The air around Dark grew heavier, thick with the venomous intent of the Seraphic Jungle Guardian. Its molten scales shimmered ominously, reflecting the faint blue light of the crystal still perched on its pedestal. The serpent-like creature let out a guttural roar, shaking the very ground beneath Dark's feet.
Dark rolled his shoulders, glaive in hand, his crimson eyes locked on the hulking creature before him. The shadows swirling around his body pulsed with energy, but he could feel the strain from his previous battles creeping in.
Dark: (thinking, annoyed) This thing's not going down easy. And I'm getting tired of swinging this damn glaive around.
He gritted his teeth and lunged forward, the glaive's edge aimed at the serpent's glistening underbelly. The blade connected, sparks flying as it skidded across the molten scales, barely leaving a scratch.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DAMAGE REDUCED.]
[REASON: HIGH-LEVEL ARMOR INTEGRITY.]
The serpent retaliated instantly, its tail whipping through the air with impossible speed. Dark barely had time to activate Phantom Dodge, his body flickering as he avoided the attack. The force of the tail's impact against the ground sent shards of stone flying in every direction.
Dark: (thinking, frustrated) This is ridiculous. I'm not even scratching it.
He jumped back, glaring at the beast as it reared its massive head, venom dripping from its fangs. For the first time in a while, he felt the faint sting of doubt creeping in.
Dark: (thinking) Alright, time to switch things up.
With a sharp exhale, he opened his inventory. The interface flickered into existence before him, rows upon rows of weapons materializing in an endless list. Axes, spears, maces, even a few bows—each one with its own stats and abilities.
Dark: (thinking, muttering) Let's see what you've got, System.
He grabbed the first weapon—a massive warhammer glowing faintly with runic energy. The weight of it was unfamiliar, but he swung it experimentally before charging at the serpent again. The hammer crashed against the beast's side with a deafening clang, but the serpent barely flinched.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DAMAGE REDUCED.]
[WEAPON EFFECTIVENESS: MINIMAL.]
Dark: (thinking, irritated) Useless.
He tossed the hammer aside and pulled out a pair of gleaming daggers, their edges shimmering with a faint blue glow. He darted toward the serpent, his movements quick and precise as he aimed for its exposed joints. But the daggers, too, barely left a mark.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DAMAGE REDUCED.]
[WEAPON EFFECTIVENESS: MINIMAL.]
Dark: (growling) Are you kidding me?
The serpent lashed out again, forcing Dark to leap back. He scrolled through his inventory rapidly, pulling out weapon after weapon—a golden axe, a long spear, even a massive greatsword that crackled with lightning. But no matter what he used, the result was the same: minimal damage and overwhelming frustration.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DAMAGE REDUCED.]
[WEAPON EFFECTIVENESS: MINIMAL.]
Dark: (thinking, furious) Thousands of weapons, and none of them can touch this thing? What kind of sick joke is this?
He deactivated his inventory, the weapons vanishing as he stood there, panting and glaring at the beast. It loomed over him, its molten scales glowing brighter as if mocking his efforts.
Dark: (thinking, determined) Fine. If the System's arsenal is useless, then I'll use my own.
He closed his eyes briefly, reaching deep into the recesses of his mind. Beyond the System's influence, beyond the constraints of its mechanics, lay a fragment of power that had always been his. A power from before this twisted game had begun. His Arsenal Magic.
Dark: (thinking, smirking) Time to bring out the real weapon.
He extended his hand, and the shadows around him surged, twisting and condensing into a solid form. A dark black katana materialized in his grasp, its blade gleaming with an otherworldly sheen. The hilt was simple, yet elegant, and the weapon exuded an aura so menacing it made the air around it vibrate.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: WEAPON SUMMONED.]
[KYUKETSU: THE LIVING BLADE.]
[WARNING: WEAPON STRENGTH SCALES WITH USER MASTERY.]
Dark: (thinking, grinning) You don't need to warn me. I know exactly what this is.
The serpent seemed to sense the shift in energy. It reared back, hissing loudly as its molten scales flared with heat. But Dark didn't flinch. He tightened his grip on Kyuketsu, the blade feeling like an extension of his own body.
Dark: (calmly) Alright, big guy. Let's see how you handle this.
The serpent lunged, its massive jaws aimed directly at Dark. He didn't move until the last possible second, activating Phantom Dodge to flicker out of the way. In the same motion, he swung Kyuketsu in a wide arc, the blade slicing cleanly through the serpent's thick hide.
For the first time, the beast let out a genuine roar of pain. Dark landed a few feet away, the katana's blade now glowing faintly with a dark aura.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: DAMAGE INCREASED.]
[REASON: KYUKETSU EFFECT ACTIVATED.]
Dark: (thinking, smirking) Now we're getting somewhere.
The serpent thrashed wildly, its tail whipping through the air in a desperate attempt to crush him. Dark weaved through its attacks effortlessly, Kyuketsu's dark aura leaving faint trails of shadow in his wake. With each strike, the blade cut deeper, the serpent's molten scales offering no resistance.
The beast lunged again, its fangs dripping with venom as it aimed to crush him in one final, desperate attack. But Dark was faster. He activated Void Step, appearing above the serpent's head in an instant. With a sharp cry, he brought Kyuketsu down in a single, devastating slash.
The blade cleaved through the serpent's skull, cutting it cleanly in half. The massive creature let out one final roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into a shower of molten shards.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: BOSS DEFEATED.]
[XP GAINED: +20,000.]
[LOOT DROPPED: SERAPHIC CORE (LEGENDARY), MOLTEN FANGS x3 (RARE).]
Dark landed lightly on the ground, Kyuketsu's aura fading slightly as he sheathed the blade. He stared at the pile of glowing loot for a moment before letting out a tired sigh.
Dark: (thinking) Finally. That took way longer than it should've.
He picked up the glowing Seraphic Core, its warm energy pulsing faintly in his hand. The System's notifications flooded his vision, but he ignored most of them, his thoughts still lingering on Kyuketsu.
Dark: (thinking) The System's weapons are garbage. This blade... it's different. It's mine. And if I can figure out how to master it...
He trailed off, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he turned his gaze toward the next portal that had appeared in the distance.
Dark: (thinking) ...then maybe I'll finally cut my way out of this grind.
A Surge of Power
Dark emerged on the other side, his boots landing on soft, damp soil. The air was cool, crisp, and carried the faint scent of pine. He stood on the edge of a vast forest, the canopy above so dense that only scattered beams of light managed to break through.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: NEW AREA UNLOCKED.]
[LOCATION: TWILIGHT GROVE.]
[LEVEL RANGE: 900,000 - 1,000,000.]
[THREAT LEVEL: HIGH.]
Dark: (thinking, scanning the area) A forest. Great. Hope I don't have to fight trees now.
The silence was unnerving. No distant howls, no screeches—just the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. He moved cautiously, Kyuketsu at the ready. Every step felt like walking into an ambush, the shadows beneath the trees shifting unnaturally.
It didn't take long for the first attack to come. A blur of movement shot out from the darkness, aiming straight for his throat. Dark sidestepped, slashing upward with Kyuketsu. The blade caught the creature mid-air, splitting it clean in half.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: ENEMY IDENTIFIED - SHADOWSTALKER WOLF.]
[LEVEL: 950,000.]
[SPECIAL TRAIT: PACK HUNTER.]
Dark: (thinking, annoyed) Of course there's more.
The forest came alive around him. Dozens of glowing eyes appeared in the shadows, each pair belonging to a sleek, black-furred predator. The pack moved as one, circling him with deadly precision.
Dark: (thinking, gripping Kyuketsu tightly) Let's make this quick.
The wolves lunged in unison, their fangs and claws glinting in the dim light. Dark spun, Kyuketsu's blade creating a wide arc that sent shadows rippling through the air. The first wave of wolves fell instantly, their bodies dissolving into black mist.
But the pack didn't relent. Dark moved like a storm, his every strike precise and devastating. The forest echoed with the sound of snarls, growls, and the clash of steel against flesh. Shadows danced around him, amplifying his movements as he tore through the pack.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: ENEMIES DEFEATED.]
[XP GAINED: +30,000,000.]
[CURRENT LEVEL: 980,000.]
Dark paused, his blade dripping with ichor as he surveyed the aftermath. The forest was silent once more, the shadows retreating. He opened his stats menu, glancing at the glowing notification that had appeared.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: LEVEL CAP APPROACHING.]
[NEW OBJECTIVE AVAILABLE: TRAVEL TO WORLD 2 - ???.]
Dark: (thinking, intrigued) World 2? About time.
The notification expanded, revealing a swirling blue portal in the distance. It pulsed with a strange energy, different from anything he'd encountered so far.
Dark: (thinking, smirking) Let's see if the System can finally surprise me.
He sheathed Kyuketsu and started toward the portal, the anticipation building with every step. The grind had been relentless, the challenges brutal, but he was ready for whatever came next.
As he stepped through the portal, the world around him dissolved into darkness.....
To Be Continued...
End Of Arc 3 Chapter 12.