[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[Your leveled up!]
I spent almost five minutes just to kill three wolves.
Even though my stats had risen drastically thanks to the effects of the pill, the reality was that I was still a fighter with no experience. My senses have indeed improved, but my reactions are still too late, this body is not used to following its new abilities. Energy also drains quickly because I keep moving non-stop.
My breath hitches.
A wolf jumps from the right. I dodged reflexively, then swung my sword - the tip of the blade pierced its stomach. Before I could fully draw my sword, another wolf pounced from behind. I turned around and blocked its bite with the blade of the sword.
"Ugh...!"
Its thrusts were incredibly strong - far beyond my remaining strength. With the remaining strength and determination I had, I managed to push it away. When it jumped again, I slashed at its stomach without hesitation.
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
My head is throbbing violently. "Damn... the pill's effects have worn off."
Without thinking, I took out the remaining four pills from my pocket and swallowed them all in one go.
[You consumed rasaka pills!]
[You consumed rasaka pills!]
[You consumed rasaka pills!]
[You consumed rasaka pills!]
[Your strength and agility drastically increase by 80% for 10 minutes due to the effects of the pill!]
[Warning! Your body has received effects beyond your limits!]
"Ack...!"
My muscles felt as if they were about to explode. A foreign power surged wildly within my body. My heart was beating uncontrollably, my breath was strangled, my head felt like it was about to explode.
[Special skill 'Reader Protection' relieves some of the side effects on your body]
The pain slowly subsided. I could finally breathe normally and regain my focus. Kael was still fighting, eliminating wolves coming from all directions flawlessly.
I shifted my focus to the opposite side. My body shot forward. My movements were much quicker, my reflexes sharper. My sword slashed without hesitation.
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[You defeated the Black Wolf!]
[Your leveled up!]
[Your leveled up!]
I rose three levels at once-but as usual, I couldn't tell my current level.
[Congratulations! You get a new title!]
Title? This is the first time I've seen this kind of notification.
+
[Title acquired: The One the Story Protects]
Special Effect: Creatures with low-medium instincts will feel the unnaturalness of your existence.
+
The wolves suddenly stopped attacking, as if shocked by something invisible. One by one, they slowly backed away with low growls—no longer filled with anger, but restless and afraid.
Around Kael, the rest of the herd also reacted. They moved away with hesitant steps, then turned and ran away, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
What happened? Is it because of the special effects of the title I got?
"They ran away."
I turned to Kael who was walking towards me.
"They seemed afraid of something." Kael slashed his sword in the air before inserting it into the scabbard.
I can't say that all of this happened because of the special effects of my title. I can't add to Kael's suspicions about me, I'm having a hard time holding it in here.
"How are you feeling?"
I spontaneously looked at him, surprised.
...Kael asked me how I was feeling?
My heart suddenly felt warm just because of one small question. I smiled at him. "Sure, I'm fine—ack!"
The sword in my hand dropped reflexively when my head suddenly throbbed strongly, my body suddenly went limp and my heart was beating so fast it felt like it was going to explode.
Luckily, Kael swiftly grabbed my body, which almost fell to the ground.
"Hey! What happened?!" Kael shouted.
[Warning! Your body has experienced a drastic decline due to the side effects of using the Rasaka Pill!]
[Warning! Your body has experienced a drastic decline due to the side effects of using the Rasaka Pill!]
[Warning! Special skill 'Emergency Protection' activated!]
"Hey! Wake up!"
My consciousness slowly faded away. The last thing I saw was Kael's panicked expression.
....
...
Liam, Lei and Eve are still in the same tent. They sat facing each other in different places. Lei sat cross-legged on the bed with his arms crossed in annoyance, Liam leaned against the table and Eve sat in a chair.
The atmosphere there became silent after Liam told about his past with Kael—the perpetrator who killed their companions. Eve was still shocked, she had no idea that Liam and Kael actually had such a deep story in the past.
Lei was equally surprised, but he still had a lot of irritation left. He still couldn't accept Kael, the killer. He was even more surprised that Liam cared more about Kael, his old friend, than his companions.
"Lei, how about we try to believe him for once?" Eve spoke up.
"Believe in the killer?" Lei replied with a sharp gaze.
"No, I meant Kim."
"Why are you bringing that crazy woman around?"
"Lei, can't you just let me be this once?" Liam finally spoke up.
Lei's brows furrowed in annoyance, it was difficult to give in to his own ego.
"That's right. We have to build strength from now on, as Kim said." Eve chimed in.
Lei turned to Eve, looking at her lazily. "You were really influenced by that crazy woman, weren't you?"
"N-that's not it!" Eve's cheeks suddenly turned red. "This time, I agree with Kim. We cannot be divided at a time like this. We must work together."
Liam crossed his arms, smiling proudly while nodding his head. "Eve, you're just getting smarter."
"Captain...!" Eve's eyes lit up, touched by Liam's small compliment.
Lei looked away, then chuckled in annoyance. "It's up to you guys. I'm tired."
Liam and Eve smiled. Even though Lei was very stubborn and had a big ego, he still had a soft heart. Although not as soft as Eve.
"Captain, do you know anything about the secret relationship between Kim and Kael?"
Eve's question just now succeeded in surprising Liam. "What? Secret relationship? Who with whom?"
"Kim and Kael!" Eve replied enthusiastically.
"Huh?" Liam's face turned confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Kim told me that he had a secret relationship with Kael. She said their relationship was very difficult to explain. That's why I asked you, because you is Kael's old friend." Eve wore a hopeful expression.
Liam was amazed, it felt like he heard something that made no sense. He scratched his ears several times, "Did I hear wrong? Kael has a relationship with a woman?"
"Yes!" Eve answered enthusiastically.
Lei, who was listening to their conversation, could only let out a tired breath. He couldn't understand how Eve could exaggerate the story she heard from Kim earlier.
In the middle of their conversation, Eve suddenly felt a strong wave of magical energy shoot out from outside, speeding towards the tent. Liam and Lei felt it a moment later.
They immediately stood straight, their body reflexes moving faster than their minds.
"Eve," Liam called in a firm and cold voice.
"Got it." Eve immediately released her magic energy, preparing to form a shield if an attack came at any time.
However, that alertness suddenly turned into shock when Kael suddenly burst into the tent, carrying Kim's unconscious body.
"I need... help," Kael said briefly, his tone still cold even though he sounded short of breath.
"Kim!" Eve immediately dispelled the magic energy in her body and rushed over to Kael. "What happened?!"
Lei, who had always been cold towards Kim, suddenly changed in an instant. He got up from the bed and approached Kael, watching Kim's unconscious condition with a shocked expression.
"Put her on the bed," Liam ordered, which Kael immediately complied with.
Eve swiftly moved to check his condition, checking all sides. "Her body is cold."
"What did you do to her?!" Lei grabbed Kael by the collar angrily.
"Lei!" Liam immediately grabbed Lei's hand and took him away from Kael.
"She forced himself against a pack of wolves."
Kael's words just now succeeded in making the three of them freeze with wide eyes.
"Kim...fighting the wolves...?" Eve asked in disbelief.
"Take care of her." Kael turned around and was about to walk away, but Liam immediately stopped him.
"Where are you going? It's still night."
Kael sighed. "Don't get me wrong. I have no intention of joining you. We just have the same goal, at least for now. I'm going to the western region."
Kael immediately disappeared like the wind without giving Liam a chance to speak.