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The First Solo Mission (Continued)
Every step Dabi took was careful and calculated. He was determined to prove to himself and to the system that he could survive on his own.
"Focus, Dabi. "
This isn't like the practice fields or the cleanup missions," he muttered to himself, trying to steady his breathing.
Despite his resolve, the eerie silence of the forest gnawed at his nerves.
The path through Darkwood was dim, with only traces of moonlight seeping through the tangled canopy above.
Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig sounded ominous in the otherwise quiet forest, heightening Dabi's senses.
He remembered the mission briefing: Fang-Bearer was a vicious creature, known for its swift and deadly attacks, especially under the cover of night.
After several tense minutes, he spotted movement up ahead.
His breath caught in his throat as he saw the Fang-Bearer emerge from the shadows.
The creature was enormous, towering above Dabi with a hulking frame covered in thick, matted fur.
Its most terrifying feature was its enormous fangs, which glistened with venom as it snarled.
Dabi's system flashed a notification in his vision:
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System Notification: Target Locked: Fang-Bearer
Class: Low-tier Boss
Weak Points: Underbelly, Poor Vision in Low Light
The system's analysis was his lifeline. He had just gained a new skill, Quick Analysis, which provided brief but invaluable insights on his opponents.
He quickly reviewed the data: the creature's underbelly was vulnerable, and its vision was impaired in low light.
This information was crucial, especially for someone like Dabi, whose physical stats were still catching up to his more experienced peers.
He took a deep breath, grounding himself. "I've got this. Just focus on the plan," he reminded himself, recalling the strategies he had rehearsed in his mind.
Dabi tightened his grip on his sword and crept closer, moving low and keeping to the shadows.
His footsteps were almost silent on the forest floor, but the Fang-Bearer's ears twitched, sensing movement.
It turned, letting out a bone-rattling roar that sent birds scattering from the treetops. Dabi froze, assessing the creature's movements.
Suddenly, the Fang-Bearer lunged, its massive claws slicing through the air with frightening speed.
Dabi rolled to the side just in time, feeling the rush of air as the claws narrowly missed him. He scrambled to his feet, his heart hammering as he moved into position.
Timing was everything here; one wrong move could end him.
He darted forward, aiming a quick slash at the creature's legs.
The blade sliced through fur and flesh, and the Fang-Bearer howled in pain, stumbling slightly.
Dabi quickly withdrew, watching as it regained its balance, anger flaring in its bloodshot eyes.
This was the challenge he'd been seeking to test his limits, to prove that he could fight without relying solely on the system's guidance.
The creature charged at him again, its fangs bared and dripping with venom.
Dabi kept his focus sharp, reading its movements, anticipating its attack pattern.
He noticed that the Fang-Bearer had a slight delay every time it recovered from a strike a weakness he could exploit.
Using the data from Quick Analysis, he moved swiftly, slashing at its exposed underbelly every time it stumbled, each strike more precise than the last.
As the fight wore on, Dabi began to feel the strain.
The Fang-Bearer was fast, and its relentless assault forced him to stay on the defensive, dodging and weaving to avoid its deadly swipes.
Despite the creature's size, it moved with surprising agility, pushing Dabi to his limits. His breaths came in quick, shallow bursts, and sweat trickled down his face as he struggled to keep up with the beast's speed.
"Come on, Dabi. Just one good opening," he whispered, steeling his resolve.
Finally, he saw his chance. The creature hesitated for a split second, and Dabi didn't waste it.
He lunged forward, channeling all his remaining strength into a single, decisive strike.
His sword plunged deep into the creature's vulnerable underbelly, slicing through layers of muscle and sinew.
The Fang-Bearer let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as it collapsed to the ground in a heap.
Dabi staggered back, panting heavily as he watched the creature's lifeless form.
He felt a surge of triumph, mixed with a deep sense of relief.
He'd done it he had defeated the Fang-Bearer on his own.
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System Notification: Mission Complete: Eliminate the Fang-Bearer
Reward: 500 Gold Coins
Bonus Reward: Mystery Gift
The notification flashed in front of him, and Dabi's lips curved into a small, exhausted smile.
His first real solo mission was a success.
The 500 gold coins were a substantial reward, but it was the "Mystery Gift" that intrigued him most.
As the Fang-Bearer's body began to dissipate, leaving only a faint outline in the dirt, a small, shining object appeared where the creature had fallen.
Curious, Dabi knelt down and reached for it, his fingers brushing against a smooth, warm surface.
He lifted it carefully, studying it in the dim light.
It was…an egg.
The shell was covered in intricate, almost mystical markings that seemed to shimmer faintly.
The egg was warm to the touch, pulsing with a gentle energy that felt strangely alive.
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System Notification: Item Acquired: Unidentified Egg
Information Locked: Will be revealed upon hatching.
Dabi stared at the egg, a mixture of curiosity and excitement bubbling up inside him.
What kind of creature would hatch from this? And why had the Fang-Bearer been guarding it so fiercely?
He tucked the egg carefully into his bag, feeling the weight of responsibility settle over him.
Whatever lay inside, it would likely play a significant role in his journey ahead.
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Later that evening, Dabi returned to town, the egg safely tucked in his bag and his pockets filled with the weight of his new wealth.
He made his way to the local gear shop, excitement sparking in his eyes.
With the 500 gold coins, he now had the means to upgrade his equipment a crucial investment if he wanted to survive the increasingly difficult missions ahead.
Most of the good things were very expensive...
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