Trial by Darkness
The air under the neem tree grew heavy—
so heavy it felt like the earth itself was holding its breath.
Garud stood firm, barefoot on the soil, fists clenched.
The demon before them was nothing like the Lesser Shade.
It stood over seven feet tall, its body thick and muscular, wrapped in cracked black skin like burnt stone. Horns curved backward from its skull, and glowing red symbols pulsed faintly across its chest.
Every step it took left shallow cracks in the ground.
Karan swallowed hard.
"Garud…"
"That thing feels different."
Garud didn't take his eyes off the demon.
"Yeah," he said quietly.
"This one's not a scout."
The system panel flashed violently.
Enemy Identified:
Name: Rift Brute
Class: Mid-tier Demon
Threat Level: Moderate
Special Traits:
High Physical Defense
Regeneration
Enhanced Strength
The demon rolled its neck and grinned, revealing sharp, uneven teeth.
"You killed one of ours," it growled.
"So I came to test you… Heir of Shiva."
It slammed its foot into the ground.
BOOM.
A shockwave rippled outward.
Karan was thrown backward, crashing into the tree.
"KARAN!" Garud shouted.
The demon laughed.
"Distracted already?"
It vanished.
Garud's instincts screamed.
He twisted his body just in time.
A massive fist tore through the air where his head had been a moment earlier.
Garud countered—
driving his elbow straight into the demon's ribs.
THUD.
The impact echoed—but the demon barely moved.
Instead, it grabbed Garud by the arm and threw him across the field.
Garud skidded across the soil, blood trickling from his forehead.
The system warned him instantly.
"HP: 82 / 100"
Garud pushed himself up.
So brute force alone isn't enough…
The demon charged again.
This time, Garud didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
At the last second, he slipped inside the demon's reach and unleashed a rapid barrage—
Punch.
Palm strike.
Knee.
Elbow.
Each strike landed perfectly.
Each strike shook the demon's body.
But the demon didn't fall.
Instead, its wounds began to close.
"Your strength is impressive," the Rift Brute said.
"But you're still human."
Garud breathed deeply.
He remembered Lord Shiva's words.
Your body is a fragile leaf…
Garud closed his eyes for half a second.
Then—
He let go.
The system responded.
"Basic Combat Mastery — Active."
"Sensory Focus — Enhanced."
Time slowed.
He could see the demon's muscles tense before every attack.
He could hear its breath.
Feel the vibration of its movements through the ground.
The Rift Brute swung.
Garud ducked.
Grabbed the demon's wrist.
Twisted.
Then drove his shoulder into its chest and lifted.
The ground cracked as Garud threw the demon over his head, slamming it into the earth.
The demon roared in rage and pain.
Black blood sprayed into the air.
Garud didn't stop.
He mounted the demon and began striking—again and again—each blow carrying perfect balance, timing, and intent.
Cracks spread across the demon's chest.
The glowing symbols flickered.
"IMPOSSIBLE—!" the demon roared.
Garud stood.
Raised his fist.
And brought it down with everything he had.
BOOOOOM.
The earth shattered.
The Rift Brute's body froze—
Then exploded into black smoke and fragments.
Silence fell.
Garud stood there, breathing heavily, his fists shaking.
The system chimed.
"Enemy defeated."
"Mid-tier Demon eliminated."
Notifications flooded his vision.
Level Up!
Strength +7
Stamina +5
Agility +4
Mana +3
Divine Power +3
A new window appeared.
"Loot Detected."
From the demon's dissolving remains, two objects dropped onto the ground.
One was a dark, curved weapon, its blade etched with faint red runes.
The other was a glowing purple crystal pulsing softly.
Garud stared.
"Loot…?"
The system responded.
Item Acquired:
🗡 Rift Cleaver (Uncommon)
Attack Power: +18
Bonus: Increased damage to demonic entities
💠 Demon Soul Stone (Mid-tier)
Can be used for crafting, upgrades, or exchange
Another notification appeared.
"Inventory unlocked."
A transparent space opened in front of Garud—
a grid of empty slots.
The weapon and soul stone automatically moved inside.
Inventory Capacity: 30 Slots
Karan limped over, eyes wide.
"You… punched it to death," he said in disbelief.
"And it dropped items like a game."
Garud nodded slowly.
"Yeah…"
The system wasn't done.
A golden icon appeared.
"New Feature Unlocked."
🛒 System Shop Available
Exchange Demon Soul Stones
Purchase skills, equipment, consumables
Garud clenched his fist.
"So this is how I grow stronger…"
The neem leaves rustled above them.
Somewhere far away—
Something powerful felt the death of the Rift Brute.
And frowned.