The beasts circled him again, their growls rumbling in the pit like thunder. Larry forced himself to stand, his body screaming in protest. He could feel his strength draining away, the fatigue gnawing at him, but he couldn't give in. He wouldn't.
The first beast came without warning. It was smaller than the ones before, but its growl was no less menacing. Larry had been walking with his senses stretched thin, trying to anticipate anything moving around him. The creature lunged from the shadows, its claws gleaming in the dim light as it rushed toward him.
Instinct kicked in. Larry ducked low, feeling the rush of air as the beast missed its mark. He twisted on his heel and brought his elbow down hard on its neck. The beast let out a yelp as it stumbled, but it recovered quickly, snarling in anger. Larry, still winded, clenched his fists and steeled himself.
'I'm getting stronger. I can feel it.' The thought pulsed through him as he dodged another strike. This time, he caught the beast's wrist in mid-air. His grip was tighter than before, stronger. The creature howled in pain as Larry twisted, pulling it to the ground in one swift motion.
He didn't hesitate. His fist came down hard on the creature's skull, silencing its growls for good. He panted heavily as the creature's body went limp beneath him.
"Well done." The voice returned, smooth and calm. "You're adapting faster than I thought."
Larry grunted, standing up. His muscles still ached, but that faint energy was no longer a whisper. It was there, buzzing beneath his skin like electricity. With each fight, with each beast he killed, it grew. He could feel it—his body becoming harder, his senses sharper.
"You're helping me, aren't you?" Larry murmured, brushing the blood from his knuckles. "That energy... it's you."
The voice chuckled, a low and eerie sound. "I am only accelerating what's already inside you. Your potential is far greater than you think."
Larry had no time to ponder the voice's words before the ground beneath him trembled. Another beast—bigger than the last—emerged from the shadows. Its eyes glowed red, teeth bared in a snarl. Larry's muscles tensed, but this time, he wasn't as afraid.
The beast lunged, and Larry met it head-on. His body moved faster now, more fluidly. He dodged its claws with ease, driving his fist into its ribs. The creature screeched in pain but retaliated quickly, swiping at Larry's side. He barely managed to twist out of the way, though he felt the sting of its claws grazing his skin.
"You're stronger now, but don't get reckless," the voice warned. "Focus, use your instincts. You've fought blind all your life—this is no different."
Larry breathed deeply, ignoring the burning pain in his side. He moved again, this time ducking low and delivering a powerful kick to the creature's jaw. It reeled back, stunned by the force of his blow.
Without hesitation, Larry was on it again, striking faster than before. His movements were precise, calculated. Each punch, each kick, landed with deadly accuracy. The beast barely stood a chance. It fell to the ground with a heavy thud, its body twitching once before going still.
Larry staggered back, panting heavily. His body felt alive—pulsing with raw power he couldn't explain. His wounds still stung, but they weren't as debilitating as before. He could still move, still fight.
'What's happening to me?' He wondered, his mind racing. 'This... energy... it's changing me.'
"You're evolving, adapting to the power inside you," the voice replied, as if reading his thoughts. "The more you fight, the more you'll grow."
Larry took a moment to catch his breath, leaning against the rough wall of the pit. He could still hear faint growls in the distance—more beasts, lurking in the shadows. But instead of fear, he felt something else brewing inside him.
Confidence.
He started walking again, his senses attuned to every movement, every sound around him. The air in the pit was heavy, damp, and filled with the scent of blood and decay. He could hear the beasts moving, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But now, he was ready for them.
The next creature lunged from the side, its claws outstretched. Larry dodged easily, delivering a crushing blow to its throat. It fell with a gurgled scream, its body convulsing before it lay still. Another beast came from behind, but Larry spun, catching it mid-air and slamming it to the ground.
With each victory, his body felt lighter, stronger. The power coursing through him wasn't just growing—it was changing him. His wounds healed faster, his strikes hit harder, and he could sense every beast before they even made a move.
"You're becoming quite the fighter," the voice remarked, a hint of amusement in its tone. "But don't get comfortable. There's something bigger waiting for you at the end of this pit."
Larry's heart raced at the thought, but he pushed forward. The beasts came in waves, each one bigger and more aggressive than the last. But he fought them all, his movements becoming sharper, more refined with every battle. His hands were coated in blood, his body covered in bruises and cuts, but he didn't stop.
Finally, after what felt like hours of fighting, the pit began to widen. The air grew colder, and the growls became deeper, more menacing.
At the end of the pit, Larry felt it before he even saw it. The ground trembled, and a heavy, oppressive energy filled the space. The voice in his head went silent for a moment, as if even it was wary of what lay ahead.
And then, he heard it—a low, rumbling growl that shook him to his core.
"That's an Intermediate-tier beast," the voice warned, its tone now serious. "This won't be like the others."
Larry's fists clenched as he stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest.