Awakening Of The Forgotten World

The Reaper Alpha stood at the edge of the battlefield, its crimson eyes burning like twin embers in the darkness.

Dain could feel it watching him.

Assessing him.

Judging him.

Then, it moved.

One moment, it was at the treeline.

The next—

It was in the village.

A blur of black mist and muscle, its massive form slamming into the barricade with enough force to send sharpened stakes and wooden planks flying into the air.

Dain barely had time to react before it lunged—straight at him.

A notification flashed.

[Elite Enemy Engaged: Reaper Alpha (Lv.15)]

• Health: 500/500

• Threat Level: Lethal

Dain threw himself aside just in time.

The Alpha's claws raked across the ground, leaving deep scars in the earth where he had just stood.

He came up in a crouch, Silverlight raised defensively.

The Alpha grinned.

It had expected that.

It was toying with him.

Dain's heart pounded.

This wasn't like the other Night Reapers.

It was smarter. Stronger.

And it knew how to fight.

The Reaper Alpha lunged again, its clawed hand descending like a guillotine.

Dain stepped into the attack, raising Silverlight in a two-handed grip.

Steel met claw.

A shockwave of force rippled outward as the two clashed.

Dain's arms buckled under the sheer strength of the impact.

Too strong!

The Alpha pressed down, trying to crush him with its sheer weight.

Dain rolled to the side, breaking the deadlock.

The moment he was free, he countered.

Silverlight flashed, cutting into the Alpha's side.

[Hit Registered! 38 Damage Dealt]

The creature let out a guttural snarl, staggering slightly from the blow.

Dain didn't let up.

He pressed forward, slashing again—

But the Alpha caught his blade mid-swing.

Dain's eyes widened.

The monster tightened its grip.

Then, with a brutal motion, it swung Dain through the air and slammed him into the ground.

[Health: 72/120]

Pain exploded through his body.

The Alpha loomed over him.

Then it raised its clawed foot—

And stomped down.

Dain rolled aside at the last possible second.

The ground shattered beneath the Alpha's foot, a crater forming where Dain's head had been.

He gasped, forcing himself upright.

The Alpha turned to him slowly, tilting its head.

Then—it grinned again.

It wasn't just trying to kill him.

It was enjoying this.

Dain's fingers tightened around Silverlight.

He wouldn't let this thing win.

"Dain!"

A familiar voice rang out.

Edric.

The veteran warrior led a group of militia fighters forward, spears and swords raised.

Dain's eyes widened.

"No! Stay back!"

But it was too late.

The militia charged.

The Alpha let them come.

Then—it moved.

Faster than they could react.

It ripped through the front line, sending men flying with swipes of its massive claws.

Dain watched in horror as Rowan was caught mid-strike, the Alpha's claw tearing across his chest.

Rowan collapsed.

Blood pooled around him.

A notification flashed.

[Rowan has been critically wounded.]

[Time Until Death: 2 Minutes.]

Dain's vision blurred.

This was his fault.

They weren't ready for this fight.

He should have handled it alone.

But it was too late for regrets.

He had to end this.

Now.

Dain pushed past the pain, launching himself toward the Alpha.

The creature turned to meet him, its massive claws rising—

But this time, Dain was faster.

[Skill Activated: Relentless Pursuit (Lv.1)]

• Temporarily increases speed and reaction time when facing a stronger opponent.

His body moved on instinct.

He ducked under the Alpha's attack, his blade flashing upward.

Silverlight cut deep into the creature's arm.

[Critical Hit! 72 Damage Dealt]

The Alpha roared in pain.

But Dain wasn't done.

He spun around, aiming for its legs.

His blade tore through tendons, forcing the beast to stagger.

[Hit Registered! 65 Damage Dealt]

The Alpha snarled, eyes burning with fury.

Dain didn't stop.

He couldn't stop.

He had to bring it down—

Before it killed them all.

The Alpha lunged again, but this time—

Dain was ready.

A notification flashed.

[New Skill Unlocked: Executioner's Strike (Lv.1)]

• Delivers a high-damage finishing blow to a weakened enemy.

• Effectiveness increases if target is below 30% HP.

Dain tightened his grip.

His entire body coiled like a spring.

Then—

He moved.

His final strike was faster than thought.

Silverlight pierced the Alpha's chest—

And then kept going.

The blade erupted from its back, glowing brighter than ever.

The Alpha's crimson eyes widened.

It tried to move.

Tried to strike back.

But Dain twisted the blade, tearing through what little life it had left.

The Alpha staggered.

Then—

It fell.

[Enemy Defeated: Reaper Alpha]

+500 Experience Gained

[Level Up!]

Level: 10 → 12

As soon as the Alpha collapsed, the remaining Night Reapers shrieked—

Then fled.

The battle was over.

Dain dropped to one knee, panting.

His body ached.

His vision swam.

But he had done it.

They had won.

A final notification appeared.

[Quest Complete: The First Protector]

• The village has survived the first true invasion.

• You have established yourself as the first awakened warrior of this era.

Rewards:

• +500 Experience

• Increased Reputation with Eldrin's Hollow

• New Title: Guardian of the Forgotten Age

Dain barely processed the words.

Because his thoughts were on something else.

On Rowan.

He turned to Maelin. "Can you save him?"

The healer knelt beside Rowan's still form, her hands already glowing with faint magic.

"I don't know," she whispered. "But I'll try."

Dain's chest tightened.

Even with victory—

There was still a price.

And this was only the beginning.