Ethan's breath came in controlled bursts as he faced the bear-like monster before him. The creature's hulking form loomed over him, standing at least twelve feet tall, its fur bristling with raw power. Its eyes, burning with primal fury, locked onto him as it let out a thunderous roar that shook the trees around them. Ethan tightened his grip on his spear, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline surge through his veins.
This was no ordinary beast. The bear was at level 17, just one level higher than Ethan himself. But in this forest, even a single level difference could mean life or death.
The monster charged, its massive paws tearing up the earth as it barreled toward Ethan. He stood his ground, his eyes narrowing in focus. Just as the beast was about to crash into him, Ethan sidestepped with a burst of mana-enhanced speed, his spear flashing out to strike at the bear's flank.
"Piercing Thrust!" Ethan shouted, channeling his mana into the tip of his spear. The weapon glowed with a fierce blue light as it sliced through the air and found its mark in the beast's side. The bear roared in pain, but the wound, while deep, wasn't enough to slow it down. It spun around with surprising agility, swiping at Ethan with its massive claws.
Ethan ducked under the blow, feeling the rush of air as the claws missed him by inches. He countered with a rapid series of strikes, each one aimed at the beast's vulnerable spots—its joints, its eyes, its underbelly. His spear moved like a blur, the mana-infused weapon slicing through the tough hide of the bear with each precise movement.
But the bear wasn't going down easily. It reared up on its hind legs, its shadow falling over Ethan as it brought both paws down in a devastating overhead slam. Ethan leaped back, barely avoiding the crushing blow as the ground where he had stood shattered under the force of the attack.
Ethan gritted his teeth, knowing he couldn't keep dodging forever. He needed to finish this—now.
He quickly channeled more mana into his spear, the energy gathering at the tip until it was glowing bright enough to illuminate the entire clearing. "Lightning Strike!" he yelled, thrusting the spear forward. A bolt of lightning shot out from the spearhead, striking the bear square in the chest. The monster convulsed as the electricity coursed through its body, its roars turning into pained howls.
Ethan didn't waste a moment. With the bear momentarily stunned, he dashed forward, his spear poised for the final blow. He leaped into the air, spinning the spear above his head before driving it down into the bear's skull with all his might. The weapon pierced through bone and flesh, embedding itself deep into the monster's brain.
The bear let out one last, pitiful groan before collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud. Ethan landed lightly on his feet, breathing heavily as he pulled his spear free from the creature's skull. He took a moment to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow as he surveyed his fallen foe. His heart was still pounding, but a sense of satisfaction washed over him as he realized he had won.
Checking the band on his wrist, he saw the confirmation: Level 17 monster defeated. 1 points earned.
"Not bad," Ethan muttered to himself, though there was a slight edge of frustration in his voice. He had expended more mana than he'd planned to, and the fight had taken longer than he would have liked. He couldn't afford to be this reckless in the upcoming challenges.
As he sheathed his spear across his back, Ethan's thoughts drifted to Mira and Liana. He hadn't seen them since they entered the forest, and he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him. Were they handling themselves well? Could they be in trouble? The thought made his fists clench involuntarily.
"Focus, Ethan," he reminded himself, shaking off the distraction. He couldn't afford to lose his edge now. There would be time to find them later. For now, he needed to keep moving and gather more points.
With a final glance at the bear's lifeless body, Ethan turned and headed deeper into the forest, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger or opportunity.
Elsewhere in the forest, Mira Bluecrest and Victor Stone stood in a tense standoff. Mira's sharp eyes locked onto Victor's, her lips curving into a slight smile as she noticed his hand inching toward his weapon.
"I'm not here to fight you, Victor," Mira said calmly, her voice steady. "At least, not unless you want to. But I have a better idea."
Victor hesitated, narrowing his eyes at her. He was a formidable fighter, known for his relentless strength and endurance. But Mira was no pushover either, her magical prowess and tactical mind making her a dangerous opponent. "What are you suggesting?" he asked cautiously, his stance still tense.
"A temporary alliance," Mira replied, relaxing her posture slightly to show she meant no harm. "We both know there are stronger opponents out there, and more points to be earned if we work together rather than against each other. We can split the points evenly."
Victor frowned, clearly weighing his options. "And what happens after we've earned our points?"
Mira shrugged, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Then we go our separate ways. Or, if you're feeling brave, we can settle things between us then. But until that time, we're better off as allies."
Victor studied her for a moment longer before nodding. "Fine. We'll team up—until it's no longer convenient."
"Glad to hear it." Mira extended her hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Victor shook it.
The two of them set off together, their eyes scanning the forest for potential threats or prey. It was an uneasy alliance, but both knew it was their best chance to maximize their points and survive the brutal test.
Meanwhile, Lila Evangeline moved cautiously through a denser part of the forest, her eyes scanning the ground for the herbs she needed. She had stumbled upon a small clearing with various medicinal plants growing in abundance. Carefully, she knelt down, her fingers gently plucking the herbs and placing them into a small pouch.
Lila knew she wasn't the strongest fighter, nor did she have the powerful magic some of the others possessed. But she was resourceful, and her knowledge of herbs and potions could prove invaluable during the survival test. If she could brew a few healing potions or poisons, they might give her the edge she needed.
As she worked, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, but she forced herself to stay calm, focusing on her task. The forest was full of dangers, and she had to stay alert if she wanted to make it through this day in one piece.
But as the shadows around her seemed to grow longer and the forest fell eerily silent, Lila couldn't help but glance over her shoulder, her heart pounding in her chest. She had the unsettling feeling that something—or someone—was closing in on her.