Emerging from the depths of the dungeon, I blinked against the bright light of the outside world. My eyes adjusted, and the lush, vibrant forest of Ateheeris unfolded before me. The air was alive with the chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves, a stark contrast to the eerie silence I'd left behind. "Well, Dominus, looks like we're back in the great outdoors," I said to the sword, which, unsurprisingly, offered no reply.

I ventured deeper into the woods, the underbrush crunching softly under my boots. The sense of adventure was palpable, tinged with the excitement of the unknown. That's when I saw it—a wolf, its coat as dark as the shadows that danced between the trees.

Remembering the Luck's Gaze skill the system mentioned, I focused intently on the wolf. To my amazement, a translucent screen appeared before me, detailing the creature's status:

Name: Shadow Prowler

Species: Enchanted Wolf

Level: 1

Health: 80/80

**Stats:**

-Vit:8

- Str:16

- Agi:12

- Def:18

- Int:6

**Skills:**

- Speed Surge: Increases agility by 5%.

- Moonlit Howl: Temporarily disorients the opponent, lowering their defence.

As I scanned the information, a mix of awe and trepidation filled me. "So, you're a Shadow Prowler, huh? A fancy name for a wolf," I chuckled nervously, trying to keep the mood light despite the gravity of my situation. The details on the screen painted a clear picture of my foe – a creature of the night, swift and cunning, but not invincible.

"Okay, Alex, knowledge is power, right?" I mumbled to myself, clutching Dominus a little tighter. The wolf's weaknesses glowed at me from the screen – a beacon of hope. Light-based attacks and a struggle in drawn-out battles... If only I had a light-based attack. But the endurance part, maybe, just maybe, I could use that. "Let's dance, Shadow Prowler. Let's see who tires first."

With a deep breath, I readied myself, the information from Luck's Gaze my newfound ally in the impending clash. It was time to put that knowledge to the test.

I never thought I'd say this, but there I was, squaring off against a wolf, like some kind of low-budget fantasy hero. The wolf, all snarls and sharp teeth, looked like it meant business. And me? Well, I had my trusty sword, Dominus, and a whole lot of "what am I even doing here?" vibes.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The wolf lunged, a blur of fur and fangs, and I barely dodged in time, feeling its breath hot on my face. "Okay, Alex, time to be a hero, or at least pretend to be one," I muttered to myself, trying to remember any helpful tips from all those stories I'd heard. Right, the heroes in those tales never faced their foes head-on without a plan. They used their wits. Too bad my wits seemed to be on a coffee break.

With a deep breath that I hoped looked more heroic than panicked, I feigned to the left and then darted right, swinging Dominus with all the grace of a drunken dancer. To my utter shock, the blade connected, and the wolf yelped, recoiling. "Ha! Take that, you... you overgrown furball!"

The battle felt like it lasted hours, but it was probably only a few heart-pounding minutes. Each dodge, each swing of my sword, brought me closer to something resembling confidence. Maybe I could actually do this.

And then, in a moment that felt as though it were scripted by the fates themselves, I saw my opening. The wolf, perhaps underestimating this two-legged novice, left its flank exposed. With a shout that was half courage and half sheer terror, I lunged forward, my blade finding its mark.

As the wolf collapsed, the world seemed to pause, the only sound was my ragged breathing and the thud of my heartbeat in my ears. "I did it... I actually did it," I gasped, half in disbelief.

"Congratulations, Alex! You've defeated the Shadow Prowler. You've earned 150 EXP, you have levelled up granting +9 to all stats, and unlocked a new skill option. Choose wisely!"

Another prompt appeared, offering me a choice of skills.

**Shadow Prowler Skills:**

-Speed Surge: Increases agility by 5%.

-Moonlit Howl: Temporarily disorients the opponent, lowering their defence.

Remembering the wolf's agility, I felt a pull towards something that would enhance my own speed. The option "Speed Surge" caught my eye:

Speed Surge: Increases agility by 5%. Do you wish to acquire this skill?

"Yes," I muttered, and with that affirmation, a rush of energy coursed through me. The system calculated 1% of the wolf's stats, adding a small boost to my own:

"+4 Vitality, +8 Strength, +6 Agility, +3 Intelligence, +9 Defence" Added

My updated status screen appeared, reflecting my new prowess:

Class: Fortuna Ciphra (Mythical)

Level: 2

Health: 330/330 (Regeneration: 33/min)

Mana: 360/360 (Regeneration: 36/min)

Experience (EXP): 50/200

**Stats**

- Vit: 33

- Str: 36

- Agi: 36

- Int: 36

- Def: 38

- Luck: ∞

- F.I: 5

**Skills:**

-Class Skills

Fatesiphon - LV MAX

Destiny Blade - LV MAX

Luck's Gaze - LV MAX

-General Skills

Speed Surge - LV1

**Items**

- Dominus Sortis (Soulbond)

As I looked over my new status, a sense of accomplishment filled me. Not only had I survived my first real test, but I had also grown stronger from it. With Dominus Sortis at my side and a new skill in my arsenal, I was ready to face whatever Ateheeris had in store for me next.