Chapter 12: Strong Willpower

Seojun dropped to his knees as the cursed arrow pierced his shoulder, sending waves of pain through his body. The dark energy from the arrow quickly spread, draining his strength and clouding his mind. He barely had a moment to react before a group of green, twisted creatures rushed toward him, their eyes filled with deadly intent.

Ding!

[You have been struck by a Cursed Arrow]

Status

- Curse Type: Venomous Malediction

- Effect: Rapidly drains life force, weakening the body and corrupting the mind. Prolonged exposure may lead to death or complete possession by the curse.

- Curse Level: Advanced

- Resistance:None

As the curse took hold, Seojun felt his energy draining fast. Before the creatures could reach him, the system activated a protective shield.

Ding!

[Barrier Activated]

Status

- Barrier Type: Emergency Defense

- Effect: Blocks all physical and magical attacks for 60 seconds.

A shimmering barrier appeared around Seojun, stopping the creatures in their tracks. They pounded on the barrier, but it held strong. Meanwhile, Seojun grabbed the arrow in his shoulder, his vision blurring from the pain. He yanked the arrow out, blood pouring from the wound.

Ding!

[Curse Activated]

Error Detected: Incompatible curse interaction with host's system.

Error Code: 001-DF5. Unable to fully process curse effects. Attempting to stabilize...

Error Code: 002-AC7. Host's life force is critically low. Initiating emergency protocol...

Error Code: 003-BH2. System integrity at risk. Host's mental state is deteriorating. Attempting to mitigate curse influence...

Seojun's mind reeled as the errors flashed before him, each one sending sharp pain through his body. The curse was not just attacking his body, but also causing problems with the system. It was too strong, and the system struggled to deal with it.

The green creatures outside the barrier continued their attack, their blows growing more intense as the barrier began to flicker. Seojun's breathing became ragged as the curse whispered dark thoughts into his mind, urging him to give up.

But Seojun refused to give in. He clung to the thought of returning home and seeing his mother again. He fought back against the darkness with all his strength.

Ding!

[Critical Update: Host has resisted the curse's mental corruption.]

Acquiring new skill...

Skill Acquired: Curse Resistance.

Status

Skill Name: Curse Resistance

- Effect:Increases resistance to curse-based attacks. The stronger the curse, the stronger the resistance will become.

- Reason for Acquisition: Host showed strong willpower in resisting an Advanced-Level curse, preventing the curse from taking over completely.

Ding!

Congratulations! You have acquired Mental Resistance

As the notification appeared, Seojun felt the curse's grip loosening. The dark energy that had threatened to consume him began to fade, replaced by a new strength. His wound started to heal, and the bleeding slowed, then stopped. The barrier around him held just long enough for Seojun to stand up again, his eyes filled with determination.

Seojun looked at his shoulder, now mostly healed, and then at the creatures in front of him. "I won't let this curse beat me," he muttered, gripping his weapons tightly. The creatures growled and attacked, but this time, Seojun was ready.

Seojun's breathing steadied as the curse's hold weakened, giving him a bit of clarity. His new skill, Curse Resistance, helped him as the system activated its appraisal feature to identify the creatures attacking him.

[System Notification: Appraisal Activated]

Creature Identified: Goblin Raider

- Level: 476

- Threat Level: High

- Traits: Stronger than average, poisonous claws, fights well in groups

- Skills:

- Berserk Rage: Makes them faster and stronger when fighting together.

- Venom Strike: Coats their claws in poison that drains life.

Analysis: Goblin Raiders are tough, especially in groups. Be careful.

Seojun's heart pounded as he realized these goblins were stronger than him. The barrier protecting him started to crack, and he knew he had to act fast. When the barrier finally shattered, the goblins charged at him with wild eyes.

The first goblin attacked with poison-coated claws. Seojun dodged and slashed at its side, but it barely slowed down. Another goblin attacked from behind, and Seojun blocked it with his dagger, the force nearly knocking him off balance. He had to end the fight quickly before the goblins overwhelmed him.

Focusing on the nearest goblin, Seojun dashed forward, catching it off guard. His sword struck its throat, killing it instantly. The other goblins howled in rage, their speed and strength increasing as they charged him again. Seojun struggled to keep up, each of his strikes barely holding them back.

He noticed a narrow passage up ahead and realized he could use it to his advantage. If he could lure the goblins in, he could fight them one by one. He made a quick move to the side, drawing them in, and then sprinted towards the passage. The goblins followed, blinded by their anger.

In the tight space, Seojun's strategy changed. He used the walls to block their attacks and struck with precision. The first goblin that entered was taken down with a single strike. The others pushed forward, but the narrow passage worked against them. Seojun quickly cut them down one by one.

After what felt like forever, the last goblin fell. Seojun leaned against the wall, exhausted but victorious. The labyrinth had been more dangerous than he expected, and this was just one of many challenges. He couldn't even remember how long he had been in the labyrinth, the days blurring together as he fought to survive.

The labyrinth was huge and full of dangers. Seojun had cleared several floors, but he knew there were many more ahead. The system hadn't told him how many floors there were, and he knew he couldn't lose focus.

After catching his breath, Seojun continued onward. He had one goal: to escape the labyrinth , defeat the abyssal lord and return home. But as he walked deeper into the maze, he wondered how much time had passed. Days? Weeks? He didn't know.

But he did know one thing—he couldn't stop now. Seojun sat on the edge of a rocky ledge, taking in the peaceful blue water below. His attention was drawn to a peculiar sight—a rainbow-colored "burger" sitting beside him. Intrigued, he picked it up, studying its odd, glowing appearance.