After finishing his meal and feeling revitalized, Isaac packed his belongings and extinguished the campfire. The boar had been a satisfying break, but now it was time to refocus. His goal was clear: hunt and accumulate points.
Before engaging, Isaac paused to check his gear. His brass knuckles had served him well, but their wear was evident. Cracks along the iron edges and the dull sheen showed they wouldn't last through another serious fight.
"Better not push my luck," he muttered, opening the System's Store to browse for a replacement.
Isaac scrolled through the store, eventually landing on a pair of Reinforced Steel Brass Knuckles. They were sturdier than his current pair, with enhanced durability and a sharper edge for puncturing armor.
---
[Item Purchased: Reinforced Steel Brass Knuckles]
Cost: 100 SP
Durability: 100/100
[SP Updated: 590 – 100 = 490 SP]
---
With a faint shimmer, the new brass knuckles materialized in his hands. Isaac clenched his fists, testing their weight. "Not bad. Guess I'll keep these around for a while."
Satisfied, Isaac stowed his old pair in his pack and venturing deeper into the forest. The dense canopy overhead allowed only fragments of sunlight to filter through, casting long shadows that seemed to shift with every step. His senses were on high alert as he scanned for potential targets.
---
The forest canopy thickened as Isaac ventured deeper, the sun above reduced to faint shafts of light filtering through the dense leaves. The air felt cooler, heavier, and the sounds of smaller animals began to fade.
Isaac pressed on, his sharp senses alert for any sign of prey. Every step he took was deliberate, his movements precise and silent.
Hours into his trek, Isaac's patience was rewarded. A low growl echoed through the trees, followed by the faint shuffle of feet. He crouched low, using the foliage to conceal himself. As he moved closer, the forest opened into a clearing, and before him stood a massive, shadowy cave.
The growls grew louder, accompanied by guttural hisses.
"Looks like I've found the jackpot," Isaac muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scene.
The reptilian creatures stood guard at the mouth of the cave, their green-scaled bodies glinting faintly in the dappled light. They carried crude weapons—spears, clubs, and jagged blades fashioned from bone and stone. Their postures were predatory, their eyes darting sharply as they scanned their surroundings.
Isaac activated his System, analyzing their Stats.
---
[Enemy Identified: Lizardman Guard]
Level: 7
HP: 450
MP: 100
Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Pack Coordination
Reward for Kill: 5 SP
---
Isaac smirked. "Five SP each ? I can work with that."
There were six guards stationed at the entrance. Each pair patrolled in synchronized routes, their movements steady and deliberate. Isaac studied their patterns carefully, formulating a plan. A direct assault would be foolish; instead, he decided to eliminate them one by one, using the forest's cover to his advantage.
---
Isaac climbed a nearby tree, positioning himself directly above one of the patrol routes. As the first pair of lizardmen passed beneath him, he dropped silently, landing behind them.
The first guard had no chance to react. Isaac's dagger slashed across its throat in one fluid motion, the creature collapsing with a gurgling hiss.
The second lizardman spun around, its spear aimed directly at Isaac's chest. But Isaac was faster. He sidestepped the thrust and grabbed the weapon, yanking the lizardman forward and slamming his brass-knuckled fist into its skull. Flames erupted on impact, and the creature crumpled to the ground.
---
[Kill Confirmed: Lizardman Guard 2x]
Gained: 10 SP
---
"Two down," Isaac muttered, retreating back into the shadows.
Isaac moved stealthily around the perimeter, tracking the remaining guards. His next targets were another pair patrolling near a large rock formation.
He waited until they were separated from the rest before striking. The first guard fell to a precise blow to the back of its neck, Isaac's dagger severing its spinal cord. The second guard hissed and swung its club wildly, but Isaac ducked under the attack, flames bursting from his fists as he countered with a rapid flurry of punches.
The lizardman let out a strangled cry before collapsing.
---
[Kill Confirmed: Lizardman Guard 2x]
SP Gained: 10
---
Isaac grinned as the notification flashed across his vision.
The remaining guards, now aware of the disturbance, grouped together near the cave entrance, their postures tense and defensive.
"Well, that makes things easier," Isaac muttered, igniting his fists.
With a burst of speed, he charged at the group. The lizardmen hissed in unison, their weapons raised, but Isaac was already in motion.
He ducked under a spear thrust and drove his fist into the attacker's abdomen, flames exploding on impact. Another guard swung its club, but Isaac deflected the blow with his brass knuckles before delivering a flaming uppercut that sent the creature sprawling.
The last guard lunged at him with its claws, but Isaac sidestepped and countered with a fiery roundhouse kick that left the creature smoldering on the ground.
---
[Kill Confirmed: Lizardman Guard 2x]
Gained: 10 SP
[Total SP Earned: 30 (6 Guards)]
---
Isaac stood at the mouth of the cave, catching his breath. The entrance was clear, but the real challenge lay within.
---
Inside the Lair
The cave was dark and damp, the faint glow of bioluminescent moss providing just enough light to navigate. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the floor was littered with bones—some humanoid, others belonging to smaller creatures.
Isaac's eyes darted around the cavern, taking in every detail. The remains of goblins and kobolds lay scattered, their bodies torn apart as if by a predator.
At the center of the cavern stood a massive figure, its silhouette illuminated by the faint light.
The lizardman alpha was a towering beast, its red-crested scales gleaming ominously. It held a jagged blade in one clawed hand, and behind it rested a single, large egg nestled in a makeshift nest.
The alpha let out a low growl, its piercing yellow eyes locking onto Isaac.
The Da'at System activated once
more, analyzing the new threat.
---
[Enemy Identified: Lizardman
Alpha]
Level: 10
HP: 750
MP: 150
Abilities: Pack Command
Description: Pack Command is a unique ability possessed by the Lizardman Alpha, leveraging its dominance to bolster the strength, coordination, and morale of its subordinates. When active, the alpha emits a guttural roar that inspires all nearby lizardmen to fight with heightened precision and aggression.
Effects:
1. Enhanced Coordination: All allied lizardmen gain improved synchronization in their attacks, making them more difficult to counter or evade.
2. Damage Boost: Allies within the alpha's radius deal an additional 10% physical damage.
Reward for Kill: 100 SP
---
Before Isaac could react, the alpha charged, its blade slicing through the air with blinding speed. Isaac dove to the side, the weapon carving a deep gash into the stone floor where he had been standing moments before.
"Fast," Isaac muttered, scrambling to his feet.
The alpha roared and lunged again, its blade aimed for Isaac's chest. He activated Tiferet's Radiant Mantle, a burst of golden light erupting from his body.
---
[Skill Activated: Tiferet's Radiant Mantle]
MP Cost: 50
Buff:Gradually restores health over 10 seconds & Radiant aura blinds and weakens nearby enemies with dark affinities.
---
The alpha screeched, clutching its face as the light momentarily blinded it. A shimmering shield of light enveloped Isaac, absorbing the impact of the alpha's next wild swing.
Isaac took advantage of the disorientation, darting forward and slashing at the creature's legs. His blade bit into its thigh, drawing a spurt of dark blood.
The alpha staggered but quickly recovered, its growl reverberating through the cave. It swung its blade in a wide arc, forcing Isaac to leap back to avoid the attack.
The battle became a brutal test of endurance. The alpha's sheer size and strength made every exchange dangerous, and its feral intelligence kept Isaac on edge.
Isaac dodged and weaved, striking whenever he found an opening. His flames seared the creature's scales, but the alpha's resilience was extraordinary. Even with its injuries, it moved with terrifying speed, forcing Isaac to stay on the defensive.
Sweat dripped down his face as his light shield flickered and dimmed, the energy nearly depleted. His breathing grew labored, but he refused to give up.
"Just… go down already!" Isaac growled, igniting his fists one last time.
He feinted to the left, drawing the alpha's blade, then spun to the right and drove his dagger into its throat.
The alpha gurgled, its yellow eyes wide with shock as it staggered backward. With a final, desperate roar, it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
---
[Kill Confirmed: Lizardman Alpha]
SP Gained: 100
[You have leveld up]
Based stats double
SP Rewarded: 250 SP
---
Isaac sank to his knees, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. The cavern was silent now, the alpha's death leaving an eerie stillness.
Isaac retrieved the alpha's core, its faint glow pulsating warmly in his hand. He added it to his collection and began counting his total points for the exam.
8 Goblin Cores: 40 Points
6 Kobold Cores: 90 Points
6 Lizardman Cores: 60 Points
'190 Points,that should be enough' Satisfied with his progress, Isaac stashed the cores in his pack and turned toward the cave entrance.
As he prepared to leave, a piercing screech echoed through the cavern. His head shot up, eyes scanning the ceiling.
A shadow passed over the faint light of the moss, its wings spread wide. The Blood Hawk circled above, its crimson feathers glinting menacingly as it locked its sharp eyes on Isaac.
"Well, isn't this just perfect," Isaac muttered, gripping his weapon tightly as the hawk began its descent.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Isaac
Level: 8
Health (HP): 240/300
Mana (MP): 70/170
System Points (SP): 490 + 380 = 870 SP
[Skills]
Gevurah's Purging Flame (Rare)
Description: Channel flames to enhance physical attacks and deliver explosive strikes. Grants minor resistance to fear and chaos.
Buff: Infernal Discipline: Boosts focus during combat.
Tiferet's Radiant Mantle (Epic)
Description: Cloak yourself in golden light to heal minor wounds and shield against mental or physical attacks. The light can also dazzle and disorient enemies within a short range.
Buff: Gradually restores health over 10 seconds & Radiant aura blinds and weakens nearby enemies with dark affinities.
[Synchronization Progress]
Isaac the Flame Warden: 20%
Isaac the Dawnbringer: 20%
[Ongoing Test]
Entrance Exam Part 1: The first phase of the entrance exam. Have as many points to be the top 10%
Reward: Synchronization Boost (10% to all alternate selves).
---
Equipment
Reinforced Brass Knuckles (Basic): Lightweight and durable, ideal for close combat.
Durability: 80/100