Dragon's Might

The oppressive fog that had clouded David's mind for weeks finally lifted, leaving him in a state of disoriented clarity. He stood in the center of the mansion's grand hall, surrounded by the remnants of his recent, brutal hunts—bones, hides, and the stench of death permeating the air. The influence of the Millennial Nightshade had finally loosened its grip on his psyche, allowing him to think clearly for the first time in what felt like an eternity.David staggered to a nearby chair, his legs weak from exhaustion. He hadn't realized how deeply the darkness had rooted itself within him, warping his mind and driving him to near madness. The system, which had been a constant presence, guiding and assisting him, had become a distant memory. During those dark days, he had barely interacted with it, only managing to sell the corpses of the beasts he had slain to accumulate points. His meals had been nothing more than sustenance to keep his body going, and sleep had come only when his body could no longer function.He ran a hand through his hair, which had grown longer and more unruly during his self-imposed exile from sanity. As the memories of the past weeks surfaced, he winced. He remembered the hunt—the relentless pursuit of anything that moved, driven by an insatiable bloodlust. The system had finally named the grotesque creature he had fought, the Wraithbound Monstrosity. It was a fitting name for the abomination that had nearly claimed his life, a creature so twisted that it had lost any semblance of its original form.David exhaled slowly, trying to calm the turmoil within. The points he had accumulated during his rampage now stood at 2,562, a testament to the sheer number of beasts he had slain. He had been like a force of nature, cutting down anything in his path, but it had come at a cost. He had lost himself in the process.But now, with the haze lifted, it was time to take action. The first thing he needed to do was to regain his footing—to harness the power he had accumulated and use it with a clear mind. The system's interface flickered to life as he summoned it, the familiar blue screen providing a sense of comfort and order in the chaotic aftermath of his ordeal.After a moment's consideration, David navigated to the list of available upgrades and selected Enhanced Senses. The cost was steep—1,000 points—but it was a necessary expenditure. He needed to be sharper, faster, more aware of his surroundings. The upgrade took effect immediately, and he felt a rush of clarity as his senses sharpened. The world around him became more vivid—the colors brighter, the sounds clearer, and even the air felt different against his skin.With his new senses, David turned his attention to the items he had collected during his hunts. The stone he had extracted from the Wraithbound Monstrosity caught his eye. The system identified it as an Energy Stone, a rare and valuable item that could be found in silver-tier and above beasts. The higher the level of the beast, the more likely it was to possess one of these stones. This particular stone pulsed with a dark energy, and David knew it could be the key to crafting something powerful.He sifted through the other items, pulling out the Buzzwolt's Energy Core, a sharp tooth, and the spine of the Wraithbound Monstrosity. An idea began to form in his mind—a weapon, one that could channel the raw power of these components. He accessed the system's crafting interface and began the process.The creation of the sword was an arduous task, requiring every ounce of his focus and the full extent of his newfound senses. He watched as the system combined the energy core, the tooth, and the spine, fusing them together in a swirl of dark magic and raw power. The result was a broadsword, but this was no ordinary weapon.The blade was long and broad, with a dark, almost black sheen. Its surface was etched with runes that seemed to writhe and shift, as if alive. The hilt was wrapped in a material that felt like a fusion of metal and leather, cool to the touch yet exuding a sense of dread. The sword radiated a cold, ominous aura, and David could feel the weight of its power even before he grasped the hilt.System Analysis:Weapon Name: [User Input Required]

Type: Broadsword

Material: Wraithbound Monstrosity's Spine, Buzzwolt's Tooth, Energy StoneAttributes:

Attack Power: +120Durability: 350/350Special Ability: [Locked] - Requires recognition by the Sword SpiritDescription: A sword forged from the spine of the Wraithbound Monstrosity and imbued with the essence of a Buzzwolt's Energy Core. The blade is a manifestation of death and destruction, capable of channeling dark energy. The sword's true potential can only be unlocked through the recognition of its Sword Spirit.

David stared at the weapon, feeling a deep resonance with it. The sword seemed to call to him, whispering of untapped power and a potential that went beyond mere combat. As he gripped the hilt, a name came to him unbidden, a name that encapsulated the essence of the weapon and the feeling it evoked within him."Dragon's Might," David whispered, and the name solidified in his mind. The sword was a symbol of power, not unlike the skeleton of the dragon he had encountered in the past. It was a weapon meant for greater things, for challenges yet to come.The creation of Dragon's Might had cost him 600 points, a significant expenditure, but one he knew was worth it. This was not a weapon for everyday use; it was a tool to be wielded against the most formidable of foes. He sheathed the sword, feeling a sense of completion. Now, it was time to turn his attention to the next task: armor.David brought up his character panel, inspecting his attributes:Strength: 61

Agility: 69

Endurance: 85

Intelligence: 86

Mana: 120/120

Stamina: 130/130

His endurance and intelligence had seen the greatest increase, a result of the intense battles he had fought and the mental strain he had endured. He could feel the difference in his body and mind, the way his muscles moved more fluidly and his thoughts came more clearly.Determined to make the most of his newfound power, David set out into the forest once more, this time with a clear purpose. He needed to hunt down a beast that could provide the materials for a proper set of armor—something that would complement Dragon's Might and enhance his abilities even further.The forest, which had been his hunting ground for weeks, now felt different. His enhanced senses allowed him to perceive details he had never noticed before—the rustling of leaves in the wind, the faint heartbeat of a small creature hidden in the underbrush, the distant roar of a predator far beyond his immediate vicinity.David hunted with a newfound confidence, cutting down beasts with precision and efficiency. He decided to make a cloak, using the pelt of a wolf for its durability and the skin of a Nightstalker for its stealth properties. The Nightstalker's skin was particularly useful, as the creature was known for its ability to blend into the shadows, making it an ideal material for boots that would allow him to move silently.With the cloak completed, David considered his next move. He needed something more—armor that could protect him from the powerful beasts he intended to hunt. His mind wandered to the idea of scale armor, and he thought of the Gloom Serpent. The scales of such a creature would provide excellent protection, and the thought of crafting armor from the serpent's hide intrigued him.He spent the entire day hunting, but only encountered Shadow Goats, Ravagers, and wolves. only one of them provided the materials he sought, and by the end of the day, he had only managed to complete the cloak. Still, he knew that persistence would pay off. He just needed the right opportunity.A week passed, and during that time, David encountered new beasts, including some low and mid-silver tier creatures that he dispatched with ease. However, none of them had the materials he needed for his armor. Frustrated but undeterred, he devised a new strategy: bait.He decided to appear vulnerable, using the carcass of a Shadow Goat as bait. The idea was to lure out a predator that might otherwise avoid him. It was a risky move, but one that could yield the results he wanted.The strategy worked, increasing his encounter rate with various beasts. As he was skinning the Shadow Goat, a movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned slowly, his enhanced senses picking up on the faintest sound—a hiss, low and menacing.Emerging from the shadows was a Gloom Serpent, its scales shimmering with a dark iridescence. This one was larger than the one he had seen fighting the badger weeks ago. It was a formidable creature, one that would provide the materials he needed—but only if he could defeat it.David tightened his grip on Dragon's Might, feeling the sword's weight in his hand. The battle ahead would be arduous, but he was ready.