---
Chapter 21: Kill, Loot, Level Up
The body slumped to the dirt with a dull thud, eyes wide open in shock. Ray stood still, dagger in hand, blood dripping down his knuckles. His breathing was rough, chest rising and falling as the metallic scent of death mixed with the cold morning air.
> [System Notification]
You have killed: Human – Bandit (Lv.2)
EXP Gained: 40
Loot Dropped: Low-quality corpse x1 (Durability: 62%), 3 bronze coins, Rusted Dagger
> [System 15]:
"Well, well, would you look at that. You finally popped your murder cherry. I'm so proud. Want a cookie?"
Ray didn't even flinch at the voice in his head. "Felt… easier than I thought," he murmured, wiping his blade on the corpse's ragged shirt.
> [System 15]:
"That's adrenaline. And shock. Wait until the shakes kick in. Also—say hello to your first proper loot drop! Try not to act like it's Christmas."
Ray exhaled slowly, then summoned his System Status screen with a thought.
---
[STATUS SCREEN]
Name: Ray Velmar
Race: Human (Reborn)
Class: Unawakened (Necromancer Seed - Sealed)
Level: 1
EXP: 110 / 200
Titles: Reborn, Chosen of 15
Attributes:
Strength: 6
Agility: 8
Intelligence: 13
Endurance: 7
Mana: 14
Charm: 3 (Ouch)
Luck: ??? (System refuses to answer)
Inventory:
Corpse (Lv2 Bandit) – [Durability: 62%]
Bronze Coins x6
Rusted Dagger
Beginner's Storage Ring (2 free slots)
God Points: 0
Daily Quest Token: 1
System Functions:
EXP & Leveling
Basic Loot Appraisal
Corpse Storage (5 slots)
Daily Quests
Domain Access [Locked]
God Shop [Locked]
---
Ray blinked at the blue panel in front of him, his lips twitching.
"So this is what progress feels like…"
> [System 15]:
"Technically, it's looting the body of a half-starved bandit, but hey, let's call it growth."
He crouched down, examining the dead bandit. His clothes were little more than rags, but the corpse had a faint shimmer only Ray could see — thanks to System 15.
> [System Appraisal Active…]
Corpse (Human, Lv2), durability 62%, suitable for basic undead conversion.
Corpse Quality: Low.
Decay in: 22 hours.
> [System 15]:
"Tip: quality matters. Shove trash into your domain, and your army's going to look like a zombie-themed comedy show."
Ray grinned. "You act like I won't do that just for laughs."
> "You would."
---
A moment later, a new quest panel shimmered into view.
[Daily Quest Unlocked!]
Quest: Clean Sweep
Objective: Kill 3 Enemies (Lv1 or higher)
Reward: +20 EXP, 1 God Point
Bonus: +1 Inventory Slot (if completed in under 12 hours)
Ray's eyes lit up.
"God Points, huh?" he muttered. "And quests now too…"
> [System 15]:
"One small step for Ray. One giant leap for necro-kind."
---
Ray stood up and looked toward the forest edge where the other two bandits had fled. He could still hear branches snapping.
His grin widened.
"Guess I better finish the job."
------
Chapter 22: One Point for the Dead
Ray dashed forward, boots thudding against the uneven ground, eyes locked on the trail of broken branches. The fleeing bandits had left a messy trail — panic did that to people. But what surprised him most wasn't their sloppy escape — it was how alive he felt chasing them.
> [System 15]:
"You're enjoying this way too much for someone who was a salaryman a few weeks ago."
"Proud of you, murder muffin."
"Shut up and mark their positions," Ray muttered, his voice steady.
> [Mini-Map Activated]
Two targets detected: 73 meters ahead.
Ray grinned and pushed harder. His stamina bar flickered at the edge of his vision — still at 68%.
The first bandit stumbled into view. The man was breathing hard, bleeding from his shoulder, probably from the earlier scuffle.
Ray didn't hesitate.
A flick of his wrist — the dagger flew.
Thunk.
The man collapsed, the blade buried in the back of his neck.
> [System Notification]
You have killed: Human – Bandit (Lv.2)
EXP Gained: 40
Loot Dropped: Low-quality corpse x1, 5 bronze coins, Minor Health Potion (Cracked)
Ray sprinted over, retrieved the dagger, and crouched.
---
[STATUS UPDATE]
EXP: 150 / 200
Corpse Slots Remaining: 2 / 5
Loot Stored:
Bandit Corpse x2
Bronze Coins x11
Rusted Dagger
Minor Health Potion (Cracked)
---
> [System 15]:
"One more to go, and you get your first God Point. I'd throw a party, but I forgot how to care."
"Save your sarcasm for later," Ray said, already on the move.
---
The last bandit was smarter — hiding in the hollow of a tree, dagger in hand, breath shallow.
Ray nearly missed him, but a shimmer on his mini-map saved him.
He turned just as the bandit lunged.
The blade sliced across Ray's arm. Blood flew.
Ray cursed, ducked, and slammed his fist into the man's ribs.
They struggled. Rolling. Dirt and leaves flying.
Ray grabbed a rock and smashed it into the bandit's skull. Once. Twice. Until everything went still.
---
> [System Notification]
You have killed: Human – Bandit (Lv.3)
EXP Gained: 60
Loot Dropped: Medium-quality corpse x1 (Durability: 78%), 9 bronze coins, Leather Armor (Worn)
Level Up!
You are now Level 2!
+2 Free Stat Points
> [Quest Complete – Clean Sweep]
+20 EXP, +1 God Point
Bonus Achieved: +1 Inventory Slot
> [System 15]:
"Ding ding ding! You did it. Murder, loot, AND divine approval. Want to cry yet?"
Ray wiped his forehead, breathing hard.
Then he laughed.
"I'm officially a Level 2 Necromancer," he said, raising his hand.
"And I got my first God Point."
---
He opened the God Shop tab, now glowing faintly.
[GOD SHOP – Tier 0 Access]
Available Balance: 1 God Point
Items:
Skeleton Summon Scroll (Lv1) – 1 GP
Corpse Preservation Token (3 uses) – 1 GP
Soul Echo Stone (Low) – 1 GP
Beast Bait (Weak) – 1 GP
Ray scrolled, grin widening. He knew exactly what to buy.
"Let's raise the dead."
------
Chapter 23: Rise, My First
Ray sat on a fallen log just outside the forest edge, fingers trembling slightly as he confirmed the purchase.
> [System 15]:
"Skeleton Summon Scroll (Lv1) – Purchased. 1 God Point deducted. Try not to raise a limping idiot."
The scroll shimmered into existence in his inventory. It was old parchment bound in black string, etched with runes that pulsed with faint, cold energy.
He unrolled it on the forest floor and placed the bandit corpse beside it — the cleaner one, Level 2.
> [System Notification]
Select a corpse to summon undead.
Bandit Corpse – Durability: 90%, Soul Fragment Residue: Weak
Ray placed his palm on the corpse and whispered the command written at the top of the scroll.
> [Command Accepted]
Necromancy: Basic Summoning (Lv1) initiated...
A cold wind swept through the forest clearing. The trees seemed to groan. Shadows thickened.
The corpse began to jerk. Bones cracked. Flesh peeled away as if unseen hands were stripping it down.
The skeleton rose slowly. Its eye sockets glowed a faint, eerie green. It stood straight, then fell face-first into the dirt.
Ray blinked.
> [System 15]:
"…Congratulations. You summoned the village idiot."
"Skeleton Quality: Low – Intelligence: Basic – Obedience: High – Weaponless."
The skeleton stood again, shakily, but this time held its balance.
Ray couldn't stop the grin tugging at his lips. "You'll do for now."
He picked up a broken branch and handed it to the skeleton like a club. "Let's go home."
---
[VILLAGE – DUSK]
Villagers paused and stared as Ray walked in — scratched, bloodied, and… followed by a rattling skeleton.
"By the gods—!"
"Is that—?"
"A monster?!"
Ray raised both hands. "Calm down! It's mine!"
Old man Harren, the village herbalist, squinted at the bony minion. "Lad… what in the hells are you into now?"
Ray sighed. "Making money. And building an army."
> [System 15]:
"You could say 'saving the world', but no, let's go with capitalism and necromancy."
---
That evening, Ray sat at a table with Harren, a village hunter named Tork, and the innkeeper's daughter Mira. The skeleton stood by the door like a bouncer.
"So," Ray said casually, "how much would you pay for fresh corpses of Tier 1 beasts?"
Tork raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Ray leaned forward with a smirk. "Because I need practice, and they need to stay dead."
---
> [New Quest Received – Bones for Hire]
Buy or hunt 3 beast corpses
Reward: 50 EXP, 1 God Point, Skeleton Upgrade Token (Lv1)
(Optional Bonus: Raise 2 successful skeletons – Reward: Passive Skill: Bone Control Lv1)
Ray stood as the fire crackled behind him. "Time to build my army."
The skeleton clacked once, as if in agreement.
------
Chapter 25: Bone Farm
The sun had barely risen over the hills when Ray stood barefoot in his family's backyard, arms folded, gazing over his makeshift bone pen. Inside, the skeletal hare twitched, the undead lizard sunned itself for no reason at all, and Skeleton One stood like a proud guard... though it occasionally drooled soul mist.
Ray scratched his head.
"I need structure. Chaos isn't intimidating unless it's organized chaos."
> [System 15]:
"You're trying to run a skeletal petting zoo, aren't you?"
"Call it an… early necromancer ranch."
He summoned the system window with a flick of his hand.
---
[System Status – Ray]
Name: Ray
Age: 5
Race: Human
Class: Necromancer (Awakening Stage)
Level: 2 (EXP: 70/100)
God Points: 3
Minions:
Skeleton Warrior (Lv1)
Twin-Hare Undead (Lv1)
Lizard Bonebeast (Lv1)
Skills:
Summon Skeleton (Lv1)
Bone Control (Passive, Lv1)
Domain: Unlocked – Peaceful Grave (Not Entered)
He still hadn't visited his Domain, mainly because the voice in his head — System 15 — told him it would be dangerous if entered too early.
Instead, Ray focused on small, daily routines: practicing bone control, polishing his skeletons (sometimes literally), and helping his mother with chores — like carrying buckets of water using a skeletal servant. It was surprisingly efficient, if a bit creepy.
---
[VILLAGE PATH – LATER THAT DAY]
Ray met up with Lina, a local girl who often herded goats nearby. She didn't scream when she saw his skeletal hare bounce beside him — she just laughed.
"You're weird, Ray," she said, poking the bony creature's ribs.
"I prefer the term innovative," he said smugly.
She tilted her head. "Will it protect my goats?"
> [New Side Quest: Herd Guardian]
Task: Modify an undead beast to defend livestock
Reward: +20 EXP | Favorability with Villagers +1
Ray accepted immediately. He had to make friends. Friends meant trust. Trust meant... more corpses.
> [System 15]:
"So proud of my tiny sociopath in training."
---
[BACK AT HOME – EVENING]
At the dinner table, Ray's family shared food and laughter. His mother scolded his father for sneaking in extra meat, and Awen, his older sister, teased Ray for bringing a skeleton to pick wild berries.
"What's next?" she asked, grinning. "You'll teach them to cook?"
Ray leaned back, smiled faintly, and whispered to himself, "Not a bad idea…"
---
[LATER THAT NIGHT – SECRET TRAINING SPOT]
He practiced precise movements with Bone Control—making the lizard skeleton climb walls, the hare hop through obstacles, and Skeleton One swing a stick with some grace.
> [Skill Progress: Bone Control – 87% to Level 2]
> [System 15]:
"Good. Practice builds perfection, and perfection builds empires… or in your case, a bone-infested garden."
Ray grinned. "Someday, they'll all see. I'll be more than just a weird kid with bones."
He looked up at the stars.
"I'll become a Lord."
---Bhai ye portal arc kha gya fir flow ko thoda chutiya hu main---
Chapter 26 – The First Summon
Midnight. Silence blanketed the noble estate like a thick fog. Moonlight streamed through the carved windows, casting a silver glow across the wooden floor of Ray's room.
The corpse lay before him on a black ritual cloth—compact, lifeless, and reeking faintly of death. It was a wolf-beast, no bigger than a calf, its eyes sunken and fur matted.
> [System Notification: Summoning Ritual Detected]
Requirements Met:
Class: Necromancer (Locked Tier I)
Material: Corpse (Level 1 – Beast Type)
Domain Energy: 1 Unit Available
Initiating… [YES/NO]
Ray hesitated for only a second. Then mentally pressed "YES."
"Don't scream," 15 whispered. "This will hurt."
A surge of power burst from Ray's chest—something raw and old. The air trembled. A ring of faint green runes lit up around the corpse. Cold mist spilled from the floor. His fingers twitched, his breath shallow.
Then… nothing.
For three seconds, the room was quiet.
And then the corpse moved.
Its limbs twitched, bones cracked into place, and two faint green flames burned in its eye sockets. The once-dead beast lifted its head and knelt before Ray.
> [Summon Successful: Tier I - Undead Beast (Wolf-Type)]
Duration: 12 hours (Basic Level)
Control Link: Stable
EXP Gained: +15
[Current Level: 1 | EXP: 15/100]
[Necromancer Sub-Skill Unlocked: Summon Undead Beast (Lv. 1)]
Ray's chest tightened with excitement and fear. The green light made his pale face glow like a ghost. He stumbled back and fell on his butt.
"Damn," he whispered. "That actually worked."
"Of course it did," 15 said smugly. "I'm not just pretty code, you know. I'm divine-grade necromantic brilliance."
Ray laughed quietly and reached out. The undead wolf nudged his hand obediently. Cold, but loyal.
---
Later that morning…
Ray hid the wolf in his Domain before his parents woke. No one could know. Not yet. He needed strength. Power. Allies—even if they were dead.
> [Daily Quest Unlocked:
Loot 1 More Corpse
Maintain Summon for Full Duration
Reward: +5 God Points, +10 EXP]
Ray nodded. "Let's hunt again tonight."
---Chapter 27 – Whispers in the Village
The next day, Ray strolled beside his mother toward the village market. He clutched her hand, looking like an innocent six-year-old noble child—his silver hair tousled, eyes bright.
But deep inside, his mind buzzed with questions.
How do I earn money? How do I find more corpses?
System 15 spoke softly in his mind. "You need two things: money and meat. And I don't mean dinner."
Ray smirked quietly.
The village of Ashvale was bustling today—farmers hauling vegetables, hunters returning with fresh kills, and beastkin traders offering exotic furs and bones. Ray's nose twitched at the scent of dried blood. His fingers itched.
"Ray, stay close," his mother said, patting his head. "I'll be at the herb shop. Don't wander too far."
"Okay, mom!" he chirped, then wandered the edge of the market… just far enough.
---
[System Notification]
> Side Quest Unlocked:
"Corpse Hunter"
Objective: Locate a potential corpse seller or battlefield scavenger
Reward: 20 EXP, Reputation Boost (Underworld), 1 Beast Corpse Voucher
Ray's eyes lit up.
He passed a spice stall, a blacksmith's forge, then—paused.
A shadowy stall stood half-hidden beneath torn cloth. No name, no customers.
An old man with a jagged scar across his neck sat behind it, smoking a bone pipe. Beside him: beast claws, pelts, and what looked like… a shrunken skull.
Ray walked up and asked quietly, "Do you… sell parts of dead beasts?"
The man didn't answer immediately. His one good eye narrowed.
"You ain't just a noble brat, are ya?" the man rasped. "I see somethin' strange in your soul. Dark and cold."
Ray stiffened. But then he smiled innocently. "I'm curious."
The man chuckled. "Curiosity can kill ya. But… I like you. Wait here tonight, behind the barn at dusk. Don't bring no one."
> [Quest Updated: Meet the Corpse Trader at Nightfall]
---
Back home, evening...
Ray played with his younger brother and talked with his father over dinner. But his thoughts were elsewhere.
As soon as night fell, he snuck out.
---
Behind the barn, moonlight shone faintly.
The old trader was already waiting.
He opened a small sack and tossed something out—a Level 1 bear cub corpse, wrapped in chains.
"Two silver. Take it or leave it."
Ray checked his pouch—he had barely one silver left from past blessings and birthday gifts.
"I have one," he said.
The man shrugged. "Then give me a drop of your blood too. Just one. For insurance."
Ray bit his lip. "Deal."
He drew a needle from his System inventory, pricked his finger, and gave a single red drop.
> [Item Acquired: Level 1 Beast Corpse – Bear Cub]
[Quest Complete: Corpse Hunter]
EXP +20
Total EXP: 35/100
Beast Corpse Voucher Added (Can be used at System Shop once unlocked)
Ray dragged the wrapped corpse to a hidden part of his Domain and grinned.
Two corpses in two days.
Now, the real necromancy could begin.
---Chapter 28 – The First Gate
The morning after Ray's dealings with the corpse trader, the quiet village of Ashvale felt unnaturally still. Ray had awoken early, as was becoming his habit, and stood by the window, gazing at the distant mountains. He felt… restless.
Today, he had his first real taste of the power his System could offer. His experiments with the Level 1 bear cub's corpse had gone surprisingly well. The summoned beast had obeyed, albeit with some difficulty.
But that nagging feeling of something missing lingered. Why is the System sending me corpses from such weak creatures?
As he pondered, a distant rumble echoed through the sky, shaking the windows of the small cottage.
Ray's heart skipped a beat. His mother came rushing in, wide-eyed, panic spreading across her face.
"Ray, come quickly," she urged. "There's a strange portal opening near the village. It... it wasn't here yesterday."
---
Ray, heart pounding, followed his mother out of the house and to the village center.
From the small hill that overlooked Ashvale, a swirling, violet vortex had appeared in the air. It glowed ominously, sending out strange flickers of dark light.
The villagers murmured in fear.
"I—I've never seen anything like this," one of the older men whispered. "Is it a rift? A portal from… from the other world?"
Ray frowned, feeling the pulse of energy emanating from the portal. A portal...
Suddenly, a voice spoke inside his mind.
"Ray. This is the first tear. The first portal. The beasts will come through. Prepare."
Ray's fingers twitched at the familiar voice of System 15.
"Prepare for what?" Ray muttered under his breath.
The system answered coldly, "The portal will not remain stable. The beasts will arrive soon. You must be ready."
Ray felt his stomach twist. He couldn't help but glance at the villagers. Panic was spreading. Some of them were running toward their homes, others were trying to organize defense.
But Ray's thoughts were elsewhere. The portal… it wasn't just some random event. He had a deeper connection to this, something tied to his rebirth, his power.
---
That evening, Ray made his way out of the village once more. There was something he needed to do—something important.
---
Nightfall
Ray met the corpse trader again, this time at the edge of the village, far from prying eyes. The old man handed him another bundle wrapped in dark cloth.
"You wanted more. The price has gone up," the man said with a smirk. "I've got a fresh one for ya. A Level 2 wild beast. It's dangerous, so you'll need to make sure you're ready to handle it."
Ray was about to ask more when the System spoke again.
"It's time, Ray. The portal is weakening. Soon it will be torn open. You must decide how you will face what's coming."
Ray's chest tightened. He didn't fully understand what that meant, but one thing was clear: his time was running out.
"Keep the corpse," Ray said, voice steady, "and tell me everything you know about this portal."
The trader paused, looking around suspiciously. "You sure about this kid? That thing isn't from this world. It's... from the one they call Dravania. Beasts, monsters… worse things will follow. There's no coming back once they tear through."
Ray nodded. He was beginning to realize that the portal was more than just a random event. It was a gateway to something much larger. Something much more dangerous.
"I'll handle it," Ray said, finally, "and I will be ready."
---
Chapter 29 – The Portal Awaits
The days passed in a haze of preparations. The portal continued to pulse, growing larger and more violent with each passing day. The atmosphere in Ashvale had shifted from worry to outright fear.
Ray spent his time training in secret. Every day, he summoned corpses—beasts, wolves, and other low-level creatures—testing their limits, commanding them with growing skill. Each summon drained his energy, but it also gave him new insights into his power.
This portal… it's more than just an opening. It's a signal. A beginning.
One evening, as Ray stood by his window again, he saw something else. A shadowy figure appeared at the edges of the village, just outside the portal's reach.
It was a beast—a creature that looked almost human, but its long, pointed ears, sharp claws, and glowing eyes gave it an unmistakable appearance of something otherworldly.
The beast turned its gaze toward Ray, locking eyes with him across the distance.
Ray froze, feeling the weight of the moment. He understood now.
This was just the beginning.
The portal had begun to leak the horrors of Dravania into his world. And soon, it wouldn't just be beasts. It would be a full-scale invasion.
------
Chapter 30 – The Portal Breaches
The night air had never felt heavier.
Ray stood at the edge of the village, his feet sinking into the earth as he watched the portal. The once calm and peaceful vortex now churned violently. Flickers of lightning arced through the sky, casting long shadows across the village square. The first wave of beasts was approaching.
Ray gripped the hilt of his makeshift sword, a simple weapon he had crafted using his limited resources. But it wasn't the sword that would win him this battle. No, it was his power. The power of his System. His connection to the dead. To the beasts. And to something darker that had been growing inside him ever since he had awoken in this world.
"Prepare yourself, Ray."
The voice of System 15 echoed in his mind.
He turned, his gaze sweeping over the terrified villagers behind him. Some were clutching farming tools, others were huddled together, whispering frantic prayers to gods that didn't seem to hear them. But Ray knew what had to be done. There was no running, no hiding. This was his world to protect now.
---
The First Beast
A monstrous roar shattered the silence, and the first beast emerged from the portal—a hulking figure with fur the color of midnight. Its face was a twisted mask of fangs and feral eyes. It resembled a bear, but with a massive, humanoid build, covered in jagged scars from previous battles.
Its claws, each as long as a sword, scraped against the ground with a terrifying screech. The beast let out another roar, a guttural sound that sent shivers down Ray's spine. The earth trembled beneath its weight as it advanced toward the village.
Ray's hand tightened around the sword's hilt. "This is it," he thought. "I can't hesitate."
With a breath, Ray tapped into his Domain. A pulse of energy surged through him, and the first corpse he had summoned earlier, a Level 1 wolf, rose from the earth at his command. The skeletal wolf's eyes glowed faintly as it bared its fangs.
"Attack," Ray whispered.
The wolf lunged forward, faster than a living creature should have been. It collided with the beast's massive leg, snapping at it with its jagged teeth. The creature howled in anger, swiping its claws down at the wolf. The wolf yelped, but the beast's claws tore through its body, sending the skeletal creature crashing into the ground in a cloud of dust.
Ray's heart pounded. He knew the wolf wasn't enough. He needed something more.
---
The Second Beast
A second beast broke free from the swirling vortex, this one smaller than the first, but no less dangerous. It looked like a humanoid lion, with golden fur and a mane that seemed to shimmer with every movement. Its body was muscled, and its eyes burned with an unnatural, intelligent fire.
Ray had to act quickly.
With a snap of his fingers, he summoned another creature—an undead boar, stronger and more resilient than his previous summons. The creature emerged from the earth with a deep, rumbling growl. The boar's body was rotting, but its tusks were still sharp, glistening in the moonlight.
The boar charged toward the lion-beast, slamming its tusks into its side. The lion-beast let out a roar of fury and swiped its claws down at the boar, knocking it back several feet. But the boar wasn't finished. It charged again, this time throwing its full weight into the attack.
The two beasts clashed, their roars shaking the ground beneath them. The boar's tusks tore into the lion-beast's side, but the lion retaliated with a brutal swipe, sending the boar flying through the air.
Ray watched the fight unfold with cold calculation. He could see that his summoned creatures were strong, but they were still no match for the beasts from Dravania. They needed to wear down the monsters, and he had to be smart about this.
---
The Strategy
Ray's eyes flicked to the villagers. They had already begun to scatter, trying to find places to hide or defend themselves. But he could not afford to let them become part of the battle. This was his fight. His war.
He raised his hand, and a third creature rose from the earth: a skeletal horse, towering and fierce. Its bones were white and gleaming, and it snorted as it stomped its hooves against the ground. Ray quickly mounted the horse, using the speed of the creature to maneuver around the battlefield.
"Now," he whispered, his voice low and determined.
Ray tapped into the System again, pulling more energy from the God Shop. His mind blurred with the sudden influx of power.
A Level 3 serpent slithered from the shadows, coiling itself around the battlefield. The serpent's scales were dark and glistened with an eerie sheen. It opened its maw, revealing fangs that could pierce even the toughest armor.
With a flick of his wrist, Ray commanded the serpent to strike. The serpent launched itself toward the lion-beast, wrapping its long, sinuous body around its prey. The lion-beast howled in rage, but the serpent tightened its coils, squeezing the life out of it. The other beast—now alone—looked around wildly, its eyes locked onto Ray.
---
The Final Stand
Ray didn't hesitate. He spurred the skeletal horse forward, galloping toward the remaining beast. His sword raised high, a gleam of white light reflecting off its edge.
The beast lunged at him, swiping its claws. Ray ducked, rolling off his horse just in time to avoid the deadly strike. With a roar of fury, the beast turned to face him again.
This is it, Ray thought. He would have to fight it head-on.
With a yell, Ray swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for the beast's throat. The beast dodged, but not fast enough. The blade struck its side, cutting deep into its fur and muscle.
Blood sprayed across the dirt, and the beast stumbled backward. It roared in pain, but Ray pressed the attack, his movements swift and fluid, his blade flashing with each strike.
Finally, with a vicious downward cut, Ray pierced the beast's skull, cleaving it in two.
The creature fell with a heavy thud, its body twitching as the life drained from it.
---
Ray stood over the fallen beast, panting heavily. His body ached, his muscles burning from the exertion. But the battle was far from over. He could already hear the sounds of more beasts emerging from the portal, each one more dangerous than the last.
But this time, Ray wasn't afraid.
He had tasted power. And he would wield it to protect this world—even if it meant standing against the full might of Dravania itself.
---