The creature stepped out from the shadows of the broken stone archway. By the light of the two moons that hung low in the sky, Mark could see his opponent clearly.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv5LaS4HOG
A massive cat, the size of a tiger but with impossibly sleek black fur, prowled forward. Along the length of its spine, there ran a series of bones, and its paws were massive, ending in long, serrated claws that clicked against the stone floor. But the sight of the long, serpentine tail that split into two at the end was what drew Mark’s attention the most.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXYrmsLn4f
Mark focused on the creature and used the system command. “Inspect.”
[Shadow Panther – Level 4 (Agile)]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQOGEW7k4r
[HP: 130/130]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0hDEbxaEO
[Mana: 40/40]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujpPVNQ3Mn
[Biography: A stealthy predator that preys on larger foes, using a combination of speed and shadow element magic while striking from the advantage of elevated terrain.]
“An agile type,” muttered Mark, tightening his grip on the hilt of his short sword. “Speed vs. speed.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjj6pXsa14
Unlike the goblins, the panther did not waste time with idle chatter. It was a monster after all, and Mark had no intention of letting it reach its full potential. The cat dropped to the floor and silently melted into the long grass. The panther moved in short bursts that deceived the eye. It was feinting and weaving to throw off his depth perception.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkh4hHnEtMZ
Mark’s tactical mind was already working several steps ahead. Fighting a fast opponent in an open and relatively flat area was a poor idea, particularly with one as experienced as this. He had to remove the element of surprise from the fight, and he knew just how to do it.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYPJXiBWDt
He moved backward quickly, his gloved boots sliding on the smooth stone floor. He was now standing with his back to a large, standing pillar.
“Now you don’t have many options,” said Mark.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Agb24ohn5
The panther wasted no time testing the new conditions. It bounded forward with frightening speed, almost too fast to track. Mark barely had time to register the blur of motion before the panther was on him. It landed a powerful blow with its tail, sending a jolt of pain down Mark’s side, but the young warrior was fast enough to dodge the next strike.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLXAmOjSQf
Using his increased agility, Mark followed the motion of the panther’s limbs. It was a textbook example of an aerial strike. With its front claws extended, the cat came down with all its strength behind it to dig into Mark’s torso.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFSbc1ou5I
“Minor Cleave!” shouted Mark.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡam9RuzB0dL
Using both hands to grip his iron short sword, he swung in a wide arc to meet the oncoming strike. A whisper of gray energy shimmered from the edge of his blade in response to the command. Taking advantage of minor cleave’s wide sweeping motion, Mark brought the reinforced blade across the panther’s midsection.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzk9jK7V0Jh
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBn2KMNpcL
[Skill Active: Minor Cleave! You dealt 24 damage to Shadow Panther.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7in30SWX75
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNo5y4FnZdf
The panther yelped in pain as it flew through the air, landing on its side in the grass next to the pillar. Obviously, it was surprised by the sudden change in momentum, but the beast was not so easy to finish off. As Mark prepared a follow-up attack, the panther rolled sideways and brought its tail across his torso again. The long bone projections on the end of the tail tore through his shirt, drawing blood.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpeOZxRnoC
84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeDw4FKGIt
[You took 18 damage. HP: 102/120]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gvEs3uzdk
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Mark stumbled backward, away from the pillar. The sight of the red liquid on his shirt was not reassuring. He was still quite fast, as he had no intention of dying today. His agility allowed him to roll out of the way of the panther’s next attack, which sliced off the top of the pillar. A strange purple fluid oozed from the fresh wound.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWK93LExpB
“Blast it!” Mark spat out a mixture of blood and saliva. The smell of burnt meat was making him sick. “That spell would’ve taken some of my skin if it had landed!”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwORUAWK9Yf
Mark took another tactical step back and prepared for the next attack. He could not keep dodging like this. Every time the cat used magic to attack, he ended up farther away than he was before. It was a slow, steady process, but the beast was definitely trying to kill him.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ez8Ak9ras
The panther growled, and a strange orb of shadowy energy formed between its jaws. Mark’s eyes widened. He knew that a spell like this would be very hard to stop mid-flight. His instincts screamed at him to roll away, but his military training reminded him of a certain old proverb. “Offense is the best defense.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlxbr6HQnm
The cat shot the ball of energy toward his heart, but Mark did not try to block the attack. Instead, he used his knowledge in the military to his advantage.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixvB75Xg7N
“Dive to your left!” he shouted.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIc8nlRiWku
He propelled himself forward with a burst of speed from his iron-plated boots. His instincts guided him as he rolled to the right, skidding along the rocky floor. The sphere of energy that had been aimed directly at him exploded against the pillar. Steam rose from the now smoking stone as the acidic fumes ate through the fabric of Mark’s trousers. He stopped behind the cover of the pillar and took a few steadying breaths.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcPwuYIG9W
If the shot had landed, his leather vest would’ve been eaten right through. Mark was not about to give the panther another chance to cast. He needed to close the distance and end this fight before he ran out of time. With a grunt of effort, he pushed forward again, his heavy boots pounding against the stone. He was fast, but not fast enough to avoid the next attack. The panther jumped back to gain some distance, but it was not far enough. Mark was already close enough to land a killing blow.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwzf8BEuU8
“Heavy Strike!” he roared.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IoUphMzpg
The reinforced steel of his short sword sparked with brilliant blue electricity as he drove it forward. The panther tried to roll away, but its speed was nothing compared to Mark’s. His enhanced strength and agility allowed him to follow through on the attack. He felt a sickening squish as the blade sank into the feline’s hindquarter.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPsAdcaP2I
[Critical Hit! Heavy Strike Active! You dealt 52 damage to the Shadow Panther.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvibGgOrBxC
[Target’s leg is crippled! Movement speed reduced by 50%.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42MLmOBFp3
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The big cat landed hard on its side, emitting a pained, guttural noise. With its hind leg rendered useless, the panther’s speed was significantly reduced. It rolled onto its stomach and attempted to drag itself away, letting out a series of angry hisses. Mark knew better than to be merciful. When fighting, a warrior had to have no heart. Even the smallest amount of hesitation could cost him his life.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh2gLCaqCf
Moving quickly to sidestep the snapping jaws, he brought the short sword up in both hands. With as much effort as he could muster, he drove the blade downward, piercing through the thick skull of the panther. With one final, feeble twitch, the cat’s red eyes dimmed and turned to black. Moments later, its body disintegrated into black smoke, leaving behind its looted remains on the grass.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKeALHbLuZ
[Target Defeated! Shadow Panther (Level 4) – Killed.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhy5ouzxOBp
[You gained 90 XP.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQIuVAJqeRo
[XP: 245/300 to Level 4.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXUn5GVWRz
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Mark pulled his short sword free of the panther’s skull and wiped the blade clean. As he leaned against the pillar, his breathing slowed to a steady pace. He checked his health. He had taken some damage, but the shallow puncture wounds on his side were already stopping the flow of blood thanks to his high constitution. With a grim look, he moved to where the panther’s body had been and searched through the torn remains. True to form, there were no coins, but there were two useful items.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCI70K0SmC
[You have looted the following items:]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxwv0x5hzj
1 x Shadow Panther Pelt (Material): A tough and stretchy piece of black fur that is resistant to dark magic. Can be sold or used to craft armor.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEGolLBtOx
Beast Core: Shadow (Common): A glowing purple crystal containing the raw essence of the Shadow element. Can be consumed to permanently raise your Mana by +10 or used for crafting.
Mark took the purple crystal and examined it. He did not know much about crafting, but having more mana was always a good thing. His skills consumed a decent amount, and Mark had little to spare.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIiatEiDQN
“Consume,” he muttered.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGGByrgWSf
The crystal in his hand dissolved, leaving behind a stream of cool, violet liquid that traveled up his arm and into his chest. A pleasing sensation soon spread throughout his body as the mana settled.
[Beast Core Consumed! Your Max Mana increased permanently by +10.]84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOzNry9HWQ
[Mana: 40/40.]
Mark nodded approvingly at the change. He placed the shadow pelt into his system inventory and stood. He made his way to the edge of the ruined courtyard and climbed atop the rubble. He had a perfect view of what the land looked like beyond the broken keep. For the first time since he had entered this world, Mark was not underground. The sight was breathtaking. The ruined castle was nothing compared to the sight of the forest that stretched miles below him. The trees were massive, their canopies forming a dark green mass of interlocking leaves. Further still, beyond the reach of the trees, he could make out the distant glow of lights. It was the flickering of torches and the lights of a walled city.84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqN5U7k1kDz
“A town,” murmured Mark, feeling something akin to wonder. “It looks like there are people down there.”84Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnODm9T48Vf
The journey through the dungeon had been brutal, but at least he had survived it. Naked and hungry, Mark had entered the catacombs, and now he was a level 3 fighter with new skills and equipment. He looked down at the dark path that twisted its way through the forest. It was not going to be easy, but Mark Vance was a soldier, and he knew his duty. He checked his mini-map and adjusted the straps of his spear before stepping down the hillside toward civilization.
and then Add to home screen.