"Show me my stats now."
Ding!
> Brama – Level 9 (4800 / 6200)
VIT: 44
STR: 40
AGI: 71
INT: 35
DEF: 45
+10% Permanent Stat Boost
Active Skills: –
Passive Skills: –
> Ruda – Level 9 (2300 / 6200)
VIT: 50
STR: 45
AGI: 70
INT: 70
DEF: 40
> Active Skills:
1. Peak – A fast beak strike.
2. Ember Flap – Releases light fire from its wings. 20% chance to burn the target.
> Passive Skills:
1. Flight Instinct
2. Aerial Threat Sensitivity
Brama clenched his fists. "Alright... I'm more confident after seeing this. With your help, System..."
DING!
> [Notification: Level 5 Challenge Initiated]
(This notification originates from the Trial System, not Brama's personal system.)
Wave One: Basic Beasts
The valley beneath Brama's feet quaked violently as the earth split open, spewing out red mist that stung the lungs. From the distance came a chorus of wild, savage, bloodthirsty roars. The sky turned ominous—not from nightfall, but from the shadows of the approaching beasts.
From three sides of the valley, the monsters charged without warning: wolves with unnatural fangs, calf-sized reptiles with glowing red eyes, and steel-skinned boars that feared no death.
Their number: 132.
Brama inhaled slowly. This wasn't a trial. This was a public execution.
He didn't move until the first wave entered striking range. When one wolf leapt high with its jaws wide open, Brama dashed left, his 71 AGI slicing through the air like a blade.
He spun and kicked the creature's head sideways.
CRACK!
Its skull fractured, and its left eye popped from its socket. The beast hit the ground in a twisted heap—dead on impact.
Three more lunged from behind.
Brama didn't turn.
He ducked low, spun, and drove his knee upward—shattering one's jaw. His left hand slammed into the chest of another, cracking bone.
A fourth bit from the right—but Brama turned into the motion, gripping the creature's neck and twisting violently.
SNAP!
"Ruda! Burn the right ridge—now!"
"EMBER FLAP!"
Ruda's wings glowed red as fire swept a long arc across the slope. Screeches erupted as flames engulfed fur and scales. Beasts panicked. Some rolled on the ground to douse the fire, only to die faster.
Brama exploited the chaos, plunging into their midst like a war machine. Fists, elbows, knees, spinning kicks—each strike shredded flesh. Claws flew, heads caved in, guts spilled. Blood splattered across his face and chest.
Five minutes passed: 60 bodies lay broken.
Brama exhaled deeply, breath steaming with heat and blood. Yet the onslaught continued.
The remaining beasts grew desperate. Some began leaping in tandem, attempting to crush Brama under their combined weight.
He leapt atop a boulder—then launched downward with a crushing blow to a steel lizard's head.
BOOM!
It exploded like a melon under a sledgehammer, brain fragments coating Brama's leg.
Eight iron boars charged together.
"Ruda, assist me—burn their rear line!"
Fire tore through the enemy ranks like a belt of destruction. Brama ducked low, grabbed a boar's tusks mid-charge—and snapped them off with bare hands.
The beast squealed, but before it could retreat, Brama drove the tusks into its skull.
THUCK!
Blood gushed like a fountain.
Ten minutes. The first wave was nearly done. The remaining creatures circled defensively—fatal mistake.
Brama jumped into their midst, unleashing death. Legs broke ribs, elbows smashed jaws, fists pounded skulls. No mercy.
One by one, the monsters fell. Bones scattered. Blood soaked the soil. The valley reeked of death.
And finally—
DING!
> [All Basic Beasts Eliminated]
Brama stood atop a mountain of corpses. His breath heavy. His body sore. Yet his eyes still burned with resolve.
Ruda landed on a rock nearby, panting just as hard.
"How many more waves?" Brama muttered.
DING!
> [Wave Two: Soul Beasts – Quantity: 39]
Brama looked north.
Wave Two: Soul Beasts – 39
The air changed.
Unlike the mindless frenzy of the first wave, the creatures of the second wave marched with will—and hatred. Soul Beasts were no mere animals; they were infused with spiritual energy, with intelligence akin to a dull human and power that could not be underestimated.
From the fog emerged titans: no less than two meters tall, their bodies armored in silvery black scales, glowing yellow eyes, and fangs protruding like blades.
There were steel-furred gorilla-like brutes, giant horned lizards, and most fearsome of all—a lion with crimson skin and a black flaming mane.
Brama exhaled softly, calming his pulse. His hands were soaked in blood, but fear had no place here.
"System, analyze their types."
DING!
> 1. Gorilam – Soul Beast – Brute Class
High STR, low AGI, highly resistant to physical attacks.
> 2. Rinkaz – Soul Beast – Agile Class
High AGI, can spit mild poison. Weak against aerial attacks.
> 3. Liodran – Soul Beast – Lordling Class
Minor commander. Has Roar of Fear and Piercing Dash. Priority target.
"Alright," Brama murmured. "We cut off the head first."
"Ruda. Focus on Liodran. Stay high. If it uses Roar, avoid the blast zone!"
"Kwack."
Ruda nodded in understanding.
The first steps came from the east. Two Gorilams thundered forward, their fists the size of human skulls. Behind them, four Rinkaz slithered swiftly, tongues dripping with neon green venom.
Brama launched forward.
His first strike targeted the leftmost Rinkaz. He vaulted over the Gorilams and hammered down on the creature's skull.
BOOM!
The reptile's head buried into the dirt like it'd been hit by a meteor. Its body convulsed, then stilled.
The remaining Rinkaz opened their mouths, spewing acid.
Brama spun mid-air. Like a cyclone, he snatched up a head-sized rock and hurled it into the stream.
SPLASH!
The rock exploded, and the venom splattered back onto two Rinkaz. Their skin sizzled and peeled.
He didn't wait.
He struck the third, drove his fist into its gut, then twisted its neck with one hand.
"ARRRGHH!"
Behind him, a Gorilam hurled a boulder. Brama ducked at the last second, countering with a brutal elbow to its chin.
The beast stumbled. Before it could recover, Brama unleashed a front kick to its chest, followed by a vertical hammer blow to the face.
Bones shattered. Its neck bent at an unnatural angle.
Another Gorilam leapt at him.
From the sky, a fiery bird descended.
"EMBER FLAP!!"
Flames engulfed the beast's chest. It howled, flailing. Brama darted forward—three rapid strikes to its ribs. It dropped, twitching.
Then Liodran Moved.
The crimson lion lifted its head and unleashed a thunderous roar.
"ROAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"
A wall of sound ripped through the air.
Brama grounded himself, holding his breath. But Ruda, still in flight, was struck. His wings faltered.
"Ruda! Pull up! Don't fall!"
Ruda writhed, regaining lift. But Liodran didn't wait. It charged—straight at Brama.
System! Speed?
> Liodran: STR 15, AGI 75, VIT 25
Closing speed: high. Reaction time: 1.3 seconds.
Brama leapt sideways. Liodran twisted mid-sprint and lunged again—Piercing Dash.
Reflex saved him—but a deep gash split open along Brama's arm.
Blood sprayed.
He gritted his teeth.
He kicked a large stone toward Liodran's eyes. The beast deflected, but Brama repositioned to higher ground.
"Ruda! Blind it!"
A stream of fire streaked past Liodran's eyes, forming a haze of heat.
Brama dove from above—his elbow aimed straight down.
KRAAAK!
His strike smashed into Liodran's spine. The beast recoiled, not yet dead. It swiped, but Brama was already gone.
"Neck joint. One blow," he whispered.
He twisted, bent his knees, then launched upward—his arm like a blade.
CRRAAKKK!!!
The neck snapped.
Liodran groaned, then collapsed. Eyes open—but lifeless.
Brama gasped. His body bloodied. Cuts lined his limbs. Yet he stood.
Still alive.
Still killing.
The last Rinkaz tried to retreat.
Brama gave no mercy.
He hunted them—like a blood-drenched phantom—crushing each one.