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

The red-eyed beast lunged forward, and in that split second, every muscle in my body screamed at me to move.

But fear froze me.

I barely had time to register the sheer size of the creature—taller than me, faster than I expected. Its dark fur blended into the jungle, but its fangs gleamed under the firelight, sharp and deadly.

If that thing reaches me—I'm dead.

At the last moment, the wolf beside me exploded into motion.

With a powerful leap, it intercepted the beast mid-air, their bodies colliding with a sickening thud.

I stumbled back as both creatures tumbled to the ground, snarling and clawing at each other. Fangs clashed. Claws raked against flesh. The sound of their battle sent a chill through my entire body.

But I couldn't just stand there.

I had to act.

Gripping my club tightly, I scanned the fight. The black wolf, my wolf, was struggling to keep the beast at bay. It snapped its jaws at the monster's throat, but the creature was strong—too strong.

The beast threw the wolf aside, sending it crashing into a tree.

My chest tightened.

The wolf let out a low whimper but forced itself back up, growling in defiance.

But the beast wasn't focused on it anymore.

It turned to me.

My stomach dropped.

It saw me as the weaker target. An easy kill.

No. I won't die here.

The beast charged again, and this time—I moved.

I sidestepped just in time, barely dodging as its claws sliced through the air where my head had been. The rush of wind from its attack sent chills down my spine.

I swung my club with everything I had—but it barely did anything. The impact landed on its thick hide, but the beast just growled in annoyance.

Shit. That's not enough.

It turned on me again, faster this time. I had no time to react—a claw raked across my side.

Pain.

White-hot pain exploded across my ribs as I stumbled back, barely staying on my feet.

Blood. My own blood. The scent of it filled the air.

The beast licked its fangs.

It was playing with me.

My breath came in ragged gasps as I clutched my side. My body screamed in pain, but I couldn't stop.

I couldn't die.

I refused to die.

The wolf let out a snarl and leaped again, sinking its teeth into the beast's shoulder. This time, it held on, ripping into flesh.

The monster howled in rage.

Now!

Ignoring the pain, I gritted my teeth and charged.

With every ounce of strength left in me, I swung my club—aiming for its eye.

CRACK!

A sickening crunch echoed through the jungle as the wood connected.

The beast screeched in agony, stumbling back, one eye now a bloody mess.

It worked.

I didn't stop. I lifted the club again, my vision blurring from exhaustion and pain, and—

WHAM!

Another hit—right to its skull.

The monster swayed… then collapsed.

Silence.

The only sounds left were my own ragged breaths and the crackling of the fire.

I stood there, my body trembling, blood dripping down my side. I had won.

I turned to the wolf.

It was injured too—its fur matted with blood, but its golden eyes were sharp, alert. It stared at me for a moment before letting out a low huff, as if saying:

"Not bad, human."

I let out a weak chuckle before my legs finally gave out.

As darkness crept into my vision, I had only one thought.

I survived.