The creature was on its last legs.


    Its once-aggressive yellow eyes were now dull and weary, its movements sluggish, its body covered in wounds. Seventy-five minutes had passed since our battle began, and by my calculations, the Gnoll Archer’s health had dropped below 10%.


    Unfortunately, the same applied to me.


    My vision blurred, dark spots dancing at the edges of my sight. Every muscle in my body screamed in agony, my limbs felt as heavy as lead, and my grip on my staff was weakening. My body was reaching its limit.


    [Warning: Your HP has fallen below 5%]


    [Warning: Mana reserves are below 10%]


    I clenched my jaw.


    I had, at most, ten attacks left before I was completely drained.


    The first strike— A miss. The Gnoll dodged at the last second.


    The second strike— I landed a hit, my attack sinking into a vital point.


    The third strike— Another miss. The Gnoll counterattacked, forcing me to twist my body in a desperate dodge. Too close.


    The fifth strike— My heart pounded. Let this be the last one. I prayed silently, even though I already knew—my prayers never came true.


    The sixth strike— My thoughts wavered. Should I use it? That one item I had been holding onto, my failsafe. No. If I used it now, I would lose a valuable opportunity. I needed to endure.


    The seventh strike—


    Splaash!


    The Gnoll let out a gurgled snarl before collapsing. Its body twitched, then began to glow, its form disintegrating into fading particles of light—vanishing in an instant.


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    For a moment, I stood frozen.


    Then, as the adrenaline faded, my knees buckled. I dropped onto all fours, gasping for breath, my fingers digging into the cold, bloodstained dirt.


    I clenched my teeth, rage simmering beneath my exhaustion.


    All of this… for just two mana stones?


    I cursed under my breath.


    ***


    Two hours had passed since my last battle.


    My Mana had fully replenished through meditation and natural regeneration, and my health had gradually restored thanks to countless casts of Rejuvenation. While the spell was undeniably useful, its healing power paled in comparison to that of a human priest. Still, at the very least, I didn''t have to rely on potions.


    The sky was darkening, shadows stretching across the twisted landscape. Night was approaching. I knew better than to linger near Gnashfang Warrens at this hour—Gnolls became far more aggressive after sundown.


    ***


    I had encountered two more Gnoll Archers on my way here. However, I had learned from my previous mistakes. Their movements were easier to read, and I could predict the timing of their attacks. My dodges became sharper, my counterattacks more precise, striking at their weak points with ruthless efficiency. The battles had ended quicker than before.


    I''m getting stronger…


    But despite my progress, one thing about Dreadspire remained frustrating.


    There was no experience system.


    Killing monsters wouldn’t make you stronger in most cases. Instead, they only left behind Mana Stones or, if luck was on your side, monster drops—either monster parts or equipment. And on an even rarer occasion, a monster could drop a Soul Fragment—one of the few things capable of permanently enhancing a character’s status.


    Unfortunately, I wasn’t lucky enough to find one tonight.


    Still, I had survived. That alone was a victory.


    Moving with caution, I approached a small, well-hidden burrow—a secluded space I always used as a resting spot in the game. Carefully, I slipped inside, ensuring I wasn’t followed. The moment my body hit the ground, exhaustion overtook me.


    I barely had time to think before sleep consumed me.


    What a long day.