Rustle.
Kael's body shifted instantly. Thanks to his heightened Perception, the sound didn't go unnoticed. His crimson eyes flicked toward the underbrush right as it lunged out.
A Sabertooth Tiger.
Towering above a regular predator, its fur shimmered faintly with mana, muscles coiled with power. Twin fangs glistened like swords, eyes locked on Kael like a beast that had found prey.
Kael didn't flinch.
He unsheathed his sword, black shadow energy licking the blade's edge, and took a deep stance.
Innate Skill
"Calm Mind."
Instantly, the world seemed quieter. His heart rate dropped. Panic faded. His breathing slowed.
Stay composed. React, don't rush.
The beast roared and charged.
Kael sidestepped barely letting the massive paw swing past his face before slicing upward, his blade grazing its leg.
The tiger whirled around, blood streaking its white fur.
Kael felt the air shift. His brain clicked.
"Battle Perception."
The moment he activated the skill, everything slowed. He could see the beast's shoulders coil before its next leap and he moved before it did.
Swipe. Duck. Slash. Roll. Counter.
Kael danced between deadly blows, his movements slowly picking up speed. The shadows around his feet grew thinner, lighter, faster.
A familiar glow appeared beneath him Swift Steps, a skill he'd created days ago using his Story Distortion ability.
> Skill Created: Swift Steps
Your speed and agility increase slowly the longer you're in combat.
Cost: 10 points to create. Mana required to sustain. Growth potential: High.
With each passing second, Kael's footwork became lighter, faster. His attacks grew sharper. The sabertooth tiger began faltering, snarling in frustration as it missed again and again.
And finally...
Kael saw it.
An opening.
He kicked off a tree, sword trailing with black energy, and plunged his blade into the beast's neck. The shadow aura erupted outward like a shockwave.
The beast fell. Twitching. Then still.
Blood steamed on the forest floor.
Kael stood there, panting. The world around him seemed to exhale as well.
"System."
---
Level Up!
You have reached Level 4.
+10 Stamina
+2 System Points Awarded
---
Kael looked down at the fallen beast, then at his trembling hand.
"I really did it…"
A grin pulled at the corners of his lips not from pride, but from something deeper.
Excitement.
Because this was only the beginning.