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After returning home from the dimensional gate, Dabi sat quietly in his room, lost in thought.
The recent mission had been a success; he had cleared a small area that had been infested with monsters, ensuring the safety of nearby villages.
Yet something weighed heavily on his mind. Just as he had stepped through the gate to return home, the system had issued another task, one even more daunting than the last.
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System Notification:
New Mission:
Objective: Travel deep into Darkwood Forest and defeat the Boss Monster.
Reward: 3000 Gold Coins, Mastery Gift
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The notification flashed across his vision, but Dabi didn't need to reread it to understand the gravity of the mission.
The boss monster this time was something far more fearsome: a creature resembling a massive tiger, but with scales instead of fur, and venomous fangs capable of paralyzing its prey in a single bite.
This monster was known as the Darkfang, and stories of its brutal attacks had circulated among warriors for years.
Even seasoned fighters hesitated to enter Darkwood Forest, the infamous, twisted woodland rumored to be cursed.
Dabi knew this would be no ordinary fight.
He had only recently begun his journey as an awakened, and the forest's deeper parts were well beyond the experience level of most rookies.
In those dark depths, the creatures grew stronger and more cunning, their instincts honed by the brutal environment.
But despite the dangers, Dabi was driven.
This mission would provide not only a significant amount of gold, which he could use to secure better resources,
But also a mysterious mastery gift that might aid him on his path. But his thoughts kept circling back to his siblings.
Eli and Mira were still so young, far too young to fend for themselves if something happened to him.
The thought of leaving them for such a perilous mission, where he might not return, left him unsettled.
Since their parents' disappearance, he had become both brother and protector to them, his role as their only guardian weighing on him more than any quest or monster.
However, Dabi knew that facing the Darkfang was essential if he was to progress and be better prepared to protect his family. He couldn't turn away from this opportunity to grow stronger.
For the next few days, Dabi threw himself into preparation.
He visited the marketplace, carefully selecting supplies, weapons, and potions to maximize his chances of success.
He even spoke to a few seasoned adventurers, gathering information about Darkwood Forest and the creatures that resided there.
To ensure Eli and Mira's safety while he was gone, Dabi hired a reliable nanny, a retired healer with a calm, nurturing presence and enough experience to keep his siblings safe.
Her presence gave him a sliver of reassurance, yet his mind lingered on their faces as he packed his gear.
Each day he spent planning made his resolve stronger, but the weight of his decision heavier.
"It's only for a week," he murmured to himself, going over the logistics one last time.
The journey to and from Darkwood Forest alone would take at least three to four days, and Dabi meticulously planned every step of the way to avoid unnecessary risks.
Finally, with a final goodbye to Eli and Mira, he set out on his journey.
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The forest greeted him with an eerie stillness as he ventured deeper into its dark, twisted paths.
Darkwood Forest was unlike any place he had visited before.
Old trees with thick, gnarled roots created a near-impenetrable canopy, allowing only faint slivers of sunlight to seep through, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.
The air was thick with humidity, carrying the scent of moss and decaying leaves. Occasionally,
Dabi spotted strange plants and flowers that glowed faintly, illuminating patches of the ground with an otherworldly light.
He took careful note of these landmarks, marking them mentally for his return journey.
Early into his journey, Dabi encountered several monsters.
These were unlike the creatures he'd faced in the outer forest or nearby gates; they were fiercer, more relentless.
Packs of wolves with shadow-like fur prowled through the undergrowth, their yellow eyes glinting in the dim light.
He encountered strange bird-like creatures, creatures with razor-sharp beaks and talons, swooping down from the thick canopy above to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Each encounter tested his skills and reflexes, but it also offered him a chance to hone his abilities.
His agility, boosted by the enchanted ring he wore, gave him an edge; he could move faster, strike quicker, and evade the monsters with a newfound fluidity.
After two days of navigating through dense thickets and battling relentless monsters, Dabi finally reached the heart of Darkwood.
The lair of the boss monster was a massive overgrown cave, its entrance obscured by a veil of thick vines and moss.
As he stepped closer, the ground became littered with bones, evidence of the countless creatures that had fallen victim to the Darkfang.
The air around the cave was still, yet thick with the scent of decay, as if warning trespassers to turn back.
But Dabi was undeterred. He took a deep breath and steeled himself, stepping into the darkness of the cave.
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System Notification:
Boss Monster Detected: Darkfang, Venomous Saber Tiger
Weakness: Exposed underbelly during leaps
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The system's notification was brief but helpful. Dabi's eyes narrowed, processing the information.
He had faced many creatures before, but the Darkfang was known for its brutal strength and agility,
It's massive frame capable of taking down creatures far larger than itself.
A low, guttural growl echoed through the cavern, sending a shiver down his spine.
His hands tightened around the hilt of his sword as he scanned the dim space, waiting for the beast to make its move.
The battle began in a blur. The Darkfang lunged from the shadows, a streak of scales and fangs.
Dabi barely had time to dodge, rolling to the side as the creature's claws sliced through the air where he had just stood.
It moved with incredible speed for its size, each movement calculated and precise.
Its scaled body glinted in the dim light, and its eyes glowed with a fierce intelligence.
Dabi quickly realized that this was not a mindless creature; it was a predator, honed by countless battles.
Using his agility, Dabi dodged the monster's relentless attacks, each movement a delicate dance of evasion and counterstrikes.
He remembered the system's hint about the creature's underbelly timing was everything. He needed to wait for just the right moment.
As the Darkfang lunged at him again, Dabi sidestepped, slashing at its flank.
His blade barely grazed the scales, but he noted a faint crack.
The creature roared in fury, and Dabi took a few steps back, recalculating his approach.
With every failed strike, the Darkfang grew more enraged. It lunged, clawed, and snapped at Dabi with a ferocity that left little room for error.
The cavern walls shook with each powerful leap, dust and small rocks raining down from above. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.
The Darkfang reared back, preparing to pounce. Dabi steadied himself, watching its movements closely.
As the creature launched itself toward him, Dabi rolled to the side, his sword arcing upward to strike the exposed underbelly in one swift motion.
The blade cut deep, slicing through the vulnerable scales.
The Darkfang let out a deafening roar, collapsing onto the ground with a final shudder. Its powerful body lay still, the once-threatening aura fading as life drained from it.
Dabi stood over the fallen creature, breathing heavily, his muscles aching from the intensity of the battle.
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System Notification:
Mission Complete: Defeat the Darkfang
Reward: 3000 Gold Coins
Mastery Gift: Mysterious Egg (Level Unknown)
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