Riku’s boots crunched on the dry, leaf-covered ground as he ventured deeper into the Abyssal Woods. The thick trees loomed overhead, their branches twisting in unnatural angles, casting shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. An oppressive silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a predator. The air was thick with the scent of decay, a smell that made Riku’s skin crawl.
He was getting closer to his destination—rumors of an ancient artifact hidden deep within the forest had brought him here. But the locals had warned him about the dangers of the Abyssal Woods. Creatures twisted by dark magic, corrupted by an unknown force, roamed freely in these woods. And worse yet, they were stronger than the average monsters of the world.
Riku had faced level 35 beasts before. He had fought monsters far more dangerous than anything he’d seen in the last few days, but he knew this place was different. This place was steeped in corruption, a force that could twist even the mightiest creatures into nightmares. His heart pounded as he walked, but he knew his resolve was stronger than the fear gnawing at the back of his mind.
The deeper he went, the more he noticed the strange pull of the woods. The trees seemed to shift in subtle ways as if they were closing in on him. The path ahead seemed to wind and bend unnaturally, almost as if the forest itself was trying to confuse him. He tightened his grip on his sword and kept moving, trusting his instincts.
Riku’s journey through the Abyssal Woods was slow and deliberate. Every step was calculated, every rustle of the wind felt like a warning. He wasn’t alone. Something was watching him, something waiting for him to make a mistake.
It wasn’t long before he heard it—a low, guttural growl, vibrating through the ground beneath him. Riku’s heart raced. He was ready. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, and his eyes scanned the shadows ahead.
From the darkness of the trees emerged a figure—a massive wolf, larger than any beast he had ever seen. Its fur was matted with corruption, patches of blackened, decaying flesh that pulsed with unnatural energy. Its red eyes glowed with malevolence as it bared its fangs, snarling.
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Name: Corrupted Wolf
Level: 15
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Riku’s mind quickly calculated the threat. Despite its formidable size and corrupted state, the wolf was no match for him. He had faced tougher monsters, and a level 15 wolf didn’t stand a chance.
But Riku didn’t underestimate it. Corrupted creatures were known to be unpredictable, and the woods seemed to have a strange power that enhanced their abilities.
The wolf lunged at him, its claws outstretched. Riku sidestepped the attack with ease, his reflexes honed by countless battles. He raised his sword, and in one swift motion, he slashed at the beast.
The wolf howled in pain as Riku’s blade cut through its corrupted fur and into its side. Blood spilled from the wound, but the wolf didn’t back down. It snarled, preparing to strike again.
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Riku didn’t give it the chance. He darted forward, closing the distance with lightning speed, and delivered another decisive blow, this time to the wolf’s throat. The creature’s growl turned into a strangled cry before it collapsed to the ground.
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DING!
"You have defeated a Corrupted Dire Wolf. XP gained: 2000."
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The notification flashed across Riku’s vision, and he took a moment to catch his breath. The battle had been swift, and the wolf was now nothing more than a fallen corpse at his feet. Yet Riku couldn’t shake the feeling that this place held far more danger than what he had just faced.
As his stats updated, Riku’s HUD displayed his enhanced attributes, the changes etched in glowing text. The familiar voice in his mind read aloud the results of his growth:
The notification flashed briefly in the corner of his vision:
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Riku
10 → 11
Unspent Stat Points: 3
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Updated Stats:
* Level: 11
* Strength: 22
* Magic: 17 → 20
* Defense: 22
* Stamina: 22
* Speed: 22
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Three was a small number, but every point counted. He had already allocated the points to Magic, which seemed like the best option in this forest full of unknown dangers.
"Not now," Riku decided, tucking the thought away for later. There were more important matters at hand. The Abyssal Woods still stretched out before him, filled with unknown horrors waiting to be faced.
With his level-up settled, he wiped the blood from his blade and sheathed it, his eyes scanning the woods once more. The Corrupted Dire Wolf had been an obstacle, but there was something else out here, something more dangerous. The deeper he ventured, the more the woods seemed to close in around him. This place wasn’t just about the creatures—it was about the corruption itself.
The forest seemed alive, pulsating with a dark energy that seeped into the very ground, feeding off the corruption that had claimed this place. The trees themselves seemed to shift and twist as he moved forward, almost as if they were watching him, waiting for him to slip up.
Riku’s senses remained sharp, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his sword. The deeper he went, the more he felt the oppressive weight of the woods closing in around him. It wasn’t long before the next challenge presented itself.
In the distance, through the mist, he saw another figure emerging—this time, a creature that seemed different from the rest. It wasn’t a wolf or a bear, but something far more unnatural. Its body was elongated, its movements fluid and eerie. Its skin was a sickly gray, and glowing red eyes fixed on him from the shadows.
The creature was humanoid, but its features were twisted—distorted by the corruption. Riku’s heart skipped a beat. He had seen things like this before—corrupted abominations that had once been human.
As it stepped closer, the figure opened its mouth and let out a chilling screech. It wasn’t just a warning. It was a summons. From the surrounding trees, others began to emerge—twisted, corrupted creatures of various shapes and sizes. Riku’s grip tightened around his sword as he prepared for the next wave.
But this wasn’t just a random encounter. These creatures weren’t roaming the woods by chance. They were guarding something.
Riku could feel it—the pull of the corruption. He was nearing the heart of the woods, where the true danger awaited. The very air seemed to grow thicker, heavier, as if the forest itself was trying to consume him.
He raised his sword, prepared to face whatever horrors came next. His mind was calm, his body ready. This was what he had trained for. No matter how twisted or powerful these creatures were, he would overcome them.
With his resolve hardened, Riku advanced, pressing deeper into the Abyssal Woods, ready for whatever challenge awaited him.