Ethan moved cautiously through the narrow corridor, his eyes scanning the shadows ahead. The shuffle of undead feet was getting closer, and he could feel his heartbeat in his throat, thudding louder with each step. His grip on the shovel tightened, fingers aching from the pressure, but he didn't dare loosen his hold. His heart was racing, but his mind was calm, focused. He counted the undead, He could see seven undead skeleton was within his field of vision.
The air in the passage was thick with a damp chill, but that wasn't what made him uneasy. It was the feeling of being hunted, the weight of each step as if the dungeon itself was watching him. The growls of the brute were distant now, but the sounds of shuffling feet kept growing louder, echoing off the stone walls in a disturbing rhythm. They were getting closer. Ethan paused, pressing his back against the rough stone wall, listening intently. His breath was shallow, coming in quick bursts, but he forced himself to steady it. Every sound, every creak, every movement of air was important. He couldn't afford to miss anything.
A dark figure appeared at the far end of the corridor. The flickering torchlight ahead barely illuminated the shape, but the ghastly form was unmistakable. It was one of the undead—a skeletal creature, clad in tattered remnants of armor, dragging its foot as it shuffled toward him. The creature's empty eye sockets fixed on him, though there was nothing inside but a hollow, soulless void. Its bony hands gripped a rusted sword, the blade hanging loosely as it staggered closer. A low, guttural moan escaped its throat, the sound wet and rasping, as though its very existence was a curse.
Ethan's breath caught. This wasn't his first encounter with the undead, but each time felt like a new nightmare. His heart raced, but he wasn't about to let fear dictate his actions. This was his fight now. He had made his choice, and he was ready. He crouched lower, taking advantage of the shadows to hide his movements. He had to be smart. This creature wasn't alone. More would be coming. If he could take down this one silently, he could perhaps handle the others with the element of surprise on his side.
Ethan's eyes darted over the corridor as the undead creature came closer, its ragged footsteps growing louder. It wasn't fast, but it didn't need to be. Its presence was terrifying enough.
The creature's head jerked up, sensing something wasn't right. Ethan froze, his body rigid with tension. He remained perfectly still, his muscles taut, listening to every subtle movement, watching the undead's every action. Then, without warning, the undead creature's hollow gaze locked onto him.
"Shit," Ethan muttered under his breath. He had been spotted.
The creature's jaw creaked open, a strange screeching sound escaping as it lumbered toward him. Ethan's heart slammed in his chest as he bolted from his hiding spot, closing the distance between them in an instant. The shovel in his hands felt heavier now, its weight a constant reminder of the brutal fight he was about to face. The undead swung its sword wildly, its movements slow but deliberate. Ethan ducked just in time, the blade whistling past his ear, grazing the side of his cheek. He felt a sharp sting, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. He needed to fight back. With a burst of speed, Ethan thrust the shovel forward, aiming for the creature's exposed ribs bones. The shovel's blunt end collided with bone, and the force sent a satisfying crack reverberating through the air.
The undead staggered back, its sword falling from its hand as it reeled from the impact.
Ethan didn't hesitate. He swung again, this time aiming for the creature's skull. The shovel's head slammed into the side of its head with a sickening crunch, and the creature crumpled to the floor, lifeless once again.
Skeleton Soldier lvl 3 - killed
Rewarded 300 experience points
leveled up to lvl 5: +3 unallocated status points
Ethan dismiss the notification hindering his vision. His breath came in ragged gasps, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He stood over the fallen corpse, his body trembling from the effort, but he couldn't afford to relax. Not yet. He heard more shuffling in the distance, closer this time. Another undead, maybe more.
Ethan turned and sprinted down the corridor, his pulse hammering in his ears. He was running on instinct now, adrenaline driving his every move. He had to find a way out, a safe place where he could regroup and plan his next steps.
The passageway twisted and turned, and the low, guttural growls of more undead echoed through the stone walls, growing louder with each passing second. Ethan didn't know how many were out there, but he knew he couldn't fight them all. Not yet, anyway.
He came to a sudden halt at a sharp corner, his eyes scanning the area. A dim light flickered ahead, coming from an open door. It was a small room, barely big enough to move around in, but it was better than being out in the open.
He slipped into the room, closing the door as quietly as possible behind him. He pressed his back against the cold stone, trying to steady his breathing. The sound of his heartbeat seemed deafening in the silence of the room. His eyes darted around, taking in his surroundings. It was a small, cramped space, with old wooden crates stacked against the walls and a faint smell of mold in the air. Nothing in the room seemed useful, but it provided temporary shelter. He needed a moment to breathe, to assess the situation.
Ethan reached up to touch the side of his face where the undead's sword had grazed him. His fingers came away slick with blood, but the cut wasn't deep. It would be fine for now. He could tend to it later. He needed to focus. The undead were still out there. The brute was still out there. He had made it this far, but there was still a long way to go. The dungeon wasn't done with him yet. He decided to add the unallocated points to strenght and agility.
Strength: 12 + 2
Agility: 10 + 1
Ethan closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He needed a plan. He couldn't just rush in blindly again. He had to find the brute, figure out where it was coming from, and take it down before it could cause more chaos. He would need to be quick. He would need to be smart.
The status points he had allocated were already making a difference. His increased strength and agility were already helping, allowing him to fight back more effectively. But it wasn't enough. He needed more.
The question now was how much further he could push himself before he was pushed past his limit.