He repositioned, breathing hard, watching for an opening. The wolf circled him now cautious, but eager.
"Come on…" he whispered.
The wolf lunged again. This time he sidestepped and slashed across its ribs deeper this time. It yelped but didn't slow. Its paw came around in a backhand swipe that caught Eli's side and sent him crashing into a tree.
Pain exploded through his ribs. The world tilted.
Get up.
Blood dripped from his temple. The wolf charged again.
In a desperate move, Eli kicked dirt up into its eyes and thrust his sword forward right into its open mouth. It gagged, biting down, cracking the blade partially but Eli had driven it far enough to pierce the roof of its mouth.
The wolf thrashed, howled, and collapsed.
Dead.
Eli fell to his knees, chest heaving. His sword clattered beside him, blood soaked and fractured.
[Ding! Mission Complete. Tier-1 Wildfang Wolf Defeated.]
[Reward: +3% Bloodline Synchronization
1x Lesser Body Enhancement Pill
1x Weapon Bond Token
+15 Ascension Points
Title: Initiate of the Path]
He let the system's voice wash over him like cold rain.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Mission Complete: Defeat a Tier-1 Wildfang Wolf
Rewards Acquired:+3% Bloodline Synchronization
-1x Lesser Body Enhancement Pill
-1x Weapon Bond Token
-+15 Ascension Points
- Title: Initiate of the Path
Eli leaned against the dead Wildfang, his breath still heavy and body sore. Just as the adrenaline began to fade, the familiar cool mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[System]: Reward allocation in progress. Would you like a breakdown of your rewards?
"…Yeah," Eli muttered weakly, wiping sweat from his brow. "Go ahead."
[System]: Beginning breakdown.
+3% Bloodline Synchronization
-Synchronization with the Ancient Heir bloodline increased to 6%.
-Partial traits unlocked: Enhanced perception and faster muscle memory adaptation.
Bloodline synchronization determines your eventual transformation and affinity with unique abilities tied to the Heir of Caelith.
Eli felt a sudden sharp pulse in his chest. It was faint, but it carried a warmth like something old and buried was slowly waking up.
1x Lesser Body Enhancement Pill, Increases physical recovery, muscle density, and resistance by a minor degree.
Best used post-combat or in a focused meditative state to maximize absorption.
Side note: Not effective on fully synchronized bloodlines past 50%.
He pulled the small jade-colored vial from his inventory, holding it between his fingers. "Recovery first, huh? I could definitely use that..."
1x Weapon Bond Token
Creates a spiritual bond between you and one weapon of your choice.
Bonded weapon gains growth potential and will passively evolve with you.
Cannot be undone once used.
Eli's gaze instinctively fell to his blood stained sword. It was basic iron forged, nothing special. But it had just saved his life. "Maybe it's not about how it starts… but how far it can go."
+15 Ascension Points
Used to upgrade system talents, unlock passive abilities, or purchase techniques.
Current Ascension Point Balance: 15
Eli nodded. "I'll hold onto those for now."
Title Unlocked: Initiate of the Path
You've taken your first step on the road of ascension. All training efficiency increased by 50%. Social presence subtly enhanced when interacting with other cultivators.
Eli sat up straighter, the fatigue momentarily forgotten.
The Path had truly begun. And for the first time, he wasn't just surviving.
He was growing.
The Wildfang's body still radiated faint warmth as Eli crouched beside it, knife in hand. The kill had been rough his body still ached but this part was necessary. Monster parts sold well, especially Wildfang pelts and fangs.
He wiped the blade on the grass before starting with clean, practiced cuts.
"Let's see… pelt's still mostly intact," he muttered, carefully slicing along the beast's underbelly. "Fangs too… maybe even the claws."
Each part had value. The fur was used in reinforced armor, the fangs were often carved into focus talismans for novice mages, and the claws had alchemical uses. Within minutes, Eli had wrapped the usable materials in a spare cloth sack he brought just in case.
"Not bad for my first real hunt," he whispered, slinging the blood marked bundle over his shoulder.
He stood, feeling the new lightness in his body. The system's enhancements had already started working the soreness in his arms was dull now, and his steps felt quicker, smoother.
His stamina wasn't drained like before. Instead, it was like he had just finished a heavy warm up, not a near death fight.
As the moon climbed higher, Eli made his way back toward the academy walls. Most students used the front gates or approved side routes, but he knew a less watched gap near the storage wing.
Before, he would've had to climb awkwardly or struggle with balance on the ledge but now?
His muscles responded quickly and efficiently. One hop. Two. He gripped a low wall edge and vaulted over the top in a silent, clean motion.
"Whoa…" he whispered, blinking. "That would've taken me ten tries last week."
His landing was soft. No metal clanking. No missteps. He slipped past the outer herb gardens, weaved between low training barracks, and re entered the dorm wing through an unused hallway door that rarely latched properly.
Within minutes, Eli was back in his room.
No alarms. No watchers. No suspicion.
He tucked the sack of beast parts under his bed, made sure his uniform was still clean enough for class tomorrow, then collapsed into bed with a sigh.
The system rewards weren't just numbers they were real. Tangible. And they were just the beginning.