The path ahead was no longer a mystery. The System had made it abundantly clear: this was a domain where only the strongest survived, and Jace had no intention of falling prey to its inhabitants.
"Task Objective: Hunt and eliminate the Prime Predators of the Crimson Basin. Threat Level: Variable. Rewards: Tiered predator cores for skill augmentation and resource integration."
The Crimson Basin unfolded before him, a sprawling terrain of jagged cliffs, searing geysers, and dense, alien vegetation. The air was humid and carried a metallic tang, a clear sign of the lurking dangers. Each step felt heavier, not due to exhaustion but the palpable tension that came with being watched by unseen predators.
Jace's frost core pulsed faintly in sync with his heightened senses, alerting him to movement in the underbrush. A flicker of motion caught his eye, and before he could fully react, a serpent-like beast, its body wreathed in vibrant, crimson scales, lunged at him from the shadows. Its fanged maw dripped with corrosive venom as it aimed for his throat.
Instinct took over. Jace sidestepped the strike, his claws slashing upward in a blur. The serpent's scales were tougher than expected, deflecting his initial strike, but a concentrated frost burst shattered the creature's protective hide. The beast shrieked in pain as ice crawled along its body, freezing it solid before it shattered into glimmering shards. Its glowing core hovered briefly in the air before the System absorbed it.
"Predator Core Acquired: Crimson Fang Serpent. Processing… Partial frost affinity upgrade detected. Core essence stored for further synthesis."
Jace barely had time to register the update before a new threat emerged. The ground beneath him trembled as a massive form tore through the undergrowth. A quadrupedal beast resembling a cross between a lion and a boar, its body encased in jagged, rock-like armor, barreled toward him with frightening speed.
The System chimed in:
"New predator detected: Boulderback Ravager. Threat Level: Moderate. Weakness: Joints and underbelly."
"Got it," Jace muttered, leaping to the side as the Ravager's tusks gouged deep furrows into the ground where he had stood. The creature's momentum carried it forward, giving him just enough time to channel frost energy into his claws. With a burst of speed, he dashed toward its flank, aiming for the exposed joint between its foreleg and armored torso.
The attack landed with a satisfying crunch, and the beast roared in pain. It spun around, its massive tail sweeping in a wide arc. Jace ducked, rolling beneath the swing and retaliating with a burst of frost energy aimed at its underbelly. The ice spread rapidly, slowing the creature's movements as Jace closed in for the kill. With a final, powerful strike, he drove his claws into the Ravager's throat, shattering its core in a spray of light and dust.
"Predator Core Acquired: Boulderback Ravager. Processing… Additional durability enhancements detected. Integration available."
Jace stood over the fallen beast, his breathing steady as he scanned the area for more threats. The Crimson Basin was alive with the sounds of predators hunting and being hunted. He knew the fights would only grow more challenging as he ventured deeper.
The next stretch of the Basin was dominated by towering, carnivorous plants with petals like serrated blades. Their sweet, intoxicating scent hung heavy in the air, a lure for the unwary. Jace kept his distance, watching as one of the plants snapped shut around a smaller creature that had wandered too close. The beast's struggles were brief, its cries muffled as the plant's petals exuded digestive enzymes.
"Noted. Stay clear of the flowers," Jace muttered, but the Basin had other plans.
A low growl drew his attention to the ridge above. A pack of sleek, wolf-like creatures with glowing red eyes and fur that shimmered like molten metal was watching him. Their leader, larger and more heavily muscled than the rest, let out a sharp bark, and the pack descended as one.
Jace didn't wait for them to reach him. He launched himself forward, meeting the first wolf mid-leap. His claws tore through its metallic fur, the frost energy leaving a trail of ice in its wake. The wolf yelped as it hit the ground, but Jace had already moved on, spinning to dodge another attacker and retaliating with a frost burst that sent two more crashing to the ground.
The leader circled him, its molten fur glowing brighter as it charged up a fiery attack. Flames erupted from its maw in a torrent, forcing Jace to dive for cover behind a boulder. The heat was intense, singeing his exposed skin despite the protection of his frost core.
"If you want a fight, you've got one," Jace growled, his frost core flaring to life. He stepped out from behind the boulder, his claws gleaming with frost energy as he faced the pack leader head-on. The wolf charged, its fiery aura clashing with the icy energy surrounding Jace. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, but Jace held his ground, driving his claws into the wolf's chest and freezing its core in a single, decisive strike.
The remaining wolves hesitated, their confidence shaken. Jace took advantage of their hesitation, dispatching them with swift, efficient strikes. As the last wolf fell, the System delivered its update:
"Predator Pack Neutralized: Moltenfang Wolves. Leader core acquired. Processing… Core essence provides partial resistance to heat-based attacks. Integration available."
The day stretched on, each new encounter pushing Jace to his limits. He fought his way through swarms of venomous insects, their stingers dripping with paralytic toxins. He faced off against a monstrous bird with wings of jagged stone that rained razor-sharp feathers down on him. Each battle was a test of his skill and resourcefulness, the System's tactical updates guiding him through the chaos.
"New predator detected: Stormrazor Roc. Threat Level: High. Weakness: Wing joints and exposed head crest."
The Roc's screech echoed through the Basin as it dove toward him, its talons outstretched. Jace rolled to the side, sending a flurry of ice shards into its underbelly. The attack slowed the bird's movements, allowing him to leap onto its back and drive his claws into the base of its wings. The Roc thrashed wildly, but Jace held on, channeling frost energy directly into its body until it collapsed in a heap of frozen feathers.
"Predator Core Acquired: Stormrazor Roc. Processing… Enhanced agility detected. Integration available."
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Crimson Basin in hues of deep red and purple, Jace had carved a bloody path through its treacherous landscape. His frost core pulsed with renewed strength, each absorbed predator core adding to his arsenal of abilities. But the System's latest update reminded him that the hunt was far from over:
"Remaining Prime Predators: 2. Location: Infernal Chasm and Venomspike Hollow. Prepare for increased resistance."
Jace adjusted his gear, his gaze fixed on the distant glow of the Infernal Chasm.