10th floor: The Ancient Jungle 3
=====
Name: Seun Adebayo
Level: 25
HP: 1350/1350
Cosmic Energy: 4400/4400
Strength: 40
Intelligence: 45
Agility: 40
Attack: +26
Defense: +26
|Transcendent Skills|
[Cosmic Energy Manipulation (10%)]
|Acquired Skills|
[Cosmic Radiation Resistance Lv.Max], [Abnormal Status Effect Resistance Lv.5]
[Body Enhancement Lv.2]
|System Skills|
[Storage Space]
| Titles |
[Transcendent Mortal], [Master of Cosmic Radiation], [Explorer]
======
"This is great." My status had shown incredible growth; I have leveled up from level 15 to 25, and I even learned a new skill. "I don't really know the criteria at which the system awards skills…"
But the performance of the [Body Enhancement] skill was great; every time it was activated, cosmic energy was consumed by my muscles to bring out more potential from them.
And unlike projecting energy outside, the consumption rate was slow and efficient. The only disadvantage is that the skill level is quite low.
I was also considering using my DC to level it up, but that would be putting the cart before the horse. It was better for me to grow while mastering my skills, since my main skill was not something I completely had control over.
"There was no notification for [Cosmic Energy manipulation]" even though I had leveled up, and I could feel the increase in my reserve. It felt like I had reached a bottleneck. "… or is it because I did not use it more during these fights?"
I wasn't sure, so I moved away from it. I took a moment to absorb the improvements reflected in my status.
Level 25 felt powerful, but I knew the journey ahead was fraught with danger. The jungle around me was still, but I could sense the lurking threats just beyond the trees.
"Time to get that fruit," I muttered, recalling the vibrant orb I had spotted before.
I focused, channeling cosmic energy into my legs. With a sudden burst, I launched myself into the air, gliding smoothly above the treetops.
The sensation of weightlessness was exhilarating. I surveyed the landscape, spotting the fruit dangling from a high branch, glowing like a beacon.
The Luminous Heart Fruits hung from a thick, twisted branch, their semi-transparent skins pulsing faintly like miniature stars.
They were rare, boosting energy regeneration but also attracting predators.
No problem.
I raised my hand and channeled cosmic energy into my fingers. A thin distortion shimmered in the air—a spatial slash.
I swung.
SHNK!
A silent ripple severed the fruit's stem, and it fell. Before it could hit the ground, I opened my storage space and caught it mid-air.
Smirking, I whispered, "Too easy."
But the air shifted.
Just as I secured my prize, a shadow swept across my vision. I glanced up just in time to see a massive flying dinosaur—its wings spanning wider than my body—swooping down toward me.
[Pteranodon]
Level: E-Rank
Hunt Points Per Kill: 20
It was a Pteranodon, its beak sharp and eyes gleaming with hunger.
Instinct kicked in. I twisted midair, dodging its initial strike. "I won't let you eat me that easily!"
I landed on a nearby branch, steadying myself as I prepared for the fight. The Pteranodon screeched, a deafening sound that reverberated through the jungle, summoning its kin from the canopy.
"Great, more of them," I muttered, feeling the air shift as two more Pteranodons swooped in—both larger and more menacing.
I activated [Cosmic Energy Manipulation], feeling the energy surge within me. This time, I projected it outward, forming a shimmering shield in front of me. As the first Pteranodon charged again, I prepared my counterattack.
"Let's see how you handle this!" I unleashed a blast of cosmic energy, the projectile glowing with a bright intensity. It struck the Pteranodon square in the chest.
[200 Damage to Pteranodon]
The creature reeled back, screeching in pain, but it wasn't finished. It rallied its companions, and together they unleashed a coordinated attack. A resonating sound wave erupted from their throats—a group skill designed to disorient and damage.
The sound hit me like a physical blow, sending shockwaves through my body.
[250 Damage to Seun]
I gritted my teeth, feeling the impact. "I can't let them regroup!"
Drawing upon my cosmic energy again, I launched myself into the air once more, weaving between the trees and dodging the incoming attacks. I focused on the nearest Pteranodon, aiming for a precise strike.
"Here goes!" I fired another burst of cosmic energy, this time targeting its wing.
[200 Damage to Pteranodon]
[Hunt Points Awarded: 20]
It spiraled down, crashing into the branches below. But the remaining two were relentless. They circled above, waiting for an opening. I could feel their eyes on me, calculating their next move.
I had to act fast. I activated [Body Enhancement Lv.2], flooding my muscles with energy. My speed doubled, and I launched myself high into the air, aiming for the second Pteranodon.
"Let's end this!" I shouted, sending another wave of cosmic energy at it.
[200 Damage to Pteranodon]
The blast hit true, and the creature faltered, but the first Pteranodon was back on its feet, screeching furiously. It unleashed another sound wave, this time even more powerful than before.
[300 Damage to Seun]
I staggered, my vision blurring momentarily. "Damn it! I can't let them wear me down like this!"
With renewed determination, I focused my energy, channeling it into a massive burst. I aimed at the first Pteranodon, unleashing all my power in one decisive strike.
"Cosmic Blast!" I roared, the energy swirling around me before erupting toward my target.
[300 Damage to Pteranodon]
The Pteranodon howled as the energy enveloped it, and it crumpled to the ground.
[Hunt Points Awarded: 20]
"Just one left," I panted, glancing at the final Pteranodon, which was now circling warily, recognizing its fallen companions.
I could see the hesitation in its eyes. "Time to finish this," I said, gathering cosmic energy.
I shot upward, soaring above the treetops, and then dove down, aiming for the creature with all my might.
"Say goodbye!" I unleashed one final blast of energy.
[300 Damage to Pteranodon]
It was too much for it to handle. The Pteranodon screeched one last time before crashing to the forest floor, motionless.
[Hunt Points Awarded: 20]
[Total Hunt Points Awarded: 460]
The jungle fell silent once more, save for my heavy breathing sounds which normalized just few seconds later.
While the fruit was in my storage space, I couldn't shake the feeling that the jungle still held more secrets and dangers ahead. But for now, I had emerged victorious.
As I glided effortlessly over the forest biome, the vibrant tapestry below unfolded like a living painting.
The canopy was a riot of greens, with sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
I could see winding streams sparkling like silver ribbons and patches of colorful flowers dotting the landscape.
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora, invigorating my senses.
"Beautiful"
In the distance, I spotted the volcano biome to the north, its peak shrouded in a plume of smoke.
The sight was both awe-inspiring and ominous, but I decided against venturing in that direction.
My priority was to meet up with others; I hadn't seen another soul since my arrival.
With a thought, I opened the system interface, and a holographic display shimmered before me. The message read:
[10/60 eliminated. Boss Monster will be forcefully summoned if up to 50 people get eliminated.
I felt a pang of concern for the others. Were they struggling like I had? I resolved to head south, hoping to find allies or at least some signs of life.
As I continued my flight, the lush forest began to thin, the towering trees giving way to a sprawling grassland.
Below me, the terrain shifted from dense foliage to rolling hills dotted with patches of tall grass that swayed gently in the wind.
The sound of rustling vegetation reached my ears, a stark contrast to the serene stillness of the forest.
Curiosity piqued, I activated my enhanced eyesight, honing in on the ground below. The scene that unfolded was chaotic.
Two groups of people.
One group of 20 people was huddled together, encircled by a cluster of Razorclaw raptors.
The other group of 7 was moving after the raptors, but rather than attacking everyone, the creatures were moving in a strange, coordinated manner, as if under the control of an unseen force.
The Razorclaw raptors darted about, chasing after the second group of humans who seemed to be fleeing in panic.
My heart raced. What kind of power could control these formidable dinosaurs? I needed to get closer and assess the situation.
Gliding lower, I prepared to land discreetly, ready to investigate the unexpected dynamics of this bizarre encounter.
As I focused on the fleeing individuals, my heart raced. Among them, I recognized two familiar figures—Elira and Rin. My stomach dropped; this had to be the Earth King's group causing trouble again.
"What are they doing?" I thought, a mix of concern and anger surging through me.
I crouched low amidst the swaying grass, my eyes narrowing as I took in the scene more carefully. Elira and Rin weren't alone.
Around them, a group of nearly twenty people scrambled in disarray, their faces pale with fear and exhaustion.
They were all struggling, and not just against the Razorclaw raptors. The weight of despair was evident in their panicked expressions.
Some carried crude weapons—daggers, makeshift spears, or broken swords—while others were unarmed entirely, their trembling hands clutching at each other as they fled.
The raptors were relentless, snapping and swiping at the group with their razor-sharp claws, forcing the survivors into tighter clusters.
The beasts were toying with them, herding them like prey. And then my eyes flicked toward the Earth King's group, standing smugly in the distance, watching it all unfold.
Their leader's staff glowed faintly, the pulse of its energy mirroring the raptors' precise movements. He was orchestrating this chaos, his power bending the creatures to his will.
I clenched my fists, fury boiling in my chest. Taking a deep breath, I centered myself. "No more," I muttered under my breath, my voice low and resolute.
I surged forward, activating [Cosmic Energy Manipulation] as I moved. The energy coursed through me, crackling and shimmering like a living force as I moved closer to them.
With a swift motion, I extended both hands, feeling the celestial power bend to my will. The air shimmered around me as I conjured a translucent, glowing barrier—[Spatial Barrier]—that separated Elira, Rin, and their group from the raptors and the Earth King's group.
The barrier hummed with raw energy, its surface rippling like liquid glass.
The Razorclaw raptors, confused by the sudden obstruction, snarled and hissed, their attention snapping to me as I stepped forward, placing myself between them and the terrified survivors.
"Come on, then," I said, my voice cold and steady. My eyes locked onto the nearest raptor, its sleek body tensing as it prepared to pounce. "Let's see what you can do."
The first raptor lunged, its claws gleaming as it slashed toward me. I sidestepped effortlessly, the movement fluid and precise. I delivered a blow as well.
[66 damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
My reflexes were sharper than ever, my body responding instinctively as if the energy within me had become an extension of my will. Before the creature could recover, I struck back, driving my fist—radiating cosmic energy—into its side.
[200 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
The raptor screeched, its body crumpling to the ground, lifeless.
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
I blinked in surprise.
That had taken far less effort than I expected. My mind raced as I realized the truth.
It wasn't just that these creatures were weaker than the monsters I'd faced before—it was me. I had grown stronger, far stronger than I had fully realized.
I smiled.
Another raptor charged at me, its razor-sharp claws swiping toward my chest. I caught its movement easily, my enhanced agility allowing me to duck under its attack.
Twisting my body, I drove my palm upward, a concentrated blast of cosmic energy erupting from my hand.
[200 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
The raptor was flung backward, crashing into the ground and lying still.
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
The remaining creatures hesitated, their predatory instinct battling against the realization that their prey was no ordinary target.
"What's wrong?" I taunted, stepping forward and spreading my arms wide. "Not so tough now, are you?"
The raptors snarled in unison, their hesitation giving way to blind aggression as they charged me all at once.
I smirked, the exhilaration of my newfound strength coursing through me.
Activating [Body Enhancement Lv.2], I felt my muscles surge with power, my body moving faster and hitting harder than ever before. Though it felt like overkill against these creatures.
The first raptor leaped toward me, its jaws snapping. I pivoted on my heel, delivering a devastating kick to its head.
[76 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
It collapsed instantly, its body skidding across the ground.
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
Another raptor came from my left, its claws slashing toward my side. I spun around, grabbing its foreleg mid-swing.
With a surge of strength, I hurled it into another raptor, the impact taking them both down.
[76 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
[76 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
The final two raptors circled me warily, their movements less confident now.
I could see the fear in their eyes, realizing they were outmatched. One of them lunged, its claws extended in a desperate attempt.
I sidestepped again, my speed blurring as I closed the distance and drove a glowing fist into its torso.
[200 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
The last raptor froze, its gaze darting between me and its fallen kin.
It let out a low growl, its body trembling as it crouched low, ready to flee. I didn't give it the chance.
Channeling cosmic energy into my palm, I unleashed a small but precise blast, striking it squarely.
[200 Damage to Razorclaw Raptor]
[Hunt Points Awarded: 10]
[Total Hunt Points Awarded: 530]
The final creature collapsed, and a heavy silence fell over the battlefield. I stood amidst the fallen raptors, my chest rising and falling steadily as I caught my breath.
The energy within me still hummed, vibrant and potent. I couldn't deny it—I was stronger than ever before, both in body and in mastery of my abilities.
It looks like even the system was having a hard time gauging the damage points against the now-dead raptors. Whenever I used an energy attack, I dealt 200 damage points.
Without the energy attack and only with the [Body Enhancement Lv.2] bonus, I dealt 76 damage. Either way, a hit was almost enough to end them.
[Host is advised to kill stronger monsters, as you level up and the rank between you and the monsters increases. It becomes easier to kill weaker monsters as their defense stats become useless against attacks from you]
"I understand; that's why they died almost instantly." I said to the system. "You have not been saying anything to me for quite a while."
[Yes, host. I am required to be partial; unless I need to explain something to the host, I won't talk to you]
"That's good."
I turned toward the barrier, where Elira, Rin, and the others stared at me in stunned silence.
Some of them had dropped to their knees, relief washing over their faces as they realized the danger was gone. Well, they were also surprised by my appearance.
But one of the people who recognized me…
Elira stepped forward, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and gratitude.
"Seun," she said softly, her voice trembling. "You… you saved us again."
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "That is not the main thing here."
Because my moment of triumph was short-lived. A deep, mocking laugh echoed across the battlefield, drawing my attention back to the Earth King's group.
A man, probably their leader, stepped forward, his staff glowing ominously once more.
"Impressive," he said, his voice calm. "I don't remember seeing you before."
"Same here," I replied with disdain, my voice dripping with venom. "You must be the fool dubbed Earth-King."
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The seven men stiffened, their gazes snapping toward me, expressions twisting into shock, anger, and disbelief.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then—
"What did you just say?!" One of them, a burly man with a thick beard, took a step forward, his veins bulging. "Say that again, I dare you!"
"This bastard has a death wish!" another spat, his hand clenching around a short sword.
"You arrogant piece of trash!" snarled a younger one, his face red with fury. "Do you even know who you're talking to?"
"Kneel and apologize," a calm but deadly voice cut through the air.
It was the man I met before at the blacksmith shop. His calculating eyes stared at me, his grip tightening on his dagger. "If you value your life, you'll show respect."
"Boss, let me deal with him." One of them, a man with two jagged scars across his face, cracked his knuckles menacingly. "I'll make him eat those words."
The tallest of the seven, a man in knight armor, didn't speak immediately. Instead, he simply glared at me, his aura flaring slightly—a silent warning.
But the Earth King himself?
He remained unmoved.
Unbothered.
His lips curled slightly, almost as if he found the situation amusing.
"You must be the last of the people born with transcendent souls," he mused. "So you think you have the right to disrespect me?"
My eyes narrowed; this was not the reaction I was expecting from him.
"I do. Do you realize what your actions have caused us?"
Their group was silent, not even giving them time to talk. I continued, "Your stupid role-playing is jeopardizing the chance of our dimension survival!"
"So what? Who cares about those fools on earth?"
His very reply made me shut. The determination in his eyes was abnormal.