Crack (22)

Feeling weak and vulnerable in this unfamiliar world, I lamented my luck. Where should I go now?

I let out a sigh, feeling overwhelmed by the task set by the system. Even a seemingly simple fruit had turned into a nightmare overnight. What awaited me ahead?

As a predator with a body that was a perfect weapon, I was nothing more than a bag of meat against the backdrop of invertebrates. However, I knew that weak-looking creatures had a higher chance of survival.

I stood up, dusting off mantia. The long sleeves hid my sharp claws, and I held my head high as I began my journey towards new, unexplored places and inhabitants.

"I need to find a secluded place and start training," I thought to myself. Perhaps if I unleashed the full potential of my body, I could at least protect myself.

And then...

Crunching through the branches, I emerged into an open clearing overgrown with knee-high grass. The rich aroma of fried meat hit my nose, causing my mouth to water uncontrollably.

My legs carried me towards the smell before I could even think. As I approached, I noticed a smooth descent and a thick milky smoke rising from the crown of a nearby tree. The logs crackled and popped as the fire grew more and more insatiable, spreading to the surrounding flowers and grass.

Above the flames, a wild animal carcass hung from a giant spit, its skin discarded like a wet rag nearby. The red meat dripped with melted fat towards the orange sparks flying up into the blue sky.

As I got closer to the head of the dead beast leaning against a sharp stone in the shallow water of the stream, I caught sight of my reflection for the first time. My skin was whitish, covered with small needles, and my bald temples had long ears. My mouth was full of fangs in several rows, and my scarlet eyes gave me a fierce appearance.

"Well, it's time to eat," I muttered to myself, turning to the meat. Clasping my hands together, I rubbed my palms eagerly before reaching for a rib. As I tore the meat from the bone, drops of oil sizzled and fell onto the open fire. I didn't hold back and devoured the meat and bones with gusto. My crunching and slurping echoed through the forest like the meal of a ghoul.

But my feast was suddenly interrupted when a sharp sword pressed against my neck, dangerously close to my artery. I hadn't even heard any footsteps approaching. Swallowing hard, I dropped the meat to the ground and thrust my hands under the sleeves of my mantia in surrender.

There was a soft whisper from behind, followed by a girl's voice asking me: "Who are you? And why are you touching someone else's food?" Her sudden question made me choke on the pieces of meat I was still trying to swallow. I coughed violently and waved my hand, trying to explain the terrible hunger that was driving me crazy.

Calming down a little, I mentally asked her a question.

"Can I continue eating?" But there was no answer. On the contrary, the girl seemed even more enraged. She poked the tip of the blade into the rib, and asked me, "You don't want to answer?"

I sat in silence for a while, trying to come up with another way to communicate. But it was useless. The girl pressed the blade harder and made an incision, causing me to wince in pain.

Should I attack with my tail and run away? Or knock her down and pin her to the ground?

As I contemplated my options, the girl giggled and sheathed her sword with a clang.

"I don't think you can talk. Okay, work off your lunch," she said, before turning her attention back to the fire and throwing more logs on it.

Just then, snow-white boots on slender legs appeared before my eyes. The girl was dressed in a thick robe covered with black ropes, which supported a bow and arrow. A white scabbard of fine workmanship also hung on her hip.

Although I was far from weapons, I could feel a formidable aura emanating from the scabbard.

As I touched my neck, I looked down to see purple blood glistening on the tips of my fingers.

Clasping my fists, I was about to leave when the girl raised her voice again:

"You can't just leave, you owe me food." Kicking the meat I dropped a minute ago, she continued, "My name is Suzy. I'm headed to a refugee camp, and you're coming with me to protect me on the way."

"Girl, don't you think you have the wrong priorities?" I retorted mentally. "Since the weak cannot become the bodyguard of the strong, in this case it is not about protection, but about service."

With a snort, I turned around, but suddenly I was caught by the stalks that had grown out of the ground in an instant.

"How dare you disobey a mercenary's order?!"

The stems had wrapped around my waist, legs, and arms, squeezing my exoskeleton under mantia. Swinging my claws, I hit the stems, but when I heard a squeal, I looked closer and noticed that they were made of metal.

"Steel?" I muttered in surprise.

The stems closed around my neck, making it difficult to breathe. The wind whistled behind me. I broke the trap with the force of my own body and dodged the sword and fell to the grass, gasping and coughing.

"If you're not going to be my protector, you're going to die here and now."

Her silvery hair fluttered in the wind, and her upturned nose and slanted eyes spoke of her capricious nature.

Her pink lips parted, "It won't take much time, just two days. When the time comes, we will separate."

I wanted to ask her why she needed me, but the stalks dragged me towards the fire.

"Choose. You'll be my lunch, or you'll be my protector."

"What kind of curse is this? I won't even have one normal day?!" I thought, feeling defeated.

I nodded silently as the stalks put me on the ground and tore meat from the side of the roasted animal, shoving it into my hands.

"Eat. We'll be crossing the bridge soon. You could use some extra energy."

Her impassive voice spoke threatened.

Shoving the meat into my mouth, I wondered about the chance of my own survival.

We are incredibly different from one another. Is she truly accustomed to creatures like me, considering she didn't even bat an eye at my appearance?

Pondering this, I finished off half of the carcass while Suzy delicately ate small pieces across from me.

Using the edge of my mantia to wipe my face, I lay back on the grass, taking in the breathtaking sunset. The sky was a beautiful blend of purple and orange hues, reflecting the colors of the setting sun, along with the burgundy shadows of the twin moons.

Could this world be the place for me to finally belong?

I glanced over at Suzy, who sat with perfect posture, with stems carefully arranged to create a makeshift table. She delicately wiped the corners of her mouth before yawning and opening her beautiful brown eyes. Her slender breasts were covered with thick clothes, and short shorts exposed her smooth legs.

It was obvious that she was not one of those people who become murderers in five minutes. She also didn't mind that I ate half of the cooked animal without asking permission. Instead, she offered me the role of a bodyguard.

It was certainly an unconventional start to our relationship.

The next two days went by in a blur.

The first day was spent navigating through thick forests and hunting for prey. Suzy showed me how to conjure fire using talismans, and we spent the day practicing.

On the second day, we climbed a mountain and traversed a dilapidated wooden bridge over a treacherous abyss. We fought against mosquitoes using silvery stems and battled with the mutated inhabitants of the night forest.

We also came across pink berries known as Alosophy, which were deadly to creatures, but only caused allergies in humans. Suzy fell into a patch of the berries and broke out in a rash, but quickly recovered after drinking some liquid from a clear bottle.

To my astonished gaze, Suzy started talking about alchemists who create elixirs. She explained that there are many antidotes and other more advanced options.

It was fascinating to learn about the human's cities, professions, and territories, which were divided among creatures, beasts, and demons (descendants). I also learned that the Sealed Edge is a small area with free entry for all adventurers.

Thanks to this extensive knowledge, I had even more questions for Suzy.

She called herself a mercenary, but she was also a magician, and she took pride in both.

According to her, people were divided into residents, soldiers, mercenaries, and other groups, I struggled to remember all of her stories.

Every time she tried to explain, I listened with rapt attention, trying to commit the most interesting details to memory. I learned that an empire was not just a country, but an entire continent divided into territories controlled by different species.

Finally, we arrived at our destination: a small island shrouded in dense fog, surrounded by an eerie silence and bone-chilling cold.

With a flick of her wrist, Suzy cast a spell that lifted an invisible barrier and led us deeper into the island.

The entire island was constructed from iron and steel, and our footsteps echoed ominously.

As we climbed higher, blue numbers and a loading window glittered above me, causing a sense of weakness to overtake my limbs.

I tried to shake off the sensation, but each attempt only made my exhausted brain feel worse.

Suddenly, a piercing squeal filled my mind, and I fell to the ground, writhing in pain with my hands pressed tightly against my ears.

Just before I lost consciousness, I overheard an unpleasant conversation from the corner of my ear.

"Suzy, did you bring us a new one? Haha, how much can we sell this one for?" I couldn't see who was speaking, but I heard Suzy's reply:

"As usual, and yes, put on the suppressors quickly. I've already administered the sleeping pills."

My vision darkened, and every thought was a struggle. A cold, heavy object gripped my wrists, and I bit my lip until it bled in an effort to stay conscious.

But somewhere deep inside me, a crack has formed that will never fully heal.

*What really happened*

A system field is currently being created.

Participant 137 coordinates with the main source for the full implementation of the data. There are two active windows:

[Fields are generated.]

[The contract is signed.]

The path to the Empire was paved, the starting point of which was designated zone 60.

The free system 229 has been selectively connected and is preparing for a full reboot.

Bzzzz~~

The database of participants is currently being updated.

Full description of the Participant 137:

Name: Participant 137.

Race: Humanoid.

Grade: 3~4.

Strength: 90.

Dexterity: 175.

Endurance: 60.

Magic Resistance: Data is being collected.

Luck: 2.

Experience points: 105.

Mana Perception: 17.

Intelligence: Data is being collected.

Mental Strength: Data is being collected.

Regeneration: Data is being collected.

Skills:

Melee (initial), Exoskeleton Cultivation (initial), Iron Stomach (initial-yellow), Bone Arrows (initial), Magic (data collection is underway), other skills (still updated).

Awakening a humanoid bloodline outside the Arena is punishable by a ban on the use of magic.

Mistake. Mistake. Mistake.

A person called through the spatial path of Zone 60 is suspected of identity theft.

The dimension is being built anew.

Quarantine has been introduced, system 227 has been replaced with 605...

Quarantine has been introduced, system 227 has been replaced with 605...

----

Ah, who is making such a noise?!

Kicking the earthen wall with foot, i wrapped himself more and more in warm wings.