[You have killed a monster – Rank 1 – Level 18]
[You have killed a monster – Rank 1 – Level 15]
Akira immediately turned toward the shaman. His body was still trembling from the lightning's aftereffects, but he resisted and raised his staff. The gem at its tip glowed intensely, releasing dozens of shadow-made arrows from every direction.
Akira retreated while gasping for breath.
"Damn it… that cursed ability again!"
"Calm down. You've already survived the worst," Alice whispered.
"How are we supposed to kill him with abilities like that?"
"To the left!"
Akira leapt instantly. In the next moment, black threads burst out from his right, trying to bind him.
"He's increased the intensity of his attacks…"
Akira pulled back quickly, trying to widen the distance.
At that moment, the goblin shaman began charging toward him. The shadows beneath Akira's feet moved again.
"An old trick…"
He stepped back and fired a Void Spear.
A wall of black shadows rose, absorbing the attack.
He repeated it several times. The result was the same.
"Akira, we can't keep this up."
"I know… do you have a plan?"
"We can attempt a suicidal attack. Are you ready?"
"…I'm ready. What's the plan?"
"We'll use the explosive orb. Throw it at him. I'm certain it'll burn away the dark threads."
"But we'll get caught in it too."
"Better than dying slowly."
Akira distributed his final two stat points.
[Strength +2]
[Strength: 10]
He hurled the red orb with all his strength. At the same time, he began sprinting toward the shaman, his face rigid, muscles tense, eyes blazing.
As the explosive orb neared the goblin shaman—
A Void Spear struck it.
Explosion.
Flames erupted in all directions. The air burned, and vision drowned in a dark crimson glow. Akira didn't stop. He charged straight through the inferno, ignoring the flames devouring his body.
The goblin struggled to form a shield of darkness to protect himself, but the fire was stronger, slowly eroding the barrier.
Akira roared and leapt from the flames, his sword shining with a bloody gleam.
From above, the goblin fired several black spikes toward him.
His body was pierced.
But he did not retreat.
He continued descending, cleaving the goblin's body in half with a decisive downward strike from the sky.
[You have killed a monster – Rank 2 – Level 1]
Akira collapsed to his knees, surrounded by fire and smoke. His chest rose and fell violently. His body bled.
As his body burned and his consciousness faded, system windows fell before him like autumn leaves in a raging storm:
[You have gained 10,000 EXP]
[You have gained 10,000 EXP for killing a Rank 2 classified enemy]
[Stats Updated:]
Strength: +5
Speed: +4
Endurance: +8
Intelligence: +6
Defense: +3
[HP increased by 10]
[Mana increased by 80]
[Mana: 300]
[HP decreased by 2]
[HP: 12/40]
[HP decreased again by 2]
[HP: 10/40]
[You have reached your level cap]
[Please select a class before advancing to Rank 1]
[Determining available options…]
Then—darkness.
He collapsed unconscious as the flames consumed the goblins' remains around him.
Fortunately, the goblin shaman's final attack caused a magical backlash that extinguished the remaining flames near Akira's body. He survived—barely.
"This is the first step…" Alice murmured as she watched him silently.
"I only hope these variables don't affect him too much… otherwise, I'll have to intervene."
Hours passed.
Suddenly, Akira gasped sharply.
He opened his eyes, sweat soaking his brow. Every cell screamed in pain—but his pulse remained steady.
[HP: 20/40]
"Alice… where are you?"
"I'm here."
She appeared in her usual form, smiling gently.
"Any more enemies?"
"No… everything is under control."