"Ramrod!" Ezra's cry pierced the oppressive silence of the tunnel, her arrow already loosed and flying towards the monstrous hound that had sent the orc crashing against the cavern wall.

  They went from half-sleeping to ready for war in point five seconds.

  Good thing Ezra held watch.

  Zaro scrambled to his feet, heart racing, fumbling for one of the crude daggers he had recently created. The creature was unlike anything he had ever encountered—a grotesque mockery of a wolf, its fur matted and patchy, its flesh a sickly green, its limbs elongated and twisted. Its eyes, glowing with malevolent red light, fixed on Ramrod, who struggled to rise. He just wanted another hour of sleep.

  Zaro thought, Analyze. He was desperately hoping for some insight, some advantage.

  Analyze Corrupted Hound. Level 15. A creature warped and mutated by the corrupted energy of the Whispering Caves. Weakness: Concentrated bursts of energy.

  "Chad, lightning!" Zaro shouted. "Hit it with everything you've got!"

  Chad, momentarily paralyzed by just waking up and fear, snapped into action. His hands glowed with arcane energy as he chanted, a bolt of lightning crackling towards the corrupted hound. The beast yelped as the electricity surged through its body, its movements becoming momentarily erratic.

  This was my chance! thought Zaro as he lunged forward, dagger raised, and plunged it into the creature's flank. The blade met surprisingly little resistance, sinking deep into the corrupted flesh. The hound roared in pain, its attention shifting from Ramrod to Zaro.

  He charged his shadow strike, lowered his center of gravity, then shifted his hips and threw a disgusting uppercut into the beast's ribs, feeling them crack, causing the beast to let out a howl while it stumbled.

  He hopped back to create some distance and let Chad work.

  Ezra, seeing the opportunity, loosed another arrow, this one finding its mark in the creature's neck. The hound staggered again, its glowing eyes dimming.

  Ramrod, finally regaining his footing, roared in fury and charged forward, retrieving his hammer and bringing it down on the creature's head with a sickening crunch. The corrupted hound let out a final, gurgling whimper and collapsed, its form dissolving into wisps of shadow that dissipated into the darkness.

  150 Experience Points obtained.

  950 of 1500 for level up.

  They stood there, feeling exhilaration, their hearts pounding, the silence of the cavern amplifying their ragged breaths.

  "What in the abyss was that thing?" Ramrod gasped, leaning heavily on his hammer.

  "A corrupted hound," Zaro replied, still catching his breath. "A creature of the void, twisted by the corrupted energy of these caves."

  "There could be more," Ezra warned, her eyes scanning the tunnel ahead. "We need to be careful."

  Chad, still pale but regaining his composure, nodded in agreement. "This place… it's more dangerous than we anticipated."

  They pressed onward, their senses heightened, their weapons at the ready. Zaro felt lucky to be there with a team of capable warriors, because a level 15 corrupted hound could have been a huge problem alone.

  The tunnel continued its descent, the air growing colder and damper with each step. The faint glow of the crystals behind them was long gone, leaving them enveloped in an oppressive darkness that seemed to cling to them like cobwebs.

  As they ventured deeper, they encountered more corrupted creatures. Zaro used Analyze on everything he saw, in an attempt to level up the skill. Grotesque bats with razor-sharp claws—they were easily dispatched with a few well-timed Void Bolts.

  Monstrous spiders that spun webs of shadow? Chad used a paralyze spell, Ezra used a weighted tripping arrow, and Zaro peppered them with enough Void Bolts and Shadow Strikes in a row, nearly exhausting his stamina and mana, but punching enough holes in them to kill them.

  Let's not forget the hulking, deformed humanoids that lumbered towards the group with murderous intent.

  Ramrod went to work on them, but everyone helped their share. Zaro made sure to use his Void weapons more so he could get more familiar with the daggers in action.

  Each battle was a slight struggle and a smalI test of our skills and endurance. But with each victory, our confidence grew, and our resolve solidified. Having a group made all the difference.

  Analyze leveled up to Level 2, and Zaro had earned a few achievements in the system.

  Cave Dweller: You've spent 48 consecutive hours in a cave. Reward: 2 stat points and 5% experience boost while in a cave.

  Arachnid Action: You killed 10 creatures in the arachnid family. Reward: 1 stat point and 2% resistance to poison.

  Novice Pugilist: You have thrown over 100 punches at enemies. Reward: 2% more damage when in close-quarters combat and 1 stat point.

  He was also able to gain another level and 250 experience points. Zaro had reached Level 5, with 850 points left to Level 6.

  Level Up!

  Level 5 achieved.

  10 stat points awarded. Plus 13 stat points banked. Total: 23 available stat points.

  5 skill points awarded. 3 skill points banked. Total: 8 available.

  I need more health and mana to be more effective, Zaro thought.

  Level 5 Summary:

  Class: Voidwalker

  HP: 260

  Mana: 260

  Attributes:

  Strength: 16

  Agility: 14

  Intelligence: 26

  Vitality: 26

  Stamina: 16

  Stat Points Banked: 3

  Skill Points Available: 8

  Zaro decided to focus on efficiency, prioritizing health and mana while adding a little stamina to fight longer.

  He looked into the system and saw Void Drain available for 5 skill points. Must be strong, he thought. He purchased the skill. 3 skill points remaining.

  Void Drain:

  Allows the user to drain mana from an enemy at the cost of 5% stamina per second, yielding 10 mana points per second.

  This is going to be useful, Zaro thought.

  During a much-needed rest, the gang relaxed after a day of battling evil. Zaro had collected void shards and void energy gems from the corrupted enemies they'd vanquished. He decided to experiment with Void Control, crafting to gain experience and improve the skill.

  Zaro discovered the nuances of Void Control, learning to shape void energy into temporary shadow weapons and using shards to craft real, permanent weapons. He tempered the shards, stretching the material into crude yet effective creations. One piece stood out: a jagged sword, shimmering with dark light, about the size of a small katana.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  He also crafted a spiked shield that absorbed impacts with an eerie silence and a set of shadowy gauntlet claws that extended from his fingertips, allowing him to tear through corrupted flesh like some kind of void werewolf.

  After two hours of crafting, a system notification pinged:

  Void Control Level 2 achieved.

  Zaro could feel a more nuanced control over his crafting. The blades were smoother, the edges sharper. Analyze revealed the crafted daggers to be rare-level, with a passive ability unlocked: Inflict Bleeding.

  Despite his exhaustion, Zaro was excited about his progress. Such growth from grinding, he thought. He planned to refine his creations later, experimenting with throwing stars, staffs, and spears. With enough shards collected, he had materials for any weapon he could imagine. For now, though, he dismantled the gauntlets and shield to avoid carrying excess weight.

  As the day waned, the gang realized just how deep they had ventured into the heart of the caves. The air was heavy with the stench of decay, clinging to them like a miasma, and the silence was oppressive. Only the occasional scuttling sound or the echo of water dripping from unseen cracks broke the eerie stillness. Their exhaustion was palpable—bodies aching, minds frayed from the unrelenting battles and constant vigilance.

  “We need to rest,” Ezra said, her voice strained but steady.

  “Agreed,” Zaro replied with a nod. “We can’t keep going like this.”

  The group scouted cautiously until they found a small chamber off the main tunnel, its entrance narrow and relatively clear of corrupted creatures. It was as good a spot as any to set up camp. They gathered what they could, building a modest fire that pushed back the encroaching chill and cast flickering shadows on the cavern walls.

  Huddled around the flames, the group shared their meager rations, each bite tasting more like survival than satisfaction. Yet, a sense of camaraderie began to settle over them. As they recounted the day’s battles and near-misses, the bond between them solidified. They were no longer just a group of adventurers thrown together by circumstance—they were a team, forged in the fires of danger and tempered by shared purpose.

  Ramrod, despite his weariness, regaled them with an animated account of his near-death encounter with the corrupted hound. His boisterous voice was tinged with pride, the kind of bravado that only barely masked the reality of how close he’d come to being another casualty of the Whispering Caves.

  Ezra, ever vigilant, kept one eye on the tunnel entrance. Her bow rested across her lap, ready for action, though her fingers trembled faintly from fatigue. She remained sharp, a sentinel in the dark, her keen gaze betraying her commitment to keeping them safe.

  Chad, usually full of arrogance and quips, was unusually quiet. He stared into the dancing flames, his expression uncharacteristically solemn. His mind was clearly preoccupied, likely unraveling the implications of the corrupted creatures they had encountered and the malevolent force consuming the caves.

  Zaro, too, was deep in thought. The day’s events played in his mind like a fragmented reel. The corrupted miners, the strange Aetherium deposit, the mutated creatures—it all pointed to something larger, something darker than any of them had anticipated. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they were merely scratching the surface of a much deeper, more sinister corruption.

  As the fire dwindled to glowing embers, Zaro felt the weight of exhaustion settle over him. He began preparing for sleep but had a thought—if he could use Eye of the Storm to sustain him through the night, he could also start working on leveling the skill.

  Before entering his meditative state, Zaro shared his plan with Ezra, ensuring she and Ramrod, who had first and second watches, understood his intention. “The lights might be on,” he quipped, “but nobody will be home.”

  Ezra smirked faintly, though her expression remained resolute. “Just don’t drift too far off, Zaro. We’ll need all hands if something comes through that tunnel.”

  Zaro nodded. “You’ve got it.”

  As he slipped into tranquility, Zaro’s last conscious thoughts were heavy yet resolute. The corruption was spreading, its tendrils creeping further into the heart of the caves, and they were caught in its path. But he wasn’t just Zaro the adventurer anymore. He was Zaro the Voidwalker—a guardian against the encroaching darkness, a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the brink of chaos.

  Yeah, it was dramatic, but fun for him. Then he entered tranquility. The fire had dwindled to embers, casting long, dancing shadows across the cavern walls. A deep silence had settled over the makeshift camp, broken only by the soft crackle of the dying flames and the occasional rustle of bedrolls.

  Zaro was still grinding to level up his Eye Of The Storm skill by using it frivolously. Suddenly, a tremor shook the cavern, sending a shower of dust and pebbles raining down from the ceiling. The ground beneath us vibrated with a low, guttural rumble, like the growl of some monstrous beast awakening from a long slumber.

  Ramrod slapped Zaro on the back and pulled him to his feet.

  Zaro opened his eyes and quickly oriented himself with battle mode. He saw Ezra and Chad were also awake, their eyes wide with alarm, their weapons clutched tightly in their hands.

  "What was that?" he stammered, his voice trembling.

  "Let's get ready to kill it!" Ramrod gleefully yelled.

  The tremors intensified, the ground shaking with increasing threats of potential violence. The air crackled with a strange energy, and the shadows in the cavern seemed to writhe and twist, as if alive. Then, from the depths of the tunnel, a chorus of growls and snarls echoed through the cavern, sending chills down their spines. The corrupted creatures upon them.

  Zaro's void sense highlighted the energy, and he could see a large energy signature. "Let's go find out. Follow me,' Ramrod started running toward the danger like a fireman running toward a burning building. So the team followed.

  They made a left down a corridor, and the room opened up to three towering figures emerging from the darkness, their forms warped and mutated, their eyes glowing with malevolent intent.

  They were unlike any of the creatures they had encountered before- larger, more powerful, their flesh pulsating with a sickly green and gray light. One resembled a grotesque wolf, its limbs elongated and twisted, its jaws filled with razor-sharp fangs.

  Another was a hulking humanoid, its skin stretched taut over bulging muscles, its hands ending in vicious claws. The third was a horrifying amalgamation of different creatures, its body a patchwork of mismatched limbs and organs, its eyes a multitude of glowing orbs.

  "By the ancestors," Ramrod breathed, his voice filled with awe and excitement. "Get ready!" Zaro yelled, scrambling to his position, his hands instinctively clutching for the void-infused dagger at his belt.

  He had named the three daggers Void Fang, and he still had the one he found in the chest earlier on him. He was getting used to having a lot of weapons on him and using them.

  The wolf-like creature lunged, its claws outstretched, its jaws gaping wide to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth.

  Ramrod met its charge head-on, his hammer flashing in the firelight. The two collided with a deafening roar, their weapons clashing, sparks flying.

  Ezra loosed an arrow, the shaft whistling through the air and finding its mark in the creature's shoulder. The beast roared in pain, its attention momentarily diverted. Chad, chanting frantically, unleashed a bolt of lightning, striking the creature and sending it reeling back.

  Zaro seized the opportunity, activating Void Step and teleporting to the creature's blind side. Before it could recover, he plunged a dagger into its back, then shadow-striked the pommel and shot the dagger through the beast like a nail gun.

  The dagger stuck into the cave ground like a stake. Zaro used void control, and the dagger spiked back into the palm of his hand like a yoyo.

  The attack stunned his target for a brief moment. Not only that, but it looked super cool when he did it. Ezra loosed an arrow that struck perfectly in the ribs.

  Ramrod, seizing the advantage, brought his hammer down in a powerful arc, crushing through the creature's weakened flesh. The beast let out a final, agonizing roar and collapsed, its form dissolving into wisps of shadow.

  300 XP 550 left to level up. But there was no time to celebrate. The other two creatures were upon them, their attacks relentless and ferocious.

  The humanoid creature slammed into Ramrod, sending him crashing against the cavern wall. Ezra, dodging its claws, fired arrows at the third beast to keep its attention off her squad. But most of the arrows glanced off the creature's thick hide.

  Chad unleashed a torrent of fireballs, engulfing the amalgamation creature in flames. it was distracted, creating an opening.

  Zaro threw all three of his void-infused daggers at the humanoid beast and immediately equipped his void sword while charging his hands with shadow strike energy, then adding Void Step to that combo, which took him to the scene of the crime. Minus 20 mana.

  Emerging from the shadows aside the creature, the void-infused sword, empowered by shadow strike, was ready. He swung as hard as his strength would allow at the beast's legs, trying to disable it.

  When the sword made contact, Zaro projected and released shadow strike to push the sword, and it sliced the legs almost clean through. Minus 20 mana.

  With a final, desperate lunge, the creature slammed into Chad, sending him flying. But it was too late. Ezra sent an arrow for good measure. Weakened by Zaro's attacks and engulfed in flames, the humanoid creature collapsed, its form dissolving into nothingness.

  300 experience gained. 250 to level 6. Only one creature remained-the grotesque amalgamation of mismatched limbs and organs. It was the most powerful of the three, its attacks unpredictable and devastating. It lashed out with its claws, its multiple eyes darting around, searching for its prey.

  Good thing it was still on fire from Chad's attacks.

  Ramrod, battered and bruised, charged forward, his hammer raised in defiance. But the creature was too quick, its movements erratic and unpredictable. It dodged Ramrod's attack and slammed into him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

  Ezra, her arrows depleted, drew her sword, a slender blade of gleaming silver. She danced around the creature, her movements fluid and graceful, her sword flashing like lightning. But the creature's multiple limbs and eyes made it a difficult target, its attacks coming from all directions.

  Zaro knew he had to act quickly. He channeled Void Control, shaping the sword with void energy into a long, jagged spear. He activated Void Step, teleporting to the creature's right ear. Minus 20 mana.

  With a guttural, ugly cry, he launched the spear. The weapon pierced the creature's flesh, its multiple eyes widening in surprise.

  Zaro could see the black gleam of its pupils almost in slow motion as a fireball struck its head, forcing it to turn toward him.

  Zaro used a double-charged Void Bolt to destabilize the monstrosity, and it was super effective.

  The creature roared in pain, its movements becoming sluggish.

  Ramrod, seizing the opportunity, rose to his feet and charged forward, his hammer finding its mark, crunching through the creature's weakened flesh. The creature let out an agonizing roar and lashed out, hitting Zaro and sending him into a backward roll. Minus 50 health, that quick.

  The Voidwalker took a deep breath and channeled his Shadow Strike at three times the charge. Minus 60 mana. Then he activated his instant transmission-style Void Step, the world blurring around him as he teleported to its blind spot. He focused his shadow-strike-charged fist because these hands are rated E for everybody, and he let the right hook fly.

  Zaro's new agility made his movements incredibly fluid, and his strength greatly enhanced all of his attacks.

  The blast almost paused for a moment before it blew 80% of the creature's back out.

  Zaro grabbed its head and used a point-blank Void Bolt, reducing it to ashes in his hands.

  System Alert: Level Up! Zaro has reached Level 6.

  300 experience gained. 50 of 1500 for Level 7.

  A wave of energy washed over Zaro as he leveled up. It always seemed to recharge him and heal all wounds.

  Level Up!

  Level 6 achieved.

  10 stat points awarded.

  3 stat points banked.

  5 skill points awarded. 8 total available.

  Level 6.

  Class: Voidwalker.

  HP: 280.

  Mana: 280.

  Attributes:

  Strength: 18.

  Agility: 16.

  Intelligence: 28.

  Vitality: 28.

  Stamina: 18.

  Zaro thought for a moment and decided on balance.

  "Plus two points on erry thang," he thought.

  3 stat points banked.

  Zaro confirmed his choice and activated Eye Of The Storm to mitigate the uncomfortable nature of a full level up on his stats. It wasn't anything he couldn't handle, but the feeling of spiders crawling inside his entire body wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

  Void Sense leveled up.

  Void Sense, Level 2.

  "I'm going to make sure to use this skill and get it leveled up as much as possible," he thought.

  He checked the system and saw something that looked like a winner.

  Shadow Camo. 3 points spent. 5 skill points available.

  Shadow Camouflage allows Zaro to blend into the shadows. Works anytime, but more effective in the dark (obviously).

  Cost: 60 mana per minute.

  Zaro searched the system for any other skills that looked promising. He found one called Will of the Void that allowed telekinetic control over his void weapons.

  "That's worth 5 points," he decided.

  Will of the Void, Level 1 unlocked.

  Allows Zaro to telekinetically control his void-infused weapons, recalling them to his hand or manipulating their trajectory.

  Range: 10 meters.

  Mana Cost: 10 per use.

  Zero Skill Points available.

  Void Step leveled up.

  Void Step, Level 2:

  Mana Cost: 20 per activation.

  Cooldown: 3 seconds, affected by stamina.

  His cooldown lowered. "That's perfect," he thought.

  The others stood there, panting, their bodies aching, minds reeling from the intensity of the battle. The silence of the cavern was deafening, broken only by the sound of ragged breathing and a hat being adjusted.

  The gang had survived. They had faced the echoes of the Abomination and emerged victorious. But the victory had come at a cost. Ramrod was badly wounded, his arm hanging limp at his side. Ezra was pale and trembling, her strength depleted. Chad, his robes singed and his face covered in soot, looked like he was about to faint.

  Zaro, however, was rejuvenated due to the level up.

  "It's time to get back to the city and get some training in," he decided.

  Zaro was going to make time to check out the city and grind out some skill levels.

  The corruption was still out there, lurking in the shadows.

  Good thing Zaro was lurking in the shadows too.