I'd officially entered a new ballpark.
From Level 6 onward, the rules had changed—no more doubling requirements. Each level now needed a flat 200 Essence. A small mercy, maybe.
I'd told myself I'd reach Level 10 and earn a class, but that was only because Predation doubled my Essence intake. My initial goal had been the title: [Feral Conqueror].
So now… I didn't really have a plan.
My next opponents were a pack of Horned Boars—six of them—and a pair of Dire Fangs, adult Direwolves that hadn't evolved into Dire Kings.
That meant group coordination and aggression.
What I needed was a crowd-control skill. Something to slow them down, break formation, or buy me space.
Restriction could do that, technically—but only against one target.
I scrolled through the store.
Nothing I could afford looked worthwhile.
That left two options: go in as I was—or gamble again.
I sighed. "I really have a problem."
The Mystery Card shimmered into view, a swirl of colors forming a vortex before settling into a single hue—blue. The fragments dissolved into me.
[Skill Acquired: Battle Instinct (Passive)]
Small chance to auto-react to unseen attacks.
A rare card, but not impressive. Still, it might save my life in a brawl.
The 13th Ordeal began.
Six boars materialized first—the largest group yet. I could feel the presence of two wolves circling just beyond the treeline.
Boars were slower than Direwolves but possessed thick, armor-like hides. Blades struggled to bite through unless enhanced.
When they charged, the ground shook.
I didn't wait. Letting them close would just give the wolves a chance to flank.
[Dash]
I blurred sideways, appearing at their flank, blade already swinging.
Steel hit bone and skidded off. Too shallow.
I triggered [Bloodburst]—the impact cracked through skull and hide, leaving a deep wound that would soon turn fatal.
The rest of the herd had turned, formation loose. I weaved through their ranks, cutting, slicing—each [Bloodburst] opening another wound.
One boar. Two. Three—
A snarl split the air.
A Dire Fang slammed into my side, throwing me off balance. My HP dipped sharply.
HP: 32
The first real wound I'd taken since the start of the Ascent.
I shoved it off, boots sliding against damp soil as it bounded back into the trees.
Meanwhile, the three boars I'd struck earlier collapsed in pools of blood.
[+60 Essence]
I was about to trigger Predation—
—and then my body moved by itself.
My torso bent backward at an unnatural angle just as something blurred past my vision.
The second Dire Fang's claws sliced empty air where my neck had been.
My blade rose instinctively, cutting upward through its abdomen and chest.
It hit the ground, dead.
[+40 Essence]
So that's Battle Instinct, huh?
I turned just in time to meet the last Fang's glare.
It howled—and the rumble of hooves followed.
The remaining three boars charged.
[Dash]
I slipped between them, cutting through hide and tendon. Their armor meant nothing once I broke through the first layer.
Seconds later, silence.
Seven corpses surrounded me—six boars, one wolf.
My HP hovered at 20.
Predation would heal me, but using it now might leave me open to an ambush.
Then the leaves rustled.
A ripple formed in the shadows nearby.
Not again—
I stepped back instinctively as the darkness split open.
A Shade Dire crawled out, body half-formed of smoke and fang.
[Error Encountered]
[Difficulty Increased by Appearance of a Variant]
[Forfeit Battle and Retry / Complete the Ordeal as it is]
[Compensation / Additional Rewards will be Provided]
I tightened my grip on the sword.
Looks like the system wanted a show.