[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 5 Scaled Spider]
[Essence Absorbed: +95 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 105/300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 35%]
———
As the system's notice flashed in front of him, Kael straightened and let out a breath. "Efficient kill," he muttered.
However, the improvised stone fragment he used as a weapon was already wearing down. Its surface was cracked in little places. He needed something better.
Kael studied the body of the dead spider while crouching next to it. Although its exoskeleton was tough, it was not a useful weapon. However, its legs...
He traced the ragged bone-like section close to the joints with his fingers. It was sharp by nature, hard, and durable. He broke it into a more workable shape by prying one loose with his stone.
A rough, jagged bone dagger that was almost as long as his forearm was the end product. Although it wasn't flawless, it would last longer than his piece of stone.
[Weapon Acquired: Bone Dagger]
He tested the weight by adjusting his grip. It was light, easier to handle, and at the same time sharper. His lips curled into a smirk. "This will do."
The tunnels were starting to enlarge as Kael made his way farther into the first level of Labyrinth. Human skeletons lined the road, while fresh claw marks scratched the walls, indicating the presence of larger animals nearby.
Then he caught sight of them. A pack of three Wild Wolves. They were two Lvl 5 and one Lvl 6 Half-Step Evolution beast.
Their coarse and spotty fur gave them a starved appearance as they stood in the center of a broken passageway. There was no mistaking the hunger in their eyes, which glowed faintly.
Kael quickly controlled his movements and regulated his breathing. As pack hunters, wolves would launch a coordinated attack if they detected weakness.
His mind worked fast. Death was the result if he committed an error.
In the middle was the Alpha, a bigger wolf with a scar across its eye. The other two were on either side. They would defend themselves if Kael attacked one.
He picked up a loose rock and tossed it to his right.
The closest wolf's body shifted as its ears darted toward the sound. The Alpha snarled but remained motionless. It was not fooled.
Kael repositioned his bone dagger. He needed to strike first.
Then he made a move.
He stepped forward quickly. The wolves responded immediately, snarling as they charged, but Kael wasn't there anymore.
He had already sidestepped, disappearing from where he had been. He flashed his blade at the throat of the closest wolf.
It made a deep cut, spraying blood. The wolf's legs collapsed and it stumbled back, choking.
"One down."
The second wolf lunged toward his exposed back. The wolf's claws barely missed Kael as he tumbled forward. He twisted his body, slashing upward over its belly. The wolf yelped, but Kael didn't stop. Twisting swiftly, he drove the dagger deep into its neck.
It dropped in a puddle of its own blood with a snap. The Alpha was the last one left.
The scarred-eyed wolf snarled while pacing, its muscles coiling. It was far more dangerous and smarter than the others.
Kael breathed out slowly. It would take more work on this one. With a rapid low lunge, the wolf aimed for his legs rather than his upper body.
Kael's instincts screamed danger.
The wolf's teeth made a small cut on his thigh as he leaped back, but it was enough to slow him down.
The Alpha charged once again, pressing the attack. Kael dodged the full force of the attack by feinting left and then spinning right. The wolf was overshot—just for a second and that was all he needed.
Taking his blade in both hands, Kael stepped in and stabbed the wolf in the skull. After struggling one more time, It took a quivering breath and then there was stillness.
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 5 Wild Wolf]
[Essence Absorbed: +95 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 200/300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 67%]
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 5 Wild Wolf]
[Essence Absorbed: +95 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 295/300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 98%]
———
[System Alert]
[You have acquired primal energy of Lvl 6 Wild Wolf]
[Essence Absorbed: +110 EXP]
[Blood Points: +2]
[Experience Points: 405/300 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 99%→ Ready for Breakthrough]
[New Trait Acquired: Predator's Instincts]
———
Kael's breathing steadied out. Like a pulse of primal awareness, his body grew sharper, and the darkness became clearer on a conscious level.
His movements were more fluid, and his hold on the dagger felt more natural. The traits of the Predator's Instincts had come into play.
It was a passive skill that enhanced reaction time, increased battle awareness, and helped anticipate subtle enemy actions.
As the sensation took hold, Kael flexed his fingers. "This power… it is addictive."
He wiped his dagger clean and stepped over the fallen wolves. A portal materialized a few meters from him, shimmering in a whirling ball of violet energy that resonated eerily.
Kael prepared himself and stepped through, the sensation felt like wading through thick, icy water. A heartbeat later, his surroundings changed.
The first floor's cold stone corridors disappeared, to be replaced by something quite new.
The second floor was enormous—an underground forest rather than a cramped dungeon hallway.
Ashen-barked, twisted trees reached toward the cavern ceiling. Their black leaves move as if alive to the rhythm of the wind. The smell of the moist air was heavy with the scent of soil and something faintly metallic.
Kael's hold on his bone dagger became more firm. "Status Window," he mentally mumbled.
The translucent system interface flickered into view.
———0
[Status Window]
Name: Kael Veyne
Level: 3
Race: Human (Modified – Eldritch Hybrid)
Bloodline: Eldritch Devourer (Stage 1 – Unchained)
Rank: Initiate Devourer
Affiliation: House of Veyne
Experience Points: 105/700 EXP
Blood Points: 10 BP
[Attributes]
>>> Strength: 15
>>> Dexterity: 15
>>> Constitution: 13
>>> Mental Cognition: 12
>>> Primal Energy: 400
>>> Devourer Corruption: 0.5% (Increases with overconsumption—mutation risk at 10%+)
[Abilities]
>>> Devour Essence (Active) – Absorb 70% primal energy of a slain enemy over ten levels above. (Increases by 2% per 50 levels.)
>>> Assimilate Traits (Passive) – 10% chance to steal abilities from devoured foes. (Increases by 10% per 100 levels.)
>>> Eldritch Metamorphosis (Locked) – Bloodline evolution at higher stages.
[Skills]
>>> Night Predator (Trait) – Enhanced stealth, vision, and reaction speed in darkness.
>>> Adaptive Regeneration (Trait) – Minor wounds heal quickly. Large wounds require BP.
>>> Predator's Instincts (Trait) – Heightens battle awareness, improved reaction time, and the ability to predict subtle enemy movements.
———
Kael took in the information quickly. He had already accumulated ten Blood Points. He could keep them for emergencies or increase his stats.
"Let's test my limits first."
He squatted down and looked around. It was strangely quiet on this second floor. No wolves were roaring, and no spiders were scuttling around. There was something different.
There was a faint rustling first from the left, then the right, and then from above. A dark shadow sprang from the trees above, and Kael rolled forward in an instant. He steadied his stance and examined the predator closely.
The shadow that landed where he had recently been was a Scaled Serpent 10 meters long with a body as thick as a man's torso. More rustling sounded and two more slithered forward from the darkness, their forked tongues flickering as they sized him up.
There were two Lvl 6 and one Lvl 7 Scaled Serpents.
They stared at him with their black eyes. These snakes were renowned for being cunning, well-coordinated group hunters.
With his thoughts already figuring out how to deal with them, Kael let out a deep exhale.
First to strike, the lead serpent's body jerked forward like a whip. Kael's reaction was purely on instinct.
He twisted, dodging the fangs by inches, which were as long as a foot. The moment was slowed down by his new Predator's Instincts, or rather, they heightened his senses to the point where he could practically anticipate the next attack coming.
The second snake coiled, ready to strike.
Kael took the first move. His bone dagger flashed in a downward arc as he feinted left and then dashed right—
SLASH!
The bone held firm, ripping through the scales of the serpent and penetrating deeply into its side. The beast writhed in agony and snarled violently.
The third, however, had already begun to attack. A tail struck Kael's side, sending him skidding across the forest floor before he could even react. A stab of pain shot through his ribs, and his vision became blurry.
He grimaced, "That was reckless."
The snakes acted without hesitation. They huddled together, ready to attack.
Kael's breathing became steady. "They believe I'm weakened. All good, let them come."
Reaching into his system interface, he gave it a mental command. "Use 3 BP to enhance dexterity."
[Dexterity Increased: 15 → 16]
He felt a rush of primal energy in his veins. Instantly, his muscles reacted, sharpening and quickening his movements.
When the first serpent lunged, Kael easily sidestepped and slashed open its throat with his dagger.
In mid-air, Kael spun and landed on its back as the second coiled to strike. Stabbing downwards, his blade plunged into its skull.
The leader of the three attempted to retreat, but Kael wouldn't allow it. He quickly closed the gap, guided by his predatory instincts. His dagger flashed, stabbing the base of the skull precisely.
It hissed one last time. Then there was quiet.
———
[System Alert]
[You have absorbed primal energy from Lvl 6 Scaled Serpent]
[Essence Absorbed: +110 EXP]
[Blood Points +2]
[Experience Points: 215/700 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 30.8%]
———
[You have absorbed primal energy from Lvl 6 Scaled Serpent]
[Essence Absorbed: +110 EXP]
[Blood Points +2]
[Experience Points: 325/700 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 46.5%]
———
[You have absorbed primal energy from Lvl 7 Scaled Serpent]
[Essence Absorbed: +125 EXP]
[Blood Points +3]
[Experience Points: 450/700 EXP]
[Level-up Progress: 64.3%]
———
Kael rolled his shoulders and let out a breath. Despite feeling lighter, his body felt stronger. He grew stronger as the force from the serpents merged with him.
He wiped his dagger clean and glanced at the dark forest ahead.