Shadow Blood and Fire

[ Basic Tier Beast: Rothsoth]

[Level 1]

[HP: 0/1000]

Levelling up had given Eli five extra stat point. Looking at his stats now he decided to put the stat point into Agility.

[Agility16 (+2)]

[ Phantom step requirement have been met]

[ Congratulations you have created A new Skill (Phantom blade)]

[Phantom blade: turn you weapon into a Phantom capable of ignoring defense(cost 10 Energy)]

[Congratulations you have completed hidden quest: Create a Skill]

[ Hidden quest reward: Gift Pack]

The reason for this was the skill phantom step, it needed a total of 15 strength to perform and Eli had been craving to try it out.

But the system still had one more surprise for him.

[New skill unlocked ]

[Blood spray]

[Blood spray: The user's palm must be open to perform this skill. From the user's palm, a spray of blood pellets will be realised spreading out covering a wide range. The closer the attack is to its target the more damage]

[Cost -5 HP ]

The skill reminded Eli of a shotgun he used to watch form the old movies. Where the small pellets would spread out hitting multiple targets. The problem was the cost of the skill.

Eli would like to test the Blood spray out but he didn't know how long he would be stuck here, so it was best to reserve his HP and as much blood as possible.

Eli then walked up to the dead beast on the ground. He had punched the creature so hard in the skull it was indented and blood was leaking everywhere.

Looking at the black blood it didn't seem appetizing at all. He wasn't drawn to it like regular human blood and it didn't give off a sweet fragrance either.

Still, there might come a time were Eli was required to drink it so he needed to test it out.

"Inspect."

[Rothsoth blood ]

[If blood is consumed is poisonous to the body – 1 HP for every millimetre of blood consumed ]

It was expected. The signs were a giveaway that his body was telling him to stay away.

"I wonder why does my body only accept human blood."

[ You have gained 1 Basic Beast Crystal (Rothsoth)]

[ Requirement: 12 Basic Crystal(Rothsoth) to create an Item]

"Beast Crystal?"

Suddenly, the sound of something running echoed once more. Eli glanced up, and this time, he could see a pack of Rothsoths charging towards him with alarming clarity. The two leading the pack were distinctive: one had silver skin and a muscular build like a bull, while the other had grey skin and was slightly muscular. Facing just one was a struggle; against ten, it was a lost cause. His only option was to flee. He dashed down the desolate street, directionless.

The Rothsoths were swift, and Eli knew they would soon catch up. Spotting a building that appeared less ravaged than the rest.

[Shadow Scout Activated]

[ – 2 Energy per minute]

Eli Shadow leaped from his foot and soared into the building, scanning every corner for any sign of the beasts and the safest escape route.

Eli dashed inside after the confirmation that the building ruins was devoid of beast. The interior was vast, but he quickly located a staircase to his right.

He ascended the staircase rapidly until he reached the first landing. Pausing to survey his surroundings, he realized there was no other choice but to confront them. The staircase was more confined than the rooms below, and he had the advantage of height.

With his palm open and facing downward, Eli braced himself.

"Time to test you out."

Eli stood atop the platform, his gaze fixed on the approaching horde of creatures. With precision, he aimed and activated his skill as they ascended the stairs.

[Blood spray activated]

[–5HP ]

[75/300HP]

His arm recoiled as the skill discharged, unleashing a torrent of blood that sent the five creatures hurtling backward down the stairs. Yet, only those in front were affected, and the creature behind swiftly overcame its fallen foes.

A series of damage popped up on their heads

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

Eli ascended further up the stairs, seeking distance from the Rothsoths. But his path was blocked by debris from a collapsed ceiling above.

With no escape route, Eli faced the advancing Rothsoths. He extended both hands, palms open.

"BLOOD SPRAY!"

[Blood spray activated]

[–5HP]

[70/300HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

The first burst of blood struck the Rothsoths, toppling them. As the second wave approached, he unleashed another "BLOOD SPRAY!"

[Blood spray activated]

[–5HP]

[ 65/300HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

[–100HP]

The Rothsoths lay dazed but would soon recover. Blood seeped from minor wounds, but they were not fatal.

Eli maintained a safe distance on the stairs, realizing that "Blood Spray" could inflict 500HP damage on a single target but since it's an area-of-effect (AOE) attack the damage got distributed while "Blood Swipe," could do 300HP damage. He feared that closing in might allow the Rothsoths to encircle him.

Eli stared back, trying to discern his next move, and then he saw it—a small 3x3 window ahead, offering a glimpse into a corridor. Eli pivoted on his feet and ran towards the window. The Rothsoth closest to him clawed at his back with its claws, managing to graze his back and draw blood, while the other Rothsoths chased after him.

[Phantom step activated ]

[–10 Energy]

[–5 Stamina]

[90/150 Energy]

 A crimson glow outlined his shape, leaving only an afterimage before he phased through the wall into the corridor, which had already collapsed and was supported by debris barely keeping it standing.

BOOM!

An almighty sound echoed, causing the corridor to shake as the Rothsoths slammed into the wall. The window shattered, and the already eroded wall quaked, sending countless debris flying out and creating a bigger opening that could fit a single Rothsoth. However, the Rothsoths did not intend to come at Eli one after the other.

"Oh," Eli shook his head. Now he could pick off the Rothsoths one by one. He wanted to use "Blood Claw," but he decided against it; he was losing health after all.

[Hammer activated]

[–5 Energy]

Eli lifted his right foot and stomped it onto the ground while at the same time he pulled back his left hand and threw out his right hand to the head of the bigger Silver Rothsoth in front which caused it to explode. A damage screen popped up: [–1000HP]

[You have killed Basic Tier Beast (Silver Rothsoth) Level 3]

[You have gained 1500 Exp]

[ You have gained 1 Rothsoth Basic Tier Crystal]

[Hammer activated]

[–5 Energy]

Eli then faced a Grey Rothsoth With another stomp and swing of his hand, he dealt another blow which caused the chest to carve in and implode : [–1000HP ]

[You have killed Basic Tier Beast (Grey Rothsoth) Level 2]

[You have gained 1000 Exp]

[You have gained 1 Rothsoth Basic Tier Crystal]

[Hammer activated]

[–5 Energy]

[You have killed Basic Tier Beast(Rothsoth) Level]

[ you have gained 100EXp]

[You have gained 1 Rothsoth Basic Tier Crystal]

...

[Hammer activated]

[–5 Energy]

[ You have killed Basic Tier Beast(Rothsoth) ]

[ you have gained 100EXP]

[You have gained 1 Rothsoth Basic Tier Crystal]

.....

.....

.....

[Hammer activated]

[–5 Energy]

[ You have killed Basic Tier Beast(Rothsoth) ]

[ you have gained 100EXp]

[You have gained 1 Rothsoth Basic Tier Crystal]

The messages continued onward until eventually, all of the Rothsotg had been killed. Eli collapsed onto the floor, his knees buckling as he gasped for air, his laughter echoing like that of a child.

[ 3850EXP/5000EXP]

[55HP/300HP]

[50/150 Energy]

[ Congratulations, Skill Hammer has reached Lv. 2 ]

[Rothsoth Basic Tier Crystal 12/12]

[Do you want to create/Sell]

" Create " 

[ Congratulations you have created Basic Rothsoth Dual Dagger]

[You have made you first Item]

[ Name: Rothsoth Dual Dagger]

[Tier: Basic]

[Rank: Level 2]

[ You have gained 500EXP]

[4350EXP/5000EXP]

Eli surveyed his inventory and noticed two new twin daggers had been added. Each dagger, silver and grey, featured two jagged blades, each measuring roughly 70 centimeters (27.6 inches) in length. Despite their considerable size, the daggers were surprisingly light, a testament to their superior craftsmanship. Eli made a few swift slashes before stowing them away in his inventory. He gazed upon the aftermath of the carnage, the dead bodies strewn about, and resolved to search for the Return Crystal. He couldn't linger; there might be something even more perilous than Rothsoths.

After some adjustments to his system and with his stamina replenished, Eli decided to ascend to the roof of the building. Although the structure was secure, time was of the essence. He needed to locate the Return Crystal and depart swiftly.

He scoured the area for any openings or cracks in the stairs. After several detours, he finally reached the rooftop.

The building stood three stories tall and wasn't particularly large, but it offered a clearer view of his surroundings. All he could see were structures resembling human architecture.

Then he noticed something—a building with a crest unmistakably belonging to the military.

"This must be a human refuge, but why is it in ruins?"

The building was substantial, square-shaped, and six stories high. Despite the numerous gaping holes, it was in better condition than any other structure nearby.

Eli recognized it as a military storage facility—a place where high-end equipment, ability books, skill books, and beast weapons were kept.

"There's a good chance the Return Crystal is here," Eli mused with a smile. "Even if it's not, I can't let this opportunity slip by."