The alpha's claws met Adrian's scales with a thunderous crash. The force of the impact drove Adrian to his knees, the ground beneath him cracking under the pressure. The sheer power of the blow sent shock waves through his entire body, the scales barely holding against the onslaught. The alpha's eyes gleamed with malice as it pressed down, its claws digging into Adrian's scales, seeking to break through.
For a moment, it seemed like the scales would hold. But then, with a sickening crack, they began to fracture. Adrian gritted his teeth, his vision blurring from the pain, but he refused to give in. With a final, desperate burst of strength, he twisted his body, using the force of the alpha's attack to propel himself to the side.
The alpha's claws slashed through empty air as Adrian rolled to safety, his body aching from the strain. He came up on one knee, panting heavily, his dagger still clutched in his hand. The alpha landed heavily on the ground where he had been, its claws gouging deep furrows into the earth.
Adrian knew he had only one chance left. He had to strike now, while the alpha was still recovering from its failed attack. Channeling the last of his mana into his legs, he surged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant.
The alpha sensed the danger, but it was too late. Adrian's dagger flashed through the air, a blur of steel as it sliced through the thick miasma and found its mark. The blade plunged deep into the wolf's chest, piercing its heart with a sickening crunch.
The enchanted dagger started absorbing the miasma from the body of the alpha. The alpha let out a final, defiant snarl, its eyes burning with fury. Even with its heart pierced, alpha looked ferocious. Adrian then twisted his dagger , shredding the heart of the alpha.
Its body convulsed once, twice, and then went still as it look at Adrian with hatred. The poisonous miasma dissipated , as it was absorbed by the dagger, eventually oppressive weight in the air lifting as the alpha's power faded.
Adrian remained on his knees, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. He could feel the blood pounding in his ears, his entire body trembling from the exertion. But despite the pain, despite the exhaustion, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
The battle was over. He had faced the alpha, fought with everything he had, and emerged victorious. As he pulled his dagger free from the wolf's body, he felt the familiar warmth of the system's energy washing over him, signaling his hard-earned level up.
As the warmth of the level-up energy washed over Adrian, he felt his wounds closing, his mana replenishing, and his body growing stronger. The exhaustion from the intense battle still clung to him, but the sense of accomplishment dulled the fatigue. He then called system to show his stats.
Ding! Level Up!
Name: Adrian Everhart
Age: 18
Level: 6
Title: Head of Everhart Manor
Stats:
Health Points (HP): 350/350
Mana Points (MP): 200/200
Strength: 54
Agility: 25
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 28
Charisma: 20
Luck: 13
Seduction Points (SP): 17,500
Skills:
Intermediate Swordsmanship (Level 1):
Basic Mana Control (Level 2 -> 1):
Dragon Roar ( Level 1): An area-of-effect attack that sends sound waves whose strength depends upon the mana applied to skill
Scaled Defense (Level 2): Increased resistance to physical damage
Eternal Yin-Yang Harmony Technique: A profound dual cultivation method that balances the energies of Yin and Yang between partners, significantly enhancing cultivation speed, physical strength, and spiritual awareness.
Inventory:
Enchanted Dagger
Basic Healing Potion x3
Exp Storage Orb
Virtual Training Chamber Voucher
Charming Spray
New skill learnt:
Mana Fortification (Level 1): Allows the user to focus mana on their body parts, enhancing their functionality greatly.
Adrian had done it. He had defeated the Alpha Gloom Wolf, and with that victory, he had taken another significant step toward his mission of obtaining his first class. As he opened his status screen, his eyes scanned the new information, lingering on the newly learned skill.
His mind, ever playful, immediately jumped to an absurd thought, what would happen if he used this skill on his "little brother" while it was exploring the "depths of a cave"? The idea made him glance at Sophia, who was approaching him. He quickly shook his head, clearing the thought from his mind. They had an agreement for tonight, and he would save his experimentation for then.
As he continued to review his status, another skill caught his attention: Intermediate Swordsmanship. He hadn't had a chance to use it yet, lacking a sword, but the knowledge that he possessed such a skill made him eager to put it to the test.
Slowly, Adrian rose to his feet, the weight of the battle still pressing on him. Despite his exhaustion, he couldn't help but feel relieved, another level gained, another step closer to his goal. As he caught his breath, a familiar voice broke through the silence.
"Impressive," Sophia's voice called out, filled with a mix of pride and curiosity as she approached Adrian. Her eyes bright with admiration. "You did well, Adrian. That Alpha Gloom Wolf was no easy opponent."
Adrian turned to face her, a tired smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks, Sophia. It wasn't easy, but I managed."
She approached him, her eyes scanning his form, noting the absence of major injuries. "You've really grown, Adrian. The skills you've shown today… some of them, I've never seen before." Her gaze lingered on him, a subtle question in her eyes. She knew her family's training methods inside and out, and the abilities he displayed today weren't part of the Everhart family's repertoire.
Adrian caught the unspoken question and smiled softly, shaking his head. "I promise, I'll explain everything when the time is right. Just trust me for now."
Sophia nodded, understanding that there were things he wasn't ready to share just yet. She respected his decision and didn't press further. "I do trust you, Adrian. Just be careful."
"Thank you big sis, for trusting me," he said as he felt heartfelt warmth from her words. Then he turned his head towards the battlefield to collect his spoils.