Riley’s eyes widened; this monster is powerful. The text above the monster is red; Riley gripped his sword. The Skeleton Knight sat on the throne, its armor being a shiny red. Igor grabbed the sword and stood up. Igor twirled it around for a few seconds while approaching Riley. Riley took a few steps backward; rubble crumbled down. It blocked the entire tunnel. Riley looked behind; he couldn’t run anymore. Igor pointed his giant sword at Riley. Igor’s sword was white and laced with bones.

Igor suddenly rushed in; Riley barely blocked the attack. Sparks ignited from the steel colliding. Riley slashed the armor, his sword barely indenting it. Riley grits his teeth; Riley rushes at Igor. Igor sliced Riley’s sword in half; Riley’s eyes widened. Riley walked a few steps backward, his back hitting against the wall. Igor discarded his sword, and Igor raised their fist. “This skeleton… has honor. That’s new,” Riley mumbled. Riley knew he couldn’t win against the knight; he needed a plan—quickly. Riley’s eyes widened as Igor’s fist connected with his face. Blood spilled on the floor as Riley’s eyes rolled back.

Riley fell to his knees; Igor stepped back. Igor went to collect his sword that was discarded on the floor; they brandished it for a bit.

[Vitality: 34/128]

Riley’s life flashed before his eyes, his childhood, the smell of cooking of his—now—deceased mother. Igor sauntered closer; the noises of metal clanking echoed across the tunnel.

[Flashback]

Riley sat on the floor, drawing something. His crayons danced across the page. “What’re you drawing, RiRi?” Riley’s eyes lit up as he looked at his mother. “I’m drawing mommy and daddy!” Riley responded; he flashed a cheeky grin while holding the drawing up. Riley’s mother's lips curled into a small, soft smile; she ruffled Riley’s hair. Riley giggled before going back to draw his picture. “Oh, RiRi, you’re so silly! My beautiful boy,” Riley’s mother laughed. “Come on! I made your favorite dish!” Riley’s eyes widened at the words of his mother; he quickly stood up and ran to the kitchen.

Riley’s mouth drooled from the delicious meal prepped in front of him. It was a regular spaghetti dish. Riley clasps his hands as he grabs the fork. He twirled the delicious spaghetti around his fork. “Thank you, mommy!” He said as he slurped the spaghetti. Riley’s mother smiled at his son devouring his favorite dish.

[Present]

Riley lifted his head to meet Igor’s face. All he saw was armor and a sword. This is it, the end. “No… I’m not going to die, not like this. I am going to live,” Riley thought; he clenched his fists. “Isn’t it unfair? You have armor. I don’t. I can keep going,” Igor stopped in their tracks. Igor discarded his sword again on the floor, and they removed their armor. Riley slowly stood up, his shoulders slumped. Riley wiped his nose with his sleeve; Riley quickly rolled and grabbed the sword.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Riley gripped the handle so hard that his knuckles turned white; he grits his teeth as he sauntered over Igor. Igor stood there with no emotion. He wouldn’t have any at all since he’s a skeleton. Riley swung the sword with grace, but Igor dodged the attacks. Igor grabbed Riley’s throat and started to crush it. “L… l… l… let… g… go…” Riley barely mumbled down; he kicked his feet around. Igor gripped tighter; drool ran down Riley’s mouth, and his eyes rolled back. Riley raised his hand; his hand trembled. He gripped the handle tighter.

Riley lets out a war cry, his sword aiming straight at Igor’s chest. Blood spurted from his mouth as Igor tightened his grip. Riley’s sword almost slips from his hand, but he quickly adjusts his grip. Tears swelled up in his eyes; his color was draining.

Warning! Warning! The user’s vitality dropped to about 1%! The user will enter into shock shortly. Please use a [Healing Potion]!

[Pierce]

The sword pierced through Igor’s core; Igor released his grip from Riley’s throat. Riley gasped for air, his vibrant eyes losing their color, his skin losing their color, and his hair sprawled across the tunnel’s floor. Igor took the sword out from his core; he spun it and lodged it on the floor. Igor got on one knee, his free hand grabbing the handle of his sword. The final tick finally struck; his core shattered. His eyeholes, once filled with a vibrant blue, were now extinguished.

Warning! Warning! The user will now enter into the shock state. Please note that once the user is in this state, he can’t be helped. However, help will be received if it’s external.

Riley’s vision is blurred. The notification barely registered in his mind. Riley’s breath became extremely calm; his chest inflated slowly and slowly became deflated. “Is this death? I’m sorry…” Riley drew his last few breaths; a single tear ran down his cheek.

You have completed the [C-Rank Dungeon]! You have completed [Real Leveling]! Due to experiencing a near-death experience, you have been granted the [Reaper’s Side Thorn] title! You leveled up! You leveled up! You leveled up…! Due to reaching Level 25! You have unlocked the ‘Shop!’

[Real Leveling]

Rewarded: [C-Rank Box]

“S..so… much…stuff…” Riley mumbled; his eyes finally closed to give itself a final rest. Riley felt something warm and fuzzy. It was dark. “Is this…death? No…it’s because my eyes are closed,” Riley mumbled. He opened his eyes; a ray of sunshine pierced his eyes. Riley immediately covered his eyes with his hand. He quickly stood up and looked around. It was a random bench. Riley started to touch himself: his face, his hair, his chest, and his stomach. “I’m alive!” Riley exclaimed loudly; he sank to his knees.

“Open system,” Riley finally muttered. He stood up. He looked at the blue translucent window.

System:

Name: Riley Whitlock

[Level 25: (0/100)]

Titles: [True Awakened], [Reaper’s Side Thorn]

Quests: [None]

[Strength: 26]

[Speed: 31]

[Magic: 0]

[Vitality: 150/150]

Skills: [One Slash, One Life], [The Threads of Life], [Hack n Slash], [Pierce]

Passives: [The Mad Swordsman]

Items: [Backpack], [C-Rank Box]

Riley rubbed his hands together; he earned a sick-ass title and a reward. Riley clicked on the [C-Rank Box]. A box dropped into his hands; it was a tad bit heavy and weird-looking. It had a little window atop the box.

[C-Rank Box]

“Open!” The box started to tremble and shake in Riley’s hand. The lid slowly moved out of the way.

You earned…