The shadowy creatures lunged at Elias with a guttural roar, their forms distorted and vicious. Without hesitation, Elias sidestepped the first one with perfect agility — a benefit from his enhanced Physical Strength and Driving Reflexes merging into real-world combat skills.
He didn't just move; he flowed.
Each twist, duck, and step was precise, wasting no energy.
The watch hummed at his wrist again:
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Passive Assist Activated: Combat Reflex Boost.
---
A snarl tore through the air as a second creature, larger and more grotesque, came at him from the left. Elias reacted instinctively, grabbing a fallen metal chair and swinging it in a perfect arc — the chair shattered on impact, but the creature stumbled backward, screeching.
Across the atrium, Raven watched with growing intrigue. Her black eyes shimmered with excitement.
"You're better than I thought," she called out, her voice echoing eerily. "Let's raise the stakes!"
She snapped her fingers.
Immediately, the creatures began to fuse, melting into each other into a single towering beast — at least three meters tall, with claws like swords and teeth that glinted cruelly under the skylight.
---
Updated Task:
Defeat the Fusion Beast.
Bonus Reward if Defeated Under 5 Minutes: Unlock Beastmaster Title (Creatures Will Fear You).
Extra Bonus: Hidden Chest Reward (???)
---
Elias's blood stirred.
This wasn't just survival anymore — it was an opportunity.
He adjusted his stance, breathing evenly. His muscles coiled with power as the beast charged.
THOOM. THOOM. THOOM.
Each step shook the ground.
Then — like lightning — Elias dashed forward.
He ducked under a massive swipe that could've cut a car in half, sliding across the marble floor with perfect form.
He leapt — fist cocked back — straight toward the creature's exposed eye.
BAM!
The impact reverberated like a thunderclap. The monster howled, staggering back, clutching its face.
Raven's smile widened dangerously.
"This is going to be fun," she whispered to herself.
But Elias wasn't done.
Using his newly gained strength and agility, he sprinted up the creature's broad arm like a runway, reaching its massive shoulders.
Summoning all his force, he leapt into the air — twisting — and drove a devastating heel-kick into the back of the beast's skull.
CRACK!
The monster let out one last tortured roar before crumbling into black dust, which evaporated into the air.
Silence fell.
The golden watch glowed brilliantly.
---
Task Complete.
Rewards Unlocked:
Tactical Genius Ability Acquired.
Beastmaster Title Acquired.
Hidden Chest Unlocked: 1x Skill Elixir (Can Instantly Master Any Skill Once Consumed).
---
Elias landed lightly on his feet, brushing nonexistent dust from his jacket.
Across from him, Raven clapped slowly, her smirk widening.
"Impressive," she said. "Very impressive."
The force field surrounding them dissolved. Time for the rest of the mall returned to normal, unaware of the deadly encounter that had just taken place.
Raven began walking away but paused to glance over her shoulder.
"This was just an introduction, Elias. The real trials are coming. And not everyone you meet will play fair."
With that ominous warning, she disappeared into the crowd, her figure swallowed by the sea of people.
Elias stood there silently, his heart pounding not from fear, but from excitement.
The game had just begun.
And he was ready for all of it.
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