The creature stepped out from the shadows of the broken stone archway. By the light of the two moons that hung low in the sky, Mark could see his opponent clearly.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoh7xbzPtj
A massive cat, the size of a tiger but with impossibly sleek black fur, prowled forward. Along the length of its spine, there ran a series of bones, and its paws were massive, ending in long, serrated claws that clicked against the stone floor. But the sight of the long, serpentine tail that split into two at the end was what drew Mark’s attention the most.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy99KuL19CQ
Mark focused on the creature and used the system command. “Inspect.”
[Shadow Panther – Level 4 (Agile)]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX2HyWM6Xv
[HP: 130/130]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcPrNcUdsG
[Mana: 40/40]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hRjBNF0rd
[Biography: A stealthy predator that preys on larger foes, using a combination of speed and shadow element magic while striking from the advantage of elevated terrain.]
“An agile type,” muttered Mark, tightening his grip on the hilt of his short sword. “Speed vs. speed.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfG23CW1uY
Unlike the goblins, the panther did not waste time with idle chatter. It was a monster after all, and Mark had no intention of letting it reach its full potential. The cat dropped to the floor and silently melted into the long grass. The panther moved in short bursts that deceived the eye. It was feinting and weaving to throw off his depth perception.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p29NMRZwY
Mark’s tactical mind was already working several steps ahead. Fighting a fast opponent in an open and relatively flat area was a poor idea, particularly with one as experienced as this. He had to remove the element of surprise from the fight, and he knew just how to do it.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHeIMg4JzJ
He moved backward quickly, his gloved boots sliding on the smooth stone floor. He was now standing with his back to a large, standing pillar.
“Now you don’t have many options,” said Mark.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3iSg6RNz1A
The panther wasted no time testing the new conditions. It bounded forward with frightening speed, almost too fast to track. Mark barely had time to register the blur of motion before the panther was on him. It landed a powerful blow with its tail, sending a jolt of pain down Mark’s side, but the young warrior was fast enough to dodge the next strike.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQ4MPhgs9Z
Using his increased agility, Mark followed the motion of the panther’s limbs. It was a textbook example of an aerial strike. With its front claws extended, the cat came down with all its strength behind it to dig into Mark’s torso.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9dNQePolV
“Minor Cleave!” shouted Mark.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5Q9inWKBO
Using both hands to grip his iron short sword, he swung in a wide arc to meet the oncoming strike. A whisper of gray energy shimmered from the edge of his blade in response to the command. Taking advantage of minor cleave’s wide sweeping motion, Mark brought the reinforced blade across the panther’s midsection.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wtO13Qzyp
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kyxidlDQy
[Skill Active: Minor Cleave! You dealt 24 damage to Shadow Panther.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNrgxY62ruZ
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYgkAnWxFyg
The panther yelped in pain as it flew through the air, landing on its side in the grass next to the pillar. Obviously, it was surprised by the sudden change in momentum, but the beast was not so easy to finish off. As Mark prepared a follow-up attack, the panther rolled sideways and brought its tail across his torso again. The long bone projections on the end of the tail tore through his shirt, drawing blood.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUr1j0undZ
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgArFH2Ag5
[You took 18 damage. HP: 102/120]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKtEbcmJSE
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl7yZigq4X
Mark stumbled backward, away from the pillar. The sight of the red liquid on his shirt was not reassuring. He was still quite fast, as he had no intention of dying today. His agility allowed him to roll out of the way of the panther’s next attack, which sliced off the top of the pillar. A strange purple fluid oozed from the fresh wound.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNM6ITS3bO
“Blast it!” Mark spat out a mixture of blood and saliva. The smell of burnt meat was making him sick. “That spell would’ve taken some of my skin if it had landed!”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLyVMn6kZV
Mark took another tactical step back and prepared for the next attack. He could not keep dodging like this. Every time the cat used magic to attack, he ended up farther away than he was before. It was a slow, steady process, but the beast was definitely trying to kill him.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQxOiaRrhU
The panther growled, and a strange orb of shadowy energy formed between its jaws. Mark’s eyes widened. He knew that a spell like this would be very hard to stop mid-flight. His instincts screamed at him to roll away, but his military training reminded him of a certain old proverb. “Offense is the best defense.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLMQVaoBDc
The cat shot the ball of energy toward his heart, but Mark did not try to block the attack. Instead, he used his knowledge in the military to his advantage.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGZb9ZQT2V
“Dive to your left!” he shouted.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmBxBr3GLs
He propelled himself forward with a burst of speed from his iron-plated boots. His instincts guided him as he rolled to the right, skidding along the rocky floor. The sphere of energy that had been aimed directly at him exploded against the pillar. Steam rose from the now smoking stone as the acidic fumes ate through the fabric of Mark’s trousers. He stopped behind the cover of the pillar and took a few steadying breaths.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4U9jBUhCr
If the shot had landed, his leather vest would’ve been eaten right through. Mark was not about to give the panther another chance to cast. He needed to close the distance and end this fight before he ran out of time. With a grunt of effort, he pushed forward again, his heavy boots pounding against the stone. He was fast, but not fast enough to avoid the next attack. The panther jumped back to gain some distance, but it was not far enough. Mark was already close enough to land a killing blow.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyEMgHxy1Z
“Heavy Strike!” he roared.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsOij8EiRx
The reinforced steel of his short sword sparked with brilliant blue electricity as he drove it forward. The panther tried to roll away, but its speed was nothing compared to Mark’s. His enhanced strength and agility allowed him to follow through on the attack. He felt a sickening squish as the blade sank into the feline’s hindquarter.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Z5JpWY79
[Critical Hit! Heavy Strike Active! You dealt 52 damage to the Shadow Panther.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPAbLGSKM6w
[Target’s leg is crippled! Movement speed reduced by 50%.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphyNxZjZBd
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClA18mNoq7
The big cat landed hard on its side, emitting a pained, guttural noise. With its hind leg rendered useless, the panther’s speed was significantly reduced. It rolled onto its stomach and attempted to drag itself away, letting out a series of angry hisses. Mark knew better than to be merciful. When fighting, a warrior had to have no heart. Even the smallest amount of hesitation could cost him his life.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMDWkVIQXm
Moving quickly to sidestep the snapping jaws, he brought the short sword up in both hands. With as much effort as he could muster, he drove the blade downward, piercing through the thick skull of the panther. With one final, feeble twitch, the cat’s red eyes dimmed and turned to black. Moments later, its body disintegrated into black smoke, leaving behind its looted remains on the grass.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIepsAc8Yx
[Target Defeated! Shadow Panther (Level 4) – Killed.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfThTpTtNt
[You gained 90 XP.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpS9ENpwuX
[XP: 245/300 to Level 4.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6ZWs4lRRn
26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLvu30zD8i
Mark pulled his short sword free of the panther’s skull and wiped the blade clean. As he leaned against the pillar, his breathing slowed to a steady pace. He checked his health. He had taken some damage, but the shallow puncture wounds on his side were already stopping the flow of blood thanks to his high constitution. With a grim look, he moved to where the panther’s body had been and searched through the torn remains. True to form, there were no coins, but there were two useful items.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MNRoTKMZT
[You have looted the following items:]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnHttDKS2m
1 x Shadow Panther Pelt (Material): A tough and stretchy piece of black fur that is resistant to dark magic. Can be sold or used to craft armor.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMQ1IdA4ur
Beast Core: Shadow (Common): A glowing purple crystal containing the raw essence of the Shadow element. Can be consumed to permanently raise your Mana by +10 or used for crafting.
Mark took the purple crystal and examined it. He did not know much about crafting, but having more mana was always a good thing. His skills consumed a decent amount, and Mark had little to spare.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSl0qp1OJf
“Consume,” he muttered.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCye8eeTPsq
The crystal in his hand dissolved, leaving behind a stream of cool, violet liquid that traveled up his arm and into his chest. A pleasing sensation soon spread throughout his body as the mana settled.
[Beast Core Consumed! Your Max Mana increased permanently by +10.]26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxUkGkHKxR
[Mana: 40/40.]
Mark nodded approvingly at the change. He placed the shadow pelt into his system inventory and stood. He made his way to the edge of the ruined courtyard and climbed atop the rubble. He had a perfect view of what the land looked like beyond the broken keep. For the first time since he had entered this world, Mark was not underground. The sight was breathtaking. The ruined castle was nothing compared to the sight of the forest that stretched miles below him. The trees were massive, their canopies forming a dark green mass of interlocking leaves. Further still, beyond the reach of the trees, he could make out the distant glow of lights. It was the flickering of torches and the lights of a walled city.26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh9HuLQAdgw
“A town,” murmured Mark, feeling something akin to wonder. “It looks like there are people down there.”26Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3QJb7xQhr
The journey through the dungeon had been brutal, but at least he had survived it. Naked and hungry, Mark had entered the catacombs, and now he was a level 3 fighter with new skills and equipment. He looked down at the dark path that twisted its way through the forest. It was not going to be easy, but Mark Vance was a soldier, and he knew his duty. He checked his mini-map and adjusted the straps of his spear before stepping down the hillside toward civilization.
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