As Liam stepped into the forest, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The sunlight was quickly swallowed by the dense canopy overhead, creating an eerie twilight that enveloped him. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and a soft rustle echoed in the underbrush, setting his nerves on edge.
He tightened his grip around the shimmering barrier of [Divine Shield]. While it gave him a sense of security, he knew it wouldn't protect him from everything. Each step forward felt like a plunge into the unknown, but he relished the thrill. This was a chance to explore his new powers, and he would be damned if he turned back now.
As he ventured deeper, the sounds of the forest filled his ears—a mix of distant calls and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. Suddenly, a low growl cut through the air, making his heart race. Liam froze, instincts kicking in.
From behind a thick cluster of bushes, a creature emerged. It was wolf-like but larger than any he'd seen before, with dark, matted fur and glowing yellow eyes that locked onto him. The creature's snarl revealed rows of sharp teeth, and it seemed to be sizing him up.
Liam's mind raced. This was his first real test. Adrenaline surged through him, heightening his senses and sharpening his focus. Without thinking, he activated [Auto Counter].
Clarity washed over him. He could feel the creature's movements, anticipate its attacks even before they happened. The wolf lunged, jaws snapping, but Liam was ready. He sidestepped with precision, allowing the beast to sail past him. In the same fluid motion, he countered with a punch, while using [Divine Shield] skill and turning it into a solid barrier shaped like a dagger. The blow connected with the creature's side, sending it sprawling into the underbrush.
"Not bad," Liam muttered, surprised by his own strength. But the wolf quickly recovered, scrambling back to its feet, anger flaring in its eyes.
The growl transformed into a howl, echoing through the forest, and suddenly, Liam was acutely aware of the presence of other creatures stirring in the shadows. It was as if the howl had summoned them.
"Great, just what I needed," he said sarcastically, glancing around to see several more figures emerging from the darkness—more wolves, each as menacing as the first.
Realizing he was now outnumbered, Liam quickly assessed his options. He felt confident in his abilities; he could use [Divine Shield] to absorb attacks and counter each one.
As the wolves surrounded him, he prepared himself. With a steady breath, he activated [Divine Shield], creating a fluid, shimmering barrier in front of him, ready to block any attacks. The first wolf lunged at him, but Liam stood firm, the shield absorbing the impact effortlessly.
Another wolf charged from the side. Liam turned, blocking its attack and then countering with a thrust of his dagger-shaped shield, striking the wolf back. The thrill of battle surged through him as he felt the power of his skills.
Moving closer to one of the wolves, he felt the anticipation of the fight building. Just as he reached out to mark it, the creature quickly pounced. Liam reacted instantly, using [Auto Counter] to dodge the attack while simultaneously striking the wolf. As his fist connected, he applied [Mark], binding the creature to him. He felt the power of the curse [Petrify] take hold, starting to turn the wolf slowly into a statue.
Liam's skill [Auto counter] subskill [Focus] senses more wolves approaching,. He could feel their movements, each heartbeat echoing in his ears. This was the moment he'd been waiting for. He wanted to maximize his potential, so he quickly activated [Brew of Forbidden Arts], decreases his maximum health by 90% and giving him a 90% dodge chance.
With a newfound confidence, he danced through the ambush, easily evading the attacks from the surrounding wolves. Each movement was fluid, almost effortless. With [Divine Shield] still active and shaped like a dagger, he struck out at the wolves, dealing damage and applying [Mark] to each one that dared to approach.
Liam kept the wolves alive, eager to test the limits of his abilities. The thrill of power surged within him as he unleashed a flurry of calculated strikes, each blow knocking the wolves back while the petrifying curse spread through the marked creature.
One by one, the wolves fell, overwhelmed by his relentless onslaught. Liam reveled in the chaos, using his skills to their fullest potential.
With a victorious grin, he surveyed the scene, feeling exhilarated. This was not just a fight; it was a proving ground for his newfound powers, a chance to see how far he could push himself.
As the last wolf fell, Liam stood amidst the remnants of the battle, a mix of triumph and curiosity on his face. This experience had tested him, pushing him to the brink, and he emerged stronger than ever.
As the last wolf crumpled to the ground, its body still twitching in the aftermath, Liam suddenly heard another voice echoing in his mind.
[Confirmed]
The unexpected sound jolted him, and he glanced around, half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows. But there was only the silence of the forest, the stillness broken only by the whispering wind through the trees.
A small box materialized before him, resembling a keyboard, shimmering softly in the dim light.
[User has successfully slain dark wolf × 9]
The text read, followed by a more puzzling notification: [Notice: No user information found. Please enter your identity]. Intrigued, Liam's heart raced as he realized this was some kind of system interface.
Without hesitation, he typed in a fake name—"Aamon"—and hit enter. [Identity creation successful, no same name bearer found] appeared on the screen, and a rush of excitement coursed through him. [Welcome Overworlder to this new world and congratulations on your first battle!] Another message chimed, followed by a more serious notice: [Notice: No integrated system found. System in creation phase. Time limit: 18 hours].
His brow furrowed as he absorbed this information. [As a reward for winning the battle, your profile will be improved since there is no system.] The voice continued, and he felt a twinge of anticipation.
Suddenly Liam hears another voice.
[Profile has been leveled up: [Profile II]
It announced.
[Many functions have been added and improved.]
As the final voice faded, the forest settled into an eerie quiet, the only sound being the rustling leaves above. Excitement flickered in his eyes as he murmured, [Profile] and prepared to dive into the details of his newfound power.