Each movent flowed into the next. I didn't rush it, didn't force anything unnecessary. The bear was strong, durable, its vitality keeping it moving despite the growing number of wounds, but it lacked refinent.
It was reacting and I wasn't. Another charge ca, heavier this ti, its movent slightly slower now as blood began to affect it.
I stepped to the side at the last mont, pivoting on my heel as I let it pass just enough, then turned with it, the blade already in motion.
This ti, I didn't hold back. The sword cut deep across its neck. The resistance lasted only a fraction longer before giving way, the motion carrying through cleanly as the blade separated head from body in a single, decisive strike.
The bear's body collapsed forward, hitting the dirt with a heavy thud as blood spread quickly beneath it. I exhaled slowly, lowering the blade slightly as I watched it for a mont.
No notification for level up ca.
"Figures," I muttered under my breath.
Before I could think further, movent caught my attention. Two figures burst out from the forest, running straight toward the road.
Humans.
But sothing was off.
Above their heads, the system displayed in red colors:
[Believer – Level 1]
I straightened slightly, tightening my grip on the sword. It wasn't just monsters anymore.
The two n didn't slow down when they reached the edge of the road. For a brief mont, they glanced at each other, sothing unspoken passing between them, and then both of them shifted their focus toward and began running straight in my direction. Their movents were hurried, uneven, breaths heavy as if they had already been running for a while, but what caught my attention wasn't them.
It was what followed.
Three level 1 wolves burst out from the tree line behind them, larger than any normal creature, their bodies lean and powerful, fur darkened and rough, and like everything else in this world, their eyes burned with that sa red glow while curved horns rose from their heads. Their pace was relentless, closing the distance quickly, their growls low and continuous as they locked onto the two n ahead.
I shifted my stance, bringing the sword up again, positioning myself in the open space of the road where I had room to move. The situation was clear without needing words. Whether those two were allies or not didn't matter yet. Right now, the wolves were the imdiate threat.
The n reached seconds later, skidding slightly as they slowed just enough to speak.
"One each," one of them said between breaths, his voice strained but firm as he glanced back toward the approaching wolves. "We take one each."
I gave a short nod and agreed without any resistance.
The wolves didn't hesitate as they closed in, spreading out instinctively as they reached us, each one choosing a target. One of them lunged toward , its body stretching forward with speed that matched its size, claws digging into the dirt as it aid straight for my torso.
I lunged aside just enough, letting its montum carry it past while I brought the blade across its flank, the edge biting in. It growled in pain but twisted mid-motion, recovering faster than expected, its jaws snapping toward as I moved back again, keeping distance rather than committing fully.
I was in no hurry to finish the fight, I had two humans to observe.
I let the wolf co at again, letting the fight stretch just enough. From the corner of my eye, I could see the other two already engaged, their fights far more direct, clashing against their wolves with heavier swings, putting more force into each movent.
They were already tiring. Their breathing grew heavier with each exchange, their steps losing precision, while I continued to move just outside the wolf's full reach, guiding its attacks rather than stopping them outright. When it lunged again, I shifted to the side, letting it overextend before cutting across its shoulder, then stepping back once more, dragging the fight longer than necessary.
Another charge ca, slightly slower this ti, its movents beginning to show the strain of the earlier wounds. I jumped forward, closing the gap just as it lunged, my body turning with the motion as I drove the blade forward.
The sword pierced through its stomach cleanly.
The force of the movent carried it forward onto the blade, a low, broken sound escaping it as its body shuddered, the montum dying instantly. I pulled the blade free and stepped back as it collapsed onto the dirt, its legs giving out beneath it.
A chi echoed in my head.
[Level Up]
[Level 2 → 3]
[Combat Points 10]
[Influence Points 0]
I barely acknowledged it.
The other two fights ended monts later, both n managing to bring down their wolves with heavy, final strikes, their bodies visibly strained as they straightened, catching their breath. For a brief second, the tension eased.
One of them let out a short laugh, wiping sweat from his face as he looked toward .
"Good timing," he said, stepping closer. "We owe you—"
He didn't finish.
The mont he ca within range, his expression shifted. And his body moved. The blade ca toward in a sudden, direct strike, aid straight for my neck.
I was already moving.
The sword in my hand rose instantly, eting his attack with a sharp clash as I deflected it to the side, the force sliding off rather than stopping in place. My body turned with the motion, stepping into the space he had just opened.
The second man reacted imdiately, joining in without hesitation, his own sword swinging in from the side.
I shifted again, adjusting my footing as I kept both of them in front of . Although my perception and stats were no longer the sa I was still able to predict their attacks easily.
"You're a Defier," one of them said through gritted teeth as he swung again. "You shouldn't even be standing here."
"The world will be cleansed," the other added, his blade cutting toward in a wide arc. "We follow divine will."
I chuckled and shook my head. For they were no better than monsters.
Their coordination was decent, their attacks layered, but they lacked refinent. There were gaps in their movents, small openings created every ti they committed too fully, every ti they pushed without control.
I stepped into one of those gaps.
The first man's strike ca slightly wide, and I deflected it just enough to throw him off balance before turning the blade inward, cutting across his side in a clean motion that forced him to stagger back. The second tried to cover imdiately, but his timing was late.
I moved past his swing, closing the distance before he could recover.
My blade drove forward. It pierced through his throat without resistance. He froze for a mont, the strength leaving his body before he collapsed to the ground.
The first one tried to retreat, panic replacing his earlier confidence, but it was already too late. I stepped in again, not giving him the space he needed, and ended it with a single slash on his neck.
[Level Up!]
[Level 3→ 4]
[Combat Points 20]
[Influence Points 0]
[Deathboard Unlocked]
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