Chapter 9: The Reckless Gamble

The battlefield was in ruins. The ground was torn apart, rubble and debris scattered in every direction. Two figures clashed in the center, their overwhelming power turning the street into a war zone.

Kai could only watch, his heart pounding as Yuna and Youngho exchanged devastating blows. Their weapons moved like blurs, clashing in midair with sparks flying in all directions. The sheer force of their aura cracked the very ground beneath them.

This… this is the power of Rank B Awakened.

Then—

CRACK!

A surge of electricity exploded from Youngho's body, catching Yuna off guard. The energy struck her directly, sending her flying. She crashed hard into a pile of rubble, her katana slipping from her grasp.

"Yuna!" Kai shouted, his voice echoing through the battlefield.

But Youngho wasn't done. His expression twisted with rage.

"That damn girl…!" He growled, looking at the broken remains of his sword. "She shattered my precious weapon! You're going to pay for that!"

Electricity surged in his palms, forming a crackling sphere of power.

Kai's breath caught in his throat. He's going to finish her off!

Youngho raised his hand, ready to unleash the final blow.

I have to do something!

Kai clenched his fists. His dagger trembled in his grip. He's stronger than me. I know that. But… if I just stand here, she's going to die.

"I need to focus."

He steadied his breathing.

Youngho turned to him, smirking.

"Oh? You're still here, brat? Fine. You can die next!"

Electric arrows formed in the air around Youngho, buzzing with deadly energy before launching toward Kai.

Dodge. Analyze. Counter.

Kai's body reacted before his mind could even process it. His feet moved on instinct, weaving between the bolts of electricity as he closed the distance. His dagger gleamed in the dim light, ready to strike.

"What a reckless brat!" Youngho scoffed.

With a smirk, Youngho slammed his hand onto the ground.

A shockwave of electricity rippled outward, turning the ground into a death trap. Sparks danced along the surface, waiting to fry anything that touched it.

Kai skidded to a stop. Damn it! I can't step on that!

His mind raced—then an idea formed.

"Earth Creation!"

The ground rumbled beneath Kai's feet. A stone pillar erupted, launching him high into the air.

Kai gritted his teeth. This is my chance!

He created another pillar, this one shooting straight toward Youngho.

"You're dead!" Kai roared.

But Youngho sneered, sidestepping at the last second.

"Pathetic."

Before Kai could react, Youngho grabbed him mid-air and threw him skyward.

Kai's vision spun. Shit, shit, shit!

Below him, Youngho raised his palm. Lightning gathered, forming a massive electrical spear aimed directly at Kai's falling body.

"Now die, insect."

Time slowed.

Kai could feel death approaching.

His mind flashed with everything he had been through—the shattered dagger, the near-death experiences, the struggles.

He refused to die here.

No. I am NOT giving up.

Think!

Then—an idea.

"Earth Creation!"

A pillar of stone burst from beneath Youngho's feet, knocking him off balance.

Kai's eyes sharpened. This is it!

"Earth Creation!"

A second pillar formed under Kai's feet, launching him like a bullet toward Youngho.

Dagger in hand, he aimed straight for his target.

Youngho's eyes widened in shock.

"You bastard!"

Too late.

Kai's blade sliced clean through Youngho's right hand, severing it instantly.

A spray of blood followed.

"AARGH!" Youngho howled in agony.

But Kai wasn't done.

With his free hand, he grabbed Youngho's other arm and—

SLASH!

The second hand was gone.

Youngho collapsed, his body twitching as sparks of electricity flickered from his wounds.

His eyes, once filled with arrogance, now reflected horror.

"Y-You… A Rank E… beat me?"

Kai stood over him, panting heavily. Blood dripped from his blade.

"No," Kai muttered. He raised his dagger, aiming for Youngho's skull. "I killed you."

Youngho's face twisted in sheer terror.

"WAIT—"

Kai plunged his dagger straight through Youngho's heart.

A second later, he kicked the body into the air.

"Earth Creation!"

A jagged spike of stone shot up, impaling Youngho mid-air. His body jerked, then fell still.

[ System Notification ]

- You have defeated Awakened Youngho (Rank B).

- Rewards Granted: High-Rank Weapon, New Skill, Stat Increase.

- Rank Up: E → D.

Kai's breathing was ragged.

His dagger—his only weapon—had finally shattered from the battle.

He stared at his trembling fist.

He had just killed another awaken.

The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke as Kai trudged through the ruined streets of Busan, carrying Yuna on his back. She was still unconscious, her breathing faint but steady.

The mark area they had been sent to was in ruins.

The fortress—once a beacon of survival—was nothing but rubble. Blood splattered across the ground, bodies of both civilians and soldiers scattered like discarded dolls.

No one was left alive.

Kai gritted his teeth. Had Youngho's done this?

For now, it didn't matter. Yuna needed rest.

He found a small, abandoned shelter, hidden behind a collapsed building. Carefully, he laid her down, covering her with a worn-out coat he found nearby.

Then, he gathered some wood, using his Earth Creation skill to form a firepit. A small flame flickered to life, casting shadows across the broken walls.

Finally, with a heavy sigh, Kai sat down and pulled up his System Window.

[ System Window ]

New Rewards:

- Weapon:Storm Fang Blade (Rank B)→ (Restricted: Requires Rank B to equip)

- Skill:Storm Creation (Lv. 1) → (Grants control over electric currents, can create waves of electricity)

- Stat Increases:Overall boost in Strength, Agility, and Intelligence

Kai's gaze lingered on the Storm Fang Blade. It was a high-tier weapon, far better than his old dagger—but he couldn't use it yet.

He needed to reach Rank B first.

"Tch." He clicked his tongue in frustration.

His eyes then shifted to the new skill.

*Storm Creation… an electric-based skill?

Kai frowned. This was Youngho's ability.

His mind raced. The system had given him the exact power of the enemy he had just killed.

Which meant—

"If I defeat more awakened… I can take their abilities?"

His breath hitched.

A system that steals power? That wasn't normal.

Kai clenched his fists. "That means… if I kill powerful awakened, I can keep growing stronger."

For a brief moment, a dark thought crossed his mind.

Would it be worth it? Could he afford to hesitate in this world?

"...No."

He shook his head. That wasn't an option. He wasn't a murderer.

But still, this information could be a turning point. If he played his cards right, he could find another way to grow stronger—without needless killing.

He let out a breath.

For now, he needed to focus on surviving.

A soft groansnapped Kai from his thoughts.

He turned to see Yuna stirring, her eyelids fluttering open.

"Ah… where am I…?" Her voice was weak.

Kai moved closer. "You're awake."

Her dazed eyes locked onto him before widening in panic. "W-Where's Youngho?! Did he—"

"Calm down." Kai placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's over. I took him down."

Yuna's eyes widened in shock.

"You…?"

Silence filled the room. Then—

She smiled softly, eyes glistening.

"...You really saved me, huh?"

Before Kai could react, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug.

Kai froze.

"Eh—Y-Yuna?!"

"Thank you, Kai." Her voice was warm, grateful.

Kai felt his face heat up. He awkwardly patted her back, unsure of what to do.

"Uh… Y-Yeah. You're welcome."

For a moment, the two sat there, the fire crackling beside them.

Then—

DING!

Kai's system window flashed red with an urgent notification.

[ WARNING! ]

A high-level boss (Rank B) is approaching.

Kai's eyes widened in alarm.

The ground trembled as a monstrous roar echoed in the distance.

To be Continued