One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

My feet pounded against the dirt as I charged forward, gripping my club tightly.

The stranger stood there, completely relaxed, as if he wasn't even taking me seriously.

That pissed me off.

I swung—hard.

The club cut through the air in a brutal arc, aimed straight at his ribs.

But—

He vanished.

Shit!

Too Fast!

Before I could react—

BAM!

Something slammed into my back—a powerful kick that sent me flying forward.

I barely managed to roll as I hit the ground, my club slipping from my grasp.

Where did he—?!

I turned—just in time to see him standing exactly where I had been a second ago.

I froze.

He didn't just dodge.

He moved behind me before my attack even finished.

The gap between us was massive.

I was nothing compared to him.

A Predator's Smile

The man smirked. "Too slow."

I gritted my teeth.

No shit I was slow. But I refused to just give up.

I grabbed my club and rushed in again.

This time, I faked a swing to the left, then spun and aimed for his legs.

But he just stepped back, effortlessly avoiding it.

He didn't just react—he predicted my move.

Before I could recover—

BAM!

His fist slammed into my stomach.

I choked, stumbling backward, gasping for air.

This guy was a monster.

Fighting a Losing Battle

My vision blurred, my body screaming in pain.

He wasn't even using a weapon. Just his fists.

And he was wrecking me.

But I still had to fight.

Because if this was a real battle, if he was an enemy, I'd already be dead.

I wiped the blood from my mouth and raised my club again.

The man tilted his head. "You're stubborn."

He took a slow step forward.

"Good."

Then—he vanished again.

WHERE—?!

I spun wildly, trying to track him, but—

Too late.

A hand grabbed my wrist.

Then—

CRACK!

Pain exploded in my arm as he twisted it, forcing my club from my grasp.

Before I could react—

A knee slammed into my chest.

I collapsed to the ground, clutching my ribs.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I had lost.

The Warrior's Verdict

For a long moment, there was only silence.

The wolf stood a few meters away, watching carefully, but it hadn't moved to help.

Because it knew I had to face this fight alone.

The man stared down at me, arms crossed.

Then, to my surprise—

He laughed.

"Not bad, kid," he said, shaking his head. "Not good either—but not bad."

I barely managed to glare at him. "You—"

He crouched down, resting his elbows on his knees.

"You're weak," he said. "But you don't give up. I like that."

I gritted my teeth. I already knew I was weak. He didn't have to say it.

The man studied me for a moment, then sighed.

"Alright," he said. "I'll teach you."

I blinked. "...What?"

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"I'll teach you how to fight."

A New Path Opens

I stared at him in disbelief.

This guy—who had just mopped the floor with me—wanted to train me?

"Why?" I asked, still gasping for breath.

The man chuckled. "Because I hate seeing potential go to waste."

He stood up, stretching lazily.

"And you, kid? You have potential."

I wasn't sure whether to feel insulted or grateful.

But one thing was clear.

This was my chance.

A chance to grow.

A chance to become stronger.

I clenched my fists.

I wouldn't waste it.

"Alright," I said, meeting his gaze.

"Teach me."