Kaleb tightened the strap of his satchel as he moved deeper into the forest, the faint glow of the Raiden mark on his chest pulsing rhythmically. The materials he'd harvested from the Crimson Fang Boar weighed heavy, both on his back and in his mind.
The screen shimmered into view, displaying a new update:
[Power Level Progress: 70% Toward Tier 2.]
Kaleb's eyes flicked over the message before it faded. "Not bad," he muttered, though the exhaustion in his voice betrayed his weariness.
The forest grew darker, the thick canopy blocking out most of the moonlight. The tension in the air was palpable, every sound amplified as Kaleb's senses remained sharp.
A faint rustling nearby made him pause, his hand tightening around the handle of his hunting knife. His eyes scanned the trees, his breath steady as he prepared for whatever might emerge.
A large bird burst from the bushes, its flapping wings startling but harmless. Kaleb exhaled, shaking his head. "Jumping at shadows now," he muttered, forcing himself to keep moving.
The map on the system reappeared, marking a path that wound through a dense section of the forest. [Next Target: 600 meters ahead.] The marker pulsed faintly, drawing Kaleb's focus.
As he walked, the terrain became uneven, forcing him to tread carefully over exposed roots and jagged rocks. The air grew colder, each breath visible in the faint light.
Kaleb's thoughts drifted to the battles he had fought. The Onyx Wolf, the Crimson Stalker, and now the Crimson Fang Boar. Each encounter had pushed him closer to his limits, forcing him to rely not just on the Raiden system but on his own instincts and resilience.
The screen appeared again, breaking his thoughts:
[Reminder: Lightning Spark ability available. Use effectively against armored targets.]
"Yeah, yeah," Kaleb muttered, rolling his shoulders. "I'll keep that in mind."
The sound of running water caught Kaleb's attention, pulling him toward a narrow stream that cut through the forest. He knelt beside it, cupping his hands to drink the cool water.
As he stood, a faint growl rumbled through the air, low and guttural. Kaleb froze, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.
The growl grew louder, accompanied by the sound of heavy footfalls. Kaleb tightened his grip on his knife, his heart pounding as a massive figure emerged from the shadows.
The creature was unlike any he had encountered before. Its hulking form was covered in thick, dark scales, with jagged spines running down its back. Glowing yellow eyes locked onto Kaleb, and its fanged maw opened to release a deafening roar.
The screen displayed the creature's details:
[New Target: Obsidian Ravager - Tier 2.] [Description: A heavily armored predator with high endurance and enhanced strength. Weak points: Underbelly and behind the head.]
Kaleb's grip tightened on his hunting knife as he backed away slowly. "Of course it's heavily armored," he muttered. "Why wouldn't it be?"
The Obsidian Ravager crouched low, its claws digging into the dirt as it prepared to charge. The Raiden mark pulsed, and the system displayed another update: [Lightning Spark ability recommended. Precision strikes required.]
Kaleb steadied his breathing, channeling the energy in his chest as faint sparks danced across his fingertips. The creature lunged, its massive body barreling toward him with terrifying speed.
Kaleb dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's claws as they tore through the ground where he had stood. He rolled to his feet, releasing a bolt of lightning that struck the Ravager's side.
The creature snarled, its scales absorbing most of the impact. The screen updated quickly:
[Minimal damage. Target's armor mitigates energy. Aim for weak points.]
"Yeah, I figured that out," Kaleb muttered, circling the beast as it turned to face him. Its glowing eyes tracked his every move, its body tense and ready to strike again.
The Ravager lunged, swiping with its massive claws. Kaleb ducked under the attack, slashing at its exposed underbelly with the hunting knife.
Dark blood sprayed from the wound, and the beast howled in pain. Kaleb didn't relent, dodging another swipe as he aimed for the back of its legs.
The Raiden mark pulsed brightly, and the system displayed a new boost:
[Energy Surge Activated: Agility +3 for 15 seconds.]
Kaleb felt the surge immediately, his movements becoming faster and more precise. He darted around the creature, striking at its exposed weak points whenever an opening presented itself.
The beast roared in fury, thrashing wildly as it tried to catch him. Its claws carved deep gouges into the earth, its powerful tail swinging dangerously close to Kaleb's head.
He leaped onto a nearby rock, using the height to his advantage as he released another bolt of lightning. The energy struck the back of the Ravager's head, the crackling sparks briefly stunning it.
Kaleb seized the moment, jumping onto the creature's back and driving the blade of his hunting knife into the base of its neck. The beast thrashed violently, trying to shake him off, but Kaleb held firm.
With a final surge of energy, he released a concentrated burst of lightning through the blade. The electricity coursed through the creature's body, causing it to convulse before collapsing to the ground.
Kaleb rolled off the creature's back, landing heavily on the ground as he struggled to catch his breath. The Obsidian Ravager lay still, its glowing eyes dimming as its life faded.
The screen reappeared, displaying a new message:
[Task Complete: Obsidian Ravager Neutralized.]
[Power Level Progress: 100% - Tier 2 Achieved.]
Kaleb stared at the glowing text, a small smile breaking across his face. "Finally," he muttered, his exhaustion giving way to a sense of accomplishment.
He crouched beside the creature, carefully extracting valuable materials from its body. The scales were thick and heavy, their texture rough but durable. The fangs and claws were equally impressive, promising to fetch a high price if traded.
As he packed the materials into his satchel, the Raiden mark pulsed again, displaying another message:
[Tier 2 Abilities Unlocked: Static Burst and Surge Step.]
Kaleb's brow furrowed as he studied the screen, the details of the new abilities filling him with anticipation. "Looks like things are about to get interesting," he said, standing and adjusting his gear.
The storm within him stirred once more, stronger than ever. Kaleb turned toward the forest, his determination unshaken as he prepared for whatever lay ahead.