I Can Extract Game Items

The Monarch gestured towards the prisoners lined up behind her, including Sir Dumblore. "These are examples of what happens to those who defy me. Learn from them, or share their fate."

August's eyes narrowed into slits. He needed to find a way to free Sir Dumblore, but any wrong move could spell disaster. For now, he had no choice but to play along.

Melanthis raised her staff, and the crystal at its tip glowed brighter. "Remember, you live by my grace. Do not forget it." With that, she turned and exited the platform with her guards following closely behind.

The crowd began to disperse as pressure lingered like a heavy fog. August turned to the masked figure. "I need to figure out how to get him out of here."

The figure nodded. "Whatever your plan is, you'll need to act fast and be careful about it."

August's gaze drifted back to the retreating form of Sir Dumblore alongside other prisoners. "I'm not leaving him here."

One of the settlement leaders who was a subordinate of the monarch stepped forward to address them.

"The numbers on the tags in your possession represent your ranking. Those with the last twenty numbers will be treated like the prisoners on chains..."

The crowd immediately erupted in gasps of shock and disbelief upon hearing this.

"You have twenty-four hours to change your tag number before this rule kicks in. Good luck and break a leg," the subordinate walked away after disseminating this information.

Chatter! Chatter! Chatter!

-"What does this mean?"

-"It means we have to take tags from the higher numbers!"

-"But no one will willingly give up their tags!"

-"Then we just have to take them... By force!"

As the crowd erupted with panicking voices, August stared down at the crude metal tag in his hand.

The number etched into it glowed faintly... **199**

His eyes shifted to the masked figure beside him, who held up his own tag. **200**

"Looks like we're dead last," the masked figure said with an exasperated sigh. "Great. Just fantastic."

August rolled his shoulders as his gaze flicked to the others in the area. "We're not staying that way."

---

System Notification:

[ Quest Updated: Prove Your Worth ]

[ Objective: Increase your rank by acquiring a higher-numbered tag. ]

[ Time Limit: 24 hours]

[ Failure Condition: Fall into the lowest 20. ]

---

They stood in the heart of the settlement, where the chaos doubled as a gathering spot for bets and challenges.

There was only one way newcomers could acquire higher numbered tags... And that was through fights.

Word of upcoming fights spread quickly, and the more brutal figures in the community were already salivating at the thought of breaking the newcomers in.

A large makeshift arena had been set up in the center. It was a ring of rough stones and metal walls enclosing the fighting area. There were no formal rules—only survival.

August knew he had no choice. He had to fight. And win.

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August wasted no time scoping out potential targets. He listened carefully to conversations, observed fights, and subtly asked questions without drawing too much suspicion.

After some digging, he discovered the name of the person he'd need to fight... The person with the tag number that was just right above the last twenty.

~ Dornak the Butcher. ~

August watched from the shadows as Dornak currently held a man by the throat, lifting him off the ground with a single hand. The unfortunate fighter struggled with his legs flailing as he gasped for breath.

Dornak's muscles budged as he let out a deep chuckle. He had the physique of a warlord—his entire upper body covered in grotesque tattoos, his face marred by deep cuts that never seemed to heal properly.

With a casual squeeze, the man's neck snapped. Dornak tossed the body aside like garbage and turned to the roaring crowd.

"Who's next?!" he bellowed. "I'll take any of you worthless scum and feed your bones to the dirt!"

August smirked. "Perfect."

He stepped forward, flipping his tag between his fingers. "I challenge you, Dornak."

The murmurs in the crowd turned into a low roar of excitement.

"That newcomer's lost his damn mind."

"Dornak's killed dozens of newcomers. Look at him—he's built like a monster."

"Hope this kid's got a burial plan."

Dornak turned his gaze to August as his thick brows rose in amusement. "You? You're serious?"

August nodded. "Your tag. I want it."

Dornak laughed so hard that his massive chest shook. "Fine, little man. But when I break you in half, I'll make sure to mount your skull as a warning for the next idiot who steps up."

---

System Notification:

[ Duel Initiated: August vs. Dornak the Butcher ]

Objective: Defeat Dornak and claim his tag.

Location: Blood Ring

Time: Scheduled in 2 hours

----

August leaned against a pillar, watching the fights that came before his. Newcomers battled desperately to increase their ranks and unfortunately, most failed miserably.

Some were beaten unconscious. Others weren't so lucky.

His masked companion sat next to him, arms crossed. "You sure you don't wanna reconsider? Dornak's a beast. I've seen him crush men twice your size with his bare hands."

August smirked. "Good thing I don't plan on letting him grab me then, huh?"

"Cocky. I like it."

"It's only cocky if I lose," August replied.

The minutes ticked by, and then finally—

"Dornak! August! Get your asses in the ring!"

The crowd erupted into cheers as the two of them stepped forward.

August entered the ring with very silent steps. Dornak, in contrast, stomped forward like a predator claiming his territory.

The announcer called out, "A challenger against the Butcher! Place your bets, and let the blood spill!"

Dornak cracked his knuckles with a grin. "I'll give you one chance, kid. Lay down, and I won't make it hurt."

August tilted his head. "That's kind of you. But I prefer my fights the old-fashioned way."

The announcer raised his arm. "BEGIN!"

---

System Notification:

[ Battle Commenced ]*

Opponent: Dornak the Butcher

HP: 26,000

Status: Uninjured

---

Dornak lunged first, swinging a fist the size of a boulder at August's head.

August dodged with a sidestep, barely avoiding the massive blow as the wind howled in his left ear due to the powerful force of the punch.

Dornak's fist collided with the ground, cracking the stone.

"Fast little bastard," Dornak grunted.

August smirked. "You have no idea."

He activated Phantom Blitz, teleporting behind Dornak instantaneously with a burst of shadow. His dagger flashed as he slashed at Dornak's ribs.

---

System Notification:

[ Skill Activated: Phantom Blitz (Tier 2) ]

[ Attack Successful! ]

Damage Dealt: 3,500 HP

---

Dornak snarled before spinning around with a backhanded swipe. August ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike, but Dornak was faster than expected.

The butcher slammed his foot into August's chest, sending him skidding backward.

---

System Notification:

[ You have taken damage! ]

Damage Received: 2,200 HP

---

August winced while rolling to his feet. "Not bad. But still too slow."

He activated Perfect Veil, vanishing into the shadows before striking from above. His dagger plunged into Dornak's shoulder.

Dornak roared in pain as he stumbled back.

---

System Notification:

[ Critical Hit! ]

Damage Dealt: 5,800 HP

---

The crowd gasped.

"No way—he actually hurt Dornak!"

"Who the hell is this guy?"

Dornak's rage boiled over. "You're DEAD!"

He charged again, barreling toward August with his massive frame.

But August was prepared. He feinted left, then used Phantom Blitz again, appearing behind Dornak and stabbing his dagger into the back of his knee.

Dornak howled before collapsing to one knee. August seized the opportunity, driving his blade into the back of Dornak's neck.

A final notification rang out.

---

System Notification:

[ Enemy Defeated: Dornak the Butcher ]

XP Gained: 22,500

HP Remaining: 13,500/17,600

New Rank: 179

---

The crowd fell into stunned silence before erupting into deafening cheers.

August stood over Dornak's motionless body, breathing steadily.

The announcer declared, "Aleman is the winner! Dornak's rank now belongs to him!"

August retrieved the fallen tag, holding it up for all to see.

"Who's next?"

...

The aftermath of the battle was unlike anything August had expected.

Word of his victory against Dornak the Butcher spread like wildfire across the Hollow Dusk settlement 1.

Conversations in the alleys, whispers between prisoners, and even loud discussions by the guards all revolved around him.

It wasn't just that he had won—it was that he had done so convincingly, without a single wasted movement, against an opponent who had long been considered untouchable.

The masked figure, who had been leaning against a makeshift pillar while watching the fights, smirked as August approached. "Congratulations. You just became famous in the worst possible place."

August exhaled while rubbing his neck. "Yeah, I noticed. That was… louder than expected."

The masked figure laughed. "Well, enjoy the attention. It seems someone else has taken an interest in you." He nodded toward a group of heavily armed guards standing near the entrance to the settlement's central plaza.

One of them who was clad in dark metal armor, stepped forward. His voice was sharp and commanding. "Aleman. The Monarch requests your presence immediately."

---

System Notification:

[ New Event Triggered: The Monarch's Summon ]

[ Objective: Audience with Dark Elf Melanthis. ]

Failure Condition: Refusing the invitation.

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