I knew it was a bad idea.
But I still took it.
A Rank C request.
Even the receptionist looked at me like I was insane.
"You understand this is beyond your rank, right?"
"I do."
"And the guild will not take responsibility if you die."
"I know."
Her eyes lingered on me for a moment.
Then she sighed.
"...Fine."
She stamped the request.
"Your life, your choice."
Exactly.
My life.
My choice.
The road outside the village was quieter than usual.
Most adventurers avoided going too far alone.
Especially not for something like this.
But I kept walking.
Step by step.
The forest grew thicker the further I went.
By the time the sun reached its peak—
I felt it.
A presence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
"...So this is it."
I tightened my grip on the knife.
Then—
It appeared.
A massive creature stepped out from behind the trees.
Thick hide.
Sharp claws.
Eyes filled with killing intent.
A Rank C monster.
My body froze for a split second.
"...Big."
Bigger than anything I fought before.
But—
I stepped forward anyway.
"Let's go."
The fight started instantly.
The monster lunged.
Fast.
Too fast.
I barely dodged.
Its claws slammed into the ground, cracking the dirt.
"...Shit."
I moved to the side and attacked.
My blade struck its leg.
But—
It barely reacted.
"...What?"
The monster swung again.
This time—
I couldn't fully dodge.
Its claws tore across my side.
Pain exploded through my body.
I was thrown backward.
Rolling across the ground.
"...Ghh—!"
I coughed.
Blood filled my mouth.
My vision blurred slightly.
"...This is bad."
Way worse than I expected.
The monster growled.
Slowly approaching.
Like it knew.
Like it understood—
I was weak.
"...Tch."
I forced myself to stand.
My legs trembled.
"...I messed up."
I underestimated it.
Again.
Same mistake.
Same result.
"...Run."
The thought appeared in my head.
Clear.
Simple.
Logical.
Run.
I took a step back.
Then another.
The monster didn't rush.
It walked.
Calmly.
Confidently.
Like it was playing with me.
"...Damn it."
I turned slightly.
The forest behind me.
Escape.
Survival.
"...I can still make it."
I could run.
Live.
Come back stronger.
That was the smart choice.
Right?
...
Then—
Something appeared.
Right in front of my eyes.
A faint blue screen.
Floating.
Transparent.
"...What?"
My body froze.
Words slowly formed on the screen.
[System Activated]
[Host Detected: Kazu Asamura]
[Condition Met: Near Death Experience]
My breath stopped.
"...System?"
More text appeared.
[Status Window Unlocked]
Without thinking—
I reached out.
The screen responded.
Name: Kazu Asamura
Level: 1
Title: None
HP: 34 / 120
Stamina: 21 / 100
Mana: 0
Strength: 7
Agility: 9
Endurance: 6
Perception: 8
Skills: None
"...What is this…?"
My hands trembled.
Mana: 0.
Of course.
Even this confirmed it.
I had nothing.
Then—
Another line appeared.
[Emergency Condition Triggered]
[Objective: Defeat Target]
[Reward: Level Up]
[Failure: Death]
Silence.
My heart started pounding.
"...So that's it."
No running.
No escape.
This wasn't a choice anymore.
I looked up.
The monster was still there.
Watching.
Waiting.
"...Heh."
A weak laugh escaped.
"Of course."
I tightened my grip on the knife.
"...Then I kill it."
The monster charged again.
This time—
I didn't hesitate.
I moved forward.
Not back.
Forward.
Its claw came down.
I rolled to the side.
Pain shot through my body—
But I ignored it.
I got closer.
Too close.
My blade stabbed into its eye.
The monster roared.
Violent.
Furious.
It thrashed wildly.
I was thrown again.
My body slammed into a tree.
"...Ghh—!"
Everything hurt.
My vision shook.
But—
I forced myself up.
"...Not dead yet."
The monster was injured now.
Bleeding.
Angry.
But still alive.
Still stronger.
"...One more."
I stepped forward again.
My legs felt like they would collapse any second.
But I moved anyway.
The monster lunged.
This time—
I didn't dodge.
I stepped in.
Its claw pierced my shoulder.
Pain exploded.
But I didn't stop.
I drove my knife straight into its throat.
Deep.
As deep as I could.
"...Die!"
The monster struggled.
Its body shook violently.
Then—
Slowly—
It stopped.
Silence.
My body collapsed.
I hit the ground hard.
"...Did I…?"
The monster didn't move.
It was over.
Then—
The screen appeared again.
[Target Eliminated]
[Level Up]
A strange warmth spread through my body.
My wounds—
Closed.
The pain—
Faded.
I gasped.
"...What…?"
My breathing stabilized.
My body felt lighter.
Stronger.
Name: Kazu Asamura
Level: 2
"...So this is leveling."
I stared at my hands.
"...This is my power."
Not magic.
Not talent.
But—
This.
"...I can use this."
A slow smile formed on my face.
"For once…"
"...I'm not empty."
By the time I returned to the village—
It was already night.
But the moment I entered—
People noticed.
Covered in blood.
Dragging a Rank C monster.
Silence spread.
"...No way."
"Is that… real?"
I walked straight to the guild.
The doors opened.
And everything stopped.
All eyes turned toward me.
I dropped the monster on the floor.
"...Request complete."
Silence.
Then—
Explosion.
"HE DID IT?!"
"RANK F?!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
Voices filled the room.
Loud.
Shocked.
Excited.
For the first time—
They weren't looking at me like trash.
They were looking at me like…
Something else.
That night—
The guild was loud.
Drinks.
Food.
Laughter.
"Rookie of the year!"
Someone shouted.
I sat there.
Surrounded by people.
Eating.
For once—
Not alone.
"...Heh."
Maybe…
This wasn't so bad.
Later that night—
Someone approached me.
A man.
Tall.
Calm.
Familiar.
My eyes narrowed.
"...You."
The man smiled slightly.
"Good work."
My chest tightened.
"...You were in the forest."
"And at the gate."
He nodded.
"And watching you."
Silence.
"...Who are you?"
He stepped closer.
Then said calmly—
"I'm the Guild Master of this branch."
Everything clicked.
The presence.
The gaze.
The feeling of being watched.
"...So that was you."
He nodded.
"I was curious."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"About the boy who survived everything."
A faint smile appeared.
"And now…"
"...I'm even more interested."
The guild was still loud.
Voices, laughter, mugs clashing against tables.
"Rookie monster!" someone shouted.
"Rank F my ass!" another laughed.
I sat there, staring at the food in front of me.
For the first time since coming to this world…
I wasn't being looked down on.
Not completely.
"...Heh."
But something felt off.
This noise.
This warmth.
It didn't feel like it belonged to me.
Not yet.
I looked down at my hand.
Then—
the system window appeared again.
Name: Kazu Asamura
Level: 2
Still low.
Still weak.
Even after everything.
My grip tightened slightly.
"...This isn't enough."
No matter how much they cheered.
No matter what they said.
I knew the truth.
If I faced that Rank A monster again—
I would die.
Easily.
The noise around me faded.
Slowly.
Until it became background sound.
Irrelevant.
I stood up.
"Leaving already?" Torren-like voice from a drunk adventurer called out.
"Yeah."
"You should celebrate more!"
"...I will."
I paused.
Then added quietly—
"After I get stronger."
Silence for a moment.
Then laughter.
"Ambitious kid!"
"Don't die out there!"
I didn't answer.
Outside, the night air felt colder.
Quieter.
Better.
I looked up at the sky.
"...Level 2."
Too low.
Way too low.
My eyes slowly moved toward the forest.
Dark.
Endless.
Dangerous.
Perfect.
"...Tomorrow."
I whispered.
"No."
I shook my head.
"...At dawn."
I won't wait.
I won't slow down.
If this world only respects strength—
Then I'll take it.
No matter how.
No matter what it costs.
I turned.
Walking toward the inn.
Each step steady.
Clear.
Focused.
"...Next time."
My voice was low.
Almost emotionless.
"...I won't lose."
And deep inside—
Something had already changed.