Ding!
[Congratulations for becoming a host.]
Cale stood amidst the chaos, his breath coming in quick bursts as adrenaline surged through him. The world around him was a whirl of shadows and screams, yet in the eye of the storm, he felt an odd sense of clarity.
Ding!
[Quest completed: Defeated Creatures: 100. Host is rewarded 10 stat points.]
“This is just like a game,” he murmured, amusement and shock battling for dominance in his mind. “...This can’t be it, right?”
Another panel appeared before him, shimmering in hues of blue and yellow, like a digital interface straight from his wildest fantasies. He gazed at it, half in disbelief and half in curiosity.
System: Reality Breaker System
Host Name: Cale Roth (???)
Age: 18 (male)
Title: Courier (???)
Trait: Monarch's Blood, ???
Stats:
* Strength (STR): 7
* Agility (AGI): 7
* Intelligence (INT): 10
* Endurance (END): 6
* Perception (PER): 5
* Vitality (VIT): 4
* Luck (LCK): 8
* Mana (MANA): 4
* Charisma (CHA): 2
* Wisdom (WIS): 8
???:?
???:?
Points Available: 10
“Hmm… I get everything but why are there so many question marks?” Cale wondered aloud, scratching his head in confusion. Despite the mystery, he felt a surge of excitement. He eagerly anticipated the prospect of becoming stronger.
“Let’s put 2 in Agility, 3 in Strength, 2 in Endurance, 2 in Perception, and 1 in Vitality.” He smiled, satisfaction spreading across his face as he finalized his point allocation.
Ding!
[Host killed 100 creatures of an E-rank fracture.]
[Bonus Reward: You may pick one of the following weapons: 1. Blade 2. Scythe.]
Cale’s heart raced at the choices presented to him. “A blade would be good for me… But I’ve always wanted to use a scythe. It’s so cool!” His inner child beamed at the thought of wielding a weapon that had always seemed so imposing and powerful. There was no fear in him, only exhilaration as he thought back to the countless hours spent imagining himself as a hero in video games, slashing through foes.
Ding!
[Host has selected Scythe as his weapon.]
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As the notification faded, a long scythe materialized in his hand. He gripped the cool metal of the shaft, feeling the weight of the weapon as he tested its balance. “If I hadn’t put points in Strength, I wouldn’t be able to handle this,” he noted, grinning at the newfound power in his grasp.
But before he could revel in his triumph, a booming sound erupted nearby, drawing his attention. Cale’s enhanced perception kicked in, and he instinctively looked up, his heart racing as he spotted smoke rising into the air.
Ding!
[New quest issued: Defeat the boss of the fracture. Reward: Inventory access, 5 points. Accept or reject?]
“Another one? ... Well, someone has to try this scythe, right?” Cale mused, resting the weapon on his shoulder. “Accept!” he declared, enthusiasm lighting up his face.
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Cale dashed toward the nearby fracture, determination coursing through him. The scene was a nightmare. Creatures that resembled grotesque hounds, their bodies twisted and contorted, lunged at panicking civilians and officers alike. Their dark forms blended seamlessly with the shadows, eyes glowing like molten coals, emitting an unsettling hunger.
The chief of police Jang Min-seok, a rugged man in his mid-twenties, stood his ground, desperation etched across his face. “What the hell are these things?” he shouted, wielding a baton like a shield against the encroaching darkness. His officers fired bullets into the oncoming tide, but the rounds merely ricocheted off the beasts' dense, shadowy hides.
Cale’s heart raced as he spotted an opening. “Time to dance,” he muttered, gripping the scythe tightly. He charged forward, the world around him fading into a blur.
With a swift, fluid motion, he swung the scythe in a wide arc. The blade sliced through the air with a whistle, finding its mark as it cleaved into the first creature. Dark ichor sprayed, and the beast disintegrated into a wisp of shadow. Cale felt a thrill as the adrenaline surged through him.
“Come on!” he shouted, his voice a challenge to the darkness. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”
He spun on his heel, using the momentum to strike at another creature, decapitating it in one smooth stroke. The second beast fell, its body dissolving into nothingness, and Cale reveled in the chaos, his instincts guiding him as he navigated the battlefield.
One hound lunged at him, jaws snapping, but he sidestepped with a newfound agility, swinging the scythe low and severing its legs. It yelped in agony before collapsing, and he finished it with a swift thrust of the blade.
“This scythe is good. No wonder it looked so appealing!” Cale laughed, exhilarated by the rush of combat. But his amusement was short-lived as he realized he was not alone; more shadow beasts emerged from the cracks, their eyes fixed on him with predatory intent.
“W-What!?” One of the police officers gasped, disbelief coloring his tone as he witnessed Cale's prowess.
Cale’s focus sharpened as he fought. He dodged and struck, his movements fluid and deliberate, a dance of death that left his foes no chance. His scythe glinted in the dim light, each swing precise and deadly. He felt the power surge through him with every kill, a testament to the choices he had made.
“Let’s finish this quickly and run!” he called back to the officers, urging them to stay back as he entered the dark crack from which the creatures spilled.
----------------------------------------
Inside the fracture, shadows wrapped around him, and Cale was enveloped in darkness. It was colder here, sending a shiver down his spine, but he welcomed the chill. He was a predator now, and the thrill of the hunt coursed through his veins.