Pulkit and his companions trudged deeper into the dungeon. The narrow path twisted and turned, and the oppressive darkness seemed to grow thicker with each step. The faint glow from his sword was no longer enough to pierce the suffocating blackness that surrounded them. The damp air clung to his skin, and the distant echoes of skittering sounds only added to the foreboding atmosphere.
"This isn't going to work," Pulkit muttered, glancing at the dim light from his blade. "I need a proper light source."
He opened the Intermediate Shop, navigating through the interface with purpose. A lantern was available, but Pulkit frowned at the thought.
A lantern might run out of fuel. I'd be left stranded in this darkness if that happens. Instead, he turned his attention to magic skills, searching for something that could provide a reliable source of illumination.
If I can find a light spell, it'll not only help me see but also improve my Mana Circuit proficiency and magic control. Killing two birds with one stone.
After a few moments of scrolling, Pulkit's eyes landed on a skill that seemed perfect.
[Candlelight – F-rank]
[Skill description: Forms a floating ball of light that illuminates the area around it. The light adjusts its intensity based on the mana channeled into it.]
"This is exactly what I need,"
Pulkit said, his voice filled with relief. The skill was priced at 50 Achievement Points, and without hesitation, he made the purchase. A notification popped up:
[Congratulations! F-rank skill Candlelight successfully acquired.]
Pulkit smiled, his anticipation building. "Let's see how this works," he said, gripping his sword tightly in one hand while channeling mana with the other.
He closed his eyes, focusing on the flow of energy through his Mana Circuit. The familiar warmth spread through his body, traveling down his arm and pooling in his hand.
A faint glow began to form, growing brighter with each passing second. When he opened his eyes, a small, floating orb of light hovered above his palm. It radiated a gentle, warm light, pushing back the oppressive darkness. Pulkit released the orb, and it floated upward, illuminating the cavern with a soft, steady glow. The intricate patterns of the rocky walls and the jagged stalactites hanging from the ceiling came into view, creating an almost surreal landscape.
A notification appeared:
[Candlelight skill proficiency increased to 13.89%.]
"Great!" Pulkit exclaimed, his voice echoing in the cavern. "Now I can hunt in peace."
However, his relief was short-lived. The light seemed to attract unwanted attention. From the shadows, a horde of centipedes began to emerge, their mandibles clicking menacingly as they advanced toward Pulkit and his companions.
"So much for peace," Pulkit muttered, raising his sword. He turned to Saber and Bloody. "Be ready. This is going to get a little messy."
The battle began with Pulkit activating his Magic Sword skill. His blade glowed with a sharp, menacing aura as mana coursed through it.
He charged into the fray, slicing through the centipedes with precision and ease. The glowing blade cut through their chitinous exoskeletons like butter. Saber and Bloody joined the fight, their attacks perfectly synchronized as they held back the swarm.
After a grueling skirmish, Pulkit stood amidst a pile of lifeless centipedes, his chest heaving from exertion. A notification appeared:
[Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 12.]
[Saber has leveled up to Level 14.]
[Bloody has leveled up to Level 10.]
More notifications followed:
[Swordsmanship skill proficiency increased to 94.21%.]
[Mana Circuit skill proficiency increased to 59.73%.]
[Magic Sword skill proficiency increased to 47.02%.]
Pulkit smiled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Not bad," he said, summoning his status window. His gaze lingered on Bloody's profile. Level 10. That means Bloody can evolve now.
"Bloody, come here!" Pulkit called excitedly. The wild boar trotted over, his tusks glinting in the light. Pulkit opened Bloody's status panel and saw the long-awaited notification:
[Evolution possible.]
Pulkit's heart raced as he navigated to the evolution menu. Two options appeared:
Path 1 : Red Giant Boar
Path 2 : Great Tusk Boar
Pulkit rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If I choose Path 1, Bloody will evolve into a giant boar. But in this cramped cave, his size could become a problem. He might even get stuck during fights."
His eyes moved to the second option. "The Great Tusk Boar evolution sounds more practical. If his tusks grow stronger and sharper, it'll make him a more formidable fighter without hindering mobility."
After a moment of deliberation, Pulkit made his choice. "I'll go with Path 2. Let's see where it leads us."
As he confirmed the selection, Bloody's body began to glow. The bright light forced Pulkit to shield his eyes. When the glow subsided, he gasped in amazement. Standing before him was a red-blooded boar, slightly larger than before, with gleaming white tusks that looked as hard as steel.
A notification appeared:
[Congratulations! Bloody has successfully evolved from Wild Boar to Great Tusk Boar.]
[New skill acquired: Wind Breaker (E-rank).]
[Summoner of the Dead skill proficiency increased to 83.04%.]
Pulkit's eyes widened in awe. "You've outdone yourself, Bloody!" he said, patting the boar's sturdy flank. Saber approached, thumping Bloody proudly with his tail.
Pulkit opened Bloody's status panel to examine the new skill:
[Skill: Wind Breaker (E-rank)]
[Skill description: An upgraded version of Charge. Increases speed by 20% and hardens the body, delivering a heavy impact to enemies upon collision.]
"This is amazing," Pulkit said, grinning. "Your skills can evolve, Bloody. That's a game-changer." He glanced at Saber and chuckled. "I guess it's only fair. You've earned this."
Pulkit buy some food from the shop and rest for a bit.
The trio pressed onward, using the summoned centipedes as bait to lure more monsters. The strategy worked flawlessly, allowing Pulkit to dispatch enemies efficiently. After several hours of relentless hunting, a series of notifications appeared:
[Congratulations! You have leveled up to Level 15.]
[Saber has leveled up to Level 17.]
[Bloody has leveled up to Level 13.]
[Summoner of the Dead skill proficiency has reached 100%.]
[Swordsmanship skill proficiency increased to 100%.]
[Mana Circuit skill proficiency increased to 100%.]
[Magic Sword skill proficiency increased to 100%.]
[Congratulations! Summoner of the Dead (E-rank) has now become Summoner of the Dead (D-rank).]
[Summoning limit increased by 4. Current summoning limit: 10.]
[Congratulations! Swordsmanship (F-rank) has now become Swordsmanship (E-rank).]
[Sword attacks power further increased.]
[Congratulations! Mana Circuit (F-rank) has now become Mana Circuit (E-rank).]
[Mana flow within the body has improved, making channeling easier.]
[Congratulations! Magic Sword (F-rank) has now become Magic Sword (E-rank). Durability and sharpness of the sword further enhanced.]
Pulkit's chest swelled with pride as he reviewed the notifications. "This is it," he said, his voice filled with determination. "This is the progress I've been striving for."
As he ventured further, the path widened, and a massive gate loomed ahead. The intricate carvings on its surface depicted scenes of battle and triumph, and a faint, ominous glow emanated from its edges.
Pulkit placed his hand on the cold, stone surface. "A giant gate in this cave," he muttered. "It can only mean one thing—this is the boss room."
With his companions by his side and a heart full of resolve, Pulkit pushed the gate open. The air grew heavy, and an overwhelming presence seeped through the cracks. Beyond the gate lay the ultimate challenge of the dungeon.
"This is it," Pulkit said, stepping forward. "No turning back now. Time to prove my worth."