As Midas continued his journey through the Endless Forest, following the stream, he marveled at the diverse flora and fauna that surrounded him. Vibrant flowers in hues he had never seen before bloomed along the water's edge, their fragrances perfuming the air. Exotic birds with iridescent feathers darted through the treetops, their melodic songs filling the forest. The forest seemed alive with magic, and Midas couldn't help but be enchanted by its beauty.
Suddenly, a deep rumble shattered the tranquility, jolting Midas to full attention. His senses heightened as he scanned his surroundings, searching for the source of the disturbance. Emerging from the dense underbrush, a massive creature revealed itself, its scales glistening with an emerald sheen. With razor-sharp claws and fangs, it exuded a palpable aura of power.
Midas clenched his fists, his heart pounding with anticipation. This encounter would be the first true test of his strength since entering the Endless Forest. The beast lunged forward, jaws snapping in his direction. Midas swiftly dodged, narrowly avoiding the deadly attack. With deft agility, he countered, delivering a powerful punch to its flank.
The battle raged on, Midas employing his combat skills with precision. He weaved and bobbed, evading the beast's ferocious swipes and retaliating with swift and powerful punches. The clash of his fists against the beast's scales filled the air, the forest seemingly holding its breath in anticipation of the outcome.
Finally, seizing a well-timed opportunity, Midas unleashed a flurry of lightning-fast punches, striking with the precision of a seasoned warrior. The behemoth let out a bone-chilling roar before collapsing to the forest floor, defeated.
YOU HAVE SLAIN FOREST DRAKE LEVEL 16 – BONUS EXPERIENCE EARNED FOR KILLING AN ENEMY ABOVE YOUR LEVEL. 400 XP GAINED.
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Breathing heavily, Midas wiped the sweat from his brow. The battle had taken its toll, but he knew he couldn't afford to rest for long. Determined to press forward, he resumed his journey, the shrine of ascendancy beckoning him like a distant beacon.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, a low growl caught Midas's attention, causing him to whip around. Before him stood a wolf-like creature, covered in thick, matted fur, its glowing yellow eyes filled with a hunger for blood. Without hesitation, the creature lunged at Midas, jaws snapping menacingly. Midas met the attack head-on, his fists colliding with the creature's gnashing teeth, resulting in a resounding impact.
The beast proved to be agile and cunning, but Midas matched its every move with the fluidity of a true martial artist. They engaged in a fierce hand-to-claw combat, their movements blurring with swift strikes and evasive maneuvers. With each clash, Midas grew more attuned to his opponent's tactics, discerning weaknesses in its defenses.
Summoning his inner strength, Midas unleashed a combination of powerful punches and devastating kicks, each blow landing with precise accuracy. The wolf, unable to withstand the onslaught, crumpled to the ground, defeated.
YOU HAVE SLAIN A MUD WOLF LEVEL 15 – BONUS EXPERIENCE EARNED FOR KILLING AN ENEMY ABOVE YOUR LEVEL. 300 XP GAINED.
"The wolf proved to be a much harder opponent than the drake," Midas pondered. "It isn't always about levels alone. A creature's wiliness and cunning also play a significant role. That probably explains the inconsistent XP gains. The intensity of the battle likely affects the rewards as well."
Though weary by the battles, Midas pressed onward, his determination unyielding. Soon, he stumbled upon a clearing within the forest, where a magnificent temple-like structure stood tall and proud. Intrigued, he approached the entrance adorned with intricately carved statues of elf-like beings.
Entering the temple, Midas marveled at the grandeur within. The air hummed with ancient energy, and the walls were adorned with murals depicting epic battles and heroic deeds. As he ventured deeper into the temple, he discovered a chamber with a dull crystal peeking out.
Midas felt an inexplicable draw to the crystal and, against his better judgment, placed his palm upon it. In an instant, he found himself in a white room, surrounded by eight pedestals.