The earth shook violently under Krad's feet. The leaves of the trees quivered, their very bows to the waking presence.
Mist stood solid, his eyes growing narrow. "It's waking up."
Krad's stomach churned. "What's waking up exactly?
As if in response, a brutal bellow echoed out of the fog-wrapped ruins. The rumbling boom ripped the air, sending crows scattering in flights. The air reeked of rot and aged earth. And then the mist parted.
Out of the darkness, a gigantic form stepped forth... an orc, no, a titan. Almost fifteen feet in height, its greenish skin was wrinkled and capped with stone-hard muscle. Bony, jagged armor protruded from its limbs, and throbbing crimson veins were visible beneath the skin. Its eyes blazed with raw anger.
Krad took an uneasy step back as the Orc Titan's massive form loomed over him. His entire body screamed at him to run.
DING!
Enemy Detected: Orc Titan
Level: 200
Threat Level: Extreme
Recommendation: Evacuate Immediately
Krad's heart pounded. Level 200?! He was only Level 10
From above, Mist sat casually on a thick branch of the towering tree, arms crossed as he observed. His expression was unreadable.
"Oi! Aren't you gonna help?!" Krad yelled, glancing up.
Mist smirked. "Nope."
Krad's stomach dropped. "WHAT?!"
Mist leaned back against the trunk. "You want to grow stronger, right? Then fight."
Krad gritted his teeth. Unbelievable. He didn't even have a weapon!
The Orc Titan growled, lifting a giant stone club. The air around it shimmered with power.
DING!
System Alert!
Orc Titan is preparing a Heavy Smash attack. Dodge or take massive damage!
"Crap---!" Krad jumped to the side just as the club crashed into the ground where he stood. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the earth, nearly knocking him off balance.
He barely had time to react before the Titan swung again. Krad rolled under the next attack, his mind racing.
Think! You have no weapon. You only have your fists.
His fists…
Mist's words echoed in his head. "You already have a weapon."
Krad clenched his jaw. Fine. If my body is my weapon… I'll use it.
He dashed toward the Titan, weaving between its massive legs. He clenched his fist and threw a punch at its knee.
A sharp crack rang out.
Direct Hit!
Damage Inflicted: 5
"…Seriously?" Krad muttered, looking at the number. Five?! Against a monster with 2,000 HP, that was nothing!
The Titan roared and kicked. Krad barely managed to dodge, rolling across the dirt.
Mist watched from above, unimpressed. "You're just flailing. Think, Krad."
Krad scowled. "Easy for you to say!"
But Mist's words hit him.
Think.
He couldn't match the Titan's strength. But what if he didn't need to?
Krad's eyes darted to the glowing veins pulsing under the Titan's skin.
That's it!
Instead of attacking randomly, he focused. He waited… watched… then, when the Titan raised its club again, he sprinted forward.
Skill Activated: Evade
Krad's fists glowed faintly as he aimed directly at the glowing veins in the Titan's leg.
BAM!
A critical hit! The Titan roared, stumbling slightly.
Critical Hit!
Damage Inflicted: 200
Krad grinned. "Oh, so that's your weak spot?"
He darted in again, ducking past a slow swing. Another punch right into the Titan's ribs where the veins glowed.
Critical Hit!
Damage Inflicted: 230
The Titan staggered, its movements slowing.
From above, Mist smirked. He's getting it.
Krad's confidence soared. He was landing real damage! He could win!
But then...
DING!
System Alert!
Orc Titan is enraged!
Attack Power Doubled.
Krad's eyes widened. "Wait, what?!"
The Titan bellowed and swung its club with terrifying speed. Krad barely dodged in time, but the shockwave still sent him flying. He crashed into the dirt, coughing.
Mist sighed. "Too reckless."
Krad groaned, pushing himself up. His arms ached. His HP had dropped to 35%.
The Titan was charging again.
Krad exhaled sharply. Calm down. Breathe. Think.
If brute force wouldn't work, then...
His eyes flickered toward the Titan's legs. What if I took out its balance?
As the Titan swung again, Krad didn't dodge away. He dodged forward, sliding under its legs. Then, with all his strength...
Skill Activated: Evade
He slammed his fist into the Titan's ankle joint.
CRACK!
Brutal Hit!
Damage Inflicted: 400
The Titan lost its footing. Its massive body tilted. Then crashed to the ground with an earth-shaking BOOM!
Mist raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."
Krad didn't waste time. He leaped onto the fallen Titan's chest, pulling his fist back.
"Let's end this!"
DING!
Unknown Skill Activated: Moon Eater's Awakening 10%
A faint silver aura surrounded Krad's fist as he drove it straight into the Titan's exposed core vein.
BOOM!
The Titan let out a final roar before its body shattered into particles of light.
DING!
Quest Completed!
EXP Gained: 8,500
Level Up! (Lv. 10 → Lv. 13)
Krad collapsed onto his back, breathing hard.
Mist landed beside him, arms still crossed. "Well?"
Krad groaned. "I hate you."
DING!
SYSTEM ALERT!
WARNING: 10% MOON EATER'S AWAKENING TRIGGERED!
USER CONTROL COMPROMISED.
A sharp pain ripped through Krad's chest. His breath hitched. His fingers twitched uncontrollably.
Then---
A wave of raw power exploded from his body.
The ground beneath him cracked, the force sending debris flying. The trees trembled as an unnatural wind surged through the plaza. Mist took a cautious step back, his smirk fade as his hand instinctively gripped his longsword.
Krad's once-bright eyes darkened into a deep, lunar silver. His veins pulsed with eerie, glowing purple patterns that slithered beneath his skin. His expression? Vacant. Emotionless.
Then he moved.
Faster than Mist had ever seen.
Mist barely had time to react before a fist slammed into his gut. A shockwave erupted, sending him crashing through multiple trees before he skidded to a stop. Dust and leaves swirled around him.
Mist coughed, gripping his stomach. "Shit… That hurt."
He looked up. Krad was already in front of him.
Mist's reflexes saved him. His longsword flashed as he parried Krad's next strike... but the force behind it sent him sliding several feet back. His arms burned from the sheer power.
"Not bad," Mist muttered, his gaze sharpening. "But you're not yourself anymore, are you?"