The jungle floor trembled as the towering predator stepped into the clearing.
It was twice the size of the previous beasts, its scales glinting like obsidian armor, and its claws curved like sickles.
Its three glowing red eyes locked on Lin.
"C-Crystal…" Lin whispered.
"Yes?" Crystal's tone was cheerful.
"What the hell is THAT?"
"Your first real boss fight. Congratulations."
Lin's jaw dropped. "I'm not ready!"
"Good. It wouldn't be a trial if you were," Crystal said sweetly. "Now, don't die too fast."
---
Skill Unlock: Dodge
A blue notification popped in front of Lin.
> Skill Unlocked: Dodge Lv.1
React faster to attacks. 10% chance to auto-roll away from lethal strikes.
Lin blinked. "Auto-roll?"
"Yes," Crystal purred. "Like a noob in a video game. Press the button mentally, and hope it works."
The predator lunged. Lin's body moved on its own—he rolled sideways just in time, the claws slicing through the ground where he stood.
Elara hissed, "Stay sharp! That thing won't stop until one of us is dead."
---
First Boss Mechanics
The predator's tail lashed out, knocking a tree in half. Its movement was strangely rhythmic—lunge, claw, tail sweep.
"Pattern detected," Crystal announced. "Lunge, claw, tail. Repeat. Learn it or die."
"Easier said than done!" Lin shouted, dodging again.
Elara darted in, slashing at its hind leg, but the blade barely scratched the scales.
"It's armored!" she yelled.
"Then go for the gaps," Crystal advised. "Its eyes, mouth, or underbelly. Preferably with something sharper than your glorified stick."
---
Desperate Measures
Lin glanced at his wooden stick, now glowing faintly.
"System! Upgrade stick! Anything!"
> System Shop (Basic) Unlocked.
"Spend XP to upgrade your current weapon?"
"Yes! All of it!" Lin screamed as the predator lunged again.
The stick glowed brighter, transforming into a jagged, shimmering blade-like club.
> Item Upgraded: Jungle Stick → Glowing Fang Club (Basic).
Lin grinned. "Okay… now we're talking."
Crystal smirked. "About time you stopped swinging like a toddler."
---
Team Attack
Elara caught Lin's eye. "Distract it. I'll go for the eyes."
Lin nodded, heart hammering. He ran forward, yelling like an idiot. "HEY UGLY! Over here!"
The predator turned, slashing at him.
Lin dodged once, twice—on the third, he rolled under its belly and swung upward with the Glowing Fang Club.
It screeched as sparks burst from its scales.
Elara leapt, her dagger stabbing into one glowing eye. The predator roared, shaking the trees.
---
System Upgrade Surge
> Skill Dodge Lv.2 – Improved Evasion
XP gained: +250
Crystal's voice was smug. "Look at you, actually useful."
Lin panted. "I'm… not dead…"
"Yet."
---
The Predator's Counter
The predator thrashed, knocking Elara aside. She hit a tree with a grunt, dropping her dagger.
"ELARA!" Lin shouted.
He sprinted toward her, but the predator's tail swept across the ground like a whip.
This time, the Dodge skill didn't trigger in time. The tail slammed into Lin's chest, sending him flying into the mud.
Pain exploded through his ribs. He couldn't breathe.
Crystal's voice flickered. "Warning: HP critical. One more hit and you're done."
---
First "Real" Choice
A new notification popped up:
> Emergency Option: Respawn Now or Fight On (Risk 2x XP Reward).
Lin's vision blurred. He could feel the mud under his fingers, the taste of blood in his mouth.
"Respawn," he wheezed. But his eyes flicked to Elara, still down, the predator stalking toward her.
Crystal's voice softened—rare for her. "If you fight, you might die for real. Respawn and you'll lose this chance…"
Lin clenched his fists. "No… I'm not running. Not this time."
---
Cliffhanger
He pushed himself up, every nerve screaming in pain. His Glowing Fang Club flared brighter, as if sensing his resolve.
The predator lunged.
Elara raised her head weakly. "Lin…?"
Lin screamed, charging forward.
Crystal whispered, "Finally acting like a protagonist…"
The predator's claws descended, Lin's club swung upward—
—and everything went white.
To be continued…