Chapter 12 – First Blood
Kaden didn't move yet. His red eyes locked onto the four monstrous beasts ahead, unflinching.
Death wanted him to fight.
So he would.
But charging in recklessly was foolish and he wasn't an idiot.
Instead, he waited—silent, still, watching with predatory focus. What he needed was simple:
A perfect first strike to gain an advantage.
And it just so happened...
'That's exactly what I'm good at.'
Soon his sharp gaze noticed one of the wolves pulling back from the others, dragging its bloodied muzzle away from the deer carcass. It moved to a shaded spot, flopping lazily to the ground—too full to bother staying alert.
Opportunity.
Kaden immediately moved.
Each step was calculated, slow and silent. Every sense used to the limit.
He reached a safe range, hidden behind thick roots and brush. The wolf's breath was steady, eyes half-lidded.
Kaden closed his eyes briefly.
He adjusted his stance.
Then—his eyes snapped open.
SLASH—!
A red arc burst from Reditha, whistling through the air. It tore across the wolf's throat.
"GRREEEEWW—!"
The beast shrieked in agony as blood exploded from its throat. The remaining three wolves jerked their heads toward the scream, eyes blazing.
Kaden didn't wait. The moment he attacked he was already moving.
In a blur, he reached the staggering wolf and drove Reditha deep into its throat.
"GRRAAA—!"
The beast thrashed wildly. Kaden gritted his teeth.
"Just die!"
With a surge of force, he twisted the blade—
CRACK!
Its neck shattered.
The wolf collapsed in a heap.
The moment it died, Reditha pulsed—drinking every drop of blood. What remained was nothing but withered flesh.
[DING! Your skill Blood Reservoir has activated.]
[30 Liters of blood stored.]
Kaden didn't even have time to read the whole notifications as green vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around his limbs like snakes.
"Shit—!"
He had dropped his guard because of Death. And the distraction cost him.
The wolves charged, eyes crazed, fangs bared.
"WOOOOWLLLL!!"
"GRRRRR—!!"
They were on him in seconds.
"Damn it—!"
"Blood Wall!!"
A thick wall of blood surged up from Reditha, slamming into place just before impact.
CLINK! CLINK! CLINK!
Their fangs crashed against it.
Kaden didn't waste the chance.
"Blood Knife."
A crimson blade formed in his hand, slicing through the vines with a swift flick. He broke free, leaping back to gain distance.
His breath came fast.
He was against three awakened-level wolves as an awakened himself.
And this was his first real battle.
'How is this fair?' he thought bitterly, his heart pounding like a war drum.
But fairness had no place in this world.
So instead of complaining—
'How do I kill them efficiently?'
He steeled himself. His mind racing with different thoughts as he searched for a efficient way but—
BOOM—!
All three wolves lunged at once, their eyes bloodthirsty.
Kaden barely raised Reditha in time—
CLANK—!
RIP—!
"ARGH—!!"
Teeth tore into him. Two wolves had gotten through.
Blood gushed from his side.
Kaden slashed wildly and erratically, knocking them back then propelled himself away—
BOOM!
But he crashed to the ground, hard.
He groaned. His vision blurred. His limbs heavy.
And then—he saw it.
His left leg, bound again by vines.
"Damn it," he hissed.
Blood loss was catching up. His head spun. His body begged to give up.
And for a moment... the thought crept in.
'Just give up.'
'Use your Death Points. Go back. Try again... later.'
'It was easier.'
'Safer.'
'Isn't that what you wanted, Death? For me to experience death?'
He lay there. Helpless. The wolves approached slowly now—savoring the moment.
Saliva dripped from their mouths. Their growls rumbled like thunder.
His heartbeat echoed in his ears. His hands clenched.
'Is this it?'
Was this the limit of his will?
'Am I really that weak? Choosing death just because it's hard?'
His eyes blurred—but not with blood. With fury.
He gritted his teeth.
"No."
He wouldn't die.
Not again. Not like this.
Not to run from pain. Not to escape failure.
He didn't want to feel that again—the regret of dying without doing anything meaningful.
The regret of dying like a coward.
"I won't die. I won't accept it."
The wolves leapt.
Kaden's red eyes flared like burning coals.
"Reditha."
His voice was ice.
The sword pulsed in response.
"Release all the blood."
The air thickened as crimson liquid spiraled outward like a living wave.
"And—"
They were inches away.
"Explode."
A beat of silence—
Then—
BOOOOOOMMMM!!!
The explosion tore through the clearing, a violent storm of blood and fire.
"GRRRAAA—!!"
"OWOOOOOL—!!"
Agonized shrieks filled the air as the beasts flailed, consumed by fire that clung to them like vengeance.
Kaden rose.
Shaking. Bleeding. Barely standing.
But alive.
He had shielded himself behind a smaller wall—just enough to survive the blast.
He stepped forward and took his stance.
Each movement slow, but steady.
Then—three slashes.
They were swift, precise and deadly. Every strike echoed months of bloody practice.
THUD—!
The wolves collapsed, heads split open at the neck.
Reditha hummed as their blood was devoured.
[DING! You have received 90 Liters of blood.]
[DING! Quest Completed.]
[Rewards: 400 Death Points, 30 Stat Points.]
Kaden dropped to his knees.
His vision swam, his lungs burned. His body screamed for rest—
"AWWWOOOO—!"
His eyes snapped open.
He cursed under his breath. "I was too loud..."
More were coming.
He couldn't stay.
"Death. Allocate 15 points to Agility and 15 to Constitution."
The world shifted.
Muscles tightened. Blood flow steadied. And his pain dulled.
He rose.
Fists clenched.
Eyes cold.
And without a word—
BOOM!
He vanished into the forest, a streak of red light.
Behind him, only dust remained and the shriveled corpses of his first kills.
—End of Chapter 12—