Chapter 5: Will to Survive
Chapter 5: Will to Survive
Yuno could feel the changes. The mushroom's physical abilities reached new heights because his body became stronger and faster and more powerful. His heart raced with excitement.
He had won.
After defeating his enemies and strengthening his power, Yuno began to think about all the things he could achieve. His current state made him stronger than ever before, and he felt like an invincible force. And he had only just begun.
The victorious mage noticed a sudden flash of light in the sky while enjoying his triumph. The ground beside him received a deafening strike from a bolt of lightning.
The mushroom reacted with surprise and bewilderment. What was this? The atmosphere remained clear without any indications of danger. The sky displayed no clouds just before this incident.
Yuno's thoughts raced. Who or what force could have launched an assault against him?
Turning around…
Yuno became aware of the situation at hand.
Three adventurers faced him, their unwavering gazes treating him as though he was merely an obstacle in their journey.
A level eighteen mage, remnants of lightning energy emitting sharp, crackling sparks from his fingertips. His robes bore intricate markings, likely signifying a recent class transformation.
A level seventeen archer, calm, composed, and indifferent. She kept her bow drawn, the arrow held steady, ready to be loosed at a moment's notice.
A level twelve warrior, the lowest-ranked among them, yet the most at ease. He carried a massive axe, resting it casually against his shoulder as if he had all the time in the world.
Compared to the weaker adventurers Yuno had fought before, these opponents were on an entirely different level.
***
"This is taking too long," the archer muttered, barely sparing the warrior a glance. "Let's finish this already. We're wasting time."
The warrior chuckled. "Come on, don't be like that. Returning to this place with both of you feels nostalgic. Brings back memories, doesn't it?" He glanced at the mage. "Guess we were all weak once."
The mage scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Don't lump me in with you." Electrical energy flickered between his fingers, causing faint sparks to crackle in the air. His voice dropped, laced with cold confidence. "And I don't miss twice."
CRACK!
Without warning, the mage unleashed a blazing lightning blast straight toward Yuno.
His instincts screamed.
Move. NOW.
BOOM!
Yuno barely managed to shift his body at the last moment, dodging the attack.
But not completely.
Pain ripped through him.
[-14 HP]
The edge of the spell had seared into his cap, the burning sensation spreading rapidly. His small body trembled as the pain shot through his system.
His gaze flicked toward the aftermath of the spell.
The entire forest behind him had been obliterated.
The trees no longer existed.
The ground was scorched, blackened beyond recognition. A thick, acrid smell filled the air, the scent of charred wood and smoldering earth.
Yuno froze.
"A spell like that, in a beginner area?"
"What was a mage this strong doing here?"
A chill ran through him.
He couldn't fight this.
Not them.
He wasn't a fool.
He had to run.
***
Mushroom Charge.
Yuno poured every ounce of his remaining power into his next movement.
His body tensed.
BOOM!
A sudden burst of incredible speed launched him forward, far beyond what a standard low-level creature should be capable of.
The warrior's eyes widened slightly. "Huh. It knows when to run?"
The archer clicked her tongue in irritation. "Doesn't matter. It's still just a mushroom."
The warrior grinned, stepping forward. "Let me handle it."
He lowered his axe into position.
And then.
CRACK!
The ground split apart.
A massive rock column erupted from the earth, blocking Yuno's escape in an instant.
He had no time to react.
BAM!
Yuno's small body smashed face-first into the stone wall with full force.
[-10 HP]
[Warning: HP has dropped below 50%. Caution is advised.]
His vision blurred.
He barely registered the archer drawing another arrow.
"Enough playing around," she muttered.
The bowstring snapped forward.
Shnk!
A sharp, piercing agony.
The arrow embedded itself into his body, pinning him against the rock.
[-23 HP]
[Hp: 0/47]
His small frame slumped, rolling limply across the dirt before coming to a complete stop.
***
Silence.
[You have been defeated.]
[Your journey ends here.]
Yuno's body twitched once.
Then, nothing.
A faint hum filled his ears.
Distant voices.
***
The warrior exhaled, resting his axe against the ground. "Damn, that was clean." He glanced at the archer with a grin. "Are you sure you don't belong to the archer's guild?"
The archer smirked slightly as she adjusted her bowstring. "If they invite me, I might consider it."
The mage scoffed, already losing interest. "Enough talking. Let's grab the loot and go."
They stepped forward.
At that moment.
The system activated.
[Resurrection Coin detected.]
[A choice must be made.]
***
Yuno's consciousness lingered. His body refused to move.
Was this it?
Would he accept death?
Would he disappear forever?
The system's voice was neutral.
It didn't comfort him.
It didn't mock him.
It simply stated a fact.
[Use Resurrection Coin?]
Yuno hesitated.
For a brief moment, he considered declining.
The system would likely end him again if he refused.
What if this was pointless?
But then.
A spark.
A faint memory of his battles.
He had come too far.
He wasn't going to end here.
[Resurrection Coin has been used.]
***
Light.
A faint glow coursed through Yuno's small body, subtle, almost unnoticeable.
There was no sudden surge of power.
No grand awakening.
His death had been erased, but nothing had changed.
He was exactly as he had been before.
[HP fully restored.]
Yuno's eyes snapped open.
And he immediately acted.
***
"System, activate Spore Explosion."
[Spore Explosion activated.]
BOOM!
A massive cloud burst forth from Yuno's body, expanding in all directions.
Thick. Dense. Orange.
A shroud of unnatural mist swallowed the battlefield within seconds.
The mage's eyes widened in genuine confusion. "What?"
The archer coughed sharply, instinctively moving backward. "Toxic…? No way. The system activated it as soon as it" She paused, eyes darting toward Yuno in alarm. "What kind of monster is this?"
The warrior gritted his teeth. The monsters in this area weren't supposed to have skills like this.
The mage's expression darkened.
His instincts screamed at him.
Something about this was wrong.
"…No." He muttered, a flicker of doubt flashing across his face. "This thing isn't normal."
***
His mind raced.
Monsters don't heal.
Monsters don't adapt.
Yet this mushroom.
It came back from the dead.
And now it had a special ability that shouldn't exist in this region.
The battlefield had shifted.
They had been in control just moments ago.
Now?
They had no idea what they were dealing with.
For the first time since the fight started.
The mage hesitated.
His brain scrambled for an explanation, but the situation was evolving too fast.
And inside the swirling spore-filled void.
Yuno moved.
The battle wasn't over.
Not yet.