Chapitre 12: The Struggle to Survive
The Abyssal Maw was a nightmare given form. The air within the dungeon was heavy and suffocating, reeking of decay and malice. Every sound—every growl, every scrape of claws against stone—sent shivers down Alex's spine as he ventured deeper into the darkness.
His makeshift torch flickered, casting long, trembling shadows on the jagged walls. He had no map, no sense of direction. He moved forward purely on instinct, each step driven by the desperate need to survive.
The first monster he encountered had been a small, twisted creature with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws. It had lunged at him from the shadows, shrieking with a guttural sound that made his ears ring. Alex had barely managed to raise his sword in time to deflect its attack, the force of the blow sending him staggering backward.
"Stay calm," Alex muttered to himself, his voice shaky. "You've fought goblins. You can handle this."
But he quickly learned that the monsters of the Abyssal Maw were far more ferocious than the goblins he had struggled with before. The creature came at him again, its movements fast and erratic. Alex swung his sword wildly, barely grazing its tough hide. The monster retaliated, its claws raking across his arm and leaving deep gashes that burned with searing pain.
Alex cried out, stumbling back as blood seeped through his torn sleeve. He tightened his grip on his sword, his breathing ragged.
'I can't die here. Not like this.'
Summoning every ounce of courage he had, Alex rushed forward, his movements clumsy but fueled by desperation. His blade found its mark, sinking into the creature's chest. The monster let out a guttural wail before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching violently before going still.
Alex stood over the corpse, his chest heaving. His arm throbbed with pain, and his legs felt like jelly, but he had won. Barely.
As he moved deeper into the dungeon, the monsters became more numerous and more deadly. There were shadowy wolves with glowing fangs, serpentine creatures with venomous barbs, and grotesque humanoid figures that moved with unnerving speed. Each encounter left Alex more battered and exhausted than the last.
His sword grew dull from repeated use, its once-sharp edge now nicked and cracked. His body was covered in cuts and bruises, his clothes torn and soaked with blood. He had no time to rest, no time to catch his breath. The dungeon offered no mercy.
At one point, Alex found himself surrounded by a pack of shadow wolves, their glowing eyes fixed on him with predatory hunger. He backed against the wall, gripping his sword tightly as they closed in.
"Come on," he growled through gritted teeth, his voice trembling. "Let's get this over with."
The wolves lunged as one, their movements fluid and coordinated. Alex swung his blade in a wide arc, managing to fend off the first few attackers. But one of the wolves slipped past his guard, its fangs sinking into his leg.
Alex screamed in pain, driving the hilt of his sword into the wolf's skull. It released him with a pained yelp, staggering back as blood dripped from its maw. Alex staggered, his injured leg barely able to support his weight.
The wolves circled him, their growls low and menacing. Alex's vision blurred, his body screaming for rest.
'I can't... I can't keep this up.'
But just as despair began to take hold, something within him ignited. A familiar glow appeared in the corner of his vision—his system interface.
LEVEL UP!
The notification flashed brightly, and Alex's body was flooded with warmth. His injuries vanished in an instant, his strength returning as though he had been revitalized by some unseen force.
Alex stared at his hands in disbelief. The pain was gone, his wounds healed. He felt... stronger.
The wolves hesitated, their growls faltering as they sensed the change in him. Alex tightened his grip on his sword, a newfound determination surging through him.
"Not this time," he muttered, his voice steady.
He lunged at the nearest wolf, his blade slicing through its thick hide with ease. The creature let out a pained yelp before collapsing, its body dissolving into a shadowy mist. Alex moved with precision, cutting down the remaining wolves one by one until the last of them lay still.
Breathing heavily, Alex stood amidst the carnage, his sword dripping with dark ichor. He had survived again, but there was no time to celebrate. The dungeon would not give him a moment's peace.
Driven by the need to grow stronger, Alex pressed on, fighting every monster that crossed his path. He gritted his teeth through every battle, his body screaming in protest but his mind refusing to give in. Each encounter pushed him to his limits, forcing him to adapt, to think faster, to fight smarter.
Hours turned into what felt like days as he carved his way through the endless waves of creatures. His system interface continued to flash with each victory, his level climbing steadily.
LEVEL UP!
LEVEL 5 REACHED.
When the notification appeared, Alex nearly collapsed with relief. He leaned against the wall of the dungeon, his chest heaving. His strength had grown considerably, and his body felt lighter, faster, more capable. But the battles had taken their toll, and he knew he couldn't keep going without rest.
As if answering his silent plea, the corridor ahead opened into a small chamber bathed in a soft, golden light. Alex stepped inside cautiously, his sword at the ready. The room was unlike anything he had seen in the dungeon so far—calm, serene, and untouched by the horrors outside.
At the center of the chamber stood a glowing crystal, its light warm and inviting. The air felt lighter here, the oppressive weight of the dungeon momentarily lifted. Alex approached the crystal, his body relaxing as he drew near.
'Is this... a safe zone?' he wondered, his fingers brushing against the smooth surface of the crystal.
A gentle warmth spread through him, soothing his tired muscles and calming his racing mind.
Alex sank to the ground, leaning back against the wall. For the first time since entering the Abyssal Maw, he felt a sliver of hope. He had survived. He had leveled up. And now, he had a chance to rest.
As he closed his eyes, exhaustion finally taking hold, Alex made a silent vow.
'I'll keep fighting. I'll keep surviving. No matter what it takes, I'll make it out of here.'
The golden light of the crystal pulsed softly, casting a protective glow over the chamber as Alex drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone