Battle Strategy

The sudden ping of the system's notification broke through his thoughts, pulling his attention away from the gloom that seemed to settle over the forest.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Multiple Darkspawns detected.

Class detected.

Skills detected.

Initiating Battle Strategy.

Would you like to start Battle Strategy mode?

Kael paused, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. His breath caught in his chest. 

Darkspawns? Already? And what's Battle Strategy?

He had barely crossed the boundary into Evergrove's outskirts, and already he was being tested. The Entity's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Oh right. There's that," the Entity chimed, its tone relaxed yet almost amused. "You should accept it. It's pretty useful. Helps you get oriented fast with your new skills too."

Kael's heart pounded, not from fear, but from the buzz of anticipation. The system was guiding him—again—and if there was any chance it could help him survive the coming storm, he'd take it. Without hesitation, he accepted.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Welcome to Battle Strategy Mode. The system will now engage Tutorial Mode to guide you through an optimal battle against opponents. Follow the instructions carefully to hone your skills and strategy.

Kael's fingers twitched, itching for action. The path around him grew darker, the once serene forest now feeling silently oppressive. 

Yet, in the depth of the forest's heavy silence, Kael could hear the subtle approach of the Darkspawns—creatures born from the very shadows themselves.

[SYSTEM]:

Step 1: Use Veil of Shadows to enter stealth and increase your mobility. This will ensure you remain undetected as you approach your targets.

Kael's breath steadied, his focus sharpening. The world around him blurred, edges softening as a cool, dark veil settled over him. Magic pulsed through his veins, a silent breath of power, and the shadows seemed to respond, bending to his will. 

His movements grew lighter, quieter—like he was slipping into the darkness itself. The forest path, once full of danger, now felt like an ally, its dense cover a cloak that shielded him from the world.

[SYSTEM]:

Well done. Now, move quietly into position. Avoid detection and get within striking range of your chosen target.

Kael moved silently, a shadow blending with the wind. The Darkspawns, grotesque and hulking, trudged down the path ahead, their twisted forms unaware of his approach. 

Every step Kael took was deliberate, precise. 

The trees seemed to bend toward him, the shadows stretching at his feet, guiding his movement. 

He crouched low, pressing against the rough bark of an ancient oak, his breath steady as he listened to the faint rustle of the Darkspawns' ragged breaths, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

[SYSTEM]:

Perfect! Now, follow up with Shadowstep. Teleport closer to your target. Ensure that you leave a decoy behind to confuse the enemies and gain the upper hand.

Kael didn't hesitate. His heart raced as he summoned the power, and the world snapped out of focus. The forest vanished for a moment, replaced by the dizzying sensation of falling and reappearing in a flash. 

In the blink of an eye, he was standing amidst the Darkspawns, his body displacing the air with unnatural swiftness. 

A decoy was left in his place, and Kael watched as one of the Darkspawns turned its gaze toward the false image of him. The confusion was immediate—perfect.

[SYSTEM]:

Perfect! Now, follow up with Shadowfang. Use your dual-strike ability to deal heavy burst damage to your target. The element of surprise is key here.

Kael's blades gleamed in the dim light as he surged forward, twin strikes cutting through the air. 

The first Darkspawn didn't even have time to react before its body crumpled to the ground, the slick sound of metal slicing through flesh echoing in the stillness of the forest. 

Without pause, Kael's second strike landed on another Darkspawn, bringing it down with brutal efficiency. He barely had time to savor the victory.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Darkspawn Level 3 defeated.

You earn 250 EXP!

SP +2

But Kael barely had time to take a breath. The remaining Darkspawns, sensing his presence now, howled in rage, their massive forms surging toward him with shocking speed. 

Kael's instincts screamed at him to retreat, but he didn't—he wouldn't. He was ready. His fingers tightened on his blades, his body steeling for the oncoming attack.

The largest of the Darkspawns lashed out first, its claws raking across Kael's arm in a vicious swipe. The sharp sting of pain seared through him as blood seeped from the wound, the mark of battle fresh on his skin. His health dropped, and the throbbing pain in his arm pulled at his focus.

His thoughts were clearer now. The battle had just begun.

[SYSTEM]:

Step 3: Use Virus Cloud to poison the group. This will not only deal damage over time but also reduce their healing abilities, making them easier to defeat.

Kael's lips curled in a silent snarl. Poison. 

He could feel it, the heavy, sickening weight of the magic, as he conjured the noxious cloud. It rolled from his hands like a tangible darkness, spreading out over the battlefield, swirling around the remaining Darkspawns. 

They staggered, gasping for breath, their skin writhing with the poison's effects.

[SYSTEM]:

Excellent! Now, while the poison weakens them, use Venomous Reprieve to restore your health. This skill will turn their suffering into your strength.

The power surged within him, feeding off the poison now ravaging the Darkspawns. 

As they struggled in the mist, Kael felt his body heal, the pain in his arm slowly ebbing away as the life force of his enemies fed him. 

The battlefield, though chaotic, now felt like a dance—his movements sharp, controlled, and fluid.

[SYSTEM]:

You're doing well. Now reposition and prepare for your next move.

The Darkspawns were slow to recover, but they were not stupid. They could sense the shift in the battle and had begun to circle him, their movements wary, but purposeful.

[SYSTEM]:

Step 4: If the pressure is too high, activate Shadow Cloak. This will make you harder to detect and allow you to evade incoming attacks with ease.

Kael didn't think. He activated the Shadow Cloak, and instantly the world around him seemed to warp. The forest, the creatures, even the poison itself—they all blurred and faded as Kael melded with the shadows. 

The Darkspawns swung their claws in blind rage, but he was already gone, slipping through their reach like smoke.

[SYSTEM]:

You're doing well. Now reposition and prepare for your next move.

Kael took a deep breath. His heart pounded, but his mind was calm. The system's voice rang in his ears, but now it felt more like a whisper in the back of his head, guiding him toward the next step.

[SYSTEM]:

Step 5: Use your skills in tandem. Use Veil of Shadows again to reposition and move in for another Shadowfang attack from stealth. Aim to eliminate the weakened Darkspawns quickly.

Kael, already attuned to the rhythm of the fight, slipped once again into the Veil of Shadows. The world blurred, and the sounds of the forest faded away. He moved swiftly through the darkness, his form invisible, his strikes deadly. 

One by one, the remaining Darkspawns crumpled beneath his blades, their bodies falling in silent heaps as Kael struck from the shadows. Blood splattered across his leather gear, some even hitting his face, but he barely flinched. 

The mess didn't matter—only the kill did.

The forest path fell silent once more, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind. Kael stood amidst the fallen Darkspawns, his chest heaving with exertion. His arm still throbbed from the earlier wound, but he was alive. 

The poison had worked, his strategy had worked. His heart had raced through the battle, and now it calmed, his breathing steady as the adrenaline ebbed away.

[SYSTEM]:

Well done, Kael. You've used the optimal steps for handling a group of Darkspawns. Your ability to use stealth, control the battlefield, and manage your health effectively has brought you victory. Remember: balance between offense, defense, and sustainability is key to surviving battles like this.

Kael wiped the blood from his arm, his eyes scanning the path ahead. The threat had passed—for now.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

You have completed Battle Strategy Tutorial.

You earn 500 EXP.

Battle Strategy has been added to your Battle Mode function.

You can now activate Battle Strategy to efficiently learn new skills and refine your combat style.

Kael read the notification with a grin. "Looks like I've got a new tool to sharpen my edge," he muttered. The thought of mastering his abilities faster filled him with excitement.

But as he looked out through the towering trees, the weight of the forest pressed down on him once again. There was something in the air—something that didn't belong. And though he had won, he could feel it deep in his bones.

The battle was just one small piece of the story. There was much more to come.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Darkspawn Level 3 defeated.

You earn 250 EXP!

SP +2

Darkspawn Level 4 defeated.

You earn 300 EXP!

SP +3

You have leveled up!

You have unopened rewards x 3

"Congratulations on leveling up!" the entity chimed, appearing beside Kael.

Kael, drenched in sweat and blood, grinned as the message flashed before him. He opened his status window, his fingers trembling with anticipation.

"I've reached level 4," he thought, his pulse quickening. The Ascension System... this was amazing!

"I've leveled up! I feel... different, great even," he said out loud, his voice filled with excitement. "I'm going after more Darkspawns. Let's hit the next level!"

His eyes sparkled with determination. The hunt was just beginning.