Into the Loa's Wilds
The night breeze swept through the slums like a whisper. Crickets chirped in the background, and the moonlight bathed the cracked rooftops of Cap-Haïtien in silver. In Peterson's room, the air felt still—too still. That was until the window creaked open, and out stepped two figures into the night: Peterson and Lili.
"Are you sure about this?" Peterson whispered, eyeing her cautiously.
Lili, dressed in a long white tunic with gold stitching, nodded, holding two bottles of water. "We don't have time, Peterson. Just as I read from the book this medallion belongs to the Zobop clan, and If the Zobop clan is really after the medallion, you're going to need more than flashy kicks and a skeleton shield and your friends are not strong enough yet, I will also help them to harness their powers, but right now, I want you! To get stronger so you'll be able to protect them aswel. Come on, I know a place, get ready to visit my homeland."
Peterson raised an eyebrow. "You're telling me we're going into the Loa's world in the middle of the night... alone?"
"It's either that or wait for them to rip your soul out. You pick."
Peterson sighed. "Lead the way, Miss Zaka."
Lili uncorked the two water bottles and poured them carefully onto the dirt floor of an empty alley behind Peterson's house. The puddle shimmered, rippling unnaturally. A glowing, swirling gate slowly formed from the liquid, creating a watery mirror. Lili didn't hesitate—she stepped in, and Peterson jumped in aswel without hesitation, following right behind.
They emerged in the Loa's world, tumbling out of a river surrounded by thick, twisted trees and glowing moss. Above them, the sky looked like velvet with swirling galaxies. The air buzzed with magic and something... feral.
Peterson shook off the water. "So this is where the Loas live, huh?"
"Not quite. We're in the Wild Zone. Think of it as the Loa's backyard. Plenty of creatures here, but no godly security. Perfect for a training montage."
They jogged for nearly an hour before arriving at a den, sunken into the ground and lined with bones. A musky stench hung in the air.
"Welcome to the Hyena Den," Lili said, hopping onto a high branch. "Demon hyenas are Great for beginners. Don't let the term 'beginner' fool you. These guys can rip a person in half."
Peterson peered into the pit.
The hyenas were grotesque. Muscular bodies, 4 horns curving backward like ram horns, and spikes from head to tail. Some had two heads, others three. They feasted on a larger beast, bones cracking between their jaws. Their tails ended in jagged sword-like blades that twitched and gleamed in the moonlight.
[System Notification: Quest Updated]
Defeat 20 Demon Hyenas
Reward 1: +200 XP
Reward 2: New Skill Unlock: [Inspect]
Peterson blinked. "Okay, I don't know what that Inspect skill is gonna do for me but I have a good feeling aboutnit."
Lili crossed her legs on the branch. "I'll watch from here. Show me what you've got. Use what you learned. Improvise. Think fast and Fight a little faster this time."
"No pressure," he muttered, summoning his staff. It shimmered into his hand, glowing faintly.
With a quick spin, Peterson transformed it into a curved greatsword. He grinned. "Let's get it started doggies."
He leapt from the tree.
The seven closest hyenas stopped chewing and turned, their glowing green eyes narrowing. Snarls erupted.
"Here we go," Peterson whispered.
The first demon hyena leapt high, its jaw opening unnaturally wide like it could swallow him whole.
"Crap!" Peterson dropped backward in a smooth backflip. As he landed, he slashed upward. His curved blade cleaved clean through the hyena's lower jaw and skull. It yelped once before crashing dead at his feet.
[+10 XP]
Peterson grinned. "This is gonna be easy, One down."
He thought
The other four growled and spread out.
Peterson didn't hesitate. He dashed left, then shifted directions, confusing their charge. He planted a foot and kicked off a rock, launching himself toward the nearest hyena. It lunged—but another one, unnoticed, leapt from the side in a spinning motion.
Peterson gasped. "Oh shoot—"
The beast's tail slammed into him. He barely blocked it with the sword, but the force shattered the weapon into fragments. He was sent flying. He rolled hard, crashing into the base of a tree.
"Peterson!" Lili stood on the branch. "Get up! Don't give them the chance to attack you right away or you'll be dog's food."
Blood dripped from his lip. He clutched his chest, where a long gash burned. Bid of sweats falling off the side of his face and his forehead.
"Okay... that hurt. Damn. I need to get smarter about this or I will end up becoming what she just said."
He crawled to his feet, breathing hard. Nearby, broken pieces of wood and metal laying on the ground.
"Alright," he said, cracking his neck. "Let's get crafty."
He rushed toward a pile of debris. Grabbing pieces of woods, sticks, plastic whatever he can find, he quickly opened his system screen scrolled down to Crafting and selected the items that he want to be Crafted, then set them to auto equip .
[Item crafted 1/1: Wooden Boots: Equipped]
[Item crafted 1/1: Wooden Gloves: Equipped]
[Item crafted 3/3: Chest Piece, Helmet, and Staff: Equipped]
He spun the staff and Transformed it into a Giant Warrior Axe .
Peterson launched himself forward. One hyena charged at him—but he rolled beneath its belly, slicing both front legs with the axe. He spun and slashed diagonally, carving through its midsection.
It collapsed in a heap.
[+10 XP]
"That's two."
Another hyena screeched and rushed. Two more followed. They slashed their tails together like scissors trying to slice him in half.
"Try me!" Peterson shouted.
He dropped low, sliding on the dirt as he spun his axe again Transformed it into a Giant Hammer.
He hurled it upward as he scream. Aaaaaah!
Then, with a massive leap, he shot into the air like a missile.
"PETE big hammer, SMASH!"
He grabbed the hammer mid-air and slammed it down on the skull of one hyena. It cracked like an egg.
[+10 XP]
As he landed, another one lunged. He didn't flinch. Mid-spin, he transformed the hammer into a Curved Sword.
He sliced clean through its neck.
[+10 XP]
Lili whistled. "Nice! That spin transition is sick."
Peterson wiped his forehead. "Gotta keep the flow. Like an anime choreography."
Three hyenas remained. One stepped back, cautious now.
Peterson smirked. "Finally, some fear."
He took a moment to glance at his system.
[XP: 1120/1200]
[Daily Quest Completed]
[You have Leveled Up!]
[SYSTEM LEVEL 11 UNLOCKED]
New Skill Unlocked: [Weapon Mastery I]
Craft speed improved. Transformation cooldown reduced.
"Let's go! THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" he shouted.
From the branch, Lili cheered. "You're starting to fight like someone from the Loa world now! I can now say I'm Proud of you!"
Peterson panted. "Thanks, coach!"
One of the hyenas roared and charged again.
Peterson whispered, "Let's see if you like this one..."
He spun his sword upward, the blade transforming.
[Weapon Transformed: Spiked Chain Whip Equipped]
He snapped it forward.
The chain wrapped around the demon hyena's neck.
With one strong yank, Peterson pulled it into the air and slammed it onto the ground.
[+10 XP]
He cracked his neck again.
"Two more to go."
The last two hyenas circled him cautiously.
Peterson stomped his foot. "Let's dance."