《Scions of The Essenari - A LitRPG story》 Chapter 1: The Last Normal Day The scent of damp earth and pine drifted through the cold morning air as Kael stepped onto his porch, a steaming mug of coffee in hand. The world was quiet, untouched by the noise of cities, far from the rush of crowds. Just him, the trees, and the sky. Thirty-one today. Not that it mattered. No party. No calls. No one to care. Just another morning like any other. He exhaled, watching his breath mist in the air, then took a slow sip of his coffee. Bitter. Strong. Exactly how he liked it. As he leaned against the wooden railing, his fingers brushed over his jaw absently, feeling the rough scratch of his beard. It was getting too thick again. He should trim it, but that would mean exposing the scar the ugly thing running from his left jawline, cutting upward in a jagged slash. A reminder of another life. A wound that never quite faded, even after all these years. His mid-length black hair was just as unruly. He¡¯d let it grow longer than usual, something about the isolation making self-maintenance seem like less of a priority. No one around to care. Not like there is anyone to see and judge. The wooden planks of the porch creaked beneath his weight as he shifted. The air was still, cold, the kind of chill that settled deep in the bones. The kind that woke you up better than any caffeine ever could. This was home. This silence, this peace. The cabin was small, but he had built it himself a single room, enough space to live, to be left alone. The town was an hour away by foot, twenty minutes by truck, but he only ever went when he needed supplies. He preferred it this way. A Morning Like Any Other, ordinary peaceful. Kael stepped off the porch, his boots crunching against the frost-laced ground. The sky was still tinged with the soft grays of dawn, but the forest was already awake. Birds chattered in the distance. A faint breeze rustled the trees. Somewhere nearby, water flowed down through the valley stream. Then, his eyes caught movement, then noticing fresh tracks leading away from the treeline.. A buck had passed through just before sunrise, its hoofprints pressed deep into the damp earth. A good-sized one. Enough meat to last him for weeks. He took another sip of coffee, then set the mug down on the porch railing. The hunt came first. Stepping inside, he grabbed his bow from where it rested against the wall. The rifle leaned in the corner, untouched for weeks. Too loud. Too easy. Taking a life should not be made easy. The bow was better. More personal. He slung his quiver over his shoulder and adjusted the worn leather straps. A hunt before heading into town. Then supplies. Then back before sunset. Simple. Routine. That¡¯s how life was supposed to be. Kael moved through the trees with careful, practiced steps, his breath controlled, his body instinctively shifting with the terrain. Even now, years after leaving the military, his body still remembered. The silence. The patience. The need to stay just at the edge of awareness, ready for anything. His fingers brushed against the fletching of an arrow as he knelt by the next set of tracks. Fresh. The buck was close. He adjusted his stance and followed the trail, weaving through the underbrush. Every movement was deliberate. He had learned early on that the forest had its own rules, its own kind of battlefield. One mistake, and you went hungry.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. He spotted the deer just beyond a clearing, grazing near the base of an old oak. A clean shot. Kael pulled back the bowstring, exhaling softly as he steadied his aim. Then, the world shifted. A low vibration hummed through the air. Kael felt it before he heard it a deep, unnatural stillness. The wind died. The birds went silent. The usual hum of the forest was one second here then the next simply gone. The deer froze. Its ears flicked back, eyes wide with something primal. Fear. Kael lowered his bow slightly, his instincts kicking in. He knew this feeling. The calm before an ambush. His breath slowed. Muscles tensed. His heartbeat was steady, but everything in him screamed that something was wrong. Then, the sky split apart. One moment, he was standing on solid ground. The next, he was floating. The trees, the earth, the cold morning air, all gone. Everything around him was dark. Not black, not night, just nothing. A hollow absence that stretched in every direction. And he wasn¡¯t alone. Shapes drifted around him millions, billions. People. Animals. Creatures he didn¡¯t recognize. All of them suspended in the void, their eyes wide with shock, some screaming without sound. Kael clenched his jaw, forcing himself to stay calm. Panic wouldn¡¯t help. This wasn¡¯t death. This was something else. Then, the world below, or what he thought was below, began to change. Kael¡¯s breath caught in his throat. He could see it. Earth, or what had been Earth, was no longer alone. Landmasses shifted, expanded, and fused. Enormous continents stretched and reshaped themselves, folding into one another as molten metal poured into a mold. Oceans swelled, swallowing entire coastlines before reforming elsewhere, creating new islands, new rivers, and new landscapes that had never existed before. Then, from the abyss, other things or what looked like different worlds appeared. Massive fragments of land, entire biomes that did not belong, descended from the void, merging with the expanding Earth. A jagged, mountainous region the color of molten silver fused into the northern hemisphere. To the east, a continent covered in endless, ancient forests as far as the eye could see seamlessly blended into the growing world. Cities appeared; ruins of structures built by hands that were not human. Enormous underground caverns stretched open as if Earth itself was swallowing new realms whole. Kael could see everything. And he wasn¡¯t the only one. Among the billions of floating souls, new faces appeared. Elves. Dwarves. Individuals, unlike anything he had ever seen, their expressions just as confused, just as terrified. The merging continued, stretching time into what felt like an eternity yet only it couldn''t have been more than ten minutes. And when the time passed, Kael felt Earth was now ten times the size it had been before. It was no longer just Earth. It was something else. Then, the voice came. It wasn¡¯t loud. It wasn¡¯t even sound. It simply was. "Inhabitants of this new world. Your people and your old world, along with many other intelligent races, have been integrated into the greater whole of the multiverse." The void shuddered. Kael¡¯s breath slowed. What? "You have all been chosen." Kael felt something tighten in his chest. Chosen? For what? "As such, you will be granted access to the System and all it offers." A pulse of energy ripped through him. Pain tore through his body searing, burning, relentless. Kael gritted his teeth as something rewrote him from the inside out. He could feel his bones shifting, his muscles tightening, his mind flooding with something unnatural. Numbers. Symbols. Unreadable text flashed across his vision, carving themselves into his thoughts. "Struggle. Survive. And strive for something greater than you could ever dream of." The void collapsed. Individuals around him started disappearing, and soon he joined them too. Kael hit the ground hard. The scent of damp earth filled his nose, cold mud pressing against his skin. His body ached, his lungs burned, but he pushed himself onto his hands and knees. The forest around him was wrong. The trees were taller, their bark faintly pulsing with an eerie blue glow. The air was heavier, charged with something unfamiliar. And the silence... it wasn¡¯t natural. His bow was gone. His quiver was gone, along with the rest of his gear. Only the knife strapped to his belt remained. Then, a soft chime echoed in his skull. A floating blue screen appeared before his eyes. [System Activation Complete.] [Welcome to your New World.] [Survive.] Kael exhaled slowly. Trying to rest control of his beating heart, everything had changed. And he knew it was real. This was too much; he felt too much not to believe it was real. He didn¡¯t know where he was. Didn¡¯t know what had happened. But survival? That, he had always understood. A low, guttural growl rumbled from the darkness of the trees. Kael¡¯s muscles tensed. Something was watching him. Hunting him. And for the first time in years, he felt like he wasn¡¯t the one holding the weapon. Chapter 2: Reverse hunting The low growl reverberated through the darkness of the trees. Kael stilled, breathing slowed as he listened, years of instinct kicking in, sharpening his awareness. Something was watching him. The underbrush rustled, heavy steps pressing into the dirt. Whatever was moving wasn¡¯t small. Kael shifted his stance, muscles tensed, fingers twitching toward the knife at his belt the only weapon he had left. His normal hunting gear the bow, arrows, everything else gone. Another growl, closer this time. A shape emerged from the trees. Kael¡¯s stomach dropped. It was the buck. The same one he had been tracking earlier that morning. But it wasn¡¯t the same anymore. Its sleek brown hide had thickened, muscles bulging unnaturally beneath its fur. The creature was larger, its shoulders broader, its stance more aggressive. Its antlers once normal bone had sharpened into curved, jagged blades, reflecting the dim light that filtered through the canopy. But its eyes were the worst part. They weren¡¯t glowing or burning like some demon. They were just¡­ wrong. Too intelligent. Too focused. A predator¡¯s eyes, locked onto prey. Something flickered in Kael¡¯s vision. [ Wildhorn buck¨C Level 3] Kael¡¯s mind barely had time to register the words before the buck lunged. He barely reacted. Its massive body blurred forward, hooves thundering against the earth. Kael jerked back, his body trying to move on instinct but his heel caught on a tree root. His balance shattered. He fell hard. The buck¡¯s bladed antlers whistled past his face by mere millimeters, missing only because of his stumble. Kael hit the ground, rolling onto his side as the beast skidded to a halt, kicking up dirt as it turned. fuck. That was close. He scrambled up, hand darting to his belt, fingers wrapping around his knife¡¯s handle. A well-worn hunting blade nothing special, but solid. Reliable. The buck snorted, its hooves pawing at the dirt. It was sizing him up, studying him. Kael¡¯s heart pounded, his mind racing. I can¡¯t fight this thing head-on. His grip tightened on the knife. He needed a way out. His eyes flicked around the terrain, searching for a escape route. I need The buck lunged again. This time Kael threw himself sideways, ducking behind the same tree whose roots had tripped him. The beast didn¡¯t stop. It crashed into the tree with a thunderous crack, splintering bark as its full weight slammed into the trunk. Kael used the chance to run. His legs pushed off before he even had a plan¡­Just run! Move! And keep moving! For a second, he thought he had gotten away.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Then, the buck snorted behind him. Kael didn¡¯t have to look back to know. It was already chasing. Branches tore at Kael as he pushed forward, sprinting through the thick dense unknown forest. The uneven terrain forced him to adjust with every step, keeping his balance as best he could. Luckily all those long terrain training in the army wasn¡¯t to total waste, some things still were helpful like now. He also felt like there was something pumping a tiny bit of energy to the muscles of his legs when he focused on running faster. Giving them a tiny boost, he tried to look more to it but the sound of hooves slamming into the earth grew louder. Fuck! It¡¯s so fast, those muscles aren¡¯t just for show. With another blur of movement, Kael felt the rush of wind behind him and ducked. A flash of jagged antlers carved through the air where his head had been. The buck had nearly clipped him. Kael¡¯s lungs burned as he pushed harder. He wasn¡¯t even choosing a direction anymore. His body just moved, fear, panic, and instincts driving him. Then he saw it. A break in the forest floor, just ahead. A drop. Not a cliff, but a steep rocky slope, filled with boulder-sized stones jutting from the earth. An idea sparked in Kael¡¯s mind. Kael didn¡¯t slow down. Come on. Chase me. The Wildhorn was already locked onto him too focused to notice the terrain change. Kael slowed down and turned around at the edge of the slope. One step away from tumbling down. And with it being a steep rocky slope, he didn¡¯t see that going well for him, One more second. Then... He flung himself with all he had to the left. The buck charged forward, unable to stop its momentum. Its hooves hit the edge and the ground beneath it vanished. For a second, it was weightless. Then... impact. The beast crashed onto the rocks below, its massive body colliding with jagged stone. A sickening thud echoed through the trees as it came to an abrupt, painful stop. Kael stopped at the ledge, panting, his pulse still hammering. The buck didn¡¯t move. For the first time since the chase had started, Kael had a moment to breathe. After several long, slow breaths, and wiping away sweat. Kael finally approached the downed buck, or whatever it was now. That blue screen had called it a Wildhorn buck, and it was still alive. Its sides heaved, chest rising and falling in uneven bursts. Its front legs were pinned under its own weight, twisted awkwardly from the fall. Kael took a slow step closer. The buck¡¯s eyes snapped to him. There was no rage. No glowing fury. Just¡­ clarity. Like the animal finally realized what it had become. Kael swallowed, gripping his knife tighter. This wasn¡¯t a fight anymore. It was mercy. With a final steady breath, he ended it. Kael took a step back, wiping his knife on the monster, his hands still trembling. The forest was back to being silent again. Then, the chime came. [You have slain Wildhorn buck ¨C Level 3] [Experience Gained: 30 EXP] [Title Acquired: First Blood] Awarded for delivering your first kill after System integration. Effect: +3% increased damage against beasts. [Essence Manipulation Achieved.] [Skill Acquired: Essence Shaper ¨C Rank 1] Allows the user to shape, reinforce, and manifest Essence-based constructs. Current efficiency: 10%. Kael exhaled sharply. His body screamed in exhaustion, still he was alive. Another chime interrupted his thoughts. [Experience Threshold Reached.] [You have leveled up!] Status Update Name: Kael Level: 1 ¡ú 2 EXP: 30/30 ¡ú 0/50 Rank: Mortal Stats: Kael blinked at the glowing text, Stats. Levels. Experience. This was¡­ structured. Like a game. But it wasn¡¯t a game. His aching ribs, bleeding from the shallow cuts in his arm, and the still-warm corpse at his feet made that clear enough. Taking a moment Kael started letting all that contained panic leave him. He barely had time to start, and as if waiting for this, his entire body tensed. It wasn¡¯t pain, Not like when the System brought him to that strange place for that Announcement, followed by it showing the world transforming, and flooding him with that strange energy. No, this was much less and more sudden. A sharp, brief pulse of energy spread through him like an unseen force tightening around his muscles, wrapping around his bones. His breathing hitched as his limbs felt warmer, denser, just slightly more responsive. His strength, agility, endurance everything had shifted. Not drastically, and this by a small amount, but noticeable. He clenched his fingers experimentally. Slightly stronger grip. His legs are a fraction more balanced, more controlled. His ribs still ached, but the pain felt duller, like his body was already adjusting, recovering just a little faster, the small cuts, stopping bleeding, and settling. But the biggest change wasn¡¯t physical. His mind felt clearer, sharper. Thoughts that had been sluggish from exhaustion were now more focused, more refined. His surroundings felt crisper, details more noticeable. And he could feel the presence of something all around, from outside and inside himself, as if it was all-encompassing and present. It wasn¡¯t an overwhelming transformation. No sudden superhuman power, no miraculous healing, nothing that drastic, but it was the final nail in the coffin. This wasn¡¯t a dream. This wasn¡¯t a hallucination. As much as he would have loved to tell himself that he would wake up in his home, and go about his usual routine, this world, this so-called System was real. And if this was how the world worked now... Then he needed to understand it. Fast. And he needed to plan what he was going to do now, cause last time he checked he had no idea where he was¡­ Chapter 3: The Unknown Forest 1 The silence stretched. Kael stood over the buck¡¯s lifeless body, his grip still tight around the hunting knife. Adrenaline still pumped through his veins. His muscles ached, the dull pulse of exhaustion creeping in now that the danger had passed. The System messages still hovered in his vision, waiting for him to acknowledge them. He let his eyes drift over them once more. [ You have slain Wildhorn Buck ¨C Level 3 ] [ Experience Gained: 30 EXP ] [ Title Acquired: First Blood ] (+3% increased damage against beasts.) [ Essence Manipulation Achieved. ] [ Unique Skill Acquired: Essence Shaper ¨C Rank 1 ] Allows the user to shape, reinforce, and manifest Essence-based constructs. Current efficiency: 10%. [ Experience Threshold Reached. ] [ You have leveled up! ] Kael tried to process everything. None of it made sense. He had seen plenty of strange things in his life, war had a way of making the world seem unnatural. But this? This was something else entirely. And yet, the proof was undeniable. He had felt himself change. The moment he leveled up, his body responded, a slight increase in strength, a subtle sharpening of his mind. It wasn¡¯t drastic, but it was there. A single level and he already felt better. He stared at his hands, flexing his fingers. If this was just the beginning¡­ Then how would it feel to gain 10 levels? He weirdly looked forward to it, but at the same time, he dreaded it. The rush of energy and control, he imagined, would feel like drinking ten cups of coffee and a box of Red Bull but then again, the pain was there too. No pain no gain huh? He shook his head. Focus. Thinking too far ahead wouldn¡¯t help him now. He still didn¡¯t know where he was, what had happened, or what else was out there. And that needed to change. Kael took stock of his surroundings.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. The forest was different, larger, denser, the trees towering overhead in a way that felt unnaturally grand. He didn¡¯t recognize any of the plant life, some of the leaves had faint bioluminescence, a soft blue glow tracing their veins. The air was thicker too. Not humid, but charged, as if something unseen lingered in it. He crouched beside the Wildhorn¡¯s corpse, his eyes narrowing as he examined it more closely. At first glance, the changes seemed subtle, more muscle, sharper antlers. But when he touched its fur, he realized it was denser, almost like armor. Yeah, it was a good idea to let gravity work. He doubted he would have had a good time trying to slash through this fur, with his short-bladed knife. Then there was the feeling he was experiencing looking at the monster/animal. The moment he focused on the dead buck, he could feel it a faint energy clinging to its body, slowly fading. Was this the Essence the System had mentioned? His mind flashed back to the fight specifically, the moment when he thought he felt energy rushing into his legs, making it slightly easier to move faster. That hadn¡¯t been normal. Could that be this Essence¡­ boosting my body? Can I do it again? Kael tightened his grip on his knife, focusing. Nothing happened. Frowning, he tried again this time reaching for the same feeling, that overwhelming desire to run, that he had felt during the chase. A flicker in the back of his mind, as if something was moving to his legs. For the briefest second, he felt something there. Then pain. Kael collapsed forward, falling onto the buck. His legs felt like they had the worst cramps of their life. And just as quickly as it came, the pain vanished. His breath hitched. Clearly, I did something wrong. Whatever I just did¡­ it wasn¡¯t stable at all. It seems today wouldn¡¯t stop being full of sudden bursts of pain, Kael chuckled to himself, resting his head on the Wildhorn, thinking about what the sergeant would have said to him for that. "Pain is for the weak-minded to grow strong, and don¡¯t you forget! It''s also for those who buy pizza only for themselves when they invite people over.¡± Kael chuckled again. Then his good mood soured. He didn¡¯t want to think about the sergeant now. Especially not when he didn¡¯t go to his funeral. The others had come over for the first time in two years. They had told him it was his duty, even if some things couldn¡¯t be forgiven. Practically begged him to do it for the sergeant''s memory, for the man he was before. And when he said he wouldn¡¯t. They had asked him to at least come not for the sergeant, but for them. Let¡¯s just say that Kael didn¡¯t go. Kael shook his head. Not now. Not here. He forced himself up, dusting the dirt from his clothes. I need to find shelter. He couldn¡¯t be out here when it got dark. Not when the wildlife had turned into this. If he was going to figure out what this essence was, then he needed to learn how to control it properly. I need practice. But before that, I needed a safe place, he needed to stay alive until tomorrow. Maslow''s hierarchy of needs, right now safety needs are more important than bodily needs. Shelter. Water. Food. In that order if he could help it. Kael glanced at the Wildhorn¡¯s antlers. Sharp tip and edges. As well as thick. Could be useful. He could skin and butcher it for food, but that might attract more predators. Carrying bloody meat while traveling blindly through unknown terrain was just asking for trouble. Shelter first. Once he had a place to hide, he could worry about food. But the antlers those he could use now. Without hesitating, he set to work. His knife wasn¡¯t ideal for the task, but after several minutes of effort, he managed to break off one of the smaller antler blades. It wasn¡¯t pretty, but the edges were still razor-sharp. [New Item Acquired: Wildhorn Antler Blade] (A crude but sharp piece of antler, retains some Essence residue.) Satisfied, Kael stood and looked at the forest stretching before him. He had no map, no bearings, no idea what lay beyond. But standing still wasn¡¯t an option. Soon whatever horrors were in this forest, they were going to be attracted to the buck, and he didn¡¯t want to be here when it did. He rolled his shoulders, adjusted his grip on the knife, and started walking. Time to find out what kind of world he had been thrown into. Chapter 4: The Unknown Forest 2 Kael steadied himself as he climbed out of the rocky slope. His legs ached from the chase, his side still recovering the small amount left over damage, from the impact earlier. He planted his hands on the damp earth, taking a slow breath as he pushed himself upright. His body, although better, was still a bit sore. It wasn¡¯t just the fall or the chase, but everything. The level although making him a bit better, and fixing some things, didn''t take him back to top shape, the fight, the strange pull he had felt before collapsing. It all left him feeling drained. Still, there was no time to rest yet. And that meant he needed to move. Kael tilted his head up, eyes scanning the sky above the forest canopy. The light filtering through the towering trees had taken on the golden hues of dusk, casting long, jagged shadows over the uneven terrain. It¡¯s getting late. His fingers flexed against his side. He didn¡¯t have long before nightfall. A creeping sense of unease settled in his chest. If this forest had creatures like the Wildhorn buck, he didn¡¯t want to be caught out in the open after dark. He needed to find somewhere to rest for the night. Kael turned slowly, trying to get his bearings. The forest stretched in every direction a wall of trees, roots, and tangled underbrush. Each direction looked identical, equally dense, equally unfamiliar. No signs, no landmarks, no trails. Just a maze of ancient trees reaching endlessly into the sky. He hesitated. Which direction should he go? He clenched his jaw. Did it even matter? With a quiet sigh, he chose a direction and started walking. As he moved deeper into the forest, he let his focus shift to his surroundings. The trees were immense, towering higher than anything he had ever seen. Some stretched hundreds of meters into the air, their bark rough and thick, their roots breaking through the earth like the bones of some massive beast. Kael remembered his mother telling him when he was in high school, after being sent home for the millionth time getting into a fight with the other students, not that anyone cared why the fights always started. She told him that she had learned on the Discovery Channel that there is a theoretical maximum height for trees. The bigger and taller they get the harder it is to get water to all its branches. If he remembered that correctly the tallest of earth''s trees should have been around 100 meters. She always rambled on about things she had seen or learned whenever there was something serious to talk about. Choosing instead to pretend it never happened. As if that would one day make it so. Kael refocused, noticing that the most unnerving part was the subtle blue glow running through them. Faint streaks of pulsing light ran through the bark, like veins under the skin, shifting just beneath the surface. The glow wasn¡¯t bright, more like an afterimage, but so subtle it was easy to miss if he wasn¡¯t looking closely. Then there were the leaves. The ones still attached to the branches had a faint shimmer, barely noticeable. But the ones that had fallen lost their glow completely, turning into normal, lifeless foliage. Kael bent down and picked up a dry leaf. Why? Was there something in the trees themselves that kept them infused with what made them glow, is it essence? Did they lose their energy the moment they left their source? This world isn¡¯t just bigger. It¡¯s¡­ so different.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. More than just a landscape change. The very biology of things had shifted. A flicker of movement caught his eye. Kael stilled, his eyes tracking toward the branches above. A bird sat perched on a thick, low-hanging limb, its head tilted slightly as if watching him. At first glance, it looked like a normal sparrow. Small, feathered, nothing out of the ordinary. But then he noticed the size. It was three times larger than it should have been. Its feathers had an almost iridescent sheen, reflecting a subtle shimmer of blue light from the surrounding trees. It turned its head, watching him with sharp, intelligent eyes before flitting off into the canopy. Kael released a slow breath. Then, his gaze dropped to the forest floor. Something scurried past his boot a beetle, the size of his fist. Kael took a reflexive step back. "Yeah¡­ people who hate bugs would absolutely lose their minds in this place." His lips twitched in amusement, but the thought lingered. Even the small creatures were different. If something as harmless as a beetle had tripled in size¡­ What had happened to the predators, how changed and deadly was a wolf? A snake? Kael continued walking, choosing not to contemplate more about that train of thought. His boots pressed into the damp earth, the forest growing darker with every passing minute. He kept his eyes peeled for anything that could serve as shelter. A cave? No luck. A hollowed-out tree? Not in sight. A rocky overhang? Not a damn one in sight, not that it would be much but better than nothing at this point. Damn it. He had been moving for what felt like an hour, and there was still nowhere to hide. The shadows stretched longer, creeping through the undergrowth. The air carried a faint chill, the warmth of the day fading into the cold of the approaching night, but still warmer than a usual summer night. Still, it was a cold morning when he went out for his hunt and had taken on a good jacket and a worm pair of socks. It was meant to snow soon; it was that time of year but looking at this environment it didn¡¯t look like that was happening any time soon. The forest looked like it was a tropical forest. His hands clenched at his sides. It was taking time to find shelter. This isn¡¯t good. That''s when he saw it. A massive tree had fallen, its trunk resting at an angle against another. It was huge, thick enough that he could have fit an entire room inside the width of its trunk. And most importantly it was climbable, difficult and dangerous, but climbable. Kael approached, running his hand along the rough bark of the tall tree. Like the others, it pulsed faintly with blue streaks, glowing softly in the dimming light. This will work. If he could climb up to one of the larger branches, he could get off the ground, away from whatever creatures hunted at night. It was as good as it would get for him before nightfall, and it was better than the alternative. Kael hoisted himself up, using the rough grooves of the bark for grip. The climb was awkward, but his arms were strong enough to keep him moving, the physical routine he kept for all these years, even when he started living in the wilderness alone, paid off here well. After a few minutes, he reached a thick, sturdy branch, wide enough that he could rest without immediately falling off. Kael leaned back against the tree trunk, catching his breath. Then, he looked up. Now high in altitude, he could get a better look at the sky without it being hidden away by the trees. The night sky stretched above him, clearer than anything he had ever seen before. Without light pollution, the stars were sharp, vivid, and endless. Constellations he didn¡¯t recognize scattered across the darkness, unfamiliar yet mesmerizing. Living in God knows where he was used to getting some nights with beautiful sky, it was one of the things he liked to do and enjoyed. But it never was this clear, not even close. But it was the moons that truly caught his attention. And yes, moons as in plural, 3 to be exact. One massive and pale silver dominated the sky. The second was smaller, reddish, partially hidden behind the first. And the third is a faint blue shadow, barely visible in the distance. That¡¯s new. What happened to our moon? Are these the other worlds? Can¡¯t be we were shown them merging with earth. So perhaps these new moons belong to those other worlds? Did the moon of Earth merge with the other worlds moons like Earth did with the other planets, and these three are the results? Despite everything that had happened today, the chaos, the danger, the uncertainty, this moment was beautiful. Kael let himself enjoy it. The night settled in the forest as a blanket. Then the sounds began. Somewhere deep in the forest, a low howl echoed through the trees. It was distant, but not distant enough for his liking. A moment later, something growled. Another howl, closer this time. Kaels body went tense. The forest had been quiet before. Unnaturally so. But now? It was as if it was coming alive. Kael forced himself to relax. He was off the ground. That was the best he could do for now. He shifted slightly, adjusting against the bark. His tiredness and today¡¯s exhaustion creeping in. He closed his eyes, letting sleep take him. Just a little rest. Just enough to stay alert. Then a rustle. His eyes snapped open. Something moved far below. Kael stayed perfectly still, ears straining, trying hard not to make a sound. More movement. Something was down there, something big. Hunting. And Kael could only hope it wouldn¡¯t look up. Chapter 5: The Night Kael didn¡¯t move. His breathing was shallow, controlled. His muscles tensed as he listened to the faint, deliberate steps approaching below. Whatever was moving was big. The sound of shifting weight, the subtle crunch of leaves, and the heavy drag of something thick across the ground sent a chill up his spine. Then, silence. Kael remained still, straining his ears. Whatever was down there had stopped moving. For a long moment, he debated whether to look. If it sensed him, would he be giving himself away? But in the end, his curiosity won out. Slowly, he inched forward, keeping his body low and balanced on the thick tree branch. He tilted his head, carefully peering down between the thick leaves. And then, he saw it. The creature standing beneath the tree was unlike anything Kael had ever seen. At first glance, it looked like some twisted abomination of nature, a beast that shouldn¡¯t exist. Its body was heavily armored, covered in overlapping plates like a pangolin, but they were thicker, bulkier, giving it a monstrous, tank-like appearance. The plates were dark green, almost blending with the moss and vegetation that had grown over its back. Its legs were powerful, thick with muscles, ending in sharp claws that dug into the earth. But its head that was the worst part. It had a long, tubular snout, like that of an anteater, but larger¡ªeasily the size of Kael¡¯s torso. The mouth at the end of the snout was lined with serrated teeth, capable of clamping down and crushing bones. But what made Kael¡¯s stomach churn was the tongue. A long, forked appendage flicked out from its maw, wet and glistening in the faint moonlight. The barbed tips looked sharp enough to hook and tear flesh. Kael¡¯s vision flickered, and a prompt appeared. [ Venom Maw ¨C Level 5 ] Kael stared, his pulse pounding in his ears. Level 5. That was higher than the Wildhorn, looked stronger, and deadlier than it too. And it was right below him. His heartbeat quickened as he tried to remain completely motionless. Then, before he could react, something else moved. A flicker of gray in the underbrush. A small, humanoid figure darted between the trees. Kael barely had a moment to process what he was seeing before a second prompt appeared. [ Gloomkin ¨C Level 1 ] A goblin-like creature, but different. It was short and thin, with dark gray skin that blended into the shadows. Its eyes were pure black, hollow pits that reflected no light. Its mouth was filled with sharp yellow teeth, curled into a perpetual snarl. It moved fast, ducking and weaving through the foliage. It¡¯s running. Kael barely had time to think what was going on, before the Venom Maw struck.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Its tongue shot out a blur of movement in the dim light. The barbed tip hooked into the Gloomkin¡¯s chest before it could react and evade. The small creature let out a shriek, struggling violently, but it was already too late. The tongue retracted, dragging the helpless creature back toward the gaping maw. Kael barely caught a glimpse of its terrified expression before the Venom Maw¡¯s teeth clamped down. A wet crunch. Just like that it was gone. Kael clenched his jaw, horrified. The Venom Maw chewed slowly, its armored body shifting as it swallowed. The remains of the Gloomkin¡¯s blood pooled on the ground beneath it, the dark liquid seeping into the dirt. Kael remained completely still; he hadn¡¯t dared move for fear of being next. If that thing has a good sense of smell, and it smells me up here, I¡¯m dead, and it won¡¯t be pretty. He didn¡¯t know how good the monsters in the forest¡¯s sense of smell was either. But it didn¡¯t take a genius to know that, after what just happened, the noise of the little monster made when it was dying. Coupled with the blood that he himself could smell from here, yeah, he wasn¡¯t willing to risk it. His thoughts drifted back to himself and his own scent. He had been sweating the entire day from running to climbing, as well as being covered in dried blood from the Wildhorn, and now that he thought about it he hadn¡¯t showered this morning. Fantastic. I probably smell horrible. Not exactly ideal for avoiding predators, with most likely enhanced senses. As soon as the Venom Maw lumbered off, Kael made his decision. I need to get the hell out of this tree. There was no chance he was getting a peaceful rest here. Slowly, carefully, Kael lowered himself down the tree, using the rough bark to keep his footing steady. Every movement was controlled, every breath shallow. Luckily, he hadn¡¯t climbed too far up. So, it didn¡¯t take long for him to go down. Specially with the help of the downed tree. Once his feet touched the ground, he moved low and fast, sticking to the bushes, avoiding open terrain. His heart pounded with every rustle, every whisper of wind through the branches. Then he heard it. The faint rush of running water. A river, and from the sound of it, it was not small. Relief flooded through him. Fresh water. A way to clean himself up. If there are no animals or monsters, then that would be fantastic. He quickened his pace, he finally saw the river, it was in a clearing, going from, what appeared to him north to south. Splitting the forest in two. A blur of movement in the darkness. Pain ripped through his shoulder. Kael staggered to the side and into the clearing, barely catching himself before he collapsed. Something had slashed him. Aiming for his neck but hitting his shoulder instead. It had barely missed because he was in the middle of standing up. He could have died just now, and he wouldn¡¯t have known it. Dread filled him, just thinking about it. His vision blurred, but as he turned his head, he saw what had attacked him. A black-furred beast crouched low to the ground, its body sleek and silent, its eyes locked onto him. It made no noise. No growl. No warning. Just pure, calculated aggression. A prompt appeared. [ Duskfang Stalker ¨C Level 8 ] Level 8, did that mean it was four times as strong as him, stat-wise? And it had mini daggers for claws. Kael¡¯s froze in fear. Then, before the beast could attack again Something else moved from the corner of his eye. The thing lunged from the foliage. A massive snake, its scales dark like polished stone, its fangs the size of Kael¡¯s forearm. It struck the Stalker. The two monsters collided in a blur of fangs, claws, and muscles. Kael¡¯s primal instincts screamed followed by his brain. The message was clear. Kael didn¡¯t hesitate any longer. He sprinted toward the river. The clearing was bathed in different colored light, the moons casting an otherworldly glow over the water. He didn¡¯t stop. He threw himself into the lukewarm current, the shock of the landing punching the air from his lungs. The current pulled at him, dragging him downstream, but he fought against it, kicking, swimming, forcing himself toward the other side. He struggled with his right shoulder, feeling the burning pain of the claw marks as he used it, but still, he kept going. Gritting his teeth through it. His muscles burned, his lungs screamed, but he kept moving. Finally, he reached the shore. Coughing, and in pain, he hauled himself onto the bank. Gasping for air to rush in, he turned back The Duskfang Stalker and the snake were still fighting. Another prompt appeared. [ Titanfang Serpent ¨C Level 8 ] Kael looked on stupefied. He did not have time to fully process that thing earlier. It was massive easily the size of a small car, its body thick with brutal muscle, its fangs curved like daggers of bone. Kael didn¡¯t stick around. He turned and ran into the trees. He was getting very good at doing that lately. After what felt like forever, he finally slowed. His shoulder throbbed, the wound stinging. Like an apology gift for all the trouble he went through today, he saw a shabby treehouse, holding together on a smaller tree. A rope ladder dangled from its side. Kael didn¡¯t think twice. He climbed up, using for the most part his good arm. Reaching the small wooden platform. He realized that It was cramped but surprisingly sturdy. Safe finally. Pain pulsed through his arm. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small emergency bandage. "Breaking my damn leg once on a hike was one too many. That was a good way to hammer in the lesson, bandage can spare you a lot of pain." Ever since then, he carried with him a small bandage when he went out for a hike or hunting. He wrapped the wound, hissing as the fabric tightened. Luckily the bandage was dry being in an airtight bag helped. His clothes were soaked, but inside the enclosed space, he wasn¡¯t in immediate danger of the night, it was a chilling night but nothing too cold, the tree house walls keeping the saml wind away, he would survive. Not comfortable but survive. Exhaustion hit him like a sledgehammer. He leaned back against the wooden wall. Then, finally, like food to a starving individual, Kael let it all go and passed out. Chapter 6: Echoes of the Past Kael¡¯s mind drifted into the depths of sleep, exhaustion claiming him as his body settled into a dream a memory long buried but never truly forgotten. The air was warm, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and damp soil. Sunlight filtered through the leafy canopy above, casting flickering shadows over the yard. The sound of rustling leaves and distant cars on the main road blended into the quiet hum of a small town. This was when Kael was ten years old. The treehouse stood proudly in the backyard, nestled among the sturdy branches of an old oak tree. His father, Richard, had built it for him one of the rare moments when he was a father, when he wasn¡¯t otherwise absent. Kael sat on the tire swing, kicking his legs gently, letting himself sway back and forth. His small hands clutched the thick rope as he stared at the back of their aging house. Through the kitchen window, he could see them. His parents were fighting again. His father¡¯s broad frame loomed over his mother; his face contorted with frustration. His mother, Eleanor, stood with her arms folded, her expression torn between anger and exhaustion. Their voices were muffled, but the tension was clear. Then, it happened, like so many times. His mother¡¯s shoulders slumped, her arms dropping to her sides as she broke down in tears. Kael¡¯s swinging stopped. His small hands loosened on the rope as his stomach twisted. It was always like this. He climbed off the swing and approached the back door cautiously. The kitchen was to the right, the door slightly open, and the argument spilled into the air. ¡°You always do this when you''re back!¡± Eleanor¡¯s voice cracked as she wiped at her face. ¡°It¡¯s not like I¡¯m asking for much.¡± ¡°Much?! Much?!¡± Richard¡¯s voice was sharp, edged with exhaustion. ¡°How am I supposed to pick up the girl from kindergarten when I¡¯m working three jobs, just so I can feed your damn scratch paper collection in the back of the drawer? Did you think I didn¡¯t know?¡± Kael froze in the hallway, just out of sight. He didn¡¯t need to see them to know what would happen next. His mother sobbed. His father¡¯s voice grew colder. The same cycle, the same pain. Tuning them out, Kael walked past the kitchen, heading into the living room, where the TV was turned up loud enough to drown out the shouting. His older brother, Devin, sat on the couch, staring blankly at the screen. Star Trek was playing, the same few episodes. Kael hesitated before speaking. ¡°Devin, do you wanna play outside?¡± Devin didn¡¯t even look at him. ¡°Go bother someone else.¡± Kael clenched his fists. ¡°Come on, you never do anything with me.¡± His brother exhaled sharply, irritated. ¡°Just shut up Kael and go away.¡± The back-and-forth grew louder, his brother¡¯s annoyance fueling Kael¡¯s frustration. It wasn¡¯t fair. No one ever listened. No one ever cared. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Heavy footsteps approached. Their father stormed into the room, his face set in a thunderous glare that if it could, would set you a flame. ¡°Turn the damn TV off!¡± he snapped at Devin. Devin¡¯s jaw clenched. He gripped the remote. ¡°I don¡¯t want to! You guys are just gonna keep fighting, so why does what I want to watch matter to you!?¡± Richard¡¯s hand clenched into a fist. ¡°You wanna talk like that to me, boy? You wanna be like your filthy-mouth mother?!¡± Devin¡¯s expression hardened. The challenge was silent but clear. To Kael, his brother never learned. Their father unbuckled his belt. The scene shifted. Suddenly, Kael found himself somewhere else, a different time, a different moment. It was a school office. He sat in a stiff chair beside his mother, her arms crossed, fingers drumming against her arm. Across from them, his teacher a tired woman in her forties sighed, her hands folded on her desk. Kael recognized the day immediately. It was the day of the fight, and the meeting that changed his future. ¡°Mrs. Aranthis,¡± the teacher started, her tone careful. ¡°This is not the first time Kael has been involved in an incident. Today, he broke another student¡¯s nose and gave him a black eye.¡± Kael tuned her out, lost in his own thoughts, replaying what had happened. It had started like what was to him every other bad day. Kael had been sitting alone at lunch when Deren, one of the school bullies, approached. Mocking. Laughing. Pushing. ¡°Nice clothes, Kael. Did your mom spend her casino winnings on them? Oh wait you guys don¡¯t win anything, do you?¡± Kael¡¯s jaw tightened. Don¡¯t say anything. Ignore him. Deren leaned in closer. ¡°I heard your dad left ¡®cause you¡¯re too stupid to get good grades. I¡¯d leave too if I had a kid as dumb as you.¡± The next thing Kael knew. His fist had slammed into Deren¡¯s face. The boy had stumbled back, nose gushing blood. The second punch had given him the black eye. Kael had kept hitting until the teachers had dragged him off. The teacher¡¯s voice pulled him back to the present. ¡°¡­This behavior cannot continue.¡± His mother, Eleanor, sighed, rubbing her forehead. ¡°He doesn¡¯t act like this at home.¡± Kael almost laughed. That was a lie. She shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do with him. His sister is much better behaved.¡± Kael¡¯s stomach twisted. The teacher continued. ¡°His grades are slipping; his discipline is non-existent. If something doesn¡¯t change soon, Kael, there is no future for you. And Mrs. Aranthis frankly I don¡¯t see an academic future ever happening with these grades. It will be a miracle if he even finishes high school¡± Kael stayed silent. Then, the teacher turned to his mother. ¡°Mrs. Aranthis, maybe you should consider preparing him for the military, so he can join when he comes of age. It might instill some discipline before it¡¯s too late. I know a family that did that, and they swore up and down how that was a life changer for their son. They say that he went as an uncontrolled child and came back as a respectable man.¡± Eleanor hesitated. Then, slowly, she nodded. Kael¡¯s chest tightened. The dream began to fade. Chapter 7: The first morning after Kael woke with a grimace, shifting uncomfortably on the wooden floor of the treehouse. His body ached, stiff from sleeping in such an awkward position. A dull throb pulsed through his shoulder where the wound lay hidden beneath the bandages. He let out a slow breath, blinking against the early morning light filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. He had slept like garbage. With a groan, he rubbed at his face. It had been a long time since he had dreamed of his childhood, and even longer since he had thought about his family at all. He wasn¡¯t the kind of person who liked dwelling on the past; it was easier to keep moving forward. But something about yesterday and last night¡¯s exhaustion must have cracked that mental barrier wide open. Pushing the thoughts aside, he turned his focus outward. The night had been surprisingly forgiving in terms of temperature. Even with his soaked clothes, he hadn¡¯t frozen in his sleep, which was a small miracle. He had been worried he¡¯d wake up shivering and sick, but aside from the general discomfort, he felt fine. Tired, sore, but not sick. By now, his clothes had dried against him, somewhere in the early days warmth, leaving only a faint stiffness from the dried river water. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the grit clinging to his scalp. He needed to clean up, badly. And he needed water. His throat was dry, and his lips felt slightly chapped. Dehydration wasn¡¯t something he could afford to ignore. His mind instantly went to the river clearing. That was the only place he had seen water so far. Which meant he had to go back. Kael exhaled through his nose, glancing around the small, cramped treehouse. He had decided last night that this place would serve as his shelter until he found something better. It was elevated, offering safety from ground-dwelling predators, and despite its shabby appearance, it had held up well enough. Still, he wasn¡¯t about to just step outside blindly. He inched toward the door opening, staying low as he scanned the forest from his vantage point. His eyes darted across the dense underbrush, the massive trees standing like silent sentinels around him. The world had returned to its eerie quiet. No bird chirping, No rustling. Just stillness. Nothing moved. That was both good and disturbing, Kael didn''t understand how quiet this forest was, usually some animals made noise. Slowly, he climbed down, careful with each step. Once he reached the forest floor, he took a moment to roll his shoulder experimentally. The pain was still there, but less than it should have been. He frowned, moving his muscles around. He still felt sore, but compared to last night, it was significantly better. Is this because of the stats? That thought lingered, but he shoved it aside. Water first. Kael moved through the trees, keeping his steps controlled, and careful. The forest was a maze, and he didn¡¯t have a clear memory of where exactly he had come from last night. Between the darkness, panic, and running for his life, he had barely paid attention to his surroundings, or where he was going. Still, he followed what he remembered looked like the right direction, occasionally stopping to reorient himself. The silence gnawed at him, but eventually, after what felt like forever, he heard running water, and soon after spotted the river ahead.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Kael slowed, crouching just within the tree line. He took his time observing the clearing. The river flowed steadily, glistening under the morning light. He noticed several trees with thick roots extending into the water, their gnarled limbs creating natural perches above the surface. More importantly, the clearing was empty. Kael watched for a few more minutes, listening, observing. When nothing changed, he moved forward. The moment he reached the riverbank, he dropped to his knees and cupped the water into his hands, drinking deeply. The refreshing liquid rushed down his throat, and he let out an audible sigh. He drank greedily, almost desperately, like a man lost in the desert finally finding an oasis. Normally, he would have been cautious. Watch animals drink from it first. Boil it. Do something to make sure it wasn¡¯t contaminated. But he had already swallowed some of it while swimming across the river. He hadn¡¯t gotten sick, at least not yet. And it wasn¡¯t like he had the tools to purify it anyway. Either the water was safe, or he¡¯d find out later. After drinking his fill, he exhaled and pulled the airtight plastic bag from his pocket. He had stored his emergency bandage in it, but now, he repurposed it. Dipping it into the water, he filled it up carefully, then sealed it tight before stuffing it back into his pocket. It was maybe good for 2 or 3 uses before he had to come back for more. Hopefully, the bag will hold up for a while, at least until he finds a better, way to transport water and store it. That way he wouldn¡¯t be taking any random trips to the river often when he needed to drink. He placed the unused bandage into his pocket, though he was quickly running out of space. A grimace tugged at his lips. He needed a proper bag. Kael imagined his hand reaching to the ground to his side, where his old hiking backpack usually would have been. Damn. He would have killed to have it right now. With that done, he turned his attention to his injured shoulder. After taking off the used bandage he took a look. The wound had stopped bleeding sometime in the night, and while it still looked bad, it wasn¡¯t actively getting worse. That¡¯s faster than it should be, right? He hesitated for a moment before deciding to check. A familiar chime echoed in his skull. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 2 EXP: 0/50 Rank: Mortal Stats:

Titles:

Skills:

Equipment:

Kael¡¯s brows furrowed as he scanned the information. Level 2. His EXP, he imagined, was short for experience, he had played some RPG games when he still had a computer, before moving to the wilderness and, as such understood some principles. He noticed it was empty. The stats though¡­ He hadn¡¯t thought much about them before, there was simply no time to. Now, he was wondering what some of them actually did. Strength was obvious. Agility too. But what about Wisdom? Essence Control? He would have to figure it out eventually. Then, his eyes landed on First Blood. ¡°Increased damage against beasts?¡± he muttered under his breath. ¡°What even counts as a beast? Are those monsters I saw beasts? What about that small child-looking thing, is it a beast?¡± If those monsters counted¡­ that was useful, he would have to see how, and how much. But what about intelligent creatures? Now with even more questions, Kael moved on to the Equipment tab. His knife and antler blade were listed, along with his clothes. But not his water bag or bandage. Does it only list weapons and things that serve as protection? A cool breeze brushed against his exposed shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts. He needed to finish up, before something came for water, and found him staring at what looked like empty space. Kael knelt at the river¡¯s edge and washed his wound, the cold water stinging slightly. Then, he took out the fresh bandage one more time, before putting it away again, he then proceeded to wrap it around his shoulder tightly. He took one last glance at the flowing river, then stood up. Now for something to eat. Chapter 8: prey Kael moved cautiously through the forest, his steps slow and deliberate. His body had adjusted to the aches of his previous wounds, his shoulder feeling better, but not perfect. The tight bandage helped keep the pain at bay, though he occasionally winced when he overextended his movements. His mind, however, was sharper than ever. Recent events had forced a shift in his thinking. He wasn¡¯t just moving through unfamiliar terrain anymore; he was going to try to forage or hunt in it; he had no choice. Every sound, every shift of wind through the leaves, every oddly placed shadow it all mattered now. He had already encountered creatures far more dangerous than anything that roamed his old world. A single mistake could mean death. He couldn¡¯t afford mistakes. Kael tried his best to memorize his surroundings as he retraced his steps toward the treehouse. He needed to remember the way back; he couldn¡¯t risk getting lost. The dense trees stretched endlessly in every direction, their trunks massive and twisted, with thick roots bursting from the ground like ancient veins of the earth. He took note of the subtle details of the way one tree had a particularly deep groove in its bark, the patch of strange, glowing moss clinging to another. Landmarks. Visual cues. If he got lost in this place, he might never find his shelter again. His grip tightened on his knife as he passed through the undergrowth. He was growing more aware of how vulnerable he was in this environment. Back home, the small town he had left behind he had hunted before. Nothing big, mostly deer or small game, and that continued when he moved to live in the wilderness. But out here? This wasn¡¯t the same. The animals weren¡¯t normal. The rules of the wild had changed. A snapping twig to his left made him freeze. His breath caught in his throat as he slowly turned his head, heart hammering. He lowered his stance, fingers tightening around the hilt of his blade. Listening. Watching. Waiting. Silence. Just the wind. Kael exhaled through his nose, forcing himself to relax. Paranoia was good. Paranoia kept him alive, especially here. After another few minutes of careful maneuvering, he reached the treehouse. The small structure stood exactly as he left it, barely hanging together yet surprisingly sturdy. He looked up at it from below, studying how it blended with the surrounding trees. The vantage point was good, giving him a good view. He climbed up quickly, testing the strength of the rope ladder with every step before putting his full weight on it, he hadn¡¯t gotten to see how well it held up last night, basically flying up as he did. No surprises. No sudden noises. Good. When he reached the small wooden platform, he crouched by the entrance, scanning the area again. Nothing. The eerie silence of the forest remained unchanged, the inside of the treehouse being simply an empty cramp, barely fitting space when he sat straight. Kael mused that it must have been randomly placed here when the world changed. Kael allowed himself a brief time to relax, before lowering himself onto the floor of his makeshift home. He didn¡¯t linger long, though. He needed to move. The river was west, which meant he would head north this time. Kael descended the treehouse, gripping his knife as he moved through the underbrush. He had a new goal in mind, food. Water was secured for now, how safe it was, had yet to be decided, but if he didn¡¯t eat something soon, his body would start feeling the effects. He moved carefully through the terrain, eyes scanning the foliage for any sign of berries or plants he recognized. Survival training and hunting trips had taught him that certain berries were safe to eat, but the ones he saw here? Completely unfamiliar. One bush had clusters of small, deep-purple berries hanging from its branches, the skin of the fruit slightly translucent in the sunlight. Another bore tiny red fruits, growing in uneven bunches along the vine-like stems. Some plants had subtle bioluminescence, similar to the glowing veins in the trees. He crouched beside one of the bushes, studying the berries closely. They looked edible. But so did plenty of poisonous plants. Kael ran his fingers over the surface of the purple berries. There was no wax coating and no obvious sign of toxicity. But that didn¡¯t mean anything. He knew better than to take risks with unknown food sources. His stomach growled in protest. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Not dying over some mystery berries,¡± he muttered to himself. He stood up and continued searching. If he couldn¡¯t find recognizable plants, he needed to hunt. That¡¯s when he saw it. Tracks. Kael crouched low, eyes narrowing as he examined the impressions in the dirt. They were similar to a hare¡¯s footprint elongated, the back feet leaving deeper impressions than the front ones. But the size was wrong. Far too big. Kael frowned. ¡°This thing¡¯s huge for a hare.¡± The tracks led deeper into the woods, winding through the undergrowth. His instincts sharpened the old familiar thrill of tracking kicking in. Kael had always been a capable hunter. Back home, when he first moved into the wilderness, he hadn¡¯t hunted much at first buying food was easier. But over time, he had grown to appreciate the skill, and hunting small game when he needed fresh meat. He could read trails, interpret signs, and move without making too much sound. Putting those skills to use. Kael started following the Trail Tracing the footprints deeper into the woods, moving with precision. Step carefully. Avoid breaking twigs. Stay low. The morning sun was still high, meaning he had a good amount of time before he needed to think about heading back. As he followed the trail, more signs of the creature became apparent a small patch of fur caught on a bush, and scratch marks on the bark of a nearby tree. Then, he heard it. A faint rustling ahead. Kael slowed, lowering his stance as he moved toward the sound. Silent. Cautious. Controlled. He pressed himself close to a nearby bush, peering through the leaves. There it was. A hare or at least, something that used to be a hare. The creature was almost twice the size of a normal adult hare. Its fur was thicker, its muscles were more defined. But the most surprising feature? Small, sharp horns jutted from the sides of its cheeks. Another mutation, but not as drastic as some of these other monsters, hopefully meaning it was good to eat. He watched, waited, observing. Then movement. A flicker by the base of a tree, just to his right. Kael¡¯s eyes snapped to it immediately. Something was there. Something sneaking up on the hare. He kept still, patient. A small, humanoid shape emerged from behind the tree, creeping closer to the hare. Thin, gray skin. Black, hollow eyes. Sharp yellow teeth. He knew what that was. A prompt flickered into view. [ Gloomkin ¨C Level 2 ] Kael¡¯s fingers tightened, his hand going for the antler blade and holding it ready. It was the same creature he had seen die, the same type of goblin-like thing that had been eaten by the Venom Maw. This one was alive. And hunting. Its black, soulless eyes flickered toward the hare, but it hadn¡¯t noticed Kael. Kael suppressed a shiver. Those eyes were worse in daylight. Then, he noticed something else. The Gloomkin was holding a bow. A crude, primitive thing just a bent stick strung together with what looked like sinew. The arrow? A sharpened stick, its tip made from a crude stone. Kael¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. That¡¯s barely a weapon. The thing looked like it would break after one shot. Then The Gloomkin drew the string back struggling and fired. The arrow flew and managed to barely hit the hare at all, missing the body and hitting the hare¡¯s neck. Blood spilled into the dirt. Kael didn¡¯t move, he just watched. Waiting. The hare¡¯s body twitched as it struggled to escape, its powerful legs kicking against the ground, but the crude arrow had done its job well enough. The wound was deep, dark blood soaking into the dirt beneath it. Its struggles grew weaker with every passing second. Kael continued to remain still, observing the creature.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The Gloomkin let out a delighted, guttural chuckle, its thin fingers flexing excitedly as it slowly crept toward its dying prey. It moved with an unnatural twitchiness, its joints shifting in sharp, deliberate motions. In the broad daylight, Kael couldn¡¯t get over how its black eyes showed its pure sadistic intent. Kael suppressed a shiver. He had planned to observe the hare for a while, maybe lure it into a trap later when he knew what it ate, how it moved, how it reacted. But that would have taken time. This? This was perfect. Kael¡¯s grip on his tightened as he calculated his chances. Level 2. That was the same as him. It was small too, not even half his size, and was distracted. This was his best opportunity to kill something close to his power. If he could get close enough before it noticed him, he could take it down quickly. His heart pounded as he made his decision. He was going to kill it. Kael moved slowly, shifting his weight onto the front of his feet as he began his approach. His steps were measured, avoiding loose branches and dry leaves as he crept closer. The Gloomkin, completely focused on its catch, paid him no mind. It bent down, inspecting the hare¡¯s weakening body, giving another sharp, giddy laugh. Kael did his best to slowly breathe, easing his nerves. No hesitation, do it quickly and fast. No mistakes. He reached the edge of the bush, just a few feet behind the creature. His muscles tensed then with the smallest feeling in both his arm holding the antler blade, and legs. Kael moved with a bit more power than he expected but was welcome. Making what followed easier. Kael lunged forward fast, the crude blade flashing as he slammed into the small creature¡¯s back. The Gloomkin shrieked, its arms flailing wildly, but Kael was already moving. He wrapped his left arm around its throat, pulling it back as he drove his blade forward. The knife buried itself deep into its ribs. A sickening gurgle escaped the creature¡¯s throat as it twisted violently, struggling against his grip. Its face was away from him, and he luckily didn¡¯t get any of the nasty blood on him. Kael gritted his teeth, adjusting his stance as the thing kicked and clawed at him, making shallow cuts with its nails. He pulled the blade free, then plunged it back into its chest. The Gloomkin convulsed, a final shudder running through its small body before it went limp in his grasp. Kael continued holding the body for a moment longer to make sure it was dead. Then, the chime rang in his mind. [ You have slain Gloomkin ¨C Level 2 ] [ Experience Gained: 20 EXP ] Pushing aside the notification, Kael turned his attention back to the hare¡¯s corpse and the dead Gloomkin. He needed to move fast. He didn¡¯t want to stay too long in one place, especially if this thing could make a weapon, it could mean it had some intelligence, and perhaps be sapient, and that could mean it might have friends nearby, he couldn¡¯t take the chance. Kael crouched next to the hare, pulling his blade free from the Gloomkin, noticing how badly it held up, already whatever energy was inside was gone. He sighed before wiping it on his pant leg. If not a reliable weapon, It would come in handy for something. He had to skin the hare here, storing away the antler blade in the hole he had made in his back pockets, allowing it to fit for easier access, he took out his knife instead. Carrying raw meat through the forest wasn¡¯t ideal, but he had no choice, instead, he would limit the amount. With practiced hands, he set to work, making quick incisions along the belly of the hare, peeling back its thick fur. He worked efficiently, ignoring the discomfort of doing this in the open. The process was messy, but in just a few minutes, he had several cut sections of meat, the rest left behind with the bones and fur. Kael sighed. Now, he has a new problem, carrying the meat. He didn¡¯t have a proper way to store this. If he carried raw meat, the smell would follow him, as well as the dripping blood might as well give his home address to any would-be predator. Every predator in this damn forest would be able to track and follow him. He needed to mask it, at least as best as he could. Thinking that an idea came to him. His shirt. Kael hesitated, then pulled off his black KISS concert shirt, one of his few favorite bands, as well as one of the few things he still had from his old world. Looking at it made him hesitate again. Then, he cut into it. With his knife, he tore it into strips. Now, wearing only his jacket, he went for his water bag. He picked the meat up and grabbed his water bag. He needed to rinse and squeeze the blood off, before wrapping the pieces tightly around the meat, layering it multiple times to reduce the scent as much as possible. Which he did shortly after one by one. Getting a total of 3 chunks of meat It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was better than nothing. ¡°Hopefully, I won¡¯t be dripping blood through the damn forest,¡± he muttered. Then he froze. A sound. A branch snapped. Kael whipped his head around, scanning the trees. Nothing. But something was there. Maybe it wasn¡¯t so far-fetched to think it might have some friends nearby. Time to Go. Kael didn¡¯t waste a second. He stood up, securing the wrapped meat in his grip as he turned and headed back toward the treehouse. His movements were quick, but controlled, his senses on high alert. He didn¡¯t look back. Whatever it was he wasn¡¯t sticking around to find out. Kael moved swiftly but carefully, his mind already running through potential scenarios. The snap of the branch had been too distinct, too sudden, to be natural. He had no proof of what it was, but he had learned by now, better to assume something was hunting him than to get caught off guard. His heart was racing, but his mind was steady, and focused, his handle on the wrapped meat tightened as he ducked low beneath a twisted root, maneuvering his way through the thick underbrush. He kept his knife in his free hand, ready for anything. The journey back felt longer, every rustling leaf and shifting shadow setting his nerves on edge. But he wasn¡¯t panicking. He was learning, though it had only been 2 days, and he was adapting fast, he had no choice but to. Already, he was moving differently than before. He stuck closer to natural cover, stepping where the earth was soft to muffle his footfalls. His eyes darted between the trees, checking angles, looking for anything that might indicate movement other than his own. In the back of his mind, he knew this was more than he would have done before, he could feel the changes to his mind and enhanced perception. His overly high level of caution made the trip slower, but it was necessary. Better cautious than dead. After what felt like an hour, and couldn¡¯t have been more than 2, he finally spotted the treehouse through the gaps in the thick foliage. He forced himself to stop, forcing himself to watch the area first. Was anything waiting for him? Had something followed? Silence. The same unnatural quiet that had settled in his bones since waking up in this world. After another minute of observation, he was satisfied enough to move forward. Reaching the base of the tree, he looked up, checking the rope ladder. Still there. Still intact. With one last glance around, he slung the wrapped meat over his shoulder and began climbing. The ascent was awkward with only one arm, but he made do, pulling himself up with firm, measured movements. When he finally reached the platform, he exhaled deeply, letting the tension bleed out of his muscles. For a moment, he just sat there, back against the wooden wall. He had done it. Kael''s first real hunt in this world. As well as his first proper kill on one of the monsters. He still had no idea what the level system actually meant. The increase in stats was more obvious now, he could feel it in his body and mind, but how did it work? What did each stat truly affect? He needed answers and needed to experiment more on this sensation he kept feeling, specifically how it helped boost his body. But right now, food, his stomach was growling, at this rate it might just get him killed. Kael took a moment to re-secure the wrapped meat, making sure it wouldn¡¯t come undone. The smell would still linger, but at least it wouldn¡¯t be as obvious. Now, the next step. He couldn¡¯t just sit here and eat it raw. Which meant¡­fire. He started rubbing a hand down his face, not caring about how dirty it was. He had been avoiding that issue entirely, there was no safe space to make a fire that didn¡¯t attract things, but unless he wanted to chew on raw meat like a goddamn savage, he had no choice. Thinking more about it he concluded that the river was the best place. Open space. A clear view of approaching threats. A natural escape route, if necessary, and should something big show up, he could always dive in and let the current take him away. Not the safest option, it would also risk him being stuck somewhere more unknown for the night and unable to leave. Not a good thing to think about. but anything is better than getting torn apart. Shaking off the thoughts, he descended the tree once more, making sure to move quickly this time. The sooner he did this, the sooner he could get back. The trip was tense but uneventful. Kael moved with purpose, keeping close to any place offering cover, and avoiding open areas. He checked behind himself more than once, just in case something had chosen to follow him. Nothing. Still, he didn¡¯t let himself relax until he reached the river clearing. The glowing light of the veins running through the trees, and roots shimmered off the surface of the water, giving the entire scene an otherworldly glow. It was¡­ calm. Had he nothing to worry about, he would have enjoyed the view, as it was Kael stayed within the tree line, crouching low as he scanned the area. His eyes locked onto something on the far side of the river. Movement. His muscles tensed, his thoughts racing as he tried to observe as much as he could. Three creatures. At first, he thought they were Wildhorn Bucks, like the one he had killed before. But these were different. They were similar in appearance, massive, muscular deer-like creatures, with sharp, jagged blade-like antlers, but these had a subtle vein of grey light running down them. But their fur was a darker shade, and there was something almost predatory about the way they moved. The way they drank the water, constantly flicking their ears, scanning their surroundings. Watchful. Calculating. ¡°¡­Guess the water was safe, after all,¡± he muttered to himself, a dry smirk tugging at his lips. ¡°No need to worry about some super bacteria coming out the rear end.¡± He chuckled lightly at his own bad joke. Then, the System chimed, and several small notifications showed up before each one. [ Twilight Wildhorn ¨C Level 6 ] [ Twilight Wildhorn ¨C Level 6 ] [ Twilight Wildhorn ¨C Level 7 ] Kael froze. Level 6 and 7? Those things were stronger than the first Wildhorn he had killed, did it mean that it was just a simpler version of these? Thinking that the prompt updated as if waiting for him to ask for the information. [ Twilight Wildhorn (uncommon) ¨C Level 6 ] [ Twilight Wildhorn (uncommon) ¨C Level 6 ] [ Twilight Wildhorn (uncommon) ¨C Level 7 ] Kael¡¯s eyes went wide. He hadn¡¯t done anything, yet the system had given him more information. Did I just unlock some kind of rarity display? He stared at the prompt, realization creeping into his mind. Could it be that just wondering about it in the right way had triggered some hidden feature? Was there more information locked away unless he actively sought it out? If that was true¡­ then how much else was hidden from him? The creatures finished drinking, bringing Kael¡¯s focus back, after a moment, they moved on, disappearing back into the forest again. Kael waited. Five minutes. Ten minutes. When he was sure nothing else was lurking nearby, he finally stepped out into the clearing. Time to work. Kael had no real supplies, no lighter, no proper tools. But he knew how to make a simple survivor fire. He crouched down, digging into the dirt with his knife and the antler blade creating two holes close together, connecting them with a narrow tunnel underneath. A Dakota Fire Hole. One hole for the fire itself. One hole for ventilation, allowing oxygen to keep the flames strong. The advantages were obvious¡ªless smoke, harder to see, and more efficient burning. It was one of the first things he had learned when he started practicing survival skills. Hell, the first time he even heard of it was from this old group back in Ridgewood. It was called, ¡°Survival lessons in the Wilderness with Tom¡±. With, you guessed it, Tom. It was a small group of idiots playing survivalists, watching too many of those ¡°I survived 100 days in the woods!¡± YouTube videos. They had all laughed about it at the time. Kael hadn¡¯t thought much of it back then just something to pass the time. But it had grown on him in his late 20''s and come in handy when he was hiking, and now it was saving his life. Tom might probably be dead if monsters like this were everywhere. The last he heard of him, he had married but had an accident shortly after paralyzing him, the only thing that helped him keep the constant happy/goofy smile he always had as far as Kael could remember was his daughter, and how much joy she had brought him. But she was too young to make much of a difference here, not with monsters like this. Kael finished digging, then got up and moved to gather sticks. Finding dry wood wasn¡¯t difficult this place was full of broken branches and deadfall. Kael worked fast, collecting enough twigs and kindling to get a flame going. When he had enough, he returned to the fire pit, arranging them into a small, tight bundle. Now, the hard part. With no lighter or matches. He needed to go old school, simple friction. Kael grimaced, rubbing his hands together for warmth before picking up a dry, thin branch. He pressed the stick into a small groove he had made in a larger piece of wood, rolling it between his palms, fast and hard, generating friction. Now if this was before the system Kael would have been stuck going back and forth, for a while maybe even tiring his hands in the meantime. Now a different problem reared its head up, he was too strong. Every time he put pressure on the branch it broke resulting in him using bigger and bigger sizes, discarding the broken ones in the going to burn pile. All this resulted in this taking several minutes, but the reward was when he finally managed to both be delicate and firm plus generate a good deal more friction. Faster than he could manage before, he noted. A good-sized ember being made. Kael leaned in, cupping his hands around it, gently blowing. The ember caught, tiny flames licking at the dry twigs. Fire. Kael grinned. ¡°Still got it.¡± Chapter 9: First meal Kael knelt by the fire pit, watching with quiet satisfaction as the flames flickered to life. The warm glow spread across the clearing, faint embers crackling under the dried wood he had gathered. He smiled, letting himself feel the small victory. Fire. Cooking. Warmth. The simple necessities of survival, ones he had taken for granted in his old life, were now something to be grateful for. He fed a few more pieces of kindling into the pit, ensuring the fire didn¡¯t die out too soon. The embers glowed beneath the charred wood, settling into a steady burn. Now, he needed to clean up. Rising to his feet, he kept his senses alert, his eyes flicking toward the tree line. The eerie silence still hung over the clearing, but the occasional rustle in the undergrowth or distant chirp reminded him that he wasn¡¯t alone. He made his way toward the river, crouching near the edge where the water ran clear over smooth stones. The warm liquid splashed his face, the sensation sending a jolt of alertness through him. He washed his hands next, rubbing away the grime and sweat, watching as the dirt swirled away downstream. His reflection rippled in the water¡ªtired eyes, unkempt hair, a face smeared with exhaustion. He looked like hell. After finishing up, he returned to the fire, where the flames had settled into steady embers. The heat was perfect for slow cooking. He pulled the wrapped meat from his jacket, unwrapping it carefully before placing each piece into the fire pit. The scent of burning flesh immediately filled the air. He watched for a moment, then turned his attention to another task. The cloth strips he had used to wrap the raw meat needed cleaning. Kneeling near the water¡¯s edge again, he rinsed them thoroughly, watching the murky streaks of blood fade away into the current. Once done, he wrung them out, draping them across a low-hanging branch to dry slightly before he went back to the fire. Now, he needed a flat stone, solid piece to cover the fire pit. Not a river stone. Kael frowned, scanning the area. People who didn¡¯t know better might use stones from a river, thinking them ideal for campfire cooking. That was a mistake. River stones absorbed water, and if they got too hot, they could explode from the pressure. The last thing he needed was a fire pit sending rock shrapnel into his face. Instead, he looked for dry, exposed rock, something free of moisture and safe to use. After a few minutes of searching near a fallen tree, he found a flat sturdy stone large enough to do the job. Perfect. He returned to the fire, placing the rock over the meat. The flames licked the underside, heating it slowly. Once satisfied, he used loose dirt to seal the pit¡¯s openings, trapping the heat inside. This method would allow the meat to cook evenly while minimizing smell and smoke, keeping it hidden. It was a waiting game now. Kael settled near the line of trees, making himself small behind a fallen log, his eyes sharp as he watched the surroundings. Time passed. In the silence, he saw movement. Not monsters. Just animals. A large, squirrel-like creature with oversized front teeth scurried near the riverbank, dipping its head to drink before darting away. Strange, oversized birds twice the size of any he had seen back on Earth pecked at the soft ground near the water. No threats, or predators. For once, the world felt¡­ nature quiet, if that made sense, it was without that foreboding aura, of utter silence. The minutes stretched on as he waited. He checked the tree line, ensuring nothing had wandered too close. When the last of the harmless creatures had moved on, he finally approached the pit again. His mind told him it should be done, or his stomach, whichever it was he wanted to see how it looked. He carefully unsealed the meat, pushing the warm, but now manageable stone aside, revealing the cooked meat inside. A wave of relief hit him. The pieces were slightly burnt, but fully cooked it was edible. The scent of roasted flesh filled the air, making his stomach churn with hunger. He grabbed his knife, already cleaned earlier, and began trimming the overcooked edges. Dirt and charred bits were cut away, leaving behind smaller, but safer portions of food. He worked quickly, not wanting to risk contamination, wrapping each clean piece in the now-washed cloth strips immediately after trimming. With every new piece prepared, he wrapped it neatly before moving on to the next. Once finished, he had a respectable pile of preserved food granted, not much. But enough to sustain him for now. The discarded scraps, he tossed into the river, watching as the current carried them away. Placing the stone back into the fire pit before carefully packing around the remaining embers with dirt, masking the fire pit as best he could. Kael stood. With dusk approaching fast, it was time to leave. Kael secured the wrapped meat in his jacket and made his way back toward the treehouse. The journey felt faster this time, his awareness sharper, his movements quicker. He had memorized the way, and his senses felt in tune with the forest¡¯s rhythm.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Before he knew it, he was back in his shelter, seated inside the cramped treehouse. The first thing he did was unwrap the meat, carefully placing each piece on the laid-out cloth strips on the floor. The sight of them made his mouth water. The hare meat looked simple, plain, dry from being overcooked. The outer layer had taken on a slightly tougher texture from the long cook time, while the inside, though firm, still carried a faint, savory aroma. It wasn¡¯t perfect. But poor men couldn¡¯t be choosers. Kael tore off a piece, biting down. The taste was¡­ divine. Not because the meat was special far from it. But because it was his first real meal in nearly two days. The sensation of actual food filling his stomach, of warmth spreading through his body, was enough to make him savor every bite. He chewed slowly, letting the flavors settle. Bit gamey. A bit tough. But good. By the time he had eaten half, he stopped himself. He had no idea when he would eat again, so stretching his food supply was essential. Setting the rest aside for later, he leaned back against the wooden wall, feeling the tension in his body at ease. His mind, however, remained restless. His thoughts drifted back to what could barely be called fight with the Gloomkin. Specifically, to the feeling in his arms and legs when he attacked. The sensation had been¡­ different. Not normal strength, Something else. Like an extra force was pushing him forward... The same way he had felt when running from the Wildhorn buck. Kael frowned. That time, when he was sprinting, dodging through the trees, it had been even more intense. He had tried to mimic that feeling again afterward, but had failed miserably. Now, with shelter, water, and at least some food secured, he had the chance to figure it out. Kael flexed his fingers slightly, remembering the faint traces of energy that flowed in his body. Could he do it again this time more reliably, and perhaps control it? one way to find out. By just thinking about it Kael opened his Status, letting the familiar glowing text appear before him. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 2 EXP: 20/50 Rank: Mortal Stats: Strength: 10 Agility: 12 Endurance: 8 Intelligence: 7 Wisdom: 8 Essence Control: 5 Titles: Skills: Equipment: (Standard steel blade, well-used but reliable.) (A crude but sharp piece of antler, now having lost its essence residue.) (Simple survival gear. No defensive properties.) Kael¡¯s eyes locked onto the Essence Control stat. It had jumped from 1 to 5 after his first level-up. That was a lot. His Strength, Agility, and Endurance had only gone up by two points each. While Intelligence and wisdom went up by 3. What made this stat so different? Why did it increase so much faster? After all, if he understood the meaning of the stats right then, the stat that should have increased due to something he had done, should have been agility or endurance. one for movement stuff, and another for stamina, and well-enduring things. All the running and fatigue he had endured, should have helped. Kael shifted his posture slightly. If he wanted to understand the Essence Control stat, he needed to try using Essence. But how? He had only managed to give himself extreme cramps last time. His mind flicked to the description of his only skill Essence Shaper. ¡°Allows the user to shape, reinforce, and manifest Essence-based constructs.¡± That made sense. If his Essence Control stat influenced how well he could do those things, then perhaps this skill would help him manifest them. But how did that correlate to his body being enhanced? Unless he was considered an Essence-based construct. That would mean this was a skill to shape and reinforce organic things, perhaps even bodies. To him that didn''t sound like something fun to work with. He focused on his hand, willing something anything to happen. A minute passed, Then two. Nothing. Kael scowled. Okay. Let¡¯s try something else. Instead of just wanting it to happen, he tried to recall the exact feeling he had experienced during the fight. The sensation was still vivid in his mind. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. His memory drifted back to the moment before his antler blade sank into the Gloomkin¡¯s back. That first attack. The rush of power in his arms, the slight weight shift, the way energy had moved as if reinforcing the parts of this body he was about to use next. For the briefest moment, he felt it again. A faint tingling in his muscles. It was there. Then, just as quickly as it came, it was gone. Kael¡¯s eyes snapped open. His breath came slightly quicker now. He had felt something inside of him react. And that meant¡­ it was possible to trigger it on purpose. Kael flexed his fingers, staring intently at his palm. If it was possible, then he needed to find out how to move it and take control. He took another slow breath, focusing on the Essence Shaper skill this time. The System had given it to him for a reason. If it was a skill, then maybe it worked like one. He focused again this time, not on his muscles, but deeper, maybe the energy didn''t come from his body but somewhere else. Someplace deeper, like his soul. Kael kept looking inside himself, searching, trying to feel something. still nothing. A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face. Kael grit his teeth. There had to be something. What was he missing? He flexed his fingers again, narrowing his focus to the center of his chest, ignoring all else. Kael clenched his eyes even harder. He thought about how it had felt to attack. The desire to move fast, and effectively. The way he focused all his being on that one move. The way the energy had flowed into his body like a tine river gathering in his limbs right before he moved. He focused on that sensation. Slowly, carefully, he pushed into it. At first, nothing happened. Then he could see it his mind''s eye, something in the center of his being, shimmering like a crystal blue ball, that looked like it contained a star inside it, shear potent pure energy like he had never seen before. The ball was roughly the size of his fist, with tine tendrils sticking out of it going different places in his body, connecting it to all of him. Kael tried to will one of the larger tendrils going to these different places to move, but they wouldn''t even budge, as if something already had control over them. They kept wiggling in this strange relatively empty space. There was nothing except for him and the energy-thing, He then tried doing the same with the smallest tendril he could, finding it moveable but requiring him to focus all he had just to direct it. He willed it to go to his hand, imagining the energy flowing out of this space, out of his chest then along his arm, where it would finally be settling in his hand. Kael opened his eyes. There was a slight blue shimmer in the air around his hand. Barely visible, like the heat rising from asphalt on a summer day. Kael¡¯s eyes widened. The shimmering aura around his hand was so faint he could barely see it, but it was there. His heart pounded in his chest. But then the energy fizzled out. Kael cursed under his breath, as pain shot through his being, his breathing uneven. He had touched it, but he couldn¡¯t hold onto it. The small lapse in concentration resulted in it being dragged back like a loosened bow, sending pain throughout his body. If he felt this much pain just from a strand the size of a hair, then it was a good thing he couldn''t drag the other bigger ones, he didn''t even want to think about the pein he would be in, It also gave him an idea of what might have happened when he tried to infuse energy into his body last time. He must have by instinct having just experienced and still feeling the residue of Essence, as it was in the process of leaving him, commanded the energy still in his body to just rush into his legs without control over what he wanted. Resulting in what happened. He let out a slow breath, calming his nerves. His fingers curled and uncurled, his mind replaying that exact moment he entered that space. It was the core of his being, he knew that instinctively, a pole of power, ready to be drawn upon. The center of all these new changes. It made more sense why it would be called Essence; it was the intrinsic nature of power. It was something in his being, his soul, it needed to be drawn out and fought with until it was guided to follow your will. Kael took another deep breath, clearing his mind. This time, he didn¡¯t push for the energy to appear. He willed it to, commanded it. Imprinting what he wanted with an iron will, straining and pushing on his limits, to make his will be done. He sat still, his awareness shifting inward, a battle not seen. Seconds passed. Then¡ª There it was. That faint, buzzing sensation, like static running just beneath his skin. It spread out his chest, through his arms, curling into his hands. Kael held his breath. The air around his hand shimmered again. Stronger this time. Easier, than the first time, confirming to him practice would make the process easier over time. It wasn¡¯t fully just visible light, but something deeper, something his body recognized even if his eyes couldn¡¯t fully see it. He tried moving his fingers. The shimmer shifted with them. He was actually controlling it. The realization sent a thrill through him. This wasn¡¯t just some game-like system. This was power. Real power. And he had only just begun to scratch the surface. Kael exhaled slowly, letting the energy settle before it could slip away again. He had made progress. He couldn¡¯t fully control it yet, but he had made progress. And now that he had a taste of what Essence entailed¡ª He wanted more. Chapter 10: Interlude-Leon The rhythmic clatter of the subway car filled the air as Leon leaned back against the window, a relaxed smile on his face. The train rumbled beneath him, its steel wheels grinding against the tracks as it carried him toward Brooklyn. His reflection flickered in the glass¡ªa young man in his late twenties, dark brown hair slightly tousled, a five o¡¯clock shadow creeping along his jaw. His hazel eyes carried an easy warmth, a quiet optimism. He drummed his fingers against his knee, humming softly to himself. New York. The city of endless movement. It had been almost a year since he¡¯d moved here, chasing a dream born from childhood stories of his grandfather. The man had been a glassblower, working in a small workshop tucked away in a quiet town upstate. Leon had spent countless afternoons watching him shape molten glass, his old hands guiding it into delicate forms. It was mesmerizing. Magical, even. That magic had pulled him here. Leon glanced around the subway car, taking in the people around him, It was a habit of his. Every train ride was a story waiting to be noticed, a moment in someone else¡¯s life. Across from him sat an elderly woman, her grayed hair pulled into a tight bun, knitting away at something red and soft. Her hands worked with practiced ease, her expression unreadable. Beside her, was a bored teenager, hoodie pulled over his head, blasting music so loudly through his headphones that Leon could hear the tinny beat from where he sat. Further down, a man in a crisp business suit furiously tapped at his phone, his jaw tight, stress practically radiating off him in waves. His foot bounced impatiently against the floor as if the train wasn¡¯t going fast enough. Leon smirked, corporate America in its natural habitat. A few seats away, a woman in yoga pants held a tiny dog in her lap, stroking it absently while scrolling through her phone. The dog a small, nervous-looking thing let out a soft yip every time the train jostled too much. Near the doors, a homeless man, wrapped in layers of worn-out jackets, muttered to himself between quiet fits of laughter. His gaze flicked between the people around him, his lips moving in silent conversation with someone only he could see. And then there was the firefighter. Leon¡¯s eyes locked onto him as soon as he noticed the thermos in his hand. Bright red, scratched, and dented, with bold, white letters that read: "FIREFIGHTER TO THE HEAT." Leon stifled a laugh, rubbing a hand over his chin. Well, I wonder what that guy does for a living? He almost said it out loud but kept it to himself. The firefighter was a big guy, with broad shoulders, closely cropped hair, the kind of guy who looked like he could bench press a truck. He sat quietly, his face serious, scanning the subway car with a practiced wariness. Leon turned his gaze back to the window, watching the blurred tunnels flash past. Today was a good day. He was heading to a new glassblowing workshop in Brooklyn it was a place he had been dying to check out. New equipment, new techniques to learn. He could already feel the heat of the furnace, smell the faint burn of melted silica, and hear the quiet hum of the blowpipes spinning in careful hands. His chest swelled with excitement. Then the world shook. A low, rumbling tremor rattled the subway car. Leon frowned, his body tensing. An earthquake? Now? The lights above flickered, casting erratic shadows across the walls. The train lurched, the brakes screeching in protest as the entire car shuddered violently. The old woman¡¯s knitting fell to the floor. The businessman¡¯s phone slipped from his hands. The little chihuahua in the woman¡¯s lap let out a frantic yelp, scrambling in circles as its owner gripped the leash tightly. At the same time, everyone else tried to keep their balance. ¡°What the hell¡ª¡± Leon barely had time to process before the sound hit. A deep, gut-wrenching groan. It came from everywhere as if the very bones of the Earth were twisting, reshaping. The subway lights flickered once. Twice. And then they died completely. For a moment, there were only the emergency lights, and then nothing. Leon¡¯s breath hitched. His body wasn¡¯t pressed against the subway seat anymore. He wasn¡¯t touching anything. His feet dangled in the open air. There was no ground, walls, or train for that matter. Just an endless, weightless void. He spun wildly, panic gripping his chest. His hands reached out blindly, searching for something, anything to hold onto but finding nothing. Then his eyes started to dart back and forth while he tried to make sense of everything. Finding that he wasn''t alone. Shapes floated all around him hundreds, thousands of people, and that was all that he could see. There were probably more and they all were drifting in the empty abyss. Their faces were frozen in expressions of shock, fear, and confusion. Some screamed, but there was no sound. Leon¡¯s breath came in short, ragged gasps. This isn¡¯t happening. This isn¡¯t real. He spotted the firefighter nearby, his face grim, eyes just as wide as him, and fists clenched. The homeless man was there too, his wild laughter silent, his eyes darting around like he was trying to piece together whatever fantasy he had landed in. The old woman clutched her arms to her chest, her face blank, eyes staring ahead as if she had simply refused to process any of this. Leon turned frantically, searching the void, trying to make sense of it. No walls. No sky. Just the endless, impossible blackness stretching forever. Then like curtains being pulled away to reveal the scene, the void parted revealing Earth. Or rather¡­ what used to be Earth. And right before Leon''s eyes, it was changing. The planet shifting, twisting, merging with other landmasses and other worlds. Continents reformed before his eyes, as well as oceans only to reshape into new, unfamiliar coastlines. Impossible things occurred in front of him like he was in a F-ing movie. And then he saw them appear. People or rather, creatures. Entire races he didn¡¯t recognize, other than from games or novels. Elves. Dwarves, and others, Leon¡¯s pulse pounded in his ears. What the hell am I looking at? Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. His brain refused to accept it. This was a dream. It had to be. But then, something else happened. A voice. Not a sound. Not a whisper. Just¡­ an undeniable presence. "Inhabitants of this new world. You, along with your old worlds, have been integrated into the greater whole of the multiverse." "You have all been chosen. As such, you will be granted access to the System and all it offers." Leon froze. His throat tightened. Chosen? What was it even talking about, the multiverse??? Is this some kind of Marvel shit?? He shook his head. No, this is wrong. This isn¡¯t¡ªA blinding pulse of energy slammed through him. Leon screamed, his body on fire, every nerve rewriting itself in an instant. Symbols. Numbers. Words he didn¡¯t understand burned into his thoughts, carving themselves into his very being. "Struggle. Survive. And strive for something greater than you could ever dream of." Then, everything collapsed. Leon hit solid ground. Pain lanced through his hands and knees as he gasped for breath. The air was damp. Cool. Echoes of voices filled the space around him. Then he heard a soft chime followed by a welcome message showing up. Leon blinked the notification away, looking around instead. A massive underground cavern stretched in all directions, its ceiling towering high above. Glowing crystals jutted out from the walls casting eerie blue-green light over the cavern floor. All around him, there was chaos. At least 200 people were shouting, crying, and pacing frantically. Leon¡¯s hands trembled. Taking a moment to look around he saw the same familiar faces from the subway. The underground cavern echoed with a chaotic symphony of shouting, crying, and the nervous shuffle of footsteps against stone. Some people were pacing frantically, others sat with their knees pulled to their chests, rocking back and forth. The scent of sweat, damp rock, and fear filled the air, thick enough that Leon could almost taste it. He swallowed hard, forcing himself to think. He was still kneeling on the rough stone floor, his hands planted on the cold ground as the reality of what had just happened tried to settle in his mind. But his brain kept rejecting it. It wasn¡¯t possible. None of this was possible. And yet, here they were. Leon¡¯s hands curled into fists as he raised his head, scanning the cavern. He had never seen anything like it before. Somewhere deep inside, his rational mind screamed for an explanation. Cave systems like this didn¡¯t just exist in New York. So clearly this wasn¡¯t some subway tunnel. So where did they end up? The people around him weren¡¯t handling things any better either. A woman was openly sobbing near one of the cavern walls, patting her pockets, searching desperately trying to find something. "Come on, please! Where is it, damn it!" she yelled, continuing to search frantically. "Someone, call 911!" Another man was standing near a group of college-aged students, pacing back and forth. "This is a hallucination! Mass hysteria!" he practically screamed. "There¡¯s no way we were just¡­ just teleported! That¡¯s not a thing!" A businessman had his hands pressed to his temples, muttering to himself, "Not real. Not real. Not real." Leon¡¯s eyes flicked toward the suspected firefighter. The man stood tall, arms crossed, his jaw tight, watching the growing panic. He was assessing the situation, scanning the cavern and the people. Leon had seen this before, the cool head that many first responders had. People who have and are trained to stay calm in a crisis. But even he was tense. His eyes met Leon¡¯s for the briefest moment. A silent exchange that seemed to imply for him not to feed into the panic, Leon broke eye contact. Easier said than done. He forced himself to his feet, dusting off his jeans. His legs shook a bit. Seeing this Leon tried to get a hold of himself. He had always been the kind of person who went with the flow. He had left his quiet hometown for the city because he wanted adventure, to do something meaningful with his hands, and to create with fire. Well. He sure as hell got the adventure part, willingly or not. As the minutes stretched on, Leon would occasionally look at the same people from the subway. The elderly woman, the same one who had been knitting before, now sat on a rock, hands folded in her lap. She wasn¡¯t crying, she wasn¡¯t panicking. She just sat there, silent, staring at the cavern walls with an eerie stillness. The businessman who had been tapping away at his phone earlier now looked completely lost. His pristine suit was already smudged with sweat and dirt, his tie loosened around his neck. He stood near a small group, but he wasn¡¯t talking. He too was just staring. The homeless guy, well, he was still laughing. "Hah! Would you look at this?! This is the craziest damn trip I¡¯ve ever been on!" he cackled, spinning in a slow circle, arms spread wide. "I always said the world was gonna end in some weird ass way! But this? This is gold!" Leon felt his eye twitch. Of course. Of course, the craziest person in the subway was handling this better than anyone. Then, there was the yoga lady. She was clutching her tiny dog to her chest, rocking back and forth, her perfectly done nails trembling as she stroked the animal¡¯s fur. "This isn¡¯t happening. This isn¡¯t happening." She repeated it like a mantra, her breath short and panicked. Leon winced. The dog looked just as freaked out as she did, its tiny body trembling in her grip. The panic and fear were contagious, and people were unraveling. And then after assessing the situation more, the firefighter stepped forward, voice booming with authority. "Everyone, listen up!" His voice boomed through the cavern, cutting through the chaos like a blade. The crying, the muttering, the yelling it all stopped. The firefighter¡¯s stance was solid and authoritative, his eyes scanning the crowd with controlled intensity. "I need everyone to stay calm," he continued, his tone steady. "I know this is confusing. I know you¡¯re scared. But panicking won¡¯t help. I¡¯m Ethan I work for the New York Fire Department. I can try my best to help you all, but we need to stay calm, panic won''t help us right now." Some people hesitated, others shuffled uncomfortably, but the sheer confidence in his voice seemed to anchor the room. A woman near the back of the crowd shouted, "Help is coming, right?! We just have to wait, right?!" The firefighter hesitated. It was so brief that most people wouldn¡¯t have noticed. But Leon did. And that was all he needed to know. The firefighter didn¡¯t have an answer. Shit. The big guy Ethan, wasn¡¯t lying. He was trained to handle emergencies, but this? This wasn¡¯t something anyone could prepare for. Leon found himself grinning despite everything. "...Guess I called that one right," he muttered under his breath. Even then Ethan heard him and raised an eyebrow. Leon shrugged. "The thermos gave it away." Ethan blinked. Then, for just a second a small smirk appeared. "Yeah. Fair enough." Leon rolled his shoulders, taking a step closer to the man. He needed to get a read on him. "Name¡¯s Leon." The firefighter glanced at him, then nodded. "Ethan. Ethan Hayes." Leon rubbed the back of his neck. "So, Ethan, since you¡¯re the one with the experience handling crises, what should we do?" Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened slightly. "First, we need to take a look around. Who¡¯s injured? Who¡¯s missing? What supplies do we have?" Leon raised an eyebrow. "Supplies? We were on a subway, man. Unless someone smuggled a survival kit in their briefcase, I think we¡¯re out of luck." Ethan¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. "Then we need to start thinking long-term." people started to get restless when they heard that. Leon frowned. "Long-term?" Ethan looked toward the cavern walls. "We don¡¯t know where we are. Or if anyone is coming to get us. We need to be ready for the worst-case scenario." Leon¡¯s stomach twisted. The worst-case scenario. That meant they might be stuck here. Leon swallowed hard, not voicing that opinion out loud. "So¡­ what do we do?" a man spoke up, Ethan¡¯s eyes scanned the group again. "We get people organized." Leon followed his gaze. Some people still sat in shock, others whispered among themselves. No one knew what to do. But one thing was very, very clear. They couldn¡¯t stay like this forever. Something had to change, and it had to change soon. Leon had read and watched too many movies about what people did to one another when there was no law and order. After some more words of encouragement, Ethen trying to calm everyone down and not to worry, he stepped closer to Leon getting his attention and interrupting his thought, "did you look at it yet?" he said. Leon was confused. "Look at what?". The man looked at him for a second, then said "Your status, think status, it should show up" Chapter 11: Interlude-Leon 2 Leon blinked. Look at it? His mind reeled, trying to process Ethan¡¯s words. He had barely begun wrapping his head around the fact that he had just been ripped out of reality, thrown into an underground cavern with two hundred strangers, and now the firefighter was telling him to¡­ think about his status? That sounded like something straight out of a game. Leon frowned. ¡°You¡¯re joking, right?¡± Seeing Ethan''s firm expression, it didn''t look to him that the man was joking. ¡°Just try it,¡± Ethan said, voice level but firm. Leon hesitated, staring at him, then at the chaos in the cavern. The panicked voices, the sobs, the scattered people¡ªall of it was starting to feel too real to be a dream. But at this point? What did he have to lose? He took a slow breath and thought the word, status. A soft chime echoed in his skull. A moment later, a translucent blue screen materialized in front of him, floating just inches away. It glowed faintly in the dim cavern light. Leon sucked in a sharp breath. Holy shit.

[Status]

Name: Leon Carter Level: 1 EXP: 0/30 Rank: Mortal Stats: Titles: None Skills: None Equipment: Leon stared, his fingers twitching at his sides. The words floated in the air, crisp and clear, as real as the cavern walls around him. He reached out instinctively, but his fingers passed right through the glowing text. His heart pounded. His mind screamed for logic, but there was none. He had a damn stat sheet like a game character. Like something straight out of D&D or an RPG. Leon rubbed his temples. ¡°This¡­ this isn¡¯t normal,¡± he muttered, voice barely above a whisper. Ethan gave a small, humorless chuckle. ¡°Nothing about this is normal.¡± Leon forced himself to focus. His stats weren¡¯t anything extraordinary¡ªfairly balanced, with Intelligence and Agility slightly higher than the rest. Then there was Mana Control, which was at 3 points. He knew what that was, being familiar with the topic, but more than that Leon had no clue. Last time I checked, I was no magic-wielding person. His eyes flicked to Ethan. ¡°You saw yours?¡± The firefighter nodded. ¡°Yeah. Mine popped up right after we got here. Figured it was worth checking out.¡± He glanced around. ¡°And based on some of these looks? Others are seeing theirs too.¡± Leon followed his gaze, looking around the space. A man in a wrinkled shirt stared into space, his mouth slightly open. A young woman had her hands pressed together praying but with eyes darting rapidly reading something invisible. Even the homeless guy had stopped laughing for a moment, tilting his head as though listening to something no one else could hear. It wasn¡¯t just them. Others were experiencing it too. "What the fuck is this ?!!?" A man yelled while trying to wave away what Leon presumed must have been his status screen. The people around him who had not seen their status yet crept away from him in fright. Ethan took a step forward, his presence naturally commanding attention, even without raising his voice ¡°Alright, listen up,¡± he called out, getting people''s attention again. ¡°I know everyone¡¯s confused. For those who see this screen know you''re not alone, and for those who don''t just think status and a screen should¡ª¡±. "AHAA!?!?!" a woman yelled, soon joined by others who saw their own screens show up. "Calm. DOWN!!!" Ethan''s suddenly raised voice snapped the panicked group''s attention back. Then continuing in a calmer tone "Like I said don''t panic, You''re not alone in this, and it won''t do us any good. Right now we should focus on what we can do something about." A scoff echoed from the crowd. The businessman from the subway¡ªthe guy who had been furiously tapping at his phone earlier¡ªshook his head, his tie now fully undone. His face was red with frustration and disbelief. ¡°Do something?¡± the businessman snapped. ¡°We don¡¯t even know where we are!¡± Ethan didn¡¯t flinch at that. ¡°Then let¡¯s start figuring it out. First like I said we need to check for injuries.¡± Some people in the crowd nodded slowly, others just stood there, stunned. Leon stepped up, rolling his shoulders "Maybe everyone could look through what they have and see if they have any bandages we can use if someone is injured. And also for food and water while they are at it?" Ethan gave him a sharp look, assessing him for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Good idea. I, like some of you, don''t seem to find my phone either, maybe someone has one we can use.¡± They moved through the crowd, talking to people trying to get some semblance of order. It wasn¡¯t great. Most people had nothing except their everyday belongings such as wallets with no cards and keys. Phones, tablets, and anything that had electronics were gone, and from what they found out from a guy, guns as well. Some who still had their bags and purses had snacks or simple food items tucked away. Some had water bottles, but not nearly enough. One guy had a Swiss Army knife probably the closest thing to an actual survival tool anyone had. Luckily some had plasters that they were able to get to use on the few injured. Those being, a middle-aged man who had twisted his ankle in a fall, a woman who had a cut on her forehead, but it wasn¡¯t deep, and a teenager who had scraped her palms badly, trying to catch herself after tripping when they appeared here. Nothing life-threatening, but in a situation like this, even small wounds could turn deadly if left untreated. Leon ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply as he watched Ethen deal with these. They were unprepared. Completely, utterly unprepared. Noticing some people moving away Ethan called out again, ¡°We need to keep everyone together. No wandering off. We don¡¯t know what¡¯s out there, nor how safe it is¡± Leon couldn¡¯t help but glance toward the cavern¡¯s dark tunnels, leading into the unknown. Was there something out there? As things started settling, Leon found himself standing beside Ethan, staring at the cavern ceiling. ¡°¡­What do you think happened?¡± he asked quietly. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Ethan exhaled, crossing his arms. ¡°I don¡¯t know. But I know one thing.¡± Leon raised an eyebrow. ¡°Yeah?¡± Ethan¡¯s expression was grim. ¡°We¡¯re not on Earth anymore.¡± Leon wanted to laugh. He wanted to say that¡¯s ridiculous. But after what they had seen? After what they had experienced? He couldn¡¯t argue. They weren¡¯t on Earth. As the welcome message said, they were in a new world. Just as that thought settled in, a sharp cry rang out from the far side of the cavern. Leon and Ethan¡¯s heads snapped toward the sound. ¡°Hey! HEY!¡± A man¡¯s voice rang out aloud, panicked. ¡°There¡¯s something here!¡± The crowd tensed immediately. Ethan didn¡¯t hesitate, he ran to where the man was. Leon gritted his teeth but followed, weaving through the gathered people. As they reached the source of the commotion, they found a man pointing toward one of the darker tunnels leading deeper into the underground. ¡°What did you see?¡± Ethan asked, his voice steady. The man was pale, sweat forming on his brow. ¡°It¡ªit moved. I swear to God, I saw something moving in there!¡± Hearing that Leon¡¯s heart started pounding. The cavern fell into a deep, uneasy silence. Every breath, every shifting movement, every hushed whisper seemed amplified against the stone walls. Leon¡¯s pulse pounded in his ears as he stared into the dark tunnel, trying to make sense of what the man had just said. Something moved. That was all it took to change the entire atmosphere of the group. Ethan took a step forward, his expression unreadable. ¡°Where exactly did you see it?¡± His voice was calm, but there was an underlying tension beneath it. The man swallowed hard and pointed toward the entrance of the tunnel. ¡°T-there. It was quick, but I saw movement. Like¡­ like something ducked out of sight.¡± Leon followed the direction of his shaking finger. The tunnel entrance yawned before them, its jagged walls illuminated faintly by the glow of the cavern¡¯s natural crystals. It wasn¡¯t a smooth, man-made structure¡ªthis was raw earth, ancient and unrefined. Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. He turned, addressing the crowd. ¡°Everyone, stay together. No wandering. Keep quiet.¡± There was a ripple of hushed murmurs, people glancing at each other in growing alarm. Someone near the back of the cavern whispered, ¡°What does he mean, stay together? Stay together from what?¡± The panic was beginning to bubble back up. Leon took a breath, trying to keep his own nerves in check. He wasn¡¯t a monk, he wasn¡¯t a leader. But if Ethan was right if this really wasn¡¯t Earth anymore then losing their heads wouldn¡¯t do them any good. He forced himself to focus. ¡°Did you see anything else?¡± he asked the man. The guy shook his head, his face pale. ¡°No. Just movement. I didn¡¯t look closer to find out what it was.¡± Leon didn¡¯t blame him. Ethan turned back toward the tunnel. His body was tense, shoulders squared like he was preparing for something. Then, he did something Leon hadn¡¯t expected. He stepped forward. Leon¡¯s stomach dropped. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± he hissed. Ethan didn¡¯t glance back. ¡°If there¡¯s something here, I need to know what it is.¡± Leon clenched his jaw. ¡°And what if it¡¯s¡ª¡± dangerous? A predator? a wolf or Something, waiting to tear us apart? He didn¡¯t get to finish that part of the sentence. Ethan was already moving. A few others gasped as the firefighter cautiously approached the tunnel¡¯s entrance, stepping just far enough in to let the dim glow from the cavern¡¯s crystals cast long shadows over the uneven rock. Leon¡¯s hands curled nervously into fists as he watched Ethan disappear just a few steps into the tunnel darkness. Every instinct screamed at him that this was a bad idea. Seconds stretched into eternity. Leon counted his own breaths, muscles coiled with anticipation. Then, Ethan reappeared. He walked back toward them with steady steps, his brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Nothing,¡± he said. The man who had raised the alarm sputtered. ¡°N-nothing?! I saw something! It was there!¡± Ethan exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°I believe you,¡± he said. ¡°But whatever it was¡­ it¡¯s gone now.¡± The cavern remained eerily quiet. Leon forced himself to think logically. If something had been there, it was either avoiding them or waiting for something. Neither option was reassuring. ¡°We need to set up a watch for now and when we sleep eventually, I don''t think we will be getting help anytime soon,¡± Ethan said, turning back toward the group. ¡°If there¡¯s movement in these tunnels, I don¡¯t want to be caught unaware.¡± There were nods from some of the calmer individuals, but others were less calm about the new development. One of the college students a guy in a Columbia University hoodie lifted a trembling hand. ¡°W-watch? Like¡ªlike we¡¯re gonna take shifts?¡± His voice cracked. ¡°Yes,¡± Ethan said. ¡°We¡¯ll take turns keeping an eye on that tunnel and any other tunnels and openings in this cavern. I need volunteers.¡± Silence. Leon¡¯s stomach twisted. No one wants to volunteer for something like this. Then, to his own surprise, he stepped forward. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Ethan nodded as if he¡¯d expected that. A few others hesitated before stepping up, a middle-aged man in a flannel shirt, a young woman in sweatpants who looked like she had a runner¡¯s build, and finally, the Columbia student who had spoken. Ethan¡¯s gaze swept over them. ¡°Good. We¡¯ll take two shifts in pairs. Stay alert. Don¡¯t take risks. If you see something, say something.¡± Leon sighed, rubbing his temples. So, this is happening. He glanced back toward the crowd. Some people were still whispering, others clinging to their disbelief. Some like the homeless guy from the subway just seemed weirdly entertained. Leon couldn¡¯t decide what was worse. They were stranded in an underground cave system. They did not have much food, water, or any idea where they were. And now? They were watching the shadows, hoping nothing crawled out. Leon exhaled sharply. ¡°Well,¡± he muttered, ¡°this is officially the worst subway ride I¡¯ve ever taken.¡± He heard someone laugh. Turning, Leon was surprised to find that, it was the Columbia student who had been pale and shaking moments ago was now smiling. Leon raised a brow. ¡°What?¡± The guy shrugged. ¡°That was funny.¡± Leon huffed. ¡°Glad my suffering is entertaining.¡± But, despite everything, his lips twitched. The absurdity of the situation was almost too much. If he didn¡¯t laugh, he might just lose it completely. The watch rotation was set up quickly after that. Leon was paired with the Columbia kid, who introduced himself as Eric. And their shift wasn¡¯t until later when people got eventually tired. For now, they did what they could. People huddled together in small groups. Some spoke in hushed tones, sharing theories, debating whether this was some kind of experiment, government project, or something worse. Others sat in silence, their gazes hollow. Leon caught sight of the elderly woman from the subway again. She was still sitting on that smooth rock near the cavern wall, hands resting in her lap. Still, silent, she hadn''t moved. It unnerved him. Even the businessman who had been freaking out earlier was pacing near one of the glowing crystal formations, muttering something under his breath. Leon let out a slow breath. He didn¡¯t know how long they¡¯d be here. But the fact that they were setting up watches? That they were preparing for something? Yeah. This wasn¡¯t just waiting for rescue anymore. This was quickly turning into an episode of Lost. And they were just getting started. Even now, hours after they had arrived in this bizarre underground world, it didn¡¯t feel real. The Status screen, the System message, the way they had all just appeared here. Every rational part of his brain screamed that this wasn¡¯t possible. And yet he was here. The quiet hum of conversation carried through the cavern, small pockets of people grouping together for comfort. Some were trying to sleep, though Leon doubted anyone would be able to. The stone floor was cold, hard, and unyielding, offering no comfort. Across from him, Eric sat with his arms wrapped around his knees, staring toward the tunnels. His earlier moment of humor had faded, replaced by a distant, haunted look. Leon nudged him with his foot. ¡°You okay, man?¡± Eric blinked, snapping out of his daze. ¡°Huh? Yeah. Just¡­ trying to process.¡± He shook his head. ¡°One second, I was heading to class. Now I¡¯m in a damn cave system with glowing rocks. Feels like a bad dream.¡± Leon snorted. ¡°If this is a dream, I¡¯d like to wake up now.¡± Eric chuckled weakly. ¡°Same.¡± The sound of footsteps caught Leon¡¯s attention. Ethan was making another round, checking on people, making sure they were doing okay. The firefighter looked tired, but his posture remained firm his presence alone keeping people from falling apart completely. Leon respected the hell out of him for it. Ethan stopped near one of the tunnel entrances, where two of the volunteers stood watch. He exchanged a few quiet words before scanning the darkness beyond. Leon found himself watching, his stomach twisting. The tunnels felt¡­ wrong. It wasn¡¯t just the unknown depths or the silence¡ªit was the feeling that something was down there. Leon forced himself to look away. He needed to rest before his shift. He leaned his head back against the cold stone wall, closing his eyes. His body ached from exhaustion, but sleep wouldn¡¯t come. His mind refused to shut off. They were on their own. And whatever was lurking in the tunnels, wouldn¡¯t stay hidden forever. Chapter 12: The Gloomkin鈥檚 den Kael stirred awake, his body feeling more rested. The wooden walls of the treehouse did little to muffle the distant sounds of the forest, but they had provided something far more valuable, a psychological barrier between him and the unknown. He exhaled slowly, stretching out his stiff limbs before sitting up. The last thing he remembered before drifting off was the lingering cooked hare meat in his stomach and the pulsing exhaustion from pushing his limits with Essence. He glanced around the dimly lit interior of the treehouse. It was as crude and simple as when he had first climbed up to it, but it had served its purpose. Thin slivers of morning light filtered through the cracks in the wooden planks, casting golden streaks across the rough floor. Outside, the oppressive feeling of things moving in the night had lifted, replaced by stillness once again, as well as the rustling of leaves in the morning breeze. Kael rubbed the sleep from his eyes, recalling the night before. It had been different from his first. This time, he had listened¡ªreally listened. And what he had heard had solidified his suspicions: the forest came alive at night, transforming into a different world altogether. The low growls of hidden predators, the rustling of massive bodies moving through the underbrush, the distant howls carried by the wind, this was when the real hunters emerged. He had made the right call staying high up, off the ground. If he remained silent and high up enough, he would be fine. This realization meant one important thing: daytime was safer. Not safe, but safer. He could hunt, explore, and gather resources without constantly fearing a nightmarish monster lunging at him from the shadows. But he had to be smart about it. Kael moved carefully as he climbed down from his perch, his body still sore but functional. His first stop was the river. He had emptied the last of his water the previous night, drinking it down alongside his meal. Without water, nothing else mattered. He moved quietly, his senses sharp. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant foliage. Each step he took was measured, and deliberate. He wasn¡¯t the only one out here looking for food and water. The last thing he needed was a repeat of his first encounter with the panther-like monster. When he reached the riverbank, he crouched low and scanned the surroundings. He waited, listening. After a few minutes of nothing but the gentle flow of the current, he made his move. He knelt by the water¡¯s edge, cupping his hands to take a slow sip. The water sent a refreshing jolt through his body, clearing away the last remnants of drowsiness. After filling his makeshift waterbag, he splashed some water on his face and took another deep breath before heading back to the treehouse. The morning sun had risen higher by the time he made his next move. He adjusted his grip on his antler blade and set off in the same direction he had gone yesterday¡ªthe place where he had found the hare. If it had been there once, maybe another would have passed through. Kael looked again at the antler blade. Bringing up just the equipment part of his status, having found out last night he could by just thinking about it. Equipment: He had examined it more yesterday and had found that the description was not wrong. The small amount of Essence coming off, when he had first picked it up was now gone. He guessed that since it had been some time since he picked it up, the essence must have slowly evaporated away, over time. He figured it was the same thing that happed to the bioluminescent leaves on the ground. You would think that having glowing leaves would help with the darkness of the night, but by only there being some trees with glowing leaves, and them being so far up, it was still extremely dark at night. Not to mention that the blue glowing streak, going through the trees and its roots dampened much by night. Dismissing the screen, Kael continued to walk with patience, every step placed carefully. The Gloomkin were still on his mind. If one of them had been out hunting the previous day, there could be more. He had been lucky with that last encounter, but if there had been two? Or three? He shook his head. He had to be careful. An hour passed. Then another. He found nothing. No fresh tracks, no rustled bushes, nothing to indicate recent animal activity. Then, just as he was about to turn back, movement caught his eye. Three figures moved through the forest, their small, hunched forms weaving between the trees. His breath hitched as he crouched low behind a bush. Several of those Gloomkin things. Each of them carried something over their shoulders, a hare. [ Gloomkin (common) - Level 1 ] [ Gloomkin (common) - Level 1 ] [ Gloomkin (common) - Level 2 ] The level 2 one even carried a crude spear, it was basically just a sharp stick but still. Kael narrowed his eyes. That confirmed it. They hunted in groups. He had assumed it was possible, but seeing it for himself sent a pulse of unease. That meant there were likely more of them scattered throughout the forest. He had just been lucky to have avoided too many of them so far. Only having encountered two. Well, more now. He debated his next move. Engaging them directly wasn¡¯t an option. Three was manageable, but there could be more nearby. He couldn¡¯t take that risk. Instead, he considered something else, what if he followed them? If he could find out where they went, where they lived, then he could plan accordingly. He would know their numbers and their routines. That information could be invaluable. He made his decision. Keeping his distance, he began trailing them. The Gloomkin moved at a steady pace, their gangly limbs making them oddly fast despite their size. Kael stayed just far enough behind, weaving between trees, using the natural cover of the forest. Then¡ªcrack. His foot pressed down on a dry twig, the sound snapping through the quiet air. The three Gloomkin stopped immediately. Kael cursed silently, freezing in place as the small monsters turned their heads, scanning the trees. The one with the spear let out a chittering growl, gripping its crude spear tightly. They didn¡¯t move forward, but they didn¡¯t move on either. They were searching. Looking for whatever had made the sound. Kael¡¯s heart pounded as he slowly, painstakingly, moved back into thicker cover. He took one step, then another. The Gloomkin¡¯s black, beady eyes flicked toward his general area. Kael held his breath. For a long, tense moment, they continued searching. Then, seemingly satisfied, they turned back, picked up their hares, and continued walking. Kael let out a slow breath. That had been too close. He followed more carefully this time, making sure every footstep was deliberate, avoiding anything that could make noise. As time passed, he started noticing more groups. Other Gloomkin hunting squads, some with levels higher than the first ones he had seen. [ Gloomkin (common) - Level 4. ] [ Gloomkin (common) - Level 3. ] [ Gloomkin (common) - Level 2. ] All of them heading in the same direction. Kael¡¯s stomach twisted. He wasn¡¯t just tracking a group¡ªhe was tracking a migration. Some squads began merging together, the three he had initially followed joined by another group of two, then another of four. Now, it was a larger party, all moving through the thinning forest. Kael debated his next move. Turn back? He had already learned that they operated in groups. He had learned that they had hunting patterns. But¡­ where were they going? He needed to know. He kept following, carefully adjusting his distance as more Gloomkin squads appeared, forming larger bands. The woods became less dense. The thick trees gave way to more open space, patches of grass appearing between them. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Kael crouched low at the edge of the treeline, his breath shallow and his heart pounding. A vast grassland stretched before him, bathed in the golden light of the morning sun. And before him not far away from the treeline lay the Gloomkin village, a sprawling cluster of crude huts made from sticks, logs, and woven leaves. Dozens of the small, hunched creatures moved about, carrying their kills from the forest and disappearing into the maze of primitive structures. He had underestimated them. What he had assumed were scattered, disorganized monsters were, in fact, a coordinated society. They hunted in groups, migrated together, and now, he realized, they lived together. This wasn¡¯t just a random gathering; this was a settlement. A community. Kael¡¯s mind raced as he took in the scene. The Gloomkin moved with purpose, their gangly limbs carrying them swiftly across the grass. Some carried hares or other small game, while others dragged larger prey, creatures Kael couldn¡¯t identify from this distance. The level disparities he had noticed earlier were even more apparent now. Most were Level 1 or 2, but he spotted a few Level 4s and even a Level 5 moving among them. The higher-level Gloomkin seemed to command respect, their crude spears and makeshift weapons marking them as leaders or enforcers, and unlike their lesser brethren, they wore hyde and fur to primitively dress themselves. He needed to get closer. He needed to see more. Carefully, Kael began to move along the treeline, keeping low and using the tall grass for cover as best as he could. The last thing he wanted was to be spotted. If they caught him here, out in the open, he wouldn¡¯t stand a chance. Not against so many. As he crept closer, he noticed something else¡ªthe village wasn¡¯t just a random collection of huts. It was organized, with a central structure and clearing where the Gloomkin seemed to gather. In the middle of that clearing was a large, elevated platform made of stacked logs. On top of it sat a figure unlike the others. Kael¡¯s breath hitched, still being too far away he wasn''t able to see the prompt. But he could guess what it was from the RPG he played. It was some kind of Chieftain. The Chieftain was larger than the others, its hunched form more muscular and imposing. Its skin was a darker shade of gray, almost black, and its beady eyes glinted with a sharp intelligence. In its hand, it held a staff topped with a jagged crystal that pulsed faintly with a sickly green light. Essence. The Chieftain was wielding a weapon with Essence. Kael¡¯s stomach churned. This changed everything. If the Gloomkin had a leader capable of using Essence, they were far more dangerous than he had thought. He had assumed they were intelligent, but primitive monsters, driven by instinct. But this¡­ this was something else entirely. He needed to get out of here. He needed to¡ª A rustling sound behind him made him freeze. Slowly, he turned his head, his hand tightening on the hilt of his antler blade. Another Gloomkin was approaching, its beady eyes scanning the grass. It was Level 3, carrying a bundle of sticks in its arms. It hadn¡¯t seen him yet, but it was close. Too close. Kael¡¯s mind raced. If he moved, it might hear him. If he stayed, it might stumble right into him. He had to act fast. Kael briefly thought about if he should try to boost his body with essence, but immediately decided not to. He had only barely started to experiment with it. And all he could do was push the energy to his hands, it was too risky to try and the risk was too great. The Gloomkin took another step forward, its head tilting as it sniffed the air. Kael¡¯s heart pounded in his chest. He could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins, sharpening his senses. He had one chance. As the Gloomkin turned its back to him, Kael lunged. He moved silently, his body a blur of motion. In one swift motion, he drove the antler blade into the creature¡¯s neck, silencing it before it could make a sound. The Gloomkin crumpled to the ground, its bundle of sticks scattering across the grass. [ Experience Gained: +20 EXP ] Kael crouched beside the body, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He waited, listening for any sign that he had been heard. The village was still bustling with activity, the distant chatter of the Gloomkin filling the air. No one had noticed. He exhaled slowly, his grip on the antler blade tightening. He couldn¡¯t stay here. He had to move. Carefully, he dragged the Gloomkin¡¯s body into the tall grass throwing dirt over it, hiding it from view. Then, he picked up the bundle of sticks and slung it over his shoulder. It wasn¡¯t much, but it might come in handy. As he crept back toward the treeline, his mind raced with questions. How many Gloomkin were there? How organized were they? And how strong was the Chieftain and that Essence-infused staff? He needed answers. But more than that, he needed to get out of here. Kael retreated deeper into the forest, putting as much distance between himself and the village as possible. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each more troubling than the last. The Gloomkin weren¡¯t just monsters¡ªthey were a threat. A coordinated, intelligent threat. And if they were capable of using Essence, that meant they could grow stronger. Perhaps that was why he had met so many high-level monsters... He needed to level up. Fast. As he moved through the forest, he kept his senses sharp, scanning the trees for any sign of danger. The Gloomkin weren¡¯t the only predators in these woods, and he couldn¡¯t afford to let his guard down. After a while, he found a small clearing and decided to take a moment to rest. He set down the bundle of sticks and leaned against a tree, his body still tense. He needed to think. To plan. First, he checked his status. The System¡¯s interface flickered into view, displaying his current stats and equipment. Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 2 EXP: 40/50 Rank: Mortal Stats: Titles: Skills: Equipment: He frowned. He was still Level 2. He had killed a Level 2 Gloomkin, and the Wildhorn Buck, which was level 3. Remembering that Kael noticed that the exp he got from the level 3 Gloomkin was less than what he got, from the Wildhorn. That meant that the exp was less when the difference was less, and vice versa. That made sense. But it wasn¡¯t enough. He needed more experience. More power. His eyes fell on the bundle of sticks he had taken from the Gloomkin. They were crude, but they might be useful. He could use them to set traps or other useful things. Or maybe¡­ maybe he could use them to lure more Gloomkin into an ambush. The thought made him uneasy. Hunting the Gloomkin was risky, but it might be his only way to level up quickly. If he could take out a few more, especially the higher-level ones, he might stand a chance against the village. As a bonus, if he could go for the ones returning from a hunt, he could steal the pray. This way he would have a reliable way of getting food, and have them do all the work. Kael smiled to himself thinking about it some more. But first, he needed to prepare. Kael spent the next few hours gathering materials and setting traps. He used the sticks to create simple pitfalls, placing them along the paths he noticed the Gloomkin earlier taking when he was following them. As he worked, he periodically went and kept an eye on the village. The Gloomkin were still active, their movements becoming more frenzied as the day wore on. He noticed something else too, a group of them was heading back into the forest, carrying simple empty baskets, full of small holes. Not the best crafters these monsters, Kael thought to himself. Assuming they were foraging. Kael followed the foraging party at a distance, thinking this was his chance. he made sure to be careful and stay hidden. They moved quickly, their beady eyes scanning the ground for edible plants and fungi, how they knew what was edible and not he had no idea, but guessed some of them had tried and well...not gotten sick or died. He waited until they were deep in the forest, and started gathering, one even killing a small snake. Then he made his move. Having lured one by throwing sticks and leading it to fall into the small traps he had set earlier while it was wandering a bit from the rest, he managed to isolate one of the Gloomkin. It was Level 3, carrying a crude club, the same one that killed the snake. Kael struck fast, stabbing it from behind, and finishing it off before it knew what happened. The Gloomkin didn¡¯t even have time to scream. This time hitting what must have been something important. Experience gained: +20 XP. [You have leveled up!] Kael felt a surge of energy as he leveled up, his body growing stronger and more resilient. He quickly checked his new status. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 3 EXP: 10/75 Rank: Mortal Stats: Titles: Skills: Equipment: But he didn¡¯t have time to celebrate. The other Gloomkin were still out there, and they would notice their missing companion soon. He needed to move. Thinking that Kael left the area. By the time Kael returned to his tree house, the sun was beginning to set. He felt a sense of accomplishment, but it was tempered by the knowledge that he hadn''t gotten anything to eat, and the fact that the Gloomkin were still out there. And they were growing stronger. As he settled in for the night, he couldn¡¯t shake the image of the Chieftain and its Essence-infused staff. The Gloomkin were more than just monsters, with those numbers, they were a force to be reckoned with. Which explains why they weren''t exterminated during the night. And if he didn¡¯t find a way to cull the numbers, they might build a proper defensive position and possibly overrun the forest entirely. Kael could see a threat when he saw one. And that village and its Chieftain certainly looked like it. But for now, he needed rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and he had to be ready. As the forest grew aloud once more, Kael drank the last of the water in the bag, having taken sips throughout the day, he then proceeded to close his eyes and let sleep take him. The System¡¯s blue interface flickered in his mind, a constant reminder of the world he now lived in. Chapter 13: Essence practice The pale light of morning filtered through the canopy, casting long shadows across the forest floor. He had grown used to the silence, but it still unnerved him. It was as if the forest itself was making up for the night''s chaos and noise, by being extra quiet. Kael decided today was the day. He started moving with deliberate precision as he climbed down from the treehouse, his senses sharp and alert. The forest might be quiet, but that didn¡¯t mean it was safe. His first destination was the river. After the energy he¡¯d expended yesterday, hydration was vital. The walk was uneventful, the crisp morning air cool against his skin. The clearing was as still as the rest of the forest, the water¡¯s surface smooth and reflective, mirroring the golden hues of the rising sun. Kael crouched low, scanning his surroundings before dipping his hands into the water. He drank deeply, the liquid washing away the last vestiges of sleep. He refilled his waterskin, splashing water over his face before settling back onto his heels, and making the journey back to the treehouse. His mind was already shifting to his next task, although he was hungry, and needed to find food again. He first wanted to attempt to control Essence again. See if he could enhance his body more, making it stronger. Instead of just emitting a simple glow, from his hands. Once back in the tree house, Kael turned his focus inward, to the presence he had felt within himself before. That deep well of energy, the core that pulsed at the center of his being. He had barely scratched the surface of what it could do, but he had felt it more when he was practicing last time¡ªhis body subtly strengthened itself when he directed its flow through it, nothing much just a byproduct of it going to his hand. Closing his eyes, he took a slow breath, searching for that familiar flow. It wasn¡¯t immediate, but with patience, he found himself in that place of emptiness, where that burning star of essence lay. Not wasting time, he mentally grabbed one of the tiny tendrils again and directed it out of this place and into his body. From there the blue energy flowed into his body like a current, humming beneath his skin, mirroring heat coursing through his veins. He focused on his right arm, willing that energy to move and flow into his muscles. This time, he wanted to try one hand, but instead of just the hand, he wanted to go for the entire arm. He tried imagining the essence seeping into his muscles to reinforce what was there, to work with the muscles, and not against them. At first, nothing happened. Kael furrowed his brows, concentrating harder. The sensation was strange, almost sluggish, like trying to push water through a narrow pipe. Then something shifted. A faint warmth spread through his forearm, then his whole arm. The muscles tighten with a subtle but noticeable strength. His eyes snapped open. It worked. He flexed his fingers, testing the newfound sensation. His arm felt¡­ denser. Stronger. Not by much, but enough that he could tell the difference. It wasn¡¯t just a passive boost¡ªthis was something he was actively controlling. Excitement flared in his chest, but it was short-lived. A sharp ache bloomed in his forearm, spreading up to his elbow, up his whole arm. His concentration faltered, and in an instant, the energy vanished, but this time seeping out of him instead of returning back to what he now called his core. The strength in his arm faded, leaving behind a lingering soreness, and pain as if he had trained to failure and beyond, injuring himself. Kael hissed through clenched teeth, rubbing the muscles to ease the discomfort. That hadn¡¯t been pleasant. ¡°Too much, too fast,¡± he muttered. It was clear now¡ªthis wasn¡¯t something he could sustain for long. The flow of Essence drained from his core, and the moment he lost focus, it slipped away. He needed to refine his control, to find a way to make the energy flow more naturally without overwhelming his body. He took a deep breath, centering himself again. This time, he let the energy trickle in, slow and steady. Instead of forcing it, he allowed it to seep into his arm, spreading evenly. The warmth returned, lighter than before, but without the same immediate strain. He clenched his fist. There it was. The power was weaker but more stable. This he could maintain¡ªat least, for a short while. A few seconds later, that short while ended and the strain returned. His mind wavered, and the flow collapsed again. He gritted his teeth as the strength faded. The process repeated for nearly an hour. Trial and error, pushing the limits of how much he could handle. Each attempt drained a portion of his core, and though the exertion wasn¡¯t physically exhausting, the mental strain was something else entirely. Maintaining the flow required an intense level of focus¡ªone that he struggled to hold onto for more than a few moments at a time. It was progress. Slow, frustrating progress, but progress nonetheless. As he rested, rubbing the tension from his arm, a thought surfaced. His Essence Shaper skill. Until now, he had barely considered it beyond what the System had told him. He had assumed it was just a classification, something vague that he would uncover as he grew stronger. But if the System had granted him the skill, there had to be a way to use it. He brought up his Status page, his gaze locking onto the skill entry. Essence Shaper ¨C Rank 1 Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Allows the user to shape, reinforce, and manifest Essence-based constructs. Current efficiency: 10% Reinforce. That part he understood. It was what he had been attempting with his muscles. But the other words¡ªshape, and manifest¡ªthose were still beyond him. How did one manifest something that had no physical form? Kael frowned, rolling the thought around in his mind. If shaping was a part of the skill, then there had to be a way to control Essence outside his body. Maybe¡­ just like how he directed the energy into his muscles, he could try guiding it outward. The idea sent a thrill through him, but also apprehension. He had barely managed to control the flow within his body. But he had to try. Taking a steadying breath, he lifted his palm, facing it upwards. He focused, reaching for that internal pulse once more. Instead of sending it into his arm, he willed it to leave his body, to gather into a ball in front of him. It was like trying to push against an invisible wall. The energy resisted, clinging stubbornly to him. He furrowed his brows, pushing harder, forcing the Essence outward. For a fleeting second, nothing happened. Then, the smallest flicker of blue light appeared above his palm. Kael¡¯s breath hitched. It was tiny¡ªno bigger than a pea, an ephemeral sphere of energy hovering just above his skin. It flickered unsteadily as if any stray thought could make it disappear. His heart pounded. He had done it. But as he marveled at his achievement, a sharp, searing pain erupted through his arm again. His concentration snapped. The small sphere of Essence collapsed, falling toward the wooden plank beneath him. He barely had time to react as it made contact with the floor. For an instant, the wood glowed faintly¡ªpulsing with soft blue light¡ªbefore the glow faded, disappearing completely. Kael stared, his arm still trembling from the pain. The energy¡­ had been absorbed? Kael sat motionless, staring at the faint blue glow that had just vanished into the wooden plank beneath his feet. His heart still pounded from the pain that had shot through his arm moments ago. What just happened? The energy had left him, manifesting for the first time outside his body. It had been unstable, weak, and barely the size of a pebble, but it had appeared. Yet instead of dissipating like mist or vanishing into thin air, it had been absorbed into the wood. Did Essence interact with matter? Or had it simply been lost? His mind raced through possibilities, but he had no concrete answers. The only thing he knew for certain was that controlling Essence outside his body was an entirely different challenge from reinforcing his muscles. Kael flexed his fingers, still feeling the dull ache that spread through his forearm. The pain had been expected and unexpected¡ªalmost like the Essence had fought against his control. It wasn¡¯t just about forcing the energy out; it was about shaping it, directing it with purpose. And without that focus, the power had simply leaked away. But he didn¡¯t know how to shape. And that was the problem. The feeling he got when focusing on the skill with his mind, only returned a general impression of the energy leaving his body. Despite the failure, a small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He had done it. The first, wobbly step toward something greater. But he wasn¡¯t satisfied yet. Taking a deep breath, Kael shook the tension from his hands and straightened his back. If he wanted to improve, he needed to go at it again. This time, with more care, more precision. He focused once more, reaching inward toward his Essence core. He found it, the familiar pulse, steady yet brimming with untapped potential. He pulled at a thread of it, guiding it outward¡ªnot to his muscles, but to the open air above his palm. This time, instead of forcing it out in one rush, he let it trickle, slowly, steadily. The blue flicker returned, hovering just above his hand. It wavered slightly but held its shape longer than before. He concentrated on keeping it stable, shaping it into a perfect sphere rather than letting it spread uncontrolled. His brow furrowed with effort. Every second felt like an eternity as he fought to maintain the delicate balance between too much and too little. Sweat beaded along his temple. His breathing grew heavier. Then, just as he started to get used to the feeling, the pain surged back into his arm¡ªthis time sharper, more immediate and intense. The sphere quivered and collapsed again. Kael bit back a curse as the remaining Essence leaked from his palm, dropping onto the wooden plank. The result was the same: a brief glow, then nothing. He clenched his jaw, rolling his shoulder to ease the discomfort. This was going to take time¡ªmore than he had anticipated. He had figured that if he could reinforce his body, pushing Essence outward wouldn¡¯t be too different. But it was. It required an entirely new level of control, and more importantly, endurance. He needed to pace himself. Kael sat back, taking a break to regain his strength. His Essence core wasn¡¯t infinite¡ªhe could feel the gradual drain with every attempt. But it was also refilling on its own, though with a very slow speed. He also felt that this wasn¡¯t exhaustion like a physical workout, but more like the mental fatigue of focusing on a complex task for too long. As he rested, he tried to process what he had learned. Essence could be shaped outside of his body, but only with extreme concentration. Without a solid form or direction, it dispersed easily or was absorbed by materials. The pain wasn¡¯t just in his muscles¡ªit was in deeper, meaning he was overexerting something deeper than just flesh. If this were a video game, he would have assumed he was leveling up his magic proficiency by doing this. But this wasn¡¯t just a game¡ªit was reality, and real progress came in inches, not leaps. He could just focus on leveling up, but Kael knew that the problem wasn''t only the amount of essence he had, even though the glow of his core was much dimmer now. He knew it was the lack of control and his proficiency with what he had that was the issue. Kael flexed his fingers again and let out a slow breath. "Alright. one more time." He repeated the process, refining his control. Each time, the sphere lasted longer. The size didn¡¯t increase much, but its stability improved. Instead of lasting a mere second, it lingered for three, then five, then almost ten before collapsing. Progress. Close to mid-day, Kael had reached a new milestone. The pain hadn¡¯t disappeared, but he had found a way to dull it slightly by easing the flow rather than forcing it. He had also discovered another strange detail¡ªwhen he shaped the Essence outside his body, even though he could control it. It didn¡¯t feel like a part of him anymore. Unlike reinforcing his muscles, which gave a feedback sensation, this energy felt disconnected, like an extension that lacked direct feedback. It was almost like holding something weightless in the air but knowing it could vanish at any moment. Kael exhaled, leaning back. He wiped the sweat from his brow, letting himself recover from his mental fatigue before he could push further. He needed to figure out what this Essence could actually do once outside his body. Simply making floating orbs wasn¡¯t going to get him anywhere. He needed something practical¡ªsomething he could apply in combat, survival, or even hunting. His gaze flicked to the plank where the Essence had been absorbed. He hadn¡¯t thought much about it before, but what if that had been more than just a random occurrence? Kael reached out and ran his fingers over the spot where the glow had been. The wood felt the same¡ªrough, dry, worn with age¡ªbut something was different. There was a faint sensation, an almost imperceptible resistance when he touched it. Like static electricity tingling beneath his fingertips. His heart sped up. Had the Essence¡­ infused into the wood? That opened an entirely new door of possibilities. If Essence could bond with objects, then could he strengthen things the same way he reinforced his own body? Could he make his weapons sharper? More durable? Could he leave lasting imprints of his power? Kael¡¯s mind buzzed with ideas. He wanted to test it immediately, but his core was running low, and his arms still ached from overuse. He sighed, rubbing his temples. He needed to take this one step at a time. Pushing himself to the point of collapse wasn¡¯t going to help him in the long run. For now, the morning¡¯s training had given him enough to think about. He had made progress¡ªreal, tangible progress. Tomorrow, he would continue refining his technique. He would keep testing, keep failing, and keep learning. Because he had a feeling that mastering Essence was the key to his survival in this new world. Kael stood, rolling his shoulders. His stomach growled, reminding him that he still hadn¡¯t eaten since yesterday. He chuckled to himself. "Guess I should deal with that before I pass out." He grabbed his hunting knife, as well as the antler blade, and prepared for the next task of the day. Training was important, but survival came first. He could practice more after securing food. As he descended the treehouse and set out toward the Gloomkind area of the forest, the weight of his discoveries settled in his chest. The world he had been thrown into was dangerous, unpredictable, and filled with threats far greater than he had yet encountered. But now, for the first time since arriving here, he felt like he had an edge. And he wasn¡¯t going to waste it. Chapter 14: Body Reinforcement Kael moved through the dense underbrush, his senses attuned to every rustling leaf and shifting shadow. The early midday light filtered through the towering trees, casting faint golden streaks along the forest floor. Even if there wasn''t any real damage done, his muscles still carried the dull ache from his Essence training, but it had gotten better, and he needed to ignore it. Right now, his focus was elsewhere. He was retracing his steps as best as he could, heading toward the Gloomkin-infested area of the forest. Kael remembered to keep his movements careful, and measured, as well as staying low and quiet. After his training session, and having not eaten anything he knew he needed food, and if the chance showed itself maybe kill a Gloomkin and get exp. The problem was finding the right opportunity. As he continued, he noticed subtle signs of activity¡ªscratches on tree bark, broken twigs, disturbed patches of dirt. He was getting close. Soon, the trees would begin to thin, giving way to the vast grassland where the Gloomkin village lay. But before he reached that point, he needed to make a decision. If he got too close, there was no telling how many of them he¡¯d encounter. Then, movement ahead. Kael immediately ducked behind a thick bush, peering out carefully. A small group of four Gloomkin moved through the clearing, their hunched forms swaying as they scouted for something. They carried no weapons, but their sharp claws and jagged teeth made up for it. Their levels hovered at 1, according to the System prompt that flickered into view above their heads. [ Gloomkin (Common) - Level 1 ] [ Gloomkin (Common) - Level 1 ] [ Gloomkin (Common) - Level 1 ] [ Gloomkin (Common) - Level 1 ] Kael tightened his grip on the antler blade at his waist, his heart rate picking up. He had a chance here. Four of them, and all at the lowest possible level. He could likely take them. But could he do it quietly? He narrowed his eyes, analyzing the situation. Even if they were weak, there were too many unknowns. What if they fought harder than he expected? What if they ran the moment he attacked, alerting more of their kind? The last thing he wanted was for the entire hordes to come crashing down on him because he got overconfident. His grip relaxed slightly. Not worth the risk. He needed to be smart, not reckless. Picking the right fight mattered more than picking just any fight, that was true for a fist fight outside a bar, and that was true in the military. Kael shifted his weight and slowly backed away, moving through the underbrush without making a sound. He¡¯d find another opportunity. Preferably one or two Gloomkin alone. Less risk, less noise. He kept his search methodically, circling the outer edges of where he had seen the Gloomkin before. But after some time, he found nothing. No lone scouts, no isolated hunting parties. Just more empty forest. Then, a new sound reached his ears. Faint at first, but unmistakable. A struggle. Kael froze, his head snapping in the direction of the noise. He listened intently, filtering out the usual rustling of leaves. There it was again¡ªa deep, guttural growl followed by the shrill, chittering sounds of Gloomkin. A fight. Kael moved quickly, weaving between trees and staying low. The sounds grew clearer the closer he got¡ªsnarls, squeals of pain, the thud of bodies colliding. Finally, he reached a vantage point, crouching behind a fallen log to observe the scene. Three Gloomkin were engaged in a brutal skirmish against a single large beast. [ Stonehide Boar (Common) - Level 4 ] It was massive, its bristled hide dark gray with stone-like fragments embedded into its body. Large, jagged tusks gleamed in the morning light, stained dark with fresh blood. The Gloomkin attacked with savage desperation¡ªtwo of them bare-handed, lunging at the beast with claws and teeth, while the third, a Level 4 Gloomkin, wielded a crude stone-tipped spear. Kael¡¯s eyes locked onto that one. A type of warrior, with a simple fur loincloth. The boar roared in pain, trampling one of the lower-level Gloomkin underfoot with a sickening crunch. The other clawed at its thick hide, trying to find purchase between the stone plates. The battle was savage and uncoordinated¡ªchaos. Then, with one desperate lunge, the boar gored another Gloomkin through the chest, sending it flying. The only one left standing was the warrior with the spear. Kael watched, transfixed. The boar staggered, bleeding heavily from multiple wounds. The Gloomkin warrior grinned, showing his jagged yellow teeth, and with a cruel laugh, raised It''s spear. With a single, brutal thrust, it plunged the weapon into the boar¡¯s throat. The beast convulsed, gasping for breath as blood gushed from the wound. It tried to rise, but its legs buckled, collapsing with a final shudder. The battle was over. But the Gloomkin wasn¡¯t done. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Kael narrowed his eyes as the creature began stabbing the already-dead boar repeatedly, snarling with twisted delight. It was cruel, even by monster standards. This wasn¡¯t just killing for survival¡ªthis was something else entirely. He exhaled slowly, considering his next move. Now was his chance. The Gloomkin warrior was alone. It was strong, sure, but it had just fought a grueling battle and was likely tired. If he struck now, he had the advantage. But there was risk. A Level 4 Gloomkin with a spear was a real opponent for him. Kael¡¯s gaze flicked to the carcass of the boar. If he won, he wouldn¡¯t just gain experience¡ªhe¡¯d gain food, he''d get to eat. That alone made it worth it. He steadied his breathing, tightening his grip on his weapon. He needed to be smart about this. A direct charge wouldn¡¯t work¡ªthe Gloomkin had reached with that spear. He¡¯d have to surprise it. His pulse quickened, but he forced himself to remain calm. He positioned himself behind a thick tree, keeping his footsteps light, ensuring he made no noise. This was his first real fight. He couldn¡¯t afford to make mistakes. He exhaled slowly, preparing himself. Then, with silent precision, Kael moved into position. Now hidden just a few feet away from the unsuspecting Gloomkin warrior. The creature was still preoccupied with mutilating the corpse of the boar, its crude spear rising and falling in a frenzied rhythm. Blood splattered across its gray skin, its ragged breath coming in chittering bursts of excitement. This was it. His moment to strike. He steadied his grip on the antler blade, focusing on everything he had learned about Essence control. Direct. Reinforce. Maintain. He visualized the energy flowing into the muscles in his arm holding the weapon, enhancing his strength and speed just enough to make his first attack devastating. The energy obeyed, sluggishly at first, then faster as it responded to his intent. A faint blue sheen flickered around his arm, barely visible in the dappled light of the forest. It was the limit of what he could do for now, and even that took a lot out of him. Knowing he didn''t have long; Kael took a single deep breath. Then he moved. His legs propelled him forward. He closed the distance in a blink, his blade slashing through the air in a downward arc aimed at the creature¡¯s exposed back. The Gloomkin barely had time to react before the sharp edge bit deep into its shoulder, carving through sinew and flesh. Pain shot through Kael¡¯s body from the impact. He had put too much force behind it. His muscles, still unused to sustained Essence reinforcement, flared with strain. But he gritted his teeth and pushed through. He had to try to finish this before the Gloomkin could recover. A shrill, guttural screech tore from its throat as it stumbled forward, releasing its spear in surprise. Kael didn¡¯t stop. He pressed his advantage, slamming his foot into the creature¡¯s side, sending it sprawling onto the blood-soaked dirt. He got the feeling to say "THIS IS SPARTA", but that would be too much, even in this situation. The creature rolled to its knees, snarling, its beady black eyes locking onto him with murderous intent. It lunged, claws swiping wildly at his face. Kael barely dodged, feeling the wind from its strike graze his cheek. He twisted his body, sidestepping just enough to avoid the second attack, then countered. He drove his antler blade forward, aiming for its throat. But the Gloomkin twisted at the last second, and instead of a clean kill, the blade sank into its shoulder again. It howled in agony, but this time, it didn¡¯t fall¡ªit retaliated. With a burst of desperate energy, it jumped and slammed its forehead into Kael¡¯s, momentarily stunning him. His vision blurred, and before he could regain his bearings, a clawed hand raked across his forearm, drawing blood. He hissed in pain but forced himself to stay focused. The Gloomkin tried to reach for its spear, but Kael didn¡¯t let it. He stepped on the weapon, pinning it to the ground, and with a final, powerful strike, he drove the antler blade deep into the side of its neck. The creature let out a strangled gurgle, its body convulsing violently before going still. Kael exhaled sharply, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His arms trembled, both from the strain of the fight and the continued drain of Essence. He quickly willed the stream of essence to stop, resulting in the link to his core bouncing back and pain briefly flaring. But it did the job, cutting off the reinforcement before it could weaken his core further. He didn''t want to risk finding out what happened when his core ran out, not now of all times. For a moment, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and his own breathing. Then, the familiar chime of the System echoed in his mind. [ Experience Gained: +35 EXP ] [Skill Acquired: Body Reinforcement ¨C Rank 1] Allows the user to Temporarily enhance and reinforce their body using essence. Depending on the amount of essence used. Kael blinked as a fresh wave of excitement filled him, a new skill or the system recognized what he had tried to do and gave him a skill for it. The System¡¯s notifications reassured him¡ªhe was growing stronger. Every fight, every risk, was pushing him forward. His gaze drifted to the slain Gloomkin, then to the boar¡¯s massive carcass. He had done it. He had taken out a Level 4 enemy, claimed its kill, and survived. He had food now. But he couldn¡¯t linger. Taking out his knife he crouched beside the boar, quickly cutting through its thick hide between the stone fragments, to carve out the best portions of meat he could carry. The process was messy, his inexperience showing as he struggled against the dense flesh. The smell of blood was heavy in the air now¡ªtoo heavy. Kael¡¯s instincts screamed at him to move. He quickly wrapped the meat in broad leaves and tied it together with strips of his old shirt, securing it to his belt. He had no time to rinse away the blood like last time. Then, he grabbed the Gloomkin¡¯s spear. The antler blade was almost as long as his forearm, it was longer than his knife, but still nothing to brag about. Even though the spear was crude, having a longer reach would be useful. Just as he turned to leave, a distant chittering sound froze him in place. More Gloomkin. He didn¡¯t wait to see how many. He grabbed everything he could, his muscles burning from the exertion, and bolted into the trees. He kept his steps light, weaving through the underbrush as quickly and quietly as possible. The chittering grew louder behind him. They had found the bodies. Kael forced himself to move faster, ignoring the stinging pain in his forearm where the Gloomkin had clawed him. His lungs burned, but he didn¡¯t stop. He wasn¡¯t ready for another fight, not when he was carrying meat, a new weapon, and wounds that still bled. Minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity as he ran. Finally, after what seemed like forever, the forest thickened around him once more. The sounds of pursuit had faded. He slowed his pace, his breath coming in ragged gasps, and only when he was certain he was alone did he finally allow himself to stop. Despite worrying about the smell of blood and meat. Kael leaned against a tree, pressing a hand to his bleeding arm. It wasn¡¯t deep, but it needed attention. He exhaled sharply, exhaustion creeping in. But despite the pain, despite the close call¡ªhe had done it. He had won. Kael let out a short, breathless chuckle. Then, without wasting any more time, he unwrapped the meat before using his water bag to wash it, then rewrapped it. It wasn''t a perfect solution, but he had no other idea. He then turned back in the direction of his tree house and started to walk. He would head to the river, wash away the wounds, and apply bandage. He would then cook his meal, and rest. After practicing this new skill tomorrow. Kael would be even stronger. Chapter 15: Body Reinforcement 2 The morning found Kael standing in front of a large tree, its bark rough and uneven, worn by the passage of time and the elements. The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy above, casting soft patterns of light and shadow over the forest floor. A faint breeze stirred the leaves, but the air remained thick with the ever-present scent of damp earth and vegetation. He let out a yawn, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. After cooking and eating the meat he had stolen from the Gloomkin yesterday, Kael had slept better than he had in days. Even with the clear sounds of predators moving through the night, none had come near his treehouse. That, in itself, was strange. The first night, he encountered the panther-like beast that had nearly ended his life, but since then, he hadn¡¯t seen anything like it. He suspected the presence of the Gloomkin had something to do with it. Their numbers likely made this section of the forest less appealing to solitary predators, during both the daytime and the nights. He still remembered the first Gloomkin he saw wandering in the night. He guessed only the truly desperate or particularly aggressive beasts would linger around this area. That was good for him, but it wasn¡¯t what he was here to think about. He turned his attention back to the tree, refocusing on why he had come here in the first place. He opened his Status page and brought up his skill list. [Skills] Essence Shaper ¨C Rank 1 (Allows the user to shape, reinforce, and manifest Essence-based constructs. Current efficiency: 10%.) Body Reinforcement ¨C Rank 1 (Allows the user to Temporarily enhance and reinforce their body using essence. Depending on the amount of essence used.) His eyes locked onto the second skill. All this time, he had thought he was working on the Essence Shaper skill, specifically the reinforcement aspect of it. He had assumed that channeling energy into his muscles was the first step in learning how to shape essence properly. But he had been completely wrong. His experimentation had led to something entirely new. The realization sent a wave of frustration through him. He had been at square one with Essence Shaper all along. Kael guessed that the one time he had actually done something related to it was forming that tiny, unstable sphere of Essence. On the one hand, he was glad he wasn''t considered an essence-based construct, but on the other hand, he had no fucking clue about where to go now. Still, that wasn¡¯t the only revelation. A thought struck him as he remembered something from the day before¡ªthe moment when he lost control of the floating sphere, and it fell, touching the wooden plank inside his treehouse. For a brief second, the wood had glowed. Not only that but when he had touched the spot, it had felt different. That¡­ could be the reinforcement aspect of the skill. His pulse quickened at the possibility. But as tempting as it was to investigate, he wasn¡¯t here for that. Not yet. He needed to focus on his actual goal for the morning. Kael exhaled slowly and turned back to the tree. He tightened his grip on the antler blade, its weight familiar in his grasp. If the Body reinforcement skill was now officially part of his repertoire, then he needed to understand what had changed compared to before. To start, he tested the blade against the bark. With a slow, controlled motion, he sliced into the tree. The result surprised him. Even though he had put only a small amount of force behind the cut, the blade bit deeper than expected. The wound on the tree was clean and noticeable¡ªfar more than what he had anticipated. Frowning, Kael opened his Stats page to check something. He had gained 4 points in Strength since arriving. That was a significant jump from the 8 he started with. He hadn¡¯t felt twice as strong, but he was definitely stronger than before. The ease with which he had cut the tree confirmed that. Satisfied with the baseline test, he gritted his teeth and slashed at the tree with full force. The blade bit in deeper into the tough wood¡ªaround two centimeters. Not bad. Now for the real test. Kael took a deep breath and focused, pulling Essence from his core. He directed it into his right arm, the same way he had done before in battle. The familiar warmth spread through his muscles, enhancing them. A faint, nearly invisible blue sheen flickered over his skin. He swung again. THUNK. The blade sank three centimeters deep. A clear improvement. The difference between enhanced and unenhanced strikes was noticeable, even though the boost wasn¡¯t overwhelming. But the true benefit wasn¡¯t just the added force¡ªit was that his body moved smoother and faster when enhanced. Even if the strength boost wasn¡¯t massive, the agility and fluidity of his movements made up for it. And he suspected that flesh would be much easier to go through, as shown by the Gloomkin. Kael flexed his fingers and carefully cut off the flow of Essence¡ªthis time, instead of just abruptly stopping, he willed it to return to his core in a controlled maner. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. The pain didn¡¯t come. His eyes widened slightly at the realization. By treating the connection as a string¡ªsomething that needed to be retracted instead of severed¡ªhe had avoided the usual backlash. That¡¯s it¡­ He was starting to understand how to manipulate Essence without harming himself in the process. Encouraged, he decided to experiment further. He closed his eyes and focused inward, trying to ¡°sense¡± his new skill. He hoped for something¡ªanything¡ªthat would give him more insight. But all he got was a vague confirmation of what he already knew and had done to get the skill. He opened his eyes, frustrated. It wasn¡¯t much of a revelation. Still, he pressed on. Kael spent the rest of the morning practicing. He didn''t fully know how he was going to do the reinforcement part of this skill either so he focused on what he could do for now. He enhanced different limbs one at a time, methodically testing the effects. His left arm reacted the same as his right, the power increased uniformly across both. Same for his legs. He also noticed the speed at which he stepped to push off the ground being enhanced when he reinforced his legs. Which he suspected would let him run faster and his legs feel more responsive than usual when he could enhance both legs at the same time. That could be useful in a fight. One thing he refused to try, though, was enhancing his head. He didn¡¯t even want to imagine what could happen if something went wrong. Next, he tried something new. After all the skill description had said it was meant to enhance the body, not a limb. So instead of enhancing one limb, he attempted to enhance two at once by splitting the tendril of Essence coming from his core. The moment he tried, he felt the difficulty. The tendril wobbled unsteadily, unable to divide properly. One side received too much, while the other barely had any. His control wasn¡¯t precise enough. Then, he lost his grip on the flow entirely. A painful snap echoed through his body as the tendril snapped back, sending a surge of raw energy throughout his system. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain. Damn it. Still not there yet. After a short rest, and waiting for the pain to go away, Kael tried something just for curiosity¡¯s sake. He attempted dragging two small tendrils from his core at once, soon finding out that that was even harder than splitting one tendril. He barely managed to start before the energy collapsed on itself. Sighing, Kael opened his stats part of the status. His eyes settled on one particular stat. Stats: If I assume it does what it is written there, and I keep leveling up resulting in Essence control increasing, I might be able to split the tendrils properly, boosting more than one limb. Or get one more tendril involved. Settling on that idea, Kael noticed that he had never closely monitored the changes Essence Control made before and after leveling up. He decided he would pay closer attention next time. Kael glanced up at the sky. The sun had moved near midday. He pushed himself off the tree, rolling his shoulders. ¡°Time to steal food again,¡± he muttered, chuckling at his situation. He moved out, hunting for another opportunity.
Kael moved through the forest with careful, measured steps, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he searched for prey¡ªboth the edible kind and the kind that would give him experience. The previous night¡¯s meal had satisfied him, but his body was still adjusting to the increased physical demands of his training. He needed more food, and more than that, he needed to keep leveling up. The fight against the Level 4 Gloomkin had shown him that even with an advantage, combat in this world was unpredictable. He had won, but the fight had not been clean. The closer he got to the Gloomkin¡¯s territory, the more he realized he couldn''t afford to be sloppy. His boots barely made a sound against the forest floor as he maneuvered through the underbrush. He was moving further from his treehouse, deeper into enemy-controlled territory. His grip tightened on the antler blade as he kept his body low, weaving between thick roots and foliage. It wasn¡¯t long before he picked up signs of movement ahead. A rustling sound. Then a faint chittering. Kael immediately slowed his pace, lowering himself behind a thick bush. He waited, listening. The sound came again, footsteps shuffling lightly against the dirt. Peering through the gaps in the leaves, he spotted them¡ªtwo Gloomkin, both smaller than the one he had fought yesterday, both Level 1. They weren¡¯t armed, but their clawed fingers and sharp teeth were still enough of a threat if he wasn¡¯t careful. They were searching for something, sniffing at the air, scanning the ground. Then, just ahead of them, one of the creatures perked up, eyes locking onto a small clearing where a hare crouched near a tree stump. Kael watched, interest piqued. The forest was filled with these creatures. He had already stolen food from the Gloomkin once, but now he was seeing first hand just how common hares were in this area. That was good news. If the Gloomkin kept hunting them, then he had a reliable way to track their movements. One of the Gloomkin lunged, scuttling forward with surprising speed. The hare tried to bolt, but the second one was already moving, cutting off its escape. Within seconds, the creature was trapped between the two small monsters. It squealed in panic as the first Gloomkin clamped its clawed hand around the back of its neck, shaking it violently, until it boke its neck before tossing it to the ground. The second one let out a pleased chitter, crouching down to inspect their kill. Kael waited. He wasn¡¯t in a rush. Two Level 1 Gloomkin were not a challenge, but patience was a weapon, just like any other. Sometimes it rewarded to wait. The two monsters sniffed around, scanning for more prey. When they didn¡¯t find any, their body language shifted. One of them let out an annoyed clicking sound, and the two began to bicker. Sharp teeth flashed as they snapped at each other, their frustration clear, and then a scuffle broke out, ending with the two on the ground. A smirk tugged at Kael¡¯s lips. Using this chance he moved. The first Gloomkin barely had time to react before his blade was slicing down. He had enhanced his arm moments before, channeling just enough Essence to give his strike extra force. The antler blade cut deep, carving through flesh with terrifying ease. The creature let out a short, strangled cry before collapsing forward, blood pooling beneath its twitching body, having its back cut open. The second Gloomkin froze in confusion for half a second. That was all Kael needed. With a swift movement, he lifted his foot and slammed it down on the monster¡¯s skull. A sickening crack echoed through the forest as bone shattered under his weight. The creature spasmed once, then went still. Kael then proceeded to end the first one with a quick stab to its back aiming for where he tough something important must be. Silence followed. Kael remained in place, scanning the surroundings for any sign that he had been heard. The forest remained still. No chittering. No approaching footsteps. He exhaled slowly, then crouched down, inspecting the bodies. The kills had been fast, and efficient. He had struck before his enemies could react and ended it before they could make too much noise and get attention. He was also satisfied with the amount of difference the enhanced strength had made. The first Gloomkin had barely put up a fight, and the second hadn¡¯t even had time to process what had happened before it was dead. The System¡¯s familiar chime echoed in his mind. [Experience Gained: 7 EXP x2] He took a deep breath, letting the notification settle, noting he only got 7 exp per kill before glancing at the dead hare. Fresh meat. He reached down, grabbing the lifeless creature by its hind legs. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough for now. Kael wiped the blood off his blade and stood, casting one last glance at the corpses of the Gloomkins. He wasn¡¯t sure how intelligent they truly were, but he doubted they would ignore two missing members for long. He needed to leave before more of them came searching. With that, he turned and disappeared into the forest, heading back toward his treehouse. He would eat well tonight. And tomorrow, he would push himself even further. Chapter 16: Hunt or be hunted Kael sat cross-legged in his treehouse, his fingers wrapped tightly around the antler blade as he focused with all his might. He had been at this for two days now¡ªtwo long frustrating days of trying to infuse Essence into the weapon. His muscles still carried the dull ache of his now daily training, but he ignored it. At least nothing is bleeding anymore. Kael had noticed that his body''s natural healing was much higher now than before the system. The wounds he had gotten the first night had closed up, the same going for the cut on his arm from the level 4 Gloomkin. Not to even mention the small scratches here and there. It was good to know that as long as the wound wasn''t too great, he only needed to take care, to wash and put some form of protection like a leaf on. He would be good, not needing to apply bandage on every scratch. There would be a scar, like the wound on his shoulder and arm, but those he could live with. The reason Kael was thinking this was because he had run out of bandages, having used the last of it on the cut in his arm from the level 4 Gloomkin with the spear. Kael chastised himself and refocused, there was something more important right now than worrying about a bandage. He exhaled slowly; eyes locked onto the blade as he directed the thread of Essence from his core down into his arm. It pulsed, the familiar warmth coursing through his veins, enhancing his muscles before he guided it outward, toward the weapon itself. He felt the energy reach the surface of his skin, then extend outward, touching the antler¡¯s rough texture. For a brief moment, a flicker of blue light danced along the surface of where he was holding the weapon. Then, it vanished. Kael clenched his jaw, frustration gnawing at him. The only thing making him not want to stab something right now was that he at least had made progress in his body, enhancement training. He could now split the small tendril and enhance two limbs simultaneously. The effect was weaker than when he did with just one limb, but it was a step forward. He had also experimented with controlling a second tendril from his core, having still no luck. But he was able to make a tendril slightly bigger than the one he currently worked on move slightly, giving him hope he could replace and upgrade the size of the one he currently used, and resulting in him having greater essence flow from his core. The difference wasn''t by much, but anything was better than nothing. If he couldn''t have two, might as well get a better model than what he currently uses. Even after this progress, no matter how hard he tried, Essence refused to properly infuse the antler blade, his will on the essence not being enough to get it to stick to the blade. He inhaled deeply, steadying himself. ¡°Alright, refocus,¡± he muttered. He had done more investigating after his hunt and killing of the two-level 1 Gloomkin, specifically on the wooden plank where he had lost control of the Essence ball days ago. Back then, when it had fallen, it caused the plank to glow faintly before the light dissipated. At the time, when he pressed his fingers against the wood, it had felt sturdier¡ªlike the reinforcement had actually worked. But now? The plank was no different from the others. The effect had worn off. Just like the antler blade. He glanced down at the weapon in his hands. The first time he picked it up, there had been traces of Essence clinging to it, likely residual essence from the Wildhorn buck the antler had belonged to. But after some time, that Essence had completely faded away. It seemed Essence-infused objects didn¡¯t remain that way forever. At least, not without the source or with whatever crude method he had been using on the wood plank on the floor. ¡°So, it fades unless I figure out how to make it last longer,¡± he mused. ¡°Damn it.¡± After several more failed attempts, Kael exhaled sharply and set the antler blade aside. ¡°Enough of that for now,¡± he muttered. ¡°Time to move on.¡± He shifted his focus to the other exercise he had been working on¡ªshaping Essence externally. After his discovery that Essence Shaper wasn¡¯t responsible for his body reinforcement, he had gone back to square one. The best result he had achieved was forming a small, unstable sphere of Essence above his palm. But that wasn¡¯t enough. If he truly wanted to shape Essence into something useful, he needed more control. Closing his eyes, Kael drew on his core again, pulling the essence outward and letting it pool above his open palm. The familiar blue light flickered to life, the tiny sphere appearing once more. He had spent hours trying to manipulate it further, and while progress was slow, there had been some success. He could now elongate the shape slightly, stretching it to one side or another, and he could even make it spin a little. But that was it. With sweat on his forehead as he focused on spinning the Essence sphere faster, Kael''s fingers trembling slightly from the exertion. He felt the energy resisting, wobbling erratically. Come on, just hold together a little more¡ª A sudden chime echoed through his mind. Kael flinched, his concentration breaking instantly. The tiny sphere of Essence lost cohesion and dropped from his palm, hitting the wooden floor. Just like before, the plank glowed faintly for a moment before the light vanished. Then, pain shot through his core as the tendril of energy snapped back violently. He gritted his teeth, clutching his chest as the familiar sensation pulsed through his body. ¡°Goddamn it!¡± he cursed, rubbing his sternum as the pain faded. The backlash was always unpleasant, but this was the worst possible timing. What the hell did just happened? Then, he saw the glowing System message hovering in front of him. [System Message] Congratulations, Survivors. You have successfully endured the first week of integration. Kael¡¯s eyes widened as he quickly read on. The process of adapting to the new world has been difficult, and many have fallen. The survival rates among the sapient species vary, but currently, humanity has suffered the greatest losses. Only 15% of the initial human population remains. Kael swallowed hard. 15%? He knew the death toll had to be high, the current human society was too used to the invisible comforts in life, not aware of what truly it meant to lose it. But seeing an actual number was sobering. That meant 85% of humanity¡ªmillions if not billions of people¡ªhad already died. Whether it was from monsters, starvation, or other means, it didn¡¯t matter. They were gone. Kael shuddered when he thought about their death. He had been teleported to a random place, who said the rest of humanity didn''t suffer the same fate? What would happen when you suddenly found yourself in a desert full of monsters? Or at the bottom of the ocean? Thinking that way, Kael was surprised even that many were left. But the message wasn¡¯t done. For those who remain, whether through luck, skill, or sheer willpower, you have proven yourselves truly worthy of a place in the greater multiverse. As such, the second phase of integration shall now commence. Kael¡¯s hands curled into fists. There was more? The next phase will aid survivors in rebuilding some semblance of society. The following features have now been unlocked: Certain large-scale challenges will also appear, designed to push survivors to their limits and reward them accordingly. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Kael read over the information carefully, his mind racing. The quest system intrigued him the most. If he could get rewards that actually helped him, it could mean a serious advantage in his growth. The party system though? That was another matter entirely. He hadn¡¯t even seen another person since arriving in this forest. He wasn¡¯t sure how useful it would be for him. Then, his heart started to beat faster as he read the final message. Prepare yourselves. In one month, the first of the territorial events shall be introduced, and monsters who have passed the initial threshold will start to appear. Become stronger, or risk facing annihilation. Kael stared at the words, his chest tightening. A threshold? What the hell did that mean? And what kind of monsters were coming? The creatures he had faced so far had already been dangerous enough. If these new ones were stronger, what was he supposed to do, wish them gone by giving the tooth fairy Gloomkin teeth??? Truly this day was beginning to test his patience. He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on his knees. One month. That was all he had. His gaze drifted down to his hands, still faintly trembling from his failed experiment. His training wasn¡¯t enough. He needed to grow stronger¡ªfaster. With a grim determination settling over him, Kael dismissed the message and got to his feet. He needed fresh air¡ªneeded to clear his head. A part of him still reeled from the sheer scale of the death toll. 85% of humanity is gone. That meant people had lost family and friends, all wiped out in the span of a week. Kael wasn''t a stranger to death on a large scale having been ordered and tasked to kill before. People he suspected might have not been fully the monsters they were depicted as, leading him to leaving the military for just that reason, not wishing to be part of that kind of War machine and fearing what it might do to his mind and soul. But this amount of death...it was unimaginable. Now standing under his tree house Kael took a deep breath of fresh air and tried to divert his mind as best as he could. As grim as all of this was, right now he had other concerns. He needed to focus on that, he had seen what would happen if you let your mind wander in those thoughts, and it wasn''t pretty. The System¡¯s message had only reinforced what he already knew¡ªhe had to grow stronger, fast. The only way to do that was through hunting and leveling. His daily training had helped refine his skills, but it wasn¡¯t enough. He needed more real experience with using them¡ªreal battles. Deciding to head out early, he grabbed the crude Gloomkin spear, along with the antler blade, and climbed down from his treehouse. By now, he had become familiar with the layout of the Gloomkin-infested part of the forest. He moved through the underbrush with ease, keeping low as he scanned for prey. As he ventured further, he noticed something troubling. More and more Gloomkin were carrying weapons. Days ago, they had appeared to have been nothing but wild, though semi-intelligent, dumb things. But now, as he observed from a safe distance, things were changing as they got stronger. Their average level had increased as well. What was once a horde mostly of Level 1 weaklings, was now filled with Level 2 and 3 creatures at the minimum. And worst of all, more of them had crude weapons and shields. Kael¡¯s grip tightened on his weapon. Ahead, he spotted a duo of Gloomkin moving cautiously through the forest. They hadn¡¯t noticed him yet, so he trailed behind them, keeping his movements slow and deliberate. One of them suddenly chittered excitedly, waving its clawed hand to the other. A third Gloomkin emerged from the trees, leading them toward something on the ground¡ªa carcass. A Level 2 Wildhorn Buck. Small, but fresh. Kael¡¯s eyes flicked over the Gloomkins as they examined the buck. One held a crude wooden shield and a short, thick spear with a sharpened stone tip. Another wielded what looked like an axe, its handle made from a sturdy branch and a jagged stone tied to the end with strips of sinew. The third one¡ªthe one who had found the buck¡ªhad a thick club and wearing a rough pelt draped over its shoulders with small cuts. All three were Level 4. Kael felt a pulse of excitement in his chest. This was a risk, but he had fought and killed a Level 4 Gloomkin before. With the right timing, he could take them out before they had a chance to react. Slowly and carefully, he moved into a position behind them. The moment the spear and axe wilding Gloomkins grabbed the buck¡¯s legs to start dragging it away, Kael made his move. He enhanced his arm, pouring Essence into his muscles, feeling the familiar warmth course through his veins. Then, he raised the crude spear¡ªhis grip firm, his aim as good as he could make it. With a controlled breath, he threw the spear. The weapon whistled through the air, striking true. The axe-wielding Gloomkin let out a shrill screech as the spear embedded itself into its bare back, sending it sprawling forward onto the ground. The other two jumped away in shock. The one left holding the buck released it and both spun around facing the direction the spear came from. Kael had already started running towards them the moment he threw the spear. [ Experience Gained: +35 EXP ] The shield-bearer let out a shriek and lunged at him, spear raised. Kael sidestepped the first thrust, feeling the sharp stone tip graze his side. He swung his antler blade down at the creature¡¯s arm. The Gloomkin raised its shield just in time to block¡ªbut Kael didn¡¯t stop. He pressed forward, shoving all his weight and the strength from his stats into the strike, pushing the monster backward. It stumbled, nearly falling on top of its injured companion. Before Kael could press the advantage, pain flared in his right arm. The third Gloomkin had struck, hitting him with its club on his forearm. Making it so his grip on the antler blade almost faltered. Anger flared in his chest from the pain. He punched forward with his left hand, enhancing it while doing so and slamming his fist into the creature¡¯s snarling face. The hit connected hard, breaking its sharp nose. The Gloomkin let out a guttural wail, stumbling back and clutching its face as blood poured from its nostrils. Kael turned his attention back to the spear-wielding Gloomkin. It tried to recover, lunging forward for another attack, but its movements were clumsy. It was aggressive, but it clearly had no real understanding of how to use a spear properly. Kael sidestepped again treating the thing like a bull, then countered. His enhanced muscles snapped forward, driving his antler blade straight into the creature¡¯s eye. The Gloomkin let out a sickening shriek, dropping its shield as it convulsed violently. Kael twisted the blade before ripping it free, and the monster collapsed lifelessly to the ground. [ Experience Gained: +35 EXP ] One left. He turned to finish the injured Gloomkin, the one still bleeding from its broken nose¡ªbut it was already scrambling away. The damn thing was running. ¡°Shit,¡± Kael cursed, watching it disappear into the trees. It had already started high-pitched screaming the moment it fled. For a second, he considered chasing it down. But he shook his head. Not worth it. If more were nearby, he didn¡¯t want to be caught in a bad position. Instead, he turned back toward the Wildhorn Buck. His arm throbbed from where the Gloomkin had hit him. With a grimace, he lifted the small buck onto his shoulders. Even though it wasn¡¯t large, it still had some weight to it. The pain in his forearm flared, but he ignored it. ¡°Good thing my stats have increased. A hit like that would¡¯ve been a lot worse before the System. Now? It¡¯ll just probably leave a bruise.¡± Kael had taken notice of how his body tolerated more with each level up and how his hunger came less often and less intensely. He guessed that must have had something to do with the endurance stat. Not wasting time, he turned and ran. He didn¡¯t stop until he had put a significant distance between himself and the fight. Only once he was sure no Gloomkin were following, he slowed down. His breath coming in heavy but controlled gasps. A wide grin spread across his face. Even with the pain in his arm, he couldn¡¯t help but smile. Feeling confident, he opened his status screen. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 4 EXP: 70/100 Rank: Mortal Stats: After glancing at his EXP bar, he noted how little he had gained from the past two days. He had killed two Level 2 Gloomkin on the first day and found a Level 3 Stonehide boar. That fight has been much easier than he had imagined¡ªstab, dodge, repeat. It hadn¡¯t even been close to a struggle, the thing was dangerous if you weren''t paying attention, otherwise, it was simply a tough food source. But now? He had picked a fight with Three Level 4 Gloomskins, and won. Kael knew he was reckless to do so, hell he knew there was a chance one would escape, which had. But he had one month, and if he wanted any hope of surviving here when the more dangerous monsters showed up, he needed to take risks, even if they might come back to bite him or endanger him. He suspected anything that had passed this so called initial threshold to be higher than level 10 or maybe even 15. Kael adjusted the weight of the buck on his shoulders, rolling his bruised arm. With a grin, he muttered to himself, ¡°I think it¡¯s time to go home and eat.¡± Right before another system message showed up. [ New Quest - The enemy of the Gloomkin ] Chapter 17: Interlude-Magic on discount Leon sat near a rough stone outcropping, his back pressed against the cold tunnel wall as he stretched his legs in front of him. His fingers absentmindedly traced the uneven ground while his mind drifted, replaying the events of the last week in this godforsaken cavern, and now tunnels. It had been exactly seven days since their world had turned upside down. He let out a quiet sigh, watching the dim glow of the blue fungi that had taken root along the walls. The light flickered faintly, casting eerie shadows over the tunnel floor where the seventy, or so survivors who had stayed behind moved about. Each caught in their own struggles. Some were talking in hushed voices, and not so small amount just sat in exhaustion, worry, and mourning. Many were lost in thought. Leon adjusted his position, rolling his shoulders. The first two days had been the worst. After the initial panic and the setting up of a watch rotation to keep guard against whatever was lurking in the tunnels. Some people had simply decided to leave. Leon had watched them go, groups of survivors convinced this was some elaborate prank, an underground military experiment, or something even crazier. They had stormed off into the tunnels, insisting that there had to be an exit nearby. Ethan tried his best to stop them and convince them we needed to stay together. But people had made up their minds. In the end, their original group of two hundred had been cut down to seventy. The rest split off, vanishing into the darkness of the tunnels. At first, those who remained had waited. They waited for the groups who left to return with good news. But after a full day of sitting in the cavern, surviving off their rapidly dwindling water bottles and whatever snacks people had on them when they arrived, it became painfully clear¡ªno one was coming back. It had been Ethan who finally said what everyone was too scared to admit. ¡°We can¡¯t sit here and wait for them,¡± he had said, his voice carrying across the cavern, silencing the nervous murmurs. ¡°They either found a way out, forgot about us, or they got lost. Either way, we¡¯re out of food. If we stay here much longer we will starve¡± Just like that the atmosphere changed. And not for the better. More people had started complaining about seeing things, and that it wasn''t safe. The things they said they saw weren¡¯t completely hallucinations, but the shadows in the tunnels played tricks on most of them, and fear made every flicker of movement feel like something watching from the dark. People began whispering that maybe help wasn¡¯t too far off. Maybe rescue was coming. Ethan had shut that down fast, like every time prior. ¡°We don¡¯t know when, or if, help is coming,¡± he had said, standing tall in front of the group. His voice had been steady, calm but firm. Leon knew that Ethan believed help would never arrive, and he agreed. The two of them had talked about the system and tried to make sense of it. But in the end, they didn¡¯t have any answers. And even if they had a bleak sight of things, both knew better than to tell that to the rest of the group. So instead, he had told them what they needed to hear. ¡°If we want to survive and check up on our loved ones, we have to help ourselves first,¡± Ethan had said. The argument that followed was ungodly. Leon had never seen people argue about basic survival before. But dear God, in his opinion people were being impossibly difficult. There were too many opinions, fear, and uncertainty all around. In the end, they decided to leave the cavern they appeared in. It had been chaos at first, but one tunnel was chosen, one of the same two tunnels the first groups had taken. No one knew what had happened to those who left before them. But they had to take a chance, and some argued that it was better to follow in the previous group''s footsteps. And so, they walked. The further they traveled, the more the tunnel changed. Leon had been one of the first to notice the fungal growth that had started to appear. Strange, blue mushrooms lined the walls, casting a ghostly luminescence over the previous dark path ahead. They pulsed faintly, their light ebbing and flowing like breath. Then, the man wearing a business suit collapsed. It happened suddenly at one moment he was walking behind Ethan, then the next he let out a strangled gasp and crashed to the ground, convulsing. Those around him scrambled away in panic, their collective fear making them hesitate. Ethan had reacted first, kneeling beside him on the ground, and quickly laying him in a stable lateral position. ¡°What happened?¡± he demanded. A man wearing cargo pants, someone Leon hadn¡¯t spoken to, stepped forward hesitantly. ¡°I think...I know... Him and I were talking earlier, his name is Jack by the way... And while we were talking he said he was very hungry,¡± the man said grimly. ¡°He picked one of those mushrooms on the wall.... and well ate it.¡± Leon¡¯s stomach twisted. Shit. "Fuck. Is there a doctor?¡± Ethan called out, scanning the group. There was a long pause. Then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, the elderly woman from the subway, the same one Leon saw knitting, stepped forward. She hadn¡¯t said much this entire time. In fact, she had been eerily quiet throughout everything. Except when Ethen had checked up on her on the second day, and she said she was doing fine. But now, she moved with purpose, kneeling beside Jack¡¯s convulsing body. Leon exchanged a glance with Ethan, but neither spoke. The old woman checked Jack¡¯s pulse and then quickly placed both hands over his stomach. A faint green glow pulsed beneath her fingertips. The tunnel fell deathly silent. Someone behind Leon muttered a prayer. Just as quickly as it had appeared, the glow faded away. The old woman wobbled, her body swaying, but Ethan caught her before she could collapse. Then Jack''s body stopped convulsing. ¡°What¡­ what the hell was that?¡± Ethan asked, his voice unsteady in wonder. The old woman exhaled slowly. ¡°I don''t really know, I used to study to be a nurse,¡± she admitted. ¡°When this all started, that''s where my mind went, I tried to think of logical reasons for what was happening. A mass hallucination. An illegal government drug experiment. Some kind of gas leak.¡± She sighed. ¡°But two nights ago, I felt something. And then¡­ I got a notification saying I had acquired Basic Healing.¡± Leon had blinked at her in shock. The next few minutes had been chaos. Half the group refused to believe her. Magic wasn¡¯t real. It couldn¡¯t be real they said. The other half? They wanted answers. Some had watched too many Harry Potter movies and were asking her ridiculous questions. Leon had firmly placed himself in the second group. If magic was real¡­ then he had to try it for himself, after all, he had three points in Mana manipulation. One and a half Hours later, after another rest stop in the tunnels, where the same type of glowing crystals from the cavern reappeared embedded in the walls, bathing the space in an otherworldly light, Leon had found a quiet spot and sat down. He closed his eyes. The old woman, Ann as she was called, had said to focus on something, like she had done with medicine. And to try to find a strange feeling inside their bodies, she didn''t know more than that. Leon thought about what he was familiar with, and that was glass. About how fire shaped it. How temperature control made it malleable but stable. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Then, suddenly, he felt it. It was a soft, subtle energy flowing through his body, warm and alive. His breath caught as it spread throughout his entire being. He focused harder on the image. A small flame flickered to life in his palm. Leon panicked. His immediate reaction was to shake his hand back and forth to try to put the fire out. Instead, the flame flew from his hand and smashed against the cavern wall, sending sparks flying and dislodging small loose stones. This was followed by a chime ringing in his head. [ Skill Acquired: Fireball. ] Form a small fireball. Damage is based on the amount of mana infused. Leon stared at his hands. What. The. Hell. Around him, the entire group had turned to stare at him. Ethan, his eyes wide, had said the only thing that made sense. ¡°What just happened?¡± Leon just stared at his hands. His fingers twitched as if expecting the fire to return. I just cast a spell. The thought was absurd. Magic wasn¡¯t real¡ªit shouldn¡¯t be real. And yet here he was, standing in the middle of a glowing underground tunnel, his palm still warm from the fireball he had hurled into the wall. The silence stretched. Ethan¡¯s stunned gaze flicked between Leon and the scorch mark left behind. His jaw tensed, and he exhaled sharply. ¡°You¡¯re telling me that you¡ª¡± he gestured toward Leon, ¡°just¡­ threw fire?¡± Leon swallowed, his mind still struggling to process it. ¡°Yeah,¡± he finally muttered. ¡°I guess I did.¡± That was all it took. The group exploded into chaos. People backed away, whispering among themselves. Some looked at Leon like he was some infernal demon. Others? Their eyes burned with curiosity and hope. A younger guy, maybe in his early twenties, let out a nervous laugh. ¡°No. No, this isn¡¯t real. It¡¯s some hidden trick. You know things street magicians do¡± ¡°Then explain the glowing hands!¡± someone shot back. Leon sighed, rubbing his forehead. He had seen this before. Not the magic part, that was still new, but the way people reacted when their understanding of the world was shattered. The human mind did not handle the impossible well, there was such a thing as existential dread after all. It was the same when his grandma was shown one of those videos on how big stellar objects could get, by comparing their sizes. Ethan, on the other hand, was still staring at him, his expression unreadable. ¡°So now there are two wizards¡± Ethan eventually said, nodding toward the old woman. That shifted the attention. The old woman, who had healed Jack, stood calmly despite the dozens of eyes now pinned on her. She exhaled slowly, glancing at Ethan. That was the final confirmation. People started trying it themselves even harder. The first person to succeed was the woman with the dog. She stretched out her hands, eyes squeezed shut, mumbling something under her breath. For a few tense moments, nothing happened. Then, in the space just above her open palm, a thin spike of ice formed, floating in the air. A gasp rippled through the group. She yelped in shock, flinching back. The moment her focus broke, the ice shattered into pieces dropping to the cavern floor in a fine mist. And then, it happened again. This time it was the homeless man, the same guy who had been laughing at their predicament since day one, he lifted his hand, and a nearby rock levitated off the ground. It hovered awkwardly trembling in the air as if uncertain whether it wanted to stay or fall. Leon swallowed. That¡¯s¡­ dangerous. ¡°Alright,¡± Ethan clapped his hands together, loudly. ¡°Enough experimenting for now!¡± His tone had the weight of command, and people froze. Leon didn¡¯t blame him for cutting things short. A bunch of untrained, panicked people suddenly wielding elemental magic? That was a recipe for disaster. For example, someone could end up throwing a fireball in a space full of people in panic..... The group slowly settled, the tension still thick in the air. Leon could see it¡ªthe gears turning in their heads, the realization settling in. They weren''t thinking of just survival anymore. This was something else entirely. What kind of person didn''t want superpowers? This was like Oprah saying, you get magic, and you get magic and everybody gets magic!! People were tempted to take this opportunity. Not everyone had unlocked that kind of magic though. Some developed skills that were far less flashy. A woman in what looked like her late thirties, a mathematician by trade, unlocked a skill called ¡°Efficient Calculation.¡± It let her solve complex equations faster. Not the most useful in a cave, but still. Another man, a butcher from Brooklyn, received ¡°Butcher¡¯s Eyes.¡± [ Skill Acquired: Butcher¡¯s Eyes ] Allows the user to analyze an animal or creature and determine whether its meat is safe for consumption. That skill had come in handy sooner than expected. Because not long after, they found food. Or rather¡­ they found something that could be food. The tunnels stretched on for hours. The air had grown staler, and their water supply was running dangerously low. Then they saw it. A small lizard-like creature, its scales blending into the dark rock, its eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. More importantly, it wasn¡¯t alone. Leon counted at least a dozen. They clung to the cavern walls, hiding in crevices and cracks, their small, sharp claws scraping against stone. The group hesitated. No one wanted to make the first move. Then Ethan turned to Leon. ¡°You think you could do the fire thing again, this might be edible and could be a source of food in these tunnels,¡± he said. Leon readied himself. He lifted his hand, swallowing his nerves, and focused. Fireball, he thought in his mind. The warmth flared to life in his palm, familiar now but still foreign. He pulled his arm back and threw it with all his might. The fireball sailed through the air, crashing close to a cluster of lizards. One of them let out a shrill screech, writhing as flames consumed it. Immediately the others scattered. ¡°Get them!¡± Ethan barked. A wave of energy surged through the group. The homeless man hurled stones with his newfound telekinesis. The girl with the dog fired off jagged icicles. The rest? They swung wildly with whatever makeshift weapons they had including rocks, crystals, and even belts. It was clumsy and messy. But they won!! No matter how insignificant of a victory it was. When it was over, they had six dead lizards. That left one problem: Were they edible? The butcher stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he activated his skill. After a long moment, he nodded. ¡°Well, according to the thing it says they are safe to eat.¡± After having evidence in your face, in the form of magic, it was hard not to trust, and having no choice being empty of food and all. They had to take what the butcher said at face value. They cooked the first real meal since arriving in the tunnels on Leon''s fire. Many refused, stating it was gross to eat lizards, one man even coming with some racist remark, getting looks in return. But hunger won eventually. Food was one thing. Water? That was the real issue. Just like food, they had close to nothing left. And that''s even when Ethen had convinced people to take the smallest amount to make it last. It was then that the man in cargo pants stepped forward. ¡°I¡­ I might be able to help,¡± he said, rubbing his hands together. Leon watched as he took a deep breath and focused. Then water formed over his palm. A tiny droplet at first. Then more, until a small orb of liquid hovered in the air. Someone whispered in awe. But it was not nearly enough. After distributing just one and a half water bottle¡¯s worth to the group, the man staggered, looking sick. ¡°Shit,¡± Ethan muttered, catching him before he collapsed. Leon looked on. So they had a way to make water, but not too much at once. That meant they had to continue taking small sips between everyone. Eventually, they would need a real water source, or more people capable of making water. What a weird thing to think... It was also not long after this that Ethan discovered his own ability, or skill as they were called. [ Skill Acquired: Body Reinforcement ] Allows the user to temporarily enhance and reinforce their body. Duration depends on the amount of stamina available. But the cost was steep. The moment the effect faded, Ethan would be left physically drained. Leon had seen him test the skill. Not only did it make Ethan''s body move faster, but it also made it stronger, a bit tougher than before, and his mind sharper. But after just a few minutes, Ethan had to sit down, his breath ragged. Still, it was another weapon in their arsenal. Leon sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°And that brings us here,¡± he muttered. The past week had been chaos. But they had survived, and found some semblance of order, at least for now. Leon looked at the system message that everyone else was looking at, at least the ones that hadn''t broken down completely. The one after the system had said only 15% of humanity was left. [ New Quest: Slay the Lizard Matron. ] A Lizard Matron Hibernates somewhere in this tunnel system. Resting after producing more offspring. Objective- Find and eliminate her and her children. Reward: Settlement. Leon¡¯s breath caught. Settlement? Then he heard Ethan curse under his breath. Chapter 18: Wants Kael stared at the system message, reading over the words again, his breath slow and measured. The notification floating in front of him, the weight of its implications pressing down on his shoulders. [ New Quest - The enemy of the Gloomkin ] The Gloomkin village and its chieftain know that something has been actively hunting them and stealing their food. Now having a survivor to describe this predator, they have started the hunt for it. Kael let out a slow exhale, rubbing his forehead. "Well, that came back to bite me real fast," He muttered, shaking his head. He had been reckless¡ªtoo focused on the fight, too caught up in the implications of what the system messages informed him of earlier in the day. He had made a mistake, and now the Gloomkin were going to be looking for him. That meant staying in this area was going to be much more dangerous. He glanced at the objectives of the quest. Objective - Survive the hunt of the horde until they either give up, or you are far away enough from their part of the forest to be safe. Bonus objective - Kill all the Gloomkin in the village before they kill you, higher rewards based on the amount killed and slaying of the chieftain. Up to a personalized reward. Kael clicked his tongue in thought. He didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it now. He needed to move. After putting some more distance between himself and the site of the ambush, he putt the buck down and crouched down beside it. Wasting food wasn¡¯t an option, but he also couldn¡¯t carry or eat everything. He worked quickly, cutting through the hide and flesh with efficiency, taking only the cuts of meat that he could manage to carry. The rest? He buried as best as he could beneath loose soil, branches, and fallen leaves, hoping to mask the scent from scavengers. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was better than leaving it out in the open. With his load secured, he turned and made his way back toward the treehouse, moving quickly but carefully, keeping an ear out for any signs of movement in the distance. The forest was quiet, but not in a way that comforted him. This time the absence of sound felt intentional, as if something¡ªseveral things¡ªwere lurking just beyond his vision, watching. Waiting. He ignored the paranoia and the prickle at the back of his neck and kept moving. By the time he was in his treehouse, back from his now food making station also known as, the river. The sun had started to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows through the towering trees. The approaching night air was cool in a refreshing way, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures waking from their rest. Kael sat inside his small shelter, the remnants of his meal before him, a satisfied fullness settling in his stomach. He leaned back against the wooden wall, exhaling slowly. Now that he was fed and relatively safe for the moment, he had time to think. The Gloomkin were going to be a problem. He had no doubt they were already searching the area, trying to find whoever had attacked their hunting party. If they found his tracks, they might come knocking. That left him with a choice¡ªstay here in this area of the forest and risk being discovered, or move on before they got too close. Then there was the matter of the quest and the first objective. The system clearly meant that he was not safe here, they would eventually find his tree house. The shelter had served its purpose well, but other than being off the ground, it was far from secure. If he wanted to do as the objective suggested and survive by running away, then he needed to move on, he needed to leave this area and find somewhere else to live. The thought nagged at him. If he wanted to, he could just focus on finding a safe place and keep hiding. Maybe he could even sneak past the Gloomkin village and head further in toward the grasslands, see if there was something out there worth finding. Maybe people. His expression tightened at the thought. Even if Kael had preferred the wild, away from the constant noise of society, this wasn¡¯t the world he had once known, that one was dead and gone. This was something new, something proven so far to be dangerous. He had no idea what was waiting beyond these trees. A group would be safer¡ªnumbers offered protection. He knew that. But Kael hesitated... Back in his old life, he had tried to avoid crowds as much as possible, tried to live quietly, and keep to himself. The world had been suffocating, filled with rules, restrictions, and expectations that had never fit him much. But now? That world was gone. The people he had once known were probably gone too, for good or worse. Kael ran a hand down his face, thinking. The truth was, he had given up on his old world long before it had ended. He hadn¡¯t seen a future there¡ªnot for himself, not for anyone. Society had been crumbling under its own slowly increasing corrupt weight, stuck in a cycle of greed hidden in the form off caring, and extremes. If he was being honest with himself, he hadn¡¯t mourned its loss. But this? This was different. Here, the System¡ªfor all the chaos and damage it had brought¡ªhad also given them a fresh start. There were no invisible ceilings or geolocation holding everyone back. No laws telling them where they could or couldn¡¯t go. No expectations chaining anyone to a life they didn¡¯t want. Here, Kael had an entire bigger world, unexplored and untamed, and nothing tying him down. He let out a breath, glancing out and up at the darkening sky. His legs dangled over the edge of the treehouse. He had never felt like he belonged anywhere before. He had spent his whole life drifting, from a young age being manipulated to go somewhere he didn''t want to, all the way to when he decided to move to the wilderness¡ªjust another boat in a vast ocean, moving without direction, without an oar to steer. He lifted a hand, fingers curling slightly as he focused. A small orb of Essence flickered to life above his palm, pulsing softly. He watched as it spun, slow and controlled, giving off a soft blue glow against the setting sun. The sight of it brought a strange sense of peace. For the first time, Kael felt like he had finally found that oar if only he stretched out his hand and grabbed it. The possibilities stretched out before him were endless and vast. He could go anywhere. Do anything. There were no paths carved in stone, no roadmaps to follow. He had the freedom to carve his own future, to make his own decisions damned be the consequences, and to forge his own path through this new world. He dismissed the orb of Essence with a flick of his will and pulled up the system notification once more, reading the quest again. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. [ Quest - The enemy of the Gloomkin ] The Gloomkin village and its chieftain know that something has been actively hunting them and stealing their food. Now having a survivor to describe this predator, they have started the hunt for it. Objective - Survive the hunt of the horde until they either give up, or you are far away enough from their part of the forest to be safe. Bonus objective - Kill all the Gloomkin in the village before they kill you, higher rewards are based on the amount killed and slaying of the chieftain. Up to a personalized reward. Kael¡¯s lips curled into a small, wry smile. ¡°No,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°I¡¯m not gonna hide and run like a rat with its tail between its legs.¡± So few times did Kael have a real choice in his life and this was one of them. This was a choice depending on him and him only, affecting no one but him. And he was going to make the most of it. Even if the result was reckless. Even if it was foolish. Even if it was downright stupid. Kael would choose to embrace this world. And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªit would embrace and accept him better than his last one ever did. For the first time in his life, Kael could say he truly felt glad to be alive. Thinking this he proceeded to go inside, curl up and go to sleep.
Kael woke to the early morning light filtering through the thick canopy above. His body having gone used to the wooden flooring still felt stiff from sleeping on the floor of the tree house, but the discomfort was easily ignored in favor of the new clarity that came with last night''s pondering. He swung his legs over the edge, feet resting against the rough bark of the platform. The weight of last night¡¯s decision still hung over him, but there was no hesitation. He had chosen his path¡ªnow he had to commit. His first priority was figuring out how he was going to manage to kill all the Gloomkin, he had no idea how many they were to begin with. The fact that the Gloomkin were hunting him now, and would fight back harder would make his hunts more difficult. Kael knew that this would also push his limits and force him to take more risks. Straightening his back, Kael stretched out his arms, rolling his shoulders as he focused inward. The tendril of Essence inside him responded to his call, pulsing faintly as he directed it toward his limbs. He reinforced both arms simultaneously, feeling the now-familiar warmth settle into his muscles. He had gotten better at splitting the smallest tendrils, even if it still reduced the overall effectiveness. Still, this was nothing but the start for him, he would keep improving until he could enhance his whole body at once. He grabbed the antler blade and tested his grip. Solid. Controlled. This time, when he pushed the Essence into it, he focused more deliberately, willing the energy to coat the surface instead of simply seeping into the material. The blade flickered faintly, the same way the wooden plank in his treehouse had all those nights ago. But just as before, the glow faded quickly, refusing to hold. Kael exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Still not there yet." He set the blade aside for a moment and stood. With practiced ease, he climbed down, landing lightly on the forest floor. His senses immediately sharpened, eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. If the Gloomkin were already searching for him, he needed to know just how close they were. Staying low, he moved through the underbrush, stepping carefully to avoid making unnecessary noise. He wasn¡¯t heading toward their village¡ªnot yet. Instead, he wanted to scout, to get a feel for their movements, and to see if they had already picked up his trail. The deeper he went, the more the forest shifted. The once-familiar silence that had cloaked his surroundings the past few days was gone, replaced by an uneasy tension that made his skin crawl. It wasn¡¯t just the usual quietness either this felt deliberate. Then he saw them. A group of three Gloomkin moved through the trees, their low chittering voices barely audible over the rustling leaves. They were armed¡ªone with a crude wooden spear, another with a jagged stone axe, and the last with a crudely sharpened stone with a wooden handle that looked suspiciously like a knife. Kael pressed himself against the trunk of a massive tree, controlling his breath. They weren¡¯t moving in a random search pattern. They had a purpose. They were tracking something. Tracking him. He clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes as he studied their movements. They paused near a cluster of bushes, sniffing the air and crouching low. The one with the spear pointed toward a faint disturbance in the dirt¡ªa footprint. His footprint. Kael grimaced. They¡¯re good at tracking. No surprise there with how easily they found food all the time. He needed to act fast. If they followed his trail, they¡¯d get too close to his treehouse. His mind raced, weighing his options. He could try to lead them somewhere else¡ªbut that wouldn¡¯t solve the bigger problem. More would come. They wouldn¡¯t stop until they found him. That meant one thing: he had to eliminate them. His grip tightened on the antler blade as he took a slow breath, with all the craziness of the fight and the Gloomkin running, Kael had forgotten to take with him the spear he had stolen and then thrown to kill the axe-wilding Gloomkin last time. Now he had only his antler blade for comfort. Focusing his Essence. He reinforced his legs first, feeling the energy settle into his muscles, priming them for movement. He then charged toward them. With calculated precision, he switched the flow to enhance his arms just in time before Kael struck. The one with the axe barely had time to react before Kael¡¯s blade pierced between its ribs. A strangled screech escaped its lips as it collapsed, acrid blackish blood spilling onto the forest floor. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP ] The other two flinched, their wide black, soulless eyes darting toward him in surprise. The spear-wielder lunged first, thrusting forward. Kael twisted his body, avoiding the strike. His enhanced arms let him counter immediately, slashing downward at the creature¡¯s arm. The spear clattered to the ground as the Gloomkin howled in pain, stumbling backward. The third, wielding the knife, hesitated for only a second before letting out an enraged shriek and charging him. Kael barely had time to block. The impact pushed on his arm. The Gloomkin pressed forward, snarling as it tried to overpower and stab him. Kael shifted his stance and drove his knee into the creature¡¯s lower chest to the stomach area, forcing it back. He didn¡¯t give it time to recover. His blade lashed out, carving a deep wound into the creature¡¯s throat. Blood gurgled in its mouth as it staggered, then collapsed with a heavy thud. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP ] Kael felt the power of the level up flow through him but ignored it he had no time to indulge in that kind of thing now. The last Gloomkin¡ªthe spear-wielder¡ªwas scrambling backward, clutching its injured arm. Its spear lay on the ground, while its beady eyes darted between Kael and the two corpses. Then, with a frantic chittering screech, it turned and bolted. Kael cursed under his breath. He couldn¡¯t let one escape. Not again, If it reached the others they¡¯d know exactly where he was. And they would be one more step closer to finding him. He took a step forward¡ªthen stopped, looked down at the spear, lifted it up, took aim, and hurled it at the monster with all his enhanced strength hoping to God to hit it. The weapon flew through the air eating up the short distance while wiggling. For a moment Kael thought it would barely miss but then it struck the Gloomkin in the lower back, sticking out from the other end. [ Experience Gained: +10 EXP ] Every muscle in Kael¡¯s body tensed as the sound from it cut off. Hopefully, nothing was heard. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to stay calm, he turned his attention to the bodies at his feet. "No time to waste." Saying that he then proceeded to drag the bodies towards the bushes to hide them, then covering up the tracks as best as he could. He didn¡¯t have time to do much, but he could at least with this buy himself a little breathing room for now. He cast one last glance around, then turned sprinting deeper into the forest. He needed to wash himself, he could smell the horrendous stench coming off him, having gotten blood on himself from the corpses. He had chosen this path¡ªto embrace this world and its violence instead of hiding from it. And if that meant facing the dangers head-on and smelling horrible then so be it. He would adapt. He would be the one left standing. And if the Gloomkin wanted to hunt him? Well, they would see who truly was the prey in this forest. Chapter 19: Refinement and Control Two more days had passed since his decision to not run, and in that time, he had killed more Gloomkin, slowly whittling down their numbers in small skirmishes. It wasn¡¯t easy¡ªhe had to be careful not to draw too much attention. But the effort had been worth it, he had gotten a total of 63 exp since he leveled up. This also showed how unproductive it was to go for low-level monsters for experience points. Kael had killed a level 2 gloom kin and the amount of experience points they offered was almost less than nothing now. Yet all the killing had helped reduce the amount of Gloomkin, not by much but anything helped. He was also getting closer to Level 6, just a few more kills, that was all he needed. Yet, as satisfying as it was to gain experience, he also knew raw levels were just part of the formula and that he needed to refine his skills with the level-ups. Kael looked down at the small stick in his hand. It wasn''t much longer than fifteen centimeters, made smooth by him removing some parts, trying to make it as straight as he could. He had just finished his latest round of body reinforcement practice, testing his ability to enhance multiple limbs with essence at once. The results? Acceptable. He had managed to infuse both arms and one leg simultaneously, but the effect was so weak that it was practically useless in a real fight. It was akin to a stream getting split so many times that the amount in each branch was so little it was insignificant. It wasn¡¯t enough to just split the tendril of essence¡ªhe needed to increase its size. Right now, he was channeling his essence through what felt like a thin straw, restricting how much flowed into his body to begin with. For the past day, he had been focusing on fixing that problem, trying to drag a bigger tendril from his core. He was making progress¡ªhis Essence Control stat helping with exactly that. Like Kael had promised himself last time, he had kept an eye on the effect the stat had before and after the last level-up. The increase allowed him to manipulate essence better, he knew that, but it also allowed him to split and shape it more precisely. But the stat wasn¡¯t a magical solution. It didn¡¯t automatically tell him how to use essence. It was like someone giving him a vague concept of what a house was supposed to be¡ªbut then expecting him to build it without instructions. The more essence Control he had, the more detailed the description became and felt, but the actual construction? That was entirely up to him. He had a feeling that with one more day of practice, he might be able to make the breakthrough he needed. If he could just increase the tendril¡¯s size, he could enhance all four limbs at once¡ªand actually feel a meaningful boost from the resulting essence flow. Satisfied with his progress, Kael turned his attention back to his second ongoing experiment: infusing essence into objects. He had finally figured out why his essence wouldn¡¯t properly reinforce his antler blade. The first problem he had was that Kael had simply started too big. The antler blade was a relatively large object, and trying to force his essence into it with no prior experience had wasted too much energy. Too many failed attempts meant less practice overall. That was why he had switched to smaller sticks. More attempts, less wasted essence. The second problem he ran into was that the blade wasn¡¯t his body. He knew exactly where his essence flowed inside himself, but when it came to external objects, he was blind. He had no idea where the essence was supposed to go or how it was meant to be distributed. That led him to his third approach: Instead of trying to force the essence into an object, he simply let it flow out. He held the small stick lightly between his fingers and let his essence seep out towards it¡ªnot controlling it, not shaping it, not willing it to do anything specific just letting it naturally absorb. And just like that, it worked. Making a short lasting triumphant smile appear on Kael''s face. The stick glowed faintly, then blue veins showed the essence forming crack-like patterns across its surface. Kael watched carefully, analyzing what happened as the flow continued. He had done this with a few other sticks, and he was still trying to figure things out. After some testing Kael had found that the reinforcement increased the durability of the object, making it stronger. But the effect was temporary. Like now, as soon as he stopped the flow, the reinforcement began to fade. Within a minute or two, the glow was gone, and the stick was back to normal just now with new small cracks on it. However, there was another major issue. If he let too much essence flow, the veins would spread throughout the entire object¡ªbuild before it exploded. Literally exploded. His first few attempts had ended with sticks shattering into splinters, the pressure of essence building up too much inside the material. The image of his antler blade blowing apart in his hands was enough to make him grateful he hadn¡¯t succeeded when he tried experimenting with it. Kael frowned, turning the stick in his fingers. He needed a better method. Right now he was like an open faucet, he was opening his core to just let out essence endlessly, and he could feel himself draining fast. There was also the fact that not all the essence released was seeping into the object some of it was just vanishing in the air. This then makes this kind of method not a good long-term strategy, if a fight lasts too long, Kael''s core would run out. He needed to control the prosses better. Find some way he could take advantage of this in combat. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. That¡¯s when an idea struck him. Instead of trying to keep the essence flow open permanently, what if he only infused it before attacking? The process would be simple, Let essence flow into the weapon before a strike. After the attack lands repeat as needed. If it worked, it would increase his weapon¡¯s durability without risking the pressure building and breaking it apart. It would also make sure he didn''t just empty his core all at once. He needed to test this. Kael grabbed the new Gloomkin spear he had taken from his most recent kill. He didn¡¯t trust the crude weapons of the Gloomkin much¡ªthey were poorly made, fragile, and unreliable. He had tested the build quality and how good they were, finding that after a few good attacks, they just broke. But that made them the perfect disposable test subject. If this method ruined the weapon, he wouldn¡¯t be losing much. He set out into the forest going further out this time, his senses sharp as he searched for a target. Kael proceeded to spend some time looking and tracking what we could, ending up finding a level 3 Longtusk boar at the end. It was not like the first one he had seen, this one looking more like a normal boar, but larger, with longer and sharper tusks. The creature foraged near the roots of a massive tree, its thick hide shifting as it tore up the ground in search of food. A single charge from it could skewer a man if he wasn¡¯t careful. Kael narrowed his eyes. This is a test, he reminded himself. He wasn¡¯t here for experience points, nor was he hunting out of necessity. This was purely to see if his new essence infusion method would work in actual combat. His fingers twitched as he let his essence flow into the spear. The veins of blue light crawled along the weapon¡¯s shaft, starting from his grip and slowly creeping toward the tip. Kael¡¯s jaw tightened. The time it took for the spear to have veins run throughout it and start to glow fully, took way too long for his liking. Knowing something would take a while and then experiencing it were two different things. It also helped you realize what you thought might be a manageable problem, to be a more immediate issue. The boar twitched. Its ears perked up. Kael barely had a second before it lifted its head and snorted, nostrils flaring as it turned in his direction. Its eyes locked onto him. Then the beast charged, leaves flew up behind it as it barreled forward. Kael leaped to the side, avoiding the sharp tusks as they gouged deep into the earth where he had been standing. Kael didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe pivoted, raising the spear and lunging forward. The glow of essence finally reached the tip just as he thrust the weapon into the boar¡¯s side. It pierced deeper than expected. The essence infusion had strengthened the spear, allowing it to push through the creature¡¯s thick hide, drawing blood. The boar let out a high-pitched squeal, flailing wildly. "Maybe I should have picked a more quieter animal for this..." Kael muttered to himself, waiting for the animal to attack again. Shortly after it was done squealing and trampling about, it then went for another charge. Kael then proceeded to do the same dance with the boar, waiting for the essence to seep into the spear enhancing it, followed by he then attacking. It was at his third round, the boar now having two slashes and some stabs across its body that it happened. Kael tried to pull the spear back¡ªwhen he heard a...CRACK. The spear snapped in half. The peace in his hand starting to fall apart. Where the glowing veins had spread through the wood, it suddenly started to fracture, the web of cracks expanding outward. The weapon couldn¡¯t handle the strain anymore, splinters dropping to the ground. Kael barely had time to react, just looking on as this happened. That''s when the boar turned on him instantly, thrashing in rage. Blood leaked from its wounds, the injuries not being deep enough to slow it down by much. What was left of the broken top half of the spear still inn its side. The boar lunged¡ªKael was caught off guard and had no time to dodge. Instead, he directed the flow of essence from his core to enhance his legs, then jumped over the tuskes and directly onto the creature¡¯s back. The boar squealed and tried to thrash violently, the wounds he had given it made it unable to do so properly, but the beast did not care and tried either way. This was then followed by it just running in a circle. Kael wrapped his one arm around the thick bristled hide of its neck, barely managing to hold on. The spear had failed¡ªbut he still had another weapon. His free hand shot toward his waist, fingers curling around the familiar handle. In one swift motion¡ªKael drove the antler blade into the base of the boar¡¯s skull. The beast stiffened suddenly sliding forward a bit. Making so Kael fell forward hitting the ground. Getting up and looking back Kael saw its muscles locked up¡ªthen, slowly, it collapsed onto the dirt, twitching once before falling completely still. The system experience notification flashed across his vision, but he ignored it. He ran a hand through his damp hair. That could have gone very wrong. Kael glanced down at the remains of the broken spear, frustration bubbling in his chest. The weapon hadn¡¯t shattered on impact. It had lasted for a few strikes. But the problem had been clear, even though the Gloomkin''s crude weapons weren''t the best, Kael had destroyed some and knew when they broke due to quality. No this was something else. The constant infusion must have weakened it. The essence had spread through the entire spear, causing small cracks that grew worse over time until the structural integrity failed. All this said was that Kael couldn''t use crude wooden weapons, they were simply not viable. Not unless I get a weapon that can actually handle essence reinforcement. Having a weapon that would splinter at any moment wasn''t a good thing in Kael''s opinion. His eyes drifted to the antler blade, still embedded in the boar¡¯s skull. I guess I can''t test with you yet. Kael took another slow breath. This wasn¡¯t a failure. It was just another step in refining his skills. He had learned something today¡ªsomething that would help him in future fights. With that final thought, Kael pulled his blade free, then Keeping the noise that had been made in mind, cut some meat pieces to take with him as fast as he could with his knife, following the steppes of his now usual routine. Finally, he wiped the blade clean against the boar¡¯s hide and stood. Having foresight that a prolonged fight could attract something, he had gone a further distance away from his tree house than usual. But still wanting to be careful Kael took the long way home. Enhancing his legs and running as fast as he could, while trying not to make obvious tracks. Chapter 20: Lure Kael moved carefully through the dense forest, his steps silent as he navigated the terrain. With the time he spent in this forest increasing Kael was equally increasingly sharpening his instincts¡ªhe had learned when to move when to pause, and how to listen for threats. As he weaved between the massive roots of towering trees, a sound reached his ears. It was low, guttural, an odd mix between a growl and a clicking noise, it was difficult to describe. He immediately slowed, muscles tensing as he crouched behind a thick bush. Peering through the foliage, he spotted a single Gloomkin standing near a tree, a fresh kill at its feet¡ªa hare, its fur matted with blood. The creature shifted slightly as it emitted the strange noise, staring at nothing in particular. Kael frowned. He had never seen this behavior before. It wasn¡¯t eating the hare, nor was it moving. Was it trying to call for others? He glanced around, scanning the area for any sign of movement, but nothing else stirred. If this was some sort of call for its kin, it wasn¡¯t a particularly effective one¡ªany other predator could be drawn to the kill just as easily as its kin. Still, it was an opportunity, given how nothing was coming or hearing it yet meant however it was calling for wasn''t that close, or hopefully couldn''t hear it. Kael had kept working on refining his essence manipulation, and this lone Gloomkin was the perfect test subject. He had made significant progress that morning, finally managing to draw on a thicker tendril of essence from his core. It wasn¡¯t as large as he eventually wanted it to be, but it was a step up from the weak trickle he had used. Now, he could channel enough to enhance his arms properly, much more than before, making each strike faster and stronger. But he also needed to practice with this new greater flow more, as currently, it was straining him mentally to split the stream just in two, while he could do three before with the smaller one. Kael had come to the conclusion, that as the flow of essence increased it required greater and greater will and effort to direct and manipulate it. He knew that having already gotten used to doing this with a smaller flow, coupled with the jump not being that high. It was just a matter of a few attempts and getting used to it before he could move on to enhance all his limbs. He took a steady breath, closing his eyes briefly as he turned his focus inward. The familiar space of his core greeted him¡ªan endless void, with the glowing blue mass of his essence pulsing at its center. Tendrils of varying sizes extended from it, reaching into the unseen depths of his being. He focused on one¡ªnot the smallest tendril like usual, but one that had the same thickness as a chunky fountain pen. With a practiced effort of will he grasped the tendril mentally and guided it outward into his body, from there splitting it into two streams one for each arm. Ten seconds. That was all it took now, much faster than earlier this morning. Kael opened his eyes, flexing his fingers. The strength in his grip had increased noticeably, the sensation akin to the pump after a good bicep and grip-strength training session. He rolled his shoulders, feeling the reinforcement settle into his muscles. Then Kael stepped out from his hiding place. The Gloomkin¡¯s reaction was immediate. The guttural noise it had been making ceased instantly as its hollow black eyes locked onto him. For a moment, it remained still, almost unnaturally so. It was always hard to tell where these creatures were looking with those solid black pits for eyes, but Kael could almost swear its gaze was locked on his. Then, slowly, it tilted its head, its thin lips curling into a grotesque grin while showing its yellow sharp teeth. Kael stopped in his tracks. A cold prickle ran down his spine. That was not a normal reaction. Before he could process the unease creeping up his neck, the forest erupted around him. Six Gloomkin burst from their hiding spots some emerging from behind trees others roots, and bushes. They had been waiting, using the terrain to their advantage. Kael¡¯s eyes flickered between them, his mind racing. It was an ambush. A coordinated ambush. ¡°How the f¡ª¡± He had no time to finish the sentence before they charged. Kael moved on instinct, ducking low as the first spear thrust passed just over his shoulder, aiming for his throat. He pivoted, slashing upward with his antler blade, catching the attacker across the chest. The Gloomkin screeched, staggering back, but another was already on him. A jagged stone axe swung toward his ribs¡ªKael twisted, barely avoiding the deadly arc, getting a cut instead. He retaliated, stepping into the attack and driving his reinforced fist into the creature¡¯s gut. The impact sent it sprawling, but there was no time to follow up. Another was already lunging at him. He needed space. Kael kicked off the ground, pushing himself backward, but the Gloomkin didn¡¯t let up. They pressed in, forcing him to stay on the defensive. The realization sent a thrill of unease through him. These things weren¡¯t just blindly attacking¡ªthey were working together. Driving him where they wanted him, like they did to the hare they hunted. This beyond anything pissed him off, Kael detested being manipulated, no matter who it was that tried. Then came the arrow. A crude shaft of wood and sinew, flying then embedding itself in the dirt near his foot. Kael¡¯s head snapped toward the source¡ªone of the Gloomkin had a bow. Like all their weapons a terrible one, judging by the poor aim, but that hardly mattered. If they kept him occupied long enough, even a lucky shot could prove fatal, most of these things were just one level lower than him. Kael gritted his teeth. The next strike came from the lone level 5 Gloomkin it was larger than the others, but not by much, and its jagged weapon held high as it attacked. Kael reacted quickly, reinforcing his arms further with essence, and met the downward swing with his own blade, chipping bits off from both weapons. The impact jolted through his limbs, but his grip held firm. He pushed forward, slamming his shoulder into the creature and knocking it off balance before slicing across its exposed throat. Black blood sprayed across the ground as it collapsed with a gurgled choking sound. [ Experience Gained: +20 EXP ] One down. Kael wasted no time. He pivoted, catching the movement of another Gloomkin from the corner of his eye. It lunged, its stone knife glinting in the dim light. Kael sidestepped, grabbing its outstretched arm and twisting. The creature let out a shriek as its limb snapped at the elbow, and Kael silenced it with a swift stab to the chest. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP ] A second arrow flew past his ear going through his hair instead. Kael cursed under his breath. The bow user was getting annoying. He needed to end this quickly before more of them arrived. His essence reserves were draining fast¡ªfaster than he wanted. Fighting this many opponents at once while maintaining enhancements was burning through his core at an alarming rate. Having an easier flow of essence into his body and then to his limbs was good, but it also meant that the essence flowed out of his core faster in larger quantities. Another two came at him at once, swinging wildly. Kael ducked beneath one attack, using the momentum to drive his blade up into the ribcage of the second. He wrenched the weapon free, letting the body drop before spinning on his heel and slamming his fist into the face of the remaining Gloomkin. The crunch of bone under reinforced knuckles was satisfying, but Kael didn¡¯t stop¡ªhe followed up with a vicious stab to the throat with the stolen weapon, finishing the job. Kael had some combat experience with hand-to-hand, as well as with a knife, but these things made things easier by attacking in an uncoordinated, and at the same time coordinated fashion if that made sense. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP x 2 ] Only two left now. The bow-user and another wielding a crude club. The club-wielder hesitated, glancing between Kael and the bodies of its fallen kin. It took a single step back¡ªthen another. Kael exhaled sharply. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± The Gloomkin turned to run. Kael surged forward, shifting the essence flow to his legs as he did so. The speed boost let him close the distance in an amazing time. His blade flashed, carving deep into the creature¡¯s back before it could take another step. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP ] Only one left. The bow-wielding Gloomkin let out a panicked shriek and scrambled backward, fumbling for another arrow. Kael rolled his shoulders, breathing heavily. He was drained, his reserves dipping dangerously low. But he still had to finish this. The Gloomkin started to pull its bowstring back, its aim trembling. Kael moved first. Before it could lose the arrow, Kael closed the distance with a final burst of speed. He grabbed the creature¡¯s wrist, twisting sharply and forcing the bow from its grasp. The Gloomkin hissed, baring its jagged teeth in a final act of defiance. Kael didn¡¯t give it a chance. He drove his blade up beneath its chin, ending the fight. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP ] Kael exhaled slowly, standing amidst the bodies, his heart still hammering in his chest. That had been too close he had nearly got himself killed. He shook the blood from his blade, already shifting the flow of essence to his legs. He had to move. This battle had made far too much noise, who knows if more were on the way, or had made other trap sites and were now having heard the noise running here. With one last glance at the carnage, Kael turned and sprinted south. He wasn¡¯t safe yet.
Kael¡¯s breath came fast and heavy as he sprinted through the forest. His muscles burned from exertion, his core rapidly depleting from the extended use of Essence. He had pushed himself harder than ever before, sustaining reinforcement across his limbs for an entire skirmish¡ªand now, the weight of that choice was settling into his bones. It didn¡¯t matter right now. What mattered was putting distance between himself and the carnage he had just left behind. His legs, still enhanced, carried him swiftly across the uneven terrain. He weaved through the thick underbrush, vaulting over roots and ducking beneath low-hanging branches. He forced himself to keep moving, pushing southward, after making a good distance and confusing tracks he would head toward the river. Then following it up north, go home. But he hadn¡¯t made it far before he noticed something. A faint rustling ahead. The snap of a twig. The subtle shift of movement against the foliage. Kael¡¯s gut twisted. Another ambush. He barely had time to slow down before three more Gloomkin burst from the shadows, their crude weapons raised. These ones weren¡¯t as coordinated as the last group. No careful baiting, no setup¡ªjust a rush of wild aggression. Kael gritted his teeth, his heart hammering in his chest. His Essence reserves were already scraping the bottom of his core. He could feel the fatigue setting in, a heaviness seeping into his limbs. He had enough left to fight¡ªbut only just. The first Gloomkin lunged, its stone knife aimed at his ribs. Kael sidestepped, but his body felt sluggish compared to before. His blade came up, meeting the creature¡¯s wrist mid-strike, almost severing it. A gurgled screech filled the air as black blood spattered across Kael¡¯s arm. He didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªhe spun, driving his knee into its chest before finishing it with a stab to the neck. [ Experience Gained: +15 EXP ] Kael felt the level-up come and go, but at this very moment, other than giving him a stat boost it was unimportant. The second attacker was already upon him, swinging wildly with a jagged club. Kael barely managed to deflect the blow with his reinforced forearm, grunting at the impact and pain. He twisted his body, using the momentum to bring his blade upward, slicing deep into its shoulder. The Gloomkin shrieked dropping its club, holding its bleeding wound, then stumbling back. Kael surged forward, slashing again¡ªthis time across its throat. It collapsed, trying to keep the blood from spilling while it was choking. [ Experience Gained: +10 EXP ] Only one left. Kael turned to face the last Gloomkin, but it had stopped mid-charge. Its black eyes darted between him and its fallen kin, realization dawning in its feral mind. It took a hesitant step back¡ªthen another. It was going to run. Staring at it, Kael exhaled Sharpley. ¡°Fine. Go.¡± He didn¡¯t have the energy to chase it down, nor to spend on more unnecessary fighting. His Essence reserves were hanging by a thread¡ªhe could feel the near-emptiness inside his core, a yawning void that sent waves of exhaustion crawling through his limbs. The Gloomkin turned and bolted into the trees, its frantic chittering fading into the distance. Kael didn¡¯t care. He staggered for a moment, then forced himself forward, going through the undergrowth as he passed. He was running on fumes now. With each step, the fatigue grew heavier. His reinforced legs carried him further, but he knew he was close to the limit. He could feel it¡ªthe growing emptiness in his core, the looming sensation of depletion. He didn¡¯t know what would happen if he ran out completely, and he sure as hell didn¡¯t want to find out. Not here. Not while still in enemy territory. With gritted teeth, he slowed his pace just enough to focus. Carefully, he willed the tendrils of Essence flowing through his legs to retract, pulling them back toward his core at a gradual pace. The process was slow¡ªhe had learned his lesson about cutting off the flow too quickly and dealing with the painful backlash. Right now that backlash, with the way his body was feeling. It just might make him pass out. Even with careful retraction, a dull ache settled into his limbs, like the feeling of lactic acid buildup after overexertion. His breath grew shallow, his vision swimming at the edges, but he pushed through. Step by step, he ran¡ªnot with enhanced speed, but with whatever strength his natural body had left to offer, here he was glad he had leveled up, it made it a bit easier. Having decided he had made it an obstacle to track him with the way he had moved throughout the forest, he started heading to the river. By now the river wasn¡¯t far. He could hear it before he saw it¡ªthe soft rush of flowing water, the gentle rippling of the current against the rocks. Relief flooded him as he broke through the treeline, emerging at the riverbank. For a moment, he simply stood there, hands on his knees, inhaling deep lungfuls of air. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his body screaming at him to rest. But he wasn¡¯t done yet. He needed to clean up first. With stiff, aching limbs, he stumbled forward and waded into the water. The river was as pleasantly warm as ever, a soothing contrast against his battered body. The blood¡ªhis and the Gloomkins¡¯¡ªwashed away in swirling tendrils, disappearing into the current. He cupped water in his hands, splashing his face, letting the cool sensation clear some of the lingering fog in his mind. Taking the chance to drink some too. He stayed there for a few minutes, soaking his wounds, letting the exhaustion settle before forcing himself to move again. He couldn¡¯t linger too long. Noticing as he did this that he scared off a raccoon-looking thing since he hadn''t even looked if the area was clear, before entering. Shaking his head Kael climbed back onto the shore, shaking off the excess water before slipping back into the cover of the trees. He followed the river upstream, keeping to the shadows, his movements slower but deliberate. He checked over his shoulder every so often, making sure he wasn¡¯t being followed. After a while, he saw familiar landmarks, like the spot where he usually cooked. Only when he was absolutely certain he was alone did he begin the final stretch home. The trek back to his treehouse took even longer than usual. Kael had forced himself to take a more convoluted path, deliberately weaving through thick brush and doubling back at certain points to throw off any potential trackers. Even in his exhausted state, he refused to lead anything back to his home. That was asking to be killed in your sleep. By the time he reached his treehouse, the last remnants of daylight were fading. The sky above was painted in hues of deep blue and faint gold, tiny patches of light filtering through the thick canopy. Kael climbed up the rope ladder with slow, deliberate movements. His limbs ached, his core felt hollow, but he had made it. He slumped against the wooden wall of the shelter, tilting his head back. The ceiling had small holes in it, letting the last bits of dusk light seep through. He watched the flickering glow, his breathing finally beginning to steady. ¡°That was too close¡­¡± he muttered to himself. His mind replayed the ambush, the way the Gloomkin had set a trap specifically for him. They had learned from his hunting patterns. They had figured out how to lure him in and like an idiot, he had fallen for it. He rubbed a hand over his face. If they had done it once¡­ they could do it again. He needed to be more careful not to underestimate them. He had gotten lucky today, but next time that might not be true, what if there were more of them then? He couldn¡¯t afford another close call like this. Kael exhaled, closing his eyes, he was dead tired and now just wanted to rest. He could also feel how close his core was to being completely empty. Chapter 21: A Drain Kael slowly opened his eyes, feeling the dull weight of exhaustion still pressing against him. His body ached, but it wasn¡¯t the kind of soreness from physical exertion alone¡ªit was deeper, more internal. He lay there on the wooden floor of the cramped treehouse for a moment, staring at the ceiling, feeling the sluggishness in his limbs. Dawn was about to break, the faintest sliver of light creeping over the horizon. Kael sighed through his nose before shifting his focus inward, diving into the space at the center of his being¡ªthe place where his essence resided. He found himself within the familiar void, vast and endless, with the pulsing blue core at its center. Yet today, for the first time, it barely glowed. The once radiant star was dim, giving off a weak light like a dying ember. He frowned, staring at it. He had never seen his core in such a state before. It had always been vibrant, always ready to provide the power he needed. But now, after yesterday¡¯s ordeal, he had nearly emptied it. ¡°So that¡¯s what it looks like when I¡¯m almost dry¡­¡± he muttered to himself, observing the sluggish movement of the tendrils of energy that stretched from the core. Normally, they pulsed and flowed outward in a steady rhythm, but now they were sluggish, barely moving at all. During his time in the forest, Kael had always used up a decent portion of his core throughout the day¡ªsometimes more than half if he trained intensely in the morning and then spent time hunting and fighting. But he had never been this low before. His core always passively refilled itself, though the process was slow. Throughout the day, it would regenerate small amounts¡ªnothing significant enough to make a real difference in combat. But at night, when he rested, his body could fully recover what was lost. That system had worked well enough¡ªuntil now. Kael frowned, realizing that the more proficient he became with Essence, the more energy he consumed. He had started with small tendrils, tiny trickles of power. But now, to achieve greater enhancements, he needed thicker, stronger flow¡ªa more direct pipeline from his core. That meant his Essence expenditure had increased dramatically, to the point where, at this rate, he would empty his core multiple times a day. His core was growing bigger with each level-up, and he could feel that it regenerated more than before as it did so. But the increase wasn¡¯t fast enough to keep up with his needs. If this continued, he would eventually reach a point where his core wouldn¡¯t be able to sustain his daily usage. Kael would be forced to spend more and more time just waiting for his core to regenerate. Kael withdrew from his core space. His eyes blinked open to the dim interior of the treehouse, the wooden walls pressing in around him. He sat up slowly, leaning his back against the rough surface, arms resting on his knees as he contemplated his situation. ¡°I need a solution to this,¡± he muttered. His rate of regeneration was becoming a problem, and he doubted simply leveling up would be enough to compensate. He needed something more¡ªsomething that could increase his regeneration rate beyond what the system level-ups naturally gave. His mind wandered, searching for ideas. He scoffed, shaking his head. ¡°Thinking of ways to gather energy¡­ this sounds like the kind of thing Denis would¡¯ve been obsessed with.¡± The thought brought a wry smirk to his face, though it quickly faded as old memories surfaced. Denis had been the first friend he made after enlisting in the military. It hadn¡¯t been a voluntary decision¡ªhis mother had spent years breaking him down, manipulating him into it. She had told him it was his duty, that after all the trouble he had caused her, this was the least he could do to make up for it. She made him believe that his bad behavior was why his little sister turned out the way she did. That it was all his fault. Eventually, he gave up. He stopped resisting, stopped questioning. The guilt and the ingrained obedience of a child took over, and at eighteen, he signed up for the army. Denis had been the first person to talk to him. A loud, energetic guy with an easy smile, the kind of person who could make friends with anyone. He had a way of making people feel comfortable, even someone like Kael, who had spent most of his life keeping his guard up. They got along well. Denis was a massive comic book fan, always talking about his collection, rambling about rare issues he had stored back home. But he was also fascinated with mythology¡ªfrom Greek gods to Japanese spirits to African voodoo. He loved finding connections between different cultures, pointing out how myths from opposite ends of the world had eerie similarities. Kael chuckled, remembering how Denis would go on rants about how ancient civilizations all had their versions of spiritual energy¡ªchi, prana, mana, life force. He had insisted that there had to be some truth to it. That maybe, just maybe, wizards and witches weren¡¯t just stories but people who had figured out how to harness that energy. They used to tease him about it. Called him Wizideni. But now¡­ Kael¡¯s smirk faded as realization struck him. Denis might not have been entirely wrong. Magic existed. Kael had an Essence core inside of him, pulling in energy from¡ªsomewhere. He had no idea where his Essence came from, but he knew it regenerated over time. He had always just accepted it as a passive function of the System. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. But what if it wasn¡¯t? What if, just like the so-called cultivators from mythology, he could actively draw in Essence from the world around him? His pulse quickened at the thought. If he could control his Essence internally, why not externally? If his core was already absorbing energy passively, then could he manipulate that process? Use his will to make the process go faster. He had to try. Closing his eyes, Kael focused inward again, diving back into his core space. He observed it carefully this time, watching¡ªnot just the energy inside, but the way it regenerated. He felt it. A pull. A faint gravitational force, barely noticeable, but there. His core wasn¡¯t just regenerating on its own¡ªit was pulling in Essence from somewhere. And as it filled, the pull weakened. That was it. That was the answer. His core acted like a gravity well, drawing in the missing Essence. And just like gravity, the more mass something had, the stronger its pull. That explained why, as he leveled up, his regeneration increased¡ªhis core was growing larger, exerting a stronger pull on whatever source it was drawing from. Kael let out a breath, a small grin forming. ¡°At least I learned something from school,¡± he muttered to himself. Now came the hard part¡ªhow to increase that pull manually. If his core naturally absorbed Essence like a sponge soaking up water, then what if he forced the flow to be stronger? What if he could make it work faster?He needed a mental image. Something to help guide his will. A drain. What if he imagined his core as a drain, pulling in Essence like water spiraling down? If he could make the flow circulate¡ªloop around his core before entering¡ªit might increase the suction effect, dragging in more Essence with each cycle. Kael focused, holding that image in his mind. He willed the incoming Essence to spiral, to circle his core instead of flowing directly in. He imagined it building momentum, like a vortex, faster and faster until it was being pulled inward with greater force. His core reacted. The pull grew stronger. He felt it. More Essence was being drawn in, replenishing his reserves at a significantly faster rate. It was working. But it was also¡­ exhausting. His mind strained under the effort, his will stretched thin as he maintained the spinning effect. The greater the quantity of Essence, the harder it became to sustain. Eventually, his concentration wavered, and the force returned to normal. Kael exhaled sharply, withdrawing from his core space. He opened his eyes, his body trembling slightly from the mental strain¡ªbut his core was fuller. What should have taken hours had been achieved in minutes. A triumphant grin spread across his face. ¡°That¡¯s gonna save me a hell of a lot of time.¡± He glanced toward the exit of the treehouse. The sun had risen. At least ten minutes had passed since he went into his core space. Silence filled the forest beyond, the morning light filtering through the leaves. Kael stared out for a while, his expression softening. He let out a quiet breath, then muttered, ¡°You would¡¯ve loved this world, Denis. It¡¯s everything you dreamed of.¡± With that, he stood up and stretched his sore limbs. He needed water and to refill his water bag. Thinking that, kael panicked and took it out from the now barely fitting the name jacket. "FUCK!" Kael cursed, it had a hole in it from where one of the attacks from yesterday had cut into the pocket and, from there, into the bag. Kael gave up; he didn''t even have the energy in him to be upset over this, he had known this would happen eventually. He was just glad it lasted this long. "guess it''s just going for a drink of water then..."
Kael moved through the dense underbrush of the forest, his senses sharp as he made his way toward the river. The morning air was crisp, the scent of damp earth filling his lungs. He stepped carefully, his footsteps near silent against the uneven ground. His thoughts were still lingering on what he had discovered¡ªhis ability to accelerate his passive Essence regeneration. The process wasn¡¯t perfect, and it drained him mentally at an alarming rate, but it worked. He had cut down his recovery time significantly, something that would prove invaluable in the long run. The idea that he could control the rate at which his core pulled on the Essence opened up an entirely new layer of possibilities. He exhaled, stretching and rubbing the back of his neck. As he neared the river, his eyes caught something moving. Lying a few feet ahead of him, partially coiled around a tree root, its head in a hole, was a snake. Without hesitating, Kael struck with his antler blade, cutting the part closest to the head off. He then crouched beside it, proceeding to prodd the body with his blade, confirming it was truly dead. He sighed, picking it up. He had eaten one of these before¡ªan earlier encounter that had ended in him realizing that the snake''s meat tasted oddly like a mix of chicken and whale meat. It wasn¡¯t his first choice, but food was food. He slung it over his shoulder and kept moving, stepping cautiously as he neared the clearing. Just as he was about to move out, he froze. A figure stood by the river, just a few meters away. Kael¡¯s breath hitched, his muscles tensing. A Gloomkin. It hunched near the water, drinking it up with its hand, and like classic Gloomkin fashion, it did so with fingers spread. The sight of it sent a surge of unease through him. This was the closest he had ever seen one to his treehouse. They¡¯re getting closer¡­He was no longer as hidden as he had hoped. If they were coming to this part of the river, it was only a matter of time before they stumbled upon his camp. He clenched his jaw, shifting his weight as he carefully backed away, sticking close to the trees and bushes. Kael had to do something, and that had to be today¡ªhe had to redirect their attention. If they were this close to his home, it was only a matter of time before he was forced to fight them near his base, and that was something he couldn¡¯t afford. I¡¯ll lead them somewhere else. Redirect their attention. Thinking that Kael started moving with careful, deliberate steps. He crept further away from the clearing, circling around the area to avoid drawing attention. His plan was to head north, find a group of Gloomkin further away, and attack them from a different direction¡ªmaking it seem like he was operating elsewhere. It wasn''t the best plan, but it was better than staying in one place and waiting for them to eventually find him. As he moved, he buried the snake¡¯s body beneath some loose dirt and leaves. He couldn¡¯t afford to cook it now¡ªnot if he wanted to keep his cover intact. If the Gloomkin were moving in, they would find any trace of him if he wasn¡¯t careful. The less evidence he left behind, the better. His journey took longer than expected. The deeper he went, the more unfamiliar the landscape became. The trees here were thicker, their roots weaving together like tangled veins. The air was heavier, carrying the scent of damp moss and rich soil. He moved carefully, scanning the area for signs of Gloomkin as he did so. Chapter 22: Encounter Kael moved carefully through the dense, thickening forest, his breath steady as he took in his surroundings. The deeper he went, the more he noticed the trees growing larger, their trunks stretching impossibly high. Their roots twisted and curled around one another like serpents, forming natural barriers and obstacles along his path. It dawned on him that perhaps he had been on the outskirts of the forest this entire time. That would explain why the deeper he traveled north, the wilder and denser everything became. The trees here weren¡¯t just large¡ªthey were massive, their roots forming walls as thick as small houses. If he had unknowingly been at the edge of this forest all along, that meant he was now heading straight into its heart. Navigating through the increasingly tangled landscape, he kept his pace slow, eyes flicking across every shadow, every flicker of movement in the underbrush. He had to remain cautious. If this part of the forest was untouched compared to where he had been before, it was likely home to even more dangerous creatures. The Gloomkin were an issue, but he wasn¡¯t foolish enough to think they were the worst thing that could be out here. As he stepped over a gnarled root as thick as his torso, he found himself staring at an unexpected sight¡ªa sheer rock wall covered in layers of thick vegetation. The vines and moss climbing its surface made it look ancient, a forgotten piece of land untouched by anything but nature. Large roots protruded from the cracks, some winding downward as if trying to reclaim the stone into the earth. Kael¡¯s gaze drifted lower, scanning along the base of the wall. That¡¯s when he noticed something¡ªtwo trees growing close together by the rock wall. Their roots intermingled in a way that seemed almost like they were one, forming a tight cluster. And nestled between those roots was what looked like a dark opening. A cave. He stepped closer, curiosity piqued. The entrance wasn¡¯t obvious at first, partially hidden beneath thick shrubbery and roots, but as he moved closer, climbing over some exposed roots, he realized there was just enough space for a person to squeeze through. His mind warred with itself for a moment. On one hand, every bit of logic screamed at him not to enter. Caves in deep forests usually meant trouble. If it wasn¡¯t a predator¡¯s den, it could be home to something far worse. On the other hand¡­ Kael inhaled through his nose and smirked. ¡°It¡¯s in every guy¡¯s blood to want to explore mysterious caves, ¡± he muttered to himself. He wasn¡¯t immune to the same impulse that made kids pretend to be adventurers. And if he was being honest, he suffered from it more than most, thanks to his childhood obsession with Indiana Jones movies. Convincing himself that, If there was even a small chance of finding something useful inside, wasn¡¯t it worth checking out? Besides, he reasoned, he wouldn¡¯t go too far in. Just enough to see if it led somewhere or if there was anything of value. If it looked too dangerous, he would turn around and leave. No unnecessary risks. Decision made, he took a deep breath and climbed through the tight gap between the roots, pushing aside some of the thick shrubbery blocking the entrance. The inside of the cave was dimly lit, illuminated only by streaks of glowing blue coursing through the roots that lined the walls. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to keep him from being completely blind. As he moved further in, carefully navigating the uneven ground, he noticed how the roots continued to crisscross along the rocky walls. From the looks of it, nothing too large had been through here. If Gloomkin or bigger creatures had used this cave, some of the roots would¡¯ve been torn apart or cut away. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to relax. Maybe this place really was untouched. Maybe he had just found something¡ª A low, heavy breath echoed through the cave. Kael¡¯s blood turned to ice. He immediately stopped moving, every muscle locking in place as he strained to listen. The breathing was deep and measured, almost rhythmic. Something was in here with him, sounding asleep. And by the sound of it, it was not small. That was his cue to get the hell out. He had convinced himself that it was fine to enter because he believed nothing large would fit inside. But that was assuming he had the full picture. If something was already here, it meant either two things¡ªit had a way in that he hadn¡¯t noticed, or worse, it had been here all along, hidden further inside the cave, and could maneuver the roots. Either way, he wasn¡¯t about to stick around to find out. Kael turned, moving as quickly and quietly as he could toward the exit, his heart hammering against his ribs. His mind raced. If it was big enough to make that kind of sound, it meant it might have a large snout, which meant it could smell him. And considering how much sweat and dirt clung to his body... Kael cursed himself and how absolutely dumb an idea this was. One of the arguments he had used to justify this endeavor was that, most likely if there was something here it could be a snake monster, but that snakes largely had bad eyesight, as well as a sense of hearing, and that he would see it before it heard him. But now that he thought about it, it dawned on him. Didn''t they have a higher sense of smell due to this, and this was all assuming they were the same as the snakes of his old world. The more Kael thought about this, the more he cursed himself. There could have been a large snake in here, and Kael was just about to go inside like an idiot. Luckily, it wasn''t a snake, and hopefully, whatever it was hadn''t come into the cave through this entrance. His pulse quickened. He needed to get out before it caught his scent¡ª A thin root snapped under his weight as he was holding it, and before he could react, a loose stone the size of his fist dislodged from the cave ceiling. It fell, striking his head with a dull thud before bouncing off onto the ground. A small amount of pain exploded in his skull, and before he could stop himself, his jaw clenched, and he bit his tongue hard. A sharp, stinging sensation flared in his mouth as blood pooled on his tongue. Kael didn¡¯t cry out, but a sharp exhale left his lips through gritted teeth. And then, the rock hit the ground. But instead of landing on the soft dirt floor, it struck another stone, creating a loud, sharp clack that echoed through the cave. Kael froze. The breathing from deeper within the cave shifted. Something moved. A slow, deliberate shuffle, followed by a sniffing sound. Then another. And then¡ªthe unmistakable sound of something getting up. Panic surged through him. It had heard the sound. It was coming. The fear of the unknown settled in him. Kael trying to calm his beating heart. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. He moved, this time abandoning any pretense of silence. He scrambled toward the entrance, maneuvering through the tangled roots as fast as he could. Every step felt like a lifetime, his breath caught in his throat as he cursed himself for ever stepping foot inside. The movement behind him grew closer, heavier. He could hear it now¡ªpaws scraping against stone, the sound of a body shifting through the confined space. Kael forced himself forward, heart pounding in his ears as he finally reached the entrance, pushing through the shrubbery. As he climbed out and turned, he saw it. A sleek, black-furred beast. Claws like daggers extended from its paws as it squeezed through the roots with an unnatural, fluid ease. Its glowing gray eyes locked onto him, full of intelligence. And worst of all¡ªits movements were deathly silent. Kael¡¯s stomach dropped. He knew this creature. [ Duskfang Stalker (Uncommon) ¨C Level 10 ] He didn¡¯t need the System¡¯s prompt to tell him its name. He had seen one before¡ªthe very same type of monster that had nearly killed him on his first night in this world. And this one looked even stronger. The beast moved faster, still forcing its way out. Kael had no delusions¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t outrun it. Not when it got free. His only advantage was that it was still partially trapped in the roots. If he was going to have a chance against it, this was his best and only chance. Taking out his antler blade, Kael looked at it; he couldn''t afford to spare any expenses here, that meant no holding back. For the first time, Kael let Essence flow into the weapon. Veins and fractures start to appear and run along its surface. Then, it started to pulse with glowing blue energy, the Essence naturally absorbing into the material. It wasn¡¯t a fast process¡ªbut it had to be enough. As the Duskfang Stalker inched closer, its powerful muscles coiling beneath its fur, Kael gritted his teeth and got into position.
Kael¡¯s grip tightened around the antler blade as he watched the Duskfang Stalker push its way through the tangled roots. His heart pounded against his ribs, his breath controlled but fast. He had no time to think about anything other than survival. The last time he had encountered one of these things, it had nearly torn his throat out. That had been when he was still getting his bearings in this world. Now, he had experience. He had strength. But was it enough? The answer wouldn¡¯t matter if he hesitated now. The infused antler blade pulsed with glowing blue veins, Essence saturating its structure, reinforcing it beyond its usual durability. Kael had avoided doing this before¡ªknowing that prolonged infusion caused Essence pressure to build until the weapon shattered. But this wasn¡¯t a situation where he could afford to hold back. The Duskfang Stalker sniffed, muscles rippling as it tried to force its way out of the roots. Kael had to capitalize on that. He surged forward, slashing at the beast before it could fully free itself. The blade cut into its side, slicing through fur and flesh. The stalker flinched, but the wound wasn¡¯t deep. Even with the strength of the attack, its hide was tough. Kael gritted his teeth, drawing the weapon back and striking again, this time aiming for its face. The creature twisted its head just in time, avoiding a direct hit to the eye. Instead, the blade carved a gash across its cheek, blood splattering onto the roots. The stalker didn¡¯t make a sound. That unnerved him more than anything. Even as he cut into it, the creature remained eerily silent. Its glowing gray eyes burned with predatory intelligence, its body shifting with precision. It wasn¡¯t just reacting¡ªit was studying his movements. Kael didn¡¯t give it the chance to counterattack. He pressed forward, hacking at it again and again, forcing it to stay trapped in the tangle of roots. The Duskfang Stalker lashed out with its claw here and there, but the confined space limited its movement. The strikes grazed Kael¡¯s arms instead of tearing into him, drawing only a shallow cuts. Good. He had the advantage. As long as it was stuck, he could keep wearing it down. But that advantage wouldn¡¯t last. The stalker stopped struggling for just a moment¡ªthen, with a sudden, violent burst of power, it pushed forward. The smaller roots groaned, snapping apart as the creature forced its way out. Kael cursed, swinging his blade in a desperate attempt to halt its momentum. The strike landed, carving into its shoulder, but the beast barely flinched this time. It had committed to getting free¡ªand it had succeeded. Now, Kael was in trouble. The Duskfang Stalker landed in a crouch, its body low, coiled with restrained power. Its eyes locked onto him, its silence somehow more menacing than if it had growled. Then, in a blur of motion, it lunged. Kael barely had time to react. He twisted to the side, dodging the initial charge by a hair¡¯s breadth. The stalker¡¯s claws raked through the air where he had been standing moments before. Kael spun, slashing at its side, but it was already moving again. The gap in their levels wasn¡¯t as vast as last time, but it didn¡¯t need to be. The Duskfang Stalker¡¯s natural agility put it far above Kael in terms of raw speed. If he tried to fight it head-on, he would lose. Kael shifted Essence from his arms to his legs, reinforcing them just enough to enhance his mobility. He couldn¡¯t enhance all four limbs at once¡ªnot yet. But this was enough to give him a chance. The stalker lunged again, claws swiping toward his throat. Kael ducked low, rolling beneath the strike, then pivoted on his heel to stab upward. The antler blade connected, piercing into the creature¡¯s ribcage. A direct hit. But the stalker twisted before the blade could sink too deep, wrenching itself free before Kael could drive it further. He saw it then¡ªthe way its muscles tensed, the way its gaze locked onto him. It was preparing to kill him in the next move. It was now or never. He pushed his Essence harder, forcing more out faster, emptying the last of his core in the process. His arms burned from the strain, the path the Essence took in his body hurting, the pulsating veins on the weapon growing brighter. He knew he couldn¡¯t sustain this anymore¡ªthe pressure inside the blade was building. It was reaching the point of no return. The stalker lunged¡ªthis time aiming to bite his head off. Kael didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he let himself fall backward, allowing gravity to pull him down just as the beast closed in. As he fell from the root he stood on, he thrust the antler blade forward with all his strength, directing it toward the stalker¡¯s exposed underbelly. The blade sank deep. Kael hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs and making him let go of the blade. The Stalker landed on top of him just further up, having missed him. its hindlegs being by his shoulders. The antler blade hanging out from its chest area. The stalker let out its first true sound of pain¡ªa guttural, low-pitched growl. It then jumped away, landing wobbly and trying to right itself. That''s when the Essence-infused blade pulsed dangerously. The veins along its surface cracked more, the glow intensifying. The weapon had absorbed too much Essence. It was on the verge of rupturing, and a second later, it did just that. The antler blade exploded. A surge of force erupted from the weapon, the Essence stored within it releasing in an instant. The pressure pushed outward, ripping through the stalker¡¯s flesh. The creature staggered back, blood gushing like a fountain from the new gaping wound in its chest. Its body convulsed, hind legs buckling beneath it as it collapsed onto its side. [ Experience Gained: +250 EXP ] [You have leveled up!] Kael saw the notifications flash in his vision. He exhaled shakily, his vision blurring at the edges. His limbs felt weak. His core¡ªEmpty. A cold wave of exhaustion crashed over him, heavier than anything he had felt before. His entire body felt drained, as if every ounce of energy had been ripped away. He had pushed too much Essence into the blade, drained his reserves to nothing. His fingers twitched, his breathing shallow. He had to move. He had to get away from the corpse before something else came to investigate. But his body refused to respond. His mind screamed at him to stand, to run, but darkness was already creeping into his vision. The last thing he saw was the Duskfang Stalker¡¯s body, its lifeless form sprawled across the dirt, blood pooling beneath it. Then everything went black. Chapter 23: Cave Kael woke to a sharp, searing pain in his thigh. His body, already aching and drained, protested as he tried to move. His vision swam, his mind sluggish. Kael cracked his eyes open, and he barely had time to process his surroundings before he saw it¡ªa Gloomkin standing over him, a crude wooden spear with a jagged stone tip raised high above its head. To the side was another one by the dead stalker. Looking again at the one standing over him Kael could see its black, soulless eyes glinted with sadistic pleasure, its lips curled into a twisted grin. It was preparing to drive the weapon down again, aiming for the same wound it had already inflicted on his thigh. Kael¡¯s thoughts were a blur, but his body moved on instinct. He gritted his teeth and lashed out, grabbing the creature¡¯s foot with all the strength he could muster. Even in his weakened state, he felt the difference¡ªhe was stronger than before. His level-up had made an impact, and that newfound strength was the only thing keeping him moving. The Gloomkin let out a startled chitter as Kael yanked its leg, pulling it off balance. It toppled backward with a yelp, the spear slipping from its grasp as it hit the ground. Kael wasted no time. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he forced himself up and lunged, throwing his weight onto the downed creature. His hands found its throat, and with a surge of adrenaline-fueled desperation, he squeezed. Hard. The Gloomkin thrashed beneath him, clawing at his arms, kicking, but Kael held firm. His grip tightened, his fingers digging into its thin, wiry flesh. He had no weapons, no Essence left to reinforce himself, but he didn¡¯t need them, not for this. He just needed the strength of his grip. A sickening crack echoed through the air. The Gloomkin went limp. Kael let go, gasping for breath, his hands trembling from exertion. His body felt like lead, his muscles screaming in protest. He was still weak and still sluggish, but he had survived the stalker, and he was alive. A sharp chittering noise snapped his attention to the side. The second Gloomkin, the one that had been toying with the corpse of the Duskfang Stalker, had stopped its sadistic game and was now watching him. Its black eyes flicked between Kael''s unsteady body and its fallen kin, then to the crude spear still clutched in its hand. A slow, eerie smile stretched across its face. Kael¡¯s legs wobbled as he pushed himself upright. He felt like he was wading through tar, his limbs heavy and uncooperative. His core was still barely over empty, having regenerated a small amount, the aftereffects of using up all his Essence leaving him feeling hollow. He had nothing left to fuel his movements, no reinforcement to rely on. But he wasn¡¯t about to lie back down and let himself be skewered. The Gloomkin¡¯s grin widened seeing this, and with a gleeful chitter, it charged. Kael didn¡¯t move. He didn¡¯t have the energy to waste dodging properly. Instead, he waited. The Gloomkin sprinted forward, spear aimed for his chest, its excitement clear in its hunched posture and eager gaze. Just as it was about to strike, Kael twisted his body to the side, letting the spear slip past him. His arm clamped down on it, trapping it in the crook of his elbow. The creature let out a surprised shriek, but Kael was already moving. He ripped the weapon free from its grasp and, with what little strength he had left, drove it forward. The jagged stone tip plunged into the Gloomkin¡¯s chest, tearing through flesh and out the other side. A horrid noise escaped the creature¡¯s throat, its limbs twitching violently. Then, the spear snapped under the force, leaving a splintered shaft jutting from its chest. Kael staggered back, breathing heavily. His vision swam, his limbs trembling with fatigue. He looked down at himself¡ªblood seeped from his wounded thigh, staining his torn pants. His arms were covered in cuts and bruises, and his entire body ached from the battle with the Stalker. Yet, despite it all, he was still standing. He glanced up at the darkening sky, realization dawning on him. The sun had nearly set. He must have been unconscious for most of the day. That meant he had no chance of making it back to his treehouse before nightfall. Not in this condition. He could also forget about his plan to ambush any Gloomkin now. Kael clenched his jaw. He shouldn¡¯t have been alive. If a true predator had found him first¡ªsomething more efficient, more ruthless¡ªhe would be dead. The Gloomkin were cruel and sadistic, but that very nature had given him a chance to fight back. He wouldn¡¯t get that same mercy from something else. His gaze drifted toward the hidden cave entrance. For a long moment, he just stared at it. Finally, he sighed, muttering under his breath, ¡°Better than nothing.¡± If there was something else in the cave, it would have come out by now. The fight with the Stalker, the presence of the Gloomkin, the scent of blood¡ªit would have drawn anything still lurking inside. And right now, he didn¡¯t have the luxury of being picky. Decision made, Kael forced his shaking legs into motion. He needed to secure the entrance. When something came sniffing around, he couldn¡¯t afford to let it find him. He gathered everything he could¡ªsticks, moss, loose rocks, even small logs. He moved slowly, deliberately, ignoring the throbbing in his thigh as he worked. He piled the debris around the entrance, wedging it between the roots to make it look like nothing was there. It wouldn¡¯t hold if something really wanted in. But if he was lucky, whatever came by would take a look and move on, not realizing there was an opening beneath all the clutter and be satisfied with the meal outside. Kael took one last look at his makeshift barrier, then turned and climbed into the cave, maneuvering his way through the tight space between the roots. Then he barricaded the way he came in, finishing up he then started to move further in. Kael moved as quietly as he could, each step deliberate. His thigh burned, fresh blood trickling down his leg despite the crude bandage he had tied around it. The torn piece of his pants was already soaked through, but it would have to do for now. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. The further he went, the darker it became. The faint glow of the roots embedded in the cave walls provided some light, but it was weak, barely enough to see by. As night covered the forest even more outside, the glow dimmed even more, making it harder to navigate through the tangled passage. His fingers brushed against rough stone as he steadied himself. The cave walls were uneven, jagged in some places, but the roots twisted through them like veins, creating an intricate network of barriers and supports. The air was cool, damp, carrying the faint scent of earth and decay. After what felt like an eternity of slow, careful movement, Kael finally emerged into a slightly larger chamber. It wasn¡¯t big¡ªhe could still touch the walls if he reached out¡ªbut at least here, he could stand up straight and move without squeezing between roots. More of the glowing streaks ran along the ceiling, giving the space a dim, eerie illumination. He took a cautious step forward, then froze as something crunched beneath his boot. Slowly, he looked down. Bones. Scattered across the floor. Some small, likely belonging to animals. Others¡­ larger. Thick, jagged. Definitely not something he recognized, but big enough to belong to something deadly. Kael inhaled slowly, steadying his nerves. The Stalker had been living here. That much was clear. But was it alone, or was there another way in? He needed to make sure. Dragging a hand along the cave wall, he began a slow sweep of the chamber, feeling for any hidden passages, any signs that this wasn¡¯t the only way in or out. His fingers trailed along the rough stone, his mind steady but alert. Minutes passed. Then more. Nothing. It was just this one entrance. One way in, one way out. That would have to be enough. Kael exhaled, then got to work. He gathered whatever loose debris he could find, dragging rocks, and dirt toward the tunnel he had come from. He piled it up, blocking as much of the passage as possible, reinforcing it as best he could. It wouldn¡¯t keep something determined out, but it would slow them down. Only when the entrance was as sealed as he could make it did he finally allow himself to relax. Just a little, right now he wasn¡¯t in immediate danger.
Kael sat with his back against the rough cave wall, his chest rising and falling with deep, measured breaths. His body ached, exhaustion settling in his limbs like a heavy weight, but he wasn¡¯t in immediate danger¡ªnot yet. That was the best he could hope for at the moment. His thigh throbbed, the dull pain pulsing in time with his heartbeat, a reminder of how close he had come to being gutted while unconscious. With a groan, he shifted slightly, stretching out his legs and rolling his shoulders, trying to ease some of the stiffness creeping into his muscles. His hands moved instinctively to his thigh, fingers brushing against the makeshift bandage wrapped tightly around the wound. The fabric was damp with blood, but the bleeding had at least slowed. His gaze drifted upward to the cave ceiling, watching the faint glow of the roots embedded in the rock. They pulsed with a soft blue light, casting eerie shadows along the uneven walls. If nothing else, they gave him enough visibility to see his surroundings. The small chamber was still. Silent. The only sound was his own breathing. The knowledge that he had sealed himself in with only one exit was both reassuring and unsettling. If anything found him, he had nowhere to run. But at the same time, nothing would be sneaking up behind him. Kael ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. Now that he had a moment to breathe, he needed to deal with another pressing issue¡ªhis Essence reserves. His core was still nearly empty. Even now, he could feel the hollowness inside him, the unsettling sensation of being drained beyond his limit. It wasn¡¯t just physical exhaustion¡ªhis mind and soul felt sluggish like he was wading through thick mud with every thought. He needed to fix that, and soon. Closing his eyes, he turned his focus inward, retreating into his core space. The familiar void welcomed him, stretching endlessly in all directions. At the center, his Essence core hovered. Kael frowned. It was even worse than this morning. He had fully depleted himself during the fight with the Duskfang Stalker. Resulting in him passing out, which also made him lose valuable time, time that could have been spent regenerating, and enacting the plan he had set out to do before his foolish choice. His core had recovered slightly on its own, but it wasn¡¯t enough. Drawing a slow breath, Kael concentrated what little he could, recalling the technique he had discovered earlier that morning. He willed it to happen, imagining the Essence swirling around his core like water spiraling down a drain. The faint energy in his surroundings responded, shifting toward his core even more. The pull strengthened resulting in the flow quickening. Slowly but surely, he felt his reserves begin to fill at an increased rate. A small, relieved breath escaped seeing this. But this was all straining his focus and will, his head pounding slightly as he forced the Essence to move faster. After three minutes, he let go of the technique, allowing his mind a moment to rest. His core had refilled slightly¡ªnot much, but enough to take the edge off the hollow feeling inside him. It was a start. Kael exhaled through his nose, shaking off the lingering fatigue. Pushing himself to his feet, he moved carefully around the chamber, his hands brushing along the walls as he searched for anything useful. A few minutes later, his hands brushed against something unexpected¡ªa rough, fibrous material wedged between some of the roots. He pulled it free, examining it closely. Moss. Thick and damp, but it would work. Kael let out a small breath of relief. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was something. He could use it to reinforce his makeshift bandage, hopefully it wasn''t poisonous, but at this stage of the day, kael would just have to keep taking risks. Plus he could maybe even create a small cushion to sit on rather than the hard cave floor. It was a minor comfort, but in his current state, any improvement was welcome. Settling back down, he carefully unraveled the soaked cloth around his thigh, wincing as the dried blood peeled away from his skin. The wound was deep but not as bad as he had feared. He packed the moss over the injury, securing it in place with another strip of torn fabric from his already ruined jacket. That was another problem. His clothes were in shreds. His jacket was practically useless at this point¡ªmore holes than fabric. He had already discarded most of it, leaving him bare-chested. The pants were barely holding together as well. Luckily the temperature didn¡¯t bother him as much as it once would have, thanks to his growing endurance, but he still wasn¡¯t keen on running around half-naked. Leaning back against the wall, Kael let himself relax. His body screamed for rest, and though his mind wanted to stay alert, he knew some sleep might be good for him right now. His eyes flickered to the cave entrance, now sealed with as much debris as he could gather. Would it be enough? Probably not. But it was better than nothing. If something did come poking around, he would hopefully hear it before it got in. Kael stared at the faintly glowing roots along the ceiling, his mind drifting. Just over a week ago, he had been on Earth, having a morning like many others. Now, he was fighting for survival and beracading himself in a cave hoping nothing would get in and eat him. Even as battered and exhausted as he was, even knowing how dangerous this world was, he didn¡¯t want to go back. This world had no expectations of him. Here, everything he gained was through his own effort, and no one could take that from him. A small, tired smile tugged at his lips. He let out a slow sigh, then closed his eyes waiting and listening for sounds. Chapter 24 - Silent Vigil Kael sat against the stone wall of the cave, his body heavy with exhaustion. He had cleared a small space for himself, pushing aside the scattered bones and loose stones that littered the ground. The rough texture of the stone pressed into his back, grounding him as he remained still, listening to the quiet hum of the night. The cave was silent for the most part, but there were moments when faint sounds drifted in from the entrance. The first time, he thought he had imagined it¡ªa soft rustling, the barely perceptible crunch of something moving across dried leaves and sticks. He tensed, every muscle locking in place, his ears straining to pick up more. But the sounds never grew closer. If he had to guess, something had been drawn in by the heavy scent of blood and death outside. Whether it was a scavenger or another predator, he couldn¡¯t say. But given that the sounds faded soon after, whatever had come near had likely decided the feast outside was much more attractive than looking around the area. Hopefully, that meant it had moved on to feast on the remains of the Gloomkin and the Duskfang Stalker. Time stretched. The darkness was absolute, broken only by the faint glow of the roots along the roof. He had no real way of telling how much time passed, only that the silence continued, pressing in around him like a heavyweight. His body screamed for rest, but he wasn¡¯t ready to close his eyes just yet. Not while there was still the chance that something was waiting. He sat there, listening, waiting. It felt like hours, though he knew time was hard to track in the dim cave. Eventually, fatigue won out. His head dipped slightly, eyes fluttering closed for just a moment. A sound. Kael¡¯s eyes snapped open. It was distant, muffled by the layers of barricade and roots between him and the outside, but it was there¡ªbrief, then gone. He remained perfectly still, heart hammering, waiting for it to repeat. Minutes passed. Nothing. Still, his pulse didn¡¯t slow immediately. He had slept lightly, barely enough to count, but it had been enough for his mind to sharpen slightly. He wasn¡¯t fully recovered, not by a long shot, but at least he wasn¡¯t on the verge of passing out anymore. Taking a slow, measured breath, Kael turned his attention inward. His Essence core was still drained, though it had regenerated faster with his active input. It was still not nearly enough. He needed it back to full capacity before he left this cave. That meant focusing on refilling it now that he had more time and nothing to do. Closing his eyes, he fell into his core space. The void stretched before him, vast and silent, with his Essence core floating at its center. Kael didn''t waste time and concentrated, starting the process like he had earlier. Visualizing the Essence spiraling inward, he willed it to flow faster. The pull strengthened, the Essence around him reacting, moving toward his core at an accelerated pace. Almost as soon as he began his mind throbbed, a dull pressure building behind his eyes as he forced the flow to quicken. This technique wasn¡¯t easy. He could already feel the mental fatigue creeping in, making his thoughts sluggish. Four minutes. That was all he could manage before he had to stop and let his mind recover. This time was still longer than when he first attempted it in the cave, the small rest helping. He took a short break, stretching out his fingers, followed by his neck from how stiff it had gotten from leaning on the side. Then he started again. Another four minutes. Then another break. The process continued for some time. Each session filled his reserves more than the passive regeneration, making the empty feeling inside him lessen with every cycle. It was slow, but it was progress. At some point, mental exhaustion dragged him under again. His body gave in to the demand for rest, his mind slipping into unconsciousness against his will. Kael woke again to the faint glow of the roots above him, their illumination stronger than before. His first thought was that it must be morning. The roots seemed to pulse with more vibrance, casting faint blue light across the chamber. He had made it through the night. Kael didn¡¯t move immediately. Instead, he stayed where he was, waiting, listening. The forest had been deadly at night. He wasn¡¯t about to step out into the open without caution. If predators were returning to their dens now that daylight had arrived, he needed to give them time to settle. Kael smiled to himself, shaking his head slightly. ¡°At least from all this trouble, I know they actually sleep during the day.¡± That eased his mind at least, more concrete information was good. It would further increase his understanding of this ecosystem, if it could be called that, with monsters and all. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. While he waited, he pulled up his Status. He hadn¡¯t checked it since his level-up, and now that he wasn¡¯t in immediate danger, he had the chance to see what had changed. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 7 EXP: 52 / 300 Rank: Mortal Stats: Titles: Skills: Equipment: Kael¡¯s brows lifted slightly as he scanned the changes. Level 7. His battle with the Duskfang Stalker had given him a massive chunk of experience. Before he was just at level 6 with 27 exp, it the system really encouraged fighting stronger enemies¡ªthere was no comparison between the measly gains from Gloomkin and what the Stalker had given him. He also noted that his stat increase was growing nicely, giving him an encouraging moral boost. He had been pushing his abilities more and more, refining his techniques and he was looking forward to using the new points to Essence control for further growth. Kael also noted that his antler blade was not listed in the equipment section either along with his clothes. Kael looked down on himself. The antler blade had been destroyed in the killing of the stalker, and well his so-called cloth could barely be called that, so it made sense to him that it was no longer being listed. Closing the status screen, he sighed. It was time to move. Kael slowly got to his feet, wincing as his thigh flared with dull pain. The wound had improved over the night, but it was still sore. The bleeding had stopped for the most part, at least. The smaller wounds from his fight had mostly scabbed over, his endurance helping him recover faster than he once would have. He stepped toward the tunnel, removing some of the stones and dirt to get into the tunnel properly. Then manuvering carefully the uneven ground. The roots embedded in the walls provided better lighting now, making navigation easier than it had been last night. When he reached the entrance, he stopped. The barricade he had built still stood. He crouched, carefully removing a few small stones, creating a gap just large enough to peek through. Nothing. No movement, no sound. He couldn¡¯t see much through the limited view, but it looked clear. Still, he didn¡¯t move immediately. He watched for several long moments, ensuring nothing was lurking outside. Only after confirming it was safe did he begin dismantling enough of the barricade to squeeze through. Kael emerged from the cave taking in the scene. The bodies were gone. Only dried blood and bits of flesh remained, scattered across the forest floor. He frowned at the sight, but he forced himself to focus. Something had cleaned up during the night. Not unexpected, with the amount of dead. He started lifting his gaze upward. High above, the canopy shifted in the breeze, sunlight filtering down through the gaps. The usual stillness of the forest surrounded him. With no immediate threats in sight, Kael¡¯s mind returned to the previous day¡¯s plan to mislead the Gloomkin. But after everything that happened yesterday, his silly detour turning into a fight for his life, he had wasted the day and had no idea what had happened near his treehouse in his absence. Kael had a bad feeling settle in his gut. He needed to go back. But before that he took a glance at the hidden cave entrance, realizing that it was the only other shelter he had found ever since finding himself in this forest. The cave was even more important especially if his treehouse had been discovered. It might just be his next best option for shelter. As such he needed to ensure it remained hidden, having another creature using it as a lair, or finding it for that matter was a bad idea if and when he needed it. Thinking this, before leaving Kael worked to improve the camouflage, ensuring the entrance and the roots blended seamlessly with the area. It wasn''t some professional work but it was good in his opinion. Satisfied he turned. Now, he just had to make it back. Chapter 25 - Displacement Kael moved through the dense forest, keeping his pace steady but cautious. The wound in his thigh made every step a careful calculation¡ªone wrong move, one misplaced footfall, and he risked the pain flaring up again. As he continued to walk he adjusted his steps, favoring his uninjured leg while keeping his movements smooth. The pain was duller now than it had been yesterday, but it still throbbed with every step, a constant reminder of how close he had come to being gutted in his sleep. But all of this was secondary. His priority right now was for him to get back to his tree house. Kael scanned the towering trees around him, noting how the forest was still as thick as it had been when he first ventured out from the cave. He had been careful, but that didn¡¯t stop him from making a mistake. And it just so happened that he had made one. At some point in his trek, the terrain became unfamiliar. He frowned, his brows furrowing as he stopped in place, scanning his surroundings. The problem wasn¡¯t immediately obvious¡ªeverything still looked the same as before, the same towering trees, the same tangled roots and glowing veins. But something felt¡­ off. He turned slightly, looking back the way he had come. No clear landmark stood out, no obvious sign that he had strayed off his path. But deep down, he knew¡ªhe had gotten lost. ¡°Shit.¡± He exhaled sharply through his nose, frustration creeping into his chest. He had been so focused on moving carefully, on avoiding putting too much strain on his leg as he tried to get back, that he hadn¡¯t noticed when he veered off course. And in a forest this thick, this wild, a single mistake could lead to an hour of wasted time. Kael took a slow breath, forcing himself to stay calm. Frustration wouldn¡¯t fix anything. He needed to think. Alright¡­ retrace your steps. He turned in a slow circle, noting the way the trees twisted around each other, the thick roots creating natural pathways. He tried to remember which way he had come from, but without a solid landmark, everything blurred together. Annoyance flared up, but he pushed it down. He had to be methodical. He knew the river was further down, running parallel to his original route. If he could find it again, he could follow it toward familiar ground. Keeping that in mind, Kael started moving again, this time more deliberately. He backtracked, moving slowly through the underbrush, pausing every few steps to reassess his direction. Minutes stretched as he weaved between trees, navigating around thick patches of roots and overgrown foliage. Then, finally, he heard it¡ªthe faint, distant rush of flowing water. Relief surged through him. Kael moved toward the sound, breaking through a particularly thick patch of undergrowth before finally stepping out onto the riverbank. The sight of the familiar stream, glistening under the light that managed to filter through the trees, brought a small sense of satisfaction. ¡°At least I¡¯ve got some damn sense of direction,¡± he muttered under his breath. If he had been completely lost, he would¡¯ve been screwed. He took a moment to check his surroundings, ensuring there were no immediate threats before continuing forward. He followed the river downstream, moving through the forest¡¯s edge where the foliage was slightly less tangled. The further he went, the more familiar the landscape became. Then, movement. Kael froze, ducking low behind a thick tree trunk. Through the gaps in the trees, he spotted them¡ªfive Gloomkin, skulking through the forest. They weren¡¯t moving in any specific formation, just weaving through the underbrush with that same hunched, predatory posture. Their dark, grayish skin blended well with the shadows, but Kael had seen them enough times now to recognize them instantly. They were searching for something. His jaw tightened. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to fight them. Not now. He needed to see what had happened to his treehouse first. He wouldn''t start picking fights before seeing to that matter first. Kael remained still, watching as the group passed by, their chittering voices low, guttural. He had learned that Gloomkin could speak in some crude way, but he had no way of knowing what they were saying. Even so, their tone suggested they were irritated, as if whatever they were looking for had eluded them. After a few minutes, they disappeared into the forest, moving in the opposite direction from where Kael needed to go. He waited a little longer before rising from his hiding spot, keeping his steps quiet as he resumed his approach. The terrain grew more and more familiar. Kael arrived to the clearing recognizing small landmarks¡ªthe fallen log he had once used for cover, the twisted tree roots near the river where he had first seen his reflection in the water. He was close now. His cooking station came into view not long afther. The small traces of stones and dirt being piled on top of something, crudly hidden. It was exactly how he had left it. A nagging feeling settled in his gut, a weight pressing down on his chest. Kael pushed forward, deeper into the forest. The further he went, the more his unease grew. More Gloomkin. Not just a few this time, but several. He spotted them in small groups, patrolling, moving with purpose. They weren¡¯t aimless. They were looking for something¡ªor someone. Kael kept to the shadows, avoiding them as best he could. He had no interest in being forced to engage them. Not yet. He needed to see his treehouse first, needed to confirm what had happened. Then, finally, he was close. Kael pressed himself against the rough bark of a thick tree, his breath controlled, and steady. He could hear them now¡ªnoises, low chittering sounds carrying through the still air. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. He knew what he was about to see, but that didn¡¯t make it any easier. Slowly, carefully, he peeked out from behind the familiar tree. Confronting his worries. The Gloomkin were beneath his treehouse¡ªor what was left of it. Wooden planks littered the forest floor, scattered in jagged, broken pieces. Parts of the structure were still partially intact, hanging at odd angles from the thick tree above. But the damage was clear. His home¡ªhis shelter in this unknown world¡ªwas destroyed. Kael¡¯s grip tightened around the bark of the tree. He saw Gloomkin moving through the wreckage, some picking up pieces of wood and carrying them off, likely to be repurposed for their own needs. His jaw clenched. Anger simmered beneath the surface, hot and steady. For a long moment, he just watched, his muscles coiled, his breath measured. A part of him wanted to rush in, to rip through them one by one, to make them pay. But he knew better. He was outnumbered by a lot, and he was still injured. Charging in now when there were several more groups close to this area would only end badly. And dying being outnumbered wouldn¡¯t do him any good. Kael started retreating from the scene. His treehouse was gone. There was nothing left for him here now.
Kael continued to back away slowly, keeping his movements controlled. The last thing he needed was to make a careless mistake, to snap a twig or brush against a loose branch, and alert the Gloomkin to his presence. His mind raced, his heartbeat steady but forceful. His home was gone. For over a week, that tree house had been his sanctuary, the one place where he could rest without constant fear of being torn apart by the creatures that roamed this forest at night when he was sleeping. It had been crude, but it had been his. Now it was nothing but broken planks and scattered debris, pillaged by the same creatures that had been trying to kill him. He wanted to act. He wanted to do something¡ªto kill, to repay the favor. But he wouldn¡¯t. Not yet. Revenge would come later. Right now, his focus had to be on survival. And hope that nothing found the cave and made it its home. Kael took another step back, then another, retreating further into the thicker underbrush. The farther he got from the remains of his treehouse, the lighter his footsteps became, his body adjusting naturally to the rhythm of movement. His mind remained sharp, his focus split between keeping quiet and analyzing his next move. Thanks to that Kael was able to pick up on it. After walking a good distance from the tree house, he heard a faint sound¡ªa rustling, followed by the soft chittering and guttural clicks of Gloomkin''s speech. Kael¡¯s body tensed as he froze mid-step, his ears honing in on the source. It was close. Too close. Shit. He turned his head slightly, his eyes scanning the foliage around him. A group of Gloomkin were moving through the trees, barely ten feet away from where he was standing. His body shifted as he lowered himself slightly, pressing against the trunk of a nearby tree. It was another group patrolling the area. The more Kael looked at the amount of Gloomkin around his previous home, the more he concluded that his treehouse wasn¡¯t just looted¡ªit was claimed. They knew someone had been living there. They knew about him. And they were looking for him to come back. The thought annoyed him, but he shoved it aside. He needed to act, he was far enough for there to be distance between the patrols. The Gloomkin moved in a loose formation¡ªfour of them, all hunched low. They had jagged stone blades tied to wooden shafts, and an equally crude spear. Looking at them, the prompt showed they weren¡¯t high-level. He could take them. His hands flexed at his sides, his muscles coiling, preparing for movement. His Essence had regenerated, though he had no weapon. But he didn¡¯t need one. These things were weak. He had grown stronger. He would take out his frustration on them since he couldn''t with the ones scavenging his home. Make them regret being born. Kael moved. The first Gloomkin barely had time to react before Kael was upon it. He lunged forward, closing the distance in a single step, pain flared in his leg but he ignored it and twisted his body as his fist slammed into its throat. A wet, crunching sound followed as the creature gurgled, its air cut off instantly. It stumbled backward, clawing at its neck, but Kael was already turning to the next. The second creature shrieked, its jagged stone knife slicing through the air toward him. Kael sidestepped, his hand snapping up to grab its wrist, twisting hard. The creature let out a strangled cry as the knife dropped from its grasp, its arm bending at an unnatural angle. Kael didn¡¯t let go. He twisted further, then jerked downward, slamming the creature face-first into a jagged root. A sickening crack followed as its skull fractured against the hardened wood. [Experience Gained: 10 EXP] [Experience Gained: 10 EXP] The other two finally reacted. One charged, spear aimed directly for his chest. Kael moved faster. He sidestepped the thrust, catching the shaft of the spear under his arm before ripping it from the Gloomkin¡¯s grasp. With a single smooth motion, he spun the weapon around and drove the jagged tip straight into its stomach, shoving it deep. The creature let out a gurgling scream before collapsing, twitching violently as its blackened blood seeped into the earth. [Experience Gained: 14 EXP] The last one turned to run. Kael wasn¡¯t having that. His body moved on instinct. He surged forward, his leg screaming in protest, but he ignored it. He reached out, grabbing the Gloomkin by the back of its neck, his fingers curling around its thin, wiry flesh. Then, with a single, brutal motion, he yanked it back¡ªand slammed it onto the ground, his knee driving into its chest to pin it down. The creature wheezed, struggling weakly beneath him, its black, beady eyes wide with panic. Kael didn¡¯t hesitate. His fingers tightened. One twist¡ª A sickening snap¡ª And it was over. Silence returned to the forest. Kael let out a sigh. He looked down at the four lifeless bodies around him, his jaw tightening. The fight had been quick. They hadn¡¯t even put up much of a challenge. Kael rolled his shoulders before stepping away from the corpses. They weren¡¯t worth his time. Their levels had been low¡ª3s and a 4. The amount of exp they gave mirroring that fact. Kael barely reacted. The experience gained was pathetic compared to what the Stalker had given him. He ignored the notification and then turned his focus back to leaving the area. He had wasted enough time here. He needed to move. He resumed his trek back toward the cave, but not in a straight line. He moved carefully, changing his path frequently, doubling back, weaving through different sections of the forest to throw off any potential trackers. He wasn¡¯t going to make it easy for them. Whenever possible, he parkoured through the trees, using the roots and stones to maneuver through the terrain without leaving a trail on the ground. The less direct evidence of his movement, the better. Even if this part of the trip annoyed his thigh. As he moved, his thoughts churned. Yes, losing the treehouse was a major setback. But¡­ maybe he could use this. The Gloomkin had no idea where he actually was now. They only knew where he had been. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. This wasn¡¯t entirely a loss. If they thought he was still here, he could reinforce that idea, and hunt them around the area, it would be a long trek back and forth from the cave but it was worth it. And he could dwindle their numbers even more, without worrying of them finding him. The cave would be his new home. And from there, he would make them regret setting foot in his territory. With that thought in mind, Kael pressed forward, heading back into the depths of the forest, his plan slowly taking shape. Chapter 26: New home Three days had passed since Kael had to move to his new home, and he had not been ideal during that time. Kael lunged to the side, narrowly avoiding the tusks of the massive Stonehide Boar as it charged past him. The air shook with the force of its impact as it slammed into a massive root, the deep thud echoing through the area like a heartbeat. Kael exhaled through gritted teeth, his heart pounding. That was close. The boar was massive, its body covered in thick slabs of hardened, stone-like plating that ran from its head to its lower back. Unlike the one he had seen the three Gloomkin kill days ago, this one was far stronger, faster, and more aggressive¡ªa Level 9 monster that was hell-bent on trambling or squaring him on its tusks. Kael adjusted his stance, shifting the grip on his two spears¡ªone in each hand. One of the spears was infused with Essence, its wooden shaft cracked with glowing blue veins, its stone tip pulsing faintly from the pressure building inside. He had taken these weapons from a Gloomkin hunting party the day before. Kael had infused the spear by letting it absorb his Essence, soaking in power until it was just at the edge of detonation. And now was the time to use it. The Stonehide Boar let out an enraged snort, its nostrils flaring as it kicked at the dirt, preparing for another charge. Kael narrowed his eyes, shifting his weight slightly. His Body Reinforcement had improved significantly over the last few days. He had managed to split his Essence tendril into four distinct streams, allowing him to reinforce each of his limbs simultaneously. The balance of power made his movements sharper, his reflexes faster, and his body lighter¡ªalmost like an extension of his own will. That newfound control was what let him take on something this dangerous. The boar charged again. Kael moved, twisting his body to the side just as the massive creature barreled toward him. Its tusks grazed the air where he had been standing moments ago, missing him by inches. The moment it passed, Kael struck. He plunged the Essence-infused spear into the soft flesh between its stone plates, just behind its front leg. He didn¡¯t hold on to the weapon¡ªinstead, the moment the spear made contact, he let go and pushed himself backward. A half-second later, it exploded. A violent pulse of Essence surged outward from the weapon, sending a shockwave through the monster. The boar let out a horrific squeal, stumbling forward as a gaping wound was torn into its side. Blood and flesh splattered the dirt, the once solid-looking plating was now fractured and shattered from the concussive force. Kael didn''t waste time. He rushed forward, gripping the second spear tightly. The boar''s legs wobbled, its movements sluggish as it tried to recover. Its breathing had turned ragged, uneven¡ªthe explosion had taken its toll. Perfect. Kael drove the second spear straight into the open wound, the sharpened stone tip tearing through the exposed flesh, sinking deep. The beast let out a final, shuddering grunt before collapsing to the ground. Its massive body twitched once, twice¡ªthen went still. [ Experience Gained: +60 EXP ] Kael exhaled, pulling the spear free, his breathing steady despite the exertion. He took a step back, eyeing the corpse before him. The Essence spear had detonated at the perfect moment. That was progress. The first time he had attempted this with the spears after his antler blade, he had miscalculated the timing, nearly blowing the weapon up in his own hands before he could even use it. But after more careful refinement and testing, he had finally found the right amount of Essence infusion¡ªjust enough to push it to the brink without triggering an early explosion. Satisfied, he swiped away the System notification that appeared pulling up his Status instead. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 9 EXP: 80 / 600 Rank: Mortal Stats: Kael smiled seeing his progress, he was at Level 9 now. Between hunting Gloomkin patrols and taking down two of these boars, his experience gain had skyrocketed. The Stalker had given him the biggest boost, but consistently hunting stronger prey was proving to be the best way to level up. Still, he had a long way to go, he wasn''t satisfied with this. Kael crouched next to the corpse, pulling out his hunting knife. He made quick, clean cuts, slicing away strips of lean meat to take with him. He didn¡¯t need much¡ªjust enough to last him the day. The rest would be left behind. Something else would find the remains soon enough. Once finished, he wiped his knife clean on the grass, then rose to his feet leaving the area.
Kael jogged through the forest, moving at a steady pace. Thinking about how his endurance and stamina had improved significantly with his level-ups. What would have once been a grueling, energy-draining trip was nothing to him now. His muscles didn¡¯t burn, his breath remained steady, and even his previously wounded thigh wasn''t an issue now. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. His body had already started to enter the superhuman phase. He let out a quiet chuckle. Before the System integration, he had already trained regularly. He had exercised, conditioned his body, and made sure to keep himself in shape. Now? Now, he was comparable to or even stronger than some professional athletes, and he was only at Level 9. If things continued at this pace, there was no telling how much further he could go. Continuing to jog Kael heard falling water and started heading north along the river, weaving through the trees, the steady rush of water growing louder as he approached his new cooking station. Eventually, he reached the waterfall. Having found it after exploring and trying to familiarise himself with the area. The river cascaded down from a low but wide rock formation, before flowing south then through the clearing close to his old home, before continuing even more southward. But more importantly, behind the rushing curtain of water, was his hidden food camp. Kael stepped carefully, minding his footing as he approached the edge of the waterfall. Ducking his head slightly, he slipped through the falling water, his body briefly drenched as he passed into the space behind it. The area behind the waterfall was dry, secluded, and well-hidden¡ªa perfect spot for cooking. Kael had found this place while trying to take a shower a couple of days ago. When he had stepped behind the water, he had noticed the small cave-like space tucked into the rock face. No monsters, no tracks, nothing. It was secure. He crouched next to his hidden campfire, carefully uncovering the leaves and moss he had used to disguise it. Everything was untouched. Satisfied, he gathered some kindling, wrapping it tightly in dry leaves so it wouldn''t get wet as he passed through the waterfall, then using the kindling started igniting a small flame. Within minutes, the fire crackled to life, casting flickering shadows against the damp rock walls. As the meat sizzled over the flames, Kael leaned back slightly, watching the water cascade down outside, the constant crashing sound drowning out the noises of the forest. The water helped mask the scent of cooking, and the rising smoke blended with the mist of the waterfall¡ªfurther reducing the risk of attracting predators. The only monster he had seen approach this area was one of those creepy anteater-like creatures¡ªbut it had only lingered at the river for a moment before moving on.
Kael sat behind the waterfall, watching the fire crackle as the scent of cooking meat filled the small hidden space. His body was relaxed, but his mind wasn¡¯t. Lately he was always thinking¡ªplanning. The last few days had been full of exercising his ability and getting the hang of his surroundings. He had tested his limits. He had learned what worked, what didn¡¯t, and how much further he could push himself into taking risks. Inspired by the antler blade, the exploding Essence-infused spear had been a major success. It took time and a lot of essence to prepare, but the results spoke for themselves. It turned a fight that could have been much longer as well as riskier, easier for him. But it also meant he needed disposable weapons. The food finished cooking the edges of the meat crisped perfectly over the open flame. Kael grabbed a leaf he had set aside earlier and used it to wrap the hot meat, letting it cool slightly before putting out the fire and crossing his legs. He stared out at the waterfall beyond enjoying the flow of water, and how relaxing it was. Since moving into the cave as his primary shelter, Kael had made sure to hunt far from his home to avoid attracting attention. If the Gloomkin ever found his trail again, they wouldn¡¯t be led directly to him this time. He had learned his lesson. As such this place offered a rest stop before he made the rest of the track back to the cave. Once he finished looking at the water and easing his mind, he closed his eyes. It was time to regenerate his essence from the fight. He focused inward, entering his core space. His Essence core hovered in the void, pulsing dimly. He had burned through a lot of energy during the fight with the Stonehide Boar. He needed to be at full capacity before he did anything else. Kael exhaled and started using the technique he had gotten better at handling the last three days. Pull. Spiral. Drain. He envisioned the Essence flowing toward him, being drawn in faster than passive regeneration could manage. The energy responded, spiraling inward toward his core, filling it bit by bit. Minutes passed. He pushed the flow harder. His mind ached from the strain, but he held firm. 11 minutes. Then a break. Another cycle. Then another. The now familiar exhaustion crept into his skull, a dull pressure behind his eyes as he forced himself through the last cycle. Finally, he let go, exhaling slowly as he opened his eyes. His core was full again. Kael let out a satisfied breath and stood up, rolling his shoulders and taking his food with him. He felt lighter, sharper. Ready. Kael stepped through the waterfall once again, feeling the refreshing water wash over him as he passed back into the forest. He shook his head, letting the droplets roll off his skin, then adjusted his grip on the remaining spear. Moving quickly, but carefully, he set off back toward his cave. He took an indirect route¡ªnever moving in a straight line, doubling back, taking detours through uneven terrain. If anything tried to track him, they¡¯d have a hard time. His parkour-like movement was getting more refined with each level as well. The more he vaulted over logs, climbed low-hanging branches, and slid through tangled roots, the more natural it became. His agility was improving at a rapid pace, no surprise since his agility stat had increased by a good amount since the beginning. As he ran, he felt it. The wind against his skin, the rhythm of his breathing, the way his body moved so effortlessly now. Kael grinned to himself. He was enjoying the new found strength. Eventually, he neared his hidden cave. He crouched behind some bushes, scanning the area from a safe distance. His eyes swept over the familiar landscape, taking in every detail. No movement. No signs of disturbance. Still, he waited. Listening. Watching. After a few minutes of nothing, Kael carefully approached. The entrance between the two trees looked just as it had before. The roots and shrubs disguised the entrance, but Kael had added to that over the first day after returning from his tree house, by putting more undergrowth hiding the entrance even better, and stuffing between the roots making it so it was blending seamlessly into the rest of the forest. Kael moved closer, lifting part of the undergrowth aside, revealing the makeshift barricade beneath it¡ªseveral crude spears tied together with vines, leaves, and moss. He pulled it aside, slipping through the small gap, then replaced it behind him, making sure it was secure. He moved deeper into the narrow tunnel, the soft glow of the embedded roots guiding his way. His footsteps were silent, his breathing controlled. When he reached the final barricade, Kael removed the stacked stones carefully before stepping inside. Home. The cave was just as he had left it. The floor was cleaner than before, free of scattered bones and debris. He had spent hours over the last three days clearing it out, making it more livable. His makeshift bed of moss and leaves sat in the far corner, a small, dry space where he could actually sleep properly. Kael sat down on his makeshift bed and started eating his meal. He had done well. It had taken a lot of work, but this place felt secure. There had been moments during the nights were he heard movement outside, but nothing had ever tried to enter. The disguise had worked. That was the most important thing. But that wasn¡¯t the only thing on his mind. Kael stared at the ceiling, his expression serious. He wasn¡¯t done. His treehouse had been destroyed. The Gloomkin had hunted him, tearing apart his shelter and leaving him with nothing. Kael clenched his jaw, his fingers drumming against his knee. This wasn¡¯t just about survival anymore. He had a plan. One that involved taking the fight to them. But before that¡ªhe had something important to do. Kael leaned back, finishing the last of his meal. As he chewed he started to regenerate his Essence again after having used it to get back here faster, letting his reserves slowly refill between bites. He wanted to be at full strength before setting out. Finally, he stood up, stretching slightly as he saw the glow from the ceiling roots dim slightly. The night was approaching. There was still evening light out, but he didn''t have long before the night fully settled and Kael needed to leave before then. After making his way out again, and securing the barricades behind him as he went, he stopped to take one last look at his shelter before turning away. Tonight, it would be Kael''s turn to be the unseen predator in the dark. Chapter 27: Revisiting the village Kael moved swiftly through the forest, each step measured and deliberate. The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fading shades of deep orange and indigo. Soon, full darkness would take over, and with it, the monsters would begin to stir. He needed to be in position before that happened. His body moved with practiced ease, weaving between the massive roots and thick undergrowth. Making full use of his attributes and keeping his movements refined¡ªeach step was lighter, every breath controlled. His stamina lasting longer than ever before. He had pushed himself beyond what once seemed possible, and now, moving through the dense wilderness felt almost instinctual. But speed wasn¡¯t his only concern. He had to remain hidden. Kael knew better than to leave tracks, especially this close to Gloomkin territory. He altered his path frequently, ensuring his trail would be nearly impossible to follow. The goal being that if anything did come across his tracks, they wouldn¡¯t be able to tell which direction he had come from and gone to. Despite his haste, he remained cautious, scanning his surroundings constantly. He had already encountered a few roaming squads of Gloomkin, small patrols moving through the forest, their guttural clicks and hissing voices carrying faintly through the night air. He had avoided them without issue, staying out of sight behind thick tree trunks and using the shadows to his advantage. As he moved, the forest around him began to change. The further he went, the thinner the trees became. The tangled undergrowth began to recede, replaced by more open stretches of land. Kael could feel it¡ªhe was nearing the edge of the forest. Beyond that was the grassland, and¡­ the Gloomkin village. He slowed his pace, creeping toward the treeline with even greater caution. The wind carried new scents¡ªsmoke, cooked meat, the damp musk of the open field. He was close. Finding a suitable hiding spot behind the gnarled roots of a massive tree, Kael crouched low and waited. He wasn¡¯t going to rush in blindly. Not yet. Time stretched as he remained still, listening. The sounds of the forest faded into the background, overtaken by the distant murmurs of the village. He stayed patient, waiting for the last slivers of sunlight to disappear completely. Then, full darkness fell. Kael exhaled slowly, shifting his position slightly. It was time to move. Staying within the cover of the trees, he began moving south along the treeline, keeping himself pressed close to the ground. The dark sky above was littered with clouds, blocking most of the light from the three moons. It worked in his favor, keeping the land shrouded in deeper shadows. Especially in a place with fewer covers, like the grasslands the clouds would be useful. He took careful, calculated steps, making no unnecessary noise. His ears were sharp, catching every distant sound, every rustle of wind through the tall grass, every flicker of movement in the distance. He kept moving. The village was still some distance away, but the closer he got, the more clearly he could hear the activity within it. The air carried the scent of charred wood, of cooked flesh. He could hear low, chittering voices, the occasional grunt of what sounded like larger creatures. Kael slowed as he neared the edge of the trees, just before the open grassland. He crouched low, using the tall grass as cover, his eyes scanning ahead. There it was. The Gloomkin village. This was the first time he had seen it this close since his initial encounter. Back then, he had only glimpsed it briefly before leaving. Now, he had a better view. The village was larger than before. There were more huts, crude structures of wood, and dried foliage scattered throughout the open field. Some were tents, held up by sharpened sticks and layered with stitched-together hides. Others were roughly built wooden shacks, looking barely sturdy enough to withstand a strong wind. Among them, fires burned, their flickering light illuminating figures that moved between them. Kael observed carefully, taking in the details. Some Gloomkin were gathered around the fires, tending to whatever creatures they had hunted during the day. Their cooking was rudimentary¡ªlarge hunks of meat roasted over open flames, dripping grease onto the ground. Others, likely the dumber, lower-level, and more feral ones, simply tore into raw flesh, devouring their meals in a hunched, animalistic fashion. His gaze moved toward the center of the village. There, standing taller than the other huts, was a larger structure. It was different from the rest¡ªits roof was made from bundled sticks and layered leaves, its walls sturdier than the others. This had to be the Chieftain¡¯s dwelling. Kael squinted, his improved vision letting him pick up faint details in the dim light. By the entrance of the hut, two figures stood guard. They were bigger than the average Gloomkin¡ªbroader shoulders, more defined muscles, their posture more alert. Even from this distance, he could tell these weren¡¯t ordinary Gloomkin. Kael stopped to think about it briefly. They looked like they were the Chieftain bodyguards. It seemed he would have to deal with them if he ever planned to take down the leader. He filed that information away for later. For now, his priority was gathering more intel. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. He scanned the village, noting the estimated number of inhabitants. By his rough count, this settlement could house a bit over two hundred Gloomkin. That was a lot¡ªmore than he had initially assumed. And, just as he suspected, they were active at night. Kael¡¯s eyes flicked toward the edge of the village. Movement. His body tensed. A group of Gloomkin emerged from the forest, their hunched forms stepping out of the darkness and into the flickering firelight. A group of hunters returning from their patrols. Kael flattened himself against the ground, keeping his silhouette low. He watched as the returning Gloomkin entered the village, chattering among themselves. Some carried weapons, crude spears, and knives, while others had dead animals slung over their shoulders, the rest carrying whatever they had gathered or hunted. Kael kept watching, absorbing every detail he could. Then, he noticed the clouds above shift, letting small rays of light filter through resulting in him looking up. The thick cover that had concealed the moons began to move, revealing them more. If he stayed out in the open much longer, he risked being exposed. Keeping his movements controlled, he retreated. He carefully crawled backward, keeping low until he reached the cover of the trees once more. Only once he was safely concealed did he allow himself to relax. Now, he would wait. There was still more to observe¡ªmore to learn. Kael settled in, preparing for a night of watching and observing.
Observation required patience, and patience was something he had learned in abundance. He slowed his breathing, letting his body relax despite his mind remaining razor-sharp. The Gloomkin village sprawled before him, the flickering firelight casting shadows across the crude huts and tents. He kept his focus on patterns, movements, and behaviors. Anything that could tell him more about their routine. Time stretched on. Some of the Gloomkin were still eating, their low grunts and wet chewing sounds carrying through the night air. Others were moving between huts, carrying weapons or crude baskets filled with whatever they had. But Kael was looking for something more specific. How many guarded the village? How often did they rotate? He continued watching. The bigger Gloomkin still stood near the Chieftain¡¯s hut, their post unwavering. They hadn¡¯t moved since he first saw them. Aside from them, he spotted a handful of others patrolling the village¡¯s outskirts, their movements slow and methodical. They were clearly less disciplined than the bodyguards, but still watchful. Then, there were the stragglers. Some of the Gloomkin seemed to be completely uninterested in any kind of structure. These were the lower-leveled, dim-witted ones, the kind that just wandered around aimlessly, gnawing on whatever food scraps they could find, or fight among themselvs. They were unorganized, unpredictable, and possibly the easiest to take out if a fight broke out. Kael noted it all. But he wasn¡¯t just watching the village. He needed to see if they had any specific habits or weaknesses. His gaze shifted beyond the huts, to the outskirts. That¡¯s where he saw another important detail. There were a few Gloomkin outside of the village, loitering near the tree line, their forms half-hidden in the darkness. They weren¡¯t patrolling, at least not in the basic structured way some of the other would. Instead, they seemed to be scavenging, picking at things on the ground, occasionally crouching near fallen logs or inspecting the earth. Kael narrowed his eyes. What were they looking for? He shifted slightly, moving his head just enough to see better without exposing himself. Then, after a while, he noticed something else. Some of them were setting up rudimentary traps. They weren¡¯t complex¡ªmostly sharpened sticks wedged into the ground, some of them tied together with crude rope made from vines. But they weren¡¯t just laying them around randomly. They were placing them in very specific spots¡ªlikely along paths, they expected something to walk through. Kael frowned. Were they hunting something other than him? Or were they fortifying the area around the village from predators? He pushed down the frustration creeping into his chest. He didn¡¯t know the answer, and right now, it didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was that they were actively trying to catch something or fortifying the village. That¡­ complicated things. Kael couldn''t leave them alone for too long he needed to deal with the village before it became impossible for him to do so alone. Kael exhaled through his nose. He filed the information away, mentally marking where he had seen the traps being set. If he needed to move around this area again, he would need to avoid them. His focus returned to the village. More time passed. Some of the Gloomkin continued wandering, some finishing their meals, others finding places to sleep either in the huts or outside. It was then that Kael got the answer to his other question, whether they slept or not. The answer being both yes and no. Some of them did. In the farthest part of the village, Kael could see groups of them curling up near the fire pits, their bodies sprawled lazily across the ground. They weren¡¯t dead¡ªhe could see the slow rise and fall of their chests. But not all of them slept. Some stayed awake, either standing guard or simply wandering aimlessly around the village. Kael watched one in particular¡ªa Gloomkin that circled the same hut three times, looking around each time before moving on without purpose. It wasn¡¯t guarding anything. It wasn¡¯t looking for food. It was just¡­ restless. That was interesting. Not all of them were under orders. Not all of them had a sense of duty. Some of them simply¡­ did whatever they felt like doing. That was a weakness. Chaotic, undisciplined creatures weren¡¯t nearly as dangerous as ones with clear leadership and coordination. If they weren¡¯t all working together in a structured way, that meant there were gaps in their defenses. And Kael could exploit gaps. His mind turned, forming possibilities. How could he use this? There was the obvious approach. If he started picking them off at night, taking out the roaming ones first, he could slowly reduce their numbers. They were weak individually. If he fought them alone, away from the others, he could avoid the risk of the village getting alerted and an all-out battle. But what about the Chieftain? That was the real question. If he remembered right the quest said the reward was based on the amount killed as well as the Chieftain. That meant he didn''t necessarily need to kill it. But Kael was interested in the crystal giving off essence on the Chieftain''s staff, and well he was never one to leave things unfinished. Kael¡¯s gaze shifted back to the largest hut. The guards were still standing there, still unmoving. He wasn¡¯t sure what level they were, but they were definitely stronger than the average Gloomkin. If he fought them directly, it wouldn¡¯t be as simple as taking out the ones wandering aimlessly. He needed to know their strength. How strong were they individually? What weapons did they use? How loyal were they to the Chieftain? That last one was important. If they were blindly obedient, they would fight to the death. If they were like the rest of their kin, there was a chance they would abandon their leader and run if they got scared or if things got bad enough. Kael needed answers. This wasn¡¯t just about revenge for his treehouse, it wasn¡¯t just about running in and killing them all in a single night. That wasn¡¯t possible. Not yet atleast. If he was going to eliminate the Gloomkin village, he needed to do it efficiently. Just because you were stronger than a teenager did not mean you could fight 200 of them. Eventually, you would get tired, your stamina would run out long before you beat them all, and you would then be at their mercy. This was about attrition. Strategy. Weakening them piece by piece. A methodical hunt. And just as he was thinking this, he noted movement in the shrubbery a distance away from him, and so too did one of the patroling Gloomkin it started heading in that direction its interest peaked. Chapter 28: The Silent Hunt Kael¡¯s eyes followed the lone Gloomkin as it stood at the edge of what he assumed was the patrol route, its black, soulless eyes fixed on something ahead. Its posture was tense, head tilted slightly as if listening for any additional sounds. Whatever had caught its attention had fully distracted it from its watch. A moment passed before the creature crept forward, its movements slow and deliberate. Kael remained still, blending into the thick shadows beneath the trees. He wasn¡¯t close enough to see what had drawn his and the Gloomkin¡¯s attention, but he could hear it¡ªfaint, subtle movements rustling through the undergrowth. Curiosity sparked in Kael¡¯s mind. What had drawn their attention? Adjusting his stance, he followed silently, his steps light against the damp forest floor. He maneuvered through the undergrowth, ensuring that each footstep landed with minimal noise. Even though his Essence-enhanced legs would make his movements more steady and silent, he refrained from using any unnecessary reinforcement. The thin blue shimmer of Essence around his limbs when actively used, even if it wasn''t the most noticeable effect could be a risk if the creature turned around at the wrong moment. As he got closer, he spotted it¡ªnear the base of a large tree, tangled between thick roots, was a snake. Its long body was coiled, its head slightly raised as if preparing to strike. The snake¡¯s scales glistened in the dim moonlight, blending into the earthy hues of the forest. The Gloomkin crept closer, its crude spear angled downward, eyes locked onto its prey. Kael crouched behind the dense foliage, watching as the monster made its move. With a sudden burst of motion, the Gloomkin lunged, stabbing downward. The snake hissed, striking out in retaliation, but the creature was faster. The spearhead sank into the snake¡¯s side, pinning it against the roots. Kael watched as the Gloomkin let out a guttural chuckle, its mouth splitting into a sharp-toothed grin. It wasted no time, throwing aside its weapon and tearing into the dying reptile with jagged, yellowed teeth. The wet sound of flesh ripping filled the air, accompanied by the crunch of bones as it bit into its prey. Kael narrowed his eyes. He had just found the perfect bait. His mind was already working through the possibilities¡ªif this worked on one, it might work on the others. Some of the Gloomkin were impulsive, and more animalistic than intelligent. If they were drawn to easy prey like this, then Kael could set up a trap¡ªpicking them off one by one without raising suspicion. A slow, calculated smile tugged at his lips. Let¡¯s see how predictable you really are. He waited. The creature, still engrossed in its meal, had completely let its guard down. Its body was hunched, attention solely on devouring the snake. Kael moved. With swift, silent steps, he closed the distance in an instant. His arms shot out, locking around the Gloomkin¡¯s neck in a brutal grip. Before it could react, he twisted sharply. Crack. The Gloomkin¡¯s body spasmed once, its head lolling unnaturally to the side. Then, silence. Kael eased the lifeless body to the ground, careful to avoid making unnecessary noise. He then glanced around, ensuring no other patrols had noticed the kill. Satisfied, he hefted the corpse onto his shoulder and carried it deeper into the forest, moving between thick tree trunks until he found a suitable hiding spot¡ªa natural alcove formed by the roots of a massive tree. There, he dumped the body, arranging it so it wouldn¡¯t be immediately visible from a passing patrol. One down. Now, he just had to repeat this again. Kael returned to the snake¡¯s remains, crouching beside it. The reptile¡¯s body was torn open, its innards exposed and glistening under the moonlight. He studied it carefully. He didn''t need it whole, he just needed it to serve as a distraction and look appetizing for them. He reached out, adjusting the position of the carcass, making it appear as though it had been freshly killed¡ªjust enough to be convincing. Then, he retreated to a concealed position, crouching low behind a thick patch of foliage. Now, he just had to wait. Minutes passed. Then, movement. Kael tensed, his eyes flicking toward the treeline where another lone Gloomkin patrolled. Like the first, its back was hunched, cautious but lacking true discipline. Then Kael threw a stone in the general direction of the snake, getting its attention. It wasn''t long before it noticed the snake. Kael watched as the creature¡¯s head tilted, its nostrils flaring slightly as it took in the scent of fresh blood. The hunger in its gaze was unmistakable. With slow, deliberate steps, it moved toward the carcass. Kael remained perfectly still. The Gloomkin knelt, reaching toward the snake¡¯s remains, sniffing at it before grinning¡ªshowing its jagged teeth. It let out a low chittering noise, seemingly pleased with its find. Thats when Kael moved. Like before, he closed the distance quickly, his fingers wrapping around the Gloomkin¡¯s throat before it could react. The monster¡¯s body stiffened in surprise, its mouth opening to make a sound, but it was too late. Another sharp twist of his wrists followed, and¡ªCrack. The body slumped. Kael exhaled slowly, dragging the corpse back to the hiding place. Two down. He repeated the process. Again. And again. Time stretched as Kael systematically thinned their numbers. Each time, he adjusted the bait slightly¡ªmoving it, ensuring it looked fresh, and making minor alterations. The Gloomkin took the bait every time. One by one, he lured and dispatched of them with ruthless efficiency. The system notifications appeared, brief flashes of minor experience gains, but he barely registered them. The numbers were irrelevant as low as they were. What mattered was results. He wasn¡¯t doing this just for the exp. He was hunting. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. As time passed, Kael noticed a shift. The once frequent patrols were starting to dwindle. There were fewer Gloomkin wandering outside of the village now. His effort had bared fruit. The heart of the village still held activity¡ªfires burned, figures moved between huts, and low murmurs filled the air¡ªbut the outer defenses were noticeably weaker. Kael crouched behind a thick tree, watching from a distance. He counted his kills. Eight. That was eight fewer Gloomkin roaming the area. Eight fewer threats to deal with. He leaned back against the tree, considering his next move. The lower-leveled Gloomkin gave almost no worthwhile experience, which made sense¡ªthey were weak. But removing them from the equation was a victory on its own. He smirked to himself. The dumb things don¡¯t even know they¡¯re being hunted. He looked up and noticed the clouds had shifted again, things falling even more into place, as soon as the cloud cover returned, he decided he would take a risk and make his way into the village itself.
Kael crouched low, his breath slow and steady as he waited for the clouds to fully obscure the moonlight once more. The flickering glow of the village¡¯s fires barely reached this far into the treeline, leaving the outer perimeter cloaked in deep shadows. Kael not needing to wait long as the clouds blocked the moons again, making so it was the perfect time to sneak closer in. He pushed forward, staying close to the ground, his body shifting smoothly through the tall grass. Every movement was controlled, each step and hand placement were carefully placed to avoid making even the slightest noise. The last couple of hours had thinned out the Gloomkin patrols, reducing their numbers one by one. If anyone in the village noticed, they hadn¡¯t acted on it yet. No alarms, no panic¡ªjust the same lazy, disorganized movements as before. Kael wouldn''t complain about that, this only helped him further. Reaching the first hut at the edge of the village, he pressed his back against its crude wooden frame, listening. The muffled sound of nasal snoring reached his ears. He peeked around the corner, his sharp eyes scanning for any lingering patrols or movement indicating a Gloomkin heading in this direction. Nothing. The immediate area was clear. Kael moved with purpose, skirting around the hut¡¯s exterior and toward the nearest structure. The layout of the village was simple it followed a rough pattern of huts clustered around the clearing with that elevated platform made of stacked logs and the larger central structure where the Chieftain likely stayed. From what he had observed, most of the Gloomkin were either asleep or clustered around their fire pits. Only a handful remained active, moving between the huts or tending to their weapons. Kael kept close to the ground, inching toward his next target. A lone Gloomkin stood near a pile of supplies¡ªcrudely made spears, bits of dried meat, and other materials likely gathered from their hunts. It was distracted, gnawing on a strip of tough meat, its posture relaxed. Kael didn¡¯t hesitate. He moved in, wrapping his arm around its neck in a tight hold before it could make a sound. The creature struggled for only a second before a sharp twist of Kael¡¯s grip silenced it forever. He eased the body down, quickly dragging it behind a hut before checking the area again. No reaction. The village continued as if nothing had happened. Kael¡¯s mind raced with possibilities. With fewer patrols, he had more room to maneuver. But he couldn¡¯t risk staying in one place too long. The moment someone noticed a missing body, everything would change. Keep moving. Stay ahead of them. His next target was another isolated figure¡ªa Gloomkin wandering near a stack of crude weapons, lazily inspecting them. Kael crept closer, his footfalls silent against the dirt. Just like before, he struck fast. The creature¡¯s body went limp before it could even register what had happened. Another quick drag, another body concealed. That made ten. Kael exhaled, rolling his shoulders. His approach was working, but the real test had yet to come. When they finally noticed the missing Gloomkins. How would they react? He positioned himself near another hut, watching from the shadows. Seeing the village remained mostly still, he continued to creep toward another hut, pausing as he heard something inside¡ªthe sound of breathing. He carefully peeled back the crude flap that served as the hut¡¯s entrance. The interior was dim, but by making a small Essence sphere barely the size of a grape, he was able to improve his vision, without making it too bright to be noticed from the outside. There were nine Gloomkin. All asleep. Kael¡¯s hand whent for his knife and started thinking on how he was going to do this. The easiest approach would be to kill them now before they could react. But as much as he would love to do so, slitting their throats would be messy¡ªthe smell of blood could alert nearby guards. He needed a cleaner method. A sharp, quiet kill. Just like before. Packing away his knife just as soon as he had taken it out. Insted Kael crouched low and moved toward the nearest sleeping Gloomkin. His hands wrapped around its head and with a precise motion breaking its neck like the rest. The creature didn¡¯t even stir. Kael moved to the next one. Another quick, efficient kill. Then the next. And the next. He worked swiftly, and methodically. Within minutes, nine bodies lay still, never having the chance to wake up. Kael stood in the hushed interior, his breathing steady. He glanced around the hut once more before slipping back outside, careful not to disturb anything.
Kael crouched low in the tall grass near the village¡¯s edge, making his way towards the treeline. Getting there he found a nice hiding spot in some thick bushes and settled to waiting. He had done enough damage for one night. Now, he needed to see how they reacted. He remained still, watching the village with patient, predatory focus. Minutes passed. Then, the shift began. A Gloomkin emerged from one of the huts, stretching its limbs before glancing around. Its posture was lazy at first, but then it paused. It sniffed the air, its head tilting slightly as it scanned the area. Then, it frowned¡ªor at least, the closest thing to a frown a Gloomkin could make. It turned, chittering something in its strange guttural tongue. Another Gloomkin stirred nearby, and soon, two of them were looking around, their movements slightly more alert. They noticed something. Kael remained still, his heartbeat steady. The two Gloomkin moved toward the outer edges of the village, their eyes scanning the darkened perimeter. One of them crouched near the weapons pile where Kael had taken down one of their kin. It sniffed at the air again before baring its teeth. Then, it let out a low growl. Kael¡¯s fingers flexed slightly against the leaves, he was amazed how some of these monsters could be this alert and others just morons. The one crouched near the weapons pile suddenly turned toward where he hid the bodies, its eyes narrowing as it sniffed again. Kael could see the slight tension in its movements. Reaching down, he grabbed a small stone from the ground, rolling it between his fingers. He waited until the Gloomkin turned slightly, then threw the rock toward the far side of the village. The sound was subtle, but enough to make the creature and some of the others around it snap their head toward the noise. It chittered something, then stalked toward the sound, its focus shifting. Good. Let them chase shadows for now, Kael wanted to see more, maybe take a look at the leader one more time before all hell broke lose. chapter 29: Return from the village Kael remained crouched in the thick bushes, hidden beneath the canopy of twisted roots and gnarled trees. His gaze stayed locked onto the Gloomkin village, watching the small settlement come to life as the hours passed. The night was beginning to wane, the deep black sky giving way to the faintest hints of lighter shades. He estimated that morning was only two or three hours away. Kael shifted slightly, adjusting his position for a better view of the village. The Gloomkins that had run off earlier, the ones that had chased after the noise from the stone he threw, had yet to return. He smiled to himself. He wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the things had gotten distracted, wandered too far, or ended up forgetting about what they were doing after chasing the sound and finding nothing. Even if some of them had an ounce of intelligence, it wouldn¡¯t matter much. The mismatched way they lived, acted and operated gave him all the openings he would need. That, and their clear inability to hold focus for long, made them incredibly easy to manipulate. Kael continued his observations. As time passed, he noticed more and more of them stirring. Some began emerging from their huts and tents, while others got up from the ground. A few were already preparing to head into the forest, spears and crude weapons in hand, most likely for a morning hunt. Paying special attention to the ones leaving, he shifted slightly, moving a bit deeper into the tree line, careful not to rustle the grass too much as he did so. He needed to remain hidden a while longer, and couldn''t risk being seen this close to the village yet. Then he heard it¡ªthe distant sound of commotion. Kael immediately focused back on the village. He narrowed his eyes, scanning the area, waiting. Did they finally find one of the bodies? The sudden commotion spread like wildfire. More Gloomkin poured out of their huts, snarling and clicking at one another in alarm. Some of them rushed to grab weapons, others darted in random directions, their body language frantic. Kael¡¯s patience was rewarded when he finally saw movement from the village¡¯s central structure. The hide-covered doorway was pushed aside, and from within, the Chieftain emerged. The moment it stepped into the open, Kael¡¯s attention sharpened. The Chieftain was built differently¡ªmore muscular, broader, and far more imposing than its lesser kin. Its skin was a darker shade of gray, almost black, and its beady eyes held a glint of something Kael hadn¡¯t seen in the others¡ªactual intelligence. This one wasn¡¯t just another dumb beast. But just like last time, what truly caught his attention was the staff in its grip. The weapon wasn''t much by itself, its surface jagged and uneven. At the top of the staff, embedded into the wood, was a pulsating crystal¡ªa deep, sickly green that radiated faint waves of energy. Kael was transfixed by it. His eyes flicked to the two figures now standing beside the Chieftain, having left their post the moment it stepped out. Unlike the other Gloomkin, these two bodyguards were more similar to their leader than their lesser kin, they were larger, stronger, and carried what looked like more refined weapons. Their stances were more disciplined, and their movements had a precision that set them apart from the usual mindless creatures. Kael¡¯s suspicions were confirmed when the System notification appeared before his eyes. [ Gloomkin Guard (Uncommon) ¨C Level 14 ] [ Gloomkin Guard (Uncommon) ¨C Level 13 ] [ Gloomkin Chieftain (Uncommon) ¨C Level 16 ] Kael¡¯s eyes widened slightly. Level 16? That was the highest he had seen so far. The strongest common Gloomkin he had encountered was Level 8. This thing doubled that. Even the guards had a higher level than any of the others he had faced. Does rarity affect leveling? The question crossed his mind for a moment, but he set it aside. That¡¯s something to figure out later. Right now, he needed to focus. The Chieftain moved through the village, its larger form cutting a clear path as it barked at the others. The moment it entered the hut where Kael had left nine of its kin dead, its rage became evident. It stormed out seconds later, gripping its staff tighter, yelling in its guttural tongue. Kael couldn¡¯t understand its words, but he didn¡¯t need to. The body language was clear¡ªit was pissed. The other Gloomkin scrambled in response. The village was now fully awake, and the Chieftain¡¯s furious orders were met with immediate action. Within moments, groups of Gloomkin broke off, forming search parties. Kael¡¯s lips thinned into a line, time to go. He had pushed his luck long enough. He had lingered in the village¡¯s proximity for two reasons throughout the night, one because he needed to observe and two because ironically it was safer here at night, given that the Gloomkin themselves were the reason. If Kael was right, then other predators didn¡¯t normally come near their village. It made sense. After all, there hadn¡¯t been a single sign of another monster the entire night. Either they feared the Gloomkin¡¯s numbers or something in the village itself kept them away. The answer to that being the Chieftain was not going to surprise him. But with dawn approaching, that safety net was not needed as much. And now that the village was actively searching the area, he needed to leave before they started expanding their search radius. Carefully, Kael began retreating further into the forest, stepping slowly, making sure not to give away his position. His movements were smooth, precise, and measured. It took some time but, soon Kael had made some good distance from the village. It was not long after that he heard footsteps. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Kael froze, muscles tensing. He listened, focusing on the direction of the sound. They weren¡¯t coming from the village¡ªthey were coming from where he was headed. He lowered himself behind a thick tree root, peering out from behind it. Within seconds, three level 3 Gloomkin emerged from the shadows, heading straight for his position. Were they part of the search party? No. Their posture wasn¡¯t tense, and they weren¡¯t actively scanning the area. They were walking with a lazy step, clicking to each other in that guttural language of theirs. It was also a good distance from the village now, Kael getting close to where his tree house was. Thinking that, a smile crept up on Kael''s face. These must be the ones still looking for him. Either they had just been wandering around like idiots all night, or they had been looping the area, still convinced he was hiding somewhere nearby, and it just so happened they were right. Without hesitation, Kael moved. He burst from the cover of the roots, closing the distance before they even realized what was happening. The first Gloomkin barely had time to turn its head before Kael¡¯s reinforced fist slammed into its skull. The crunch of bone echoed in the quiet forest, and its body crumpled instantly to the ground, hitting it hard. [ Experience Gained: +10 EXP ] The second barely managed to react before Kael was on it, his hand shooting out, fingers tightening around its throat and lifting it slightly off the ground. It thrashed wildly, clawing at him, but Kael simply ignored its attempts and twisted sharply¡ªanother wet snap. [ Experience Gained: +10 EXP ] Scared the third tried to flee. Bad move. Kael lunged, closing the distance in a heartbeat. He grabbed its arm, wrenched it back violently, and drove his knee into its spine. The force sent it sprawling face-first into the dirt, and before it could recover, Kael stomped down hard on the back of its head. [ Experience Gained: +10 EXP ] Silence returned to the forest. Kael exhaled slowly, stepping back and wiping his hand against the bark of a tree. Three more bodies. And now, the village would find them and still believe he was lurking nearby. Kael cracked his neck, then resumed his journey home.
Kael moved swiftly through the forest. The night was fully giving way to the early light of dawn, the dark hues of the sky softening into muted grays and faint tinges of blue. The presence of the three dead Gloomkin he had just left behind would keep their village occupied for a while. Eventually, they would assume whatever attacked the village also attacked the three Gloomkin. Kael would also bet that the Chieftain would put two and two together and assume it was him. Hopefully, it would take the bait and wrongly think he was still lurking near his old home, forcing them to focus their search on the wrong area. Kael had done enough damage for one night, and now it was time to regroup. His path led him through familiar terrain¡ªthe forest dense, the air cool against his skin as he weaved between the massive roots of the towering trees. The old Kael, before all of this, would¡¯ve been exhausted by now. But now? Even after a long night, his body barely felt the strain. If anything, he felt energized. He made sure to remain cautious despite the lack of any immediate threats. Just because he hadn¡¯t encountered another predator didn¡¯t mean one wasn¡¯t out there. He knew better than to let his guard down in this forest. He pressed forward, picking up his pace. The final stretch to his cave required more careful movement. It wasn¡¯t just about avoiding monsters¡ªhe had to make absolutely sure he wasn¡¯t followed. He continued the habit he had established over the past few days, taking extra care in his last approach. By the time he neared the cave entrance, the sun fully settled into the forest. Kael moved toward the concealed entrance, reaching for the makeshift door¡ªdisguised beneath layers of undergrowth. He pulled it aside and slipped inside the opening. The root-filled tunnel was dimly illuminated by the veins running along the roots. The glow pulsated with an eerie bioluminescent hue and the light they released was slightly stronger than it had been at night, the veins reacting to the new day. Kael moved through it, making sure to replace the barricades behind him before stepping fully into his cave. Home. Kael exhaled as he finally let his shoulders relax. He walked further in, before settling onto his makeshift bed. The familiar space wrapped around him in quiet comfort. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was his. Kael allowed a small smirk to tug at his lips as he leaned against the cool stone, thinking back on the night. It had gone far better than he had expected. He had gathered valuable information, weakened their numbers, and had even gotten his first real look at the Chieftain and its guards. That alone had been worth the risk. He laid down on the bed, allowing himself a brief moment of rest. His body might not be exhausted, but his mind had been running nonstop. He closed his eyes, allowing himself a short reprieve. A short dreamless sleep later, Kael woke up, even if he didn''t sleep for that long of a time, he felt better. More centered. He blinked up at the ceiling of the cave, noting the glow from the roots was still bright, meaning it was still daytime outside. Sitting up, Kael leaned against the wall, letting his mind sort through everything he had observed. The Gloomkin village was larger than before. More numerous. But they weren¡¯t invincible. Without their leader, they were disorganized, and chaotic in their structure and responses. Still, eliminating all of them would be a challenge. Two hundred was no small number. If he wanted to make real progress, he needed to take bigger risks. His initial night raid had worked, but if he wanted to truly make a dent in their numbers, he would need to start attacking larger groups. The realization settled in his mind as he analyzed his options. The night raid had proven effective, but picking their patrol off one by one was too slow. He would have to start attacking their village directly as well. The Chieftain and its guards were a real threat¡ªKael wasn¡¯t arrogant enough to believe he could take them on now. But that would change. He was already stronger than he had ever been. Just a couple of days ago, a fight against multiple Gloomkin would¡¯ve been a real challenge. Now? He had taken down three with his bare hands without breaking a sweat. That alone was proof of his progress. But He wasn''t satisfied with just this he needed more. He needed to push further. His thoughts shifted to his Essence manipulation. If he wanted to keep improving, he needed to refine his use of it even more. His current method of reinforcing his body was effective, but it still had flaws¡ªone of them being the glow that appeared when he used it. If he could suppress or control that glow, he could make himself even stealthier. He let out a slow breath. He had his next steps. Hunt. Improve his control over Essence. Continue with larger attacks and raids on the village. Kael pushed himself off the bedding and stood, rolling his shoulders. First things first¡ªhe needed food. Then, he would train. He moved toward the tunnel entrance, reaching for the stones that acted as a barrier. One by one, he removed them then made his way toward the exit. The forest awaited him once more, and with it, the next steps in his plan to wipe the Gloomkin village out. Chapter 30: Shaping Kael sat cross-legged on his simple bed of moss and leaves, his back pressed against the cool stone wall of the cave. The scent of freshly cooked meat still lingered in his mind from his earlier meal¡ªa hare he had hunted and roasted behind the waterfall before he made his way back. It had been a quiet hunt, and he had taken his time, enjoying the solitude and the scenery as he ate. Now, with his hunger satisfied, he could focus on what truly mattered¡ªhis growth. With an unhurried movement, he extended his hand outward, letting Essence flow from his core to his palm. A faint blue glow emerged, swirling in an almost hypnotic manner before taking the shape of a sphere. The process was smooth, effortless in comparison to the struggle it had once been. A few levels ago, something like this had taken far more concentration, and there had always been resistance¡ªpushback from the Essence, as if it had a will of its own. Now, with his increased stats, particularly his Essence control, Kael could do this with far greater ease. Still curious, he tested his control further. With a simple thought, the glowing sphere in his palm began to rotate. Slowly at first, then faster. Kael watched with fascination. Satisfied, he dismissed the sphere, letting the Essence dissipate into the air. Then, with another thought, he pulled up his Status screen. [ Status ] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 9 EXP: 268 / 450 Rank: Mortal Stats: His gaze swept over his stats, his expression showing pride as he did so. His stats had increased considerably since he last checked, and more importantly, his ability to impose his will on his Essence had improved alongside them. Closing the screen with a thought, Kael stretched his fingers before gathering Essence once again, shaping it into another sphere. This time, instead of spinning it, he willed it to change shape. The sphere elongated, stretching into something more akin to a rod. Kael¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he concentrated. The pushback was still there¡ªless than it used to be, but noticeably there. Forcing Essence into new complex shapes required more focus and more effort, than simply keeping it as a sphere. ¡°This would¡¯ve have been draining just a few days ago,¡± Kael muttered to himself, keeping the elongated Essence construct stable in his palm. He turned it slowly, examining its structure. The effort it took to hold this form was not much, but it still demanded a portion of his concentration. As he held the construct, his thoughts drifted back to something he had considered for a while. Essence, when drawn from his body, was intangible¡ªa glowing energy that had no physical form. He had used it to reinforce weapons and enhance their durability, but he had never been able to create something solid. The way his shaper skill was worded hinted at him making objects, and that intrigued him. Then, today on his way back from the hunt, a thought had struck him¡ªa random musing about the weather. He had yet to see rain in this new world, and he had wondered what it would be like when it finally did. That thought had sparked an idea. From what little Kael remembered learning, the few times he had the attention to spare in school, was that rain formed when moisture in the air turned from vapor into liquid, and eventually into something solid and big enough to fall to the ground. The idea was, what if he could apply the same principle to Essence? What if, instead of letting it remain as an intangible energy, he could force it into a solid form through pressure? That was why he had hurried back to his cave the moment the thought struck, impatient to wait testing it out. If he could figure this out, he would be one step closer to creating Essence constructs, rather than simply reinforcing objects he found. His biggest problem so far had been his lack of a reliable weapon. The Gloomkin weapons he used were at this point single-use at best. The cheap, crude, and now due to his growing strength fragile things, often broke after a single fight or just an attack. But if he could create weapons out of his own Essence, ones he could remake when they broke, he would never be unarmed again. That''s also not considering the versatility this would offer him. A grin spread across Kael¡¯s face as he looked down at the construct in his hands. He could already shape Essence into a basic form. Now, he needed to push it further. Closing his eyes, Kael let more Essence flow from his core and into his body. He then directed it all towards his right arm, having connected a larger tendril¡ªone similar in size to the ones he used when reinforcing all his limbs. But this time, instead of splitting the flow into separate paths, he guided everything into a single stream, channeling it into the Essence construct floating over his palm. The results were immediate. The construct thickened as more Essence poured out from his hand and into it, the glow intensifying. But unlike when he infused other solid objects, where he had to wait for the material to absorb the energy, this time the Essence simply flowed in as if the construct was an extension of itself, which in a way it was. There was no resistance, no delay. It simply accepted his will. Well, that¡¯s convenient.¡± He had always found it frustrating how difficult it was for materials to absorb his Essence, refusing to allow Kael to will the essence into the objects, and worst of all having to wait for the essence to be absorbed slowly. This then results in him wasting a lot of essence just venting it out. Organic materials absorbed it slightly better, but things like stones were nearly impossible to reinforce properly without an absurd amount of time. This, however, was different. The thing in question was made from his Essence. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. The construct didn¡¯t resist him¡ªit didn¡¯t need to absorb his Essence because it was his Essence. It simply allowed the extra essence to be guided by his will, to join what was there. His mental grip on the construct tightened as he willed it to compress. He could feel resistance increasing slightly, but he pushed forward, applying mental pressure, willing the structure to tighten. The glowing form shrunk slightly, its density increasing. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Kael frowned, feeling the pressure needed to compress it further increasing dramatically, and that it was getting difficult to continue at an alarming rate. Thinking back, he focused on compression and how it worked, then remembered how it was easier to compress something when there were greater quantities of it. Kael then let out even more Essence to help build pressure, feeling that the more essence he had to hold together outside his body the more difficult it was getting, but also helping in his task. His grip tightened on his left knee, sweat forming on his brow as he concentrated. He could feel the construct straining under the pressure of his will, resisting in new ways he hadn''t encountered before. His muscles tensed as he pushed harder, forcing the construct to obey his intent. Then, suddenly¡ª Something shifted. A sharp sensation ran through him, almost like a snap, and the Essence construct in his palm solidified. Kael¡¯s eyes snapped open. The bright glow that was being released by the construct was gone, replaced by something solid, something tangible. It wasn¡¯t floating anymore either, the construct had weight now, and as such had dropped into his hand. Staring at it in stunned silence, Kael slowly turned it over, inspecting the shape. He had compressed it to look like a crude knife, roughly shaped as if someone had cut it from a metal sheet. It wasn¡¯t sharp, wasn¡¯t well-formed, but it existed. Kael also felt a strange connection to the object as if the Essence within it was tethered to him in some deep way. He tightened his grip, testing its solidity. It felt light, fragile even, as if it could break apart under too much strain. But still, it was there. A slow smile crept onto Kael¡¯s face. He had done it. For the first time, he had successfully shaped an Essence construct. Not reinforcement. Not infusion. Not an enhancement of something that already existed. This was his own creation. Kael rotated the crude knife in his hand, still marveling at the weight of the situation. Now that he wasn''t actively holding it together he could also sense something else. The construct wanted to hold together, even though he wasn¡¯t actively forcing it to do so anymore. There seemed to be a residual will within it as if the Essence itself had taken on his intent while he was shaping it, and continuing to act upon it. Kael let out a quiet "Yes!", a mix of amazement and satisfaction getting the hold of him.
He let the moment settle before moving on to the testing phase. Kael turned his grip and flicked the knife lightly against the stone floor of the cave. Clink. The sound was faint, but it was there. The Essence construct felt like a solid object when it made contact. But Kael could feel the structure¡¯s fragility through his connection to it. He knew that while it had a shape, it lacked durability. It was too brittle, too easily breakable to be a reliable weapon. Still, it was progress. Kael focused inward, reaching for the thin connection between himself and the knife. He could feel the faint will within the construct¡ªthe lingering echo of his intent that was holding it together. It was an odd sensation, one that told him this was still his Essence even after it had solidified. Curious, Kael tested his next theory. Focusing on that connection he overwrote the echo of his will to stop holding the construct together. Immediately, the knife crumbled into nothing, dissolving into the air as if it had never existed. There was no resistance, no explosion of energy¡ªjust a quiet disappearance. The Essence joined the world, untethered now that his will no longer held it together. That¡­ was interesting. He hadn¡¯t needed to use any extra effort to break it apart¡ªsimply deciding it was no longer necessary had been enough. It wasn¡¯t like a normal weapon that needed to be physically destroyed. As long as it was made from his Essence, his will would be enough. He took a deep breath, then started regenerating his Essence from the recent effort. He hadn¡¯t used an amount that he was empty, but this process was draining on his core. Given how much Essence was needed to make the construct. After some time of regenerating Kael was ready again, he wasn¡¯t done experimenting yet. This time he decided to see what happened when he left a construct alone. Could it maintain itself without his influence? If so how long? Not wasting time Kael shaped another crude knife. This time, instead of dispelling it, he set it down on the cave floor and simply watched. Minutes passed. At first, the construct remained exactly as he had left it. But then, Kael felt something change. The connection between himself and the knife began to fade as the remnant of his will started becoming too weak to hold it together, and at the same time, the Essence within the construct started to dissolve on its own. It was slow, much slower than when he actively broke it apart, but the process was undeniable. It took nearly ten minutes, but eventually, the construct lost its shape entirely, vanishing into the air just like before. Kael let out a hum of understanding. The construct had a lifespan, due to the echo of his will becoming weaker over time, and leading to the essence evaporating as it did so. Kael wondered if his will was stronger when shaping future constructs, would that make it so they lasted longer? He also noted how this process was similar to when he reinforced a weapon, like one of the Gloomkin''s spears. The reinforcement would slowly evaporate over time. Thinking on it now, Kael did not fully understand how objects like the spear or the antler blade, held essence that long to begin with, given that he could not use his will to infuse essence into them. The objects technically getting reinforced as a by-product of it just slowly absorbed the free Essence he released around it. Not going anywhere with this train of thought, kael moved on. His next test was durability. He needed to know how much force his constructs could withstand before breaking. Testing first with the knife shape, and finding it just too fragile, breaking after just one hard tap on the wall. Instead, in his next test he compressed more Essence into a short, thick rod. It took a little longer to shape¡ªabout twice as long as before¡ªbut he could already feel the difference in its structure. It was denser, more sturdy than the knife had been, and also longer. The knife was roughly the length of a kitchen knife, the rod being one and a half times as long. Kael took the rod and gave it a small tap against the cave wall. Thud. No cracks. No immediate signs of weakness. Encouraged, he swung harder. This time, a faint fracture ran along the surface. It still held together, but barely. Kael took another mental note. It was more durable than the knife, but his constructs still weren''t ready for battle. Not yet. For the next several hours, Kael repeated the process. He experimented with different amounts of Essence, testing how thickness and shape impacted the structure. By the time the sun was beginning to set, Kael had learned a lot. Kael also learned that detail work was difficult. Making a rough knife was one thing, but actually crafting a sharp edge was much harder. Kael leaned against the cave wall, breathing steadily. He had exhausted a decent chunk of his Essence reserves several times and was feeling the effect of it, but the progress he had made was worth it. He had made real strides in understanding how his Essence worked. This wasn¡¯t just theory anymore. He could actually create things. They weren¡¯t perfect yet, but that didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was that he had a foundation to build on. Kael let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. It was funny in a way¡ªhe had gotten this skill so long ago, and yet he was only just now figuring it out. But that was fine. He was stronger now than he had ever been before. And with this discovery, he had an entirely new path forward. Kael flexed his fingers, feeling the faint hum of Essence still lingering in his arms. chapter 31: Like a tree Kael awoke to the dim glow of his cave, the faint bioluminescence of the roots above providing just enough light to make out the rocky interior. His body felt refreshed, despite the long hours of training yesterday. His experiments with Essence shaping had been an overwhelming success. The crude constructs he had managed to create were proof of that. Even if the objects themselves had been brittle and weak, this was only the first step, and the possibilities were endless now that he had tangible proof that he could mold his Essence into things. Sitting up, Kael rolled his shoulders, feeling the faint stiffness ease as he moved. Then pushing himself to his feet, he let out a deep breath and turned toward the cave¡¯s exit. He had things to do today. But first, he needed something to drink. Kael carefully made his way through the tunnel leading out of his cave, maneuvering the roots sticking out from the sides as he did so. When he made it out, he took a moment to inspect how the entrance was concealed. The intertwined roots and layers of barricade still hid the entrance well. He adjusted some of the leaves, making sure the entrance continued to remain undetected. Satisfied, he slipped out into the forest. The early morning had fully set in when Kael set out, the air crisp and refreshing. The massive tree trunks all around stretched endlessly upwards, their tops vanishing into the canopy. Moving through the familiar terrain, Kael made his way toward the waterfall. The small clearing where the waterfall resided was peaceful, the steady rush of water was a calming contrast to the tension he had grown used to feeling in the forest. Kael knelt down by the edge, cupping the water in his hands and drinking deeply. The liquid soothed his throat as it went down, washing away the dryness of sleep. When he had his fill, he looked up and caught sight of his reflection. A rugged face stared back at him. Kael examined himself, his sharp, well-defined features marked with new and old scars. One of the oldest since arriving in this new world was the now scared claw marks on his shoulder, a gift from the stalker on his first night in the forest. Others were fresher and newer, from his skirmishes with the Gloomkins, the encounter with the second stalker, the boars, and so on. His skin had also darkened slightly from constant exposure to the elements, giving him a hardened, survivalist look. His black hair had also grown longer, it was not by much, but it was noticeable and made more of an unruly mess on his head. The beard on his face had thickened even more, giving him an almost feral appearance. He ran a hand through his hair, brushing it away from his face, then letting out a chuckle. "I look like a fit homeless man," he muttered to himself. "Then again, I guess I¡¯m not far off." Kael had made sure to keep himself in shape before all of this, exercising daily not just for strength but to clear his mind. But here? Here, he had no such luxury. His survival took priority, and he couldn''t justify emptying his stamina and endurance when it could be needed at any moment. Still, he was surprised at how well his body had held up despite the lack of structured training. Kael knew that every fight and every hunt had kept him moving and indirectly exercising. But considering how much stronger he felt and looked, even more than before the system, it was clear his body was changing to fit his increasing stats. Looking at his reflection again, he studied the numerous scars covering his torso and arms one more time. They were proof of his will to survive. The battles he had fought. The wounds that he had received in exchange for nearly dying. He traced a finger over the scar on his shoulder¡ªthe first deep wound he had suffered, a reminder of the rules of this new existence. But also what he was to expect going forward. He let out a breath before shaking his head. He had no time to dwell. He had dirt clinging to his skin, and sweat matted into his hair¡ªit was all starting to build up. He needed to clean himself up. Stripping off what remained of his pants, Kael unwound the strips of cloth wrapped around his forearms. They had served him well, acting both as protection, food carriers, and as makeshift bandages whenever he needed them. His shoes, once sturdy, had been stripped down into something more akin to sandals.He had adjusted them a while ago when he realized that his increasing speed, agility, and strength made the thick-soled shoes more of a hindrance than a benefit. With that, he stepped into the water and made his way forward. The cascading water rushed over him, washing away the grime and sweat. He let the sensation ground him, feeling his muscles relax under the steady pressure. It had been a while since he had taken a proper wash, and it felt almost foreign to stand here, letting himself enjoy something so simple. After a few minutes, Kael stepped out of the waterfall, shaking his head slightly to rid his hair of excess droplets. He picked up one of the cloth strips he had set aside and used it to dry himself before wringing the water out, then repeating until he was satisfied. Once he was done, he rewrapped the cloths around his forearms again. Kael let out a deep breath, and straightened his back. He was ready to get started. Making his way back to the cave, Kael moved with ease through the familiar paths, his senses tuned for any sign of danger. He didn¡¯t expect much trouble, but much did not mean any, so Kael''s eyes never stopped looking for any movement. Upon reaching the cave, he checked the surrounding area once more before slipping back inside. The dim interior welcomed him as he walked further in, and once he was in the cave proper, he settled down onto his bed. He had a goal in mind for today. His experiments yesterday had yielded results, but today, he needed to tackle another issue¡ªhis Body reinforcement. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Body Reinforcement ¨C Rank 1 ( Allows the user to Temporarily enhance and reinforce their body using essence. Depending on the amount of essence used. ) Bringing up the skill window, he skimmed over the description. It didn¡¯t tell him much beyond what he already knew. Dismissing it, he exhaled sharply, rubbing his temple. The thin blue sheen that appeared whenever he enhanced his limbs had been manageable before. It was faint, barely noticeable unless he pushed a significant amount of Essence into his body. But as he had grown stronger, that glow had become more apparent. The more Essence he used, the brighter it became. He had first noticed the issue clearly during his night raid. If he wanted to keep attacking the Gloomkin village at night, he couldn¡¯t afford to glow like a beacon every time he enhanced himself. He needed a way to suppress it. Extending his right arm, Kael allowed Essence to flow into it, enhancing the limb as he always did. The familiar sensation of power rushed through his arm, but with it came the thin blue glow, spreading subtly over his skin. He clenched his fist, watching the way the light flickered. "Where do I even start?" he murmured. The answer wasn¡¯t obvious, but he knew one thing¡ªhis Essence shaper skill relied on willpower. When he shaped his constructs, he had to impose his will on them and dictate their form. Could he do the same here? Will the essence not to glow? He focused on that thought, on suppressing the light being emitted. He felt the Essence within him respond, shifting under his control¡ªThen pain shot through his arm. Kael barely contained a grunt as a sharp cramp seized his muscles. The discomfort was sudden, jarring, and a deep ache that spread through his limb. He immediately cut the flow of Essence, retracting it slowly back into his core, then shaking and massaging his arm as the pain faded. He flexed his fingers experimentally, ensuring there was no lasting damage. "Shit¡­" It hadn¡¯t worked. Or, if it had, he had done something wrong. The Essence had reacted, but the pain had been a clear indication that something was off. He frowned. He would have to approach this differently.
Kael flexed his fingers once more, feeling the remnants of discomfort lingering in his muscles. He hadn¡¯t expected pain, but it wasn¡¯t entirely surprising either when he really took a moment to think. He had essentially forced his Essence into a conflicting state¡ªenhancing his body while simultaneously suppressing one of its properties. Rubbing his arm, he let out a slow breath. If simply willing the glow to disappear wasn¡¯t the answer, then what was? Working his head for an idea, kael just sat in his cave. Then finally one came to him like a sledgehammer to the head. Instead of forcing the glow to disappear, what if he redirected the Essence? What if, instead of spreading evenly throughout his limb, it could be concentrated inward, preventing it from reaching his skin? He exhaled and tried again. Essence flowed from his core, traveling down his arm in a controlled stream. This time, as it spread through his limb, Kael visualized it stopping short of his skin. He imagined it infusing his whole arm¡ªbut not the outermost layer of his body. For a moment, nothing happened. Then as Kael looked at his arm, he noticed something. The glow was still there, but it was significantly dimmer. Instead of coating his skin in a faint blue sheen, the light was now thin, web-like veins of Essence that ran just beneath the surface, almost imperceptible unless he squinted. Kael narrowed his eyes. It had worked¡­ partially. He studied his arm, flexing his fingers, feeling the same increase in strength as before. The enhancement was still there, fully functional. But the glow had been reduced to a bare minimum. ¡°Well, that¡¯s better than nothing.¡± It wasn¡¯t perfect. There were still faint traces of light, but this was a massive improvement. Even in the dim cave, he had to strain to notice the glow¡ªmeaning out in the forest, it would be nearly invisible. That was good enough for now. Still, there was one more thing he needed to test. Kael enhanced his left arm next, following the same principle. The veins appear on this arm as well, the Essence staying inward rather than spreading to the surface. He flexed both arms, feeling the power coursing through them, then stood and took a few test swings in the air. No resistance. No pain. His movements were just as fluid, his strength unchanged. He exhaled in relief. He had found a solution. It wasn¡¯t as straightforward as simply willing the glow away, but it was functional. And, more importantly, it was simple to do, as long as he remembered to be specific in how he enhanced his body going forward. This new method allowed him to fully reinforce his body without making himself a beacon in the dark. His smirk widened. He could now fully utilize his reinforcement at night without worrying about being spotted from a distance. That meant he could push himself harder during his night raids on the Gloomkin village. No more holding back for the sake of stealth. Kael let the enhancement fade, watching as the faint veins of Essence beneath his skin dissipated completely. But even as he felt satisfied with his progress, a sobering thought crossed his mind. The new blue veins on his arms pointed out that reinforcing his body was incredibly similar to reinforcing objects. Too similar. His body accepted Essence more easily than external objects, being similar to the way his constructs worked, that much was obvious. But the veins looked suspiciously like the cracks that formed on the wooden weapons he reinforced, but why did they fade when he stopped enhancing the limbs? He thought back to his experiment with reinforcing sticks. The way Essence had built up inside them, creating fractures before they shattered. His fingers unconsciously tightened. If that same principle applied to his body, then what would happen if he went too far? If he kept pushing more and more Essence into himself without control¡ª Kael exhaled sharply, cutting the thought off. No. He wasn¡¯t going to let that happen. He had to be smart about this. Just like with the weapons, there was a limit before the pressure became dangerous. He needed to find it. Needed to make sure he never crossed it, and make sure the amount of Essence enhancing his limbs was close to the rate at which the Essence faded from his limbs to avoid too much of a build-up. Risking blowing up his limbs, due to his own actions was not something Kael wanted. His gaze flicked down to his arms once more. He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle hum of his Essence still lingering beneath his skin. This power was his. But if he wasn¡¯t careful, it could also be his end. Kael let his hands relax before turning his focus to the next task. He had planned to go hunting soon, but before that, he needed to regenerate the Essence he had used during training. Sitting back down on his bed, he closed his eyes, focusing inward. He concentrated on his core, feeling the slow pull of Essence passively refilling itself. He then started to actively accelerate the process, refilling his core faster. Minutes passed, his reserves steadily refilling until he was back to full. Stretching his arms overhead, Kael stood back up and cracked his neck. He still had more to refine with his skills and needed more practice. But he had made progress today. His gaze flickered to the cave exit. Now Kael intended to hunt for food and keep pressure on the village. Chapter 32: Group hunt Kael stepped out of the cave, his movements fluid as he made his way through the dense forest. He needed food, but more than that, he needed to keep up the pressure on the Gloomkins. His last raid on their village had sent them into a frenzy. They had scrambled to search for him, sending groups out and around the area. But had they given up? Or were they still looking? Kael planned to find out. He moved southward through the forest, the familiar terrain shifting subtly as he put distance between himself and his cave. The towering trees near his home were thick with sprawling roots, their branches forming a nearly unbroken canopy overhead. But as he continued toward the direction the clearing and his old shelter were, the forest began to thin just slightly. There was still plenty of cover, but the trees were spaced further apart, the ground less tangled with roots. Even before reaching the river clearing, Kael heard something. He slowed his steps, his attention snapping to the sound ahead. He adjusted his position, making his way toward the noise carefully. That''s when something caught him off guard. His foot suddenly dipped¡ª Kael stumbled forward, his body reacting instantly to dampen the fall, then twisting just in time to avoid what was in front of him. A row of sharpened wooden spears jutted out from the ground, hidden by the shrubbery. He came to a stop just inches from impaling himself. His eyes swept the area, taking in the crude but effective trap. The hole he had tripped on was deliberately placed¡ªit was meant to force anyone stepping into it to lose their balance and fall straight onto the stakes. It had also been covered with undergrowth, masking it but not holding up to a second glance. Kael let out a slow breath, standing up and taking a step back. His heart hadn¡¯t even had time to race, but he felt the weight of how close he had been. So, they had set up more traps, these new ones placed further from their village. He knelt down, examining the surrounding area. The hole wasn¡¯t alone. Looking closer he could see several others scattered around, positioned in such a way that no matter which angle someone approached from, they would be forced to step into one if they weren''t careful. The spears were crude, but the placement was clever. Kael scoffed under his breath while shaking his head. ¡°Guess they got frustrated not finding me.¡± The Gloomkins must have spent the last day searching for him in vain, not being able to track him down had clearly led them to set up traps in the hopes that he would eventually walk into one. It had almost worked, too. Kael stepped carefully around the traps and continued toward the source of the earlier sound. This time, he paid even closer attention to his surroundings, checking every step for more hidden pitfalls. Minutes later, he reached the edge of a small clearing and crouched low behind a thick tree trunk. Seven Gloomkin stood among the trees, gathered loosely in a scattered group. Two of them were making guttural sounds at each other, seemingly engaged in some form of aggressive communication. The rest stood idly, waiting. Kael observed them for a moment, his eyes narrowing. They weren¡¯t patrolling, nor did they appear to be setting up more traps. What were they doing? Just to be sure, and to not fall for another trap, Kael moved around the perimeter, checking if more Gloomkin were hiding nearby. He ended up finding nothing and coming to the conclusion they were alone. He then returned to his original position, finding them still standing there. His lips curled into a grin. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. This could mean an opportunity. Kael was also confident in his chances, he had grown stronger with each level and the average Gloomkin was not a threat to him anymore. That was if he was careful and didn''t play around. Kael enhanced his limbs while making sure his skin wasn''t included. He glanced at his arms, checking for any excessive visible glow. Seeing the faint veins of Essence beneath his skin remained barely noticeable. Perfect. Then without hesitation, he attacked. Kael burst forward in a blur, closing the distance between him and the closest Gloomkin before they even had a chance to react. His first strike was clean¡ªa blade-hand strike straight to the throat, crushing its windpipe instantly. The second Gloomkin barely had time to turn its head before Kael¡¯s reinforced fist slammed into its skull, sending it crumpling to the ground. Panic spread through the group. Kael didn¡¯t stop. He lunged toward the next, catching it by the arm and twisting violently before driving his knee into its chest. A wet crack sounded as ribs broke, and the creature crumpled, wheezing its last breath. The remaining Gloomkin finally reacted. Their cries of alarm turned to guttural snarls, and weapons were raised. Kael was already moving in their direction. One swung a crude club at his head. He ducked under it, his foot snapping out to kick its knee inward. As it staggered, he delivered a brutal strike to its chin, the impact breaking and snapping its head back at an unnatural angle. The others attacked together, forcing Kael to weave between their strikes. He moved efficiently, dodging a spear thrust, parrying another¡¯s stone blade with his forearm, having placed loose sticks between the cloth strips on his way from the cave, before grabbing its wrist and yanking it forward¡ªright into his waiting elbow. A spray of black blood marked the air. The two last Gloomkin hesitated. Then, without warning, they turned and ran. Kael narrowed his eyes. Then he bolted after them. The first didn¡¯t make it far. Kael closed the distance in seconds, grabbing it by the shoulder and yanking it back before driving his fist straight into its chest, he could almost feel something beating close to his fist. [ Experience Gained: +18 EXP x 4] [ Experience Gained: +23 EXP x 2] The second, however, had gotten ahead. It sprinted wildly through the trees, fumbling around. Kael pursued, his feet pounding against the earth. Then, suddenly, the Gloomkin tripped¡ª Impaling itself on the very trap its kind had set. Kael came to a stop, blinking in disbelief. The creature writhed in pain, struggling against the wooden spears lodged deep into its body. It let out a series of pained, gurgling cries. Kael stared for a moment before letting out a short, dry laugh. ¡°They really are something.¡± He didn¡¯t waste time. With a quick step forward, he grabbed the struggling creature¡¯s head and twisted. The cries stopped instantly. [ Experience Gained: +23 EXP] Shaking his head, he wiped his hands clean on a nearby leaf, picked up the spear it dropped, and turned away. The fight had gone well, and now, he needed to move before more of them arrived. Minutes later, as he walked further southwest, he heard it¡ªthe distant rush of flowing water. Kael slowed his pace, keeping his steps quiet as he maneuvered through the trees. He knew this area well, so he took a detour, circling the clearing¡¯s edge without getting too close. Then he found another group of Gloomkin same as last time, seven of them. Kael crouched low, eyes scanning the area. He searched for more, not wanting to make the mistake of charging in without knowing the full picture. A moment later, he spotted five more, not too far away. Twelve total. He exhaled through his nose, centering himself. He could take the seven before the others joined. Then, he¡¯d deal with the remaining five when they came to investigate. His eyes flicked to the crude spear in his hand. He then smiled and started letting Essence flow out and be absorbed into the weapon. He waited until it absorbed enough energy to make it unstable and the fractures wider. Then, with a sharp inhale, he pulled back, just as the weapon was reaching its limit and let it eat the distance. The spear sliced through the air and struck a Gloomkin square in the upper back, piercing through it. Then It exploded. Chapter 33: Group hunt 2 The released pressure from inside the spear tore through the monster, sending a shockwave of force outward from the impact area on its body. Splinters of wood and blackened bits of flesh scattered in every direction as the unfortunate Gloomkin was reduced to little more than a mangled torso. The others around it recoiled, their guttural cries turning into alarmed screeches as the scene momentarily disoriented them. Kael didn¡¯t waste a second. The moment he let go of the spear, he was already moving, sprinting toward the stunned group. His enhanced speed carried him forward like a force of nature. The nearest Gloomkin barely had time to react before Kael closed the gap, his fist crashing into its ribs with enough force to send it skidding across the ground, coming to a stop unmoving. The remaining five had snapped out of their daze. One lunged at him, swinging a knife in a wide arc. Kael sidestepped the attack, then grabbed the creature by the throat and lifted it clean off the ground before slamming it down with bone-crushing force, its head hitting a rock, and cracking its skull. Another Gloomkin attempted to use this chance to impale him with a spear, but Kael twisted his body at the last moment, the crude weapon grazing past his side. In one fluid motion, he caught the spear mid-thrust, yanked it from the creature¡¯s grip, and drove it through its chest, ending its life. Only three left. Kael noticed one hesitated, as fear took hold. The others, however, snarled and charged. Kael met them head-on. His left fist shot out, catching one directly on the side of its head, the impact sending cracks through its skull. At the same time, he twisted his body, using his momentum to bring his knee up into the gut of another one that was trying to bite him, making it buckle under the force before Kael twisted its neck. As he had expected, the last remaining Gloomkin made up its mind seeing that and turned to run. Kael reacted instantly. He dropped low, grabbed a fallen spear, and hurled it at the retreating creature. The weapon missed the killing shoot but impaled its leg and sent it tumbling to the ground. It screeched in pain, clawing at the dirt, trying to drag itself away. Kael approached it, his steps slow and deliberate. The creature twisted its head to look at him, its black eyes filled with desperation. It knew it wouldn¡¯t escape. Kael didn¡¯t let it suffer. One swift stomp to the skull was all that was needed to silence it. [ Experience Gained: +24 EXP x 7 ] [You have leveled up!] Kael felt the level-up boosting his body, the addicting effect was now much less than it used to be, Still, the new level made him stronger and that was all that mattered. And as a bonus, his level was in the bobble digits now. Kael dismissed the notifications, not wanting to waste time on them. The second group¡ªthe five he had spotted earlier¡ªwere already making their way toward him. Kael adjusted his stance, rolling his shoulders. His Essence-enhanced limbs still pulsed with power. He had enough left in him, for one more fight, before he needed to refill his core. The five Gloomkin emerged through the trees, their dark eyes scanning the aftermath of the slaughter. Their expressions twisted between confusion, rage, and fear. One of them, standing slightly ahead of the others, twitched in hesitation more than the rest. Kael recognized that immediately, the look of this group''s runner, and this one looked like it was going to run before the fighting even began. But he wasn¡¯t going to give it the chance to try. Grabbing another spear from the ground, he quickly lined up his shot and hurled the spear with all his might. The weapon struck true, piercing through the Gloomkin, ending its life before it could even try to save it by running away. The others reacted immediately. Three charged toward him, while the last lingered behind, observing. Kael met the first head-on, twisting around a wild slash from its axe before bringing his fist down like a hammer onto the side of its head, the impact sent it sprawling, but he didn¡¯t stop, and grabbed its axe right after. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. He stepped over its twitching form and moved onto the next, ducking beneath a wide swing before cleaving with the stone axe into its gut, the fragile handle breaking in the process. As it doubled over, he finished it with a sharp elbow to the spine. The third managed to get a swipe in, its claw-like nails raking across his forearm. It tore through his skin leaving a shallow cut, Kael feeling the sting of it. He responded in kind¡ªgrabbing the creature by the arm, he pivoted, using its own momentum to slam it into the ground. His foot came down hard on its chest, feeling the crunch of ribs giving way beneath him. [ Experience Gained! ] x 4 Kael turned to the last one, the Gloomkin having tried to sneak up on him from behind. Their eyes met, or so Kael thought before the monster lunged at him. Kael met its momentum with a kick, sending it flying back. Then he went after it, and before it could get back up kicked its head, followed by another, and another until it died. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael stopped and looked at the notification, not having paid attention to what the previous one had said. It had changed. Before saying the amount of experience, now just that he had gained experience. Kael brought up his status. Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 9 ¡ú 10 EXP: 409 / 450 ¡ú 11 / 100% Rank: Mortal Stats: It seemed that reaching level 10 brought changes to his status screen. His status no longer counted the individual points he needed for level-ups but told how far away he was from his next level in percentage. Kael didn''t care much, feeling that the new change didn''t do much to change his situation, or how he could tell how far he was from his level up. Turning his attention away from his status, Kael surveyed the carnage. Twelve dead Gloomkin, their bodies sprawled across the clearing. He glanced at the remains of the one he had struck with the explosive spear, shaking his head at the gruesome sight. It was surprising how much damage pressure could do when there was nowhere for it to go, and the containment holding it was not strong enough. But it had proven to be an effective method of attack, even if it took time to prepare, and was mostly useful for an opening attack. Kael had decided he would not attempt to use this form of attack when other things were occupying his mind. The window he had to let go and throw the weapon was short, especially given that he also needed to pay close attention to when and if the weapon was at its breaking point before it could be thrown. This then made it so Kael did not want to risk it exploding in his hand while he was occupied with a fight. With one final look around Kael stepped away from the clearing, leaving the bodies untouched for the others of their kind to find. Not wanting to be here in case other monsters came after getting attracted by the smell of blood. While making his way through the forest, he took some moments to regenerate his core.
He spent the next several hours hunting down more groups. The more he fought them and got used to their fighting patterns, the more it started to feel easy. The Gloomkin, while aggressive and numerous, lacked proper coordination, and some suffered from cowards. Time and time again, Kael would find small groups of them¡ªsometimes three, sometimes ten¡ªand he would kill all of them before they could mount a proper defense. At one point, he encountered a group of three Gloomkin all of them level 3 who, upon seeing him, didn¡¯t even attempt to fight. They turned and ran the moment their eyes met his. Kael smirked, but he wasn¡¯t about to let them escape. Chasing them down took little effort. His speed was superior, and he dispatched them with ruthless efficiency. However, as he was finishing the last one off, he stumbled across another group¡ªfive more Gloomkin lurking just beyond the tree line. Instead of hesitating, Kael took advantage of the situation, eliminating them before they even realized what was happening. One by one, he tore through them, his enhanced strikes making the fight nothing more than a brutal display of his growing strength. More than once, he saw Gloomkin fall into one of their traps. One particularly amusing instance had two Gloomkin trying to flee only for one to trip on a hole and grab its friend resulting in it and its friend impaling themselves on the wooden stakes. Kael had watched it happen with a mix of amusement and disbelief. ¡°Thanks for the help...¡± he muttered before putting the creatures out of their misery. By the time it started to look like the sun was about to begin its slow descent, Kael had thinned their numbers considerably, this area of the forest now being full of scattered groups of dead Gloomkin. Feeling satisfied with his work, Kael decided it was time to pull back. He wasn¡¯t foolish enough to push his luck any further. By now more were on their way seeing that Kael had made a point of not allowing a single one to run away from him. As he made his way back north, he stumbled upon an unexpected gift¡ªa hare, caught in one of the traps the Gloomkin had set. It was a simple pit trap with a small hole and wood picks at the bottom. Kael crouched down, inspecting it. The creature looked still fresh, likely snared recently. He grinned, lifting it by its hind legs. ¡°Well, at least they¡¯re good for something,¡± he mused. With that, he continued his journey home, careful not to leave any tracks as he moved. The day had been productive. Now, all that was left was to rest and prepare for what came next. Kael wasn''t done terrorizing them yet. Chapter 34: All things in three Kael moved through the forest with silent, measured steps, his breathing steady despite the long track from his cave. The sky overhead had darkened significantly, dusk bleeding into night, and the massive trees around him cast long, stretching shadows across the uneven ground. He was heading east from where his treehouse used to be, toward the Gloomkin village, weaving through the dense undergrowth as he kept his senses sharp. The day had been slower than he had hoped. Unlike yesterday, when he had managed to slaughter multiple groups of Gloomkin with little resistance, today had been different. The creatures had adapted. They were cautious now, the groups sticking closer together, rarely wandering far from their village. Kael had been forced to wait for mistakes¡ªgroups that wandered too far or stragglers foolish enough to separate from the rest. He had only been able to kill two proper groups not including the lone wonderers, one of six and another of eleven both of which had strayed too far from their kin. A far cry from the chaos of yesterday¡¯s hunt. It was disappointing, but not unexpected. Yesterday''s attacks had clearly forced them to be more defensive. But Kael wasn¡¯t discouraged. If anything, their caution only confirmed that his attacks were working. And that now they feared him more. Still, it had left him with fewer opportunities, but he wasn¡¯t done. Tonight, he planned to make up for the lack of progress. Kael''s sandal boots barely made a sound as he moved between the roots of the towering trees, carefully observing his surroundings for any threats. So far, there were none. The creatures of the night had yet to emerge, though he knew it wouldn¡¯t stay that way for long. Not long after, the forest began to thin, and Kael saw the break in the tree line ahead¡ªthe point where the towering trees gave way to the open grasslands beyond. Slowing his pace, he crouched and approached carefully, making sure he continued to remain hidden within the shadows, and scanning the terrain. Even after finding nothing, he didn¡¯t rush forward. Instead, he searched for cover like he did last time, and found a massive root, one large enough to provide concealment. There was also a thick shrubbery growing under it, coupled with the tangled vines and twisted wood they formed a perfect hiding spot. Kael slipped beneath it, settling into position, letting nature obscure his form. From there, he waited. The sky continued to darken, and soon, night had fully settled over the landscape. The bioluminescent veins running through some of the trees had dimmed significantly, their glow reduced to faint flickers of blue. It was time. Staying low, Kael moved along the treeline, keeping himself shrouded in darkness. He traveled south, closing the distance toward the Gloomkin village, retracing the same path he had taken before. When he reached a vantage point, he settled down and began observing. And immediately, he noticed the difference. There were more patrols than last time. At least twice as many Gloomkin roamed the outskirts of the village, their hunched, unnatural forms moving with tense, watchful energy. Their guttural clicking and chittering filled the air as they scanned the darkness. After a while of watching Kael narrowed his eyes, noticing that something else was different. He had been watching out for hunting parties, expecting to see groups of Gloomkin returning from the forest with food. But there were none. Were they not sending hunting parties out at night anymore? Kael had made sure not to let any of the Gloomkin he attacked yesterday escape. But he didn''t think that the Chieftain was dumb enough not to suspect that he was the reason for their death. And given that he had already attacked their village at night, it made sense that the chieftain didn''t want to lose more of them in the dark of night when it was easier to pick them off. Kael smirked slightly at the thought. They were continuing to adapt, but if he had his way he would make sure that it wouldn¡¯t be enough. Thinking so, Kael continued watching. The hours passed, deep into the night. Even then he remained in the same position and waited for an opening. But none appeared. The Gloomkin were too numerous, too restless. Frustration crept at the edges of his mind at the thought he had come all this way for nothing, but he didn¡¯t let it take hold. He needed to have patience. He would wait as long as it took. Then¡ªhe spotted it. Two of the Gloomkin patrols, the ones stationed outside the village, had laid down to sleep. Kael almost laughed at the sight. The ones inside the village had long since settled in, many already in their crude huts or sprawled near the dying fire pits. But these two? These idiots had made the mistake of falling asleep when they were supposed to guard. Kael didn¡¯t move immediately. He waited until it felt like an hour passed. He wanted to be sure they were asleep, that this wasn¡¯t some form of resting alertness. But after all that time, neither of them stirred. It was an opportunity too good to ignore, and taking advantage of that fact Kael carefully slipped out from the forest, staying low and moving with slow, deliberate steps. The grasslands stretched wide before him, but the darkness was his ally. The Gloomkin, despite their keen senses, were at a disadvantage when asleep. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Kael crept toward them, silent as death itself. While at the same time looking out for other patrols. Reaching them he looked down at Their twisted, hunched forms where they were curled on the ground, their chests rising and falling in deep slumber. He quickly grabbed one''s throat, his other hand pressing down to stifle any involuntary noise before snapping it just as fast. The second one did not even make any sound that it noticed before it joined its lazy friend. He then quickly placed some loose grass and dirt over them. [ Experience Gained! ] x 2 Kael barely spared them another glance before moving on. Slipping past their bodies, he continued toward the village, using the opening they created in the patrol route, his form hidden and seeping into the shadows created by the structures ahead. Kael moved from one hut to another staying hidden and keeping low, while listening for any sounds indicating they were either asleep or not. Then, he found it. A small hut. The sound of sleeping Gloomkin coming from the inside. He inched toward the hide serving as the entrance, careful not to be noticed he shifted the primitive flap to the side. Inside, two Gloomkin lay sprawled out, breathing steadily. Kael didn¡¯t hesitate. He slipped in and ended them before they even knew he was there. [ Experience Gained! ] x2 Having finished up something caught his attention. From a hole in the hide, Kael noticed a flicker of movement outside the hut. His instincts screamed at him to act. He crouched, keeping his form pressed against the wall, his breath silent. Peeking through a tiny hole in the crude wood structure, he saw a single Gloomkin make its way from a campfire and toward the hut he was in. And from the look of it, it was planning on coming inside. Kael tensed, bracing himself. The entrance hide shifted. The moment it stepped in¡ªKael¡¯s hands shot out, closing around its throat. He squeezed hard, cutting off its air before it could react and make a noise. Then¡ªhe yanked it inside. Before the creature could even struggle, Kael twisted, snapping its neck in one fluid motion. The creature''s body went limp. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael then set it down carefully, stacking it alongside the others, ensuring they remained unnoticed. Then he turned his gaze back toward the hole in the hut¡¯s wall, peering out. Nothing. No one had noticed. Kael then spent a bit of time waiting, watching, and seeing if more would come. After confirming that no other Gloomkin was heading this way, he slowly moved to the entrance again. He waited until the coast was clear, then slipped out, and made his way to a tent nearby. Like the others, this one was made of crude hide, the material was stretched over wooden stakes. And from the looks of it, the hide came from all the animals and monsters they killed, but it didn''t seem like they did anything to treat it, before using it for their homes.
Kael listened for the telltale sounds of sleeping Gloomkin coming from inside, this time hearing even more. He then moved with careful precision and stepped into the tent. Inside, six Gloomkin lay sprawled out in deep sleep, their forms illuminated shortly and faintly by the small Essence sphere Kael made. Their limbs twitched occasionally, their guttural breathing the only sound filling the enclosed space. He had to be quick. Efficient. Any noise beyond the faint rustling of fabric or the muffled sound of movement could spell trouble. Lowering himself into a crouch, Kael moved to the closest one. His hands clamping around its thin, wiry neck. There was a sharp twist followed by a crack, then he eased its body down, ensuring it didn¡¯t slump against anything. The second was just as easy. A smooth, calculated motion and it was dead, Kael already moving on. [ Experience Gained! ] x 2 The third shifted slightly in its sleep, its nostrils flaring as though it sensed something was wrong. Kael froze, his muscles coiled like a spring, waiting. But after a moment, it exhaled a deep, wheezing breath and settled back into unconsciousness. It was the last breath it would ever take. With practiced control, Kael pressed a knee onto its chest, pinning it in place as he clamped a hand over its mouth. The thing stirred¡ªits hands twitching up toward his arm¡ªbut he didn¡¯t give it a chance. His other hand grabbed the back of its head and with a twist, its neck was broken, cutting off any attempt at resistance. It spasmed once, then went limp beneath him. [ Experience Gained! ] Taking a moment to see if others noticed something, and seeing that they didn''t, Kael then moved on. Three down. He had three more to go. He moved on to the fourth. Then the fifth. Then, finally, the last. By the time he was done, six bodies lay silent and unmoving. He let out a silent controlled breath. [ Experience Gained! ] x3 As much as he hated to admit it, part of him had expected something to go wrong. Killing this many in close quarters, with none of the once outside noticing¡ªit felt almost¡­ easy. Still crouched near the last gloom, Kael shifted his position, preparing to slip out into the night and continue his killing. That''s when he heard a sound, a low murmur, distant but spreading as more joined in and it grew louder. Kael froze, his entire body went rigid, as he cursed himself for the jinx. Paying closer attention he could hear that the sounds were coming from nearby. He then moved toward the edge of the tent, carefully peeling back a small opening near the bottom. From there, he could see Gloomkin emerging from their homes, one by one stepping out into the night. At first, it was just a few. Then more. Then dozens. Something was happening. Kael narrowed his eyes. What the hell was going on? All Kael could see was that they were panicking, some were confused, blinking their hollow black eyes as they adjusted to the situation, others stepped into the open, looking toward a single directio¡ªoutside the village, the direction he had come from. Kael¡¯s stomach tightened. He stayed low, pressing his head against the side of the tent, trying to see more of what was going. He couldn¡¯t understand their language, but he had spent enough time hunting them to recognize when they were agitated. And right now, they were alarmed. A disturbance. Something had drawn them out of their huts. And Kael could guess what, seeing that the only thing in that direction was the two lazy and now dead Gloomkin. Continuing looking out the hole Kael could see that the flow of movement was undeniable now. More and more Gloomkin were stirring, some grabbing weapons, others simply following as they headed out. Chapter 35: Late night chase Kael remained crouched in the dark interior of the hide tent, his breath controlled and steady, though his mind raced. The muffled sounds of guttural chittering and the shifting movement of dozens of Gloomkin filled the night outside, their alarmed voices growing more agitated by the second. Damn it¡­ they found the bodies faster than I thought. He had hoped for more time, at least until he could pick off a few more of them in their sleep. But now that was no longer an option. He clenched his jaw, shifting slightly to glance out the small hole in the tent¡¯s side. A part of him still wanted to stay. He had come here to slaughter as many as possible. But he knew better. Even if he wanted to keep sneaking through the village, picking off more of them, it wouldn''t just be more risky but also not doable for long. The moment they started searching here he would be trapped. And there were still too many of them left. Even after all the deaths he had caused there were over a hundred Gloomkin left. It was better than the two hundred he had started with, but that was still too many for him to challenge directly. At least not yet. He still had to trim their numbers further. And then there was the Chieftain. Kael had no doubts the leader of these monsters was out there, commanding his kin just like last time. He could imagine it barking guttural orders, rallying the creatures into a search party. Kael exhaled through his nose. It wouldn¡¯t be long before they started combing through the village. He had to leave. Peering through the hole once more, Kael scanned for an escape route. At first, he didn¡¯t see much¡ªjust small groups of Gloomkin still moving between the huts, muttering in their strange guttural language. Then, wanting more information he took a risk. Kael shifted his position, his movements controlled and silent, before inching toward the entrance flap of the tent. He slowly pushed it aside just enough to peek out. What he saw made him grit his teeth. The closest section of the village to the trees was practically packed, most of the creatures had moved toward the commotion where the bodies had been found. Some of them were searching the open area before the forest. From his position in the northwest part of the village, he could barely see some of them even moving in the forest, their dark figures blending into the cover of the trees. So they¡¯re sending patrols out to search¡­ makes sense. Looking around more, his eyes narrowed as he saw something else¡ªsomething far more important. Through the scattered shapes of the gathering Gloomkin, Kael made out the sickly green glow of the staff the Chieftain carried. Not far from it, two figures stood like statues, their forms unmistakably larger and broader than the rest. He sighed. At least they hadn¡¯t left to search the forest. That meant the Chieftain was still stationary, likely commanding its forces from a distance. That was good. The problem was his escape route. He exhaled slowly, weighing his options. When he entered the village, he had done so from the north side, sticking to the shadows of the huts and moving along the village perimeter. Now, he was on the opposite side, cut off from the forest by nearly the entire Gloomkin horde. That meant going back the way he came was impossible, If he tried to cut directly through, there was no way he wouldn¡¯t be spotted, not only that he would have to push through the full strength of the village to get back. No. That wasn¡¯t an option, he needed another way out. His eyes flicked north, toward the open grasslands. It wasn¡¯t ideal, but it was his only choice. If he could slip out toward the grasslands, he could move far enough north to clear their search area, then cut west back into the forest, hopefully not being noticed as he did so. Kael clenched his jaw. It would be risky. Unlike the cover of the forest, the grasslands were wide open. The moment they spotted him, there would be nothing to block their view. But it was better than getting trapped here. Decision made, Kael moved. Keeping low, he slipped out of the tent, immediately blending into the shadows cast by the huts. He moved quickly but carefully, avoiding the few stragglers that hadn¡¯t joined the main search. Most of them were still chittering among themselves, gathering crude weapons, or sleeping on the ground. But some were still wandering the village. Kael crouched behind a nearby hut, his body tensed, his ears sharp. He needed to move fast¡ªthe longer he stayed, the more likely he¡¯d be discovered. Then¡ªa shadow moved. Kael tensed. A Gloomkin was coming around the corner. He barely had time to react before it stepped right into him. For a second, both of them froze. Then Kael moved. In a blur of motion, he slammed his knife into its throat¡ªa single, deadly thrust. The Gloomkin¡¯s eyes widened, its mouth opening, but no sound came. Kael twisted the blade, ripping it free in a violent motion, nearly severing the creature¡¯s head in the process. Black blood sprayed outward, some of it onto him. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael caught the body before it could collapse to the ground, carefully lowering it into the dirt. He exhaled, relief filling him. That had been too close, but it had brought a new problem. Blood, more specifically the scent of blood. Kael grimaced. The moment any of the Gloomkin smelled it, they would know one of them was dead inside the village. Even worse it was on him, having sprayed on his bare chest and face. I need to move. Wiping the blood as best he could, Kael slipped further out of the village, keeping to cover. He darted through the last row of tents, his body low to the ground, every step careful, precise. Beyond him lay the open grasslands, where there was no more cover. It was now or never. Kael dropped further down, keeping his body pressed as much as he could against the earth as he began moving north. At first, it was going well, his movements were controlled, his presence silent and undetectable. But then¡ªit happened. A patrol of two Gloomkin spotted him. The moment they did one of them reared its head back and let out a deep, guttural cry. A call to alert the others. Kael cursed. He had no time to think. Without hesitation, he stood up fully and ran.
Kael exploded forward, his body shifting from a careful, low stance to a full sprint. All the Essence flowing in from his tendril surged into his legs, enhancing his muscles with more energy. As he did this he also made sure his skin remained untouched by the enhancement, resulting in the forming of faint web-like veins on his legs. He shot across the grasslands as fast as he could. Behind him, the Gloomkin¡¯s guttural cry still echoed, its raw, violent sound cutting through the night. Kael didn¡¯t look back. He didn¡¯t need to. He could hear them. More shrieks joined the first, rising in intensity, blending into a chorus of alarm and aggression. The patrol had done its job¡ªthe village was now fully aware of his presence and more importantly where he was. Kael pushed himself faster. He zigzagged erratically, forcing his already-enhanced muscles to keep pace with his mind. He didn¡¯t have to see behind him to know some of the Gloomkin were armed with those crude bows, he had already seen a couple of them carry those weapons. And as expected, the first arrow whizzed past him, slicing through the air just inches from his shoulder. Another followed. Then another. They weren¡¯t accurate. Like he had noticed before their bows were crudly crafted, their arrows made of sharpened wood and sinew, the parts likely looted from whatever poor creatures they had hunted before. But luck could still kill him. He threw his body into another erratic sprint pattern¡ªtwisting, ducking, swerving. The lack of predictability made it harder for them to land a shot. But more were joining the chase. Kael could hear the pounding of feet behind him, and surprisingly the snarling growls, as well as the scraping of claws and weapons. Usually, they were much more quieter than this when they hunted. He must have truly gotten under their skin. With a quick peek. Kael noticed that some were faster than others, but none could match his speed. Then focusing on what was in front of him again, he saw the grasslands continue stretching endlessly before him, a vast, open terrain with no immediate cover, and the forest blurring by to his left. His only advantage was the darkness. But the Gloomkin had a good sense for smell, and not only did he smell of blood, but the creatures could already see him, thanks to one of the moons being revealed by the clouds and illuminating the area. Kael knew he couldn¡¯t run forever. Even then, his plan remained the same, though, with some new additions. He would get far enough north to clear their search area to avoid any large groups waiting at the treeline to ambush him, then cut back into the forest. He just had to make it there first. More arrows continued to rain down, one grazed his arm, and another buried itself in the dirt just beside him. Damn it. He wasn¡¯t worried about the minor wounds¡ªa scratch wouldn¡¯t slow him down. But if one of those arrows hit a joint? His leg? His spine? That would be the end. He gritted his teeth, trying to push more Essence into his legs, but being limited by the rate at which the Essence was coming in from his core, still something was better then nothing, and as he did this he continued focusing on extending the gap between him and the horde behind, even if he was starting to feel both mental and core drain of forcing the Essence flow speed. And slowly¡ªit began to work. The distance between him and the closest pursuers widened. The less athletic Gloomkin started falling behind, their stamina burning out quicker than his. He still heard their screams, their anger, but it was growing more distant. He pressed harder, his enhanced feet barely spending time on the ground as he covered more distance. Then thinking it had to be enough distance away from their search area, he adjusted his trajectory, shifting his path westward. His heart pounded as the forest loomed ahead. But he didn¡¯t slow down. Not yet. He pushed into the trees, his body moving in a desperate burst of speed. The moment he crossed the threshold, the darkness grew thicker feeling like it was swallowing him whole. The canopy blocked most of the night sky, casting deep shadows along the tangled roots and towering trunks. The air was thicker here, damp with the scent of soil and leaves. Kael¡¯s breathing was sharp, and controlled. Still, he didn¡¯t stop running. Even if he had left them behind the Gloomkin were still close. He could hear them crashing into the undergrowth behind him, hear their guttural sounds of frustration as they struggled to keep up. They weren¡¯t as fast or as good at maneuvering the forest as him. Unlike in the open grasslands, Kael had obstacles. And he knew how to use them. He leaped over fallen logs, twisted between tree trunks, and ducked beneath low-hanging branches. The more he moved, the more he forced his pursuers to slow down. His agility stat making the terrain his ally. And soon¡ªit was over. After several minutes of near-constant sprinting, the sounds behind him faded. Kael continued moving, now that the sounds from the Gloomkin had lessened to nothing, there was just absolute silence, his footsteps barely a whisper against the damp forest floor. Kael kept going, he was slower but more careful. He wasn¡¯t going to make the mistake of running straight home. No. Instead¡ªhe looked for a place to hide. He spotted a thick, tangled cluster of roots, wide enough to crawl under, concealed by what looked like overhanging ferns. He slipped inside, his body pressing into the damp soil beneath it. There he waited and listened. His heart pounded in his chest, his breath slowing as he forced himself into complete stillness. Seconds passed. Then minutes. Then¡ªsilence. The Gloomkin had lost him, fully. Kael exhaled softly. Finally. His body ached from the sustained activity, and the strain of forcing on the Essence flow for so long. But it had been worth it. And then, as he lay hidden beneath the roots, his mind began to turn. The original plan had been to escape, to get as far away from the village as possible, and make his way back home. But now¡­Now, a new idea was forming. His lips curled into a small, knowing smirk. The Gloomkin had made a mistake by leaving their village in such a big number, and by following him into the forest so far away. Where there was more cover. Where it was darker. Where there was no firelight or moonlight to help them see better. Kael¡¯s fingers flexed against the dirt. He had planned to thin their numbers by a small amount under the cover of night in their village. At best Kael thought he would be able to kill the amount in two or three huts before he had to escape. But by running after him, and tiering themselves out in the chase, they had made it even easier for him. Plus the fact that Kael was sure now there were no great predators he had to worry about this close to their village, given the amount of hide their homes were made of. He let out a deep breath, feeling a surge of excitement burn beneath his exhaustion. It seemed, his little late-night adventure wasn¡¯t a failure, or over just yet. He cut off his musings, his smirk widening slightly. A quick regeneration and it was time to get back to work. Chapter 36: Gloomkin slaughter Kael lay beneath the tangled roots, his breath controlled and steady as he focused inward. His core pulsed dimly, gradually filling as the spiraling pull of Essence filled it with each round. It¡¯s getting easier. Like all his Essence-related things, the technique that had once felt mentally exhausting, just keeping it up for a bit, was now much easier. It was almost becoming second nature. He didn¡¯t have to force the flow as much and didn¡¯t have to strain his focus to maintain it. The image of how the essence flowed became easier to imagine after all the uses, as though his core space had adapted to the technique. As the last traces of energy settled within him, Kael finally exhaled and pushed himself up from his hiding place. His limbs felt light despite the long night behind him. The fatigue was there lingering in the background, but it was manageable. Now¡ªback to work. Kael stepped carefully out into the forest, leaving his hiding spot, he stayed low, creeping forward, scanning the trees for movement. After making his way around searching for the monsters he had left behind, he found something, not having to search for long. Not far ahead, he heard movement¡ªthe faint rustling of leaves, the dragging of feet, and the quiet guttural murmurs. He moved toward the sounds, weaving through the undergrowth, his footsteps silent. Then, he saw them. A small group of Gloomkin, no more than four, searched the area aimlessly. From what he could tell, their movements appeared sluggish and tired from a distance. Their shoulders slumped, their heads drooped, and they weren¡¯t communicating much anymore. Not like the way they were when they were actively hunting him or at their homes, no this was different. They were exhausted, not having the same amount of endurance as him, the difference between their levels showing. That chase through the grasslands had cost them. Now they were wandering blindly in the dark forest, their sluggish body language betraying their fatigue. Perfect. He took his time studying them. One of them held a crude bow, another two carried axes, and the last one a spear. Kael decided the archer needed to die first. With that declaration followed by a silent step forward, Kael launched himself into action. Before any of the monsters could react, he closed the distance with terrifying speed. The archer barely had time to turn before Kael¡¯s fist buried itself in its head. The creature''s head let out a cracking sound as it dropped its bow and started to fall. Kael grabbed it by the hand before it could, then quickly followed up with another hit to the head, finishing the monster for good. Then letting go and stepping past the dead body. [ Experience Gained! ] The two axe-wielders lunged, their surprised reactions were sluggish due to exhaustion. Kael caught the first one¡¯s wrist, twisting hard, snapping bone with a sickening crack. The creature barely had time to scream before Kael drove its own axe into its skull. The handle of the weapon shattered on impact, the wood snapping apart, but it did the job. [ Experience Gained! ] The last axe-user swung wildly, but Kael ducked under the attack, twisting behind it. In one smooth motion, he grabbed the Gloomkin¡¯s arm from behind, then its weapon, and buried it into the back of its neck. It fell with a guttural gasp, choking as blood pooled beneath it. [ Experience Gained! ] Leaving only the spear-wielding Gloomkin to remain. Kael faced the monster, gazing coldly at it and seeing it was now frozen in terror, gripping its weapon tightly, its eyes flickering between him and the corpses of its fallen kin. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Kael tilted his head. ¡°Go on. Try it.¡± As if waiting for the command it let out a guttural cry and lunged. Kael sidestepped, his left hand moving in a blur as he caught the spear shaft. With a violent jerk, he pulled the creature forward¡ªdirectly into his waiting elbow. The monster hit it hard and fell back on its behind, its nose broken and bleeding. Before it could do anything else, Kael kicked it on its back and plunged the spear through its chest pinning it down on the ground. The creature spasmed, grasping desperately at the shaft trying to get it out, Kael twisted the weapon ending the monster, its lifeless fingers slipping, its hands falling to its body. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael stepped back, surveying the bodies. The individual fights were easier when it was a small group like this, making eliminating them easier. But now, he needed to wait. Instead of leaving, Kael hid nearby, concealed behind a thick foliage. He didn¡¯t have to wait long. Not even 5 Minutes later, another group arrived. Their guttural voices grew uneasy as they spotted the corpses. One stepped forward, mouth opening, preparing to alert the others. Kael¡¯s hand was already moving. Having picked up a rock from the ground, Kael threw it as hard as he could. The fist-sized rock flew through the air, slamming into the creature¡¯s skull with a dull thud. The Gloomkin staggered, dazed, then collapsing. [ Experience Gained! ] Before the others could react, Kael was already upon them. What proceeded was just as brutal as last time, Kael showing no mercy. The Experience notifications showing up one after the other. In the end, one of them did end up screaming, the sound piercing through the forest before Kael silenced it with a brutal slash. He cursed under his breath. But it didn¡¯t matter now. [ Experience Gained! ] With no reason to stay quiet anymore, Kael made quick work of the rest, dismissing the last notifications. Then, without hesitation, he vanished back into the darkness. He didn¡¯t wait for more to arrive. Instead, he moved deeper into the forest, seeking another group. And then another. And another. Time blurred as Kael hunted through the night. He moved like a phantom, attacking isolated groups before they could react, then fading into the shadows before reinforcements arrived. The few that were still exhausted had their exhaustion worked against them¡ªthey weren¡¯t alert, weren¡¯t expecting him. One by one, they fell. Kael kept an eye out for traps, knowing the Gloomkin had placed some of them around. But so far¡ªhe hadn¡¯t come across any, at least from what he could tell. As the night wore on, his body count increased. Then, finally¡ªAn expected notification flashed before his eyes. [ You have leveled up! ] Kael smirked, as he felt himself getting stronger. He was now at Level 11, the kills it took to get there were even more than what was needed for Level 10. Kael felt that the exp he gained from the Gloomkins was starting to be irrelevant, the Chieftain and its guards were the only ones left that would provide any significant amount. But he would think about that later. Right now, he still wasn¡¯t done. He continued his bloody work, carving through more searching Gloomkin as the night slowly faded. Soon, the darkness began to lighten. The first signs of morning crept through the canopy. As the night wore on Kael had been killing his way back toward the treeline. And now¡ªhe saw them. Several straggling groups of Gloomkin were walking out of the forest, many having given up looking for him. Kael suspected that most of them were the ones who ended up far behind the others, those who weren¡¯t part of the faster groups who had chased him deep into the forest, and as such lost track of him early on. Kael watched from a concealed vantage point as they moved toward the grasslands. He followed silently, watching as they exited the forest and into the open grasslands. From his position behind a tree, he studied them. He could try to kill some. He had already butchered many of their kin. And now¡ªthe survivors were retreating, not truly knowing how many had died tonight. Their numbers were smaller now than when they had first pursued him from the village. But even then more and more of them were getting out of the forest and into the open. The total amount being enough that it could get out of hand. Especially with those archers, no matter how bad they were at being one. Kael did not want to overextend his advantage and take unnecessary risks. He was satisfied, and his work for the night was done. He turned away from the sight, ready to make his way home. Then¡ªhe hesitated. He frowned slightly, his thoughts shifting. Throughout the entire time of hunting, he hadn¡¯t seen a hint of the Chieftain or its two bodyguards. Not among the groups he had hunted or seen, and now, as he looked at the remaining survivors trudging back to the village, he saw nothing. They never left the village. The Chieftain had let its weaker kin chase him¡ªwhile it remained safe behind. That decision had cost them. Given that it might have stopped him from killing so many groups, by cordinating its lesser kin better. And seeing that Kael had never seen the Chieftain leave the village, it was safe to say it wouldn''t. I guess some of the cowardice is inherent in the species. The realization made him smile ear to ear. That meant he didn''t have to worry about stumbling on them outside the village, and that he could continue thinning more of their numbers, now even more aggressively than before. This night had gone much better than hoped, or expected. Much better. It might have gone so well, that Kael might be able to accelerate his plans, further along than he thought. With one final glance at the distant figures, Kael turned and disappeared into the forest. Chapter 37: An Eye for a Darker Eye Kael stood under the rushing waterfall, letting the water cascade down his body, washing away the sweat, grime, and dirt from the past few days. The water pounded against his skin, massaging tired muscles, and soothing the few new bruises and scrapes he had accumulated. He exhaled through his nose, tilting his head back, allowing himself to enjoy the moment of stillness, and the ambient sounds. It had been two days since his last assault on the Gloomkin, two days since he had lured them into the forest and butchered them in the dark. Since then, he had not relented. Instead, he had been hunting them even more aggressively, taking greater risks, attacking more frequently, and forcing them into an even higher state of Alertness. And to his amusement, it seemed to be working. If monsters could feel paranoia, Kael was sure the Gloomkin were. It was safe to say they were terrified now, much more than before. Their movements had changed, even more than they had started to do a couple of days ago. They continued with no longer straying far from their village, preferring to stick and hunt close to it. Their patrols were even tighter, their formations more compact, and they jumped at every little sound in the forest. He had even seen some of the cowardlier flinch at shadows, while some attacked anything that made a noise or moved, a sight that had nearly made him laugh out loud. But their continued caution didn¡¯t save them. Kael had adapted as well. When they stopped wandering too far, staying in smaller areas, he stalked them within their smaller hunting grounds. When they started patrolling together in larger and larger groups, he baited them into splitting up. When they became too afraid to leave and hunt at night, he killed them during the day. It didn¡¯t matter how much they tried to adapt¡ªKael was always a step ahead, as more of them died the less the groups sticking closer mattered, unlike when they first started doing this tactic, kael having been limited with what he could do, due to the numbers. Now, he estimated that their numbers had been cut down to around forty, which was low enough for what he had planned next. Something he had been truly looking forward to for a while now. Ever since they took his first home in this new world. His smile widened, and he let the thought drift away, continuing to focus on enjoying the moment. Kael shifted his weight under the waterfall, feeling the muscles in his back loosen slightly as the water pounded down against him. He had been pushing his body these past few days, but despite the exhaustion, he felt stronger. Part of it was due to him making progress with his Essence control. He still struggled with shaping his Essence into something sharp and useful for a fight. But after hours of practice and refinement, he felt he was getting closer. As a by-product of all that practicing, the time it took to shape constructs was now a bit faster, not fast enough that he could make new constructs on the spot, but fast. The act of molding the energy into form was becoming less of a struggle the more familiar he was with the processes. Kael also decided to continue to refrain from using his constructs in combat, at least for now. Even if he was making improvements, the constructs were still too fragile. This meant Kael would have little use with them before they broke and he couldn''t make a new one on the spot quick enough. Despite that as a setback, overall there was progress, and progress was progress. But there was something Kael had properly succeeded in. A few hours ago, he had finally managed to will and connect a bigger tendril from his core to his body. Increasing the amount and rate at which Essence flowed into his body. With the last level up his core had increased in size again, this new tendril would allow Kael to get more Essence out of his core faster and have more to use. It wasn¡¯t easy. Increasing the size of the tendril also increased the strain on his focus, and directing that much energy at once had taken some trial and error. But once he had managed to control it properly, the difference was immediate. With this, he could enhance his body more, making it more effective and stronger. He still needed to train with it more, and regulate the amount, as the greater flow had resulted in the veins glowing more, not by much but enough for him to notice it. Kael let out a slow relaxed breath. Then he opened his eyes, looking at the cascading water before him. The forest beyond was calm and illuminated by the rays of sunlight. Looking to the side Kael saw a few insects on the ground rustling fallen leaves. Then¡ªsomething shifted at the edge of his vision. Kael frowned slightly, his instincts flaring. His eyes flicked downward, toward the water pooling around his legs. Something long and dark was moving beneath the surface, slowly slithering closer. He didn¡¯t react immediately. Instead, he remained still, watching. A second later, a notification flickered into his vision. [ Earthen Sucuri (Common) - Level 6 ] The massive serpent crept closer, its sleek, earth-toned body partially submerged, only the faint outline of its scales visible beneath the rushing water. It was at least four meters long, its movements slow and deliberate as it stalked its prey. Kael didn¡¯t move. He waited. The snake slithered closer, its head rising slightly above the water, forked tongue flicking out. Then, just as it prepared to strike¡ª Kael moved. His hand shot out, gripping the snake by its head before it could lunge. The creature immediately thrashed, its powerful long body wrapping around his arm and chest, trying to crush him. Kael felt the weight and the strength of the creature, even with his increased stats. His muscles strained against the pressure, but he was ready. With his free hand, he grabbed a nearby rock. Then¡ªhe slammed it down onto the serpent¡¯s skull. The first impact stunned it. The second cracked bone. By the third, the snake had stopped moving. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael exhaled, feeling the last remnants of tension leave his body. The serpent¡¯s lifeless coils slowly loosened around him, and he pried himself free, dragging the corpse out of the water. Kael was hungry, and the snake conveniently presented itself as food. It wasn¡¯t the first time he had eaten snake meat. This big one was pretty similar to the smaller snakes Kael had eaten and caught before. He had no issues adding this one to his food supply. After taking on his clothes and boot sandals Kael lifted the carcass over his shoulder and moved away from the waterfall. He didn¡¯t want the scent of blood attracting predators while he worked. Finding a suitable place further away, he set the snake down and retrieved his knife. The scaled skin peeled away not so easily, the knife''s edge having started to dull after all this time. But Kael pushed on revealing dense muscle beneath. He proceeded to cut away strips of meat, careful to avoid the stomach, where the snake¡¯s last meal could still be digesting. After gathering enough he lifted and carried the meat, making his way back to his cooking station behind the waterfall. There, he relit the small fire and began roasting the meat over the flames. As he watched the flames lick at the flesh, his mind drifted back to his plan. He had already scouted the Gloomkin village the day before after finishing his hunt of them, and he had noticed something interesting. Not so surprisingly, several of the huts were now empty. He had watched the village for hours to make sure, waiting to see if any Gloomkin entered them. But none did. That meant they were abandoned, that they were now free real estate, and Kael planned to make use of them when he set the village on fire.
Burning down the Gloomkin village wasn¡¯t just about revenge¡ªthough that certainly played a part. It was about eliminating them. About ensuring that these creatures understood that their survival in this forest was not a right, but a fleeting privilege. One that he would soon strip away entirely. But first, he needed to prepare. As the fire crackled softly, Kael reached down and unwrapped the strips of cloth around his forearms. The fabric was worn and frayed, having seen repeated use over the past days, but it would serve its purpose again. He laid them out beside him, then dragged closer to himself the small bundle of dry sticks and leaves he had gathered prior. The first part of his plan was simple. He needed multiple ignition points within the village to ensure the fire took hold, spread, and distracted them. Starting one blaze wasn¡¯t enough¡ªif the Gloomkin put it out fast, then all his effort would be wasted. Instead, he needed several fires burning simultaneously, positioned in different huts to prevent them from stopping them in time. After finishing his meal, Kael put out the fire, leaving behind only smoldering embers. Then, he carefully wrapped the sticks and dry leaves in the cloth strips, tying them into tight bundles. These would serve as his makeshift fire starters¡ªonce lit, they would hold the flame long enough for the fire to properly start inside the huts before then igniting the structures as a whole. Satisfied with his work, he adjusted the bundles, securing them with a few extra strips of cloth, where it was needed. It wasn¡¯t perfect, but it would do. Grabbing the bundles, Kael stood, rolling his shoulders as he took a slow, deep breath. Then he started heading out. Kael moved through the forest with practiced silence, stepping over tangled roots and avoiding the areas where the ground was too soft, where his steps might leave tracks. The fading daylight pierced the thick canopy, leaving long shadows in the landscape. As he neared the Gloomkin territory, he took extra precautions, moving low and slow. The last thing he needed was to fall for one of their traps before reaching his destination. His eyes flicked to the side, spotting one such trap. A large burrowing insect had made a home inside one of the pitfalls, its multi-eyed head peeking out as it sensed movement. Kael maneuvered past it. Keeping to the trees as cover, he moved further south, wanting to sneak inside the village from that side, where he had spotted more of the empty huts on his last scouting. After some careful maneuvering kael, managed to position himself south of the village, still remaining inside the forest. The task was easier now that the Gloomkin patrols were fewer, their fear practically palpable in the air. Surveying the village Kael spotted the Chieftain standing on the wooden platform in the village center, its eerie staff glowing dimly as it overlooked its remaining kin. The two hulking bodyguards flanked it as always, watching, and waiting. Kael settled better into position as he continued scanning the village, the night fully setting in. Most of the remaining Gloomkin were walking around restless, their usual activities no were to be seen. The patrols moved stiffly looking around the area, all of them under the ever-watchful eyes of their leader. They looked and acted as if they were waiting for something or someone to attack. Which they would be correct in doing. After some time had passed, Kael moved a bit further up north in the woods, the new position he found was just far enough for the Gloomkin to see, but not so well that they would spot him yet. Then finding a good small area behind a short bush, Kael reached down, unwraping the cloth holding it, and setting down one of the fire bundles he had made earlier. He placed the bundle of sticks in a way to improve ignition, then took out a smaller, thinner stick. Kneeling, he pressed it against a dry patch of bark and began rubbing. The friction built heat. Tiny embers formed. Kael leaned in, carefully feeding the ember with dried leaves, blowing softly until it flared into a small flame. He didn¡¯t need much¡ªjust enough to ignite the first distraction. With practiced and hurried movements, Kael placed the flame at the base of the sticks, which he had positioned just at the edge of the bush. The flame caught immediately with the help of some leaves he placed, the dry vegetation quickly feeding the fire. Then he moved back to his position further south, careful not to be seen. The fire behind him flickered, casting an orange glow against the darkness. The moment it was visible, he heard the reaction. Guttural screeches. The sound of scurrying feet. The Gloomkin patrols immediately turned toward the fire, panicked voices rising. Kael allowed himself a relieved smile seeing the small distraction working. Perfect. As the village guards rushed to investigate, their focus directed elsewhere, Kael took the opportunity to slip into the open, dashing across the grassland toward one of the abandoned huts. He pressed himself against the wooden structure, his heart steady, and his movements precise. After checking and seeing it still empty, he put down another bundle. Kael repeated the same fire-starting process, first, he unwrapped the cloth holding the bundle, followed by wrapping it on his forearms instead, then lighting the bundle, this time placing it inside the hut. The dry leaves, sticks, and wooden supports caught the flame instantly smoke curling toward the ceiling. Kael didn¡¯t wait to watch it burn. Sneaking further into the village along the south, taking advantage of the commotion. He moved to another hut. Another fire. And then another. By the time the first hut was fully ablaze, Kael had set three separate fires, each positioned in different sections of the southern part of the village. The moment the flames spread, the village erupted into chaos. Gloomkin screeched in panic, their movements wild as they scrambled in all directions. The patrols returned from the treeline, realizing too late that they had been tricked. Kael watched from the shadows, observing the confusion unfold. Some Gloomkin rushed to put out the fires, throwing dirt and hide onto the growing blazes. Others ran aimlessly, too confused to act, looking around for something to attack. Kael¡¯s grin widened seeing the growing chaos. The Chieftain stood on its platform, screaming orders, its staff¡¯s glow flickering in frustration. The bodyguards remained by its side, their muscles tense, eyes scanning the flames. They still won¡¯t leave its side. Good. Chapter 38: A flame Kael maneuvered eastward through the village, staying low as he slipped between the huts. The flames were spreading behind him, thick black smoke rising into the night sky. The scent of burning wood mixed with the charred remains of whatever the Gloomkin had in their homes. Their wretched shrieks echoed throughout the village as they scrambled to contain the fires and find the one responsible. The heat from the spreading inferno warmed his skin as he moved. Kael wasn¡¯t done yet. He still had enough to get two more huts to start burning. Keeping to the shadows, he reached the next wooden structure. It was on the outskirts of the village, away from the blazes, as well as one of the empty ones, which made it a prime target. Kael knelt, unwrapping the cloth binding from a bundle of sticks and dried leaves. Working quickly, he ignited the bundle the same way he had before, using friction to create embers. Within moments, a small fire sparked to life. Kael gently placed the burning bundle at the base of the hut, ensuring the flames had a good amount of dry material to catch. The fire licked hungrily at the dried wood, crawling up the structure as smoke curled into the night air. Satisfied, Kael stealthily moved to the next hut, repeating the process and using the last of the bundles as he did so. Soon, another fire took hold, and the orange glow illuminated the village even further. But the Gloomkin were not completely blind to what was happening anymore. As he hid behind a tent, Kael noticed them¡ªseveral groups now actively searching. They were sniffing the air, low growls vibrating in their throats. Their bodies twitched as they scoured the village, for the culprit. Carefully, he pressed himself into the shadows, avoiding the thin shafts of firelight bleeding between the structures. The Gloomkin were not moving in any coordinated formation, which worked in his favor. He watched them for a moment, gauging their behavior. They sniffed at the air, moving in slow, deliberate steps. They were searching, but they didn¡¯t know where to look specifically, so instead they were relying on scents. But Kael had known that would be the case, which was why he had washed himself before coming here, added to the smell of the fires, and they would have a hard time sniffing him out. Moving carefully, he turned away from the Gloomkin, making his way toward the end of the village. Beyond him stretched open grassland, and the opposite side held the forest, which was cut off from him thanks to the entire village standing between him and the tree line. But this time was different from his last visit, Kael chose the only option. Straight through. Instead of fleeing, Kael pivoted and turned toward the center of the village. He would cut through the village, avoiding the platform the Chieftain was standing on, in case he stumbled on it. Kael wanted to leave the Chieftain for the end if possible, not wanting to fight it and more of its lesser kin. Instead wanting to eliminate more of the lesser Gloomkin. Just as he finished that thought, a Gloomkin wandered into his path. It was a lone straggler sniffing the air, searching around. Kael did not waste time and lunged forward. The moment it turned to face in his direction, was the moment his enhanced right leg flew up and into the side of its head. The monster flew sideways and collapsed to the ground a short distance away, lying there unmoving. Not getting the kill notification, Kael walked up to it and finished with a stump on its head. [ Experience Gained! ] Satisfied, he then moved on to find others. Using the homes as cover, Kael weaved through the village''s eastern part, striking from the shadows and eliminating small searching parties as he went. Having just finished killing another pair before they could scream. Kael left their bodies where they fell, and slipped into the next row of tents and structures. Keeping an eye out, he noticed the flames were growing stronger. More of the huts were ablaze and fully engulfed now, their wooden frames burning bright. Their fires flickered wildly in the wind, spreading to adjacent structures. The tents avoided catching fire as easily due to the oils in the hides they were made of. To say the Gloomkin were struggling would be downplaying it. Some of them were still focused entirely on the fires, scrambling to put them out by throwing what they could find onto the flames. Some of the dumber ones were counterproductive in this endeavor, by hitting burning wood with their wooden weapons. But Kael did not care and continued to use the disorder to strike, picking off more isolated Gloomkin as he moved. His reinforced strikes breaking bones and ending lives. The more the flames raged, the easier it became. Soon, he had reached the northern side of the village, intentionally avoiding the clearing in the center of the village. As he was about to turn around and head into the village again, he quickly glanced toward the forest, then¡ªmovement. Kael¡¯s eyes snapped back, scanning the treeline. Something was there. At first, he assumed it was just more Gloomkin, but no¡ªthis was different, the shape of the creature was off. He squinted through the flames, his vision slightly distorted from the light. As he watched a figure stepped out of the forest. It had a sleek, muscular shape, its body low to the ground, moving with deadly silence. Even before the flickering firelight fully illuminated it, or the notification, Kael knew what this creature was. [ Duskfang Stalker (Uncommon) ¨C Level 9 ] Kael watched, his pulse steady, but his mind instantly shifted gears. This was the first time he had seen something as fierce as the Stalker in this area of the forest, and Kael suspected he knew why. The theory Kael had for there not being any predators like the Stalker in this area, was that the Gloomkin hunted around the area both in the day and night. So far their numbers had been enough to scare away and kill anything that challenged that fact. But now that Kael had killed so many of them, coupled with them being scared to wonder the night due to him. It made sense that the night predators of this forest would feel comfortable hunting here, and with the smoke and light from the fires, it was no surprise they came to take advantage of the Gloomkin''s weakness. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Kael would be lying to himself if he said he wasn¡¯t a little bit afraid, given this new development. He knew this was a problem. If one monster had come, more would follow. But for now, he remained still, observing. The Duskfang Stalker didn¡¯t notice him, Kael being too far away. Rather its attention was focused on the Gloomkin. And in the blink of an eye¡ªit struck. Kael¡¯s lips curled into a small grin as the beast tore into the nearest Gloomkin, its claws raking through flesh in a silent, efficient kill. The creature barely had enough time to scream before its throat was ripped open. The other Gloomkin turned toward the commotion, being surprised by this new enemy. He could hear more cries of alarm, and see the shapes of more Gloomkin rushing toward the Stalker, their weapons raised. But even as he felt satisfaction watching the chaos unfold, he knew he needed to be careful. If more monsters were drawn by the scent of blood, it wouldn''t be long before he could become a target too. At the same time. This was an opportunity. If he played this right, he could completely wipe them out. Kael¡¯s eyes flicked back toward the village. The clouds above moved away from the three moons as they shone a fantastical light on the area, along with the burning encampment. Some of the Gloomkin he had not killed yet were now rushing to the Stalker¡¯s location, giving up on the search and the fires. Seeing that Kael had taken his time and killed 11 so far, he guessed there were still enough of them to kill the stalker, and that was without the Chieftain or its guards. But even then, kael knew they would lose some to it. But no matter what happened or which side came out superior, Kael would be the only victor in the exchange. Either the Gloomkin killed the Stalker after it killed some of them, or it still killed some of them and escaped, to him it did not matter. There would be less Gloomkin either way. Taking the new distraction for what it was, Kael slipped back into the burning village.
Kael moved with purpose while weaving through the village, at the same time chaos unfolded around him. He kept low, avoiding open spaces, using the huts and tents as cover. The night was alive with the sounds of battle. The Gloomkin had turned their attention toward the Duskfang Stalker, their guttural shrieks rising in panic as they engaged the beast. Kael could faintly hear the sounds of battle and the occasional dying screams of the Gloomkin who weren¡¯t fast enough to avoid the monster. He had not stayed to watch how the clash went. This distraction gave him free rein to finish what he had started, and he needed to capitalize on it. Kael maneuvered further back into the eastern half of the village, where the flames hadn¡¯t fully reached yet. Even if the southern part of the village was burning, there were places the flames wouldn''t reach, and he couldn¡¯t let the momentum of the fire die out too soon. Not when the Gloomkin were finally on the back foot. Picking up a burning stick from one of the already blazing huts, he ran toward a nearby untouched wooden structure. With a sharp flick, he tossed the flaming branch into the hut¡¯s interior, where dry leaves and sticks had been used as bedding. The flames caught instantly, feeding on the dry material. Smoke curled into the sky as the fire took hold. Kael didn¡¯t stop there. He moved to another hut, repeating the process, ensuring that more of the village would be lost to the inferno. The hide tents weren¡¯t worth the effort. They wouldn¡¯t burn as easily as the wooden structures, and the time spent trying to ignite them would be better spent elsewhere. His focus remained on the larger, more permanent buildings¡ªthe ones that the Gloomkin couldn¡¯t replace as easily. That is if any survived the night. As he worked, he remained aware of his surroundings. He could still hear the fight against the Stalker continuing in the background. Then, after several minutes¡ªthe sound shifted. The shrieks of pain stopped, and no more sounds of active fighting could be heard. Kael frowned, ducking behind one of the huts to listen. Other than the occasional sound of dying or panicked Gloomkin, or the ambient sounds of the fires, there was silence. Then¡ªit picked up again. Kael narrowed his eyes. Either they killed the Stalker or it ran away, no matter which one something else took its place attacking the Gloomkin. Kael exhaled through his nose. Not surprising. Almost all predators prayed on weakness. The more Gloomkin died, the more likely it was that other creatures would come to take advantage. Kael didn¡¯t waste any more time. Moving swiftly away from where he was crouched down. He found another small group of Gloomkin attempting to put out the fires. Four of them, working frantically to throw dirt onto the flames. Kael approached from behind, his steps silent against the sounds of the burning wood and the working Gloomkin. Not wasting a moment he struck. Kael was immediately on the first one, striking it from behind with a stone knife he had picked up from the ground near a hut. The knife forcibly entered the back of the monster''s head and it collapsed in a heap. [ Experience Gained! ] The second barely had time to react or do anything, before Kael¡¯s reinforced fist crushed its skull in a single brutal blow. The third turned¡ªa strangled cry leaving its throat¡ªKael grabbed it by the jaw, careful not to allow the monster to bite him with those ugly yellow teeth, and forced its mouth shut before twisting its head a hundred and eighty degrees. Kael then dropped the body to the ground. [ Experience Gained! ] x2 The last Gloomkin had just enough time to turn and see the carnage before Kael drove what remained of his left boot into its chest, sending it crashing into the burning hut. Its body hit the flames¡ªa shriek of agony tearing from its throat as it flailed around the burning wood, and was consumed by the fire. Kael barely spared it a glance. These kinds of images no longer affected his psyche. They had not done so for a long time. [ Experience Gained! ] Four more dead. He exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he looked around. The fires were raging out of control now. Maybe some things would survive, but the village was doomed. Then he started hearing something. Kael''s ears tried to locate where the sound came from. It was distant at first. A deep, rhythmic thumping like something heavy moving at high speed, and it only grew louder. Kael barely had time to register what was happening before the ground shook beneath him. Something was charging at him, his instincts screamed at him to move. Not even thinking or second-guessing himself, Kael threw himself to the side just as a figure barreled through the smoke, slamming into the ground where he had been standing moments before. Dirt and ash exploded into the air. Kael hit the ground hard, rolling into a crouch, his arms snapping up in reflex. The right hand holding his now dulling hunting knife. Then, as the dust cleared, he saw what had attacked him. Kael''s eyes narrowed at the sight. [ Gloomkin Guard (Uncommon) ¨C Level 15 ] It stood there, its massive frame illuminated by the burning village, its thick arms tensed, its beady black eyes locked onto Kael. I guess you can''t always assume things will be the same. One of the Chieftain''s bodyguards had finally decided to leave its post and attack him. How it had found him, Kael did not know, and he did not care to find out. What was important at this moment was that its level had increased by one. Kael distinctly remembered the guards were level 13 and 14. Taking a moment as the creature looked at him Kael exhaled centering his mind and preparing for what was to come. Chapter 39: The chase and the fight Kael stood with his knees slightly bent, his muscles taut as he faced the Gloomkin Guard. This was the first time he had gotten a proper look at one of the Chieftain¡¯s bodyguards up close, and despite the tension of the moment, he took a better note of the differences between it and its lesser kin. Unlike the smaller, hunched, and frantic movements of the standard Gloomkin, this one had a stronger, more upright posture. It was still a Gloomkin, with gray skin and hollow, black eyes, but it carried itself differently¡ªmore controlled, more experienced. It was taller too, standing close to his own height of 186 cm, and noticeably bulkier than the others he had fought before. If Kael were to compare the other Gloomkins to teens then this guard was an adult. Then there was its weapon. Kael¡¯s eyes flicked to the spear it wielded¡ªa far cry from the crude, barely-held-together weapons of its lesser kin. This one looked sturdier, sharper, and more refined. The spear¡¯s tip was made from, one of those stones you would find in a horoscop shop. It was green and gleamed faintly in the flickering firelight, the craftsmanship leagues above what he had seen before. But what was unsettling about it wasn¡¯t its size or weaponry¡ªit was the familiar expression on its face that Kael had seen on the lesser Gloomkin early on. A twisted grin stretched across the creature¡¯s lips, its longer, sharper teeth gleaming between cracked lips. It wasn¡¯t snarling like the others, nor did it rush toward him with mindless aggression. Kael had taken notice that the Gloomkin acted like the weak laky. They were easily scared and cowards the second they encountered those they thought were much stronger than them. But were sadistic towards anything they considered weaker than themselves or outnumbered. This guard was just another example as it was clearly enjoying this. Kael barely had a second to take it all in before the monster lunged at him. Kael¡¯s instincts screamed at him to move, and he barely sidestepped the first thrust as the Guard¡¯s spear sliced through the air where he had been standing. The attack wasn¡¯t wild or reckless like the lesser Gloomkin¡ªit was much more precise. Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed. It seems this one knows how to fight. The Guard pressed forward, its movements aggressive yet calculated. It wasn¡¯t just attacking blindly¡ªit was controlling the space, forcing Kael on the defensive. The spear came again, this time in a rapid series of thrusts, aiming for Kael¡¯s chest, then his side, then his thigh. Kael dodged, twisted, and parried as best he could, but he could already tell this was different from anything he had fought so far in this forest. The spear¡¯s reach gave the Guard an advantage. And it was using it to keep him at a distance, denying him the opportunity to close in. Worse still, Kael realized the monster was deliberately positioning him, maneuvering in a way that pushed him toward the burning huts. Kael gritted his teeth. It wasn¡¯t just fighting him. It was trying to herd him into the flames. You¡¯re smarter than the others. But not smart enough. Kael stepped in closer, forcing the Guard to adjust. The spear thrust forward again, this time aiming straight for his gut. Kael reacted instinctively¡ªhis left hand shot out like so many times before, grabbing onto the wooden shaft, trying to yank it away. The moment he did, he felt the difference. This wasn''t like the other times with the Gloomkins. To his surprise, the Guard was stronger than him. Kael barely had time to process this before the creature twisted the spear back violently, nearly tearing Kael''s palm open and disrupting his balance. He released the weapon and rolled backward to regain control, narrowly avoiding another thrust aimed at his head. Alright. Not so easily disarmed. Got it. Before Kael could plan his next move, a guttural screech tore through the air, followed by rushing footsteps. Kael turned his head just in time to see two more Gloomkin closing in. Seeing this Kael¡¯s grip on his knife tightened. The Guard took advantage of Kael¡¯s brief distraction, lunging forward with another thrust. Kael twisted out of the way, barely avoiding the strike but getting a small cut in return. Then he pivoted into the nearest attacking Gloomkin who had closed the distance, driving his blade and part of his hand into its gut. The monster let out a choked shriek before Kael ripped the blade free and turned to the next one. The creature now lying on the ground bleeding out. [ Experience Gained! ] The second Gloomkin swung a crude axe, but Kael ducked low, kicked out its legs, and as it fell to the ground, he stomped on its skull, crushing it beneath his boot. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael immediately grabbed the corpse of the one he had just killed and threw it toward the Guard, the creature readying to attack again. The body slammed into its chest, knocking it back slightly. Kael exploited the opening. He lunged at the Guard as it struggled with the body, throwing it to the side, as it did so his knife flashed toward its face. The blade plunged into its eye. The Guard then let out a pained screech, staggering backward. But even in its pain, it reacted. Its free hand shot out, grabbing Kael¡¯s wrist before he could pull the knife free. Then¡ªit punched him in the nose with its other hand having let go of the spear. Pain exploded through Kael¡¯s skull as he was knocked backward, tumbling to the ground, his nose bleeding. For a brief moment, his vision blurred, but he forced himself to focus. When he looked up, the Gloomkin Guard was still standing, Black sludge-like liquid pouring from its ruined eye. It reached up, gripping the knife embedded in its skull. With one sickening motion, it yanked the blade free, black blood spilling onto the dirt. Kael tensed. Then¡ªthe Guard did something that infuriated him. It turned and threw the knife away the blade landing in the burning wreckage of what had once been the Chieftain¡¯s hut. Just like that, he had lost his weapon. The Guard grinned through its pain, baring its teeth as it turned back toward him. Kael gritted his own teeth. "You son of a¡ª" He stopped himself, there was no time to be angry. He needed to focus. Kael¡¯s eyes scanned the battlefield. His knife was gone, but there were plenty of weapons around. His gaze locked onto the fallen axe. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward it. The Guard reacted immediately, charging after him. Kael hit the ground in a roll, his hand grabbing the crude handle of the axe as he spun back to his feet. The moment he turned, he threw the weapon. Seeing the flying object heading for it, the Guard moved at the last second, twisting its body so the axe missed. Kael barely had time to curse before the monster was on him again. As the Guard reached for him, Kael sidestepped it, grabbed its extended arm, and twisted. He spun behind it, using its momentum against it, wrenching its arm back at an unnatural angle. The Guard let out a strangled cry as its arm snapped. Kael didn¡¯t stop there. He slammed his enhanced foot into the back of its knee, forcing it down face-first into the dirt. Before it could recover, he moved onto its back, pinning it down. His arms wrapped around its thick, muscular neck. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Then¡ªhe squeezed. The Guard thrashed violently, using the good arm''s sharp nails to rip into his arms, drawing deep gashes along his skin. But Kael didn¡¯t let go, he was not unfamiliar with withstanding pain when he needed to. He tightened his grip, his muscles burning as he cut off the creature¡¯s airflow. The Gloomkin Guard struggled, clawed, kicked. Then its movements slowed. And finally stopped. Kael held the choke for a few extra seconds, just to be sure. Then¡ªhe lifted his fist and slammed it into the back of its skull. Once. Twice. Three times. Four times, and so on. Until he felt bone shatter beneath his knuckles and he received the experience notification. Along with the notification, Kael felt the effects of a Level up. [ Experience Gained! ] [ You have leveled up! ]
Kael exhaled a shaky breath, the rush of battle still pulsing through his veins. His hands, coated in black blood, twitched slightly as he stood over the lifeless body of the Gloomkin Guard. The last few punches had shattered its skull, leaving its head in an unrecognizable mess of broken bone and dark ichor. His body ached, arms burning and bleeding from the deep gashes left by the creature¡¯s claws, his nose still throbbing from where the Guard had punched him. Kael having wiped the blood from his nose away on the cloths around his forearm, the little amount of good that did him. Most of the few cloth strips that had survived the taring of sharp nails getting wet with blood from his wounds. But he had won. Kael straightened, breathing in the thick, smoke-filled air. His core had emptied halfway, and the fires around him continued to rage, the village now little more than an inferno. Then, as if on cue¡ªSomething pricked at the back of his mind. Kael¡¯s heightened senses made him aware of the abnormality, and his instincts kicked in making his body tense. Then realization dawned on him, as he noticed that something had changed. At one point in his fighting, the distant sounds of battle, the guttural cries of the Gloomkin fighting, and the sounds of whatever creatures had come to feast on the carnage¡ªall of it had gone eerily silent again. Leaving only the ambient sounds. Kael slowly turned, his eyes scanning the burning village. It didn''t take him long before he spotted figures emerging from the smoke. His gaze locked onto them. The first figure he noted was the Chieftain¡ªits staff glowing sickly green, its expression mirroring that of its lesser kin. Beside it, always close like its now dead companion, stood the last remaining Guard. The notifications for their Levels showed up before him, Kael taking note that they too had gone up a level. [ Gloomkin Guard (Uncommon) ¨C Level 14 ] [ Gloomkin Chieftain (Uncommon) ¨C Level 17 ] And before them were nine weaker Gloomkins all of their levels too low to matter. Kael exhaled, watching as what he hopefully presumed to be the last remaining Gloomkins made their way cautiously forward, their eyes fixed on him, their postures low and tense. The lesser Gloomkin were positioned at the front, shielding their leader and its bodyguard. But Kael knew who the real threat was. His gaze flicked back to the Chieftain. The monster watched him and the moment Kael thought their eyes met, the creature¡¯s twisted grin widened into one that gave off a hateful satisfaction. As he saw that, he noticed the green glow of its staff intensifying. Kael moved. The Chieftain lashed out first, a sudden blast of green energy shot from its outstretched hand, aimed directly at him. Kael barely had time to react before he threw himself to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack as the bolt struck the ground behind him, sizzling the dirt. Kael hit the ground in a roll, springing back to his feet immediately. Fuck! So it shoots out magic missiles, great. Kael had expected the thing to have some form of magic, hell the whole glowing staff thing gave it away. But still to actually see it was eye-opening. Before he could recover, the Chieftain gave the order, and the lesser Gloomkin charged forward. Kael cursed, turning on his heels and bolting away. Weaving between the burning wreckage of huts and tents, he kept his movements unpredictable, dodging another green bolt of energy that streaked past his shoulder. The Chieftain was keeping its distance, letting the weaker ones close in while it fired from afar. Kael hoped that meant it was at least weak up close, but he would have to deal with the remaining Gloomkin and bodyguard before he could find that out. Having limited his Essence use so as not to run out, he was not fast enough to lose them. Kael gritted his teeth, dodging a spear thrust. He spun, grabbed the attacker¡¯s arm, and using the momentum threw the Gloomkin into burning wood. The creature screamed as it landed on the fire. He didn¡¯t slow. He couldn¡¯t. The remaining eight Gloomkin pursued him relentlessly, their screeches echoing over the crackling flames. Kael sprinted toward a burning hut, vaulting over a collapsed wooden supports. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he spun sharply, grabbing a loose plank of wood still burning on one end. The nearest Gloomkin lunged after him¡ªKael swung the flaming plank, cracking it across its skull. The force sent it stumbling backward into the fire behind it. A piercing shriek followed as the creature flailed wildly, its body igniting. Kael didn¡¯t stop moving. His lungs burned from the thickening smoke, but he pushed through. [ Experience Gained! ] x 2 Two Gloomkin flanked him, moving to cut him off. Kael faked left, then suddenly turned right, grabbing one of the Gloomkin by the wrist and yanking it toward him. Before he could kill it Kael heard a whoosh sound that the magic bolt made. So instead he spun the creature around, using its body as a shield just as another green bolt from the Chieftain¡¯s hand arrived. The magic blast hit the Gloomkin square in the chest, pushing it backward toward him, its body convulsing violently as the flesh in its chest sizzled. [ Experience Gained! ] Thinking quickly on his feet Kael threw the corpse at the other Gloomkin making it stumble back, and into a partially burning tent. Resulting in the structure collapsing over the Gloomkin and the corps. Kael sprinted away, weaving between the flames. [ Experience Gained! ] Another Gloomkin tried to ambush him from the side, but Kael saw it from the corner of his eye. He dropped low, avoiding the wild axe slash, then shot forward, grabbing the creature by its throat and slamming it headfirst into a broken wooden post. Bone cracked as the impact snapped its neck. [ Experience Gained! ] Four left. As Kael continued to move he started to breathe in too much smoke, his lunges screamed at him for clean air. But for that, Kael would need to go outside the village and into the open, and he knew that wasn¡¯t a real option. The moment he stepped into the grasslands, the Chieftain would have a clear line of sight, free to fire at him without obstruction. No. He needed to come up with something else. Kael kept moving, ducking under a collapsed section of a hut and bursting out on the other side. Before him was an open field of grass illuminated by the moons. Fuck. He had been too focused on avoiding the shots from the Chieftain, maneuvering the burning and smoking terrain, as well as killing the Gloomkin. He had not paid too much attention to where he was going. Kael turned sharply, to look behind him, his sandal boots kicking up dirt as he suddenly pivoted. The first thing to meet him was a charging Gloomkin Kael barely sidestepped, avoiding being pierced on the side, then grabbed its extended arms, and twisted. A sickening snap rang out as its limbs broke, followed by a strangled screech. Kael didn¡¯t stop there¡ªhe quickly yanked the spear from its grasp and drove it straight into its chest. [ Experience Gained! ] He then just as quickly ripped the spear free, spun on his heel, and threw it at the next closest Gloomkin. All before the dead Gloomkin one hit the ground. The one that was the target of the spear barely had time to react, staring dumbly before the weapon buried itself in its gut, the creature falling to the ground dead as well. [ Experience Gained! ] Looking back Kael only saw the Chieftain, its guard, and one lesser Gloomkin. Kael frowned seeing that, from his calculation, there should have been two normal Gloomkin, not one. The last present normal Gloomkin hesitated, its confidence shattering as it saw its kin die in seconds. It turned to flee. But it didn¡¯t make it far. Before it could escape, the remaining Guard swung its shield, smashing into the creature¡¯s skull and sending it sprawling to the ground. Kael froze. He narrowed his eyes. The Guard had just killed one of its own. These creatures truly felt nothing for each other, and that last action of cruelty had decided what Kael would do. If there was one thing Kael hated more than any other, it was betrayal by those you entrust your life to. This site brought up a firey memory he had tried not to think of again. Kael had once been unable to deliver the well-deserved punishment for filth like that, but now that nothing was stopping him he would not choose to run. The fires raged behind the Gloomkin, The village was nothing but smoke and ruin. Kael exhaled slowly. It was time to finish this. He pulled up the quest window one last time. [ Quest - the enemy of the Gloomkin ] The Gloomkin village and its chieftain know that something has been actively hunting them and stealing their food. Now having a survivor to describe this predator, they have started the hunt for it. Objective - Survive the hunt of the horde until they either give up, or you are far away enough from their part of the forest to be safe. Bonus objective - Kill all the Gloomkin in the village before they kill you, higher rewards are based on the amount killed and slaying of the chieftain. Up to a personalized reward. Kael¡¯s lips curled into a savage grin. One last fight. And then this would all be over one way or the other. Chapter 40: Chieftain Kael stood in the open grasslands, the burning wreckage of the Gloomkin village casting an eerie glow around him. The flickering flames illuminated the two remaining enemies before him¡ªthe Chieftain and its final Guard. Kael analyzed his last opponents. The Guard, though similar in stature to its fallen counterpart, held a thick round wooden shield decorated with bones¡ªa grotesque display. Its spear was almost identical to the first Guard¡¯s, made of sturdy wood and topped with a sharp, green-hued stone, the same type of stone as the previous guard''s spear, and both the shield and the spear were also far better crafted than the weapons of the lesser Gloomkin. On the other hand, the Chieftain stood slightly taller than the Guard, its broader frame covered in a darker shade of grayish skin, the difference more apparent. Its posture was more hunched, but not in weakness, it carried itself with a presence that exuded both intelligence and menace. It watched Kael carefully, studying him, its expression hinting that it wanted nothing but pain for him. Kael knew this was it. He had no reason to conserve what reminded of his Essence anymore, he would most likely need every drop. Kael let it flow freely, enhancing every inch of his limbs. The dimly glowing veins reappeared all over his arms and legs, pulsing with power. The Chieftain¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, it leaned forward, intrigued. Then, before they attacked¡ªKael moved. He sprinted forward, aiming to strike first. The Chieftain¡¯s staff flared, but Kael was closing the distance fast and would arrive before it was ready to attack. Instead, the Guard stepped in, spear thrusting forward, intercepting Kael¡¯s charge. Kael dropped low, ducking under the spear by a hair¡¯s breadth, the weapon slicing through the air just above him. As he slid past the Guard, he grabbed its ankle and yanked, throwing his weight into the motion. The Guard lost balance stumbling forward, just as Kael rolled away, narrowly dodging an expected green energy bolt from the Chieftain that hit the ground where he had just been. Kael sprang back up, using the moment it took for the guard to right itself to rush straight for the Chieftain, hoping to deal with its ability to shoot at him. But the Chieftain was ready for him. Instead of casting another spell, it lifted its staff like a polearm and swung it at Kael¡¯s face. Kael barely got his left arm up in time, blocking the hit with his forearm, pain flared from the impact adding to the already existing damage from his wounds left by the first Guard. The force behind the attack was far stronger than he expected. Then, from behind he heard the heavy charge of the Guard rushing toward him. His mind screamed for him to move. Kael jumped back just as the Guard¡¯s spear stabbed forward, missing him by inches. The momentum sent it staggering forward having overcommitted to the attack and momentarily thrown off-balance. But Kael wasn¡¯t in the clear yet. The moment he dodged, the Chieftain stepped forward, capitalizing on his movement, swinging its staff down at his head. Kael raised both his arms this time, barely managing to deflect the blow¡ªbut the force sent him skidding backward across the grass. Pain pulsed in his forearms where the attack landed, the open wounds bleeding more. Kael was sure that he would have broken his arms by that attack if it was not for the last couple of levels, and the stats that came with them. He gritted his teeth, got up, and steadied his stance. This wasn''t working, his opponents were coordinating. The Chieftain controlled space with its staff and magic, while the Guard maintained pressure with its spear and shield. He needed to think of something. Kael dodged another spear thrust from the Guard, stepping just to the right to avoid it. As he tried to close in, he saw the glow of green energy forming in the Chieftain¡¯s hand. It was preparing to fire again, just waiting for the right moment. For a split second, Kael¡¯s eyes flicked between them. That was all the time Kael had to think. The moment the Guard shifted slightly making an opening toward Kael, the Chieftain launched its attack. Kael tried to move away. He was in motion right after the bolt was fired. But so was the Guard. At the exact moment the spell closed in, the Guard swung its shield at Kael. The impact slammed into his ribs first, sending him flying to the side¡ªjust as the energy bolt whizzed past, narrowly missing him. Kael hit the ground hard, rolling before painfully forcing himself back up. Pain radiated from his side, a sharp ache where the shield had struck. He could feel small cuts where the jagged bone decorations had scraped his skin. The Chieftain yelled at the Guard, angered by the mistimed attack. Kael forced himself forward. Ignoring the pain, he rushed toward the distracted Guard, who had its back now turned against him. Hearing movement, it turned just in time to see Kael closing in. With as fluid movements as he could manage in his state, Kael grabbed the shield with one hand and swung a fist straight into the Guard¡¯s face. The blow staggered the creature, dazing it just long enough for Kael to wrench free the shield from its grasp. Not hesitating for a moment, Kael swung the shield back at its head, slamming the wood and bone into the side of its head. The Guard stumbled, being disoriented further. Before Kael could follow up¡ªhe heard the sharp sound of an incoming energy blast. Letting instinct guide him. Kael twisted, raising the shield just in time. The green energy bolt struck the wooden surface, sending a vibrating shock through his arm. Kael held firm, planting his feet against the recoil. As soon as the blast faded, he felt pain as something grabbed his arm. Turning his head, he saw that it was the Guard. Acting on instinct, Kael grabbed the creature¡¯s arm in return, twisting his body and maneuvering behind it. Then, he brought the shield down against the joint of its elbow. There was a sickening crack. The Guard let out a strangled, pain-filled grunt as its arm bent in the wrong direction, the bone in its forearm protruding from the skin at an angle. Still, it fought. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. With its remaining arm, it tried to stab Kael with its spear¡ªbut he parried the strike with the shield. At the same time, another energy bolt from the Chieftain forced him to dive to the side. Kael quickly got back to his feet, assessing his opponents. The Guard was wounded, one arm useless, blood dripping down from the limb. The Chieftain stood behind it, glowing staff in hand, both furious. Kael¡¯s breathing was heavy. His body ached, the toll of the fight wearing on him. His Essence reserves were draining. He needed to end this, it wouldn''t be long before he passed out from an empty core or eventually from blood loss if he didn''t deal with the wounds. Combing back his wet hair from his eyes with his blood-stained hands, he heard the Guard roar as it was lunging forward. Kael met the charge head-on. The creature''s spear thrust toward him¡ªKael parried with the shield, then immediately closed the distance, slamming the shield into its throat. One of the sharp bones on the shield pierced the Guard¡¯s neck, a spray of black blood gushing from the wound. The Guard stumbled, choking. Kael didn¡¯t wait for it to recover. He spun and charged straight toward the Chieftain, dodging one bolt, and blocking another with the shield.
The hateful look on the Chieftain morphing even more, if that at all was possible. Then it raised its staff as another green glow built in its palm. The moment the Chieftain fired Kael raised the shield again. The energy bolt slammed into it, sending a powerful shockwave through his arms. But Kael kept running towards it, the shield splintering with every shoot it had taken, the bone decorations cracking and falling off, but it held together just long enough. Kael closed the distance before it could fire a fourth shoot. The Chieftain swung its staff like a club, but Kael ducked, feeling the rush of air as it passed over his head. He punched upward, landing a solid blow to its jaw. The Chieftain staggered but wasn¡¯t out yet. Kael pressed forward, throwing a series of furious strikes, both with his hand and shield, forcing the creature back step by step. But the Chieftain was no pushover. It recovered quickly, blocking some attacks with its forearm, and others with its staff. It lashed out with a powerful strike, slamming its elbow into Kael¡¯s ribs, forcing him back. Kael coughed, feeling the strain on his already battered body, but didn¡¯t stop. He couldn''t. The exchanges became vicious, both of them throwing wild, brutal punches, neither backing down. Kael lost to the raw strength match but held on due to superior technique. Then¡ªKael¡¯s stolen shield finally gave out. The Chieftain fired another energy blast at point-blank range. Kael raised the shield to block, but this time, the impact was too much. The shield shattered, pieces flying in all directions. Kael was forced back, stumbling from the shock of the explosion. He barely had time to steady his breathing before he saw the Guard moving toward him again. Even with one arm useless and a bleeding neck, the final Guard made its move. It sprinted straight at Kael and right before reaching him, it let go of its spear. Kael wasn¡¯t fast enough to dodge¡ªthe Guard tackled him with full force. They both crashed to the ground, rolling in a tangled heap of limbs and blood. Kael struggled, trying to throw the creature off, but the Guard was furious, desperate, and still had strength. Its sharp teeth snapped at his face coming inches from biting into his throat. Kael gritted his teeth, pain radiating from his arms as he tried holding its head back, feeling its vomit-inducing hot breath against his skin as well as the leaking blood from its mouth. Then¡ªhe saw it. The Chieftain was trying to use this as an opportunity and preparing to fire another blast. Shooting it the moment it was ready. Gambling, Kael with every ounce of strength he had left, jerked the Guard¡¯s body upward, shifting its head directly into the trajectory of the attack. The green energy bolt struck the back of the Guard¡¯s skull. And unlike the shield, it didn''t take the attack well. The back of the creature¡¯s entire head exploded, black blood and acrid flesh spraying across Kael¡¯s face. The body slumped forward, lifeless. Kael barely had time to process that he had not gotten a kill notification. Instead, he shoved the corpse off him and scrambled to his feet. He turned, and for the first time, the Chieftain looked uncertain. Having lost both its guards and being alone shaking its confidence. Kael wiped the foul flesh and most of the black blood from his face, leaving his face painted in shades of black and red. Then walked and grabbed the spear the Guard had dropped, and leveled it at the Chieftain. "Come here, you cowardly fuck," he muttered under his breath with the energy he had to spare. His Essence reserves were nearly empty, kael only enhancing his arms to make it last, his limbs were heavy, his wounds screaming at him¡ªbut this was it. Kael charged. The Chieftain, no longer grinning, raised its staff in defense. Kael lunged, thrusting the spear forward. The Chieftain parried, blocking the strike in time. Kael pressed harder, forcing the Chieftain to stagger backward, trying to hold off his assault. Then, finally ready, in a final act of desperation, it raised its free hand, palm glowing. With the spear and the staff at a standstill, Kael reacted instantly. He grabbed its wrist, forcing its palm away just enough that as the energy bolt fired, the blast hit the ground harmlessly. The Chieftain¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. Kael took advantage, kicking it hard in the stomach, forcing it back. The next thrust of the spear finally landed. The sharp tip pierced the hide it wore as clothing and into the Chieftain¡¯s side, a deep, guttural sound escaping its throat. The monster grabbed the spear shaft, its hand starting to glow. Kael tried to pull it free, but the Chieftain¡¯s grip was too strong. He watched as black smoke hissed from its fingers, burning through the wood. Soon after the spear snapped in half, leaving Kael with a broken shaft. Looking up from the piece of the spear in his hands, he saw the Chieftain smirking, thinking itself victorious. Kael stabbed the broken remains he held directly into its chest. The Chieftain¡¯s smirk froze in place. Kael leaned in close. "As long as it''s sharp enough on one end, that''s good enough, you dumb shit." The Chieftain¡¯s body jerked, a choking sound escaping its lips. Then¡ªit fell backward, hitting the ground. Kael followed it not wanting to let go and landed on top of it, breathing heavily, exhaustion crashing over him. But the fight wasn¡¯t over yet. The Chieftain¡¯s staff hand moved. His reaction having slowed down due to exhaustion before Kael could react, it pressed the crystal on top of its staff against his side. What followed was pure pain. The green crystal glowed, then exploded. A wave of agony tore through his body, the force blasting part of his flesh away. Kael fell to the side, his vision flashing white, the pain all that there was. Blood gushed from the wound, soaking into the dirt. For a second, he felt weightless, his body numb, the world spinning around him. Then¡ªthe notifications appeared. [ Experience Gained! ] [ You have leveled up! ] [ Quest Complete! ] [ Calculating reward....] Kael let out a ragged breath. It was over. He had won. But as he lay there, the pain throbbing through his side, the blood pooling beneath him, a single thought echoed in his mind. Yes, it was worth it. Chapter 41: To health Kael¡¯s mind was hazy. He could hear a voice, distant yet familiar, talking to him. The words were muffled like he was hearing them from underwater. ¡°¡­Violence won¡¯t be worth it, Kael.¡± The voice was firm but held a sorrowful edge. Kael felt like he was back in that medical room, the sterile scent of disinfectant lingering in the air. He remembered sitting on a hospital bed, the weight of exhaustion and grief pressing on his chest. ¡°Think about what you¡¯re doing.¡± Kael could see a blurred figure sitting across from him. ¡°You know what happens next if you go through with this.¡± He wanted to respond, but he couldn¡¯t find his voice. The figure leaned forward, expression unreadable. ¡°Do you really want this to be the way you remember them?¡± Kael blinked. The words echoed in his head. For a moment the image of the guard killing its lesser kin and that betrayer merged. Then, just as suddenly as the scene had appeared¡ªit was gone. A sharp chime pulled Kael back into reality. His vision cleared, the bright glow of a System notification lingering before his eyes. [ Reward Calculation Complete. ] Reward Granted: [Inventory Ring] (Uncommon) Reward Granted: [Health Potion] (Uncommon - Medium Quality) Kael blinked sluggishly, his thoughts slow. The pain he felt was crushing, his left side was a sizzling mess of exposed flesh and blood. Even focusing on the message was hard. But one word stuck out to him. Health. He barely had time to process the meaning of that single word, before he heard the distinct clinking of glass hitting the dirt right next to his head. His eyes rolled to the side, his body too weak to fully move. Lying in the dirt, barely an inch from his face, was a glass vial. It was elegant, and well-crafted, with a deep red liquid sloshing inside. A cork seal kept the contents in place, and despite landing on dirt, the bottle looked untouched. Pristine. Kael''s mind lagged, struggling to keep up with his body¡¯s screaming demands for survival. He was bleeding out. That much was obvious. His core was also practically empty. He had lost too much blood, and even if nothing else came to finish him off, he would die here. It was only a matter of minutes. Kael swallowed thickly, the iron tang of blood coating his tongue. He had two choices. He could accept death, let himself slip away into oblivion, or¡ªTry the potion. For all he knew, it wouldn¡¯t work. Or worse¡ªhe had no idea what was actually in the bottle. But at this point, it didn¡¯t matter, and the system so far hasn''t done anything to harm him. His hand twitched, and then slowly, weakly, he reached out. Even that tiny amount of movement sent shockwaves of pain through his body. Kaels fingers brushed against the cool glass, but unable to grip it properly. Gritting his bloodied teeth, he forced his arm to move more. His fingers curled around the bottle, dragging it closer. Then, with all the strength he could muster, Kael bit down on the cork and pulled. The cork popped free, and instantly, the strong scent of herbs and something faintly metallic hit his nose. Kael didn¡¯t waste time. He tilted the bottle, pouring the thick liquid into his mouth, swallowing it. The first thing he noticed was that it was warm, almost soothing, and with an oddly earthy taste. Before he could process anything, two things happened at once. First. The glass bottle vanished from his grip. It simply disappeared, as if it had never been there. Then, the pain changed. A sensation of itching spread throughout his body. Kael¡¯s breath hitched as he watched his wounds begin to stitch together before his eyes. The torn flesh sealed, the open gashes mended, and the bleeding slowed until there was nothing left. Kael¡¯s head spun. He lifted one weak arm, inspecting where his side had been torn apart. The wound was gone. All that remained was the same skin as before and faint traces of dried blood where the injury had once been. His arms, once covered in deep bleeding cuts, were now unmarred. Even the bruises, the swelling, the smallest of the recent wounds¡ªgone. But he noticed that his old healed scars before tonight remained untouched. Kael¡¯s breathing slowed the clouded haze of pain and blood loss lifting as his body regained its strength. His muscles no longer screamed in protest. His vision cleared, and his head no longer throbbed. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. He felt¡­ alive. Kael slowly, shakily, pushed himself upright. His limbs wobbled, but he didn¡¯t collapse. He stood, unsteady but whole. His gaze flicked downward. Beneath him, the ground was drenched in blood¡ªhis blood. Some of it had mixed with the Chieftain''s, forming dark puddles beneath their fallen bodies that were being absorbed by the dirt. He glanced around, just in case. Finding that the glass bottle was still nowhere to be seen. But something else caught his eye. Kael lifted his right hand, his fingers brushing against something cold. On his middle finger, a dark silver ring glinted in the firelight. Kael furrowed his brows. The Inventory Ring. The reward from his quest. Kael brought up his full status screen, hoping for some clue on its function. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 13 EXP: 4 / 100% Rank: Mortal Stats: Titles: Skills: Equipment: It was listed under equipment and simply labeled as an inventory ring. It said nothing more than where it came from and that it was usable by only him. Kael let out a slow sigh. How unhelpful. His eyes drifted to the burning remains of the village. Even now, the flames were still devouring the last wooden structures. The scent of burning corpses and charred wood filled the air. Kael inhaled, then exhaled. His body had healed, but his Essence reserves were completely drained. He wasn¡¯t safe here. He was covered in blood, reeking of death and exhaustion. If he stepped into the forest now, he wouldn¡¯t last a minute. Kael turned away from the trees. His only option was to head further into the grasslands. Away from the bodies. Away from the predators. At least until daylight came. With one last look around, Kael took his first slow, unsteady step away. Followed by another. And another. He left the ruined village and forest behind, disappearing into the open plains. The further he went, the quieter everything became. The sounds of firewood crackling, being left behind with the village. The suffocating smell of charred flesh and blood still clung to his skin, but the air itself felt lighter. Even with his wounds healed, his body ached, his muscles sluggish from exhaustion. He wasn¡¯t fully recovered, not yet. He also still felt that deep hollow fatigue his core gave off when he used up his Essence, or got close to doing so. Every step forward felt heavier, but he kept moving. He knew staying too close to the battlefield wasn¡¯t an option. Kael walked for nearly an hour, the moons above guiding his path. The massive silver moon shone brightest, flanked by the smaller red and blue moons, painting the sky in an ethereal glow. The clouds had drifted, revealing a vast expanse of stars. Kael found a small rise in the terrain, not quite a hill, but just high enough to give him a better vantage point. Satisfied, he lowered himself onto the grass, letting out a long, controlled breath. The night was calm here. Distant gusts of wind rustled through the grass, creating a gentle, rhythmic sound. He simply lay there, looking up at the night sky. For a long while, he did nothing. No thoughts. No movement. Just breathing. The fatigue pressed into him, but he resisted sleep the best he could. He was safe for now, but still couldn''t let his guard down completely. Instead, after a while, he closed his eyes and focused inward. Kael sank into his core space. Once inside, he could feel the lingering emptiness, that faint, hollowness in his core, showing how close he was to fully emptying his Essence reserves after the brutal fight. Had the fight lasted half a minute longer Kael had no doubts he would have passed out. He needed to fix that. So, with deliberate control, he began actively pulling in Essence. The familiar spiraling motion started, though sluggishly at first. The more he focused, the stronger the pull became. His core hungrily absorbed the Essence, the swirling energy gradually filling the void then the core. Kael repeated the process three times, each cycle restoring more of his reserves. By the third and final round, he felt the hollow feeling leaving his limbs and soul. Even though his body was stable, actively manipulating his Essence regeneration after everything he had been through left him mentally exhausted. Kael exhaled, releasing the focus, letting himself return fully to the physical world. He blinked up at the night sky, his breathing slow. Kael stayed still, his back against the grass. His mind wandered, reflecting on everything that had happened. How close he had come to dying as well as how much luck had played a part. Kael lifted his hand, staring at his fingers. The ring. Its dark silver surface gleamed faintly under the moonlight appearing almost black in the absence of direct light. It was plain, unadorned, yet he knew it wasn¡¯t just some simple trinket. After all, it was a reward given by The System just like that miracle potion. And if the potion had saved his life, the ring must have a hidden function, something to do with it being called an inventory ring. He lowered his hand, staring up at the sky again. ¡°What now?¡± he muttered. Kael didn¡¯t have an immediate answer to that question. But for now, he didn¡¯t need one. His wounds were healed, and for the first time in weeks, he had no quest saying he was being hunted down, even if he knew that had stopped being true for a while now. Looking around, Kael saw no sign of monsters lurking just out of sight. It was just him, the silent plains, and the endless night sky. For now, that was enough. Kael closed his eyes, allowing himself to rest unable to keep the tiredness away anymore his ring-adorned hand loosely curling together. chapter 42: Interlude-The Woman in the Ward The walls were too white. They were smooth, cold, and sterile as if their entire purpose was to drain the existence of anything remotely alive. A single dim light flickered overhead, its glow humming with the faintest buzz, a noise that had long since become part of the background. It was a small room, barely large enough to fit the single bed, as well as the bolted-down desk and chair. No mirrors, and no loose objects to be found anywhere. A woman sat on the bed, her gray eyes half-lidded, staring at nothing. Then, the door clicked. She didn¡¯t react at first, not until she heard the steps of someone entering. A woman in medical scrubs stood in the doorway, clutching a clipboard. "You have a visitor," the worker said, her tone flat. The woman on the bed tilted her head slightly, her long dark hair shifting over her shoulders. "Is it her again?" The worker¡¯s lips pressed together, an exasperated sigh slipping past. "Yeah." The woman¡¯s smirk widened. "Persistent, isn¡¯t she?" The worker crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway. "You¡¯d think she would¡¯ve given up by now." The woman swung her legs over the side of the bed, stretching lazily. "Yeah, Normally you¡¯d think that," she mused. Then, followed up with a low chuckle, "But that¡¯s what happens when you¡¯re delusional. I have said it many times, she should be locked up here with me." The worker scoffed. "You¡¯re not funny." The woman grinned at the comment. "A shame. I think I¡¯m hilarious." The worker rolled her eyes before motioning to the two men standing behind her. Unlike the nurse lady, these two weren¡¯t like the rest of the nurses. They were built like security guards, their expressions unreadable and neutral. The woman¡¯s smirk didn¡¯t waver, and she didn¡¯t miss the caution in their posture. They weren¡¯t here just to escort her. They were here to contain her if necessary. The woman stood slowly making sure her movements were calm, and calculated. She wasn¡¯t stupid. They weren¡¯t cautious of her because she was physically imposing. They were wary because they knew what she had done. And what she was capable of. One of the men stepped forward, gesturing for her to move. "Let¡¯s go." She sighed dramatically. "You guys really don¡¯t trust me, huh?" Neither of them answered. With an amused shake of her head, the woman walked ahead, letting them position themselves behind her. She could feel their eyes on her back as they moved down the narrow hallway. The walk was short but tense. They passed other rooms, some occupied, others empty. A few of the other patients glanced out of the vision-lighted doors as they walked by, some blank-faced, others muttering to themselves. The woman paid them no mind. She had seen far worse than whatever vacant stares they threw her way. When they reached the meeting room, she was quickly guided inside. Like the times before, the first thing she noticed was the thick, transparent plastic sheet separating the room in two. The guards did not follow her further into the room remaining by the door, arms crossed. She walked forward without hesitation, sitting in the plain metal chair on her side of the barrier. And there she was, sitting across the partition, her mother. The older woman shared her dark hair and sharp features¡ªbut that was where their similarities ended. Where the woman had sharpness, her mother had a softness, an aura of someone desperate to keep up appearances. ¡°How many times do I have to tell you?¡± the woman started, her voice mocking. ¡°Stop coming here, Mother.¡± Her mother¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°I had to see you.¡± The woman rolled her eyes. ¡°Of course, you did.¡± Her mother ignored the jab. ¡°I tried calling your brother again.¡± At those words, the woman''s bored demeanor shifted. A slow smile crept across her lips, her gray eyes glinting. "Oh? And?" Her mother sighed, shaking her head. ¡°He still won¡¯t answer, no matter how many times I call him.¡± The woman let out a sharp, humorless laugh. ¡°I wonder why.¡± Her mother¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°This is all his fault, the least he could do is pick up.¡± The woman¡¯s smile vanished. Her mother continued, voice tinged with defensiveness. ¡°Even after everything, even after his bad influence on you¡ª¡± The woman¡¯s head tilted. "Bad influence?" Her mother pressed on, either ignoring or oblivious to the shift in tone. ¡°I tried to correct his behavior when he was younger. I sent him away to discipline him, and the moment he came back, he put you in here.¡± The woman stared at her, listening. Not interrupting. Not saying a word. Just watching. When her mother finally fell silent, the woman exhaled. "Tell me something, Mother." Her mother frowned. "What? And stop calling me mother in that tone, you know I don''t like that." The woman leaned forward slightly, resting her arms on the thin metal table between them, ignoring the request. "When do you think I first met him?" Her mother blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What?¡± "The first time I truly met my brother," the woman clarified. "Do you know when that was?" Her mother¡¯s brows furrowed in confusion. "What kind of question is that?" You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. The woman¡¯s smile returned, but it was different now. It was sharper. Much colder. "It was also the last time I saw him," she said simply, hearing that her mother stiffened. "It was the day he came back. And it was the first time I really saw him as my brother." She let the words hang in the air, watching as her mother¡¯s face paled. "For the longest time," the woman continued, "I thought he wasn¡¯t even completely related to us. That he had to be the child of an affair you had or something." Her mother visibly stiffened. "How dare you imply¡ª" "Oh, relax." The woman waved a hand dismissively. "I don¡¯t care, or think that anymore." She tilted her head, studying her mother¡¯s reaction. "But I did wonder for a long time. He was nothing like me, nothing like the eldest. Other than the features we shared, we had nothing in common." Her mother opened her mouth, but the woman kept talking. "Unlike our older brother, who was weak-minded¡ªresentful and small in his anger¡ªhe was different." A glint of something dangerous flickered in her gaze. "That day, when he came back from wherever he had been sent to, I saw it in his eyes." She exhaled, voice dropping to a whisper. "Hatred. Pure, undying hatred. It burned like a star." She leaned back, exhaling softly. "It was the most beautiful thing I''d ever seen." Her mother¡¯s face twisted with anger. "Stop talking like that!" The woman grinned. "Why? Does it bother you? It''s not like we are the most mentally balanced family in the world. Take a look around where you are." Her mother looked horrified as if she couldn''t believe what she was hearing. Then, the world shook. The lights flickered and went off, and soon after everything disappeared. The woman gasped, finding herself floating in a dark nothingness. All around her were countless faces, and among the closest ones some were even familiar to her. Not long after arriving in this strange place, she saw a fantastical vision of Earth changing and merging with other things, soon followed by an all-encompassing voice. "Inhabitants of this new world. You, along with your old worlds, have been integrated into the greater whole of the multiverse." As the voice continued speaking, the woman''s lips tipped upwards. "Well now," she muttered. "What the hell is this?"
Integration? Was she having a fever dream from bad medication? She had stopped taking that crap a while ago, but maybe the doctors had found out and slipped something into her food. And she was unlucky or lucky to get the bad batch. Before she could dwell on it, something shifted. A rush of energy flooded her veins like molten fire, igniting every nerve in her body. Her breath caught, and her fingers started twitching as her body convulsed from the overwhelming sensation. Along with the bodily sensations, numbers, symbols, and unreadable text flashed in her mind. But she didn¡¯t scream. She embraced it. Let it consume her. Then¡ªjust as suddenly as it came, the sensation vanished. She gasped, inhaling sharply, her body no longer weightless. The void around her collapsed, and reality returned. Now different than before. A thick, wet fog clung to the air, coiling through the trees in heavy tendrils. The ground beneath her was damp, covered in decaying leaves and sickly looking plants. The trees themselves were wrong. Their trunks were warped, and their bark split open in places, revealing sickly pus. The woman exhaled, her breath visible in the cold air. Then, the screaming started. Distant voices, scattered through the fog. Some shouting for help others crying in confusion. A few sounded desperate, their voices barely above whispers. She turned her head, scanning the area, trying to make sense of what was happening. It didn''t take her long to notice, lying on the damp ground, looking terrified, was her mother. The older woman was pale, her wide eyes darting around the foggy surroundings, her hands trembling as she struggled to push herself up. The woman tilted her head slightly, observing. For a brief moment, she wondered if this was a dream. And if it was, it was the most vivid one she had ever had. Her mother¡¯s panicked gaze locked onto her. "What¡¯s happening?!" she shrieked, her voice high-pitched with fear. The woman took a single step forward. "I don¡¯t know," she mused. "But¡­ if this is a dream, I think, I¡¯ll enjoy it." Her mother didn¡¯t seem to hear her. She was too busy looking around wildly, trying to make sense of things. The woman crouched, lowering herself to eye level with her mother. "Mom." The word came out in a much more familiar tone than the normal overly formal, passive-aggressive mother she usually addressed her as. Her mother flinched, surprised, then looked at her. "You know, I¡¯ve been thinking about this for a while." Her mother¡¯s face twisted in confusion. "W-what?" The woman reached out, gripping her mother¡¯s throat. She then squeezed. Hard. Her mother¡¯s eyes bulged, hands immediately flying up to remove the woman''s wrists. But she struggled, thrashing in the dirt, her feet kicking hard against the damp ground. The woman watched her, unfazed. "That you¡¯re pathetic." Her mother let out a choked, strangled gasp. She tried to pry the fingers from her throat, but she was too weak to do so either. "It''s from you Devin inherited that weakness, to take the coward''s way out of things," the woman whispered, leaning in closer. "But you never take responsibility for anything, do you?" Her mother¡¯s mouth opened and closed, her eyes pleading, but the woman¡¯s grip only tightened. Unyielding. "You let everything fall apart around you, then blame it on everyone else." Her mother¡¯s movements slowed. "I am tired of being you¡¯re delusional attempt to prove to people, how you haven''t utterly failed as a wife twice, and as a mother three times over." The woman sighed. "I am who I am, Kael knew that. That''s why he had me be put in the institution. Even if I am not happy with that arrangement, at least he did something. Instead of pretending like I was some good girl, and that nothing was wrong like you did Eleanor." Eleanor''s body convulsed once, twice, then stilled. The woman held her throat a little longer, just to be sure. Then, she let go. The lifeless body slumped into the damp earth. At the same time, a soft chime echoed in her ears. [ Experience Gained: +18 EXP ] [ Title Acquired: Early Murder ] Awarded for delivering your first kill on a humanoid after System integration. Effect: +5% increased damage on the first attack against Humanoids. The woman blinked. "...Huh." Her gaze flickered to the floating texts, lingering in the air like an afterthought. She tilted her head. "That¡¯s new." However, the moment was short-lived. A sound cut through the fog, low, deep, and unmistakable. At the same time silencing all the cries coming from people in the fog. A howl. Long and drawn out, filled with hunger. The woman slowly turned her head toward the noise. The fog shifted, parting just enough for her to see the vague outline of something moving. Large. Four-legged. Lurking just beyond the mist. Another howl followed, this time closer. Then¡ªglowing yellow eyes pierced through the fog, locking onto her. "Oh." Chapter 43: The Day after Gloomkin A warmth spread across Kael¡¯s face, rousing him from unconsciousness. His eyelids fluttered open, just for him to be immediately assaulted by the brightness of the sun overhead. He let out a groggy groan, raising an arm to shield his eyes from the light. His body felt rejuvenated, the aches and exhaustion from the night before now significantly dulled. Kael blinked several times, trying to clear the spots in his vision, his mind clearing as he sat up. He then rested his arms on his knees while he took a slow, deep breath. He had survived the night. The realization sank in as he flexed his fingers, feeling the renewed strength in his limbs. If it wasn''t for the healing potion from his quest reward, that would not have been the case. He had been on the verge of death, his body torn apart and bleeding out into the dirt, yet now, there was no trace except for a lingering soreness where his wounds had been. Even then, it was barely an inconvenience. His eyes darted around, scanning the landscape as he fully woke up. The vast plains stretch out endlessly opposite the forest. The morning light bathed the land in a golden glow, the tall grass swaying gently in the breeze. Everything felt¡­ fresh. The crisp, clean air filled his lungs with every breath, unlike anything he had ever experienced back on Earth. Kael let his gaze drift toward the horizon, taking in his surroundings properly now that there was good lighting, compared to the light from the moons. Ahead of him, the dense wall of enormous trees loomed in the distance, marking the boundary of the forest. A thin wisp of white smoke rose from the remains of the Gloomkin village he had burned to the ground. Looking at the smoke, Kael had a revelation on how dumb that might have been, given that he had no idea how easily flammable some of the vegetation was. After all, he was in a world of magic, where anything was possible. Kael chagrined thinking about how he risked almost starting a forest fire, in his eager quest to kill some monsters. Avoiding thinking more about his now poorly thought-out and executed plan. Kael let his eyes follow the treeline, noting how it stretched far to the right and left, seemingly endless. The forest was vast, far larger than he had originally thought. Turning his head in the opposite direction, Kael surveyed the open plains behind him. The terrain was mostly flat, but here and there, small rises and dips in the land formed gentle hills. And in the far, far distance, Kael saw towering shapes. Mountains. They were distant, their peaks barely visible through the slight haze of morning light. Kael exhaled, his gaze lingering on the distant range. A world ten times larger than before¡­ I shouldn¡¯t be surprised. The sheer scale of everything was breathtaking. This land was untouched, raw in its beauty, and equally filled with dangers he had only begun to understand. A gust of wind swept past him, carrying with it the smallest scent of charred wood and a hint of something more foul. The reminder pulled him back to reality. Shaking off his moment of reflection, Kael turned his attention to the Inventory ring still sitting snugly on his right hand. He had almost forgotten about it, given how well it fitted his finger. Kael raised his hand, inspecting the simple band of dark silver. It was smooth, unadorned, and lacked any visible markings or engravings. It didn¡¯t look particularly special, yet the System had rewarded it, along with the potion, for killing an entire encampment worth of monsters. ¡°How does this thing work?¡± he muttered. Curious, he slid the ring off his finger, holding it between his fingers as he turned it over. There were no buttons, no hidden mechanisms, nothing that hinted at how to activate or use it. After another few minutes of fidgeting with it, he sighed. Kael had always enjoyed puzzles, but from what he could see and feel, this wasn¡¯t some complex mechanism to cleverly twist or shake. All signs pointed to it being a magical item. A System-created magical item. He straightened his back and thought for a moment. If this was tied to the System, then there was a chance Essence was the key. It was the only thing that made sense. With that in mind, Kael focused, forming a small Essence sphere in his left palm. Carefully, he pressed the orb against the ring. Nothing happened. The ring didn¡¯t react, didn¡¯t glow, it just sat there. Unmoving. Kael exhaled, dismissing the sphere before rubbing his temple. Okay, what about reinforcement? He had experience reinforcing objects with Essence before. Maybe the ring functioned the same way? Kael let his Essence flow freely from his right hand, hoping that the ring would slowly absorb the free, will-less Essence the same way other objects did. Again, nothing. Kael could feel frustration bubbling up. As a final attempt, he tried actively willing his Essence into the ring, much like he did with his Essence-shaped constructs. He had never been able to force Essence into non-construct objects before, so he had not much hope in this working. And to his surprise, it did work. The moment he pushed his Essence into the ring, in the back of his mind, Kael became aware of a space, a void of sorts. It wasn¡¯t a physical location, but he could sense it, like an empty room lingering just at the edge of his perception. Kael¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°...So that¡¯s how it works.¡± Getting an idea, and wanting to test this newfound awareness, he reached down and plucked a single blade of grass from the ground. Holding it in his right hand, he willed a tiny fraction of Essence into the ring again. This time focusing on moving the grass into the empty space he felt, as he did so. The blade of grass vanished. Kael¡¯s lips parted slightly in amazement. He could feel it in the ring, just¡­ sitting there. Like an object stored in a pocket. He then infused Essence again and imagined pulling it back out, and just as before, the grass reappeared in his hand, unchanged. A slow grin spread across his face. He could feel a rough estimation of the space inside the ring, which was twenty-two square meters, a not-so-small amount of space if he were to say so. Kael couldn''t stop being amazed by it, or imagine how useful this incredible tool would be. That''s when his stomach decided to grumble loudly, breaking his focus. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Kael blinked, then chuckled. He quickly stood, stretching out his limbs and rolling his shoulders. His body felt light, refreshed, and ready. He guessed he would need that. Glancing toward the distant forest, Kael exhaled. He had a long trek ahead of him. He needed to wash off the dry blood, dirt, and everything else that had gotten on him, as well as find food as soon as possible. With that in mind, he started walking. As Kael moved closer to the treeline, he turned his path toward the rising smoke in the distance. The remains of the Gloomkin village still smoldering in places, a few thin columns of white smoke drifting into the sky. When he arrived at the charred ruins, he quickly noticed something. The bodies were gone. Or rather, what was left of them had been picked clean. Kael scanned the area, noting that where corpses once lay, only bones and scraps remained. The Gloomkin who had fallen into the fires had been dragged away, their bodies reduced to scattered remains. He crouched down, brushing his fingers against the dirt. There were multiple sets of tracks coming in different sizes and shapes on the ground. Some paw-like, others reptilian. It appeared the predators of the forest had feasted well last night. Kael grimaced. If he had remained in the area, he had no doubt he would have faced the same fate as these remains. Shaking off the thought, he turned toward the center of the encampment, making his way toward the clearing where the Chieftain¡¯s hut and the platform once stood. Arriving, Kael sifted through the collapsed remains of the hut as best he could, kicking aside ash and burned wood, searching for his knife. But as he dug through the debris, a sigh left his lips. His knife was gone. Either buried too deeply under the burnt remains or ruined. Kael didn''t think the metal part would melt in the fire, but either way it was gone. Kael stood, brushing the ash from his hands. Damn it. He had grown used to the knife. It had been an essential tool for skinning beasts and animals, as well as cutting up the meat into sizes. This would make things harder, at least for a while, until he could make a proper knife with his Essence.
With one last glance at the ruined village, Kael turned away from the ruins and headed north along the treeline, keeping a careful eye on the forest. He wasn¡¯t in any hurry to step back into the dense woods, not yet. He didn¡¯t know what was still lurking from the previous night¡¯s feast, so it was best to remain cautious. After about a couple of minutes of walking, Kael finally reached the edge of the forest. The shade of the towering trees swallowed some of the sunlight, casting deep shadows over the ground. He stopped just before entering, scanning the underbrush for any movement. The forest was just as quiet as usual, but not in a way that suggested safety. He knew better than to think that. Kael took a moment, then stepped forward, re-entering the woods. As he moved through the trees, Kael kept his footsteps light and deliberate, careful not to step on twigs or loose foliage that could give away his presence. Every few steps, he paused, listening. The deeper he went, the denser the vegetation became, the towering trees stretching so high their canopies blocked most of the daylight. The atmosphere was warm and damp, the scent of earth and moss thick in the air. Kael kept his senses sharp, scanning for any signs of predators or leftover scavengers that might still be lingering and could smell him. Finding nothing so far. But then, a flicker of movement caught his attention. Kael froze, his hand instinctively clenching. His eyes tracked the movement, spotting a small, twitching shape nestled between the roots of a tree. His grip relaxed slightly. It wasn¡¯t a predator. It was just a hare, one that had presented itself as a decent meal. Kael took a careful step forward, lowering his stance. The animal was partially concealed, its fur blending well with the dappled forest floor. But it hadn¡¯t noticed him yet. Kael slowly maneuvered around, positioning himself downwind so his scent wouldn¡¯t reach it. He stepped lightly, his breathing controlled, every movement precise. The hare shifted, its small nose twitching as it cautiously poked its head out from its hiding spot. Now. Kael lunged forward, his Essence-enhanced left hand snapped out, fingers closing around the animal¡¯s back before it could get away. The hare thrashed violently, its small claws scraping against his arm in a desperate attempt to escape. But Kael¡¯s grip was firm. With a sharp, efficient motion, he snapped its neck. The struggle ceased instantly, and the hare went limp in his grasp. Having a question and an idea, he adjusted his grip, holding the fresh kill in his right hand with the ring. Then he infused the ring with Essence and focused on moving the fresh kill into the inventory space. Kael watched as the dead hare disappeared, and felt it appear in the ring. Well, that answers that question. Now, Kael wanted to see if the same applied to living things, but that would have to wait. Satisfied with his finding and no longer having to carry the hare physically, he turned toward the east, with both his hands free. Kael continued through the forest, carefully navigating. His journey was long, but he had learned the layout of this part of the woods well enough. What also helped was that he recognized certain landmarks that helped him navigate better. All the while, he never stopped to stay alert for any potential threats, but the forest continued to remain silent. After sometime of steady movement, he heard the all-too-familiar sound of running water. Kael picked up his pace, checking if the coast was clear, he then stepped into the clearing where the river ran through the forest. The current glistened under the sunlight, the crystal-clear water flowing over smooth stones. Not wasting time, he stepped toward the water¡¯s edge, rolling his shoulders before crouching down. Then he reached into the water, scooping it into his palms and splashing it over his face. The sensation was heavenly. He scrubbed at the dried blood on his hands and face, feeling the grime wash away. Looking closer, his reflection rippled in the water, his features sharp and unkempt. His dark hair was tangled, his face splattered with both his own blood and that of the Gloomkin. His eyes, though, remained steady. Focused. Kael stared at himself for a moment longer before shaking his head. He still had a long way to go. What followed was another long trek, as his hunger kept growing. But he pressed on. Following the river upstream, Kael moved with a renewed purpose. He needed to reach the waterfall. He needed to wash properly off the blood and filth clinging to his skin, he wouldn''t feel safe otherwise. And, most of all, he needed to eat. Kael finally arrived at his destination, the sound of falling water greeting him first as he stepped into the clearing of the waterfall. The sunlight streamed down, illuminating the mist that rose where the water crashed into the pool below. The air was fresh, the scent of wet stone and earth strong. He had made it back. Kael felt an odd sense of relief wash over at that. Standing, he started to strip off his tattered bloodstained clothes and stepped into the water fully. The warmness of the water felt incredible against his skin. He submerged himself under the waterfall, letting the water cleanse away the last traces of filth, as he scrubbed all over with one of the cloth strips he had left. Then, after a period of aggressive cleaning, Kael emerged from the waterfall. Even without soap, he felt much cleaner than he had in the past couple of hours. Kael made his way to his dirty clothing, doing the same rudimentary cleaning for them as well. Before he then, left the water, twisting what was left of his clothing so it would dry faster, and retrieved the hare he had caught from his ring. Kael''s stomach growled in protest, desperately reminding him of his nutritional needs. It was finally his turn to feast. Chapter 44: Progress. Kael crouched, eyeing the scattered stones along the water¡¯s edge. He reached down and picked up two rocks, feeling their weight in his palms. The first was broad and smooth, while the other had a sharper edge. This wasn''t an ideal solution, but he wasn¡¯t spoiled for choice. With measured force, Kael struck one rock against the other, chipping away at the edges, in an attempt to shave off a thin, sharp piece. With each impact, the sound of stones meeting echoed faintly across the clearing. He adjusted his grip when needed, striking at an angle to create a usable shard. After several strikes, a thin fragment broke away. Kael inspected it closely. The piece had a jagged edge, not sharp enough to be compared to a knife, but it would do the job. Satisfied, he put the shard into the ring, not wanting to risk the edge being ruined. He then stood, glancing around. After confirming that, nothing had been attracted by the noise, he stepped into the trees with the hare in hand. Kael moved with purposeful steps, leaving the clearing and the waterfall behind. After finding a small, relatively empty patch of ground, a reasonable distance away, he knelt and pulled the stone shard from his inventory ring. It felt strange, to retrieve something from what was essentially a weightless, room-sized void, it felt like pulling an object from thin air. But equally strange was that he was already growing used to it, and the conveniences it offered. Kael set the hare down and gripped his makeshift knife. Skinning an animal was precision work, usually, he had a more reliable tool, and doing so with such a crude instrument only made it more difficult. The sharp edge of the stone did its job, though it required effort and patience. He worked carefully, peeling the hide and exposing the muscle beneath. The scent of fresh meat filled the air, mixing with the earthy aroma of the forest. With slow, deliberate movements, Kael carved away at the flesh, cutting it into manageable pieces. He placed the raw meat into his inventory ring, watching as the chunks vanished from sight. Once he had collected enough from the carcass, Kael dug a small hole in the dirt and buried the remaining scraps, ensuring not too much scent lingered to attract scavengers. Finished with his task, he stood and brushed the dirt from his hands. On his way back to the waterfall, Kael made sure to keep an eye out for kindling. He gathered sticks and dry leaves, placing them all into his inventory ring. Checking on the space inside the ring, he couldn¡¯t help but marvel yet again. Kael noticed that even though everything went to the same place, they were separated from each other by a small distance, so they didn''t touch. He had never been one for material attachment, but having such a big, well-thought-out storage space, easily accessible anytime, suddenly made him consider the appeal of hoarding. As he returned to the waterfall, Kael slipped behind the cascading water and into his usual cooking spot. He pulled out his gathered kindling and using the same friction-based method, Kael lit a small flame and carefully fed it dry twigs, coaxing it into a stable burn. Soon, a warm glow flickered beneath the rock overhang, casting faint shadows against the cavern walls. Once the fire was steady, Kael retrieved several pieces of meat and set them over the flames. The rich scent of roasting flesh soon filled the air. As the first pieces finished cooking, Kael took a bite, savoring the taste. It was plain, lacking any seasoning, but by now that had stopped to matter, his taste buds having gotten used to it. As he ate, his mind went back to a thought from earlier. Something had and still felt¡­ off. He had noticed it before, but now as he was eating, it was undeniable. Kael was hungrier than usual. He frowned, chewing thoughtfully. It wasn¡¯t just normal hunger, it was an almost urgent need for sustenance. Typically, even with physical exertion, he could go much longer without feeling this level of hunger. If anything, since gaining levels, his endurance had only increased, meaning he required less rest and recovery time. So why was he feeling starved? His mind went over the possibilities, finally settling on the potion. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. It was the only unusual factor. The healing had been near-instantaneous, closing wounds that should have been life-threatening and some that would have taken days or weeks to mend. It made sense that such a process would require energy, perhaps the potion forced his body into overdrive, accelerating the recovery beyond natural limits. And if that was the case, it stood to reason that his body now needed to replenish the resources that had been burned up in that process. Kael sighed, perhaps he was overthinking things, he would not know more by just sitting here, and speculating. With that thought, he finished the last piece of meat. His hunger had subsided somewhat after the meal, but he knew that he would need to find some more food later. For now, he focused on other tasks. He doused the fire, camouflaging the cooking station, and made his way toward his cave. The trek through the forest was a slow, methodical process. Kael still stuck to his routine of taking convoluted steps to hide his tracks, even if the Gloomkin were no longer an issue. There was no reason for him to make a new one, due to carelessness. It also offered a chance for him to gather even more resources, now that he didn''t need to worry about his carrying capacity. Kael picked up fallen branches, stones, and anything else that might be useful. It wasn¡¯t long before he encountered the ring¡¯s first restriction, size. While he could store an impressive volume of items, he quickly learned that anything too large wouldn¡¯t be stored. He found this out when he had attempted to store a boulder roughly half his height, hoping to use it to block the inner entrance of his cave. When he placed his right hand on the boulder, the rock remained stubbornly in place, refusing to be stored no matter how many times he infused Essence into the ring. Kael clicked his tongue but didn¡¯t dwell on it. He opted for a more practical approach, gathering sizable rocks that did enter the inventory space, which he could stack instead. By the time he reached his cave, his inventory was significantly fuller. He had collected more than enough firewood to burn down the village several times over, and a variety of other materials he could use for different things. Things, that would help with upgrading his current home from the Stone Age. Arriving at the entrance to the cave, Kael removed the makeshift camouflage covering the entrance, stepping inside before replacing it. The familiar narrow tunnel leading toward the cave proper greeted him. Kael moved through the space, his feet finding the path without issue. As he reached the inner sanctum, having removed the remaining barricade, he sat down on his makeshift bed. The reason Kael had made the track to his cave. When he instead could have just as well done this part of his day in the clearing with the waterfall. It was because he wanted to be in a safe place, and not worry about something sneaking up on him. While, he was too focused on his practice with Essence manipulation, to notice. Kael started as he always did, by refining his connection to his core. He exercised connecting and retracting the Essence tendril, the same one he had succeeded in connecting to his body yesterday. Kael wanted to improve the ease with, which he could move the tendril around. Having found out that, the time and effort he put into improving his control, and will over the tendrils, helped when he eventually attempted to upgrade to a bigger tendril. Satisfied, he moved on to his Body Reinforcement, practicing how quickly he could enhance his limbs. He treated it like a military drill, repeating the process over and over again. To see if he could improve how fast he could activate, and deactivate the enhancement. It reminded him of his time as a soldier, when they would compete over how quickly someone could disassemble, and reassemble their firearms. This was something Kael needed to do, and get better at every time he upgraded the connection to his core. After an hour of rigorous practice, Kael moved on to his main focus. Essence Shaping. He was in a stalemate for now, when it came to his body reinforcement. To make more improvements in enhancing his body, Kael needed to improve the size of the tendril yet again. Bigger tendrils meant more Essence, which meant stronger enhancement. But having just recently upgraded the size, there was not much more, he could do, other than attempt to enhance his organs or brain. Which, Kael continued to refuse to do. Ultimately, this meant he was for now stagnant on that end. Kael started by summoning an Essence sphere over his palm, then elongating and compressing it into the shape of a knife. With the improvements, he had made, as well as having more stats than the last time he attempted this. The construct actually resembled more of a proper knife. Still, there was no edge, and that was something he needed to prioritize to form. Kael compressed different areas, molding the construct with increasing precision. He dismissed and reshaped it with more Essence each time, repeatedly pushing himself further. Every cycle drained his Essence, forcing him to pause and regenerate before continuing. The process was slow and mentally taxing, but he didn¡¯t stop. Kael pushed himself to improve. The reason was that even if it was draining and time-consuming. It was also making the construct more durable and sharper with each cycle. Chapter 45: Interlude-Hellen A firm shake jolted Hellen from her sleep. Her mind swam in the haze of early morning fatigue as she blinked. The natural light filtering through the window illuminating the small room. ¡°Hellen.¡± Another shake followed. ¡°Come on, wake up.¡± Hellen groaned, turning onto her side and pressing her face into the rough hide that served as a blanket. ¡°What is it?¡± she mumbled, her voice hoarse with sleep. ¡°Ezekiel is outside. He wants to talk to you.¡± That was enough to pull her further from her drowsiness. Hellen opened her eyes fully, blinking several times against the low light as she adjusted to her surroundings. The wooden walls and roof, along with the stone flooring, were some of the first thing she saw. Her eyes then flickered to the other beds in the room, landing on the one that belonged to an occupant who was not present. ¡°Where¡¯s Anna?¡± she asked, her voice sharper now, as she pushed herself upright. June, who was now, sitting back on the edge of her bed, brushed a stray strand of black hair behind her ear before answering. ¡°She left earlier. Saying something about, wanting to check if more settlements showed up in the shop.¡± Hellen clicked her tongue in irritation. ¡°Damn it. I told that girl several times not to go anywhere without me.¡± She ran a hand over her face, dragging her fingers through her long wavy hair before sighing. ¡°She is too rash.¡± ¡°She¡¯s young,¡± June offered with a small shrug. ¡°That''s how they normally are supposed to act.¡° ¡°Young doesn''t have to mean dumb,¡± Hellen muttered as she swung her legs over the bed, her bare feet meeting the cold stone floor. ¡°Did Ezekiel say what he wanted?¡± June shook her head. ¡°No, but it''s not like he ever actually says what he wants.¡± Hellen scoffed as she stood, rolling her shoulders to work out the stiffness in her muscles. ¡°No, he doesn¡¯t.¡± Crossing the room, she made her way to the door, passing the small wooden window, that served as the only light source in the lit space. She unlatched the door and pulled it open. Ezekiel stood just outside, his blond hair slicked back, blue-green eyes piercing, and wearing his usual fake-overly-cheerful expression, as if this whole situation was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. His hands were clasped together, his posture straight, giving off the air of someone who thought himself important. ¡°Ah, Hellen,¡± he greeted with an exaggerated smile. ¡°A good morning our Lord has blessed us with, isn¡¯t it?¡± Hellen resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ¡°If you say so,¡± she replied, her tone careful to stay neutral. Ezekiel either ignored her lack of enthusiasm or pretended not to notice. ¡°Would you care to join me for a walk?¡± ¡°No, thanks,¡± Hellen deadpanned. ¡°Is there something you need?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter, but there was a brief flicker of something in his eyes, annoyance, perhaps. ¡°I merely wanted to ask if you and your niece would be finally joining us for prayer today.¡± Hellen barely kept herself from scoffing. ¡°We have no plans to do so, no.¡± ¡°You should reconsider,¡± Ezekiel pressed, stepping slightly closer. ¡°Now, more than EVER, is the time to have faith. This¡ª¡± he gestured vaguely at the surrounding settlement, ¡°¡ªis all part of God¡¯s plan. A final test for the sinners, a chance to prove ourselves worthy and join the other souls in the Kingdom of Heaven. As stated by the word of God¡± Hellen clenched her jaw. Keeping frustration from leaking into her voice. ¡°That¡¯s not what the System message said,¡± she countered. ¡°It didn¡¯t say people were sent to heaven, Ezekiel. It said they died.¡± Ezekiel¡¯s smile twitched, but he remained composed. ¡°You are simply misinterpreting the message, my dear Hellen. Those who, quote, perished, were simply taken early, while the sinners were left to face the final tribulation. But we, the few yet faithful sinners, must persevere and show our devotion and willingness to change and follow the correct path. Only then will we be granted salvation.¡± Hellen had to bite her tongue to keep from outright arguing with him. She wasn¡¯t about to waste her breath debating with someone so far gone. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Instead, she sighed. ¡°Is that all?¡± Ezekiel¡¯s expression shifted, as if just remembering something. ¡°Ah, no. On second thought, I also wanted to inform you that the logs are ready for trade. Just inform Francis when you and your niece are ready to receive them. I will then come by later so you and I can check what else is available in the market.¡± Hellen narrowed her eyes slightly. So this was the real reason he came. The sermon was just an excuse to keep up his act of being the pious leader. She did not doubt that he saw himself as the settlement¡¯s leader, even if the people in the settlement hadn¡¯t explicitly given anyone that position. ¡°We¡¯ll be ready soon,¡± she replied simply. Ezekiel studied her for a moment, as if contemplating whether to say something more. Then, having come to some kind of internal decision, he tilted his head, flashing another sickeningly false smile. ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t reconsider the walk? A beautiful morning like this would be even more pleasant with a lovely company.¡± Hellen suppressed a shudder. Instead, she forced a polite but firm smile. ¡°I¡¯m too tired for a walk now. I¡¯ll see you later.¡± With that, and before he could make another comment, she stepped back inside and closed the door behind her. She waited a moment, listening as Ezekiel¡¯s footsteps faded. Then, she turned around, finding June still seated on her bed, her arms crossed, an unimpressed expression on her face. ¡°He¡¯s disgusting,¡± June muttered. ¡°The way he keeps trying to flirt with someone nearly half his age¡ª" Hellen sighed, rubbing at her temple. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°He¡¯s getting more insistent,¡± June noted, her expression darkening. ¡°And bolder.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Hellen repeated, this time more tiredly. June shook her head. ¡°Someone needs to put him in his place.¡± Hellen let out a humorless chuckle. ¡°You volunteering?¡± June smirked. ¡°If I thought I could, I would have. But with Francis around his finger, I doubt anyone can.¡± Hellen sat down on the edge of her bed, putting on her shoes. ¡°I need to find Anna before she gets herself into trouble.¡± June nodded. ¡°Want me to tell Francis to bring the logs over in a bit?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Hellen said, standing again. ¡°Let me know if Ezekiel tries anything else. Okay?¡± June gave her a two-fingered salute. ¡°Will do.¡± With that, Hellen exited the small wooden home, stepping out into the open. The cool and crisp air greeted her, as she looked around. The settlement was small, consisting of twelve identical simple wooden homes, arranged in a rough semicircle, all surrounding the central structure that acted as the shop. The houses were designed more for function than comfort. The entire settlement had been a reward from the quest they all had received when the first week had passed, and while the housing wasn¡¯t much, they still offered a bed to sleep in. Beyond the settlement¡¯s western edge, a forest loomed, dense and vast, with a mountainous background. To the east, the plains stretched endlessly, a sea of grass swaying with the breeze. Hellen ran a hand through her hair. ¡°You owe me for taking care of your kid, sis,¡± she muttered under her breath, her mind drifting to the person she hadn¡¯t seen since everything changed. ¡°So you better be alive.¡± With that thought in mind, she continued making her way toward the settlement¡¯s shop. As she did so, she walked by people going about their day, some eagerly talking about skills, or the common item someone had received from a quest. It didn¡¯t take long to reach the wooden structure, its exterior plain and unremarkable. She stepped inside, her eyes immediately locking onto the young brown-haired girl, standing in front of a table that had a magical circle in the middle of it. The table being located in the center of the room. Annabelle, or Anna, had her hand placed firmly on the glowing circle, her expression one of deep focus. The girl jumped slightly at Hellen¡¯s voice. ¡°What have I told you about going out without me, Anna?¡± Anna turned, her face scrunching with mild guilt. ¡°I just wanted to check if there was anything new,¡± she mumbled. ¡°And I was bored, there isn''t much else to do here.¡± Hellen crossed her arms, her expression unimpressed. ¡°That¡¯s not an excuse for you to behave like this, Anna.¡± Anna shuffled her feet. ¡°I just thought¡ª¡± ¡°I know what you thought, but you should know better,¡± Hellen cut in. ¡°It¡¯s not safe. Don''t you know that?¡± Hearing that, Annabelle looked even more downcast. ¡°I know, I know. And I am sorry¡­¡± Then, she perked up slightly. ¡°But we¡¯re important! No one else but me has access to the shop. They wouldn¡¯t do anything to us.¡± Hellen sighed. ¡°We don¡¯t know if it will stay like that. And besides, that¡¯s exactly why you need to be careful.¡± She placed a hand on the young girl¡¯s shoulder, her expression softening. ¡°The fact that only you can use the shop, Is the reason why Ezekiel is the way he is with us.¡± Anna looked up, her brows furrowing. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Hellen¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°I didn''t want to tell you this, but you need to know¡­ it''s becoming more obvious he wants to control the settlement, and to do so he wants to control you and me.¡± And that was becoming a big problem. Chapter 46: Gem in the forest Kael ducked under a curtain of low-hanging vines, his sandal boots pressing into the mossy earth as he pushed deeper into the forest, the vegetation growing denser with every step. He kept close to the path the water carved through the wilderness, following the winding stream northward, having done so since the waterfall. Kael used it as his tether, a way to ensure he didn''t risk getting lost. He had no map, compass, or recognizable places in this part of the forest to tell him where he was, and was going. Beyond instinct and him just guessing, the stream gave him direction, a sort of known path to follow. The river, along with the ground beneath him, gradually sloped upward, barely noticeable at first, but after a while of steady hiking, the incline became undeniable. The elevation hinting at their perhaps being a central high point in the forest, a hidden peak tucked away by nature¡¯s structure. Kael paused briefly, taking stock of his surroundings. The forest had shifted. At first, the scenery had started as usual, thick trees with equally thick roots, overgrown bushes, and moss growing here and there. The usual. Now, it felt... otherworldly. The even more closely placed trees made it, so the canopy above was thicker, and more resistant to letting any direct sunlight reach the forest floor. What little light barely managed to filter through was scattered, giving everything a dim, dreamlike ambiance. Not only that, more trees now had those glowing veins and leaves. Beneath his sandal boots, the dirt had softened into rich, dark soil with spots blanketed in patches of normal moss, as well as glowing ones. Strange flowers bloomed about. Some of them gave off a gentle shimmer, pulsing faintly in rhythm. A sweet, complex aroma filled the air. It was intoxicating, in a way. Kael found himself breathing deeply, his senses sharpened, yet lulled into something close to awe. It all appeared like he had walked into a fairytale. Kael wanted to say something but felt like he would be breaking what seemed like a sacred silence. Then came the sound. A crunch beneath his boot. Kael froze. The overgrowth had grown so thick he could barely see the forest floor anymore. Pulling his foot back slightly, he glanced down, sweeping aside the vines and moss with the tip of his foot. Bone. A pale, weathered femur, partially buried beneath layers of soil and moss. Kael crouched, brushing away more debris, revealing bits of rib and more skeleton parts. All half-swallowed by the undergrowth, moss creeping through some of the cracks. Whatever this had been¡­ it looked like it had died some time ago. Kael narrowed his eyes. As he rose to his feet, movement caught his attention. One of the newer plants, growing to the side of a nearby root, was now shifting. It unfurled slowly, its petals peeling back to reveal rows of thin, sharp spikes where a normal plant would have stamens. The interior glistened wetly in the ethereal light, and at the same time, a notification appeared before Kael. [ Foliagor (Common) ¨C Level 13 ] It resembled a monstrous man-eater flower, but far larger, the thing being easily the size of a full-grown wolf. Kael didn¡¯t wait for it to act. His right hand moved quickly up as he summoned Essence into his palm. In just a few seconds, he compressed and shaped the sphere into a simple knife, it was not yet perfect, but it was a bit more durable and sharp enough for a few strikes. The glowing blade shimmered faintly as he dashed forward, the underbrush resisting his legs. He moved to the side, avoiding the lashing vine that erupted from the monster¡¯s base, and swung the blade into the main stalk near its root. The knife sliced through the outer layer but didn¡¯t go too deep. Kael didn''t waste time and slashed again, aiming for the same spot. The second cut landed successfully where the first had, biting deeper into the fibrous tissue, almost severing it. The monstrous flower gave a twitch, its open maw convulsing, before toppling to the side, collapsing into the ferns. A notification flashed. Stolen story; please report. [Experience Gained!] Kael stepped back, scanning the surrounding plants warily. ¡°That explains the bones,¡± he muttered, eyeing the others suspiciously. None of the other plants moved. At least, not yet. Kael seriously contemplated turning around, calling it good, and leaving behind this place, not wanting to have a repeat of what happened in the cave, due to his curiosity. But he had already made it this far. If he was poisoned by the strange flora, it was too late to do anything about it now. He¡¯d walked through patches of glowing flora and sliced into a magical flowers. He¡¯d breathed the air and touched the soil. If the environment was dangerous, the damage was likely already done. Still¡­ he hadn¡¯t felt anything strange. No lightheadedness, no burning in his chest, no symptoms of exposure. There was also the possibility that his higher Endurance and natural regeneration were helping fight off whatever subtle toxins lingered in the air, or in him. Not to mention that he hadn¡¯t seen anything like this area, anywhere else. Not near the waterfall, where he first showed up, or any place he had wandered so far in the forest. This was new. Rare. Possibly unique. And something told him, he had to know more. So he pressed forward, but even more carefully now, eyes vigilant for any plant that looked too large, too vibrant, or just too¡­ off, which was a tall ask in this place. Whenever something seemed suspicious, he tested it. A quick slash with his Essence knife, or a thrown rock from his ring. Many turned out to be normal. Some didn¡¯t. Three more times, Kael found camouflaged predators masquerading as oversized flowers or twisting root bundles. None were too difficult to kill, all of them between the levels of twelve and thirteen, but it still set him on edge. The problem wasn¡¯t the challenge, Kael found them surprisingly easy to kill, compared to other monsters in their level. The problem was how easily he could walk into one of them blindly. And the fact that none of them showed a system prompt until he was aware of them, and they moved, revealing hostile intent. This showed he couldn¡¯t rely on the system for early warnings. It wasn¡¯t going to show him any information if he didn''t know something was there. While he was thinking he moved through a narrow thicket, using his Essence knife to slice through the undergrowth. Looking at his construct, Kael reflected on the improvements he had made to his shaping this past week, since the Gloomkin. His constructs now came together much faster, the short knives he made were sharper and more balanced. And while they still broke after several strikes, they lasted far more than before and were also no longer blunt, useless objects. They cost him a fair chunk of Essence, though. He couldn¡¯t create more than two or three in a row without draining himself while he used Body reinforcement. Another thing was that trying to use Body Reinforcement while shaping was still a no. The focus required was too intense. Still, he¡¯d practiced enough that switching between the two was seamless now. Deactivate enhancement. Shape the construct. Reactivate. In motion, it took only a few seconds. Kael cut his way beneath a thick root arching above the ground, crouching low as he pushed through a gap. He stepped into a clearing and froze. Before him lay a large, wide, tranquil pond. Crystal-clear water shimmered beneath the canopy, which had by now thickened completely to the point no light came down, other than the one from the countless leaves. But it was the thing in the center of the pond that caught his breath. A massive, aqua-colored crystal jutted from the middle of the water like a submerged iceberg, at least three meters tall above the surface, and likely much more hidden below. It gleamed with ethereal light, its surface smooth, almost glasslike. The surrounding water shimmered faintly, as though charged with magic. Kael took a step closer, his breath catching. It was beautiful. The glowing roots along the trees nearby pulsed much brighter here, threading into the earth like living veins. The crystal reflected in the surface of the pond, distorted by the rippling water. Around him, the magical flowers bloomed with more intensity, and the scents they gave off were even more intoxicating. He knelt at the edge of the pond, eyes wide as he scanned the water. Beneath the surface, a network of roots covered the entire bottom, interwoven like a vast lattice. And they all led to the crystal. Every single root converged at the base of the gem, wrapping around it, anchoring it, feeding it, or being fed by it. ¡°What is this place?¡± he whispered. But before he could examine further, something tugged at his foot. He looked down. A green root had curled around his ankle. Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed. He followed the root with his gaze, up to a vibrant yellow flower clinging to the trunk of a tree. From this distance, it looked normal, but then the flower lowered itself, leaving a hole where it had once been. The moment it was low enough, the flower creature dropped the rest of the way, once on the ground, the roots beneath it writhed like tentacles, dragging it across the ground forward. [ Yellow virulent bloom (Uncommon) ¨C¨C Level 15 ] Chapter 47: Yellow virulent blooms Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 48: Territory claim Kael pivoted as the Twilight Buck charged again, its hooves reverberating against the mossy undergrowth. Its thick dark brown hide rippled with tension, and twin antlers streaked with gray-glowing veins lowered, aiming to gore Kael straight through. He dodged to the side, the tip of an antler grazing the air just past his chest. Another buck barreled forward from the opposite side, a coordinated pincer movement. Kael shifted fluidly, grabbing the antlers of the first beast at the base, just as it tried to real back and as the second closed in. With a grunt and a twist of his torso, Kael redirected the beast''s head, positioning it just right. All the while it fought Kael, buckling about. The second buck had no time to adjust. Its glowing antler punched into its companion¡¯s side with a sickening crunch, the momentum continuing to push on the injured buck along with Kael. The now heavily injured buck cried out, buckling even harder to get free. Kael wasted no time. He freed one arm positioning the other to hold on to the beast''s antlers, armpit around it neek. Then he summoned his Essence knife, now nearly 45 centimeters long, even more refined, and deadly. With a smooth motion, he forced the beast''s head back with all his strength, then Kael slit the wounded creature¡¯s throat. Blood sprayed as the buck staggered, Kael then pushed it from him at the same time it collapsed to the ground, the beast landing on its side. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael didn''t look at the prompt for long. The second buck had quickly managed to pull its antlers free from its friend''s side, right after it attacked and was now glaring at him the best it could do. For a moment, it didn¡¯t move. Its chest rose and fell in heavy, rhythmic breaths, and its semi-intelligent eyes glinted with something that wasn¡¯t entirely bestial. Then it charged. Kael leaped to the side, feeling the displaced air from the beast''s dash sweep past him. But instead of staying still, he sprinted forward, trailing just behind the creature. The buck, somehow sensing danger, stopped and kicked backward with its rear legs. Kael abruptly came to a stop, just out of the attack''s reach. He then darted to the right, avoiding another wild kick, and slashed the Essence knife across the beast''s flank. The knife''s long blade carved deep, blood gushing from the wound. The buck tried to wheel around, its antlers swinging defensively. Kael raised his knife and deflected the swing, the blade chipping when it collided with the antlers. Using the creature''s momentary imbalance and the swiftness of the knife, he drove the chipped knife into the creature¡¯s eye. It let out a panicked screech, staggering. He then released the knife while still inside the beast, summoned another, and finished it with another swift slash across its throat. [ Experience Gained! ] Kael let out a slow breath, dismissing the embedded knife, and watching it disappear as he flexed his fingers. Around the dead bucks, blood now heavily stained the forest floor. Kael crouched beside the fresh kills and began precisely cutting chunks of meat, his new knife still humming with Essence. As he removed thick cuts of meat from both bucks, he stored each piece in the ring, watching the meat vanish into the spatial void. He worked quickly but not hurriedly. The preservation property of the ring meant he didn¡¯t need to worry about immediate spoilage or contamination, but that didn''t mean he wanted other beasts or predators to come while he still worked. After a few minutes, both carcasses were stripped of their useful meat. He wiped the Essence knife with a dry piece of hide from one of the slain bucks, then rose, knife still in hand. He then turned to leave the area, eyes scanning for his next target as he walked. The forest around him was quiet, but feintly you could see the hidden ecosystem. A breeze filtered through the leaves, stirring the canopy high, high above. Then, a familiar chime echoed. [System Message] As of now, monsters that have reached or surpassed the first threshold have begun to emerge. With their arrival, territories can now be claimed. A claim can only be initiated by those who have reached that stage of development. From the moment a territory claim begins, there is a seven-day period to challenge and slay the Claimer. Should the challenger succeed, the territory claim will be transferred over. However, failure to eliminate the Claimer within the allotted time will finalize the claim. Now, you must decide if you will rise to rule¡­Or be subjects of those who do. Kael stopped walking. He blinked, the notifications shimmering before his eyes. He had expected something like this. Had even anticipated it. But the amount of information and its implications still hit harder than expected. Nine days had passed since he discovered what he now called the Heart of the Forest, the massive glowing crystal and its magical pond that was the source of the rivers. He¡¯d spent the time sharpening his constructs, gathering resources, and picking off stronger and stronger beasts along with plant monsters. From his own calculations, a month was due to pass any day. The System had just confirmed it. Stolen story; please report. But what really startled him was the proximity of the follow-up notifications. [ Territory Claimed! ] [ You are within a newly claimed territory. Contest the claim? Y/N] He narrowed his eyes. ¡°Already?¡± he muttered. The surrounding part of the forest had been its usual quiet. Kael had even scouted the area before he engaged the bucks. If something was strong enough to claim a territory, it had to be more than level 15 given that he was clearly wrong in his guess that level 10 or 15 was the threshold. And if it had been nearby, it hadn¡¯t made itself known. Not even a trace. Kael rubbed his chin as he scanned the trees around him, senses alert. ¡°How big is this territory?¡± he murmured. That was the pressing question. He had explored a good amount of terrain mostly in the eastern part, close to his home, and some parts close to the heart of the forest, northward. Could a creature strong enough to be capable of claiming land really be that hidden? Not even to leave any trace of its presence. Or did that just hint at how large the territory that was just claimed was... Kael focused on the notifications again, except the one asking if he would contest the claim, finding he could dismiss it and make it show up again, without answering, allowing him to decide whenever he wanted. He started by rereading everything again, slowly this time. The details were clear. Monsters that passed the first threshold, whatever that was as he had no idea anymore, had appeared and could clearly from the last notification claim territory. Kael did not think anything else other than beasts and monsters were in this forest except for him. And he would go with that assumption until he found proof to the contrary. The other important thing was that anyone in the territory had one week to kill the one who tried to claim the area, and if you failed to either kill, in this case, the monster or die in the process. The territory would belong to it. Kael realized that the time limit didn''t really matter when it came to eliminating the one who claimed the territory. That was if it was just about eliminating an imminent threat. But it also meant that any other monster or creature could claim it again if they reached the so-called threshold. That last part lingered in Kael¡¯s mind like a sour note. Unless the territory was claimed by someone, it would just be a cycle. Not to mention what it meant to own a territory. ¡°What does ¡®claim a territory¡¯ mean?¡± he wondered aloud. Would the system help the one who owned the territory, would it offer terrain knowledge? Pinpoint anyone in the territory? Any of those were bad news. Especially if the monster or whoever claimed the territory learned where he was, and god forbid if the cave he lived in was included in the territory. Kael glanced back in the direction of the waterfall and off to the side where his hidden cave was. ¡°Shit.¡±He had spent time concealing and fortifying his home better, but if the creature''s staked claim is also near or around that area, then he might already be compromised. He looked north. The forest thickened that way. That had been where the most magical plant life grew. Could the monster have come from there? Or had it always been lurking, dormant? Maybe it was an underground plant monster, that was passively growing stronger thanks to the crystal. Kael considered his options. He could leave the forest. Head toward the open grasslands and beyond, even reach the mountains. But that came with risks. If the System allowed one monster to claim territory, it would allow more. There was no guarantee he wouldn¡¯t stumble into another monster¡¯s domain out there. Kael felt a sense of dejavu. This situation reminded him of his two choices when he was first hunted by the Gloomkin. He clenched his fists. He was much stronger than then, and he didn''t have to fight for basic necessities now. Kael would first look for it, and see for himself how strong the thing that had claimed the territory was. It would also allow him to see how far this territory was stretched, and if it did indeed reach his home. In the end, if he decided to fight it and actually managed to kill the monster within the next seven days. He could claim the area or if he failed to do it in time, at least make sure it didn¡¯t gain control, and buy himself some more time before another tried the same. Finally, if the creature was too strong, Kael ending up finding he could not kill it, he could always reluctantly leave the forest. He summoned his status window to check his progress. [Status] Name: Kael Aranthis Level: 18 EXP: 27 / 100% Rank: Mortal Stats: Titles: Skills: Equipment: Looking at his status he could see the fruits of his labor and the benefit the last two levels brought him since his adventure north. His stats were much higher. His Essence control had improved significantly, along with the size of his Essence pole, and core growth. His control and mastery of his ability to swap between enhancement, and shaping was nearly seamless now. Not to mention his new growing ability to shape and at the same time enhance himself, something he had been tirelessly working on these past few days, which still needed work. Kael had enough food stored to last him for months, he had weapons and shelter. If there was ever a time to act from a safe position, it was now. But first, reconnaissance. Kael set off again, moving low, carefully, and quickly through the scrub. Every few steps, he paused to listen for a snapped twig. Feel for a tremor in the moss and ground. A shift in the sound of the bird''s wings, given that they didn''t make any other noise. Anything could be a sign. These things had become second nature to him now, Kael doing it without even noticing he was. He followed the same path he had taken here, but this time, a bit off, so as to avoid making a trail over time. He moved through dense ferns, ducked under hanging vines, walked on roots, and skirted patches of flowers that now all looked suspect to him. According to The System Stronger and smarter creatures had appeared. Making everything more dangerous. And if the System said something had claimed this area, then somewhere, the creature responsible was waiting. Watching. Kael crouched behind a root cluster and exhaled slowly. He had about a week. Less than Seven days to find whatever had issued the claim and figure out what he would do once he did. Chapter 49: Interlude-Hellen 2 The late afternoon sun dipped low in the sky, casting golden streaks through the gaps in the wooden structures of the settlement. The simple wooden structure serving as their settlement¡¯s shop had become the unofficial gathering point for all announcements. Hushed voices filled the air, thick with tension, as people waited for the man they all knew would speak. Ezekiel stood on the wooden steps of the shop, a broad smile stretched across his face as he raised his arms in greeting, the low hum of murmurs falling silent with that simple gesture. Hellen stood near the edge of the crowd, arms crossed, jaw tight, and her eyes fixed on him. Not with reverence like some of the others, but with a simmering, calculating disdain. Ezekiel¡¯s voice rang out, practiced and confident. From what she found out, it was due to years of preaching in churches and on television screens. "My dear friends," he began, his voice swelling with mock warmth, "I understand your fear, your worries, but you must cast them aside, we need not fear the words delivered to us today by the messenger of God''s will. Rest assured that as long as you follow my guidance, we shall weather these trials. For we are not alone. We are held safely and are protected in the hands of the Lord... and in mine." That line drew quiet murmurs of agreement from some, others simply looked at each other in thoughtful silence. But to Hellen, it felt like nails dragging across stone. Her gaze shifted to the three men standing beside Ezekiel, just off his right shoulder like sentinels. Francis stood front and center, easily towering over most at nearly two meters tall. His thick, bushy beard and axe perpetually slung over his shoulder gave him the look of a man born to fell trees or foes alike. He was the one Ezekiel relied most on, to keep order and control, as he was the highest level individual in the settlement. To his right stood Dan, the former bouncer. Broad-shouldered, with a sword strapped to his waist and a metal shield across his arm, he had the build of someone used to dealing with trouble by slamming it through walls. On Francis¡¯ other side was Benjamin, the former high school teacher whose fire magic had earned him both respect and fear. Rumor had it he¡¯d been under investigation for something deeply distasteful before the world changed. Whether the allegations were true or not, it did not matter, he fit in too well with Ezekiel¡¯s growing cult of power for anyone to really say anything. Hellen¡¯s jaw clenched even harder. These three men were one of the reasons no one questioned Ezekiel much in the beginning, and did not dare to do so especially now. Their party had been the one that had taken down the beast that was mentioned in the quest, the same one that had rewarded them with the settlement. They''d also remained the primary protectors ever since. You couldn''t say much when the bed, four walls, and roof over your head were all thanks to them fighting, and killing a monster you were too scared to even get close to. They were also the ones that led the hunting, defending, and by Ezekiel¡¯s command, some subtle spying. By taking advantage of the system''s party function and experience points distribution. Ezekiel had ensured he and they always got the lion''s share of the experience and outpaced everyone else in strength. This created an uncomfortable power dynamic that Ezekiel masterfully exploited to continue cementing his position as the undisputed leader. Nobody openly challenged him anymore, either out of genuine loyalty or simply self-preservation. It was a growing fear that was spread to every corner of the small 36-person community. It reached even the most mundane of interactions. But in the end, the fear of the outside being greater than the one within. Hellen''s stomach twisted with a mixture of dread and anger as Ezekiel continued. His voice droned on, delivering empty reassurances sprinkled with self-aggrandizing comparisons to figures of authority. Her distaste deepened every time she noticed the gleam of satisfaction in his eyes whenever he effortlessly swayed the crowd. She was one of the few left who saw through his manipulations, yet speaking openly had become dangerous. Ezekiel had begun implementing new rules, subtle at first, starting with ones everyone agreed on, like not stealing. But as time went on, they were becoming increasingly oppressive, and anyone seen opposing him was quickly alienated or worse. The man had become more than a simple preacher, who was pretending to aid those who suffered after the end of the world. He was starting to think of himself as some sort of a ruler. Hellen could feel the oppressive weight of his gaze occasionally settle on her, a possessive glint lingering there longer than it should. It had reached a point where other men avoided speaking with her altogether, frightened of drawing Ezekiel''s ire. She resented him for it, resented feeling like an object he sought to claim. More than that, she feared for Anna, who had begun to draw more of both Ezekiel''s and worse Benjamin''s attention as well. ¡°Remember,¡± Ezekiel continued, his voice booming confidently, ¡° These territorial events, as well as the arrival of stronger monsters or demons, are nothing more than simply further tests. Tests we will overcome together. United under my guidance, under divine providence, we shall emerge victorious.¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. As Ezekiel launched into a grand speech about divine trials and sacred protection, Hellen looked to her left and found comfort in June¡¯s presence. The younger short-haired woman stood still, silent but alert, her eyes not on Ezekiel but curiously scanning the crowd. When June¡¯s gaze met hers, Hellen reached out and squeezed her hand gently. June returned it with a nod and a slight smile. Then Hellen turned away. She weaved out of the crowd, as quiet and unnoticed as she could amid the growing spell of Ezekiel¡¯s voice. Most people were too focused on the fire and brimstone, too wrapped in the comfort of certainty, no matter how false, to notice her departure. She soon reached her home and went inside, closing the door behind her. The familiar wooden walls and stone floor greeted her. Anna sat quietly on her bed, clutching something in her hands. It was one of Francis¡¯ carvings, an animal figurine, shaped with care and painted with charcoal. The last time he¡¯d come by with a load of logs, he¡¯d handed it to her with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. When she looked up, there was hesitation in her voice. "Do we really have to leave?" Hellen stepped forward quickly, putting a finger to her lips. "Shh. Not so loud." Without further hesitation, Hellen hastily moved to and reached under her bed, retrieving a hidden cloth-wrapped bundle. Quickly, she unwrapped it, inspecting its contents, a water flask, several pieces of cooked meat, and a wooden-handled dagger. It had been risky to steal the dagger, but ultimately necessary. "Yes," Hellen said quietly but firmly, rewrapping the bundle and slinging the strap over her shoulder like a purse. "We have to leave." Anna¡¯s face dropped. Hellen sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around the girl¡¯s shoulders. "It¡¯s no longer safe for us here. Not really. There¡¯s no one to call for help, no cops to complain to. No laws protecting people like us." Anna didn¡¯t respond. Her gaze stayed locked on the figurine. Hellen continued. "Ezekiel¡­ he¡¯s only playing nice because he wants to win us over. But sooner or later, he¡¯ll stop playing. And when that happens, there¡¯ll be no one to stop him. Francis might not help him, but those other two? They¡¯ll do whatever he asks." The words hung heavy in the air. "This new notification? The one about territories, monsters, and claiming land? It¡¯s an excuse waiting to be used. If he ever actually claims any land, it will only give Ezekiel even more reasons to lord over everyone. To say he¡¯s protecting us from the monsters. To act like a king or something worse." Anna looked up. Her voice was small but resolute. "Okay." That word struck Hellen harder than she expected. A surge of guilt and sadness welled in her chest. She pulled Anna into a tighter hug. "It¡¯ll be alright. I promise. I¡¯ll always be with you. We¡¯ll make it through this." The light outside began to dim, shadows stretching across the floor as the sun dipped further behind the horizon. Through the small wooden window, Ezekiel¡¯s voice still carried, rising in volume and passion. Hellen stood, releasing Anna gently. "It¡¯s time." Anna simply responded by nodding, not saying anything. Hellen crossed to the far wall of the house, the one that faced the grasslands, away from the crowd. Several planks near the base were already loose, a secret she and June had prepared together days ago. She removed the boards quickly, and carefully, then stacked them to the side without a sound. She gestured for Anna to go first. The young girl ducked through the hole and disappeared into the outside air. Hellen quickly placed the supplies outside, then followed after. Once outside, she crouched and replaced the boards as best she could. Finished she then slung the packed supplies over her shoulder. The sun had nearly vanished by then, the sky stained with violet and deepening blues. A gentle breeze swept through the grass, rustling the stalks like whispered encouragement. Covered by the structure and the natural fading light, the two of them moved quickly into the grasslands. Behind them, Ezekiel¡¯s sermon and the discussions grew fainter, the people too transfixed to notice two missing souls as darkness enveloped the horizon. The moons rose slowly, their gentle glow guiding them deeper into the unknown. They didn¡¯t speak much. Hellen checked on Anna frequently, offering water and quiet encouragement. The girl never complained, though her steps began to drag as the hours wore on. Eventually, they pivoted slightly to the right, heading further into that area of the grasslands, where Hellen remembered a river was rumored to flow into the forest from the grasslands. It wasn''t long before, somewhere in the dark, the soft sound of flowing water reached her ears. The welcome sound lifting their spirits as they pushed forward. After another stretch of weary walking, the river came into view. A wide, steady stream winding through the grass like a thread of ethereal colors under the moonlights. Hellen approached it cautiously, eyes scanning for any danger, but finding only the gentle, shimmering surface of the river. She then crouched beside the river bank, running her hand through the relaxing water. She could feel the current, slow but firm. It ran deeper than it appeared at first glance. Anna knelt beside her, mirroring the movement. Her reflection shimmered beside Hellen¡¯s. ¡°Do you think it leads somewhere safe?¡± Anna asked quietly, eyes fixed anxiously on the flowing water. ¡°I hope so,¡± Hellen replied gently, squeezing Anna¡¯s hand reassuringly. ¡°But no matter what, we''re safer here, away from Ezekiel.¡± Hopefully, if it flowed into the forest, then maybe, just maybe, it came from somewhere safer. Somewhere untouched. Hellen stood and took Anna¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s follow it.¡± Together, they continued to follow the river upstream, deeper into the heart of the grasslands, guided only by the silent whispers of the wind and the distant glow of moonlight, each step bringing them further from the settlement and into the dark unknown. Chapter 50: Interlude-Ezekiel Ezekiel strode confidently across the rough, trampled earth of the settlement, his movements steady, purposeful, and exuding an air of casual authority. The midday sun warmed his back, its rays casting short shadows around him. To his right was Dan, with his large frame and silent presence making him the perfect companion for Ezekiel''s frequent walks around the settlement. The two men moved with practiced ease, their conversation casual yet businesslike as they made their way toward the forest. Just as they were approaching the outer boundary of the settlement, a hesitant voice broke through the ambient sounds of the settlement¡¯s day-to-day life, interrupting them and getting their attention. "Uh, Excuse me... Ezekiel? Can I talk to you for a moment?" The slightly wavering voice asked. Ezekiel stopped, soon followed by Dan, as he then turned to face the source of the voice, and at the same time, he put on his well-practiced, casual smile. Martin, a young, wiry man barely out of his teens, stood awkwardly a few steps away, his anxious eyes darting between them as he shifted nervously from one foot to the other. "Of course, Martin," Ezekiel responded warmly, making sure he included the young man''s name in the response. "What can I help you with?" Hearing the reply Martin hesitated for a brief moment, clearly gathering courage as he decided on a course of action before continuing, his voice low, uncertain, and hurried. "It''s about my dagger, the one I recently got from a quest¡­ It¡¯s missing. I¡¯ve searched everywhere these past two days. At first, I thought maybe I¡¯d just misplaced it or something. But no matter how much I look I can''t find it, I haven¡¯t loaned it out to someone or taken it with me out of the settlement. I haven¡¯t even left the settlement in like a week, been helping the others with building new chairs and furniture, like you asked. Also, I can almost swear that I left it last at home and now it''s nowhere to be found." Having hurriedly said all of it, he paused and took a deep breath as his eyes flickered briefly toward Dan and then back to Ezekiel. Clearly uncomfortable but determined to press on. "I think maybe someone might have... borrowed it without asking, you know?" Ezekiel''s eyes narrowed subtly, his smile still firm. "You think it might have been... taken?" he asked gently, his tone kind, almost sympathetic. Martin didn¡¯t answer directly, only glanced downward and nodded slightly. Ezekiel glanced briefly at Dan, whose stoic expression gave nothing away except a slight, almost imperceptible shake of his head. Having taken an internal note that Dan was unaware of any thefts within the settlement, he turned back to Martin, his expression softening, as best as he could into one of concern. ¡°I understand your concern, Martin,¡± Ezekiel reassured him smoothly, patting the young man¡¯s shoulder with a comforting gesture. "We certainly can¡¯t have people losing their things like that. I''ll make sure we look into it, and I promise we''ll get to the bottom of it. Thank you for bringing this to my attention." Martin visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping slightly, relief evident in his posture. "Thank you, Ezekiel," he mumbled, nodding gratefully. "Of course," Ezekiel said, his voice friendly yet authoritative. He patted Martin briefly on the shoulder once more, before turning back to Dan, indicating they should continue their walk. As they resumed their path toward the forest, Ezekiel¡¯s expression shifted to one of mild contemplation. "Dan," he said quietly, leaning slightly toward the larger man, "when you take the other hunters out today, make sure you bring back as much food as possible. But also... keep an eye and ear open. See if you can find any clues about our missing dagger." Dan¡¯s mouth curled into a knowing smile, his eyes sharp with understanding. "Understood." "Good," Ezekiel replied, patting him on the back. "Report anything unusual to me immediately. We can''t have any thieves among us." Dan simply nodded in response, and Ezekiel sent him off with a brief wave. Now alone he continued the rest of the distance towards his destination. As he walked past the last of the new structures, he paused briefly, looking back at the settlement, his gaze sweeping past it all and settling possessively on Hellen''s small wooden home. A private whisper, so low spoken to be barely audible escaped him. "In time, you''ll recognize the beautiful future we are meant to share, Hellen." a satisfied and arousing smirk played on his lips as he said her name. Then turning, he moved swiftly onward. Not long after entering the outskirts of the forest where Francis and some of the others tasked to help him, had been cutting down trees and gathering wood. Ezekiel easily recognized the sound of rhythmic chopping long before he saw Francis¡¯s massive figure swinging his axe with formidable strength. Once he was close enough, Ezekiel paused to watch, admiring the sheer physical strength that Francis possessed as he split through the remaining off a sizable tree trunk with just two powerful hacks. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He shook his head slightly, marveling at his fortune. The Lord had truly blessed him. It never ceased to amaze him how perfectly suited he was to this new reality, a reality where proof of the divine was abundant, and guiding the unfortunate came easier than ever. He chuckled inwardly at his previous life, filled with luxury and decadence hidden carefully behind the display of piety, with journalists ever-threatening to uncover his so-called secrets. These so-called secrets, were things that in his humble opinion should not be looked down upon, as he was simply and rightfully enjoying the fruits the lord had made, and offered to men. He had feared that when the Judgment had come, he would burn like the rest of the sinners. But no. Judgment Day had not punished him. It had rewarded him and punished his enemies instead. Here, now, no damned soul could judge or investigate the righteous way he lived, proven by the fact that he had been spared. He might have lost the fancy cars and houses, but here he was Noah reborn, chosen to lead, understanding all too well the deepest desires of man. Who knew, he might just build something greater than there was before. Ezekiel let a pleased smile creep on his face. Francis noticed him then, having finished up, the big man approached, sweat glistening on his forehead, his bushy beard flecked with bits of splinters. Ezekiel greeted him warmly, his tone casual. "Francis, my friend! I hear you wanted to speak with me. The messenger you sent made it sound urgent." Francis hesitated slightly, shifting the weight of his axe. "Could be something, could be nothing. Just figured I should mention it." he began roughly, his deep voice thoughtful. "Spit it out then," Ezekiel said with a laugh, slapping the much bigger man friendly on the shoulder. Francis scratched at his beard, not minding the gesture. "I went to deliver logs to the shop earlier, and neither Hellen nor Annabelle were there." Ezekiel¡¯s expression tightened slightly, his brows knitting together. "Alright. Have you checked their home?" "Yes," Francis confirmed, "but no one was there either. I''ve asked around a bit. Turns out, no one¡¯s seen either of them since yesterday¡¯s meeting. Someone mentioned they saw Hellen leaving early during your speech" Ezekiel quickly interjected, his eyes narrowed slightly, "Yes, I saw her myself. She slipped out quietly." Francis nodded solemnly. "Well, figured I¡¯d check if you¡¯d sent them out on some errand or task." Ezekiel shook his head, deep in thought. "No, I haven¡¯t. Did you ask June if she¡¯s seen them?" Francis shook his head. "I haven''t yet," he admitted. "Alright," Ezekiel said decisively, placing a reassuring hand on Francis''s shoulder. "I''ll look into this personally. Come to the shop later; there are important matters regarding the recent divine message we need to discuss." Francis simply nodded in acknowledgment, and with that, Ezekiel turned swiftly back toward the settlement, a bad feeling setting in. His mind started to immediately spin with possibilities as unease etched clearly in his features. His steps were quick and purposeful. It didn¡¯t take him long before he arrived at Hellen¡¯s home, he knocked once on the wooden door. Almost immediately, a voice called from behind the structure. " Back here!" Ezekiel rounded the corner to find June practicing awkwardly with a long bent wooden stick, its end crudely sharpened into a makeshift spear tip. Looking at how she kept thrusting it into the dirt and air, attempting to mimic the movements of spear fighting. He couldn''t help but chuckle lightly. "Practicing to get a quest, are we?" June turned, her expression guarded but polite. "Something like that," she said neutrally, wiping sweat from her brow. "Well I hope you succeed," Ezekiel said as he displayed a humored smile, carefully stepping slightly closer. "I came looking for Hellen and Anna. Do you know where they are?" "No," June replied without hesitation. "And before you ask, I came back late yesterday, it was fully dark by then and I went straight to sleep. When I woke up today it was already late, and nobody was there. Haven''t seen them so far either." Ezekiel¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his smile never faltering, but shifting from being a pleasant one. "That was somewhat a quick, well-thought-out answer, no?... Are you truly sure you haven''t seen them at all?" He took another subtle step closer, and June instinctively stepped back, her posture stiffening. "Yes, I''m sure," June replied firmly, her eyes unwavering. "Now, if there''s nothing else I''d like to get back to my practice." Ezekiel''s smile widened slightly, revealing a calculating expression. "Of course," he said smoothly. "Thank you, June." As he walked away, He soon caught sight of Benjamin speaking with an old woman. He gestured discreetly, and Benjamin made his way over, concern evident in his features. "What''s wrong?" "Hellen and Annabelle are missing," Ezekiel said curtly. "We need to find them immediately. I am getting a bad feeling, and you should already know how important they are to this settlement. We can''t have anything happen to the both of them." Benjamin quickly nodded in affirmation. "I''ll handle it." "Good," Ezekiel said, his voice softer as he was aware of the woman watching them closely with subtle interest. "Report back everything you find out at the meeting later." Benjamin gave another quick nod and turned to leave. Ezekiel then waved to the watching older women Benjamin had been speaking with. Along with it, he showed one of his warmest, most polished smiles, getting one in return. Then he turned toward the shop, to continue preparing for the meeting and his future plans. Chapter 51: First time North Kael moved through the underbrush with purpose, the rhythm of his steps sharp and quick. He made sure that every step he took didn''t make too much sound and disturb the silence of the forest, as the second day of his search unfolded. Two days had passed since the announcement, and the following notification that had informed him he was in a soon-to-be fully claimed territory. Yet, despite all his efforts, he hadn¡¯t found the creature responsible. What he had found instead were two other discoveries. Maybe three, depending on how you looked at it. The first had come not long after receiving the notification. Kael had discovered, that the notification prompting him to contest the claim only disappeared when he left the forest entirely. It was a small clue, but a significant one. He¡¯d first noticed it when heading back to his cave the same day the notification appeared. Kael had made the track in the direction of the cave, and after not noticing any changes in his notifications when he arrived, continued walking. It wasn''t before he¡¯d pushed into the grasslands, and returned to the remains of the Gloomkin village outside the forest, that the notification asking him to contest the claim had finally vanished. Standing in the grass, Kael had come to the acceptance that his home and everything around it were within the claimed territory. He even started to suspect that the entire forest might actually be within the territory not just this part of it. The second discovery had just built on this theory and had come from his exploration of the South. Driven by curiosity and growing frustration with the lack of clues, Kael had followed the river from the clearing he had first discovered it in. The same clearing that he had almost lost his life in the first night. He had traced its path south, staying along its eastern edge, wondering if perhaps it would lead him somewhere new. But as he continued, the trees grew thinner, the familiar underbrush fading. In the end, the river didn¡¯t lead anywhere dramatic or new. There was no monster den to finally reveal to him where it was, no new clues, no ancient ruins, nothing. It just spilled into the open grasslands continuing on its path further away. The same grasslands that bordered the forest on the east. By the time Kael turned back, having again received the notification he had entered a claimed territory. He had a theory, more than that, a growing certainty. The rivers flowing from the central pond were natural borders. Dividers. They split the forest into separate segments, and the entire thing was surrounded by an expanse of rolling grassland. Kael still wanted to look more to be even more sure, but he would not be surprised if he ended up being right. To that end, Kael was now headed north. Not just north to where he had already searched, or just the pond, but further north than he had ever gone before. He moved with purpose, brushing branches out of the way, moving under and climbing over roots. If the creature that had issued the claim wasn¡¯t anywhere in the southeast part of the forest, then maybe it was somewhere else. If the territory was as he assumed the entire forest, then the creature could be in any of the other presumed segments entirely. Which could explain why he never saw or found any clue leading to it. Given that, he had only looked, and searched the lower half of the segment he was currently in. Kael having never explored or searched to the north of the pond. Even as his mind raced with thoughts, going through theories and guesses. Kael still made sure his pace was steady and cautious, along with his focus on his surroundings. He knew he was headed for an unexplored territory, as such Kael made sure he was constantly alert. This was why he quickly noticed the plant monster before it noticed him, the small and minute movements of a vine, when all the other parts of it didn''t, giving it away. Forming an Essence knife, Kael attacked the plant monster, killing it with one arch of his knife before it could make an attempt to fight back. [ Experience Gained! ] The plant monsters here were high-level but weak in terms of durability. With Kaels growing strength, they were easy experience points. But for his purposes today they were not worth lingering over. Kael left the body of the plant monster and continued on his way. He reached the familiar clearing shortly after. The massive crystal in the center of the pond still standing tall, its aquatic hue casting a faint glow over the area. The thing shimmered like a beacon, drawing the eye even when you tried not to look at it. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Without wasting time, Kael sprinted toward the right side of the pond, following the curved edge. Familiar roots stirred from the edges of the clearing, and more plant creatures shifted as he passed. Their vines crept out from the tree line, reaching toward him with slow, deliberate movements. Kael didn¡¯t stop. To avoid getting lost when he entered an unknown area, he wanted to stick to his tried and proven method: following the river. It had proven reliable landmarks, and now, he would use the one flowing north from the magical pond as his guide. Even though his main priority was to search for the threshold monster. He also in a minor degree, wanted to confirm that the river flowing north indeed ended the same way as the one heading south. That it too, exited the forest and spilled into the grasslands. If it did, that would be a huge verification that the pond and crystal marked the center of the forest, its beating heart. And that the territory at least encompassed the entire east side for sure. He jumped over low grasping roots, dodged the occasional swipe, and released poison stream. Kael maneuvered around some of the monsters that were in his way, cutting what attack he could not evade. Once he reached the northern exit point where the pond''s water spilled into a steady stream, he followed it, still running. The ethereal vegetation of the forest immediately thickened around him again the exact moment he left the clearing. Kael made his way through thick foliage, staying away from whatever he saw that he suspected were deceptive plant monsters. After a while of pursuing him from behind, the plant monsters slowly returned to their places, no longer following. Ahead, the trees started to make more space between them, letting more light escape while still staying towering and imposing. The river flowed over smooth stones and roots, winding its way into the unexplored north. Once he left behind the enchanted part of the forest around the pond, Kael slowed down. He made sure to take notice of how the ground seemed to lower in elevation by the tiniest amount as he did so. His eyes scanned everything around him, every bush, branch, and rustling shadow. Something could be watching. Something could be hiding. It wouldn''t be a stretch that the monster he was looking for was in this section of the forest after all. Which was something he was hoping for. Because of that, Kael wanted to be ready for it and any other thing that attacked him out of nowhere. He pressed forward, a new Essence knife in hand. As far as he knew, and could tell from looking, nothing in the north looked to have changed from the way it appeared in the south. No signs of new monsters or too different terrain. No shrieking cries or tremors in the earth. But that didn¡¯t mean nothing was there. After all the silence in this forest meant nothing, and was just the ally of the predators that called it home. In his search, he occasionally saw signs of animals and beasts. A broken branch here, scratch marks on a bark there. All things he normally saw back south. Nothing that really gave off, or screamed that it was left by something that had passed some kind of threshold. At one point, he spotted a weak low-level boar off in the distance, rooting around near the river. It raised its head at the sound of his movement, snorted once then returned to grazing. Kael left it alone. He wasn¡¯t here for a fight, not unless it found him first. He continued north, each step taking him further than he had ever been. The river curved gently, then straightened. The deeper he went, the more the forest began to change again, not into something mystical and dense like the heart, but something more¡­ sparse. Less overgrown. The trees started to thin. The evening light became stronger, even less filtered. And then he saw it, between the trunks ahead, slivers of open-hued sky and evening light unfiltered. Kael pushed through the last barrier of nature and stepped out into the open land. The grasslands stretched out before him, tall stalks swaying in the wind. The horizon was wide and endless. To the far north, he could just make out the shadows of distant mountains. The river ran ahead, carving a soft line through the terrain before vanishing into the distance. Kael also noticed that the notification vanished, no longer being able to be summoned the moment he exited the forest. He stood in silence, hands on his hips, breathing steady. It was a strange feeling, to make a rough map out of a previously never explored place and be right. The river ended in the grasslands, just like the other one, looking to his left and seeing the tree line continuing straight with grassland on one side and forest on the other. He had even less doubt that so did the other two. Which meant¡­ ¡°The whole forest,¡± Kael muttered, narrowing his eyes. ¡°It could all really be claimed. Every damn part of it.¡± His cave. The waterfall. The heart of the forest. The unexplored parts. All of it. He stared out at the horizon for a moment longer, letting it all sink in. Then he turned around, squinting into the forest shadows. The natural light was beginning to weaken, evening having fully set in. Kael let out a low sigh. ¡°No time to waste.¡± Even if his grown stats made him able to traverse larger areas quicker and in less time, he still had no time to waste. He had an extensive area to search, and little time to do so before nightfall. He stepped forward, reentering the forest again. The moment his crude sandal boots hit the mossy earth under the trees, the notification reappeared. [ You are within a newly claimed territory. Contest the claim? Y/N] Kael dismissed it without a thought. He had too much to do to be distracted by something he was getting used to seeing and would see more of.