Zenith spent some time killing creatures. It was only after 27 encounters, during which, whenever he encountered a single creature rather than duos or trios, he would use Flame Sphere on it without Earth Grip. This was a way for him to conserve resonance. This was a safer way of learning on the go, and he got the hang of the Rune ability on the 12th go. Fable would be cursing if he knew how quickly Zenith could learn.
"Games usually have a skill system, where the more I use a skill, the more proficient I become in it. What a lousy creator to not implement that system here, it's like he got bored and gave up or something," Zenith complained.
Finally, after some time, he encountered another variant. The creature itself was a good chance for Zenith to practice his combat moves more, so rather than use rune abilities, he toyed with the creature a bit, as if to give it false hope. Such a method was dangerous as a mistake could obviously cost someone their life.
"It's not strong enough to push me to the limit. I need another creature like back then," he remembered the larger resonant creature that left him nearly dead. Deciding not to waste anymore time, Zenith used Flame Sphere after dodging a swing of the creature's arm. Zenith's hand extended before he called out the Rune Incantation, his resonance forming into a sphere of fire that condensed before shooting towards the rare variant that wanted to close the distance.
Unfortunately for the creature, it received the attack head-on, flames exploding from its head onwards as it shrieked in pain, on the ground squirming and clawing at itself until it turned to ash, then light particles.
Zenith received another 500 Experience from the prompt, though it wasn't enough for him to level up. Instead, he walked over and gazed at the key that the creature left. He picked it up and went over towards the wooden door that remained, repeating the same action as he did at the last one.
There was a treasure chest like last time, but this one, to Zenith's surprise, although made of wood, had linings of gold around it. Zenith knew he lucked out. Rushing over, he quickly fiddled and opened the chest.
"Hmm?" Confused like last time, he reached in and pulled out a palm-sized stone tablet with runes etched into it.
[Rune of Understanding Acquired.] Zenith carefully brushed his hand against the surface of the rune tablet, seeing the deeply etched runes. "Information," Zenith asked, a prompt appearing to give him more of an explanation. [A Rare Runic Tablet, formed from unknown means, condensing thoughts and experience. Sacrifice 1 level and convert it into pure thought and understanding, allowing you to permanently understand Resonance better by 10%.]
Zenith's body shook. Such a thing was insane. 10% was obviously not much when you looked at the number, especially as you had to sacrifice a level, but in this place, Zenith could grind out creatures and grow stronger, but understanding resonance took effort and more time.
Without hesitation, he immediately used the tablet, not even bothering to store it. He would dream of selling such a thing; it was too good to pass up. Zenith first felt his body feel slightly weaker before the feeling vanished, then he felt a warm current surge around his entire body and mind. The feeling he could best describe was having learnt to do something years ago, but not doing it again until years later, then when you try to do that task after those years, your memory is refreshed and you don't need to completely learn the method again.
He sighed thoughtfully. Unfortunately, he didn't think he would encounter such good things often. So he stood up after calming himself and left the room, continuing his path onwards.
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Traversing for a bit, Zenith often encountered dead ends and had to waste time by turning around, encountering weak resonant creatures that gave no reward but exhausted him a little. It would all add up in the end. Zenith had a newfound understanding of the term "no free lunch." Several waves of creatures were nothing, but if he journeyed blindly, then eventually he would be exhausted and may encounter something stronger after letting his guard down.
Ding! Recovering the small % of health he lost when he was attacked by a rare variant and a lesser resonant creature, Zenith leveled up, his lost level restored. But the second he took another step, he encountered another battle.
[Enemy Encountered!] Zenith's eyes narrowed. He quickly saw a large glob; this thing was bigger than the rare variant but still much smaller than the creature he encountered in the caverns. Zenith wasn't one to wait around. "Gleaming Fire Burns A Path," he spoke up, and a fireball left his right hand, shooting towards the figure. But before it landed, a large black shadow smacked it away, causing it to explode at the surrounding bricks.
Zenith's eyes narrowed. He quickly formed a short sword and shield from his resonance, then focused on what appeared. It was a twisted, almost humanoid creature with one half of its body deformed, its right deformed side having a massive claw almost like a club. The other side was average-looking. It truly seemed to be made of resonance regardless.
The creature appeared soulless, yet when it saw Zenith, it emitted a growl before it hunched over and dashed towards him. Despite its appearance, it was much more agile than the rare variant. It leapt up and used its massive claw to smash down towards Zenith.
Not even trying to block such an attack as his heart palpitated, Zenith dodged and slashed at the creature's massive claw, but the weapon only dealt superficial cuts. "Harder than the body of the baby greater resonant creature I killed. It seems to rely heavily on that hand."
Zenith didn't even bother to try and outlast it with stamina; resonance creatures had an endless amount of that. Instead, he dodged every attack it threw at him. Although it was agile when moving forward, it suffered the same issue as the baby greater resonant creature: its turn speed was slow, and it needed a second to recover after doing a large attack. So despite a bit of surprise, Zenith didn't panic. Instead, he waited, timing things bit by bit, and often throwing small slashes at it then backing away before it could sweep him.
The creature then hunched over and leapt up again to smash down. But Zenith was one step ahead; he was waiting for this moment. "Gleaming Fire Burns A Path!!" He shot a fireball upwards at the creature that seemed a bit stunned. The fireball smacked into its massive claw as it used it to defend itself, then fire burst like a small bomb. The creature fell to the ground, roaring in pain. Thankfully, the fire dissipated after it used its massive claw to avoid most of the damage, yet its claw was scarred.
When the creature stood up to recover, it looked ahead only to find Zenith was gone. "Behind you..." he smirked, having taken the chance when it had fallen and during the fire to rush behind it.
With a sudden sweep of the now laser great sword he clutched with both gauntlets, he cleanly beheaded the creature that fell forward limply and then vanished into light particles.
[5x Reward: 250 Experience Gained. Drops Found: Mysterious shard x1]
Zenith was overjoyed. The reason being, with an understanding of a strategy to beat this creature, he would be able to end fights quickly as long as he used his resonance sparingly and rested when he felt dizzy. What's more interesting was the drop he received. He picked it up and gazed with curiosity after calling up the information screen. [A shard of unknown origins made of resonance and an unknown material. Collect 100 to combine them.]
Zenith was a little disappointed, but the fact he needed 100 of these killed his joy further. Sighing for a moment, he considered the situation. "I doubt there would be anything worthless here. If it needs 100 shards, then it's bound to be something good. In the meantime, I also have to consider being searched for by the others once they realize that I can't be contacted and have been gone for a long while."
Zenith was a little torn. He didn't want to worry the others and cause a stir if they were unable to enter the teleporter device after trying to contact him, but at the same time, this place was a treasure trove. "Fuck it! I'll just apologize when I'm done. This chance sure as hell won't come around often."
Zenith rushed deeper into the dungeon with eagerness in his eyes.