Kalyan's leg still ached, but his resolve burned brighter than ever. The System Shop lingered in his mind—a treasure trove of power, waiting for points he didn't yet have. If he wanted permanent skills, Dragon Hearts, or even a God Vessel someday, he needed experience, survival, and cleverness.
A faint alert flashed in his vision:
"Nearby Raft detected. Monster Tier: B."
He frowned. A B-Tier? He had survived C-Tiers barely. But the system pulsed in response to his heartbeat, urging him forward. Points. Power. Progress.
Arriving at the Raft site, Kalyan's eyes widened. Unlike the previous pack of wolves, this creature was massive—a towering humanoid with molten veins running along its arms, skin like cracked obsidian, and eyes that burned with pure malice. The locals had already fled, leaving the streets empty.
"Recommended Action: Engage only if confident. Potential reward: 3,200 System Points."
Kalyan gritted his teeth. Confidence wasn't a given—strategy was. He summoned his first permanent skill: a radiant sword infused with his aura. This one wouldn't disappear after minutes; this was truly his.
The creature lunged, and instinct guided him. Using the aura-enhanced sword, he sliced through its thick arm, focusing on weak points he had studied: joints, molten veins, and eyes. Sparks flew, and the monster roared, staggering back.
The fight was brutal, pushing him to the edge. Each strike drained stamina, each dodge tested reflexes, and each system message reminded him of the cost and reward of skill mastery.
Finally, with a surge of aura and a precise, spinning slash, Kalyan pierced the creature's core. The ground shook as it fell.
"Monster defeated. Tier B. 3,200 System Points awarded."
The system pulsed around him. A new icon appeared: Skill Slot #1: Permanent Integration Available.
Kalyan exhaled, adrenaline still high. Every point, every fight, every careful observation mattered. This was the path: earning points, mastering permanent skills, and surviving monsters far stronger than him.
And somewhere in the shadows, unseen eyes watched—members of the Hunter Association, dragons sensing awakening power, and distant Rafts preparing to open again.
Kalyan looked at his radiant sword, his aura glowing faintly. His journey was just beginning, but he already knew one truth: he would not just survive. He would rise.