The early morning light filtered through the translucent dome of Serenity Haven, casting a soft glow over the sanctuary. The survivors had started to settle into their new home. Zhang Wei and Liu Yan were already in the training hall, working on their combat techniques. The children were exploring the gardens, their laughter a rare, comforting sound in the apocalypse.
Xiang Yue stood at the edge of the sanctuary, gazing beyond the protective barrier. The map displayed on her holographic screen highlighted clusters of monsters nearby. She narrowed her eyes at one specific area—a glowing red symbol larger than anything she'd seen so far.
"Mid-tier Rift Beast detected. Threat level: high. Reward: 25 Energy Points upon elimination."
Xiang Yue's lips tightened. She knew she needed the points to expand Serenity Haven, but the system's warning gave her pause. Mid-tier beasts were dangerous, their strength far surpassing the low-tier monsters she had faced so far.
"Administrator, you don't have to do this alone," Liu Yan's voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see him standing a few steps behind, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I do," she replied calmly. "You're not ready for this kind of fight."
"But—"
"No buts," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Your role is to protect the others. If I fail, they'll need someone to lead them."
Liu Yan hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Be careful."
Xiang Yue left the safety of the sanctuary and ventured toward the monster's lair. The ruined cityscape around her was eerily quiet, the air heavy with tension. She could feel the oppressive presence of the Rift Beast long before she saw it.
When she reached the lair—a collapsed skyscraper surrounded by swirling black mist—she stopped. Her staff appeared in her hand, glowing faintly as she prepared herself.
The beast emerged from the shadows, its massive form towering over her. It was unlike anything she'd faced before—a grotesque amalgamation of flesh and bone, with glowing red eyes and claws that dripped with corrosive liquid. The air around it crackled with energy.
"Mid-tier Rift Beast: Abyssal Hunter. Classification: Predator. Strength: High. Weakness: Lightning-based attacks."
The system's voice was calm, but Xiang Yue's pulse quickened. She tightened her grip on her staff.
The Abyssal Hunter roared, its voice shaking the ground beneath her feet. It lunged, its claws swiping toward her with blinding speed.
Xiang Yue leapt back, her small form moving with inhuman agility. She raised her staff, summoning a bolt of lightning that struck the beast's side. The creature howled in pain, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
The battle was relentless. The Abyssal Hunter was fast and strong, its attacks leaving craters in the ground. Xiang Yue dodged and countered, her movements a blur as she unleashed fire, ice, and lightning in rapid succession.
But the beast was cunning. It adapted quickly, its attacks becoming more precise. One swipe of its claws grazed her shoulder, sending her flying into a pile of rubble.
Xiang Yue winced as pain shot through her body. Blood trickled down her arm, but she refused to back down. She stood, her eyes blazing with determination.
"Enough," she said softly. She raised her staff, and the air around her crackled with energy.
A massive storm cloud formed above her, swirling with electricity. Lightning danced across the sky, converging into a single, devastating bolt.
The Abyssal Hunter lunged again, but Xiang Yue was faster. She thrust her staff forward, directing the lightning straight at the beast.
The explosion that followed was deafening. The ground shook, and the air filled with the smell of ozone and burnt flesh. When the dust cleared, the Abyssal Hunter was gone, its body reduced to ash.
A glowing Energy Core hovered where the beast had fallen.