First Adversary (1)

Minutes into the desert, I had already gauged my abilities—felt myself grow stronger.

This trip would be worth it. I felt it, deep in my bones.

I stretched out my hands, breathing in the once-magma-like air. Now, it seeped into my lungs like an icy chill, sending shivers down my spine.

Goosebumps.

I was enjoying this.

Everything Laura had packed for me? Left behind in the carriage.

I wanted to experience the true thrill of survival—no food, no water, no weapons.

Just me, my instincts, and the desert.

Deep down, I knew I wouldn't grow through conventional means. Pushups, squats, running, even martial arts—none of that mattered in a world where someone could launch a fireball at me.

I wasn't going to punch a guy hurling flames. That would be dumb.

I was different from the people of my town.

And there was another factor—Affinity.

Higher elements granted mortals the privilege to wield their power.

If I wanted to gain the favor of a stronger element, wouldn't I need to prove myself? To face life-and-death struggles and earn its recognition?

That was my reasoning for stepping into this desert—barehanded.

If I survived, the rewards would be immense.

---

Hours Passed

Still no sign of the portal. No creatures. No movement.

Only the relentless wind howling through the dunes, the desert stretching endlessly before me.

Massive sand dunes obstructed my view, limiting my ability to see far.

And yet… nothing happened.

No danger. No excitement.

Just an eerie, suffocating silence.

Even in a desert, this level of stillness felt unnatural.

Something was wrong.

"Maybe there's a predator here…"

Or several.

The quiet persisted. So did my unease.

This was the calm before the storm.

I could feel it in my gut.

The total absence of life, the oppressive stillness—it was unsettling.

I forced myself to stay alert.

Then, suddenly—

The air turned frigid.

A chill crawled up my spine, the distinct sensation of being watched settling over me.

I immediately turned around—

Nothing.

The desert was empty. Nowhere to hide.

Except maybe underground…

I turned back, shaking off the feeling—

And there it was again.

A rustling sound.

This time, I spun around even faster.

Nothing! Again!

No, wait—footprints.

Fresh ones.

The sand hadn't even settled yet.

Something was here.

I barely had time to process that thought before—

CRACKLE—

Pain.

Like an iron rod slamming into my body.

I was sent flying.

My clothes tore. My stomach ripped open. Blood spilled onto the sand. Bones fractured.

Pain. Unrelenting pain.

I couldn't move. Couldn't even lift my head to see what hit me.

The wound on my stomach pulsed. Blood seeped out, staining the ground crimson.

Minutes passed—agony stretching into eternity.

Then, finally, my body began to mend.

Flesh knitted together. Bones realigned.

I gasped, dragging in a breath as strength returned to my limbs.

Whatever attacked me didn't go for a second strike.

I could hear its low, steady breathing. It was still here.

Lying still was an option—but playing dead could easily trigger its instincts to finish me off.

No choice.

I forced myself up—

And froze.

A Manticore.

Massive.

Golden fur rippled in the wind, gleaming under the harsh sunlight.

Claws—as big as my head—dug into the sand, poised to strike.

Its face… a grotesque fusion of lion and human, twisted into a mocking smirk.

Golden eyes locked onto me.

Predatory. Amused.

Like it was looking at a toy.

And to top it off—

A tail. Long, whip-like, dripping with venom.

That thing had cracked my bones open like a twig.

If it had struck me just a little harder…

I clenched my fists.

I was a new transmigrator. Shouldn't my first enemy be, like… goblins?

Hell, I'd even take some tiny scorpions.

But a Manticore?

Who the fuck was setting my difficulty level?!

I wanted a life-and-death experience—not an instant death sentence!