As the morning dawned, tiny amounts of sunlight poked through the dense canopy of the Old Grove, the towering trees casting long shadows across the clearing. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew and damp earth.
YAWN
Ethan stirred from his corner near the fire pit, stretching his stiff limbs as he rose to his feet. The fire had long since burned out, leaving behind a pile of smoldering embers.
He opened his stats, the blue interface glowing faintly in the morning light. The numbers stared back at him, a reminder of his progress—and his limitations. He had 10 points to allocate, a small but significant reward for surviving another night.
"Hmm, now that I have some points, I should put some into Agility," he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "This should help with my abysmal speed, plus it'll scale with my ultimate and help with its cooldown."
With a few quick taps, he allocated the points, feeling a subtle shift in his body as his agility increased. His movements felt lighter, more fluid, as if the air itself offered less resistance.
He hopped a bit, testing his newfound agility, but as he tried to move—
"Okay, here we—WHOA!"
He nearly crashed into a tree, his body moving faster than he was used to.
"Crap, too fast... Actually, if I didn't have that debuff, I'd probably be even quicker. Yea..."
It was clear he'd need some time to adjust to his enhanced speed. After another hearty meal of roasted zombie meat (which he was starting to tolerate, if not enjoy), Ethan set off, running back toward the graveyard.
The clouds seemed to hang heavier over this side of the land, their dark, brooding presence adding to the eerie atmosphere. Maybe it was partly the reason the place felt so haunting.
"Huh?"
Ethan's gaze snapped to a cloaked figure in the distance. The figure was tall and imposing, a coffin slung over one shoulder and a shovel resting on the other. His presence was unnerving, his silhouette cutting a stark contrast against the overcast sky.
"Hmm, who...? I don't remember any enemy like this before," Ethan muttered, scratching his head in confusion.
"....Better be safe and avoid him for now."
He crouched low, moving carefully to sneak past the figure. But just as he thought he was in the clear—
"WOAH!"
WOOSH
Ethan ducked instinctively as the shovel hurtled past him at blinding speed, narrowly missing his head.
The figure grunted, its breath visible in the cold air, letting out puffs of steam. It opened its cloak, revealing the face of an old minotaur. His horns were broken and weathered, his face scarred and worn, a testament to battles long past.
"Another dead one," the minotaur growled, his voice deep and gravelly. He stomped his hooves into the ground, the earth trembling beneath him as he charged forward.
"YOU BETTER STAY DEAD!"
The minotaur raised his hand, and with a sharp motion, the shovel flew back to him.
WUPPH
Ethan ducked again, his instincts screaming at him to move. The shovel whizzed past, narrowly missing him.
The minotaur slammed his foot into the ground, the impact sending ripples through the earth. With a powerful motion, he dug his shovel into the soil, and the ground itself seemed to come alive, shifting and churning like waves in a storm.
Ethan, who had been standing moments ago, now felt as though he was floating, the unstable ground throwing him off balance.
Ethan reacted quickly, his mind racing as the ground beneath him shifted like a living thing.
"Shit, shit, shit!"
He sprinted along the moving sand, using the wave-like motion to propel himself forward. Instead of burying him, the wave carried him like a surfer riding a tidal wave, his agility keeping him just ahead of the collapsing earth.
The minotaur growled, his frustration evident.
"GRRR, slimy little undead!"
With a powerful swing, he brought his shovel down in a pendulum motion.
BAM
The sand solidified instantly, transforming into giant, jagged rocks that erupted from the ground in a towering column.
".....Yep, I better run," Ethan muttered, propelling himself backward as the sand collided with the rock formations, solidifying into jagged pillars. Without hesitation, he turned and bolted, his enhanced agility carrying him swiftly across the uneven terrain.
"That undead... it's not normal," the minotaur grumbled, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.
A voice echoed from the coffin strapped to his back,
"He seems to have consciousness."
The minotaur nodded, his scarred face twisting into a grim expression.
"Then we focus on hunting him."
Ethan looked back, relieved to see no one following him.
"...."
He sighed, his mind racing.
"A base strength of a minotaur is 50... an older one like him..."
He shivered at the thought of facing such a foe.
"I guess I'll have to avoid him."
PING
The system notification chimed, pulling his attention to the glowing interface.
___________. _______________
"NEW OBJECTIVE ACQUIRED"
- Defeat the Minotaur
Time Limit: 3 hours
Failure Penalty: Additional Debuff
Hidden Condition: ???
"The minotaur's strength is unmatched, but his resolve may hold the key to your survival. Prove your worth—or face the consequences."
______________ _______________
".....Do you want me dead?" Ethan muttered, glaring at the system interface. The screen crackled with energy, as if responding to his frustration.
"Aye,aye wait—at least give me a reward for doing this!"
PING
He tapped on the notification, and a new screen appeared, glowing with golden text:
_____________ _____________
REWARD FOR COMPLETION:
- +2 Levels
- 1,000 Coins
- New Skill: Choose from a selection of powerful abilities
"The minotaur's strength is a challenge, but the rewards are worth the risk. Choose wisely, for your survival depends on it."
____________ ____________
Ethan sighed, his shoulders slumping under the weight of the task ahead.
"I guess I gotta hurry up," he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation.
In a burst of force, he slammed his foot down on the tombstone next to him, the ancient stone cracking and crumbling under the force.
CRACK
But the sound of breaking stone was quickly drowned out by a low, guttural growl.
GRRRR
A pack of zombies began to rise from the ground, their decayed forms clawing their way out of the earth, drawn by the noise.
Ethan readied his blade, gleaming in the dim light as he charged toward the rising zombies.
______________ ______________
Updated Stats:
Name: Ethan Cross
Level: 3
Status: Decrepit Undead
Attributes:
- Strength: 14
- Agility:16 (+10)
- Intelligence: 7
- Dexterity: 4
- Perception: 8
- Endurance: 10
Coins: -20,000
Inventory:
- Weapon: Kensei Katana
- Clothing: Officer's Uniform (0 Armor)
- Points: 0
Debuffs:
1. Undead Hunger: Gradually reduces Strength over time. Eating mitigates this effect.
2. Debt Trap: Cannot purchase from the Item Shop until debts are paid. -2 Move Speed.
Current Objective:
- Defeat the Minotaur
- Time Limit: 3 hours
- Reward: +2 Levels, 1,000 Coins, New Skill Selection
- Failure Penalty:Additional Debuff
- Hidden Condition:** ???
______________ _______________
Minotaur
"Born of the old gods and forged in the fires of Olympus, the minotaurs are a race of unparalleled strength and endurance. Yet, even their might could not withstand the tides of change."
Lore:
The minotaurs are an ancient race, their origins tracing back to the time of the old gods of Olympus. Blessed with immense strength and unyielding endurance, they were once revered as living embodiments of power and resilience. Their towering forms and indomitable wills made them fearsome warriors and steadfast guardians.
However, the War of Change—a conflict that reshaped the world—took a heavy toll on their kind. Despite their unmatched prowess, the minotaurs were driven to the brink of extinction, their numbers dwindling as the old ways crumbled.
Today, the few minotaurs that remain are relics of a bygone era, their scars telling tales of battles fought and lost. Yet, their strength endures, a testament to the legacy of a race that once stood as giants among mortals.