Night had fallen when Alex set out for the ruins.
The village streets were quiet, save for the occasional drunk stumbling out of the inn.
He moved through the darkness like a shadow, his footsteps soundless.
The ruins lay a few miles to the north of the village.
A massive stone structure came into view—partially collapsed with age. Vines had crept across its surface, and cracks split the ancient stones.
As Alex drew closer, he caught a scent in the air.
Foul. Familiar.
Something's been dead here… and it's been a few days at least.
He stepped carefully through the ruins. The crumbling stones looked ready to fall at any moment.
Signs of a struggle were everywhere—claw marks scored into the rock, stone broken and splintered.
There was a battle here… but why? Animals fighting? Why would they leave the forest for this place?
At the center of the structure, a shimmering light pulsed faintly.
This must be what the villagers were talking about.
Just as he stepped closer, the feeling hit him.
That same danger he had sensed back in the cave.
Something was here.
Lurking.
Waiting to hunt.
"Stealth."
His body vanished from view.
The feeling vanished with it.
Whatever it is… it can't sense me now.
He moved silently toward the center.
There, lying in a pool of dried blood, was the corpse of a massive beast. Its fur was blackened, matted. The body was beginning to decay.
It looked like an elephant—but smaller. And it had horns protruding from its head.
Strange. Unnatural.
But what drew his eye more than anything was the orb beside it.
Covered in dried blood, it still glowed faintly in the night.
A life orb.
Alex reached for it.
The moment his fingers touched the surface—
Stealth deactivated.
The feeling of danger surged again—stronger than before.
From behind a collapsed pillar of stone, a sleek, black panther emerged.
Its golden eyes gleamed like molten metal.
A deep growl echoed through the ruins.
Its body rippled with power, muscles tensed like loaded springs.
Alex instantly knew—
This creature is stronger than anything I've fought before.
But he was strong too. Stronger than before.
But even as he braced for combat, his attention was pulled elsewhere.
[Congratulations. You absorbed the Life Orb of Level 16 Horned Elephant.]
[You acquired 5000 XP.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have leveled up.]
[You have gained a new Skill Book.]
[You have gained a new Item.]
Just as Alex was about to check his status, the beast lunged.
Alex activated Dash.
In an instant, he blurred out of the panther's path, reappearing behind it.
His sword slashed through the air, cutting deep into its hind leg.
The panther roared in pain, whirling around with lightning speed.
A claw swiped at his head—but Alex ducked, rolling to the side.
Its strength was undeniable.
But Alex…
He was far too strong for his level.
He was faster.
The panther lunged again.
Alex vanished into the darkness.
"Stealth."
The beast skidded to a stop. Its ears twitched, eyes scanning the ruins.
But it couldn't sense him.
Alex reappeared behind it.
Stealth deactivated.
The panther had no time to react as his sword plunged deep into its neck.
The beast let out a final, strangled growl before collapsing.
Its body twitched once…
Then fell still.