Leo had just recieved a new skill selection.
*DING!*
"You have received a skill selection. 4 options, 1 selection."
*Splitting Arrows - Common*
"Your arrows have a mind of their own. They seperate, each impaling different foes. Obtaining this skill will give you the ability to split your arrows in mid air. WARNING: Each split arrow will do slightly less damage than all put together."
Leo remembered this skill, and recalled how he found no use for this skill. Splitting up his arrows while doing less damage seemed more of like a disadvantage, since the chances of creatures being in the exact locations the arrows split?
*Arrow Recall - Uncommon*
"This skill allows you to retrieve your arrows, as they will come flying back to your quiver, damaging anything in their way. Obtaining this skill will give you an endless supply of arrows, as they will never get lost."
Once again, he saw no use for this skill. Getting back his arrows didn't seem that useful. He could just get them by himself.
"Daggers of Hunger - Rare"
Leo's eyes lit up. He had been waiting for this. In the previous selection, he had pondered whether he should choose this or the explosive arrows.
"Mobility Enhancer - Rare"
"This skill, when used, allows you to get increased speed, strength, stamina, and agility for 30 seconds."
Leo hesitated. This one also sounded good, maybe as good as the Daggers. Just imagining himself with higher skill for a while was amazing. He wondered how much stronger he would actually get.
But right now, what he needed were the Daggers of hunger. He wanted to get them so he upgraded his daggers right off the bat.
*DING!*
"You have obtained the skill "Daggers of Hunger"."
Leo set off for another kill adventure. He gripped his 2 daggers, and away he went. Suddenly there was an earsplitting growl that silenced every other sound audible in the forest. The forest was silent, save for a low, guttural growl ahead.
Leo's breath came in steady, disciplined paces as he knelt among the undergrowth, peering at the clearing beyond. There it stood — a hulking "Stonehide Behemoth - Level 11", its plated skin glistening in the faint light. He was only level 4. One wrong move meant instant death.
His hands tightened around the hilt of his twin Daggers of Hunger, the black steel humming faintly in his grip. Drain enough life from it… maybe I have a chance.
The Behemoth's head swung toward him. It roared — a deep, bone‑shaking thunder — and charged.
Leo rolled aside just in time, dust spraying in his wake. His daggers flashed, slicing against the creature's leg. Blood was smeared on the blades, vanishing into the metal as the enchantment drank greedily.
The Behemoth retaliated with a swipe like a battering ram. The blow grazed his shoulder and sent him spinning into a tree. Pain lanced through him, but the draining kept him upright.
This wasn't a fight he could drag out. Too big. Too fast. Too tough.
Leo leapt back, switching to his bow. He nocked an arrow and drew, his aim trained on a chink between the Behemoth's neck plates. The arrow streaked through the air.
"Explosion: Activate"
A heartbeat later, the projectile erupted mid‑flight, shattering into a sphere of flame and force that slammed into the monster's face. The blast sent smoke curling into the canopy. The Behemoth staggered, a sideways stumble that exposed its ribs.
Leo seized the chance, bolting forward like a shadow. His daggers found the gap in its armor, piercing deep. Drain. The creature bellowed in rage and pain as liters of life‑energy were ripped from it.
The Behemoth flung him off — he tumbled hard, skidding through dirt — but it was slowing now, breathing ragged. Leo rose, blood dripping from his arm, and drew another arrow.
"Explosion: Activate!"
The second blast tore into its weakened side, ripping through vital organs. The Behemoth collapsed in a quake of muscle and stone‑hide, the ground trembling as it breathed its last.
Leo stood over the carcass, chest heaving, daggers still drinking the fading warmth of the fallen giant. Level disparity be damned — the hunter walked away alive. And with his daggers a bit stronger than they were before.