Chapter 36: Rewards

“Remember this. When your opponent is faster, more experienced, and your life is on the line, play dirty. Forget the rules of martial arts I taught you. Do whatever it takes to survive. Your life matters more than pride.”

It was advice from his combat teacher.

Now, he finally understood it.

…

“Haah…” Luke breathed heavily as he faced the ambusher.

A thin trail of blood ran from his temple down to his jaw. More seeped through his torn shoulder.

The cloaked man stood untouched.

Not a scratch.

He did not even look tired.

Luke’s stamina was mediocre to begin with, and with most of his stats focused on speed and intelligence, his strength and defense were pitiful.

He could not adjust them now. The man before him was fast and skilled. If Luke lowered his intelligence, even slightly, he would not be able to keep up.

But even maintaining this balance was punishing him.

It had only been a few minutes since the fight began, yet his muscles already trembled in protest.

“What? Already out of juice?” the man mocked, casually twirling the dagger on his fingertip, the other hand resting on his waist.

He was not taking Luke seriously at all.

Luke gritted his teeth.

’Enhance my speed. Take the points from endurance.’

[But, host—]

’Do it!’ he roared inwardly and launched himself forward.

The ambusher flinched at the sudden shift.

’He is faster.’

The man immediately flipped his dagger into a reverse grip and thrust it toward Luke’s chest.

But Luke sidestepped at the last second. The blade sliced through air as he countered with a slash aimed at the man’s torso.

It connected.

Barely.

Cloth tore.

Only the cloak was shredded. Not flesh.

“Damn you!” the man snarled and suddenly hurled the dagger straight at Luke.

Luke swatted it aside and prepared to charge again—

Only for the man to appear on his right.

Luke’s eyes widened.

The thrown dagger had been a distraction.

He reacted in time, crossing his arms defensively.

The kick landed.

The impact exploded through his guard. With his defense lowered, he could not withstand the force.

He was hurled backward.

Rolling across the ground, he slammed hard into the wooden door of the chief’s house.

“Agh!” Luke groaned.

His body screamed in agony as the consequences of reduced defense made themselves painfully clear.

The ambusher chuckled. “I thought I finally found a challenge, but… you are weak as hell, aren’t you?”

“Gah!” Luke cried out as the man suddenly brought his heel down on the back of his hand, grinding it into the dirt.

Pain shot up his arm.

Gritting his teeth, Luke glared at him with naked hatred.

The archer snickered and crouched, grabbing a fistful of Luke’s hair. “What? Gonna cry—gaaaahhh!”

His voice broke into a scream.

Luke had shoved pepper spray straight into his eyes.

The man recoiled instantly, stumbling back, hands clawing at his face as he rubbed frantically.

It burned.

It tore at his vision.

Luke pushed himself up, ignoring the protest of his battered body.

“Laugh now… you bastard.”

He spat at the man.

“Don’t you dare come near me! Ah!” the ambusher yelled, swinging blindly with one fist while the other tried desperately to wipe away the burning.

Luke’s eyes turned cold.

He moved.

In a burst of speed, he slipped past the man’s wild defense and drove his fist into his gut. In the same motion, his steel claw thrust forward and sank deep into the ambusher’s stomach.

“Gah… you…”

The man froze.

A cold, invading sensation spread from his abdomen as the reality of what had just happened settled in.

Luke twisted his claw deeper and muttered, “Cry for me, bitch.”

“Gaaaaaahhhh!”

The scream tore through the silent village before his words had even settled.

Windows creaked open.

Curtains shifted.

Faces peeked out, watching in stunned silence.

Dart came running from the side, only to freeze at the sight, lips parted in shock.

Luke ripped his claw free.

Blood followed.

He drove a kick into the man’s chest, sending him stumbling backward before crashing flat onto the dirt. The body twitched violently.

A dark pool spread beneath him.

Within moments, the twitching slowed.

Then stopped.

Silence returned.

The ambusher was dead.

Luke ignored the stares pressing down on him from every direction.

He wiped the blood from beneath his nose, walked back to his position, and picked up his spear.

Standing guard once more, he fixed his eyes on the darkness ahead.

….

As dawn approached, Luke finally pushed himself to his feet.

With Dart’s help, he had already bandaged his wounds during the night, so the bleeding had stopped. A few spots still throbbed, but he could walk.

He turned toward the house and gave a brief nod.

The door opened almost instantly.

Rhea stood there.

It was as if she had been waiting for him to knock.

The black-haired girl looked at him, concern flickering in her eyes. “Do you want to come in and rest?”

Luke shook his head. “Just inform your mother that I fulfilled my role. I am heading back home.”

Rhea’s lips parted, but no words followed. After a moment, she simply nodded. “Take care.”

Luke gave a short nod in return and turned away.

He glanced at Dart, who was chatting with Gary, and signaled to him before walking off.

He was exhausted. Wounded.

He had killed someone for the first time.

He did not know what kind of dreams would greet him once he fell asleep, or whether the weight of it would settle into trauma.

But that could wait.

Right now—

[Ding!]

[Quest achieved!]

[Reward:

200G

Magma Tooth

Low-grade healing potion

+5 Attribute Points.]

Luke blinked at the sudden surge of rewards. ’Extra G-points… and attribute points too?’

[Indeed, host. You have successfully defeated a stronger opponent, which triggered a hidden quest.]

A grin slowly spread across his face.

For a moment, the pain felt worth it.

And if that was not enough, he knew another reward was waiting for him back home.

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