Raito frowned at the screen. "Does this mean I can...? The claw can actually become a weapon?" He hesitated, then shook his head. "I don’t know. But... let’s try."
His finger hovered for a moment, then tapped the glowing icon.
[Infernal Speedster Demon’s Claw → Accept?]
As soon as he confirmed, the system flickered. A new path opened before him, symbols spinning across the screen.
[Weapon Creation in progress...]
[Estimated Time: 2 Hours]
A small notification blinked at the bottom:
[Curation will be completed in two hours.]
Raito leaned back, exhaling. "So it can be forged into a weapon... good." He closed the menu with a tap.
His status box remained, glowing faintly in the air.
"Today was a rough day," he muttered, staring at the ceiling. "But whatever. Once that claw is ready... things will change."
He pushed himself up slowly, the weight of exhaustion finally catching him.
"I think I’m going to leave this place soon," he whispered.
"Life is really crazy," Raito thought, staring at the pale ceiling above him. "It feels like... not enough has changed. How do I even want to look at things now that my power has finally started? What’s my life going to be like from here?"
"I could earn money. Enough to live in a better apartment. Maybe even visit my sister... it’s been a while. What should I do? Oh—I can get stronger. That’s it."
He swung his legs off the bed, the cold tile shocking his feet. The hospital room smelled faintly of disinfectant.
"Now the problem is... the bill. How am I going to pay it? I don’t even know how much they’ll charge me."
Raito sighed, pulling on his shoes, then made his way down the corridor. The fluorescent lights buzzed above his head as he reached the reception desk.
"It’s already been paid," the receptionist said before he could ask.
He blinked. "What? Who paid it?"
"Mr. Kaizuki. He settled everything earlier."
"Oh... good," Raito muttered, relief washing over him. "Thank you."
Just as he turned to leave, a nurse hurried after him.
"Wait—Mr., wait!" she called.
Raito stopped, glancing back.
"It’s not time to go. You still need to rest."
He gave a tired smile and shook his head. "No, no, no. I’m good. Really."
The nurse frowned, clearly unconvinced, but before she could argue again, Raito had already slipped past the doors. The cool air outside hit his face as he stepped into the street—free, though not entirely sure what came next.
As Raito walked out of the hospital, the night breeze brushed his skin, cool but sharp, like it was reminding him he was still alive. He exhaled deeply, finally free—until a metallic ding rang inside his head.
[Raito, do you want to get stronger?]
He froze mid-step. The voice wasn’t human. It came from deep within him, smooth but heavy, like it was whispering straight to his bones.
"What... the hell? Stronger?" he muttered, his heart skipping.
Then, without him touching anything, the status box flared open. Bright letters carved across the screen:
[New Function Unlocked: Drill Assessment]
– This function will make you stronger.
Raito blinked, frowning. "Drill assessment? What is that even supposed to mean? Some crystal? A test? Or is this just another way of screwing with me?" His voice shook, but his chest burned at the thought.
He stared at the box. His fists trembled.
"Stronger..." he whispered. His sister’s face flickered in his mind. The shame of being powerless when others pushed him around. The loneliness that chewed at him every day.
"...I don’t care what it is." His voice hardened. "I just want to get stronger. No matter what."
The second his finger touched it, the world ripped apart.
He blinked, chest heaving.
"What... is this place?" His voice echoed. Black void. No sound. No light. Only his heartbeat.
"I was just on the street a moment ago..."
The ground beneath him split open.
"No—wait! Please!" His hands clawed at nothing.
He slammed onto cold stone. The air reeked of blood and rot.
"A dungeon...? Why am I in a dungeon? How did I fall here so fast?"
His mind raced. The system... was it because I accepted?
He froze. Orıginal content can be found at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝕟𝕖𝕥
From the dark, it slithered forward. A massive body, scales glistening. Six heads, hissing, eyes glowing green.
The beast roared, loud enough to shake the walls, has it moved the ground.
"Why... why something ?!"
[Drill Assessment Phase One: Defeat or Survive the Ogre]
He yanked open GREED.
Inferno Demon’s Claw – Curating: 1h 47m Remaining.