The first move belonged to the monster.
With a terrifying burst of speed, the Ironfang Hound launched itself forward, its massive, razor-sharp claws slicing through the heavily rain-filled air. Kael's every instinct screamed a primal warning. He instinctively stepped backward, trying to create distance, but the creature was unbelievably faster. Its formidable claws slammed into the asphalt precisely where Kael had been standing only a second before, the impact cracking the very ground beneath them. Shards of dark stone and debris flew outwards in a chaotic spray.
Kael reacted instantly, rolling across the slick, wet pavement. He scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. A red system window, stark against the gloom, materialized before his eyes.
[Enemy Analysis]
Ironfang Hound
Level: 5
Threat Level: High
Wiping the rain from his face with the back of his hand, Kael muttered, "Level 5... seriously? You're telling me to fight something stronger than me... with nothing?" The Ironfang Hound let out a low growl, its yellow eyes burning with an unnerving hunger. Then, without further preamble, it charged again, its movement impossibly fast, too fast for Kael to fully process.
"Shadow Step!" he gasped. The world around him dissolved into a blur for a fleeting instant, plunging everything into absolute blackness. Then, as abruptly as it disappeared, Kael reappeared, finding himself standing directly behind the monstrous hound. He stumbled slightly, a wave of surprise washing over him. "That actually worked!" he exclaimed, though his voice was shaky.
But the Ironfang Hound was far from slow-witted. It spun around with astonishing speed, its intelligence proving to be a significant factor. The creature's thick, powerful tail whipped through the air with the force of a steel hammer. BAM! The impact sent Kael hurtling across the street, his back slamming violently into the side of a parked car. A searing wave of pain exploded through his body. "Ghh...!" A new system window popped up, stark and unwelcome.
[Warning]
HP: 78%
Kael groaned, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Great... now I have health bars too." The Ironfang Hound began to approach him slowly, deliberately, each heavy footstep echoing like distant thunder. For the first time since this ordeal began, a cold tendril of fear crept into Kael's chest. He thought, with a sinking heart, *I can't beat this thing.*
Just then, the system chimed again, offering a sliver of guidance.
[Combat Tip]
Exploit enemy weaknesses.
Kael frowned, his gaze fixed on the monstrous beast. "Weakness...?" He scrutinized the Ironfang Hound, taking in its heavily armored body, its thick, menacing claws, its massive, rippling muscles. Then, his eyes landed on something. The creature's eyes. They seemed to be the only part of its formidable body that lacked any protective covering.
Slowly, deliberately, Kael pushed himself to his feet. The relentless rain continued to pour down his face, blurring his vision slightly. The monster let out another deafening roar and surged forward once more. This time, however, Kael didn't retreat. He stood his ground, waiting. Five meters. Four. Three. Two—
"Shadow Step!" he yelled, the world shifting and blurring around him once again. Kael vanished from his previous position. In the next instant, he reappeared directly above the charging monster. His body plummeted through the air, his fist clenching tightly. "Take this!" he roared. With all his might, he drove his fingers straight towards the creature's glowing, vulnerable eye.
CRACK! The Ironfang Hound let out a horrifying, ear-splitting scream as Kael's hand pierced its eye. Black, viscous blood exploded outwards from the wound. The monster thrashed wildly, its massive claws slashing through the air, but Kael managed to leap away just in time, narrowly avoiding being torn to shreds. The creature staggered, now blinded on one side, its movements becoming increasingly erratic and unstable.
Kael's breathing grew heavy, ragged. "Now..." The monster roared again, a sound of pain and fury. But this time, Kael moved first. "Shadow Step!" He reappeared instantly beside its head. With every ounce of strength he could muster, he drove his fist deep into the same gaping wound.
THUD! The Ironfang Hound collapsed to the ground with a shudder that shook the very earth. The monster twitched once, a final, convulsive spasm. Then, it went completely still. Silence descended upon the street once more, broken only by the persistent drumming of the rain. Kael stood there, gasping for breath. "...Did I win?"
The system chimed, a clear, crisp sound that cut through the aftermath.
[Target Eliminated]
Suddenly, multiple red windows flooded Kael's vision.
[Quest Complete]
Begin the Collapse
Reward Granted
Kael blinked, stunned. "Reward?" Another message materialized before him.
[Level Up]
Level 1 → Level 3
A warm, comforting energy surged through his body, erasing the pain in his muscles and restoring his lost strength. Kael clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power. "...Whoa." But the system wasn't finished. Another message appeared, its text rendered in a darker, more ominous shade.
[Hidden Objective Updated]
Kael felt a strange, unsettling chill creep up his spine as the message slowly unfolded.
[The End of the World has begun.]
Kael looked down at the lifeless body of the monster lying in the rain. His chest tightened with a nascent dread. "...You're serious, aren't you?" The crimson letters of the system window flickered ominously. And somewhere, far off in the distance, the first roars of more monsters began to echo through the night. The darkness had only just begun.