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Geon sat in the shadow of a derelict gas station, his back pressed against the cracked concrete wall. Every muscle in his body screamed with exhaustion, the fight with Maria having taken a toll far beyond physical wounds. His shadow stirred beside him, silent but watchful.
He clutched his phone, pulling up the system’s interface.
Health Stamina Energy 300/1000 150/799 201/600
He sighed. The numbers were grim.
“Resting won’t be enough this time,” he muttered.
“You need sustenance,” the shadow replied, its voice curling like smoke in his mind. “Energy doesn’t come from nowhere.”
Geon looked at it, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Food, Geon. Or something more potent. The system is tied to your body and your soul. You’re not just fighting monsters—you’re consuming their essence. Eating, drinking, taking—these things will restore you.”
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The shadow’s words sparked a memory: the Infernal Grizzly’s corpse dissolving into ash, leaving behind a glowing orb of energy. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, but now it made sense.
He checked his inventory.
Inventory: Empty.
“Of course,” he muttered.
His eyes scanned the ruined gas station. Inside, the shelves were mostly barren, save for a few cans of food and an overturned vending machine. Geon made his way inside, stepping over broken glass.
He grabbed a can, its label faded beyond recognition, and opened it with a knife. The contents were unappetizing—a mushy, brown sludge—but he didn’t hesitate. He ate quickly, his body craving the nutrients.
Health restored! + 150
Stamina restored! + 90
It wasn’t much, but it was something.
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As he scavenged further, Geon’s phone buzzed with a notification.
Nearby Energy Node Detected.
Energy Nodes are concentrated sources of omni-energy that can restore health, stamina, and innate energy. Some may also provide unique buffs or enhancements.
Geon stared at the screen, a flicker of hope igniting in his chest. “Where?”
The map on his phone adjusted, highlighting a glowing blue icon roughly two miles away.
“That’s far,” he said, glancing at his stamina bar. “But it’s my best shot.”
The shadow hummed in approval. “Be careful. Energy Nodes attract players and beasts alike.”
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The streets were eerily quiet as Geon made his way toward the node. The crimson sky cast long shadows across the crumbling buildings, and every step felt like it could be his last.
He kept his shadow-sword at the ready, his senses on high alert.
An hour passed, each minute dragging as his stamina ebbed lower and lower. Finally, he reached a clearing where the node was located—a shimmering, glowing crystal embedded in the ground.
Energy Node
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Grade Effect Minor Restores 50% Health, 50% Stamina, and 25% Energy.
Geon stepped closer, his eyes locked on the crystal.
“That’s it,” he whispered.
But as he reached out to touch it, a low growl stopped him in his tracks.
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From the shadows emerged a beast unlike any Geon had faced before. It was massive, its body resembling a warped lion with scales instead of fur. Its eyes glowed with a menacing red light, and its claws scraped against the concrete as it advanced.
Enemy identified: Abyssal Leonid [Energy Node Guardian].
Difficulty: High.
Experience reward: 1233 points.
“Of course there’s a catch,” Geon muttered, his shadow rippling in anticipation.
“This is an opportunity,” the shadow hissed. “Defeat it, and the rewards will be worth the risk.”
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The Abyssal Leonid lunged, its claws slicing through the air. Geon barely dodged, rolling to the side as the beast’s attack shattered the ground where he’d been standing.
He countered with a slash from his shadow-sword, the blade grazing the beast’s scaled hide but failing to penetrate.
“It’s too tough!” Geon shouted, retreating as the Leonid roared.
“Then you need to be smarter,” the shadow replied.
Geon summoned his Shadow Tendrils, sending them snaking toward the beast. The tendrils wrapped around its legs, momentarily holding it in place.
The Leonid snarled, its claws slashing through the tendrils with ease.
Geon used the opening to attack again, aiming for the creature’s glowing eyes. His blade struck true, one eye bursting in a spray of black ichor.
The Leonid roared in pain, thrashing wildly.
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Geon pressed the advantage, his shadow-sword flashing as he struck again and again. The beast’s movements grew sluggish, its wounds taking their toll.
Finally, with a desperate lunge, Geon drove his sword into the creature’s chest. The Leonid let out one final roar before collapsing in a heap.
Enemy defeated. Experience gained: 1233 points.
+1 Level up!
Player reached Level 30.
Geon staggered back, his body trembling with exhaustion. The beast’s corpse dissolved into ash, leaving behind a glowing orb of energy.
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Geon approached the Energy Node, his hand trembling as he reached out to touch it.
The crystal pulsed, and a wave of warmth washed over him.
Energy Node activated.
Health restored! + 600
Stamina restored! + 425
Energy restored! + 175
Health Stamina Energy 900/1200 575/850 376/700
Geon let out a sigh of relief, the pain in his body fading as the energy revitalized him.
“Feeling better?” the shadow asked.
“Much,” Geon replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
As the node faded, its energy spent, Geon turned back toward the city. He was stronger now, but the world was still closing in.
And the game wasn’t over yet.
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