The morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a pale light across the cityscape. Arjun rubbed his eyes and stretched, feeling the strain of the previous day's exertions. Despite his fatigue, a sense of accomplishment filled him. The goblin horde had been decimated, and he had secured his apartment as a stronghold.
But survival wasn't about resting on laurels. It was about constant vigilance and preparation. Arjun knew this all too well.
He poured himself another cup of instant coffee, letting the caffeine jolt his senses awake. Standing by the window, he observed the empty streets below. The goblin corpses had vanished, likely taken by whatever force governed this new world. In their place, silence reigned, an eerie calm before the next storm.
"Status window," he commanded, bringing up his stats.
[Status Window] Name: Arjun Verma (24) Title: The Absolute Dweller Affiliation: None Level: 7 Strength: 15 Agility: 13 Aura: 18 Intelligence: 17 Skills: The Absolute Dweller's Declaration (Lv. 4), The Absolute Dweller's Shop (Lv. 2), The Absolute Dweller's Warehouse (Lv. 2)
His growth was promising, but he needed more. The world outside was unpredictable, and he couldn't afford to be caught off guard.
"Let's see what the shop has now," Arjun said, opening The Absolute Dweller's Shop.
[The Absolute Dweller's Shop] Makeshift Slingshot (2,500 rupees) Basic Kitchen Knife (12,500 rupees) Medium First Aid Kit (50,000 rupees) Compound Bow (75,000 rupees)
Arjun's eyes lit up at the sight of the Compound Bow. It was exactly what he needed for long-range combat. But the price was steep.
"Seventy-five thousand rupees," he muttered. "I'll need to hunt more to afford that."
His gaze drifted back to the streets. If goblins were gone, what would replace them? He didn't have to wait long for an answer.
A guttural roar echoed through the city, sending shivers down Arjun's spine. He gripped the window frame, scanning the horizon. Emerging from the shadows, a new threat lumbered into view.
"What the hell is that?" Arjun whispered, his heart pounding.
The creature was massive, standing over three meters tall, with mottled green skin and bulging muscles. Its face was a grotesque amalgamation of tusks and fangs, eyes glowing with primal fury.
[New Monster Detected]
[Ogre (Lv. 10)]
"An Ogre," Arjun breathed, feeling a mix of fear and excitement. This was a challenge far beyond the goblins he had faced. But the rewards for defeating it would be immense.
He needed a plan, and he needed it fast. The Ogre was slow, but its sheer strength could demolish his apartment in one blow. Arjun couldn't rely on brute force alone; he had to outthink it.
"The slingshot won't cut it," he mused, pacing the room. "I need to weaken it before going in for the kill."
An idea sparked in his mind. If he could lure the Ogre into a trap, he could use his warehouse to drop heavier objects onto it. But what could serve as bait?
Arjun's eyes fell on a pile of canned food. It wasn't much, but it might just be enough to attract the Ogre's attention. He quickly devised a plan, placing the cans in a trail leading to the building's entrance.
"Warehouse, store," he commanded, transferring several heavy objects into his arsenal. "Now, let's see if this works."
He positioned himself on the roof, slingshot at the ready, and waited. The Ogre's footsteps grew louder, each thud shaking the ground. It followed the scent of the food, lumbering towards the building.
"Come on, just a little closer," Arjun urged under his breath.
As the Ogre reached the entrance, Arjun released a stone from his slingshot, hitting the creature's shoulder. It roared in anger, charging towards the noise.
"Now!" Arjun yelled, summoning a massive metal cabinet from his warehouse. It materialized above the Ogre and crashed down, momentarily dazing it.
[You have damaged an Ogre (Lv. 10).]
"It's not enough," Arjun realized, seeing the Ogre shake off the impact. He needed more firepower.
"Shop, open!" he commanded, purchasing the Compound Bow without hesitation. The rupees he had accumulated were spent in an instant, but it was a necessary investment.
He notched an arrow and aimed for the Ogre's head. "This has to work."
With a deep breath, Arjun released the arrow, watching it fly straight and true. It struck the Ogre's eye, eliciting a deafening roar of pain.
[Critical Hit!] [You have severely wounded an Ogre (Lv. 10).]
"One more shot should do it," Arjun said, readying another arrow. But before he could fire, the Ogre swung its massive arm, smashing the side of the building.
The force threw Arjun off balance, sending him sprawling to the ground. His vision blurred as he struggled to regain his composure.
"No, I can't lose now," he groaned, pulling himself up. The Ogre was weakened, but still a threat. Arjun had to finish it before it was too late.
Gritting his teeth, he raised the bow once more, aiming for the creature's remaining eye. "This ends now."
The arrow flew, piercing through the Ogre's eye and embedding itself deep in its skull. The beast let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing to the ground.
[You have defeated an Ogre (Lv. 10).] [You have gained significant experience.] [50,000 rupees has been deposited into the Absolute Dweller's Wallet.]
Arjun sank to his knees, exhaustion washing over him. He had done it. The Ogre was defeated, and he had survived another day.
"But this is just the beginning," he whispered, staring at the fallen beast. "Stronger monsters are out there, and I have to be ready."
As he stood, the city seemed a little quieter, the air a bit lighter. But Arjun knew better than to trust the silence. The Absolute Dweller's journey was far from over, and the next threat was already looming on the horizon.