Another Way To Die

{Wave 1 Completed.}

A metallic chime echoed through the cavern, followed by a glowing blue screen appearing before each of them.

{Loot Rewards Available.}

Julius, still catching his breath, tapped on the system menu. A list of items materialized in front of him. "Ah. Here it is."

Everyone used their systems to assess their new loot, it seemed it was dished out uniquely, based on their classes.

[Loot Acquired]:

[Ironfang Dagger – Level 1] (+5 Attack, Extra Durable, Minor poison effect)

[Faded Leather Armor – Level 1] (Basic protection, slightly improves agility)

His eyes widened. Gear. Actual gear.

The others were getting their own rewards too.

Fraero pulled out a sturdy [Steel Sword – Level 1], its polished surface gleaming faintly in the cavern's dim light.

Garrick grinned as he strapped on [Steel Brass Knuckles – Level 1], increasing his fist strength.

Kiera received [Hawkeye Bow – Level 1], giving her slightly enhanced aim.

Yara studied a [Flame Touched Ring – Level 1], which, according to the description, improved the intensity of her fire magic.

Julius equipped his Ironfang Dagger, feeling its weight settle in his grip. The blade had a dark sheen, and when he flicked it, it almost hummed in his hands. "Not bad."

But their relief was short-lived. Although they were pleased by their new loot, they had to face even stronger enemies now.

{Wave 2 incoming…}

{Identifying enemy types…}

A new screen popped up. This time, it displayed enemy levels and descriptions.

{Monsters Approaching:}

[Carrion Howler – Level 5] (Elite) (A larger, faster variant of the creatures fought in Wave 1. Its howl can debuff enemies, lowering defense.)

[Gnawing Scuttlers – Level 3] (Fast, crab-like creatures that attack in swarms. Weak individually, deadly in numbers.)

[Twisted Stalker – Level 6] (Rare) (A humanoid beast with elongated limbs and blackened claws. Intelligent: It targets the weakest first.)

A gut-wrenching howl echoed from one of the tunnels.

Julius' stomach twisted. "Level six?" He turned to the others. "I thought we were going to fight things at least close to our level!"

Fraero tightened his grip on his blade. "The system wants us dead. That much is clear."

Yara exhaled sharply. "No kidding. At least we have all this new loot!"

Garrick rolled his shoulders. "We just need to do what we did last time. Fight smart."

Kiera's face was pale. "But we barely survived Wave 1. I mean there were too many close calls, Yara almost got caught out."

No one had an answer.

Then the growling and crickety sounds intensified.

Eyes—many, many eyes—glowed from the tunnel entrances.

And then they came.

Wave 2 Begins

The Gnawing Scuttlers came first.

Dozens of skittering, skeletal creatures the size of crabs, their mouths filled with needle-like teeth. They poured into the cavern like a flood.

Kiera fired an arrow. It struck the first one in the chest, causing blood to seep from it's fleshy underlayer. But more came.

Fraero braced himself bashing aside two creatures that lunged at him. "We need to hold them back!"

Julius vanished into Stealth, circling around the enemies. His dagger gleamed in the dim light.

One Scuttler broke past Garrick's line and rushed Yara.

She gasped. "No, no—"

Julius struck first.

His Ironfang Dagger slashed across the creature's underlayer. A faint green glow followed as its poison effect activated. The Scuttler let out a strangled hiss before collapsing.

Yara shot him a relieved glance. "Thanks."

He nodded. "Most of them are gone now."

But they had bigger problems.

The Carrion Howler arrived.

It was twice the size of the previous creatures, its blackened fur matted with gore. Its mouth opened unnaturally wide, and then—

It howled.

The sound ripped through them like a physical force.

{Debuff Applied: Defense -20% for 30 seconds}

Fraero cursed, staggering slightly. "Damn it, that thing is weakening us! I don't even want to get near it now."

Garrick, unaffected, charged. His fists crashed into the beast's side with brutal strength, but it barely staggered.

Then, the Twisted Stalker moved.

It was fast—a blur of darkness lunging straight toward Kiera, the one furthest away from the rest of the group.

It targeted the weakest.

Her eyes widened. She tried to raise her bow, but it was too close—

Garrick moved like a flash, running like his life depended on it.

[Titan's Grip] Activated.

He caught the Stalker's arm mid-swing, stopping it just inches from slashing Kiera's throat.

But the Stalker grinned.

Then, with inhuman flexibility, it twisted its body and kicked Garrick full-force in the chest.

Garrick flew back, crashing against the cavern wall.

"It's too strong... I can feel the difference in levels."

"Garrick!" Yara shouted.

Julius gritted his teeth. They were getting overwhelmed.

Then he had an idea.

He activated [Pickpocket], targeting the Stalker.

{Pickpocket Success: You have stolen 'Shadow Veil Cloth' from Twisted Stalker. Item has been set to your level [1] }

The moment the item vanished from the creature's body, it stiffened.

Julius barely had time to read the description:

[Shadow Veil Cloth – When worn, grants (Terror State).]

[Terror State: Grants bonus speed, resistance to physical damage and reduces visibility.]

It had been using this to boost its speed and this was how it had reached the backline.

Julius grinned. "Now you're slower."

Fraero took the opening.

His sword glowed.

[Unyielding Bastion] Activated.

He rammed into the Stalker full force, sending it sprawling.

Julius followed up.

He leapt, dagger in hand, and plunged it into the Stalker's skull.

It let out a hideous shriek… then stopped moving. It seemed most of it's power was in it's assasin-like nature.

"It's so... Weak." Julius laughed lightly. It felt surreal.

"Most of it's power was in that initial blitz." Keira sighed, still shivering slightly. "I thought I was gonna die. Thanks Garrick, you saved me."

"Of course, of course. It's just what I do." Garrick grinned widely.

{Twisted Stalker (Level 6) Defeated.}

Julius panted. His heart thundered in his chest.

They were actually winning.

The Carrion Howler snarled, realizing it was alone.

Kiera fired an arrow straight into its chest.

Fraero slammed his sword against it.

And finally—Yara raised her hands, fire surging between them.

The fireball exploded, engulfing the beast in flames.

It collapsed.

Silence.

Then—

{Wave 2 Completed.}