Ethan darted toward the nearest Tomb Guard, his movements fluid and precise. His Soul Sword gleamed faintly as it carved through the air, severing one of the guard’s arms with a brutal swing. Without hesitation, he leapt into the air, using the momentum to slice cleanly through the creature’s neck.
As his feet hit the ground, a burst of searing heat struck him from behind. The impact threw him forward, pain exploding through his body as he tumbled across the cold stone floor.
“Damn,” Ethan groaned, clutching his side as he staggered to his feet. “That hurt. First time they’ve managed to land a hit, and it feels like I won’t survive the next one.”
The remaining Tomb Guards began to chant, arcane energy swirling in the air around them. Their glowing eyes locked on Ethan as they unleashed a barrage of spells.
Ethan’s instincts screamed. “Activate High Instincts!”
The world slowed, and his body responded automatically. He weaved between the incoming projectiles with calculated precision, his vision sharpened by the skill’s enhancements.
“I didn’t want to waste this,” he muttered, his voice tight with frustration. “But I guess it’s necessary. Time to put these souls to work.”
Ethan closed his eyes, focusing deeply as energy pulsed within him.
{Your level will be boosted by the number of souls used for 10 minutes. 15 levels added.}
{Current Level: 20 → 35.}
A series of notifications flashed across his vision:
{You are the first player to reach Level 35. Rewards will be distributed shortly. Calculating rewards. Rewards distribution delayed pending administrator review.}
“Fucking admins,” Ethan spat, glaring into the empty air as he dodged another spell. “Always meddling. Guess I’ll just have to show them what I can do without their interference.”
When he turned back to the Tomb Guards, he noticed something unexpected: the creatures had hesitated, their relentless advance faltering.
Ethan grinned, a savage expression. “I always wondered if monsters in this game could feel fear. Guess it’s time to find out. Don’t die too easily.”
In a flash, he closed the gap between himself and the remaining four Tomb Guards. With one devastating swing, the Soul Sword cleaved through all of them in a single, fluid motion. Their bodies collapsed, fading into dust as his blade finished its arc.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
{Wave 4/5. Time Elapsed: 3:57.}
Ethan wiped sweat from his brow, his breath heavy. “That took too long. Time to pick up the pace.”
Without waiting for the next countdown, Ethan dashed toward the Royal Guards, their polished armor gleaming under the flickering torchlight.
“I don’t have time for this,” he muttered, narrowing his eyes. “Activate High Instincts—maximum output!”
A rush of energy flooded his senses as High Instincts surged to a new level.
Ethan’s movements became a blur. Every swing of his sword was deliberate, exploiting weaknesses in the Royal Guards’ armor with terrifying accuracy. Sparks flew as his blade tore through steel, slicing through one opponent after another.
{Sword Dance [A] (Upgradeable): Your damage, dexterity, and attack speed are significantly boosted when using swords.}
Ethan felt the boost immediately. The Soul Sword seemed weightless in his hands as he carved a path through the remaining guards. When he struck down the last one, he stood upright, panting heavily.
He turned his gaze to the final opponent—the Samurai.
The Samurai remained unmoving, seated in perfect stillness with his katana resting upright before him. His calm, imposing presence sent a shiver down Ethan’s spine.
Ethan tried to take a step forward but collapsed onto his knees, his body trembling with exhaustion.
“Fucking admins,” Ethan hissed through gritted teeth. “Always ruining my plans.”
The Samurai rose, his movements deliberate and respectful. Without reaching for his sword, he approached Ethan, his footsteps echoing in the now-silent chamber.
When he stood before Ethan, he extended a hand.
Ethan blinked in surprise. “What?”
The Samurai didn’t speak, but his gesture was clear. Ethan hesitated, then reached out and grasped the offered hand. The Samurai helped him to his feet before returning to his original position. He unsheathed his katana, adopting a low fighting stance.
Ethan grinned weakly. “Hah... You honor-bound bastard. Fine. I’ll give you the fight of your life.”
Reaching into his pocket, Ethan retrieved a small, glowing stone.
“This wasn’t meant for you,” he muttered, “but I guess saving things isn’t an option right now.”
He crushed the hearthstone in his hand, a surge of energy washing over him as a new skill was unlocked.
{Suppresses all feelings of pain and damage for two minutes. When the effect ends, all accumulated pain will return instantly.}
“Activate Temporary Patch,” Ethan said, his voice steady.
{All feelings of damage suppressed for 2:00.}
Ethan straightened, his trembling subsiding as the artificial calm of the skill took hold. He raised his sword, adopting a stable stance that radiated confidence.
{Wave 4/5. Time Elapsed: 4:30.}
“Let’s go, Samurai,” Ethan said, his lips curling into a fierce smile. “Give me everything you’ve got.”
The Samurai responded with a slight nod, his grip on the katana tightening as he surged forward. Their blades clashed, the sound ringing out like thunder, signaling the start of a battle neither would forget.