Eren staggered back, the adrenaline ebbing from his veins, leaving behind a dull ache that pulsed with every heartbeat. His chest still throbbed from the deep claw marks, the pain persistent yet bearable. The faint warmth emanating from the Mark of Awakening on his hand kept him grounded, a constant reminder of both his progress and his vulnerability.
The status screen shimmered into view once more, floating before him:
Status: Eren Valerian
Rank: Mortal (Unawakened)
Physical Attributes: Below-Average
Essence: 50/100
Abilities: Spirit Surge (Active), Minor Essence Recovery (Passive)
Skills: Basic Strike, Basic Evasion
Essence Available: 50
Eren exhaled sharply, the weight of fatigue pressing into his limbs like lead. The surge of power he had felt during the fight was already fading. His body had responded to the heat of battle but remained as fragile as before. He needed more than fleeting bursts of strength.
"I need to understand this system better," he muttered, narrowing his focus on the flickering display of Essence reserves.
The Mark pulsed in response. New words bled into view:
Allocate Essence:
Strength: 7
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 10
Durability: 6
Unlock Skills:
Random Skill (Higher chance for powerful skills with greater Essence investment)
Eren hesitated, his gaze lingering on the choices. Each decision felt like a step closer to either survival or death. Physical power could keep him alive, but skills could offer more versatility.
"Allocate 20 Essence for a new skill."
The Mark of Awakening flared. New glyphs formed on the translucent screen:
New Skill Unlocked: Essence Sensitivity (Passive)
Allows the user to sense the presence of Essence in the environment and gauge the strength of nearby entities.
Remaining Essence: 30
Eren clenched his fists. "The rest... I don't know what's optimal. I lack special talents, so the safest path is balance."
"Allocate 15 points equally to Strength and Agility."
A subtle shift rippled through his senses. The forest around him was no longer silent; it thrummed with the pulse of Essence. Traces of lingering power from the fallen Direwolves drifted like mist, fading yet visible. Further ahead, brighter concentrations of Essence flickered, beacons of energy deeper in the woods.
A sharp crack echoed through the trees. Eren's head snapped toward the sound, his pulse quickening. Something larger than the wolves was approaching.
Threat Detected: Verdant Stalker (Rank 2)
The undergrowth rustled. A feline-like predator emerged from the shadows, its emerald fur rippling as it blended with the foliage. Its amber eyes locked onto him, burning with unnatural intelligence. Tension thickened the air.
Objective: Overcome the Stalker
Reward: +20 Essence
Penalty: Death
Eren activated Spirit Surge. A silver aura flared around him, strength rushing back into his limbs as pain dulled under the surge of energy.
The Verdant Stalker pounced.
Eren twisted aside, barely evading the deadly claws. His counterattack—a swift punch—grazed the creature's ribs but lacked force. The beast landed gracefully, countering with a swipe that nicked his shoulder.
Pain flared, sharp but manageable. He had felt worse. Gritting his teeth, Eren concentrated on his newly unlocked Essence Sensitivity. The creature's core burned brightly—a concentrated flame at the heart of its chest.
I need to hit that core.
Eren surged forward, dodging another strike. His spinning kick connected, a pulse of silver Essence rippling from the Mark. The Stalker staggered, a sharp yowl escaping as its core visibly cracked. Pressing his advantage, Eren struck its neck. The creature collapsed, dissolving into a mist as its Essence flowed into him.
Essence +20 Acquired. Rank Progress: 70/100 (Mortal - Unawakened)
Silence returned, save for his ragged breaths. Victory—but not enough.
Then, his Essence Sensitivity flared again. A pulse. Stronger, heavier. Deeper within the forest. This presence wasn't just larger—it radiated raw, dangerous power.
Threat Detected: Sturdy Basilisk (Rank 3)
A chill swept down Eren's spine. Another enemy? Stronger?
The underbrush parted. Amber eyes glowed through the shadows as the Basilisk emerged. Larger than the Stalker, its emerald-scaled hide gleamed, rippling with energy. Its gaze bore into him, as if testing his resolve.
Objective: Defeat the Sturdy Basilisk (Rank 3)
Reward: +30 Essence
Penalty: Severe Injury or Death
The Basilisk charged.
This time, Eren was prepared. He pivoted left, faster than ever, enhanced agility carrying him clear of the beast's claws. Twisting mid-motion, he lashed out with a kick to the creature's neck.
The Basilisk barely flinched. It retaliated with relentless force, unfazed.
Why?! Sweat gathered on Eren's brow as pain echoed from the impact. The core... I have to find it.
Essence Sensitivity flared. There—in the creature's chest—a dense concentration of power.
With a surge of speed, Eren closed the gap, weaving past a sweeping tail strike. His fist lashed out, aiming for the heart. Impact. A sickening crack resounded—
—but not from the Basilisk.
Pain exploded in Eren's hand as his bones shattered against the beast's unyielding scales. Blood sprayed, his vision blurring from the agony.
Not enough. I'm not strong enough.
Terror surged as the Basilisk lunged. Eren turned, instinct overriding logic.
Run.
He fled, heart pounding, vision swimming. Each step jolted pain through his broken hand. Behind him, the Basilisk thundered in pursuit, jaws snapping mere inches from his back.
I'm too slow...
"Allocate all Essence to Agility!"
The Mark flared white-hot. A sudden surge of speed ripped through his limbs. The forest blurred. His pain dulled, overtaken by raw acceleration. The Basilisk's roars faded.
Still, he ran.
On and on, until his legs finally gave out. Collapsing among the roots, breath ragged, body trembling—Eren stared at the distant treetops.
Alive. But just barely.