Ezra stood frozen for a split second, facing the monstrous figure that had emerged from the shadows. The creature was a grotesque fusion of serpent and beast, its scales glistening in shades of emerald and black. Its eyes glowed a menacing yellow, and its jagged fangs dripped with venom, casting a palpable threat in the dimming light.
He had heard tales of such monsters, known as **Dread Serpents**, prowling the outskirts of cities, but nothing could have prepared him for this moment. The Gorgon he had fought before had been swift, but this beast radiated pure brute force. Ezra's heart raced, fear mixing with adrenaline as the creature coiled, ready to strike.
**"Think, Ezra. You have your Grimoire now. Use it!"** he urged himself, his mind racing to formulate a plan. He didn't possess the brute strength of a seasoned warrior, but he had something equally powerful: intelligence.
The Dread Serpent lunged, its massive body twisting through the air. Instinctively, Ezra dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the monster's snapping jaws. He rolled onto his feet, scrambling for distance. **"Okay, okay... let's see what you can do."**
With his heart pounding, he opened the Grimoire, searching for a way to defend himself. The book's pages flickered before him, revealing a list of his abilities. **Superhuman speed. Regeneration. Energy manipulation.** He couldn't fight this creature head-on; it would overpower him in seconds. He needed to be clever, to use the environment to his advantage.
As the serpent turned, its attention now fixed on him, Ezra noticed the old, crumbling walls surrounding them. **"If I can lure it into that structure… maybe I can trap it."**
He made a sudden move, darting toward the wall and drawing the Dread Serpent's focus. It followed, charging at him with surprising speed. Just as it approached, he feigned left and then sprinted right, leading it toward a narrow opening in the stone. The Dread Serpent, unable to slow its momentum, crashed into the wall, the impact sending tremors through the ground.
**"Now!"** Ezra shouted, channeling energy into his hands. The Grimoire glowed, the words dancing across the page. **"Mold energy into a weapon."**
He thrust his hands forward, and a shimmering blade of pure energy materialized. He lunged, slashing at the creature's exposed flank. The blade connected, and the serpent howled, twisting away in agony. But Ezra felt the strain of the attack—it drained his energy.
**"I can't keep this up!"** he thought, panicking as the creature recoiled, furious now. It turned its head, teeth bared, eyes locked onto him with renewed intensity.
Ezra ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the serpentine tail that swung toward him. He could feel his body tiring, but he couldn't afford to back down. **"Come on! Just a little more!"** He scanned the battlefield, searching for any opportunity.
**"Grimoire, what can I do?"** he pleaded, hoping for guidance.
**"You gain EXP+ with every encounter. Use it to enhance your abilities,"** the book replied, its tone soothing yet urgent. **"Focus on your intelligence. You have the potential to master your mind as well as your body."**
In that moment, a light bulb flickered in his mind. **"Experience Points! Of course!"** He could use this fight to level up, to unlock new abilities. He just needed to survive.
Ezra danced away from the Dread Serpent, dodging its swipes while focusing on his surroundings. He noticed how the creature's movements became increasingly erratic with every wound he inflicted. **"If I can tire it out, I might be able to land a finishing blow."**
The Grimoire pulsed in his hands, its energy intertwining with his own. **"Your agility is your strongest asset. Level it up!"** The book encouraged him.
Feeling the surge of power, Ezra concentrated on enhancing his speed. He could feel the energy within him shifting, adapting. The Grimoire's words resonated in his mind as he prepared for the next move.
As the Dread Serpent lunged again, Ezra anticipated its trajectory. He ducked low, rolled under the creature's belly, and sprang to his feet. With one powerful thrust, he plunged his energy blade into the soft spot behind the serpent's head.
The creature writhed, letting out a deafening roar as it collapsed, the last flicker of life extinguished.
**"Yes! I did it!"** Ezra shouted, panting heavily. He stumbled back, staring at the defeated Dread Serpent, adrenaline coursing through him like fire.
Suddenly, a burst of energy erupted from the fallen creature, flowing into him. The Grimoire glowed brilliantly, and a notification flashed across the page: **"Experience Gained: +150."**
Ezra's eyes widened. **"Experience? Level Up?"** He glanced at his status.
**Name:** Ezra
**Age:** 16
**Divine Name:** Breaker of Fate
**Strength:** 3 → 5
**Speed:** 5 → 8
**Intelligence:** 1 → 4
The Grimoire had acknowledged his cleverness in combat, adding a new status—**Intelligence.** He felt empowered, the world around him vibrant with possibilities.
But his triumph was short-lived. As he caught his breath, he realized that the battle was not over.
---
Meanwhile, across Japan in the outskirts of china, the Unbound Army was in the throes of its own battles. Their ranks were divided into various levels: **Unbound**, **Unbound Lieutenants**, **Squad Captains**, and the **Foot Soldiers**. Each played a vital role in the ongoing war against the monsters that plagued the lands.
The Unbound, the elite warriors who held Grimoire, stood at the forefront of each conflict. One such Unbound was **Kael**, a tall figure clad in silver armor that shimmered under the sun. His Grimoire glowed with a fiery intensity, unleashing bursts of flames to engulf the monsters in a dazzling display of power.
"Keep your formation!" he commanded, directing his squad with precision. His voice carried authority, earning him the respect of both his comrades and subordinates.
Beside him, **Mira**, an Unbound Lieutenant, she was mage and she has spell book to conjure barriers of light, shielding her team from the onslaught of monstrous creatures. Her long, flowing hair danced behind her as she moved with grace, her determination evident in her fiery gaze.
"We're taking too long! We need to finish this!" she shouted, launching a volley of light-infused arrows toward the enemy.
Kael nodded, acknowledging her urgency. **"We'll break through their lines and regroup at the rally point!"**
In the distance, a massive **Colossus**—a towering monster made of stone and flesh—loomed, its thunderous footsteps shaking the earth. Squad Captains mobilized their Foot Soldiers, forming a protective line against the beast.
"Archers, focus on the Colossus's eyes!" a Squad Captain barked, and the soldiers readied their bows.
As arrows flew through the air, they struck true, causing the Colossus to stagger. The soldiers rallied, a wave of determination washing over them as they pressed forward, fighting with everything they had.
Back in his own, Ezra watched as the remnants of the Dread Serpent dissipated, leaving behind nothing but silence and the realization of what he had accomplished. But amid his triumph, uncertainty lingered. He had proven himself capable, but he felt a nagging doubt about joining any army, becoming just another cog in a massive machine.
**"I can't be just another soldier,"** he whispered to himself, determination burning in his eyes. **"I'll forge my own path. I'll fight alone."**
He thought of his family, their struggles in this monstrous world. They had sacrificed so much, living in the shadow of the Unbound and their armies.
Ezra made his way home, the weight of his decision settling within him. His parents worked tirelessly, the burden of survival heavy on their shoulders. They were ordinary people trying to navigate a world turned upside down by monsters and chaos.
When he arrived home, the faint smell of dinner wafted through the air. His mother greeted him with a warm smile, her face a canvas of worry and love.
"How was school today, Ezra?" she asked, pulling him into a comforting embrace.
"Just the usual," he replied, though he could feel the weight of his new identity pressing on him.
As they sat down for dinner, surrounded by the warmth of family, Ezra knew that no matter how powerful he became, he would always fight for those he loved. He would not join an army or become a pawn in someone else's game.
He would carve his own destiny—one step at a time.