Riku’s breath was ragged as he stumbled through the underbrush, the weight of his encounter with the Lurker of the Abyss still fresh in his body. He had expected the Wildlands to be dangerous, but nothing could have prepared him for a creature like that. A beast that moved with unnatural speed, its claws capable of tearing through his armor as if it were cloth.
And yet, the battle wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
The Lurker of the Abyss was no mere predator. At level 35, it was a massive, shadowy beast with the following stats:
----------------------------------------
Name: Lurker of the Abyss
Level: 35
Type: Beast
Strength: 50
Magic: 25
Defense: 35
Stamina: 30
Speed: 40
----------------------------------------
Its claws were sharp enough to tear through the toughest of armor, and its stealth was a deadly advantage. This was not a beast that hunted out of necessity—it hunted for sport, toying with its prey before delivering the final, fatal blow. Its stamina and defense made it a resilient adversary, one that demanded more than just brute strength to defeat.
Riku wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep this up. His wounds stung, each step a reminder of how close he had come to meeting his end. But he couldn’t afford to stop now. He had a mission, a purpose. He had to keep moving forward.
The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the forest. The temperature dropped quickly as the evening air settled in, and with it, the eerie quiet of the Wildlands seemed to deepen. Riku’s instincts screamed at him to stay alert, to remain in constant motion. But the Lurker was out there, watching him. He could feel its presence like a weight pressing down on him, the same way he had felt it in the middle of their battle.
Then, he heard it.
A low growl, almost a whisper, carried on the wind.
Riku spun around, sword in hand, his heart hammering in his chest. There, just at the edge of his vision, he saw it. The Lurker of the Abyss. Its eyes glowed red, its fur blending seamlessly with the shadows, almost like part of the night itself. It was moving, but slowly, deliberately, as if toying with him once again.
The Lurker’s massive claws scraped against the ground, sending sparks flying. Its speed was frightening, and the way it moved silently, almost invisibly, made it impossible to track. It was a beast made for the shadows, a predator that hunted not out of hunger, but out of pure, twisted pleasure.
Riku’s heart pounded in his chest as he fought to steady his breath. His movements were slower now, more deliberate. The creature was playing with him, but he wouldn’t fall for it again. He had to outthink it. He had to be smarter.
The Lurker emerged again, but this time, Riku was ready. He watched closely as the beast moved, his instincts guiding him. The Lurker was fast—unnaturally fast—but its movements weren’t unpredictable. It favored speed and strength, but that didn’t mean it didn’t have weaknesses. Riku just had to find them.
As the Lurker lunged again, Riku waited, the world slowing around him. Just before it could strike, he moved. He sidestepped, bringing his sword up in a swift arc. The Lurker yelped as the blade made contact with its side, drawing blood. But it wasn’t enough.
The beast howled, enraged, and Riku had only a split second to react. The Lurker’s claws raked across the air, and this time, Riku didn’t wait. He dodged and rolled, coming up behind the creature in one smooth motion.
He struck again, aiming for the creature’s exposed flank. The sword dug deep, but the Lurker wasn’t finished. With a roar, it whipped around, its claws slashing at him once more.
Riku’s body screamed in protest as he barely avoided the attack, his foot slipping as he regained his balance. He had to think fast. The Lurker’s speed was its greatest asset, but it was also its greatest weakness. If he could keep it off balance, force it to make mistakes, he could take it down.
Without thinking, he darted toward the creature, pretending to lunge with his sword. The Lurker, too fast to see through the feint, jumped back, its claws just missing him. That was it. Riku spun on his heel, using the momentum to drive his blade into the beast’s side.
This time, it was enough. The Lurker screeched in agony as the blade found its mark, and it collapsed to the ground, its massive form twitching in the dirt.
Riku stood over it, panting heavily, his body shaking from the effort. He had done it. He had survived.
But as he looked down at the Lurker of the Abyss, his heart still racing, he knew this was just the beginning. The Wildlands were full of creatures like this—dangerous, intelligent, and relentless. He had to keep moving, keep fighting. The journey ahead was only going to get harder.
iku’s breath came in ragged gasps as he stood over the fallen beast, his sword dripping with the dark blood of the Lurker of the Abyss. His chest ached with every inhale, and his limbs felt like lead, but the adrenaline coursing through his veins kept him upright. The battle had taken everything he had—every ounce of strength, every instinct honed through years of training. But it hadn’t been enough.
It hadn’t been brute strength that had won this fight. No, it was something more.
Riku closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the thrum of magic deep inside him. He could still feel the lingering remnants of the Lurker’s attacks on his body, the sting of its claws that had left shallow cuts and bruises. But what truly remained with him was the sensation of how close he had come to death. The wild rush of the battle had taken him to the edge, but it was his mind that had won him the fight.
He had created something new during the battle. Something that had been born out of necessity.
During the fight, when the Lurker had moved too fast for him to keep up, and when its claws had struck with devastating force, Riku had been forced to push himself beyond his limits. He had no choice but to react—react in a way he had never done before. And in that moment, when it seemed like the beast would end him, he had found the answer.
Riku had wrapped his magic around his sword. It was an instinctual move, a combination of his natural magic affinity and the need to overcome the beast’s overwhelming power. He didn’t have the luxury of time to think. The moment the Lurker lunged at him with its claws outstretched, he had summoned his magic in a desperate act of survival.
Magic was something he had always used cautiously, never fully embracing it in combat. But now, in the heat of the moment, his magic had flowed around the sword, infusing the blade with a burst of power. The energy surged, crackling and pulsing as it wrapped around the sword like a second layer of steel. Riku could feel it—the magic was not just augmenting his strength, it was reshaping the sword’s very nature. It was faster, sharper, and more precise.
In that instant, when the Lurker lunged at him, Riku had used the burst of power to strike with everything he had. The blade connected, the magical energy amplifying the force of the blow, cutting through the beast’s defenses and landing a decisive blow to its side.
Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.
The Lurker had recoiled, its body thrashing and screeching in pain. The blow wasn’t just physical; it was infused with the raw, intense energy that magic provided. The beast’s hide, which had seemed impenetrable moments before, gave way to the power behind Riku’s strike.
As the Lurker fell, Riku stood there, watching the beast writhe in its death throes. His heart still raced in his chest, but the magical aftershock of the burst had left him feeling strangely light, despite his exhaustion. His sword trembled in his hand, still infused with the energy of the technique he had just created.
That burst of magic, that quick surge of power, was something he would have to master. He had unlocked it out of sheer necessity, but now he understood its potential. It wasn’t just about brute force. It was about combining the magic with his swordsmanship, creating a technique that was unpredictable and powerful, but also efficient. A short burst of magic, just enough to overcome an enemy’s defenses.
Riku sat down on the ground, leaning against a nearby tree as his body protested with each movement. The wounds on his arms and legs stung, but they were nothing compared to the weariness that filled him from the inside out. His body had been pushed to the brink, and he knew he couldn’t afford to rest too long.
His mind wandered as he examined the technique he had created. The power he had summoned around his sword was not something he had consciously learned, but something he had unlocked in the moment of combat. He had always relied on his raw physical strength and his swordsmanship to carry him through battles, but this magic-infused technique opened up a new avenue for him. He hadn’t even known it was possible, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized its potential.
It wasn’t just about adding power to his strikes—it was about giving him the edge in the moments when speed and precision mattered most. A quick burst of magic could be the difference between life and death, between victory and defeat. The Lurker of the Abyss had been powerful, yes, but with his new technique, Riku had leveled the playing field.
He tested the magic again, this time gently wrapping his magic around his sword. His hand shook slightly as he felt the surge of energy flow through the blade. The magic was unpredictable, but it felt right—like a new muscle he hadn’t known existed, one that was just waiting to be trained. The blade hummed with power, and Riku’s heart skipped a beat.
“That’s it,” he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse from the battle. “I can do this.”
The key, he realized, was not in overusing the power. He couldn’t let the magic take over; he had to maintain control. The burst of energy had to be short and focused, enough to turn the tide in his favor without overwhelming him. With practice, he could perfect the technique, learning how to unleash it at the right moment. It would make him even more dangerous, more unpredictable in battle.
But it wasn’t just about the technique. It was about what he had learned from this encounter.
Riku had thought that strength came from sheer force. He had thought that victory was about overwhelming his enemies with power. But this battle had shown him something different. Strength wasn’t about what you could throw at your opponent—it was about adaptability, about how you could change your approach in the middle of the fight. It was about finding that extra edge, that small advantage that could turn the tide.
The Lurker of the Abyss had been a terrifying foe, but it had taught him something invaluable. He could no longer afford to rely solely on his physical strength. Magic, strategy, and adaptability had to be woven into his combat style, creating a blend that would make him a true warrior.
As he stood up, his muscles sore but his resolve stronger than ever, Riku knew one thing for certain: this journey was far from over. And with this new technique, he had taken one more step forward.
The road ahead would only grow more dangerous, but now, he had a new weapon in his arsenal. He had the strength, the will, and the magic to face whatever came next.
With the dying light of the sun casting long shadows over the Wildlands, Riku sheathed his sword and set off once more, the weight of his new power settling into his bones. There were still more battles ahead. But this time, he would be ready.
Riku's HUD flickered with the familiar sound of leveling up, and the experience points from defeating the Lurker of the Abyss flooded his system. The familiar sensation of power surged through him, accompanied by the bright flash that signaled his advancement.
----------------------------------------
5000 XP gained from killing Lurker of the Abyss
DING DING DING!
3 Levels gained!
9 Unspent Stat Points!
----------------------------------------
Riku quickly allocated his unspent points, knowing that every second mattered in the Wildlands. His muscles still ached from the battle, but his mind was sharp, focused. The power he had gained in this level-up felt more significant than any before. It wasn’t just the raw numbers—it was what they represented. He could feel the change in himself.
He wasn’t the same person anymore.
With the Lurker slain, his power had increased, and the pressure of the battle still lingered in his chest. But that feeling of triumph was quickly replaced with urgency. Every step forward now mattered. Riku was more than just a warrior; he was starting to realize his potential.
He hovered over his stats, his fingers moving with purpose.
Strength: He had always relied on his raw strength, and though it was important, he knew that this wasn’t a battle won purely by physical might. But he needed more power, so he allocated +3 points here. His combat prowess would continue to evolve, and this would make him even more effective with his new technique.
Magic: Riku had unlocked something extraordinary in that last battle. He had summoned magic around his sword in a flash of brilliance, something he had never done before. But it wasn’t enough. Magic had to become more than just an afterthought—it needed to be a foundation. He added +3 points here, knowing that his magic manipulation was still raw and unrefined. With the right focus, he could turn it into something far more potent.
Defense: The Lurker had shown him the danger of underestimating an opponent’s raw power. Even a beast as dangerous as that had weaknesses. Riku’s instincts told him that he couldn’t just rely on his offense—he needed to toughen up. +2 to defense would help him take the hits and give him the space to strike back with more precision.
Stamina: His body had been pushed to the limit, and Riku realized that exhaustion would be his greatest enemy moving forward. His speed and stamina were crucial to avoiding attacks and maintaining his edge. He added +1 to stamina to keep his energy up during future battles.
Speed: The Lurker had been faster than him, even with his training, and that speed had almost cost him his life. He wasn’t going to let that happen again. +2 points went into speed, improving his reflexes and ability to keep up with foes that were faster and more agile.
As he confirmed his points, the HUD flashed, showing his updated stats:
----------------------------------------
Updated Stats:
Level: 10
Strength: 27 (+3)
Magic: 14 (+3)
Defense: 24 (+2)
Stamina: 25 (+1)
Speed: 26 (+2)
----------------------------------------
He felt the changes immediately. His body seemed to respond to the upgrades, and the familiar weight of his sword felt a little lighter in his hands. His mind was sharper, his body faster, and most importantly, he felt more powerful.
His hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, the one that had served him through so many battles. The magic-infused technique he had used against the Lurker of the Abyss still lingered in his mind. He could feel the faint echo of it, the power that had surged through his blade. With these new points, he was confident that his abilities would only continue to grow.
He stood up, his senses heightened, aware of every rustling leaf, every shift in the wind. The Wildlands were never quiet for long, and though the battle was over, he knew there were more challenges waiting. The ground beneath him trembled slightly as distant roars echoed through the forest. More creatures. More dangers. But Riku felt ready.
The Lurker of the Abyss had been a test, one that had pushed him to his limits, but it had also given him something invaluable: the knowledge that he could evolve, that he could adapt and grow in the midst of battle. It was a lesson he would carry forward.
With one last glance at the beast’s fallen form, he began to move again, his steps light but deliberate. The Wildlands were vast, and he had only begun to scratch the surface.
As he walked, the weight of the past began to shift. His journey wasn’t about simply becoming stronger. It was about the choices he made, the path he chose to walk. Magic, swordsmanship, adaptability—these were the tools he would use. The path forward was still unclear, but one thing was certain: Riku would carve it out himself.
And with that thought, he moved on into the unknown, feeling the weight of his new power settle comfortably within him.