[Monarch Boost]

Kael's blade cut through the monster with ruthless precision, the creature's twisted form disintegrating into pixels.

As its remains faded, a glimmering gem tumbled to the ground. He scooped it up, studying the item briefly before tossing it into his inventory with a satisfied grunt.

The dim forest around him was eerily quiet now, save for the occasional rustle of leaves. Kael's eyes flicked over his interface, scanning for any remaining threats.

His movements were methodical, sharp, and utterly focused.

This wasn't just about clearing another mission. It was about restoring his pride.

Lucas stood at the edge of another quest zone, his dagger in hand, his body aching but his determination unbroken.

The memory of AidenTide's smug face haunted him, the sting of betrayal still fresh. He hadn't logged into the game tonight expecting to walk away humiliated and empty-handed, but Aiden had ensured just that.

"Mark my words," Lucas muttered under his breath as he started forward. "I'll pay him back. One way or another."

For now, though, he channeled his frustration into something productive: grinding.

Three missions later, Lucas's energy was flagging, but his resolve was only growing stronger.

The first mission had been straightforward — clear out a group of corrupted wildlife near Nexus Haven.

Though the monsters were low-level, their sheer numbers had pushed him to his limits. He'd completed the mission with only a sliver of health left, limping back to town to collect his reward.

The second mission had taken him further out, where he encountered a pack of shadow wolves. They were faster, more cunning than anything he'd faced before, but he adapted quickly, learning their attack patterns and exploiting openings.

By the time the last wolf fell, Lucas was drenched in sweat, his stamina bar dangerously low, but the satisfaction of victory kept him moving.

The third mission had been the hardest yet.

A series of riddles guarded the entrance to a cavern where a rare plant grew — an ingredient needed for crafting powerful potions.

Solving the puzzles required patience and careful observation, and the cavern itself was teeming with hostile creatures.

But Lucas emerged triumphant, the rare plant in hand and another mission completed.

Each mission had earned him experience and loot, which he sold at the Nexus Haven market for a tidy sum.

His inventory was lighter, his coin pouch heavier, and yet he wasn't ready to stop. Not yet.

He was moving on adrenaline alone now, his determination outweighing his exhaustion.

Lucas stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast canyon. The sky above was painted in hues of orange and purple, the game's day-night cycle transitioning into daybreak.

A notification blinked in the corner of his interface, signaling his completion of yet another mission.

His heart pounded in his chest, his breaths coming in sharp gasps.

He hadn't logged out since the incident with Aiden, and the hours of relentless grinding were taking their toll. But as he stood there, surveying the landscape, a strange sensation washed over him.

It was subtle at first — a faint warmth spreading through his body, a tingling sensation in his fingertips. Then, his interface flashed:

[Congratulations! You have unlocked your first class skill: [Monarch Boost].]

Lucas stared at the notification, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. Monarch Boost?

He opened his skill menu, scrolling down to the newly unlocked ability. The description was brief but tantalizing:

[Monarch Boost]

[Effect: Temporarily boosts all stats by 10x for 20 minutes.]

[Cooldown: 2 minutes.]

[Note: This skill is exclusive to the Monarch Class. Its activation is invisible to other players.]

Lucas's heart raced as he reread the description. A skill that could multiply his stats by ten? The implications were staggering. With a trembling hand, he activated the skill.

The change was immediate and overwhelming.

A surge of energy coursed through him, every fiber of his being electrified. His stamina, which had been dangerously low, filled to capacity.

His strength, speed, and agility felt enhanced beyond comprehension. Even his vision seemed sharper, the details of the canyon below suddenly more vivid.

He clenched his fists, marveling at the raw power flowing through him. This wasn't just a boost — it was a transformation.

And yet, despite the exhilaration, Lucas knew he couldn't afford to get carried away. The cooldown was short, but the duration of the boost was finite. He needed to be strategic in its use.

Lucas descended the cliff, his newfound strength allowing him to leap and climb with ease. At the base, he encountered a group of corrupted boars — a challenge that would have required careful planning mere hours ago.

This time, however, Lucas didn't hesitate.

He activated Quick Slash, his enhanced speed allowing him to dispatch the first boar before it could react.

The second and third fell just as easily, their attacks glancing off his armor as if they were nothing.

When the last boar dissolved into pixels, Lucas stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving. His stamina bar had barely dipped, and his health remained untouched.

"This… is incredible," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

The notification confirming the mission's completion appeared shortly after, along with the usual rewards. Lucas barely glanced at them, his thoughts consumed by the potential of his new skill.

By the time Lucas returned to Nexus Haven, the adrenaline was wearing off, replaced by a deep fatigue.

He'd pushed himself harder than ever before, but the results spoke for themselves.

His level had increased significantly, his coin pouch was heavier than ever, and he'd unlocked a skill that set him apart from every other player.

Still, as he approached the familiar glow of the quest shop, Lucas couldn't help but think of Aiden. The betrayal still stung, but now it felt less like a defeat and more like a challenge.