As Reynold ventured deeper into the grim Alberoth Dungeon, the surroundings grew even more macabre. Piles of bones littered the ground, and the pervasive stench of death hung heavy in the air. Fear of the unknown gripped him, amplified by the dim light that barely penetrated the dungeon's depths.
Amidst the haunting stillness, Reynold couldn't help but wonder if the rumors had exaggerated the horrors of this place. Perhaps it wasn't as terrifying as he had initially believed. Lost in thought, he continued to explore, his confidence growing with each step.
However, his complacency was short-lived. Suddenly, he heard a cacophony of footsteps and the guttural moans of zombies echoing through the eerie silence. Panic seized him, and his instincts kicked in. He spotted a nearby tree and darted behind it, his heart pounding in his chest.
Reynold whispered to himself, "Maybe it's just a few zombies." But as he peered cautiously around the tree, his eyes widened in terror. It wasn't just a few; it was a group, a horde of zombies, moving together with a dreadful purpose.
His first instinct was to flee, to escape from the looming threat. But then a surge of determination overcame his fear. He remembered his purpose – to grow stronger and exact vengeance upon those who had wronged him. This was an opportunity he couldn't afford to pass up.
Reynold summoned his (Shadow Concealment) ability, blending into the shadows once more. As he approached the group of zombies, his heart raced with trepidation. With a deep breath, he unleashed his (Shadow Grasp), striking down four of the sixteen zombies with shadowy tendrils that crushed their skulls.
However, the momentary victory came at a steep price. His attack had exposed him, and the remaining zombies turned their rotting eyes toward him, driven by an insatiable hunger for flesh. Reynold knew he had to act swiftly to survive
Bolting away from the zombies, Reynold felt the adrenaline surging through his veins. He knew that he couldn't afford to let fear paralyze him. His (Shadow Grasp) ability had a cooldown, and he needed to make the most of it. He repeated the process, using his power to target groups of zombies, then retreating to a safe distance.
The cycle continued, each use of (Shadow Grasp) followed by a desperate sprint to escape the clutches of the undead. Reynold's heart hammered in his chest as fear and exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. But with each successful use of his power, his confidence grew. He felt a glimmer of hope that he might just survive this ordeal.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of relentless struggle, the last of the zombies fell to his shadowy onslaught. Reynold was left panting, covered in sweat, and utterly drained of mana. He had pushed himself to the limits, but it had been worth it.
Then, a notification from the system brought a triumphant smile to Reynold's face:
Level Up
Level 4
He couldn't contain his joy and excitement. With this newfound level, his status received a significant boost:
Intelligence: 10 (+3)
Strength: 11 (+3)
Agility: 9 (+3)
Endurance: 14 (+3)
His powers had also grown in tandem with his level:
Shadow Manipulation - Level 2
Shadow Grasp - Level 2 (Now with 3 tendrils, reduced cooldown by -2 seconds)
Shadow Concealment - Level 2 (Lasts for 7 seconds, reduced cooldown by -2 seconds)
And there was another surprise waiting for him within his powers:
Shadow Martial Arts - Level 1
Reynold, exhausted but elated, couldn't help but marvel at how far he had come