───[ Skills ]───
☾ [ Sleep ] (S-Grade) ⟦ upgrade ^⟧
[Sleep]
[SleepBond Spell]: Instantly forces up to five targets into a deep sleep for 30 minutes, rendering them defenseless.
[Slumber's Blessing]: Every satisfying nap grants +1 to a random stat, allowing continuous growth even in rest.
[Embrace of Souls]: Through deep, intimate union in restful embrace, awaken a skill that mirrors your partner's essence while refining and transforming it into something uniquely your own. The closer the bond—both in body and spirit—the greater the evolution and perfection of the acquired ability.
[Wanderer's Slumber]: Sleeping in unusual places or at rare moments grants an additional +1 to a stat point slot. The more unconventional the location or timing, the stronger the effect.
---
My eyes widened. If this ability really worked as described, then I had a serious advantage. My heart pounded—not with fear, but with anticipation.
I took a cautious step back, glancing toward the kitchen. Moving quickly, I grabbed a sharp knife and returned to the door.
The banging grew louder. The creatures slammed against the wooden frame with relentless force.
Bang! Bang!
The door rattled. I hesitated for only a second before peering through the keyhole.
Through the small gap, I saw them—two grotesque creatures.
Their twisted, grayish-green faces and jagged yellow teeth sent a chill down my spine. Their clawed fingers scratched impatiently at the wood, their breaths ragged and eager.
I took a deep breath, focused on them, and whispered the activation phrase.
"Sleep."
A strange force pulsed through me, and suddenly, my already weak frame felt even weaker. My legs nearly buckled. My vision blurred for a split second.
<-10 Mana>
Despite the drain, the spell worked.
The goblins froze mid-motion. Their clawed hands halted in the air, then—
Thud.
Both collapsed.
I pressed against the door, my breathing shallow. My limbs felt sluggish, but I forced myself to focus.
I need to get used to the mana drain.
Clenching my fists, I lightly knocked on the door, testing.
Nothing.
The goblins didn't move.
A slow grin stretched across my lips.
"It worked."
My pulse still pounded, but this time, it wasn't fear driving it. It was exhilaration.
I peered through the keyhole again. No other monsters in sight.
With careful steps, I unlatched the door and pushed it open. Sunlight spilled into the room, momentarily blinding me.
When my vision adjusted, my breath caught.
The world outside was unrecognizable.
The sky wasn't blue. It was fractured, filled with glowing fissures that slowly stitched themselves back together.
Buildings stood in ruins—some half-collapsed, others reduced to rubble.
Cars lay abandoned on the roads, their windows shattered, their metal frames twisted into grotesque shapes. Some had flipped onto their sides. Others were burned-out husks.
Bodies—human and monstrous—littered the streets.
Some fresh, blood still seeping into the cracked pavement.
Others stiffened, long dead.
The stench of blood and decay curled into my nostrils. My stomach twisted.
I swallowed hard and tightened my grip on the knife. My fingers twitched, but I forced myself to focus.
My gaze flicked back to the two unconscious goblins.
Their grotesque faces looked… peaceful in sleep. A twisted contrast to their true nature.
I stepped closer, raising the blade.
My grip tightened around the handle as I positioned it above the first creature's spine.
"Here goes nothing."
With a swift thrust, I drove the knife deep into the goblin's neck.
Squelch.
Thick, dark blood oozed from the wound as I pulled the blade free.
Ding!
[You have slain an F-Grade Dormant Monster: Goblin]
<+50 EXP>
<+50 Coins>
A translucent notification flashed before my eyes.
I barely had time to process it before turning to the second goblin.
Stab!
Ding!
[You have slain an F-Rank Dormant Monster: Goblin]
<+50 EXP>
<+50 Coins>
The message appeared again.
I exhaled, shaking off the unease settling in my stomach. Taking a life—even a monster's—felt strange.
Not horrifying. Not exhilarating. Just... necessary.
The smell of blood was overwhelming, thick and nauseating.
I grabbed both goblins by their legs and dragged them outside. Despite their small size, they still weighed about 45 pounds each.
With effort, I tossed them onto the pavement, away from my apartment entrance.
Glancing around, I hurried back inside and locked the door behind me.
I moved on instinct, rushing to the kitchen, grabbing a small container of water.
Back at the doorway, I poured it over the bloodied ground, trying to wash away the evidence before more monsters caught the scent.
The water mixed with the blood, darkening as it trickled into the cracks.
Once done, I bolted the door shut and pressed my back against it.
Silence.
Then—
"Hahaha!"
Laughter bubbled up from my chest.
It started as a chuckle, then grew into full-bodied laughter—wild, almost hysterical.
I couldn't stop.
I threw my head back, the sound tearing from deep inside me.
It wasn't just relief. It wasn't madness. It was something else entirely.
For the first time since the world had fallen apart…
I felt alive.
Then—my stomach growled.
I sighed, pushing myself off the door and walking to the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I grabbed two eggs.
"Fuck."
Turning the knob, I realized—no fire. No gas.
I cursed under my breath. Cracking the eggs, I poured their contents into a glass. Grabbing a loaf of bread from the shelf, I sat down. Survival first. Everything else could wait.
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A/N: Hello, this is my first time writing, and I'd love to hear your feedback! Please leave comments to help me improve.
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