Chapter 4: Desperate Survival

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Hundreds of bugs began chasing me down as I started running for my life as fast as I could. The hard and cold rocky floor was terrible for my small and delicate feet, scratching the soles all the time!

Ugh…

The bugs kept coming closer and closer, forming a massive swarm of hundreds, and the angrier they became, the faster they were! I began running around the many corridors, desperate to find shelter. My heart was beating faster and faster.

Do I fight them, or do I just keep running?! However, the answer to that dilemma came faster than I realized, as I hit a dead end.

"Chuuh!"

The adorable roar of the bugs echoed across the caves, as I could see the shadow of the massive swarm growing closer.

"Open Inventory!"

I opened the Inventory, grabbed the three Everose Lily Crystals of A Rank, and swallowed them without thinking twice about it. There was no time!

Ding!

[You've swallowed [Everose Lily Crystal (A Rank)] x3!]

[All Your Stats have increased by 30 for 9 minutes!]

[You're overflowing with a strength that surpasses your current body limitations!]

[You're receiving damage to your HP constantly!]

Damn it, there are limitations?! Well, it is decreasing slowly, and I've got potions too, so whatever!

"SHAH!"

Suddenly, a pill bug jumped straight into my face. Its sharp jaws clicked viciously, if I didn't do anything right now, I would get my face torn apart.

"Uwah!"

Without hesitating, I desperately punched the pill bug before it could bite my face, striking its head with all the strength I could muster.

SPLAT!

A strong shockwave erupted from my fist, as I felt an energy flowing into my fist and impacting the bug, its entire body exploding into pieces.

Ding!

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

"Quickly!"

I swiftly touched all the pill bug fragments and Gathered them, storing them inside the Inventory and dismantling them without wasting any time.

Ding!

[You've stored [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bug Carcass (F Rank)] x1!]

[Oh?! The [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bug Carcass (F Rank)] x1 has Ranked Up to E Rank!]

[You've dismantled the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bug Carcass (E Rank)] x1!]

[You acquired [Abyssal Dweller's Carapace (E Rank)] x3, [Abyssal Dweller Sharp Jaws (E Rank)] x3, and [Abyssal Dweller Poisonous Stinger (E Rank)] x3!]

"Better than nothing!"

I grabbed the pieces out of my inventory, wrapping the carapace around my torso and legs using the plant's stems and then grabbing a stinger and a jaw in each of my hands. They were not even weapons, but they sure looked sharp. I had to just use anything I had at hand, even the corpse of a bug monster if necessary.

"GRYYYYYH!"

Dozens of pill bugs began rushing towards me, as I started to slice them using the jaws and piercing them using the stingers. Their disgusting, green-colored blood constantly splattered over my clothes.

Ding!

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

…

"Agh! Screw off!"

Every time they broke, I took out a new pair from my inventory, desperately fighting for my life. Now and then, I felt their jaws biting my toes, sometimes I ended up getting poisoned, as I desperately drank the Antidotes that the jester gifted to me. It felt like the bastard predicted this would happen.

SLASH!

Ding!

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

CLASH!

Ding!

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

BAM!

Ding!

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

I had already lost count of how many pill bugs I had slain, but their numbers were finally decreasing. My entire body was covered on their tattered carapaces, and many wounds and scars. It had only been like five minutes, but it felt like an eternity.

"Hahhh…!"

I furiously stepped over one that tried to sneak behind me, and I crushed it into pieces mercilessly.

Ding!

[You defeated the [Abyssal Dweller Pill Bugs (F Rank)]!]

[You earned 20 EXP!]

FLASH!

And then, after that bug's death, a sudden flash of golden light covered my body as a big system window emerged, bringing me some good news, at long last.

[Level Up!]

[Your Level has increased from Level 0 to Level 1!]

[All Your Stats have increased!]

[You gained Bonus Stat Points and Skill Points!]

[The Cosmic Throne {Warrior That Seeks Calamity} celebrates your amazing survival instinct!]

[He has generously tipped 20 Plot Points!]

"Wait, 20?!" As I desperately evaded the bug's attacks and looked into the system window, I quickly looked back into the Privilege Shop.

[Showcasing Privilege Shop…]

{Privilege Shop: Beginner Rank}

[Let's be Friends! (F Rank Privilege)] [Cost: 10 PP] (PURCHASED)

[Little Rabbit's Fearlessness (F Rank Privilege)] [Cost: 20 PP]

[Heartwarming Bear Hug (F Rank Privilege)] [Cost: 30 PP]

[Random Weapon Treasure Chest (F Rank Privilege)]: [Cost: 50 PP]

[Random Armor Treasure Chest (F Rank Privilege)]: [Cost: 50 PP]

[…]

"Ugh, alright. I chose that one with the stupid name. Give it to me, quickly!"

Ding!

[You've exchanged 20 PP!]

[You acquired the [Little Rabbit's Fearlessness (F Rank Privilege)]!]

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[Little Rabbit's Fearlessness (F Rank Privilege)]

Although you're a weak little rabbit, your will is unyielding and your bravery knows no bounds, you're truly fearless!

While fighting enemies stronger than you, or equally as strong as you, your indecisiveness and fear dissipate into thin air. Additionally, your AGI increases by 50% while in this state!

Run little rabbit, run!

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Oh?! This is not bad at all, perfect for my current situation.

FLASH!

The moment I acquired that privilege, my mind became clearer. I still felt the pain and the exhaustion. Yet somehow, I could think clearly and make the best decisions. And as if that wasn't enough, my legs became nimbler, and I was even able to easily evade the bug's attacks as I jumped around! And that wasn't all. If this is similar to the System my brother is supposed to have, then I can buy skills using skill points, right?

Ding!

[You've opened the Skill Shop!]

{Skill Shop: Beginner Rank}

[Dagger Technique (F)] [Cost: 5 SP]

[Stealth (F)] [Cost: 15 SP]

[Agile Body (F)] [Cost: 25 SP]

[Fireball (F)] [Cost: 30 SP]

[…]

Yes! It worked. There were more than those four skills but over ten skills. However, the only one I could afford right now, and the one I cared for was…!

Ding!

[You've exchanged 5 Skill Points!]

[You acquired the [Crafting (F): Lv1] Innate Skill!]

[The Crafting Skill has detected several items that can be used as materials!]

[Do you wish to craft something using these materials?]

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Chapter end