The monsters closed in an instant, and I turned to defend myself. Dagger-like claws came at me, and I raised my sword to block them. When the claws struck the blade of my sword, I almost couldn't withstand the weight of the blow.
Their claws nearly grazed my face.
Seeing that I was struggling, the other monsters attacked as well. Although my skill, Movement Boost LV3, seemed to be deactivated, their claws came at me in slow motion.
"I'm going to die," I said and threw myself backward, rolling across the ground.
Fortunately, I managed to avoid the attacks.
While I was on the ground, the monsters lunged at me all at once. Everything slowed down again, and for a moment, my heart stopped.
I couldn't think of anything but Hephaestus, Tsubaki, and Nina.
The only three people who mattered to me in this world. Two close friends and my wife.
So this is what they mean by "life flashing before your eyes"?
Most of my life had been in my old world… Yet nothing from that world came to mind.
Nothing from that world mattered.
Since I had no family and not many friends, nothing from that place was important.
So the only things that flashed through my mind were the few days I had lived in this new world. A world completely different from my old one. A much better world.
I finally understood why so many otakus would do anything to be transported to another world.
I could now see how depressing my previous world had been.
Just work and fake relationships.
Here, I can have fun, do what I want, and have people who truly care about me.
"Damn it." I didn't cry or anything. I just watched as the claws slowly approached me and closed my eyes, waiting for my death.
I wonder if I'll be sent to another world.
Now that I know other worlds exist, maybe I'll get another chance and reincarnate somewhere new.
My lips curved into a smile, and time returned to its normal speed.
CLANK!
Then, I felt an impact on my chest. A powerful impact. I also felt a burning sensation, but it wasn't unbearable pain. I didn't feel the monsters' claws piercing my chest.
My eyes widened, and I saw one of the monsters on top of me, its claws stuck in my armor.
I stared into its empty face, then drove my sword into its head, killing it.
Its body disappeared, leaving four monsters remaining. One of them had only one arm.
With the monster's death, the others lunged at me just like before.
But I wouldn't allow it this time.
I stood up as fast as I could to escape, but before I could start running, something struck my leg.
An unbearable pain shot through me, and when I looked down, my leg was gone.
I tried to flee using only one leg, but it was impossible.
"You sons of bitches," I growled, then charged at one of the monsters.
The monster raised its arm to block my attack, but since it had only one arm, I feinted and struck its chest, killing it.
Only three monsters remained, but all of them had both arms.
And they were stronger than usual.
"I'm really going to die," I gritted my teeth, enduring the pain.
I looked down at my severed leg, bleeding uncontrollably. I couldn't stop to treat the wound!
The three monsters didn't attack—they were waiting.
They knew that if I kept bleeding, I would eventually pass out.
The three monsters exchanged glances, and one of them nodded.
"Are they communicating?" I lost my balance and fell to the ground.
One of the monsters approached me. Even though it had no mouth, I could see a smile on its face.
As it took slow steps toward me, I grabbed a rock behind me and immediately activated the system.
[Do you wish to create a Dagger?]
I forged a low-level dagger using the rock.
The monster looked at me with disdain.
"You fucker!" That was when I threw the dagger with all my strength, aiming for its head.
The monster, not expecting my attack, was struck directly in the forehead.
I had hoped to injure it, not kill it outright.
But the monster exploded into particles of light and vanished.
The other two monsters, who had been mocking me before, had finally grown tired of playing around.
They decided to attack at the same time, ending this once and for all.
I remained seated, my leg still bleeding.
As my lips curled into a smile, my chest plate was removed.
CLANG! I placed my chest plate in the path of one monster's claws. Its claws pierced through the armor but didn't reach me. They got stuck, and I yanked it toward me.
I did that on purpose, of course.
The other monster, aiming for my head, struck its ally's back instead, leaving it gravely wounded.
I smirked at the monster that had hurt its own friend, let go of the chest plate, and then kicked the injured one with my remaining leg. It crashed into its companion, sending both flying into the dungeon wall.
Then, I reached into my food sack, where I had stored all my items. I grabbed one of the monsters' claws and activated the system.
"Please, work!" I shouted as the monster shoved its wounded ally aside and prepared to kill me.
To my relief, a system message popped up before my eyes.
"This is it!"
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