The Hunter's Refuge
Kai surged forward, the Talonfang Blade humming with anticipation in his grip. The nightbeast roared, its hulking form lunging at him, claws like blackened obsidian slashing through the air. He ducked, feeling the wind of the strike brush past his cheek. His reflexes, sharpened by the Ancient Beasts System, allowed him to move with deadly precision.
The beast came at him again—faster this time. Kai twisted his body, pivoting on his heel, and activated his weapon's skill.
"Echo Slash!"
A spectral afterimage of the Talonfang Blade lingered in the air just after his first swing, then struck again in perfect succession. The first slash tore into the nightbeast's flank, its flesh splitting, black ichor spilling onto the jungle floor. The second strike, just a breath behind, dug even deeper, severing muscle and shaking the creature to its core.
The beast howled in fury, its crimson eyes burning with rage. Kai knew it wouldn't fall so easily.
The nightbeast leapt again, its jaws unhinging to snap him in half. But this time, Kai was already moving, already calculating, already feeling the instincts of an ancient predator surging through him.
With a sharp inhale, he activated Predator's Instinct—the blade feeding him battle awareness beyond human comprehension. Time slowed. He saw the trajectory of the beast's attack, the angle of its claws, the vulnerable spot near its throat.
He thrust the Talonfang Blade forward.
The weapon sang as it plunged deep into the creature's neck, its howl cut short by the deathly precision of the strike. A final tremor ran through the beast before it collapsed, its body twitching once, twice—then still.
Kai exhaled, his chest rising and falling. The jungle was silent except for the faint hum of his blade.
Then, the notification flashed before his eyes.
**[Battle Complete!]**
**XP Gained: 500**
**Level Up! Kai: LV 5**
**Stat Points Available: +50**
His body crackled with newfound energy. Kai wasted no time—he distributed the stat points carefully:
Here are Kai's updated stats after leveling up to **LV 5** and distributing his **50 stat points**:
### **Kai's Stats – LV 5**
- **Strength:** 15 → **30** (+15)
- **Agility:** 12 → **22** (+10)
- **Endurance:** 10 → **20** (+10)
- **Perception:** 8 → **18** (+10)
- **Vitality:** 10 → **15** (+5)
- **XP:** **500 / 800** (Next Level: LV 6)
**Abilities & Equipment**
- **Ancient Beast Skill:** Wrath of Fenrir (Berserker Rage)
- **Ancient Beast Weapon:** Talonfang Blade (Predatory Instinct, Spirit Cleave, Echo Slash, Bloodbound Awakening, Beast Howl)
- **System Unlock:** Ancient Beasts System
Kai ventured deeper into the jungle, his senses on high alert. The air grew thick with heat, the scent of scorched earth filling his nostrils. Something was wrong.
Then he saw it.
A **Blazehorn**, a beast wreathed in living flame, stepped forward from the shadows. Its body was a fusion of flesh and molten fire, its crimson horns radiating deadly heat. The jungle around it wilted, the ground beneath its hooves blackened.
Kai narrowed his eyes. This battle was going to be different.
The Blazehorn charged, embers scattering as its hooves pounded the earth. Kai sidestepped, feeling the oppressive heat graze his skin. The beast twisted, swinging its fiery horns—an attack that could incinerate anything it touched.
Kai activated Predator's Instinct. The world slowed. He saw the beast's movement, tracked its rhythm, sensed the perfect opening.
The Talonfang Blade shimmered as he lunged forward.
**Echo Slash!**
Kai's strike landed—twice. The first cut cleaved through the beast's thick hide, revealing burning muscle beneath. The second slash dug deeper, sending a shockwave of force through the creature's body.
The Blazehorn shrieked, staggering back, flames licking at the wound. But it wasn't finished.
With an enraged roar, the beast unleashed a wave of fire, the air igniting in an explosion of heat. Kai barely had time to react—his instincts screamed at him to move.
Wrath of Fenrir—Activated!
His body surged with power, muscles coiling like a predator ready to kill. His speed doubled, his senses sharpened, and his grip tightened around the Talonfang Blade.
He saw it—the Blazehorn's exposed neck, its weakened stance. Now was the time.
He vanished in a blur.
Talonfang Blade—Spirit Cleave!
The blade flashed, cutting straight through fire and flesh alike. In a single, perfect stroke, Kai decapitated the beast,its head rolling across the scorched earth. The flames around it flickered, then died.
Silence followed.
Then, the notification appeared.
**[Battle Complete!]**
**XP Gained: 700**
**Level Up! Kai: LV 7**
**Stat Points Available: +40**
Kai **distributed his new stat points** strategically:
**Updated Stats – LV 7**
- **Strength:** 30 → **42** (+12) ⚔️
- **Agility:** 22 → **34** (+12)
- **Endurance:** 20 → **30** (+10)
- **Perception:** 18 → **26** (+8)
- **Vitality:** 15 → **20** (+5)
- **XP:** **700 / 1000** (Next Level: LV 8)
**Abilities & Equipment**
- **Ancient Beast Skill:** Wrath of Fenrir (Berserker Rage)
- **Ancient Beast Weapon:** Talonfang Blade (Predatory Instinct, Spirit Cleave, Echo Slash, Bloodbound Awakening, Beast Howl)
- **System Unlock:** Ancient Beasts System
Kai exhaled, rolling his shoulders. The jungle had given him another challenge—and he had conquered it. But he knew stronger foes awaited.
Kai trudged through the dense jungle, his body aching from battle, his mind sharp with lingering adrenaline. The heat from the fight still clung to his skin, the scent of burnt foliage and blood thick in the humid air. He needed rest—his muscles screamed for it, his instincts warned him that pushing forward recklessly would be a mistake.
As he moved through the underbrush, something caught his eye—a structure, barely visible behind a curtain of twisted vines. He slowed his pace, narrowing his eyes. A shed? Out here? It was unlikely, almost impossible, yet there it stood—worn, abandoned, but standing.
Kai approached cautiously, brushing his fingers along the decayed wood of the outer walls. The door hung slightly ajar, its hinges rusted, groaning as he pushed it open. *Darkness. Silence. Dust. No signs of recent life. The air inside was thick with the scent of damp wood and old earth.
But it was shelter.
He stepped inside, scanning his surroundings. A single wooden cot sat against the far wall, a faded blanket draped over it, untouched for years. An old shelf leaned against another corner, its contents long decayed. It wasn't much, but it would do.
Kai let out a slow breath. He had survived another fight. The jungle had thrown its worst at him today, and he had won. Now, for a few fleeting hours, he could lower his guard. Tomorrow, the hunt would continue.
And when it did, he would be stronger.