Clearing the realm gate 2

A low growl rumbled through the tunnel.

Kieran turned his head instinctively, muscles tensing as the sound echoed off the stone walls. His sharp gaze locked onto the source, his breath steadying. The dim light from the glowing gems embedded in the cave walls illuminated the hulking figure standing ahead.

A troll.

Its grotesque form loomed in the darkness, its thick, leathery skin appearing even more menacing in the flickering light.

Beady red eyes glowed with primal hunger, locked onto him like a predator assessing its prey.

'A troll? I thought they were supposed to be inside… How is this one here?'

His eyes flickered past the beast, scanning the path that stretched deeper into the cavern.

The air was thick with the stench of damp stone and something rancid—like decayed meat. He didn't know what awaited him beyond this tunnel, but one thing was certain.

He had to get through this first.

Kieran shifted his weight, analyzing the creature.

It looked similar to the ones he had encountered before, but there was something… off. It was taller—almost his height—and the way it stood seemed different, as if it carried more intelligence than the usual mindless brutes.

If it weren't for the system, he would've thought it was stronger than the last.

His fingers instinctively twitched, reaching for a weapon.

But there was nothing.

A wave of realization hit him.

'Damn it… I don't have a weapon. I can't use 0X Rebate, either.'

He cursed inwardly.

He had completely forgotten that he had been tossed into the realm gates unprepared.

His most powerful technique—the Flame Explosion—was out of the question.

If he used it here, the entire tunnel would collapse on top of him. He was too far from the entrance to escape in time, and even if he somehow survived, he'd be left completely drained.

Trapped.

Vulnerable.

As good as dead.

A cold frustration coiled in his gut.

'How come I didn't think this through before entering here?'

What good was a powerful technique if he couldn't use it when it mattered most?

But he wasn't the type to despair.

He exhaled slowly, clearing his mind. He had trained for this—combat without weapons. He still had his fists. His speed. His instincts.

'I'll make do.'

His lips curled into a smirk, though it held no amusement.

A flicker of movement.

The troll's stance shifted, muscles tensing as it prepared to strike.

For a split second, however, Kieran noticed something unusual. The creature hesitated. A flicker of hesitation crossed its face, its posture faltering ever so slightly.

'Is it… scared?'

Kieran's expression darkened as realization dawned. It was reacting to him.

To the aura he was unconsciously exuding.

A primal instinct buried deep in the creature's being made it wary. It took a cautious step back, as if sensing something it couldn't understand—something dangerous.

But the moment didn't last.

Another sound.

A second troll emerged from the darkness behind the first.

Its presence seemed to embolden the hesitant one. The fear vanished, replaced with renewed aggression.

Feeling that with its ally it was going to win, it dashed headfirst toward Kieran, throwing its small club at him.

Its attack was faster than he had expected.

Kieran barely had time to react.

'Move!'

He dove to the side just as the club crashed into the ground where he stood.

Sending a small wave through the tunnel floor.

Jagged cracks split the stone, small debris flying into the air.

Kieran rolled to his feet—his breathing steady.

He had no artifact, no sword, no dagger—nothing but his bare hands.

Despite being at a disadvantage, he didn't want to give up, at least at the moment.

The second troll lunged at him, jagged teeth bared.

Kieran ducked, pivoting on his heel.

His instincts screamed at him—if he hesitated even a second, he was dead.

The troll's clawed hands slashed past his face, missing by a hair.

He countered.

Curling his palms into a fist, he lashed out, striking the troll square in the jaw.

'Shit! Not enough,' he cursed under his breath, seeing the troll only stagger back.

Slightly disoriented from the punch.

'This is messed up. How will I survive without a weapon?'

This was clearly the importance of having a weapon in a realm gate.

Maybe if he had entered prepared, then facing a few trolls would've been less troubling.

'I need something… anything.' He glanced around desperately, looking for anything that could be used as a weapon.

He had to survive.

His eyes scanned the surroundings, and his gaze fell onto the walls.

The glowing gems… the jagged rocks.

An idea struck him.

He launched himself, narrowly avoiding another crushing blow from the armed troll.

His old boots skidded against the rough ground as he grabbed a sharp piece of rock from the wall.

It wasn't much—just a broken shard of stone, rough and uneven.

However, it was still better than nothing.

As the unarmed troll lunged, he moved on instinct.

Sidestepping, he twisted his body and drove the rock into the creature's eye.

'KRRRA!'

The pained shriek sounded through the tunnel, the sound bouncing off the walls.

It raised its claws to resist, but Kieran was faster.

{Stat points added to strength}

{Strength: 30}

He raised his hands into the air, faster than the beast could move. His eyes narrowed with resolve.

'Die, you freak!'

He stabbed the stone deeper.

A sickening squelch could be heard.

The troll shrieked, thrashing wildly. Kieran yanked the stone free, blood mixed with brain mucus splattering across his arm.

{Ding. First kill}

The system chimed.

{+10 EXP}

{First kill reward: +1 Aetheris}

Right then, he had a strange feeling.

If he were to put the feeling into words, then it'd be like a refreshing blast of air entering into his lungs before leaving again.

However, there was barely time to celebrate. The armed troll quickly lunged at him.

Adrenaline pumped, and this time, Kieran didn't wait.

He ducked low, driving his shoulder into the troll's gut, knocking it off balance.

Before it could recover, he brought the jagged rock down on its throat.

His eyes showed no mercy.

'Gurrrrkk.'

A strangled gurgle.

{+10 EXP}

That was two down!

Kieran stood, looking down at his bloodied hand and the stained red rock.

A strange feeling rushed through him—this feeling of strength.

'That's it… I'll make sure they all see that I'm not the weak one. And I'll never let those idiots do the same thing to anyone else.' He clenched his bloodied fist.

"All I have to do now is kill off the remaining beasts," he muttered, looking at the timer on the system.

{10:49:00}

He took down the system screen and was about to make his way deeper into the tunnel, but he heard a growl from behind him again.

'Another one?'

He turned around, and three trolls were there, all holding their clubs tightly.

Kieran felt a strong sense of unease.

'Two can be a coincidence… but five?'