The jungle lay silent under a canopy of stars, the usual cacophony of life muted, as if holding its breath. Jace awoke to the faint glow of the firestones surrounding his camp, their flickering light reflecting off the frost still clinging to his hands. The transformation from consuming the Crystalheart Root had left him drained, but he could feel the difference in every fiber of his being.
The System's soft chime pulled him from his thoughts.
"Reminder: Remaining Tier 2 ingredients detected. Progression towards Tier 3 level evolution at 67%. Continue resource acquisition for enhanced synchronization."
Jace stretched, his muscles aching but alive with potential. The evolution points from the wyvern and root had brought him closer to a new threshold. The frost energy hummed within him, a quiet, controlled power waiting to be unleashed.
He gathered his gear with practiced efficiency, ensuring the Blade Panther claws and his remaining Thunder Core charge were ready. The wyvern's core had been his most significant boon so far, but there were still other ingredients and challenges he needed to conquer before leaving this world.
The jungle ahead was dense, a labyrinth of towering trees and thick undergrowth. Jace moved with deliberate caution, every sound sharpened by his heightened senses. The deeper he ventured, the more the air seemed to change, growing heavier with a tension he couldn't quite place.
"Warning: Area contains multiple hostile entities. Detected activity at proximity level 100 meters."
Jace stopped, pressing himself against a tree trunk. The foliage ahead rustled faintly, betraying the presence of something large moving through the undergrowth. He adjusted his stance, readying himself for an ambush.
The creature that emerged was unlike anything he'd seen so far—a massive feline, its sleek black fur rippling with an iridescent shimmer. Its eyes glowed a vivid green, piercing through the darkness. The System identified it instantly.
"Black Mirage Panther. Capture Level: 25. Abilities: Enhanced speed, shadow manipulation, and illusion generation. Weakness: Bright light."
The panther's gaze locked onto Jace, and he felt a chill that had nothing to do with frost. It moved with predatory grace, circling him slowly.
Jace tightened his grip on his weapons. "Guess you're not going to let me pass without a fight."
The panther didn't respond, but its body tensed, coiling like a spring before lunging forward.
The battle was a blur of motion. The panther's speed was staggering, its claws slicing through the air faster than Jace could track. He barely managed to dodge the initial strike, countering with a slash of his own. The Blade Panther claws met resistance as they collided with the creature's hide, sparks flying from the impact.
The panther melted into the shadows, vanishing before his eyes. Jace spun around, searching for any sign of movement. A flicker of green light in the corner of his vision was his only warning before the beast reappeared, its claws aimed for his throat.
Instinct took over. Jace activated Frost Resonance, an icy barrier forming in front of him just in time to block the attack. The panther hissed as the frost bit into its paw, retreating back into the shadows.
The System's voice echoed in his mind:
"Recommendation: Use Glacial Domain to neutralize shadow manipulation."
Jace focused, summoning the frost energy to his command. The air around him dropped sharply in temperature as the ground froze over, a wave of ice spreading outward. The jungle floor became a shimmering expanse of frost, the frozen terrain limiting the panther's ability to vanish into the darkness.
The creature roared in frustration, its movements now sluggish on the slippery surface. Jace seized the opportunity, charging forward with a burst of speed. He drove his claws into the panther's side, the force of the attack sending it skidding across the ice.
The panther struggled to rise, its green eyes blazing with defiance. Jace didn't let up, striking again and again, each blow driving the creature closer to defeat. When it finally collapsed, its breathing shallow, he stepped back, his own chest heaving.
The System confirmed his victory:
"Target defeated: Black Mirage Panther. Rewards: 80 Evolution Points, Panther Hide (Material), Shadow Core (Consumable)."
The creature's body dissolved, leaving behind a small, dark orb that pulsed with a strange energy. Jace picked it up, examining the core closely.
"Shadow Core detected. Consumption will enhance sensory abilities and unlock Tier 2 stealth traits. Confirm action?"
"Not yet," Jace muttered, pocketing the core. He needed to rest before undergoing another transformation.
The icy terrain of the Glacial Domain began to thaw as Jace dismissed the ability, the frost retreating back into the earth. He took a moment to survey his surroundings, ensuring there were no other threats nearby.
With the panther defeated, the path ahead seemed clearer, though he knew better than to assume the jungle would make things easy for him. The System's alerts had proven invaluable, but even it couldn't predict everything.
As he moved forward, the jungle seemed to shift around him, the trees growing denser and the air thick with an almost oppressive heat. The tension in his chest grew, a warning of dangers yet to come.