The battlefield was a landscape of chaos. Smoke and dust hung in the air like a heavy fog, and the screams of soldiers clashing with monsters rang through the valley. The scent of sweat, blood, and steel mingled with the burning earth. Over a thousand monsters—wolves, boars, ghouls, and things Riven couldn't even name—swarmed the fields near the village, their claws ripping through armor and their howls shaking the bones of even the bravest warriors.
But Riven had only one thing in front of him.
A beast.
A towering, mutated bear-like monster with crimson eyes, a maw of jagged teeth, and fur blackened by some dark energy. Its presence dwarfed the others. The way it moved, the way it breathed—it was the boss. The core of the horde.
And it was Riven's to fight.
A system notification chimed in his vision.
Boss Battle Initiated: Blackclaw, the Ravaging MawObjective: Eliminate the Boss.Reward: +1 Level, Bonus Skill Point, Special Loot Drop.
His muscles tensed as he stepped forward, tightening the rare gloves around his fists.
Every inch of his body screamed caution, but his soul flared with adrenaline and purpose.
The monster roared, its voice like a thunderclap, and charged.
Riven activated Flash Step, blinking behind the beast just as its claws tore through the ground where he'd stood. He struck fast—elbow to the back of the neck, followed by a spinning low kick to destabilize its footing. The strikes connected, but the beast barely flinched.
Skill Activated: Muay Thai (1000% Mastery)
He entered the flow. Elbows, knees, palm strikes—each movement a perfect form. He danced around the beast like a ghost, landing hits at its pressure points. Blood spattered, but the beast refused to go down.
It lashed out, claws catching him mid-step. Riven crashed against a shattered stone wall. Pain exploded across his ribs.
HP -34%
He coughed, blood trailing from his lips.
"I can't stop now."
He got up. The beast charged again. This time, Riven baited the strike and ducked low, arms wrapping around one massive leg.
Skill Activated: Ssireum - Basic Grip
He roared as he lifted, rotating his torso to use the beast's momentum.
The monster staggered.
Riven followed up with a blinding combo. Right knee, left elbow, palm strike, teep kick. The final strike landed against the beast's chest.
CRACK.
It reeled back, crashing into a boulder.
Riven stood tall, but he was trembling.
Attribute Bonus Triggered: Endless Will (Passive) +10% Endurance Recovery for 60 Seconds
The beast rose again. Angry. Furious.
Its eyes glowed red, and dark magic surged from its body. Its claws extended further, coated in shadow.
It lunged—
Riven countered with Flash Step again, warping to its flank and delivering a solar plexus punch with full force.
Critical Hit!
The monster staggered. Riven didn't let up.
Skill Activated: Veteran's Edge +10% bonus stats with mastered martial arts.
He was moving faster now. His limbs a blur. His strikes carved through the beast's defenses.
But then—
WHAM!
The bear slammed him into the ground with a paw swipe, cracking the earth beneath.
HP -58%System Warning: Critical Health Level!
He coughed violently, eyes swimming.
The beast loomed over him. One strike away from death.
"No… I still haven't proven myself… I won't die here."
His hand twitched.
Then clenched.
Riven stood.
System Surge Triggered: Emergency Skill Channeling Enabled.
He pulled magic from deep within—the magic stat he'd barely touched glowed faintly.
Magic Skill: Strength Enhancement Lv.1 (Duration: 5 Minutes, Bonus: 9%)
His muscles bulged. His bones tightened. He roared and leapt forward.
Every skill. Every strike. Every drop of will.
He unleashed it all.
Flash Step. Muay Thai. Ssireum. Grip. Elbow. Knee. Palm. Kick. Duck. Twist. Strike. Repeat.
Finally—he jumped, twisted mid-air, and drove a double-fisted hammer blow into the monster's skull.
BOOM!
The bear collapsed, its red eyes dimming.
Boss Defeated: Blackclaw, the Ravaging MawReward: +1 LevelBonus Skill Point Earned
He collapsed to one knee, gasping.
Level Up! Now Level 9+6 Attribute Points+2 Skill Tree Points
All around him, soldiers cried out in exhausted victory. Bloodied, wounded, but alive.
The battlefield was a ruin of corpses and broken weapons, but they had survived.
And then…
New Quest Alert: Wave Two ApproachesEstimated Time Until Arrival: 24 Hours
Everyone turned as the sky dimmed, clouds swirling unnaturally.
Fear returned.
The war wasn't over.
It had only just begun.
[End of Chapter 9]