Two hours passed. The forest was quiet — too quiet.
Ken stepped over a rotting log, brushing aside a web. "Where the hell is this stupid dog?" he grumbled. "It's a forest. There should be at least ten of 'em sniffing around by now."
His legs were sore. His patience? Already dead.
Then — movement.
A small shape darted between the trees.
A dog. Gray fur, red eyes. About the size of a regular mutt. It looked at Ken for one second… and bolted.
"Hey! You're not going anywhere!" Ken shouted, taking off after it.
Branches slapped his face. His shoes sank into the mud. But he didn't care — this was it. His first mission. His first kill.
Easy reward. I'll skin that mutt if I have to.
The dog stopped ahead near a clearing, panting.
Ken grinned. "Got you now, fleabag."
Then… he heard it.
Growls. Not just one.
Dozens.
Ken slowed as shadows moved from the trees.
One by one, more dogs stepped into the clearing. Bigger than the first. Their eyes glowed red like cursed lanterns. Fangs bared. Saliva dripping.
Ken's face dropped. "W-What the hell…? I didn't sign up for this crap!"
The first dog growled.
The others joined in.
"NOPE. NOPE NOPE NOPE." Ken turned to run.
Too late.
Something clamped down on his leg. Then another tore into his side. A third lunged and bit into his arm as he screamed, falling to the ground.
His last thought before everything went dark:
"I swear… if this doesn't count as one kill... I'm gonna break this damn system—"
[Soul Reset Activated]
Remaining Deaths for Strength Upgrade: 9,999,375