The treeline thickened as Eryndor approached the energy signature. Each step felt deliberate, the forest's oppressive silence amplifying every sound—the crunch of leaves beneath his boots, the distant creak of branches. The shard in his pouch pulsed steadily, feeding him glowing markers that floated across his vision.
Target Update:
Distance: 25 meters. Movement Speed: 2.5 meters per second. Threat Level: Moderate.
The creature's energy signature flickered erratically, its brightness suggesting a corrupted beast rather than a simple scavenger. Eryndor tightened his grip on Calder's knife, his body tense with anticipation.
When the creature finally came into view, it was as menacing as he'd imagined. Twisted limbs bristled with dark energy, its hunched frame exuding a raw, predatory aura. Glowing red eyes scanned the surroundings, seeking movement to hunt.
Enemy Analysis:
Speed: 2.5 meters per second. Durability: 15 units. Weak Point: Joint (Left Leg).
Eryndor crouched low behind a fallen log, the shard in his hand humming softly. His mind was racing. The creature was faster and tougher than the last one he'd fought. A single mistake could leave him vulnerable—or worse.
The shard's pulse sharpened, projecting a decision formula into his thoughts:
=IF(EnergyReserve > 30%, Attack, Retreat).
Eryndor glanced at his current metrics:
Energy Reserve: 47%.
The logic was clear. He had enough energy to engage, but he'd need to monitor his reserve closely during the fight. If it dipped below the threshold, retreat was the only viable option.
"Stick to the plan," he whispered to himself, steadying his breathing.
The shard hummed again, offering tactical suggestions. A trajectory overlay marked a loose rock nearby, highlighting its potential as a distraction.
=Weight × Velocity = Noise Impact.
Eryndor estimated the force he'd need, picking up the rock and hurling it into the underbrush to the creature's left. The sharp clatter of stone against bark echoed through the forest, drawing the creature's attention immediately.
It snarled, its glowing eyes narrowing as it prowled toward the noise. Eryndor shifted his position, using the distraction to circle behind the beast. His metrics updated in real time:
New Distance: 10 meters. Threat Level: 65%.
The shard highlighted the creature's left leg joint in a faint yellow glow, its weak point now clearly visible.
Eryndor readied himself, gripping his knife tightly. The shard projected a new calculation into his mind:
=ImpactForce × WeaknessMultiplier - ArmorResistance.
If his strike was precise, he could disable the creature's movement in a single blow. But he couldn't risk missing—it would leave him vulnerable to retaliation.
The creature froze suddenly, its glowing eyes snapping toward him. Eryndor's pulse quickened as it lunged, claws outstretched.
He dodged to the side, the creature's momentum carrying it past him. The shard pulsed urgently, warning him of an opening: Weak Point Exposed. Counter Now.
Eryndor hesitated briefly, the decision formula flashing in his mind:
=IF(EnergyReserve > 30%, Attack, Retreat).
He quickly assessed his reserve: 43%. The threshold was intact. He moved in, slashing at the creature's left leg joint.
The blade struck true, severing the corrupted tendons with a sickening crunch. The creature let out a piercing screech, its movements faltering as it stumbled. The shard updated its metrics:
Durability Reduced by 50%. Movement Speed: Halved.
But the fight wasn't over yet. The creature twisted wildly, swiping at the air in a desperate attempt to retaliate. Eryndor retreated quickly, giving himself room to recalculate.
The shard pulsed again, overlaying a new decision:
Energy Reserve: 36%. Attack Viable.
Eryndor darted back in, this time targeting the base of the creature's neck. The shard highlighted the exact point of vulnerability, guiding his strike. The knife plunged deep, cutting through the pulsing glow of dark energy.
The creature collapsed with a guttural growl, its limbs twitching weakly before going still.
Eryndor sank to his knees, his chest heaving as the ember in his chest dimmed slightly. The shard hummed softly, displaying the fight's final metrics:
Threat Neutralized. Residual Energy Detected: Low. Absorption Efficiency: 25%.
Placing his hand on the creature's body, he initiated the absorption process. The ember flared faintly, drawing in what little energy remained.
Energy Absorbed: 3 units. Current Reserve: 39%. Decay Rate: 0.5%.
Eryndor leaned back, exhaustion settling into his bones. The fight had drained more energy than he'd anticipated, and his body ached from the effort. But the logic-based formula had kept him grounded, ensuring he didn't push too far beyond his limits.
As he stood, the shard pulsed once more, feeding him a reminder:
Suggested Recovery Time: 10 minutes. Current Energy Sufficient for Low Activity.
Eryndor chuckled weakly, the tension in his chest easing slightly. "Good advice," he muttered, slipping the shard back into his pouch.
The forest was quiet again, the oppressive silence returning as if the fight had never happened. Eryndor leaned against a tree, letting his breathing slow as he replayed the battle in his mind.
There was still so much to learn—about the shard, the ember, and the dangers that awaited him. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of rest, the ember's warmth a quiet reassurance that he was one step closer to mastering his abilities.