The scent of blood filled the air.
The Abyss Hound's corpse twitched once before falling still — its dark blood soaking into the earth. But before I could even catch my breath, the ground trembled.
From between the trees… came more.
Growls.
Scratches.
Dozens of glowing green eyes lighting up the shadows.
They crawled from every direction, surrounding me in a half-circle — their bodies glinting like obsidian under the moonlight.
---
[Abyss Hound ×12]
Average Level: 40–42
---
I clenched my fists, breathing hard.
"Alright…" I muttered, "you want to dance? Let's dance."
The first hound lunged — I sidestepped, grabbed its neck, and snapped it with my bare hands. The next came from behind — I twisted and kicked, sending it crashing into a tree. My body moved faster, sharper — the flow of mana inside me was wild, like I was burning alive from the inside.
B-Rank Skill: Flash Step!
In an instant, I was behind them. My fist glowed faintly as I slammed it into the ground.
A shockwave burst out, sending dirt and bodies flying. Three hounds yelped, torn apart by the impact.
Two more leaped at my throat — I rolled forward, grabbed one midair, and used it to crush the other.
Blood sprayed across my face.
I was breathing heavier now — but something in me refused to stop.
Every punch I threw cracked bone.
Every kick shattered the earth.
They were strong — but I was faster, heavier, and something inside me… was waking up.
Roar!
One of the hounds, larger than the rest, jumped out — its fangs coated in black mist.
It bit my arm, sinking deep, but I didn't even scream. Instead, I used my free hand to slam its skull again and again until its jaw shattered and it stopped moving.
---
[Abyss Hound defeated ×12]
+29,000 EXP gained
Level Up!
Level Up!
---
I dropped to one knee, gasping for air as the blue system light flooded my vision.
---
[Level 45 Reached!]
Stat Points Gained: +10
Physical Resistance increased slightly.
---
I sat back, staring at the glowing system panel that floated above my arm.
"I leveled up… twice?"
My voice trembled slightly — not from fear, but disbelief.
I wiped the blood and sweat from my eyes and looked around — a ring of corpses surrounded me, the grass blackened from blood and fire.
It was a massacre.
"Just how strong were those things?" I muttered, my voice echoing faintly in the quiet forest.
For a moment, I felt… something stirring deep inside my chest. My mana was changing, growing heavier — darker, maybe even sharper.
I stood up, cracked my neck, and looked at the forest ahead.
"If this is only the start," I whispered, "then I need to get stronger… fast."
I took one last glance at the battlefield — the corpses already sinking into the soil, leaving faint traces of smoke — and walked deeper into the island's heart.
Somewhere in there, I could feel a stronger presence waiting for me.
And I was ready.