The Ruins north of the village loomed against the night sky—crumbling stone arches draped in vines, a faint hum of power pulsing from within. Beelzebub stood at the threshold, Steel Sword in hand, aura a dark tide rolling off him. Level 7, 625 EXP, and stats soaring—Strength at 115, Luck and Charisma now at 40 thanks to Gluttony's relentless hunger. The hidden quest, Trial of the Forgotten, glowed on his HUD: "Enter the Ruins. Reward: Unknown." Unknown meant rare. Rare meant power. His smirk was cold, predatory.
"Time to claim what's mine," he muttered, stepping forward. The air shifted—thicker, charged—as he crossed the boundary. His aura flared, shattering loose stones, a silent declaration to whatever waited inside.
The interior was a maze of corridors, walls etched with faded runes. Torches flickered to life as he passed, casting long shadows. Shadow Cloak rippled over him, blending his form into the darkness—Stealth at 5% from the ring, Mastery ticking to 2/10. A growl echoed ahead. Three Forgotten Hounds materialized—spectral beasts, Level 6, bones visible through translucent flesh.
"Trash," Beelzebub sneered, aura crushing the air. The first lunged; he met it with Razor Rush, Speed at 80 slicing through its neck. It dissolved. "Ding! Strength +5, Speed +4, Defense +3, Mana +2, Luck +1, Charisma +1." The second and third attacked together—claws raking. He parried with Basic Slash (Mastery to 4/10), then unleashed Horned Frenzy, Speed spiking to 120 for ten seconds. Two swift cuts, two more kills. "Strength +10, Speed +8, Defense +6, Mana +4, Luck +2, Charisma +2."
A chest shimmered in the corner—Copper x50, a Health Potion. He pocketed them, aura simmering. Deeper in, the corridor widened into a chamber. The Forgotten Guardian stood—Level 9, a skeletal warrior clad in rusted armor, wielding a massive axe. Its hollow eyes glowed.
"Bow," Beelzebub commanded, King's Roar booming (Mastery to 5/10). The Guardian staggered but swung, axe cleaving the air. He dodged—Speed at 92—then countered with Razor Rush, Steel Sword biting into bone. Sparks flew; the Guardian roared, slamming its axe down. Stone cracked, grazing his leg—HP dropped 8%. He grinned, unshaken. "That all?"
Horned Frenzy flared again, Speed at 138 briefly. He darted behind, Basic Slash shattering its spine (Mastery to 5/10). The Guardian collapsed, dissolving into mist.
"Ding! Forgotten Guardian defeated. Absorbed: Strength +30, Speed +25, Defense +20, Mana +15, Luck +5, Charisma +5, Bone Ward (Skill). Loot: Guardian's Axe x1, Copper x200."
Strength: 155 Speed: 117 Defense: 94 Mana: 51 Luck: 48 Charisma: 48 Skills: Bone Ward (Summon skeletal shield, Mastery: 1/10)
"Ding! Hidden Quest Complete. Reward: 300 EXP, 100 Copper, Random Loot: Forgotten Amulet."
"Ding! Level Up! Reached Level 8. EXP: 925/800."
"Ding! Level Up! Reached Level 9. EXP: 925/900."
The Forgotten Amulet pulsed—+10 Mana, +5% Aura Range. He equipped it, aura swelling, a storm now stretching ten meters. "Not bad," he mused, twirling the Guardian's Axe—too heavy for now, but loot was loot.
POV Shift: Lia, the Twin
Lia perched on a rooftop back in the village, bow in hand, watching the Ruins' faint glow. Level 5 now—she and Mira had cleared a wolf den, but Beelzebub's pace was unreal. "He's Level 9 already," she whispered, HUD scanning his distant tag. Mira climbed up, scowling. "He's a lone wolf. Dangerous." Lia smiled faintly. "Maybe… he'd help us if we asked." Mira huffed. "Dream on. He'd flirt, then ditch us."
Beelzebub emerged from the Ruins, aura a tangible weight crushing the grass. Players scattered; Elara waited at the village edge, her white robes fluttering. "You're unharmed," she said, relief softening her voice.
He stepped closer, aura brushing hers, flirty yet cold. "Worried, priestess? I'm untouchable." She blushed, offering a new quest: "Cleanse the Graveyard. Slay 10 Ghouls. Reward: 100 EXP, 40 Copper, Favor."
"Done," he said, winking. Her trust ticked up—visible in her softened gaze.
Kael approached, bear blood still on his armor, Level 6 now. "Level 9, huh? Cheater."
Beelzebub's aura surged, splintering a nearby fence. "Jealousy's ugly, trash. Level 10's mine—then you're next." Kael smirked, retreating, but fear flickered in his eyes.
The graveyard lay east, tombstones jagged under moonlight. Beelzebub entered, aura flaring—Level 10 was one step away, and nothing would stop him.
Tracker
Level: 9 (EXP: 925/900)
Stats: Strength: 155 | Speed: 117 | Defense: 94 | Mana: 51 | Luck: 48 | Charisma: 48
Talents: Gluttony (Error) – No stat gains from leveling; absorbs all attributes, skills, bloodlines, blessings from defeated beings; duplicates enhance mastery
Powers/Skills: Horned Dash (5/10), King's Roar (5/10), Horned Frenzy (1/10), Basic Slash (5/10), Razor Rush (1/10), Shadow Cloak (2/10), Bone Ward (1/10)
Bloodlines: Human
Blessings: Minor Life (+5% HP regen, 1/10)
Harem: No bonds yet (Twins Lia and Mira intrigued, Priestess Elara softening)
Recent Gains: Strength +40, Speed +37, Defense +29, Mana +21, Luck +8, Charisma +8, 1 Skill
Loot Drops: Guardian's Axe x1, Forgotten Amulet (+10 Mana, +5% Aura Range), Copper x350 (total: 970), Health Potion x1