NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3 The First Battle
Chapter 3: The First Battle
The Alpha Beast's growl reverberated through the forest, a deep and guttural sound that sent shivers down Kael's spine. The beast stood tall, its fur bristling as its glowing red eyes locked onto him. For a moment, Kael could do nothing but stare, his body frozen in place.
"System," he hissed, forcing his mind to focus, "analyze this creature. I need every detail."
"Analyzing target," the System replied.
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Target Identified: Midnight Fang (Alpha Variant)
Level: 5
Strength: High
Speed: Moderate
Abilities:
Night Shroud: Creates an area of darkness, obscuring vision.
Razor Swipe: A powerful melee attack with its claws.
Weakness: Fire-elemental attacks (unavailable).
---
Kael scowled. Level 5? That was far beyond his current capabilities. And the mention of a weakness to fire was almost insulting—he had no spells, no mana, and certainly no means of conjuring flames.
"System," Kael muttered, gripping the jagged branch he had scavenged earlier, "what's my best option here?"
"Options are limited," the System admitted. "Recommendation: Utilize the environment and exploit the creature's slower speed. A direct confrontation is not advised."
Kael grimaced. A tactical retreat might be the logical choice, but it wasn't in his nature to run. Not when he had something to prove—not just to this creature, but to himself.
The Midnight Fang crouched low, its muscles coiling like springs. Kael's instincts screamed a warning, and he barely had time to dive to the side as the beast lunged, its claws tearing through the air where he had stood moments before.
He hit the ground hard, the impact jarring his already frail body. Gritting his teeth, he rolled to his feet and scanned the area. The forest was dense, the underbrush thick enough to potentially slow the beast down. If he could maneuver carefully, he might be able to outlast it.
The Midnight Fang turned, its glowing eyes narrowing as it stalked toward him. Kael's mind raced. He needed a plan, and he needed it fast.
"System," he said quietly, "is there anything in my inventory?"
"Scanning inventory..."
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Inventory:
Broken Plank: A makeshift weapon with limited durability.
Cobblestone: A throwable object.
---
Kael let out a low growl of frustration. He was going to have to get creative.
As the beast lunged again, Kael darted to the side, his eyes locking onto a nearby tree with low-hanging branches. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward it, ignoring the burning in his legs and the sharp protests of his battered body.
The Midnight Fang snarled, its claws tearing into the ground as it gave chase. Kael reached the tree and leapt, grabbing onto a branch and hauling himself up. The beast slammed into the trunk below, shaking the tree with its sheer force.
Kael gripped the branch tightly, his heart pounding. From this vantage point, he could see the faint glow of the Spirit Fruit further ahead, nestled among the roots of another tree.
"There it is," he murmured, his gaze fixed on the fruit.
The Midnight Fang snarled and clawed at the tree, its powerful limbs splintering the trunk. Kael knew the tree wouldn't hold for long. He needed to act—and quickly.
"System, calculate the odds of me making it to the Spirit Fruit alive," he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
"Odds of survival: 12%," the System replied bluntly.
Kael chuckled bitterly. "Better than I expected."
He shifted his weight, testing the branch beneath him. With a sharp crack, the wood began to splinter, and Kael knew he had seconds before it gave way entirely.
He jumped.
The wind rushed past him as he landed on the ground, rolling to absorb the impact. The Midnight Fang roared and turned, its glowing eyes locking onto him once more. Kael didn't wait for it to attack—he took off toward the Spirit Fruit, weaving through the dense underbrush as fast as his legs would carry him.
Branches clawed at his face and arms, but he didn't slow down. The glowing fruit was close now, its soft light illuminating the dark forest around it.
Behind him, the Midnight Fang crashed through the underbrush, its snarls growing louder with every step. Kael reached the tree and skidded to a stop, his hands closing around the fruit. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with a faint energy that sent a shiver through his body.
"Consume it now," the System instructed.
Kael didn't hesitate. He bit into the fruit, the sweet, tangy juice flooding his mouth. A surge of energy coursed through him, and for a moment, he felt as though his very soul was being stitched back together.
---
Soul Integrity Restored: 52%.
Mana Partially Restored: 15%.
---
Kael's eyes widened as he felt the faint spark of mana flicker within him. It was weak—barely enough to light a candle—but it was there. And it was enough.
The Midnight Fang emerged from the underbrush, its growls turning to a roar as it lunged at him. Kael raised his hand, his instincts taking over as he channeled the tiny amount of mana he had regained.
"Flare," he whispered.
A burst of light erupted from his palm, blinding the beast and forcing it to recoil with a pained snarl. Kael didn't wait for it to recover. He turned and ran, his newfound energy propelling him forward.
The forest blurred around him as he sprinted back toward the city. The Midnight Fang's roars grew fainter with each step, and by the time he reached the forest's edge, silence had returned.
Kael collapsed onto the ground, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The Spirit Fruit's energy still hummed within him, and for the first time since his rebirth, he felt a glimmer of hope.
He was far from his former self, but he was no longer helpless. He had mana again—a flicker of the power that had once made him unstoppable.
"System," he said, his voice hoarse but resolute, "this is just the beginning. Let's keep going."
The System's voice was calm, almost approving. "Acknowledged, Host. New quests available."
Kael grinned, his determination burning brighter than ever. The path ahead was treacherous, but he was ready to face it head-on.
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End of Chapter 3