Damien’s heart still pounded from the rush of battle. The Wraithborn had fallen, their monstrous forms dissolving into mist, but the fight left him energized rather than drained. He could feel the surge of power within him—the unmistakable sign of leveling up. For the first time, he wasn’t helpless. He was growing.
“Let’s see where I stand now,” Damien muttered, raising his hand to summon the Stat Window.
---
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Damien Ashenblade
Title: The Blade's Chosen
Level: 3
Class: Celestial Bladebearer
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CORE STATS:
Stat Current Value Strength 20 Agility 22 Endurance 17 Intelligence 12 Perception 19 Vitality 18
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UNIQUE TRAITS:
Trait Name Description Celestial Resonance Bonded with the Celestial Blade, unlocking latent abilities and enhancing growth potential.
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ABILITIES:
Ability Name Type Level Astral Slash Active 2 Phase Step Active 1 Blade Echo Passive 2 Celestial Aura Passive 1
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DYNAMIC BUFFS:
- EXP Boost: +200% EXP gain from combat with higher-level enemies.
- Health Regeneration: 5% of max health regenerated per minute outside of combat.
---
Damien studied the numbers with a sense of satisfaction. His growth was tangible, and each stat felt like a foundation being rebuilt stronger than ever. For years, he had looked at his stat page with disdain, seeing it as proof of his failure. Now, it was proof of his potential.
But there was no time to dwell. He dismissed the window with a flick of his hand and turned his attention back to the forest. The clearing where he’d fought was eerily silent now, the remnants of the Wraithborn gone as if they had never existed. Only the shattered ground bore witness to the intensity of the fight.
---
The night was still young, and Damien knew he couldn’t afford to rest too long. The power of Ebonfang had awakened, and with it, the path to breaking free of his family’s expectations and proving his worth.
Yet, the fight had raised questions. Why had the Wraithborn appeared so quickly? Were they drawn to the sword, or was it something else? He tightened his grip on Ebonfang, the blade pulsing faintly in response.
He began to walk, each step deliberate, his senses sharpened by his newfound perception. The forest around him felt alive in a way it never had before—every rustle of leaves, every distant cry of nocturnal creatures seemed amplified. For the first time, he felt in tune with his surroundings, as if the blade in his hand connected him not just to its power but to the world itself.
---
Damien’s steps halted abruptly. Ahead, the trees gave way to a small ravine, and at its center, an unnatural glow pulsed faintly. He approached cautiously, his instincts on high alert.
As he drew closer, the glow resolved into a large crystal embedded in the earth. Its surface was jagged, but it emanated a steady, rhythmic light. Damien knelt beside it, his eyes narrowing as he examined the strange object.
Before he could reach out, a sudden chill swept through the air. His breath fogged as a low growl echoed from behind. Spinning around, Damien found himself face-to-face with another creature—this one unlike any he’d fought before.
The beast stood taller than the Wraithborn, its body encased in a dark, chitinous armor that shimmered in the faint light. Its eyes glowed a deep crimson, and a series of spiked appendages jutted from its back.
Damien’s grip tightened on Ebonfang. “You’re new,” he muttered.
The creature didn’t hesitate. It lunged with blinding speed, its claws swiping in a deadly arc. Damien activated Phase Step on instinct, his form flickering out of existence for a split second as he reappeared a few feet away. The beast’s claws struck empty air, but it quickly turned, its glowing eyes locking onto him again.
Damien steadied his breathing, focusing. “Let’s test out Astral Slash at its new level.”
He raised Ebonfang, channeling the celestial energy through the blade. The runes flared brightly, and with a powerful swing, he unleashed a wave of energy. The Astral Slash cut through the ravine, colliding with the creature in an explosive burst of light.
The beast roared, its armor cracking under the impact. It staggered but didn’t fall. Instead, it charged again, more ferocious than before.
Damien grinned. “Good. Let’s keep going.”
The battle that followed was fierce, pushing Damien to his limits. He weaved between the creature’s powerful strikes, each movement more fluid and precise than the last. His blade danced in the dim light, delivering blow after blow as Blade Echo triggered, sending spectral afterimages to strike alongside him.
The beast’s armor began to crumble, its roars growing more desperate. But Damien didn’t relent. His confidence surged with every successful maneuver, every perfectly timed dodge and counterattack.
Finally, with one last strike, he drove Ebonfang deep into the creature’s core. The runes along the blade pulsed brightly, and the beast let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing. Its body dissolved into a dark mist, leaving behind only the faint glow of the crystal in the ravine.
---
Damien stood over the spot where the creature had fallen, his chest heaving. The familiar pulse of experience coursed through him again, and though he was exhausted, a satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
He sheathed Ebonfang, the weight of the blade now a comforting presence at his side. The journey ahead would undoubtedly bring even greater challenges, but for the first time in his life, he felt ready.
He glanced back at the crystal, its glow steady and inviting. Whatever mysteries lay within, he knew one thing for certain—this was only the beginning.