I moved away from our hiding spot, heading straight for the checkpoint. My heart was restless, and I needed to release some steam. At the same time, I wanted to deal with the level 10 hound once and for all. This time, I was more confident in my chances.
The night cloaked me in darkness as I slipped through the trees, my bare feet barely making a sound. I pushed my Dexterity to its limits, weaving through the terrain with precise movements, each step measured and controlled.
When I reached the valley, I saw the hounds sprawled around the pillar, their bodies dimly illuminated by the flickering lightning crackling along its surface. I scanned their numbers—around 20 to 25 lower-level hounds loitered near the outskirts.
The level 10 lay near the pillar, its chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths. Two level 9s rested nearby, along with a couple of level 8s.
I stood still for a few minutes, assessing my condition. My muscles were strained, a dull ache spreading across my back. My eyes felt better than before, though traces of strain lingered. Taking a slow breath, I pulled up my status screen to check where I stood.
[Status]
----------------------------------------------------
Name : Billion Ironhart
Race : Human
Class : N/A
Laws : N/A
Level : 9
Talent :
- Generator 1
- Essence : 0/5
Attributes :
- Strength: 25.5
- Constitution: 17.5
- Dexterity: 15.5
- Psynapse : 24.2
Unused Stats: 0
Skills:
- Essence Manipulation (Innate) Level 1
----------------------------------------------------
I had reached level 9, with my Strength surpassing 25 and my Psynapse nearing the same threshold. My Essence store, however, was completely empty.
Climbing a tree that overlooked the pillar, I settled onto a thick branch, crossing my legs.
Closing my eyes, I focused on the steady rhythm of my heartbeat, letting it ground me and clear my mind. My breathing slowed, my thoughts quieted, and for the next two hours, I remained still, allowing my body to recover while sharpening my concentration.
When I finally opened my eyes, I glanced up. It was past midnight. Below, the hounds lay sprawled lazily around the pillar, their eyes fixed on the glass core hovering above it.
I stood on the tree, knowing that my first task was to refill my empty Essence store. Scanning the branches above me, I spotted one that would fit perfectly in my hand. Taking a deep breath, I moved toward it, clenched my fist, and drove a punch straight into the wood.
The sharp crack of impact echoed through the silent forest. The branch groaned under the force before finally snapping with a loud creak. I caught it before it could fall, gripping it firmly as I began shaping it into a five-foot-long polearm.
The noise stirred the hounds resting around the pillar. Their ears twitched, heads lifting in alarm. Even the level 10 rose to its feet, its ears perking up as thick drool dripped from its maw, carrying the rancid stench of decay.
Balancing on the branch, I locked eyes with the beast. It let out a deep, guttural growl before barking loudly, a signal to the others.
The moment the sound died, the pack lunged toward me, their snarls ripping through the night. Clawed feet pounded against the dirt, kicking up leaves and dust as they charged. The only light in the darkness came from the flickering lightning crackling around the pillar.
I whispered.
"Power Up."
And my talent activated.
I gripped the polearm tightly and exhaled. The moment the first hound leaped, I dropped from the tree, swinging the branch in a downward arc. The wood connected with its skull with a sickening crack. The hound's body smashed into the ground with a boom and it remained still.
My feet hit the ground, knees bending to absorb the impact, and I pivoted instantly, pressing my back against the rough bark of the tree. No room to retreat. No need to watch my back. Just me, the branch, and the pack of snarling hounds in front of me.
The closest one lunged. I reacted instinctively, stepping forward and ramming the tip of the branch into its open maw. Blood spurted as the wood pierced through the back of its throat. I wrenched it free and twisted just in time to parry another hound's swipe, the force vibrating through my arms.
More came.
I took just one step forward, my increased Psynapse allowing me to perceive everything clearly and smashed another hounds head. I kept swinging the polearm and always taking just one or two steps forward, always keeping the tree at my back.
The polearm cracked against ribs, shattered jaws, and split skulls. Each impact sent jolts through my body, my heartbeat thrumming in response, absorbing the energy of every clash.
More came. I took just one step forward, my heightened Psynapse sharpening everything, the growls, the shifting dirt, the glint of teeth in the flickering light. Another hound lunged, and I met it with a swift strike to the skull, the impact jolting up my arms. It collapsed mid-motion.
I exhaled sharply and kept moving, just one step forward, then one back. The polearm became an extension of my body, sweeping through the air in brutal arcs. A hound came from the left, I twisted my grip and slammed the butt of the weapon into its snout, sending it reeling.
Another tried to slip in from the right, I pivoted, the polearm cracking down on its neck before it could pounce.
The pack circled, growling, snapping, but I never left my spot. The tree at my back kept me anchored, my footwork efficient, my movements precise. No wasted motion. No blind swings. Only controlled strikes and calculated steps.
The polearm whistled through the air, splitting flesh and bone. I felt every impact, my muscles straining, my heartbeat surging. The more I fought, the more energy my heart absorbed, and Essence began to take shape within me.
A level 8 hound rushed forward, faster and heavier than the others. It leaped high, claws outstretched. I gritted my teeth and swung hard, putting everything into one final strike. The branch slammed into its side with a deafening snap—both the hound's ribs and my weapon breaking at once.
I clicked my tongue, tossing the useless remains of the branch aside.
But the Essence generation was too slow. My eyes flickered toward the pillar, watching the lightning dance across its surface.
I narrowed my gaze.
'I can try absorbing the energy from the lightning… but I can't be too obvious. If Arkas is watching, it'd be trouble if he figures out my talent.'
Decision made, I sprinted toward the pillar, weaving between lunging hounds and smashing aside the ones I couldn't avoid.
The Level 10 stirred at my sudden charge. Its ears perked up, and it let out a deep growl before charging straight at me.
I didn't slow down. A Level 5 hound leaped at me, but I ducked low, snatched its tail with one hand, and jumped, swinging it with both hands like a weapon. The Level 10 had no time to react before the smaller hound slammed into it mid-air, sending both of them crashing into a tree.
I skidded to a stop, turning toward the hound, my back now facing the pillar. The Level 10 recovered quickly, shaking off the impact before fixing its glowing red eyes on me. It barked once, loud and sharp, then rushed forward again.
I met its charge head-on. As it lunged, jaws wide open, I caught them in my hands, muscles straining as it pushed me back. I let it drive me toward the pillar, bracing myself—
And then we both smashed into the crackling stone.
A jolt of lightning ripped through my body, forcing me to jump away and roll across the ground.
'Damn, that hurts.'
It didn't leave any visible injuries, but my muscles went numb, like thousands of pins were pricking my skin. For a moment, I couldn't move properly, but then—
My heart roared to life. Heat exploded from my chest, surging through my veins. My entire Essence store filled in an instant, and I had the distinct feeling that if I had more storage, it would have overflowed.
I pushed myself to my feet, eyes locking onto the hounds rushing toward me from all sides.
I activated my skill—[Essence Manipulation]—and channeled Essence straight into my eyes.
The world dulled. My perception sharpened. My thoughts accelerated. I felt the air vibrate, the soil tremble beneath my feet. Everything slowed, crawling forward in my vision.
Then....
A system ding echoed in my mind.