Tir-tring
[Reward:20 EXP]
Corrupted Core Spirit defeated: 4 / 5
Kaito's body was ruined, his left arm hanging uselessly, blood against his skin dried moments ago, yet the sound dragged him closer to stubbornness.
By now he had already taken down four corrupted core spirits, but it wasn't enough. He still need one more to accomplish his daily quest. His body might be screaming in pain, and ever since his first kill the more he feels like a beast, and with that victory brought no satisfaction.
He exhaled heavily gazing at the creatures dead body. His arms shook uncontrollably, legs burning from exertion and yet there was a subtle shift in him. He was stronger than before, and not just in muscle and endurance but in resolve too. His mind once frantic and panicked, had begun to harden.
He carried on walking, glancing across the corrupted plain.
KRRRRSHHH
"Well that was quick." he immediately changed his stance, holding the bone fragment like a katana.
The creature was larger than the others he encountered before, its whole body was thick a gum. It's movements were slow and good enough to suit it's body. It scanned the area, sensing Kaito's presence, as soon as it saw him it didn't rush. It was the culmination of threats he had face so far and the stakes were unmistakably high, it's strong.
Kaito allowed his breath to slow, focusing on his movements. He stepped forward.
He attempted struck the creature with one blow, failing to do so, it didn't give him a chance to earn that moment.
Flash!
Kaito's eyes widened as he realizes the certain speed that creature possesses, it's almost impossible for something that big to move this fast. His predictions were right the way it just dodged him, there is no doubt about it, its both smart and strong.
"Great, it has the b*lls to think."
Before he could make any sudden moves, it charged.
SKRRRAA
It launched itself onto a neaby rock formation, it's claws dung in the leapt again, vanishing in the sky above.
"Where did you-!?"
CRASH!
The creature stepped on top of him, he barely had time to gasp before claws dug into his shoulders, intense amount of pain flooding in uninvited.
"Euh..... Euh, euh....."
The creature dragged him with terrifying strength, its clicking growing faster than before.
TIK...TIK...TIK.
Kaito slammed his heel down hard, connecting with something solid, followed with the creature's hissing
SSKKKRR!
He twisted, grabbing the bone fragment he held moments ago, driving it backward without looking.
STAB!!
Purple blood splashed across his face.The creature recoiled releasing him, skittering backward with unnatural speed. It clung to a rock and head twitching erratically.
Kaito scrambled away, gasping.
"You are one tough bastard huh." he muttered.
The creature lunged again.
Kaito rolled out of the way, claws threatening they would have caught him if he hadn't dodged.
"Don't you think it's a bit to early for that."
TIK... TIK.. TIK..
The creature circled him, clicking incessantly, pouncing before he could exhale.
SKRRRRAA!
Kaito rolled to the side, piercing it's skin as it landed. Without hesitating, he immediately titled his hand stabbing until satisfaction.
STAB!
STAB!
STAB!
Purple blood sprayed everywhere, soaking his hands, his face and the ground beneath them.
The creature convulsed violently until it no longer had the power to do so.
Kaito collapsed right on top of it, breathing heavily.
"I told you.. It's...too early for that." he whispered.
Tti-ring.
[Reward:100 EXP]
[Corrupted Core Spirits defeated: 5/5]
[You've completed the 'Daily Quest.']
[Level up!]
"My level rose up?"
Kaito curiously accessed his Status Window to see if he wasn't hallucinating.
Name: Kaito Sakurama
Race:Human
Level:2
Rank: Zero Grader
Core-trait: None
Title: None
HP:15/100
Core Enery:10
Fatigue:26
[Attributes]
Vitality:10
Strength:10
Stamina:10
Agility:10
[Skill Points Available=9]
******
"Huh!!" he froze.
He swallowed thickly, remembering what he has gone through, he survived, fought and had to adapt in a place where darkness and solid thick air circulated. He forced himself in siting position, he allowed himself to imagine a future where he could escape this place and see the sky once again.
"I actually did it," he whispered hoarsely. "I survived five.. Corrupted core spirits.." He shuddered, a combination of exhaustion and triumph rolling though him.
With his trembling fingers, he went to the Status Window straight to Attributes, skill allocation. Every stat felt like a piece of himself being rebuilt. HP meant endurance, Stamina, one lasts long in fights, and with strength he had control over his body. This brought challenge or what could be labeled as "moral dilema." With the system providing no guidance, the responsibility was entirely his.
Finally, he allocated all the points to Vitality. With all the points located there his vitality rose at a certain level that even corrupted core spirits won't kill him that easily.
"I can fight now... I can survive,"
He closed his eyes and smiled. For the first time ever since he been here, Kaito allowed himself to smile.
He clawed his way through fear, through pain, fear, and hard work.
…Or so he thought.
A sharp sound broke the silence.
Grrrrrrr...
He froze.
"…Huh?"
Then again.
Another sound followed, longer this time, deeper, twisting unpleasantly inside.
GrrrrrrRRAAAWL!
His stomach cramped, this sudden sensation alone was enough to make him wince. He immediately wrapped an arm around his abdomen.
"Oh," he muttered faintly. "Right."
He hadn't eaten, not even once, since he woke up, fought and bled to survive.
"So that's how it gets me,"
Another painful rumble answered him.
"Hunger,"
His vision blurred slightly as his body reminded him of its limits. Strength, resolve, levels… none of it mattered if he starved to death in the dark. He leaned back against the creature, exhaling slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.
"…One problem at a time,".
"What am I even going to eat in a place like this"
He span around slowly, reading the land like the answer might come.