Magic Stones

The beast lunged forward, its claws gleaming like shards of obsidian under the dungeon's eerie glow. Akira's heart pounded in his chest as he sidestepped at the last possible moment, the air whistling past his ear as the creature's massive swipe narrowly missed him. The ground beneath its claws cracked like thunder, sending shards of stone flying in all directions.

Akira didn't hesitate. He pivoted on his heel, his body humming with the fading energy of Soul Infusion, and drove his fist into the beast's back with a force that sent a shockwave rippling through its massive frame. The impact reverberated up his arm, but the creature didn't so much as stagger.

It roared, a sound that shook the very walls of the dungeon, and spun around with terrifying speed. Akira barely had time to react as its claws raked across his arm, the sheer force sending him skidding backward. Pain flared like fire in his muscles, and he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright.

"Soul Infusion is powerful," he muttered under his breath, his voice strained but steady. "But it's running out. I don't have much time."

A quick glance at his stats confirmed it. Strength, agility, stamina—all had increased by a factor of one since his last level-up. It was progress, but was it enough?

The beast charged again, its massive body barreling toward him like a freight train. Akira took a deep breath, feeling the last remnants of Soul Infusion surge through his veins.

"Time to make it count."

With a fierce cry, he sprang forward, ducking low beneath the creature's claws. His fist shot upward, aiming for the soft spot beneath its jaw. The impact reverberated through his arm, and the beast howled in pain, momentarily stunned.

"This is my chance."

Akira didn't let up. He struck again, and again, each blow more powerful than the last. The creature reeled, its thick scales cracking under the relentless assault. Fissures spread across its armored body, and Akira could feel the tide turning.

"Come on!" he snarled, his voice raw with effort. His heart raced, his stamina teetering on the edge, but he refused to back down. Channeling every last ounce of energy, he delivered one final, earth-shaking blow to the beast's chest.

The creature's scales shattered, and Akira's fist plunged into its heart. With a final, agonized screech, the beast collapsed, its body dissolving into a swirling mist of defeated dungeon monsters.

Akira stood amidst the fading vapor, his chest heaving, every muscle in his body screaming in protest. But despite the pain, a triumphant grin spread across his face.

"That's what I'm talking about," He whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own breathing.

The familiar chime of a system notification echoed in his mind, and he glanced at the glowing text that appeared before him.

DING!

[Status Update]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up.]

[Congratulations! You have leveled up.]

[+10 Stat Points awarded.]

[Perfected Symmetry in effect. Allocating stat points equally across all attributes.]

[Since the user's level has increased, the body will be restored to peak condition.]

A surge of energy washed over him, erasing the pain and fatigue. He clenched his fists, feeling the newfound strength coursing through his veins.

"This is the starting point," He said, his voice low but filled with determination.

As the mist cleared, he noticed something glimmering amidst the rubble. Tiny, teal crystals pulsed with a soft light, scattered across the ground like stars.

"Magic Stones??" Akira murmured, bending down to pick one up. He rolled it between his fingers, feeling its warmth seep into his skin.

"Since the day the dungeons appeared, these stones have been both humanity's salvation and its curse. They're energy distilled from chaos—raw, uncut power. Cities are powered by them. Weapons, technology, even the lives of hunters like me depend on them."

He paused, his grip tightening around the stone.

"But they're more than just fuel. They're the lifeblood of this new world. Governments rise and fall over them. Wars are fought for them."

He laughed wryly, the sound echoing through the empty dungeon.

"Strange, isn't it? The things that sustain us are the same things that destroy us. But I can't afford to care about that. Not anymore."

His eyes hardened as he shoved the stone into his satchel.

As he stood, his gaze fell on the dungeon walls. More stones glimmered within the crystalline formations, their light faint but steady. He approached, his fingers scraping against the rough surface until he found one. With a sharp tug, he dislodged it, the crystal snapping free with a satisfying crack.

"Even the walls are filled with them," he muttered, stuffing the stone into his satchel. "Like veins of precious ore. No wonder the world's gone mad for them."

He moved quickly, filling his bag with as many stones as he could carry. Each one was a step closer to his goal, a piece of the power he needed to survive in this brutal new world.

As he stood, his eyes fell on the body of another monster, its form dissolving into mist. A single stone remained, glowing faintly amidst the haze. He picked it up, feeling its warmth thrum in his palm.

"Another one," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "The power in these stones… it's almost alive. No wonder they're so valuable.."

He paused, a thought striking him like a bolt of lightning.

"Wait… this doesn't make sense. Magic stones don't usually pop out in this kind of dungeon. It's a low-level zone—monsters here aren't supposed to drop them even the StarNet confirmed that. And yet…"

He looked around, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scattered stones.

"Luck? Or something else? Either way, I'm not complaining. If the dungeon's giving me a gift, I'll make sure to use it"

He shoved the stone into his satchel and straightened, his gaze fixed on the path ahead.

"Let's gather what I can and get out of here. I'm almost done."

As he stepped forward, the shadows of the dungeon seemed to twist and dance around him, as if the very walls were alive. A small smile crept across his face, and he whispered a single line that echoed through the darkness:

"The world may run on magic stones, but I'll run on vengeance."