Eryndor froze mid-step, the shard in his pouch pulsing sharply. The forest, already oppressive in its silence, seemed to grow even stiller as the shard fed him new data.
Energy Signature Detected:
Distance: 15 meters. Movement Speed: 4 m/s. Threat Level: Moderate-High.
His breath hitched as the overlay in his vision marked the creature's position. It was close, much closer than he would have liked, and moving with purpose. This wasn't like the corrupted wretches he'd faced before—this one was faster and carried a distinct edge of aggression.
Eryndor crouched low behind the nearest tree, gripping Calder's knife tightly. The shard's hum sharpened, its glow intensifying as it analyzed the terrain. The overlay shifted, highlighting potential obstacles and paths of retreat.
The creature's metrics flickered into view:
Durability: 20 units. Weak Point: Right Shoulder Joint.
His heart raced as the shard added another metric:
Energy Reserve Required to Defeat: 12 units. Current Reserve: 67%.
It was possible. He had enough energy to engage and win—but only if he played this perfectly.
The creature burst into view moments later, its elongated limbs propelling it forward with terrifying speed. Its skin was a patchwork of jagged scars, pulsing faintly with dark energy. Glowing yellow eyes scanned the forest as it moved, each step deliberate yet predatory.
Eryndor's muscles tensed as the shard fed him its calculations:
=ForceRequired - ArmorResistance.
If he struck the weak point with sufficient force, he could disable the creature's mobility, giving him a clear opening for a finishing blow. But the timing would have to be exact—hesitation or miscalculation would leave him exposed.
The shard projected a faint overlay onto the creature, marking its weak point in a dim yellow glow. Eryndor adjusted his grip on the knife, his breathing steadying as he waited for the right moment.
The creature's head snapped toward him suddenly, its glowing eyes locking onto his position. Eryndor's pulse quickened, but he didn't move. The shard fed him a new calculation:
=IF(EnergyReserve > 30%, Attack, Retreat).
With his reserve well above the threshold, the logic was clear. He had to act.
The creature lunged, covering the distance between them in seconds. Eryndor rolled to the side, the ember in his chest flaring as he pushed energy into his legs. He felt the rush of wind as the creature's claws tore through the air where he'd just been.
The shard updated its metrics mid-movement:
New Speed: 4.5 m/s. Threat Level Adjusted: High.
Eryndor barely had time to react as the creature rounded on him, its movements faster and more precise than anything he'd faced before.
He dodged again, narrowly avoiding the creature's claws. His mind raced as the shard fed him more data, updating its calculations in real-time.
Durability Remaining: 85%. Weak Point Exposed: 2.5 seconds.
Eryndor seized the opening, darting forward and slashing at the creature's shoulder joint. The blade connected, but the resistance was greater than he'd anticipated. The shard immediately recalculated:
Durability Reduced by 40%. Weak Point Partially Severed.
The creature let out an ear-splitting screech, stumbling slightly as its right leg faltered. Eryndor retreated quickly, his heart pounding. The ember flared faintly, the warmth in his chest keeping him grounded.
The shard projected a warning:
Energy Expenditure: High. Remaining Reserve: 55%.
Eryndor gritted his teeth, adjusting his strategy. He couldn't afford to waste energy on another failed strike.
The creature lunged again, slower this time but no less dangerous. Its glowing eyes burned with fury, and its movements, though hampered, were still precise. Eryndor sidestepped its attack, using the shard's trajectory overlay to anticipate its movements.
The shard fed him a revised calculation:
=ImpactForce × WeaknessMultiplier - ArmorResistance.
He adjusted his grip on the knife, focusing all his energy into a single, decisive strike. As the creature lunged a final time, Eryndor pivoted, driving the blade into the exposed joint with every ounce of force he could muster.
The blade sank deep, severing the tendons and cutting through the pulsing dark energy that coursed through the creature's body.
The shard updated instantly:
Weak Point Destroyed. Threat Neutralized.
The creature collapsed with a guttural snarl, its limbs twitching once before going still.
Eryndor fell to his knees, gasping for breath. His arms trembled from the effort of the strike, and his legs felt like they might give out at any moment. The ember in his chest flickered weakly, its warmth subdued but present.
The shard hummed softly, projecting the final metrics of the fight:
Energy Expended: 12 units. Energy Absorbed: 6 units. Net Loss: 6 units.
Placing his hand on the creature's body, Eryndor initiated the absorption process. The ember flared faintly, drawing in the residual energy as the shard tracked the flow.
Energy Reserve: 61%. Decay Rate: 0.5%.
Eryndor sat back, letting his head fall against a nearby tree. The fight had been grueling, but the numbers didn't lie—he'd succeeded. He reviewed the shard's calculations, noting the adjustments he'd made mid-battle and how they'd influenced the outcome.
Each step forward, every piece of data he analyzed, brought him closer to understanding the shard's full potential. It wasn't just a tool—it was a partner, guiding him through every challenge.
As he stood, the shard pulsed faintly, feeding him a simple reminder:
Recovery Recommended: 10 minutes. Current Energy Sufficient for Survival.
Eryndor nodded to himself, slipping the shard back into his pouch. The forest was quiet once more, but the ember's warmth kept him moving forward.