The boar's feral grunt sent a jolt of icy fear through Lucas.
I need to calm down, he thought, his breath ragged. I can't fight the boar head-on, not like this. Even if it was small, its dense muscle and bone-shattering charge were far too much for an unawakened person. If I run, it'll catch me in a second. My only option is to dodge and evade until midnight.
11:46 PM.
The boar didn't wait. With a guttural bellow, it charged. It moved with an insane, ground-devouring speed that was utterly impossible to react to by human standards.
Lucas threw himself sideways, relying on a lifetime of dodging falling timber and surprise encounters in the dense Safe Zone slums. He tumbled just as the boar's massive head flashed past.
CRACK!
The Infected Boar slammed directly into the massive oak tree Lucas had been hiding behind. A wet, splintering sound echoed as the impact created a significant, smoking hole in the trunk. The tree shuddered violently.
Thank God I didn't get hit by that.
The close call sparked a desperate idea.
What if I climb onto a tree? It can't climb a tree, right?
The boar shook its head, letting out a roar of pure, frustrated rage. Its red eyes locked onto Lucas again, and it charged a second time.
"Not today!"
Lucas didn't hesitate. He scrambled toward the nearest upright tree, a younger, smaller sibling of the damaged oak. He had spent years climbing trees to fetch firewood or secure ropes; his body instinctively knew the fastest route up. He was halfway up the trunk before the boar reached the base.
BAM!
The smaller tree shook violently under the heavy impact. Lucas's grip tightened fiercely; his heart skipped a beat as a spray of bark and wood chips rained down around him.
It is one determined boar, I guess. Lucas hugged the trunk. I just need to wait until midnight.
A new wave of cold fear washed over him, completely unrelated to the monster below.
Wait... what if I awaken, and my Job is useless?
He had seen others awaken to roles like Lumberjack or Farmer. Those were useful within the Safe Zone, but utterly worthless against a rampaging monster like this. If he became a Farmer, he would be no stronger than he was now, and he would definitely die when he finally came down.
BAM!
The tree shook again, pulling him sharply back to the present danger. The boar was relentless, smashing into the tree trunk with rhythmic fury.
11:59 PM.
The boar hit the tree one last time, a massive, shuddering blow. Lucas closed his eyes, bracing for what felt like the final minute of his life.
Then, a sudden, blinding sensation coursed through his body—not painful, but intensely electric.
A voice, not heard but felt directly in his mind, echoed the change:
[ System installation completed ]
Lucas's eyes snapped open. Before him, shimmering with an ethereal glow that cut through the darkness of the forest, was a Blue Screen—the unmistakable sign of the System.
[ Awakening ]
[ Awakening ]
[ Awakened ]
His heart, which moments ago had been frantic with fear, now hammered with ecstatic anticipation.
A detailed panel solidified in front of his face:
[ Name: Lucas ]
[ Level: 0 ]
[ Rank: F ]
[ Job: Weapon Master ]
[ Strength: 8
Agility: 9
Stamina: 12
Mana: 10 ]
[ Skill: Weapon Resonance (Lv.1) ]
[ Undisturbed stat: 0 ]
[ Coins : 100 ]
Finally, I have awakened!
His eyes immediately flew to his Job: Weapon Master. It sounded powerful, but what exactly did it do? He instinctively focused his intent on the job title, and a sub-window popped up.
[ Weapon Master ]
[ Description: Anything you consider as a weapon will become a weapon and you will gain a 100% proficiency in its use.]
A grin split Lucas's face, replacing the fear. This was more than luck. This was destiny.
"Anything I consider as a weapon..."
He thought of the heavy axe he had left by the Safe Zone wall. He thought of the long, sharp branches above him. He thought of the small, smooth rock he kept in his pocket.
Finally, I got lucky! I have a feeling this is going to be the most powerful job.
Finally, I got lucky! I have a feeling this is going to be the most powerful job.
BAM!
The boar hit the tree again, the final warning shot.
Lucas looked down at the enraged, drooling creature with entirely new eyes. The fear was gone, replaced by a surge of cold, focused confidence.
"Thanks for waiting," Lucas said, his voice level despite the heavy shaking of the tree. "Now you can die."