The knight moved gracefully. Cleaved a WereBeast in two. It's blade flashed under the moonlight.
The WereBeasts froze. So did the Knight for a split second. Then it charged at the one backing up. A clean decapitation.
The last WereBeast tried to run away. The Knight flashed from it's spot and appeared behind him.
The thing was fast. Blade drove into the beast's abdomen.
I looked in horror. A pebble fell next to me where I slumped down. The Knight looked my direction. It stared for a while, and then walked back into the ruins.
I finally breathed.
What the hell just happened? That thing killed four WereBeasts in under thirty seconds!
I looked over. It was gone. With my current level I wouldn't be able to face that thing. It would be suicide.
I had no choice, I would return later. Afterall I propably still need to explore these ruins to find the return gateway. I had a gut feeling the light beam of the gateway was somewhere here.
I sat in silence, still slumped against the cold stone.
That thing, whatever it was, had slaughtered four WereBeasts like it was taking a stroll. The fifth was mine... but those four? Gone in seconds.
My hand trembled slightly. Not from fear. From adrenaline.
I wasn't ready for that Knight. Not yet.
Eventually, I stood. Stiff. Bruised. Alive.
I looked back on the scene...
The bastard with the shovel laid there, eyes glassy. Serves him right.
"I'll be back," I muttered to the empty hall. "Just need to survive the week."
---
The ruins were ancient, winding like a dead city buried in the woods. Cracks filled with glowing moss lit the path. Some rooms were filled with rubble, others felt... watched. I avoided those.
I explored slowly. Conserving what little Star Stream I'd regained. Avoiding open areas. Listening for footsteps.
Around midday, I found a small chamber with stone benches and a cracked skylight. I took the chance to patch myself up. Ate a ration. Checked the notebook.
Professor's scrawled handwriting read:
"Seekers who survive this realm are often rewarded. Sometimes the Tower watches. Your strength is not just in your blade, but your decisions."
No pressure.
---
Later that day, I encountered a Stalker Lizard.
Sneaky little bastard lunged at me while I was drinking from a spring. Camouflaged in the grass, it moved like a shadow and had retractable bone-spikes.
I barely dodged. Slashed. Used [Quick Counter].
It screeched. Charged again.
I activated [Hunter's Grace] and ducked under the leap. Drove my blade through its side.
---
[You have slain an enemy.]
[+25 EXP]
[EXP: 80/150]
---
An hour later, I found something weird, an old, half-rotted shrine with incense still burning. No monsters. Just... peace.
On the altar lay folded black silk robes they were clean, pristine, untouched by time. My HUD pinged.
---
[Acquired: Silent Lotus Robes]
Clothing imbued with grace and stillness.
Effects:
+10% Movement Speed
+15% Stealth
+Slight noise suppression while moving
---
"Murim-ass gear? I'll take it."
The robes were light, cool against my skin. Made me feel like I could float across the forest floor. Even the wind felt quieter.
"Now I feel like I could beat any enemy"
---
Then as if the universe has heard me a Trickster spawned out of nowhere a few minutes later.
The thing looked like a regular goblin at first: small, thin, red eyes. But it didn't act right. It kept throwing daggers. Clones. Mismatched footsteps.
Got the jump on me once.
Cut deep into my side.
The wound was fatal.
For a second, everything blurred. HUD screamed:
[Warning: Critical Condition.]
Then I moved without thinking. Something akin to instinct. [Flash Step] activated mid-fall. I spun and slashed the little gremlin's neck clean.
---
[You have slain a rare enemy: Trickster.]
[+70 EXP]
[EXP: 150/150]
[LEVEL UP!] → Level 2
---
New Skill Unlocked: [Ghost Pulse Lv.1]
Briefly phase through physical matter (walls/attacks). 5-second cooldown.
New Item Acquired: Phantom Edge – Adaptive Blade
A unique weapon forged from Trickster bone and mirrored metal.
Base Form: Sword
Ability: [Fatal Mimicry]
Mimics the form of any weapon that has fatally struck you.
– Each form grants a unique buff.
– Stored forms: [Trickster Dagger] → +20% Critical Rate when striking from behind
---
I held the blade. Sleek, flexible, mirrored surface that shimmered like water.
It wasn't just a weapon. It was a part of my skillset. A backup sword.
And I had a feeling I'd need that.
---
[Level: 2]
[EXP: 0/200]
[Star Stream: 43%]
[Health: 65%]
---
Night fell.
I found a low crypt chamber and barricaded the door with rubble. Lit a soft flame.
Wrote notes.
Stared at the blade.
The silence outside wasn't peaceful.
But this time, I didn't feel weak.
Just… waiting.
"Haah.. just five more days to go..."