First Blood

Pondering the strange [Error] on her system panel and the mysterious "1 soul" in her inventory, Roxana couldn't help but joke to herself. "Did I accidentally steal a soul to get this? Did I unknowingly commit a crime in my first life? No wonder I ended up in hell—maybe I'm a natural at this evil thing."

She chuckled at the absurdity of her own thoughts, but her amusement faded as the world around her shifted. What was once a silent, eerie beach had erupted into chaos. More eggs, just like hers, were beginning to hatch.

Creatures of all shapes and sizes emerged from their shells. Some looked almost human, with a demonic twist, while others resembled beasts or monstrous insects. Their skin tones ranged from deep crimson and ashen gray to vibrant cyan, creating a bizarrely colorful landscape of new life.

Roxana watched, still adjusting to the madness unfolding around her. It was like witnessing nature's most twisted version of birth. Unlike the world she once knew, where newborns were fragile and protected, this was different. Here, survival wasn't just a struggle—it was a fight from the very start.

She noticed the other hatchlings immediately devouring their eggshells, just as she had. But her curiosity quickly turned to horror as she saw what happened next.

The stronger demons turned on the weaker ones.

Some hatchlings didn't even get a chance to fully emerge before their shells were forcefully shattered by others looking for an easy meal. Those who were too slow to react were crushed, their souls absorbed by their killers. There was no hesitation, no mercy—just an instinctual battle for survival.

Roxana shivered. This was no gentle beginning. This was a battlefield.

Her stomach twisted as she realized the brutal truth: she wasn't safe here. If she wasn't careful, she'd become prey just like the others.

Then, before she could plan her next move, a deafening screech split the air.

A massive figure was moving towards her. Unlike the mindless newborn demons that were attacking anything in sight, this one was different. He had a presence, a terrifying, unshakable confidence that sent a chill down her spine.

Towering over the others, the demon had ram-like horns, glowing yellow eyes, and skin that looked like molten rock hardened into armor. He was a force of destruction, cutting through lesser demons like they were nothing.

Roxana barely had time to process the situation before she noticed something odd. Each time he killed, the souls of his victims weren't eaten by this demon. Instead, they floated, untethered, their energy dispersing into the air. Unlike the other demons, he didn't seem to care about eating souls. That meant one thing—he wasn't just hunting to grow stronger. He was here for something else.

Or someone else.

And judging by the way his burning gaze was locked onto her, that someone was Roxana.

Her heart pounded. She had no cool abilities, no weapons, and no physical strength to match a creature like that. If she fought him head-on, she'd be dead in seconds. She had only one option—outsmart him.

Quickly scanning her surroundings, she spotted a sharp, jagged ridge nearby. If she could lure him there, she might stand a chance.

The demon lunged, and Roxana feigned panic, sprinting toward the ridge. He followed, closing the distance fast. Too fast. Her breathing was ragged, her heart pounding so hard she could hear it. Each heavy footstep behind her sent vibrations through the sand.

She forced herself to stay calm. Timing was everything. If she made a mistake, she wouldn't get another chance. The edge of the ridge loomed ahead. Just a few more steps…

At the last moment, just as his claws were about to tear into her, she dodged to the side. The demon's momentum carried him forward, straight into the sharp rock.

A sickening crack echoed as his body collided with the jagged edge. A roar of pain followed, thick green blood spilling onto the sand. He stumbled, rage and pain flashing across his face. He wasn't dead. Not yet.

But Roxana wasn't done.

Adrenaline surged through her veins. She grabbed a piece of broken debris, its edge sharp like a blade. With everything she had, she aimed for the most vulnerable spot she could reach.

His crotch.

The demon howled in agony, his massive frame convulsing as the pain registered. He clutched at the wound, his snarling face contorted with disbelief. His body trembled violently, struggling to maintain balance as his strength drained away. But Roxana saw her opening—one final chance to end him before he recovered.

She didn't hesitate.

With gritted teeth, she lunged again, this time aiming for his throat. She plunged the jagged shard into his neck, twisting it with every ounce of force she could muster. Hot blood spurted from the wound, painting the ground in thick, glowing green streaks. The demon let out a gurgled snarl, his towering frame swaying as his strength left him.

But he wasn't going down that easily.

With a guttural growl, he swung at her blindly, his claws slicing through the air just inches from her face. Roxana ducked, her pulse racing as she tightened her grip on the shard. She stabbed again—this time at the side of his neck, twisting the blade deep into muscle and sinew. His breath hitched, his body shuddering.

Still, he tried to fight.

Desperation took hold as she struck again, again, and again. Each plunge of the makeshift blade sent more green blood spurting onto her hands, her arms, the sand below. The demon gurgled, his powerful frame quaking under the relentless assault.

His burning yellow eyes locked onto hers one last time, filled with rage and something almost like disbelief. Then, his knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the sand with a heavy thud.

Roxana staggered back, chest heaving. Her hands were stained with his blood, her mind buzzing from the sheer intensity of what had just happened. And then, just like the others, a soul emerged from his body, glowing brilliantly before her.

Her first real victory.