And Just Like That I Obtained a System

Move. Kage dropped as a jagged blade carved through the air where his head had been a second earlier. It slammed into the stone wall behind him with a sharp crack, the tip buried deep. He stared at it for half a heartbeat, then slowly turned. Five lizardmen were charging straight at him. That explained the shouting. Kage! I am moving! He scrambled backward just as the first one lunged. Claws scraped across his chestplate hard enough to jolt him. He nearly lost his footing, caught himself, twisted, and drove his dagger into the creature side. The blade barely bit through the scales. Kage face went flat. He really hated E rank dungeons.

The lizardman snarled and swung. Kage ducked. The club smashed into the wall behind him, spraying stone chips across the tunnel. Yeah. Definitely hated them. Stop playing around! Blade voice cut through the noise. The captain surged past him, longsword already flashing as he intercepted the next lizardman. Focus! The sword cracked across the creature chest. It staggered. Roy was right behind him. Guardian Shield! A heavy shield slammed into the lizardman and drove it hard into the wall. Two down. Three, Kim corrected, already throwing. A vial arced through the air and shattered against another lizardman back. Green mist bloomed. The creature movements slowed at once.

Kage blinked. Nice. Kim grinned. I am useful occasionally. Occasionally? Do not ruin the moment. A streak of flame shot past them. Lava Leak. Fireballs slammed into the remaining lizardmen. They screeched as the flames raced across their scales. Alice lowered her hands, looking mildly satisfied. Got them. Kage stared, then gave a low whistle. Remind me never to annoy you. Alice smiled sweetly. You should be afraid. Noted. Blade glanced back. Everyone accounted for? Roy lifted his shield. Fine. Kim checked his belt. Still beautiful. Alice rolled her eyes. Kage? He looked down at himself. Scratched armor. Sore chest. Torn left sleeve. He raised the dagger. Still alive. Blade nodded once. Good enough. Kage frowned. That is a terrible standard. It keeps you alive. Fair.

They pushed deeper into the dungeon. Footsteps echoed off the narrow walls. Kage trailed behind the others, dagger loose in his hand. He was not really supposed to be fighting. Carry the packs. Collect the materials. Stay out of the way. That was an E rank porter job, and most days he was fine with it. Mostly. He glanced at the dagger. Chipped edge. Grip worn almost smooth. He sighed under his breath. Definitely buying a new one after this. Kim looked back. With what money? Kage paused. I was hoping you would not ask. Kim laughed. Alice covered her mouth. Even Roy gave a quiet chuckle. Blade just shook his head. You two are impossible. That is why you hired us, Kim said. I did not hire either of you. Exactly. For a moment it almost felt normal.

Then Blade stopped. His fist came up. Everyone froze. The easy atmosphere vanished. Blade drew his sword slowly. Contact. Kage tightened his grip. How many? Blade listened. Five. Roy raised his shield. Same as before? Blade eyes narrowed. No. A low growl rolled down the tunnel. The hair on Kage arms stood up. The first lizardman stepped into view. Then another. Then three more. Five, just like Blade said. E rank, Blade muttered. Nothing unusual. Kage let out a breath. Good. He hated surprises.

They charged. Blade moved first, steel flashing. Roy drove forward with the shield. Kim already had another vial in hand. Alice started chanting under her breath. Kage stayed back, watching, waiting. One lizardman slipped past Blade and went straight for Alice. Kage did not think. He just moved. He stepped between them as the claws came down. His dagger met them with a sharp clang. The force knocked him back a step, boots scraping stone. Kage, I have got it. The lizardman swung again. Kage twisted aside; the claws missed his face by inches. He stepped in close and struck once, twice, three times until the blade finally found a gap between the scales. The creature dropped. Kage stood over it, breathing hard. Alice stared at him. You are actually pretty good. He looked at the dagger. Do not tell anyone. Why? They will give me more work. She laughed.

Then the whole dungeon shook. BOOM. Everyone froze. Dust drifted down from the ceiling. Kage slowly looked up. Was that us? No, Blade said. His voice had changed. Quieter. Sharper. Everyone stay together. Another tremor. Another deep boom. Somewhere farther in, something roared. Kage smile vanished. That does not sound like an E rank monster. Blade did not answer. He was staring into the dark ahead. Then he drew his sword fully. Keep moving.

They advanced carefully. The deeper they went, the colder it got. Kage rubbed his arms. Is it just me, or is it getting colder? Not just you, Alice whispered. Her breath was visible now. Kim ran a hand along the wall. Something is wrong. Roy nodded. The dungeon mana density is changing. Kage frowned. Meaning? No one answered. A sound drifted from ahead, metal scraping slowly across stone. Heavy. Deliberate. Kage fingers locked around the dagger.

Then a massive shadow filled the end of the tunnel. Two glowing eyes opened. Kage stopped breathing. The creature stepped forward. Enormous. Black scales. A greatsword resting across one shoulder, runes pulsing along the blade. Roy shield dipped a fraction. What is that? Blade face had gone pale. That should not be here. Alice voice was barely a whisper. Captain? Blade did not answer. The monster took another step. The ground trembled under its weight. Kim swallowed. Boss. Blade eyes widened. Run.

The creature vanished. Kage eyes went wide. Where—CRASH. Roy flew across the chamber. His shield shattered against the wall. Roy! Everyone move! Blade charged. The greatsword came down. Blade blocked, barely. The impact drove him backward, boots carving deep lines in the stone. His arms shook. It is too strong. The monster pushed harder. Blade knee buckled. Kage stared. This was wrong. All of it. An E rank dungeon was not supposed to hold something like this. The boss raised its sword again. Blade eyes locked on them. GET DOWN! Kage dropped. The blade passed over him and split the wall open behind him in one clean cut. He stared at the gouge, then slowly stood. Yeah. This dungeon was definitely broken.

Roy groaned on the ground. Kim was already at his side. Roy, I am fine. You are bleeding. I said I am fine. Alice stood frozen, hands shaking. Kage. He looked at her. Yeah? I cannot heal him. His expression tightened. What? She stared at her own hands. My mana. The boss turned toward them. Blade was still on one knee, blood running down his arm. He forced himself upright. Everyone. Get out. Kage looked at him. Captain, that is an order. Blade raised his sword. I will hold it. Kim shook his head hard. No. Kim. No. Take Roy and go. Kim eyes were wet. You know what happens if we leave you. Blade managed a tired smile. Yeah. He tightened his grip. So move.

The boss roared. Blade charged. Crimson energy exploded around him. Crimson Berserker! His wounds lit up. Blood Price! He disappeared into the monster shadow. The collision shook the whole chamber. Kim grabbed Roy. Come on! Kage did not move. Kage! He looked at Blade, being driven back, step by grinding step, then down at the small, chipped dagger in his hand. Then at the monster. He sighed. Man. Kim stared. What are you doing? Kage stepped forward. Making a terrible decision. Kage, do not—he took another step. Blade glanced back, eyes wide. What are you doing? Kage raised the dagger. You forgot something. Blade frowned. What? Kage smiled. Rule Four. Blade expression changed. Leave no one behind.

Kage charged. He knew he was weaker. He knew the dagger would not do much. He knew there was a very real chance he would not walk out of this place. But the choice was already made. Behind him, Alice drew a shaky breath and raised her hands. White light gathered around her fingers. I am coming too. Kim stared. Alice? She stepped forward. The fear was still there, but she was not running anymore. Roy pushed himself upright with a grimace. Guess we are all idiots. Kim smiled through the tears. Apparently. Blade let out a short, disbelieving laugh. You people are insane.

Kage stopped beside him. Probably. He looked at the monster, then at the tiny dagger. Still think we can kill it? Blade glanced at the weapon. No. Kage sighed. Worth asking. Alice hands rose higher. Then let us make it regret coming here. White light flared around her. The dungeon trembled. The monster roared. Kage tightened his grip. For the first time since they had entered this place, he smiled. Alright. He stepped forward. Let us see what we have got.

The battle began.