Its tongue shot toward my eye like a spear, but a hand grabbed it.

  Ferzan.

  He threw it into the air for his bird monster to incinerate with a fire beam.

  I nearly died from something so damn small? Oh my god!

  I gripped my wounded arm, instinctively preparing to heal it, but stopped short. Ferzan had seen me get hurt, and no amount of excuses would fool him—unless he was stupid, but I didn’t think he was.

  The pain was almost unbearable.

  “Let me see the wound,” he said, his tone calm but firm as he gestured to my arm.

  He pulled out a medical kit the size of a briefcase from his inventory. The kit was a stark mix of white and green, with an image of hands surrounded by a vapor-like energy symbol in the center.

  I squeezed my injured arm tighter to stop the bleeding, my voice strained as I asked, “Can you store anything in that magic circle?”

  “It’s a pocket space, called ‘personal pocket,’ and technically, yes,” he answered casually.

  “Cool. How do I summon mine?”

  He grabbed a roll of bandages from the kit and answered, “By leveling up a lot.”

  I groaned in frustration and pain. This was bullshit.

  Ferzan handed me a healing elixir and told me to drink a finger’s worth (an absurd way to measure liquid), then sprayed my hand with a small green bottle. The spray hurt at first, but it dulled the majority of the pain.

  Now, it just felt like a moderately painful cramp. Still bad, but not hellish.

  He wrapped my arm up carefully.

  Once he finished, he asked, “Why didn’t you use your monster when it attacked you?”

  "I didn’t think of it.”

  “You haven’t fought with a monster before?”

  “Only once. I don’t have much experience with them.”

  “For now, try relying on your Shuralene for everything, like it’s literally an extra limb. Do that until you can command it instinctively.”

  “I call it Mon. Also, why was that spider so quick? I fought a monster once, a really big one, and it wasn’t this fast.”

  “Maybe the big monster didn’t think it needed a surprise attack to kill you.”

  Oh.

  Ferzan looked ahead. A black worm the size of a large dog stared back at us, its back covered in a long fin.

  A toothless, perverted grin stretched across the worm's grotesque face as it shot toward us, its body coiling in a blur of motion.

  Kill it!

  Mon was a streak of shadow, leaping forward with blinding speed, crashing into the worm with the force of a battering ram. They collided head-on, muscles tensing.

  The worm didn't even have a chance to react. Mon's claws tore into its neck, sinking deep, and the creature let out a guttural squeal, its body thrashing in vain.

  Burn it with your [fire spit]

  Mon’s jaws snapped open, a gush of flames erupting from its mouth, engulfing the worm's head. The air crackled with heat as the creature writhed in agony.

  But the flames didn't relent. The screams began to falter, fading as the fire consumed it entirely.

  Then the worm monster collapsed. Dead.

  Level 6.

  Hm.

  "I don't like fighting on the sidelines. I want to be in the thick of it," I told him.

  "You have a weapon?"

  I pulled my knife out. "This one’s enhanced, gives me a 5+ strength buff when I hold it."

  "Fair enough."

  He pulled a black knife from his inventory and tossed it to me. I caught it.

  [+7% strength]

  He then said, “I’d suggest avoid getting touch. You lack any amor so anything will kill you.”

  “Got it. I think I want to capture some monsters. Hopefully, not the super horrifying ones.”

  I looked up. Perched on a branch was a black bird with four wings, its eyes red.

  I gripped both knives, gaining a total of +13% strength. It felt incredible.

  I dashed forward, Mon running alongside me. The bird screeched and dove at me, its body glowing.

  I immediately stopped.

  Mon, Fire at it!

  Mon hesitated for a second before unleashing a barrage of fireballs. The bird shot straight through them, barely fazed, heading straight for me like a missile.

  I barely managed to dive aside as it crashed into the ground, its talons digging into the dirt.

  Not wasting a second, I kicked it with all my strength, sending it tumbling. My dagger flashed as I slashed at its wing—

  The bird’s beak detached with a snap, shooting toward me like a bullet. I flinched back, but not fast enough—pain burned across my cheek as it grazed me.

  Gritting my teeth, I drove my knife into its wing. The bird screeched, and its other wing glowed before it swung at me.

  I jumped back, but the attack still sliced my arm. The bird screeched again, preparing to take flight.

  System, what are Mon's skills again?

  [Flame Claws]

  [Strong Charge]

  [Fire Spit]

  The bird’s body pulsed with light. It was about to strike again.

  Mon! [Strong Charge!]

  Mon’s body glowed red before it launched forward like a cannonball. It crashed into the bird’s side, slamming it into a tree with a loud bang.

  The creature collapsed.

  I stepped forward and placed my hand on its chest.

  Mon, cover my hand.

  Mon moved in close, pressing its broad, heated body against me. Its claws curled around my wrist, covering my hand completely.

  A black flash erupted between us, swallowing the bird whole.

  It was over.

  Ferzan looked on, impressed. "Want a serpent too? It’s behind you."

  A chill ran down my spine. I spun to the side just as a blur of blue lashed toward me.

  Water slashed through the air where I had just stood. I landed in a crouch beside the creature—a serpent. Its body was liquid trapped in a thin, translucent membrane.

  Mon! [Strong charge]

  It reared back, then fired a pressurized stream of water straight at me.

  Mon [strong charged] in front of me, taking the full brunt of the attack. All the pain it took flowed into me.

  I slipped to the side. Its eyes followed me, weighing whether to stop its attack on Mon to target me.

  I closed in on it, ready to strike its chest, but then the stream stopped, and its tail glowed. It whipped the tail toward me.

  [Fire spit!]

  Before the tail could strike, Mon hit the snake in the face with a fireball. Stunned, the snake screeched, giving me enough time to stab it and grab its head, tumbling to the ground.

  I called Mon over. It rushed in and bit down on the snake’s tail just as it was about to coil around me.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  The snake writhed in pain, struggling to free itself. Minutes passed, and my muscles grew tired... Then it gave up.

  Mon, cover me.

  Mon released its grip on the tail and placed its chest on my hand. The flash came, and the snake was sucked into my palm.

  I lay on the ground, exhausted. "This is so tiring… But to ask again, the modification points only affect the way my body changes, right? So I can't just make myself stronger right now?"

  “They affect the structure of how your body builds itself. It’s like working out. After a night, you’ll feel stronger.”

  “Great... I think I’ll put them into speed.”

  Modify my speed, 10 modification points.

  Modification in progress. The changes will take effect after you’ve rested for 8 hours. You'll gain 3 more points in speed stats.

  System tell me my stats.

  Strength: F8

  Combat Speed: F7[]

  Traveling Speed: F8[]

  Endurance: F7

  Defense: F9

  Mind: F8

  For each level, I gained two mod points. I also assumed that the brackets meant the stats were being modified.

  I glanced at my bleeding arm, then turned to Ferzan. "It's kinda weird. I think I like this."

  "The adrenaline?"

  "No. I just think... using my powers and exploring it. It's kinda cool. It sucks I don't have time for it."

  "You'll have time when your problem is done."

  I half smiled. "You're right."

  We ventured deeper into the forest, where a massive purple flower swayed gently in the wind. Its petals pulsed as if breathing.

  "Are there any animals here?" I asked.

  Ferzan shook his head. "No. Monsters fear monsters, and animals associate ether with monsters. The monster zone, it's just a sphere of ether energy."

  I nodded, then spotted movement ahead. A goblin—if it could even be called that. Its skin was blackened like charred wood, its eyes and jagged teeth burning with fire.

  It dropped onto all fours and lunged.

  Ferzan reacted instantly. Space twisted for a moment, forming a watery eclipse. He pulled a sword from his personal pocket.

  "Try to keep up," he said, dashing forward.

  I tried. I really did. But he was too fast.

  The goblin leaped high, flames trailing from its limbs. Fire rained down.

  I barely dodged, rolling to the side. Mon, protect me!

  Mon jumped in front of me, blocking another fiery strike before launching fireballs with [Fire Spit].

  The goblin landed in front of Ferzan, slashing down with burning claws. He blocked with his sword, then kicked it back. It snarled and lunged at him again—

  A powerful gust slammed into it from behind. Ferzan's bird monster hovered in the air.

  "Your turn!" he ordered.

  I dashed in. Mon followed.

  The goblin was already rising, embers flickering from its cracked skin. Its fiery eyes snapped to me—then it lunged.

  I barely twisted aside as claws raked past, the heat searing my skin. The goblin landed, spun, and pounced again.

  Mon, charge!

  Mon crashed into its leg mid-air, knocking it off balance. I seized the opening, driving both daggers into its throat.

  It shrieked, thrashing violently. A blazing fist slammed into my ribs, hurling me back. Pain exploded through me as I skidded across the ground.

  I gasped, gripping my side. The goblin staggered, gurgling, flames sputtering from its wounds—but it wasn't finished.

  It lurched forward, dragging itself toward me, its body smoldering. Its fiery teeth bared as it lunged one last time.

  Mon, Super Charge!

  Mon’s body flared red as it dashed forward, slamming into the goblin’s ribs. The impact sent it crashing to the side.

  I forced myself up, yanked a dagger from its throat, and drove it back in, deeper.

  The goblin howled. Its mouth burst open, erupting flames in all directions.

  I barely reacted in time, hurling myself aside as a wave of fire scorched the ground where I’d been. Heat licked at my skin, my breath ragged.

  The goblin convulsed—then, finally, it collapsed.

  Personal level: 8

  Ferzan smiled. "Nice work."

  I collapsed to the ground, taking in deep breaths.

  "Huh... give me a second." He pulled a small, flat device from his pocket. As soon as he tapped it, it unfolded into a hand-sized pyramid, vibrating in his hand. He pressed something on it and started speaking. A fancy pyramid communicator.

  I struggled up and stepped away while Ferzan was distracted, looking for more monsters.

  Once I had gained enough distance, I placed a hand over my side, and arm healing the bigger wounds. Then my rib cage, where the goblin's fist had slammed into me.

  Not too deep. I could lie about it. And since Mon and I shared health, healing myself restored it too.

  I didn't have to go far.

  A walking flower stood ahead, its petals curled inward like a bud. It almost looked cute—

  Then it saw me.

  Thick roots wrapped around its body like armor, and from its back, new flowers bloomed—spinning violently before launching toward me like whirling saw blades.

  Mon! [Fire spit] for defense!

  Mon shot larger fireballs this time, colliding mid-air with the spinning flowers. I dashed to the side, feeling faster than before.

  I wanted this one. The flame goblin would have been nice, but Mon was already a fire-based monster. I had to play it smart since I could only capture a limited number of monsters at the moment.

  The flower monster twitched, then suddenly slammed into the ground like a missile—vanishing.

  I froze, scanning the area.

  A second later, pain exploded in my neck.

  I gasped, stumbling back, hands flying to my neck—warm blood gushed between my fingers.

  The damn thing had burrowed under and appeared from behind.

  I pressed my hands on my neck, trying my best to heal it as fast as I could.

  Mon, keep firing!

  Flaming projectiles rained down on the creature, but it kept vanishing in the ground and reappearing, striking from unpredictable angles.

  I was getting frustrated.

  I needed more firepower.

  Then—Mon stopped. It tried to spit another fireball, but nothing came out.

  Out of ether.

  The flower monster was tired too. It burrowed again. I spun, ready for it—

  It shot up beneath Mon instead.

  Mon yelped as it was launched into the air. A second later, agony shot through my stomach. I doubled over, vomiting.

  I had enough. My neck was almost done healing too.

  I run after Mon, throwing stones at the flower monster to keep distance.

  Fortunately it worked. The monster zipped around to evade the stones.

  I slammed my hand against the red tailless shark, absorbing it back into my seal. The pain dulled immediately. I touched my stomach, healing it.

  Then I summoned my bird.

  Fresh pain flared in my chest and arm—its previous injuries carried over to me. I grit my teeth and grabbed it, healing it first. My ether reserves drained, leaving me lightheaded.

  But I still had enough ether in me.

  System. Skills.

  [Deep Dive]

  [Hard Wing]

  [Beak Bullet]

  Perfect.

  The flower monster gasped for breath—its energy clearly waning. But then, from the back of its body, flowers bloomed, their petals spinning at a furious pace.

  The creature was exhausted, but it was determined to fight back.

  Before I could react, the monster launched the flowers at me, a storm of deadly blades coming at me from all sides.

  I run, weaving through the flying petals, barely escaping the deadly onslaught.

  "Go up!"

  My bird shot up in the sky.

  The monster observed my bird flying high into the sky. It launched another barrage directly at my bird, the petals screeching through the air.

  My bird monster darted to the side—but the flowers changed direction mid-air, seeking it out with frightening speed. And it was starting to catch up.

  My bird monster got hit, cutting deep into a shoulder. A cut also appeared on my shoulder.

  Hell with it. I can't make my bird tire it out completely.

  Go in for the attack now. [Deep dive]

  The bird monster glowed before diving straight down like a comet. It dived straight through the heart of the oncoming blades, a comet of light cutting clean through the storm, leaving a wake of destroyed petals as it tore into the monster.

  The impact broke through the flower monster, shredding its roots and slamming it into the dirt.

  It twitched but didn't get up.

  I walked over. it was in a really bad state. My right hand glowed red as I touched it, barely healing it.

  The forest was recovering my energy, ether, really fast, so I wasn't lighthearted again.

  Pressing my left palm to its body, a black flash engulfed it, and it was absorbed into my seal.

  Four monsters now. That was my limit.

  I let out a breath and leaned against a tree. The cut on my shoulder was still there, bleeding.

  I healed some of it, but not all. I didn’t want to look too suspicious, like I wasn’t hurt at all. And I didn’t want to heal too fast—getting lightheaded was the last thing I needed, even though the forest was already helping me recover at an impressive pace.

  It realized something. The more I leveled up, the more I could heal. I guess I was just storing more ether now.

  Then I saw movement again.

  I grumbled under my breath and wanted to scream in frustration. Just why couldn't I get a break?

  A cat-sized blue ant, its body made of shifting water, skittered toward me.

  I barely dodged its lunges. My dagger sliced it again and again, but it felt like cutting through liquid.

  "[Deep Dive]!"

  My bird launched itself into the air, then shot down in a blur. The ant reeled back, screeching as its body split apart.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Personal level: 10 Forwing level: 6

  I collapsed onto my back, breathing hard.

  [Choose a Life Buff:]

  [Inspect - Allows scanning of levels. Cannot detect levels twice your own.]

  [+10% Durability]

  I grinned. This was awesome. This was what I was missing in my life. All this cool shit!

  ***

  System, spend eight mod points on durability.

  Modification in progress. The changes will take effect after you’ve rested for 6 hours. You'll gain 4 more points in durability stat.

  The fact that speed took more time to modify surprised me at first. But when I thought about it, it made sense. Speed affects everything—how quickly I move, react, and even how fast I think. Durability, on the other hand, is more about withstanding damage and resisting wear.

  As I walked back to Ferzan, he was sitting, his expression serious as he spoke into his device. A few seconds later, he ended the call.

  He glanced at me.

  I smirked. "Level 10."