David slumped against the mansion's cold stone wall, the weight of the recent battle heavy on his shoulders. His body ached, and his mind swirled with the aftermath of the fight. The beast had been relentless, its savage hunger a dark mirror to the growing emptiness within him. He had barely survived, and now he faced the hollow victory and unsettling realization of what it took to endure in this world.He reached into his storage space, pulling out the corpses of the beast and its prey, and laid them on the cold floor. The beast's body was massive, its matted fur a dark blend with the shadows. Its grotesque maw, filled with sharp teeth, still seemed to glow with malevolence even in death. Beside it lay the half-eaten remains of a shadowy goat—less imposing but equally disturbing.David activated the system to trade the corpses, hoping to salvage something from the grim encounter. The system whirred to life, its emotionless voice cutting through the silence."Exchange completed: 26 points awarded. Shadow Ravager (22 points) and Shadow Goat (4 points)."David sighed heavily. Twenty-six points—a pitiful sum considering the risk he had faced. At this rate, accumulating enough points for something truly valuable seemed like an eternity. With a total of 36 points, his frustration bubbled beneath the surface. He forced himself to remain calm. Understanding the creatures he had faced was crucial."System, provide information on the creatures," he commanded.The system responded with its usual mechanical efficiency.Name: Shadow Ravager
Type: Beast
Rank: High Bronze
Affinity: Dark
Description: The Shadow Ravager is a terrifying remnant of a once-noble lineage, now twisted and corrupted by an ancient, malevolent power. Its ancestors were proud predators, but exposure to dark energies has turned them into savage, deathly creatures driven by an insatiable hunger. They possess dark affinities, allowing them to blend with shadows and strike with deadly precision. The corruption has also granted them enhanced strength and resilience, making them formidable foes even in the light. Despite their bulk, Shadow Ravagers are deceptively fast and can ambush their prey with terrifying efficiency.Strengths:High physical strength and resilience.Dark affinity allows it to blend with shadows and enhance its stealth.Enhanced senses, particularly in low-light environments.
Weaknesses:Vulnerable to light-based attacks.Sluggish movement in broad daylight.Limited intelligence, driven mostly by instinct.
The system continued, detailing the Shadow Goat next.
Name: Shadow GoatType: Herbivore
Rank: Low Bronze
Affinity: Dark
Description: Though primarily a herbivore, the Shadow Goat is far from harmless. Corrupted by the same dark energies that twisted the Shadow Ravager, it has become a creature of predatory instincts, attacking and killing anything weaker than itself. Its meat, however, is a rare delicacy among dark attribute beasts, rich with the dark energy that permeates its body. While not as formidable as true predators, the Shadow Goat is agile and aggressive, making it a dangerous foe for the unwary.Strengths:High agility, allowing it to escape or outmaneuver many predators.Dark affinity, which enhances its stealth and makes it difficult to detect in low-light conditions.Surprisingly strong for its size, capable of delivering deadly blows with its sharp horns.
Weaknesses:Vulnerable to physical attacks once its agility is countered.Prone to panic when cornered.
David absorbed the information, feeling a gnawing frustration. The Shadow Ravager had been formidable, and the few points it yielded highlighted his own insignificance in this harsh world. The Shadow Goat, though less dangerous, was still a reminder that even herbivores here were not to be underestimated.He leaned against the wall, the cold stone seeping through his clothes. The weight of his situation pressed down on him with increasing force. Each step forward felt like a battle, and the thought of how long it would take to gather enough points to make a real difference was daunting.David's thoughts grew darker, spiraling into a grim reflection. Was this life—a relentless cycle of killing to survive—truly worth it? Each creature he fought seemed to strip away another piece of his humanity. The more he killed, the more he felt himself slipping away, becoming something monstrous.A fleeting thought of ending it all crossed his mind. Perhaps surrendering to the darkness would be easier. But then, a flicker of resolve ignited within him. No. He couldn't give up. Not now.In this world, power was everything. If he wanted to survive—or more accurately, if he wanted to live—he would need to grow stronger, no matter the cost.David clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. The creatures he faced were monstrous, but they were also means to an end. This world operated on a brutal logic: only the strong survived. To be strong, he needed to acquire resources, take what he needed, and use it to his advantage.It was a harsh truth, but one he had to accept. Mercy was a luxury he couldn't afford. He would take life, spill blood, and get his hands dirty if it meant gaining the strength he needed. The beasts were not innocent—they were predators, just like him. They lived by the law of the wild, where the strong devoured the weak.If he hesitated, if he faltered, he would be the one to fall. And that was something he could not allow.David's gaze hardened as he stood, his resolve solidifying. The edge of the forest loomed ahead, a place of darkness and danger. He wasn't ready to venture deep into those shadows without night vision, but he would be prepared for when something approached the clearing. He would be ready to fight, to kill, and to survive.He would use the points he had, bide his time, and hunt anything that dared to challenge him. The darkness was both an enemy and a potential ally. He would gather all the resources, gain all the power he could, and make it his own. This was his life now—a life of blood, shadows, and survival. And he would live it the best he could.For now, he would wait. The next creature that dared to challenge him would find a man no longer afraid to get his hands dirty.