Fear (1)

[A/N : I'm back from the dead! I apologize for it took long enough.]

After escaping the house as soon as I was done making Reina fall asleep, I hurriedly went back to the [Labyrinth].

For some reason, I was able to sense that someone was watching me this whole time. It was giving me chilly and weird vibe; and if I'm being honest, it felt like how some pervert look at other people.

Don't get me wrong, I got stared at by other woman in my previous life, but none of them gave me this kind of unsettling feeling as if I was fully naked in public.

[Pick your ability.]

Upon turning on my phone, it projected a blue panel in front of me. Proceeding to read through the choices before my eyes closed, I pondered about what to choose.

- [𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 (Rare)] : Grants the user the ability to move at phantom speed.

- [𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 (Rare)] : Enables the user to teleport five meters away and reappear from a nearby shadow.

- [𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 (Uncommon)] : Allows the user to create a single clone, inheriting fifty percent of the user's attributes and abilities.

- [𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘄 (Legendary)] : Bestows the user with a claw upon activation, its sharpness and durability depending on how much mana is imbued.

- [𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 (Legendary)] : A passive ability triggered in response to threats or the targeting of bloodlust.

Faced with five intriguing choices from the system, I found myself particularly drawn to the allure of the two [Legendary] abilities: [Dark Claw] and [Invoke Fear]. Picking one proved to be a real head-scratcher.

"...Sure, [Shadow Exchange] is just a [Rare] ability, but if I use it cleverly, it could be a game-changer in combat, catching opponents off guard," I muttered, placing my thumb under my chin in contemplation. Yet, the drawback lingered—if my foe happened to wield a light-related ability, it could spell trouble.

"Not cutting it..."

That simple verdict echoed in my mind, a decision based on probabilities. I could list numerous drawbacks, but dwelling on them seemed futile.

Turning to [Dark Claw], despite its Legendary status, the realization hit me: its sharpness depends on the mana infused, and with my current reserves, it'd be a burden initially.

The other two choices, though solid, were less enticing. Rarity aside, I reckoned encountering Boss Monsters with similar skills in the future was a possibility.

As for [Invoke Fear], it didn't demand mana, operating passively. The mere act of being targeted would instill fear, providing a distinct advantage in battle. Plus, the system hadn't specified a limit; it seemed anyone could fall prey to its effects. The choice became clearer.

"...I'm going with it."

...I swear I'm not picking it just because I want to act cool whenever I get attack like other protagonist I've seen in animes.

After a brief pause, I made up my mind and tapped on [Invoke Fear] on my phone, witnessing an instant transformation in the displayed message on the panel in front of me.

=====

[𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 (Legendary)] : A passive ability triggered in response to threats or the targeting of bloodlust.

—The ability will evolve upon reaching level 20.

Description :

The more your fear grows, the more stronger you become. The more pain you experience, the more tougher you become. You are created to be the exact opposite and the greatest counter of everything! You can be defeated, but never get destroyed. You will always improve, there's no limit. You are bound to be limitless because of your fear.

=====

Observing the description, my face twisted in mild discomfort. "Seriously, does the system have to be so extra?" I grumbled, finding the exaggeration a bit much.

[...𝗧𝘀𝗸!]

...I might have pissed this guy off, cool.

A click from the system resonated, prompting me to place my hand on the phone screen and scroll down, revealing a button.

[Do you want to choose this ability?]

[Yes/No]

Pointing my index finger towards the [Yes] button, I grinned.

Cli—

...

..

.

—ick—!

The resonance of sheathing my sword echoed in the surroundings.

"Huuu.... Haaaa...."

Taking a deep breath, I exhaled to quell the rush of adrenaline. Glancing aside, I surveyed the scattered bodies of monsters I had dispatched throughout the day. Seeing that some of them had piled up, I felt slightly amused by my achievement.

Two days had passed since acquiring the [Invoke Fear] ability, and truth be told, it was proving effective. Unlike my initial days here, where ambushes from behind were frequent, now only a few monsters dared to approach. The weaker ones either passed out or lost their will to fight, thanks to the draining effect of the ability.

Goblins steered clear, slimes melted before my approach, and even wolves hesitated to attack. The ability certainly reduced my hassles, but the persistent annoyance remained—flying types.

"Kueerk!!"

My senses alerted me to an impending attack, narrowly dodging the claw of a bird monster by a hairbreadth.

"You annoying fuck! Can't you see I'm trying to think here!"

[𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿 had been activated.]

Empowered by the ability, my stern gaze prompted the bird to retreat into the air... As a PASSIVE skill, such encounters were expected for the course.

"Gah! Fucking bird!"

Reacting on instinct, I hurled my sword along with it's scabbard at the avian nuisance, managing to clip its wings. Despite the constant frustration, I had no choice but to endure.

A vow echoed in my mind—I swear, if I catch that infuriating bird, it's destined for the cooking pot!

Picking up my sword that was on the ground, I patted the dust off it's scabbard before attaching it back to my waist.

"...Why did I even pick such a troublesome ability again?"