The beast lunged at Miro with its claws, but she quickly raised her sword and struck with all her might.
The sword clashed with the claw, chipping off a piece of it, but in turn, the blow knocked the sword from her hand as the beast staggered backward, its screams of pain echoing through the forest.
Miro fell to the ground, breathing rapidly, terror evident in her eyes.
The beast advanced toward her once more.
The beast launched another attack, but then something unexpected happened.
Siraj rose slowly.
His rise was different… majestic, terrifying, as if something else had awakened with him.
Zoe's gaze froze on him in that very moment; she couldn't even move.
A dark blue aura began to gather around him, slowly thickening, then spreading across the ground like fog.
His hair fell over his face, completely hiding his features, so that nothing but a shadow remained.
[System]
…
Level Up
New Skill Acquired: Curse of Blood Dagger – The Returner
Strength +2
Stamina +5
In an instant, two daggers materialized in his hand, surrounded by the dark blue aura.
Without hesitation, Siraj hurled the daggers with blinding speed toward the beast.
The daggers shot forward with terrifying force, slicing through the air at tremendous speed, creating a sharp gust of wind around him.
The trees in front of him shook violently.
Zoe and Miro's eyes widened at the same moment, and their breath caught for a few seconds as they watched what was happening.
Neither of them spoke, but the shock was
clear on their faces, as if they were realizing for the first time the extent of Siraj's power.
The first dagger struck the beast's chest and pierced it in an instant.
The second landed directly in its eye.
Siraj shouted sharply, "Now, Miro!"
Miro hesitated for a moment, her eyes wavering between fear and the sword.
Then she ran quickly, grabbed her sword, and aimed it at the beast as it screamed in pain.
Aaaah!
The sword pierced the beast's chest with force.
Miro fell to the ground immediately, her breath racing and fear overwhelming her.
But the beast did not fall…
It took terrifying steps toward her, its heart-stopping roar filling the air.
Miro's blood ran cold, and she felt her body stop responding.
And suddenly…
The beast fell motionless to the ground.
Silence reigned for a moment.
Miro breathed slowly, her tears falling quietly, then she looked up at Siraj and whispered:
Thank God…
Siraj looked at her calmly and said:
Well done, Miro.
Miro stood up, terror still evident in her eyes, her tears flowing quietly down her cheeks.
She approached Siraj and looked at him in a low voice:
Thank God you're okay.
Siraj looked at her with a faint smile and said:
Thanks to you… I'm still alive. Thank you, Miro.
Siraj approached the monster's body, and Miro and Zoi followed him in silence.
He bent down and pulled his daggers from its body, while Miro raised her sword and pulled hers out as well.
[System]
Enemy defeated
Name: Mountain Demon
Class: D
Rewards:
+2 Strength
+4 Stamina
+3 Energy
+1 Healing
Blood Curse Daggers upgraded to Level 2
The monster's body slowly faded into thin air before disappearing completely.
It then appeared in the monsters section of the system.
At that very moment, a small vial containing a healing potion appeared in its place.
Siraj bent down and picked it up, silently examining it.
He whispered to himself as he stared at it:
It could be poisonous… Do I trust the system?
But he had no other choice.
He raised the vial and drank it.
In that moment, a gentle warmth spread through his body, as if his energy was gradually returning to him, and he felt a clear improvement in his breathing.
He took a deep breath, then approached the other rabbit's body.
Just like before, the body vanished.
And the system screen appeared before him:
[System]
Acquired: 2 Energy Units
+1 Ability
+1 Stamina
Healing Boosted
Player Status: Good
Two missions completed:
1. Eliminate a demonic source
2. Absorb 5 units of demonic energy
Remaining: 1 mission
Siraj whispered to himself: Alright… I have one mission left.
He turned around and found Miro and Zoe watching him in silence. A quick question crossed his mind: Could it be that they can see the system?
He sighed, then said in a calm voice:
Zoe… Miro… Can you two see what's happening?
Zoe looked at him in surprise:
What do you mean? I didn't see anything… I just saw you drink something and the monsters disappear right in front of us.
Miro nodded quickly and added:
Me too… same thing.
Siraj was silent for a moment, then whispered to himself: So I'm the only one who sees it…
He quickly hid his surprise and said to them calmly:
Don't worry about it. The monsters have been taken to a vault belonging to the Hunters' Guild.
Then he looked at them briefly and added in an even quieter voice:
But… I want to say something. Thank you so much, both of you. Without you, I wouldn't have known what to do.
Miro's expression changed slightly, and she felt a bit embarrassed, then said in a soft voice:
It's okay… The most important thing is that you're safe.
And Zoe nodded quickly and added with a slight smile:
Yes, the most important thing is your safety.
Siraj took a deep breath and said:
Alright… let's go to the Fishermen's Guild. Our mission here is over.
Zoe raised her voice excitedly:
Let's go!
Then Miro remembered something and smiled, then caught up with them.