Adam looked around hearing the sound of dripping water echoing in the distance. His bony fingers flexed instinctively as he sat up, the soft glow of his system interface casting faint blue light on the jagged walls of a cavern.
The forest was gone, and in its place was a dark, cold cave. How had he ended up here? His last memory was of wandering aimlessly after defeating the wolf. He must have stumbled into this place, seeking refuge as night fell.
The cave felt alive, a subtle hum reverberating through the stone. It wasn't just the acoustics; there was something in the air, something ancient and powerful.
Adam glanced around, noting the faint glimmer of bioluminescent moss clinging to the walls. Shadows danced and flickered, and the air was thick with moisture.
"Alright," he muttered, pulling up his status screen. "Time to see where I stand."
---
[Status Update]
Name: Adam Tudor
Race: Skeleton
Level: 7
HP: 300
MP: 0
Strength: 13
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 10
Endurance: 10
Free Status Points: 14
Skills:
Enhanced Senses (D) [Level 3]
Special Abilities:
500x Growth (SSS-)
Abyssal Devour (EX-)
Bloodline: Basic Wolf
[Shop] [inventory]]
---
"Not bad," Adam thought. The points he had gained were impressive, but it was clear he needed more skills and experience. The wolf encounter had been pure luck. If he wanted to survive, he couldn't rely on luck alone.
Adam scanned his surroundings more closely, focusing on the glowing moss. Curious, he activated Abyssal Devour, placing his hand against the moss-covered wall.
---
[You have consumed Luminescent Moss.]
Gain: Basic Bioluminescence Skill (E)
---
A faint glow began to radiate from Adam's skeletal frame, illuminating the cave. The light was subtle but enough to help him navigate.
"That's… useful," he mused, walking deeper into the cave.
The cavern widened into a larger chamber, the walls lined with jagged stalactites that dripped water into a small underground pool. Adam approached cautiously, his senses heightened by his new wolf abilities.
Something wasn't right.
A faint scratching sound came from deeper in the shadows. Adam froze, willing his enhanced hearing to focus. The sound grew louder—a rhythmic scrape against stone.
"Something's here," he whispered, his skeletal hands instinctively curling into fists.
---
[Enemy Detected: Cave Scuttler (Level 6)]
---
A creature skittered into the light, its many legs clicking against the ground. The Cave Scuttler resembled a grotesque mix between a spider and a crab, its carapace shimmering like black obsidian.
Adam's glowing body caught its attention, and the creature lunged.
"Damn it!" Adam cursed, diving to the side.
The Scuttler's pincers slammed into the stone where he'd been standing, sending shards flying. Adam scrambled to his feet, cursing his lack of a weapon.
He had no choice.
"Abyssal Devour!"
The swirling black energy coalesced in his palm, and Adam thrust it toward the Scuttler. The skill struck true, engulfing the creature in shadow. Its screeches echoed through the cave as its body dissolved into nothingness.
---
[You have consumed Cave Scuttler (Level 6).]
Strength +5. Agility +4. Intelligence +2.
Skill Acquired: Hardened Carapace (C) [Level 1]
You have gained experience: 3.2 (×500) = 1,600.
You have leveled up x3.
Bloodline:Cave Scuttler]
---
Adam staggered back, panting despite not having lungs. His body glowed faintly brighter as the new skill activated, his skeletal frame hardening with a faint sheen of black.
"Hardened Carapace, huh?" he muttered, flexing his fingers. The skill seemed to strengthen his defenses.
While thinking Adam heard the faint movement more creatures
Scrowwwwwww
The victory was short-lived. The scratching sound returned, this time louder and multiplied. Adam turned to see more Scuttlers emerging from the shadows—three, no, five of them, their obsidian bodies glinting in the dim light.
"Of course there's more," Adam grumbled, activating his new skill to fortify his defenses.
He glanced at the pool of water, an idea forming in his mind. The Scuttlers were fast, but they didn't look agile. If he could lure them toward the edge…
"Alright, you creepy bastards. Let's see if you can swim."
Adam broke into a sprint, the Scuttlers giving chase. His agility and enhanced senses allowed him to stay just ahead of the swarm, leading them toward the pool.
When he reached the edge, he skidded to a halt, pivoting to face his pursuers.
"Abyssal Devour!" he shouted, releasing the skill in a sweeping arc.
The shadowy energy lashed out, striking two of the creatures and consuming them instantly. The remaining Scuttlers hesitated for a moment, their mandibles clicking nervously.
Seizing the opportunity, Adam lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick to one of the Scuttlers, sending it tumbling into the water. The creature thrashed for a moment before sinking into the depths.
The final two Scuttlers turned and fled into the darkness, their clicking legs fading into silence.
Adam collapsed to his knees, exhausted but triumphant.
---
[You have consumed Cave Scuttlers (Level 6).]
Strength +10. Agility +8. Intelligence +4.
Skill Acquired: Minor Venom (D) [Level 1].
You have gained experience: 3.2 (×500) ×2 = 3,200.
You have leveled up x2.
---
Adam leaned against the cave wall, his glowing form casting faint light over the still pool. The cave was silent once more, but Adam knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.
He opened his status screen, allocating his free points into Strength and Endurance. If this was how things were going to be, he'd need all the power he could get.
"This world isn't pulling any punches," he muttered, clenching his fists.
But as he stared into the dark water, a strange thought occurred to him.
Was this cave just a random hiding spot? Or was it calling to him?
The hum in the air seemed to grow louder, almost like a heartbeat.
Adam couldn't shake the feeling that this cave held more secrets—secrets that might shape his path in Eryndor.
And he was determined to uncover them.
End of Chapter 2