The two remaining Dungeon Harpies, enraged by the fall of their companion, descended upon Elias with a synchronized ferocity. Their high-pitched screeches echoed, assaulting his ears and making his head throb. They were faster now, their movements more erratic, fueled by a raw, avian fury. Their talons, designed for snatching prey from the air, gleamed in the gloom, and Elias knew a direct hit could mean disembowelment.
He moved, a blur of motion guided by his Enhanced Agility, dodging under one Harpy's outstretched talons as it dove, then pivoting to avoid the sweeping wing of the second. The air rushed past his face, carrying the rank scent of their feathers and guano. His Armored Hide and Scaly Skin offered a small comfort against scrapes and glancing blows, but a full-impact grab would likely shatter bone.
He needed to get one of them on the ground. His pickaxe, while effective, was slow against such aerial targets. He needed a different approach. As one Harpy soared past him, banking for another attack, Elias noticed a narrow, winding passage to his left – too small for their wide wingspans to navigate freely.
He turned and sprinted towards it, drawing the Harpies into a pursuit. Their screeches intensified, a cacophony of rage as they followed him into the tighter confines. Immediately, their superior maneuverability was hampered. Their wings scraped against the rock walls, slowing their dives and forcing them into a more linear approach.
As the first Harpy entered the constricted passage, its body pressed against the rough stone, Elias pivoted sharply. He didn't use his pickaxe this time. Instead, he launched himself forward, leaping onto a low-hanging stalagmite, then springing off it with unexpected force, aiming for the Harpy's exposed leg. His Enhanced Agility and the strange spring in his steps propelled him upward.
He latched onto its leg, his Constricting Grip locking down with crushing force. The Harpy shrieked in shock and pain, thrashing wildly. Elias could feel its talons tearing at his side, but his Armored Hide and Scaly Skin held firm, the blows glancing off or merely scraping. He pulled, wrenching the Harpy downwards with all his might, then brought his knee up into its body, his Chitinous Spikes adding a brutal edge to the impact. The Harpy choked, its wings beating desperately, unable to gain purchase in the narrow space.
He didn't let go. As the Harpy struggled, he shifted his grip, bringing its head within reach. He opened his mouth, and with a guttural roar, bit down with his Crushing Bite on its bird-like face. The beak snapped, and a sickening crunch echoed as bone and cartilage gave way. The Harpy went limp instantly, its talons releasing their frantic grip. Elias dropped its corpse to the floor, panting, the taste of blood and feathers thick in his mouth.
The second Harpy, witnessing the brutal, primal demise of its mate, faltered for a moment. Its screech turned into a sound of fear, and it tried to turn back, its instincts screaming for flight.
But Elias was relentless. He lunged forward, closing the distance. The Harpy barely managed to lift off, but its movements were desperate, clumsy. Elias leaped, grabbing its remaining foot as it ascended. He pulled it down, slamming it against the ground with a sickening thud. Before it could recover, he brought his pickaxe down with a final, brutal swing, crushing its head.
Silence descended, broken only by Elias's ragged breathing and the drip of water. He stood amidst the carnage, two more grotesque feathered corpses at his feet. His body ached, but a cold, almost predatory satisfaction settled over him. He had faced them, struggled, and ultimately, devoured them. The line between human and monster blurred a little more with each victory.
His notification tab shimmered.
[Notification]
You have defeated a Dungeon Harpy (Mutated Avian)!
Experience Gained: 150 EXP (x2 for two Harpies)
Level Up!
[Notification]
Name: Elias
Race: Human (Anomalous Origin)
Level: 4
Health: 100/100
Stamina: 80/100 (Recovering)
Mana: 500/500 (Locked - Still Dormant)
He felt the familiar, terrible hunger. These creatures, so different in form and ability, promised new enhancements. He knelt beside one of the fallen Harpies, its feathers matted with blood, its gaunt body still warm. The thought of consuming it was no longer as repulsive; it was a grim necessity, a path to power. He tore into the flesh, pulling away stringy, sinewy meat.
The taste was gamy, distinctly avian, like old poultry but with a metallic bitterness that scraped at his throat. The texture was fibrous, resistant. He chewed, forcing it down, ignoring the rising gorge. With each forced mouthful, the tingling sensation spread through him, a new layer of strength knitting itself into his being. He ate until a significant portion was consumed, the repulsive act now an ingrained ritual.
[Notification]
Ultra-Rare Magic: Monster Assimilation - Active!
Description: You have consumed the flesh of a Dungeon Harpy. Your unique ability is absorbing its essence.
[Notification]
New Ability Acquired: Enhanced Hearing!
Description: Your auditory senses are significantly heightened, allowing you to detect faint sounds, vibrations, and even distant whispers, especially in dark environments. Permanent effect.
[Notification]
New Ability Acquired: Feathered Hide (Passive)!
Description: A subtle, almost imperceptible layer of resilient, feather-like tissue has integrated beneath your skin, providing minor additional cushioning against blunt impacts (+2% damage reduction). Permanent effect.
Elias focused. His hearing sharpened immediately, picking up the distant drip of water from multiple sources, the subtle scraping of unseen creatures far down the tunnels, even the faint rush of air currents. The dungeon was no longer just silent gloom; it was a symphony of whispers and echoes. He ran a hand over his skin; no visible feathers, but a strange, soft resilience was undeniably there, beneath his Scaly Skin and Armored Hide.
He discarded the remains of the Harpies. He was stronger, faster, more resilient, and now, his senses were even more acute. He looked around the passage. The architectural elements were more pronounced here, leading into a truly massive cavern, hinting at something significant. This felt like the core of Level 2, perhaps even where its greatest challenge lay. He adjusted his grip on the pickaxe, its familiar weight a constant. The abyss called him deeper, and with every monster assimilated, Elias was becoming more perfectly suited to answer.