One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The beast's claw came down like a guillotine.

Time slowed.

I could see every detail—the rough, jagged edges of its blackened scales, the eerie golden glow pulsing from its mark, the faint shift of its muscles just before impact.

I moved.

Faster than before.

I barely had time to think before my body acted on its own, my feet pushing off the ground in a sharp, instinctual movement. I twisted, just narrowly avoiding the crushing force of its attack.

But the moment I landed—

It was already moving again.

The monster's other claw slashed toward me.

I had no choice.

I lifted my arm—

And blocked.

A shockwave rippled through my bones. My vision blurred for half a second as raw force crashed against me. My knees buckled, my breath caught—

And then, the pain hit.

My arm burned, as if the golden mark on my palm was being set on fire.

But—

I didn't fall.

I was still standing.

Shira coughed from the tree where she had crashed, pushing herself up. "Ardan!" she shouted. "Get back!"

Smoker wiped blood from his mouth. "Tch. What the hell is that thing?"

Selene just smiled.

"Interesting," she murmured, her sharp green eyes studying me. "So you really are different."

The monster tilted its head, its glowing eyes piercing into mine.

"You resist," it rumbled. "But for how long?"

I clenched my fists. "You talk too much."

And then—

I charged.

The beast lashed out again, but this time, I was ready.

I ducked low, the force of its strike ripping through the air just above me. My body felt like it was moving on its own—no, not just my body.

Something inside me was guiding me.

I planted my foot, twisted—

And struck.

My fist connected with the beast's ribs.

For a split second, nothing happened.

Then—

A shockwave exploded from the point of impact.

The monster staggered, its massive frame jerking back as if something had just detonated inside it. The golden mark on its chest flashed, its glow flickering wildly.

I gasped, stumbling back.

What… was that?

The beast's breathing grew heavier. It slowly looked down at me, its golden eyes narrowing.

"You… are beginning to awaken."

A cold shiver ran through me.

This wasn't just a fight.

This was a test.

Selene stepped forward, her smirk growing wider. "Well now," she said, tilting her head. "This just got interesting."

The monster steadied itself, its glowing chest pulsing again.

I had hurt it.

But I could feel it.

It was far from finished.

And neither was I.