With the adrenaline from his encounter with the monstrous creature still coursing through his veins, Luis took a moment to gather his thoughts.
The vibrant landscape around him pulsed with life, and he felt a strange connection to it as if the very essence of this world resonated with his own spirit.
He had been given a second chance, and he was determined to make the most of it. The translucent screen flickered back into view, drawing his attention once more.
[Daily Mission Available: Title: Trial of the Fighter]
- [Objective: Train your skills in combat against local wild beasts.]
- [Reward: Equipment suited for the Fighter class.]
Luis grinned, excitement bubbling within him. The idea of honing his skills in this new world filled him with a sense of purpose.
He accepted the mission, and the screen vanished, replaced by a faint outline of a path leading deeper into the badlands.
He set off, feeling the soft green grass beneath his bare feet and the warm breeze against his skin. As he walked, he began to experiment with his newfound abilities.
He practiced his footwork, moving gracefully and fluidly as if he were dancing. The agility he felt was astonishing, and he reveled in the freedom of movement.
He imagined himself in a ring, sparring with an opponent, and he could almost hear the echoes of his past training sessions. After a short while, he arrived at a clearing where the trees parted to reveal a small, shimmering lake.
The water sparkled under the bright sun, and Luis paused to take it all in. It was peaceful here, but he knew better than to let his guard down.
This world was full of surprises, and he needed to stay sharp. Suddenly, a rustling noise broke the tranquility. Luis turned to see a creature emerging from the underbrush. It was smaller than the beast he had fought earlier but still formidable.
The creature resembled a cross between a wolf and a reptile; the system appraised it as a swift-scale wolf, not as deadly as the Stonefur bear but still very dangerous.
With glistening scales and sharp teeth. Its eyes locked onto Luis, and it let out a low growl, baring its fangs.
Luis felt a thrill of excitement. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He took a deep breath, centering himself, and focused on the Synergy System that had become a part of him. The screen appeared again, and he readied himself for the challenge.
[Combat Synergy Activated:]
[Strength: 15(+10)]
[Agility: 20(+10)]
[Vitality: 12(+10)]
The creature lunged at him, and Luis reacted instinctively. He sidestepped, allowing the beast to pass by him, and then delivered a swift kick to its side.
The impact was solid, and he felt the creature stumble under the force of his blow. The wolf reptile turned, its eyes filled with rage, and charged again.
This time, Luis was ready. He ducked low, avoiding its snapping jaws, and "Rising Sky Strike!!" delivered a powerful uppercut that sent the creature reeling back.
It growled in pain, but Luis felt a surge of energy coursing through him, heightening his senses and enhancing his movements.
[Combat Synergy Activated: Strength temporarily increased to 25.]
Luis grinned, feeling invincible. He pressed the advantage, launching into a series of rapid punches and kicks.
Each strike felt more powerful than the last, and he could sense the creature weakening. He was in his element, the thrill of combat igniting his spirit. As the creature staggered, Luis decided to unleash his new ability.
He focused his energy, channeling it into a primal roar that echoed through the clearing. The shockwave rippled outward, stunning the beast and leaving it vulnerable.
Seizing the moment, Luis closed the distance and landed a final blow—a powerful roundhouse kick; the Tornado Kick, that sent the creature crashing to the ground.
It let out a pained yelp before dissolving into a cloud of dark mist, leaving behind another glowing gem.
Luis approached the orb, feeling a sense of accomplishment. As he reached out, it absorbed into his hand, and the Synergy System updated once more.
[New Skill Unlocked: Enhanced Reflexes - Increases reaction speed during combat.]
He felt a rush of satisfaction. Not only had he defeated the creature, but he had also gained another ability to aid him in his journey.
The thrill of victory coursed through him, and he couldn't help but smile. As he stood there, catching his breath, he noticed a flicker at the edge of the clearing.
Curious, he walked over to investigate. There, hidden among the tall grass, was a small chest. Intrigued, he knelt down and opened it, revealing a set of clothes and equipment tailored for a Fighter class.
The outfit was striking, made from a lightweight, durable material that shimmered in the light. It consisted of an orange fur-trimmed open vest with a tiger's face on the back, a fitted black under armor that resembled a singlet, reinforced with silver accents, and matching pants that stopped at the knee which allowed for maximum movement.
A pair of sturdy knee-high boots made with metal and leather with the red symbol of Aries on the kneepad of each one, with these, it completed the ensemble, perfect for both combat and exploration.
There was also a pair of heavy-looking cuffs that covered the entire forearm, on each one, was the tribal carving of a bull's head. Luis could tell that they were more strong and durable and could help with defense
Luis felt a surge of excitement as he donned the new gear. The moment he slipped into the outfit, he felt a sense of belonging, as if this was meant for him.
The fabric hugged his form, enhancing his physique and making him feel even more powerful. As he adjusted the belt that had a dragon's head for the buckle, he noticed a gold lion pendant around his neck, it was beautifully crafted, gleaming in the sunlight.
He held the necklace in his hand, and as he looked at it, the system gave a prompt, naming the necessary artifacts and their abilities:
[Leo's Courage]
[Artifact Rank: A]
[Designation: Twelve-Star Collection]
[In close-quarters combat, as long it is worn, the pendant grants a 20% increase in strength to the user.]
[Aries' Rage]
[Artifact Rank: A]
[Designation: Twelve-Star Collection]
[When worn, leg strength increases, resulting in the rise of speed, agility, and more powerful kicks.]
[Taurus' Fortitude]
[Artifact Rank: A]
Designation: Twelve-star Collection]
[These heavy cuffs that gives the saying 'the best defense is a good offense' a new meaning; when worn, they increase defense and vitality, and when you slam your fists together, it would erect a barrier around yourself and your allies.]
[Heavenly Tiger's Hide]
[Artifact Rank: B]
[Designation: Heavenly Beasts Collection]
[Made from the fur and leather of the Heavenly Tiger, this vest is blessed with the zodiac powers of the Tiger....unlocks at lv 50.]
[Heavenly Dragon's Fang]
[Artifact Rank: B]
[Designation: Heavenly Beast Collection]
[Made with the scales and leather of the Heavenly Dragon, this belt is blessed with the zodiac powers of the Dragon...unlocks at 30]
He silently smiles to himself as places the necklace, the cuffs all the other items in the chest except the vest, boots, belt and tunic and pants into inventory, feeling a sense of readiness wash over him.
With his new gear in place, Luis felt a renewed sense of purpose. He was no longer just a survivor in a strange world; he was a Fighter, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The thrill of adventure beckoned him, and he was eager to explore. He set off once more, deeper into the badlands, eager to complete more missions and hone his skills.
The vibrant landscape unfolded before him, filled with the promise of danger and discovery.
Each step he took felt lighter, and more purposeful, as he embraced his role in this new life. Luis had no idea what awaited him, but he was ready to face it head-on.
With each challenge, he would grow stronger, and with each victory, he would carve his place in this world.
The horizon stretched out before him, a canvas of possibilities, and he was determined to paint his own story.