The next section of the underground expanse opened up into a vast, wild cavern teeming with life. Towering fungi glowed with bioluminescent light, illuminating the strange and dangerous ecosystem sprawling before Jace. The air was thick with the mingled scents of earth and rot, a heady mix that made his frost core hum faintly in response. This wasn't a test or a trial. This was survival.
The System chimed in with a brief update:
"Location detected: Predator's Domain. Threat level: Moderate to High. Objective: Secure apex predator's core for integration. Rewards proportional to danger."
Jace's eyes narrowed. "Predator's Domain? Sounds ominous enough," he muttered, his claws extending instinctively. His frost core pulsed, a reminder of the power at his disposal.
Ahead, the cavern stretched into darkness, the glowing fungi casting eerie shadows. Strange noises echoed through the space—the chittering of unseen creatures, the low growls of predators stalking their prey. Every sound set Jace on edge, his senses sharpening as he advanced cautiously.
The first encounter came quickly. A blur of motion darted from the shadows, a creature with sleek, chitinous armor and blade-like limbs lunging at Jace with terrifying speed. He ducked to the side, narrowly avoiding its strike, and lashed out with his claws. The creature's exoskeleton cracked under the force, and it let out a high-pitched screech before retreating into the shadows.
Jace didn't pursue. Instead, he scanned the area, his frost core's energy spreading outward in a thin wave. The System registered multiple lifeforms converging on his position.
"Predatory swarm detected. Suggest elimination or escape. Countermeasures available: Mana traps and localized frost burst."
"Let's see how they handle this," Jace murmured. He slammed his hand into the ground, channeling frost energy through the cavern floor. Ice spread rapidly, forming jagged spikes that created a defensive perimeter around him. As the swarm emerged from the shadows—a pack of the same chitinous creatures—the ice spikes speared the first wave, their bodies collapsing in lifeless heaps.
The remaining creatures hesitated, circling the icy barrier as if searching for a weakness. Jace didn't give them the chance. With a surge of mana, he released a localized frost burst, freezing the swarm in place before shattering them with a single, sweeping strike of his claws. Their shattered remains littered the ground, their glowing cores fading into darkness.
The System chimed again:
"Swarm neutralized. Low-tier predator cores collected: 8. Core essence insufficient for significant upgrades."
Jace frowned. "Not exactly a jackpot," he muttered, but he pocketed the cores anyway. If nothing else, they could serve as fuel for his frost core or be traded for resources.
As he moved deeper into the cavern, the environment grew more treacherous. The fungi's light dimmed, replaced by faintly glowing veins of crystal embedded in the walls. Pools of viscous liquid dotted the ground, their surfaces rippling with the movements of unseen creatures beneath. The air grew colder, a sign that his frost core's influence was spreading as he drew on its power.
A deep roar echoed through the cavern, making the ground tremble beneath Jace's feet. He froze, every instinct screaming that something massive was approaching. The System's interface flickered briefly before displaying a new update:
"Apex predator detected: Frostmane Leviathan. Threat level: High. Suggested strategy: Precision strikes to disable mobility. Reward: Leviathan core and access to deeper caverns."
Jace tightened his grip on his claws. "Leviathan, huh? Guess that explains the roaring," he muttered. He'd faced large creatures before, but the name alone suggested this one would be a challenge.
The Frostmane Leviathan emerged from the shadows moments later, its massive form towering over the cavern. Its body was covered in crystalline scales that refracted the faint light, creating an almost mesmerizing display of colors. Ice crystals jutted from its limbs, and its eyes glowed with a cold, malevolent light.
The creature roared again, its breath visible in the frigid air as it charged. Jace barely had time to dodge as the Leviathan's massive claws smashed into the ground, sending shards of ice flying in all directions. He retaliated with a burst of frost energy, aiming for the creature's legs to slow its movements. The ice spread quickly, encasing one of its hind limbs and forcing it to stumble.
The Leviathan roared in fury, swinging its tail in a wide arc. Jace jumped back, avoiding the attack by inches, and countered with a slash of his claws aimed at the creature's exposed flank. The impact sent a ripple through the Leviathan's crystalline armor, but it held firm.
"Tough hide," Jace muttered, circling the creature as it recovered. He needed a new strategy. The frost core within him pulsed, its energy surging as he focused on the Leviathan's movements. The System chimed in, offering a tactical overlay that highlighted weak points in the creature's armor.
"Weak points identified: Jointed limbs and base of the tail. Exploit vulnerabilities to disable mobility."
Jace wasted no time. He darted forward, aiming for the joints in the Leviathan's front legs. His claws struck true, chipping away at the crystalline armor and forcing the creature to rear back in pain. The Leviathan's tail came around again, but Jace was ready, using his frost core to create a slick patch of ice beneath the creature's feet. It lost its balance, crashing to the ground with a thunderous impact.
Seizing the opportunity, Jace unleashed a concentrated burst of frost energy at the base of the Leviathan's tail. The ice spread rapidly, encasing the appendage and severing its connection to the creature's mana flow. The Leviathan let out a pained roar, its movements growing sluggish as the frost core's energy sapped its strength.
The fight dragged on, each exchange pushing Jace to the limits of his endurance. The Leviathan was relentless, its attacks growing more desperate as it sensed its impending defeat. But Jace's focus never wavered. With a final, powerful strike, he drove his claws into the creature's chest, shattering the crystalline armor and piercing its core.
The Leviathan let out one last roar before collapsing, its massive body dissolving into shimmering fragments that faded into the air. Jace staggered back, breathing heavily as the frost core within him absorbed the creature's essence. The System's interface lit up with a new notification:
"Apex predator neutralized. Frostmane Leviathan core acquired. Rewards unlocked: Enhanced frost core resonance and access to deeper caverns."
Jace wiped the sweat from his brow, his frost core's energy steadying his frayed nerves. As the cavern fell silent, a new path revealed itself, its glowing crystal veins leading into the depths below.
The hunt was over, but the journey was far from complete. Jace didn't dwell on his victory. He simply adjusted his gear and stepped forward.