A Voice

The giant sonic bat dashed towards me in a speed unbefitting it's large build.

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

Accepting the beast's challenge, I stood in place. This – unlike all my other stubborn decisions – was a choice based in logic. In a blink of an eye, the beast appeared mere inches away from me. I was caught off-guard.

Panic taking over my body, I hastily swung my sword in a desperate effort to defend myself. The beast dodged with little to no effort, my blade barely missing his large frame.

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

The beast lunged it's claws at my stomach. I hastily dodged, my mind panicked and confused. I was too late.

The beast's sharp claws dug into my skin and flesh, drawing crimson blood from my body. The beast went for another strike, but this time I was well prepared to take it.

Coating my arm with mana, I block the incoming strike. My arm shook from the blow of the beast's limb. The muscles in my arm screamed from pain. My bones nearly broke from the intense force. Despite the mana enhancing my arm, I was still flung to the side like a helpless animal. I hurriedly coated my entire body with mana to soften the blow.

With a loud boom, I crashed into the walls. The walls shook from the impact and I felt my body scream from the pain all over my body. I ignored it. This monster wasn't something I could run away or even hide from. With that intense speed and power, I highly doubted I would be able to keep myself safe even if I was in my best condition.

That leaves me with only one choice

「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」

A scream tore through the air. I put my arm up in defense. I didn't see an incoming attack. Instead, I trusted in my 「Instinct」.

My skill was right – as much as I hoped it wouldn't be. The beast's claw flew towards me, it's entire weight against me. The beast was slightly elevated as it's legs rested on my arms. I struggled against the increasing pressure. I knew at this moment that this beast was something above me by leaps and bounds.

My mind raced for an answer – a solution that would let me get out of my current disadvantageous situation. The crushing pressure increased, and I struggled to keep my myself from toppling over.

Looking closely, I noticed that a greenish aura was surrounding the beast. It swirled and pulsated, moving with purpose as it continued to enhance the beast's legs and crush my arms.

Shit! Of course it can use mana…!!

My mind was strained with the sudden  realization. Not only did the beast possess enough strength and speed to easily overpower close range, it also wielded and manipulated mana better than me.

This is bad…

If that thing gets any stronger than it already is I 'll die for sure…!!

Think

Think!

THINK!!

My head felt like it was going to split apart as I continued to use what little energy I had left to think up of a solution. I needed something, anything that would let face this unfair monster.

What if I use 「Horizon Oath」? No, that would never work. The beast had too much of an advantage when it came to speed. Any enhancement that I made to my body now would never be enough to catch up to it's strength. Besides, if I take too long the recoil would eventually degrade my mind into that of mindless killer. The beast could easily kill me then. Then do I just face it normally? I mean, I had been lucky so far with all my encounters, so it should work this time as well… right? No! You big stupid idiot!! You know full well that thoughts like that would only lead you to your grave

The beast relented it's crushing force. Other than using mana to defend my important organs, I did nothing as it continued to pummel me to the ground.

Come on!!! Now you're even being treated like a punching bag because of your incompetency! Can't you ever do anything right?! You're always ALWAYS letting other people pick up after your messes. Where did that bring you HUH?! Here!! About to be killed because you thought too highly of yourself. If you had just stayed low and bided your time then you wouldn't even be in this situation. You never bother thinking about the circumstances as long as the result benefited you. You killed, stole, and cheated your way into every possible opportunity that you could find just to make your pathetic life better. You're nothing but a failure of a human being, desperately clinging onto some stupid promise like a mindless puppet

As I continued to berate my incompetent and immature self, a voice called out to me.

"Luck..."

The voice sounded vaguely familiar, hidden behind my incomplete memories. It was sweet and comforting, it's voice somehow soothing my soul.

"Luck..!"

The voice grew louder, more proud of the name than I ever was.

"Luck! Luck!"

The voice cheered on. It sounded happy and excited, like a mother watching her child in a competition.

But it wasn't my mother

I thought with a bit of grimace. My mother had never been excited about anything. She was very timid and shy, preferring words over action. That begged the question: Who's voice was this?

"Luck.."

It didn't matter

I don't know who or what the owner of the voice was. Still, I trusted her.

I was ready to give everything up. EVERYTHING.

The voice grew clearer and clearer as I clung onto it. It seemed… important. Like losing it would mean losing myself. Despite this, though, I had a desperate urge to throw it away. To forget it and start over. But that didn't matter. I focus on the voice even further. I spared no detail as I listened to every word that came.

"Luck"

…Yes?

"Do your best!"

That was enough.