Fall Of the World After the Apocalypse

I hate to admit it, but we got fascinated by the mystery box. A part of me was relieved by the death of the massacre of my classmates; it made me question my sanity. I was surprised by my calmness despite the disaster that had just occurred. 

[It appears you are all prepared to receive the mystery box; you may take this as a form of consolation.] The demon figure chuckled

It was obvious as we received a huge stroll on our minds, not only that anyone could get a horrific trauma through this incident, but also that anyone could get a horrific trauma. I think because of Mr. Woo's presence, the students didn't fall into trama because it was reassuring that he was on our side, as he was the strongest among us.

[These mystery boxes contain random skills, attributes, weapons, and other useful things. But there is a twist: if you're lucky, you can get an S-grade item, but the chances are very low.] The demonic figure continued 

 [You have received the reward for clearing the first scenario.]

 [ The mystery box has been given to the survivors.]

My heart pounded loudly as I took the mystery box out of my inventory, anticipating getting some attribute because I was the only one without any. The mystery box emitted an oddly powerful red aura. As I opened the box, a red aura filled the atmosphere around 5 meters I was standing. The familiar system message appeared.

 [System: You have obtained a grade-A attribute; Beast Monarch] 

My eyes widened as I read my unique attribute, 'Beast Monarch.' It had a name that resonated with dignity and power. Questions agitated in my mind. What would this attribute provide? Could it be I can control all creatures of each species or perhaps...Would turn me into a fearsome beast?

The possibility was limitless; my curiosity grew stronger, and I wanted to know its true potential. I tapped on my attribute window to read its explanation.

[Beast Monarch] This attribute grants the user to dominate over all species of creatures, not only that the user take the beast ability while in beast form or normal state, "Not only that the user can summon tamed creatures from shadows. 

As we were immersed in opening our mystery boxes, the demon appeared to enjoy himself watching us.

As I read the explanation, a sense of power washed within me. I would have a huge advantage in battle; not only could I control all species and take their ability and use it in battle. If it wasn't exciting enough, I scrolled down a bright smile appeared within me. 

[With 'beast monarch,' one can merge two abilities to form a stronger ability.]

It meant I could just absorb monsters' abilities and even create an S-rank skill by the urging system.

I approached Mr. Woo as he was studying his mystery box item with a serious but calm expression.

"Mr. Woo Chioul," I called out to him

Mr. Woo spun; the usual calm and confident smile was available on his face. My curiosity piqued,

"What did you receive from the mystery box?" 

"Ah, it's called [Shadow Weave], he said with a tone betraying his excitement. "It's an S-grade skill. It allows me to manipulate shadows, like I can conjure weapons and armor and many other things as well. I can fast travel to places where a shadow is available."

Inside my heart, I felt envy, as it was an amazing skill worthy of being called an S-grade. I wanted something like this but it's no help, and it was good enough that I at least got an A-grade attribute.

"I think it's pretty strong with this; you can create a whole arsenal," I remarked

"It is! but it requires precise control over mana to conjure some A-grade weapon. It's not easy. With practice, I guess I'll eventually learn." He shoke his head left to right and answered

"What about you, Seong, what did you receive?" He asked but failed to hide curiosity.

"Its an A-grade attribute called [Beast Monarch].". I replied and explained my extent of the attribute 

"Then can you control the undead and dead bodie's?"

"I guess I can control the undead, as the explanation mentioned 'all creatures,' but I have no idea about the dead bodies."

"You can try the skill on those hobgoblins lying over there." He pointed out the hobgoblins at a distance

[You need to set a command to use the skill]

"Rise" [From now on, the command 'Rise' would require to summon your tamed creatures]

As I used the skill, a surge of strength was washing within me. My sense's were sharper than before, and my mind was calm. 

[The use of the attribute 'Beast Monarch' is prohibited on dead bodies as it desrespect the dead, but you can steal their skill.]

"What a letdown. I thought they would be a huge help, but it couldn't be helped getting the skills good enough."

[You have obtained Furious screech and Enhanced swordmanship.]

If I recall it perfectly, it was the skill those goblins used that lowered our abilities by 10% and increased their own stats by 10% bonus. The 'Enhanced Swordmanship', as the name suggests, would be helpful for close quarter combats. 

[It appears you're all ready for the second scenario; i assure you this will not be as easy as the last time.] 

The air gives us a chilly vibe. Mr. Woo and I exchange glances as the demon speaks. As he said, he transported us to a forest-like place; as far as our eyes go, there were trees, and at a distance, there were trees with black flames burning on them. 

[This is 'Hell Forest.' in this forest anything can happen, so be careful, and the mosters around here is D-ranked, unlike those 'F' rank goblins, then i bid you farewell, i hope we meet again...If you all survive, that is] The demon remarked

  [System]

Situation: You along with your companions have transported to 'Hell Forest.' Be careful of monsters emerging from bushes, trees, and other dark spaces. Clear the scenario and reach Incheon city within allocated time 

Remaining time : 4 hours, 30 minutes

Condition: Reach the Incheon city.

Reward: 6,000 coins

Penalty: ?

The distance between Sejong is 146 km, and we have to go there by foot, which would take us around 2 hours or so. On top of that, we have to fight D-rank monsters, but it isn't guaranteed that all monsters would be D-ranked; even an B- or C-ranked monster could appear. It would be nice if we could defeat them without killing, as I could tame them.

[The Scenario: Hell Forest Has Began!] 

[A group of wild mist-Boars has appeared] 

Those monsters are mist-boars; they had blue flames on both sides of their long horns near the mouth. As for their appearance, they had dark purple skin strong enough.

They charged toward us in our direction; although they had no eyes, my guess was they must have enhanced hearing ability or something along the lines.

"Blood manupulation: Sharp spear" Mr. Woo chanted his spells toward the boars; it was quite effective. The spear made from the blood and his Shadow Weave ability made those spears strong pearse their heads.

Before I and Sehyung could do anything, Mr. Woo eliminated the whole swarm of Mist-Boars.

[Due to strong individual presence, the difficulty of the scenario have been updated from D (rank) to C (rank), and strong monsters will appear.]

Suddenly we heard a dry coughing sound. as we turned around. We freaked out as one of our classmates had an arrow pearced in his heart. He was coughing blood. At that moment, we heard a laugh. It resided in the distance tall tree. It gave a mischevous smile—a humanoid species but not human; it was taller and magical energy surrounded the area; its blue eyes gripped us with fear.It was an elf seen in anime and visual novels

[A tribe of wild elves have appeared.]

['Ferious Screech' was used by Baek Seong; nearby monsters stats will be lower by 10% and your party will gain 10% stats boost.] 

As i used my newly acquired skill, having their stats decreased, some elves who were about to attack got sunned for a momentarily, the air around them vibrated some elves fell to their knees, being weakened

"Now's our chance!" Sehyung shouted 

With my enhanced swordsmanship, I charged toward them, my blade stuck in the shoulder of a wild elf. It groaned in pain, and the other students appears to find some hope; they shared a glance

"After all, we can do this!" a student exclaimed He was Seok-ho. He is the healer of our team.

Mr. Woo chanted a spell; blood flowed in the air for a moment, then formed large numbers of spears. But we were outnumbered, as there were too many in groups. I used my tame ability on them; the air around me became dark, and my eyes glowed as the memories of the elves were flowing in me. 

[8 High elves has been tamed; now you can use their ability whenever you want] 

"Holy crap, he just took control of them." Seok-ho shouted

The high elves remained motionless as I took control of them and commanded them to stand in our position. As commanded, they took a high position to take out the remaining elves. Seok-ho and others stared at me with awe, realizing the potential power I had acquired.

"Now you can control not only wild boars or wild elves, even high elves!?" Seok-ho asked in amusement 

"Damn, you can even control high elves now?" Sehyung said, his eyes widening. "I'm starting to think we're all going to end up as your pets" He joked

Sehyung's jest was met with a round of laughter, and I just smirked as I knew this newfound ability could turn the tide rapidly.

Sehyung jest broke the tension amoung us and we were more confident than ever

"Let's focus on the task at hand," I said with a calm and authoritative tone.

"Right," Seok-ho remarked, "Let's get done with this damn quest."

Seok-ho went about the task of tending the wounded. A yellow light glowed as he healed Soon enough, everyone was treated, injuries fading slowly.Once the healing was done, he spoke up,

They nodded gratefully to Seok-ho's healing abilities that they were able to continue their quest.

"Thanks Seok-ho," One of the students said, "You really saved us back there."

"Just doing my job as a healer. But don't go running into danger without me next time, alright?" Seok-ho replied with a weary but satisfied look.

The team chuckled knowing that Seok-ho was referring to my tendency to rush headlong battles Sehyung couldn't help but tease,

"No more running around without your personal pocket healer"

As we continued our quest, we reached a mountain-like place, the surrounding rugged and imposing sheer cliff and terrain making it difficult to navigate.

"This place looks rough," A student remarked studying the terrain filled with unknown challenge

As we venture deeper into the area, we discover this place to a habitat of Humanoid Ice hounds. They stand on two legs, their icy fur acts as a shield, eyes piercing like the frozen north. 

  [You have entered in the territory of Humanoid Ice Hounds]

The voice echoed, the air grew cold, and the atmosphere became tense. The hounds obviously won't take our presence lightly. 

  [Several Humanoid Ice Hounds have taken notice of your presence]

We could sense several pairs of eyes watching us from shadows the growls of the creatures echoed through the mountain.

"Looks like we've got company" One of the students exclaimed trembling with apprehension in her voice.