Chapter 5: Edge of Strength

Cruz leaned heavily against a jagged rock wall inside the cave, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His legs felt like they were made of lead after a day of running from the Stonehide Rhinos, their thunderous footsteps still echoing in his ears. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his mind replaying the day's events over and over. He had killed a calf—a mistake, but one that had nearly cost him his life.

"I thought I was strong..." Cruz muttered to himself, frustration gnawing at him.

For the past few days, he had reveled in the rush of power he felt from killing monsters. Each battle made him feel more confident, more in tune with his abilities. He'd taken down Dreadspine Hatchlings easily enough, their fragile bodies no match for his growing strength. But that confidence had led him into a dangerous trap—he had underestimated the adult forms of the creatures, and it nearly cost him everything.

You have encountered [Young Dreadspine – lvl 15]

[Vitality: 2/5]

More durable than its Hatchling form, the Young Dreadspine can withstand a few direct hits before going down.

[Strength: 2/5]

Its claws and jaws have strengthened, allowing it to deal more significant physical damage.

[Agility: 2/5]

Retains decent speed and nimbleness, especially in rough terrain or confined spaces.

[Endurance: 2/5]

Able to fight for longer periods, but still not suited for extended combat.

[Mana Capacity: 2/5]

A small reserve of mana allows for minor dark energy attacks and fear-inducing screeches.

[Fear Aura: 2/5]

Its presence creates a creeping dread, causing lower-level creatures to hesitate or flee.

That Young Dreadspine had almost overwhelmed him. Its dark screech had sent waves of terror through him, making his hands tremble as his mind struggled to fight off the overwhelming fear. He hadn't expected it to be so different from the hatchlings, nor did he think its abilities would affect him so deeply. But he'd pushed through it. His [Descent of Primus] skill had saved him, allowing him to manipulate the threads of causality just enough to land a few lucky strikes.

But using that skill had its price. The more he used it, the more he felt his stamina draining faster than he could recover. He couldn't rely on it too often. It was supposed to be a last resort, a hidden trump card—yet today, he had nearly overused it, and it left him hollow, teetering on the edge of exhaustion.

The cave was damp, and the faint sound of dripping water was the only thing keeping Cruz grounded. His muscles ached from the day's battle, and he felt his body was close to its limit.

He opened his status screen again, feeling a gnawing sense of frustration.

Name: Cruz Hernandez

Race: Human

Class: None

Abilities:

[Descent of Primus]

Rank F ??

Skill Type: Causality Manipulation

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

Stolen story; please report.

Description: ?????

[Identify]

Rank F

Skill Type: Knowledge/Observation

Effect: 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.

Health Points (HP): 5/40

Mana Points (MP): 10/30

Stamina: 8/35

Stats:

Strength: 3

Agility: 5

Endurance: 4

Toughness: 3

Wisdom: 2

Intelligence: 4

Willpower: 6

The numbers hadn't changed. No matter how many creatures he fought, no matter how much he pushed himself, his stats stubbornly refused to increase. He hadn't unlocked a leveling system, and it was starting to wear on him. How was he supposed to get stronger if his stats stayed the same?

Cruz clenched his fists, his mind racing with doubts. Every person who had awakened in the stories he'd heard back on Earth had a leveling system. They grew stronger, their skills evolved, and they could shape their fate with every level they gained. But he—he wasn't leveling. He was surviving, barely scraping by, and it was starting to take its toll.

"What's the point of all this power if I can't even level up?" Cruz whispered angrily. His eyes darted around the cave, as if expecting an answer from the shadows. "Will I ever get stronger?"

The truth stung. He had no answers. He didn't know if his system was broken or if there was something he was missing. Maybe he was doomed to stay weak, forever fighting just to survive, without ever truly gaining the strength he needed to face what was coming.

He thought of the creature that killed his father. That monstrous being—so far beyond anything he had faced—haunted his thoughts. He wasn't strong enough to fight it, not yet. If he couldn't even handle a Young Dreadspine or a pack of Stonehide Rhinos, how could he ever hope to avenge his father?

Cruz shook his head. No. He couldn't afford to think like that. He had to push through. There had to be something more. Maybe the system would reveal itself with time, or maybe he needed to unlock it through some trial. But for now, he needed to survive. He couldn't afford to let fear and doubt rule him. Not now.

The sound of footsteps approaching the cave entrance pulled him out of his thoughts. Cruz tensed, scanning the dim light for any sign of movement. His hand instinctively went to the makeshift dagger he had fashioned from the Dreadspine's claws, his knuckles white from the grip.

A shadow flickered in the distance, and for a moment, he thought it was another one of the adult Dreadspines come to finish what its younger counterpart couldn't. His heart pounded in his chest, but he forced himself to stay calm, breathing slowly to steady his nerves.

As the shadow drew nearer, Cruz activated Identify, the familiar sensation washing over him.

Stonehide Rhino – lvl 12

[Vitality: 4/5]

[Strength: 4/5]

[Endurance: 5/5]

A tough and relentless creature, capable of sustaining heavy damage before succumbing to its injuries. Known for its brute force and unyielding nature.

A surge of panic rose in Cruz's chest. The creature was hunting him. It must have followed him after the earlier chase. He had no hope of fighting it head-on in his current state. His body was worn down, his health dangerously low, and he was trapped in this cave.

But Cruz knew running wouldn't help. He was too tired, too drained to outrun it again. His only chance was to outsmart it.

The cave walls were narrow, with jagged rocks sticking out like crude weapons. He could use that. If he could lure the rhino into the cave's narrowest part, maybe—just maybe—he could cause it to trap itself. It was a long shot, but it was all he had.

Gathering what little strength remained, Cruz stood up, clutching his dagger tightly. His mind raced as he carefully backed away deeper into the cave. The plan was risky, and one mistake could mean his death, but he had no other options.

"This is it," Cruz whispered, his voice barely audible as the footsteps grew louder. His heart thudded in his chest, but his eyes gleamed with a fierce determination.

The battle was about to begin again, and this time, he would use every ounce of his strength and cunning to survive.