The morning sun cast its warm glow over the camp, piercing through the dense foliage and illuminating the watchtower where two men, Aaron and Peter, stood guard. They leaned against the railing, their eyes scanning the horizon.
“Quiet morning,” Peter remarked, sipping from a tin cup of lukewarm coffee.
Aaron chuckled. “Quiet’s is a good thing”
Peter squinted into the distance, spotting movement. “Spoke too soon,” he muttered, pointing at the unmistakable silhouette of a Lesser Frog emerging from the underbrush.
Aaron grinned, gripping his spear tightly. “One frog? I’ve got this you can rest here.”
Descending the watchtower with practiced ease, Aaron approached the Lesser Frog. The creature lunged, its slimy tongue snapping toward him, but Aaron sidestepped and drove his spear into its chest. It let out a guttural croak before collapsing lifelessly.
“Too easy,” Aaron called back to Peter, smirking.
But as he pulled his spear free, another Lesser Frog hopped into view, its glowing eyes fixed on him. Sweat beaded on Aaron’s forehead as he readied his spear again. The second frog proved more tenacious, but Aaron’s skill prevailed. With a swift thrust, he ended its life.
Turning to head back, Aaron froze in horror. Peter lay on the ground, blood pooling beneath him. Standing over his lifeless body was a Clawed Frog, its menacing claws slick with crimson. The beast was nearly a meter long, its smooth green skin gleaming in the sunlight, and its clawed appendages were unnervingly sharp.
Aaron’s breath caught in his throat as the Clawed Frog turned toward him. Its guttural snarl broke the silence, and Aaron’s scream echoed across the camp.
Aaron's scream ripped through the morning stillness, shattering the calm of the camp. Survivors jolted awake, scrambling out of their tents in various states of readiness. The sound of heavy croaking followed, growing louder as a wave of grotesque Lesser Frogs emerged from the tree line.
Dante, alerted by the commotion, bolted out of his tent. His sharp eyes locked onto the watchtower just as Aaron's scream abruptly cut off. A sinking feeling gripped his chest.
he shout while running “Get to the barricades now!”
Jack was the first to join him, orc club already in hand. Nir appeared moments later, dagger glinting as he strapped it to his belt. Natasha stumbled out with a spear clutched in her shaking hands, her face pale but determined. Maya was last, her calm demeanor belied by the urgency in her steps as she began summoning her Water Arrow skill.
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The Lesser Frogs attacked in relentless waves, their glowing eyes reflecting a primal hunger. Their slick, warty bodies writhed as they surged toward the defenders.
Jack stood firm at the forefront, his club arcing wide. A frog leapt toward his face, tongue whipping forward, but Jack swung with brutal force, crushing its skull midair. Green ichor splattered across his boots. “They’re not stopping!” he growled, taking down another frog that tried to leap past him. Its body slammed into the barricade, splintering wood on impact.
Nir moved like a shadow, darting between attacks with practiced precision. A Lesser Frog lashed its tongue at his leg, but Nir severed it with a quick slash of his dagger. The creature shrieked and lunged, only to meet Nir’s blade plunging deep into its chest. “Hold the line!” he shouted, twisting the weapon before the frog collapsed lifelessly.
Natasha, though inexperienced, stood her ground near the barricade. Her spear trembled as she watched a frog breach the defenses. With a shaky breath, she thrust the spear forward, grazing its side. The creature recoiled, giving another survivor time to deliver a killing blow with a hammer. Natasha exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from her brow. “Reinforce the left section !” she ordered, rallying those around her.
Maya, perched on a platform, unleashed glowing Water Arrows with deadly precision. Each projectile pierced through the Lesser Frogs, halting their advance. A group of frogs targeted her position, their tongues lashing upward. Maya aimed at their legs, crippling them before delivering finishing shots. Her mana reserves drained rapidly, and sweat dripped from her brow, but she maintained her focus.
Dante stood near the center, firing Bone Bullets with relentless accuracy. Each shot tore through Lesser Frogs, thinning their numbers. One frog lunged at him from the side, its tongue snapping dangerously close, but Dante sidestepped and fired a bullet in point blank directly into its head. The creature crumpled at his feet.
[System Message]
Experience Gained: +20
A guttural roar silenced the Lesser Frogs as frogs he see before burst from the treeline. These evolved monsters were larger, faster, and more deadly, their claws gleaming menacingly in the sunlight.
they were Claw Frog
[System Message]
Claw Frog
Level: 10
Description: Evolved form of Lesser Frogs. Enhanced size, strength, and agility. Resistant to physical attacks. Deadly claws capable of tearing flesh.
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The first Claw Frog charged Nir, claws slashing. Nir ducked under the attack and retaliated, slicing at its hind leg. The creature shrieked, spraying green ichor, but spun around and raked its claws across Nir’s arm. Grimacing, Nir rolled away to create distance while arrow from one of the survivor hit the frog.
meanwhile Another Claw Frog bounded toward Jack, slashing at his chest. Jack intercepted it with a swing of his club, knocking the beast to the ground. Before Jack could finish it off, the frog retaliated, claws tearing into his shoulder. “You want more?” Jack growled, ignoring the pain as he smashed his club into the frog’s head.
[System Message]
Experience Gained: +500
The third Claw Frog targeted Maya’s platform, climbing swiftly. Maya fired a Water Arrow at its leg, slowing it but the frog still charge. “I can’t hold it ” she shouted. A well-aimed arrow from a bow struck its side, briefly halting its advance. Dante, seizing the opportunity, fired two Bone Bullets into the frog’s eye. It collapsed, twitching violently before going still.
[System Message]
Experience Gained: +500
[System Message]
Marksmanship (Basic) has leveled up to Level 3.
The battlefield trembled as the much bigger Frog emerged. Towering over three meters tall, it exuded raw power. Its glowing eyes radiated intelligence, and its guttural roar rallied the Lesser Frogs.
Dante’s Eye of Appraisal activated again:
[System Message]
Leader Frog
Level: 15
Description: A monstrous evolution of Lesser Frogs. Highly intelligent and territorial. Resistant to most physical attacks. Its powerful legs can crush foes, and its tongue can snatch prey from a distance. Commands Lesser Frogs.
The Leader Frog charged into the camp, crushing two defenders beneath its legs. Blood stained the ground as survivors screamed in terror. Maya fired her remaining Water Arrow, striking its knees. The beast stumbled but quickly regained its footing.
Dante fired Bone Bullets, but the shots barely pierced its hide. “This isn’t enough,” he thought. ““I need something that can pierce its hide.”
Summoning his resolve, Dante pushed his Bone Control skill to its limit. His remaining hand reshaped painfully into a big Bone Spike.
[System Message]
Bone Control (Unique) has leveled up to Level 3.
Dante charged forward, driving the Bone Spike into the Leader Frog’s exposed knee joint. The beast roared in pain, its massive body tilting to one side. Jack, seeing an opening, swung his glowing club with all his might, delivering a crushing blow to the frog’s ribs.
Seizing the opening, Dante climbed onto the Leader Frog’s back and plunged the Bone Spike into its remaining eye. The beast let out a deafening croak before collapsing lifelessly.
[System Message]
Experience Gained: +2000
level up
level up
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AFTERMATH
The battlefield was littered with bodies—both human and frog. Six defenders lay among the fallen, their blood mingling with green ichor. Survivors worked tirelessly to tend to the wounded and reinforce the camp.
Among the remains, several valuable items were discovered:
Healing Potion (Small)
Description: Restores 50 Health over 10 seconds.
Frog Dagger (Iron)
Rank: Iron
Attack Power: 12–20
Effects: +2 Agility
FROG CLAW SPEAR
Rank: Copper
Description: A spear forged from the elongated claws of a Clawed Frog, known for its razor-sharp edges and natural durability. Ideal for combatants who rely on strength and precision, this weapon is lightweight yet deadly in the right hands.
Durability: 40/40
Attack Power: 18–25
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Effects:
Grants +3 Strength
Grants +1 Agility
Dante drank the Healing Potion, feeling his wounds heal as warmth spread through his body. Nir took the Frog Dagger, appreciating its lightweight design. A young survivor, eager to defend the camp, claimed the Frog Claw Spear.
As the sun set, the survivors gathered to mourn their losses. The camp had held, but the cost of survival was steep.