Still catching my breath from the recent skirmish, I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, a heady mix of exhilaration and dread from my first kill.

But the appearance of two more Wendigos was like a punch to the gut. I swiveled my head to assess the new threat, my heart pounding in my chest.

Sevvy II and Sevvy III, as menacing as the original Sevvy, moved with a grotesque grace under the eerie blue glow. Their bone-white skin glistened, and their eyes gleamed with a dangerous intelligence.

Great, just what I needed, I muttered through gritted teeth, raising my sword. Cold sweat trickled down my brow, contrasting sharply with the adrenaline burning through me.

Their eyes locked onto me, their predatory intent palpable. They moved cautiously, perhaps having learned from the fallen Sevvy and the wounded Octo.

The thrill of my first kill still buzzed through me, but there was no time to savor it. Gotta finish this quickly, he thought, weighing his options. Can't wait for others to join. With my Spatial Perception and Sword Mastery now at higher levels, I had the confidence to make every movement count. Instead of being passive, it was time to take the lead.

I lunged at Sevvy II. Its claws swiped at me with terrifying speed, challenging my spatial perception. I sidestepped, feeling the air from the swipe ruffle my hair, and countered with a swift cut. My blade sank into Sevvy II’s shoulder, drawing a howl of pain.

Spatial Perception Lvl 5 -> 6

The skill range increased in distance, and I could now see six feet around me.

Sevvy III was already closing in. Its clawed hand whipped out in an unpredictable arc. I barely managed to block, the clash of claws against sword sending a shudder through my arms. I gritted my teeth and pushed back. Not getting an increase in my strength stats or level was really grating on my nerves.

Focus, I reminded myself, slipping into the rhythm. With enhanced spatial perception, I began to predict their erratic movements more effectively.

As I parried another strike, I noticed their tactics growing more refined. They were working together, their attacks forming a coordinated assault. Savvy II would distract me with a flurry of slashes while Sevvy III attempted to land a killing blow. It was a dangerous game of cat and mouse, demanding rapid adaptation.

Sword Mastery Lvl. 2 -> 3 -> 4

Just as the fight peaked, the injured Octo, with its last burst of strength, charged at me. Its claws were a blur, moving with a desperation born of survival. I dodged the initial swipes, but the relentless assault forced me to retreat.

Using my spatial perception, I created some pacing between my three attackers, sidestepping and countering with calculated strikes. Each hit brought me closer to ending the monstrous threat.

[ Mana: 79 / 130 ]

Checking my mana, I weighed my options. Running seemed wise, but would the monsters let me?

I could feel the burn of exhaustion, both physical and mental. A quarter of my mana was gone, so I tried to focus on replenishing it. No way I'm going to be the desperate hero getting his burst at the moment of life and death.

Drawing a deep breath, I tried to split my attention, picturing the abyss and mana filter techniques. I began the process, a desperate attempt to gather mana.

I constructed the Mana Filter, my mind focusing on the deep, dark abyss within himself, a mesh of concentrated mana thread forming above the abyss that seemed to pulse with each heartbeat. I could feel the mana pull from the surroundings, but it wasn’t enough.

With a strained effort, I concentrated on Mana Manipulation, guiding the filtered mana through the intricate weave of the filter.

The ambient mana was being absorbed, but the process was way too slow.

[ Mana: 80 / 130 ]

I could feel the strain of maintaining my three skills while fighting. My mental focus was stretched thin, and the constant juggling was becoming increasingly difficult.

I ducked beneath a sweeping claw from Sevvy III, my blade coming up to sever the creature’s arm.

Spatial Perception Lvl 6 -> 7

Again, it turned back to increasing the clarity around me instead of increasing my range. Not that I was complaining. The clearer the spatial perception and the easier it was for me to turn deadly attacks to glancing blows.

Stolen story; please report.

The filter wobbled, its delicate structure trembling under the strain. It felt like balancing on a razor's edge, every second threatening to collapse the fragile construct. I should have practiced more with ambient mana, the thought piercing through the haze of battle.

And then the filter crumpled, and I felt extra mana absorbed before I could stop it.

[ Mana: 87 / 130 ]

For a moment, I wasn't sure if there was any effect from absorbing mana, but I wasn't going to risk it. There was almost no difference, but I knew there should be, so I put my mind to it.

After a few more minutes, I suddenly felt my spatial perception flicker for a moment as the mana I consumed was absorbed by the skill. It wasn't much, but there was a small difference. What it was, I would have to figure out later.

Then I felt my spatial perception lagging as if the fuel I was giving wasn't what it wanted. That jolt broke me from absorbing mana.

After some practice, I managed to get at least a point above where I started, but I stopped focusing so intently on it. Instead, I tried to shave it back to the edges of my mind, maintaining the process subconsciously while concentrating on the fight. The effort to keep up with the battle and manage my mana reserves left me feeling disoriented.

Octo overextended itself in an attack, and I seized the opportunity. With a swift, decisive strike, I aimed to slice through its arm. My sword bit into the dense bone but got stuck, refusing to slice cleanly through. Octo howled in pain, his glowing eyes filled with a rage that sent a shiver down my spine.

My heart pounded as I yanked on the hilt, my muscles straining against the stubborn resistance. Damn it, how could I be so careless? The thought flashed through my mind, a moment of self-recrimination as Octo, snarling, lunged at me with its free claw. I ducked just in time, the claws grazing the top of my head, leaving a burning sting.

Spatial Perception Lvl 7 -> 8

The realization hit me hard: without my sword, I was as good as dead.

Desperation set in as I tried to free my sword. I planted my foot on Octo's chest, pulling with all my might, but the blade wouldn't budge. My breaths came in ragged gasps, each one a battle against the panic rising within me.

Octo swiped at my foot, and Sevvy II attacked from the sides, its claws tearing through the air with a terrifying speed. I had no choice but to let go of the sword, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Sevvy III lunged at me from the other side, its claws aimed at my throat. I barely managed to twist out of the way, feeling the cold rush of air as the claws missed by inches.

Instead of backpedaling, I grabbed the hilt again, this time with both hands and heaved with all my strength. No way am I dying here, not like this.

Octo's skeletal face loomed closer, its rancid breath hot against his skin. In a last-ditch effort, I headbutted Octo, the impact jarring us both. Stars exploded in my vision, but it stumbled back, and with a final, desperate pull, the sword came free.

The Wendigos snarled and hissed, their movements becoming more erratic as they bled. Sevvy II and Sevvy III circled me, their grotesque forms twitching and jerking in a horrifying dance of pain and fury. This is what it takes to survive, I thought, the reality of the hard kill sinking in. Every moment, every decision could be your last. The taste of blood in my mouth and the ache in my muscles were stark reminders of the stakes.

Sword Mastery Lvl. 4 -> 5

Octo lunged at him, and he sidestepped, slicing its side open. Blood flowed freely from the wound, pooling on the ground. The creature staggered, its attacks slowing.

Finally, with a decisive swing, he cleaved through Octo’s remaining defenses, driving his sword through the creature’s torso. Octo let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing in a heap.

Another swipe from Sevvy II's claw caught me off guard, piercing my arm. Pain shot through me, but I gritted my teeth and kept moving, delivering another series of quick cuts to the creature's legs. It howled in pain, collapsing to one knee.

Take that, you creepy clawed freak!

Sword Mastery Lvl. 5 -> 6

Then I noticed two extra claws and turned to see more newcomers joining in.

[ Wendigo Lvl. 8 ]

[ Wendigo Lvl. 7 ]

[ Wendigo Lvl. 7 ]

Octo II and Sevvy IV and V. Of course, more of them. Because why wouldn't there be? Damn it! Drowning in monsters here.

I increased my relentless assault, targeting Sevvy II and III with precise strikes aimed at its vital points. The creature's movements grew sluggish, its strength waning with each passing moment. Finally, with a powerful thrust, I drove my sword into its chest. The Wendigo let out a final, gurgling snarl before collapsing to the ground.

I turned to face the new monsters, my breaths coming in ragged gasps.

After that, it was all a blur of claws and swords.

Sword Mastery Lvl. 6 -> 7 -> 8

My Spatial Perception was overworking, and my skills increased their levels as I fought.

Spatial Perception Lvl 8 -> 9 -> 10

When the dust settled, there was a nice collection of corpses around me, and the only reason I was standing was the timely increase in my skill levels.

Mana Manipulation Lvl 7 -> 8

The remaining Wendigos seemed momentarily hesitant, their glowing eyes darting between me and their fallen comrades.

Sevvy XI and Octo V, maybe? I thought, trying to keep count through the haze of battle fatigue. Looking at the remaining monsters, I didn't give them a chance to regroup. Taking advantage of their hesitation, I lunged forward toward Sevvy XI, delivering a series of rapid cuts to its torso. Blood sprayed from the wounds, the Wendigo's snarls turning into pained whimpers.

Keep pushing. Don't let up now.

The Wendigo tried to retaliate, but its attacks were weak and uncoordinated. I pressed my advantage, focusing on causing as much damage as possible. I sidestepped another swipe and countered with a slash to its side, opening a deep gash. The creature stumbled, its strength rapidly fading.

The battle was starting to wind down, but my energy was flagging. With the last of my strength, I pushed through the exhaustion, focusing on the delicate threads of mana that flowed through the filter. Then a new roar shocked the area.

[ Wendigo Lvl. 9 ]

Great, that's just what I needed: another one. Let's call this one Nimo.