*STATS*
VITALITY: 33 (+165)
STRENGTH: 35 (+175)
MAGIC: 36 (+180)
SPEED: 34 (+170)
STAMINA: 33 (+165)
As Gideon delved deeper into the heart of the Unicorn Wolves' territory, the formidable pack's members emerged from the shadows, determined to halt Gideon's relentless advance. Rolling gracefully through the rugged terrain, he became the target of these fierce creatures, their menacing fangs set on his compact yet spiky form.
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 5*
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 5*
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 5*
Yet, the trio of colossal wolves forming this immediate threat proved to be no match for Gideon. With astonishing agility, he bounded toward them, leaving the once-dominant predators quivering on the ground, their bodies riddled with punctures from Gideon's razor-sharp spines. Dark tendrils of smoke soon engulfed their lifeless forms.
Without breaking his stride, Gideon effortlessly navigated the treacherous terrain, his path clear as long as he followed the flow of Unicorn Wolves emerging from their dens. With an air of casual indifference, he taunted his foes, "Don't bother fleeing!" Swiftly, he slashed at any Unicorn Wolf that dared to retreat after witnessing the ease with which he dispatched their comrades. "Or do as you please. Makes no difference to me," he added nonchalantly, as he continued to vanish and reappear before his prey, ruthlessly carving through them.
His eerie, rubbery laughter reverberated through the vicinity, chilling the spines of his adversaries. For them, it was a life-or-death struggle, each defeat signaling the impending doom of their entire pack. Yet, for Gideon, it was merely a game, a macabre form of entertainment that simultaneously honed his skills and bolstered his already formidable strength.
Coming to a halt, Gideon surveyed the carnage left in his wake, the corpses of Unicorn Wolves strewn across his path. "This is futile; no matter how many I dispatch, if the monster's level is lower than mine, the experience gains are negligible. I need to locate higher-level prey," he mused. Transforming into a spherical form using his *Roll* ability, Gideon resumed his relentless charge deeper into the heart of the Unicorn Wolves' territory. "Perhaps their leader possesses the strength I seek."
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 8*
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 8*
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 8*
*Unicorn Wolf: Level 8*
Four imposing Unicorn Wolves descended from the lofty branches of ancient trees, their eyes ablaze with seething anger. Growling menacingly, they readied themselves to confront Gideon, no longer willing to allow this intruder to desecrate their sacred lair. It was their final stand, their last desperate attempt to put an end to Gideon's relentless onslaught.
But Gideon remained unfazed. He halted abruptly, allowing the first charging Unicorn Wolf to sink its fangs into his resilient form. A chilling cry of agony escaped the beast's maw as it recoiled, its mouth now filled with the corrosive black smoke emanating from Gideon's spines. Then, with remarkable swiftness, Gideon plummeted into the ground, invoking his *Dig* ability and vanishing, leaving behind only a smoky void where he had stood.
The Unicorn Wolves were bewildered by Gideon's uncanny speed and agility. Before they could react, he reemerged from the ground, spinning with such velocity that he pierced the abdomen of one of the Level 8 Unicorn Wolves. The unfortunate creature let out a mournful wail as Gideon carved a gaping cavity through its body, sending its innards spilling onto the ground, forming a grotesque puddle of blood before succumbing to its inevitable demise.
Before the remaining trio of Unicorn Wolves could even process the lightning-fast onslaught that unfolded before them, Gideon had already materialized behind one of the majestic creatures, his razor-sharp claws poised for a devastating strike. The moonlight danced off his obsidian fur, and his eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity that sent shivers down the spine of even the bravest beasts of the night.
With a fluid grace that belied his small stature, Gideon unleashed his fearsome *Claw Attack*. The world seemed to slow as the claws tore through the ethereal darkness, and with surgical precision, they slashed through the back of the Unicorn Wolf's neck. The sheer force of his strike was enhanced by Gideon's newfound power, his stats having surged dramatically since his recent leveling up.
The results were nothing short of awe-inspiring. His *Claw Attack* had evolved into a devastating force, its reach now extending beyond the boundaries of his diminutive form. It cut through the air with a grace that defied reason, its deadly arc encompassing a swath of space more vast than Gideon himself. The consequence of this surge in strength was evident in the fate of the Unicorn Wolf, its neck partially severed, yet the final connection stubbornly resisted the urge to snap, leaving its head hanging by a tenuous thread.
Gideon's nimbleness knew no bounds. His astonishing speed allowed him to vanish and reappear multiple times within the span of a single heartbeat. It was a blink-and-you-miss-it display of mastery as he dispatched the remaining Unicorn Wolves before they could even muster a feeble howl for help. One by one, they crumpled to the ground, their heads swaying precariously on the brink of detachment—a testament to Gideon's relentless skill and the still-persistent challenge posed by their size.
More than anything, this harrowing battle underscored a fundamental truth about Gideon's abilities: they grew in tandem with his burgeoning stats. Despite his petite frame, his potency knew no bounds.
The euphoric proclamation echoed in his consciousness:
*You have leveled up.*
"Night Form is an exhilarating experience," Gideon mused aloud, his black eyes glinting with satisfaction, yet tinged with a hint of regret. "Too bad it's a nocturnal privilege." His gaze pierced the inky darkness ahead, and his sensitive nose detected the unmistakable scent of the creatures he sought. "So, this is their lair. I've finally found it," he declared with a quiet determination that radiated from his voice.
Before plunging deeper into the looming abyss of the Unicorn Wolves' lair, Gideon turned his attention to a routine yet vital task—distributing his newly acquired stat points. With practiced efficiency, he allocated the points across a spectrum of attributes, ensuring a balanced approach to his abilities. Simultaneously, he felt an exhilarating surge of power coursing through his being, as though the universe itself acknowledged his ascent.
With his stats bolstered, Gideon turned his gaze back to the silhouettes of the wolves ahead. Some were colossal, matching the size of those he had already vanquished, while others were feeble, struggling to maintain their footing. But Gideon paid no heed to their size disparities; he was undeterred, unflinching in his determination to conquer whatever obstacles lay in his path.
Gideon cast a last lingering look at the lifeless forms of the Unicorn Wolves he had just defeated. His eyes betrayed a nonchalant demeanor that masked the turbulent thoughts beneath. "The dawn is approaching," he murmured, his voice a mix of determination and anticipation. "It's time to conclude my business here." With a deft movement, he initiated *Roll*, propelling himself forward like a shadowy comet on a collision course with the heart of the Unicorn Wolves' lair.
•••••
NAME: GIDEON BRANGWEN
LEVEL: 8/10
SPECIES: EXTREMELY WEAK HEDGEHOG
*STATS*
VITALITY: 37 (+185)
STRENGTH: 39 (+195)
MAGIC: 40 (+200)
SPEED: 38 (+190)
STAMINA: 37 (+185)
•••••