Time blurred, dragging into an unrelenting cycle of battle and survival.
Inside the dungeon, Aaron had no way of knowing whether minutes or hours had passed. The walls of reality felt thinner here, his focus locked on only two things enduring and winning.
His clothes had long lost their purpose. Torn fabric clung loosely to his battered frame, riddled with slashes and scorch marks, barely holding together. At a glance, he resembled more of a vagrant than a warrior, a lone figure stripped down to desperation and grit.
Sweat mixed with grime and streaks of thick green goblin blood, soaking into his skin. Every breath was laborious, every movement a battle against exhaustion. Yet his eyes remained sharp. Only ten goblins remained.
But these weren't like the ones before. Their stance was firmer. Their eyes held a knowing cruelty. They had adapted to him, just as the dungeon had. The deeper he fought, the deadlier the opposition became.
Perched atop a thick tree branch, Aaron took a rare moment of respite. He steadied his breath, forcing clarity through the fog of fatigue. Then, with weary fingers, he pulled up his stats.
AARON ( LVL. 5) (210/500)
CHAKRA- 20,600+400/20,600+400
CHAKRA RECOVERY- 20 UNITS PER SEC
BLOODLINE- NONE
TAILED BEAST- ONE-TAILED
ELEMENT- EARTH, WIND, SAND
NINJUSTU- TRANSFORMATION, CLONING, SUBSTITUTE, DEMON WIND SHURIKEN, CHAKRA REFINING, SAND VEIL TECHNIQUE, EARTH SPIKE TECHNIQUE.
WEAPON- KUNAI*10
POINT - 6532
Aaron's gaze lingered on his stats, his breath steady as he took in the staggering number before him—6532 points. A well earned fortune, considering how much he had already spent on talismans. Even after purchasing more than ten, his remaining balance still granted him significant purchasing power.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Level up twice. A tangible sign of progress, proof that his endurance had paid off. Yet, as he scrolled through his available options, his focus sharpened.
With his current points, he could redeem up to three C-grade ninjutsu each priced between 2,000 to 5,000 points. But then there was the alternative a single B-grade ninjutsu, ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 points.
His fingers hovered over the selections. Quantity or power? Versatility or raw strength?
His instincts told him that the right choice lay in offensive capability something that would truly amplify his combat potential and align with his elemental affinity. A C-grade ninjutsu would expand his repertoire, but a B-grade skill... a well-chosen B-grade ninjutsu could change everything.
His thoughts solidified. It was time to upgrade his ninjustu.
He looked into the shop and finally decided to buy the Gale Fang Cleave ninjustu.
Gale Fang Cleave (B-grade, Wind Element)
Effect: Aaron channels wind chakra into his weapon or hands, creating blades of pressurized air that could be released on any target within three hundred meters. With each slash, invisible wind fangs carve through enemies, slicing through armor and flesh effortlessly. The chakra required to condense blade ranged from 100 units to 1000 units depending on their size from half meter to tens of meter.
Aaron exhaled slowly, the lingering exhaustion fading as the Food Pill took effect. A surge of energy coursed through his veins, revitalizing his fatigued muscles. He followed it with a deep gulp of water, feeling the cool liquid soothe his parched throat before pouring the remainder over his head. The sharp contrast of cold against his overheated skin sharpened his focus.
Refreshed, he turned his gaze toward his stats. Fully restored chakra. His body was primed, his mind honed now was the time to strike.
Aaron steadied his breath, feeling the renewed energy coursing through his veins. The lingering exhaustion had faded, replaced by a razor-sharp focus. His hands tightened into fists, his resolve hardening as he eyed the ten elite goblins before him.
They were no longer reckless. Gone were the mindless charges and sloppy formations these goblins had learned. They maintained a two-meter distance from each other, spreading out to prevent another catastrophic wipeout. Their tense postures, the way they shifted their weight from foot to foot, showed awareness a realization that their opponent was no ordinary prey.
Aaron smirked.Good. That made this more interesting.
The air was thick with tension. The dungeon's eerie silence hummed beneath it, the only sound being the faint rustling of leaves above. His perch atop the tree branch gave him a tactical advantage, but it wouldn't last long they knew where he was.
Without hesitation, he activated Gale Fang Cleave.
Wind chakra surged through his hands, spiraling outward, forming blades of compressed air that extended beyond his physical reach. Invisible to the naked eye, yet deadly in force his weapon was now a merciless extension of his will.
His grip tightened, and with a single movement, he swung downward.
The first arc of wind shot forward, tearing through the air with a high-pitched whine. It struck the nearest goblin, slicing effortlessly through its torso before it could react. A sharp shriek echoed, cut short as the creature crumpled to the ground, its body cleaved in two.
Nine remained.
The goblins flinched but didn't panic. They had expected an attack but not like this.
Their leader, a larger goblin clad in crude armor, barked an order, and the remaining creatures repositioned swiftly, adjusting their stance in response.
Aaron narrowed his eyes. Smart. But not smart enough.
He stepped off the tree branch, letting gravity pull him downward. In mid-air, he twisted his body, channeling more chakra into his next strike.
This time, he didn't just aim at one. He aimed at four.
Wind slashes erupted in succession two quick arcs followed by a brutal, sweeping crescent of cutting force.
The goblins had no time to react.
The first collapsed with a severed throat. The second fell with deep lacerations across its chest, gasping before silence overtook it. The third tried to jump back, but its legs failed severed at the knees. The fourth managed to block, but the force sent it tumbling, crashing into the ground hard.
Five remained.
Aaron landed lightly, eyes gleaming with renewed confidence.
They were strong. But he was faster.
The remaining five goblins hesitated for only a moment but a moment was all Aaron needed to observe their shifting tactics.