Chapter 3: System

The goblin leapt.

A hoarse cry escaped his throat as he swung his rusty blade at Isaac. Time seemed to slow down. Every detail appeared with brutal clarity: the cruel gleam in the creature's eyes, the dried blood sticking to its green skin, the way its gnarled arms thrust the blade straight at him.

Isaac didn't think. He took a hasty step backwards, stumbled slightly and, purely by chance, narrowly avoided the blade, which passed just a few centimetres from his chest.

His breath caught in his throat.

- I'm going to die.

Terror paralysed him for a split second. Despite his mutilated body, the goblin propelled himself forward with inhuman rage, dragging his stumps across the ground with a sickening noise. A cornered beast. Ready to bite until its last breath.

Isaac couldn't flee. He was alone. The other Awakened were already too far away, moving on without a care in the world.

- I'm going to die if I don't do something.

A voice echoed in his mind, an echo from the past, a scene from a film he'd watched dozens of times. A samurai, fighting battle after battle, his lips whispering the same words over and over to give himself courage.

- Advance or die.

The goblin's blade came at him again. Isaac barely dodged, a warm breath passing over his cheek.

- Advance or die.

His heart was beating wildly, an uncontrollable storm in his chest. The goblin's every move seemed dictated by pure, uncontrollable rage. But Isaac... Isaac had to stay clear-headed. To think. Find an opening.

The goblin was relentless, striking erratically, clumsily but violently. He didn't give him time to breathe. Isaac stumbled backwards, his legs shaking with fear.

His hand struck something on the ground.

He didn't hesitate.

His fingers closed around a stone.

Just as the goblin armed another blow, Isaac screamed and swung the stone with all his might against the greenish skull.

A thud. A sharp crack.

The goblin staggered back. An opening.

Isaac leapt, bringing his improvised weapon down once more. Then another. Then another. His mind cleared and his movements became instinctive. Strike. To survive.

When he finally stopped, his hands were shaking. In front of him, the goblin stopped moving. His face was unrecognisable under the blackish blood that trickled thickly from it.

Isaac stepped back, breathless, his heart pounding in his chest.

- I've... killed?

His throat was dry. His whole body was on the alert, ready to flee, to fight again. But there was no longer an enemy. Just a corpse.

And then, suddenly, a bluish light illuminated his field of vision.

A translucent window appeared before him, floating in the air.

[*Ding* Absorption System Detected]

You have killed a creature: Goblin.

Select a reward:

1. Absorption of physical stats (Strength, Endurance, Agility)

2. Absorption of physical skills (Instinctive combat, Primary dodge)

Isaac stared at the screen in front of him, unable to move, unable to understand what he was seeing.

- What the hell...?

Isaac froze in front of the floating screen, his heart beating wildly. This system... it was a power that no other Awakened One seemed to possess. Was it linked to his transmigration?

His gaze shifted between the two options before him. Absorbing physical statistics seemed more useful for the time being. He needed strength to survive, endurance to withstand, agility to dodge.

He clenched his fists and chose the first option.

[Absorption of physical stats in progress...]

Strength +2 | Endurance +2 | Agility +2

Intense heat spread through his body, as if his blood was being ignited from within. He spasmed and collapsed to one knee, his muscles contracting in searing pain.

Every fibre of his being seemed to remodel. His muscles tightened, his breathing became deeper and more efficient. His reflexes seemed sharper, his balance more stable. He felt a surge of pure energy flowing through his body, and when he stood up, he was lighter, more powerful.

He inhaled deeply, feeling an immediate difference in his posture and perception. He was no longer exactly the same. His gaze fell on his hands, which were slightly firmer, his fingers reacting more quickly to his thoughts. He clenched a fist and felt a new solidity in his joints.

A shiver ran down his spine. It was exhilarating... and terrifying at the same time.

- Have I absorbed part of the goblin? he wondered.

Was it just a simple transfer of strength or something deeper? The idea that his body could change like that puzzled him, but he didn't have the luxury of doubt. 

A blue screen suddenly opened in front of him.

[Status]

Name : Isaac

Race : Human

Hunter Rank : F

Statistics:

- Strength: 5 → 7

- Agility: 4 → 6

- Stamina: 4 → 6

- Senses: 3

- Dexterity: 4

- Intelligence: 6

He stood staring at the screen for a moment, a new excitement rumbling inside him. He had just exceeded the limits of his weak body in an instant. This power... he had to learn more.

Isaac closed his window and clenched his fist.

- This was only the beginning.

He took a moment to test his senses. He jumped slightly on the spot. His muscles reacted faster than before, absorbing the shock with disconcerting ease. He moved his arms and watched how his fingers reacted. Every movement seemed more fluid, more natural.

A nervous laugh escaped his lips.

- It doesn't make sense...

He had always been weak, at least in this body. But here... he could feel the power. It was only a tiny gain, a simple +2 on a statistics sheet, but for him, it was a total transformation.

A sound echoed nearby. His heart sank. He had no time to rejoice. He was still in a dungeon, and other goblins could be on the prowl.

He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply and slowly released his breath.

A samurai never lets excitement or fear get the better of him. He always moves forward.

- Let's play our part as bearers...