Daniel walked through the early morning, his recently acquired Omnivision quietly buzzing inside his head.
It seemed like he was observing everything for the time. He perceived the energy in the tall trees, the twinkles of insects beneath the soil and the restless motion of a small underground creature nearby.
He moved with an intent his boots leaving gentle marks on the moss-covered earth.
After collecting a pile of fallen branches he was prepared to head back when his Omnivision switched on not with its usual gentle hum but, with an urgent rhythm.
It served as a caution. Up, beyond a cluster of purple-foliaged shrubs he sensed three clear signs of living beings.
They appeared large, powerful. His hand moved toward the handle of his upgraded Vibro-Knife.
He dropped the firewood without a sound and crept forward, his movements as fluid and silent as a ghost.
Looking through the leaveshe caught sight of them.
In a clearing three enormous snakes lay, their scales gleaming with a golden-yellow shade that blended seamlessly with the speckled light, on the forest floor.
They were enormous, each at least twelve meters long and as thick as his thigh.
Their heads were wide and triangular their unwavering yellow eyes observing the clearing with an intelligence.
Daniel focused intensely, his Databand overlaying the view, with steadfast data.
[Veridian Constrictors - Level 1]
Attributes:
Strength - 11
Vitality -11
Agility - 13
Skills: Venomous Bite, Crippling power.
[Threat Assessment: Dangerous and powerful Grappler, Moderate Venom. Hungry and Very Fast.]
His heart started to race, a rhythmic thump against his chest. Three of them. It was reckless. It was suicidal. But the potential reward was a tempting allure he couldn't resist.
He possessed 24 of the 50 EXP required to attain Level 1. The EXP gained from these creatures would propel him beyond the threshold.
He looked at his Databand. Five assimilation charges remained. A desperate, calculated risk began to form in his mind. This was the moment to trust in himself.
He drew the E-Grade Vibro-Knife from his belt. It seemed sturdy, dependable. It fell short.
[Soul Assimilation successful on E-Grade Vibro-Knife.]
[Assimilation Charges Consumed (4/10 Remaining).]
An invisible wave of energy felt by him enveloped the blade. The steel glowed softly before settling into a stronger shape.
[Item Upgraded: Vibro-Knife upgraded to D-Grade.]
[New Stats: Attack +40. Increased durability and sharpness.]
He went on. Placing a hand over his chest he shielded the E-Grade Deflector Vest concealed under his uniform.
[Assimilation Charges Consumed (3/10 Remaining).]
[Upgraded Item: E-Grade Deflector Vest upgradedto D-Grade.]
[Revised Stats: Defense +40. Improved resilience.]
It consumed two out of the five charges he still possessed. The enhancement, courtesy of the gear was instant.
The knife now seemed a weapon, a direct continuation of his intent. The vest rested firmly on his shoulders a reassuring burden of protection.
He was as ready as he would ever be.
He took a breath to steady himself. Entered the area.
The closest constrictor responded immediately. Its head lunged towards him lifting a meter, above its coiled form.
A long, forked tongue darted out. It's yellow his locked onto his.
There was no hesitation or warning. It leapt!
The snake moved with high velocity, a golden blur of muscle and venom. Instead of retreating, Daniel's mind entered a heightened state of concentration.
He activated his stolen power. [Godspeed Rush]
For an instant, the world seemed to slip into slow motion.
The lunging snake, its fangs dripping with venom, became a slow-motion projectile.
He noticed the distinct muscles flexing beneath its scales, the glint of light in its unblinking eye.
He sidestepped in a smooth, efficient motion that felt impossibly fast.
The snake's jaws snapped shut on empty air, its fangs barely missing him by a mere inch.
He didn't waste the opening. Using the momentum of his dodge he spun on his heel, gripping his newly acquired D-Grade knife in a reverse hold.
He drove the blade deep into the constrictor's exposed side, right behind its head.
The enhanced steel sliced through the thick scales and tough muscles, with a satisfying wet tearing sound that would have been impossible just moments before.
The snake let out a piercing cry. It twisted its massive body violently, coiling and uncoiling in torment.
Just as it did, Omnivision emitted a warning. The other two moved forward, flanking him from both sides.
He jumped backward, pulling his knife out. Suddenly inspired, he forcefully kicked a stone to his left.
The noise of it darting over the clearing was sufficient.
One of the flanking snakes, drawn by the sound and movement, changed its course giving Daniel the opportunity he needed.
He focused on the remaining attacker, the one now directly in front of him.
It lifted itself, its head swaying as it prepared to strike.
He feinted high with his knife, drawing its attention upwards.
As its head rose, he quickly dropped into a squat, his muscles tensed like a coiled spring and, with a sudden burst of power he surged forward.
Gripping the knife with both hands, he thrust it upward in a sweeping motion, the blade flashing before tearing through flesh and bone.
SHUNNK!!!
Its head tore free in a spray of dark blood, soaking the nearby plants!
[You have eliminated: Constrictor (Level 1)]
[Experience Gained: 12 EXP]
[Level 0: 36/50]
He didn't have time to register the notification.
The first snake, wounded and enraged sprang at him. Its massive body hit him, coiling firmly around his chest with force.
His lungs were compressed and briefly a surge of panic ignited.
However, his new D-Grade vest remained intact, the strengthened armor creaking but not shattering under the force.
He found himself trapped, but not helpless .
He raised his knife and stabbed repeatedly, driving the blade into the creature's head with desperate force until it stayed still.
[You have eliminated: Constrictor (Level 1)]
[Experience Gained: 12 EXP]
[Level 0: 48/50]
He shoved the lifeless coils away, from him, struggling to breathe.
Two down. One more to go.
He quickly rose, spinning around to confront the last constrictor. It paused, its reptile instincts evidently confused by the sudden death of its siblings.
It sensed the change inside him. The surge of power, from a fight that should have claimed his life.
It never got the chance to flee.
With a throaty roar., he charged, no longer the cautious survivor but an apex predator claiming his territory.
He faced the snake's assault head-on, sidestepping with impossible grace and delivering a sharp cut, with his knife in one decisive strike.
Silence fell over the blood-soaked clearing.
Daniel stood, gasped for breath, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His skin glistened with a mix of sweat and serpent blood.
A wave of strength, fierce and overwhelming rushed through Daniel. He didn't need to glance at the notification to grasp what had happened.
[You have eliminated: Constrictor (Level 1)]
[Experience Earned: 12 EXP]
[Level 0: 60/50]
[LEVEL UP! You are now Level 1!]
[Level Up Bonus: All Stats +15. Assimilation Charges Restored (10/10).]
[Level 1: 10/250 EXP]
The atmosphere was charged. His exhaustion disappeared, overtaken by a burst of energy.
The small cuts and bruises from the fight seemed to fade away.
He felt stronger, faster and more alive than ever before.
A flood of notifications flooded his vision, but one stood out. A crucial choice that has to be made.
[Talent Evolution Path Unlocked. Please select a Class.]
He scanned the options, his mind racing. He could specialize, focus his power. He wasn't prepared.
He didn't know enough about this world or about the true depths of his own soul. He mentally selected the option to decide later.
First, the spoils. He approached each corpse, placing a hand on their scales.
[Total Gain (from 3 Veridian Constrictors):
Strength- +33
Vitality- +33
Agility- +39
[Assimilation Charges Consumed (7/10 Remaining).]
The rush of power was intense. As he enjoyed it, an unexpected message abruptly appeared.
[Congratulations Aspirant! Achieving your solo triumph against numerous adversaries has earned you a distinctive reward!]
[Reward: One [Bronze Treasure Chest]!]
Before him, a tiny decorative bronze box appeared from nowhere and gently settled on the grass.
He unsealed it carefully.
Inside, resting on a bed of velvet, lay a simple dark blue pouch.
[Celestial Voidpocket]
[Grade: A]
[Capability: Can store up to 150 cubic meters. Objects enclosed remain suspended in time maintaining preservation.]
Daniel's face broke into a sincere grin. This was a revolution. No longer would there be traces left behind. No longer would he wrestle with carcasses.
He quickly butchered one of the massive snakes, selecting the finest pieces of meat and meticulously removing the venom sacs, a resource that could be beneficial later on.
The rest of the carcass along, with the other two, vanished into the Voidpocket.
An hour later he returned to the camp carrying the meat and the firewood he had collected wearing a look of weariness.
Ragnar's eyes widened. "By the Vale, Daniel! Did you take down one of these beasts on your own?"
Daniel inclined his head resting firmly against a tree.
"It was tough ", his voice rough. "I think I caught it napping after a meal. Got lucky with a stab to the eye."
Sophie remained silent. She walked over, her face thoughtful. She picked up a portion of the meat, and started inspecting the slice.
Her gaze then shifted to his knife, the D-Grade blade immaculate and undamged.
A lucky jab, to the eye wouldn't have left such a perfect slice. Her gaze rose to meet his, her suspicion was almost tangible.
She simply nodded. "A lucky kill is still a kill. Good job."
The lie had worked. But as he looked into Sophie's intelligent and questioning eyes, Daniel knew his luck was running out.