Scarlet Sky [ II ]

The Warden swung again, but this time Nyx didn't dodge. Instead, he raised his sword, deflecting the blow at an angle that caused the Warden's own momentum to throw it off balance. In that split second, Nyx darted behind the creature once more.

"Now!" he whispered, and with a swift, precise movement, he drove his sword into the back of the Warden's neck.

The creature roared in pain as the blade pierced through its armor, sinking deep into its flesh. Nyx twisted the sword, feeling the Warden's body shudder beneath his grip. The massive goblin staggered forward, its red eyes flickering as it struggled to remain standing.

Nyx withdrew the sword and stepped back, watching as the Warden's towering form collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash. The battle was over.

Breathing heavily, Nyx wiped the blood from his blade once more, his cold grin returning. "Victory," he whispered to himself, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

The sky was red, casting a sinister glow over the rooftop. The blood-colored light bathed everything in an ominous hue, as if the world itself was watching Nyx's battle unfold with cruel anticipation. His smirk widened, the unsettling color only adding to the chaos around him.

"The sky looks like blood," Nyx muttered to himself, glancing up at the fiery expanse above. The world had changed, and with it, so had the rules. In this crimson-tinted chaos, only those with power would survive, and Nyx was determined to claim as much power as he could.

The scarlet light reflected in Nyx's eyes as he stepped over the fallen Warden's body, his gaze drifting toward the distant Tower that loomed in the horizon. 

He smirked, the thought of more power spurring him on. "The Tower is next," he whispered to himself.

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"A mana stone," Nyx said softly, pulling out the radiant gem. The scarlet sky reflected off its surface, casting a faint glow over his hand. This stone was larger than the ones he had collected earlier, pulsing with energy.

"This will be useful," Nyx muttered as he slipped the stone into his pocket. "But it's not enough."

"It seems like my strength has improved greatly from all the lower-level battles," Nyx muttered under his breath, feeling the surge of power coursing through his body. His movements were sharper, faster, and more controlled than before. He had known that battling the goblins had strengthened him, but this moment, facing the Warden and its minions, confirmed it.

"Status!" Nyx called out, his voice echoing in the eerie silence of the rooftop as the red sky continued to loom over the scene.

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[ STATUS SCREEN ]

PLAYER: NYX VALMEISTER LEVEL: 3 [ 78 / 200 ]

TALENT: GENERATE [ Z ]

SKILLS: COMMAND [ SS ] | PROFICIENCY: 1.05% / 100%

INSIGHT [ F ] -> EVOLVED TO 'OFFSIGHT' [ E ] | PROFICIENCY: 3% / 100%

WEAKNESS SENSING [ E ] | PROFICIENCY: 4% / 100%

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"So this is what it feels like,"he said quietly, his voice laced with a dark thrill. "Leveling up truly is intoxicating." he whispered to himself, savoring the moment. Yet, despite his thrill, there was no celebration, no joy.

Without another word, Nyx began to walk, stepping over the remains of the Warden and its goblin minions. The rooftop was silent now, save for the distant howling wind. The scarlet hue of the sky deepened, the ominous glow casting long shadows as Nyx made his way toward the exit.

As he descended the stairs from the rooftop, the air grew heavier, "Whoever stands in my way will fall."

With each step, his presence seemed to darken, as if the shadows themselves responded to his growing strength.