Chapter 8: Skill book
"Good."
Just as the word left Evan's mouth, a chill ran down his spine.
His instincts screamed. He spun around and took two long strides back.
'Fuck.'
The big Razorlop stood ten meters away—bloodshot eyes, blood streaming from its neck. The spear had pierced deep… but not deep enough.
The creature looked furious.
It wasn't just about being sneak-attacked or losing its minions. This was rage—the kind that promised Evan a very messy death.
Before Evan could react further, the Razorlop made its move.
All he saw was a blur—and then it was beside him.
His heart dropped. A life-threatening sense of dread surged through him.
On pure reflex, Evan raised his shield.
CLANG!
The Razorlop's claw collided with it. The sheer force sent Evan flying backwards until he slammed into a tree.
Thud.
He coughed out blood instantly and dropped to one knee, barely staying upright by jamming his sword into the ground. His eyes, sharp despite the pain, never left the monster.
The Razorlop stalked forward again.
Evan gritted his teeth and stood. Sword up. Shield ready.
It charged.
This time, Evan was prepared. The instant the blur appeared in his peripheral vision, he braced himself—harder.
CLANG!
Same sound, different result. He slid back five meters, landed on his feet, and didn't wait a second.
He counterattacked.
Evan sprinted toward the Razorlop—but again, it vanished and reappeared behind him.
He was ready.
He spun, shield raised—not flat this time, but tilted slightly, intercepting the claw perpendicularly.
Clangchhh!
The claw stabbed into the shield.
Evan rotated the shield just enough to trap the claw inside.
"Gotcha."
With his sword hand free, Evan rammed his blade into the Razorlop's wounded neck—right where the spear had struck before.
Screeechh!
The beast howled in agony and instinctively yanked its arm back, freeing the claw and dragging Evan's sword with it.
Too strong. Evan had to let go.
But it was enough. The Razorlop stumbled, disoriented.
Seizing the chance, Evan switched the shield to his right hand and charged. The creature, now blinded by pain, couldn't react fast enough.
Evan jammed the edge of his shield against the sword's hilt.
Then slammed it.
Again.
And again.
Like hammering a nail into a coffin.
Screechhh! Screnn! Screeeeechhhh!
The Razorlop shrieked and thrashed, but it was too far gone.
After nearly a minute of relentless pounding, the beast collapsed.
Dead.
Evan collapsed too, breathing heavily.
---
[ You have killed Razorlop (Level - 7): +115 EXP ]
[ You killed a monster 5 levels higher than you: +100% EXP ]
[ You have leveled up! ]
[ All attributes +1 ]
[ Unallocated points +2 ]
A soft white light enveloped him, soothing and energizing.
"Haa… I'll never get used to that."
"No matter how exhausted I am, leveling up just… resets everything. Even my injuries feel better."
"…Would it grow back a missing limb too?"
He chuckled at the thought.
"Still… I actually leveled up again."
He opened his status screen:
---
[ Status ]
Name: Evan
Level: 3
EXP: 65/300 (21%)
Race: Human
Jobs: { None }
Titles: { None }
Health: 160/160
Energy: 120/120
Stamina: 260/260
Hunger: 0/100
Fatigue: 0/100
Strength: 10
Agility: 13
Vitality: 8
Defense: 9
Spirit: 6
Allotable Points: 2
Skills: { None }
---
"Looks like stats get more impactful past 10. The jump I felt this time… way bigger than the last agility boost."
"But…"
His eyes shifted toward the energy stat.
"I still have no clue how to use this 'energy.' It's full, but… how do I use it?"
He let out a frustrated sigh and picked up his shield.
"If it weren't for this thing, I'd be dead meat."
---
[ Item Name: Basic Shield ]
Grade: Common
Durability: 2/20
Effect: None
Description: A shield made to protect.
---
"…What the—!?"
"You're telling me I could inspect items this whole time?!"
"Why didn't the system tell me!?"
A realization clicked.
He spun around and rushed toward the spot where his sword had landed.
But something was off.
"…Where the hell is the body?"
The corpse of the Razorlop was gone.
Instead, lying neatly in its place were several items—and his sword.
A purple book with golden trimming. A red pouch. Some meat on top of white fur. And a fang, glinting in the grass.
Curious, he picked up his sword.
---
[ Item Name: Basic Sword ]
Grade: Common
Durability: 9/20
Effect: +10 Physical Attack
Description: A basic sword made to help a novice train in swordplay.
---
"Yes!"
He grabbed the red pouch next.
---
[ Item Name: Small Coin Pouch ]
Amount: 100
Description: A pouch containing coins.
---
As he opened it, the pouch dissolved in a golden glow.
Confused but suspicious, he checked his inventory.
---
[ Coin Balance: 100 ]
---
His lips curled into a grin.
"Oh yeah… I'm gonna find a way to spend all of that."
Finally, he picked up the mysterious purple book.
The moment he did, a message popped up.
He read it—and his eyes lit up.
Then came the laughter.
"Hehe…"
"Hehehe…"
"HAHAHAHA—cough! Cough!!"