Sector C-5 resembled a giant steel graveyard where rusted columns stood instead of trees, and a cold draft from the depths of the Aldem continent roared instead of the wind. Sebastian moved deeper into the technical labyrinths where the lights of the Aegis lamps had long since gone out, giving way to the dim purple phosphorescence of mold. Each of his steps was calculated, for Shadow Hounds were known for their ability to attack exactly when a hunter felt safe.
The boy checked his new tactical belt bought from Bruno. He now had several pouches for mana cores and a special mount for the "Black Star" that allowed him to draw the knife in a fraction of a second. His Strength of sixteen units allowed him to move with the grace of a predator, yet Sebastian knew that the true danger to his enemies was not his physical power, but an invisible aura of luck.
His [Mana Resonance] skill detected a high concentration of energy ahead. This wasn't just a random cluster of monsters, but a true den. In the center of a large hall of a former filtration station, he noticed a pack of six hounds led by an Alpha leader.
[Target: Shadow Hound (Level 11)] x5
[Target: Elite Shadow Hound (Level 13)] x1
The level difference was again not in Sebastian's favor, but he only gripped his knife tighter. He began to circle the hall along the perimeter, using the shadows for camouflage. Just as he was ready to attack, one of the smaller hounds raised its head and sniffed the air. The beasts reacted instantly, surrounding the hunter's position.
The Alpha leader let out a short, piercing bark, and two monsters rushed forward. Sebastian activated [Shadow Step], moving behind the back of the first attacker. He delivered a quick strike, and the [Critical Surge] skill triggered instantly, severing the hound's spine.
[Target neutralized: Shadow Hound (Lvl 11)]
[Experience gained: 515 XP]
The second monster was preparing to spring, but at that moment, an old metal grate under its paws, held by rusted bolts, failed under the load. The hound fell into a technical channel, and Sebastian only heard a dull thud at the bottom. Luck had again removed one enemy from his path in the simplest way.
The level thirteen Elite Hound, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, lunged into the attack personally. Its speed was incredible, and its body seemed almost spectral. Sebastian activated [Stone Skin], preparing for the collision. Just as the monster's fangs were to sink into his shoulder, Sebastian accidentally slipped on a wet concrete ledge. This fall, which would have been fatal for another, saved his life — the elite beast's jaws snapped an inch from his neck.
The boy, while on the ground, made a sharp upward thrust with the knife. [Critical Surge] triggered again, and the "Black Star" blade entered the soft throat of the Alpha leader. The magical discharge from the momentum of the strike was so powerful that the monster was thrown back.
[Target neutralized: Elite Shadow Hound (Lvl 13)]
[Experience gained: 1200 XP]
The rest of the pack, having lost their leader and seeing a series of strange accidents befalling their kin, fell into a panic. Sebastian methodically finished the cleanup, using his remaining mana for precise strikes. Every accident, every gust of wind, or falling debris from the walls played into his hands, creating perfect conditions for the kill.
When the last hound disintegrated into ash, Sebastian felt a familiar warmth spreading through his veins. It was the feeling of transitioning to a new stage.
[Level Up!]
[Your level is now: 11]
[You have received 3 Stat Points.]
He sat on the edge of a concrete reservoir, breathing heavily. His Luck of thirty-nine units was his main asset, and he saw no point in changing strategy. Sebastian opened the stat panel and invested all three earned points into Luck. Now this attribute had reached the mark of forty-two units. He felt the world around him become even more predictable, as if he were reading a script of events a second before they happened.
"Eleven," he said quietly. "Five more steps until the transformation."
The boy began to collect trophies. Besides mana cores, he found several old Neo-Flux corporation containers in the den, which had likely ended up here from the Era continent during smuggling operations. They were small things, but for a scavenger in the Rotten Sector, they were worth a fortune. Sebastian understood that his progress was accelerating, and soon he would have to leave these dark tunnels to meet Kaspar at the "Golden Gate." But until then, he had to become a true nightmare for the monsters of Sector C-5.