The air in the cavern grew heavy as Alaric stood his ground, bloodied and battered. His sword trembled in his grip, a reflection of his exhaustion. Across from him, Derek, Bran, Selene, and Mara loomed, their smug expressions betraying no remorse for their actions.

“Come on, Alaric,” Derek sneered, tapping his sword against the ground. “You’re out of strength, out of luck, and, soon, out of life. Just make it easy for yourself.”

“I’ve made it this far,” Alaric spat, his voice rough but determined. “You’ll have to kill me to take anything from me.”

“Gladly,” Bran growled, raising his shield.

Bran charged first, his shield raised to bash Alaric into submission. Despite the pain coursing through his body, Alaric’s instincts kicked in. He sidestepped the charge and slashed at Bran’s exposed side, but the blade glanced off the reinforced armor.

Selene was next, firing an ice spike at Alaric from her staff. The shard whistled through the air, narrowly missing him as he ducked behind a boulder.

Mara, the healer, chanted behind the group, ready to heal any injuries her comrades might sustain.

“Cowards!” Alaric shouted. “Four against one?”

“That’s how survival works, kid,” Derek said, closing the distance with alarming speed. His sword came down in a powerful arc, forcing Alaric to block. The impact sent shockwaves through his arms, nearly making him drop his weapon.

Alaric staggered back, his breathing labored. He activated Essence Infusion, siphoning power from the remains of the Broodmother. The infusion heightened his agility and strength momentarily, allowing him to parry Bran’s next shield bash and retaliate with a quick slash across the tank’s leg.

Bran roared in pain, his stance faltering.

Selene retaliated, summoning a flurry of ice spikes. Alaric rolled to avoid them, but one grazed his shoulder, drawing blood.

“Damn it!” he cursed, clutching the wound. His vision blurred from the pain, but he refused to back down.

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As Derek lunged again, Alaric used his enhanced agility to sidestep and slash upward. His blade caught Derek’s forearm, drawing a deep gash.

“Bastard!” Derek hissed, clutching his arm.

Bran attempted to shield bash Alaric again, but this time, Alaric ducked and drove his sword into Bran’s exposed knee. The tank collapsed with a scream, his shield slipping from his grasp.

“Selene! Heal him!” Bran shouted, his voice filled with panic.

“I’m trying!” Mara replied, her chant interrupted by Alaric’s sudden charge.

Alaric knew he had to eliminate the healer first. With a desperate burst of speed, he closed the distance and slashed at Mara. The blade cut deep into her arm, breaking her concentration.

“You think you can win?” Selene screamed, launching another ice spike.

Alaric ducked, the spike shattering against the cavern wall.

With Mara incapacitated, Alaric turned his attention back to Bran. The tank tried to crawl away, but Alaric ended him with a swift strike to the neck.

“You monster!” Selene shrieked, panic overtaking her. She unleashed a barrage of ice magic, but her aim faltered under the pressure. Alaric used the terrain to his advantage, closing the distance and slamming the hilt of his sword into her head. She crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

“That just leaves you,” Alaric said, turning to Derek.

Derek’s eyes burned with hatred. “You’re dead, Alaric. You just don’t know it yet.”

Their swords clashed violently, sparks flying with each impact. Derek was stronger and more experienced, but Alaric fought with the desperation of a man who had nothing left to lose.

As the fight dragged on, Alaric saw an opening. Derek overextended in a powerful downward swing, and Alaric sidestepped, driving his sword into Derek’s chest.

Derek gasped, blood bubbling from his mouth. “You... you’re nothing but a rat,” he choked out before collapsing.

Alaric stood over his fallen opponent, his chest heaving. He had won, but the cost weighed heavily on him.

Alaric searched the bodies, finding 500 bronzes and Derek’s sword, which emitted a faint glow. He activated Essence Extraction on the Party Members, hoping to gain something valuable.

[New Skill Acquired: Sword Mastery (Beginner)]

Alaric’s lips curled into a grim smile. “Finally, a fighting skill.”

He looked around the bloodied cavern, the weight of what he had done pressing on his chest. “I won’t let this be for nothing,” he muttered.

With newfound determination, Alaric gathered his spoils and limped out of the dungeon. The journey to strength was far from over, but he had taken another step forward.

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Status Window

* Level: 12

* Strength: 25

* Agility: 20

* Intelligence: 29

* Defense: 20

* HP: 750/750

* MP: 580/580

* Skills:

* Essence Extraction (E)

* Essence Infusion (E)

* Sword Mastery (Beginner) (E)