The world didn't stay frozen.
As the blue text faded, time snapped back into reality. The Naga's jaws clamped down.
But Kai moved.
It wasn't his own speed. It was as if an invisible puppet string had yanked his body.
[SYSTEM ASSIST: ACTIVE]
His broken leg dragged through the sludge, screaming in protest, but he ducked under the massive head just as the fangs snapped shut on empty air.
Snap!
The sound of teeth colliding was like a gunshot.
The Naga paused. It hadn't expected the crippled mouse to dodge. That split second of confusion was all Kai needed.
A red dot appeared in his vision, pulsing directly over the Naga's left eye—the only soft spot on its armored body.
[Weakness Detected]
"Die."
Kai didn't shout. He didn't roar. He just thrust the jagged, rusted steel pipe upward with every ounce of strength he had left.
SQUELCH.
The pipe didn't just pierce the eye; it sank half a meter deep into the creature's skull, churning the brain matter inside.
"HISSS—GURK!!"
The Naga went berserk. It didn't die instantly. It thrashed, its massive tail smashing into the already unstable ceiling pillars.
Boom! Boom!
Concrete rained down. Kai was thrown back by the shockwave, slamming into the wall. He coughed up blood, his vision going dark.
Did I get it?
Through the dust, he saw the massive beast twitching under a pile of rubble. The pipe was still stuck in its eye socket. It convulsed one last time, and then... silence.
Ding!
A crisp, synthetic sound rang in his ears.
[YOU HAVE DEFEATED A VARIANT NAGA (D+ RANK)]
[Experience Gained: 1,200]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
A warm golden light enveloped his body.
The agony in his right leg vanished instantly. The bones snapped back into place, muscles knit together, and his skin sealed up without a scar.
[Status Recovery: 100%]
[Current Level: 4]
Kai sat up, gasping for air. He touched his knee. It was perfect. Better than perfect. He felt lighter, stronger.
He stood up and walked to the corpse.
A glowing notifications hovered over the dead monster.
[Class Skill Available: EXTRACTION]
Extract the shadow from the target?
(Success Rate: 80% / Mana Cost: 30)
Kai stared at the floating text. Necro-Monarch. The name of the class finally sank in.
"So I'm not a Summoner," he muttered, wiping the slime off his face. "I'm a gravedigger."
He extended his hand toward the Naga.
He didn't know why, but a single word surfaced in his mind. A command that demanded absolute obedience.
"Arise."
WOOSH.
The shadows beneath the corpse began to boil. They bubbled up like black tar, defying gravity.
Slowly, the darkness took shape. First the twin heads, then the massive torso, and finally the tail. It looked exactly like the Naga, but it was composed of pitch-black smoke and blue spectral flames.
It slithered out of the corpse and lowered its massive heads to the ground in front of Kai.
[Shadow Infantry: Naga (Grade D) has been extracted.]
[Please name your soldier.]
Kai looked at the terrifying beast that had almost eaten him a minute ago. Now, it was waiting for his order like a loyal dog.
"Fang," Kai said coldly. "Your name is Fang."
The Shadow hissed in acknowledgement and dissolved into Kai's shadow, disappearing from sight.
[Inventory Unlocked]
[Loot Detected]
Kai knelt down. He didn't hesitate. He plunged his hands into the Naga's bloody chest cavity, searching.
"Got it."
He pulled out a Mana Core. It was the size of a fist, glowing with a chaotic green light.
[D-Rank Variant Core]
Market Value: Approx. $35,000.
Kai's hand trembled. Not from fear, but from the realization.
This single stone was worth more than seven years of his salary as a Porter.
Then, his eyes caught a glint in the corner.
It was the Enchanted Dagger Jack had dropped when he ran.
Kai picked it up. The blade was sharp, inscribed with minor wind runes.
"Jack..." Kai tested the blade's edge against his thumb, drawing a drop of blood. "You left your toy behind. Don't worry. I'll return it to you."
"Blade first."
（"Enjoying the massacre? Drop a Power Stone to feed the Clone Army!"）