Kaleb adjusted the strap of his satchel, Denkoujin resting comfortably at his side. The katana's faint electric hum resonated with his steps as he ventured deeper into the dense forest. The Raiden mark pulsed steadily on his chest, its glow a constant reminder of his newly forged path.
The system shimmered into view, displaying a message:
[Objective Updated: Master Tier 2 Abilities.]
[Tasks: Defeat Spirit Beast (Tier 2) – 1 of 3 completed.]
Kaleb studied the map glowing faintly in the air before him, marking the next destination. "Another beast," he muttered, his fingers brushing the hilt of his katana. "Floki really loves keeping me busy."
The faint crackle of distant thunder caught his attention, urging him forward. The path ahead was uneven, with jagged rocks and tangled roots forcing him to tread carefully. Each sound—the rustling leaves, the distant cry of a spirit beast—set his senses on edge.
The forest opened into a wide clearing, the moonlight revealing scattered remnants of an old battle. Broken weapons and scorched earth painted a grim picture of conflict. Kaleb's grip on Denkoujin tightened as he stepped cautiously into the clearing, his sharp eyes scanning the area for any movement.
The Raiden System pulsed, displaying a warning:
[New Target Identified: Emberhorn Stag – Tier 2.]
[Description: A powerful fire-infused spirit beast with devastating charge attacks. Weak Points: Underside and base of the antlers.]
Kaleb's breath caught in his throat as he spotted the glowing red eyes of the Emberhorn Stag. Its massive frame was covered in charred fur, and flames flickered along its sharp antlers. The stag's hooves burned the ground with every step, leaving smoldering imprints in its wake.
The stag roared, lowering its head and scraping the ground with its powerful hoof. Sparks flew from its antlers, and the air grew noticeably hotter. Kaleb steadied his breathing, his body tensing as he prepared for the beast's charge. "Alright, let's see what you've got," he muttered.
The Emberhorn Stag charged, its hooves thundering against the ground. Kaleb activated Surge Step, the Raiden mark pulsing as energy surged through his legs. Sparks crackled around him as he darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the stag's blazing antlers.
The beast skidded to a halt, flames erupting from its antlers as it turned to face him again. Kaleb gripped Denkoujin tightly, his sharp eyes scanning for an opening. "Let's test this," he muttered, focusing his energy into the blade.
The katana hummed as Kaleb activated Thunder Edge, lightning crackling along its surface. He lunged forward, delivering a precise slash to the stag's flank. The beast howled, flames surging in retaliation as it reared back on its hind legs.
Kaleb jumped back, sparks trailing his movements. The system displayed an update:
[Energy Boost Active: Attack Speed +3 for 10 seconds.]
Taking advantage of the boost, Kaleb darted in again, ducking beneath the stag's antlers and delivering another strike to its underside. The beast roared, its fiery energy intensifying as it unleashed a wave of heat that forced Kaleb to retreat.
The clearing felt suffocating as the stag's flames heated the air. Kaleb's chest heaved as he circled the beast, his mind racing. The stag's strength lay in its fiery aura and aggressive charges, but its weak points were clear. "I just need one good strike," he muttered, gripping Denkoujin with renewed determination.
The stag pawed the ground, flames licking its hooves as it prepared another charge. Kaleb clenched his teeth, sweat dripping down his temple as he focused on the creature's movements.
The beast lunged, its antlers glowing fiercely as it thundered toward him. Kaleb held his ground, activating Surge Step at the last possible moment. Energy surged through his legs, propelling him upward as sparks trailed behind him.
Mid-air, Kaleb twisted, bringing Denkoujin down in a precise arc. The blade struck true, slicing into the base of the stag's antlers. Lightning surged through the katana, amplified by the storm within Kaleb.
The stag let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as lightning crackled through it. Flames erupted one final time before extinguishing, and the massive creature collapsed to the ground, its body limp and lifeless.
Kaleb landed lightly on his feet, his chest heaving as he stared at the fallen beast. The Raiden System shimmered, displaying a new message:
[Task Complete: 2 of 3 Tier 2 Spirit Beasts Defeated.]
[Ability Progression: Thunder Edge – 50% Mastery.]
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Kaleb crouched beside the stag and retrieved its core fragment. The small, glowing piece of energy pulsed faintly in his hand. He slipped it into his satchel, its weight feeling lighter compared to the satisfaction of victory. "Two down," he muttered, glancing at the glowing map in the air before him. "One more to go."
The clearing was quiet now, the suffocating heat replaced by a cool breeze. Kaleb adjusted his satchel, Denkoujin sheathed at his side, as he prepared to move on. "Floki wasn't kidding when he said there'd be no rest," he said with a faint grin.
The Raiden mark pulsed steadily on his chest, its warmth a constant reminder of the storm growing within him. Each battle honed his abilities, bringing him closer to his ultimate goal: vengeance against Vorrick and ascension to godhood.
As Kaleb stepped back into the dense forest, he paused to take in his surroundings. The path ahead was darker, the shadows deeper and more menacing. But he didn't hesitate. His resolve was unwavering, the storm within him a beacon in the encroaching darkness.
The Raiden System flickered to life, displaying an alert:
[Nearby Activity Detected: Energy Surge – Unknown Tier.]
Kaleb's brow furrowed as he studied the map. A new marker appeared, pulsating faintly but noticeably different from the previous tasks. "What's this now?" he muttered, adjusting the strap of his satchel.
The energy surge wasn't far, but it was off his current path. The logical move would be to ignore it and focus on his assigned tasks, but something about the marker intrigued him. "Can't be worse than what I've already faced," he said with a smirk, stepping toward the new destination.
The forest thickened as Kaleb ventured off the beaten path. Each step felt heavier, the air charged with an unfamiliar tension. The Raiden mark pulsed faster, almost as if responding to the unseen force ahead.