The creature was on its last legs.

Its once-fierce yellow eyes had faded to a dull, glassy hue. Each breath was a shudder, each movement sluggish. Blood soaked its fur in deep, crusted streaks. It tried to lift its blowgun again, but its arms trembled like brittle twigs. Every staggering step it took left a fresh smear of red across the dirt.

Thirty-five minutes.

That was how long we'd been locked in this goddamn brutal standoff. Spell for arrow. Wound for wound. Move for move.

And judging by the way it swayed, the Gnoll Archer was down to its last ten percent.

Unfortunately… so was I.

My vision blurred. Dark spots flickered at the edges of my sight like hungry shadows. My hands trembled. My staff was slick, part sweat, part blood, and it nearly slipped from my grasp.

[Warning: Your HP has fallen below 5%]

[Warning: Mana reserves are below 10%]

I drew in a ragged breath, teeth clenched against the pain, and forced my body to stay upright.

"Ten shots," I whispered hoarsely. "Looks like that's all I've got left."

The Gnoll snarled, its growl low and feral. It raised its weapon again, fingers twitching. I widened my stance and locked my gaze on it, ignoring the screaming protests of my muscles.

The first shot.

My hand wasn't steady.

The Gnoll shifted its weight just in time, the spell grazing nothing but air.

"Damn it," I spat, staggering forward to keep up the momentum.

Second shot.

This one flew true. Whaam!

The blast slammed into the side of its skull, and it let out a howl, staggering backward.

Third.

I summoned another burst, slower now, desperate to aim.

Too late. The Gnoll dipped low and fired back.

Pain tore across my ribs like a white-hot whip.

"Ghh!" I gasped, clutching my side. That could've killed me.

Fourth shot.

My aim dipped low. The Gnoll leapt away unscathed.

I could hear my heartbeat now. Deafening.

Fifth.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Please let this be the last one," I prayed silently, even though I already knew my prayers never came true.

I hurled another burst, desperation mounting.

Hit.

It struck the Gnoll in the chest. A clean wound.

Still breathing.

Still moving.

God, why won't you just die?

My fingers twitched. I unconsciously reached to my pouch.

"No," I muttered, shaking my head. "If I use that now, I'll lose a valuable chance later."

Sixth shot.

Mana surged down my staff. I screamed and let it loose.

Boom!

Smoke. Dust. The Gnoll staggered but didn't drop.

"Still standing?" I rasped.

The Gnoll bared its fangs. Blood bubbled at its throat.

Enough.

Seventh.

I raised the staff high. Every nerve in my body howled in protest. I didn't care. This was it.

I swung like I was trying to break the world in half.

Condensed Mana surged from my staff, streaking toward the target, fast and true.

Splaash!

The Gnoll let out a choking, gurgled snarl as the blow crushed its throat. Its knees buckled. It collapsed, convulsing once before its body shimmered. Bright light overtook it, particles dissolving into the air, vanishing in an instant.

For a moment, I stood frozen.

Then, as the adrenaline faded, my knees buckled. I collapsed onto all fours, crawling to where the Gnoll's body had been.

My fingers dug into the cold, bloodstained dirt.

"Hah… hah…" I gasped, chest heaving. My body trembled violently, every heartbeat like thunder in my ears.

"All of that… for just two Mana Stones?"

"Goddamn it," I growled, slamming my fist into the dirt.

***

Two hours later.

My Mana had fully replenished through meditation and natural regeneration, and my health had gradually restored thanks to countless casts of Rejuvenation. While the spell was undeniably useful, its healing power paled in comparison to that of a human priest. Still, at the very least, I didn't have to rely on potions.

The sky was darkening, shadows stretching across the twisted landscape. Night was approaching. I knew better than to linger near Gnashfang Warrens at this hour, as Gnolls became far more aggressive after sundown.

I had encountered two more Gnoll Archers on my way here. But I wasn't the same person I'd been a few hours ago. Their movements were predictable now. My dodges became sharper, my counterattacks more precise, striking at their weak points with ruthless efficiency. The battles had ended quicker than before.

The first fight had ended in thirty-five minutes.

The second in around thirty.

"I'm getting stronger…" I whispered, almost surprised.

But despite my progress, one thing about Dreadspire remained frustrating.

There was no experience system.

Killing monsters wouldn't make you stronger in most cases. Instead, they only left behind Mana Stones or, if luck was on your side, monster drops, either monster parts or equipment. And on an even rarer occasion…

"A Soul Fragment…" I murmured, scanning the latest kill. Nothing.

It was one of the few things capable of permanently enhancing a character's stat.

"No drops at all," I muttered in disappointment. "Well, at least I'm still alive."

Moving with caution, I approached a small, well-hidden burrow, a secluded space I always used as a resting spot in the game.

Cautiously, I glanced over my shoulder, making sure I wasn't being followed. I slipped inside, securing the entrance with leaves as camouflage.

As soon as I dropped onto the mossy floor, the tension in my body unraveled. The aches returned. My limbs throbbed.

I barely had time to sigh before sleep took me.

What a long day.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.