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[Emberroots] - A common herb with a fiery hue, often found in various landscapes. Its roots give off a subtle warmth, making it a popular choice for potions and simple fire-related enchantments.
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"Finally! I-" Rave spotted the herb he was looking for, under the shade of a root. With the system's help, he quickly located it. Without the system, finding it might have taken days, or he might not have found it at all. However, before he could approach the plant to harvest it, a silhouette in the distance caught his attention—fast and agile.
THUMP
The creature jumped down from the trees right in front of the Emberroots and promptly plucked and consumed the herbs. Rave could discern its happy expression, as if it had been searching for this particular herb for days and finally found one.
Recognizing the creature as a Cinderwhisk, the one Amy had warned him about, Rave took cautious steps backward, activating his inspect.
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[Cinderwhisk] - A common monster in the world of Foran, a perilous creature standing half the height of a human. Its greying fur conceals retractable sharp nails. These creatures have a penchant for the fire attribute and enjoy consuming warm food, with Emberroots being their favorite.
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As Rave read the description, he stepped back. Due to the tall grass, he didn't notice that he was about to step on a branch.
CRUNCH
Rave abruptly halted yet ready to escape at any moment, and the Cinderwhisk was equally startled, immediately turning toward Rave. It paused for a moment, then abruptly got up, its face contorting into an ugly expression.
SCREECH
An ear-piercing noise filled the air as the Cinderwhisk waved its arms, retracting 5-inch claws from its fingers. It rushed toward Rave without warning or notice.
Rave, expecting this, sprinted away just before the creature could make a sound. He lacked the confidence to face a creature like this, especially with his limited real-world combat experience. After transmigrating to this world, his only experience in fights had only been in virtual battles. Despite his familiarity with combat strategies, fighting for real and risking his life was an entirely different scenario.
As Rave continued to run, his chest heated up, breaths growing shorter.
He quickly devised multiple plans to evade the creature and ensure his survival.
'Should I lure it towards other adventurers? However, that might lead to an incident and potential casualties, making me responsible.' Rave pondered. He also considered running back to the forest entrance, but he realized he was quite far away, a mistake on his part for not noting the risks of venturing deep into the forest.
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Despite his dwindling stamina and exhausted feet, Rave pressed on. The Cinderwhisk showcased its agility, not only running on the ground but also leaping between trees with ease. Its claws left deep cuts on the surrounding trees as it continue to pursue. Rave also contemplated the potential outcome if one of those claws were to strike him.
'Is this Cinderwhisk alone?' Rave questioned, persisting in his escape. He carefully scanned his surroundings, growing confident that he was dealing with a lone Cinderwhisk.
'Since escape isn't an option, let's face it head-on.' Rave decided. He intentionally slowed down, feigning exhaustion and raggedly breathing.
The Cinderwhisk, interpreting Rave's apparent fatigue, laughed hysterically and accelerated towards him.
Rave, however, was attempting to bait the creature, preparing to use his skill and catch it off guard. Though lacking confidence, Rave believed his plan was working based on the Cinderwhisk's behavior.
Moments later, as the Cinderwhisk closed in, Rave readied his skill.
The Cinderwhisk was nearly upon him. Rave understood that any mistake could lead to his demise, and the timing had to be perfect. Given his current attributes, low level, and level status, he knew he had to put something on the line.
The Cinderwhisk lunged towards Rave, its left hand aiming for his head. Anticipating the attack, Rave dodged it expertly. However, the creature swiftly followed up with its right hand, targeting Rave's stomach.
A successful evasion of the initial attack filled Rave with a surge of adrenaline. His body, despite his analytical mind, struggled to match the agility required for real-world combat. Nevertheless, a desperate push altered his position just enough for the second attack to graze his body.
SLASH
The Cinderwhisk's claws left a deep cut on Rave's abdomen. Though not fatal, it required immediate attention. The Cinderwhisk, witnessing Rave's remarkable maneuvers, displayed a mixture of surprise and shock—feats impossible for others with similar attributes or at Rave's level.
Ignoring his injuries, Rave focused on landing a punch on the Cinderwhisk's face. He activated his skill, covering his fist with blue lightning.
"You piece of shit, I'm done running! Have a taste of lightning!" Rave shouted, rage fueled by the pain from his injuries. The lightning enveloped him, starting from his fist, spreading to his arms, and finally covering his entire body. His hair stood up, turning white.
This sequence of events unfolded in seconds, concluding with Rave's electrified punch connecting with the creature's face. A barrage of thunderous punches followed, long after the Cinderwhisk had met its end. Oblivious to the effects of his skill, Rave continued to strike the lifeless creature.
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[Electrified was applied, enemy stunned]
[Overcharge was applied, enemy vulnerable to subsequent attacks]
[Conduction was applied, enemy nearby will suffer residual shock]
[Electrified was applied, enemy stunned]
[Electrified was applied, enemy stunned]
[Overcharge was applied, enemy vulnerable to subsequent attacks]
[Conduction was applied, enemy nearby will suffer residual shock]
[Conduction was applied, enemy nearby will suffer residual shock]
...
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Numerous notifications appeared in front of Rave. As the adrenaline subsided, he ceased his assault, collapsing on the ground with ragged breaths, visibly exhausted. The effects of his skill vanished along with the lightning that had enveloped him.
Yet, a victorious smile adorned Rave's face. The exhilarating feeling of overcoming a life-threatening situation was novel to him, bringing a rush of happiness and excitement. Fear during the battle transformed into joy after securing victory. The recent prompts further amplified his satisfaction.
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[You've Leveled Up!]
[Level 1 -> Level 2]
Strength (STR): +4 (New total: 16)
Multi Defense (DEF): +4 (New total: 16)
Agility (AGI): +5 (New total: 18)
Vitality (VIT): +2 (New total: 10)
Intelligence (INT): +8 (New total: 26)
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[Elemental Surge - Proficiency Increase!]
[New Title: Undaunted Victor!]
[Inherent Ability Acquired: Survivor's Instinct!]
[Ability Traits Acquired: Thunder Rush!]
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"I've leveled up, gained a title, and acquired a skill. Awesome!" Rave exclaimed, lying on the ground. He desired to rest but refrained, realizing that he didn't have the luxury of time. After leveling up, his body seemed to recover most of its strength. The attribute increase assured him that his injuries were no longer critical.
Rave stood up and walked toward a nearby tree. He removed his clothes, disregarding their cleanliness. To stem the bleeding, he fashioned a bandage from the cloth. After a short rest, he noticed the Cinderwhisk's lifeless body, burnt and it's head minced.
"Is there anything else I can salvage from its body? Wait, is the core still intact inside?" Rave pondered, recalling the valuable monster cores that fetched high prices.