Ren stood at the entrance of the Forgotten Caverns of Vyrendyll, the cold mist curling at his feet. He tightened his grip on his beginner sword, gazing into the dark tunnels ahead. The caverns weren't designed for low-level players, and every step forward would pit him against monsters far beyond the reach of a typical Level 3 character.
Ren glanced at his system panel to prepare for what lay ahead.
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System Panel: Ren Karsten
Name: Ren Karsten
Race: Human (Temporary)
Class: None (Classless progression)
Level: 3
EXP: 0 / 300
---
Level Progression Table
Level 1 → 2: 100 EXP
Level 2 → 3: 200 EXP
Level 3 → 4: 300 EXP
Level 4 → 5: 400 EXP
EXP requirements increase steadily as players level up, but Ren knew the hidden monsters in the Forgotten Caverns provided far more experience than standard monsters in early-game zones. However, these monsters weren't easy to defeat.
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Forgotten Caverns Monster Data
1. Cave Crawler (Level 7)
EXP Given: 150 EXP
Health: 200
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 6
Special Ability:
Acid Spray: Deals 25 damage over 5 seconds.
Weakness: Their soft underbelly is exposed during lunging attacks, increasing critical hit damage by 300%.
2. Phantom Wisp (Level 8)
EXP Given: 200 EXP
Health: 150
Intelligence: 15
Special Ability:
Blink: Teleports unpredictably, avoiding attacks.
Weakness: Physical strikes temporarily disable Blink for 3 seconds.
3. Void Sentinel (Level 10 - Elite Mini-Boss)
EXP Given: 1,000 EXP
Health: 500
Strength: 20
Dexterity: 12
Special Abilities:
Void Slam: AoE attack dealing 50 damage within a 10-meter radius.
Void Barrier: Absorbs 50% of damage until overloaded with magic.
Weakness: The glowing crystal in its chest amplifies magic damage by 200%.
---
Ren checked his gear. Aside from the Beginner Sword, his inventory was barren. "No health potions, no backup weapons," he muttered. "I'll have to play this perfectly."
Despite the danger, he stepped into the caverns. The cool air shifted as the narrow tunnel opened into a wide, dimly lit chamber.
---
The clicking sound of sharp pincers echoed in the cavern. From the shadows emerged a Cave Crawler, its segmented body glistening with a faint green sheen.
> Cave Crawler (Level 7)
Ren smirked. "200 health. Slow dexterity. Weak to critical hits on its underbelly." His experience fighting this enemy in the previous timeline left no room for fear.
The crawler hissed, lunging at him with its sharp pincers. Ren sidestepped the attack easily, his heightened dexterity allowing him to keep pace despite the level difference. As the creature's body twisted mid-lunge, its soft underbelly became exposed.
Ren struck, his sword slicing into the vulnerable flesh.
> Critical Hit! 80 Damage Dealt.
The crawler shrieked, reeling back and spraying acidic bile. Ren darted backward to avoid the spray, his heart pounding as he saw the damage effect trigger.
> Missed.
"Almost got me," he muttered.
The creature lunged again, slower this time. Ren danced around it, waiting for another opening. When it exposed its underside again, he drove his sword deep into it.
> Critical Hit! 100 Damage Dealt.
Cave Crawler Defeated!
The monster crumpled to the ground, its legs twitching before going still.
---
> +150 EXP
EXP: 150 / 300
"Halfway to the next level," Ren noted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Not bad."
---
Deeper into the caverns, the air grew colder. Faint blue lights flickered in the darkness, signaling the presence of Phantom Wisps. One floated toward him, its form shimmering and translucent.
> Phantom Wisp (Level 8)
Ren remembered their tendency to teleport unpredictably, making them one of the most frustrating early-game monsters. "Blink," he muttered, recalling the skill. "Can't hit them unless I disrupt it first."
The wisp emitted a ghostly hum and fired a bolt of arcane energy at him. Ren rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the blast. His beginner sword wouldn't deal much damage, but physical attacks had a chance of disrupting its Blink ability.
As the wisp closed in, Ren dashed forward and swung his sword. The blade passed through its ethereal body, dealing only minor damage.
> 10 Damage Dealt.
The wisp retaliated with another arcane bolt, grazing Ren's arm.
> -30 Health
"Focus," Ren growled, gritting his teeth. He waited for the wisp to charge another attack. Just as it blinked closer, he swung again, this time landing a solid strike.
> Blink Disrupted!
The wisp flickered erratically, unable to teleport. Ren seized the moment, delivering a flurry of strikes until its health bar emptied.
> Phantom Wisp Defeated!
+200 EXP
EXP: 350 / 400
---
Level Up!
> Congratulations! You have reached Level 4.
---
Updated System Panel
Name: Ren Karsten
Level: 4
EXP: 50 / 400
Attributes:
Strength: 7
Dexterity: 12 → 14
Endurance: 6
Intelligence: 7 → 9
Wisdom: 6 → 7
Luck: 6
Skill Points Available: 2
---
Ren invested the points into Dexterity and Intelligence, knowing he'd need both to fight the final challenge in the caverns: the Void Sentinel.
---
The chamber grew larger as Ren approached the heart of the caverns. A faint, ominous glow emanated from a massive figure standing before a crystal pillar.
> Void Sentinel (Level 10 - Elite Mini-Boss)
The sentinel's towering frame loomed over him, its glowing chest crystal pulsing with energy. Ren knew this fight was do-or-die.
The sentinel roared, raising its massive fists to slam the ground. Ren sprinted to the side, avoiding the shockwave as chunks of rock flew through the air.
"Void Slam," Ren muttered, recalling its abilities. "Big AoE. Dodge and counter when it's vulnerable."
He dashed in close, striking its leg with his sword. The damage was negligible.
> 10 Damage Dealt.
"Need to hit the crystal," he thought. The sentinel retaliated with a sweeping strike, and Ren barely ducked in time.
When the sentinel raised its fist again for another Void Slam, Ren made his move. The glowing chest crystal exposed itself during the wind-up animation. Ren leapt forward, slamming his sword into the crystal with all his strength.
> Critical Hit! 150 Damage Dealt.
The sentinel staggered, its barrier flickering. Ren didn't let up. He activated a new skill he'd just unlocked:
> Skill: Overhead Strike – Deals 150% weapon damage.
Ren drove his sword into the crystal again, shattering it. The sentinel let out a deafening roar before collapsing to the ground, its body disintegrating into shadow.
---
> Void Sentinel Defeated!
+1,000 EXP
EXP: 1,050 / 500
---
Level Up!
> Congratulations! You have reached Level 5.
Congratulations! You have reached Level 6.
---
Ren panted, his health dangerously low, but the reward was worth it. A new notification appeared:
> Hidden Class Unlocked: Voidwalker
New Skills Acquired:
Shadow Bind: Immobilize enemies and drain health over time.
Ethereal Step: Brief invisibility with increased movement speed.
Ren smirked, the dark power of the Void coursing through him. "This is where the real journey begins."