MTLNOVEL Chapter 2: The Awakening
Chapter 1: The Awakening
A sharp, burning sensation ripped through Renji's entire body, jolting him awake. He gasped, his lungs sucking in a deep breath as if he had been drowning moments before. His fingers clawed at the dirt beneath him, the feeling of rough earth and grass foreign against his skin. The pain was overwhelming, but it was proof—proof that he was alive.
His heart pounded in his chest. His body trembled. This isn't the alley. I should be dead.
Slowly, his vision cleared. Above him stretched an endless sky—not the neon glow of the city or the artificial lights of streetlamps, but a vast expanse of deep blue, tinged with gold as the sun began to set. Towering trees surrounded him, their emerald leaves rustling in the evening breeze. A scent filled his nose—fresh earth, grass, the crispness of an open field.
Renji pushed himself up, his body sluggish and heavy, as if he hadn't moved in years. His clothes were different. Gone was his worn-out hoodie and work uniform. Instead, he wore a dark tunic, sturdy boots, and a simple cloak draped over his shoulders. He flexed his fingers, testing his limbs. Everything felt real, but something was undeniably wrong.
The last thing he remembered was bleeding out in an alleyway, feeling his life slip away. And now—this.
Had he been kidnapped? Drugged? Was this some kind of dream?
"Where… am I?" His voice came out hoarse.
Before he could gather his thoughts, a cold, mechanical voice rang inside his head.
[Welcome, Summoned One. You have been chosen to serve this world.]
Renji froze.
The voice wasn't coming from around him—it was inside him. It echoed directly in his mind, emotionless and inhuman.
[Your status has been initialized. You possess the Unique Skill: 'Death Claim.' Use it well.]
"Status?" Renji muttered. His head was still spinning, but that word—status—made something click. It was like a game.
Instinctively, he focused on the word, and suddenly, a glowing blue window appeared before his eyes.
[Status Window]
Name: Renji Kurozawa
Race: Human
Level: 1
Class: None
HP: 100/100
MP: 50/50
Skills: Death Claim (Unique)
Equipment: Basic Traveler's Clothes, Iron Dagger
Renji stared. His mind struggled to process what he was looking at. This… This is like something out of an RPG.
He hesitantly touched the air, and the screen flickered slightly, as if responding to his movements. Was this some kind of holographic projection? No, that wasn't right. He could feel it wasn't physical—it was a part of him, something he could mentally access.
His eyes landed on the most glaring thing—Death Claim (Unique).
That voice had mentioned it. If this world worked like a game, then "Unique" had to mean something special. He tapped on it, and a new window appeared.
[Skill: Death Claim]
Effect: Absorb the abilities of anyone you kill.
Limitations: Must deal the finishing blow. Cannot steal skills from beings stronger than your soul rank.
Renji swallowed. The meaning was clear. If he killed someone, he could take their power.
The idea sent a chill down his spine.
What kind of ability is this?
Before he could think further, voices echoed through the trees.
"Damn it! He was supposed to be here! The ritual can't have failed!"
"Maybe he got lost? We summoned him right in this area."
"He better be alive. The kingdom's counting on this."
Renji tensed. The voices were close—too close. His instincts screamed at him to move. He wasn't sure if these people were friendly, but something about their tone put him on edge.
Quickly, he ducked behind a tree, steadying his breathing as the speakers emerged from the forest.
Three men dressed in matching armor stepped into view. Their silver-plated chest pieces bore an emblem of a roaring lion, and swords hung at their waists. They looked like knights—but not the kind from fairy tales. There was tension in their stance, irritation in their voices.
One of them, a broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek, cursed under his breath. "I told the king we shouldn't rely on an outsider. Now we're stuck playing babysitters."
A second knight, leaner and younger, frowned. "If the prophecy is true, then we need him. The war won't wait for us to get things perfect."
Renji's pulse quickened. War? Prophecy? The more they talked, the more it confirmed what he was starting to suspect.
He had been summoned to another world.
And these people were looking for him.
Renji stayed completely still, barely daring to breathe. The knights scanned the area, their hands twitching toward their weapons.
"Spread out. He has to be nearby," the scarred one ordered.
Renji gritted his teeth. Shit. If they find me, what happens?
His mind raced. They might be allies. They might also decide he's useless and get rid of him. And if they turned on him…
He glanced down at the small iron dagger strapped to his belt. It wasn't much, but if push came to shove, he wouldn't go down without a fight.
The younger knight moved dangerously close to his hiding spot. Renji's grip tightened on the dagger's handle. He could strike first if he needed to—
But then, the knight turned his head, his expression shifting. "Wait… do you feel that?"
The others paused.
A sudden, eerie silence blanketed the forest. Even the wind had stopped.
And then, from the shadows between the trees, something moved.
A low, guttural growl rumbled through the air.
Renji barely had time to react before a massive beast lunged from the darkness.
It was huge—a wolf-like creature, twice the size of a normal animal, its eyes glowing with unnatural malice. Its fur bristled like blackened steel, and jagged fangs dripped with saliva.
The knights barely had time to shout before the beast ripped into the youngest one's throat.
Blood sprayed across the grass. The knight gurgled, eyes wide in horror as he collapsed.
"Shit! It's a Shadow Fang!" the scarred knight yelled. "Defensive formation! Now!"
The remaining two knights drew their swords, their expressions shifting from irritation to full combat focus.
Renji's heart pounded. He had been prepared for a fight—but not against this.
As the beast roared, its soulless black eyes locked onto him.
And in that moment, Renji realized something terrifying.
It had chosen him as its next prey.