[Congratulations, Host. You are now level: 10]
Staring at the screen as I lay on my back, catching the early morning sun, I felt some of the stress and exhaustion ease from my body. I thought about the monkeys I'd killed — and the few moments when the others started noticing their own were disappearing.
'It's time to leave.'
Kicking up onto my feet, I stretched my shoulders, ignoring the gazes directed at me as I began climbing the waterfall. Whatever plan I had for killing the giant orange beast, I couldn't pull it off here. And as much as I would've liked to keep thinning the monkey population at night, it was becoming riskier. Each disappearance stirred more tension. The bodies hadn't been found yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time — and I was the only one with anything even close to a pointy weapon. Eventually, furry fingers would point at me.
Still, there was one thing I wanted to do before leaving: see where my strength currently stood.
And the best way I could think of to measure that... was to fight the Silverback. The trainer of the young primates.
I already knew I didn't stand much of a chance against the powerful beast. But that didn't mean I couldn't use it to gauge the gap between us.
'Skills...'
I frowned, my thoughts drifting back to the disappointing silence from the System when I reached level ten. Not even a skill?
'Stingy damn System.'
Sighing, I shook the thought off as I climbed down the last stone platform, arriving at the clearing where the Silverback rested — watching me.
My intent must've been clear. The massive ape rose from its haunches and grunted, eyes narrowing.
I exhaled slowly, loosening my shoulders, then lowered into a stance — right foot back, weight centered and low.
The Silverback charged.
Its chest heaved, jaws wide open, each step like a drumbeat pounding into the earth. The ground shook beneath its weight, and despite the instinctive fear prickling my spine, I surged forward.
We both hesitated for a split second — equally surprised that I was closing the distance. I didn't give it time to recover. Pivoting sharply, I planted a hard kick into its ribs.
It felt like kicking a truck. My shin screamed in protest from the impact with the dense muscle beneath its fur, but I didn't let it distract me. I rolled out of the way as its massive fist swung for my skull.
'I want to win.'
The thought hit me mid-movement, surprising me. Just moments ago, I didn't care. This was a Silverback — a beast that, even back in my old world, could rip a man apart without effort
But now?
Now I wanted to win.
The Silverback growled, spit flying. Its massive arm swept sideways. I jumped back—too slow.
Its claws raked across my side, tearing through skin and spilling blood onto the green grass.
It rose up onto its legs, fists raised high, and brought them down in a double-handed slam. I stumbled back just in time as the ground shattered beneath the force. Then its eyes met mine—cold and calculating—as I fell back onto my rear.
I rolled to the side as it lunged, trying to grab me, and surged forward just as its head came within reach. Without hesitation, I jabbed a finger into its eye.
Not deep enough to blind, but enough to make it reel.
It roared—loud enough to make my eardrums throb—and I exhaled sharply, pressing the attack. I ducked beneath a wide backhand and leapt, driving a flying knee into its jaw.
Its head snapped back.
Then it lunged, jaws open wide, and clamped down on my midsection.
Pain erupted like fire across my back.
"Agh!"
I screamed as its fangs pierced deep, locking down with crushing force. Blood gushed from the wounds, spilling into its mouth. My legs kicked in the air, helpless against the white-hot agony radiating from my spine.
Then it began to shake me.
The violent thrashing loosened my flesh, tearing it open further. My vision blurred. I felt my will falter, begin to slip.
No.
Gritting my teeth so hard I feared they'd crack, I forced myself to twist in its grip, tearing more of my own flesh in the process—and struck.
Squelch.
"Rrrahh!"
My elbow slammed into its eye with every ounce of rage and pain I could muster.
The Silverback let out a strangled roar and stumbled back, finally releasing me.
I collapsed, catching myself on all fours, gasping as blood ran freely down my back. I looked up, ready to keep fighting.
But the Silverback… just stood there.
Clutching its eye, it stared at me—grinning. Its smile dripped with my blood.
Creepy.
Then, without a word, it turned and walked away, returning to the spot it had been relaxing earlier.
[The Host is quite stupid.]
Grunting, I pushed myself to my feet, sucking in a breath as the open wounds met open air. I turned, straining to see the damage.
My upper back was a mess—shredded, bleeding, and burning with pain.
'I need to stop the bleeding. If I don't patch this up, it'll get infected.'
Biting my tongue to stifle a whimper as the breeze teased the raw flesh, I staggered toward a secluded spot among the trees. I needed to wash the wound, flush out anything that might have come from the Silverback's mouth.
[The Host does not need to worry about infections.]
I stopped mid-step, blinking as the System's message popped into view.
Out loud, I muttered. "Why are you talking to me?"
It wasn't that I was ungrateful—if anything, I needed the distraction—but the sudden responses was… new.
[Answer: The System was granted a form of "consciousness" the moment the Host leveled up to 10.]
Sitting down on a fallen log, I leaned back carefully against a tree, favoring my uninjured shoulder. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
[The Host had more pressing matters than the System's "upgrade".]
That's... oddly nice of—
[The System also found amusement in watching you whine.]
"Fuck. You."
Closing my eyes to conserve energy, I rubbed at my face, trying to ground myself through the pain. Then, quieter, more genuine I spoke.
"System… will you aid me in this world?"
[The System does not understand the question.]
Leaning away from the tree, I tore off a few broad banana leaves, pressing them against the gaping wound on my back. My fingers moved sluggishly, tying them in place with some vines I'd scavenged nearby. Crude, but better than bleeding out.
"I mean… if I asked whether a decision I'm about to make is smart—or suicidal—would you answer truthfully?"
I wasn't about to fully trust the System. But having someone—something—on my side, even if artificial, was better than walking this hellhole alone.
[Answer: The System is an aid to the Host for as long as the Host does not give up.]
'As long as I don't give up, huh?'
A chime echoed in my head as a new screen appeared.
─────
Give up?
[Yes] Or [No]
─────
My breath caught. I remembered that first moment—waking up here, clueless, in pain, alone.
Without hesitation, I tapped [No].
The panel vanished.
'An aid, huh…'
I let out a long breath. It wasn't the answer I wanted. Not really. But it would have to do.
Stretching my legs and arms lightly, I hissed as pain flared from my back. Not ideal—but I could still move. Still fight.
"System, got any quests or some shit to keep me busy?"
*Ding!*
─────
Swap Quest Available
Trial Quest: Survive the Nights!
Reward: +5XP (Per night)
→ Swap To →
Combat Quest: Kill 3 Gigantic Alligators
Reward: +25XP (Quest)
Skill: [REDACTED]
Item: [REDACTED]
─────
I frowned at the glowing panel. The Trial Quest had steady returns—reliable XP for playing it safe.
'But those redacted rewards…'
My eyes narrowed.
If these Alligators were anything like the ones Luffy fought—massive, strong, borderline cartoonish—then that meant one thing.
If he could kill them… why the hell couldn't I?
"Fuck it."
I tapped the Combat Quest, watching as the Trial Quest faded from my list, replaced by the new one.
Letting the screen flicker out, I stood tall—or as tall as my injuries allowed—and turned my gaze away from the primate oasis.
'Time to head into the jungle.'
Time to earn my way forward.