The Hunting Ground's atmosphere was suffocating, a blend of tension and foreboding. The MC's thoughts lingered on the mysterious stranger from the previous night, their words echoing in his mind.
"A path to power beyond your wildest dreams. But at what cost?"
The Tebu system had warned of interference, yet the offer tugged at him. He clenched his fists, dismissing the thought. He couldn't afford to stray from his path—his sister's safety was his priority.
---
A Call to Action
The system broke the silence, its mechanical voice crisp.
Host's current strength is insufficient for upcoming threats. Immediate action is advised.
The MC sighed, his mask feeling heavier than usual.
"What's new?"
The system wasn't wrong. Every encounter in the Hunting Ground grew more dangerous, the creatures smarter, the humans more ruthless. He glanced at his creature, its form now slightly more refined from its previous evolution.
"Let's keep moving," he muttered, his voice firm.
The creature growled softly in agreement, its glowing eyes scanning their surroundings.
---
The Hidden Lair
Their journey led them to an ancient ruin, half-buried under layers of ash and rubble. The MC paused, his instincts screaming that this place held something dangerous—and valuable.
Tebu system activated: Unusual energy detected. Potential evolution material located.
His heart skipped a beat. Evolution material was rare, and finding it here could be the key to unlocking the next stage of his power.
"Let's hope this isn't a trap," he thought, stepping into the ruin.
The air inside was stale, and the faint glow of his creature's eyes barely illuminated the path ahead. The further they ventured, the stronger the oppressive energy became.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the chamber.
---
The Guardian Beast
From the shadows emerged a massive beast, its body covered in jagged scales that shimmered with an eerie light. Its eyes locked onto the MC, radiating intelligence and malice.
Enemy identified: Rift Guardian. Threat level: High.
The MC swallowed hard. This was no ordinary creature. He could feel its power pulsing in the air, each step it took reverberating through the ground.
"Stay back," he commanded his creature, knowing this battle would require every ounce of his strength and strategy.
The Rift Guardian lunged, its claws slicing through the air with terrifying speed. The MC barely dodged, rolling to the side and summoning a burst of shadow energy to counter.
The attack struck true, but the beast barely flinched, its scales absorbing the brunt of the blow.
"Great," he thought bitterly. "This thing's a tank."
---
A Desperate Struggle
The fight raged on, the narrow confines of the ruin making it harder to maneuver. The MC's creature darted in and out, striking at the Guardian's exposed flanks, but its attacks seemed to barely leave a mark.
"We're not strong enough," the MC realized, frustration bubbling up inside him.
The system chimed in, its tone urgent.
Host must exploit environmental weaknesses. Observe surroundings carefully.
The MC's eyes darted around, taking in the crumbling pillars and unstable ceiling. An idea began to form.
"Draw it here!" he shouted to his creature, pointing to a massive pillar near the center of the chamber.
The creature obeyed, weaving through the Guardian's attacks and luring it closer to the designated spot.
---
The Collapse
As the Guardian lunged for his creature, the MC unleashed a powerful blast of shadow energy at the base of the pillar. The structure groaned under the strain before collapsing, massive chunks of stone crashing down onto the beast.
A deafening roar echoed through the chamber as the dust settled. The Guardian lay pinned beneath the rubble, its movements sluggish but still dangerous.
The MC didn't hesitate. Summoning every ounce of power he had left, he launched a final attack, the shadow energy piercing through the beast's exposed chest.
The Rift Guardian let out one last agonized cry before falling still.
---
The Spoils of Victory
The Tebu system's voice broke through the silence.
Rift Guardian defeated. Evolution material acquired. Host has earned 500 Evolution Points.
The MC's knees nearly buckled with relief. He approached the Guardian's body, retrieving a glowing crystal from its core.
Tebu system analysis complete: Evolution material verified. Initiating integration sequence.
A surge of energy coursed through the MC as the material was absorbed, his body trembling under the strain.
---
A New Threat
Before he could fully process the changes, a slow clap echoed through the ruin.
"Impressive," said a familiar voice.
The MC's blood ran cold as the hooded figure from before stepped into view, their expression unreadable.
"You've proven yourself yet again," they said, their tone calm. "But tell me, Masked One, how long do you think you can survive without accepting my offer?"
The MC's fists clenched.
"I don't need your help," he spat.
The figure chuckled. "We'll see. Just remember—every choice has consequences."
With that, they vanished into the shadows, leaving the MC with a sinking feeling in his chest.