Zarathis twisted mid-motion, his newly-formed Bloodclaws slashing through the empty space where the Fendor had been. But just as before—it vanished.
The beast flickered out of existence like a candle snuffed by the wind, only to reappear behind him, its nightmarish maw open wide.
A rush of instinct—
He dropped low.
The Fendor's spectral claws whizzed past his head, slicing through the air with a sharp whoosh. He could feel the wind pressure as they narrowly missed his scalp.
[System Tip: Wow, that was close! You've got great reflexes—unless that was just blind luck?]
"Shut up!" Zarathis growled, planting a foot firmly into the dirt. He pushed off the ground, twisting his body as he lashed out again.
His Bloodclaws streaked through the night—
The Fendor phased out just before impact.
Again.
"Tch—this thing is cheating."
The beast flickered back a few feet away, its glowing crimson eyes locked onto him. A low growl rumbled from its throat, and for a moment, the two circled each other in a deadly dance. It was toying with him. Testing him.
Zarathis gritted his teeth. He had to find a way to land a hit.
[System Analysis Activated!]
[Weakness Discovered: The Fendor cannot phase while attacking!]
His eyes widened. "Oh?"
The Fendor's muscles coiled like a spring, its body flickering in and out of existence once more. Then—it lunged.
This was his moment.
He sidestepped at the last second, narrowly dodging the beast's pouncing strike. His heart pounded as he raised his claws, not slashing this time—but waiting.
The Fendor landed, turned sharply, and immediately swiped at him, its claws aiming straight for his ribs.
It was solid.
"Got you."
Zarathis slashed—
A streak of crimson light illuminated the darkened forest.
His Bloodclaws tore through the Fendor's side, ripping into its flesh like a hot knife through butter. A spray of thick, blackened blood splattered across the ground.
The Fendor screeched.
It stumbled back, its body flickering erratically, unstable. It wasn't used to pain. It wasn't used to being harmed.
Zarathis, however, wasn't done.
He surged forward, pushing past the burning exhaustion in his limbs. His Bloodclaws pulsed, responding to his desperation.
One step—
Two—
He lunged.
The Fendor tried to phase away, but its injuries slowed it. It was too late.
Zarathis drove his claws deep into its chest.
The beast convulsed. It thrashed, its haunting howls echoing through the trees, but Zarathis held on, twisting the crimson blades deeper.
A final shudder—
The Fendor's body flickered one last time—
Then went still.
Its glowing red eyes dimmed. Its ethereal form unraveled into wisps of dark mist before dispersing entirely.
Silence.
Zarathis stood there, his breath ragged, his vision swimming. His entire body screamed in protest, his arms shaking under the sheer strain of using his new ability.
The system chimed in.
[Major Quest Completed!]
[Congratulations! You have slain a Level 20 Fendor!]
[Rewards Earned:]
[Level up! Your are now Level 3!]
+8 Strength +6 Agility +2 Endurance
Passive Skill Unlocked: Hunter's Instinct (Slightly enhances reflexes and awareness in combat situations.)
Bonus Reward: Fendor's Tenacity (+5% resistance to status effects like fear and paralysis)
[System Note: Whoa, you actually did it! Color me impressed. But, uh...you might want to sit down.]
Zarathis exhaled heavily, but before he could respond, his knees buckled.
[Warning: Excessive use of Bloodclaws detected.]
[Blood loss levels critical.]
[Passing out in 3... 2... 1...]
Darkness swallowed him whole.
To Be Continued…