The blue message box was nostalgic, but I knew I could not dwell upon this moment.
The first floor was one of the most important floors of them all. Although the criteria for passing were simple, each player's performance here would have a significant effect on their progression for the rest of the game. This floor was where the base level stats and affinities were established, influencing growth and the ability to wield mana later on.
The air was thick with anticipation as I surveyed my surroundings. The dense forest around me was alive with movement and sound, a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the upper floors. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. The rich scent of earth and foliage filled my nostrils, grounding me in the reality of this new world.
Name: Jung Ji-ah
Level: [LOCKED] + 00
Title: [HIDDEN]
HP: 108/110
MP: [LOCKED]
Strength: [LOCKED] + 09
Intelligence: [LOCKED] + 12
Agility: [LOCKED] + 08
Sense: [LOCKED] + 01
Magic Power: [LOCKED] + 00
My stats are locked? I remember a scene similar in the novel, but that only happened to the male lead as a penalty for not completing a challenge, so why is it happening to me?
The additional stats next to the [LOCKED] notification indicate the usable points I currently have. Compared to a typical level 1 starting player, these might even be worse. Why is my starting level so bad?
I scanned the immediate vicinity for any clues or threats. The foliage was dense, and every leaf seemed to vibrate with a hidden energy. Despite my poor level, I knew that I had to continue on if I hoped to raise these stats. The soft chirping of birds and the distant murmur of a stream served as a serene backdrop to my internal turmoil.
My focus returned to reality as I saw a small white rabbit zoom past my peripheral vision. Its movement was almost ethereal, blending seamlessly with the underbrush. I quickly scuffled over to the deep green bushes that the rabbit had tunneled through, hoping to catch it. The greenery had large spikes on every branch and leaf, intimidatingly sharp and glistening with dew. I was used to these situations and assumed they would not harm me. I was wrong. As I dug around in the bushes, my hands began to sting as if dragged through a bucket of needles. My fingers and forearms became painted with red blood, a stark reminder of my vulnerability, bringing me back to earth.
I gritted my teeth and pressed on, my determination outweighing the pain. Each step was a calculated move, my eyes scanning for any sign of the elusive rabbit. The forest floor was a tapestry of life, with tiny insects scurrying about and the occasional rustle of leaves signaling the presence of other creatures. The sunlight filtering through the canopy above created dappled patterns on the ground, adding an almost magical quality to the scene.
The rabbit appeared again, darting through the underbrush with an uncanny speed. I gave chase, my movements more deliberate this time. The thrill of the hunt coursed through me, sharpening my senses. I could hear the rapid thump of the rabbit's feet against the forest floor, see the faint trail it left behind in the soft earth.
As I rounded a large tree, I spotted the rabbit once more, this time pausing near a cluster of bushes. My heart pounded in my chest as I inched closer, careful not to make any sudden movements. Just as I was about to pounce, the rabbit bolted again, disappearing into the thick underbrush.
Frustration gnawed at me, but I refused to give up. I moved swiftly but cautiously, my eyes darting around in search of any sign of movement. The forest seemed to close in around me, the dense foliage creating a labyrinth of greenery. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig set my nerves on edge.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. The rabbit was still, its nose twitching as it surveyed its surroundings. This was my chance. I took a deep breath, steadying myself. My muscles tensed as I prepared to strike.
Suddenly, the rabbit began to change. Its body convulsed, and its fur seemed to ripple like water. The sight was horrifying, yet I couldn't look away. The rabbit's jaw dislocated with a sickening crack, its skin tearing apart as its bones contorted and stretched. It grew taller and taller, towering over me with a monstrous form.
Fear gripped me, but I couldn't afford to be paralyzed. My survival instincts kicked in, and I quickly assessed my surroundings for anything I could use as a weapon. The creature's transformation was almost complete, its once-innocent eyes now gleaming with a malevolent light. Hot, foul-smelling breath washed over me as it leaned in, jaws wide open.
I grabbed a sturdy branch from the ground, brandishing it like a makeshift spear. The creature's massive arm swung towards me with terrifying speed. I dodged to the side, the branch coming up to meet the attack. The force of the impact nearly knocked the branch from my hands, but I held on, using the momentum to thrust it into the creature's side.
The monster howled in pain, a sound that reverberated through the forest. It recoiled, giving me a precious moment to catch my breath. Blood—thick and black—oozed from the wound, but the creature was far from defeated. It lunged again, its claws slashing through the air. I ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding its deadly swipe.
Adrenaline surged through me as I scrambled to my feet. The creature was relentless, its attacks coming faster and more furious. I knew I couldn't keep this up for long. My mind raced, searching for a strategy. The memory of the blue message box flashed in my mind—if I could defeat this hidden boss, I would gain a significant advantage.
With renewed determination, I feigned to the left, then darted to the right, aiming for the creature's vulnerable underbelly. The branch in my hands felt like an extension of my will, driving me forward. I plunged it into the monster's flesh, twisting it to maximize the damage.
The creature roared in agony, its massive form staggering. I didn't let up, attacking again and again, each strike fueled by a mixture of fear and resolve. Finally, with a final, desperate lunge, I drove the branch into its heart.
The monster shuddered, its eyes losing their malevolent glow. It collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash, the life draining from its body. I stood there, panting and covered in sweat, my hands trembling from the exertion.
Congratulations on defeating the first floor! You have successfully killed the hidden boss, winning the maximum amount of points!
Would you like to stay on this floor or continue on?
The hidden boss?! A hidden boss on the first floor was unheard of; they possessed insane amounts of power, typically requiring groups of high-leveled rankers to defeat. This astonished me, but I was more baffled by how it was killed in the first place.
As the message sank in, the tension in my muscles began to release, but my mind raced with questions. How could I, a seemingly low-level player with locked stats, defeat such a formidable foe? Was there some hidden power within me that I had yet to discover?
All of a sudden, I felt a gentle tug on the back of my dress and heard a soft, familiar voice calling out to me, "Why didn't you call me?"
YOU ARE READING
I Became a Ranker Before Rankers
Fantasy(REWRITING ALL CHAPTERS) Suddenly, I could see bright white lights creeping quickly towards me, so quick that I could only see what it was right before the impact. My weak body was no match for the large transportation bus that would not let anythin...
