The system tricked me. I thought they'd give me a week, but instead, I have less than an hour.
'What bull... Geez... I can't even curse right now.'
Looking around, I saw flamebees scattered throughout the forest, making the place look like it was decorated with Christmas lights.
The forest wasn't too thick or too old; each tree had enough space to breathe. It was just like a park with this much light.
Seeing that warning sign again—if my target was already losing HP and I was already short on time—did that mean the tragedy had already happened…? And they were near.
That would be the case if the system truly wanted me to save that person. Maybe that was why it dropped me here, inside the forest
My eyes darted everywhere, searching. Flamebees monsters were known to avoid danger and despise disgusting smells—especially the nasty scent of blood. If the event had already happened, blood must have been spilled. Somewhere in this forest, there had to be a spot… an area where there were no insects with blinking lights.
'Found it.'
A pair of legs sprang into motion, dashing toward the direction, while hands simultaneously scrolled through the system window still hovering in the air. If this was the same as a game or an RPG-like system, then there had to be something like an inventory.
'Aha, jackpot!'
The inventory contained several kinds of items: potions, an old cloak, and a bag of money. I scrolled further, hoping to find what I truly needed in this situation. However… there was no weapon for self-defense or anything useful.
'Tch. How am I supposed to help them, then?'
Hoping for at least decent stats, I checked my status.
[ < STATUS > ]
NAME (Possessor): Ryzen Xarzos Gayagoy
OCCUPATION: Author
TITLE: ???
LEVEL: 1
SPECIES: Human
RANK: F - Class
HP: 1000 / 1000
MP: 2 / 2
(MAIN STATS)
STRENGTH: 1
AGILITY: 2
SENSE: 4
STAMINA: 2
(SUB-STATS)
INTELLIGENCE: 100
LUCK: 1
CHARM: 100
UNIQUE SKILL: Wanderer
REWARD POINTS: 0
'Horrible.' Even a mere slime had a total of over 15 stats, while mine didn't even reach 10.
The blood in my veins surged, and I wanted to shoot an arrow at the system, grill it in extreme lava, and stomp on it to my heart's content.
'If only I could.'
And then there was this annoying window popping up several times, like a buzzing fly.
[Warning! STAMINA dropped to zero]
[Due to stamina depletion, side effects will take place. Losing health points with each increase in fatigue.]
[Fatigue: -1]
[Fatigue: -1] ....[ ]...
[HP: 1000 → 992]
[HP: 1000 → 950] ....[ ]...
'Holy meow!' My feet froze as I finally processed what that window meant. It was like my brain and body had a weak internet connection—delayed signals making me feel the exhaustion only now.
I gasped for air eagerly, my four limbs pressed against the ground.
'I can't even run far...'
Every step I took drained my HP. Scratch the idea of this body being able to run—this weakling could barely walk!
'I'm gonna lose my breath—no, my life here.'
This must be why I had several bottles of health potions in my inventory.
I leaned against a tree, trying to catch my breath.
[Fatigue: -1]
[Fatigue: -1] ...
[HP: 1000 → 942]
[HP: 1000 → 930]... [ ]...
While looking through the items in my inventory, an old, muddy cloak caught my attention.
[THE CLOAK OF NARDA #?? > (D)]
DEF: ??? → (150)
HP: ??? → (120)
STAMINA: 130
UPGRADE: O
An item meticulously crafted by the Grand Archmage of L'yuziria. Due to its age, its effects have deteriorated.
The effects will take place immediately when worn.
'No wonder the owner of this body survived until now.'
Instinctively, I pressed my arm against the item's image in the inventory. My hand slipped into an endless space, and a cold sensation ran through my skin.
As soon as my fingertips brushed against the item, I grabbed it and pulled it out of the inventory, immediately putting it on.
[Health Points and Stamina Points Have Increased. Side Effects Due to Fatigue Have Been Neutralized.]
Instantly, my body felt light—like I could run up and down a mountain.
I sighed in relief, but before a second had passed, a chill ran down my spine as the hairs on my neck stood on end.
A terrifying scream echoed through the forest. It was so loud and close that it nearly made my ears bleed.
When I turned to see where it came from, my body froze in place. I was only a few trees away from the horrifying scene unfolding before me.
A young man was pinned against a tree, a blade lodged in his torso. Fresh blood ran down the silver blade while a brute of a man crushed his throat with one hand.
Women and children sobbed beside them, begging for mercy.
The young man coughed up plenty of blood as his eyes darted to his companions, filled with worry. His cracked lips curved upward in a faint smile as his bluish eyes turned dull.
That expression, that look…
"Noooooo!" I screamed, but I knew my voice wouldn't come out.
Yet somehow, as if he had heard my desperate plea, our eyes met.
Ba-dump!*
No… Not just him. Everyone at the scene was now staring at me.
The voice that had shouted 'no' was now echoing through the entire forest.
[Congratulations! Your punishment 'Temporarily Mute' has been lifted.]