The cave grew quieter after the wolf's death.
Too quiet.
Adrian stood still, chest rising and falling as the last traces of adrenaline faded. The corpse of the Shadow Fang Wolf lay at his feet, unmoving, its dark blood pooling across the uneven stone.
Then—
[New Notification]
[You have gained 1 Stat Point]
Adrian blinked.
"…Stat point?"
Another screen opened.
[Status Window]
Name: Adrian Velasco
Level: 2
Rank: F
Strength: 4
Agility: 5
Endurance: 3
Perception: 6
Available Points: 1
His eyes scanned the numbers.
"These are… mine?"
[Yes]
Adrian clenched his fist.
"So I can choose where to grow."
He paused.
Thought carefully.
Then—
"…Agility."
[Stat Increased: Agility +1]
A subtle shift ran through his body.
Lighter.
Sharper.
Faster.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
A low rumble echoed deeper in the cave.
Not one.
Not two.
Multiple.
His head snapped toward the darkness.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Three pairs of glowing red eyes appeared.
Then five.
Then more.
[Monsters Detected: Shadow Fang Wolves]
Count: 7
Average Level: 3
Adrian's heartbeat quickened.
Seven.
At once.
"…Okay."
He tightened his grip on the bloodied stone.
"No running."
The wolves emerged fully now, circling him.
Slow.
Patient.
Hungry.
Adrian lowered his stance.
"Come on."
The first wolf lunged.
Then the second.
Then all of them.
Everything exploded into motion.
Adrian moved on instinct.
His body twisted just enough to avoid a claw—
He countered—
The stone slammed into another wolf's jaw.
CRACK.
A third wolf tackled him from the side.
He hit the ground hard.
Air left his lungs.
"Ghk—!"
Fangs snapped inches from his throat.
Adrian struggled—
Then jammed his arm into the beast's mouth.
"Bite that!"
The wolf clamped down.
Pain shot through him.
Adrian screamed—
But didn't stop.
With his free hand—
He grabbed a jagged bone from the ground—
And drove it upward—
THUD.
Straight through the wolf's skull.
[You have defeated Shadow Fang Wolf]
[Level Up!]
No time to celebrate.
Another wolf leapt toward him.
Adrian rolled—
Barely escaping—
His arm bleeding heavily now.
"…This is insane…"
[Warning: HP Decreasing]
"I noticed!"
But something changed.
The fear—
It didn't paralyze him anymore.
It sharpened him.
Adrian stood.
Blood dripping from his arm.
Eyes burning.
"…Come."
This time—
He attacked first.
He dashed forward—
Faster than before—
The wolves hesitated.
Just for a second.
That was enough.
Adrian drove the bone into another wolf's neck.
Twisted.
Ripped it out.
Spun—
Dodged—
Struck again.
One by one—
The monsters fell.
Minutes passed.
Or seconds.
He couldn't tell anymore.
Then—
Silence.
Adrian stood in the middle of the cave.
Surrounded by bodies.
Breathing hard.
Covered in blood—
Not all of it his.
[You have defeated multiple enemies]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level: 2 → 4]
His wounds began to close.
Energy flooded his body again.
Stronger.
Faster.
Alive.
Adrian looked at his trembling hands.
Then—
He laughed.
Not weak.
Not broken.
But something darker.
"…I get it now."
He looked deeper into the cave.
Where something far more dangerous waited.
"…The stronger I fight…"
"…the stronger I become."
A new message appeared.
[Hidden Condition Met]
Adrian's smile faded slightly.
"…What now?"
[Boss Room Unlocked]
A deep roar echoed from the darkness ahead.
Louder than anything before.
Heavier.
More… powerful.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"…Perfect."
He stepped forward.
Without hesitation.