I'M NØT A HERØ

The wolf tore through them like they were nothing.

Alice barely had time to react before the beast's claws slammed into her, sending her crashing into a stone pillar. John tried to swing his axe, but the wolf moved too fast. With a single swipe, he was down. Abby screamed as she unleashed a barrage of wind arrows, but the wolf dodged them effortlessly before pouncing on her. Sarah's ice magic shattered as the beast's flaming fangs bit through it.

One by one, they all fell.

Leaving only me.

I clenched my sword as the wolf turned its blood-red eyes on me. Its lips curled back into a snarl, saliva dripping from its fangs as it locked onto its next prey.

Me.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and burnt stone. I could barely hear anything over my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Then the wolf lunged.

I threw myself to the side, rolling across the dungeon floor just in time to avoid its massive claws. Dust and debris shot up from where I had been standing.

"Ava, I need help!" I yelled as I scrambled to my feet.

Ava: "Shall I use your 10,000 gold coins to draw a new skill?"

Damn it.

"Just do it!"

Ava: "Exchanging coins for skill…"

Ava: "Obtaining skill… failed."

I gritted my teeth and kept moving, dodging another attack.

Ava: "Obtaining skill… failed."

The wolf's tail whipped toward me. I ducked just in time, but the wind pressure alone sent me staggering.

Ava: "Obtaining skill… failed."

Not now. Not now!

The wolf's eyes gleamed as it pounced again, closing the gap between us in an instant.

Ava: "Obtaining skill… failed."

I barely had time to throw my sword up as its fangs clashed against the steel. My arms shook from the force.

Ava: "Healing potions claimed to inventory."

Ava: "Stamina recovery potion claimed to inventory."

Ava: "System down."

My blood ran cold.

"Ava? Ava!"

No response.

The wolf shoved me back, and I hit the ground hard, coughing. This was bad. Really bad.

"Abe!" Alice's voice cut through the chaos. I turned my head to see her, bloodied but still conscious. "You have to go!"

"I'm not leaving you guys!"

She gritted her teeth. "You don't have a choice!"

The wolf howled.

Then it charged.

I braced myself—

Ava: "System reboot completed."

I gasped as energy suddenly surged back into my body.

Ava: "Exchanging gold for skill…"

Ava: "Obtaining skill—Master Chef Level 1."

What the hell?!

Ava: "Obtaining skill—Heavenly Dragon God Level 1."

That sounded better.

Ava: "Obtaining skill—Phantom Step Level 1."

Ava: "Using remaining gold to upgrade skills."

Ava: "Heavenly Dragon God upgraded to Level 2."

Ava: "Heavenly Dragon God upgraded to Level 3."

Ava: "Heavenly Dragon God upgraded to Level 4."

Ava: "Phantom Step upgraded to Level 2."

Ava: "Scanning host—applying healing potions."

A sudden warmth spread through my body. My wounds stitched themselves back together.

Ava: "Applying stamina potions."

The fatigue in my muscles vanished.

I exhaled sharply. My breath was steady. My body no longer ached.

"I feel… incredible."

The wolf roared and leaped at me once more.

I moved before I could even think about it—my body flickered out of sight.

Phantom Step.

I reappeared behind the wolf, landing smoothly on my feet. The beast skidded to a stop, confused.

I gripped my sword tightly, my heart steady.

"Alright," I muttered, a smirk tugging at my lips.

"Let's begin."