Cursed System-Chapter 129: Testing Skill

RAGNA POV...

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While the vicious wolf was out there prowling and scouting the surroundings under my control, I didn't waste even a single breath. I buried Marcus myself—deep inside that suffocating rocky cave. I poured earth-elemental energy into the ground with trembling focus, feeling the stone beneath my palms respond obediently. The cave floor groaned, sank, and slowly folded inward like a grave swallowing its secret, crumbling over itself until not even a trace of him remained. When it was done, it felt final in a way that made my chest tighten.

Only after every last preparation was complete did I cautiously raise my head and let it peek out from the darkness of the cave. I didn't rush—not anymore. I activated my perception first, stretching it outward, combing through my surroundings layer by layer, making sure nothing lurked nearby. Only when I was certain did I step out.

The moment I emerged, I sucked in a mouthful of fresh air, greedy for it, as if I had been drowning for hours. Then I began walking along the trail of golden desert sand left behind by the vicious wolf. Each step felt surreal—too calm, too quiet—until suddenly—

BOOM.

A violent tremor tore through the ground beneath my feet, loud enough to rattle my bones. It sounded exactly like a grenade being dropped straight into the campground. The air itself seemed to shudder.

Moments later, I saw it—a massive sandstorm rising rapidly in the distance, rolling toward the sky like an angry beast awakening. I couldn't tell what had caused the explosion, but strangely enough, I didn't dwell on it for long.

Instead, a reckless thought surfaced in my mind.

'I think it's about time I test out Sprint.'

[Sprint has been Activated]

[Sprint will be activated for the next 10 seconds]

[Time left before "Sprint" deactivates]

[9]

The instant I activated Sprint, a violent gust of wind wrapped around my small body. My vision warped. For a split second, it felt like the world slowed down while I was forcefully yanked forward. I blinked—and suddenly appeared several meters away, clumsily phasing from one spot to another as I narrowly avoided the expanding sandstorm.

[5]

The vicious wolf I had placed my demon mark on was gone—vanished without a trace after the explosion.

[Sprint has been deactivated]

Silence followed the distant boom, eerie and unnatural. When Sprint ended, I realized I was completely coated in sand, head to toe. I looked less like a living being and more like a mummy that had just clawed its way out from beneath a mountain of golden desert sand.

Even so… I was stunned.

Sprint had only lasted a few seconds, yet I had traveled an unbelievable distance—and the mana cost was laughably small. My heart raced as I finally noticed what had caused the explosion. A few meters ahead of me lay a deep black pit, scorched and hollowed out, as if the land itself had been punched in rage.

The vicious wolves in that area hadn't stood a chance. Their bodies were nothing more than charred, blackened crisps scattered around the pit. Even the surviving death wolves whimpered pitifully before fleeing in terror the moment they sensed danger.

As I passed through the area, I felt eyes on me—curious, suspicious gazes from demon children and Black Steel Knights alike. I endured them all silently until I finally reached the horse carriages.

Inside, I saw familiar faces. Berthold, and Reiner.

They looked pale and worn, their bodies clearly pushed to the limit. Compared to them, I looked… perfectly fine. The moment they saw me, concern flashed across their expressions before melting into visible relief. Since the battle had started, they hadn't had the chance to check on me properly—especially with how unwell I had seemed earlier.

Seeing me intact made them release a heavy sigh.

I took a seat among the recovering children, but I could feel it—the gaze of the Black Steel Knight overseeing our demon alliance. His eyes lingered on me far longer than necessary.

"Are you okay, boy?" he asked.

I could tell he was confused. That strange, dangerous aura he had once sensed from me was gone. In its place was a calm, steady presence—one that even felt energetic.

But I barely heard him.

My attention was completely locked onto my attribute panel. Every stat had risen… yet something felt off.

{Host Attributes}

» Level (Rank-): 9

» Name: Ragna Ringwood

» Titles: Cursed one

» Race: Unknown

» Exp: 25,000 / 62,000

» HP: 150 / 150

[Attributes]

› Mana: 31

› Strength: 31

› Perception: 31

› Vitality: 31

› Agility: 31

› Mana Sensitivity: 31

› Mental Fortitude: 31

{Attribute Points: 200}

"Boy, I'm talking to you!" the knight almost shouted, irritation clear in his voice.

I flinched and finally snapped out of it as more notifications popped up.

[Hidden Quest has been completed]

[Hidden Quest Details: Pissed off a Steel Knight]

» [Quest Reward: 5 EXP] «

"Sorry, sir," I said quickly. "I spaced out."

He stared at me for a moment longer. "You're good?"

"Yes, sir."

"Everyone! Pack up immediately. This bloody mess will attract more predators!" the Black Steel Knight barked.

Inside the carriage, Reiner, Berthold, and I sat together as the vehicle jerked endlessly across the desert. Sunlight streamed through the small window, bathing the interior in warm gold and giving the space a strange sense of peace.

It had already been ten days since the battle with the desert vicious wolf pack.

During that time, the siblings filled in everything I had missed. Most importantly, they told me how the Black Steel Knight wielding the black whip had nearly wiped out the entire pack with a single attack—how he had slain the king of the wolves effortlessly.

I was stunned.

It seemed my assumptions about that knight were woefully inadequate.

Still, before I could think too deeply about it, Elijah continued narrating excitedly, his voice animated as the carriage rolled onward, carrying us further away from the battlefield—and from the sins I could never truly leave behind.