Not a freefall from the sky, but thrown down to the ground with a grip that was deliberately released like I was a bag of trash, not a living being.
My body hit the coarse grassy ground with a heavy thud!, but I quickly got up by reflex.
My eyes immediately looked up at the sky, and there it was, still flying low.
A massive creature with golden wings feather tipped with silver, and violet eyes that radiated a mysterious aura. Its wings stretched wide with arrogance, its body hovering in the air like a king watching pawns on a chessboard.
"Only one may survive."
Its voice was deep, echoing through the air like the clang of metal.
"The one who endures until the end will receive a gift from me."
I froze. My eyes widened.
This creature can talk?
I gritted my teeth, my mind racing.
"What the hell... a mutant creature can speak?"
According to the remnants of memories from this body, the world descended into chaos just two months ago. Only two months since the mutation, the destruction, and this strange system emerged. But... a creature like him?
This was no ordinary mutated beast. It was something far beyond.
What rank is he? Rank 3? Or even higher?
And... why is he doing this? Is this just entertainment for him? Or part of something bigger?
I didn't have time to ask further when the ground around me began to shake.
Footsteps—heavy, many, fast.
My eyes scanned the surroundings. I was on open ground, surrounded by rocks and tall trees. But now, from all directions, large figures began to emerge...
Mutant tigers, with fangs as long as swords. Giant wolves, with three eyes and bristling spike-like fur. Bears with glowing green claws—as if poisoned. Armored wild boars snorting loudly.
They were all... heading for me.
Not because of the scent of blood, not out of hunger.
Because I was the only humanoid in this place.
Because that eagle had thrown me into the middle of... a gladiator arena.
"Of course... Damn it..." I muttered, resigned but ready.
My hands shot up. My claws extended, black and gleaming with deadly poison. My eyes began to glow with a faint purple light from the newly acquired Death element.
I could feel it rage.
Not blind fury. But a survival instinct turned into cold clarity.
As if my body already knew If you don't kill, you'll be killed.
"Come on..." I whispered, then rolled my shoulders, a thin smile forming on my face.
"Come at me... Let the game begin."
And then they charged.
The first was the spiked wolf. It leapt high, claws raised, aiming for my throat. But my body had already moved faster.
In an instant I vanished from my position and appeared behind it. Before it could even turn, my poisoned claw slashed its neck.
Screeech! THUD! One down.
But I had no time to breathe as two mutant tigers charged from the right and left.
I launched Phantom Dash in quick succession—two, three, four times, zigzagging through them, slashing their legs and backs, leaving gaping wounds laced with venom.
Strike after strike, movement after movement.
Killing Stroke activated. My speed increased. My AGI rose 10 stacks. I became even faster.
Their movements could no longer keep up with mine.
I was a shadow among giants.
Blood spilled, Flesh torn, Roars and groans filled the air.
I lost count of how many I had butchered.
My body was covered in wounds, but Med-Regeneration worked overtime.
72 HP per second. Enough to keep me moving nonstop.
I climbed up a mutant bear's back, stabbing into its eyes. I dodged the boar by leaping into the air, then crashed down like a bullet from above.
"Die... all of you... DIE!!"
I didn't know how many I had erased. But the ground began to flood with blood.
Even that eagle, still watching from above, seemed intrigued—or surprised.
This was... a slaughterfield.
And I was its executioner.
After what felt like hours, only I remained for now.
My breath was heavy, My dress torn, Wounds everywhere, But I stood.
Unconsciously, I looked up at the sky searching for the creature that had thrown me into this hell.
And I knew one thing: