Levi's heart pounded as he worked swiftly in the narrow confines of the mine shaft. The flickering glow of his torch cast eerie shadows against the rough-hewn walls, illuminating the sweat beading on his brow as he prepared his trap. The echoing sounds of distant howls reminded him of the approaching danger—the hound-like creatures that prowled these depths. Because of course they had taken the form of the apostle.

With practised hands, Levi gathered dry timber and scraps of cloth, arranging them in a strategic pile at the narrowest point of the passage. He knew that the hounds would soon come charging through, drawn by the scent of prey. He needed to act fast.

As he worked, Levi kept his crossbow and sword within arm's reach, his senses on high alert for any sign of movement. The faint echoes of scratching claws reverberated through the darkness, growing louder with each passing moment.

Levi's hands trembled slightly as he struck the flint against steel, igniting a small flame that quickly caught hold of the tinder. The fire danced and crackled, casting a warm glow that seemed to push back the encroaching darkness. But that was just an illusion. No normal flame could best the Deep Dark.

Just as Levi finished setting the trap, he heard the unmistakable sound of snarling echoing through the tunnel. The monsters were close—too close. With a sense of urgency, Levi backed away from the flames, jumped over the small pit he had hastily dug, and positioned himself behind a rocky outcrop where he could remain hidden from view.

The first of the creatures burst into view, its eyes gleaming with hunger as it lunged forward with a feral growl. Levi held his breath, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword. He couldn't afford to miss his mark.

As the hound-like creature drew closer, it hesitated for a moment, sensing the heat of the flames ahead. But hunger drove it forward, its jaws snapping eagerly as it leaped over the crackling fire.

Levi didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he released the tension on his crossbow, sending a bolt flying towards the creature's exposed flank. The bolt struck true, embedding itself deep in the monster's flesh with a sickening thud.

The creature let out a pained yelp as it stumbled forward, its momentum carrying it into the heart of the flames. The dry timber ignited instantly, engulfing the creature in a blazing inferno.

Levi watched with grim satisfaction as the flames consumed the first monster, its anguished cries echoing through the tunnel. But there was no time to celebrate. Already, he could hear the sounds of more creatures approaching, drawn by the scent of blood and the cries of their fallen kin.

With a steely resolve, Levi quickly reloaded his crossbow. It was of a lever design. The narrow confines of the mine shaft offered little room for manoeuvre, making his ranged weapon the perfect instrument.

As the creatures closed in, Levi braced himself for the coming onslaught, knowing that his survival depended on his skill, his courage, and the strength of his will.

The fire had consumed the first monster, sending a sickening cloud of smoke that billowed further into the mine. It was thick. Even Levi, who was out of the fumes path couldn’t help but cough, his eyes watering. If he was struggling, then the hounds weren’t faring any better in the heart of the fire’s blanket. Levi added more fuel to the fire, thick wooden logs from the mine shafts.

Hearing the choked howls of the beasts, Levi fired his crossbow aimlessly. The bolts swished through the air, disappearing into the thick wall of smoke. It struck a beast, the only evidence was a pained whimper.

Fueled by their intense desire, the monsters leapt over the fire–some of them stumbling into the fire itself, lighting aflame–the others landing in the pit behind the fire. Metal shrapnel awaited them. Razor sharp metal poking into their flesh, they fell to the ground, fire washing over them.

Levi kept on reloading and firing on repeat, as fast as he possibly could. The kill notifications filtered into his mind, but he ignored them. He was only focused on one thing–making sure the monsters didn’t break past his defences.

In a daze, Levi reached for another bolt, only to notice that he was out.

Shit, I lost count! Levi thought in a panic.

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Brandishing his blade, he felt the hefty weight in his hands. Thanks to his added stats, it was manageable. Barely. It was obviously designed for a large adult, not a malnourished 12 year old.

Levi had never once used a sword before, let alone hold one. It felt unwieldy, uncomfortable. He should have chosen another weapon. Instead of losing himself to panic, Levi instead calmed down. It was strange. All of the images of the past week flashed in his mind all at once. From dealing with the Kragling, to the greenkins, to worrying if his secret was going to be exposed… Levi calmed down. All that remained was the threat in front of him.

Rushing to the pit, Levi hefted his sword, and cleaved it into the hounds shoulder. Then he rose it again, and cut into another, and another. Whenever one of the hounds was close enough to bite, Levi would shout an Inciting command, stopping it in its tracks. On his 15th strike, Levi was huffing, coughing, spluttering. The smoke had made its way down his throat. Breathing was more difficult now.

Just as he sliced into yet another weakened monster, a blazing ball of bright flames, with two rows of sharpened teeth, lunged straight for him.

Levi quickly took a step back, and pierced his sword in front of him. The tip of the blade sunk into the hounds chest, turning its eyes dull in a single moment. But the creature's momentum wasn’t going to stop. Its claws sliced into his chest, the heat from the flaming fur branded his flesh.

Screaming in pain, Levi kicked the monster off of him, stood up, then continued swinging his sword.

***

Levi's senses were overwhelmed by the chaos unfolding around him. The acrid stench of burning flesh and fur filled his nostrils, choking him with every breath. The smoke billowed thick and heavy, swirling in hues of purple, orange, and red, obscuring his vision and leaving him disoriented in the swirling haze.

Pain seared through his body, every nerve ablaze with agony as he struggled to remain upright against the onslaught. His skin felt raw and tender, the heat from the flames licking at his wounds with merciless intensity.

Amidst the chaos, the crackling of the dwindling fire echoed in Levi's ears, a haunting reminder of the battle that had raged moments before. The flames flickered and danced, their once fierce intensity now fading to mere embers, casting long shadows that danced across the walls of the mine shaft.

Levi fought to stay conscious, his mind a blur of pain and exhaustion. He knew that he couldn't afford to let his guard down, not when the monsters still lurked in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Retreating further back, Levi returned to the main mine. No one had made it back. Levi wiped the soot and tears from his face, coughed up darkened flem, then gazed at the Systems notifications.

You have defeated: CryptHound Newborn (Level 13)

| …

I still haven't levelled up... I did think they were weaker, Levi thought. Thank god it was the puppies he was fighting and not the adults. Gregory was telling the truth. In that case, I’ll meditate, rest, then get back right to it.I'm so close to Level 20. So close to reaching the second Birthright Tier.

Levi didn’t want to waste any time. When morning arrived, the hounds would vanish, along with his desperately needed experience.

Then next message brought with it budding excitement.

Your Vitality and Dexterity has increased by 1.

| You have reached the limitations of your adolescent body: 10. Physical stats can no longer increase until 16 Years Old.

Well that sucks, Levi thought. He also wondered if someone was more talented in growing muscle, if they could bypass the limits. Just like Levi and his Magic. It was food for thought.

Your skill has Levelled up → Trap Making ★★

| Damage with traps is increased by 20%

| Progress to next Level-up → 0/5,000xp

Happy with his progress, Levi quickly checked the passage where he had just fought. He didn’t hear anything. He really had defeated them all. Levi smiled, then quickly bandaged his wounds with a brave face, then sunk his mind into Meditation.

5 minutes later–

Your skill has Levelled up → Meditation ★★

| When Meditating, mana regeneration is increased by 120%.

| Progress to next Level-up → 0/5,000xp

Excellent, Levi thought as he rubbed his hands together in exhilaration.

Standing up, Levi stretched the aches taking hold of his muscles. With that finished, he tossed the curved sword to the floor and picked up another weapon–another spear. But this one was of higher quality than the one he had used back in the town.

Birthright Ingredient (Uncommon) — Spear: A short spear made of Wrought Grey Metal.

| Class: Warrior

| Path: Spears

Should have picked that up the first time, thought Levi as he walked up to another passage. Let’s get back to it then.

Despite the pain pulsing from the wounds covering his body, etched deep into his chest, Levi pressed on with a resolute determination. it was time to evolve, the thought of which Ingredients he would use were at the back of his mind.

With a steely focus, he vanished into the darkness, his only illumination the soft glow of his purple light.