[Ding!]
[Task - Successfully Assassinate 5 magical beasts without being detected. Reward - 500 Mana Stones, 1 Faceless Mask]
As the notification echoed in his mind, Solace paused in the forest, the words flashing across his vision. He felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation. This task was more than just an opportunity to earn rewards—it was a challenge, a test of his abilities and his mindset.
He glanced around at the dense woods, listening to the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of twigs underfoot. This was the perfect opportunity to not only increase his power but also to temper himself. Despite his confident facade, deep down, he still wasn't fully sure how he would handle killing something or someone. He had never taken a life before—at least, not consciously. But this was his new reality, and he couldn't afford hesitation.
He clenched his fists, steeling himself. I'll train until blood looks like water. Until killing becomes second nature. His resolve solidified, and he began moving through the forest once more.
It still felt surreal, almost like a dream. The weight of his katana was familiar, but everything else was a new world—a world where he was expected to shed his humanity and embrace power. But Solace didn't have the luxury of being distracted by doubts. He had a goal.
The forest stretched on, thick and alive with magic. His Abyssal Eye flickered occasionally, scanning for potential targets. After only a short while, he came across something that caught his attention—a large, ape-like creature moving through the underbrush. It was brutish, lumbering, and seemingly unaware of his presence.
He stood still, watching the creature with the Abyssal Eye active. An info box appeared in his vision.
[Ironback Ape]
Level: 7
Class: Magical Beast
Weakness: Vulnerable to high-impact attacks
Habitat: Dense forests, swamps
---
"Eh?" Solace raised an eyebrow as he looked at the ape. "Shouldn't I go for something a bit weaker?"
He hesitated for a moment, eyeing the beast. His gut instinct was to pick an easier target—something that would let him get his feet wet. But then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Solace, if you're going to be an assassin, the level shouldn't matter. There will be times when you'll have to kill those much stronger than yourself. A true assassin can kill no matter the obstacle. Remember, you are an Aethernal. While most of your racial traits won't unlock yet, your innate recursion will allow you to adapt to anything. Embrace that power.]
Solace nodded, his lips curling into a small smirk. Adapt to anything. The words rang in his ears, reminding him of what he truly was: an Aethernal, a being who could transcend limits. The system's words fueled his confidence. The creature before him was just another obstacle to overcome.
His eyes shifted to the ape again. It was large, with thick, muscled limbs and an iron-like back that gave it its name. But the information he'd gathered told him it had a weakness—a vulnerability to high-impact attacks. Solace could already feel the gears turning in his mind.
He wasn't going to take it head-on. That would be too risky. Instead, he would use his space affinity to gain an advantage.
He focused, silently activating Swap and Phantom Blade in tandem. His eyes narrowed as he locked onto the ape's position, assessing its every movement. With his newfound focus, he calculated the distance, the angle of the attack, and the perfect moment to strike.
The ape continued to amble, oblivious to his presence. Solace took a breath, centering his mind. He could hear the rhythm of the ape's footsteps, feel the pulse of its energy in the air. Everything around him fell away as he zeroed in on his target.
Now.
In an instant, he swapped positions with the nearest tree branch, landing behind the creature without a sound. The ape was still moving forward, unaware of the danger that now loomed behind it.
Solace raised his katana, activating Phantom Blade as he swung it through the air. The sword arced with deadly precision, its edge slicing through the air like a blade of light. The ethereal extension of the sword passed through the space between them, leaving no trace of its presence except for the blood that began to trickle down the ape's side.
The ape let out a roar of pain, spinning around to face its assailant, but Solace was already moving again. He activated Swap once more, appearing behind the beast, and struck again. The ape's blood sprayed across the forest floor as Solace's sword cut through its hide, aiming for its vital spots with lethal accuracy.
The ape swung its fists wildly, trying to connect with the elusive figure, but Solace was already out of reach, his katana flashing in the moonlight. He swapped positions again, appearing above the creature. With a focused strike, he drove his sword into the ape's skull, cutting deep into its brain.
The ape collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud, its massive body twitching for a moment before going still.
[Ding!]
[Task - 1/5 magical beasts successfully assassinated.]
[Congratulations on leveling up! Level 4]
Solace stood over the body, panting slightly from the exertion. His senses were heightened, his mind alive with the thrill of the kill. This was only the beginning. He hadn't hesitated, hadn't faltered, and he had achieved his goal. The first of many.
The wind rustled through the trees, and for the first time, Solace didn't feel the weight of doubt on his shoulders. His path had begun, and nothing—no beast, no challenge—would stand in his way.
"One down," he murmured with a small smile, already turning to search for his next target. "Four more to go."
And with that, Solace melted back into the shadows, his katana gleaming in the dim moonlight as he prepared for the next kill. This was his world now, and he would carve his place in it, one step at a time.