part1 · 042-ep42
Episode 42: The First Magic
Since pressing into the third floor, Ren had kept exploring carefully.
Scenery unlike the second floor's. Plants he'd never seen. And monsters he didn't know yet.
Spear in hand, Ren went on, staying alert.
That moment—
the brush up ahead stirred.
"...Something's there."
Ren stopped. Readied his spear and stared into the brush.
The next instant. A monster burst from the brush.
"...!"
Ren leapt sideways on reflex. Sharp claws swept through the spot where he'd been standing.
"Fast...!"
Ren put distance between them. The monster held its low stance, glaring at him.
"...Appraisal."
《Name: Bloodwolf》
《Type: Monster》
《Danger Level: Medium》
"A Bloodwolf..."
Different from a Grandwolf. But its movements were considerably fast.
Ren tightened his grip on the spear.
"...Come on."
◇
The Bloodwolf kicked off the ground.
Fast.
Ren swung the spear. But the Bloodwolf ducked low and evaded it.
"...!"
It slipped inside his guard just like that. Ren pulled the spear back and deflected the claws.
But—
the Bloodwolf didn't stop. It twisted its body and leapt at Ren again.
"Kh...!"
Ren fell back. But he wasn't going to make it.
Claws bore down right in front of him.
That instant—
《Survival conditions met.》
《《Survival Adaptation》 activating.》
"...!"
That voice echoed in his head.
The next instant. Ren's body moved on its own.
Twisting. Ducking his head, just barely. The claws grazed past his hair.
"...Just now..."
His body had moved before he could think. Even as Ren reeled in surprise, the Bloodwolf landed.
"That was... 《Survival Adaptation》 again?"
He didn't know what had happened.
Even so—
without that split second, he would have taken the hit.
"...That saved me."
Ren switched gears at once. Right now, beating the enemy in front of him came before thinking.
◇
The Bloodwolf came at him again. Ren readied his spear.
And he turned his awareness to the mysterious power inside his body.
"...Let's test this, too."
Awareness to his chest. From there, to his arm. Gathering magic.
"...!"
Faint heat gathered in his arm. Ren thrust the spear out with it.
His arm was just a little faster than before. The spear's point caught the Bloodwolf's shoulder.
"I hit it!"
But it wasn't a killing blow. The Bloodwolf pulled back and came at Ren again.
That instant—
"...Kh."
The fatigue spread.
"Already...?"
Ren's movements stopped for just an instant. The Bloodwolf closed in.
"Crap!"
Ren scrambled aside. Just barely dodged the attack. And put distance between them.
Steadying his breath, Ren appraised himself.
"Appraisal."
《HP: 100/100》
《MP: 32/50》
"...It's down."
He'd moved magic. Right after, his MP had dropped.
"Just as I thought... using magic consumes MP."
And the fatigue lingering in his body.
"...Forcing myself to keep using it is dangerous."
Ren stopped using magic. He wasn't yet used to controlling it freely mid-fight.
◇
The Bloodwolf moved again. Ren tightened his grip on the spear.
This time, no magic. He watched the opponent's movements.
The instant it pushed in. Dropping low. Dodging the claws.
The Bloodwolf turned.
"There!"
Ren's spear caught its torso, precise. The Bloodwolf's movements stopped.
Ren wrenched the spear free and pulled back at once.
After stumbling a few steps—
the Bloodwolf collapsed to the ground.
"...I took it down."
Ren let out a slow breath. Lowered the spear. And looked at the fallen monster.
"...It was strong."
Different from the monsters he'd fought on the second floor. Faster, and with sharper attacks.
Even so, he'd been able to kill it.
And—
"《Survival Adaptation》..."
Ren recalled the moment just before. When the dangerous attack had come. His body had moved ahead of his own will.
"...Is that the power of a skill?"
Ren didn't know yet. Even with 《Appraisal》, the details would probably stay out of reach.
But one thing he did understand.
《Survival Adaptation》 did something or other in dangerous situations.
"...I've got to look into it more."
Ren approached the fallen Bloodwolf. And began examining its body.