Portal trial V

They kept walking deeper into the forest when the system notification chimes again.

Ding!

[System Alert: Quest Available]

[Quest: Trial of the Forsaken Forest]

[Objective: Survive the onslaught of the Forsaken Forest and locate the heart of the forest]

[Penalty: Death]

[Timer: 15 minutes remaining]

Dan's playful grin faded, replaced by a cautious frown as he read the floating notification.

"Another quest already? Damn, we really don't get to rest, do we?"

"Focus," Elias replied, his tone clipped and tense.

His gaze swept the surroundings, scanning for any movement in the swirling mist that surrounded the forest.

"The system doesn't give us time to argue. Let's move."

Dan adjusted his stance, pulling out his twin daggers and suddenly looking all serious.

"Guess what? These babies are going to bring us to another victory once again, so don't underestimate them… they clearly pack a punch."

Elias glanced at the daggers with a nonchalant attitude. "Those glorified toothpicks? Trust me, I've been there, and I hope they do more than scratch the surface."

Ding!

[Enemy Detected]

[Threat Level: Low]

[Penalty: death]

[Timer: 14 minutes 10 seconds]

[Proceed with caution.]

Low threat indeed and it will end up almost leading to death.

Dan's grip tightened on his daggers. "You feel that?"

Elias nodded. "We're not alone."

Before Dan could respond, the mist parted, revealing a figure with twisted limbs wrapped in bark-like skin.

Its gnarled face split into a jagged maw as it moved unnaturally fast, claws gleaming menacingly.

Elias reacted instinctively, his Dark Shard slicing through the air in a precise arc.

The blade met the creature's chest with a sickening crunch, cleaving it in two.

The remains crumpled to the forest floor, black ichor pooling beneath them.

[Enemy successfully defeated]

The system sarcastic voice chipped in again; you just have to show off your wack skill to a wack person like you.

Dan let out a low whistle. "Alright, sword boy. Not bad."

Elias didn't respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched slightly, as if trying to suppress a smile. Instead, he quickly turned his attention back to the mist, his stance tense.

Dan's cocky grin faded as he raised his daggers. "Well… this is gonna suck."

The first wave hit like a storm.

Elias was a blur, his sword carving deadly arcs through the air. Every swing was calculated, every strike lethal.

The Dark Shard cleaved through bark with ease, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

[Skill activated: instinctive dodge]

His instinctive dodge activated seamlessly, guiding him away from swipes and lunges that could have left him vulnerable...or worse, dead.

Dan wasn't idle either. Despite his playful nature, his movements were precise and agile.

He darted between the creatures, his daggers flashing like twin fangs.

His attacks lacked Elias's raw power but made up for it in speed and precision.

The creatures howled as he slashed at their joints, crippling them before delivering killing blows.

Despite his skill with the daggers, Dan couldn't ignore the exhaustion creeping into his limbs.

These creatures were relentless, and every time they cut one down, two more would take its place.

The odds were stacked against them.

They were drenched in whatever passed for blood in the creatures, beads of sweat running down their faces.

"How's that for toothpicks?" Dan called out, panting as he downed another beast.

Elias didn't look up. "Keep moving. They're endless." His Dark Shard cut through the beasts with a haunting ease.

Each strike severed them in half, sending splinters flying and leaving dark stains on the forest floor.

His movements were swift and sure, every swing a lethal strike.

The battle raged on, a relentless tide of claws and teeth. The forest seemed alive, its very essence fighting to consume them.

The beasts grew more coordinated, their attacks sharper and more synchronized.

Elias's armor deflected several near-fatal strikes, the enchanted plating absorbing impacts that would have shattered bone.

His movements were efficient but not flawless..he was still learning the basics of offense and defense.

Dan, meanwhile, was beginning to falter. His breaths came in ragged gasps, his movements slowing. "Elias, any bright ideas? Because I'm running low here!"

Before Elias could respond, the system voice chimed.

Ding!

[EXP Gained: 40]

[Level Up: New abilities unlocked]

Elias felt a surge of power as his stats increased.

His stamina replenished slightly, and a new notification flashed in his vision.

[Skill Unlocked: Rip Strike]

"It came at the right time," he muttered, though he didn't have time to celebrate.

A massive beast barreled toward him, its claws raised for a killing blow. Instinctively, he triggered his new skill.

[Skill activated: Rip strike]

His blade moved like lightning, parrying the attack and countering with a devastating strike.

The creature collapsed, its body disintegrating into ash.

"Not bad," Elias muttered to himself. The skill was a game changer, and he needed every edge he could get.

Dan, on the other hand, was in trouble. A beast had managed to knock him off balance, its claws raking across his arm.

He cried out, blood seeping through the torn sleeve.

Just as the creature prepared to strike again, Elias intervened, his blade severing its head in a single, fluid motion.

"Focus," Elias snapped, hauling Dan to his feet. "We can't afford mistakes. Don't be a weakling."

Dan grimaced, clutching his arm. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, hero boy. I probably owe you one now."

….

The fight continued, each wave more brutal than the last. The duo grew increasingly battered, their movements slower, their strikes less precise.

But they refused to give in.

At some point,it looks like they will just drop dead but they kept going on and on until Dan stumbled upon a dropped item…..a small glowing manual.

He bent and picked it up.

The system voice chimed.

Ding!

[Loot Acquired: Battle Technique Manual - Beginner Guide to Sword Mastery]

Dan grinned despite his exhaustion. "Well, look at that. Maybe this forest isn't all bad."

In the heat of the moment, he pulled out the healing balm they had acquired from one of the creatures he'd slain.

The small vial shimmered faintly in the darkness. Uncorking it, he took a quick swig.

The cool liquid surged through his system, easing his exhaustion and repairing minor wounds.

"That's more like it," Dan said with a grin, wiping the last of the mist from his face.

Elias didn't reply. His focus was on the enemies still swarming them.

Activating his instinctive dodge, he narrowly avoided a claw aimed at his neck.

His sword moved like an extension of his will, each swing more refined than the last.

Ding!

[Congratulations]

[Enemy Wave Cleared. Quest Updated.]

[Reward: Healing Balm x2 and a reasonable amount of EXP]

The forest fell eerily silent.

Elias and Dan stood amidst the carnage, their bodies trembling from exhaustion.

Blood…..both theirs and the creatures'.....stained the ground.

Their breaths came in ragged gasps, their legs threatening to give out. But they were alive.

Dan collapsed onto a nearby log, clutching the manual. "Well, that sucked. But hey, at least I got a cool new skill book… and I don't even use a sword."

Elias wiped his blade clean, his expression unreadable. "Don't get too comfortable. We're not done yet. Did you hear the system congratulating us?"

The system chimed, almost as if it had been waiting for them to notice.

Ding!

[Final Phase Initiated: Retrieve the Heart of the Forest]

[Penalty: Death]

[You have limited time.]