprayed into the air.
Pain exploded through his body.
Rai collapsed to the ground.
The tall demon grabbed his head.
"You almost surprised me."
CRACK.
Darkness swallowed Rai again.
---
A few seconds later.
Rai's eyes opened.
He gasped as air filled his lungs.
The demons were waiting.
One of them clapped slowly.
"You're getting better."
The tall demon smirked.
"But not good enough."
Rai stood up again.
His body was shaking slightly.
But his eyes remained cold.
---
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
User has died 41 times
Skill Unlocked: Basic Combat Adaptation
Description:
User learns from repeated combat experiences.
---
Rai read the message silently.
"So that's how it works…"
The demons rushed him again.
But this time—
Rai moved differently.
Faster.
Sharper.
The tall demon punched.
Rai dodged.
The second demon slashed.
Rai jumped back.
The demons looked confused.
"He's improving too fast!"
Rai grabbed another sharp rock.
The third demon lunged forward.
Rai stepped aside.
Then—
He stabbed the rock directly into the demon's throat.
CRUNCH.
The demon froze.
Blood poured from its neck.
It staggered backward.
Then collapsed.
Dead.
The wasteland became silent.
The other two demons stared at the body in shock.
"He… killed him?"
A blue window appeared in front of Rai.
---
SYSTEM MESSAGE
First Demon Slain.
Reward Granted.
Rank Evolution Initiated.
F Rank → E Rank
---
Rai felt something change inside his body.
Strength surged through his muscles.
His senses sharpened.
His wounds healed faster.
The tall demon's face twisted with rage.
"YOU KILLED HIM!"
The demon charged toward Rai with killing intent.
But this time—
Rai didn't look afraid.
He looked ready.
He tightened his grip on the sharp rock.
His ice-blue eyes glowed slightly in the red wasteland.
The hunt had begun.
And this time…
Rai was no longer prey.