Alexander's heart pounded in his chest as he faced the Nightstalker. The system warned him about the impending battle.
Alexander reviewed his abilities, focusing on those that might give him an edge. Acidic Venom and Corrosive Strike could exploit the Nightstalker's weakness - its eyes.
The Nightstalker lunged, its agility and speed formidable. Alexander dodged and weaved, using his Geomancy to create small tremors and disrupt the Nightstalker's footing.
Alexander seized an opportunity to strike, unleashing a stream of Acidic Venom toward the Nightstalker's eyes. The creature recoiled, momentarily blinded.
Alexander capitalized on the Nightstalker's momentary distraction, using Seismic Strike to create a shockwave that knocked the creature off balance.
The battle intensified, with both combatants exchanging blows. Alexander's abilities were put to the test as he struggled to keep up with the Nightstalker's relentless assault.
As the fight wore on, Alexander began to gain the upper hand. His Acidic Adaptation allowed him to withstand the Nightstalker's corrosive attacks, while his Geomancy enabled him to control the terrain.
The Nightstalker unleashed a devastating attack, forcing Alexander to stumble backward. Alexander countered with a powerful Corrosive Strike, aiming directly for the Nightstalker's eyes.
The Nightstalker let out a deafening screech as the Corrosive Strike landed true, dissolving its eyes and rendering it blind. Alexander seized the opportunity, delivering a crushing blow that ended the battle.
---
Alexander's breath came in ragged gasps, the air thick with the stench of acid and scorched fur. The Nightstalker's lifeless body lay twisted at his feet, its once-piercing gaze now hollow pits of dissolved flesh. He'd done it—he'd survived.
> [System Notification]
Quest Complete: Slay 5 Nightstalkers (Progress: 1/5)
+50 EXP
Skill Acquired: Assassination (C)
Ability Acquired: Toughness (E)
Stats Increased
Intelligence: +1
Dexterity: +1
Perception: +5
He leaned against a half-broken shelf in the ruined store, the lingering adrenaline beginning to fade. His heart still thumped from the close-call battle. Acidic Adaptation had saved him. So had his growing synergy with Geomancy—disrupting the terrain gave him just enough edge to survive. I really can win. I just have to keep evolving.
The victory left him with new decisions. 210 experience points pulsed at the edge of his vision like a reminder. And then—his stomach growled. Again.
> "System," Alexander said aloud, "How do I store the leftover food?"
> [Response: You can purchase storage equipment from the System Shop.]
A new screen appeared before his eyes.
---
System Shop — Items Unlocked (Level-Restricted)
Portable Storage Container (50 EXP): Basic container for holding physical items.
Durable Backpack (100 EXP): Holds more items and resists elemental damage.
System Storage (1500 EXP): Digital inventory accessible anywhere.
Health Potion (20 EXP): Restores 50 HP.
Skill Book: Shadow Dance (80 EXP): +Agility, +Stealth (Active stealth and misdirection techniques).
Enchanted Necklace (150 EXP) [LOCKED]: +5 Perception.
Other items: [LOCKED: Unknown Description]
---
The container is practical… but Shadow Dance could keep me alive.
He didn't hesitate. 130 EXP disappeared as he purchased the Portable Storage Container and the Skill Book: Shadow Dance. The container materialized—a sleek, metallic box with extendable compartments. He packed away dried meat, biscuits, and bottled water.
Then he turned his attention to the skill book. As his hand touched it, glowing runes slithered across the surface and dissolved into his skin.
> [New Skill Acquired: Shadow Dance]
Increases Agility and Stealth
Grants passive +2 to Evasion
Enables low-light and shadow combat maneuvers
Alexander's muscles tingled. His movements grew lighter, his stance more instinctive. The room felt slower—more readable.
He stepped into the shadows between shelves and moved without a sound.
"This… this could be what I need to survive."
As he trained, the night deepened outside, but his focus didn't waver. Every motion of Shadow Dance whispered promise—silent steps, lethal precision, controlled breath. In the silence, he imagined facing the next Nightstalker with these new skills, ending it before it even knew he was there.
He wasn't just surviving anymore. He was evolving.
And somewhere beyond the broken store and the ruined world, he knew: others were, too. Whatever was out there—he'd be ready