The fractured sky above painted the jagged landscape in hues of red and purple. Kei had been deep in his training for hours, his breathing steady as he focused on a precise throw. The sharp sound of a rock hitting a distant outcrop echoed back to him.
Each throw felt more controlled, more calculated. He wasn’t just hurling stones anymore—he was harnessing the lessons of resonance, the vibrations flowing through his muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.
<blockquote>
System Notification: Skill Progression: [Basic Throwing] Proficiency: 60%
</blockquote>
A faint smile tugged at Kei’s lips. "Alright, next up. Let’s see if I can hit that far ledge."
He gripped a jagged stone, aiming for a distant overhang. Before he could throw, a low growl rumbled through the air, freezing him in place. His fingers tightened around the rock as his eyes darted toward the source of the sound.
From the shadows emerged a massive wolf-like beast, its dark fur streaked with lines of glowing blue. Its eyes burned with an unnatural light, and jagged fangs jutted from its snarling maw. The creature’s presence exuded menace, its movements silent and deliberate as it stalked closer.
<blockquote>
System Notification: Beast Encounter: Void-Touched Direwolf
Level: 6
Affinity: Void
Recommended Strategy: Exploit Environment and Target Weaknesses
</blockquote>
Kei’s heart pounded. "A Level 6? You’ve got to be kidding me."
The Encounter
The Direwolf snarled, lowering itself into a predatory crouch. Kei’s mind raced as he assessed the terrain. Loose rocks, a narrow ledge above, and jagged boulders surrounded him. He reached for a nearby stone, sending out a pulse of resonance to map the wolf’s movements.
The vibrations returned, painting a clear picture in his mind. The wolf’s powerful muscles tensed, ready to pounce, but Kei noticed something—its right foreleg bore faint scars, and its movements on that side were slightly stiffer.
"A weakness," Kei muttered. "Good to know."
The wolf lunged, its claws raking the air where Kei had been standing a moment earlier. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack. Without hesitation, he hurled the stone at the wolf’s injured foreleg. The projectile struck true, earning a sharp yelp from the beast.
<blockquote>
System Notification: Critical Hit! Void-Touched Direwolf’s Mobility Reduced (-15%).
</blockquote>
Kei didn’t let up. He scrambled to his feet, grabbing another stone and launching it at the wolf’s face. The beast dodged, its glowing eyes locking onto him with renewed fury.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Resonance and Precision
The Direwolf charged again, its massive frame barreling toward Kei. He sent out another pulse of resonance, this time focusing on the ground beneath the beast. A plan formed in his mind.
As the wolf closed in, Kei stomped hard on the ground, activating [Resonant Echo]. The sharp sound disoriented the beast, causing it to stagger. Seizing the moment, Kei dove toward a larger rock and hurled it with all his strength at the creature’s head.
The impact sent the wolf reeling. Kei quickly scrambled onto a nearby ledge, using the height advantage to reassess the situation. The beast’s movements were slower now, its injured leg hindering its agility.
<blockquote>
System Notification: Skill Unlocked: [Precision Throwing]
Description: Enhances accuracy and damage when targeting weak points.
</blockquote>
A grin spread across Kei’s face. "Now we’re talking."
The Final Strike
The Direwolf growled, circling the base of the ledge. Kei sent out another pulse of resonance, confirming the beast’s position. He spotted a cluster of loose rocks above the wolf, precariously balanced on a narrow shelf.
He hurled another rock, this time aiming for the shelf. The projectile struck with a satisfying crack, dislodging the rocks. The cascade of debris rained down on the Direwolf, pinning it momentarily.
Kei leapt down from the ledge, landing a safe distance away. The wolf struggled to free itself, its snarls growing weaker. Kei grabbed one final rock, channeling all his focus and activating [Precision Throwing].
The rock struck the wolf’s head with a resounding crack, silencing its growls. The beast collapsed, its glowing eyes dimming as it took its final breath.
<blockquote>
Beast Defeated: Void-Touched Direwolf
Reward: +80 Experience Points, +3 Agility, +1 Strength
</blockquote>
The Fang Dagger
As the Direwolf’s body faded into glowing particles, something solid remained in its place. Kei approached cautiously, finding a gleaming dagger among the remnants. The weapon’s blade was curved like a fang, and its hilt featured a ring-like hole at the base.
<blockquote>
Item Acquired: [Fang Dagger]
Rarity: Rare
Stats: +5 Agility, +2 Strength
Effect: Throwable. Returns to the user when thrown.
</blockquote>
Kei picked up the dagger, testing its weight. "Now this is cool."
Training with the Fang
Kei returned to his makeshift training area, eager to master his new weapon. The Fang Dagger’s unique design fascinated him, and the returning effect opened up new possibilities for combat.
He spent hours practicing throws, using resonance to track the dagger’s flight path. Each throw became smoother, more precise. The dagger’s ability to return meant he could maintain a constant flow of attacks without needing to retrieve it manually.
<blockquote>
System Notification: Skill Progression: [Precision Throwing] Proficiency: 30%
</blockquote>
As the sun dipped below the fractured horizon, Kei paused to check his updated stats:
<blockquote>
Status Screen:
Name: Kei
Level: 3
Health: 110/110
Stamina: 55/55
Stats:
<ul>
<li>
Strength: 8 (+2)
</li>
<li>
Agility: 12 (+5)
</li>
<li>
Intelligence: 6
</li>
<li>
Endurance: 6
</li>
<li>
Perception: 8
Skills:
</li>
<li>
[Basic Throwing] (Proficiency: 80%)
</li>
<li>
[Precision Throwing] (Proficiency: 30%)
</li>
<li>
[Resonant Echo] (Proficiency: 50%)
</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
Kei took a deep breath, the Fang Dagger resting in his hand. The trial was far from over, but for the first time, he felt truly equipped to face the challenges ahead.
"One step at a time," he murmured, a determined glint in his eye. "Let’s see what else this world has in store."