The air in the clearing was thick and heavy, not only with the metallic scent of blood and the musky odor of the Veridian Constrictors, but also with a palpable sense of danger. Five reptilian giants lay coiled amidst the carnage, their slow, deliberate movements belying the immense power contained within their massive bodies.
Daniel remained hidden at the edge, his mind racing, weighing the potential spoils against the very real possibility of becoming the sixth victim swallowed whole.
His assessment remained unchanged: the Constrictors were sluggish, preoccupied with digesting their recent, unfortunate meals. Their impaired Agility (26, further reduced) was their primary weakness.
His own Agility (13.1) wasn't stellar, but combined with the burst potential of [Adrenal Surge] (F-Grade, +50% Agility for 5 seconds), he could likely achieve short bursts of speed significantly exceeding theirs.
His E-grade Vibro-Knife (+50 Attack) and E-grade Deflector Vest (+50 Defense) provided a fighting chance, and [Kinetic Pulse] (D-Grade) offered a way to potentially stagger or push back a lunging head or coiling body. The greatest risk was being grappled by [Constrict]. If that happened, escape was unlikely.
The reward, however, was immense. Enough EXP from five Level 1 creatures to potentially hit Level 2. The promise of attribute gains from assimilating the snake corpses once his charges regenerated. The potential for new skills from the three fallen Awakened (two conveniently stored inside the snakes). And the nagging feeling that creatures guarding territory this fiercely might be protecting more than just their latest meal. Treasure, resources, something valuable might be hidden nearby.
He formulated a strategy: target the three most sluggish-looking snakes first, the two with obvious bulges in their midsections and one other that seemed particularly lethargic. Taking them out quickly would reduce the numbers, minimizing the risk of being overwhelmed. If things went south, [Adrenal Surge] was his escape plan. He couldn't afford hesitation.
Daniel moved from his cover, attempting a stealthy approach, using the scattered debris and patches of tall, blade-like grass for concealment. He got within ten meters before the nearest Constrictor reacted. Its head snapped up, swiveling directly towards him, forked tongue flicking out, tasting the air. The heat-sensing pits near its nostrils must have detected his body warmth, rendering traditional stealth useless against these particular predators.
So much for the quiet approach. Daniel abandoned stealth instantly. "Boom!" He didn't shout, but the explosive burst of movement as he activated [Adrenal Surge] created a miniature sonic disturbance. The ground trembled slightly under the force of his launch. He became a grey blur, the wind striking his face as he closed the remaining distance in a heartbeat. The F-grade skill flooded his system with adrenaline, sharpening his senses, making the world seem to move in slow motion for precious seconds.
The targeted snake, one of the two clearly digesting a victim, reacted with surprising speed despite its sluggish state, its massive head lunging forward, jaws gaping wide, revealing rows of backward-curving fangs dripping with a viscous, clear venom. Daniel didn't try to meet the attack head-on. Using the enhanced agility from [Adrenal Surge], he swerved sharply to the side, the fangs snapping shut harmlessly inches from his shoulder. The wind from the missed strike shrieked past him.
As he passed the lunging head, he brought his E-grade Vibro-Knife up in a powerful, upward slash, aiming for the underside of the jaw, a spot he guessed might be less heavily scaled. The humming blade connected with a satisfying strike, slicing through thick scales and muscle. Dark, viscous reptilian blood sprayed. The snake recoiled with a hiss that sounded like escaping steam, its head thrashing!
Before the other Constrictors could fully react, Daniel pressed his advantage. The wounded snake was momentarily disoriented. He leaped onto its thick, coiling body , a risky move, but necessary for leverage, and drove the knife down with both hands into the area just behind its skull, searching for the spine.
CRUNCH!
The blade hit something solid, then sheared through. The massive body jerked beneath him, nearly throwing him off, then suddenly went still.
[You have slain: Veridian Constrictor (Level 1)]
[EXP Gained: 12]
[Level 0: 27/50 EXP]
One down. Adrenaline still surged, but the five-second boost from [Adrenal Surge] was fading, leaving a subtle wave of fatigue creeping in. He immediately rolled off the dead snake as two others converged on his position. One lunged, head striking like a hammer, while the other began to coil rapidly, trying to encircle him.
No time to admire his work. Daniel activated [Kinetic Pulse]. "Boom!" A pulse of invisible force exploded outwards from his position. It wasn't powerful enough to injure the massive snakes, but the sudden impact struck the lunging head, sending it reeling back momentarily, and disrupted the coiling movement of the second snake, causing it to falter. The ground shook slightly from the release of kinetic energy.
He used the precious fractions of a second bought by the pulse. He identified the second snake that had clearly fed recently, it was moving slower than the other attacker. Ignoring the momentarily stunned one, he dashed towards the sluggish Constrictor, knife ready. It tried to bring its head around to bite, but its movements were hampered. Daniel ducked under the clumsy strike and plunged his blade into its side, just behind where he estimated the forelimb would be if it had one, aiming for internal organs.
The knife sank deep. The snake hissed furiously, its body spasming. Daniel ripped the blade free in a shower of dark blood and jumped back as the creature thrashed wildly before succumbing to its injuries.
[You have slain: Veridian Constrictor (Level 1)]
[EXP Gained: 12]
[Level 0: 39/50 EXP]
Two down. Three remaining. The odds were improving, but the remaining Constrictors were now fully alerted and seemed less hampered by digestion. They coordinated slightly better, attempting to flank him.
The fight became a desperate dance of dodging lunging heads, avoiding sweeping tails, and looking for openings to land quick, damaging strikes with his knife. He used [Kinetic Pulse] twice more to create space when they cornered him, the mana drain noticeable but manageable. His E-grade vest took several glancing blows and scrapes, holding firm but transferring jarring impacts that bruised his ribs and arms. His muscles burned with exertion, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
He focused on the third sluggish snake, weaving through the attacks of the other two, landing shallow cuts whenever possible, wearing it down. Finally, after a tense minute that felt like an eternity, he managed to land a decisive blow to its eye, the blade sinking deep into the skull.
[You have slain: Veridian Constrictor (Level 1)]
[EXP Gained: 12]
[Level 0: 51/50 EXP]
[Congratulations! You have reached Level 1!]
[All Attributes +1]
[Free Attribute Points Gained: 4]
[Soul Assimilation Charges Fully Restored and Limit Increased!]
The wave of notifications filled his vision, momentarily distracting him even as a surge of pure energy washed through his body. Level Up! The feeling was incredible, fatigue vanishing, minor aches fading, a distinct sense of increased power settling into his very core.
All his base attributes increased by one, and he had four additional points to allocate freely. Most importantly, the message about his Assimilation Charges confirmed his gamble! Leveling up not only restored them but increased the limit. He felt a surge of elation, a vindication of his risky decision.
The two remaining Constrictors seemed momentarily confused by the sudden surge of energy radiating from Daniel, hesitating in their attack. That hesitation was their undoing. Boosted by the level-up, feeling stronger and faster, Daniel pressed the attack with renewed ferocity. He activated [Adrenal Surge] again, the brief fatigue seemed negligible now. The fight against the final two was still demanding, but the outcome felt inevitable.
He was faster, stronger, and fought with the confidence of recent victory. Within another minute of brutal, close-quarters combat, filled with hissing, the sickening thud of knife meeting flesh, and the ground trembling under the impact of massive bodies, the last two Veridian Constrictors lay dead.
Daniel stood in the center of the blood-soaked clearing, chest heaving, leaning heavily on his knees. His grey fatigues were torn and stained dark with sweat and reptilian blood. His body ached, bruised and battered despite the level-up refresh. But he was alive. Victorious. Surrounded by the corpses of five formidable predators he had slain single-handedly. A grim, triumphant smile touched his lips. The risk had paid off spectacularly. Now, for the rewards.