Anonymous meeting

Chapter Fifteen

As we caught our breath beside the monster's corpse, a faint blue glimmer appeared before my eyes, followed by a transparent screen in a pale blue hue:

[Monster Defeated: Salamander Sam]

[Current Points: 20]

Another small screen appeared on my wrist, displayed on the smartwatch interface strapped to a black leather band. The number "20" glowed beside my name. I tapped the bottom corner to view the total points, then turned to Mary and gestured toward her with my watch. Her data appeared on the screen:

[Mary Cardinal]

[Points: 40]

I stared at the number for a few seconds.

When did she collect so many points?

This girl....she's a real monster

If this was the number of points she gathered on the first day, I estimated she'd reach 120 by the end of the trial. That would be enough to enter Class S, which required 80 points.

To enter Class A, you needed 60 points.

50 points would place you in Class B.

40 points landed you in Class C.

30 points put you in Class D.

And if you scored fewer than 20 points, you'd automatically be placed in Class F.

Some might think entering Class S was easy, but I regret to inform you—first, this weapon in my hand, and Mary beside me—I probably couldn't even scratch a monster from Class F.

I smiled inwardly—not a mocking smile, but a mix of respect and helplessness. No matter how hard I tried to keep up, their speed in collecting points was inhuman. Maybe because they never hesitated.

I turned to her. She was calmly wiping her crimson sword, a habit that reflected her constant self-discipline.

"You've got double my points, as usual," I said playfully, masking a hint of disappointment.

She glanced at me, then raised an eyebrow. "I'm just faster at striking… but you always cover my back. That's what makes the difference."

I smiled, as if her words had lifted a weight off me. Part of me knew I wasn't worthless. But hearing it from her… that was something else.

I slowly stood up, brushing the dust off my clothes. My shoulder ached, and my legs protested, but time waited for no one.

"We should make use of the daylight. The night here doesn't welcome strangers."

Mary nodded. "We search during the day, return to the cave by dusk."

We left the cave and began walking through the trees, our feet stepping on decaying leaves that emitted faint crackling sounds. The noise might seem trivial, but here… in this place, even a breath could kill you.

We moved in silence, as if we were part of the forest. Each of us knew our role. No words were needed. The sounds of animals, the rustling of trees, and the rapid pulse in my chest… all formed a hidden rhythm guiding our steps.

Suddenly, Mary raised her hand and stopped. I followed her gaze and saw them.

Eight Class F monsters moving across a clearing between the trees. Their bodies resembled hyenas, their eyes glowing with a lifeless blue light. They dug at the ground with their claws, emitting low, angry growls.

"A full pack…" I whispered.

"Should we attack?" I asked, though I wasn't sure if we were ready.

Mary opened her mouth to answer, but I heard nothing.

A flash appeared before me. A new screen. No sound, just a flicker that stirred something inside me.

[New Side Quest]

[Quest Objective: Defeat at least 4 Class F monsters]

[Reward: +2 to stats, +2000 store points]

[Accept? — Yes / No]

I tapped "Yes" without hesitation.

I looked at Mary and said confidently,

"I want you to attack from the front, and I'll cover your back."

She raised an eyebrow, looked at me questioningly… then chuckled softly, a mix of surprise and admiration in her laugh.

"I'm counting on you, handsome."

She launched forward.

She leaped over a tree trunk, landed in the grass, and prepared for battle.

I fired at the nearest monster, hitting its leg. It stumbled, and before it could retaliate, Mary drove her sword through its neck. [1/4]

Another lunged at me from the left. I dodged with a roll, then aimed at its mouth. Two shots—one to the jaw, the other to the skull. It collapsed. [2/4]

The monsters began to realize the situation and scattered.

Two remained in front of me while the rest attacked Mary.

The two charged together. I slid under one and stabbed its belly, then aimed my gun at the second and fired. [4/4]

My mind stopped thinking—my body just moved.

There were six monsters left—two I had killed, three attacking Mary… where was the fourth?

Had it run away while we were fighting?

But the madness couldn't last. Fatigue crept in. My movements slowed. My breaths grew ragged.

Then suddenly… I heard a roar.

Right behind me.

I couldn't even raise my weapon.

The monster snarled, its maw gaping, claws raised in the air.

"Kim!" A familiar scream.

A red flash.

The monster's hand struck my chest with brutal force, sending me flying ten meters back until I crashed into a tree.

I felt hundreds of bones piercing my lungs. Every bone in my body was shattered.

I couldn't move a single finger.

I looked around—Mary was in front of me.

She was panting, standing beside me, her sword dripping with blood.

"Are you okay..."

I couldn't even hear her murmurs.

My consciousness began to fade with the faint sound.

When I tried to open my eyes again, I felt something pulling me downward.

Something pressed against my entire body, forcing me to kneel.

An overwhelming energy filled the air.

I opened my eyes and was stunned by what I saw—skulls littered the ground, and the heavy stench of blood permeated the air.

It was a horrifying sight, honestly.

When I lifted my head, I saw a man sitting on a massive throne, an apple in his hand.

But what shocked me most was his face—it looked like mine, yet his hair was white, and his eyes were a maddening red.

He looked like a fallen angel.

He glanced at me, then smiled a terrifying smile.

The look in his eyes alone was enough to kill me with fear.

A sharp voice cut through the long silence.

"It seems you've awakened."

"Who… who are you?"

When I looked at him, I couldn't help but ask.

He smiled faintly at my question, then gazed at me.

"You don't need to know who I am. But there's one thing I want you to see."

When I heard his words, I couldn't help but ask what he meant.

"I'll show you something very beautiful."

Snap.

After he snapped his fingers, a massive screen appeared.

I felt pain pierce my heart with such intensity that even torture wouldn't compare.

The white-haired boy stared at me coldly before speaking.

"I've told you many times… You're just a monster who doesn't belong anywhere."

I didn't understand what he meant by that.

"Who are you…? And what do you mean by calling me a monster?"

The man laughed, then walked past me and muttered a few words.

"You'll find out soon enough."

Then he snapped his fingers again.

As if my body responded to the sound, my blood began to boil, my temperature spiked, and an endless reel of memories carved into every cell of my body.

I couldn't endure it—I bit my lip until blood spilled. I refused to show weakness to anyone.

"Well, I look forward to our next meeting."

"And perhaps… we'll even switch places."

I couldn't understand a single word he said. Every syllable carried an eerie feeling.

I tried to speak, but the world around us began to shatter.

The world broke like a small mirror before my consciousness faded once more.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself back in the cave, with Mary asleep beside me, leaning against the wall.

When I looked at her, I tried to smile, but countless thoughts swirled in my mind.

Was what I saw real?

What did he mean by calling me a monster?

...To be continued.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

(◕ᴗ◕✿)

And of course, if you liked the chapter, feel free to leave a comment or drop a power stone—it encourages me to keep going!