The monster was there, now just a flickering silhouette in the shadow of the forest. All around, the world had gone silent. The tension was unbearable, the air thick with menace. Lior and Dean stood, exhausted, on the brink of collapse, but they knew this battle—more than any other—would decide their survival. Their bodies were shattered, their minds frayed, yet a flicker of hope still burned.
Lior, despite his broken ribs and the searing pain twisting through his gut, focused. He felt the earth beneath his feet, the vibrations of the monster's movement. The smell of sweat and blood hung in the humid air. A heavy breath, and a final warning from the system:
> "Current Condition: Imminent Failure."
The monster, formidable and bloodthirsty, stood ready. It knew its chance at victory depended on keeping Lior and Dean under its control. Lior had one shot. One chance.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The ground quivered. The earth answered him. He could feel every movement, every tremor under the surface. He knew where it was. He could trap it. But… he needed to deceive it first.
He slowly turned his head toward Dean, his face bloodied and unreadable, his body broken. He looked like a warrior at the end of his strength, but deep in his eyes still burned that fire that refused to die.
— "Dean… are you ready?" he whispered, voice hoarse.
Dean nodded, determination flashing in his eyes. He didn't need words to understand what Lior wanted. They were united in pain—and strategy.
Dean melted into the shadows. Using his skill Shadow Twin, a perfect copy of himself burst into view, dashing in the opposite direction, shouting to lure the monster. The illusion was flawless—it even mimicked Dean's ragged breathing and desperate movements.
The monster, deceived, launched itself into the air, aiming to strike Dean. But it was only a shadow. The beast roared, a cry of fury and frustration. Too late. It was a trap.
Meanwhile, Lior, in his corner, manipulated a small patch of earth no bigger than his hand, subtly digging beneath the monster's feet. A simple trap, but placed with deadly precision thanks to his telluric perception.
With one final surge, he expanded the pit. The monster plummeted into the hole, impaled by rocky spikes that shot up from the ground. The earth closed in on it. An explosion of dust. Then silence. One final breath.
> "Enemy Eliminated." "Experience Acquired. Level +1." "Skill Unlocked: Night Vision." "Item Acquired: Awakened Rank Sword – Blade of the Black Mist."
Dean stood frozen. His heart pounded. They had won.
Lior, gasping, received his notification as well:
> "Level +1. Unallocated Points: 10."
He chose instantly: 5 into Agility, 5 into Endurance. A soft chill ran through him, as if strength had returned to his torn muscles.
> "Skill Unlocked: Healer."
Healer – Ancient Legend: "There was once a time when the Chosen of the wounded lands could soothe pain and seal wounds with a touch. This skill allows its wielder to slowly regenerate allies over time by channeling earth's energy. The stronger the connection to the land, the faster the healing."
Dean, on his side, saw a violet glow dance before his eyes. A sword materialized in his inventory—a dark, slightly curved blade, cloaked in a living mist.
Blade of the Black Mist – Awakened Rank: Forged in the ashes of a demon lord, this blade amplifies physical attacks and grows stronger in shadow. Its wielder gains increased speed and stealth at night.
But just as they caught their breath, Lior straightened suddenly.
— "Dean…"
He tilted his head, listening.
Hundreds of footsteps. All around them. The darkness was no longer silent. It was alive. Swarming. They were surrounded.
Dean clenched his jaw, eyes scanning the black void. He ordered his now-strengthened shadow to lift his brother. It solidified, wrapping around Lior and gently lifting him off the ground.
Dean glanced around. Eyes in the dark. Shapes. A tide of unknown beasts. They couldn't fight this time. Not now.
— "Hold on, Lior…" he murmured.
Then gave the command.
— "We run."
And the shadows dashed into the night, weaving through trees, as behind them… the horde awakened.
The hunt had only just begun.