Bully Lord

Part-194

Without warning, a figure darted out from the shadows. It was small but fast, a blur of fur and sharp teeth. James jumped back instinctively as the creature lunged at him, narrowly missing his leg. His eyes widened as he finally got a good look at it.

It was a rat, but unlike any rat James had ever seen. This one was much larger, its matted fur covered in grime and its red, beady eyes gleaming with a feral hunger. Its teeth were sharp, and it moved with a vicious speed that sent a chill down James’s spine. The system hadn’t exaggerated when it called it "rabid."

[Enemy identified: Ratling Scavenger. Threat level: Low.]

Low threat or not, James wasn’t taking any chances. He scanned the cave floor, quickly spotting a loose stone, and grabbed it just as the Ratling charged again. This time, he was ready. With a quick movement, James hurled the stone at the creature, hitting it squarely in the side.

The Ratling screeched in pain, stumbling but not stopping. It lunged at him again, claws outstretched. James dodged to the side, his reflexes sharp, thanks to his increased stats from previous missions. He grabbed another stone, this time smashing it down on the Ratling's head as it made a final leap toward him.

With a sickening thud, the Ratling collapsed, its body twitching once before going still.

James stood there for a moment, breathing hard, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The battle had been short but intense, and while the creature hadn’t been a major threat, the encounter left him more cautious. If this was the kind of challenge Level 1 had to offer, what lay ahead?

As if to answer his unspoken question, the system chimed again.

[Ratling Scavenger defeated. Proceed to the next area.]

James exhaled, his grip on the stone loosening. He glanced around the cave, wondering what new challenges awaited him deeper inside. The dungeon had only just begun, and he knew that the Lamp of Time held more secrets—secrets he was determined to uncover.

With renewed determination, James pressed forward into the unknown depths of the dungeon. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on.

 James stood in front of a door after advancing deeper into the dungeon. As he surveyed his surroundings, he felt a strange sense of unease. "Was that really it for Level 1?" he thought. The Ratling Scavenger he had faced earlier seemed almost too easy, and the simplicity of the encounter didn’t sit well with him. Something about the cave felt unfinished, like a test he hadn’t fully completed.

His curiosity led him to the door. As he approached, he noticed something unusual—a small warning sign nailed to the doorframe. Tilting his head in confusion, he stepped closer and read the sign aloud, "Caution: Level 1 Midsection. Avoid if you're not strong enough."

James frowned, torn between caution and curiosity. The sign made it clear that this wasn’t going to be as straightforward as the initial part of the dungeon, but there was only one way to know what awaited him. His competitive spirit got the better of him, and with a determined breath, he decided to push forward.