Chapter 16: The Leaderboard

As Liam focused on the leaderboard, a prompt appeared before him, requesting him to enter a name. With the hope of making his mark on the rankings, Liam chose the name "Moose Larkin,"

As Liam chose the name "Moose Larkin" for his alter ego, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He couldn't help but smile, recalling the countless childhood memories he shared with his sister. They had often created elaborate stories and adventures together, with their beloved stuffed moose as one of the main characters. The moose was named Larkin, and it had become a symbol of their shared imagination and love for adventure.

By adopting the name "Moose Larkin," Liam hoped that, on the off chance his sister saw his name on the leaderboard, she would instantly recognize the connection and understand that it was him. It was more than just a clever spinoff of a moose lurking in the shadows; it was a deeply personal link between the siblings, a reminder of the bond they shared.

Liam knew that, in this dangerous and unpredictable world, finding his sister was of utmost importance. By using a name that held such significance to both of them, he hoped to send a subtle signal to his sister, letting her know that he was alive and fighting to find her.

With his new alias set, Liam eagerly scanned the leaderboard, searching for his own name. Disappointed in that fact he didn’t see himself upon the list, and surprisingly no sign of Maria. He knew she was strong, and he expected to find her somewhere among the top 100. However, as he looked through the list, he didn't see her name. Doubt began to creep into his mind. Was Maria not as powerful as he had thought? Ultimately, Liam believed in Maria’s abilities, and decided that she was either going by an alias, or had been untruthful about her real name.

As his eyes continued to scan the list, they landed on the name occupying the top spot "Aetherius Stormborn." Whoever this person was, they had managed to dominate the competition thus far. Liam made a mental note to be cautious if he ever crossed paths with this formidable player. The name itself almost seemed fitting within this new world.

In the distance, Liam spotted a giant reaching toward the sky, seemingly near the center of the area littered with pillars previously. Curiosity piqued, he began to walk towards it.

Liam continued on his journey, his eyes scanning the environment for any potential threats. As the day began to fade and dusk settled in, a faint sense of complacency washed over him. He had been walking for hours without encountering any more dangerous creatures, and his guard started to lower. The cold night air bit at his skin, but he pressed on, moving as stealthily as he could.

Without warning, a guttural growl echoed through the darkening landscape. Liam's heart raced as he tried to pinpoint the source of the sound. His instincts screamed danger, and he knew he needed to act quickly. Moments later, a giant snow leopard with three tails appeared from the shadows, its eyes locked on Liam with murderous intent. The snow leopard's coat perfectly blended with the snow-covered terrain, and its three tails gave it an otherworldly appearance. Its muscles rippled beneath its fur, an unmistakable sign of its power and agility.

The snow leopard lunged at Liam, a blur of white and black as it closed the distance between them. Caught off guard, Liam narrowly dodged the attack, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He cursed himself for losing his makeshift weapon earlier and knew he had to rely on his wit, strength, and agility to survive this encounter.

With each passing second, the snow leopard grew more aggressive, its attacks becoming faster and more ferocious. Liam struggled to dodge and parry the relentless onslaught, each near-miss leaving him more desperate than the last. As the battle raged on, Liam realized he would need to find an opening in the snow leopard's defenses if he hoped to turn the tide.

Spotting a momentary lapse in the snow leopard's focus, Liam lunged forward, using all of his strength to tackle the massive beast. The force of the impact sent them both tumbling across the snowy terrain, locked in a fierce struggle for dominance. The snow leopard snarled and snapped at Liam's face, its hot breath a stark contrast to the freezing air around them.

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Liam fought back with everything he had, his fingers digging into the snow leopard's fur as he tried to gain an advantage. The beast's strength was immense, and Liam could feel his own energy starting to wane. He knew he needed to end this fight quickly or risk being overpowered by the snow leopard.

Summoning a final surge of strength, Liam managed to pin the snow leopard to the ground, its snarling face mere inches from his own. The snow leopard's claws raked at Liam's arms, leaving deep, bloody gashes in their wake. The pain only served to fuel Liam's determination, as he searched for a way to end the fight once and for all.

Spotting a large rock nearby, Liam made a desperate gamble. He released his hold on the snow leopard and lunged for the rock, praying that he could lift it. To his amazement, his newly enhanced strength allowed him to heft the massive stone, which would have been impossible for him before the System. With a primal roar, Liam hurled the rock at the snow leopard, who had just managed to regain its footing.

The rock collided with the snow leopard's flank with a sickening crunch, sending the beast staggering. However, the snow leopard shook off the impact, a testament to its incredible resilience. Liam knew he couldn't afford to give the snow leopard any time to recover, so he charged at it once more, his eyes filled with determination.

As Liam closed the distance between them, the snow leopard lunged at him in a final, desperate attempt to claim victory. Liam braced himself for the impact, and with perfect timing, he tackled the snow leopard, forcing it onto its back. The force of their collision shook the ground beneath them, but Liam refused to let go. The snow leopard snarled and writhed beneath him, its claws slashing through the air as it tried to break free from Liam's grip.

With his strength beginning to wane, Liam knew he had to act quickly. He focused all his energy into his hands, grasping the snow leopard's throat with a vice-like grip. The snow leopard's eyes widened in fear, and it let out a series of panicked, choked sounds as it struggled to breathe.

Liam held on, his hands shaking from the effort, as the snow leopard's struggles grew weaker and weaker. He could feel the beast's pulse throbbing beneath his fingers, and he knew he was close to winning the fight. But his body screamed for him to stop, to release his grip and allow the snow leopard to live.

Despite the pain and exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him, Liam steeled himself and tightened his grip even further. The snow leopard's eyes rolled back in its head, and its body went limp beneath him. With a final, ragged breath, the snow leopard succumbed to Liam's relentless assault.

{Level Up!}

As the adrenaline started to fade, Liam's body trembled, and he collapsed onto the ground beside the lifeless form of the snow leopard. He gasped for breath, his body wracked with pain from the numerous injuries he had sustained during the fight. Despite the agony, a small, triumphant smile spread across his face as he realized he had just defeated one of the most formidable predators before the System.

With renewed resolve, Liam slowly rose to his feet and continued on his journey towards the pillar-filled area. Every step was a reminder of the battles he had fought and the lessons he had learned. As the sun began to rise on a new day, Liam knew that he would face whatever challenges the System threw at him with the same determination that had carried him through this harrowing encounter with the three-tailed snow leopard.

Liam was surprised with the snow leopard's strength and couldn't help, but feel excited about the prospect of the strength he had received within the tutorial. At the same time the fight seemed even more harrowing than his dungeon encounter. This world would become even more difficult for Liam.

Also, the prospect of people much stronger than Liam surfaced within his mind. Were there people who could take a guardian head on. Was he going to be severely outclassed by many others? After deliberating Liam came to a conclusion, this world will grant him the ability to see and experience more. What more could he really ask for?

Level: 8

Race: Human

Class: Survivalist

Profession: N/A

Skills: Endurance, Weapon of Opportunity, Rapid Regeneration, Stealth

Traits: Fearless, Detest the Heavens

Faith: N/A

Blessing: Nature