Trogg walked out of the main tribe's hut with a firm step, riding his black panther, now at level 2 Qi Condensation. He could feel the power pulsing through his mount, which moved with deadly agility, its eyes shining with a predatory glow. Trogg wanted to test his newfound strength and explore the limits of his new cultivation level. Level 4 Qi Condensation was not just a numerical advancement; he knew it was a milestone that would exponentially increase his physical strength, Qi control, and combat abilities.
"The limits of this area no longer challenge me," Trogg thought as he passed through the dense bushes and familiar clearings of the forest's edge. "If I want to truly test my strength, I must go further. At the beginning of the forest, there are no beasts worthy of testing me. It is time to advance."
As he walked deeper into the Nulkar Forest, the environment began to change noticeably. The sunlight, once visible through the treetops, now barely penetrated the dense canopy of leaves above. The trees grew in size, their thick, twisted trunks casting eerie shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. The upper branches seemed to engage in a macabre dance, as if to prevent any being from escaping the dark interior of the forest.
The ground was covered in a thick layer of fallen leaves, damp moss, and protruding roots, forming a treacherous terrain that seemed to want to swallow the unwary. The air grew thicker and colder, filled with the pungent smell of decaying wood and something more metallic, perhaps recently spilled blood. Distant, barely audible sounds echoed through the trees—the snapping of branches, low howls, the beating of wings of unknown creatures.
This is where I will grow stronger, Trogg thought, his eyes shining with determination. "But I must be extra cautious. This place is unforgiving."
The panther at his side seemed more alert than ever, its ears swiveling to catch any unusual sounds. It growled low, as if sensing the presence of unseen predators. Trogg tightened his grip on his sword, feeling the familiar weight of the blade in his hand, and expanded his Qi perception to detect any imminent threat.
"It's not just the environment that's changed," he muttered to himself. "Everything here is more alive, more dangerous. This is perfect for someone like me."
With each step, Trogg felt more connected to the dark environment around him, as if the forest were testing him. He knew that the deeper he went, the more dangerous it would be. But he also knew that the greater the rewards would be—and he was ready to take them.
Walking through the dense shadows of the forest, Trogg sensed a presence in the distance. His keen instinct and Qi perception picked up on a force similar to his own—a level 4 beast. He stopped, scanning his surroundings. The panther beside him began to growl softly, the hairs on its back standing on end in a threatening manner.
"So, finally, a worthy opponent." Trogg muttered, feeling the thrill of a new confrontation. He advanced slowly, his hand firmly on the hilt of his sword, while his eyes searched for the source of the presence.
Suddenly, from the shadows of a thick, twisted tree, a beast leaped out. It was a black demon bear, nearly ten feet tall, with enormous muscles and eyes that shone with primal malice. Its claws were long and sharp as razors, and a thunderous roar reverberated through the forest, startling birds that flew in all directions.
Trogg did not retreat. He watched calmly as the bear advanced, trusting in his new strength. The bear lunged with surprising speed for its size, raising a massive paw and delivering a blow that would have cut a common warrior to pieces. But Trogg moved with almost supernatural agility, dodging to the side at the last moment and counterattacking with a precise slash to the bear's side.
Black blood spurted as the bear roared in agony, but Trogg gave no quarter. He activated his Adrenaline ability, feeling the strength in his muscles double, and launched a series of rapid attacks, his sword cutting deep into the bear's body. Within seconds, the beast that should have been a challenge was falling to the ground in a pool of blood.
Trogg stood there, watching the defeated bear in near disbelief. He was breathing heavily, but he wasn't exhausted—on the contrary, he felt like he could take on something even stronger. "It was… too easy," he muttered, looking down at his hands as if wondering where the strength came from.
"System," he asked, his voice serious. "Why was it so easy? My strength seems much higher than it should be for a level 4."
The system's cold, mechanical voice promptly replied:
"That's because of the body strengthening pill you consumed recently. In addition to strengthening your physical body, it has optimized the flow of Qi within you, increasing your combat efficiency. Your body is now above average for cultivators of the same level, allowing you to easily dominate ordinary opponents of your stage."
Trogg smirked, pleased with the answer. "Interesting. So even within the same level, I am superior." He glanced at the corpse of the bear on the ground and opened his spirit bag, storing the beast's body with a gesture. "If even a level 4 opponent can't stop me, perhaps I should start hunting something even more challenging."
Mounting his panther again, Trogg continued through the forest, a cold determination in his eyes. He knew he was becoming an unstoppable force, and the forest of Nulkar would soon know true terror.
The sense of power Trogg felt was truly addictive. He could feel the Qi pulsing through his body in a way he had never experienced before. His muscles grew denser, his spirit sharper, and with every step he took, the world around him seemed to grow sharper, clearer. **"I need more," he thought, a ruthless smile playing on his lips. The desire to grow, to achieve something beyond what the world had known, burned like a flame within him.
Without hesitation, Trogg accelerated, his black mount at his side. He wanted to test his limits, and to do so, he knew he had to face something greater. After crossing a few clearings and darkening the forest a little more, he finally felt the presence of something powerful—something that was beyond anything he had faced thus far. Trogg stopped abruptly, his heightened senses picking up on the energy in the air. This… he muttered to himself, tension building in his chest. He could feel the intense aura of a cultivator beast far stronger than the demonic bear he had defeated. The Qi emanated from that direction like a dense, heavy wave. Soon, Trogg spotted the beast. At first glance, it appeared to be a massive shadow tiger, its eyes like blades of ice cutting through the darkness, and its black fur glinting with an unearthly glow. The tiger stood imposingly, with claws as long as spears and sharp teeth that seemed capable of tearing through reality. Its body exuded a dark aura, a pressure of Qi that almost made the air around Trogg vibrate. He could sense that the beast was not a level 4, but a level 5. However, he could not clearly detect the creature's exact cultivation level. "A level 5 beast," Trogg thought, his eyes shining with excitement. "This will be an interesting battle."
With a low growl, the shadow tiger noticed Trogg and his panther, its eyes locking onto them with a fierce glare, as if it had already decided to destroy them. The atmosphere around Trogg grew dense, the Qi of the beasts in the area seemed to concentrate, as if the very air itself was being drained by the creature's presence.
"Now…" Trogg muttered, feeling the power in his bones, his muscles tense and ready for action. He took a deep breath, analyzing the beast's every move, calculating his next steps. The battle was about to begin, and the only winner would be the one who could master the intensity of the Qi.
The tension was palpable, but Trogg was more than ready.
The tension in the forest was palpable. The shadow tiger growled low, its claws scraping the ground as if preparing the ground for battle. Trogg's eyes gleamed, his body pulsing with newfound energy, and he knew this would be a tough fight. But he also knew that he was stronger than ever now. The feeling of the power coursing through him was overwhelming, and he was ready to test it in a real battle.
"Let's see how far my strength can go," Trogg muttered to himself, his fingers closing around the hilt of his sword. He felt the Qi gathering in his body, and with a swift movement, he activated the Shadow Steps skill, his agility becoming impressive, almost supernatural. He disappeared in a blur of motion, appearing behind the tiger, so fast that the beast barely had time to react. The tiger spun around quickly, slashing its sharp claws at where Trogg had been, but it was too late. Trogg ducked and shot forward like an arrow, activating his Adrenaline ability. The burst of power was instantaneous—all of his stats were doubled, and his speed, strength, and perception increased absurdly. He was at the peak of his physical capabilities. With a low roar, Trogg lunged at the beast with a vertical slash. His sword sliced through the air with an ominous glint, but the shadow tiger, in its cunning, spun at the last moment and dodged the attack, its claws shooting towards Trogg's chest. The impact was strong, but his adrenaline kept him agile and resilient. He only felt a deep scratch on his side, blood dripping down, but he didn't stop. "It's just a scratch..." he thought, advancing again.
Using his Shadow Steps, Trogg slid to the side, avoiding a deadly strike from the beast's claws. He then concentrated, activating his Qi Launcher ability. In one fluid motion, Trogg projected a concentrated wave of Qi from the blade of his sword, a crack of energy that cut through the air with devastating force. The attack shot out like an invisible blade, striking the tiger squarely in the side. The beast roared in pain, the impact of the Qi wave sending it staggering backwards, but it was not defeated yet.
The shadow tiger, now enraged, lunged forward with incredible speed, its claws spinning like sharp blades, and its body radiating an even more intense Qi pressure. It was at its peak, and Trogg knew he had to be careful. The battle was about to get even more intense.
Trogg did not hesitate* He activated Adrenaline again, feeling his body being filled with a burst of power. His muscles tensed tightly, and he felt every cell in his body vibrate with the energy of battle. He leapt to the side in one fluid movement, and then, with a wild cry, he slashed his sword into the earth.
The impact was brutal. He slashed through the shadow tiger's chest with a clean swing. The blade sliced through flesh and bone, piercing deep into the beast's body. The tiger roared, pain exploding through its body, but Trogg did not retreat. He used all his remaining strength, driving the sword in until the beast crumbled beneath his power.
The beast's black blood gushed out, spraying across the dark forest, and Trogg, panting and bloodied, stood, staring at the creature's body lying before him. The battle had been hard-fought, but he had won. The shadow tiger, which had once seemed unbeatable, now lay dead at his feet.
Trogg stepped forward, pulling his sword from the beast's body. He could feel exhaustion beginning to take over his body, but his satisfaction was evident. He had faced a much stronger enemy and emerged victorious. "I am stronger than I imagined," Trogg said, a cruel smile on his face. The feeling of power that filled him was indescribable, and he knew that this was only the beginning.
The forest around him seemed to grow silent, as if acknowledging his victory. Trogg looked up at the sky, feeling stronger, more immortal, and more prepared for what was to come. He was no longer at level 4 of Qi Condensation. He felt like he was about to achieve something even greater. "I need more…" he thought, turning to the dense forest ahead. "I will become the strongest, and nothing will stop me."
With the beast crushed and its body crushed beneath the power of his blade, Trogg stored the shadow tiger in his spirit bag, one of the most valuable tools he possessed. The beast's blood still stained his clothes and his blade, but he didn't care. The feeling of power, the adrenaline of battle, still coursed through his body. He had overcome yet another challenge. But now, with the beast's body in storage, Trogg knew it was time to return to the tribe and consider his next move.
Trogg and the Investigation of the Surrounding Tribes
With the beast's corpse safely stored in his spirit bag, Trogg mounted his now level 2 black panther and began his journey back to the tribe. The shadows of the thick trees of the Nulkar forest seemed to lean toward him as he made his way. The sense of power he felt after his victory still burned in his veins, but his mind was already focused on the next objective: strengthening his tribe's position.
Upon arriving at the tribe, he was greeted by the reverent gazes of the goblins. It was clear that his presence was beginning to inspire something more than fear: unquestionable respect and loyalty. Trogg dismounted and headed to the main hut, where Keng was already waiting for him.
Inside the hut, the atmosphere was heavier than usual. Keng seemed focused, but he quickly stood up as soon as Trogg entered.
— "Keng," said Trogg, sitting up with authority, "I need detailed information about the surrounding tribes. I want to know who our neighbors are, their strengths and... races."
Keng nodded, pulling a crude map of the region from a worn wooden chest. He unrolled it on the table and pointed out the areas surrounding the tribe.
— *Master Trogg, our tribe is on the outskirts of the Nulkar Forest, a region known as the Outer Rim. The tribes here are generally small and comprised of weaker races, but there are exceptions. These are the tribes we know of:"
1. Blackstone Tribe (Hobgoblins)
- Description: Located in the north, this tribe is known for its military discipline and superior physical strength. Although not numerous, the hobgoblins are organized and deadly in coordinated combat.
- Leader: Grozark, a warrior at Qi Condensation level 5.
2. Bloody Claw Tribe (Gnolls)
- Description: To the east, the Blood Claw tribe is made up of wild and chaotic gnolls. They have no rigid system, but they make up for it with numbers and ferocity in battle.
- Leader: Yrek, a gnoll shaman at Qi Condensation level 4 who uses bloody rituals to strengthen his tribe.
3. *LHidden Scale Tribe (Kobolds)
- Description: Located in caves to the south, this tribe is made up of cunning kobolds. They compensate for their physical weakness with ingenious traps and teamwork.
- Leader:Vrak, a kobold at Qi Condensation level 3, but extremely dangerous due to his use of poisons and traps.
4. Cracktooth Tribe (Goblins)
- Description: To the west, a tribe of rival goblins, with similar numerical strength to their tribe before their recent victory. They are commanded by a fierce goblin who uses guerrilla tactics to defend himself.
- Leader: Grix, at Qi Condensation Level 4, an agile and ruthless fighter.
---
After finishing listing the tribes, Keng looked at Trogg seriously.
— "Master, these tribes have not yet taken notice of our growing strength. However, if we continue to expand, it is only a matter of time before they see us as a threat."
Trogg remained silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the map. He carefully analyzed the details provided by Keng.
— "Very well, Keng. They will soon learn to fear our name. Prepare the warriors and strengthen the defenses. I will handle the rest."
The goblin warrior nodded, leaving to carry out his orders. Trogg, for his part, looked at the map once more. He knew that each tribe represented an obstacle and, at the same time, an opportunity for power.
He whispered to himself, a dark smile forming on his lips:
— "One step at a time. This territory will be mine."