Kael's entire body convulsed as the system's calibration began. The raw energy coursing through him was overwhelming, like being struck by lightning that wouldn't stop. He clenched his teeth, trying to stay conscious as the system forced new information, new capabilities, directly into his mind.
[System Calibration: 10% Complete]
[New Ability Unlocked: Surge]
Surge: Temporarily increases physical attributes by 50%. Duration: 30 seconds. Side effects: Unpredictable.
Kael barely had time to register the notification before the Beast was upon him again. Its claws slashed through the air, aiming for his throat. Instinctively, Kael activated the new ability.
[Ability Activated: Surge]
His muscles surged with power, his senses sharpening as time seemed to slow down. He could see the Beast's movements more clearly, every ripple of its grotesque muscles, every twitch of its twisted limbs. Kael dodged to the side, faster than before, the claws missing him by inches.
He didn't hesitate. With the surge of energy still coursing through him, Kael swung the pipe with all his might, aiming for the Beast's exposed side. The impact was devastating. The pipe crushed into the Beast's ribs with a sickening crunch, the force sending the creature skidding across the ground.
But Kael didn't stop. The system's influence was pushing him, overriding his fear with pure, relentless aggression. He charged at the Beast, swinging the pipe down onto its head again and again. Each blow was stronger than the last, fueled by the surge of power and desperation to survive.
The Beast let out a howl of pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to escape. But Kael was relentless, his movements fueled by a primal fury he hadn't known he possessed. The Beast's head caved in under the assault, blood and gore splattering across the ground as it finally collapsed in a heap.
Kael stood over the Beast's broken body, panting heavily, his heart racing. The surge of energy was starting to fade, leaving him trembling and weak. His hands shook uncontrollably, the adrenaline crash hitting him like a tidal wave.
[System Calibration: 50% Complete]
[Quest Complete: Survival of the Fittest]
Reward: +10 EXP, Basic Skill Slot Unlocked.
The system's notifications blinked before his eyes, but Kael could barely focus on them. His vision was blurry, his body on the verge of collapse. The Beast was dead, but the battle had taken everything out of him.
He fell to his knees, gasping for breath as the last of the surge faded away. Pain lanced through his body, every muscle screaming in protest. The system's calibration was still ongoing, but Kael was barely holding on. The side effects of the surge hit him hard, his mind reeling from the aftermath.
"Damn it…" Kael groaned, clutching his head as a wave of nausea washed over him. The system was pushing him beyond his limits, and he could feel the strain it was putting on his body and mind.
But he couldn't afford to rest. Not here, not now. The Beast's roar would have drawn attention, and the slums were no place to be caught off guard. Kael forced himself to his feet, stumbling slightly as he tried to steady himself.
He needed to get out of here, to find somewhere safe where he could recover. The system's calibration was still in progress, and he had no idea what other changes it might bring. But first, he needed to survive the night.
Kael looked around, searching for any sign of danger. The streets were eerily quiet, the usual sounds of the slums absent. It was as if the Beast's presence had driven everything else away, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake.
He turned to leave, but something caught his eye—a faint glow emanating from the Beast's body. Kael hesitated, unsure of what he was seeing. The glow was different from the system's usual light, softer and more diffuse.
Curiosity got the better of him. Kael approached the Beast's corpse cautiously, wary of any tricks. As he got closer, he realized the glow was coming from a small object embedded in the Beast's chest. It was a crystal, about the size of a fist, pulsating with a soft blue light.
Kael reached out and touched the crystal. The moment his fingers made contact, the system reacted.
[New Item Acquired: Beast Core (Unstable)]
Beast Core: A crystallized concentration of mana and life force, harvested from a defeated Beast. Can be used to enhance abilities or craft powerful items. Warning: Unstable cores may have unpredictable effects.
Kael's eyes widened as he read the description. He had heard rumors about Beast Cores before, but they were rare and dangerous, often found only in the bodies of the most powerful creatures. The fact that this Beast had one meant it was far from ordinary.
He pocketed the core, feeling its faint warmth through the fabric of his clothes. It was a small comfort, but Kael knew it could be valuable—either as a weapon or a bargaining chip.
[System Calibration: 70% Complete]
Kael winced as another wave of pain shot through him. He couldn't stay here any longer. Whatever the system was doing to him, it wasn't finished yet, and he needed to find shelter before it overwhelmed him completely.
He turned and began to move, his steps unsteady as he forced himself to keep going. The slums were a maze of crumbling buildings and dark alleyways, but Kael knew them well. He avoided the main streets, sticking to the shadows as he made his way toward the one place he could think of—the abandoned subway tunnels beneath the city.
The tunnels were a place where the forgotten of the slums gathered, a refuge for those who had nowhere else to go. It was dangerous, but it was also the only place where Kael could hide and recover without being found.
The entrance to the tunnels was hidden behind a collapsed building, a jagged hole in the ground that led to the darkness below. Kael climbed down carefully, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he descended into the depths.
The air was damp and cold, the smell of mold and decay heavy in the confined space. But Kael pushed on, his only thought to find a place where he could rest. He navigated the twisting corridors of the old subway system, finally finding a small alcove off the main path. It was dry, at least, and hidden from view.
Kael collapsed against the wall, his body trembling with exhaustion. The system's calibration was still ongoing, but he couldn't stay awake any longer. His eyelids grew heavy, and despite the pain, despite the uncertainty, he allowed himself to drift into unconsciousness.
As sleep took him, the system's voice echoed in his mind one last time.
[System Calibration: 100% Complete]
[New Ability Unlocked: Instinct]
Instinct: Enhances the user's reaction speed and decision-making in combat situations. Passive ability. Side effects: Heightened aggression.
And then, everything went dark.