Chapter 4:Blood and Thunder.

The girl appeared out of nowhere.

One moment, the street was empty. The next, she stood before him, her massive battle-axe gleaming in the dying light.

A notification blinked into existence:

"Boss: Graceful Axe."

The system's voice echoed in his mind. "You must defeat her to advance."

Before he could react, she lunged.

The axe hummed with crimson energy as it slashed toward him. Desperation surged through his veins as a new message flashed:

"Activate Demon Devourer?"

He slammed his palm against the "Yes" button.

The sword materialized in his hand—an ominous, jagged blade pulsing with dark energy. But as he swung it, a searing pain stabbed through his chest.

A price for power.

The girl's second strike came fast, charged with electricity. He barely dodged in time.

Another prompt appeared:

"Sacrifice body fat for increased agility?"

"Yes!"

Heat burned through his limbs as his frame shrank. With a snarl, he countered her next swing, slicing through the shaft of her axe and driving his sword into her neck.

Her head fell to the ground.

The system's voice returned:

"Boss defeated. Rewards in inventory."

He collapsed onto the pavement, gasping for breath. The sword faded from his grip as exhaustion swallowed him whole.