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﴾ Chain Reavers has been added to your Inventory ﴿
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As the notification faded from his vision, Noel's eyes widened in shock. Chain Reavers? It was among his last in the list of choices. His breath quickened as the Sand Stalkers neared, their predatory gazes locked on him and he materialized the weapon from his Inventory, only to feel that frustration turn to unease.
The moment the Chain Reavers appeared in his hands, a sense of dread settled over him. The chains stretched out much farther than expected—around seven feet long (~2 meters)—uncoiling in a heavy, metallic sweep across the ground.
The blades at each end gleamed wickedly, their jagged, curved edges clearly designed for slicing through flesh. But these weren't ordinary chains. They were sleek, thin strips of metal—light but dangerously deceptive, offering range at the cost of control.
What anchored them to him were leather straps and metal bindings tightly wrapped around his wrists. The bindings served a practical function, holding the chains securely in place while giving him a solid grip.
Noel clenched his fists, gripping the chains harder but even with the firm grip, he struggled to manage the long, unwieldy weapon. Every flick of his arm sent the chains swinging in wide, unpredictable arcs, with the Reaver blades at the ends whipping dangerously close to the ground.
It was unlike anything he had ever wielded. He could feel the potential in the weapon—the raw power—but there was no finesse in his movements. The chains thrashed wildly, getting in his way, tripping him up. With the Sand Stalkers closing in fast, there was no time to learn the Chain Reavers' intricacies.
Noel gritted his teeth and, in a moment of desperation, tried to use the Reaver blades as daggers. He gripped the handles firmly, but every time he moved, the chains dangled and swung uncontrollably, tripping him up.
He nearly stumbled as the chains wrapped around his legs, throwing off his balance. The more he tried to move, the more the weapon seemed to fight against him, the chains restricting his movements rather than aiding them.
One of the Stalkers lunged at him. Noel barely managed to sidestep, his awkward movements putting him at a dangerous disadvantage. He cursed under his breath—there was no time to experiment or figure out how to properly wield the chains in combat.
But then, an idea struck him. With a frustrated growl, Noel quickly wrapped the chains around his torso, securing them tightly against his body, making sure the Reaver blades were still free to strike.
The chains, though long and cumbersome, could be controlled that way—kept out of his legs and arms' reach. They no longer dragged behind him and were securely wrapped around his torso, forming a makeshift harness. The Reaver blades, freed from their chaotic thrashing, became extensions of his hands, just like daggers.
Without hesitation, Noel activated Enhanced Liability, and the strange, shimmering layers began to form around him once again. The distortion bent the air and refracted light with stronger intensity. The optical illusion no longer limited itself to the surface of his body; it extended over the Chain Reavers as well, enveloping the weapons in the same eerie, shimmering haze. The blades seemed to ripple, becoming even more menacing as they appeared to shift in and out of focus.
Noel quickly realized the advantage—Enhanced Liability's power coursed through the Chain Reavers. Even if he struggled to control the unfamiliar weapons, each strike he landed would quadruple his base damage. The weight of that knowledge emboldened him, but before he could fully process it, his thoughts were interrupted as another Stalker lunged at him—a blur of claws and fangs.
Noel stepped in low, driving one of the Reaver blades into the Sand Stalker's side with a brutal thrust. The jagged edge sank deep into its flesh, and with a quick twist, he tore through the creature's thick hide—an obstacle that had felt nearly impenetrable earlier.
The Stalker let out a pained screech, recoiling from the vicious strike. Noel's eyes widened; during his earlier encounter with a similar creature, he had struggled to even scratch them, but the blade pierced through with ease.
Whether it was the sharpness of the Reaver blades or the quadrupled power from Enhanced Liability, Noel wasn't sure, but he knew it was working.
Before he could recover, the second Sand Stalker lunged at him from the side. He saw it coming just in time, managing to dodge, but his movements were clumsy. Off-balance, he swung with his left arm, slashing across the creature's flank.
The blade struck, and black blood oozed from the wound, but it was a shallow hit. The second Sand Stalker barely flinched, and Noel cursed under his breath, "Damn it, I'm not hitting hard enough."
The creatures, once circling with confidence, grew wary—not because Noel was fighting well, but because of the unpredictable danger in his wild, erratic swings. His heart raced as the weight of the Chain Reavers still felt foreign in his hands. Even though his adrenaline was surging, urging him to fight harder, he couldn't ignore how clumsy and raw his movements were.
The second Sand Stalker and the third Sand Stalker closed in cautiously, testing his defenses. One swiped at him, and Noel ducked under the attack, but his footing slipped in the loose sand. The Reaver blade sank into the third Stalker's thick fur, but not with enough force to stop it. His arms ached from the unfamiliar strain, the weight of the weapons pulling at his endurance.
A sudden, searing pain shot through his right shoulder. The Enhanced Liability amplified even minor injuries, and a claw had grazed him during the skirmish. The wound wasn't deep, but the pain, multiplied fourfold, was unbearable. Staggering back, Noel instinctively raised his left arm to shield his right side, knowing that another hit to his shoulder could be lethal.
Sensing weakness, the third Sand Stalker charged. Its eyes locked on Noel, fangs bared. Breathing heavily, Noel twisted to the left, protecting his right shoulder, and thrust both Reaver blades forward.
The third Stalker leapt, jaws wide, and with no time to think, Noel raised the blades in a desperate defense. The creature's weight crashed into him, and the Reaver blades plunged deep into its body. Black blood sprayed as the third Stalker let out a strangled cry, collapsing on top of him, its body twitching violently before going still.
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﴾ Lv.3 Sand Stalker ﴿
﴾ 75 Life Energy obtained ﴿
﴾ Congratulations! You have reached Level 1 ﴿
﴾ 5 Undistributed Stats are available ﴿
Rewards Obtained
3 Kentos 300 grams Sand Stalker Meat ⧼Edible⧽ added to Inventory. .
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Gasping for air, Noel shoved the dead Sand Stalker off, his arms trembling. His entire body ached from the exertion. He could feel the sting of several cuts across his torso and legs, but his right shoulder throbbed with a much sharper pain, a reminder of the Enhanced Liability that made it his most vulnerable spot.
The remaining two Sand Stalkers hesitated, eyeing their fallen companion. They circled warily, their hunger tempered by uncertainty. Noel stood panting heavily, knowing that although he had killed one of them, he was still far from safe.
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﴾ Congratulations! You have acquired Lv.1║Chain Reavers Mastery║ ﴿
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Before Noel could focus on his level up and the undistributed stats that came with it, a strange shift occurred within him. As he caught his breath, a sudden clarity washed over him, and his mind flooded with new information.
It was as though basic knowledge of the Chain Reavers—how to hold them properly, how to adjust his stance—flowed into his mind all at once, the details ingraining themselves like a forgotten memory. A notification flashed briefly in his peripheral vision, confirming what he felt.
He wasn't fully in control yet—his movements still lacked the fluid grace of a seasoned fighter—but he was learning. Slowly, but surely, he was beginning to understand the weapons. Emboldened by the success, he spun around to meet the next attacker. The chains were no longer a major hindrance, but his stance was still awkward, unrefined.
Noel straightened up, still tired but more aware of the Chain Reavers in his hands. He was far from skilled, but then, at least, he had a grasp of the fundamentals—enough to face the remaining Sand Stalkers with a bit more confidence.
He flexed his wrists, feeling the chains slacken slightly, and without thinking too much, he let the weapons' natural motion guide him, using the Chain Reavers as they were intended.
The first remaining Sand Stalker circled him cautiously, its eyes locked on his every move. Noel swung one of the chains wide, the blade at the end slicing through the air with a whistling hiss. When the creature lunged, Noel didn't retreat. He spun the Reaver forward, the chain wrapping around the beast's neck.
With a firm yank, the blade tightened, slicing into its flesh. A sharp twist of his wrist sent the chain uncoiling, freeing the blade and leaving a trail of black blood dripping from the wound.
He didn't have time to admire the fluidity of the move. The second Sand Stalker charged from his blind spot. Noel snapped the second chain backward without looking, feeling the blade catch on fur and flesh as it tore into the beast's hind leg.
The Stalker stumbled, and Noel seized the opportunity, whipping the chain in a wide arc. The second blade followed the motion, embedding itself deep into the creature's side with a heavy thud.
Both Sand Stalkers reeled from their injuries, the chains now an extension of Noel's movements rather than a hindrance. His arms ached, muscles still unfamiliar with the demands of the weapon, but each strike felt more deliberate than the last—more controlled.
The first Sand Stalker, with blood flowing freely from its neck, made one final desperate leap. Noel stepped aside, spinning the chain around his arm and snapping the blade forward again. The edge buried deep into the creature's chest, the momentum pulling it to the ground with a thud. twitching once before falling still.
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﴾ Lv.2 Sand Stalker ﴿
﴾ 50 Life Energy obtained ﴿
Rewards Obtained
3 Kentos 300 grams Sand Stalker Meat ⧼Edible⧽ added to Inventory. Healing Bandaids x 5
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Noel spared no attention for the newly popped-up notification. The second Sand Stalker, limping and bleeding heavily, attempted a slow retreat, its movements sluggish. Noel advanced, swinging both Reavers in a wide arc, the blades slicing through the air with a deadly hum. The chains snapped out, wrapping around the creature's legs with precision. With a sharp, practiced tug, Noel yanked the last Sand Stalker off its feet, sending it crashing into the sand.
The beast thrashed, desperately trying to rise, but Noel gave it no chance. He stepped forward, flicking his wrists to pull the chains taut before driving both Reaver blades downward. The sharp edges pierced deep into its back.
A final growl bubbled up from the creature, but it was weak, and after one last twitch, the Stalker fell still, the light in its eyes fading as its body slumped lifeless into the sand.
╭── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──╮
﴾ Lv.2 Sand Stalker ﴿
﴾ 50 Life Energy obtained ﴿
Rewards Obtained
3 Kentos 300 grams Sand Stalker Meat ⧼Edible⧽ added to Inventory. 200 Ml Drinking Water ⧼Edible⧽ added to Inventory
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Panting, Noel stood firm, hands gripping the weapon tightly, his chest rising and falling as the weight of the recent struggle settled over him. The Chain Reavers felt less foreign, no longer a hindrance—but not yet fully mastered. He was learning—bit by bit. Only after the fight did Noel begin to glimpse at the potential the Chain Reavers held in his hands.