strictlysupreme Chapter 4: Dungeon Grinding (II)
Chapter 4: Dungeon Grinding (II)
Chapter 4: Dungeon Grinding (II)Kael stepped over the fallen serpents, exhaling slowly. The primal energy from their bodies coursed through his veins, reinforcing his strength.
The taste of power was intoxicating, but he pushed aside the feeling. The second floor wasn't completely clear yet.
The forest ahead was silent, save for the sound of rustling leaves. Kael gripped his bone dagger tighter. There were still more beasts left before the exit to the third floor.
He moved carefully with light steps, using the trees for cover. He stayed calm and didn't rush. The beasts on this floor were smarter, and if he charged in recklessly, he'd be overwhelmed.
~Growl~
A low growl reached his ears.
Kael stilled, his mental cognition subconsciously activated, pushing his perception to its peak. His eyes flicked upward just in time to see the beast leap from the shadows...
A Lvl 7 Shadow Fang.
It was a black-furred feline with a sleek outer layer, built for ambush attacks. Its glowing yellow eyes locked onto him as it twisted mid-air. The claws extended, aiming for his throat.
Kael reacted instantly, dropping low. The beast sailed over him, landing in a crouch with its muscles coiled.
He barely had time to process before two more Shadow Fangs emerged from the undergrowth.
Three Lvl 7 Shadow Fangs against one Lvl 3 human...
Kael's grip on his bone dagger tightened.
The first Shadow Fang lunged again—Kael sidestepped, bringing his dagger up. A precise cut slash across its ribs and the beast snarled, staggering back, but the other two were already in motion.
Kael pivoted, narrowly dodging the second one's swipe. The third circled behind him, cutting off his escape.
"They're well coordinated." Kael inhaled slowly, calming his thoughts. He had to break their rhythm.
Instead of retreating, he charged forward, closing the gap with the injured Shadow Fang.
The beast hesitated—just for a second. But that was enough time for Kael to strike.
His dagger plunged deep into its throat, twisting. Blood gushed like a fountain, and the Shadow Fang collapsed with a choking gurgle.
"One down, two to go."
The remaining two attacked together.
Kael rolled to the side, evading the first strike, but the second raked its claws across his arm. Pain flared, but he pushed through it.
Blood dripped from the open wound, but his Adaptive Regeneration kicked in instantly, already working to heal the wound.
The wounded Shadow Fang growled, circling him carefully now. The last one darted forward, using the brief distraction to attack.
Kael anticipated it, though; his Predator's Instincts whispered the movement before it even happened.
He twisted, slamming his dagger upward into its gut, tearing through fur and flesh.
It yowled, thrashing, but Kael yanked his blade free, stepping back as the beast crumpled.
The last one hesitated after seeing its comrades go down, but Kael didn't.
He lunged forward, feinting left, then cutting right. The dagger sliced through its throat.
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 7 Shadow Fang]
[Essence Absorbed: +125 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 575/700 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 82.2%]
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 7 Shadow Fang]
[Essence Absorbed: +125 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 700/700 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 99% → Ready for Breakthrough]
———
[Level-up Requirements Met]
[Level: 3 → 4]
[Blood Points: 13 BP → 19 BP]
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 7 Shadow Fang]
[Essence Absorbed: +125 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 125/1300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 9.62%]
———
Kael wiped his blade clean, breathing evenly. He had leveled up again, but more than that—he could feel the battle sharpening him.
He moved cautiously. The deeper he went, the heavier the air became. The trees thinned, revealing a massive stone gateway covered in ancient runes.
Suddenly, a cold breeze swept through his back, chilling his spine. Every hair on his body stood on end, his instincts screaming danger.
Then, the source of the feeling emerged.
A hulking beast stepped forward, standing nearly twice his height.
[Lvl 8 Abyss-Touched Dire Bear]
Its dark fur shimmered with runes glowing along its body. Its eyes burned red, looking primal and starved.
Kael didn't move, no—he couldn't move. The feeling the bear gave him was unlike anything he'd felt since waking up in this dungeon. The bear watched him, sniffing the air. It wasn't just a brute, its eye gleamed with intelligence.
~ROAR!~
The sound rattled the cavern, sending a pulse of force through the air. Kael's muscles tensed, but he held his ground.
"This is it... My first real fight," he muttered. Instead of feeling fearful, his lips curled up in a wild smirk.
The bear charged, faster than something its size should be able to.
Kael dodged left, barely avoiding the swipe that shattered the ground where he had stood. Its blow was too strong to block.
His mind raced,
The result was instant. The bear stumbled, its massive body collapsing slightly under its own weight.
Kael didn't hesitate. He leaped onto its back, driving his dagger into the base of its skull.
~ROOAAAAARRRR!~
The bear thrashed violently, trying to throw him off. Its roar shook the entire cavern, but Kael held on, twisting the blade deeper.
With a final gurgling snarl, the beast collapsed.