Clay stood atop a jagged hill overlooking the dense expanse of the jungle, the rising sun painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. His muscles ached from relentless training the previous night, but he couldn't afford to rest.
The Trial of the Jungle had pushed him to new limits, yet the sense of accomplishment was fleeting. Strength, he knew, was not just a reward—it was a responsibility.
"Level 35 skills aren't enough."
If he wanted to survive the dangers of this world and fulfill whatever destiny lay ahead, Clay needed to push himself further. His goal was clear: reach level 40 and master his Appraiser and Domination skills at level 35.
The wind swept through the clearing, rustling the leaves as Kavon approached from behind.
"Out here already?" Kavon said, his gruff voice laced with approval. "Most warriors would be nursing their wounds after the Trial."
Clay shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. "There's no time for that. I have to get stronger."
Kavon chuckled. "You've got the spirit of a madman. I like it." He gestured toward the forest. "Come. Your training continues today."
The duo moved through the jungle in silence, the terrain becoming more treacherous with each step. Thick roots twisted across the ground like serpents, while massive ferns obscured hidden pitfalls.
"Your victory over the Guardian was impressive," Kavon said, his voice breaking the quiet. "But brute strength alone won't keep you alive out here."
Clay glanced at him. "What will?"
"Strategy. Control. Knowing when to fight and when to retreat." Kavon's eyes gleamed with a hard-earned wisdom. "Today, I'll teach you the art of prediction."
Clay frowned. "Prediction?"
Kavon smirked. "Watch."
Without warning, the older warrior launched himself at Clay, his fist arcing toward Clay's ribs with blinding speed. Instinct kicked in, and Clay dodged to the side, barely avoiding the blow.
"You rely too much on raw reaction," Kavon said, stepping back. "A real warrior reads their opponent's intent before they move."
Clay gritted his teeth. "Easier said than done."
"It's all in the eyes," Kavon said. "The slightest shift of weight, the tension in their muscles—these are the signs you need to read."
They continued deeper into the jungle until they reached a clearing filled with strange stone pillars covered in thick moss. The air was heavy with an unsettling stillness.
Kavon halted. "This place is home to one of the deadliest creatures in the jungle: the Shadow Stalker."
Clay's grip tightened on his sword. "Sounds charming."
"It's invisible until it strikes," Kavon warned. "But if you learn to predict its movements, you'll survive."
"Survive, huh?" Clay muttered under his breath. "Great pep talk."
"Good luck." Kavon stepped back into the shadows, leaving Clay alone in the clearing.
The silence pressed down on him like a physical weight. Every nerve in his body was on edge as he scanned the area, searching for any sign of movement.
Then he felt it—a shift in the air, subtle but unmistakable.
Clay pivoted just as a blur of darkness shot toward him. He raised his sword, the blade meeting resistance as it clashed against razor-sharp claws. The force of the impact sent him skidding backward, but he maintained his footing.
The Shadow Stalker became partially visible, its sleek, panther-like form shimmering like smoke. Its eyes glowed with a predatory hunger.
Clay took a steadying breath, forcing himself to focus. He couldn't rely solely on sight. He had to predict the creature's moves.
"Watch for the signs."
The beast tensed, its muscles coiling like springs. Clay saw the faint twitch in its hind legs—the telltale sign of an impending leap.
He moved before the creature did, rolling to the side as it lunged past him.
"Gotcha," Clay muttered, a fierce grin spreading across his face.
The battle was intense, each exchange pushing Clay to his limits. But with every dodge and counterattack, his understanding of the beast's movements grew.
Finally, Clay saw his opening. As the Shadow Stalker lunged once more, he drove his sword forward, the blade piercing through its chest. The creature let out a final, guttural roar before dissolving into wisps of shadow.
[Level Up]
Current Level: 43
Clay exhaled sharply, sweat dripping down his face. The rush of leveling up coursed through him, fueling his determination.
Kavon emerged from the shadows, nodding approvingly. "Not bad, outsider."
Clay sheathed his sword, a satisfied smirk on his lips. "I'm getting the hang of this prediction thing."
As they made their way back to the village, Clay's mind buzzed with new possibilities. He had faced countless dangers since his reincarnation, but this was just the beginning.
His journey was far from over.
The path ahead would be grueling, filled with challenges and enemies far stronger than anything he had faced before. But Clay Klient was ready. And when the time came, he would dominate this world.