Ancient Rank Beast

However, a bitter truth gnawed at him. His strength stats were not sufficient to lift these high-ranking weapons. Otherwise, he would have seized them without hesitation. Logan found himself in a precarious situation. He couldn't simply leave, as the high-level dwarves present would likely attack him on sight.

The game had taken an unexpected and potentially perilous turn, and Logan needed to find a way to navigate this uncharted territory without arousing suspicion or hostility from the dwarves.

Crouching just beneath the surface, Logan's mind raced. The sight of the dwarves, legendary blacksmiths of this MMORPG realm, was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. They were stout, muscular, and their beards, varying in shades from snowy white to deep black, were tangled with beads and metals, signifying their rank and expertise.

The clang of hammers on anvils resonated in the air. Massive furnaces glowed with a fiery intensity, illuminating the cavernous underground lair. The dwarves worked meticulously, their nimble fingers manipulating molten metal, crafting weapons of unparalleled power.

Logan's eyes darted from one weapon to another. Swords with blades that gleamed dangerously under the fiery forge light, intricately designed shields reflecting the flames, and ornate pieces of Armor lay on wooden racks or were being quenched in the very water he hid in. The very idea of possessing even one of these was tantalizing.

However, the reality of the situation was dire. The dwarves were renowned for their craftsmanship and their fierce territoriality. The lore suggested that intruders were rarely given a second chance. They were dealt with swiftly and ruthlessly.

Carefully, Logan weighed his options. Charging in blindly would be foolhardy. With a weapon he couldn't wield and surrounded by enemies of far higher levels, it would be a quick end. Stealth was his only ally. The echoing cavern, the roar of the furnaces, and the rhythmic clang of metalwork could be used to his advantage.

A tense silence had settled over the dwarf lair as Logan took in the sight of the newly forged weapons. Lost in his calculations and potential escape routes, the last thing he expected was a new danger to emerge. However, his heightened senses, honed by countless battles and experiences in the game, felt a slight change in the water beneath him.

There was a subtle disturbance, almost imperceptible to any average player. But to Logan, it felt like an off-beat rhythm, a disturbance in the calm waters. The temperature around him seemed to drop a degree, and a shadow slowly enveloped the lake floor.

Gazing downward, a sudden rush of fear gripped him as he recognized the enormous silhouette approaching him. An underwater behemoth, a whale, its body massive and powerful, sped towards him with surprising agility.

The sheer size of the creature meant that its sheer momentum could easily crush Logan, but what was even more shocking was its location - a creature of this size in a dwarf lair's lake was beyond unexpected. And even in the world of MMORPGs, where anything is possible, it was a sight that would leave any player aghast.

Logan's heart raced. But then, he noticed something even more alarming: the whale wasn't just heading in his direction by chance. Its massive eyes, surprisingly clear and focused, were locked onto him, and its approach was deliberate. This wasn't just any NPC creature of the game; it had a purpose, a target. And that target was not only Logan.

The creature resembled an ancient fish, its scales hard and armoured. But the size was beyond anything Logan had ever seen. The creature's eyes, set deep in its head, glowed a malevolent red, and its mouth, filled with razor-sharp teeth, opened in a roar that sent shockwaves through the water.

A series of notifications popped up in Logan's vision:

**Ancient Guardian**: (Whale)

- **Level**: 50

- **HP**: 25000/25000

- **Special Abilities**: Water Jet, Whirlpool, and Sonic Roar

A caption appeared below: "Defender of the Lake's Sanctuary. Protector of the aquatic realm."

Logan realised the gravity of his situation. Not only was he up against a boss-level creature, but he was also in its territory, a domain where it held the advantage. He eyed the diminishing timer on his fish gills; every second was crucial.

The Ancient Guardian, recognizing Logan as the perpetrator who had massacred its subjects, let out a low growl. Its enormous tail swished, displacing vast amounts of water and creating currents that threatened to push Logan against the jagged walls of the cavern.

Without wasting another second, Logan activated the Angle's anklet. Almost immediately, the game mechanics altered his character's weight dynamics, making him buoyant. Like a cork suddenly released underwater, he shot up, rapidly ascending towards the water's surface.

But the colossal creature below was faster than he'd anticipated. With its massive maw agape, revealing a cavernous and seemingly endless void, it lunged for him. Every second felt like an eternity as Logan watched the approaching leviathan.

Panic gripped him, and the potential consequences of dying in this stage of the game flashed through his mind. The setback would be immense, the progress lost would be significant.

However, in the throes of fear, a glint of hope emerged. Memories of the expensive Hydro blasts he'd purchased rushed back. Acting almost instinctively, his hands darted to his inventory, pulling out all the remaining Hydro blasts. They glistened menacingly, holding the promise of explosive destruction.

As the whale neared the swords, which the dwarves had so meticulously placed in the water for quenching, Logan saw his window of opportunity. With precision, he released each Hydro blast into the advancing beast's mouth. The red colour blinking orbs, all fell in that creatures mouth with great precision.

Alerted by the disturbance, the dwarves around the lake had already sprung into action. They knew the importance of the swords and were rushing to protect their invaluable creations. But before they could even come close, a sequence of muffled, booming sounds echoed through the environment.

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Note: Thank You for reading. Don't forget to vote power stones.

_PeterPan_