Chapter 3: The First Kill (? ?? ??? - Cheot beonjjae sanyanggam)

  The low growl echoed from the shadows ahead. Two small points of red light glowed in the dark, and the quiet scratching of claws on stone grew closer. Jin-Woo’s heart beat faster. He wasn't alone. And it sounded like something dangerous was coming.

  The Baby Rift didn't feel gentle at all.

  The growling intensified, and the red lights moved with a steady, predatory purpose through the dim green glow of the moss. Jin-Woo’s breath hitched in his throat. He was cornered, with no idea what kind of creature was approaching, only the chilling certainty that it was hostile.

  Fear, sharp and cold, pierced through the lingering adrenaline of entering the rift. He was just an ordinary person, facing something entirely beyond his experience. His hands clenched into fists, the nails digging into his palms, the only physical response he could muster.

  Then, the shadows shifted, and the creature came into view. It was smaller than he’d imagined, about the size of a large cat, with lean, wiry muscles and dark, bristly fur. Its teeth were long and wickedly sharp, and those red eyes burned with a malevolent intelligence as they fixed on him.

  It snarled, a low, guttural sound that promised violence, and then it lunged.

  Jin-Woo flinched, throwing his arms up instinctively, squeezing his eyes shut. He braced for the impact, the tearing claws, the inevitable pain.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  But it never came.

  Instead, a familiar blue window flashed into his vision, even through his closed eyelids.

  [Analyzing Encounter…]

  [Low-Level Shadow Beast detected.]

  [Weakness Analysis: Vulnerable to blunt force trauma.]

  The words vanished. Jin-Woo’s eyes snapped open. The Shadow Beast was frozen mid-air, its sharp claws extended towards his face, mere inches away. Time seemed to have stopped around it.

  “Blunt force…” he whispered, his voice trembling. His gaze frantically scanned the dimly lit cavern. The green moss cast eerie, dancing shadows on the jagged stone walls. He had nothing.

  Then, his eyes landed on a fist-sized rock jutting from the damp floor near his feet. It was rough, solid.

  His mind raced. Blunt force. The rock. The frozen monster. This wasn't a heroic fantasy; it was a brutal fight for survival, dictated by the cold, detached rules of the System. This frozen moment was his only opportunity.

  [Instruction: Utilize any available means to inflict blunt force trauma upon the target.]

  The Shadow Beast remained suspended, a grotesque statue in the oppressive darkness. Jin-Woo’s hand shook as he reached down and snatched the rock. It felt surprisingly heavy. He looked at the frozen snarl on the creature’s face, the sharp teeth a silent threat.

  This was it. His first real fight.

  Taking a deep, shuddering breath that echoed in the stillness, Jin-Woo stepped towards the frozen monster. The rock felt clumsy in his grip. He raised his arm, his muscles tight with fear and a desperate resolve. He swung the rock with all his might, aiming for the creature’s head...

  The impact was surprisingly solid, a sickening thunk that broke the silence of the cavern.

  A moment hung in the damp air. Then, a subtle shimmer rippled across the Shadow Beast’s frozen form, starting at the point of impact. Black dust began to drift away, and the creature dissolved completely, leaving behind a small, glowing blue stone.

  [Target Eliminated.]

  [Item Acquired: Shadow Beast Magic Stone.]

  [Quest Progress: 1/1 Target Eliminated.]

  [Main Quest: Don't Kick the Bucket on Day One - COMPLETED!]

  A wave of relief washed over Jin-Woo.

  [New Main Quest: Survive the Baby Rift.]

  [Time Limit: 71 Hours : 50 Minutes : 12 Seconds.]

  [Reward for Completion: Unknown.]

  [Failure Penalty: You Die. Seriously.]

  Jin-Woo stared at the new quest, the blue stone in his hand. He had survived his first fight.