The forest quieted again, the goblin's ash long blown into the wind. Luka's breathing had settled, though his mind still raced. He checked his wounds they were healed. The system had done its job. But his thoughts weren't on the fight anymore.
"That goddamn 10%." he murmured.
With no clear path and no map, got back and continued to wander. Branches scraped his arms, and leaves clung to his sweaty shirt as the trees stretched endlessly around him. He wasn't even sure what direction he was going anymore.
Then he heard it — a heavy thud, followed by the pained squeal of something large.
Luka froze and crouched, ducking behind a tree.
In a clearing ahead stood a towering figure, at least two meters tall, fur the color of sand stretched over thick muscle. A lion's mane framed his proud face, and his amber eyes gleamed with predatory focus. The beastman wiped a long arrow clean against his armguard, the lifeless body of a wild boar at his feet.
"Woah..." Luka whispered under his breath.
Snap.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me—" Luka thought to himself.
His foot landed square on a brittle branch. It broke with a sharp crack.
The lion beastman's ears twitched. His bow was in his hand in a blink he drew an arrow and pointed directly at Luka's hiding spot.
"You there," the beastman called out, voice low and guttural. "Step out. Slowly."
Luka's heart pounded. He considered running, but a single look at the bow told him he'd never make it.
He raised his hands and stepped out from behind the tree, trying to look as harmless as possible.
"I'm harmless! Just wandering around this forest!"
The beastman didn't lower the bow. "What are you doing out here, human?"
Luka swallowed. "I... I don't remember. I just woke up in the woods earlier today. My head's been hurting. I think I hit it or something... I don't even know my way back."
The beasman lowered his bow an inch, but the beastman's eyes remained locked on him. "No memory, huh?"
Luka nodded quickly, heart still racing. "I don't know where I am, who I was traveling with — nothing."
A pause. Then the bow finally dropped.
The lion beastman gave a short grunt. "You're lucky I'm not a bandit. Most folks wouldn't hesitate to finish off a lost human. Come on. This forest isn't safe for people like you."
Luka blinked. "You're... helping me?"
"Don't make me regret it," the beastman muttered.
They began to walk, the lion dragging the boar behind him with one hand like it weighed nothing. As they moved, Luka glanced at the beastman. His armor was patchwork leather and bone. His mane was braided with feathers.
"So... uh, what's your name?" Luka asked.
"Rogar," the lion answered. "Hunter for the Kingdom of Veyra."
"Veyra," Luka echoed. "That's... nearby?"
"Right ahead."
And sure enough, the trees began to thin, giving way to sunlight. Luka stepped out of the forest and nearly staggered back in awe.
Before them loomed a massive stone wall stretching into the horizon, its gates tall enough to swallow a two-story house. Banners of gold and crimson flapped in the breeze above. Soldiers in matching uniforms guarded the entryway, spears in hand.
Rogar nodded to one of the guards. "Another lost one. Let him through."
The guards looked Luka over, shrugged, and waved him in.
Together, they stepped into the streets of Veyra.
It was alive with color and noise. Stalls lined the streets selling glowing fruits and strange herbs. Children darted between carts, laughing. Women bartered with hawkers while adventurers leaned against tavern walls.
Luka soaked it all in, stunned. "This place... it's like a medieval city from a game or manga"
Before Rogar could respond, a scream pierced the air.
Down the street, a carriage had broken loose — horses wild, reins flailing, wheels bouncing over cobblestone. A child stood frozen in the middle of the road, too scared to move.
Time froze.
[Time Slowed for Decision-Making]
New Gamble: "Hero's Reflex"Do you wish to attempt to save the child?
Chance of Success: 70%
Success: +1 Vitality
Failure: -1 Vitality, child suffers critical injury.
Proceed with Gamble? [YES] / [NO]
Luka's fists clenched.
"What the fuck is this? I didn't cause this! Why would I lose vitality for something out of my control?!"
The system didn't answer. Just hovered.
The roulette spun faintly behind the message, already waiting.
Luka grit his teeth. "Screw it. I'm not letting a kid die." he said as he pressed [YES].
[Rolling Dice…]
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Clink.
The dice landed on [SUCCESS].
The wheel slowed. Luka held his breath. Every muscle tensed.
[SUCCESS: 70% Outcome Achieved.]
Target Saved. No Vitality lost. +1 Vitality gained.
Vitaly: 3 → 4
HP: 100 / 100 → 130 / 130
A golden shimmer bursted outward like a silent ripple in space—visible only to Luka—as the child was abruptly yanked sideways by an invisible force, just before the carriage roared past. A split second later, it slammed into the side of a building with a huge crash, wood and stone flying in all directions.
Horses neighed in panic and scattered. Dust filled the air. People screamed—but the boy was safe.
Rogar ran over, eyes wide. "By the gods... that was close. Poor child could've been killed." He knelt, gently patting the boy's shoulder, glancing over the damage with a grimace.
A woman burst through the panicked crowd, sobbing. "My son! Are you alright?!"
The boy blinked, still in shock, but nodded.
Rogar helped the child to his feet and nudged him toward her. She swept him into her arms, weeping openly.
Luka stood frozen, heart still pounding, a faint shimmer fading from his vision. He hadn't moved. He hadn't even taken a step forward—yet the child had been saved. Just like that.
"What the System can do is amazing—" Luka thought.