Capítulo 7: Chapter 7: The Price of Power
Oh, my bright moment: standing on my new hill and simply staring down at the forest beneath. The system gifted me with Predator's Domain-an imposing power which made me the ruler of these grounds. Yet, I knew it was only the beginning; the big world outside was full of even more hazardous creatures and tests.
[Territory Buff Active: Increased strength, agility, and perception within your domain.]
But soon enough, the effects from the buff hit me-quicker movements, stronger senses. It was as if each small sound or smell which had passed by my ears and nose before began to pour into this place. Every rustling of leaves, every minor movement of the bushes was way stronger. The animals knew who was the new king around here and acted accordingly.
This privilege came, however, with its price. I was not just another animal fighting for survival.
I was targeted at.
The other animals of the forest watched keenly as I went downhill. Deer and birds alike, even small mammals, were keeping themselves at greater distances from me than ever before, cautious of me in ways they never had been. I was now the predator, and they knew it. But I knew something else, too: the energy in the woods was different. The balance of power was changed, and not everyone would take kindly to that.
The system didn't warn me about this, but I felt it inside, that sooner or later, my claim to this land was going to be put into question.
[New Quest Unlocked: Defend Your Territory]
Objective: Fend off rival predators attempting to seize control of your domain
Time Limit: 7 days
Reward: 300 XP, Territorial Expansion ability.
Of course, it was never that smooth. A lot of struggle to get this chunk of land, maintaining it required and would require struggle. And if I wanted expansion beyond this hill, then I needed to go out and show my strength once again.
But for the moment, I had more pressing preoccupations.
That was exhausting, fighting the alpha wolf, and my body was also in great pain from the venom and the razor-sharp claws. Though Purity Blossom had cleaned up my health, I wasn't in a state to be at ease as resting and recovering my strength for the next challenge was a must.
Finally, I came across a spot that seemed relatively safe near the bottom of my hill, under some sort of old tree with weirdly grown roots that almost hid me. It was small, but it would have to suffice for now. Getting comfortable, the system showed some new notifications.
[Skill Progression]
Quick Strike (Level 4) – Your speed and precision have increased. Attack cooldown reduced.
Survival Instinct (Level 3) – Enhanced awareness of nearby threats. Detection range extended.
Venom Resistance (Level 1) – Increases resistance to poisons and venoms. Effect duration increased.
The leveling-up notifications sounded sweet, but they just brought me out of that-and onto something-the most central thing, really: one could never count solely on strength. Some special skills, like Survival Instinct, were fundamental to keeping one alive in this ice-cold and unforgiving world when things seemed to get really out of hand.
I couldn't sleep again but rather stay listening to all sides, if anything approached. The system sent in information that the enemies would be sent onto my land, that it is not going to go well until probably an attack did follow, but for a mean time the forest was still and during this downtime, I rest.
Waking, he found the sun was already down; the dark shade of the forest as well as shadows over the treetops made their usual length. Night senses had already overcome him, as well as in the energy of the forest he could feel. It was that particular time of night when tigers stirred -and he would be ready.
I scrambled back to the top of my hill, scanning in every direction for any sign of life. The nighttime forest took upon a completely different feel than that of daytime-mysterious, hazardous. I was ready for whatever was to be forthcoming.
My survival instinct then kicked in, warning me that someone was near. Squinting my eyes in the direction the sound came from, some bushes stirred at the edge of the opening-nothing came out. A feeling of uneasiness tailed gradually in my head. That was. weird.
[Warning: Unknown Threat Detected]
Status: Stealth predator,Unknown level,Proceed with caution.
A stealth predator? This isn't where I had things going. Not a single thing could be seen or heard out of the ordinary, but at least the system would warn me in case something was wrong. I crouched tensely, waiting for what this predator would do.
It felt like the air was heavy, like something out of the dark was watching me. It was so quiet that I could hear every little sound. Then, for some reason, these sharp pains start coming along in my side.
A startled yelp escaped my lips as some slick, dark shape congealed from the murk. So fast-faster than any living thing I'd ever fought. As if the very substance of smoke, it flowed, like liquid smoke, across the intervening distance. Smudgy at its outline, its form was nonetheless that of a panther, yet its fur flung across its back in dark folds.
[Enemy Identified: Shadowstalker]
Level: 7
Status: High-level stealth predator, specializes in ambush attacks
Abilities: Shadowmeld, Silent Strike, Evasion
Weakness: Vulnerable when attacking.
I little time to understand what was happening, and then the thing attacked me once again, its claws swishing to my side. I moved off, but not fast enough. Its claws just reached my fur, and I retreated with pain in the cut. This animal was fast; faster than I could handle.
I couldn't turn to it bluntly that way; I had to outwit it.
[System Tip: Use the environment to your advantage. The Shadowstalker relies on stealth. Disrupt its vision and strike when it reveals itself.]
Disrupt its vision? I looked around, my head racing. The moon was little to be seen through the thick leaves, only a few narrow slivers of light making their way down to the forest floor. There, though, along the edge of the clearing one small patch of bare rock showed itself. Small as it was, it might do.
Again it sprang at me, and again I was prepared. Sideways I leaped with nimble feet toward the boulder. The brute was close at my heels, and as I gained the rock its hot breath fanned my face. In the blackness its red eyes shone like coals.
As it drew nearer, I sprang upon the boulder, and stood so that the faint moonlight fell full upon the rock; the beam within reach of the panther's eyes, and for an instant, it checked its pace, dazzled by the brilliance.
That was my opening.
[Quick Strike Activated]
I sprang forward, small body racing faster than it ever had, and slammed into the Shadowstalker's side. It yowled painedly and hunched, its form blurring as the shadows around it stirred and churned. For one heartbeat, it was full-on clear: its sleek, black fur with muscles taut beneath, bathed in the light of the moon.
But it wasn't even close to being over yet: growling, the panther slipped back into the darkness, building up for the next strike. I knew this and couldn't let that happen, having the advantage once more taken from me.
I had to end this, immediately.
I slowly circled the area open and kept my distance, waiting for its strike. Survival instinct kicked in again as it sprang from the dark; I moved aside, and this time I was ready.
As the panther drew closer to me, I used Quick Strike again, striking at his weak side. The Shadowstalker stumbled; its shape began to flicker, trying to retreat back into the darkness. Still, I didn't let him go. I struck even before he disappeared.
With his final snarl spent, the panther collapsed, his body dissolving into the darkness.
[Territory Defense Success: 1/3 Predators Defeated]
Experience gained: 300 XP
Progress to next level: 250/500 XP
Panting, I was standing over where the Shadowstalker had fallen. The system said it was a victory, but it didn't quite feel it. That fight was rough, and I knew the next one was going to be far more dangerous.
This was no longer about taking land. There was something more fearsome happening in the woods, and the real danger still lay ahead, I felt.
While reflecting on that, it has struck in my mind that power is going to strike anytime anywhere. I was just starting to understand what that will cost me.
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