The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the village, where the air was thick with anticipation. Rishi, freshly victorious from his battle with the Crimson Snake King, felt adrenaline coursing through his veins. His triumph not only brought him glory but also a rare item: the **Crimson Fang Scale**. As he approached the village, whispers of curiosity and envy enveloped him.
At the village gates, he paused, grounding himself in the familiar surroundings. Summoning the **System Panel**, he focused intently.
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**Name**: Rishi
**Level**: 2
**Experience Needed to Upgrade**: 10,000 out of 20,000
**Attack**: 60
**Defense**: 110
**Agility**: 90
**Free Attributes**: 30
---
Rishi contemplated how to allocate his free attributes. He knew he needed a balanced build to prepare for the formidable Asura lurking ahead.
His gaze shifted to his skills:
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### Skills
**Agneyastra**
- **Type**: Fire Weapon
- **Abilities**: Summons fire upon its target, engulfing areas in flames, perfect for crowd control against multiple foes.
- **Significance**: Ideal for countering large numbers of enemies, including soldiers, horses, and chariots.
**Shield of Fortitude**
- **Description**: A low-version replica of Karna's armor, granting immunity to all attacks for one hour, usable once per hour.
- **Significance**: Essential for survival against overwhelming odds; requires leveling up to access its full potential.
**Vijaya Bow**
- **Type**: Growth Weapon
- **Abilities**: Fires arrows with unmatched precision and power, capable of piercing through multiple targets.
- **Significance**: As it levels up, it enhances Rishi's attack range and critical hit rate, making it a vital asset for his archer strategy.
---
Imagining the fiery destruction he could unleash with the **Agneyastra** and the deadly accuracy of the **Vijaya Bow**, Rishi felt a surge of excitement. The **Shield of Fortitude** was equally vital, especially for critical moments.
As he approached the chief, the villagers gathered, eager to hear about his encounter. The chief, surrounded by a buzzing crowd, greeted Rishi with gleaming eyes. "You've returned! Did you truly defeat the Crimson Snake King?"
Rishi nodded, presenting the **Crimson Fang Scale**. The scale shimmered, and gasps of envy rippled through the crowd.
"Magnificent!" the chief exclaimed. "This scale is a rare treasure! In recognition of your bravery, I reward you with 5,000 experience points and a silver coin." The chief handed Rishi a gleaming coin, its worth surpassing typical rewards.
"Thank you, Chief," Rishi replied, feeling the thrill of experience and wealth wash over him. However, he knew he couldn't rest on his laurels. "What do you need me to do next?"
The chief's expression shifted from elation to concern. "The remaining Crimson Snakes still threaten our village. I need you to eliminate 500 of them and collect their tails. It's a daunting task, with a difficulty rating of 45, but I believe you have what it takes!"
Rishi felt a twinge of apprehension. Despite reaching level 2, the challenge loomed large. "I'll take the mission," he affirmed, motivated by the chance to level up and refine his skills.
As he left the chief's presence, excitement surged within him. He considered his next move; facing the boss again was risky, but rare loot and skill books beckoned him.
At the village gates, Rishi glanced toward the forest path where the Crimson Snakes dwelled. His mind raced through strategies. Preparation was key, especially after his last encounter with the Crimson Snake King.
With determination ignited, Rishi stepped into the woods. The rustle of leaves accompanied his footsteps as he entered the dense foliage. Every sound heightened his awareness. Summoning the **Vijaya Bow**, he felt a rush of power as he nocked an arrow, ready to unleash his skill upon his foes.
The first snake appeared, scales shimmering menacingly. Rishi crouched low, shadows concealing him. With a swift motion, he released the arrow, empowered by the bow's precision. The projectile struck the snake, piercing through its scales and igniting it in flames from the **Agneyastra** embedded within. The creature writhed in agony, and Rishi closed in for the kill, his weapon poised.
With the smoke clearing, he claimed his first tail, exhilaration surging through him. Yet, he knew many more snakes lay ahead.
Hours passed as Rishi navigated the woods, systematically taking down snake after snake. He strategically allocated his attributes, enhancing his attack while maintaining agility and defense. Each encounter brought him closer to the daunting goal of 500 tails.
By nightfall, Rishi had collected a modest number of tails but still felt far from his target. Sweat dripped from his brow as he approached the last known den of the Crimson Snakes. An unsettling stillness filled the air, signaling a greater challenge ahead.
Suddenly, the ground trembled as a massive serpent emerged from the shadows. Its eyes glowed with malice—the **Viper Matriarch**, a guardian of the den. Rishi's heart raced, recognizing the imminent danger. He had to think quickly.
Activating the **Shield of Fortitude**, he felt a surge of energy envelop him. For the next hour, he would be impervious to any attack—a crucial advantage in this life-or-death scenario.
The Viper Matriarch lunged, striking with astonishing speed. Rishi sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its fangs. He retaliated with the **Vijaya Bow**, firing an arrow that struck true, the fire from the **Agneyastra** igniting the creature in a blaze. Rishi pressed his attack, utilizing the bow's range to maintain distance while the shield absorbed the serpent's furious strikes.
The battle intensified, the forest resonating with hissing and crackling flames. Rishi, adopting the precision of an archer, focused on agility and distance. He dodged and weaved through the onslaught, his heart racing as he kept the pressure on the Matriarch. Each successful shot chipped away at its health, the fiery bursts of the **Agneyastra** lighting up the night.
As the final moments of the shield approached, Rishi felt a wave of urgency. He launched a final, concentrated burst of fire from the **Agneyastra** while simultaneously firing one last arrow from the **Vijaya Bow**. Both struck true, and the Viper Matriarch let out a deafening roar, its body engulfed in flames before collapsing into a heap.
Breathless, Rishi stood amidst the remnants of his foe, adrenaline surging through him. He had done it—he had slain the guardian and claimed victory. The thrill of triumph ignited his spirit as he collected the Viper Matriarch's tail, adding it to his inventory.
With renewed determination, Rishi retraced his steps back to the village. The stars twinkled overhead, a reminder of the challenges he had faced and the battles yet to come. As he approached the village, the familiar sights welcomed him home, and he felt a sense of pride in his accomplishments.
The chief awaited him, eyes wide with anticipation. "You've returned! Did you succeed?"
Rishi grinned, producing the Viper Matriarch's tail along with several others. "I've brought back what you requested."
The chief's face broke into a wide smile as he examined the tails. "Incredible! You've not only completed the task but have proven yourself a true hero. For this, I reward you with another 10,000 experience points and a rare item: **Venomous Fang Dagger**."
As the dagger appeared in Rishi's hands, he felt its weight and energy coursing through it. The opportunity to wield such a powerful weapon invigorated him.
Flush with rewards and experience, Rishi couldn't help but dream of what lay ahead. The road to defeating Asura was still long, but each step he took brought him closer to that goal. With a new sense of purpose, he set out to continue his journey, eager to face whatever challenges awaited him in this vast digital realm.
As he prepared to allocate his newly earned attributes,