The battlefield was quiet at last. The stench of burnt flesh and dust filled the air. The ogre's corpse lay still, its massive body half-sunk into the cracked ground.
Everyone was silent — tired, injured, and drained.
A soft ding echoed inside my head.
> You leveled up!
Level: 33
My vision flickered as the familiar blue panel appeared in front of me.
Name: Haru Villamor
Age: 23
Job: None
Level: 33
Title: Third Rate
Strength: 45
Intelligence: 40
Agility: 35
Vitality: 40
Sense: 60
Remaining Points: 6
Skills:
Skill Draw: None
I stared at the screen, still catching my breath. "Six points left, huh…"
I put them all into Strength.
> Strength: 51
"Let's see if this makes me strong like the Hulk," I muttered, flexing my hand as faint blue light coursed through my veins. My body felt slightly heavier, but my muscles burned with raw energy — it was working.
Then the chests appeared before me, shimmering faintly.
One Epic, one Gold.
"Let's see what you're hiding," I whispered, touching the Epic one first.
The light burst open — a symbol I'd never seen before glowed in the air.
> You obtained: Shield of Anima (A-Rank)
A divine shield said to carry the blessing of the unknown being "Anima." It strengthens defense and absorbs 20% of incoming magic damage.
My eyes widened. "A shield…?"
Then I opened the Gold Chest. Another flash.
> You obtained: Sword of Anima (B-Rank)
Forged from the same divine metal as the Shield of Anima. When both are equipped, the user gains a 10% bonus to all stats.
A matching set. Both carrying the same name.
I became serious.
My grip tightened around the sword's hilt, its weight somehow familiar — like I'd held it before.
I stood up, scanning my surroundings. The others were talking, resting, tending to their wounds.
But I couldn't shake the feeling.
"This isn't a coincidence," I muttered under my breath. "Someone's watching us… giving me these weapons."
I raised my eyes to the sky — three moons glowing faintly in the distance, stars scattered like shards of glass.
"If you're listening… whoever you are," I whispered, "why me? Why give me these?"
The sky didn't answer, but for a brief moment, I could swear I felt it — a gaze.
Something… powerful, ancient, amused.
I clenched my jaw. "You fucker," I spat quietly. "You're watching us like we're toys, aren't you?"
Still, what could I do? Nothing — not yet.
I sheathed my new sword and slung the shield onto my back, walking toward Marco. He was sitting on the ground, bruised, his shirt torn and bloodied.
"You okay?" I asked.
He looked up, trying to smile through the pain. "Yeah… Hyun Woo already healed most of it. What about you?"
I shrugged. "Lost some mana. That's all."
He chuckled weakly. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Not a ghost," I said, glancing up again. "Something worse."