Elian stood at the forest's edge, his piercing red eyes scanning the dimly lit terrain. The air carried the scent of damp earth and lingering traces of mana, evidence of the creatures lurking within. Tonight, he wouldn't hold back—he would push himself further, testing his system's newly enhanced structure.
With a slow exhale, he stepped forward. The trees stretched like towering sentinels, their ancient presence casting long shadows beneath the moonlight. His instincts sharpened, his body attuned to the faintest disturbances. Hunting was no longer just survival—it was a path to power.
A rustling to his left. Fast. Elian barely turned before something lunged from the underbrush.
[Beast Identified: Shadowfang Panther – Level 7]
Threat Level: Moderate
Abilities: Shadow Meld, Enhanced Agility, Razor Claws
The system's Inspect skill activated automatically, feeding him critical details in a split second. A smirk played on his lips—this was exactly what he needed.
The Shadowfang Panther circled him, its sleek black fur blending into the darkness. Then, in a blur of motion, it struck.
Too slow.
Elian sidestepped effortlessly, his enhanced Agility making the panther's speed seem sluggish in comparison. He pivoted, his fingers flickering with magic.
[Fire Manipulation – Ignition]
A small burst of flame erupted from his palm, illuminating the beast's glowing yellow eyes. The panther recoiled but didn't retreat. Instead, it melded into the shadows, vanishing entirely from sight.
Elian's smirk faded. Interesting.
A whisper of movement behind him—he spun just as the beast pounced. This time, he didn't dodge. His hands moved instinctively, weaving shadows around him.
[Shadow Cloak – Activation]
The darkness swallowed him whole. The panther's claws passed through empty space.
Elian reappeared just behind it. His blade was already descending.
The panther barely had time to register its mistake before steel met flesh. A clean strike to the neck—swift, precise, lethal.
[EXP Gained: 200]
[Level Up Progress: 350/500]
Elian exhaled, watching as the beast crumpled. Its body began to dissipate into raw energy, leaving behind a few usable materials. The system promptly listed them:
Shadowfang Hide (High Quality)
Panther Claw (Sharp Grade)
Mana Core (Lesser Grade)
He retrieved the materials, his mind already considering their worth. In the right market, these could fetch a decent price.
Eve's voice chimed in.
"Efficient. If you maintain this pace, reaching the next level will be a matter of time."
Elian nodded, his gaze shifting toward the deeper part of the forest. One kill was just the beginning.
Tonight, he wouldn't stop until the system recognized his growth.