Chapter 11: Into the Shadows

Cruz took a deep breath, grounding himself in the moment. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it, armed with new knowledge, a stronger will, and a desire to uncover the secrets of the Dungeon of Shadows. Standing in the dimly lit chamber, he felt a surge of adrenaline course through him, mixing with the euphoric realization of his newfound strength.

cruz chose to add Strength: +4 (Total: 9)strength was vital to physically deal with enemies cruz deliberately thought . Given that he will be facing increasingly powerful monsters, he needed to deal more damage, especially since he's acquired a bloodline with physical aspects the (Quakehorn Titan) bloodline .

He also added Agility: +6 (Total: 12) Agility improves both attack speed and dodge ability, which was crucial for Cruz as he would maybe face packs of enemies, like Dark Hounds. His agility would help him evade attacks, and it synergizes well with his makeshift dagger and rudimentary dagger techniques

He also added Toughness: +3 (Total: 9),Intelligence: +2 (Total: 6),Willpower: +2 (Total: 9),he did not want the repeat of the spider incident resist mental and emotional debuffs, like fear or mind control, he needed to maintain control and finally Vitality: +3 (Total: 10) with vitality and speed as his focus cruz wanted to be able stay in the fight longer. It was an instinctive choice, and as he confirmed the allocations, a warm sensation spread throughout his body.

He felt the tautness of his muscles, the vigor flowing through his veins, and even the essence of his bloodline seemed to resonate in acceptance. The strength he had craved was finally within his grasp.

Cruz glanced at his status, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. The numbers on the screen told a story of resilience and growth.

Character Profile: Cruz Hernandez

Race: Human

Level: 5

Abilities:

[Descent of Primus]

Rank: F evolving..... (error??//𐌗𐌘𐌦𐌗𐌡𐌕 𐌢𐌦 𐌦𐌥𐌡𐌠𐌢𐌔)

Skill Type: Causality Manipulation

Effect: User can accelerate or decelerate the flow of time around a target for a short duration.Description: ?????

[Identify]

Rank: F (32/100)Skill Type: Knowledge/ObservationEffect: User can discern basic information about an object, creature, or entity, including its name, type, level, and basic attributes. This skill helps the user assess potential threats and strategize accordingly.

[Weak Quakehorn Titan Bloodline]

Rank: ???

Description: Ability absorbed from the Stonehide Rhino's blood.

[Earth Sense]

Rank: F (14/100)

Skill Type: Environmental Awareness

Effect: User can sense vibrations and disturbances in the earth, allowing detection of nearby terrain features, hidden pathways, and the presence of creatures within a limited radius. This skill provides awareness of environmental shifts and helps locate hidden dangers or resources underground.

Health and Resources:

Health Points (HP): 36/50

Mana Points (MP): 30/40

Stamina: 34/60

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Stats:

Strength: 9

Agility: 12

Endurance: 9

Toughness: 9

Wisdom: 3

Intelligence: 6

Willpower: 9

Vitality: 10

Experience Points:

Current Experience (XP): 300/900 (Level 5)

Experience Needed for Next Level: 600

Cruz stared at the adjustments, feeling a mixture of disbelief and excitement. Strength: 9. Agility: 12. The numbers made him feel more like a warrior, more capable than before. Even the boost to his Vitality and Toughness reassured him that he could withstand more punishment. He began to understand the intricate weave of his character's development—every choice mattered, every point was precious.

Yet as he contemplated his new strength, he couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu. The system had evolved more comprehensively than he remembered, and he couldn't help but wonder about the implications. But with so much at stake, he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the present.

His battered armor, a makeshift collection of pieces scavenged from the Dreadspine, hung awkwardly on his body. It barely provided adequate coverage, but he knew it was better than nothing. The thought of discarding it crossed his mind, but he hesitated; he didn't know how to craft armor from snake scales or what other dangers awaited him in the depths of this dungeon. For now, he decided it was better to hold onto what little protection he had.

With his daggers clutched tightly, Cruz moved deeper into the darkness. The cave opened up before him, revealing an eerie forest where the shadows seemed to stretch and twist unnaturally. The trees towered high above, their gnarled branches intertwining like skeletal fingers reaching for the sky. The air was thick with foreboding, and a chill ran down his spine. "Why can't it ever be sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns?" he muttered, half-jokingly, and the forest seemed to respond with a shiver of wind, deepening the gloom.

Cruz took a cautious step forward, eyes scanning his surroundings. He was eager for the challenge but remained wary of past mistakes. Just then, a glimmer of movement caught his attention. From the shadows emerged a creature, low and sleek, with fur as dark as the void between stars.

Cruz instinctively activated Identify.

[Shadow Hound – lvl 12]

Stats:

Vitality: 6

Strength: 5

Agility: 9

Endurance: 4

Mana Capacity: 3

The hound appeared to blend seamlessly into the shadows, its glowing eyes fixed on Cruz, assessing him as a potential threat. He could feel the creature's predatory instinct radiating through the air. This was no ordinary beast; it was a manifestation of the darkness that enveloped the dungeon.

He could see its muscles ripple beneath the dark fur, ready to pounce at any moment. Cruz felt his heart race; he had faced a Shadow Serpent and lived, but this was different. He had to stay sharp.

The hound growled, its gaze unyielding, and suddenly lunged. Cruz reacted on instinct, rolling to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's snapping jaws. He sprang to his feet, adrenaline surging through him as he turned to face the creature.

"Okay, let's see how agile you are," he whispered, positioning himself low, dagger poised and ready for an attack.

As the Shadow Hound circled him, Cruz noticed the way its muscles coiled, preparing for another strike. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and focused on the ground beneath him. With Earth Sense active, he could feel the vibrations of the hound's movements. He could anticipate its attacks.

The hound lunged again, but this time Cruz was prepared. He sidestepped to the left, bringing his dagger down in a swift arc as he did so. The blade caught the hound's side, and the creature yelped in pain, momentarily stunned. The sound echoed through the forest, reverberating off the trees and into the darkness.

But the hound recovered quickly, and its eyes burned with fury. It retaliated, launching itself toward Cruz with surprising speed using

[Shadow Step

Effect: Allows the Shadow Hound to move through shadows, enabling it to flank enemies.] He barely had time to react, bringing his dagger up in defense. The two clashed, a flurry of claws and steel as Cruz parried the beast's attack.

"Come on, you've faced worse!" he encouraged himself, the thrill of battle igniting his senses. He ducked low and countered with a thrust aimed at the hound's belly.

The blade sank into the creature's side, and it howled in agony. Cruz felt a rush of triumph as he pulled the dagger free, watching as the hound staggered back. Yet he knew he couldn't let up. He had to finish this fight.

With renewed vigor, he pressed forward, dodging the hound's desperate swipes. He slipped beneath its guard and landed another strike across its flank.

"Just a little more," he urged himself, adrenaline fueling his movements.

The hound growled, eyes blazing with a mix of pain and anger. It lunged once more, but this time Cruz was ready. He anticipated the attack and pivoted, using his momentum to spin and deliver a powerful slash across the creature's throat.

The hound let out a final, mournful wail before collapsing into a shadowy heap, its body dissolving into the darkness around them. Cruz stood panting, his heart pounding in his chest.

A notification flashed before him, interrupting his moment of triumph:

[You have defeated Shadow Hound – EXP gained: 300]

Cruz felt a mix of excitement and determination. He was so close to leveling up again, and the prospect of unlocking new abilities filled him with eagerness. After all, each victory brought him one step closer to becoming the warrior he aspired to be.