Bipedal Raptors!
The alien jungle blurred past as Daniel fled the basin of slaughter, putting as much distance behind him as he could.
He moved with purpose, his enhanced Agility carrying him effortlessly over the uneven, springy azure terrain.
The encounter with the mysterious woman had shaken him, but also solidified his resolve. Caution was essential, yes, but so was relentless progress. Stagnation in the Verge meant death.
He found a secluded spot beneath the interwoven branches of several colossal, bioluminescent trees that cast shifting patterns of purple and green light on the ground below.
Checking his surroundings thoroughly with [Aura Sense] and finding no immediate threats, he allowed himself a moment to consolidate his recent gains.
He reviewed the two new skills acquired from Darius's fallen teammates.
[Quick Dodge (F-Grade):] Perform a short, instantaneous burst of movement in a chosen direction (approx. 1 meter). Minor stamina cost. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
[Power Strike (D-Grade):] Channel kinetic energy into a single melee attack (fist or weapon), increasing its impact force by 100%. Moderate mana cost. Cooldown: 30 seconds.
[Quick Dodge] was basic, but its near-instant activation and short cooldown made it a potentially useful tool for micro-adjustments in close combat or escaping sudden grabs.
[Power Strike], however, felt significant. A flat 100% increase to impact force on demand was a substantial boost to his offensive capabilities, especially combined with his already high Strength and his enhanced E-grade Vibro-Knife.
He practiced the mental activation, feeling a surge of kinetic energy gather in his fist, ready to be unleashed. It felt potent, capable of turning a solid hit into a bone-jarring blow.
Then, a familiar chime resonated from his Nexus Interface.
[Detected compatible skill resonance: Kinetic Pulse (D), Power Strike (D).]
[Attempting Skill Fusion?]
Daniel's eyes widened. Another fusion opportunity! [Kinetic Pulse] was his area-denial/disruption skill, while [Power Strike] was a single-target offensive boost. Both were D-grade and manipulated kinetic energy.
Could they combine into something more versatile or powerful? The potential was thrilling.
"Yes," he subvocalized, confirming the fusion attempt.
[...]
[Fusion Successful! New Skill Acquired: Kinetic Hammer (C-Grade)!]
[Kinetic Pulse and Power Strike have been consumed.]
C-Grade! He had fused two D-grade skills into a C-grade one! This confirmed a potential upgrade path: combine lower-grade skills to create higher-tier abilities. He eagerly checked the details of the new skill.
[Skill: Kinetic Hammer (C-Grade):] Manifest a localized field of intense kinetic force around a limb or weapon upon activation. Can be discharged on impact for a devastating single blow (Force +250%, ignores 20% of target's physical defense) OR released as a focused shockwave (Range: 5 meters, Force Moderate, Stagger/Knockback effect). High mana cost. Cooldown: 1 minute.
Daniel felt a jolt of excitement. [Kinetic Hammer] was incredible! It combined the offensive power of [Power Strike] (amplified to +250% force and adding defense penetration!) with the disruptive utility of [Kinetic Pulse] (now a more focused, longer-range shockwave option).
It offered versatility, a devastating single strike or area control, packed into one potent C-grade skill. The high mana cost and longer cooldown were drawbacks, but the power spike was undeniable.
This single fusion had dramatically elevated his combat potential, giving him the powerful offensive tool he previously lacked.
His current skillset now felt much more rounded:
Mobility/Stealth: [Ghoststeps] (D-Grade), [Quick Dodge] (F-Grade)
Perception: [Aura Sense] (E-Grade)
Defense/Utility: [Kinetic Hammer] (C-Grade - Shockwave mode), [Mental Fortitude] (F-Grade)
Offense: [Kinetic Hammer] (C-Grade - Impact mode)
He felt ready. Ready to hunt proactively, not just scavenge. Ready to push towards Level 2 and meet the assessment's minimum requirement.
He checked his EXP: 51/300. Killing Level 1 creatures like the Hounds (15 EXP) or Constrictors (12 EXP) would take too long. He needed Level 2 prey, like the Spike-Backed Ravagers (likely yielding 30-40 EXP each, plus attribute gains from assimilation).
With renewed determination, Daniel set off, actively using [Aura Sense] to seek out stronger life signatures, not just avoid them.
He moved through a region where the crystalline rock formations gave way to denser jungle, the air thick with the scent of alien pollen and damp earth.
His senses picked up a cluster of signatures ahead, multiple moderate-level life forces, moving with a predatory gait. Not Ravagers, something different.
He slowed, activating [Ghoststeps] not for speed, but for its noise reduction, and approached cautiously, his enhanced E-grade Vibro-Knife drawn, the hum of its blade a low thrum in the quiet jungle.
Peering through thick, fan-like leaves, he saw them: three creatures resembling bipedal lizards, standing roughly human height.
Their scales shimmered with an oily iridescence, shifting between dark green and black. They had powerful legs ending in three-toed claws, muscular arms with wickedly sharp talons, and narrow heads dominated by rows of needle-like teeth.
They sniffed the air, patrolling a small clearing dominated by a cluster of large, pulsating egg-like sacs nestled at the base of a giant, moss-covered tree.
Daniel scanned one.
[Shadowscale Raptor - Level 2]
Stats: Moderate Strength, Moderate Vitality, High Agility, Low Spirit.
Abilities: [Stealth Ambush], [Rending Claws]
Threat Assessment: Pack Hunter, Fast, Excels in close-quarters combat. Vulnerable to potent mental or elemental attacks. Currently Guarding Nest.
Three Level 2 Raptors. High Agility, designed for ambushes and vicious melee. Their Low Spirit made them potential targets for future Spirit-based attacks, but his current arsenal was physical.
A challenging fight, but manageable now, especially with [Kinetic Hammer]. And the nest suggested potential rewards beyond just EXP and assimilation.
He decided to strike first, leveraging the element of surprise. He targeted the Raptor furthest to the left, the one slightly separated from the other two.
Taking a deep breath, he focused his intent, channeling mana into his newly acquired C-grade skill. He envisioned the kinetic force gathering around his right fist, a tangible pressure building.
He exploded from cover.
"Boom!"
Even with [Ghoststeps] muffling his footfalls, the sheer force of his launch disturbed the air. He crossed the twenty meters to the target Raptor in less than two seconds, a grey blur against the vibrant green.
The Raptor, alerted by the sudden movement, turned, its reptilian eyes widening fractionally too late. It hissed, raising its claws defensively.
Daniel didn't hesitate. "Kinetic Hammer!" he roared internally, unleashing the stored energy as his fist connected with the Raptor's scaled chest.
BOOM!
The impact was deafening, far louder than any blow he'd landed before. A visible distortion rippled outwards from his fist.
The Raptor's chest caved in with a sickening crunch of bone and scale. The force lifted the creature clean off its feet, sending it flying backwards several meters to crash lifelessly against the trunk of the mossy tree.
The ground beneath the impact point trembled violently. Daniel felt the recoil shudder up his arm, a testament to the immense power unleashed.
[You have slain: Shadowscale Raptor (Level 2)]
[EXP Gained: 35]
[Level 1: 86/300 EXP]
One hit. One kill. The sheer destructive power of the C-grade [Kinetic Hammer], amplified by his Strength and the skill's defense penetration, was staggering.
The remaining two Raptors shrieked in alarm and fury, instantly pinpointing Daniel. They abandoned their guarding positions, charging him simultaneously with terrifying speed, their rending claws extended.
Daniel met their charge, his confidence soaring. This was the power he needed. He sidestepped the first Raptor's lunge using a reactive [Quick Dodge], the creature's claws slashing empty air where he'd been a millisecond before.
As the second Raptor closed in, he activated [Kinetic Hammer] again, this time focusing the discharge into the ground before him as a shockwave.
WHUMP!
A focused wave of kinetic force erupted outwards, slamming into the charging Raptor. It wasn't enough to kill, but the Moderate force sent it stumbling back, disrupting its attack and buying Daniel precious time.
He immediately pivoted, knife flashing, and plunged the E-grade blade into the neck joint of the first Raptor as it recovered from its missed lunge. It shrieked and fell, gurgling.
[You have slain: Shadowscale Raptor (Level 2)]
[EXP Gained: 35]
[Level 1: 121/300 EXP]
The final Raptor, staggered but enraged, lunged again. Daniel, his cooldown on [Kinetic Hammer] still active, met it with his knife and raw strength.
Sparks flew as his vibrating blade scraped against tough scales. He blocked snapping jaws with his forearm, the E-grade vest absorbing the impact, and used his superior Strength (31.1 vs the Raptor's Moderate) to wrestle it off balance before driving his knife into its eye socket.
[You have slain: Shadowscale Raptor (Level 2)]
[EXP Gained: 35]
[Level 1: 156/300 EXP]
Silence fell. Daniel stood amidst the three slain Raptors, breathing slightly heavily but largely unharmed.
He had dispatched three Level 2 predators with decisive speed and power, a feat that would have been impossible just an hour earlier.
He grinned, feeling the thrill of his rapidly growing strength. Now, for the harvest.